Zhao Hanzhang said to the night watchman: “You lead them to the county office for registration.”

Zhao Hanzhang turned her head to look at them. “Magistrate Fan died in battle, household records were lost—this is your one and only chance to potentially receive land redistribution.”

An old man could not help but speak up: “But the taxes…”

Zhao Hanzhang said: “Xiping has suffered this catastrophe and must still petition the court for relief grain—how could there be tax grain to submit?”

Zhao Hanzhang made the decision directly: “The autumn tax grain is completely waived.”

Everyone’s eyes burst with delight. Even those who had surrendered treasures no longer felt aggrieved, happily embracing each other.

Zhao Ju had the retainers collect all the items from the ground and followed Zhao Hanzhang as she left.

The youth watched in a daze, then hurried after Zhao Hanzhang saying: “Miss, they didn’t turn everything in. I know several families that picked up pearls and gold pieces.”

“Is that so? What a pity.” Zhao Hanzhang responded casually, then stopped and turned to look at him. “What is your name?”

“I—I don’t have a name. Now that I’m your person, could you give me a name, Miss?”

Zhao Hanzhang thought for a moment and said: “There’s a good character for a name—righteousness. Since this is Xiping, you shall be called Pingyi.”

The youth’s eyes lit up. Suppressing his excitement, he said: “Thank you for the name, Miss. Miss, may I take your surname?”

Zhao Hanzhang smiled at him: “For that, you’ll need to work even harder.”

Zhao Ju glanced at the boy with some displeasure.

Not just anyone could take the master’s surname. The Zhao clan had over a thousand retainers, and only a handful had been granted the Zhao surname by the clan leader.

This boy had just joined and dared make such a request—he really didn’t know his place.

The two youths beside Pingyi tugged at his sleeve. Pingyi immediately said: “Miss, my two brothers also have no names. Please grant them names as well.”

Zhao Hanzhang looked at the other two youths. Seeing them both looking at her hopefully, she pointed to the taller youth: “Since he took the character for righteousness, you take the character for loyalty—Pingzhong.”

She looked at the other youth. “Pingxin.”

All three youths became excited, kneeling to kowtow to Zhao Hanzhang in thanks for the names she had given them.

Zhao Hanzhang did not dismiss them but had them stay by her side to guide the way. Though they were young and lived in the slums, those bold enough to sneak out during the battle to collect treasures knew far too much.

For instance: “This is Master Song’s house. His family had much gold, silver, and jewelry stolen—I secretly watched them carrying out chest after chest.”

Zhao Hanzhang asked: “Were they willing?”

“What choice did they have if they weren’t willing? The rebel army broke in. Their family lost many household guards. I don’t know where they hid to avoid the rebels’ search. They only came out after you drove off the rebel army.”

Zhao Hanzhang understood. She went directly to the Song family.

Since she was offering condolences, naturally she should treat everyone equally, leaving no household unvisited.

The Song household was in complete disarray, truly suffering heavy losses. There was not even anyone guarding the main gate. The retainers knocked for quite a while before someone opened it.

Seeing Zhao Hanzhang appear at the door with so many people, the person opening the gate nearly collapsed to his knees.

Zhao Hanzhang reached out to steady him, looking him over before asking: “Your surname is Song?”

The young man nodded.

Zhao Hanzhang said: “No wonder you look somewhat familiar. I am Sanniang of the Zhao family, here to see your father.”

The young man said quietly: “The Song family head is my elder brother.”

“Oh,” Zhao Hanzhang immediately apologized. “You look quite young, sir. Your esteemed father must be remarkably vigorous in his old age.”

Song Zhi: …

Zhao Hanzhang had intended to offer brief condolences at the gate and leave, as the county town was so large and many places still needed her attention.

But she heard some sounds coming from deep within the compound. Her ears twitched, and without ceremony, she lifted her foot to enter. “I’ve come to check on each household’s situation. Is your family alright?”

Song Zhi said: “Thank you for your concern, Miss. Though the household grieves, we can still manage.”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded. She was about to follow up by asking about their casualties when she heard a woman’s loud wailing and screaming from inside.

So Zhao Hanzhang did not ask, instead quickening her pace to go in.

Song Zhi hurried to follow, not stopping her but actually running a few steps to catch up and guide her.

Seeing her look over, Song Zhi gave her an embarrassed smile, bowing as he said: “My elder brother is this way.”

Zhao Hanzhang followed him, soon passing the screen wall to reach a courtyard.

In the courtyard, a group of people were pulling at a young woman while a middle-aged woman desperately tried to stop them, blocking in front of the young woman.

Zhao Hanzhang stood by the screen wall and asked: “What is happening here?”

Master Song’s face, flushed red with anger, froze. Recovering, he hurried forward to bow. “Why has Sanniang come?”

“The people in town are frightened and unsettled. I came out to reassure them.” Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze fell on the young woman. She had a good memory and recognized her immediately—she had just recently rescued her from rebel soldiers. Zhao Hanzhang withdrew her gaze and asked: “What has happened in Master Song’s household?”

Master Song naturally could not speak of such shameful matters to outsiders, so he smiled awkwardly: “Nothing of consequence. Many in the household died, and the women were frightened, causing some commotion for a moment.”

Zhao Hanzhang looked at the young woman, her face darkening as she said sternly: “This is the madam’s fault then. War is already so cruel—that people can survive is extraordinarily fortunate. You had the good fortune to live and should cherish this life, comforting your relatives. How can you add to their grief during this sorrowful time?”

The woman looked at Zhao Hanzhang with tear-filled eyes. The two stared at each other for a long moment before her tears streamed down. She turned toward Zhao Hanzhang and knelt respectfully, placing her hands before her forehead as she kowtowed, choking out: “Yes, I will heed your instruction, Miss.”

Madam Song looked at her daughter-in-law in surprise, then turned to look at Zhao Hanzhang.

Master Song’s face had turned green.

Zhao Hanzhang raised an eyebrow. She had intended to leave after offering her advice, but now she no longer wished to go. Instead, she stepped forward and asked: “What is your name?”

Her gaze swept over the woman’s hairstyle as she asked with a smile: “Are you a young miss of the Song family, or a daughter-in-law?”

She said: “My maiden name is Chen. I am fourth in my family, and my husband is Song Erlang.”

Zhao Hanzhang asked: “Where is Song Erlang?”

Chen Siniang’s tears nearly fell again as she said: “My husband was killed by the rebel army.”

Zhao Hanzhang sighed: “Accept my condolences.”

But then she asked: “Can you read and write?”

Chen Siniang paused before answering: “I studied a few books together with my elder brother.”

“Then would you be willing to come help me temporarily?” Zhao Hanzhang turned to Master Song: “Master Song, Xiping County is now in ruins with much to rebuild—it is a time when people are needed. I wonder if you would be willing to let Chen Siniang come help me?”

Master Song hesitated before saying: “If Sanniang needs people, why not let my younger brother help instead?”

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at Song Zhi before smiling: “Both can come. I don’t need just one or two people.”

Master Song pondered for a moment before agreeing.

Only then did Zhao Hanzhang take her leave, saying to Song Zhi and Chen Siniang: “Rest for today. Come find me at the county office first thing tomorrow morning.”

Song Zhi and Chen Siniang agreed together.