CHAPTER 271: CHAPTER 265: ONLY ONE LEFT

Zhao Hanzhang was here to give money to County Magistrate Chai.

Of course, this wasn’t her idea. As an upright, kind, and law-abiding person, how could she come up with such a corrupt method?

This was Ji Yuan’s idea. His exact words were, "The lady has too few people under her command, and there are too many things she wants to achieve. Relying solely on Xiping is not enough."

"And in Shangcai, not only do you have vast lands here, but the Zhao Family’s estates are also here. As long as County Magistrate Chai is willing, you can completely control Shangcai."

This was not difficult for them.

Oh, the estates actually belonged to her uncle Zhao Ji, who is now the Shangcai Marquis.

As the Shangcai Marquis, a significant portion of his salary came from the estates, such as the land tax, poll tax, and trade tax paid by the people from the estates, which belonged to him.

It’s equivalent to those people being the tenant farmers of the Shangcai Marquis.

However, isn’t he currently in Luoyang?

When Zhao Changyu was the Shangcai Marquis, the management of the estates in Shangcai was entrusted to Zhao Song. Every year, he would go to hand over with the Shangcai County Magistrate and collect the various taxes levied on the estates.

Now, Zhao Ji is the Shangcai Marquis. After a visit from Zhao Zhongyu’s aides last year, Luoyang tacitly agreed to let things in Shangcai remain unchanged.

Zhao Hanzhang asked Zhao Song for the management rights to the Shangcai estates, saying, "I have such a large estate there and frequent interactions with County Magistrate Chai. Whether I manage one or two, it’s the same, rest assured the annual taxes levied on the estates will not be less than previous years."

Knowing Zhao Hanzhang currently lacked no money, Zhao Song turned a blind eye and handed over the management rights to her.

Zhao Hanzhang returned to Shangcai, first inspecting the fields, then the Glazed Workshop and brick kiln, before finally heading to Shangcai County.

Shangcai County was quiet; hardly anyone could be seen on the streets.

Zhao Hanzhang sighed, "In such a situation, let alone paying taxes, it’s hard not to starve to death this year."

Ji Yuan nodded, "I think so too."

The two exchanged a glance, and Ji Yuan smiled, "That’s why we have an opportunity."

County Magistrate Chai was deeply troubled. In the past, he could discuss what to do with Chang Ning, but now he had no one to consult with.

At this moment, the urgently needed County Magistrate Chai realized that he probably couldn’t get Ji Yuan, so should he quickly recruit an aide?

But at this moment, where could he find a suitable aide?

Just as he was worrying, the Chief Clerk jogged in and said, "County Lord, Zhao Hanzhang and Ji Yuan have arrived."

As Zhao Hanzhang’s status stabilized, people rarely called her Third Sister Zhao anymore, switching to her courtesy name instead.

County Magistrate Chai blinked, "What is she coming for?"

He felt a chill down his spine, yet there was a bit of longing in his heart. Such complex emotions flooded his mind, making his eyes involuntarily redden, feeling inexplicably wronged.

It was she who snatched away Chang Ning!

Zhao Hanzhang led Ji Yuan inside with large strides and smiled warmly upon seeing County Magistrate Chai, "County Lord, how have you been?"

County Magistrate Chai forced a smile and invited Zhao Hanzhang into the front hall to sit, "Still managing, still managing. How come Third Lady has time to visit Shangcai? Isn’t Xiping busy?"

Zhao Hanzhang laughed, "It’s still before the year, not much to busy with. I heard the atmosphere in the manor was unstable, so I came back to have a look."

County Magistrate Chai couldn’t help but sourly remark, "In the entire county, the people in your manor are living the best. What instability could they have?"

Zhao Hanzhang sighed, "To be honest, County Lord, they are troubled by rumors, though not entirely baseless."

She explained, "Currently, some of the long-term workers and tenants in the manor were refugees taken in from outside, not from Shangcai, and some are not even from Ru Nan County. They fear I might dismiss them, hence the anxiety."

County Magistrate Chai coldly laughed inside, noting how Zhao Hanzhang last year took in so many refugees, yet officially reported only a fraction, hoarding hidden households to such an extent, would she then let them go?

Although County Magistrate Chai’s exterior remained stoic, finally, after leaving Chang Ning, he realized Zhao Hanzhang’s malicious intentions.

He glanced at Ji Yuan with regret, pitying how such a good person ended up serving a deceitful master like Zhao Hanzhang.

He took a sip of water, casually asking, "What can I do for you?"

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "County Lord, do you know where this rumor stemmed from?"

County Magistrate Chai shook his head honestly, "I don’t know."

Zhao Hanzhang was unfazed and continued, "It’s because of the estates."

She explained, "My Zhao Family has such a large estate in Shangcai. Even they’re struggling this year, and there are rumors outside that I intend to drive away the refugees in the manor for the sake of the people in the estates, to recruit them for work. Alas~"

County Magistrate Chai was stunned, his hand holding the teacup trembled. He quickly said, "Even though it’s your Zhao Family’s estate, it’s different from a fief. You can only collect the taxes payable for that year; you have no right to manage it."

"True, but they have supported my Zhao Family’s estate since their great-grandfathers. Their ancestors provided grain and taxes for us Zhao’s. Now seeing their hardship, how can one do nothing?"

County Magistrate Chai feared she would turn the estate into an actual fief. If it merged with her large manor, plus her lands elsewhere in Shangcai, nearly a third of Shangcai’s land would be in her hands. How could he manage as a County Magistrate then?

Therefore, he wanted to imply that she should just calmly wait for taxes post-summer and autumn harvests.

Before he could speak, Ji Yuan, seated modestly next to Zhao Hanzhang, glanced expressionlessly at the Chief Clerk standing behind County Magistrate Chai.

The Chief Clerk quietly stopped County Magistrate Chai, whispering, "Why reject Zhao Hanzhang’s goodwill? Though she may have ulterior motives, she can solve our county government’s urgent crisis."

County Magistrate Chai swallowed the words he was about to utter.

He quietly glanced at the Chief Clerk, found an excuse, and left first.

Zhao Hanzhang watched him leave with the Chief Clerk, couldn’t help but look around, and leaned close to Ji Yuan, whispering, "Sir, how many people have you bribed in this county government?"

Ji Yuan smiled at her, replying, "Except for County Magistrate Chai, everyone else is already in the trap. Soon enough, I think County Magistrate Chai will be, too. Congratulations, my lady."

Zhao Hanzhang relished the words, clicking her tongue twice in her heart.

The Chief Clerk was talking ill of Zhao Hanzhang, "Zhao Hanzhang has ill intentions, most likely eyeing our Shangcai people."

County Magistrate Chai nodded repeatedly; he thought so too.

"But right now, only she can help the County Lord and Shangcai," the Chief Clerk said, "Though it’s like skinning a tiger, County Lord is still the County Lord of Shangcai. If spring plowing fails and autumn harvest is insufficient this year, the court might hold him accountable. By then..."

Shangcai is located in the Central Plains, but life these past two years hasn’t been easy. Not only do Xiongnu’s armies occasionally come to harass, but also rogue troops from all over. Especially up north in Puyang and Yan State, frequently at internal strife, ending up fighting in Yu State.

They often come during summer and autumn harvests, with scattered refugees stealing grain everywhere, causing heavy losses to the people and insufficient taxes year after year.