Zhao Hanzhang had no intention of making things difficult for a young girl, but her words carried weight, directed mainly at Yin Sheng. “It is indeed your fault. Teaching by word and deed—you are so extravagant and unable to fulfill your duties faithfully. The children are young and naturally cannot learn properly.”

Yin Sheng lowered his head and acknowledged, “Yes,” expressing he would certainly reform.

Seeing him so perceptive, Zhao Hanzhang’s lips curved in a smile as she said to him, “Very well. Mistakes can be corrected—that’s what matters. As for punishment, we’ll discuss it tomorrow. Since you’ve already been truant today, let’s not waste this fine time. Come sit. Let us share a cup together.”

Yin Sheng quietly breathed a sigh of relief. Although Zhao Hanzhang said there would still be punishment, since she was willing not to make an issue of it on the spot, that meant there was room for negotiation.

He smiled and agreed. Turning to see his daughter still standing there, he sternly commanded, “Why are you still standing there? Go back inside!”

Yin Ying’s face burned terribly, her heart filled with shame and humiliation, her eyes reddening.

She turned to leave, but Zhao Hanzhang called her back, speaking earnestly, “Young lady, you are still young. Having mistaken perceptions is not a problem. Read more books and see more of the world outside.”

“Understanding this world doesn’t rely solely on your father and brothers, but also on your own eyes and your own heart,” Zhao Hanzhang said. “I hope in the future you will grow into a woman with insight, breadth of mind, and compassion.”

Yin Ying stared at her blankly.

Seeing her standing motionless, Madam Yin felt anxious. She glanced at her husband, then had no choice but to emerge from the corridor. After hastily bowing to Zhao Hanzhang, she pulled her daughter away.

A group of ladies and young women reluctantly retreated to the garden, though excitement still lingered on their faces.

Several young women couldn’t help but huddle together in excitement. “So that’s Zhao Hanzhang? She’s so young—she looks about our age.”

“Very beautiful too, and so heroic. When she looked at me, I could barely breathe.”

“How useless. My heart just beat a bit faster, that’s all.”

“Uncle Yin seems very afraid of her.”

“Not just Uncle Yin—the other uncles seem afraid too.”

How could they not be afraid? Zhao Hanzhang’s sudden appearance left them stunned at first, but those who could hold office had adequate intelligence. Almost immediately, one after another, they couldn’t help thinking—why did Pei He resign?

Especially after Zhao Hanzhang calmly admitted she knew about Pei He’s resignation, everyone’s hearts tightened.

They didn’t understand Zhao Hanzhang well, but they understood Pei He!

A Zhao Hanzhang who could make Pei He leave without a word, directly resigning his seal—just how terrifying must she be?

Indeed, they had already firmly concluded that Pei He’s resignation was because of Zhao Hanzhang. Otherwise, they truly couldn’t think of any reason why Pei He would resign his seal.

Yin Sheng felt uneasy. He now had only one thought: keep this official position. As for promotion, while still very tempting, it had become somewhat impractical.

The other officials… shared the same thoughts as Yin Sheng. At this point, preserving their lives and positions would suffice.

The most terrifying thing in this world is the unknown.

They didn’t understand Zhao Hanzhang and could only deduce her character from rumors.

They knew she was very skilled at warfare. She had previously killed the Xiongnu general Liu Jing and repelled the Jie barbarian Shi Le. More recently, she had conducted guerrilla warfare against the Xiongnu and defended Yuzhou—a great achievement.

Setting aside distant matters, her defense of Yuzhou alone could immortalize her name.

So no one dared underestimate her because of her age or gender.

Beyond this was her ruthless killing of Administrator Zhang.

Although the official explanation was that Administrator Zhang died of illness, everyone in Yuzhou’s official circles knew how Administrator Zhang really died.

At the time, Nanyang Principality also had relief forces at the front. A staff officer fortunate enough to attend the banquet had returned and described the events in vivid detail.

They said when Zhao Hanzhang drew her sword, her face still wore a faint smile.

So who dared truly provoke Zhao Hanzhang?

What troubled them most was—why exactly did Pei He resign?

Repeating this important question three times, everyone looked up and stole a glance at Zhao Hanzhang, but still lacked the courage to ask aloud.

Zhao Hanzhang waited for the refugees outside to have a full meal, so she wasn’t in any hurry to leave. Not only did she warmly call the vice-administrator to her side, she also summoned the other officials over for conversation.

“With Administrator Pei’s resignation, who’s managing the treasury now?”

The vice-administrator bowed and indicated it was himself.

Zhao Hanzhang began asking about the situation in the treasury. “All the principalities in Yuzhou have had difficult times this year. Nanyang Principality fortunately avoided the battlefield, so conditions are much better than other principalities. What’s the situation in the various counties?”

The vice-administrator replied, “The counties are fairly stable. The treasuries all have surplus grain. Since winter began this year, many merchants have come to Nanyang Principality. It’s quite prosperous.”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded with a smile. “Prosperity is good. What taxes are currently collected from traveling merchants in the principality?”

The vice-administrator was familiar with this and spoke at length. Meanwhile, the household office official broke out in a cold sweat. The vice-administrator might have forgotten, but at the beginning of winter this year, Zhao Hanzhang had ordered all principalities in Yuzhou to reduce commercial taxes. Apart from the commercial tax itself, all other tax categories were to be waived.

Zhao Hanzhang listened attentively, nodding from time to time.

From commercial taxes they moved to agricultural matters. The vice-administrator stated that Nanyang Principality was unaffected by warfare, so winter planting proceeded as normal. Next year’s grain tax would not be a problem.

Zhao Hanzhang nodded and smiled in agreement. When the sky gradually darkened, Qiu Wu entered and quietly reported, “Everyone has eaten.”

Only then did Zhao Hanzhang rise, saying to Yin Sheng with a smile, “Seeing Nanyang Principality so prosperous puts my mind at ease. This time I rescued over a thousand refugees along the way, all elderly, young, women, and children. In such a harsh winter, allowing them to wander outside could easily result in them freezing or starving to death. My heart couldn’t bear it, so I brought them along.”

“I had some worries coming to Nanyang Principality this time, fearing it would be too great a burden on you all,” Zhao Hanzhang said with a beaming smile as she handed these thousand-plus people over to the vice-administrator. “You needn’t treat them too well. Just find them a few rooms to live in where they can keep warm, and give them two bowls of porridge daily.”

The vice-administrator smiled stiffly as he agreed. After Zhao Hanzhang left, only then did he wipe the sweat from his forehead.

“Vice-Administrator, quickly go see the governor off!”

Only then did he react. He quickly lifted his foot to give chase. Rushing out the door, he only managed to catch sight of her gracefully mounting her horse. He hastily raised his voice to ask, “May I ask where the governor is staying?”

Zhao Hanzhang turned back with a gentle smile. “I’m staying at the administrator’s mansion. If you need anything, Vice-Administrator, come find me at the administrator’s mansion.”

The vice-administrator understood at once and hurriedly bowed. “Yes!”

Zhao Hanzhang led everyone to take up residence in the now-vacant administrator’s mansion.

Actually, it wasn’t entirely vacant. Pei He had been quite perceptive—when he left, he hadn’t emptied the place. Not only did he leave behind items that were difficult to transport, he also left quite a bit of grain in the storehouse, along with considerable money.

The vice-administrator and others had wanted to claim it, but Pei He’s departure had been too strange. While everyone was interested, they decided to observe first. So the items inside remained untouched under mutual vigilance, though each faction sent people to guard against theft.

Zhao Hanzhang automatically assumed these things were left for her. As soon as she entered the administrator’s mansion, she dismissed all the people who had remained inside, having her five hundred personal guards take over directly.

No one dared object. The servants quickly scattered.