Zhao Erlang’s cheeks were rosy, and his eyes shone brightly as he stared at Beigong Chun.
Regarding this Great General who defeated his sister several tis, Zhao Erlang held him in great reverence. Therefore, when Beigong Chun hinted that he had sothing to discuss, Zhao Erlang eagerly followed him out without a second thought.
Zhao Erlang was so innocent and trusting, which made Beigong Chun unwilling to deceive him. So, he straightforwardly brought up the bandits at Hai’er Ridge.
Zhao Erlang found it familiar, tilted his head, and after thinking for a mont said, "I know, my brother-in-law just ntioned it to my sister today."
Upon hearing this, Beigong Chun paused and then asked, "So, does the Second General plan to eliminate the bandits?"
"Naturally," Zhao Erlang answered seriously, "My sister said that road is now a new trade route, with many rchants from the Northern Land entering Luoyang through it. If the bandits are left unchecked, who would dare to co? So, we must eliminate them."
Beigong Chun opened his mouth but felt a bit embarrassed.
If Zhao Erlang was unaware of the situation, he could propose joining him for the bandit extermination. But since he knew, it was not appropriate for Beigong Chun to suggest it.
He was silent for a while, thinking of the recently arrived families in the army. Having just co from Xiliang, they were already fearful. If the n couldn’t even provide their settlent allowance, how could these families feel secure in making a ho here?
With empty grain bins and even lacking bedding, their lives had worsened instead of improving by coming to Luoyang - they might as well have stayed in Xiliang.
Hence, Beigong Chun steeled his resolve and, shalessly, suggested, "Second General, why not let my Xiliang army join you in eliminating these bandits?"
Zhao Erlang’s eyes lit up and he nodded repeatedly, "Good, good."
Beigong Chun hadn’t expected such a quick agreent. Fearing Zhao Erlang might not understand the implications, he paused before saying, "About the spoils of the bandit hideout..."
Zhao Erlang, without hesitation, said, "We’ll split them evenly."
Beigong Chun, pleased, patted his shoulder heavily and said, "Second General, from now on, you’re like a younger brother to . If you ever need anything, just call on ."
Zhao Erlang’s eyes sparkled, "Then could you teach spear techniques and spar with like you do with my sister?"
Beigong Chun agreed without issue. An exercise, after all, was akin to training troops, a good way to pass the ti when there was no battle.
"This matter should be done sooner rather than later. Who knows how many more people these bandits might harm if left alone," Beigong Chun said. "How about we set out tomorrow?"
Zhao Erlang agreed imdiately, "I’ll have people return to Xin’an to mobilize troops now, and have them wait at the border. We’ll et at dawn tomorrow."
"No, no, there’s no need to et up," Beigong Chun said. "I’ve consulted with two locals about Hai’er Ridge. While there are many paths up the mountain, there’s really only one place that’s suitable as a bandit hideout. It’s easy to defend but hard to attack. We can strike from two points..."
With plans to eliminate the bandits in mind, Beigong Chun naturally had to learn about Hai’er Ridge’s geography and terrain.
He crouched down with Zhao Erlang, picked up a stick, and started drawing on the ground. "This is Hai’er Ridge. I’ve found out that there’s a path up the mountain from the northeast coming from Xin’an..."
After drafting an initial battle plan, Beigong Chun said, "Since the Second General has agreed, I’ll send scouts to investigate the mountain. If there are no discrepancies, we’ll proceed according to this plan; if new information arises, we’ll adapt accordingly."
Zhao Erlang nodded in agreent repeatedly.
Having settled it with him, Beigong Chun walked away happily.
Zhao Erlang was equally joyful, his smile blossoming like a flower.
When Xie Shi ca over, he promptly asked, "Erlang, what makes you so happy?"
Zhao Erlang did not hide it and cheerfully explained, "Tomorrow, I’m going with General Beigong to eliminate bandits. General Beigong also promised to teach his spear techniques after eliminating the bandits and to spar with just like he does with my sister, as if we were in battle."
Xie Shi was slightly taken aback, "Eliminate bandits where?"
"At Hai’er Ridge."
"Hai’er Ridge?" Xie Shi was unaware of the bandit issues at Hai’er Ridge, so he asked, "Does the Magistrate know of this?"
"Yes, she does," Zhao Erlang replied directly, "I was nearby when my brother-in-law spoke to my sister about this earlier, and she wants to join General Beigong to eliminate the bandits."
Xie Shi felt relieved and said with a smile, "In that case, just follow the Magistrate’s orders."
Zhao Kuan finally got a chance to speak privately with Zhao Hanzhang about the Gao Hui caravan, saying, "...I find this caravan sowhat suspicious. Should the Magistrate dispatch soone to investigate? Regarding the workshop..."
"There’s no problem at the workshop," Zhao Hanzhang knew what his suspicions were and casually picked a large rose. "As for the Gao Hui caravan, there’s no need to worry about them. Allow them ease when entering and leaving the city where possible. If not, simply enforce the laws."
Zhao Kuan blinked, deep in thought.
Zhao Hanzhang didn’t give him long to ponder and said, "Let’s go. As the Luoyang County Magistrate, the people seated at today’s banquet are your responsibility. You may be humble, but never self-deprecating. I heard that recently a few soldiers under Yuan Li caused trouble in the city, and Yuan Li ca to collect them. Did you let them go?"
Zhao Kuan snapped back and quickly said, "Two squad leaders and a few troopers were having drinks off-duty and got into an altercation over the bill. The patrolling governnt official detained them, and when General Yuan noticed their absence during training, he ca to take them back."
Zhao Hanzhang asked, "Were they penalized?"
Zhao Kuan hesitated before saying, "No, I had to give Yuan Li face."
"Next ti, there’s no need to," Zhao Hanzhang said. "It’s not just about Yuan Li. Even if it’s Zeng Yue and Erlang, don’t give them face either."
"Luoyang City is only so big. If you give face today, will you have to give face tomorrow? If everyone needs face, then they’ll strip of mine," Zhao Hanzhang said coldly. "Next ti, when you give them face, you’re slapping mine."
Zhao Kuan shivered and nodded with his head down, "Yes."
Zhao Hanzhang saw another large pink rose and picked it. Holding two large roses, she returned to the banquet.
A number of people surrounded Mr. Ji, but only two sat by Fu Tinghan, discussing the water mill.
When Zhao Hanzhang arrived, the two stood up, greeted her, and stepped aside.
Zhao Hanzhang casually placed a red rose in a porcelain vase on the table and handed the pink rose to Ji Yuan, "Didn’t you say earlier you wanted a flower to pin but had none, Mr. Ji? How about this one?"
Ji Yuan glanced at the flower and smiled, "Not bad."
He accepted the flower, requested scissors from an attendant, carefully trimd it, then snipped the bloom off. He asked for a mirror and, before all the guests, pinned it himself.
After pinning, he asked Zhao Hanzhang, "What does the lady think?"
Zhao Hanzhang nodded with a smile and praised, "Looks good."
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