After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 769 - 759 Wang Xuan

Zhao Hanzhang did not meet with "Wang Xuan" who was waiting ahead, and instead led people out of the city to inspect the crops.

This year, Yu State also experienced a lack of rain. Fortunately, they had dug wells in advance and excavated canals, allowing most of the wheat and rice fields to be irrigated in critical times.

At this moment, the wheat was fully ripe. Zhao Hanzhang touched the plump ears of wheat in the field and felt refreshed, "Order the harvest, and dry and store the wheat as soon as possible."

"Yes." Zhao Yunxin paused before asking, "Governor, what should we plant after the wheat harvest?"

In previous years, the wheat harvest coincided with the last spell of rain. Near water sources, rice could be replanted, considered a late rice, harvested after mid-autumn; in places with less water, beans were planted, harvested before mid-autumn, after the spring-planted rice was harvested, allowing the autumn harvest to span the entire season.

But at this moment, Zhao Hanzhang was a bit hesitant. She walked around the field once, finally stopping by the field ridge, where she saw a group of raggedly dressed people approaching from a distance.

Zhao Yunxin also looked over and explained, "They should be refugees from Jizhou. Recently, many Jizhou refugees fleeing drought have flowed into Yu State, increasing bandit activity within the borders."

Only then did Zhao Hanzhang make up her mind, "Plant soybeans. Locusts don’t like soybeans. Have them hurry and harvest and replant. Since so many refugees have poured in, let’s find a way to utilize them all. As long as there is work to do and food to eat, the people’s hearts will be stable, and stability can reduce banditry."

Zhao Yunxin agreed.

"We must continue locust prevention efforts. In places like low-lying riverbanks, as soon as larvae are found, eliminate them immediately. Also, assign tasks to the school. They are about to have a summer harvest break, so let them go home and spread awareness among the villagers. That way, if they encounter adult locusts in the future, the villagers will know what to do."

Zhao Yunxin agreed, "Governor, can the locusts from Jizhou really fly over to Yu State?"

She said, "I see them flying not very far, always stopping soon after taking flight. Jizhou is so far from Yu State; how could they possibly come here?"

Historically, the locusts from Jizhou not only flew to Yu State but also reached Si Province and Bingzhou. The entire Central Plains and Northern Land were severely affected.

But this time, she had already reminded Zu Ti to prevent the locust disaster, finding ways to eliminate more locusts. Even Shi Le and Liu Yi received her letters, so the disaster should be different, right?

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Let’s prepare for the worst-case scenario and order each county to carry out prevention work thoroughly."

"Yes."

Zhao Hanzhang beckoned to her trusted aide not far away and looked again at the gradually approaching refugee group. She turned her head and said, "Yunxin, soon you’ll stay behind with a few trusted soldiers and take these refugees to the county office. Have County Magistrate Gao properly settle them."

"Yes."

Zhao Hanzhang took the reins from the trusted aide and was about to mount her horse when her eyes once again glanced at the increasingly close group of refugees. Her movements paused as she squinted her eyes and carefully observed the group.

She tightened the reins in her hand and called over a trusted soldier, "Go ask who leads them and bring their leader to see me first."

The trusted soldier complied, quickly running ahead to intercept the approaching refugees. Soon, he was leading over a thin, ragged young man.

The man’s hair was disheveled, and his beard unkempt. His face was full of dust and the marks of the harsh weather, yet his eyes were shining brightly, making him appear different from an ordinary refugee.

His body exuded vitality.

The closer he got, the brighter his eyes became, finally stepping past the guide soldier and striding quickly toward her.

The trusted soldiers waiting behind Zhao Hanzhang stepped forward to shield her.

Zhao Hanzhang waved them aside. The young man quickly approached, looking at her with excitement, "Third Sister Zhao!"

Zhao Hanzhang found his voice somewhat familiar and hesitated, staring at his face. Despite his unkempt appearance, she couldn’t recognize him after a long while. However, his bone structure was impressive, suggesting he’d clean up nicely.

Nicely?

Zhao Hanzhang sized up the man’s stature, feeling a name on the tip of her tongue but not daring to guess immediately.

The young man excitedly revealed his identity, "Third Sister, I am Wang Meizi!"

Zhao Hanzhang’s lips trembled as she looked at his body wrapped in over a dozen bands, mostly blue and gray, coarse hemp, clearly torn from other clothes to patch up holes, barely covering his tattered garments;

Her gaze moved downward to his feet, clad in straw sandals with only one strap, twisted from straw, his feet covered in mud, not to mention his blackened nails filled with gray dirt.

She found it hard to imagine that this was Wang Xuan, once a scion of the Capital City’s first aristocratic family.

Seeing her reaction, Wang Xuan knew she recognized him and couldn’t help but break into a broad smile, laughing aloud, "I’ve finally found you. You have no idea how long I’ve traveled."

A whole year!

This past year, he had infiltrated bandit dens, acted as a strategist, recruited his own troops, muddleheadedly became a chief, only to be "conquered" and annexed, served as a beggar, begged everywhere, and finally became a refugee to escape with others.

During this time, he had tried entering a county office, revealing his identity to local officials, hoping they would send him back to Luoyang, but he ended up being jailed as a fraud...

After many twists and turns, he nearly reached Luoyang only to be taken by bandits to Jizhou and finally, wandering there for some time, encountering a drought and escaping to follow refugees to Yu State.

He heard that Zhao Hanzhang was now in Chen County, Yu State, so he bypassed offers from counties along the way, making his way to Chen County.

Oh, the people behind him were all recruited by him during his journey. They fled together but recognized him as their leader.

Zhao Hanzhang quickly invited him to return home with her, leaving the rest for the soldiers to arrange.

Wang Xuan turned back to instruct the refugees briefly before mounting a horse to return to the county with Zhao Hanzhang.

He anxiously asked, "I heard on the way that Second Sister and Fourth Lady are working under you?"

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "Sister Hui Feng stayed in Luoyang, and Fourth Lady received a task two days ago to go to Ruyin County. But considering the time, she should be returning soon. I’ll immediately send word to speed her return."

Wang Xuan relaxed, his eyes moistening with relief, "No rush, I was only worried they, two ladies, would struggle to survive in these chaotic times. Knowing they are safe is enough."

He smiled at Zhao Hanzhang, "Thanks to meeting Third Sister, you sheltered them."

Zhao Hanzhang hurriedly said, "Elder Brother underestimates them. They achieved everything now on their own merit."

Wang Xuan smiled at her, not arguing, but he knew how difficult it was for two women to survive alone in these times.

Especially back when Wang Hufeng and Wang Yifeng were in Shi Le’s hands, given their status, they would undoubtedly be awarded as spoils to those Hu generals and soldiers. With his Second Sister and Fourth Sister’s "preference for destruction" temperaments, they would surely...

Wang Xuan turned his head away, suppressing his tears before turning back with a smile to change the topic, "I have some abilities. Might I request Governor Zhao to not abandon me and grant me an opportunity?"

Zhao Hanzhang laughed upon hearing this, "The luck of Hanzhang!"