Chapter 143 - Parting Ways and Traveling Together

Chapter 143: Chapter 137: Parting Ways and Traveling TogetherMrs. Wang chattered incessantly as she led Zhao Hanzhang to the dining room, where a group of people was already waiting, including four children standing beside Zhao Erlang.

Zhao Erlang saw his sister and immediately ran up to her, "Sister, I wanted to go pick you up, but they wouldn’t let me leave the house."

Zhao Hanzhang looked him over, "Have you grown taller?"

Zhao Erlang also noticed that he seemed to need to look down at his sister, his eyes lit up instantly, "I think I have, Sister, I’m quite impressive."

"You are quite impressive." Zhao Hanzhang looked towards the other four children who had rushed over with Zhao Erlang, now standing to the side, gazing intently.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled at them and reached out to hold the little girl’s hand, "The fortress is safe now, you can rest assured. In a few days, I’ll take you back."

The four children finally let out a sigh of relief, hurriedly bowed in gratitude, "Thank you, Third Sister."

Zhao Hanzhang had matters to discuss with Mr. Ji, but upon seeing the table full of dishes, she sat down to have a meal with them first.

After finishing the meal and sending them off, Zhao Hanzhang then moved to the study with Ji Yuan to discuss matters.

The two exchanged the information they had gathered. They had been in correspondence during this time, so Ji Yuan knew Zhao Hanzhang had taken control of Xiping County, and now they were discussing the matter in more detail.

Mr. Ji pondered, "So, Zhao Zinian is willing to cover for the lady?"

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "Uncle will not interfere with Xiping County’s affairs for now, so we can act according to our own wishes."

"And the lady’s wishes are?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Building a fortress in Shangcai is too costly; it took my grandfather the entire strength of the clan to build Zhao’s Fortress. If I wanted to build another one like it, not only would the money be a concern, but time would be lengthy as well. Instead, I should directly acquire one; Xiping County can be managed like a fortress."

"This matter should not be disclosed to the court."

"I fear the court has no mind to pay attention to us now," Zhao Hanzhang shared the information Zhao Ming received; Luoyang is in chaos both inside and out, "If they really take notice, there’s Uncle Ming to handle things for us."

Ji Yuan thought it over and agreed, with Zhao Ming there, they could completely extricate themselves, and Zhao Ming wouldn’t suffer much damage either.

Hmm, it’s just the reputation might not sound too good.

If the court discovers, they could push the blame onto Zhao Ming, claiming Zhao Ming was negligent, lazy, and left the matters to the family to handle...

Such things might be criticized in Great Jin but wouldn’t be held accountable. Some might even think this is the demeanor of a philosopher.

After all, this notion is quite unpredictable. Even Ji Yuan sometimes can’t gauge the direction of public opinion.

Ji Yuan asked, "Should we let Second Lady and Second Son move to the county town to live?"

"No," Zhao Hanzhang said, "Now is not the time. If they return to Xiping, they can only temporarily live in the fortress, and I will be restricted. They must remain in Shangcai."

Once she completely establishes herself in Xiping County, then she would bring them over.

"As for Shangcai..."

"I must ask for your help, sir," Zhao Hanzhang said, "For the autumn harvest, and don’t be stingy, recruit all suitable refugees. If they can’t be accommodated here, send them to Xiping to me."

Xiping registered and counted a lot of ownerless lands; now she only lacks people.

"Do you want the soldiers’ captured servants?"

Zhao Hanzhang thought for a while, finally sighed and nodded, "Sir, buy them if you find them suitable."

It’s a significant feature of this era for soldiers to capture and sell people. Many armies rely on this for income. If Zhao Hanzhang doesn’t buy, they can easily sell people to Jizhou or even Bingzhou.

Those two places are even more chaotic.

Mr. Ji recalled something, "Hide the new purchases, I heard County Magistrate Chai said the Inspector Mansion is demanding an increase in autumn tax, and we..."

"Delay it," Zhao Hanzhang recalled Zhao Hu who also avoids paying taxes and couldn’t help but internally sigh again; indeed, interests decide positions. She decided to treat County Magistrate Chai with a bit more kindness and said, "Prepare the autumn tax according to the registered number of households, but don’t rush to give it to him. I still want to see if the Inspector is willing to spend money on raising troops."

This would influence the path she would take next.

"While Shangcai County has difficulties in taxation, at least it’s able to pay somewhat. The lady’s Xiping County..."

"I don’t plan to pay," Zhao Hanzhang said, "I’ve already posted a notice exempting Xiping County from the autumn tax."

Ji Yuan was surprised, "How does the lady plan to explain to the Inspector?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Send an official letter to the Inspector asking for aid, for relief funds and grain."

She added, "Xiping County doesn’t even have a County Magistrate, who can he hold accountable?"

Zhao Ming?

But she didn’t believe he could find someone to protect and manage Xiping County well after removing Zhao Ming.

Ji Yuan couldn’t help but sigh, "The lady was born at the right time."

Had it not been for the chaos in the world, Zhao Hanzhang’s maneuvers would have been suicidal, but now, with the world in disarray and communication cut off, the troops at her command have become her winning trump.

"I wonder what choice County Magistrate Chai will make."

Chang Ning was also persuading County Magistrate Chai, "County Lord, although Third Lady Zhao may harbor ill intentions, her points in this matter are valid; the matter of increasing tax can temporarily remain undisclosed."

He said, "This autumn tax is supposed to raise troops, but most likely it will end up in the Inspector’s hands."

Yet, County Magistrate Chai lacks the courage to defy the Inspector, so he hesitated and hesitated, still couldn’t decide, "If the Inspector gets angry..."

"County Lord, does the Inspector have the energy to manage these affairs now?"

"What if they settle accounts after autumn?"

Chang Ning stated, "Shangcai’s heavy tax, severe population loss, perhaps disaster, poor harvest, or impact from refugees, any reason will suffice; just get through this year, deal with next year’s matters next year."

County Magistrate Chai pondered.

Seeing him still hesitant, Chang Ning said, "County Lord, Xiping County’s situation is more severe; Third Lady Zhao surely won’t be able to pay the increased tax. If you have an ally, even if the Inspector gets angry, others will share the responsibility."

"Third Lady Zhao isn’t even listed, if the Inspector gets angry, he can only blame Zhao Ming," County Magistrate Chai said, "But does Zhao Ming fear his anger?"

Zhao Ming might not be afraid, but can he not be afraid?

Chang Ning remained silent for a while before saying, "If the autumn tax is increased, then more will evade registration this year, and next year will be tougher."

County Magistrate Chai drank a cup of wine irritably and finally decided to act without care, "Let’s worry about next year’s matters next year."

Chang Ning sighed softly.

The next day, knowing Zhao Hanzhang and company were heading back to the estate, after hesitating for a long time, he still went to represent County Magistrate Chai to see them off.

Standing by Zhao Hanzhang, Chang Ning watched the people outside harvesting and sighed, "Who knows how many people will leave their homes again this autumn and winter, abandoning this land they’ve relied on to survive."

Upon hearing these words, Zhao Hanzhang raised her eyebrows, understanding County Magistrate Chai’s decision; it seemed he still didn’t dare to ally with her.

Turning towards Chang Ning, Zhao Hanzhang respectfully paid her regards and said, "Sir has already done his best, the people of Shangcai County will also be grateful to you."

Chang Ning tugged at the corner of his mouth, sardonically thinking, only future generations can determine whether his decision was right or wrong, after all, even he isn’t certain if it was the correct choice.

As the County Magistrate’s aide, he’s actually subtly suggesting the county’s significant taxpayers obscurely hide their assets and recruit workers; it’s outright against professional ethics.

Chang Ning somewhat desired to return to his hometown, wondering if County Magistrate Chai would allow him to resign.