Whether due to this misunderstanding or not, when Ji Yuan brought out money to buy grain from them, they agreed without too much deliberation.

The price… was actually quite reasonable.

Even Ji Yuan hadn’t expected this.

At this point, Ji Yuan couldn’t help but tell Zhao Hanzhang, “The Zhao family’s contribution to your current position cannot be overstated.”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded. “That’s why I’m grateful and will do my best to repay them in the future.”

Ji Yuan thought for a moment, then smiled. “You and the Zhao family are mutually beneficial. If the Zhao family faces trouble in the future, would you not help them?”

Zhao Hanzhang had risked her retinue to fight desperately for the Zhao family stronghold when she had nothing. She certainly wouldn’t stand by if the Zhao family faced difficulties in the future.

Zhao Ming must have seen this point. What they were doing now was essentially an investment.

Investing in Zhao Hanzhang, waiting for her to give back in the future.

Ji Yuan understood, Zhao Hanzhang saw it clearly, and even Zhao Ming knew they understood. This was simply an open conspiracy.

Although Zhao Hanzhang was a woman, Zhao Ming and the Zhao family still couldn’t resist treating her like a young man of the clan, cultivating and supporting her.

By now, though Zhao Ming hadn’t stated it explicitly, the Zhao family’s resources were indeed tilting toward Zhao Hanzhang, with a subtle trend of taking her as their leader.

Especially after news spread back to the Zhao family that she had taken Quyang and was about to assume the position of Commandant of Runan Commandery.

Even Zhao Hu couldn’t help but actively ask, “She’s short on grain. Does she need help?”

The Zhao family had many wealthy relatives, and this year’s summer harvest was decent. Their storehouses contained considerable grain.

They hadn’t sold it externally—first, because grain prices were fluctuating. Within Xiping it was one price, but outside Xiping the prices rose and fell unpredictably. They felt selling now would be a loss.

Second, in chaotic times grain was precious. They were reluctant to sell too much.

But if Zhao Hanzhang was buying, that was another matter entirely.

Zhao Hanzhang was overjoyed and welcomed all comers, buying whatever amount the clan members would sell.

Was she short on money now?

What she lacked was grain!

Zhao Hanzhang also had clan members help make connections to buy grain from other gentry families. Ji Yuan became busy, transferring money from various workshops and shops to purchase grain.

When that wasn’t enough, they even tapped into Zhao Hanzhang’s dowry.

The first batch of grain was transported to Quyang.

After consideration, Zhao Hanzhang had Zhao Ju personally lead the escort to Chen County, attaching a letter for Inspector He.

She had shown her sincerity; Inspector He should also show some sincerity.

Inspector He hadn’t expected to receive the first batch of military provisions so quickly. He became even more convinced this was the Zhao family’s doing. Otherwise, how could Zhao Hanzhang alone have such capability to gather so much military grain without touching Quyang’s taxes?

After thinking it over, Inspector He still issued an official document, formally appointing Zhao Hanzhang as Commandant of Runan Commandery, though he didn’t report it to the court.

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t mind. As long as the counties of Runan Commandery received this official document, that was enough. Whether the court recognized it or not was a matter for later.

Or rather, whether the court recognized it actually wasn’t important.

The current court, fighting intensely with Gou Xi, held little prestige in the various provincial administrations.

Having received the official document, Zhao Hanzhang instructed Ji Yuan to begin preparing the second batch of military provisions. “Send them slowly, after I’ve consolidated control over Quyang.”

Ji Yuan said, “My lady, Runan Commandery has ten counties. Even including Quyang, you only control three.”

Zhao Hanzhang replied, “One must walk step by step and eat one bite at a time. I’m not in a hurry. I’ll consolidate what we already have, then slowly infiltrate what we haven’t grasped yet. We absolutely cannot let external chaos disrupt our internal order.”

She continued, “So Xiping and Shangcai will continue stable development. Now we’ll focus on stabilizing Quyang. Once Quyang is under our control like Shangcai, we’ll radiate outward to the surrounding areas. The commandant position merely makes my actions more legitimate.”

After all, not every county was like Quyang, conveniently having a rebellion that allowed her to move in.

Ji Yuan expressed understanding and immediately went to execute her orders. However, “My lady, we’re running low on money.”

Zhao Hanzhang waved dismissively. “Sir, don’t worry about money. I have my methods.”

Money could be earned through various means. In the worst case, she still had the treasure Zhao Changyu left her, though she wouldn’t touch it if other methods were available.

Having successfully obtained the commandant’s appointment documents, Zhao Hanzhang immediately issued orders to all counties, moving the commandery administration to Xiping County. Henceforth, counties needing to report matters should go to Xiping.

Then she handed Quyang over to Zhao Kuan and prepared to leave.

Zhao Kuan was still in a daze even while seeing Zhao Hanzhang off outside the city. “I’m really serving as county magistrate in Quyang?”

“That’s right. Aren’t you happy?”

Before Zhao Kuan could answer, Zhao Hanzhang was already instructing him, “I’m leaving Uncle Qianli here to help you, plus all these clan brothers. Put your heart into it. The summer harvest just ended, but the farming work can’t be neglected. After people receive their relief grain, have them hurry to plant beans. The farming season is still good now—if it passes this month, it’ll be too late to plant.”

She added, “Come next month, if it’s too late for planting, that’s fine too. Use all the idle labor—you can do work-relief. I’ve left all the grain from Quyang’s granary for you. You have the capital for work-relief. Repair waterworks and roads as needed. Don’t let them sit idle.”

Zhao Hanzhang sighed. “Unrest comes from hunger and idleness. If you can keep them fed and give them work, Quyang will gradually stabilize.”

Zhao Kuan had participated in Shangcai’s development and knew how to handle these administrative matters. He nodded, indicating he understood.

Only then was Zhao Hanzhang satisfied enough to leave.

She took many people from Quyang, which would reduce resistance for Zhao Kuan—people like Chen Wan and Xiang Yu, whom she brought back to Xiping.

Then she assigned them to the military to lead troops in training, starting as squad leaders.

With these troublemakers gone from Quyang County, Zhao Kuan’s work would be much easier. However, resistance remained, such as from local aristocratic families like the Guan family.

Regarding this, Zhao Hanzhang had only one instruction: “Have minimal contact with them.”

She even required Zhao Kuan to temporarily forget about the Zhao family. “Don’t always think about being from the Zhao family. Cousin Kuan, you’re my person now, working for me. You’re Quyang County’s magistrate. What you should do is what benefits Quyang’s common people. I want Quyang’s people to trust you, to trust me, so they can become my support in the future.”

“So temporarily forget your identity as a Zhao family member. This way you won’t be constrained by the aristocratic families,” Zhao Hanzhang said. “Until Quyang is stabilized, minimize contact with local aristocratic and wealthy families.”

Zhao Kuan then recalled her actions in Xiping and Shangcai and asked, “Just like what you did in Xiping and Shangcai?”

“Exactly,” Zhao Hanzhang said. “What I want is this: even if all the aristocratic and wealthy families oppose me in the future, I still have absolute control over Quyang.”

As long as the vast majority of people in a county recognized her, she would control that county. And weren’t the most numerous people in a county the common folk?

Zhao Kuan’s heart trembled as he asked, “What matter would make you oppose all the aristocratic and wealthy families?”

Zhao Kuan almost thought she would say those two words he least wanted to hear. Instead, she glanced at him and said, “For example, if I need to protect the Zhao family stronghold with all my strength.”

Zhao Kuan: …

Zhao Kuan agreed.