After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 754 - 744 People from Various States

Ji Yuan and his group received the news half a day in advance and estimated that Zhao Hanzhang should arrive around this time, so they came out to receive her half an hour early.

The carriage stopped in front of them, and Ji Yuan stepped forward on behalf of the group to greet Zhao Hanzhang.

Fu Tinghan, sitting closest to the carriage door, lifted the curtain and got off first. He adjusted his clothing, and Ji Yuan, standing beside him, was momentarily stunned. Did the young couple have a quarrel?

After a brief pause, he went to help Zhao Hanzhang down, but a stranger’s head poked out of the carriage instead. He hesitated, and the head quickly retracted before a young scholar emerged from the carriage.

The scholar got off the carriage by himself. Only then did Fu Tinghan step forward and extend his hand towards the carriage door.

Zhao Hanzhang took his hand and climbed out, glancing around before stepping down from the carriage.

Ji Yuan: ... So they weren’t fighting after all.

Chu Kang: ...

Ji Yuan took a closer look at Chu Kang, realizing he didn’t recognize him, but he didn’t hurry to ask. Instead, he reported to Zhao Hanzhang, "My Lord, General Beigong and the Little General have also been notified. They should be waiting in the city by now."

Beigong Chun’s troops were stationed outside the city, and after Zhao Erlang returned from the frontline, he went back to guard Xin’an County. Both entered the city through a different gate.

Zhao Hanzhang nodded and was about to ride back into the city when a voice in the crowd shouted, "Governor Zhao, I am from Tianmen Gengzhou, and I have matters to discuss with you."

"Governor Zhao, I am Ji Shuyan from Wuxing, and I too have matters to discuss with you."

"I am Hua from Leyang Mountain, requesting an audience with Governor Zhao."

"I am Yu Yi from Yingchuan, with a letter of advice."

...

From the queue of people entering the city, those coming out of the city, and the onlookers, a total of twelve people approached, all wanting to see Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang glanced over them, smiled slightly, and raised her hand, "Those who wish to see me, please go to Zhao Mansion. I will be waiting at home."

After she spoke, she nodded slightly to Ji Yuan and Ming Yu, mounted her horse, and led the team into the city.

The people from Gengzhou did not stop her, stepping aside. After the troops entered the city, they turned to look at the remaining Ming Yu.

Ming Yu smiled gently at them and stepped aside, "Please, everyone."

The group exchanged glances and then stepped forward to follow.

Zhao Hanzhang led Fu Tinghan swiftly back to Zhao Mansion. As soon as they entered, she ordered, "Prepare food and wine; there will be guests soon."

After thinking for a moment, she added, "Prepare for twenty people."

Fu Tinghan asked, "Is there hot water in the kitchen?"

The steward who welcomed them into the mansion immediately bowed, "Yes, Second Son said that the Lady and the Eldest Young Master were returning, so the preparations started at the mansion."

Fu Tinghan nodded, "Fetch us some hot water; we need to wash our hair and bathe. When the guests arrive, please seat them in the front hall and entertain them well."

Zhao Hanzhang looked around and asked, "Where is Second Son?"

Just as the steward was about to respond, Zhao Erlang darted out from the left like a rabbit, shouting, "Sister, Sister——"

Zhao Hanzhang smelled his foul odor and took two steps back, expressing her distaste, "I thought you would welcome me at the main gate."

Zhao Erlang, lacking an understanding of such social formalities, simply asked, "Didn’t we only not see each other for just over ten days?"

Zhao Erlang didn’t miss Zhao Hanzhang, "Sister, why did you call me back?"

"I called you back to report matters, and also to distribute rewards," Zhao Hanzhang said, walking towards the backyard, "We have just conquered several counties. I want to send you to govern Hedong County, but I’m afraid you can’t handle it. Or should you go to Hongnong County and let Zeng Yue go to Hedong County?"

Zhao Erlang: "Where is General Beigong going?"

Zhao Hanzhang: "General Beigong is still in Henan County. I’m planning to put him in charge of the military affairs of Henan County."

Zhao Erlang: "Then where are you going?"

"I need to take the Zhao Family Army back to Yu State," Zhao Hanzhang said, "Spring plowing is imminent; Liu Yuan will not deploy troops for the time being. Luoyang is temporarily stable. Now relations between Yu State and Yan State are tense; I have to go back to hold the fort."

Zhao Erlang’s eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly, "You can go back; I can guard Hedong County."

Zhao Hanzhang stopped and looked at him, "It’s not just about whether you say you can guard it. The newly conquered counties are in a state of disarray, with much to be done. As a Prefectural Governor, you not only have to command troops and hold the land, but also govern the people. And since Hedong County is at the frontline, directly facing the Xiongnu, it is a crucial border town, and its responsibilities differ from other counties."

Zhao Hanzhang wasn’t entirely confident in Zhao Erlang, but she had few generals to rely on and even fewer she could trust.

During the Wei Jin period, it was common for people to switch allegiances with their land, population, and soldiers. Liu Yuan had countless Jin ministers under his command, for whom surrender was standard if it offered better prospects.

Therefore, the people assigned to Hedong County and Henan County must be absolutely trustworthy.

Beigong Chun was one, Zhao Erlang was another, both of whom would never betray her, but she was uncertain about others.

And in strategic terms, Henan County had greater importance and significance compared to Hedong County, so she planned to entrust Henan County to Beigong Chun.

Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan quickly washed their hair and bathed—they hadn’t really washed much in over a month of campaigning.

In less than a quarter-hour, Zhao Hanzhang sat on the soft couch with her hair down, while Ting He led two maids in. One gently squeezed the water out of Zhao Hanzhang’s hair bit by bit, Ting He helped her choose clothes, and the other crouched to report on household matters during her absence.

By the time Zhao Hanzhang changed into a more comfortable outfit and came out, only two quarters had passed, and Gengzhou and the others were just taking their seats in the front hall.

The hair wasn’t fully dry yet, just not dripping.

Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t be bothered to tie it up, but found it annoying as it interfered with her sight, so she tied a section at her crown with a headband and let it hang behind her, then dragged her clogs to see the guests.

Coincidentally, Fu Tinghan was dressed similarly, but he wasn’t interested in meeting those guests. He said to Zhao Hanzhang, "I’m going to the Ministry of Industry to have a look."

Zhao Hanzhang: "Aren’t you having lunch?"

Fu Tinghan said, "I asked Fu An to bring some food."

Fu An picked up a food box from the kitchen, and seeing Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan looking over, he opened the lid to show them eagerly, "It’s rice, and cabbage with meat."

They had been eating various kinds of flatbread and coarse grain buns for a while and were tired of it; nothing seemed more comforting than white rice. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Fu Tinghan nodded in satisfaction and left with Fu An.

Only then did Zhao Hanzhang leisurely head to the front hall.

Chu Kang was also invited to the front hall; he was familiar with a few people there. Knowing he had just gotten off Zhao Hanzhang’s carriage, they surrounded him to ask, "Did you intercept her on the way? Zhao Hanzhang didn’t chop you up?"

"Chop up or not, can’t you see with your eyes?"

"What did you say to Zhao Hanzhang? Did she agree to a ceasefire and peace talks?"

Some turned to ask Ming Yu, seated to the side, "Mr. Ming, you have served under General Gou and now work as Governor Zhao’s advisor; you know both of them well. In your opinion, will the Gou Family and the Zhao Family come to blows?"

Zhao Hanzhang had reached the door and, seeing two groups formed, curiously stepped forward to listen.

Her steps were light, and with no announcement, everyone was focused on Chu Kang and Ming Yu, so no one noticed her for a moment.

It was only when Shan Hua, standing opposite her, glanced up and saw her, that he was startled, "G-Governor Zhao!"

The crowd instantly dispersed, revealing Zhao Hanzhang standing with her hands folded.