CHAPTER 450: CHAPTER 444: TACT

Zhao Hanzhang had no intention of making things difficult for the young girl, but her words were not light, especially toward Yin Sheng, "It is indeed your fault, teaching by example. You are so extravagant and cannot fully commit to your duties. The children are young, and naturally, they won’t learn well from you."

Yin Sheng bowed his head and replied, "Yes," indicating he would definitely make amends.

Seeing his tactfulness, Zhao Hanzhang smiled slightly and said to him, "Forget it, as long as you correct your mistakes, it’s fine. As for punishment, we’ll discuss it tomorrow. Since you’ve already taken the day off, don’t waste this fine time and come sit down; let’s have a drink together."

Yin Sheng quietly let out a sigh of relief. Although Zhao Hanzhang mentioned punishment, the fact that she refrained from acting immediately meant there was room for maneuver.

He agreed with a smile, turned his head, and saw his daughter still standing there, sternly saying, "What are you standing there for? Hurry and step back!"

Yin Ying’s face burned red with embarrassment and guilt, her eyes were red.

As she turned to leave, Zhao Hanzhang stopped her and said earnestly, "Young lady, you’re still young. It’s not serious to have misconceptions. Read more books and see more of the outside world."

"Understanding this world relies not only on your father and brothers but also on your own eyes and heart," Zhao Hanzhang said, "I hope you can grow up to be a knowledgeable, broad-minded, and compassionate woman."

Yin Ying stared at her in surprise.

Mrs. Yin saw her daughter standing there in a daze and was a bit anxious. She glanced at her husband and had to step out from under the veranda. After quickly saluting Zhao Hanzhang, she took her daughter’s hand and left.

A group of ladies and women regretfully retreated back to the garden, their faces still showing a hint of excitement.

Several young women couldn’t contain their excitement and gathered together, "Is that Zhao Hanzhang? She’s so young; she looks about our age."

"She is so beautiful, so valiant. When she looked at me, I almost couldn’t breathe."

"How ungracious! My heart was just beating a bit faster."

"Uncle Yin seems very afraid of her."

"Not just Uncle Yin, other uncles seem afraid too."

It’s no wonder, Zhao Hanzhang appeared suddenly and initially caught them off guard, but anyone holding an official position would not lack intelligence. Almost instantly, everyone thought of why Pei He resigned.

Especially after Zhao Hanzhang frankly admitted that she knew about Pei He’s resignation, everyone couldn’t help but feel a twinge of anxiety.

They didn’t know Zhao Hanzhang, but they knew Pei He.

Zhao Hanzhang, who could make Pei He resign without a word, must be terrifying.

Indeed, they were already convinced that Pei He’s resignation was because of Zhao Hanzhang. Otherwise, they couldn’t think of any reason for Pei He to resign.

Yin Sheng was anxious; he now had only one thought, to keep his position, to hell with promotions, which, although tempting, were no longer realistic.

The officials... had the same thought as Yin Sheng; surviving and keeping their positions was enough.

The most terrifying thing in the world is the unknown.

They didn’t know Zhao Hanzhang, so they could only deduce her character from rumors.

They knew she was a great fighter, previously killing the Xiongnu general Liu Jing and driving back the Jiehu general Shi Le; later, she protected Yu State with great success.

Not to mention, her defending Yu State alone could make her name remembered in history.

So no one dared to underestimate her because of her age and gender.

Besides, there was the matter of her ruthlessly killing Governor Zhang.

Although the official explanation was that Governor Zhang died of illness, everyone in the Yu State’s officialdom knew how Governor Zhang died.

At the time, there was also support from Nanyang Country on the front line, and an Assistant General who had the fortune to attend the banquet returned to narrate the events vividly.

It is said that when Zhao Hanzhang drew her sword, she still wore a faint smile.

So who would dare provoke Zhao Hanzhang?

What made them most uneasy was why Pei He resigned. They asked themselves this important question three times, sneaking a glance at Zhao Hanzhang. Still, they didn’t have the courage to ask aloud.

Zhao Hanzhang waited for the refugees outside to have a full meal, so she was not in a hurry to leave. She enthusiastically invited the Prefectural Governor to her side and called other officials over to chat as well.

"With Prefectural Governor Pei resigning, who is in charge of the warehouse now?"

The Prefectural Governor bowed to indicate it was him.

Zhao Hanzhang began inquiring about the warehouse’s situation, "This year, all of Yu State has had a hard time, but Nanyang Country has fortunately avoided becoming a battlefield and is in a much better position compared to other counties. What is the situation in the country?"

The Prefectural Governor replied, "Each county is relatively stable, and the warehouses have surplus grain. This winter, many merchants have come to Nanyang Country, and it is quite prosperous."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded with a smile, "It’s good that it’s prosperous. What kinds of taxes are levied on passing merchants in the county?"

This was familiar territory for the Prefectural Governor, who spoke eloquently. Meanwhile, the Household Department official broke into a cold sweat, perhaps the Prefectural Governor forgot, after this winter, Zhao Hanzhang ordered the reduction and remission of commercial taxes for all counties in Yu State, exempting all taxes except for commercial taxes.

Zhao Hanzhang listened attentively, nodding from time to time.

From commercial taxes, the discussion moved to agricultural affairs. The Prefectural Governor stated that since Nanyang Country wasn’t affected by war, winter planting proceeded as usual, and grain taxes for the coming year would not be an issue.

Zhao Hanzhang nodded and smiled, and as dusk fell, Qiu Wu came in to quietly report, "Everyone has eaten."

Only then did Zhao Hanzhang rise and, smiling at Yin Sheng, said, "Seeing Nanyang Country so prosperous, I am relieved. On my way here, I saved over a thousand refugees, all elderly, women, and children. In such a harsh winter, leaving them to fend for themselves could lead to their death from cold or hunger. I couldn’t bear it, so I brought them along."

"Coming to Nanyang Country, I have some concerns, fearing I might impose a heavy burden on you," Zhao Hanzhang said with a smile, handing over the thousand or so people to the Prefectural Governor, "You don’t have to treat them too kindly, just find some rooms for them to stay, ensure warmth, and provide two bowls of porridge daily."

The Prefectural Governor forced a smile and agreed, then wiped the sweat from his forehead after Zhao Hanzhang left.

"Prefectural Governor, quickly go and see the envoy off."

He then reacted, hastily moving to catch up. As he hurried outside, he only managed to see Zhao Hanzhang getting into a carriage gracefully, quickly raising his voice to ask, "May I know where the envoy is staying? "

Zhao Hanzhang turned back, smiling gently, "I am staying at the Governor Mansion, if there’s anything, come find me there."

The Prefectural Governor realized this, hastily bowing and replying, "Yes!"

Zhao Hanzhang led everyone to move into the now-empty Governor Mansion.

Actually, it wasn’t exactly empty; Pei He was very sensible. When he left, he didn’t empty the place. Some of the harder-to-move items were left behind, not to mention the warehouse still had quite a bit of grain and money left.

The Prefectural Governor and others very much wanted to take these, but Pei He had left so strangely, and although everyone was concerned, they decided to watch and wait first. So, nothing inside was moved; everyone had people stationed to guard against theft.

Zhao Hanzhang naturally assumed these things were left for her. As soon as she entered the Governor Mansion, she dismissed the remaining guards and had her five hundred personal soldiers take over.

No one dared to voice any objections, and the servants quickly left.