CHAPTER 71: CHAPTER 65 RECRUITMENT

Zhao Dian watched as Zhao Hanzhang divided their horses among Mr. Chen and his daughter, saying nothing. When they set off at dawn, he was startled and quickly took a few steps forward to ask Zhao Hanzhang, "Third Lady, we need to find Second Granduncle and the Princely Heir, why not let us join you?"

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "They are gathering provisions. If you leave, we will be left unprotected, so I must trouble you to escort us for a while. Once they return, I won’t stop you from looking for Uncle and Granduncle."

Zhao Dian said, "This..."

Zhao Hanzhang’s face turned stern, "What, can the head of the Zhao Family not command you now?"

Zhao Dian immediately lowered his head, "I wouldn’t dare."

Zhao Hanzhang said coldly, "Pack your things, have breakfast, and set off as soon as possible."

The carriage was damaged, with only one ox cart still intact. The ox cart would carry the coffin, while Mrs. Wang and others would ride horses.

Zhao Hanzhang led the way with her, while Fu Tinghan led the bruised Zhao Erlang, slowing their pace significantly.

The refugees, seeing them leave, immediately dragged their families and followed.

By noon, they reached a fork in the road. Zhao Hanzhang stopped her horse, looked back at the refugees following from near and afar, and urged her horse forward.

Facing everyone, she clasped her fists and said, "Folks, judging by the tracks on the ground, the army is not far ahead. If you are quick, you will catch up to the tail of the army tonight. If slower, and you don’t encounter chaotic troops, you can catch up tomorrow."

"I need to return home with the coffin, and will take a detour here to Ru Nan, so I cannot travel with you."

The refugees, hearing this, regretted but could only agree.

As Zhao Hanzhang was about to leave, several middle-aged men shouted, "Lady, please wait."

Zhao Hanzhang turned back to look.

She saw them supporting several women and bringing several children forward, kneeling, and said, "Does the lady’s home lack farming servants? We are willing to sell ourselves, just asking the lady to give us a bowl of rice."

Zhao Hanzhang looked at each of them. Though not wealthy, they wore sturdy and neat hemp clothing, fitting without patches, suggesting decent family conditions. But none of them, twelve in total, carried any luggage, with one middle-aged man carrying an unconscious woman on his back.

Thinking briefly, she understood they had been robbed clean.

Zhao Hanzhang asked, "Can you farm?"

"We can," the middle-aged man immediately replied, "We are neighbors, handling spring sowing and autumn harvesting ourselves every year."

"Your reply doesn’t sound like ordinary farmers. Can you read?"

The middle-aged man replied, "Read a few books when young, barely recognize some characters."

Knowing how to read is rare now, Zhao Hanzhang immediately said, "Good, I will accept you all. What’s your name?"

The man and his group bowed deeply, "We are Hu Zhi, paying respects to the lady."

The others, seemingly selling themselves for the first time, followed suit, not as if bowing to a master but to ancestors.

Zhao Hanzhang waved to Uncle Cheng, who immediately went up to organize.

Seeing this, others in the crowd also came forward, wanting to sell themselves.

They pursued the army to find shelter under its protection, hoping to eventually return to Luoyang with it.

But they hadn’t expected fleeing would be so difficult. Without catching up to the army, their belongings were stolen, and half their family was dead.

Even if they catch up to the army, they must fend for themselves. Finding a livelihood now seemed better than pursuing the army.

Yesterday, they had inquired about those escaping with them, led by the Zhao Family, Jia Family, and Chen Family, with the Zhao Family holding the most power.

From yesterday’s events, people understood Zhao Hanzhang was kind-hearted. Following her might not be worse than staying with the army.

If chaos ensues, following His Majesty, who is so noble, could mean being used as human shields.

Seeing someone successfully join Zhao Hanzhang, others immediately imitated.

Yet Zhao Hanzhang didn’t accept everyone; seeing many wanting to join, she simply had everyone stop to rest, letting the horses rest too, and instructed Uncle Cheng to start selecting individuals for recruitment.

"Those with skills take precedence. Those who can read and do math are even better," Zhao Hanzhang said, "For the rest, it’s about their character, but don’t take too many; a cumbersome group won’t travel well."

Uncle Cheng didn’t quite understand, "Third Lady, why buy people on the road? People aren’t valuable now; if lacking staff in Ru Nan, buy more then."

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "We lack not just laborers, but people who can manage, and skilled individuals. Finding good ones along the way, there’s no need to be rigid."

Zhao Hanzhang added, "I can afford a bowl of rice."

Having taken so much asset from Zhao Zhongyu, she, a girl with a foolish brother and a mother absent for years, returning home to inherit large estates would certainly need more manpower.

Uncle Cheng got it, and his old eyes watched the seeking individuals closely, having lived a lifetime and seen assorted people beside Zhao Changyu, while not mastering discernment, could read general characters.

He picked nineteen people out of the candidates, choosing seven beyond Zhao Hanzhang’s twelve initially designated.

Uncle Cheng straightforwardly had them sign indenture contracts on-site, imprinting those unable to write, then led them to bow to Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang generously waved Uncle Cheng to distribute hard as rock bread, one per person, with no extra.

Uncle Cheng, touching the drained grain sack, wanted to ask the composed Third Lady nearby how she thought they had plenty of supplies.

Fu Tinghan glanced at the grain sack, also somewhat worried, "If they can’t bring back supplies in time..."

Zhao Hanzhang remarked, "Didn’t you say ahead there’s a gathering point? If by tomorrow they haven’t returned, I’ll borrow some grain."

Fu Tinghan’s initial reaction was, "Do you have acquaintances ahead?"

"No, but we can make some friends."

He turned to observe her solemn little face, then silently withdrew his gaze. If it were she, it might really be possible.

After lunch and a brief rest, the group set off again. They separated from most refugees, as people gathered slowly split into two groups, with some opting not to join Zhao Hanzhang but follow her path, not pursuing the army.

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t restrain them, even slowing the pace so they could follow.

Zhao Dian led his group steadily, realizing it was impossible to chase Zhao Zhongyu today, perhaps even the next couple of days.

Moreover...

He glanced at his subordinates, who seemed touched by Third Lady’s kindness. Continuing at this rate, he wasn’t sure how many he could take away.

The group wearily pressed forward, Zhao Hanzhang dismounted mid-way to spare the horse, leading it onwards.

Fu Tinghan also dismounted to walk beside her, "I think I see some buildings."

Zhao Hanzhang squinted into the distance, smiling slightly, "I see them too. Let’s go!"