Zhao Hanzhang immediately looked up, “Is Shi Lei himself also there?”
Zhao Ming nodded and said, “Five days ago, the army bore down on us. I immediately sent someone to deliver a message to you, but we must have missed each other. I dispatched Mi Ce and Yuan Li to meet the enemy. In five days, they lost six battles and barely won two, already losing two cities.”
He continued, “Morale is somewhat low now, so I think you should stay in Yuzhou first. Leave Luoyang to Tinghan.”
Zhao Hanzhang hesitated briefly before nodding and updating the military order, appointing Beigong Chun as Grand Military Commander of Sizhou to oversee all military affairs in Sizhou, and Fu Tinghan as Deputy Commander to oversee all political affairs in Sizhou.
“Muster the troops. I’ll personally go meet Shi Lei,” Zhao Hanzhang asked. “Have the troops I called for arrived?”
Zhao Ming said, “Xun Xiu and Lu Xiyuan have already received orders and each led their vanguard forces out. The remaining troops are still being mustered and will arrive in batches.”
Zhao Hanzhang nodded. After understanding the current situation in Yuzhou, she turned to muster the troops without even returning home.
By the time Wang Shi learned that Zhao Hanzhang had returned to Chen County, she had already mustered troops and departed.
Wang Shi chased to the city gate but couldn’t even see dust anymore.
She could only secretly wipe away tears.
Zhao Song saw her crying and whimpering upon her return and was quite displeased. “Sanniang is going to establish merit and achieve great things. What’s there to cry about? After all, you’re just a woman—unreliable.”
Having just finished his official duties and planning to come comfort his father while also having dinner, Zhao Ming said expressionlessly, “Father, Sanniang is also a woman.”
Zhao Song replied, “How can she compare to Sanniang? Sanniang is our Zhao clan’s daughter!”
Zhao Ming said, “Sanniang was born by her.”
Zhao Song became angry and slapped the table, “Are you purely coming back to provoke me to anger?”
Zhao Hu, sitting to the side with his head lowered in contemplation, was startled. He hadn’t even been listening to their conversation and directly said, “He must be. Fifth Brother, you should really manage this son of yours.”
Zhao Song frowned and looked at him, “Seventh Brother, why haven’t you left yet?”
Zhao Ming also looked at him coldly.
Only then did Zhao Hu remember the main reason he came here. “Right, Fifth Brother, you still haven’t said—are we returning to Xiping or not?”
Zhao Song frowned, “At this moment when Yuzhou faces life and death, why would I return to Xiping?”
“Our remaining here is useless. Returning to Xiping would put Zinian’s mind at ease so she can focus on her work,” Zhao Hu said. Seeing Zhao Song’s expression turn sour, he quickly added, “Even without this battle, I was planning to return to Xiping anyway.”
He continued, “From last year until now, I’ve been running back and forth between Xiping, Chen County, and Luoyang. Especially this year—I went from Chen County to Luoyang, then from Luoyang back to Chen County, then to Luoyang again, and now I’m back. Even in my youth, I never spent this long away from home. Fifth Brother, I really miss Xiping. I want to go home.”
Zhao Song’s expression softened as he lowered his eyes to consider.
Zhao Ming also said, “Father, you should return. Xiping also needs you to preside over the overall situation. Sanniang and I cannot return to Xiping for the time being.”
Zhao Song sighed and said, “All right, we’ll return to Xiping.”
Zhao Hu breathed a great sigh of relief. He was actually quite afraid. Shi Lei had already captured two cities. If they couldn’t defend against him, given how brutal that man was, could they possibly survive?
It was better to return to Xiping.
Xiping was still far from Chen County. Shi Lei probably couldn’t reach Xiping that easily.
Zhao Song thought for a moment and said, “Bring Wang Shi, Erniang, and Siniang along as well.”
Zhao Hu casually asked, “Why bring them?”
“What do you mean ‘why’? You already know the clan is safer, so why wouldn’t you think to protect the women and children first?” Zhao Song said irritably. “You, you—you’re already getting on in years. The younger members of the clan respect you, but you should also have the dignity befitting an elder.”
“Why are you suddenly scolding me? How am I not dignified as an elder?” Zhao Hu shouted unhappily.
Zhao Ming had already stopped paying attention to them. He turned to instruct the servants, “Serve the meal, and quickly. I still need to return to the office after eating.”
After Zhao Ming finished his meal and returned to the office, Qiu Wu had already rushed back. Seeing Zhao Ming, he immediately stood up straight. “County Governor, let me lead troops to aid the Inspector.”
“You’re not needed. You stay behind to raise and transport grain supplies,” Zhao Ming said. “You must remember, in warfare, half depends on the front lines and half depends on the rear.”
Qiu Wu felt unwilling. “But raising grain supplies should originally be General Mi’s responsibility.”
Zhao Ming looked up at him and said, “Qiu Wu, what you need to prepare isn’t just grain supplies, but also weapons. Don’t forget that the Zhao family army’s weapons workshops are under your management. Only Zhao family troops can enter these places.”
Mi Ce and Xun Xiu and others could be trusted, but they weren’t yet worthy of being entrusted with such secrets.
Upon hearing this, Qiu Wu’s urgent desire to request battle assignment dissipated. After settling down, he nodded vigorously, “Your subordinate will go prepare immediately.”
Zhao Ming watched him walk away and shook his head, saying to Staff Officer Yu, “Qiu Wu is still too young and not steady enough.”
Staff Officer Yu smiled, “But with the County Governor at the helm, and given his capability, it poses no problem.”
“He’s just not thorough enough,” Zhao Ming thought for a moment and said, “Appoint Chen Huiniang as Commissioner of the Imperial Granary to immediately assist Qiu Wu in raising grain supplies.”
Chen Huiniang, formerly known as Chen Siniang, had become a county magistrate two years ago. She felt that being called Siniang wasn’t appropriate—she needed to have her own name—so she gave herself the name “Huiniang.”
She was the second female county magistrate after Zhao Hanzhang and was well-loved by the local people. Her political achievements were good. Zhao Ming had discussed with Zhao Hanzhang that after her three-year term expired, if her overall performance was good, they would promote her to the County Governor’s office.
Zhao Ming felt she was meticulous and steady, so he wanted her to serve as a clerk or chief clerk, but Zhao Hanzhang preferred to let her gain experience locally.
Both Yuzhou and Sizhou had recruited many female officials and clerks, but they mostly served in positions like secretaries, chief clerks, and clerks. Few could govern a region independently.
Chen Siniang appeared gentle and soft, but she was soft on the outside and firm on the inside—more suitable than Fan Ying, Zhao Yunxin, and others for gaining experience locally.
She wanted to cultivate several female officials capable of governing a region.
Staff Officer Yu asked, “Should we ask the Inspector before transferring personnel?”
“In urgent situations, act with discretion. Write the transfer order immediately. I will inform the Inspector.”
When Zhao Hanzhang received this letter while rushing to the front lines, she directly wrote “Acknowledged” on it and sealed it back for Zhao Ming.
Mi Ce and Xun Xiu were respectively stationed in Ningling and Meng County. Lu Xiyuan was still on his way. Facing them was Shi Lei’s army, allegedly numbering one hundred and fifty thousand.
Zhao Hanzhang arrived at Meng County first. Before even entering the city, she saw many people gathered at the city gate, loudly demanding to leave the city.
Zhao Hanzhang reined in her horse. Li Tianhe ran over to greet her, “Governor!”
Zhao Hanzhang pulled on the reins and asked, “Where’s Xun Xiu?”
“General Xun went out of the city to fight. Yesterday they occupied a large area of our land. General Xun said we must take it back.”
Zhao Hanzhang frowned, “What about the common people in that area?”
“They were all moved into the city ahead of time.”
Zhao Hanzhang said, “Then let them have that land.”
“Ah?”
“It’s a flat plain. Even if we can capture it, we can’t hold it. What’s the point of fighting over it? Tell him to come back.” She then pointed to the people at the city gate clamoring to leave and asked, “What’s going on with these people?”
Li Tianhe said shamefacedly, “Two days ago, Meng County was captured by Shi Lei’s army. Although we quickly recaptured it, they were all terrified and want to flee south. General Xun ordered the city gates closed, forbidding the common people from leaving.”
Zhao Hanzhang pressed her lips together, swept her gaze over those shouting to leave, and said to Li Tianhe, “I brought twenty thousand men. Come, let’s go to the military camp.”
“Yes!”