The refugees, regardless of age, all decided to follow Zhao Hanzhang.
Zhao Hanzhang didn’t waste words, immediately having them help pack things in preparation to leave.
Her orders came urgently and her movements were swift. Those who had been soldiers weren’t bothered—they were accustomed to following orders and immediately went to pack upon receiving the command. But the bandits were different.
They weren’t used to it, and moreover, their home was here.
That’s right, the bandit lair was their home.
Even if leaving, they thought it should be done slowly. How could they just up and leave? They hadn’t done the mental preparation yet.
So their movements were particularly dragging, expressing their reluctance vividly.
Zhao Hanzhang observed this, turning to Shi Hongtu: “Take a few people and talk with them, tell them more about how we take in refugees and the benefits for military families.”
Nothing couldn’t be moved by interests. If something couldn’t, the interests certainly weren’t generous enough.
Shi Hongtu accepted the order and left. Only then did Fu Tinghan say: “It might rain tonight.”
Zhao Hanzhang also glanced outside. Seeing bright sunshine with no sign of rain, she decided to trust Fu Tinghan. After thinking, she said: “Then we’ll stop here for one night and leave first thing tomorrow morning.”
Fu Tinghan nodded, asking: “Should we send someone back first to notify the main army? I just walked around—this bandit lair doesn’t have even a single ox.”
No oxen, no donkeys, and certainly no horses. They still had to rely on two legs to move. Zhao Hanzhang had injuries—Fu Tinghan didn’t want her moving much, to avoid touching the wounds.
Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze became profound, thinking of more. She nodded to Fu Tinghan, turning to quietly summon five Zhao Family Army soldiers—all routed troops previously captured by Shi Jian.
She prepared rations, weapons, and armor for them, handing them a sealed letter: “Set out immediately down the mountain and personally deliver this letter into Advisor Ji’s hands.”
The soldiers acknowledged, packed their bundles, carefully stored the letter in their clothing, then quietly withdrew.
Zhao Hanzhang watched them leave, and after confirming they had safely descended the mountain, she relaxed against her chair, lowering her eyes in thought.
Shi Lei had many capable generals under him, now scattered. Not everyone would agree with his decisions, especially since she didn’t know if Liu Cong had people among them.
So she absolutely had to quickly and safely bring Shi Lei back, then complete the pacification as smoothly as possible.
After finishing her deliberations, Zhao Hanzhang lightly tapped her knee with her fingers, smiling as she rose to find Shi Lei.
Shi Lei was severely wounded. After meeting briefly with his former soldiers alongside Zhao Hanzhang, he was helped away to rest.
When Zhao Hanzhang walked over, she didn’t see Shi Lei but first spotted Awei hiding behind a pile of straw.
Yu Fang followed her step by step. With Shi Hongtu busy with tasks, Yu Fang now served as her guard.
Seeing the sneaky Awei, Zhao Hanzhang walked over and patted his shoulder.
Awei jumped in fright, leaping back with both hands raised defensively.
Zhao Hanzhang: “…What are you sneaking around for?”
Awei immediately lowered his hands and moved closer, saying quietly: “Lady, it’s not me being sneaky—it’s that Shi Jian. I just saw Shi Jian sneaking off to see Shi Lei.”
Ever since learning Shi Lei’s identity, he immediately abandoned the Fu Tinghan he’d been looking down on, focusing his attention on Shi Lei instead.
He reported in a small voice: “Lady, I think they must be plotting how to deal with you. Really, someone as brutal as Shi Lei—how could he just submit to you?”
Zhao Hanzhang smiled at him and nodded, indicating she understood, then asked: “How long has Shi Jian been inside?”
Awei immediately replied: “A good half hour. I saw everything. Right after he brought the refugees over, he came here. As soon as he went in, he hasn’t come out.”
Zhao Hanzhang nodded, then lifted her feet toward that room.
Awei immediately followed: “Lady, shouldn’t you bring more people? There are several soldiers by Shi Lei’s side—I heard they were all his former subordinates. It’s very dangerous.”
Zhao Hanzhang naturally knew—those several people were ones she had selected to place by Shi Lei’s side, ostensibly to care for him but actually to protect him.
Before Zhao Hanzhang could reach the room, Shi Jian angrily slammed the door and stormed out. Not seeing Zhao Hanzhang approaching from that direction, as soon as he exited, he angrily turned and walked the other way.
Zhao Hanzhang raised an eyebrow but continued forward without stopping. Standing in the doorway, she glanced at Shi Jian’s disappearing back, then said to Awei: “You’re quite experienced at tailing people. I have a task for you.”
Awei’s eyes lit up brightly. He immediately straightened his body, about to shout out loudly when he saw her place a finger to her lips. He suppressed the excitement in his chest, responding softly, then lowered his voice excitedly: “Lady, just give the order. Even if it costs my life, I’ll complete it!”
Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but smile: “No need to risk your life. Safety comes first.”
She pointed her chin forward toward where Shi Jian had disappeared: “Watch him. See who he meets, what he does. If he tries to send a message out, intercept it if you can. If not, at least tell me so I’m mentally prepared.”
Awei acknowledged and immediately went to pursue Shi Jian.
Zhao Hanzhang watched his energetic appearance, shaking her head with a rueful smile, then turned and pushed open the door to check on Shi Lei.
The angry expression hadn’t yet faded from Shi Lei’s face. Two soldiers on either side were silently unwrapping his bandages to apply medicine. Seeing Zhao Hanzhang, they immediately stood to respectfully step aside. After retreating two steps, they seemed to remember that Shi Lei was more important, so they wanted to sit back down to continue treating the wound…
But having already stood up, not yielding seemed improper too. For a moment they were caught in a dilemma, at a loss.
Shi Lei: …
He couldn’t help but look up at Zhao Hanzhang. These two were remnants of Shi’s army, specifically selected by Zhao Hanzhang to care for him. At this moment, he had to admire her eye for people.
These two were loyal to him and would care for him well, so he would be grateful to her.
But they were Han Chinese who naturally felt a sense of reliance toward Jin, toward Zhao Hanzhang. When Shi Jian had just suggested rebelling against Zhao Hanzhang and killing her, obvious panic and anger had flashed across both their faces.
Clearly, compared to Liu Cong, even compared to him, they more wanted to be Zhao Family Army.
By placing these two by his side, Zhao Hanzhang could not only protect him but also monitor him—three birds with one stone. Her vicious insight was rarely matched.
Shi Lei suppressed the admiration and jealousy in his heart, asking calmly: “When has Governor Zhao decided to depart?”
“First thing tomorrow morning.”
Shi Lei was slightly surprised: “I thought Governor Zhao would depart overnight.”
Zhao Hanzhang sighed: “The timing is unfavorable. There will be rain tonight.”
Shi Lei turned to look out the window, seeing the sunlight streaming in. His expression was doubtful.
But that very evening, just as the sky darkened, wind began to rise. Then the wind grew stronger and stronger, and within a quarter-hour, heavy rain began pelting down.
It was truly heavy rain—the raindrops hammered on the thatched roof as if they would pierce through it.
Listening to this rain, Shi Lei felt an ominous premonition.
His intuition had always been accurate. Relying on it, he had avoided countless deadly disasters.
After hesitating, he still asked someone to inform Zhao Hanzhang of his premonition.
Meanwhile, Zhao Hanzhang, having just learned that Shi Jian had sent a barbarian soldier out, looked at the rain curtain and smiled, nodding: “I understand. Please tell General Shi to rest easy and heal. With me here, nothing will happen to him.”
—