CHAPTER 346: CHAPTER 340: PUBLIC EMBARRASSMENT SCENE

Avoiding people, He Ci Shi met with Zhao Hanzhang alone. He unbuttoned his inner garment and showed Zhao Hanzhang the old wound on his chest.

Zhao Hanzhang gasped.

He Ci Shi held her hand and cried, "Third Lady, you are the only one from the counties to rescue us. Do you not realize that facing the Xiongnu army means doom? Ultimately, it’s your kindness, unwilling to let Yu State fall into Xiongnu’s hands."

He Ci Shi’s face was streaming with tears, "Beyond Chen County, there are four more counties, all taken by the Xiongnu. They slaughtered one city, and in the other three, barely one in ten citizens survived. I’m daring not to relax at all. If the Xiongnu army breaks through Yu State under me, I would bear the guilt for eternity, condemned throughout history."

"As you see now, my days are numbered. I hand Yu State over to you today, pleading with you to defend Yu State, to definitely defend Yu State."

Zhao Hanzhang opened her mouth, nodded with difficulty, and replied, "Hanzhang will do her best."

He Ci Shi breathed a sigh of relief, tears in his eyes.

The two walked out together, and He Ci Shi announced before everyone, "Zhao Hanzhang, outstanding in talent and virtuous in character, is promoted to Prefectural Governor of Ru Nan County and Vice General of Yu State Army, as vanguard. From now on, except for orders from me, all three armies shall follow Zhao Hanzhang."

All the soldiers and officials of Inspector Mansion were shocked, turning their gazes to the girl beside He Ci Shi.

Zhao Hanzhang still wore armor with a long sword at her waist, her eyes calmly returning their gaze, neither startled nor flustered, neither arrogant nor servile, without fear or joy.

After a moment’s pause, everyone raised their hands to salute, responding in unison, "Yes!"

Zhao Ju and Sun Linghui were both excited, especially Sun Linghui, clenching her fists, her eyes shining while staring at Zhao Hanzhang.

He Ci Shi decisively let Zhao Hanzhang act on his behalf in the army after announcing her promotion.

Zhao Hanzhang accepted but did not immediately meet the officials and soldiers of the Inspector Mansion and Yu State Army, instead sending Zhao Ju to bring her people in, with Sun Linghui following him to arrange the ten thousand soldiers they had brought.

Fu Tinghan found a position below her and sat down, asking, "What happened to He Ci Shi?"

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "He’s dying."

Her voice was flat, yet with an unnoticed lament, "His chest wound is not just old; it’s likely worsened from a second injury, already spoiled, and now at the end of its strength. He won’t live long."

Fu Tinghan fell silent and after a moment said, "This makes the situation worse for us."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "External enemies are at our gates, and internally, we suddenly have a change in command. Although I am confident in myself, I know it’s hard for someone my age and experience to gain the trust of Yu State’s soldiers and officials. To truly lead them, we need a victory."

Fu Tinghan frowned deeply and after a moment stood up, saying, "I’ll check the current information gathered by our scouts."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded and called Yu Sheng over, telling him, "Please accompany Mr. Fu to review the military reports."

Yu Sheng was a trusted advisor of He Ci Shi, with significant influence in the Inspector Mansion, so with him leading, no one dared stop Fu Tinghan.

Thinking of He Ci Shi’s instructions and current physical state, Yu Sheng respectfully agreed and stepped aside, inviting Fu Tinghan to proceed first.

Fu Tinghan nodded to Zhao Hanzhang before turning to leave.

Zhao Hanzhang remained silent for a long time, finally forcing a smile, lifting her chin confidently and walking out.

Zhao Ju brought her people in, and she formally met with the officials and soldiers of the Inspector Mansion.

After the meeting, the mansion’s military leaders and officials somewhat looked down upon Zhao Hanzhang’s team.

The most convincing among them was likely Zhao Ju; the rest, including Zhao Kuan and Fu Tinghan beside her, seemed too young, not to mention Sun Linghui.

Not only young, but also a woman!

There were few military reports in the Inspector Mansion; Fu Tinghan quickly memorized them and reviewed various intelligence from Yu State Army scouts, exchanging names with others after seeing them, he began to report the situation of both sides.

"Liu Yuan’s army claims to have two hundred thousand, but judging by battle trends and intelligence from various places, they likely only have around one hundred twenty thousand. The rest are either logistics, non-combatants, or ordinary civilians coerced into service." Fu Tinghan said, "And we have even fewer combat-ready soldiers here."

Fu Tinghan looked at the gathered military officials, saying, "We claim eighty thousand but have less than fifty thousand actual fighters—all inflated numbers."

The generals were displeased; Xun Xiu shouted on behalf of his companions, "Mr. Fu, you must take responsibility for your words. Are you accusing us of taking ghost salaries?"

Fu Tinghan replied with an unwavering expression, "Is there ghost salaries from the court for you to take now? If you’re taking any, it’s He Ci Shi’s ghost salaries. But these figures were calculated from the supplies you received from He Ci Shi, meaning he’s aware of your ghost salaries. Your patron knows it, so it’s not really ghost salaries."

Xun Xiu:...

He Ci Shi hidden behind a large screen listening:...

Zhao Hanzhang lifted her eyelids and glanced at them, motioning to Fu Tinghan, "Continue."

Subsequently, Fu Tinghan began reporting other situations empty-handed, such as the state of Yu State’s warehouses and supplies, weapon and military equipment conditions, estimated personnel under various generals, horse situation...

Even expected weather conditions for the coming days.

The generals were astonished, mouths agape, turning their heads toward Yu Sheng in suspicion that such details had been instructed by him to Fu Tinghan.

But Yu Sheng was also surprised, unable to react for a long while.

Everyone was greatly shocked, uncertain how to question Zhao Hanzhang’s abilities.

The rest of the day passed amid Fu Tinghan’s report.

Upon hearing Fu Tinghan mention that the Xiongnu army was divided into four sections surrounding Yu State, with their central force stationed outside Chen County, Zhao Hanzhang immediately rose with interest, wanting to see from the city tower.

Everyone naturally followed, but before going, Xun Xiu and others pulled Yu Sheng aside, leaving several key officials and leaders behind.

Xun Xiu asked disgruntled, "You knew such crucial news, yet you told Fu Tinghan and not us? Since when did you join Zhao Hanzhang?"

Yu Sheng: "...I just learned this crucial news myself, General Xun. You never told me you only have eight thousand men; didn’t you claim fifteen thousand?"

Xun Xiu’s gaze flickered, then he straightened confidently, "I’m not the only one inflating numbers; it’s not the most critical issue. If you didn’t say it, how do they know? Even if incorrect, I actually have nine thousand..."

Xun Xiu’s voice lowered, lacking confidence, "Mr. Yu, our commander is too biased. Though Zhao Hanzhang came to aid, she only has ten thousand men. Where are we inferior to her? We’ve followed the commander for many years."

Behind the screen, He Ci Shi coughed heavily, startling those holding Yu Sheng in place.