CHAPTER 342: CHAPTER 336: TRUST

Wang Nai and Xie Shi had been practicing swordsmanship since childhood. Although they were not very proficient, upon seeing Zhao Hanzhang, who was younger and smaller than them, they felt confident they could win. That was until they actually engaged in combat with Zhao Hanzhang.

They were aristocratic young masters; up to this point, their sword practice was just that—practice. They had never shed blood, let alone killed anyone.

But Zhao Hanzhang had killed before and been on the battlefield. As soon as her sword was unsheathed, it was different. Not to mention, over the past year, she had been diligently practicing both swordsmanship and spear techniques, bringing together her past experiences in martial arts and brawling. She was far superior to the two who had never seen blood.

Zhao Hanzhang firmly believed that in the martial arts world, only speed was unbreakable, so her swordsmanship focused on speed. Through her deliberate study, the already speed-centric swordsmanship became even faster in her hands.

This particular sword technique was a swift style deliberately sought out for her by Zhao Ming. It was the "Gentleman’s Sword," but Zhao Hanzhang intended to use it on the battlefield, so after learning it, she adjusted it for killing purposes.

Every stroke of her sword aimed to take a life, and even the softer moves were meant to better execute the next deadly attack.

Zhao Hanzhang struck swiftly. When Xie Shi drew his sword, he only had time to see the cold gleam of the incoming blade. He instinctively blocked it, and the clash of swords produced a clear sound. Before he could react, Zhao Hanzhang changed moves, quickly retracted her sword and thrust it towards his right chest. Xie Shi felt a chill down his spine as the tip of the sword touched his chest painfully...

Xie Shi’s expression changed, and instead of retreating defensively, he switched his defense into offense and launched an attack at Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled faintly and parried the attack. Xie Shi’s confidence surged, wanting to attack faster. But as he changed his strategy, Zhao Hanzhang’s sword moved like a dragon through his defenses, aiming directly for his throat...

The sword tip stopped right before his neck, and Zhao Hanzhang withdrew her sword, cupping her fists, "Thank you for letting me win!"

Xie Shi glanced down at his right chest. There was a cut but no blood, showing that she had controlled her strength.

Her exquisite control over force showed her swordsmanship was not weak. In a battle of life and death, he would have died even faster.

Xie Shi composed himself and returned the courtesy, "Thank you, Zhao County Governor, for your mercy."

Zhao Hanzhang smiled slightly, nodded at him gently, and did not deny it.

She tilted her head to look at Wang Nai, "Does Mr. Wang wish for a match?"

Wang Nai: ... He couldn’t even defeat Xie Shi, and Xie Shi only lasted a few moves against her. What was the point of him fighting?

Wang Nai declined.

Xie Shi then said, "Zhao County Governor, I am called Zi Chen."

Wang Nai also cupped his fists, "I go by Zhunzhi."

Zhao Hanzhang curled her lips slightly, then straightforwardly invited them to discuss matters in the front hall.

Ting He served them tea.

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t ask about anything else, only questioned, "How do you two think this battle should be fought?"

Xie Shi and Wang Nai exchanged a glance, and then Xie Shi asked, "How many troops can Zhao County Governor deploy?"

"Only ten thousand."

Xie Shi frowned, "That’s too few."

Zhao Hanzhang sighed, "The incident happened suddenly, and I don’t have many troops at hand. These ten thousand have to be drawn from the garrisons in various counties, and beyond that, we have to recruit."

Wang Nai said, "With Zhao County Governor’s current prestige in Ru Nan County, recruiting soldiers shouldn’t be difficult. Does the County Governor have any ideas about how many to recruit?"

Zhao Hanzhang had indeed thought about it, but her principle of military administration valued quality over quantity. Recruiting new soldiers and bringing them to the battlefield against battle-hardened Xiongnu soldiers would basically serve as cannon fodder.

Every person was precious to her, so she said, "I only intend to recruit an additional thirty thousand."

Xie Shi and Wang Nai frowned simultaneously, feeling it was too few.

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Inspector He currently has eighty thousand men, and Governor Gou has two hundred thousand troops nearby."

Wang Nai was moved, "Does Zhao County Governor wish to ask Gou Xi for assistance?"

Xie Shi’s expression was sour, "I’m afraid it’s not easy. He’s fiercely contending with Prince East Sea. How would he be willing to deplete his forces now?"

Zhao Hanzhang turned to Wang Nai, "If Wang Situ were willing to step forward, this matter could be accomplished."

Wang Nai: ... He’s just a collateral branch, completely unfamiliar with Wang Yan. Most importantly, even if he were familiar, he doesn’t have the ability to persuade Wang Yan.

Xie Shi glanced at him and said to Zhao Hanzhang, "Gou Xi loves a good reputation. Zhao County Governor might as well approach from this angle."

Zhao Hanzhang became thoughtful and nodded with a smile, bringing up the recruitment, "I would like to entrust the recruitment in Pingyu and Xincai to you two. Could you assist me in this matter?"

Xie Shi and Wang Nai were taken aback; they hadn’t expected Zhao Hanzhang to entrust such an important task to them so quickly after their arrival.

Zhao Hanzhang was particularly sincere, writing a letter to the officials in Pingyu and Xincai, instructing them to cooperate with Xie Shi and Wang Nai in recruitment, and also having Fan Ying and Zhao Yunxin accompany them.

Zhao Hanzhang first introduced Fan Ying, "He is the recording secretary of my Governor Mansion’s Household Department, exceptionally talented, and can assist you in recruitment and procurement."

"Zhao Yunxin is my cousin and also my chief clerk. If you need anything, you can ask her."

Xie Shi and Wang Nai were not people to drag their feet. Since Zhao Hanzhang valued them so much, they naturally weren’t hesitant and immediately accepted the task, stating directly, "We’ll head to Pingyu and Xincai tomorrow."

The two men looked at Fan Ying, standing by the side, worried about whether she could keep up, given that she was a woman.

Fan Ying, however, was very excited, her face flushed with a slight red as she said to Zhao Hanzhang, "Rest assured, my lady, I will not disappoint what you have entrusted."

After watching Zhao Hanzhang spar with Xie Shi earlier, she was already brimming with excitement and was now eager to give her all for Zhao Hanzhang. Not only would she be willing to go to Pingyu and Xincai for recruitment, but she would also go to the front lines.

She volunteered, "I’ll go find Yunxin to pack our things now so we can depart early tomorrow."

Zhao Hanzhang agreed with a smile.

Because they had to dispatch troops, Zhao Yunxin and Sun Linghui were also busy. Though it was completely dark outside by this time, they hadn’t finished work yet and continued working with the other officials.

Fan Ying came over to pull her; when she lifted her head from the documents, she was still a bit dazed and asked, "What’s the matter?"

"My lady wants us to accompany Xie Shi and Wang Nai to Pingyu and Xincai for recruitment."

As one of Zhao Hanzhang’s secretaries, Zhao Yunxin naturally knew who Xie Shi and Wang Nai were, and she was stunned, "Weren’t we supposed to have the examination?"

Off to the side, Sun Linghui didn’t even lift her head as she said, "This morning, Uncle Ming came to see the County Governor; she agreed to meet them. However, shortly after, military intelligence arrived, reporting that Ru Nan County needs to dispatch troops, so the talent recruitment exam likely won’t be held."

However, Zhao Hanzhang intended to carry out the exam as scheduled, entrusting it to Ji Yuan, "I don’t know how long this battle will last. We cannot neglect the rear because of the front, so the talent recruitment exam must continue, and the matter of provisions is also entrusted to you, sir."

Ji Yuan agreed outright, "This afternoon, the supplies in Xiping and Shangcai have already been inventoried. The first batch of supplies has departed, so my lady can proceed to Chen County without worrying about provisions for now."

Zhao Hanzhang was very satisfied. She knew Ji Yuan was capable, and entrusting this matter to him was no problem.