In these two years, fortunately he had Changning by his side offering advice and strategies, which is how he always managed to pass through dangers safely.

Thinking of this, County Magistrate Chai missed Changning even more. By now, he finally felt some regret—he shouldn’t have let Changning leave back then.

County Magistrate Chai regretted this for a moment, but quickly returned to the present situation. “But I wonder what she wants?”

The registrar said in a low voice, “Why doesn’t County Magistrate personally ask?”

County Magistrate Chai thought it over and felt that asking would cost nothing. If Zhao Hanzhang’s demands were too excessive, he simply wouldn’t agree.

So County Magistrate Chai returned to the front hall and sat down across from Zhao Hanzhang.

The two raised their heads to look at each other, their eyes seemingly carrying sparks of fire. However, Zhao Hanzhang smiled gently, instantly dissolving the tension rising between them, and even subtly gaining the upper hand.

Zhao Hanzhang took the initiative: “County Magistrate Chai, Shangcai and Xiping are like mutual horns to each other—when one prospers, both prosper; when one suffers, both suffer. If Shangcai cannot stabilize, no matter how prosperous my Xiping becomes, we cannot protect our wealth.”

“This is speaking publicly. Privately,” Zhao Hanzhang smiled and continued, “You also know I have quite a bit of farmland in Shangcai. In terms of land benefits, I actually have more fields here than in Xiping, so the better Shangcai does, the better I do.”

“Besides this, there’s also Chief Clerk Chang,” Zhao Hanzhang sighed. “Chief Clerk Chang is someone who values old relationships. Though he followed you for many years and has gone to Xiping, he still thinks of County Magistrate Chai and Shangcai. I’m also acting at his request.”

County Magistrate Chai was quite surprised and also convinced by Zhao Hanzhang’s words.

So he sighed, “To be honest with County Magistrate Zhao…” County Magistrate Chai, though not particularly clever, was quite perceptive. Noticing the change in how Zhao Hanzhang addressed him, he knew what attitude to take with her.

He said, “Right now Shangcai is stretched thin. After buying a batch of grain seeds, the county office can’t even come up with next month’s salaries.”

Zhao Hanzhang also sighed, “How is Xiping County any different?”

County Magistrate Chai’s eyes widened slightly…

Zhao Hanzhang continued, “Back then, the rebel troops completely pillaged Xiping County. Fortunately, I had some savings, which is how Xiping gradually improved.”

She smiled and said, “These past few months, Heaven has been fairly kind. We’ve earned some money, which Xiping doesn’t need at the moment. If County Magistrate has need here, we in Xiping are willing to assist. Our two counties can become brother counties and advance and retreat together.”

County Magistrate Chai was stunned and asked, “Is it Xiping assisting me, not Hanzhang assisting me?”

Zhao Hanzhang replied, “Since our two counties are brother counties, naturally it’s in the county’s name that we assist.”

Upon hearing this, County Magistrate Chai was delighted. Using the county’s name was always better than using a personal name.

County Magistrate Chai readily agreed, “Then Hanzhang—oh no, what are your requirements from Xiping County?”

He smiled warmly and said, “Feel free to state them. As long as we can do it, we’ll do our utmost to help.”

Zhao Hanzhang had been waiting for these words.

She looked toward Ji Yuan.

Ji Yuan pulled a stack of papers from his wide sleeves.

Zhao Hanzhang handed them to County Magistrate Chai to review. “Since we’re brothers, naturally we should advance and retreat together. Right now Xiping County is vigorously developing the economy and pacifying displaced people. I hope Shangcai County can do the same.”

She said, “This is the current plan for gathering refugees and opening wasteland for cultivation, as well as basic water conservancy infrastructure construction in the county town. County Magistrate, please take a look.”

County Magistrate Chai flipped through the plan, feeling as if piles of money and grain were floating before his eyes. His facial expression went from surprise to expressionless, then to numb, taking less than a quarter hour.

After roughly reviewing the plan, County Magistrate Chai closed it and looked at Zhao Hanzhang. “Is County Magistrate Zhao joking with me?”

Zhao Hanzhang was surprised, “What makes you say that?”

“Our Shangcai can’t even pay salaries. How can we come up with so much money and grain to settle refugees, open wasteland, and build water conservancy projects?”

Zhao Hanzhang smiled faintly and said, “I’ll provide the money.”

County Magistrate Chai was extremely surprised and very puzzled. “What’s in it for you?”

Zhao Hanzhang sighed, “County Magistrate Chai, this question makes it seem like I’m too self-interested. Can’t I simply do it for the people?”

County Magistrate Chai hesitated. It wasn’t entirely impossible. Although Changning used to often say she had ulterior motives, judging from what she had done, County Magistrate Chai still felt she was mostly a good person.

In this world, there weren’t many people who could work so hard for the people’s welfare.

Even the nobles in court found it difficult to have such concern for the people, yet Zhao Hanzhang’s various actions were worthy of being called a loyal and righteous person.

Seeing that he was actually seriously considering this possibility, Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help feeling awkward. She stopped joking with him and smiled, “County Magistrate Chai, look carefully at the locations listed and the areas of focus.”

Only then did County Magistrate Chai look carefully, slightly surprised. “This is…”

“The first to benefit will be the villages where my family’s fields are located and my fief! I’m using my own money for my own benefit, just having the county office act as the front.”

Zhao Hanzhang was also getting free management—the manager being County Magistrate Chai himself.

But County Magistrate Chai sighed, “But for County Magistrate Zhao to have this intention is already quite rare.”

He directly agreed.

Zhao Hanzhang then pointed to Ji Yuan. “I’ll have Master Ji assist you. Whatever you need, just ask him.”

County Magistrate Chai liked Ji Yuan very much. Even now, he still thought Ji Yuan was a good person, so he happily nodded in agreement.

Zhao Hanzhang and County Magistrate Chai jointly signed a friendly development agreement. To show his regard for Zhao Hanzhang, County Magistrate Chai even paid out of his own pocket to treat them to a meal.

In the end, both host and guests were pleased. Zhao Hanzhang happily left with Ji Yuan.

On the road back to the estate, Ji Yuan let out a deep sigh.

Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help turning to look at him. “Why do you sigh, Master?”

“Today we can understand why Changning was willing to stay by County Magistrate Chai’s side for many years,” Ji Yuan said. “Thinking about what we must do next, does Young Lady feel uneasy in her heart?”

Zhao Hanzhang raised an eyebrow and smiled. “No. He’s still the Shangcai County magistrate now, and will be in the future too, isn’t that right?”

Ji Yuan smiled slightly and said, “Indeed. I thought Young Lady might soften.”

After all, in the end she didn’t seem so intent on deceiving County Magistrate Chai, actively changing the subject rather than continuing to display her grand public spirit.

Zhao Hanzhang sighed, “Deceiving an honest person creates a lot of pressure.”

Ji Yuan pursed his lips. “Yet Young Lady deceives us quite naturally.”

Zhao Hanzhang replied, “When it’s something everyone knows about, how can you call it deception?”

Ji Yuan said, “Shangcai is destined to progress more slowly than Xiping, but with Young Lady planning like this, the number of capable people needed here won’t be few either. Do you have people in reserve?”

Zhao Hanzhang asked, “I wonder if Master would be willing to use members of our Zhao clan?”

“I’m afraid the young masters from aristocratic families are arrogant and would disdain following advice from someone like me, a mere strategist.”

Zhao Hanzhang smiled, “If they’re unwilling, Master can simply dismiss them. Since they’re receiving my salary, naturally they should complete the tasks I want done. Otherwise, replacing them with someone else is always possible.”

“I’m worried about making things difficult for Young Lady within the clan.”

“Understanding is mutual. If I make allowances for them, they should also make allowances for me. Otherwise, it won’t be me making things difficult for them, but them making things difficult for me.”

Ji Yuan instantly understood and agreed.

Zhao Hanzhang added, “However, the people I send you, even if somewhat arrogant, won’t be those who ignore the bigger picture.”

Ji Yuan understood the implication: “I’ll train them well.”

—