Zhao Erlang didn’t think so at all. In the time it took to recognize one character, he could learn an entire spear technique.

He stuffed the remaining steamed bun in his hand fiercely into his mouth and mumbled, “I listen carefully to all the military strategy and stories that elder sister and brother-in-law tell me, and I remember them all…” So why must he still learn to read?

Zhao Hanzhang thought for a moment, feeling she couldn’t let him become averse to learning, so she stood on his side and persuaded Wang Shi together, “Mother, Erlang just can’t remember characters, but he can remember what he hears. You can just tell him what you want to teach him—there’s no need to force him to learn reading.”

Zhao Erlang indeed became happier and nodded repeatedly.

But there were no illiterate people in their family!

Thinking of her father-in-law’s widespread reputation, then thinking of her husband who had been extraordinarily clever since childhood, and with Zhao Hanzhang as a pearl before them, Wang Shi felt somewhat anxious.

She raised her head to look at Zhao Erlang, seeing his eyes wet and glistening as he stared at her. Wang Shi’s words caught in her throat, then she swallowed them down, and instead nodded with difficulty, “Alright then.”

Zhao Erlang immediately cheered up and picked up another steamed bun to gnaw on.

Wang Shi watched her son eating and enjoying himself contentedly, let out a long sigh—forget it, she couldn’t force it. It was rare for the child to be this happy.

Though this was what she thought in her heart, Wang Shi still couldn’t help worrying.

She always felt that if her son couldn’t read, he would suffer greatly in the future.

Having mediated the family conflict, Zhao Hanzhang also happily gnawed on her steamed bun. Unlike Fu Tinghan who preferred porridge, the Zhao siblings both enjoyed eating steamed buns.

After finishing breakfast, Zhao Hanzhang took Fu Tinghan to the front office to meet people. Among the guests they had invited this time, besides the county magistrates from each county, there were also some wealthy gentry from various counties. Yesterday, Zhao Hanzhang had only briefly met with them.

Today she specifically invited them to the county office, planning to have a deeper conversation with them.

“There are quite a few Zhao clan members, but too few are truly useful. Moreover, we can’t only use people from the Zhao clan,” Zhao Hanzhang and the Zhao clan shared a relationship of mutual prosperity and loss, but she didn’t want to rely too heavily on the Zhao clan, or rather, she didn’t want to rely too heavily on any single power.

She wanted to cultivate her own faction, so she could command them as easily as her own limbs.

Her school was training talent, but talent couldn’t be quickly cultivated. Without three to five years, or even longer, the children in the school would be useless.

So she needed to recruit worthy individuals.

Currently, with her reputation, she could only recruit from various counties, and even then it wasn’t certain she’d succeed. But what did it matter? It was worth a try.

So Zhao Hanzhang gathered the invited guests together to talk, explaining her thirst for talent. The situation in all counties was poor now. To stabilize people’s hearts and restore production, she needed help from each family.

The invited people exchanged glances with each other, then looked at Zhao Ming sitting below, their thoughts varied.

Zhao Ming sat quietly without interrupting. Zhao Hanzhang was doing well—not only did she need talent, but the Zhao clan currently needed talent too.

However, in these chaotic times, talented people were all extremely proud. Who would be willing to take orders from a commandery commandant? Especially a female one.

Zhao Ming sneered inwardly, his face showing a mocking expression. Those below saw this and various speculations flew wildly in their minds.

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t notice. She also didn’t expect these family heads to work for her. They were of high seniority and valued their status—she wouldn’t want to use them anyway. She was more interested in the young men in their families, especially those who still had passion in their hearts and wanted to accomplish great things.

So she only needed these family heads to take the message back. As for how many people would be willing to come join her—that depended on fate.

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t insist. After meeting with them, she sent them out of the county office, then turned to go to the military camp to drill troops.

Zhao Ming called out to her, “When will you leave the county?”

Zhao Hanzhang wasn’t surprised he knew she was going out, even though she hadn’t yet voiced it, only planning it in her mind. “Tomorrow.”

Zhao Ming asked, “Going to Suiping County?”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded and sighed, “Originally I thought he was an ally my uncle found for me—naturally being one of our own, I should visit Suiping first. But he isn’t, so I need to go see Suiping even more.”

Zhao Ming said, “Take more people. Since you’ve trained soldiers, you should use them.”

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and agreed.

But she didn’t plan to take many people—the cost was too high!

She only had Qiuwu bring two squads to accompany them, while maintaining clear roads so they could contact Xiping at any time.

Ji Yuan very much wanted to go along and see, but Zhao Hanzhang had only just officially become commandery commandant, with many matters to handle. Plus they still had to arrange military provisions. After meeting with the county magistrates yesterday, Zhao Hanzhang had stated directly, “We now must not only arrange military provisions for the Regional Inspector’s office, but also prepare relief grain for each county.”

So he was very busy. This trip, only Fu Tinghan could accompany her.

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t send Ji Yuan back to Shangcai. Instead, she met privately with Magistrate Chai and had an earnest conversation with him before letting him leave.

Magistrate Chai might not have great talent, but he was sufficiently timid and obedient. Since Zhao Hanzhang was now his legitimate superior, he had to listen to what she said.

The situation in Shangcai had already stabilized, with precedents set for various matters. He only needed to follow the rules Ji Yuan had established and wouldn’t make major mistakes.

Moreover, Shangcai was right next to Xiping, close by. If anything happened, not only Ji Yuan, but Zhao Ming would also handle it. Don’t think that just because he turned a deaf ear to outside matters and rarely concerned himself with Xiping’s government affairs that he could truly let go—which time had Zhao Hanzhang come knocking that he actually did so?

Before leaving, Zhao Hanzhang also met with Xiping County’s officials, especially Geng Rong, Song Zhi, Chen Siniang, and Fan Ying. She said, “The situation in all counties is poor, but now Xiping has stabilized. You all have experience with relief and pacification. In the future, you may need to work in other counties.”

She continued, “So now you must not only handle Xiping’s affairs well and train deputies, but also become familiar with commandery office matters alongside Master Ji.”

All four people’s eyes brightened, extremely excited. Did this mean they would change from being Xiping County officials to commandery office officials?

Zhao Hanzhang loved seeing such eyes—ambitious and full of vitality!

The corners of her mouth lifted. The depression that had accumulated from seeing those lifeless family heads in the morning dissipated considerably. She said, “Work hard, and I won’t treat you poorly.”

A very common phrase, but also the most useful one.

No one thought Zhao Hanzhang was lying. All four responded forcefully.

“Without ambition in youth, one is unworthy of being young.” All four were not very old—who didn’t have great aspirations?

Not yet disappointed with this world, all four emanated vigorous life force and listened very seriously to Zhao Hanzhang’s instructions.

Zhao Hanzhang’s mood improved considerably. This is what should be called talent!

Only then did she summon Zhao Kuan to speak.

“How is the situation in Quyang County?”

Zhao Kuan was even more respectful toward this clan sister. Though it had only been a month or so since they’d met, he always felt the imposing aura about her had grown heavier.

—