Zhao Song brought up the hostages still in Shangcai. Zhao Hanzhang immediately said, “Tomorrow I’ll take County Magistrate Chai’s borrowed troops back to exchange them out.”

Zhao Song was even more satisfied. “These days have been chaotic with everyone frightened, and there have been some misunderstandings. I’ll gather your uncles and senior relatives shortly. You should explain things to them properly, understand?”

Zhao Hanzhang obediently agreed.

Upon seeing Zhao Hanzhang again, the elders all fell somewhat silent. What she had done in Xiping County had all been relayed back to the fortress. Plus Zhao Ming had personally written a letter to request an official position, but from what he revealed, he didn’t plan to move into the county but would continue managing clan affairs in the fortress.

Then who would be in charge in the county was self-evident.

At this moment, no one dared treat Zhao Hanzhang as an ordinary young woman anymore.

Seeing them so silent, Zhao Hanzhang stood up and personally served tea to the elders, especially the parents of those four children. She explained, “Because of me, uncles and younger siblings experienced the pain of separation. It’s truly my fault. Once I retrieve the younger siblings, I’ll visit each household to apologize.”

Everyone’s expressions relaxed somewhat, and they told Zhao Hanzhang, “It’s not your fault. Xiping suffered such devastation—you’ve been very busy too.”

Someone brought up the position of Xiping County Magistrate. “The court hasn’t arranged a Xiping County Magistrate, and your Uncle Ming also said he wouldn’t go to the county, so county affairs…”

Zhao Hanzhang smiled. “I’ll serve as acting magistrate temporarily. When we have a suitable candidate in the future, I’ll hand over this heavy burden.”

What if there was never a suitable person?

Everyone mentally complained.

Zhao Hu had been restraining his temper all along, but now he couldn’t help it. “Sanniang, you are after all a woman. It’s not good for a woman to manage government affairs, is it?”

Zhao Hanzhang sat back in her seat, picked up her teacup for a sip, then looked up with a smile and asked, “What’s not good about it? Am I handling government affairs poorly, or have I made errors in military affairs?”

Meeting Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze, images of being pressed onto a coffin first flashed through Zhao Hu’s mind, then images of her charging into battle. His voice weakened by eighty percent as he said somewhat guiltily, “Since ancient times it’s always been men managing external affairs while women manage internal affairs…”

Zhao Hanzhang smiled slightly. “But in my case, it’s simply that the capable occupy the position.”

She turned to Zhao Song. “I was just about to ask Fifth Grand-Uncle for guidance. Xiping County is now in ruins and desperately needs talent. So many brothers and sisters in the clan study—if anyone is free, why not come help me in the county?”

Zhao Song looked at Zhao Ming. He was much more cautious now. After pondering for a moment, he said, “Your Uncle Ming is the Xiping County Magistrate. Clan matters are also mostly managed by him. You should ask him about these things.”

Zhao Ming glanced at his father. On one hand, he felt his father had finally learned caution; on the other hand, he felt it was quite unnecessary at this point.

He had already served as Zhao Hanzhang’s assistant and provided cover for her. Would he really refuse to let her use people from the clan?

So he said directly, “If there are suitable ones, just take them. It’s good to let them go out and gain experience.”

Speaking of gaining experience, Zhao Song remembered. “It’s very chaotic outside now. Send someone to find Zicheng and have him bring the children back.”

Zhao Zicheng—his single name was Cheng. He was Zhao Hu’s only son, and at this time he was leading several nephews on a study tour outside. This was also why only four children were sent out this time—the other families’ children were either with their families elsewhere like Zhao Erlang, or were outside gaining experience.

Zhao Hanzhang had never met this uncle, but in her memories she had heard Lady Wang mention him. This one was close in age to her cheap father and had a very good relationship with him, to the point that after her father died of illness, he was too grief-stricken to see anyone from their branch again.

Oh, and supposedly he had an extremely bad relationship with his father.

Unlike the mutually loving conflict between Zhao Song and Zhao Ming, supposedly he and Zhao Hu only had conflict without love.

To avoid seeing his father, he was passionate about traveling for study. Even when he needed to bring nephews back home, he absolutely refused to stay at the fortress, instead finding various excuses to freeload at friends’ houses.

How did Zhao Hanzhang know all this so clearly?

Because when they moved to the Shangcai villa, they were too poor and looked everywhere for things to pawn. Then they found quite a few of his old belongings in the villa, and Butler Cheng had sighed and said, “These are Young Master Cheng’s things. Back when he and your father…”

And then Zhao Hanzhang knew.

Zhao Hanzhang picked up her teacup to drink tea and fell into thought. If Zhao Cheng returned, wouldn’t the chicken Zhao Hu be easier to kill?

Zhao Ming had already agreed. “Son will write the letter shortly.” But whether he would return and when he would return were uncertain.

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at him and said, “Uncle, why don’t you write about recent events at the fortress and Xiping? If Uncle learns the family situation is so critical, he’ll definitely return.”

Zhao Song immediately nodded. “Sanniang is right. Write it all down.”

Zhao Ming looked at Zhao Hanzhang and acknowledged.

After the meeting ended, Zhao Hanzhang didn’t involve herself in fortress affairs. She didn’t intend to interfere too much in the Zhao Family’s internal clan matters, so after walking out of the meeting hall, she headed straight for the old residence.

Just as she left the entrance, a young woman rushed over from across the street.

Qiuwu, standing guard at the door, was startled and immediately reached out to block her, his blade nearly unsheathed.

Zhao Hanzhang recognized her and quickly stopped Qiuwu. “Miss Fan.”

Fan Ying stopped in front of Zhao Hanzhang and curtsied deeply. “I’ve come first to thank you for saving my life, and second to request that you allow me to return to Xiping County. I… I want to perform memorial rites for my family and observe mourning.”

Zhao Hanzhang quickly agreed. “Of course that’s acceptable. You are a free person and may go wherever you wish.”

She thought for a moment and said, “County Magistrate Fan died defending Xiping. His loyal courage is admirable, and we are all deeply moved. You are County Magistrate Fan’s only family member. We have a responsibility to look after you. How about this—I’ll have people prepare a residence in Xiping County. You can observe mourning for County Magistrate Fan there. How does that sound?”

Fan Ying thanked her and agreed on a departure time with Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled. “Preparing the residence will also take some time. Why don’t you wait until I return from Shangcai, Miss Fan, and then I’ll take you back to Xiping County together?”

Fan Ying thought about it and nodded in agreement.

After Fan Ying left, Zhao Hanzhang turned and called over one of the doorkeepers. “Go to Uncle Ming’s place and call someone—preferably someone who serves close to Uncle Ming.”

The doorkeeper froze, hesitated, but still went.

Before long, Changqing, Zhao Ming’s head attendant, came out.

Seeing him, Zhao Hanzhang smiled and asked, “Did Uncle Ming send you?”

Changqing smiled and bowed. “The master said the Third Miss must have something to ask, so he told me to come over and that I should answer whatever I know. So Third Miss, please ask freely.”

Zhao Hanzhang: “You’ve been preventing Miss Fan from leaving, not letting her go?”

Changqing paused before saying, “The clan said Miss Fan’s situation is complicated. You haven’t established a firm foothold in the county yet, Third Miss, so her presence would do more harm than good. Besides, Miss Fan is grief-stricken. Keeping her in the clan means people can comfort her, so…”