Chapter 131 - How is your uncle doing?

Chapter 131: Chapter 125: How is your uncle doing?Zhao Hanzhang asked with concern how the losses of each family were.

The heads of each family all showed sorrowful expressions, recounting their tragic experiences from last night to today.

Their possessions were robbed, and many people were killed.

Zhao Hanzhang listened and shed two tears, genuinely saddened, for after all, so many people had died.

Someone hinted, "I heard that Third Lady snatched back quite a bit of gold, silver, and jewels from the chaotic soldiers..."

Zhao Hanzhang sighed and said, "They took a lot when they retreated. This time, the main goal was to rescue people, and incidentally, we captured around a hundred people who might be of some use."

"I heard that as soon as Third Lady returned to the city, she released the rescued women?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Although the county city has just been through chaos and looks disorderly, my forces are spread throughout the alleys, making it undoubtedly safe, so I let them return home. Why, does Master Song think it’s inappropriate?"

"I was just worried that they might be robbed again on the way. I thought it would be better if Third Lady could send someone to escort them home."

Zhao Hanzhang said indifferently, "I can’t guarantee outside the city, but within the city, if anyone dares to reach out, I’ll chop their hand off and wouldn’t mind killing a few to make an example."

The heads of each family forced a smile, quickly complimenting Zhao Hanzhang’s effective governance.

Zhao Hanzhang said, "County Magistrate Fan’s family perished defending the city, leaving only an orphaned girl. The city is currently in chaos. I hope each family can restrain their clansmen and, if capable, lend a hand to the common people in the city."

The families quickly said, "We will do our best, helping one another."

Zhao Hanzhang expressed her satisfaction and took out a few blank booklets, saying, "There’s one more thing I need to ask of the family heads."

She said, "In this battle of Xiping, each family suffered greatly, but before long, it will be time for tax collection. So, please report the lists of casualties to avoid excessive confusion for the next County Magistrate."

The families hesitantly took the blank booklets, but this was the County Magistrate’s job. Without the new County Magistrate, why should they do it? Maybe they could even evade this year’s autumn tax.

But meeting Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze, no one dared to object, silently accepting the booklets.

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Yu Yang also signaled with wolf smoke. Now with the Xiongnu coming south, it’s uncertain when another group of chaotic soldiers might arrive. So, I plan to recruit laborers to repair the city gates, so we can resist if someone invades again."

Everyone immediately asked, "How did the Xiongnu come to Xiping?"

Zhao Hanzhang sighed, "They retreated from Luoyang and naturally moved south."

"Where is the imperial court’s army? What is Prince East Sea doing?"

Zhao Hanzhang thought, busy with internal conflicts perhaps?

But regardless of what they were busy with, Zhao Hanzhang said, "Instead of hoping for reinforcements we don’t know the whereabouts of, it’s better to save ourselves."

No one objected.

Zhao Hanzhang then said, "Alright, everyone go back and prepare. After tallying the casualties, also select people to aid in construction. I hope each family can contribute to Xiping."

The crowd stood up in agreement, but before leaving, someone couldn’t help but ask, "Third Lady, is your uncle Zi Nian still healthy?"

Zhao Hanzhang raised her eyes to look at them, causing them some distress, and after a while, she leisurely said, "Don’t worry, he’s still alive, and his body is... fairly healthy."

The crowd forced a smile, awkwardly saying, "Healthy is good, healthy is good."

The crowd retreated.

Zhao Ju watched them leave and couldn’t help asking, "Third Lady, they clearly suspect you of harming the young master of the Fifth Household. Why don’t you explain clearly?"

"If I explain, will they believe it?" Zhao Hanzhang said, "Once Uncle visits Xiping County, their doubts will naturally dissipate. For now, having some suspicion isn’t necessarily bad."

With a bit of fear, things might actually smooth out a bit.

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Have the bodies in the city cleaned up. Let those who can claim them do so, and those unclaimed, move them outside the city to dig a pit and burn them."

Zhao Ju said, "Burn them? Isn’t that inappropriate? How about digging a larger pit and burying them?"

Zhao Hanzhang thought for a moment and nodded, "Alright, if one isn’t enough, dig several. Also, collect the bodies on the roads outside the city, they can’t just rot in the wilderness."

"Yes."

Fu Tinghan brought over a thick booklet, "There’s only some immovable stuff left in the county government’s storeroom, and this is the original account book."

Zhao Hanzhang took it and flipped through, "What about the Household Department?"

"I had it sealed off; no one can enter or leave for now."

Zhao Hanzhang gave him an approving look, "Well done. We’ll clear the Household Department when the situation stabilizes a bit."

The contents there are the very foundation of a county city, including household registration, taxes, and land records.

Fu Tinghan asked, "Do you plan to take over Xiping County?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "I have that intention, but I can’t do it alone. I need the support of Zhao’s Fortress."

Without Zhao’s support, even if she gains control of Xiping County now, it would be challenging to manage later.

Fu Tinghan said, "Zhao Ming seems to have some misunderstandings about you."

Zhao Hanzhang was indifferent, "He’s considering from the lineage perspective. As long as this benefits the Zhao Family, do you think he would refuse?"

Fu Tinghan thought for a moment and nodded, "He wouldn’t."

"I also need your help calculating the cost of repairing Xiping County’s city gates. I’ll send someone to find the Chief Clerk and County Magistrate, and you assess the county’s current population and land, which I’ll need later."

Fu Tinghan was curious, "What will you be doing?"

"I’ll be calming the public," Zhao Hanzhang said, "Many people fled the city today, and there are still people escaping. Since I plan to take over Xiping County, I can’t let everyone run away, or else would I become a county magistrate of an empty city?"

Realizing this, Fu Tinghan obediently took the booklet to calculate and assess.

Ji Ping quickly ran back, "Third Lady, I found out. The Chief Clerk died fighting alongside County Magistrate Fan, and the County Magistrate fled with his family. We don’t know where they are now."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang waved her hand, "Then there’s no need to look for them. Does the Chief Clerk’s family still have anyone?"

"Yes, his wife and children are still there. His eldest son is fifteen this year and was originally going to work as a clerk in the county government."

"Then he’s literate and numerate. Settle his family and recruit him into the county," Zhao Hanzhang said, "We’re short of literate people now. Post a notice on the county government’s bulletin wall to recruit literate people."

"Yes." Ji Ping responded and withdrew.

Beside them, Zhao Ju reminded, "Third Lady is short of people. Why not request manpower from the Fortress?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Let’s not rush. Once we arrange the personnel, we’ll fill the remaining positions with our clansmen. Remember to leave a good position for Mr. Ji."

Leaving the county government, Zhao Hanzhang mounted her horse to calm the populace. Thinking of something, she turned and asked, "Did we send someone back to report the battle to the clan?"

"The ones who escorted Fan Family Girl back should have informed, right?"

Zhao Hanzhang thought it was reasonable, put it aside, and waved her hand, "Let’s go for a walk around the county city to see how bad the casualties are."