CHAPTER 343: CHAPTER 337: PERSUADING OTHERS BUT BEING PERSUADED INSTEAD

Under Fu Tinghan’s arrangement, early the next morning, new military equipment from Wushan was delivered. Zhao Hanzhang allocated it to two elite teams, while the remaining soldiers continued using old equipment.

Zhao Hanzhang donned her sword and strode out. Zhao Erlang, fully armored, followed closely behind her. Mrs. Wang stood inside the door, worried, sending them off. As the two approached, she forced a smile and said, "You must come back safely."

Zhao Hanzhang agreed, and Zhao Erlang thumped his chest soundly, "Mother, don’t worry, I’ll definitely protect my sister."

Mrs. Wang gently touched the red tassel on his helmet, "Listen well to your sister."

For the first time, Zhao Erlang was treated so tenderly by his mother that he felt slightly indulgent. He nodded vigorously, causing his helmet to collide with his mother’s hand, reddening it.

Mrs. Wang withdrew her hand with composure, yet the sadness lessened considerably. She said, "Go now, I’ll be waiting for you at home."

Fu Tinghan was already in the army early; when he saw the two arriving, he nodded, "Zhao Ju is counting the troops."

Inside and outside Xiping County, she left only two hundred people; all the others would go to war with her.

Fortunately, the autumn harvest was already over at this time, and their departure didn’t affect the harvest. However, it would soon be time for the winter wheat planting season.

Zhao Hanzhang felt troubled at the thought of unworked fields, so she instructed Chang Ning, "After I leave, you must continue to gather refugees and plant the winter wheat as best as you can. Don’t leave the land untended."

Chang Ning agreed.

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Human power is limited; we should raise more livestock and use animal power instead."

Chang Ning bowed and said, "I will instruct others to watch out for cattle, horses, and mules and try to raise more."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded.

With the soldiers and horses ready, Zhao Hanzhang rode to the front of the army, and looking at the well-disciplined troops, she spoke loudly, "This venture is not only to protect Yu State but also to preserve our Ru Nan County, to protect our parents and families!"

"Everyone has experienced the ravages of chaos, and many have lost family to marauding armies. Over the past year, the inhabitants of Ru Nan County have lived in peace and happiness, but now some seek to ruin our peace, dragging us back into war. Will the soldiers tolerate this?"

The army quickly erupted into angry shouts, loudly responding, "We will not tolerate it! We will not tolerate it! We will not tolerate it!"

"Great! Then let’s proceed to Chen County and keep these treacherous rebels outside Chen County!"

The entire army shouted three times in affirmation, and Zhao Hanzhang kicked her horse, issuing a somber command, "Move out!"

The adjacent messenger immediately blew a horn, signaling the entire army to move out.

Zhao Ming heard the mournful horn sound within the county city, stood up, and walked to the window, gazing far towards the city gate.

Zhao Cheng walked to his side, "Brother, if you can’t let go, why not go and see her off?"

Zhao Ming said, "This journey is uncertain between life and death, yet she took Erlang with her."

Zhao Ming said expressionlessly, "I underestimated her."

Zhao Cheng seemed gratified, "Indeed worthy of being Zhi Zhi’s daughter."

He glanced at Zhao Ming, saying, "You are concerned about the clan, while she cares for the world; there’s no conflict in this."

Zhao Ming knew this too; otherwise, he wouldn’t have sent Wang Nai and Xie Shi to her side.

The two were melancholic at the window when suddenly there was a commotion outside. Changqing hurried in, panting, "Master, Mr. Dong is over there; the steward is blocking him at the front."

Zhao Cheng wondered, "If he’s here, then he’s here, why block him?"

Changqing lowered his voice eight degrees, "Third Lady has sent Miss Yunxin to recruit soldiers, and this battle also involves the Sun family’s cousin. It’s said that Kuan Xiaolangjun will also lead troops to Chen County..."

Zhao Cheng frowned, "Having taken on official duties, it’s natural they follow orders. What’s there to dispute?"

Zhao Ming nodded seriously, and said to Zhao Cheng, "Go see Zhao Dong. I think these years managing affairs have made him utterly forget his books."

Zhao Cheng walked outside, and soon the sound of reprimand came from outside.

Although Zhao Dong was older than Zhao Cheng, he indeed feared this clan nephew. Primarily, Zhao Kuan was Zhao Cheng’s student...

Zhao Cheng said sternly, "Third Lady can lead troops into battle; why can’t Kuan’er and Yunxin recruit soldiers? Having assumed official duties, they must fulfill those responsibilities. Otherwise, resign early and let others take their place."

Saying here, Zhao Cheng’s face turned grim, and he scolded, "Do not become like Wang Yan’s ilk; if the Zhao Family produces such offspring, I’ll expel them from the clan!"

Zhao Dong nearly wept, stamping his foot, "But Brother Cheng, the battlefield spares none from sword and spear; even if we exclude Kuan’er, Yunxin is a young lady!"

"Isn’t Third Lady also a young lady?"

"Who can match her? She kills as if slicing melons, while our Yunxin hasn’t even killed a chicken."

Zhao Cheng got displeased. "Who is born knowing to kill? Wasn’t Third Lady once as delicate as Yunxin, unknowing of slaughter?"

"This, this... alas, you have no daughters, I can’t talk to you."

Zhao Cheng, however, turned away, "Clearly, you’re making a fuss without justification, hurry home, and don’t disturb Brother Ming’s peace."

"Suppose Yunxin and Kuan’er have an accident on the battlefield?"

Zhao Cheng’s face turned stern, with a serious look, "Then the clan will record them in the genealogy, write their biographies, and conduct offerings!"

He said, "In these chaotic times, aren’t there fewer deaths? With so many going to battle alongside them, it’s not just them dying, why should they alone avoid death?"

Zhao Dong stood with mouth agape, angrily sputtering, "You, you, Brother Cheng, don’t think just because you’re Kuan’er’s teacher, I won’t say anything; this hasn’t happened to you, but if it does..."

"You’re right," Zhao Cheng looked up at the sky, sighed deeply, "I’ve been muddled; at such critical moments, what can I do remaining within the clan?"

He stepped out and instructed his follower, "Go pack, we’re going to follow Third Lady."

This time, Zhao Dong was utterly stupefied.

The steward who came with Zhao Dong was also shocked, slumped to the ground, holding Zhao Dong’s leg, "Master, hurry and stop Mr. Cheng, if he leaves, the old Seventh Master will smash our home!"

Zhao Dong snapped out of it and immediately chased Zhao Cheng, "Brother Cheng, Brother Cheng, I was just joking, don’t take it seriously..."

Yet Zhao Cheng, if he could be persuaded, wouldn’t be Zhao Cheng. Regardless of Zhao Dong’s pleas, cries, or aggression, he couldn’t keep him.

When the Seventh Ancestor returned from collecting rent and learned that his son had taken his grandson to follow Zhao Hanzhang to the battlefield to protect Yu State, he weakened, blacked out, and nearly collapsed.

In fact, he did fall, but the quick-witted servants swiftly caught him in time.

Zhao Hu was revived with pressure on his philtrum, and once his spirit returned, he tremblingly instructed, "Hurry, hurry and bring them back to me."