Huang An returned with military families, including the family of Zuo Du. Behind him were dozens of veteran soldiers from Xiliang, whose families were also among them. Upon eting, they couldn’t help but hug and cry.
Huang An was overjoyed and, after Zuo Du wiped his tears, patted his shoulder heartily and said, "I wanted to surprise you; how did you know we were returning?"
After gathering all the military families willing to co to Luoyang with him, Huang An eagerly set on his way. This ti, he not only brought back the military families of the Xiliang soldiers but also a formal docunt of mutual support from Zhang Gui to Zhao Hanzhang.
This was a formal alliance docunt, not just empty words, carrying significant aning.
With this docunt, Zhao Hanzhang could do much more, such as ensuring smooth communication and open trade routes between the two places with Zhang Gui.
Upon returning to Luoyang, Huang An took the military families to the Xiliang army camp, while Zhao Xin brought the docunt to Zhao Hanzhang.
Holding the docunt, Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes seed to shine with a light as bright as the sun.
She turned and asked Ji Yuan, "Has the grain we purchased returned?"
Ji Yuan looked up at her and said, "It returned this morning, along with the cloth."
After all, preparations were being made for the Dragon Boat Festival, which was the following day, so the trade caravan dared not delay.
"Good!" Zhao Hanzhang said, "After the Dragon Boat Festival, let Second Son accompany the trade caravan, and let Yun Pass remain open between our two areas."
Zhao Xin responded, "Second Son? Wouldn’t he be unsuitable?"
He continued, "This is just a trade caravan, while Second Son currently holds the position of Prefectural Governor of Nanyang Country. Even if he doesn’t mind, the trade caravan needs soone shrewd, and Second Son might not be suitable."
Zhao Hanzhang and Ji Yuan both glanced at him, and Zhao Hanzhang said, "Who said I want Second Son to manage the trade caravan?"
"I rely want him to take the Zhao Family Army for a trip outside Chang’an, incidentally escorting the caravan."
Zhao Xin felt a bit embarrassed, realizing his thoughts were too shallow.
Ji Yuan asked, "How many troops does the lady want to give him?"
"Transfer three thousand from Xin’an, and an additional two thousand from my personal troops for him."
Zhao Xin realized that not only had he underestimated the situation, but he’d also been too timid.
Five thousand Zhao Family Army, mainly the elite surrounding Zhao Hanzhang and Zhao Erlang, could practically conquer Chang’an, could they not?
Conquering Chang’an wasn’t possible, but they could easily capture the cities towards Yongzhou and simultaneously open up trade routes.
Zhao Hanzhang walked to the map, pointed to a small section, and said, "Isn’t this route difficult to traverse?"
Fresh from the journey, Zhao Xin nodded, deeply understanding, "It’s plagued by refugees and bandits everywhere. Not to ntion ordinary caravans, even larger ones struggle to pass. We managed because of the Xiliang army’s protection, keeping both ends secure, deterring any trouble."
Zhao Xin sighed and said, "Even a large clan of a thousand people traveling together might be scattered by refugees and bandits when transiting this route, leading to the clan’s annihilation."
He paused, his voice low, "I heard that when disaster struck Luoyang, so aristocratic families fled west. Out of a thousand people, only about a hundred reached Chang’an alive."
"The rest either dispersed and beca refugees or perished." Witnessing such dire circumstances chilled Zhao Xin’s heart, fearing he saw the future of the Zhao Family.
The Zhao Family was larger than that aristocratic clan, but not infinitely so. If they couldn’t protect Yu State, they’d eventually have to flee, and could be scattered along the way.
Yet Zhao Hanzhang was not sorrowful. She contemplated this section of the road for a long ti and then said, "Seize it all!"
Ji Yuan said, "But we lack sufficient funds and provisions, and so many cities require a considerable number of troops to garrison; we’re short-handed already."
Though there were four large armies stationed around Luoyang, it wasn’t truly much. This vast land once boasted nearly a million people at its peak, but now, counting all soldiers, officials, and civilians, it barely reached thirteen or fourteen thousand.
There were only thirty thousand soldiers, and if they were dispersed, they couldn’t quickly co to aid if external enemies invaded the Yongzhou area.
Therefore, Ji Yuan advised against dispersing the troops further.
"Then let’s not follow the old policy of collecting refugees and recruiting soldiers," Zhao Hanzhang hardened her heart and said, "Establish military posts along the route, station troops, and drive away the refugees and bandits."
The cost of maintaining soldiers and refugees differed greatly; maintaining one soldier could provide relief for ten refugees.
So, this ti, she wouldn’t recruit soldiers or occupy entire cities. Instead, she would establish military posts, stationing between twenty and fifty soldiers at each post. The posts would aid one another, so if one ca under attack, neighboring posts could provide assistance.
This approach would reduce costs significantly.
Ji Yuan thought it over and felt this thod could be tested, but asked, "Where will they be driven to?"
Zhao Hanzhang lowered her eyes and said, "Those willing to migrate to Luoyang, we’ll accept in Luoyang. Those unwilling can settle wherever they choose or go to Chang’an or Shu."
"With only fifty people at each post, they are not easily defended," Ji Yuan said, "They dare to confront a clan of over a thousand; if they target these posts, even well-trained soldiers may not withstand them."
Zhao Hanzhang lowered her eyes, her voice calm, "Recently, we’ve recruited quite a few new soldiers. General Beigong always says training requires more than drills; it requires combat. Therefore, this route will be used for training."
Zhao Xin felt a chill in his heart; using the bandits along this route for training would result in many deaths, wouldn’t it?
Previously, Zhao Hanzhang chose to incorporate bandits into the army rather than kill them.
Zhao Xin hesitated to speak further.
Zhao Hanzhang looked at him sharply, "Does cousin have a superior plan?"
Zhao Xin said, "Didn’t you integrate them into your forces before? Why choose eradication now?"
Zhao Hanzhang sighed, "Maintaining soldiers requires funds. Right now, my resources are limited, so I have to eradicate rather than integrate. But if you can find a way to increase revenue, I might consider establishing two more armies."
Essentially, she would prefer to integrate rather than eradicate if she had the funds.
Zhao Xin lowered his eyes without speaking, and after a mont, saluted and withdrew.
Ji Yuan watched in amazent, "You think he has a way?"
Zhao Hanzhang said, "Let’s see; trying doesn’t cost anything."
In any case, she would carry on with eradication, "Invite Xie Shi over. This ti, he and Second Son will deploy troops, first eradicating the most heinous bandits along the way, those with blood on their hands. Leave the rest for training."
There was plenty of ti; it depended on whether Zhao Xin could find a way for the army to increase revenue, as she and Professor Fu were at a temporary impasse.
They did everything they could—always making money, but expenses always outstripped earnings.
Ji Yuan thought it over and said, "In this way, Mr. Xin seems even more compassionate than Mr. Kuan."
"Where did you see Zhao Kuan’s compassion?" Zhao Hanzhang was about to say more when she heard faint cries coming from the street.
Zhao Hanzhang was annoyed, "I knew he wasn’t compassionate at all. Why are they crying to again, didn’t I tell them to find Zhao Kuan?"
Ji Yuan remained expressionless and said, "Clearly, Zhao Kuan sent them back again; you were right—he has no compassion at all."
Truly inconsiderate of Zhao Hanzhang.
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