CHAPTER 341: CHAPTER 335: DEFECTION

"That’s right, war is a serious matter. You all go!" a lady shouted in agreement, "If the Xiongnu break through, none of us will survive, so you must stop them outside."

The crowd’s emotions rose higher, moving two steps closer to Chang Ning, shouting, "County Lord, take us in, we are not afraid of life or death!"

"Take us in, we are willing to follow the lady to the battlefield!"

The number of people gathered at the county government entrance increased, and Chang Ning, sweating on her forehead, had to turn back and say to the government official, "Quick, go and fetch the County Governor."

Zhao Hanzhang had already issued her orders for troop deployment. At that moment, she was checking military supplies with Fu Tinghan. Hearing the commotion outside the county government, she tilted her head to listen for a moment but didn’t take it to heart, knowing it was the sound of people demanding to fight; Chang Ning should be able to handle it.

But unexpectedly, a government official soon came to her, "County Governor, more and more people are surrounding the county government, all clamoring to enlist."

Zhao Hanzhang was taken aback and asked, "Are there many? The announcement was just posted..."

"Very many, and more are rushing over after hearing the news. It’s getting dark, and the County Lord is worried if the crowd doesn’t disperse, there will be big trouble."

Zhao Hanzhang thought for a moment and instructed the government official to light torches and go outside.

Zhao Hanzhang nodded to Fu Tinghan, then turned to leave.

Fu Tinghan thought for a moment, set down the accounts, and said, "I’ll go with you."

At this critical moment, he was also worried something might happen, hearing the loud commotion outside.

Two groups of government officials rushed out of the county government holding torches. They split into two paths, illuminating the citizens gathered at the entrance of the county government, unwilling to leave. Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan emerged from the main gate.

Wang Nai and Xie Shi, mingling in the crowd, looked up and saw her.

A young girl, accompanied by a handsome young man. No one would have guessed that the actual authority of Ru Nan County was so young, and now she could even impact the survival of Yu State, possibly even that of Great Jin.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled gently at the people below. Upon seeing her, Chang Ning immediately stepped aside respectfully, saluted, and said, "County Governor!"

Zhao Hanzhang nodded slightly, raised her hand to quiet the crowd clamoring to enlist, and said, "I have already heard your calls from within the county government and understand your intentions."

She nodded directly and said, "I accept you to join the army. Ru Nan County is everyone’s Ru Nan County, and Yu State is everyone’s Yu State. In times of life and death, no one can remain unaffected. However, I also have a few conditions."

She said, "Those enlisting, an only son may not join!"

The people below immediately caused an uproar, unwillingly saying, "Lady, although I am an only son, I must still protect my parents."

Zhao Hanzhang pressed her hand down, "This is just the first deployment. If we cannot stop them, there will surely be a second, third, or even more..."

The crowd fell silent at her words.

"If it truly comes to that, it won’t matter who is an only son. Even the elderly, women, and children will have to go to the battlefield," Zhao Hanzhang said gravely, "Not letting you go doesn’t mean there’s nothing for you to do. The soldiers need food; it’s getting cold, and they need bedding and warm clothes, as well as military supplies. All these need you to do from the rear, and this contribution is no less than fighting on the front line."

Zhao Hanzhang raised her hand and bowed deeply to the crowd, "You entrust your lives to us, we also entrust ours to you. Everyone, please!"

The citizens hurriedly returned the salute. Some knelt down and knocked their heads to Zhao Hanzhang, and others followed, so that in front of the county government, a crowd knelt down in an instant...

Wang Nai and Xie Shi, standing in the midst, immediately stood out, and Fu Tinghan’s gaze fell on them.

Zhao Hanzhang straightened up and saw the two as well. She didn’t know who they were, but judging by their demeanor, she knew they were not ordinary, so she nodded slightly to them and said to everyone, "The recruitment will be handled by County Lord Chang and will start tomorrow, so please come back tomorrow."

"Lady, are you leaving tomorrow?"

Zhao Hanzhang nodded.

The crowd immediately had tears in their eyes, especially the ladies, who began to cry, "You must return safely."

"Take care, Lady!"

Zhao Hanzhang nodded to the crowd, summoned Fan Ying who was waiting behind her, gestured toward Wang Nai and Xie Shi, and then turned back to the county government.

After Zhao Hanzhang entered the county government, Fan Ying bowed and then went to find Wang Nai and Xie Shi, "Gentlemen, our County Governor requests your presence."

The two exchanged a look, nodded slightly to Fan Ying, and followed her.

Seeing them fetch two good horses, with attendants following, Fan Ying showed no surprise and led them directly to the side courtyard of the county government.

Instead, Wang Nai glanced at her a few times, feeling her demeanor was not that of an ordinary maid, so he asked, "Are you with County Governor Zhao?"

Miss Fan was secretly pleased by his question, raising her chin, she replied, "Yes."

But her high-chinned demeanor convinced Wang Nai that she was not a maid!

Sure enough, the clerks approaching stopped, nodded to Fan Ying, "Secretary Fan."

Fan Ying nodded back, leading Xie Shi and Wang Nai to the side courtyard to meet Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang was talking to Fu Tinghan in the courtyard and turned at the sound.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled slightly and nodded to the two, "And you are?"

Wang Nai and Xie Shi said, "I am Wang Nai."

"I am Xie Shi."

Zhao Hanzhang appeared surprised, looked them over for a moment, then nodded with a smile, "So it’s you two gentlemen."

She apologized, "I received your message, and Uncle Ming also mentioned you. I was planning to visit you tomorrow, who knew it’s not convenient."

Xie Shi said, "Fighting the Xiongnu is a big matter. We are here to join County Governor Zhao, no need for you to come to us."

Zhao Hanzhang raised an eyebrow, asking, "You two want to join me on the battlefield?"

Wang Nai sensed her doubt, holding his sword, "Does County Governor Zhao want to test us?"

Zhao Hanzhang was eager to try, so she looked to Fu Tinghan.

Fu Tinghan understood, saying, "I’ll go check the warehouse, you go ahead."

Zhao Hanzhang then said to Wang Nai and Xie Shi, "Let’s go to the front courtyard, it’s spacious there. Someone, bring my..."

Seeing they had swords, Zhao Hanzhang changed her words, "Bring my sword."

Ting He responded and went to fetch the sword.

Fu Tinghan wasn’t worried about their sparring. Being busy, he didn’t watch and instead headed to the warehouse to check military supplies and then issued production tasks to Wushan.

While waiting for the sword, Zhao Hanzhang asked the two, "Why have you come to join me? Isn’t Mr. Wang from the Wang family and should be looking for Wang Situ?"

Before Wang Nai could speak, Xie Shi already snorted, "Different paths."

Zhao Hanzhang’s lips curled slightly, asking, "What do you two think our chances of success are in deploying troops to assist Chen County this time?"

Wang Nai and Xie Shi said nothing, their understanding of Zhao Hanzhang coming only from rumors; they didn’t know her true ability.

But judging by her handling of the situation just now and her attitude toward them, the two thought for a while and said, "About fifty percent."

Zhao Hanzhang was surprised, "Do you two really think so highly of me?"

"Originally, it was only thirty percent, but if it’s County Governor Zhao leading the troops, it should be fifty percent."