Shangdang occupied a strategic position. Wang Mi had been able to occupy this vital location because he was the first to capture Shangdang and had distinguished military achievements. Now that Wang Mi had betrayed the kingdom and died, how could the Han Kingdom possibly allow him to continue occupying this place?

Zhao Hanzhang’s reminder might not be well-intentioned, but it was the truth.

Zhang Tao hesitated for a long time but ultimately decided to try transferring troops. However, without Wang Mi’s written order, trying to mobilize troops was extremely difficult.

So after thinking for a moment, he decided to forge the written order. As long as he had the seal, it could work.

Zhao Hanzhang’s group left fully loaded, heading toward the city gates. As soon as they left, before they even exited the gates, the families who had been robbed immediately became active. Some couldn’t help slapping their thighs and wailing, while others rushed to the governor’s office to file complaints.

But cry though they did, they were still sensible at heart. First, they were truly heartbroken; second, they were making clear to Wang Mi’s people that they had been forced to give their belongings to Zhao Hanzhang—it certainly wasn’t intentional collaboration with the enemy.

They still hadn’t seen Wang Mi, and were soon dismissed by Zhang Tao, the whole process taking less than a quarter hour.

After leaving the governor’s office, each family had their suspicions. “We haven’t seen General Wang since the army returned three days ago.”

“This time Zhao Hanzhang pillaged and plundered right to the governor’s office gates, yet the Great General didn’t appear.”

Everyone had reached a conclusion in their hearts, but none spoke it aloud. Instead, they gathered together to collectively condemn Zhao Hanzhang’s bandit behavior, feeling she had disgraced the dignity of aristocratic families.

“Alas, having one Wang Mi among the aristocratic families wasn’t enough—now there’s a Zhao Hanzhang too.”

“However, there were no deaths this time,” Old Master Qi lowered his voice. “I made inquiries. Aside from killing some city gate guards when entering the city, after entering the city proper, the Zhao Family Army didn’t kill a single person. I heard they only injured one woman, and that was from being struck by Zhao Hanzhang’s whip.”

“Moreover, they didn’t rob us of our entire family fortunes, only taking grain and gold and silver from the storehouses.”

If some families understood the principle of the cunning rabbit having three burrows, they could still preserve quite a bit. That Yuan Li reeked of blood and looked ruthless, but he didn’t actually hurt or kill anyone, just took the goods and left.

If it had been Wang Mi instead, the outcome wouldn’t have been so favorable.

Those who had been anxiously worried gradually calmed down, their gazes shifting—no one knew what they were thinking.

Zhao Hanzhang had gained quite a harvest, so the procession moved somewhat slowly. Passing by a restaurant, Zhao Hanzhang smelled the fragrant aroma of steamed buns.

Zhao Hanzhang reined in her horse and stopped at the roadside, watching the procession slowly move forward. Her right hand’s fingers lightly tapped on her left hand that held the reins as she pondered for a long while. She still couldn’t resist and tried to take out some money.

But she was currently wearing armor and couldn’t even reach her belt.

Zeng Yue, Yuan Li, and the other personal guards all looked puzzled, their faces solemn as they watched Zhao Hanzhang, unable to understand her difficulty.

Instead, Zhao Erlang understood his sister perfectly. Mainly because he was also hungry, and the smell of buns from the restaurant behind them was really too fragrant. Unfortunately, it was closed, so he couldn’t even look inside to satisfy his craving.

So as soon as he saw his sister reach for something, he immediately understood. He fished a case out from his saddlebag and called out loudly, “Elder Sister, I have money!”

His tone was full of pride.

Hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang perked up and reached out. “Give me some.”

Zhao Erlang handed the entire case to her.

Yuan Li, standing to the side, stiffened, his whole body tensing up.

“You’re actually using a case to carry money and putting it in your saddlebag? Aren’t you afraid of losing it?” Zhao Hanzhang smiled as she opened the case. The smile on her face paused when she saw the gemstones inside, then faded. She stopped smiling. “Erlang, is this money?”

“Yes,” Zhao Erlang said. “General Xun said that cloth, gemstones, and pearls can all be used as money—no less valuable than gold and silver.”

Zhao Hanzhang picked up a red gemstone and held it up to the sunlight, exclaiming in admiration, “It’s truly beautiful. Where did you get this? I remember what you found in Luoyang were things like porcelain, screens, and wooden beds.”

“This wasn’t found in Luoyang. Someone just gave it to me.”

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at Yuan Li, who sat on his horse with his head bowed, and asked Zhao Erlang, “Who gave it to you, and how?”

Zhao Erlang was very honest and immediately described the entire scene. “It was an Old Master Qi. His family is very wealthy. Yuan Li went into the storehouse to select items, and I followed him in. He opened the case, and I saw it immediately—the gemstones inside were sparkling, especially beautiful.”

“They’re even more beautiful in the sunlight. I liked them,” he said. “Yuan Li asked if there was anything I liked, so I pointed at it, and then Old Master Qi said he would give it to me.”

Zhao Hanzhang closed the case and smiled gently at Zhao Erlang. “Erlang, have you forgotten what I told you? After going into battle, all gains are spoils of war and should be taken to buy provisions for the soldiers. Right now we can’t even pay military salaries—how can we privately keep treasures?”

Zhao Erlang protested aggrievedly, “This isn’t spoils of war. This was given to me by Old Master Qi.”

“So we even less can accept it,” Zhao Hanzhang said. “Without merit, we shouldn’t receive rewards. What merit do we have toward Old Master Qi?”

Zhao Erlang looked confused, pointing at the ox carts passing before their eyes. “The things on this cart all came from Old Master Qi’s house. Elder Sister, what merit do you have toward Old Master Qi?”

Zhao Hanzhang replied, “This is what I robbed for the Zhao Family Army.”

“Then mine is robbed too.”

Zhao Hanzhang smacked him on the head. “Fool! Without the commanding officer’s orders, you’re not allowed to offend the common people privately. Do you want to be beheaded?”

Zhao Erlang clutched the case aggrievedly. “This won’t work, that won’t work—what am I supposed to do?”

“Return it.”

“Ah?”

Zhao Hanzhang said flatly, “Return the case to Old Master Qi. We won’t take this case of gemstones.”

Hearing this, Yuan Li immediately dismounted and knelt on the ground.

Zhao Hanzhang looked down at him from her elevated position, then said to Zhao Erlang, “Go now. Zeng Yue, personally escort Erlang.”

Zeng Yue looked worriedly at Yuan Li, acknowledged the order, and went with Zhao Erlang to return to the Qi residence.

Although Zhao Erlang was reluctant to part with the gemstones, he still obeyed his sister and returned the entire case of gemstones.

Old Master Qi was startled when he saw Zhao Erlang return. Seeing the case thrust into his arms and Zhao Erlang’s retreating figure after leaving just one sentence, his feelings grew complex and indescribable.

Zhao Erlang’s face was flushed with embarrassment. He vaguely realized he had done something wrong, so he didn’t want to say much to Old Master Qi. He thrust the case into his arms and dropped one sentence: “My elder sister says ‘without merit, we shouldn’t receive rewards.’ Here are your gemstones back.”

After speaking, he mounted his horse and rode off.

Zeng Yue cupped his fists toward Old Master Qi and led his personal guards to chase after and escort Zhao Erlang back to Zhao Hanzhang’s side.

Yuan Li was still kneeling on the ground, his forehead covered in sweat, yet he dared not move an inch.

Once everyone had returned, Zhao Hanzhang said to Yuan Li in front of Zhao Erlang, “There won’t be a next time. When we return to Luoyang, go receive twenty military rod strikes yourself.”

Yuan Li breathed a sigh of relief and responded, “Yes.”

Zhao Hanzhang warned him, “Yuan Li, you’ve already lost one opportunity for promotion. I don’t want you to make mistakes again. I value your talent, but if you do anything excessive again, no matter how much it pains me or how much I regret it, I can only discard you and not employ you.”

Yuan Li heard her affirm his abilities, and his eyes moistened. Without rising, he knocked his head hard on the ground. “Yes, this humble officer will never again fail my lady’s expectations.”

Only then did Zhao Hanzhang’s expression improve. She said lightly, “Get up.”

Zhao Hanzhang turned back with regret to look at the restaurant wafting the aroma of steamed buns, then pulled on the reins. “Let’s go.”