CHAPTER 327: CHAPTER 321: SENTIMENTALITY SHORTENS LIFESPAN

Zhao Hanzhang was very pleased with their ability to recognize the situation, and handed Li Tianhe over to Liang Hong, saying to Liang Hong, "Li Tianhe is your support that I left for you, he will back you up, so you don’t have to fear anyone, just follow my orders and manage the people under your governance."

Liang Hong never expected that as a gentleman without a definite rank, he would become a County Magistrate, hence he was both excited and grateful, and he solemnly promised, "I shall certainly not fail the task entrusted to me by the County Chief."

Zhao Hanzhang also nodded solemnly at him.

To Li Tianhe, Zhao Hanzhang had only one sentence, "Build up military forces and store grain, and persist in training soldiers every day, even during busy farming seasons, no relaxation is allowed. The world is unstable now; you never know when you might be needed."

She said, "If you work hard today, your chances of surviving on the battlefield will be higher."

Li Tianhe also solemnly agreed.

Only then did Zhao Hanzhang continue on her inspection tour; on this occasion, she visited Queshan County, and after passing through Queshan County, she headed southeast to Zhengyang County...

It was currently the autumn harvest, and even though this year’s yield was quite average, with the production low due to eating many green seedlings during the summer, the presence of grains in the fields slightly calmed the anxiety among the people, and everyone continued to live in their shells, just muddling through.

Zhao Hanzhang walked through the area, inspecting the public sentiments and assessing the capabilities of the County Magistrate.

Since the matter of Zhao Hanzhang punishing County Magistrate Hu had long been circulating in Ru Nan County, the County Magistrates had been very compliant lately, regardless of whether they acknowledged Zhao Hanzhang as the female county chief or not, she held the official seal and legitimately managed them;

And since she had soldiers at her disposal and was fierce and ruthless, who dared provoke her?

Thus, during the month Zhao Hanzhang stayed in Biyang County, two County Magistrates resigned from Ru Nan County. Oh, one cannot say they ran away—the refined way to put it is they left with dignity.

They disdained being associated with Zhao Hanzhang, so they left their positions and returned home or wandered away.

Zhao Hanzhang did not send people to chase them, nor did she conduct a post-event reckoning; she ordered that the County Magistrates from two counties temporarily assume the position of County Magistrate to reassure the citizens and rectify the governance.

Through the policies Zhao Hanzhang implemented in Xiping, Shangcai, Yu Yang, and Sui Ping Biyang, officials in various counties comprehended the administrative characteristics of this new county chief.

She sympathized with the people, so whenever she arrived at a county, her first demand was to reassure the citizens.

The two County Magistrates were not foolish; they immediately took over the authority of the County Magistrate and personally went to the countryside to pacify the people.

The County Magistrate was originally someone who issued orders from the county office, while actual implementation depended on the County Magistrate and Chief Clerk and others.

Especially since officials in Great Jin take pride in elegance, looking down upon overly mundane responsibilities, so the people might be more familiar with the County Magistrate than the County Magistrate.

The County Magistrates personally appeared, and the restlessness among the citizens was reluctantly pacified a bit, especially as Zhao Hanzhang also ordered Xiping and Shangcai to provide them some grains, and they opened warehouses for relief, gradually bringing stability to the citizens.

The remaining three County Magistrates were as quiet as chickens, regardless of what they were like before; now they were very compliant.

Zhao Hanzhang specifically stayed in Biyang County for over a month to observe their reactions and handling of affairs.

From her continual inspections and assessments, she did not pursue past actions; as long as the quiet as chicken County Magistrates were willing and capable, she would treat them leniently;

If they couldn’t handle county affairs in over a month, it either indicated unwillingness or lack of capability.

And in the position of a County Magistrate, incapability and lack of ambition are equally intolerable, so Zhao Hanzhang replaced a County Magistrate.

However, this time she didn’t have anyone killed but directly said to the County Magistrate, "Sir is not fit for such pedestrian matters, why bother drifting in the mundane world?"

In other words, you are not suited to be an official, return home.

This Yu County Magistrate was also sensible; he didn’t make things difficult for everyone. When Zhao Hanzhang said so, he packed his bags and left with his family cheerfully.

Zhao Hanzhang even personally saw him off.

Standing by the carriage, the Yu County Magistrate looked up and down at Zhao Hanzhang, and since they were no longer in a superior-subordinate relationship, and she treated him politely, he did not present himself in a subordinate position, immediately displaying the demeanor of a gentleman.

He touched his small mustache and said with a smile, "With such toil, County Chief should be cautious not to meet an untimely end."

Wu Erlang and Ting He, following Zhao Hanzhang, immediately furrowed their brows, glaring fiercely at the other party, thinking he was cursing Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang only hesitated for a moment, then sighed with a knowing expression, "Sir understands me, but in my position, I must act for the welfare of the people—if it means meeting an untimely end, so be it."

The Yu County Magistrate was removed because he held the position but did not fulfill its duties. However, his behavior was still within Zhao Hanzhang’s tolerance, so she allowed him to leave peacefully; she didn’t want to establish the persona of a killing maniac.

The Yu County Magistrate’s smile was faint; after a serious look at Zhao Hanzhang, he took a step back, gave her a deep bow, and then turned to board the carriage and leave.

Zhao Hanzhang stood, received the salute, and watched him depart.

Seeing him lower the curtain, Mrs. Yu sighed, then asked, "Are you reluctant, dear husband?"

"Though losing a future is a pity, it’s not enough to sigh over," Yu County Magistrate stroked his mustache and said, "I just pity Zhao Hanzhang; she is too emotional, likely shortening her lifespan."

Mrs. Yu was bewildered, "Isn’t she set to marry the Fu Family? I even saw the eldest son of the Fu Family beside her yesterday. Did they fall out?"

No wonder Fu Tinghan wasn’t seen accompanying her today.

Yu County Magistrate: "I’m not talking about romantic emotions, but her compassionate heart towards the people. Alas, in such turbulent times, as she worries for the people, future hardship is inevitable, and a long lifespan seems improbable."

Mrs. Yu’s gaze flickered; after a pause, she lowered her voice and said, "But I heard that she also prohibits the Immortal Elixir, doesn’t consume it herself, and forbids others as well. Husband, is the Immortal Elixir real or false?"

"Of course it’s false. Otherwise, where does He Yan stand today?"

Mrs. Yu: "... Don’t fool me, if He Yan wasn’t killed, who knows if he couldn’t have lived a century?"

Yu County Magistrate: "True or false, you’ll know when you see uncle after a hundred years, to see if he becomes an immortal."

Mrs. Yu: "If he truly becomes immortal, could I see like an immortal myself?"

The couple bantered and gradually walked away, while Zhao Hanzhang was troubled over the selection of a new County Magistrate.

This Yu County Magistrate genuinely didn’t manage things properly, making county affairs chaotic, and Zhao Hanzhang dismissed the County Magistrate; upon investigation, she placed him directly in jail according to the law.

Therefore, Zhao Hanzhang not only lacked a County Magistrate now but also a County Magistrate.

Without talent, she began to ponder over her Zhao Family brothers, Zhao Hanzhang started listing names and even asked Fu Tinghan, "Who do you think is suitable?"

Fu Tinghan couldn’t tell, "If you cannot decide, then let them take exams."

Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes brightened, nodding repeatedly, "Good idea, then I will give them a few questions; hmm, you also give them some questions; as County Magistrates, they must at least know how to calculate land and taxes, right?"

Fu Tinghan didn’t hesitate to agree.

"Since we need exams, let’s not limit it to the Zhao Family, might as well announce it broadly and gather talents from across the land."

"Talents across the land?"

"Uh, Ru Nan County talents? Wouldn’t that be too limiting?" Zhao Hanzhang said reluctantly, "Or talents from all who come upon hearing the news?"

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