CHAPTER 512: CHAPTER 506: DEATH OF A FELLOW DAOIST

"No need to come see me. Ask him if he is confident in taking down Liu Cong’s ten thousand men stationed east of the city. If he is, proceed to attack after a short rest; if not, have him come see me."

"Yes."

Beigong Chun pondered briefly and said, "General, Xun Xiu is attacking from afar, and his soldiers are weary. Why not let me lend him a helping hand?"

"Alright," Zhao Hanzhang immediately responded, "General Beigong, set out at once."

She turned to Ji Yuan and said, "Quietly send a message to Liu Cong’s army, saying that Wang Mi seeks to marry me and that the Zhao Family Army is also interested in allying with Wang Mi."

Ji Yuan instinctively looked at Fu Tinghan.

Fu Tinghan nodded in agreement and said, "That’s a good strategy. What do you plan to reply to Wang Mi?"

Zhao Hanzhang gritted her teeth and said, "No reply!"

When the time comes, just chop off his head, no need to specifically answer him.

Fu Tinghan saw that she was so angry her face turned pale and feared she might harm herself from the anger, so he said, "Don’t be angry, you..."

His eyes fell on her shoulder, and the injury there hadn’t healed yet.

Zhao Hanzhang turned and glared at him, "Aren’t you angry?"

Fu Tinghan’s face darkened, "Do I look like I’m not angry?"

The people below immediately shrank their necks, all looking at Ji Yuan, signaling with their eyes—perhaps they should leave first, as it wasn’t appropriate for them to watch their leader and the young gentleman bicker here.

Zhao Hanzhang still had injuries, and Ji Yuan also feared she might harm herself from the anger, so he quickly said, "Sir, what about the civilians rescued from Luoyang?"

Zhao Hanzhang restrained her anger and asked, "All rescued?"

"Aside from those deliberately hidden, those who should be saved have been rescued."

Zhao Hanzhang stood up and walked out of the tent, and everyone quickly followed her.

Their camp was stationed a bit higher up, not far from the water. It should have been a time when everything was turning green in the spring, but now, looking around, except for a few scattered patches of land, everywhere else was barren.

Zhao Hanzhang sighed deeply and said, "Send troops into the city to search and confiscate all farming tools and iron tools. Do you see that flat land? Enclose it and have them start planting now."

Ji Yuan, "...Sir, all around are deserted towns. Where can we find seeds for them?"

Zhao Hanzhang raised her chin and said, "Send someone to Xiang City to buy them."

Someone suggested, "Sir, why not move all these people to Yu State? Yu State needs people anyway."

"Move everyone to Yu State, then what about Luoyang?" Zhao Hanzhang asked, "Is such a large area just to be wasted?"

In Zhao Hanzhang’s memory, there was a recollection of a little girl’s life in Luoyang. Looking at this desolate city and wilderness, there was sadness in her voice she herself hadn’t realized, "When I was young, although Luoyang was unstable, it was not so chaotic."

"At that time, people and animals filled the streets, and it was very prosperous. The fields outside the city were full of crops, and although the people lived frugally, smiles always adorned their faces. Now, among the citizens rescued from Luoyang City, who still has a smile?" Zhao Hanzhang softly said, "Not even a few shed tears."

"Are they unaware of joy or incapable of sadness? They are merely numbed by the chaos of war," Zhao Hanzhang said, "I don’t want this land to be so melancholy. Let them settle here and cultivate the land."

"But sir, once we leave, who will protect them and the fields they plant?"

Zhao Hanzhang softly asked, "Who said we’re leaving?"

As these words fell, everyone was shocked, then exchanged glances. Ji Yuan curled his lips and led, "Yes, the Sir’s words are reasonable. I’ll handle it right away."

Everyone else also quickly agreed, bowed, and withdrew.

Once everyone had left, Fu Tinghan said, "If you don’t reply to Wang Mi, he might not believe you."

Zhao Hanzhang seriously replied, "My reputation is very important; not just me, Mr. Ji wouldn’t allow me to be associated with Wang Mi in such a way, even if it’s fake."

She snorted, "If I dare agree, Uncle Ming would break my legs."

"But if you remove Mr. Ji and Uncle Ming’s opinions, under circumstances with benefits, what would you choose?"

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at him and said, "Why, are you afraid I’ll agree to him for profit?"

She snorted, "Let the other things be, but I won’t trade my marriage. I’ve promised you, and I will keep my word. How can I promise a second person?"

Fu Tinghan finally smiled, but still asked, "What if the suitor isn’t someone as notorious as Wang Mi, but a talent of virtue and renown?"

Zhao Hanzhang took his hand and said, "Even if it’s the Jade Emperor, it doesn’t matter, I only allow you."

Even knowing she might just be saying sweet words, Fu Tinghan couldn’t help but feel happy. He nodded and said, "I’ve remembered what you said today. I hope you’ll always remember."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded vehemently, and the two held hands, watching the desolate view for a while before turning back to the tent.

In the end, Zhao Hanzhang still wrote a letter to Wang Mi during the simultaneous attack by Beigong Chun and Xun Xiu on Liu Cong’s ten thousand troops.

She told Wang Mi regretfully that they were fated but not destined, as she was already betrothed to Fu Tinghan, both families having long-standing ties and growing up together, their bond was deep and unbreakable, therefore she could not promise him.

Zhao Hanzhang thought for a moment, realizing that just refusing might anger Wang Mi, so she called Zhao Liang for questioning, "Cousin, does Wang Mi have any sisters?"

Zhao Liang, "...I’ve heard of two half-sisters, but he has a brother named Wang Zhang."

"I know Wang Zhang. He’s now with Shi Le, and I had a fight with him before I came here. I’m asking if he has any sisters, preferably unmarried."

Zhao Liang shook his head, "That I don’t know."

"No sisters, maybe he has a daughter?" Zhao Hanzhang pondered, "He’s not young, perhaps he has a daughter, cousin, are you engaged?"

Zhao Liang felt uneasy and immediately said, "The family is already arranging a marriage."

Zhao Hanzhang was sincerely regretful.

After a pause, Zhao Liang said, "But there’s Zhao Kuan, he’s of age, and still hasn’t settled on a marriage, perhaps he needs the third sister’s attention."

Zhao Hanzhang looked up at Zhao Liang, the siblings exchanged glances, and both smiled.

Fu Tinghan looked at Zhao Liang, was this the upright and rigid person that Uncle Ming mentioned, even more so than Zhao Kuan?

Zhao Liang lost his smile and said to Zhao Hanzhang, "Sir, Wang Mi is like a fierce animal, be careful not to bring trouble upon yourself."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded to show she understood.

She touched the wound on her shoulder and seriously wrote the letter.

After sending the letter, she quietly waited for a response, oh, and she also visited the Pingmin Camp to check on the people rescued from Luoyang City.

This was the first time Luoyang’s people met Zhao Hanzhang, but they were very familiar with Fu Tinghan who was with her. Once they saw him, they all wanted to kneel and kowtow in greeting.

Fu Tinghan stopped them and formally introduced Zhao Hanzhang to them, "This is Zhao Hanzhang, the Yu State Governor, and the person who dispatched troops to rescue you."