The guests Zhao Hanzhang invited were all carefully chosen—not a single invitation was wasted.
To manage Runan Jun well, they first needed to establish a grand goal for everyone—one that everyone could accept and even aspire to.
In a chaotic age, what could be more attractive than a stable environment?
The march of history was accelerating. No one knew when Liu Yuan would break through Luoyang, so her time was pressing. She needed to mobilize everyone she could to forge Runan Jun into an iron fortress, then radiate outward to bring other areas of Yuzhou under her protection. Only then would it be safer.
Zhao Hanzhang kept the nine county magistrates and also invited Zhao Ming, Ji Yuan, and Fu Tinghan to go to the front hall for discussions.
Considering how poorly people of this era received high tables and chairs, Zhao Hanzhang obediently had the tables and chairs in the front hall removed and replaced with mats and low tables.
She was very tactful, not wanting to have conflicts with her subordinates over such minor matters as living habits.
As soon as Zhao Ming entered the front hall, he noticed the change and couldn’t help but glance at Zhao Hanzhang, letting out a soft snort.
This was why he felt she was too flexible—when bending, she was unperturbed, and could even make people feel warmly welcomed, completely indifferent to her own discomfort. How could such a person be confined to shallow waters?
Zhao Ming felt Runan Jun was still too small—it probably couldn’t contain her.
But every time he thought of this, he grew anxious again.
Because of blood ties, Zhao Hanzhang and the Zhao clan were naturally bound together, and now her management focused mainly around Xiping. Her ambition and ability directly related to the Zhao clan’s future.
Late at night when all was quiet, Zhao Ming would also ask himself: would he regret standing on her side and doing all this in the future?
Zhao Hanzhang had already walked to the host’s seat. She looked down at the curved-hem robe she was wearing today and obediently knelt down. The others also took their seats in order of precedence.
As soon as they sat cross-legged, servants brought them hot tea and refreshments.
Zhao Hanzhang said, “Our household is in mourning, so we cannot hold banquets for now. I apologize to our guests.”
Everyone quickly expressed that having hot tea was already very good—they were quite content.
Everyone looked up and noticed that sitting to Zhao Hanzhang’s left and right were Ji Yuan and Fu Tinghan, with Zhao Ming seated even further down. Their eyes flickered slightly.
They had thought Zhao Ming would sit on equal footing with Zhao Hanzhang. It seemed this new Administrator wasn’t entirely pushed to the forefront by the Zhao clan.
Zhao Hanzhang had spoken many words earlier, so she first drank water to moisten her throat. “I’ve invited you all here to inquire about conditions in each county.”
Her gaze swept across the magistrates, finally settling on County Magistrate Gao. “I understand the situations in Xiping, Shangcai, and Quyang, but I haven’t yet had the chance to personally visit the other counties. County Magistrate Gao, why don’t you start by telling us about Suiping County?”
County Magistrate Gao’s eyes immediately reddened, nearly shedding tears. “Administrator, our Suiping County has it hard…”
Zhao Hanzhang: …
She couldn’t help but glance at Zhao Ming. Surely this wasn’t necessary?
Zhao Ming lifted his eyelids to look back at her, his expression puzzled.
Zhao Hanzhang looked away, her face showing the same pained expression as she looked back at County Magistrate Gao. “Speak slowly.”
Suiping County was to the southwest of Xiping, with a small portion bordering Xiping. Due east was Quyang. Its location was decent, except it had more mountains than other counties.
The western part of the county was basically uninhabited—all mountains and forests. People lived in the northern and eastern parts. Unfortunately, north led to Xiping, and east led to Quyang.
So last year it had been rather unlucky. When the roving soldiers from Xiping scattered in retreat, some ended up in Suiping County, plundering several villages. Some fled directly, while others stayed and became bandits, recruiting many passing refugees to join them as brigands.
Meanwhile, Quyang County had been besieged by the Xiongnu army last year. Unable to break through after a long siege, the Xiongnu army sent people everywhere to plunder grain and supplies. Villages in Quyang County suffered severe damage.
This was one reason for the uprising by Quyang County’s common people. Last year’s grief hadn’t dissipated, and this year they were being forced to pay such heavy taxes—it directly crushed the survivors.
But Suiping County’s situation wasn’t much better. The Xiongnu army’s plundering range had been wide, reaching Suiping County, and Suiping’s main population was concentrated in the east.
That area was basically plains—the most fertile land in the entire county.
County Magistrate Gao’s tears flowed freely. “Last year alone, our county saw five wealthy households completely wiped out, not to mention the common people who were plundered. But the higher authorities show no consideration—this year they still demand we pay such heavy taxes. The people of the county have emptied their coffers, and now have no way to survive. I beg the Administrator to show mercy!”
He wept sorrowfully. Infected by his emotion, Zhao Hanzhang’s heart ached, and the smile on her face faded. She asked, “How many people remain in the county now? How much grain is in the storehouse? How much tax must each household pay this year?”
County Magistrate Gao answered each question in detail.
Seeing his relatively detailed responses, Zhao Hanzhang knew he wasn’t fabricating things. Her brow furrowed. “I understand. Right now the autumn harvest is approaching. You must organize the people well to ensure a good harvest.”
County Magistrate Gao said tearfully, “There’s still a month until the autumn harvest. I fear many people in the county won’t last until then.”
A person could starve to death in seven days. Some people were already going hungry now. Without food, how could they possibly endure until then?
County Magistrate Gao hesitated, then said, “Some people in the county have already started eating unripe grain.”
Zhao Hanzhang’s expression changed. “If they eat it now, won’t the autumn harvest be ruined?”
County Magistrate Gao said despondently, “They have to survive somehow.”
Zhao Hanzhang was silent for a moment, then said, “I understand.”
She looked toward County Magistrate Guan of Pingyu County. “County Magistrate Guan, please tell us about conditions in Pingyu County.”
…
This conversation lasted from noon until evening. Zhao Hanzhang thoroughly investigated the situations in the other seven counties and gave instructions for their work—specifically, to placate the people within their counties and prepare well for the autumn harvest.
After seeing off the county magistrates, Zhao Hanzhang stood at the entrance of the county office gazing at the pitch-black streets of the county town without speaking.
Fu Tinghan stood beside her and asked, “Do you feel it’s very dark?”
Zhao Hanzhang nodded. “In the past, when I touched this history with my hands, I only felt the people of this era were pitiable. But truly being immersed in it, I realize ‘pitiable’ isn’t sufficient to describe it.”
She sighed deeply. “It’s like being placed in bone-chilling darkness, unable to see even a glimmer of light.”
Fu Tinghan said, “If even we can’t see the light, is there any point in striving in this era? Hanzhang, you’re being pessimistic.”
Zhao Hanzhang gave a start and came to her senses. She turned to look at him, smiling bitterly. “I’m sorry. I heard too much today. I hadn’t realized the other counties of Runan Jun were in such dire straits. Runan Jun is still outside the battlefield—what must conditions be like in the battlefield itself, or in Luoyang at the center of the struggle?”
Fu Tinghan’s heart ached as well. He had no sense of belonging to this era, but these were all living lives, and they were right in the midst of it. His gaze was gentle yet firm as he looked at Zhao Hanzhang. “We just need to do our best.”
—