Leaving these people in the granary to sort the grain, Zhao Hanzhang led others back to the county governnt to tally the casualties and soothe the people.
Zhao Hanzhang ordered the village chiefs from various villages to co to the county governnt, instructed them to reassure the villagers, and temporarily halted the collection of this sumr’s taxes.
Indeed, as of now, tax collection has not stopped. Quite a few villagers have not paid taxes in full, with County Magistrate Sun arresting so, while others were threatened into finding ways to co up with the grain tax.
Zhao Hanzhang did not deal with the County Magistrate, even though he was not innocent either, but instead kept him by her side, asking him to bring all the cases that arose due to taxes in the past two months.
Those arrested for not paying taxes in full were all released, while the household registry and tax books in the Household Departnt were detained to start sorting accounts.
So Fu Tinghan occupied the Household Departnt.
Zhao Hanzhang instructed Zhao Ju and Zhao Erlang to lead troops into the countryside to ensure that the chaos makers leaving the county city would not cause trouble in the villages.
Ji Yuan assisted Zhao Hanzhang in controlling Yu Yang County, while Zhao Hui and others who usually followed Zhao Kuan were transferred from Shangcai County to Yu Yang to assist Zhao Hanzhang.
They were bewildered upon entering Yu Yang, completely unaware of how overnight their place of administration had changed from Shangcai to Yu Yang.
Upon arriving at the county governnt, Zhao Hanzhang personally went out to greet them, "Brothers have arrived, please co inside."
Seeing Zhao Hanzhang still in armor, thinking of the bloodstains and corpses they saw along the way, Zhao Hui and others pulled a smile and asked warmly, "Third Sister, is there anything we can help with?"
Zhao Hanzhang replied, "There is quite a lot, the most urgent is the Household Departnt. Although Ting Han is clever, manpower is limited, so brothers’ help is needed."
Zhao Hui then led the clan brothers to follow her to the Household Departnt, seeing just Fu Tinghan and Fu An inside, he asked, "Where is Yu Yang County’s Chief Clerk?"
"I cut him down," Zhao Hanzhang smiled indifferently and said, "But the staff of the Household Departnt are still there. I just sent them to gather the remaining staff from the county governnt to return. They should be back soon, brothers can mobilize them."
Zhao Hui and others pulled a smile, "Oh..."
What to do with such a terrifying third sister?
Seeing them, Fu Tinghan waved directly, "Just in ti, help record so items."
Zhao Hui hurried forward, finding Fu Tinghan to be a bit safer compared to Zhao Hanzhang.
Zhao Hanzhang didn’t disturb them, seeing them get along well, she turned to head back to the County Magistrate’s office.
She waved Ting He away, picked up the inkstone herself and slowly ground ink, pondering over how to write a letter to Inspector He.
This is a private letter, but it cannot be completely considered private and must carry so official tone as well.
Once the ink was ready, Zhao Hanzhang had decided on how to write this letter.
She placed the inkstone aside and was about to roll up her sleeves when she realized she was still wearing armor.
She quickly got up, "No wonder I feel so tired, quickly take it off, take it off!"
Ting He stepped forward to help her remove the armor, attended her in changing into a lighter outfit, and said, "Miss, you haven’t closed your eyes all night, and you traveled the whole day yesterday, should you sleep first?"
Zhao Hanzhang only then rembered, "Ting Han hasn’t rested either, go to the kitchen to make so food and send it to the Household Departnt, let him eat and rest after, don’t overstrain."
"... Yes," Ting He said, "And you?"
Zhao Hanzhang replied while spreading the paper, "Once I finish writing this letter, I will rest too."
Ting He was delighted, "I’ll go make food for you and Eldest Cousin, after which you can rest together."
Zhao Hanzhang didn’t pay much attention, responding casually, entirely focused on writing the letter to Inspector He.
Who knows where Zhao Ming has taken Zhao Kuan. Chen County isn’t close to Xiping, even without stopping it would take three days to reach, right?
Alas, such a headache, the taxation problem in Yu Yang County is also a major issue. How can she persuade Inspector He to allow her to manage Yu Yang County while also reducing so taxes?
Zhao Hanzhang felt this issue was too challenging, realizing that als must be eaten bite by bite, she thus concentrated on portraying County Magistrate Sun’s plea for help towards Xiping.
She expressed her shock and anger upon learning that the Chief Clerk was killed by chaos makers, and her fear and apprehension upon seeing the entire populace turning against her upon her arrival in Yu Yang County.
Zhao Hanzhang stated that she, alone, is unable to quell the unrest in Yu Yang County, and is compelled to find ways to soothe the chaos makers in hope of placating them.
Now, with unease in Luoyang and turmoil re-erging in Yu State, the court will inevitably seek accountability, hence Zhao Hanzhang believes stability is of utmost priority, surpassing all other matters.
Thus, she found ways to appease the people of Yu Yang, also ntioning the causes of the unrest, indicating that the missing Chief Clerk and County Magistrate Sun bear certain responsibilities, despite her sorrow over the death of the Chief Clerk.
Finally, Zhao Hanzhang casually ntioned Inspector He’s gratitude for recognizing her talents, expressing her commitnt to manage Xiping well and follow his lead.
Having written the letter, Zhao Hanzhang blew the ink dry and then summoned Ji Yuan, looking at him eagerly, "Sir, how do you think my letter turned out?"
"Pretty good," Ji Yuan replied, "As long as he doesn’t know Shangcai is also under your control, he won’t be angry."
In Inspector He’s eyes, it’s normal for Xiping County to be unable to et his tax demands, given last year’s devastation when Xiping County fell.
His anger, alas, is likely to be directed more towards Shangcai.
Poor County Magistrate Chai.
After hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang imdiately sealed the letter, "Then I’ll send soone to deliver it to Chen County."
Ji Yuan nodded, "County Magistrate Sun is also on his way to Chen County, it’s best if this letter arrives before him..."
The two exchanged glances, and couldn’t help but chuckle.
County Magistrate Sun was desperately rushing to Chen County but not only people need to rest, horses too.
He clambered down from the carriage, utterly exhausted, sitting helplessly on the grass, anxious and worried about the situation in Yu Yang County; Zhao Hanzhang is adept in warfare, should be able to preserve the county city, right?
His wife and children are still in the county city.
Indeed, County Magistrate Sun’s wife and children are still at the county governnt, hence Zhao Hanzhang stayed at the front office with Fu Tinghan, the two living in a small resting area beside the main hall, the room divided into two single rooms with a large screen in between.
The two were busy until noon, finally eating a proper al, and then too exhausted to continue, returning to the single rooms and sleeping imdiately.
Mrs. Sun, having learned that the chaos in the county city had subsided, imdiately wanted to see Zhao Hanzhang but was blocked at the small gate on her way to the front office.
Mrs. Sun did not expect that she now didn’t even have the qualification to enter the county governnt, with soldiers guarding the small gate refusing accommodation, and clerks who once treated her with utmost respect avoiding her gaze, quickening their pace to leave without a word.
Her heart sank, feeling instinctively bad.
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