Yin Sheng stood on the steps anxiously looking outward. Another explosion sounded in his ears, though this one was much smaller than before. He couldn’t hold back any longer. He quickly descended the steps and headed out, just encountering a runner rushing toward him.

“Have you found out where the sound is coming from?”

“It’s from Wushi Mountain outside the city. Very large smoke and dust rose there.”

“Quickly send people to investigate why there’s such a strange phenomenon!” Clear skies and white clouds, not even a gray cloud—where did such a huge sound come from? It was like a mountain collapsing.

This kind of strange phenomenon wasn’t a good omen.

The runner caught his breath, then said, “We’ve already sent people, but before approaching the mountain, they were stopped by people—the Excellency’s personal troops. Wushi Mountain’s surroundings are all completely surrounded.”

Yin Sheng was startled. Zhao Hanzhang was there, so this strange phenomenon was caused by Zhao Hanzhang?

What did she want to do?

No, wait—how was this strange phenomenon created?

For the entire day, everyone in Luyang County city felt somewhat uneasy, especially officials and knowledgeable people, all worriedly looking toward outside the city.

Then waiting for Zhao Hanzhang’s other shoe to drop.

What would she say?

That the current emperor was without the Way?

Or that Prince Donghai was treacherous and she wanted to eliminate those close to the ruler?

Or that heaven was enraged and she wanted to reclaim other parts of Yuzhou?

Everyone thought of many things, and some people were already preparing to leave Luyang County, holding family meetings about where to take refuge, when Zhao Hanzhang returned freely and happily with her personal troops.

She didn’t even seek out Yin Sheng but found an official from the Works Department, instructing, “Wushi Mountain has been blasted open by us, producing many broken stones. Isn’t there a shortage of stones for building houses now? Send people to collect them.”

She also said, “It’s hard work for common people to quarry stones, so I had people make gunpowder specifically for quarrying. Later, you should select some clever people to send to the military and have General Qiu teach them how to use it.”

Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan had already written out precautions and given them to Qiu Wu for him to teach along with everything else.

After giving instructions, Zhao Hanzhang returned to the rear courtyard with Fu Tinghan to bathe and wash their hair.

Quarrying stones was truly dirty, especially for hair.

Yin Sheng and others received the news and were all stunned, then sent people to Wushi Mountain to investigate. They saw that stones surrounding Wushi Mountain’s perimeter had been blasted out quite a bit—all chunks of broken stone that had collapsed and could be… transported away with just a bit of clearing.

Some chunks were very large, but they were also easy to quarry—just pour hot water, find the point, and tap once, and the stone would break. They’d always quarried stones this way. Now…

Zhao Hanzhang made such a huge commotion just to quarry stones?

Just to make quarrying less hard for workers?

After waiting two days, they could faintly hear some explosion sounds each day, but they were no longer as panicked as at first. After confirming Zhao Hanzhang truly only wanted to facilitate stone quarrying, those who had overthought fell silent.

Yin Sheng and others silently said nothing, but Tian Jin, a local aristocrat from Luyang County, sighed deeply, then called his son, grandson, and others to tell them, “Previously I was unconvinced. Zhao Hanzhang is merely a woman—even if she gains power temporarily, it won’t last long, so I was unwilling to have clan members participate to avoid inviting disaster.”

“But looking at it now, she may indeed have difficulty lasting long, but just with this heart of benevolence, even if she ultimately invites disaster, she can have no regrets.” Tian Jin said, “If you still want to take office, then go follow her.”

Tian Chen, who had always wanted to go to Runan Jun, immediately looked at his father, Tian Qi, upon hearing this. “Father, I want to participate in this year’s recruitment examination.”

The smaller Tian Ji immediately said, “I want to go too.”

Tian Qi pondered briefly and looked at his second brother, Tian Sheng, on the side. Seeing he was also tempted, he said, “You all go. Second Brother, you go too. I’ll stay home to serve Father.”

Tian Jin didn’t refuse and said to the three, “Since you’ve decided, then go register tomorrow. In a few more days, the examination will begin.”

The recruitment examination first had each commandery and kingdom test once, selecting the most outstanding group of people to send to Chen County for another test. Reportedly, the Chen County examination venue was personally supervised and proctored by Zhao Hanzhang, and she would meet each of these examinees individually.

Tian Chen was very confident in himself, feeling he would definitely pass. Second Uncle Tian Sheng should also be fine. As for younger brother Tian Ji…

Tian Chen reached out to pat Tian Ji’s shoulder. “Hurry back to study.”

Hearing this, Tian Qi frowned. “What use is cramming at the last minute?”

Tian Jin also shook his head but didn’t stop his two grandsons, saying to them, “Go on. Working hard from this moment is also acceptable.”

Zhao Hanzhang also paid close attention to the recruitment examination. She took time to flip through the roster and raised her eyebrows. “Quite a few more people have registered these past two days.”

Fan Ying said, “Perhaps after the New Year, talented people from other counties have gradually arrived.”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded and asked, “Are there any women taking the examination?”

“There are,” Fan Ying said, “but only two so far.”

Zhao Hanzhang’s lips curved up. “Having some is better than having none. Pay attention—if they truly have talent and virtue, accept them.”

Fan Ying bowed and responded, “Yes.”

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t place the gunpowder workshop in Nanyang Kingdom. After comprehensive consideration, she still decided to place it in Chen County.

Yuzhou now had two political centers: one was Runan Xiping, and the second was Chen County.

Zhao Hanzhang was returning to Chen County. This thing should still be placed right under her nose for safety. The prepared gunpowder could then be transported to various places.

Although it would increase costs, control over the formula would be stronger too.

Zhao Hanzhang waited until Nanyang Kingdom’s commandery examination ended, and Wang Nie and Zhao Erlang, who had gone out on inspection, also returned.

Zhao Erlang carried some killing aura. Zhao Hanzhang had received quite a few battle reports from him in Luyang County. He had swept out bandits all along the route, making tremendous contributions to Nanyang Kingdom’s population growth.

Just making one circuit like this, Nanyang Kingdom’s registered population increased by over eight thousand people.

Zhao Hanzhang was very satisfied with this. Seeing that although Wang Nie had lost some weight, he got along well with Zhao Erlang (Wang Nie: Which eye saw that?), she confidently entrusted Nanyang Kingdom to Zhao Erlang.

Zhao Hanzhang called together all officials from Nanyang Kingdom’s commandery magistrate office to announce that Zhao Erlang would succeed as Nanyang Kingdom’s commandery magistrate, with Wang Nie and Xie Shi appointed as Chief Clerk and Commandant to assist Zhao Erlang.

No one had objections.

Although Zhao Erlang barely recognized a few characters, although they hadn’t gone through the court, but… the concept of family-based rule ran deep. Yuzhou was Zhao Hanzhang’s territory now. Nanyang Kingdom had been conquered by her, so naturally, whatever she said went.

Officials who disapproved would resign of their own accord.

People resigning… there truly were none.

Yin Sheng and others weren’t fools either. Zhao Hanzhang specifically kept Wang Nie and Xie Shi, clearly to help Zhao Erlang manage Nanyang Kingdom. With Wang Nie and Xie Shi’s capabilities, they should be able to manage one Nanyang Kingdom well.

Having spent a month with Zhao Erlang, Wang Nie’s face was haggard. He couldn’t help but inquire again, “Is the Excellency leaving just like this?”

Won’t you consider staying a bit longer?

Zhao Hanzhang said, “I’ve been away from Chen County for quite a while. I should return.”

Moreover, the recruitment examinations in various commanderies and kingdoms were successively ending, and the scholars who passed were also heading to Chen County. She needed to return to proctor the examination.

Wang Nie could only reluctantly bid her farewell.

Zhao Erlang was even more reluctant than him. This was his first time serving as such a high official. Although his elder sister said to listen more to Wang Nie and Xie Shi’s suggestions, he still felt somewhat panicked inside.