Wang Han, styled Chuhong, was Wang Dun’s elder brother and Wang Dao’s cousin. Among the four brothers in their branch, he was the stupidest, most ignorant, most stubborn, and most vicious.
He’d only become Inspector of Xuzhou by relying on Wang Dao and Wang Dun’s influence. She hadn’t even acknowledged it yet.
Because of his cruelty and incompetent governance, Zhao Hanzhang had started with Xuzhou. Liu Kun went to Xuzhou not only bringing appointment documents but also Wang Han’s dismissal notice.
She’d never intended to try him for his crimes, originally planning to drive him out of Xuzhou and force him to Yangzhou to add some trouble for Wang Dao and Wang Dun. Now she’d changed her mind.
Zhao Hanzhang summoned a clerk and ordered, “Prepare two thousand cavalry, two horses per rider, three days of rations. I need them by noon tomorrow.”
The clerk accepted and withdrew to make preparations.
Zhao Hanzhang went to find Fu Tinghan. “I need to ride swiftly back to Yuzhou.”
“You’re worried about changes in Yuzhou? But didn’t Uncle Qianli take the main army back to Yanzhou?” Fu Tinghan said, “And there’s Liu Kun and Zeng Yue—they’re in Xuzhou.”
Both Yanzhou and Xuzhou were extremely close to Yuzhou. If Yuzhou experienced upheaval, they could immediately provide reinforcement.
Zhao Hanzhang said, “I’m worried about internal rebellion.”
“The young emperor and Uncle Ming are all in Meng County, and Xun Xiu is also in Meng County.” Zhao Hanzhang continued, “Though I don’t believe anyone could overthrow me in a short time, I also don’t want any innocent sacrifices.”
Fu Tinghan didn’t immediately understand. “Wouldn’t having Xun Xiu in Meng County make it safer?”
“It used to be, but now, Xun Xiu and Uncle Ming’s relationship isn’t good. The Xun family army suffered defeat and may be frightened and resentful.” Zhao Hanzhang said, “I’ve already written to Meng County, telling Uncle Ming to be carefully on guard while appeasing Xun Xiu, waiting for my return to handle it.”
The prerequisite was that she had to make it in time, or that Xun Xiu could hold to his bottom line and not be provoked.
Honestly, deep in her heart, Zhao Hanzhang didn’t really trust Xun Xiu. Actually, she didn’t really trust people of this era in general.
This was a very strange era. Loyal people were extremely loyal, but they were the minority. The vast majority of people had ambitions that came out of nowhere—they acted on them immediately, very willing to go all in.
This was a small insight she’d gleaned from exploring the library.
Fu Tinghan naturally trusted her more, so he said, “Then be careful on the road. I’ll follow with the main army.”
Only then did Zhao Hanzhang smile. “Don’t worry, I’ll be very cautious.”
By afternoon, Zhao Kuan and Zeng Yue returned. After Wang Heng had captured Cui County and Jun City, he’d only left a few hundred people to hold the county offices and control the county residents. So when they led the main army to recapture them, the two county seats fell quickly.
There were even common people who responded from within, helping to open the city gates.
Clearly, though Zhao Jiashi and Zhao Yicheng had only been in office for half a month, they hadn’t completely failed to win any popular support.
Zhao Kuan had arrested and imprisoned the ringleader Wang Heng’s entire clan, as well as the families of several close associates who’d followed Wang Heng.
Zhao Hanzhang didn’t let them enter the city but held the trial outside.
Not only did over twenty thousand rebel captives serve as audience, but many common people came out of the city to watch.
Zhao Hanzhang walked up to the Wang clan’s patriarch and threw two sheets of paper in front of him, asking, “When those two went to persuade Wang Heng, were you also present, Clan Leader Wang?”
Wang Cheng was sweating profusely and hurriedly said, “Though I was present, I didn’t know the details. I only thought they were Wang Heng’s friends from outside. The clan had no knowledge of his rebellion.”
“That’s not what Shi Bo and Gao Tong said.” Zhao Hanzhang looked up at the kneeling people, pointing to the corpses hanging on the city tower. “They tried to use force against me. The result—they’re dead. You wanted to reap the benefits without effort. Today I can tell you the result too.”
The three ringleaders—Wang Heng, Wang Ba, and Zuo Yao—their household heads and clan leaders were all found guilty and executed. All male members of their clans aged fourteen and above were sentenced to three years of extended labor service, requiring ninety days of service annually.
Soldiers stepped forward as ordered to seize people, dragging out five men—the fathers of the three men plus the clan leaders of the Wang and Zuo families.
On the journey here, Wang Cheng had prepared himself for death, even thinking the entire clan would be wiped out. After all, with the charge of rebellion, looking back over the previous years, which rebellion or military revolt involving the Sima family hadn’t resulted in entire clans being slaughtered?
Before the incident, he’d thought Wang Heng’s calculation was correct. Zhao Hanzhang was a woman, after all—soft-hearted. She had a reputation for benevolence. As long as Wang Heng surrendered in time, Zhao Hanzhang would surely treat them well. After all, the impression she’d always given was that as long as one surrendered, she would treat them kindly.
He hadn’t expected Zhao Hanzhang to be so firm this time. Though she accepted Wang Heng’s surrender, she killed people on the spot—and killed so many.
Hearing that only he was being held accountable, with no complete clan annihilation, he couldn’t help tearing up and quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
But this breath dispersed when the rope went around his neck, leaving only fear in his heart.
The knowledgeable Wang Cheng was already like this, let alone the others. Zuo’s father struggled violently, shouting, “I don’t acknowledge Zuo Yao as my son! I don’t acknowledge him! Clan leader, remove Zuo Yao’s name, remove it! General, spare my life, spare my life…”
His voice rang through the clouds. From yesterday until now, the captives had only been able to eat the rations they carried. Their eyes were now dazed yet fearful. Hearing this voice, they began trembling slightly.
Zhao Hanzhang didn’t speak to show mercy but stood there coldly watching.
All three clans trembled and began crying. Those who knew about the rebellion felt fearful and regretful. Those who didn’t know felt resentment toward Wang Heng and the others, as well as their families and clan leaders, believing they’d failed to control Wang Heng properly, leading him astray and implicating them.
Zu Ti, hearing Zhao Hanzhang’s verdict, felt relieved and said to Zhao Shi and Zuo Min, “Though the General is angry, she remains restrained.”
Zuo Min thought Zhao Hanzhang was too kind and said dissatisfied, “The General should have killed them all as a warning to others.”
Zu Ti glanced at him disapprovingly. “The corpses hanging on the city tower are deterrent enough.”
Zuo Min didn’t think so. “To prevent others from rebelling again, they must be made to fear.”
Zhao Shi disagreed. “The General has always been benevolent and should govern with virtue. That she’s implicated so many this time is already exceptional—sufficient to deter people.”
“Hmph, I fear outsiders will see the cost as so small that their thoughts will still waver. I fear future military troubles will be endless.”
Zhao Shi countered, “That would require clan leaders willing to die. How many clan leaders under heaven have such selfless dedication to die for one person?”
Zuo Min frowned, pondering his words. Seeing Zu Ti’s approving expression, he asked, “Does the general also believe this action is enough to deter those with intentions?”
Zu Ti said, “It’s not just implicating the clan leader. There’s also the entire clan’s male members serving extended labor for ninety days. Don’t underestimate these ninety days. Once this news spreads, no ordinary common family will dare rebel lightly.”
Ninety days a year—without the option to hire substitutes, it was death by a thousand cuts. Who knew how many would die?
Over three years, they wouldn’t resent Zhao Hanzhang for sparing their lives. They would only hate Wang Heng more, and those who’d incited them to rebel.
Zhao Hanzhang had no intention of concealing Wang Han and Jiangdong’s involvement. She told Zu Ti, “After investigating this matter thoroughly, make it public and announce it to the world. Let those with intentions weigh the consequences themselves.”
Zu Ti accepted the order and asked, “Does the General still need Shi Bo and Gao Tong?”
“No need. Give them a quick death.”
Later, because Shi Bo and Gao Tong had been evasive when answering some questions, they’d been cut several more times, enough for the executioner to collect his two measures of grain. Though the bleeding had been stopped, their condition wasn’t good.
Zhao Hanzhang had never intended to spare their lives—she just wanted them to die less painfully.