After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 548 - 542 Bandits

Wang Mi’s foundation was in Shangdang. When he dispatched troops toward Luoyang, it was from Shangdang, so now Shangdang was lacking in military strength. Moreover, transferring troops from other places would take time, and most importantly, Zhang Tao did not have the authority to mobilize troops.

Wang Shou had disappeared, and even if he returned, he would not have it either.

Before Wang Zhang officially returned to Shangdang, they dared not spread the news of Wang Mi’s death.

Zhang Tao was certain that as soon as he released the news of Wang Mi’s death, those generals and officials would immediately look for their next patron.

Their personnel composition was complex, including Xiongnu, former Jin State officials and scholars, as well as generals of poor farmer origin, and they did not hold much loyalty to Wang Mi.

So Zhang Tao could not withstand Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang raised her hand, and the soldiers behind her immediately drew special arrows and fitted them to their bows in unison.

Zhao Hanzhang also took out an arrow, rotating it in front of him before taking out a flint stone, lighting the oilcloth on the arrowhead, and looking at Zhang Tao with a faint smile, "General Zhang, I’d rather shatter like precious jade than be an intact tile. If you don’t fulfill General Wang’s promise, I’ll shoot this fire arrow."

Zhang Tao clenched his fists, his face turning liver-colored with anger, "Zhao Hanzhang, you dare to destroy the city!"

"You can try me," Zhao Hanzhang said, "This Shangdang is no longer the Shangdang of Jin State, so what is there for me to not dare?"

Zhang Tao didn’t dare to try. He stared at Zhao Hanzhang for a long while, ultimately gritting his teeth and retreating back into the mansion, ordering in a low voice, "Open the warehouse!"

"General, the things she’s asking for are many, no less than ten boxes of gold, ten boxes of jewels, and ten boxes of silver!"

"Give it to her!" Zhang Tao said, "This Zhao Hanzhang is a madwoman, and she has no credibility. There’s no guarantee she won’t actually set fire to Shangdang, and Shangdang is certainly worth more than just these thirty boxes."

Of course, Zhao Hanzhang wasn’t just after these things. Wang Mi was surely very wealthy, but certainly, not only Wang Mi had wealth in this city.

Before Zhao Hanzhang came, she had already gathered information and handed a list to Yuan Li, "Do not kill or hurt anyone, just go sit and demand more military funds and supplies."

Yuan Li understood and agreed.

"Wait," Zhao Hanzhang stopped him and after contemplating for a moment, said, "Bring Second Son along."

She glanced at him and said, "Yuan Li, don’t lead my brother astray."

Yuan Li shivered slightly, bowed his head, and agreed.

He quietly led a team out.

Ten boxes of jewels were easy to handle, ten boxes of silver weren’t difficult either, but the ten boxes of gold were hard.

Zhang Tao also stuffed some gold artifacts into the boxes but found it still insufficient, so he could only grit his teeth and replace some with silver and Copper Coin for Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t mind and watched as they carried the boxes out; after ensuring the content was consistent both on top and below, she smiled at Zhang Tao, "I would also like to ask General Zhang to prepare ten carts for me; I came in haste and forgot to bring any carts."

Zhang Tao coldly replied, "Only ox carts, no horse carts."

Zhao Hanzhang’s face turned cold, "I want horses!"

"General, Yuan Li went to the Chief Historian’s home, saying he’s raising supplies for Jin State."

The Chief Historian of Shangdang was the brother of the former Inspector and a Jin Minister who defected to Wang Mi. Zhang Tao immediately turned his head to look at Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang coldly glanced back at him.

Zhang Tao stifled his humiliation and said, "Give it to her!"

Someone immediately went to prepare the horse carts.

Much of the gold was replaced with silver and Copper Coin. Silver didn’t take much space, but Copper Coin was packed in bags, loaded onto several carts.

Zhang Tao and the others deliberately chose lean and aged horses. Zhao Hanzhang waited for them to load and harness the carts before arrogantly saying, "These horses are inferior, I don’t want them; I want top-quality horses."

"You, Zhao Hanzhang, don’t push your luck."

Zhao Hanzhang chuckled, "What if I do push my luck?"

Seated on the horse, she leaned forward, looking at him with eager interest, "I find General Wang is indeed wealthy, worthy of being a Great General who has campaigned for years; these things were all plundered from the hands of my Jin people, weren’t they?"

The strategist nearby was the quickest to react, pulling Zhang Tao aside, "She’s stalling for Yuan Li. General, Yuan Li has already visited three houses, and the scouts just reported that he’s going to the Zhang Family next."

The Zhang Family was Zhang Tao’s own family. The wealthy and powerful lived in an extensive area; Yuan Li didn’t need to waste time commuting, having a cup of tea at one house, turning around to have a cup of wine at another.

Yuan Li watched as all the warehouse’s contents were moved onto the carts, nodded with satisfaction, and told the shaky middle-aged man, "Mr. Qi is generous. My lord and the court won’t forget Mr. Qi’s kindness. In the future, when the court retakes Shangdang, you will assuredly have a share of the merit."

Mr. Qi forced a smile and said, "General Yuan is too kind. I am also a Jin person; being able to help Lord Zhao and the Jin Dynasty is Qi Family’s honor."

Yuan Li sneered, curling his lips, "It’s good that Mr. Qi understands."

He turned to leave, seeing Zhao Erlang curiously watching the soldiers transport the treasure, he went up and smiled, "Does the young master see anything he likes?"

Zhao Erlang pointed at a box of gems, "Pretty."

Yuan Li immediately handed him the box, smiling, "To have the young master’s favor is their good fortune."

Zhao Erlang hugged the box and said, "But Sister said, the spoils should all be stored up to buy food for the soldiers."

Yuan Li felt a chill in his heart, aware he had done something foolish. Although the young master was simple-minded, he was innocent and obedient, and this matter was likely to reach the lady’s ears. He thought quickly, glanced at Mr. Qi beside him, and immediately smiled, "These aren’t spoils; they are Mr. Qi’s personal gift to the young master."

Mr. Qi instantly caught on, hurriedly saying, "Yes, yes, it’s my gift to the young master."

Upon hearing it was a gift, Zhao Erlang immediately hugged the box tighter, eyes squinting with joy, "It’s a gift then, alright, I’ll accept it."

Yuan Li quietly breathed a sigh of relief, while Mr. Qi looked thoughtfully at Zhao Erlang and Yuan Li.

Yuan Li exited Qi’s house and nodded at Mr. Qi, "Thank you, Mr. Qi, for preparing the cart for us."

Mr. Qi tugged a corner of his mouth, watched them depart, and then went next door.

Hand on his chest, he asked the steward, "How much did they move from the granary?"

The steward mournfully said, "They emptied one granary."

"Bandits, they’re bandits!"

Zhao Hanzhang’s bandit-like behavior forced Zhang Tao to step back once more and give her the strong horses, and they did it rather quickly, too.

Seeing the carts harnessed with quality horses, Zhao Hanzhang still appeared quite regretful.

Zhao Hanzhang waved, instructing the soldiers to take the goods out of the city first, then to notify Yuan Li, while she stayed behind to chat leisurely with Zhang Tao, "Did General Zhang send someone to inform Wang Zhang?"

She reminded, "Wang Zhang is ordered to follow Shi Le. As soon as he leaves, Shi Le will notice. Do you think Shi Le will take advantage of the situation and seize Shangdang in one swoop?"

She continued, "Liu Cong knew about Wang Mi’s betrayal of the state, so he absolutely wouldn’t give up Shangdang. So, is he currently dispatching troops here as well?"

Zhang Tao felt a cold chill all over.

Zhao Hanzhang turned her horse around, "A kind reminder, it’s best for General Zhang to promptly summon troops to Shangdang. Holding Shangdang will secure Bingzhou’s southern east and west, and your lord’s domain will not be lost."