Zhao Hanzhang continued clasping her hands, smiling as she greeted them. “Hello, gentlemen. Please, sit down and talk.”
She walked to the seat of honor and sat down.
Ming Yu stood and was the first to salute her. “Commander.”
Only then did the others bow in respect. “We pay our respects to Inspector Zhao.”
Zhao Hanzhang raised her hand. “No need for formalities. Please sit.”
Only then did everyone retreat to their seats. Regarding Zhao Hanzhang’s half-loose hair, some frowned uncomfortably, but more people didn’t mind.
Those who were uncomfortable, seeing that others didn’t express opinions, swallowed their words.
At this time, they had to thank Jin’s free-spirited culture. Never mind that she was only wearing her hair loose—even if she came out naked… they would probably still be uncomfortable, but most likely wouldn’t say anything.
Among the dozen or so people, Chu Kang was the most composed.
What was so unusual about wearing half-dry hair loose? At least she was properly dressed, with shoes and socks on properly. Their Jing Province Inspector was far more uninhibited than her, often walking his birds around the Inspector’s residence. Even when receiving guests, he frequently stripped his clothes bare to face everyone openly.
Those who would come to seek an audience with Zhao Hanzhang at this time all had very clear purposes. So as soon as they sat down, Geng Zhou was the first to ask, “May I ask Inspector Zhao if you intend to cross swords with General Gou?”
“No,” Zhao Hanzhang repeated the explanation she had given Chu Kang, expressing that she had no intention whatsoever of competing with Gou Xi. This was all a misunderstanding.
Of all the people present, apart from her advisor Ming Yu, everyone else didn’t believe her.
Though they didn’t believe her, Geng Zhou still went along with her words. “Since Inspector Zhao has no plans to raise troops, why not write a personal letter to persuade Governor Wang and Inspector Liu to cease hostilities?”
Zhao Hanzhang agreed readily and added, “Governor Wang is one thing, but Inspector Liu values relationships and righteousness. He would never attack Qing Province without good reason. To resolve this knot, we still need the court to send envoys to inquire about their reasons for sending troops and clear up the misunderstanding.”
The several people exchanged glances. They couldn’t find fault with her words. She was also being forthright, expressing that she would write letters. Could it be that they had truly misunderstood, and it wasn’t Zhao Hanzhang who had instigated Wang Jun and Liu Kun to send troops?
After exchanging glances, they all looked toward Shan Hua.
Shan Hua was from Le’an, and Le’an Commandery was in Qing Province.
Shan Hua already had a guess in his heart. He pursed his lips. “Gou Chun is cruel and governs harshly. The people of Qing Province suffer terribly. Could it be that Inspector Liu cooperated with Governor Wang to send troops because of this?”
“Then he should have reported to the court for them to handle it. How could he send troops himself?”
“Tch, report to the court? Isn’t the court now in the hands of the Gou brothers? Are you telling Inspector Liu to go to Gou Chun’s face and say, you’re too brutal, I don’t agree with you being Inspector, so I’m raising troops to depose you?”
“Isn’t there the Grand General? The Grand General will surely restrain Gou Chun, won’t he?”
“If General Gou could restrain Gou Chun, last year’s chaos at the Yan Province border wouldn’t have happened.”
“Enough, enough, stop arguing,” Yu Yi hurried to mediate. “Since it was privately done by Governor Wang and Inspector Liu, as long as Inspector Zhao supports Grand General Gou, this matter can be considered resolved. Inspector Liu understands the greater picture and knows righteousness. Governor Wang is also an outstanding man. They won’t stubbornly cling to Qing Province.”
Shan Hua listened and frowned slightly, feeling uneasy inside. He had come to persuade Zhao Hanzhang because he feared that if Zhao Hanzhang and Gou Xi fought, the world would descend into chaos and Qing Province would become the first battlefield.
But if this military expedition wasn’t led by Zhao Hanzhang, and she and Gou Xi wouldn’t fight, then the world wouldn’t fall into chaos. Couldn’t Qing Province take this opportunity to break free from Gou Chun’s rule?
Gou Chun was too harsh and cruel. In just three months in the latter half of last year, he had conscripted eight thousand laborers from Le’an alone. The taxes apportioned to them increased by thirty percent.
Their family circumstances were still manageable, but other villagers, as well as their tenants, couldn’t gather enough. They had no choice but to sell their children. Even so, many families couldn’t gather the taxes.
To prevent them from fleeing to evade taxes, the Shan family had no choice but to help bear part of the taxes while lending them money to get through this period.
Otherwise, if all the villagers and tenants fled, who would farm for them?
But in doing so, these taxes pressed on the Shan family, making them struggle as well.
Shan Hua looked around. Seeing everyone agreed with this method, he suppressed his concerns. After everyone had finished discussing and Zhao Hanzhang had promised to let them help review the letters after writing them, they finally agreed to leave.
Zhao Hanzhang very enthusiastically had Ming Yu arrange for them to stay at the courier station—free accommodation for as long as they wanted to stay, all superior rooms.
Shan Hua followed the group out, gradually falling to the back. When they had walked more than ten steps ahead, he immediately turned back.
Zhao Hanzhang lowered her hand and put away her nearly frozen smile. She was about to turn back to the rear courtyard when she saw Shan Hua turning back. She habitually raised a smile again. “Does Master Shan have other business?”
Shan Hua stepped forward and gave Zhao Hanzhang a solemn bow. “Please, Inspector Zhao, save Qing Province.”
Zhao Hanzhang looked at him deeply for a moment, then gestured to the side after a pause. “Master Shan, please come inside to talk.”
In the end, the letter to the court was drafted by Shan Hua on her behalf. His sincerity and compassion were such that even Zhao Hanzhang, who knew the inside story, couldn’t help but be moved and convinced.
Zhao Hanzhang invited Chu Kang and the others to review the letter. Everyone felt there was no problem with it, so Zhao Hanzhang transcribed a copy to send to Yuncheng.
As for the letters to Liu Kun and Wang Jun urging them to cease hostilities, Zhao Hanzhang wrote those herself. In them, she earnestly urged them to talk things over nicely. If there were any misunderstandings, they could speak up. The court and Grand General Gou would make decisions for them. Everyone should be friendly and not resort to fighting at every turn.
Chu Kang and the others reviewed the letters and also found no problems. So they were all given to the messenger together.
The messenger had received instructions that morning: the letters must be delivered directly into Zhao Xin and Wei Jie’s hands.
Zhao Hanzhang watched the messenger leave, then turned to invite these scholars to dine together.
Since they had come all this way, how could they leave after doing just one thing?
Thirteen people in total, every one literate and educated, with insights and ideas. Having come, they shouldn’t leave.
Fu Tinghan also liked them very much. He took them to tour his Ministry of Works. In the end, he became friends with Geng Zhou and Shan Hua. They had unique insights on river governance and grain supply planning.
As for the others, after Fu Tinghan met them once, he rarely saw them again.
Zhao Hanzhang had Ji Yuan, Ming Yu, Beigong Chun, Xie Shi, and others take turns entertaining them. Even Zhao Cheng came by for a look and recruited Ji Shuyan. In the end, fewer and fewer people remained at the courier station—only five were left.
Chu Kang and Yu Yi were the stubborn holdouts among them.
But it didn’t matter. If they couldn’t find suitable positions for themselves now, there was still Yu Province.
She could lead them to Uncle Ming and let them spend some time there. Perhaps they’d find what they wanted to do. For now, they could continue staying at the courier station.
Luoyang was so entertaining. They could play for a while longer. The courier station was free to stay in. If they didn’t have money for meals, her household even provided food. As long as they came to her door, she would treat them to meals.
Zhao Hanzhang was so courteous to worthy scholars that Chu Kang and the others were in no hurry to leave either. They wanted to wait here for news from Qing Province and Yan Province.
But news from Zu Ti in Ji Province arrived first.