After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 836 - 825: Conquering Cities and Seizing Land (Part 2)

No one knew how Zhao Hanzhang would deal with them. Although rumors said she always treated prisoners well, they were different from ordinary prisoners. They were Jin people who first surrendered to Shi Le and then quickly switched allegiance to Zhao Hanzhang when the Zhao Family Army entered the city. Would she accept them?

As Cui Shi was lost in thought, someone grabbed his arm and helped him up forcefully.

Cui Shi looked up in a daze and saw Zhao Hanzhang half-squatting, assisting him up.

Cui Shi dared not stand fully, only slightly straightening his waist and repeatedly saying he dared not.

Zhao Hanzhang asked, "When Shi Le attacked Dunqiu, what were your casualties? After entering the city, were you mistreated?"

Cui Shi’s tears suddenly poured out. He grabbed Zhao Hanzhang’s hand and wept uncontrollably, crying so hard he could hardly breathe, with both tears and snot flowing.

He raised a sleeve to wipe his face, wanting to stop crying, but he couldn’t help it. Even he didn’t realize how much grievance he held inside.

The officials and gentry behind him also couldn’t hold back their sobs, tears streaming down.

Zhao Hanzhang got teary-eyed as well, forcefully helping Cui Shi up and then the village elders behind him. She choked while comforting them, "I know it was very arduous for you to defend the city. In this city are your parents, wives and children, along with so many people relying on you. The burden you carry is heavy. It has been hard on you, very hard on you!"

Upon hearing this, the village elders she was supporting couldn’t hold back any longer and collapsed to the ground, wailing, with others following suit. Soon, cries filled the place.

Cui Shi wiped away his tears and snot, kneeling again with reddened eyes. He bowed deeply and said, "Great General, your words shame us. We, as Jin ministers, could not defend our land. As Jin people, we failed to protect with our lives, truly a disgrace to the world. If it weren’t for the people of this city, I would gladly die for my country."

Zhao Hanzhang tried to help him up, but seeing he wouldn’t rise, she took his hand and said, "County Magistrate Cui, you misunderstand. The necessity of defending a city lies in its ability to protect more people, like in Shangdang or Luoyang, where every move affects the whole body, necessitating a desperate defense."

"For other cities, the life and death of the city relate mostly to its people’s survival," Zhao Hanzhang said, "County Magistrate Cui, your ability to safeguard Dunqiu’s people already pleases me."

She smiled and said, "My wish is to let the people live in peace and happiness, regardless of whether you serve the Jin State, under Liu Cong, or with Shi Le. As long as you live well, I am satisfied."

"If that’s not possible, at least survive. When I can support you in the future, I surely will," Zhao Hanzhang said. "You did well this time, protecting most people. I am grateful to you, and Your Majesty will be too."

Upon hearing this, tears again surged in Cui Shi’s eyes. He grabbed Zhao Hanzhang’s hand, crying, "Great General, Sir, in the battle with Shi Le, Dunqiu County lost over thirty-six thousand lives. I waited long for reinforcements that never came, truly having no other path but surrender, or else he would have slaughtered the entire city."

With tears, Zhao Hanzhang helped him up, nodding, "I know, I know. The situation arose suddenly with aid unable to reach in time. It was our mistake, mine, the Great General’s and Your Majesty’s, for not arranging things properly for you."

After crying together and venting their emotions, Zhao Hanzhang helped up the leading ones, and they all headed to the county government.

Cui Shi glanced at the prisoners being taken away and quickly stated that some were his people.

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "Rest assured, someone will verify their identities, and the Zhao Family Army always treats prisoners well. They won’t be harmed."

Only then did Cui Shi feel at ease. He glanced outside the city, where he could still see the large army lined up neatly. Swallowing, he hurriedly asked Zhao Hanzhang, "Great General, should we invite the army into the city?"

Zhao Hanzhang shook her head, "They’ll camp outside. The people in the city are enough. We should not linger, as Dunqiu’s future governance depends on you."

Cui Shi quietly breathed a sigh of relief, fearing the army’s entry would mean another looting for Dunqiu County, vividly recalling the disaster when Shi Le’s army entered.

The gentry nearby also sighed in relief, quickly exchanging glances with Cui Shi, who then hurriedly said, "I’ll have someone prepare supplies for the army..."

Zhao Hanzhang swept her gaze over their expressions and shook her head, "No need. You’ve just endured a calamity, and life is already hard."

She looked at the village elders behind Cui Shi, earnestly stating, "If any of you have surplus, please aid the people in the city. I know, Shi Le’s army must have pillaged upon entering the city. This year hasn’t been good, and life is already tough. Another blow like this is catastrophic for ordinary people."

"The vitality and prosperity of a place rely on its people. Please, village elders, lend them a hand to help them through this crisis."

The village elders’ eyes reddened, nodding quickly, indicating they would have food distributed for relief once they returned.

Zhao Hanzhang nodded and then headed back to the county government with Cui Shi.

She politely declined their invitation for a banquet and then discussed the future reconstruction work of Dunqiu County with them. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

In just over an hour, Fu Tinghan and Fan Ying had sorted out Dunqiu County’s situation, accounted for the people Shi Le left behind, and handed over the dead and wounded to Cui Shi. Those still alive they took as prisoners.

The remaining local garrison and government officials were released, while the captured loot and Dunqiu County’s financial status were also accounted for.

Fu Tinghan and Fan Ying just made rough notes, but Zhao Hanzhang examined them carefully. After pondering for a moment, she said to Cui Shi, "I’ll leave some weapons and armor for you to defend the city in the future."

Cui Shi’s eyes brightened, quickly agreeing.