The refugees, regardless of age, decided to follow Zhao Hanzhang.
Zhao Hanzhang didn’t waste words and imdiately asked them to help pack up and prepare to leave.
Her orders ca urgently, and her actions were swift. Those who had been soldiers were unfazed; they were accustod to following orders and imdiately set about packing upon receiving her command. But the bandits were different.
They were not used to it, and their hos were here.
Indeed, the bandit hideout was their ho.
Even if they had to leave, they thought it should be done slowly. It’s not as simple as just leaving; they hadn’t ntally prepared themselves.
So their movents were particularly sluggish, displaying their unwillingness in full.
Zhao Hanzhang noticed this and turned to Shi Hongtu, saying, "Take a few people to approach them and talk more about how we are sheltering refugees and the preferential treatnt for the dependents of the military advisors."
There’s nothing interests can’t sway, and if they can’t, it’s because the interests aren’t enticing enough.
Shi Hongtu accepted the order and left, while Fu Tinghan said, "It might rain tonight."
Zhao Hanzhang glanced outside and saw the sunlight was perfect, with no sign of rain, but she decided to trust Fu Tinghan. She thought for a mont and said, "Then we’ll stop here for the night and leave early tomorrow morning."
Fu Tinghan nodded and asked, "Should we send soone ahead to inform the army? I just took a tour; there’s not even a single cow in this bandit hideout."
No cows, no donkeys, and certainly no horses. They still had to move on foot. Zhao Hanzhang was carrying an injury, and Fu Tinghan didn’t want her to move too much, lest she aggravate the wound.
Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze was deep, considering more factors. She nodded to Fu Tinghan and quietly called over five soldiers from the Zhao Family Army who had previously been captured by Shi Jian.
She prepared rations, weapons, and armor for them, handed them a secret letter, and ordered them to leave the mountains imdiately, "Deliver the letter personally to Mr. Ji’s hands."
The soldiers accepted, packed up the parcels, carefully placed the letter inside their clothing, and quietly withdrew.
Zhao Hanzhang watched them leave, and once she confird they safely descended the mountain, she relaxed into her chair, lowering her eyes in thought.
Shi Le had many generals under his command, and they were scattered now. Not everyone agreed with his decisions, especially since she didn’t know if there were any followers of Liu Cong among them.
Therefore, she must quickly and safely bring Shi Le back, then swiftly and smoothly complete the surrender.
Zhao Hanzhang finished her considerations, lightly tapping her knee with her fingers as she smiled, getting up to find Shi Le.
Shi Le was seriously injured and only accompanied Zhao Hanzhang to briefly et his forr soldiers before being taken down to rest.
Zhao Hanzhang ca over and didn’t see Shi Le, but instead first saw A Wei hiding behind a pile of straw.
Yu Fang followed her closely; Shi Hongtu had tasks to attend to, so Yu Fang served as her guard.
Zhao Hanzhang saw the furtive A Wei and approached to pat him on the shoulder.
A Wei jumped, leaping backward, and turned with his hands ready in defense.
Zhao Hanzhang: "...What are you sneaking around for?"
A Wei imdiately lowered his guard and leaned in closer, whispering, "Lady, it’s not being sneaky; it’s Shi Jian. I just saw Shi Jian sneak off to et Shi Le."
Ever since learning Shi Le’s identity, he imdiately abandoned Fu Tinghan, whom he had always looked down upon, and focused on monitoring Shi Le.
He quietly reported, "Lady, I think they’re definitely plotting against you. Seriously, Shi Le is so brutal, how could he possibly submit to you?"
Zhao Hanzhang smiled at him, nodded to show she understood, and then said, "I believe in General Shi."
A Wei looked disapproving and wanted to say more, but Zhao Hanzhang asked, "How long has Shi Jian been inside?"
A Wei imdiately replied, "Nearly half an hour. He saw everything. He just brought the refugees over, then ca here, went inside and didn’t co out."
Zhao Hanzhang nodded and stepped forward toward the house.
A Wei imdiately followed, "Lady, do you want to bring more people? Shi Le has several soldiers by his side, I’ve heard they were his forr subordinates, they’re very dangerous."
Zhao Hanzhang certainly knew that those people were chosen by her to be by Shi Le’s side, ostensibly to take care of him, but in fact to protect him.
Before Zhao Hanzhang could walk over, Shi Jian angrily slamd the door and walked out without noticing Zhao Hanzhang approaching from the other side. He turned furiously and walked in the opposite direction.
Zhao Hanzhang raised her eyebrows, her steps unhurried as she continued forward, standing at the door watching Shi Jian’s disappearing figure. She said to A Wei, "You have quite the skill for tailing people; I have a task for you."
A Wei’s eyes lit up, his body imdiately straightening up as he desperately wanted to loudly reply to her. He was just about to shout when he saw her place her finger on her lips, at which point he suppressed his excitent and quietly replied, then lowered his voice in an eager manner, "Lady, just instruct as you wish, I’ll complete it even if it costs my life!"
Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but laugh, "No need to risk your life, safety is still the priority."
She pointed her chin forward in the direction of Shi Jian’s disappearance, "Tail him, see who he ets and what he does. If he sends letters out, intercept them if you can; if not, inform so I can be ntally prepared."
A Wei accepted the task and imdiately went to pursue Shi Jian.
Watching his energetic deanor, Zhao Hanzhang shook her head with a smile, turned around and pushed open the door to see Shi Le.
Shi Le’s face still hadn’t shed its angry expression, while the two soldiers at his side silently unwrapped his bandages and applied dicine. Upon seeing Zhao Hanzhang, they imdiately stood up, respectfully wanting to step aside. They hesitated, realizing Shi Le might be more important, and then attempted to sit back down to continue tending to his injuries...
But having already stood up, it seed inappropriate not to make way, leaving them in a dilemma.
Shi Le: ...
He couldn’t help but glance up at Zhao Hanzhang. These two were remnants of the Shi Army, specially chosen by Zhao Hanzhang to care for him, and he had to admire her eye for talent.
These two were loyal to him and would take good care of him, so therefore, he felt appreciative towards her;
But they were Han people, and toward Jin, and Zhao Hanzhang naturally had a sense of reliance. When Shi Jian proposed defying Zhao Hanzhang and killing her earlier, there was clear fear and anger on the faces of these two;
Clearly, compared to Liu Cong and even compared to him, they preferred being part of the Zhao Family Army.
Placing these two by his side not only protected him but also monitored him – a multi-layered approach that few could match in terms of insight.
Shi Le suppressed the admiration and jealousy in his heart, calmly asked her, "When does Lord Zhao plan to depart?"
"Tomorrow morning."
Shi Le was slightly surprised, "I thought Lord Zhao would depart overnight."
Zhao Hanzhang sighed, "The weather is unfavorable; there’s rain tonight."
Shi Le turned to look out the window, seeing the sunlight streaming in, his expression doubtful.
But that night, as soon as it grew dark, the winds picked up, growing stronger and stronger. Within fifteen minutes, heavy rain began to fall.
It was truly a downpour, with the rain hitting the straw roof as if threatening to break through it.
Listening to the rain, Shi Le felt a growing sense of unease.
His intuition had always been spot on, allowing him to evade many fatal disasters.
After a mont of hesitation, he still had soone inform Zhao Hanzhang of his premonition.
Having just learned Shi Jian sent a Hu Soldier out, Zhao Hanzhang watched the rain with a smile and nodded, "I understand. Please tell General Shi he can rest and recover. With here, he’ll be fine."
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