After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 549 - 543 Warning

Shangdang is a strategic location, and Wang Mi relied on being the first to capture Shangdang and his illustrious battle achievements to hold this critical spot. Now that Wang Mi has betrayed the kingdom and died, how could the Han Kingdom still allow him to occupy this place?

Zhao Hanzhang’s reminder might not be well-intentioned, but it is the truth.

Zhang Tao hesitated for a long time before finally attempting to mobilize troops. However, without Wang Mi’s written order, it was extremely difficult to mobilize the troops.

So after some thought, he decided to forge a written order; as long as he had the seal, it would do.

Zhao Hanzhang and her companions, fully loaded, headed towards the city gate. As soon as they left, not even out of the gate yet, the various families that had been plundered immediately sprang into action—some couldn’t hold back and slapped their thighs, crying out loud, while others rushed to the Inspector Mansion to lodge a complaint.

Though crying, they were aware of the situation. Their actions were firstly sincere pain and secondly an attempt to show Wang Mi’s people that they were forced to hand over their belongings to Zhao Hanzhang, not intentionally supplying the enemy.

They still didn’t see Wang Mi and were quickly sent away by Zhang Tao, the whole process lasting no more than a quarter of an hour.

Leaving the Inspector Mansion, each family had their suspicions, "Since the army returned three days ago, we haven’t seen General Wang."

"This time, Zhao Hanzhang drove straight in, directly to the gates of the Inspector Mansion, yet the Great General also did not appear."

A few people reached a conclusion in their hearts, but they didn’t speak it out loud, choosing instead to collectively condemn Zhao Hanzhang’s bandit-like behavior, feeling she disgraced the reputation of noble families.

"Alas, one Wang Mi from noble families wasn’t enough, and now there’s another Zhao Hanzhang."

"But this time we didn’t lose any lives," Mr. Qi lowered his voice and said, "I inquired, and aside from killing some soldiers guarding the city gates when entering the city, the Zhao Family Army didn’t kill anyone once inside. I heard only one woman was injured, and it was due to Zhao Hanzhang’s whip."

"Moreover, they didn’t take away all the family assets, only the grain and gold and silver from the storeroom."

Some families who understood the principle of hiding valuables in multiple places still managed to preserve quite a bit. Yuan Li, with his intimidating aura of blood, looked ruthless yet did not harm or kill anyone, taking things and leaving them.

If it were Wang Mi, the result wouldn’t be this fortunate.

The few people who had been feeling nervous slowly calmed down, exchanging looks, yet none knew what the others were thinking.

Zhao Hanzhang gained quite a lot, and the team’s pace slowed somewhat. Passing a restaurant, Zhao Hanzhang smelled the enticing aroma of buns.

She reined in her horse and stopped by the roadside, watching the team move slowly forward. Her right hand gently tapped on the back of her left hand holding the reins. After contemplating for a long time, she couldn’t resist trying to take some money from her person.

But she was wearing armor now, making it impossible to reach her belt.

Zeng Yue and Yuan Li, along with the guards, looked solemnly at Zhao Hanzhang, unable to comprehend her predicament.

However, Zhao Erlang and his sister understood her intentions; mainly because he was hungry too, and the buns inside the restaurant behind them smelled too delicious while the door remained shut, preventing even a glimpse to satiate his craving.

Thus, seeing his sister searching her person, he immediately reacted and pulled out a box from the saddlebag on his horse, loudly declaring, "Sister, I have money!"

His tone was full of pride.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang was delighted and extended her hand, saying, "Give me some."

Zhao Erlang handed the entire box to her.

Standing nearby, Yuan Li’s body tensed, becoming extremely alert.

"You use a box to hold money and put it in the saddlebag, aren’t you afraid of losing it?" Zhao Hanzhang laughed as she opened the box. Her smile froze upon seeing gemstones inside, then slowly diminished as she stopped smiling, "Erlang, is this money?"

"Yes," Zhao Erlang said. "General Xun mentioned fabrics, jewels, and pearls could all be spent like money, no less valuable than gold and silver."

Zhao Hanzhang picked up a red gemstone, held it against the sunlight, and marveled, "It’s truly beautiful. Where did you get this? I remember you found mostly ceramics and screen beds in Luoyang."

"This wasn’t found in Luoyang; it was just given to me by someone earlier."

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at Yuan Li, who was sitting on his horse with his head lowered nearby, and asked Zhao Erlang, "Who gave it to you, and how?"

Zhao Erlang, being very honest, immediately recounted the scene, "It was a Mr. Qi; his family is wealthy. Yuan Li chose items in the storeroom when I entered with him. When he opened a box, I suddenly saw it—inside the gemstones were shining, particularly beautiful."

"They look even better against the sunlight, and I liked them," he said. "Yuan Li asked if there was anything I liked, so I pointed at them, and Mr. Qi said he would give them to me."

Zhao Hanzhang closed the box and gently smiled at Zhao Erlang, "Erlang, have you forgotten what I told you? All gains after deploying troops are spoils of war to be used for purchasing provisions for the soldiers. Right now, we can’t even issue military pay—how could we privately keep treasures?"

Zhao Erlang, feeling aggrieved, said, "These aren’t spoils of war; they were gifts from Mr. Qi."

"That’s precisely why we cannot accept them," Zhao Hanzhang said. "We shouldn’t accept rewards without merit. What achievements have we made for Mr. Qi?"

Zhao Erlang looked puzzled, pointing at the ox cart passing by, "These items were acquired from Mr. Qi’s home; Sister, what have you done for Mr. Qi?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "These were taken for the Zhao Family Army."

"Then I took them as well."

Zhao Hanzhang lightly patted his head, "Fool, without the commander’s orders, you may not privately offend the people. Would you want to be beheaded for that?"

Zhao Erlang hugged the box, feeling aggrieved, "This isn’t allowed, that’s not allowed, what am I supposed to do?"

"Return it." 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"Huh?"

Zhao Hanzhang replied calmly, "Return the box to Mr. Qi; we don’t want these gemstones."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Li immediately got off his horse and knelt on the ground.

Zhao Hanzhang glanced down at him and said to Zhao Erlang, "Do it now. Zeng Yue, personally accompany Erlang."

Zeng Yue glanced uneasily at Yuan Li before responding affirmatively and reversed to head to the Qi Family with Zhao Erlang.

Though reluctant about the gemstones, Zhao Erlang still listened to his sister and returned the box full of gemstones.

Seeing Zhao Erlang return, Mr. Qi was startled, and even more so when he saw the box being stuffed into his arms and Zhao Erlang leaving quickly after saying a single sentence. His emotions were complex and difficult to express.

Embarrassment showed on Zhao Erlang’s face; he vaguely realized he had done something wrong and thus didn’t speak much to Mr. Qi, instead shoved the box into his arms, leaving one sentence, "My sister said we couldn’t accept rewards without merit, these gemstones are returned to you."

Saying this, he mounted his horse and left.

Zeng Yue cupped his fists at Mr. Qi and then chased to escort Zhao Erlang back to Zhao Hanzhang.

Yuan Li remained kneeling, sweat covering his forehead, but he dared not move a muscle.

Once they returned, Zhao Hanzhang addressed Yuan Li in front of Zhao Erlang, "Don’t repeat this in the future. Upon returning to Luoyang, go and receive twenty military lashes."

Yuan Li let out a sigh of relief and responded with, "Yes."

Zhao Hanzhang warned him, "Yuan Li, you’ve already missed a promotion opportunity once. I hope you won’t make the same mistake again. I value your talent, but if you continue to act unnecessarily, even if it pains me, I’ll have to let you go."

Hearing her acknowledge his abilities, Yuan Li became emotional, and without rising, he fiercely bowed on the ground, "Yes, I dare not let the lady down again."

Zhao Hanzhang’s expression finally improved. She said calmly, "Get up."

Zhao Hanzhang turned back and regretfully glanced at the restaurant from which the aroma of buns emanated, then pulled the reins and said, "Let’s go."