Zhao Hanzhang left Zeng Yue to accompany Fu Tinghan in leading the main army back, while she and Zhao Kuan returned to Yu State ahead of ti.
Zu Ti and Zhao Yigui escorted them outside the city; once she left, he would take over the affairs of Jizhou.
Tiao County and Fucheng were missing a County Magistrate and several officials. Zhao Hanzhang allowed him to find suitable candidates. If he couldn’t find anyone suitable by the ti she returned to Yu State, she would select people to co over.
The Xiongnu had been pacified, and there were significantly fewer refugees on the road. Ever since Zhao Hanzhang’s "Letter to the People" circulated throughout the realm, the number of refugees heading south decreased significantly. Most people chose to trust Zhao Hanzhang and stayed to await the arrangents of the governnt.
Zhao Hanzhang galloped by on horseback, causing the refugees to scatter and run. So, feeling they couldn’t escape, shivered and huddled by the roadside to avoid her. She did not stop, only adjusted her horse’s speed upon seeing people, to avoid running into them.
The refugees huddled by the roadside felt Zhao Hanzhang’s thoughtfulness. Even when carts couldn’t be fully moved to the side, she gently steered her horse around them without getting angry, killing, or looting.
It was then that soone noticed the large "Zhao" character on the flag. Their numb faces lit up with smiles, and they waved vigorously at her, unafraid of the dust, shouting "Great General."
Seeing this, a warm current seed to flow through Zhao Hanzhang’s heart. In a rush, she waved back at them and continued with the cavalry.
As the army passed by the refugees, villages, and towns, it was indeed as the rumors said: the Zhao Family Army did not offend even a single hair. The news spread faster than the progress of the Zhao Family Army. Thus, when they encountered refugees again, fewer people ran away; most just moved to the roadside and watched them pass by.
Ming Yu, walking on the road, heard this news, and couldn’t help but smile, saying to those around him, "The Governor’s speed is indeed swift, it seems the negotiations in Shanggu County went smoothly. Why don’t we wait here and return with the main army?"
Those around him said, "There is news now, but it will probably take days for the main army to catch up. We are close to ng County, why not go back first?"
Ming Yu was pondering this when he suddenly felt a vibration on the ground. His expression changed slightly, a chill running down his spine as he asked, "What’s that sound?"
His trusted aide imdiately lay on the ground to listen, then jumped up and said, "It’s cavalry, and not few in number, over three thousand by the sound of it."
Ming Yu, incredulous, said, "We are near Yu State, where could such a large number of unknown cavalry co from?"
The lead Assistant General, Cheng Da, ran over and said, "Please, sir, take temporary refuge."
Even as he spoke, he was organizing the entire army for defense. The cavalry approached so fast they didn’t know if they were friend or foe and decided to be cautious.
However, Cheng Da’s heart was pounding in fear.
Because this troop only had about a thousand soldiers, the rest were logistics, civil servants, and a few docunts, military supplies, and coffins to be taken back to Yu State...
Indeed, the coffins of Zhao Zhongyu and Zhao Ji, along with several prominent ministers, were all being sent back to Yu State together with the emperor’s coffin.
Ming Yu hadn’t followed Zhao Hanzhang to the negotiations in Shanggu County. He and the logistics and civil servants returned to Yu State first because they had so much to carry, and there were many people. Most of them were in administrative roles; although they were not incapable of riding and shooting, they had little use for such skills.
They followed Zhao Hanzhang because news from all over the country needed to be compiled for her to handle. Thus, this troop was equivalent to a small court.
To reduce issues such as food consumption, they didn’t follow Zhao Hanzhang to Shanggu County but instead returned to Yu State with Ming Yu.
Unexpectedly, after traveling safely all the way, an incident occurred just as they approached Yu State.
Everyone was on high alert, then they saw a single rider appear at the end of the road. Before they could even make out the figure, they saw the fluttering "Zhao" character flag. Ming Yu’s expression relaxed, and Cheng Da’s eyes lit up, imdiately organizing the team to orderly retreat to the sides.
As the cavalry drew closer, Cheng Da recognized Zhao Hanzhang on horseback and spread a welcoming smile, but Zhao Hanzhang simply avoided to the side, waved her hand, and instructed Zhao Kuan to continue moving forward.
Zhao Kuan did not pause, only reduced speed and led the main army through.
Ming Yu sensed sothing was wrong seeing them with only one rider and asked promptly as Zhao Hanzhang paused, "Has sothing happened in Yu State?"
Zhao Hanzhang paused then said, "No, but there was an insurgence in Tiao County, though it has already been suppressed."
Ten days prior, Ming Yu and his group had passed through Wuyi County and even stayed in Xindu for two days to gather information about the counties in Jizhou before continuing southward. They were unaware of the rebellion in Tiao County. Upon hearing this, they beca anxious and asked, "Were there many casualties?"
Zhao Hanzhang reassured him, "Not too many; they surrendered quickly. Unfortunately, the county magistrates of Tiao County and Fuxian died defending the city."
Ming Yu knew them well; during the selection process, he and Zhao Hanzhang had evaluated them together. One was nad Zhao Jiashi, and the other was Zhao Yicheng. Both were outstanding students from Yushan Hall, loyal to Zhao Hanzhang.
Hearing this, Ming Yu felt troubled and realized, "Could it be that soone deliberately incited trouble, and you’re concerned the sa might happen in Yu State?"
Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "To attack Youzhou and pacify the Xiongnu, the main forces are abroad, and Yu State currently has only one Zhao Family Army."
Ming Yu said, "But there is Xun Xiu’s Xun Family Army too. Your prestige in Yu State is imnse, and the Zhao Family has long been established there. Even if soone incites rebellion, they certainly couldn’t threaten Your Majesty."
Zhao Hanzhang said nothing, her face stern.
Ming Yu pondered slightly and then, alard and fearful, whispered, "Could it be Xun Xiu..."
Zhao Hanzhang said, "I must leave ahead, sir, travel safely."
Ming Yu had no desire to travel slowly anymore and imdiately pulled a horse from the team, "Governor, I will travel with you back."
Zhao Hanzhang said, "We are two riders with one horse, not stopping along the way, directly changing horses. Sir, with a single horse, you cannot match our speed."
Ming Yu imdiately took another horse from his escorts and said, "I too, have two horses."
Ming Yu’s entourage grew anxious, looking around left and right but unable to find suitable horses.
Because all they had were draft horses for pulling things. Besides a few who had their own horses, the rest either crowded onto ox carts and draft horse carts or relied on their own two legs.
This was indeed one reason why their marching speed was so slow.
Ming Yu mounted a horse and called to his anxious attendants, "You go with the main army."
With that, he led the horse to catch up with Zhao Hanzhang.
Zhao Hanzhang chased after the main group, and Ming Yu spurred his horse to follow, shouting questions at her, "Governor, have you sent soone back with the news?"
Zhao Hanzhang replied, "A ssenger has been sent ahead."
If Xun Xiu harbored no such intentions, all the better; they could guard against others instead. But if he did, they hoped the ssenger would arrive ahead, letting him know she was returning and thus, hopefully, discourage any rash actions.
Unfortunately, the ssenger was still a step too slow.
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