CHAPTER 457: CHAPTER 451: NEWS

Fu Tinghan’s solution was to personally repair these tools, which was not difficult for him, even though he didn’t have many tools on hand.

But with just a few pieces of wood and a shovel, he carved out the wooden pieces he wanted, then began repairing them.

As for the hoes with notches, he simply adjusted the angle, then had someone try it out: tilling the land was not strenuous, and there was little difference compared to a perfectly intact hoe.

However, continuous use would cause greater wear and tear.

Fu Tinghan handed the tools back to them, reassuring, "Alright, go back to work. Our speed isn’t slow. If things get stolen, they get stolen. Next time, everyone just needs to carry their tools with them."

Zhao Hanzhang, on the other hand, contemplated him thoughtfully.

Fu Tinghan turned back and asked, "What’s the matter?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Everyone here is smart and talented. Whatever it is, as long as we raise the issue, people below will naturally come up with various solutions."

Fu Tinghan: "..."

He said somewhat dejectedly, "Right now, I am one of the people below."

Zhao Hanzhang smiled at him, having already made up her mind. When she returned to the Governor Mansion in the evening, she changed her clothes then summoned Fan Ying, saying, "Inform Wushan Iron Mine and Pingxi Mountain Iron Mine that I need three times their current output because I will require a large number of farming tools next spring."

She also instructed, "Order each county to recruit blacksmiths and train those capable of iron forging. By February of the following year, each county must increase by at least ten blacksmiths. Have you completed the announcement regarding the improvement of craftsmen’s treatment that I previously assigned to you?"

Fan Ying bowed and said, "It’s done and has been distributed, but there’s been no feedback from any location."

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "Send it out again. This time, issue three consecutive orders, indicating that I will be visiting each county after the New Year to see them."

Ignoring them won’t do, let’s see if this doesn’t scare them to death.

Fan Ying noted everything down, then handed over a stack of official documents for Zhao Hanzhang to review.

Zhao Hanzhang multitasked, quickly skimming through the documents in her hand while listening to Fan Ying report on matters, which were mostly information compiled from various locations.

"Wang Nai and Xie Shi have both gone south. Calculating the days, they should arrive in Nanyang in a few days; Zhao Kuan was ordered to Ruyin County and is currently overseeing the situation; today we received two secret letters, both accusing Mr. Ji of private killings."

Zhao Hanzhang looked up from the documents, "Who did Mr. Ji kill?"

"He killed the County Magistrate of Meng County, and..." Fan Ying glanced at Zhao Hanzhang before continuing, "Also the Long History of Qiao Country."

Zhao Hanzhang raised an eyebrow and looked at Fan Ying.

Fan Ying then explained in detail, "Does the Governor remember Qiao Country?"

Of course, she remembered. While rescuing Beigong Chun, she had wandered around and been to Qiao Country. Hmm, Qiao Country also belonged within the boundaries of Yu State, though it was a bit unique because it was very small, extremely small, with only one county, Qiao County.

Qiao County was made a country because Emperor Wu bestowed it upon King Qiao.

Zhao Hanzhang finally recalled, "Wasn’t King Qiao killed by Shi Le?"

"Yes, because the court... couldn’t attend to Qiao Country, and King Qiao left no heirs, so Qiao Country should now belong to you, the Governor of Yu State, to manage."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded. With the death of the feudal lord, without a successor appointed by the court, the land indeed needed to be managed by the ruling Inspector.

"The Long History ignored orders from the Inspector Mansion and intended to lead the Prince Mansion’s soldiers to side with Gou Xi. After Pei He resigned publicly in Chen County, Mr. Ji immediately ordered Qiao Country’s Long History to be executed and took over Qiao Country directly."

Zhao Hanzhang tapped the table, contemplated for a moment, then instructed, "Order to change Qiao Country to Qiao County and incorporate it into Liang State. Assign Mi Ce to garrison with troops in Qiao Country to prevent another southern incursion by the Xiongnu."

Fan Ying’s lips curved into a slight smile, loudly responding, "Yes."

Qiao Country, nestled next to Yan State, was one of the outer five counties to Yu State. Previously, it only obeyed Gou Xi’s command and not Zhao Hanzhang’s. Mr. Ji seized the opportunity brought by Zhao Hanzhang’s fierce reputation to kill the Long History of Qiao Country and reclaim Qiao Country, serving as a warning to other counties and countries.

"Is there any other news?"

"The rest pertains to the outside."

Zhao Hanzhang made her decision on the document in hand, then set it aside, picking up another as she said, "Speak."

Fan Ying hesitated a moment before saying, "Rumor has it, Prince East Sea seems to want to withdraw from the Capital City."

Zhao Hanzhang was taken aback, looking up, "What?"

Fan Ying continued, "The weather is too cold, causing enormous strain on the army. Gou Xi’s forces remaining around the Capital City are few; most have returned to Yan State, but Prince East Sea hasn’t deployed troops to drive away the ones still surrounding the Capital City. Mr. Ji mentions in his letter that there’s quiet talk in the Capital City that Prince East Sea wants to withdraw."

Zhao Hanzhang felt a rush of complex emotions, asking, "So this news is uncertain?"

"Yes, it’s just hearsay, but Mr. Ji specifically wrote about it in his letter."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded slightly, asking, "Anything else?"

"As Gou Xi withdrew, he annexed Shangdang County and the southern part of Wei County, so although he withdrew to Yan State, he still has the Capital City tightly besieged."

Shangdang County and Wei County still lie north of Luoyang, not to mention their distance from Yan State; clearly, Gou Xi did not make an empty trip this time.

Zhao Hanzhang nodded to indicate her understanding and asked, "Anything else?"

Fan Ying replied, "A letter has arrived from the Capital City."

The only person who would write to Zhao Hanzhang from the Capital City is Zhao Zhongyu.

Zhao Hanzhang asked no further questions and, after finishing reviewing all documents, reached out, "Bring the letter."

Fan Ying promptly offered it. This was a personal letter; without Zhao Hanzhang’s permission, Fan Ying would not open it, so she was unaware of its contents.

Zhao Hanzhang opened it; the letter was quite thick, with five to six pages, which she unfolded to read.

The letter was from Zhao Zhongyu, detailing the current state of the Capital City. He informed Zhao Hanzhang that the rift between Prince East Sea and the Emperor was deepening, with frequent arguments occurring. Not only was the Emperor eager to shake off Prince East Sea, but Zhao Zhongyu also observed signs of Prince East Sea’s weariness.

He stated, "Recently, there have been rumors in the city saying that Prince East Sea wants to return eastward to East Sea. I am unsure of its veracity, but if true, he might not leave a single soldier for Your Majesty, placing the Capital City in crisis, which might present you with an opportunity."

Zhao Zhongyu implied that although Zhao Hanzhang was currently the Yu State Governor, her title was not fully acknowledged. To have legitimate control over Yu State, she needed a decree from the Emperor.

Thus, Zhao Zhongyu proposed, "If Prince East Sea leaves the Capital City, you could come to relocate the Emperor, securing the foundation of a crucial achievement, for Your Majesty would surely bestow a title upon you, legitimizing your authority."

He also mentioned the widespread presence of refugees in the Capital City due to Gou Xi’s siege, blocking the city’s exits and entry of supplies, causing daily starvation within. The situation was dire, and the Emperor urgently required their assistance. If Zhao Hanzhang could seize this opportunity, she could become the first female governor of Great Jin and achieve eternal fame.

Zhao Hanzhang tapped the table, pondered for some time, then unfolded a blank sheet of paper to write back to Zhao Zhongyu.