After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 755 - 745: Given for Free

Zhao Hanzhang continued to gather her hands together, smiling and greeting them, "Hello, everyone, please sit down and talk."

She walked to the head of the table and sat down.

Ming Yu stood up and was the first to greet her, "Commander."

Only then did the others bow and salute, "Greetings, Governor Zhao."

Zhao Hanzhang raised her hand slightly, "No need for formalities, please be seated."

Only then did everyone retreat to their seats and sit down. Some frowned uncomfortably at Zhao Hanzhang’s half-covered hair, but more people didn’t mind it.

Those who were uncomfortable held their tongues when they saw that others had no opinions.

At this time, the charm of the Jin dynasty had to be thanked. Even if she came out half-naked now... they would still feel uncomfortable, but most likely wouldn’t say it out loud.

Among the dozen or so people, Chu Kang was the most nonchalant.

What’s so strange about having half-dried hair, at least her clothes were neat, and her shoes and socks were properly worn. The Inspector in Jingzhou is much more unrestrained than her, often walking around the Inspector Mansion with a bird, and frequently meeting guests without any clothes, facing everyone openly.

Those who came to see Zhao Hanzhang at this time had very clear purposes, so once seated, Gengzhou was the first to ask: "Dare I ask if Governor Zhao plans to go to war with Gou Daojiang?"

"No," Zhao Hanzhang explained to Chu Kang again, expressing that she had no intention of fighting with Gou Xi, and it was all a misunderstanding.

Everyone present, except her advisor Ming Yu, did not believe her.

Though they didn’t believe her, Gengzhou still followed her words and said, "Since Governor Zhao has no plans to mobilize troops, why not write a letter persuading Commander Wang and Governor Liu to cease hostilities?"

Zhao Hanzhang agreed without hesitation and added, "Commander Wang may not be persuaded, but Governor Liu is loyal and would never attack Qingzhou without reason. To resolve this, the court should send an envoy to inquire about their reasons for dispatching troops, to clear up the misunderstanding."

The people exchanged glances and couldn’t find any fault in her words. She was sincere, saying she would write the letter. Could it be they truly misunderstood and it wasn’t Zhao Hanzhang inciting Wang Jun and Liu Kun to dispatch troops?

After exchanging glances, everyone looked at Shan Hua.

Shan Hua was from Luo’an, and Luo’an County was in Qingzhou.

Shan Hua already had suspicions in his heart, pursed his lips and said, "Gou Chun is cruel and harsh in governing, and the people of Qingzhou are suffering unbearably. Could it be that Governor Liu is cooperating with Commander Wang because of this?"

"But this should be reported to the court for handling. How can one send out troops autonomously?"

"Hmph, report to the court? Isn’t the court now in the hands of the Gou Family Brothers? Should Governor Liu face Gou Chun and say, you are too brutal a person, I don’t agree with you being Inspector, so I want to raise troops to depose you?"

"Isn’t there the Great General to restrain Gou Chun?"

"If Gou Daojiang could restrain Gou Chun, last year’s chaos on the Yan State border wouldn’t have happened."

"Alright, alright, stop arguing," Yu Yi quickly mediated: "Since this is the private doing of Commander Wang and Governor Liu, if Governor Zhao supports General Gou, this matter will be resolved. Governor Liu understands the bigger picture and principles, and Commander Wang is a talented person, they won’t stubbornly hold Qingzhou."

Shan Hua, hearing this, slightly frowned, feeling uneasy inside. He was sent to persuade Zhao Hanzhang because he was worried that if Zhao Hanzhang and Gou Xi fought, the world would fall into chaos, and Qingzhou would become the first battlefield;

But if the troop movement wasn’t led by Zhao Hanzhang, and she didn’t fight with Gou Xi, then the world wouldn’t be chaotic, and Qingzhou might take this chance to rid itself of Gou Chun’s rule.

Gou Chun was too harsh and severe. Just in the last three months of last year, he conscripted 8,000 civilians from Luo’an and increased their tax burden by thirty percent.

Their family’s circumstances were manageable, but other villagers and their tenants couldn’t gather enough, having to sell their children and daughters, and even then , many families couldn’t gather the taxes.

To prevent their whole families from fleeing to avoid taxes, the Shan Family had to help shoulder part of the taxes and lend them money to get through this period.

Otherwise, if the villagers and tenants fled, who would farm for them?

But by doing so, these taxes weighed heavily on the Shan Family, making life difficult for them too.

Shan Hua looked around, saw everyone agreed with this method, and suppressed mentioning it, waiting until everyone finished discussing. Zhao Hanzhang promised them she would ask for their advice after drafting the letter, and only then did they leave.

Zhao Hanzhang enthusiastically asked Ming Yu to arrange for them to stay at the post station, letting them stay for free as long as they wanted, all in upper rooms.

Shan Hua followed the group out, falling to the back, slowing his steps, and when they had walked more than ten steps out, he immediately turned around.

Zhao Hanzhang lowered her hand, retracting her almost frozen smile, and was just about to turn back to the backyard when she saw Shan Hua turning, so she habitually raised a smile, "Does Mr. Shan have more to discuss?"

Shan Hua walked forward, solemnly saluted Zhao Hanzhang and said, "Please, Governor Zhao, save Qingzhou."

Zhao Hanzhang gave him a deep look, and after a moment, stepped aside to say, "Mr. Shan, please come inside to talk."

In the end, the letter to the court was drafted by Shan Hua. His sincerity and compassion even moved Zhao Hanzhang, who knew the inside story, making her feel heartfelt admiration.

Zhao Hanzhang asked Chu Kang and others to review the letter, and everyone thought there was no problem with it. So Zhao Hanzhang copied it and sent it to Yun City.

As for the letters advising Liu Kun and Wang Jun against war, Zhao Hanzhang wrote them herself, sincerely urging them to talk things out and express any misunderstandings, as the court and General Gou would stand by them, encouraging friendliness over conflict.

Chu Kang and others reviewed the letters too and found no issues, so they handed them to the courier together.

The courier had been instructed earlier in the morning to send the letters directly to Zhao Xin and Wei Jie.

After watching the courier leave, Zhao Hanzhang invited the scholars for a meal.

Since they had come, how could they leave after only handling one matter?

A total of thirteen people, all literate with knowledge and ideas, why not stay a while longer?

Fu Tinghan also liked them, took them for a tour around his Ministry of Industry, and eventually became friends with Gengzhou and Shan Hua. They had unique insights on river management and grain logistics.

As for the other people, Fu Tinghan found it hard to see them again after the first meeting.

Hence, Zhao Hanzhang asked Ji Yuan, Ming Yu, Beigong Chun, Xie Shi, and others to host them in turns. Even Zhao Cheng came over, enticing Ji Shuyan away. Gradually, the number of people staying at the post station decreased, leaving only five.

Chu Kang and Yu Yi were among those who stayed.

But it didn’t matter, if they couldn’t find their place here, wasn’t there Yu State as well?

At that time, leading them to wander around Uncle Ming might help them find their calling. For now, they could just continue staying at the post station.

Luoyang was so entertaining, and they could stay at the post station without any worries. If they ran out of money for food, her household even covered meals. They just needed to come over, and she’d treat them.

With Zhao Hanzhang being so gracious to talented individuals, Chu Kang and others weren’t in a hurry to leave, wanting to stay and wait for news from Qingzhou and Yan State.

However, news from Jizhou and Zu Ti arrived first.