Seeing Zhao Hanzhang resemble Zhao Changyu, Governor He pondered. His gaze swept past Magistrate Zhang seated at the lower right, and he smiled faintly before asking, “Judging by your martial skills today, did you reclaim Xiping County from the rebels yourself?”

This time Zhao Hanzhang didn’t remain modest but nodded. “Yes.”

Governor He smiled. “You truly have your grandfather’s spirit. You’re worthy of being a child taught by Grand Secretary Zhao.”

Zhao Hanzhang bowed slightly, accepting his praise.

This Zhao Hanzhang was vastly different from the one they’d met yesterday. Everyone fell silent.

Magistrate Zhang felt it most keenly. At that moment, his face burned as he wondered if Zhao Hanzhang was secretly laughing at him.

After all, from yesterday until today, he had somewhat looked down on her, ignoring her suggestions, yet she had accepted it all with smiles.

At that moment, and even now, was she inwardly mocking him?

Magistrate Zhang gripped his wine cup tightly, his expression darkening.

Governor He noticed and felt somewhat relieved of the tightness in his chest.

Though using Zhao Changyu’s granddaughter didn’t please him either, if it could make Magistrate Zhang even more uncomfortable, he felt slightly better.

Moreover, thinking long-term, stability in Xiping was more important to him. Since the Zhao clan had put Zhao Hanzhang in charge and even brought three thousand troops to provide aid this time, it showed they supported her.

If he appointed another County Magistrate, it would only create unrest in Xiping, which wouldn’t benefit Runan Prefecture or Yuzhou.

Governor He weighed the matter in his mind, already envisioning Yuzhou’s situation over the next few years. But these thoughts flashed by in mere moments—he hadn’t paused for long.

Governor He changed his attitude, treating Zhao Hanzhang as a subordinate and instructing her: “Xiping borders both Shangcai and Quyang, serving as the most important passage for forces moving south from the northwest. This time Yuzhou was unprepared, allowing Xiongnu rebels to flow from Yingchuan into Runan. Now that we’ve driven out the Xiongnu forces, the route from Luoyang to Runan must be strictly guarded. Xiping’s position is extremely important.”

Zhao Hanzhang immediately declared, “Yes, Hanzhang will certainly watch over Xiping and not allow rebel forces to pass south through Xiping.”

With this, the matter of Zhao Hanzhang serving as Xiping County’s “Magistrate” was essentially legitimized.

Petitioning the court for official appointment with a formal document was impossible, but with the Yuzhou Governor’s approval and his decision not to send another magistrate to Xiping, she was essentially no different from an actual County Magistrate.

The court wouldn’t bother trying to manage a tiny Xiping County anyway.

They had enough to keep them busy as it was.

Actually, Governor He didn’t place much importance on Xiping County itself. What he valued more was the Zhao clan in Xiping, and the fact that under his jurisdiction, keeping prefectures and counties stable was worthwhile—one at a time.

His position as Governor wasn’t actually that secure.

He and Magistrate Zhang had previously been competitors. Both were Magistrates, and when the court was selecting a Governor for Yuzhou, they mainly considered these two.

Governor He won because he had sent large amounts of gold, silver, and jewels to the Prince of Donghai and those around him, along with a batch of military supplies.

This time he was besieged in Quyang, he had sent out urgent requests for aid long ago, but the various prefectures and counties never came.

Xiping County had an excuse—after all, it had been breached. But what about the other prefectures and counties?

The battlefield could change in an instant. He had issued the most urgent call for aid, meaning that upon receiving the order, they should have assembled their troops within a day and night and rushed to provide aid.

Instead, it took them over half a month to arrive one after another at Quyang. After arriving, instead of engaging the enemy, they camped outside and remained there for three days. Did this seem like coming to provide aid?

Governor He had been holding back his anger, but he knew this wasn’t the time to explode. Without absolute power, he could only seek stability.

Zhao Hanzhang and the Zhao clan were the first source of stability he sought.

Having witnessed her valor on the battlefield, Governor He had great confidence in her, and even more in the Zhao clan. After all, looking across all of Yuzhou, few families could compare with the Zhao clan.

Therefore, Governor He showed her considerable favor, not only personally giving her two dishes but also keeping her behind after the meeting to speak privately, looking exactly like a leader having a private session with a trusted subordinate, heart-to-heart.

Zhao Hanzhang was also happy to stay.

Governor He only briefly mentioned Zhao Changyu, then focused on his friendship with Zhao Song.

He didn’t much like Zhao Changyu. Every time he dealt with him, he came out on the losing end. He much preferred the chivalrous yet gentle Zhao Song.

The Zhao clan’s business dealings with him were mostly handled by Zhao Song, such as with iron.

Governor He brought up the recent order Zhao Song had placed through his steward, asking, “Is it for military equipment?”

Zhao Hanzhang certainly couldn’t say yes, so she bowed slightly. “It’s for farming tools.”

Governor He raised an eyebrow, clearly disbelieving.

Zhao Hanzhang explained, “The Governor may not know, but these past two years have been difficult in Runan Prefecture. Many tenant farmers and hired laborers abandoned their fields and fled, taking the farming tools with them when they left.”

“When I returned home this time, I discovered that many of our family’s fields had been abandoned. It pained me, so I wanted to send people to cultivate these fields,” she continued. To farm, one needed tools. “The estate was desperately short of farming implements, and the iron goods at the county blacksmith shops were extremely expensive. Buying everything there would empty my purse, which is why I sought Fifth Grand-Uncle’s help in purchasing iron goods.”

Whether Governor He believed it or not, he accepted this explanation. In these chaotic times, he could understand the various clans stockpiling iron goods and recruiting personnel for defense, but everything should have limits.

What Governor He wanted to discuss with Zhao Hanzhang was precisely this limit.

“How do you plan to handle the three thousand troops Xiping County recruited this time?”

Zhao Hanzhang knew the main event had arrived. She straightened her back and respectfully answered, “Xiping County suffered severe casualties when the city was breached. After returning to Xiping, I plan to distribute some official fields to them so they can settle peacefully in Xiping County. Otherwise, Xiping will be too desolate.”

Governor He nodded slightly, stroking his beard. “Settling the people on farmland is a good method. Go ahead and submit Xiping’s population register. I’ll review the extent of the damage.”

Zhao Hanzhang agreed and took the opportunity to bring up exempting the autumn taxes.

Governor He pondered for a moment. Ultimately, to win over Zhao Hanzhang, he nodded in agreement. “Very well. Xiping has just suffered a great calamity. This year’s autumn taxes will be exempted.”

Zhao Hanzhang visibly relaxed and happily said, “Hanzhang thanks the Governor on behalf of Xiping’s people.”

Governor He looked at Zhao Hanzhang’s still-youthful face and smiled slightly. She was a clever child, but ultimately different from foxes like Zhao Ming—at most, she could only be a young fox.

Governor He felt somewhat better and said to Zhao Hanzhang, “When you return, give my regards to your Fifth Grand-Uncle. If he has leisure time, invite him to visit Shou Spring. I’ll sweep the floor to welcome him.”

Yuzhou’s administrative seat was in Shou Spring. Speaking of which, it was rather pitiful—after receiving his appointment from the court, Governor He had been trapped in Quyang before he could even take up his post in Shou Spring.

If he had truly died in battle at Quyang this time, the next Governor would likely have been Magistrate Zhang.

No wonder he was courting her. Zhao Hanzhang smiled and agreed, expressing that she would certainly convey the message.