CHAPTER 513: CHAPTER 507: DIFFERENT THOUGHTS

Upon hearing this, everyone knelt down in a rush, "Greetings to Lord Zhao."

Zhao Hanzhang raised her hand to let everyone rise, carefully observing these refugees from Luoyang. Their clothes were tattered, faces wax yellow, and expressions numb.

Indeed, those with some assets either fled on their own or followed Prince East Sea. How would they stay in Luoyang?

Those left behind were those who couldn’t leave.

Zhao Hanzhang sighed and said to them, "Spring has arrived; as the saying goes, a year’s plan starts in spring. No matter how difficult it is, do not forget to farm. I will allocate a piece of land for you to cultivate, and provide you with seeds. This year’s harvest will be yours in its entirety for settling down; the court will not take a single grain."

The crowd showed some change in their expressions but remained silently watching her. Zhao Hanzhang said, "I will give each household some relief grain, but how to live thereafter depends on yourselves."

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Let your representative come to see me; I’ll have someone guide you to the allocated land."

The land Zhao Hanzhang allocated to them was about thirty miles outside the city. It had water sources and an open terrain, once a fertile field, now overgrown with weeds.

The relocated people felt uneasy. A middle-aged man, knowing more, couldn’t help saying, "Lord, this... this is the Prince’s land."

Zhao Hanzhang asked, "Which Prince’s?"

"I don’t know. Anyway, this area and that area belong to the Prince and Grand Commandant’s family."

Zhao Hanzhang calmly said, "Now it’s mine. I’m giving it to you to farm, so rest assured and cultivate it."

Everyone looked at each other; seeing her speak confidently, they assumed Zhao Hanzhang had bought this land.

Thus, farming it for her would make them either her slaves or tenant farmers?

Among those previously well-off, hesitation arose momentarily; but given the difficult times, being a law-abiding citizen wasn’t necessarily better than being a slave, so they agreed.

Not to mention the others, the Zhao Family Army had brought them out of Luoyang and provided relief; they were already grateful, and now seeds for farming felt like a life-saving grace to them.

Not to mention simply farming for her, even risking lives would be considered.

"Since it’s settled, go choose a plot of land; pick freely from this area and start clearing weeds, plowing, and preparing for planting."

The crowd agreed in unison.

While Zhao Hanzhang, wounded, was settling the people, Liu Cong, confronting Zhao Erlang in the city, finally received some information.

"You mean Wang Mi and Zhao Hanzhang had secret communications, wanting to betray my Han Kingdom and join the Jin State?"

Liu Yao said with hatred, "Yes, my men saw them secretly coming and going several times. There’s no mistake."

Liu Cong scoffed, "Do you think it’s possible? Wang Mi was from a noble family but turned to banditry, killing so many Han and Jin soldiers. Can the Jin people accept him?"

"In war, there are casualties; among them, Prince East Sea and Gou Xi also have bloodstained hands, right?"

"How is that the same?" Liu Cong said, "Wang Mi’s reputation is so poor. I don’t believe the Jin State’s aristocracy can accept him."

"But I heard Zhao Hanzhang was willing to form an alliance with Wang Mi just to rescue Emperor Jin."

Liu Cong’s face sank, eyes flashing coldly, "For Emperor Jin, she is indeed willing."

Liu Cong was already dissatisfied with Wang Mi, and murderous thoughts arose, "Are you certain?"

"Indeed, this information came from Wang Mi’s camp, rumored to be Wang Mi’s proposal."

Liu Cong began pacing, "What a scheme. His reputation is poor, but Zhao Hanzhang has an excellent reputation among the people. Marrying Zhao Hanzhang not only gets him Yu State and Zhao Family Army but also washes away his stains, as if planning to be Prince East Sea, controlling the Emperor to command the Dukes."

Liu Yao had always held a grudge against Wang Mi for capturing Luoyang first, thus he said with all his provocative skills, "He probably intends not just to be Prince East Sea but to be Cao Mengde."

Liu Cong immediately felt his murderous resolve intensify.

But now, during the war, how to kill him?

Liu Yao suggested, "General, with his thirty thousand troops here and Zhao Hanzhang as a formidable enemy, luring him into a trap isn’t possible. Why not withdraw from Luoyang and set it ablaze along with the Imperial Palace? Emperor Jin’s certain death within the palace will force Wang Mi, wanting to be a Jin Minister, to rescue Emperor Jin. We’ll then wait outside the city, achieving three objectives at once."

Liu Cong frowned and shook his head, "It’s not proper; Luoyang is a great city. Father Emperor wants to move the capital here. How can a splendid palace be set to fire so casually?"

But Liu Yao saw Luoyang as jinxed and argued, "Since Jin State established its capital here, how many battles have ensued? Moving the capital here is really unlucky."

He believed this city was kept not only to give Jin people delusions but also to continuously provoke the Han Kingdom’s scholars into resisting.

So he said, "Destroying the city is like destroying the nation; turning it to ashes means Jin Dynasty’s realms will become dust."

Liu Cong pondered.

"General, this is the easiest method; otherwise, should Wang Mi and Zhao Hanzhang collaborate, don’t mention breaching the palace, we won’t even be able to save ourselves!"

Liu Cong thought for a long time, unable to decide, but soon soldiers returned from outside the city with reports, "General, our army outside the city was attacked by the Yu State Army. Zhang Changshi barely escaped, bringing only about three thousand men."

Liu Cong, startled and frightened, stood up abruptly, "You mean we went from ten thousand to just three thousand?"

"Yes!"

"How did he command troops? Waiting for an opportunity but ended up like this against Zhao Hanzhang."

"Zhao Hanzhang deployed Beigong Chun and Xun Xiu, attacking from both sides swiftly. Zhang Changshi barely reacted."

Upon hearing it was Beigong Chun, Liu Cong gritted his teeth, "Wasn’t Beigong Chun at the northern outskirts? When did he shift to the east?"

"The scout’s reconnaissance failed; please bestow punishment, General."

Liu Cong asked gloomily, "Did Wang Mi send troops to assist?"

"No, General Wang’s twenty thousand hid in the outskirts without any movement."

Liu Cong gritted his teeth, his face chilling, "Good, good, excellent, Liu Yao!"

"Here, General!"

"Prepare tung oil and firewood."

"Yes, indeed!" Liu Yao retreated two steps, sneeringly glancing at the opposite buildings once in the streets.

Wang Mi, meanwhile, also received reports from scouts, suddenly standing up, "What, Zhao Hanzhang’s great victory over Liu Cong’s army left outside the city?"

"Yes, scouts dared not approach too closely, but it was indeed the Yu State Army and Beigong Chun’s Xiliang Army."

Wang Mi instantly realized Zhao Hanzhang’s strategy, angrily gritting his teeth, "She’s forcing my hand!"

He sneered coldly, "She forces me, and will I comply? Zhao Hanzhang underestimates me greatly."

Wang Mi, feeling rebellious, said coldly, "I refuse to submit to Jin State."

"General, there’s no need to act rashly toward her. As long as we can control Emperor Jin, that’s enough."

Wang Mi reluctantly suppressed his anger, forced to make arrangements, "Have people watch Liu Cong and Liu Yao’s movements. Prepare a reason to invite them for drinks; and then..."