Zhao Hanzhang raised her eyebrows, indicating he should continue.

Ji Yuan said, “I think my lady’s idea is very good. Changning is indeed a useful person.”

He told her about how Changning had suggested that Magistrate Chai purchase grain in advance in order to stabilize prices next year.

Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze swept over the retainer. “This is…”

“Oh, when we were held as hostages in the city, I became friends with two or three yamen runners. Usually when there’s any news, they’re willing to tell me too.” Ji Yuan said calmly, “This is news I just received.”

Zhao Hanzhang gave Ji Yuan a thumbs up.

Though Ji Yuan was seeing this gesture for the first time, he miraculously understood. He raised his chin somewhat proudly.

The two looked at each other and smiled, both grinning like foxes.

Zhao Hanzhang said, “Will Gentleman act as a persuader?”

Ji Yuan thought for a moment and shook his head. “I’m not suitable.”

He said, “When we were in the county seat, we two were at odds and very discordant. He probably holds a grudge against me in his heart. Moreover, there’s someone more suitable right now.”

“Who?”

“You, my lady,” Ji Yuan said. “Is there anyone more suitable than you to persuade him?”

Zhao Hanzhang thought about it and realized it was true. The boss personally coming to recruit someone always showed more sincerity.

She said, “Have Zhao Ju lead people to escort the grain supplies back first. I’ll stay a couple more days.”

Ji Yuan smiled and agreed.

This time they’d bought quite a lot of grain. Adding what the estate had collected, the army of less than three thousand troops now stretched even longer with supplies. The grain was basically all transported to Xiping using handcarts and shoulder poles.

Refugees on the road saw them and instinctively ran toward the wilderness and forests. After running for a while and discovering no one was chasing them, they emerged again. Seeing them pushing so many handcarts and carrying so many loads, they couldn’t help approaching to ask, “Hey, brother, what are you carrying?”

The soldiers glanced at them and said proudly, “Our military provisions!”

Hearing this, the refugees’ feet involuntarily followed them. By the time they reached outside Xiping city, they realized they seemed to have gone the wrong way—they’d originally wanted to go to Luoyang to make a living.

Ordinary commoners didn’t know Luoyang was at war again. They just felt that Luoyang was at the foot of the emperor’s throne, where His Majesty lived—naturally it would be safe and prosperous.

This year’s taxes had increased again, and they could no longer survive in their hometowns, so they could only go where there might be a chance to live.

But after walking only two counties, they’d ended up following the group to Xiping.

The refugees were torn, wanting both to turn back toward Luoyang and to enter Xiping city to look around—what if they found a way to make a living here?

Seeing cart after cart of grain, some of the strong and sturdy couldn’t help approaching soldiers at the rear to ask, “Is your general still recruiting? I’m very strong too, and can fight. Just give me food to eat.”

“We’ve already recruited enough.” Seeing his disappointed look, the soldier paused and said, “We lost over a hundred men going to Quyang this time, so we might need to fill the positions. Why don’t you go ask at the county office? They might still be recruiting.”

Hearing this, the man immediately thanked him and lifted his feet to follow them into the county seat.

Other people nearby also heard and immediately surged into Xiping city together.

Standing at the county office entrance, Fu Tinghan hadn’t waited for Zhao Hanzhang but instead received wave after wave of refugees.

Fu Tinghan: …

Ji Ping came to report, “My lady will stay in Shangcai for two more days and will also bring Madam back, so Xiping will still need to trouble you, sir.”

Fu Tinghan asked, “Where’s Erlang?”

“The Second Young Master is still with the army. The company commander is taking them to settle in.” Ji Ping said, “My lady bought back quite a lot of grain this time, and it all needs to be stored and recorded in the ledgers.”

Refugees swarmed over, crowding at the county office entrance, grabbing a yamen runner to ask, “Are you still recruiting soldiers? Look at me—I’m very strong.”

“Skinny as a bamboo pole—what strength could you have?” A refugee beside him took off his upper garment to show the runner his arms. “Look at me—I’m the strong one. Take me.”

“He eats a lot, but I eat less. Official, take me.”

The yamen runners were all stunned and instinctively looked back at Fu Tinghan standing at the entrance.

The refugees followed his gaze and, seeing the handsome and dignified Fu Tinghan, instinctively felt he was someone in charge. They immediately rushed forward.

Ji Ping immediately blocked Fu Tinghan’s path, his sword half-drawn as he shouted, “How dare you! Step back immediately. How can you riffraff charge at the young master?”

Actually, they didn’t need his rebuke. Just meeting Fu Tinghan’s cool gaze, everyone didn’t dare charge too close and knelt down three steps away from him, kowtowing. “Young master, take me—I can really fight.”

Fu Tinghan swept his eyes over the crowd of people who’d knelt en masse and beckoned two yamen runners over. “Have them line up and register. Ask clearly about their background and name.”

“Young master, we don’t have much paper left.”

Fu Tinghan sighed. “Send someone to the Zhao clan’s fortified village to borrow some, and have someone go out to buy more.”

He absolutely had to speed up paper production. Where were the people who’d promised to make paper for him?

The person who’d promised to make paper for him was currently sitting on the second floor of a wine house drinking wine, watching the street scene below while waiting for someone.

After Zhao Hanzhang’s troops left, Magistrate Chai relaxed. Because of this, he paid less attention to the Zhao family estate and didn’t yet know Zhao Hanzhang hadn’t left with them.

The county’s affairs weren’t very numerous to begin with. Moreover, this was Shangcai County managed by Magistrate Chai—the county business was even less. Most matters were handled at the village head level.

So Changning was also free.

When he received Zhao Hanzhang’s privately delivered letter, he hesitated for a while but ultimately left the county office to quietly come to the wine house to meet her.

This wine house wasn’t large, located at a street corner with very mediocre business, so Zhao Hanzhang had directly rented the entire building.

Whether it was her coming or Changning coming, neither feared being seen.

But Changning still admired her boldness—secretly meeting the county magistrate’s aide in Shangcai city. Once this got to Magistrate Chai’s ears, it would definitely create a rift between Zhao Hanzhang and Magistrate Chai. Of course, it would create even deeper suspicion between him and Magistrate Chai.

However, their relationship wasn’t very harmonious now anyway, and he’d already decided to find an opportunity to resign and go home. So whether the suspicion deepened, Changning didn’t care that much anymore.

Changning came openly, and Zhao Hanzhang received him just as openly.

“Please sit, Gentleman Chang.” Zhao Hanzhang stood to welcome him and personally warmed the wine. “This wine was buried by my late father twelve years ago. Today I’m happy, so I dug up a jar to invite you to drink together, Gentleman.”

Changning looked at Zhao Hanzhang in surprise. This wine’s significance was considerable. He quickly cupped the wine cup with both hands, looking at the wine without drinking it. After a long while, he smiled bitterly. “Lady Zhao, if you have something to say, please say it directly. Otherwise, I dare not drink this wine.”

This wine was too precious—if he wasn’t mistaken, it should be wine that Zhao Zhi had buried for Zhao Erlang.

Zhao Hanzhang also set down her wine cup and sat up straight. “Hanzhang has come to ask you to assist me, Gentleman.”

Changning looked at her uncomprehendingly. Assist her with what?

Zhao Hanzhang said with a serious expression, “Hanzhang still lacks an aide and would like to invite you to counsel me, Gentleman.”

Hearing this, Changning immediately asked, “Has Ji Yuan abandoned you?”