When the soldiers spotted the deer, they immediately became excited and rushed forward to greet the hunters.

Fan Ying was also delighted, but she first ran over to ask Zhao Hanzhang, “Governor, how should we divide these?”

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and said, “We already have rabbits and roe deer, so let’s keep one more. Split half of it for the young masters, and chop up the other one to make soup for the refugees. In this cold weather, drinking some deer meat soup can ward off the chill.”

Fan Ying happily agreed, but she harbored a private intention. She crouched nearby watching them butcher the deer, then took away the best pieces of tenderloin from the deer’s body—two deer, two pieces of the finest tenderloin.

Fan Ying, who had lived in luxury since childhood and had never even witnessed a chicken being killed, could now compare these two pieces of tenderloin with an impassive expression. She happily placed them on two large leaves and carried them over to present to Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan. “Governor, Elder Young Master, these are the finest tenderloin cuts. I’ve taken them for you to roast and eat.”

Zhao Hanzhang did not refuse her private gesture and smiled, “Quickly invite the young masters over. It’s rare to have such good meat—bring my wine pouch as well.”

In the cold weather, Zhao Hanzhang would carry a pouch of wine with her to ward off the chill, though she rarely drank while traveling, so the pouch was still full.

Ting He brought the wine pouch and also brought bowls for everyone.

Zhao Hanzhang personally poured wine for Zhu Chuan. She was truly grateful to Zhu Chuan—without his shipment of supplies, this group of refugees would have gone hungry tonight. In such cold weather, who knew how many would have starved to death.

Moreover, without food to pacify them, she could not have won their hearts.

Zhu Chuan was also very grateful to Zhao Hanzhang. If she hadn’t appeared in time, he would have found it difficult to lead his people to safety today. He hadn’t expected so many refugees to be hiding in the forest.

Although they were all elderly, weak, women, and children, if they had swarmed together, desperate from hunger and willing to fight to the death, his group would have found it hard to escape, let alone protect their goods.

Zhu Chuan’s gaze fell on his three carts. The truly valuable items were in those three carts. Though they seemed so few, their value far exceeded that of the thirty other carts.

He didn’t believe Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t guess this, but she didn’t ask or inquire, acting as if she didn’t know—this was her tolerance and generosity.

Had they encountered other military forces, what he would have paid would likely not have been limited to just these thirty carts of supplies.

Zhu Chuan often traveled about and understood these unspoken rules well. This was one of the reasons he believed Zhao Hanzhang was worth investing in.

Seeing Zhao Hanzhang about to pour wine for him, he quickly held up his bowl with both hands.

Zhao Hanzhang poured him a bowl of wine, poured herself one, then turned to pour wine for Fu Tinghan. However, knowing he didn’t like drinking, she only poured a little. She tossed the rest to Zhao Erlang, who was watching her eagerly, and instructed, “You’re still young—drink less.”

Zhao Erlang mumbled an acknowledgment, picked up his knife, and went to cut the roe deer meat.

Zhao Hanzhang raised her bowl toward Zhu Chuan. “This bowl is to toast Young Master Zhu. Young Master Zhu’s righteousness in helping us today—Hanzhang will remember it in her heart.”

Zhu Chuan quickly raised his bowl. “Governor Zhao’s life-saving grace—Chuan is deeply grateful.”

Both sides happily clinked their bowls together. Fu Tinghan watched as they both drank heartily in one gulp, smiled and shook his head, and only took a small sip of his wine before setting it down. He said, “Eat something first to line your stomach before drinking.”

Zhao Hanzhang said regretfully, “There’s no more. Never mind, tonight everyone eats meat. Come, the rabbits and roe deer are already roasted—put this deer meat on to roast too.”

Zhu Chuan immediately said, “I didn’t know Governor Zhao loved wine. What a coincidence—I’ve brought several jars of Jiannanchun this time. Governor Zhao, please wait a moment.”

With that, he immediately went to search through those three carts, and before long he pulled out two well-secured wine jars from a box at the bottom.

He opened the wine jars with a slap, and the fragrance of wine instantly filled the area. Zhao Hanzhang took a deep breath and praised loudly, “Good wine indeed!”

Zhu Chuan laughed heartily. “This wine isn’t famous outside, but in our Shu region it’s very popular. I find this wine excellent—no worse than Dukang or Zhuye Qing. Governor Zhao should try it.”

“Wonderful.” This time Zhao Hanzhang was generous, calling Qiu Wu and several valued officers over to share the wine. Fan Ying also came running over with a bowl.

With many people and little wine, each person only got one bowl, but the feeling of wanting more made it all the better.

Zhao Hanzhang stopped Zhu Chuan from getting more wine and smiled, “On military campaigns, a taste is enough—we mustn’t drink too much.”

Upon hearing this, Qiu Wu and the others immediately suppressed the craving in their bellies, their faces becoming properly serious, not daring to show their desire for the wine.

Seeing this, Zhu Chuan’s eyes flickered slightly, and he laughingly agreed.

The wine fragrance and meat aroma here stimulated the refugees’ saliva to flow rapidly. Fortunately, their porridge was also ready. Although they were displaced, many had brought pots and jars with them. With Zhao Hanzhang’s side providing a few more, every two groups of ten could share one pot.

The grain was distributed in fixed amounts. Fu Tinghan had calculated it all, so when the pots were opened and people smelled the food’s aroma, the crowd immediately became restless.

To prevent them from fighting over it, as soon as the call came that they could eat, soldiers with swords immediately began patrolling among them, shouting, “Your group leaders will distribute the food, understand? Anyone who dares reach out randomly will have their hand chopped off! Everyone behave yourselves.”

Those who had wanted to scramble for food suppressed their desires and watched eagerly.

Some people hadn’t felt it before, but now smelling the food’s fragrance, they felt dizzy, their hearts screaming to eat, to eat.

Fortunately, the Zhao Family Army’s authority held, and with Zhao Hanzhang sitting not far away, their inner fear temporarily controlled their desires.

The two group leaders were also quick-handed. One quickly received bowls from team members, while the other stirred the pot and ladled out porridge—one bowl for your team member, one bowl for mine. They quickly served eighteen bowls before hurriedly ladling out bowls for themselves.

With soldiers watching, and since the selected people were either honest or capable and had some authority, they acted fairly justly.

One ladle per person, regardless of how large the bowl they held.

As soon as the porridge entered their bowls, they couldn’t care about the heat and immediately began slurping it up.

Although this was porridge cooked with the hulls still on, everyone ate with relish, very carefully, not dropping even half a grain.

Some quickly finished one bowl, then began staring at the pot. Those who hadn’t finished also ate while watching.

The group leaders ladled more for them. “Each person only gets two bowls. This was calculated from the start by the officials. When it’s gone, it’s gone.”

Everyone acknowledged this.

They began watching the ladling closely. This time they ate even more carefully, not swallowing hastily as before, but chewing thoroughly.

Who knew how long it had been since they’d eaten food like this? The elderly were moved to tears, while the children thought less and simply buried their heads in eating.

They ate very quickly. In less than a quarter-hour, everyone had finished.

The soldiers were very satisfied with their eating speed and tapped their scabbards. “Now, the group leader from each unit come forward to collect meat. Our Governor is benevolent—the Second Young Master hunted deer and is sharing one with you. Each group can collect some meat to make soup. It’s all been chopped up for you—just add water and boil it…”

They hadn’t expected they would also get meat to eat. For a moment, moved to tears, they all knelt down and kowtowed in Zhao Hanzhang’s direction. “Thank you, Governor! The Governor is truly a bodhisattva incarnate…”