"This is Yu State after the war, even more difficult than Yu Yang before," Zhao Hanzhang said. "Now, in the northern and eastern parts of Yu State, there are as many bandits as civilians. Mr. Ji says that in the eastern area alone, where Shi Le passed through, seventy-two Wu Castles were captured. Most of the people inside were taken away. Those who barely escaped either beca bandits in the mountains or fled their hotowns, wandering everywhere."
"Nowadays, situations like this are everywhere throughout the land. As officials, our responsibility is to govern the area and manage the people," Zhao Hanzhang said. "I believe that governing a place is similar to fighting a war; knowing yourself and your enemy ensures victory. Zhao Kuan, you neither understand yourself enough nor the current state of the people. How can you then be a good official?"
Zhao Kuan was stunned and began to think seriously, "Why does the governor point only to and not ntion Fan Jishi and the others?"
Zhao Kuan was very perceptive. He observed that whenever they were taught how to do things, Fan Ying and Sun Linghui were mostly praised, and even his sister, Zhao Yunxin, received more praise than he did.
"Because they are like a blank slate, full of enthusiasm, and they quickly accept everything I teach."
Perhaps it’s because there are few female officials. Once Fan Ying and the others stepped into this position, they followed her orders without question, striving to complete every task she gave them.
But Zhao Kuan was different. He studied Confucian and Legalist philosophies from a young age, forming his own thoughts while also being heavily influenced by the era’s prevailing ideologies. Many of Zhao Hanzhang’s policies conflicted with his understanding and habits, causing him considerable distress.
Sotis he thought Zhao Hanzhang was right, and other tis he thought she was wrong. Yet, he couldn’t persuade her otherwise, so, whether willing or not, he always had to follow her ideas.
Zhao Hanzhang said, "Brother Kuan, let ask you, between family, country, and clan, which is lighter and which is heavier?"
Zhao Kuan replied, "How is there any difference in weight? Naturally, they are the sa."
Zhao Hanzhang looked serious, "If among the three, no, it should be four: yourself, family, country, and clan, only one could remain, which would you choose?"
Zhao Kuan fell silent, and after a long ti, he said, "Although very difficult, I still hope for the clan to endure forever."
Zhao Hanzhang nodded slightly, then turned to look at Fan Ying, who stood nearby, and asked, "What about you?"
Fan Ying replied, "Naturally, it’s the girl first."
Zhao Kuan: ... Flatterer!
Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but feel embarrassed but detected the seriousness in Fan Ying’s words and couldn’t help but laugh. The solemn atmosphere suddenly dissipated. She turned to Zhao Kuan and said, "Brother Kuan, I didn’t ask you to choose between and the clan but to help you understand my intentions. Between the two of us, between and Uncle Ming, between and the entire Zhao Family, even this entire Yu State, we seek common ground while reserving differences."
Zhao Kuan first breathed a sigh of relief, then beca puzzled, "Seeking common ground while reserving differences?"
"Exactly," Zhao Hanzhang nodded. "We can’t have only one goal. It’s just as difficult for you to choose one of the four. If all four could be achieved, why choose?"
Zhao Kuan couldn’t help but laugh, "Where in the world is there such good fortune that one can have it all?"
"That’s why we must seek common ground while reserving differences," Zhao Hanzhang said seriously. "To , the country cos first. By ’country,’ I don’t an Great Jin in Luoyang, but the people of this entire land. Family cos second, and the clan ranks third for ."
Zhao Kuan looked at her in surprise.
Zhao Hanzhang said, "I don’t expect you, Brother Kuan, to place family and country before the clan, nor do you need to convince that the clan should co first. This is reserving differences."
"At the current stage, the interests of family, country, and clan are aligned. We all hope for Yu State to beco better, for the people to live in peace, and for strong military power so that no one dares to invade. Protecting Yu State is protecting the foundation of our Zhao Family’s survival. Brother Kuan, am I right?"
Zhao Kuan nodded after so thought.
Zhao Hanzhang raised the corners of her mouth and nodded, "That’s achieving common ground. So, the imdiate priority is settling the people. I appointed you as my lieutenant so you can see this broken land and understand what the people here want. As officials, our role is to appease them."
Zhao Kuan understood, bowed, and retreated.
After he left, Zhao Hanzhang looked at Fan Ying and asked, "Fan Ying, between you and Zhao Kuan, who is more capable?"
Fan Ying looked at Zhao Hanzhang’s expression and carefully said, "Zhao Kuan?"
Zhao Hanzhang smiled, "He is capable not just because he has read more books and gained more experience but because he thinks critically and dares to question ."
Zhao Hanzhang said, "Even sages make mistakes and have short-sighted monts. I am not a sage, so you must think critically like him. Are the decisions I make truly suitable for the people and this place?"
Fan Ying gaped and finally marveled, "I’ve never heard of anyone wanting others to question them. The girl truly has a broad mind, unmatched by the likes of us."
Zhao Hanzhang: ... As long as you’re happy.
She stopped there, not continuing the discussion, lest it seed like she wanted them to question her.
Zhao Hanzhang wasn’t foolish.
When Fan Ying left the tent, she was deep in thought. Zhao Kuan was also thinking, but he quickly made up his mind.
He agreed with Zhao Hanzhang that they should seek common ground while reserving differences.
At the sa ti, he realized her words were not just for him but likely directed at Uncle Ming.
So things Zhao Hanzhang certainly wouldn’t dare to say in front of Zhao Ming, like placing the clan third.
So, a middleman was needed at this point.
Zhao Kuan painfully discovered that he was that middleman.
Now Zhao Hanzhang controlled Yu State, with Ru Nan County just one part of it. Her relationship with the Zhao Family had changed from mostly being supported by them to mostly being depended on by them.
So how should this balance be maintained?
Zhao Kuan pursed his lips and dutifully went to write a letter to Zhao Ming, while worrying about where his teacher and junior brothers had gone. Weren’t they supposed to support the Third Lady?
How co the war was over, and they were still nowhere to be seen?
If they were here, he could have first told his teacher about this, and then the teacher could talk to Uncle Ming.
Facing Uncle Ming was very stressful.
After instructing a group of subordinates, Zhao Hanzhang walked out of the tent with her hands behind her back and happened to see Zhao Erlang running around. She imdiately called him over and asked, "What are you running about for?"
Zhao Erlang replied, "Sister, they say that the bandits’ den in the mountains is easy to defend and hard to attack. Even if we have a hundred thousand n, we can’t take it. So, let be the vanguard this ti."
In these past two days of suppressing bandits, although Zhao Erlang was ant to be the vanguard, he hadn’t really fought much. He was very bored.
Zhao Hanzhang understood his aning and said quietly, "I had Uncle Ming send soone to bring Mother over. Calculating the days, she should arrive soon, and you won’t be idle and bored anymore."
Mrs. Wang was obsessed with having Zhao Erlang learn more characters. Even though she repeatedly accepted that her son wasn’t suited for studying and literacy, she still couldn’t help but want him to learn.
Zhao Erlang shivered and dropped the subject of charging in as the vanguard.
But in the end, Zhao Hanzhang still allowed him to be the vanguard and taught him how to fight this guerrilla war, enticing or encircling the mountain bandits, faking an attack from the front while launching a real attack from the side.
Zhao Erlang fought with great enjoynt.
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