Zhao Song brought up the hostages still in Shangcai, and Zhao Hanzhang imdiately said, "I will take the soldiers and horses lent to by County Magistrate Chai and go back to exchange the hostages tomorrow."
Zhao Song was increasingly satisfied, "These days have been full of chaos, and everyone is frightened. There have been so misunderstandings, so I will invite your uncles and elders, and you should talk to them properly, okay?"
Zhao Hanzhang obediently agreed.
When they saw Zhao Hanzhang again, the elders were sowhat silent, even Zhao Hu was much quieter.
The deeds she did in Xiping County had all been reported back to Wu Castle, and combined with Zhao Ming’s personal letter pleading to the officials, it seed he did not intend to move into the county town but continued to manage clan affairs within Wu Castle.
It was clear who was in charge in the county town.
At this mont, no one dared to treat Zhao Hanzhang as an ordinary young girl anymore.
Seeing their silence, Zhao Hanzhang stood up and personally served tea to the elders, especially to the parents of the four children, and explained, "Because of , uncles, aunts, and my younger siblings had to suffer the pain of separation. It is truly a sin. Once I bring them back, I will visit and apologize."
The people’s expressions softened a bit as they said to Zhao Hanzhang, "It’s not your fault. Xiping suffered such a heavy blow, you have been very busy."
Soone ntioned the position of Xiping County Magistrate, "The court hasn’t assigned a county magistrate for Xiping, and your Uncle Ming also said he wouldn’t go to the county town, so the county affairs..."
Zhao Hanzhang smiled and said, "I will temporarily act as the agent until an appropriate person is found to take on this burden in the future."
What if there isn’t an appropriate person?
The crowd mused internally.
Zhao Hu had been restraining his temper, but now couldn’t help it, "Third Lady, you’re a woman, won handling governntal affairs isn’t appropriate, is it?"
Zhao Hanzhang sat back in her seat, drank a sip of tea, and looked up with a smile asking, "What exactly is inappropriate? Is it that I have handled governntal affairs poorly, or made mistakes in military affairs?"
Facing Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze, Zhao Hu’s mind first flashed to the image of being pressed onto a coffin, then to her charging into battle. His voice weakened, "From ancient tis, n have traditionally been the ones for external affairs, and won for internal affairs..."
Zhao Hanzhang smiled slightly, "But with , it is only the capable who take charge."
She turned to Zhao Song and said, "I am precisely asking for instruction from Fifth Uncle. Xiping County is in disarray and needs talented individuals. If there are brothers and sisters in the clan who have studied and have ti, it might be better for them to co and help in the county town."
Zhao Song looked at Zhao Ming, who was much more cautious now, and after pondering for a mont, said, "Your Uncle Ming is the Xiping County Magistrate, mostly managing clan affairs; you can consult him about these matters."
Zhao Ming glanced at his father, feeling both that he had finally learned to be wary and that it was unnecessary now.
He had already supported Zhao Hanzhang, providing cover; would he refuse her using people from the clan?
So he directly said, "Choose appropriate people to take with you. Letting them venture out is good too."
Speaking of venturing out, Zhao Song rembered and imdiately said, "It’s very chaotic outside now; send soone to look for Zitu and have him bring the children back."
Zhao Zitu, whose only na is Cheng, is Zhao Hu’s only son. He is currently traveling with several nephews, which is also why only four seedlings were sent, as the other children were either traveling with family like Zhao Erlang or were out adventuring.
Zhao Hanzhang had never t this uncle, but rembered Mrs. Wang ntioning that he was close in age to her father and got along very well, to the extent that after her father’s death, he was so saddened that he was unwilling to see their part of the family again.
Oh, it was said that his relationship with his father was extrely poor.
Unlike the love-hate relationship between Zhao Song and Zhao Ming, it was said that he and Zhao Hu only had hatred, no love.
To avoid seeing his father, he was keen on studying abroad, even needing to take his nephews back ho, and absolutely refusing to return to Wu Castle, instead finding all sorts of excuses to stay with friends.
Why does Zhao Hanzhang know so clearly?
Because when they moved to the Shangcai Villa, they were too poor and started looking for things to pawn, and found a lot of his old stuff from the villa, which Uncle Cheng lanted, "These are Mr. Cheng’s things. Back then he and your father..."
And that’s how Zhao Hanzhang knew.
Zhao Hanzhang picked up the tea cup and drank, contemplating that if Zhao Cheng ca back, Zhao Hu should be easier to deal with?
Zhao Ming had already agreed, "I’ll write a letter later." However, whether and when the person would return was uncertain.
Zhao Hanzhang looked at him and said, "Uncle, why not write about the recent events in Wu Castle and Xiping? If Uncle knows the family situation is so critical, he will certainly co back."
Zhao Song imdiately nodded, "Third Lady is right, write it."
Zhao Ming glanced at Zhao Hanzhang and agreed.
After the eting, Zhao Hanzhang did not inquire about the affairs of Wu Castle. She did not intend to ddle too much in the Zhao Family’s internal affairs, so after leaving the council hall, she went directly to the old residence.
Just out the door, a young girl rushed over from across the street.
Qiu Wu, the guard at the entrance, was startled and imdiately reached out to block her; his knife almost unsheathed.
Zhao Hanzhang recognized her and hurriedly stopped Qiu Wu, "Miss Fan."
Fan Ying stopped in front of Zhao Hanzhang and deeply bowed, "I am here to thank you for saving Miss Xie’s life and would like to ask if you could let return to Xiping County, to mourn and pay respects to my family."
Zhao Hanzhang quickly agreed, "Of course, you are free to go wherever you wish."
She thought for a mont and said, "County Magistrate Fan died a martyr in Xiping, loyal and courageous, which we all admire. You are the only close relative of County Magistrate Fan. We have a duty to take care of you. How about I have a house prepared in Xiping County where you can mourn County Magistrate Fan?"
Fan Ying thanked her and agreed on a ti to leave with Zhao Hanzhang.
Zhao Hanzhang smiled and said, "Arranging a house takes ti. Why not wait for to return from Shangcai, then I can take you back to Xiping County."
Fan Ying thought it over and nodded in agreent.
When Fan Ying left, Zhao Hanzhang turned and called over a gatekeeper, saying, "Go call soone from Uncle Ming’s place, preferably soone close to Uncle Ming."
The gatekeeper was stunned, but after hesitating, he still went.
Not long after, Changqing, a follower who was with Zhao Ming, ca out.
When Zhao Hanzhang saw him, she smiled and asked, "Did Uncle Ming send you?"
Changqing smiled and bowed, "The lord said that Third Lady must have sothing to ask, so he sent over, telling to share whatever I know. So feel free to ask, Third Lady."
Zhao Hanzhang said, "You all stopped Miss Fan from going out, not allowing her to leave?"
Changqing paused for a mont before saying, "The clan said that there is much entanglent with the Fan Family Girl, and Third Lady had not yet stabilized her foothold in the county town. Her going there would be more harm than good, and hence we suggested she stay in the clan where people can console her."
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