Outside was very chaotic—truly chaotic.

The Commandery Administrator had been killed, the county office besieged. The common people from outside the city, oppressed to the breaking point, became agitated under some people’s instigation and all rushed into the county town.

Some of this was Chen Wan’s doing, but others with active minds who seized the opportunity to cause trouble also did this. They rushed into the county town and began looting in all directions.

Whenever they saw a household that looked relatively wealthy, they would attack and rob it.

But the wealthy households weren’t pushovers either. They defended their walls and gates, thinking of every way to resist.

Zhao Erlang led troops to quell the chaos. Whenever he saw people besieging a house, he had them stop and put down their weapons. If they didn’t listen, he would attack.

Fu Tinghan was at his side, helping him assess the situation. Some people were truly starving and desperate, wanting to seize food, while others were fighting viciously to plunder property.

Fu Tinghan could not only discern the difference between them, but most importantly, information about Quyang County’s situation quickly assembled in his mind.

Scouts came to report: “There are three houses under siege on East Fourth Street. One has already been breached—the situation is critical. There are about a hundred rioters on that street.”

Another came to report: “Two houses on West Second Street are having their doors smashed. The leading rioters don’t seem to be from Chen Wan’s faction—they’re preparing to set fires.”

…

Fu Tinghan arranged things according to urgency and importance: “We’ll go to East Third Street first. After subduing those few dozen people there, we’ll turn into East Fourth Street, arriving just at the house that was breached…”

Zhao Erlang listened to him and immediately led men to East Third Street.

After they subdued two streets, Qiu Wu also arrived with Chen Wan.

With Chen Wan present, subduing the rioters who were lighting fires and looting everywhere went even more smoothly. However, there were always people unwilling to follow Chen Wan’s commands.

After all, although he was the one who first raised his arm in revolt, not everyone necessarily recognized him as their leader.

So they still had to fight when necessary and kill when necessary.

In troubled times, thunderous measures were required. Fu Tinghan could only order Zhao Erlang to act.

Zhao Erlang’s courage had grown considerably. Killing people posed no difficulty for him, especially since this was battle. Uncle Qianli and Elder Sister had both said that on the battlefield, there is only enemy and ally. One can weigh pros and cons but must never show mercy.

Even if the opponent was a friend, a relative, a child—as long as they raised a weapon, they became the enemy army. As long as they posed a threat, the sword in one’s hand must fall without hesitation.

Zhao Erlang was an obedient, good child. He always remembered these words firmly, so he charged without hesitation into those rioters in ragged clothes who refused to obey orders and stop.

Thus, rioters who obeyed orders and retreated toward outside the city, rioters who heard that court reinforcements had arrived and panicked while fleeing in all directions, people killed by Zhao Erlang who fled everywhere, and confused rioters who had no idea what was happening and just followed others running around—all intertwined in the streets…

In the darkness, the entire Quyang County was in such chaos that it seemed as if the Xiongnu army had breached the city.

When Ji Yuan escorted Magistrate Sun out with his men, what they saw was this scene.

Magistrate Sun, who had already removed his official robes, still trembled with fear, afraid someone would recognize him.

But Zhao Hanzhang had already cleared a path for them. Ji Yuan stuffed him into a carriage and headed out of the city.

They successfully ran out of the city, with a crowd of rioters streaming after them…

Actually, they weren’t chasing Magistrate Sun—they were just rioters following Chen Wan’s orders to leave the city.

Ji Yuan escorted him to the crossroads and left only two men. He gave the rest to Magistrate Sun. “Magistrate Sun, they will escort you to Chen County. I must return to the city to help our County Magistrate.”

Magistrate Sun was deeply moved. Grasping Ji Yuan’s hand, he said, “Thank County Magistrate Zhao for me. Please tell her she must take care of herself. I’ll go to Chen County right away to request reinforcements from the Magistrate. I’ll be able to return soon.”

Ji Yuan nodded repeatedly and gripped his hand back, saying, “Magistrate Sun, rest assured. Our County Magistrate will definitely protect your family well.”

Only then was Magistrate Sun completely at ease. After shedding tears that soaked his collar, he quickly departed.

Ji Yuan nodded to the lead retainer, saying, “You must safely deliver him to Chen County.”

The retainer answered with a serious expression, “Yes.”

Ji Yuan watched them leave until they disappeared into the night before returning to the county town with his remaining two men.

Quyang County town was now brightly lit. As soon as Magistrate Sun left, Zhao Hanzhang led men forward to knock on the county office door. The people inside still wanted to verify her identity. She simply kicked the door open with her men and led the army to occupy the county office.

When Commander Ding rushed to the county office gates, he met her leading men inside.

Seeing that they had neither the smell of blood on them nor the killing aura from battle, he couldn’t help but be shocked. “County Magistrate Zhao, where are those rioters?”

“Outside. They’ve already surrendered.” Zhao Hanzhang strode past him toward the great hall.

She sat down heavily in the county magistrate’s seat and asked, “Are the County Administrator, Chief Clerk, and others of Quyang County all in the county office?”

Commander Ding was still somewhat dazed and answered reflexively, “No. When the county office was besieged, they weren’t in the county office, so…”

“Send someone to invite them here,” Zhao Hanzhang said. “The people need to be pacified.”

Commander Ding: “Go… go out now?”

“Yes,” Zhao Hanzhang lifted her eyelids to look at him. “If you’re afraid, I can have my men escort you there.”

Other places hadn’t yet been pacified, but the rioters on the main street outside the county office gates had quieted down. They were silently squatting and watching the excitement.

The Xiping County soldiers wanted to lead them outside the city, but they dawdled and refused to go.

There were many of them. Zhao Hanzhang had said not to force them too much, so seeing they couldn’t be urged along, the soldiers simply stopped urging them. However, they remained vigilant to prevent another riot.

The county office gates quietly revealed a few heads—all clerks from Quyang County. Under the protection of several soldiers, they emerged trembling with fear. Seeing the rioters squatting outside staring at them with wide eyes—

The group swallowed hard and followed tightly behind the soldiers as they walked out, as if pursued by soul-reaping imps.

Zhao Hanzhang had already been continuously issuing orders in the county office. “Besides the County Administrator and Chief Clerk, all clerks must be present. Summon the village heads from each ward. Warn the people in the city to keep their doors tightly shut. All common people who want to seek justice from the Commandery Administrator and Magistrate Sun should come before the county office. I will give them an explanation.”

Commander Ding hesitated without moving. Zhao Hanzhang then said, “Your soldiers are most familiar with Quyang County’s streets. Have two from each squad join with my men. If the office has gongs and drums, use those. If not, find basins and clappers as substitutes. I don’t need to teach you this, do I?”

Commander Ding immediately shook his head and finally remembered something was wrong. “But Magistrate Sun just left the city. Since the city’s rioters have been pacified, why not send someone to bring him back?”

Zhao Hanzhang: “It’s precisely because Magistrate Sun left that the city’s chaos could be settled. If he returns, the rioters who just calmed down will riot again.”

“We are the court’s official army. How can we be coerced by violent mobs?”

Zhao Hanzhang said calmly, “Then you go out and tell that to the rioters outside?”

Commander Ding fell silent.

—