Zhao Hanzhang asked with concern about each family’s losses.
The family heads all looked grief-stricken as they recounted their tragic experiences from last night until today.
Property had been seized, and many people had been killed.
Zhao Hanzhang listened and shed two tears—genuine sorrow, after all, so many people had died.
Someone hinted, “I’ve heard that Sanniang recovered quite a lot of gold, silver, and jewels from the chaotic troops…”
Zhao Hanzhang sighed. “They carried off quite a lot in their retreat. This expedition was mainly to rescue people. We did manage to capture about a hundred men, who should prove somewhat useful.”
“I heard that as soon as Sanniang returned to the city, you released all the rescued women?”
Zhao Hanzhang replied, “Though the county seat has just experienced warfare and looks chaotic, my household retainers are stationed throughout the lanes and alleys. Safety is beyond question. That’s why I let them return home on their own. What, does Master Song find this inappropriate?”
“I was only concerned they might suffer further attacks on the road. I thought if Sanniang had assigned people to escort them home, that would have been better.”
Zhao Hanzhang said dismissively, “Outside the city I dare not guarantee, but within the city, if anyone dares reach out their hand, I’ll have it chopped off. I wouldn’t mind killing a few people to make an example of them either.”
The family heads all laughed awkwardly and hastily praised Zhao Hanzhang for her excellent governance.
Zhao Hanzhang said, “Magistrate Fan and his entire family died defending the city, leaving only an orphaned daughter. The city is currently in chaos. I hope each family can restrain their clan members, and if you’re able, help support the common people in the city as well—that would be even better.”
The families quickly said, “We will do all we can and help each other.”
Zhao Hanzhang expressed great satisfaction and took out several blank ledgers. “There’s one more matter I must trouble the family heads with.”
She continued, “This battle in Xiping has caused heavy losses for all families, but the grain tax deadline is approaching. So I ask each family to submit lists of casualties, so when the next county magistrate arrives, things won’t be too chaotic.”
The families blankly accepted the empty ledgers. But this was the county magistrate’s job—the new magistrate hadn’t even arrived yet, so why should they do it? Perhaps they could even slip through this year’s autumn tax.
But meeting Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze, no one contradicted her at the moment, and they silently accepted the ledgers.
Zhao Hanzhang said, “Quyang has also lit warning beacons. Now that the Xiongnu are moving south, we don’t know when another wave of chaotic troops might come. So I plan to conscript laborers to repair the city gates. Should enemies attack again, we’ll have some defense.”
Everyone immediately asked, “How could the Xiongnu reach Xiping?”
Zhao Hanzhang sighed. “They withdrew from Luoyang and came south with the momentum.”
“Where are the court’s great armies? What is the Prince of Donghai doing?”
Zhao Hanzhang thought: Busy with internal strife?
But regardless of what they were doing, Zhao Hanzhang said, “Rather than hoping for relief forces of unknown location, we should save ourselves.”
No one objected.
Zhao Hanzhang then said, “Very well, each family should go back and prepare. After tallying your casualty lists, also select people to support the city construction. I hope every family can contribute to Xiping.”
Everyone stood and acknowledged the order. As they were about to leave, someone still couldn’t help asking, “Sanniang, is your uncle Zinian’s health still sound?”
Zhao Hanzhang lifted her eyelids to look at them, staring until they felt alarmed and uneasy. After a long while, she slowly said, “Rest assured, he’s still alive. His health… is reasonably sound.”
Everyone laughed awkwardly. “Sound is good, sound is good.”
Everyone withdrew.
Zhao Ju watched them leave and couldn’t help asking, “Sanniang, they clearly suspect you of harming the young master of the Fifth Branch. Why not explain clearly?”
“Would they believe me if I explained?” Zhao Hanzhang said. “When Uncle has time to make a trip to Xiping county seat, the doubts will dispel themselves. For now, having such doubts isn’t necessarily bad.”
With something to fear, matters would actually proceed more smoothly.
Zhao Hanzhang said, “Have people clear the corpses in the city. If someone claims them, let them take them. For those unclaimed, carry them outside the city, dig a pit, and burn them.”
Zhao Ju said, “Burn them? That’s not appropriate. How about we dig a bigger pit and bury them instead?”
Zhao Hanzhang thought about it and nodded. “Alright, if one isn’t enough, dig several. Also collect and bury the corpses on the roads outside the city. We can’t leave them exposed.”
“Yes.”
Fu Tinghan came over with a thick ledger. “The county office storehouse only has some items that aren’t easily moved. This is the original account book.”
Zhao Hanzhang accepted it and skimmed through. “What about the household registry office?”
“I had it sealed. For now, no one can enter or leave.”
Zhao Hanzhang looked at him approvingly. “Well done. Once the situation stabilizes a bit more, we’ll sort through the household registry office.”
The contents inside were the foundation of a county seat—household registrations, taxes, land deeds, and more were all recorded there.
Fu Tinghan asked, “Are you planning to take over Xiping county?”
Zhao Hanzhang said, “I have that intention, but I can’t do it alone. I need the support of the Zhao clan fortress.”
Without the Zhao clan’s support, even if she controlled Xiping county now, it would be very difficult to manage later.
Fu Tinghan said, “Zhao Ming seems to have some misunderstandings about you.”
Zhao Hanzhang didn’t care. “He’s approaching this from the clan’s perspective. As long as this matter benefits the Zhao clan, do you think he’ll refuse?”
Fu Tinghan thought about it and nodded. “He won’t.”
“I also need your help calculating the expenses for repairing Xiping county’s gates. I’ll have people find the county’s assistant magistrate and county administrator. You can tally the current population and land with them. I’ll have use for it all later.”
Fu Tinghan asked curiously, “What will you do?”
“I’m going to reassure the people,” Zhao Hanzhang said. “Many people fled the city today, and people are still fleeing now. Since I plan to take Xiping county, I can’t let everyone run off. Otherwise, would I be a bare commander with no subjects?”
Fu Tinghan thought about it—that made sense. He took the ledger and obediently went to calculate and tally.
Ji Ping quickly returned. “Sanniang, we’ve found him. The assistant magistrate died in battle alongside Magistrate Fan. The county administrator’s family fled—we don’t know where they are now.”
Zhao Hanzhang waved her hand. “Then don’t bother looking. Does the assistant magistrate have family?”
“Yes. His wife and children are still here. His eldest son is fifteen this year. I heard he was originally going to work as a clerk in the county office.”
“So he’s literate and can do arithmetic. Settle his family properly and conscript him into the county office,” Zhao Hanzhang said. “We’re currently short of literate people. Post a notice on the county office’s announcement wall to recruit talented individuals.”
“Yes.” Ji Ping acknowledged and withdrew.
Zhao Ju at his side reminded her again, “Sanniang, if you’re short of people, why not request them from the fortress?”
Zhao Hanzhang said, “No rush. Once we’ve arranged our personnel and the remaining positions are settled, we can fill them with clan members. Oh, and remember to save a good position for Master Ji Yuan.”
Walking out of the county office, Zhao Hanzhang mounted her horse, about to go reassure the people. Then she remembered something and turned to ask, “Did we send someone back to inform the clan of the battle report?”
“The people who escorted Miss Fan home should mention it, shouldn’t they?”
Zhao Hanzhang thought about it—that made sense. She tossed the matter from her mind and waved her hand. “Come on, let’s tour the entire county seat and assess the casualties.”