When the Zhao clan fortress received Fan Ying, they knew Zhao Hanzhang had taken Xiping county town and driven out the rebel army. According to the returning retainers, she had also recovered considerable gold, silver, and jewelry.

However, the Zhao clan elders were not concerned with this. What they cared more about was: “When will Sanniang bring people back?”

Though Shi Lei had left, they still felt unsafe.

The retainer said: “The miss did not say.”

Zhao Hu urged: “Then quickly go bring her back. Since the rebel army has left, there’s no use in her staying there.”

Zhao Ming glanced at Zhao Hu and asked the retainer: “Who is currently in charge of Xiping County?”

The retainer answered honestly: “The miss.”

Zhao Ming raised his hand to rub his forehead. After a long moment, he said: “I will go to the county town with you.”

Zhao Hu was surprised. “Why are you going? The fortress is short-handed right now, with many matters awaiting your decisions.”

“Father and the uncles can make decisions on clan matters. I’ll go to the county town to take a look and will return quickly.” Xiping county town was not far—a quick horse ride there and back.

He was more worried about Zhao Hanzhang, afraid she might seize the opportunity to do something that would affect the Zhao clan’s century-old reputation.

But such things could not be spoken aloud. Not only would his father not believe it, even if he did, it could not be said in front of the clan elders. Once word spread, even if she had done nothing, it would still damage their reputation.

After much thought, Zhao Ming still felt he should have an honest conversation with Zhao Hanzhang.

So he followed the retainer to Xiping County.

When he arrived, Zhao Hanzhang was on the main street comforting the people. He did not even need to go to the county office to see her.

Zhao Hanzhang was half-kneeling on the ground, using a cloth to bandage someone’s wound. After tightening it, she said: “Take him to the county office. His leg should still be savable.”

“Yes.”

The retainers carried the person away on a wooden plank.

A woman pulled a child forward and knelt before Zhao Hanzhang, prostrating herself as she wept: “I beg the miss’s mercy. His father died in the chaos, our home was burned, our財物 all lost. I can no longer support him. Please take him with you, Miss—as a slave or soldier, anything is fine. I only hope you will give him food to eat while he lives.”

Zhao Hanzhang looked at the boy kneeling on the ground. Seeing he was only eight or nine years old, she asked: “Is she your mother?”

The boy nodded.

Zhao Hanzhang reached out to pat his head, then helped the woman up, saying: “I understand your feelings, but separating mother and child is one of life’s greatest sorrows. Take him home for now. Tomorrow the county office should open the granaries to distribute grain—go collect some. Afterward, I will issue work-relief orders, and people will come help you repair your home.”

The woman stood frozen, face covered in tears.

The boy also understood—he would not have to separate from his mother. He could no longer hold back his tears and threw himself into his mother’s arms, sobbing: “Mother, I don’t want to leave you, don’t want to leave you…”

The woman also held her child and wept bitterly.

Light flickered in the eyes of those watching nearby. They no longer crowded forward to speak of selling themselves, but instead followed Zhao Hanzhang’s instructions, dragging out their households’ war dead. With the retainers’ help, they either wrapped them in mats to take outside the city for burial, or simply moved them to mass graves to be buried together with unclaimed bodies.

Zhao Ming stopped in his tracks and watched quietly for a long while before stepping forward. “Sanniang.”

Zhao Hanzhang turned around. Seeing Zhao Ming, joy burst from her eyes. “Uncle!”

Zhao Ming’s gaze swept over the people behind her as he asked: “What are you doing?”

Zhao Hanzhang: “The people in town are frightened and unsettled. Though the rebel army has withdrawn, many still plan to leave Xiping, so I came to stabilize their spirits. We cannot let all the people flee—then wouldn’t Xiping become an empty city?”

Zhao Ming asked: “Where are the county administrator and the chief clerk?”

How had such matters fallen to her?

Zhao Hanzhang said: “The chief clerk died in battle together with Magistrate Fan. The county administrator fled.”

Zhao Ming: “So… you alone are in charge at the county office now?”

“Correct.” Zhao Hanzhang glanced at the sky, finding it was getting late, and led Zhao Ming toward the county office. “Uncle, as you can see, the county town suffered severe damage. Those people not only plundered but also set fires, burning down many houses. These places all need rebuilding, or they won’t even have shelter.”

Zhao Ming: “What were the casualties in this battle for Xiping?”

Zhao Hanzhang sighed: “From what I know, casualties were heavy. Adding those who fled, I’m afraid Xiping will be desolate for quite some time.”

Zhao Ming fell into thought as he walked with Zhao Hanzhang all the way to the county office. Along the road, people were constantly carrying the injured to the county office. Seeing Zhao Hanzhang, many commoners set down their tasks and knelt to pay their respects.

Zhao Ming swallowed many words.

They continued until reaching the county office gates, where Zhao Ming saw the open ground before the office and the streets were filled with people lying down, with others constantly moving among them distributing medicine.

Fu Tinghan stood on the steps coordinating everything. His gaze met theirs from afar, and he bowed to them before being surrounded by people again.

Seeing Fu Tinghan arrange everything in an orderly manner, Zhao Ming asked: “Was staying in Xiping your idea, or Fu Tinghan’s suggestion?”

Zhao Hanzhang raised her eyebrows and said directly: “It was my idea.”

Zhao Ming was still watching Fu Tinghan. “He seems quite willing to listen to you.”

Zhao Hanzhang: “It doesn’t go against his principles—why wouldn’t he listen?”

Zhao Ming turned to look at her. “Does not going against one’s principles mean one must obey you?”

Zhao Hanzhang smiled slightly at him: “Uncle, this is not about obeying me, but about following one’s own principles.”

She looked seriously at Zhao Ming and asked directly: “Uncle came at this time—surely it’s not just to see me?”

Zhao Ming said: “I wanted to have a conversation with you.”

Zhao Hanzhang also adopted a sincere attitude. “Uncle, please speak.” This was perfect—she also wanted to have a conversation with Zhao Ming. To gain Xiping County, she needed the Zhao clan’s support, and to gain the Zhao clan’s support, she first had to pass Zhao Ming’s test.

With her being so sincere, Zhao Ming felt like he was falling into a trap again.

He paused, organizing his words before saying: “Sanniang, since seeing you again, I’ve known you were different.”

Zhao Hanzhang remained silent.

“You were clever from childhood, but in the past your cleverness was only used within the household. This time seeing you, though you kept showing weakness, in my eyes you were full of sharp edges.” Zhao Ming said: “Since we’re being frank, today I’ll ask you directly—what exactly do you want to do?”

Zhao Hanzhang looked up into his eyes, meeting his gaze for a moment before asking: “What does Uncle think I want to do?”

Zhao Ming: “I was the one who opened your grandfather’s final letter. It mentioned what happened in the capital—that you fell from your horse trying to save Erlang and nearly died. Though your grandfather didn’t say it explicitly, his words showed disappointment, clearly suspecting your uncle’s family was behind it. He asked us to look after you siblings in the future—both to care for you and to end this feud, not letting you become entangled in it.”

Zhao Hanzhang was slightly surprised. She had not expected Zhao Changyu had thought of even this.