Zhao Dian saw Zhao Hanzhang distribute their horses to Master Chen and his daughter but said nothing. However, when they mounted their horses and set out immediately in the morning sun, he couldn’t help being startled. He hurried after them a couple steps and couldn’t help asking Zhao Hanzhang, “Third Miss, we also need to find Second Grand Master and Young Master. Why aren’t you letting us travel together?”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “They’re going to procure provisions. If you leave too, we’ll have no one to protect us. So I must trouble you to escort us for a while. When they return, I naturally won’t stop you from seeking Great-Uncle and Uncle.”

Zhao Dian said, “This…”

Zhao Hanzhang’s expression darkened. “What? Can I, the mistress of the Zhao family’s first branch, no longer command you?”

Zhao Dian immediately lowered his head. “This subordinate wouldn’t dare.”

Zhao Hanzhang said coldly, “Pack up the luggage, eat breakfast, and set out as soon as possible.”

The carriage was damaged, and only one ox cart remained intact. The ox cart had to pull the coffin, so Wang Shi and the others all had to ride horses.

Zhao Hanzhang led her, while Fu Tinghan led the swollen-faced Zhao Erlang. Their speed couldn’t possibly be fast.

The refugees saw them leaving and immediately dragged their families along to follow.

By noon, they reached a fork in the road. Zhao Hanzhang stopped her horse and looked back at the refugees following near and far behind. She turned her horse around and rode forward.

She cupped her fists toward everyone. “Everyone, looking at these cart tracks on the ground, the army is not far ahead. If you’re fast, you can catch up with the army’s rear guard tonight. If you’re slower, as long as you don’t encounter rebel forces, you should catch up tomorrow.”

“I must escort the coffin home. Here I turn toward Runan, so I cannot accompany you all.”

Hearing this, the refugees all expressed regret but could only accept it.

Zhao Hanzhang was about to leave when several middle-aged men in the crowd called out loudly, “Miss, please wait.”

Zhao Hanzhang turned back to look.

She saw them supporting several women and leading many children, squeezing forward to kneel on the ground. “We don’t know if the Miss’s household needs servants to work the fields. We’re willing to sell ourselves, only asking that the Miss give us a bowl of rice to eat.”

Zhao Hanzhang examined them one by one. Though their clothing wasn’t luxurious, it was neat and made of thick, fine hemp, well-fitted with no patches visible. Their family circumstances seemed decent. However, this group of twelve carried not a single piece of luggage, and one middle-aged man had an unconscious woman on his back.

After brief consideration, she understood—they’d been robbed clean.

Zhao Hanzhang asked, “You know how to farm?”

“We do,” the middle-aged man immediately said. “We’re all neighbors. Every year during spring planting and autumn harvest, we work the fields ourselves.”

“Listening to your responses, you don’t seem like ordinary farmers. Can you read?”

The middle-aged man said, “When I was young, I read a couple books. I can barely recognize some characters.”

Being literate in this era was no small matter. Zhao Hanzhang immediately said, “Good. I’ll take you all. What’s your name?”

The other party had already led everyone in bowing down. “This humble one, Hu Zhi, pays respects to the Miss.”

The others were clearly also selling themselves for the first time. They all bowed down in a whoosh, looking less like they were paying respects to a master and more like worshipping ancestors.

Zhao Hanzhang waved to Chengbo, who immediately went to make arrangements.

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

They were chasing the army to have a big tree to rely on for shade, and to follow the army back to Luoyang later.

But they hadn’t expected fleeing to be so difficult. They hadn’t even caught up with the army yet, and all their luggage had been stolen, with half their family members dead.

Catching up with the army, they’d still have to fend for themselves. If they could find a way to make a living now, they didn’t necessarily have to follow the army.

Yesterday they’d all inquired—among those who broke out together with them, the leading three families were the former Minister of the Imperial Secretariat Zhao family, the Jia family, and the Chen family, with the Zhao family being most powerful.

After yesterday’s events, everyone knew in their hearts that Zhao Hanzhang was kindhearted and good. Following her might not be worse than trailing behind the army.

The Emperor was so noble, yet following behind him, if rebel forces caught up, they might even be pushed out as human shields.

So seeing someone successfully pledge themselves to Zhao Hanzhang, others immediately followed suit.

But Zhao Hanzhang didn’t accept just anyone. Seeing many coming to pledge themselves, she simply had everyone stop to rest, letting the horses rest as well, then had Chengbo lead people to assess those she would accept.

“Prioritize those with skills. Even better if they can read and do arithmetic,” Zhao Hanzhang said. “For the rest, look at their character. Don’t bring too many people—too cumbersome a group won’t travel well.”

Chengbo didn’t quite understand. “Third Miss, why are we buying people on the road? People aren’t valuable now. When we return to Runan, if we need people, we can buy them then.”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “We don’t lack people to do physical labor. We lack people who can manage others, people with skills. If we encounter good ones on the road, we’ll take them. No need to be particular.”

Zhao Hanzhang continued, “I can still afford the money for a bowl of rice.”

She’d just received so many assets from Zhao Zhongyu. As a young woman with a foolish brother, returning to her hometown after many years to suddenly inherit a large estate, the more useful people she had under her command, the better.

Chengbo understood. His old eyes studied the people who came to pledge themselves. Having lived a lifetime at Zhao Changyu’s side and seen all types of people, while he didn’t dare claim the ability to judge character, he could generally assess a person’s nature.

He picked and chose nineteen people this way. Besides the twelve Zhao Hanzhang had specifically requested, he only reluctantly approved of seven others.

Chengbo simply had them sign indenture contracts on the spot—those who couldn’t write pressed their handprints and made marks, then brought them to kowtow and acknowledge Zhao Hanzhang as their master.

Zhao Hanzhang was also generous. With a wave of her hand, she had Chengbo distribute steamed buns hard enough to kill someone—one per person, no more available.

Chengbo felt the deflated grain sack and really wanted to ask the Third Miss sitting calmly to the side—how did she think they weren’t short on food?

Fu Tinghan glanced at the grain sack and also felt somewhat worried. “If they can’t bring back provisions in time…”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “Didn’t you say there’s a settlement ahead? If they haven’t returned tomorrow, I’ll go borrow grain.”

Fu Tinghan’s first reaction: “You know people up ahead?”

“No, but we can make some friends.”

He turned to observe her solemn little face, and after a long moment silently withdrew his gaze. If it were her, it really might be possible.

The group finished their midday meal and rested briefly before setting out. They separated from most of the refugees. The once-gathered crowd slowly split into two streams, with some people choosing not to pledge themselves to Zhao Hanzhang but deciding to follow behind her rather than chase the army.

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t stop them, even slowing their pace somewhat so they could keep up.

Zhao Dian slowly led people in escort. He knew that leaving today to catch up with Zhao Zhongyu was impossible—even tomorrow and the day after might not be possible.

Moreover…

He swept a glance at his subordinates. They were clearly moved by Third Miss’s charity. If this continued, he didn’t know how many he’d ultimately be able to take with him.

The group trudged forward wearily. To avoid overtiring the horses, Zhao Hanzhang even dismounted midway and led her horse forward on foot.

Fu Tinghan also dismounted and walked beside her. “I think I see buildings.”

Zhao Hanzhang squinted into the distance and smiled slightly. “I see them too. Let’s go!”