Chapter 133 - Snatching People

Chapter 133: Chapter 127: Snatching PeopleZhao Hanzhang said to the night watchman, "Take them to the county government to register."

Zhao Hanzhang turned her head to look at them, "County Magistrate Fan has died in battle, and the household registrations were lost; this is your one chance to be reallocated land."

An old man couldn’t help but ask, "And the taxes..."

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "Xiping has been through such a calamity, and we’re still pleading with the court for relief grain, so where would we have tax grain to turn in?"

Zhao Hanzhang made the decision directly, "All tax grain for this autumn is exempted."

Joy erupted in the eyes of the people; even those who had handed over treasures no longer felt uneasy and embraced each other joyously.

Zhao Ju had his troops collect all the valuables on the ground and followed Zhao Hanzhang away.

The youths were in a daze watching, then quickly caught up to Zhao Hanzhang and said, "Miss, they haven’t all turned in their finds; I know there are several families who picked up pearls and gold pieces."

"Really? That’s quite unfortunate," Zhao Hanzhang replied casually, stopping to look back at him, "What’s your name?"

"I, I don’t have a name. I am now one of your people, Miss. Would you give me a name?"

Zhao Hanzhang thought for a moment and said, "Having a character as a name is nice. Yi (Righteousness), since this is Xiping, you shall be called Pingyi."

The boy’s eyes brightened, and restraining his excitement, he said, "Thank you, Miss, for the name. Miss, can I take your surname?"

Zhao Hanzhang smiled at him and said, "Then you’ll have to work harder."

Zhao Ju glanced at the boy with some displeasure.

Not just anyone can take the surname of their master; among the Zhao Family’s vast retinue, only a few can be granted the Zhao surname by the Clan Leader.

This boy, having just joined, dared to make such a request; it was quite audacious.

The two boys beside Pingyi tugged on his clothes, and Pingyi immediately said, "Miss, my two brothers also don’t have names; could you give them names too?"

Zhao Hanzhang looked at the other two boys, and seeing their eager eyes on her, she pointed to the taller one and said, "Since he has taken the character Yi, you shall take Zhong (Loyalty), Pingzhong."

She looked at the other boy, "Pingxin."

All three boys became excited, knelt down, kowtowed to Zhao Hanzhang, and thanked her for the names.

Zhao Hanzhang did not send them away but had them stay by her side as guides. Though they were young and lived in the slums, they dared to sneak out and gather treasures during battles, so they knew quite a lot.

For example, "This is Mr. Song’s house. Many gold and silver treasures were taken from here; I saw them being carried out in boxes."

Zhao Hanzhang asked, "Did they willingly submit?"

"What choice did they have? The mob overran their house, killing many servants. I don’t know where the family hid from the chaos; they only emerged after you drove the mob away."

Zhao Hanzhang understood and proceeded directly to the Song Family.

If she was to offer condolences, it should naturally be done impartially, not missing any family.

The Song household was in disarray, truly wounded; even the main gate had no guards. It took a long time for the knocks to be answered.

Seeing Zhao Hanzhang appear with so many people, the person who opened the door’s legs went weak, almost kneeling on the ground.

Zhao Hanzhang reached out to steady him, looking him over before asking, "Is your surname Song?"

The young man nodded.

Zhao Hanzhang said, "No wonder you look familiar; I’m the Third Lady of the Zhao Family, here to see your father."

The young man said quietly, "The Master of the Song Family is my brother."

"Oh," Zhao Hanzhang immediately apologized, "Sir looks very young; your father must still be quite vigorous."

Song Zhi: ...

Zhao Hanzhang originally intended to offer condolences at the door and leave, given the size of the county and the many places needing her visit.

But she heard some sounds coming from deep in the yard. Her ears twitched, and she unceremoniously stepped in, "I’ve come to see how all the families are doing. Is your family alright?"

Song Zhi said, "Thank you, Miss, for your concern. Although there is grief at home, we can still manage."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, just about to inquire about their casualties when a woman’s loud sobbing and screaming erupted from inside.

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t ask further and quickened her pace towards the noise.

Song Zhi hurriedly followed behind, even running a couple of steps to catch up to guide her.

Seeing her looking over, Song Zhi embarrassedly smiled at her, bowing his head and saying, "My elder brother is over this way."

Zhao Hanzhang followed him, quickly bypassing the screen wall to reach an inner courtyard.

In the yard, a group of people was pulling at a young woman, while a middle-aged woman was desperately trying to intervene, standing protectively in front of the young woman.

Zhao Hanzhang stood by the screen wall and asked, "What is happening here?"

Mr. Song, his face red with anger, froze, then hurriedly stepped forward to greet, "Why has the Third Lady come?"

"The city is in turmoil; I’ve come to offer some comfort," Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze fell on the young woman. Her memory was keen; she recognized her immediately as the one she had recently rescued from the mob. Zhao Hanzhang withdrew her gaze and asked, "What has happened in Mr. Song’s household?"

Mr. Song couldn’t possibly advertise his family’s disgrace, so he awkwardly smiled and said, "It’s nothing; we’ve just lost quite a number of people at home, and the womenfolk are a bit frightened, hence the commotion."

Zhao Hanzhang looked towards the young woman, her face turning stern, as she said solemnly, "That’s not right of you, madam. War is already so brutal; living through it is incredibly fortunate. You should cherish your life and console your family; how can you add to their sorrow at such a time of grief?"

Tears brimmed in her eyes as she looked at Zhao Hanzhang. The two gazed at each other for a long moment before her tears fell, and she respectfully knelt before Zhao Hanzhang, her hands resting on her forehead as she kowtowed, choking back her sobs, "Yes, I will heed Miss’s advice."

Mrs. Song was amazed to see her daughter-in-law, turning her head towards Zhao Hanzhang.

Mr. Song turned green in the face.

Zhao Hanzhang, however, raised an eyebrow; she had originally intended to leave after offering some advice, but now she felt like staying a while longer. Boldly taking two steps forward, she asked, "What is your name?"

Her eyes scanned her hairstyle, and she smiled, asking, "Are you a daughter or a daughter-in-law of the Song Family?"

She replied, "My maiden name is Chen, and I am the fourth in my family, married to Song Erlang."

Zhao Hanzhang inquired, "And where is Song Erlang?"

Chen Si Niang’s tears nearly fell as she said, "My husband was killed by the mob."

Zhao Hanzhang sighed, "Accept my condolences."

Then she asked, "Can you read?"

Chen Si Niang paused a moment before saying, "I studied a few books with my brother."

"Would you be willing to come and assist me for a while?" Zhao Hanzhang turned to Mr. Song and said, "Master Song, Xiping County is in need of rebuilding; capable people are urgently needed. Would you be willing to let Chen Si Niang come and assist me?"

Mr. Song hesitated for a moment and said, "If the Third Lady needs someone, wouldn’t it be better for my second brother to help?"

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at Song Zhi, then smiled, "Both can come. It’s not just a person or two that I need."

Mr. Song pondered for a moment and then agreed.

Only then did Zhao Hanzhang take her leave, telling Song Zhi and Chen Si Niang, "Today, rest first, and come find me at the county government tomorrow morning."

Song Zhi and Chen Si Niang responded together.