After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 550 - 544 Employment

Zhao Hanzhang, filled with regret, led her troops out of Shangdang, unable to savor the buns of Shangdang.

After traveling a considerable distance, they stopped to rest, taking the opportunity to gnaw on some dry rations.

Zhao Hanzhang took a bite of the crumbly cake in her hand, chewing fiercely while opening the map. She pinpointed the location Shi Le had reported last time, contemplating where Wang Zhang and Shi Le might enter Shangdang.

Avoiding the route they might take, Zhao Hanzhang pointed westward and said, "We’ll return from here and send someone to find Xun Xiu, asking him to return to defend Luoyang."

Zeng Yue, somewhat unwilling, said, "Madam, we’re already in Shangdang. Zhang Tao is negligible; why not seize Shangdang in one stroke?"

"And then?" Zhao Hanzhang asked, "Would we be trapped in Shangdang, caught in endless wars?"

She declared, "War can only have one purpose: to profit!"

"Whether it’s immediate interests or long-term benefits, it’s all for the nation’s gain. Shangdang’s location is unique; it’s surrounded by lands where neither Yu State Army can respond nor support. Occupying it, we cannot hold it. Today, it may be ours; tomorrow, it could be Shi Le’s, and the day after, it might fall to Liu Cong. Why occupy it?"

Zhao Hanzhang pointed to the carts of gold, silver, jewels, and food among the troops, saying, "Gaining these makes our trip worthwhile."

She slightly lifted her chin and said, "Moreover, allowing them to fight among themselves gives Luoyang and Yu State a breathing space, which is better than us holding it and becoming the target of attacks from all sides."

Zeng Yue, enlightened, said, "I was shortsighted."

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Yuan Li, spread the news of Wang Mi’s death in Luoyang across the entire realm, especially in the Bingzhou area."

She scoffed, "There are quite a few remnants of Jin State officials, scholars, and people here. I think they’d certainly not want to live with an inferiority complex, right?"

Even if Liu Cong and Shi Le could reach an agreement, she wanted them to be overwhelmed, unable to reclaim all the territories controlled by Wang Mi.

Yuan Li accepted the task and immediately went to arrange personnel.

With the route chosen, everyone set out, and as they approached Luoyang, they saw the Qihu Army waiting by the roadside.

Ten miles away, Zhao Family Army halted. Zeng Yue was about to announce to Chen Wu and others to come and pay respects, but Zhao Hanzhang stopped him. She had ten carts of provisions readied and personally went to deliver them.

Yuan Li felt Zhao Hanzhang was too generous to the Qihu Army.

Unlike the fairly well-off, always regimentally disciplined Zhao Family Army, the Qihu Army was a peasant force, accompanied by quite a few families.

When Zhao Hanzhang arrived, she saw several seven or eight-year-old children on the roadside staring at them with big eyes, their clothes tattered, barely covering their bodies, barefooted, heads disproportionately large compared to their bodies, looking at them warily.

Upon seeing the ox carts trailing behind, their eyes brightened, having guessed from the bulge in the sacks that they contained food. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Immediately, someone joyfully ran to camp, excitedly shouting, "There’s a battle coming, a battle coming!"

The people in the camp, hearing the children’s voices, became pleased and looked towards the camp gate.

They glanced at Zhao Hanzhang and then at the ox carts behind her. Seeing only ten carts of food, although somewhat disappointed, they were still happy.

"Finally, there’s a battle coming."

"Who’s going from your family this time? Aren’t both of your sons dead?"

"I’ll go. My grandson is ten years old now; I’ll earn a few more years of food until he’s twelve, then I’ll swap him in."

Zhao Hanzhang’s keen ears caught the discussions and excitement around her. Her gaze swept over the Qihu Army members sitting or lying on the ground, and she lowered her eyes, tugging on her horse to stop.

Upon hearing Zhao Hanzhang personally brought provisions, Chen Wu, who was fretting over what gifts to prepare for meeting her, immediately ran out with his subordinates.

Seeing Zhao Hanzhang on horseback outside the camp gate, Chen Wu quickly welcomed her, kicking aside blocking soldiers on his way, cursing softly, "Get up, get up, what kind of laziness is this?"

"Wasn’t it you who said to move less, lie down more, and save food?"

Chen Wu secretly glared at the old soldier who retorted him and then wore a smile again when he looked up, raising his hand in salute, saying, "Why didn’t you let us know in advance, General Zhao? We failed to greet you outside, such a breach of etiquette, really regrettable."

Zhao Hanzhang dismounted and returned the salute with a smile, saying, "I’ve heard of the valiant Qihu Army, hence I wanted to see for myself."

Chen Wu’s face flared with some embarrassment, and behind him, Li and Feng Long were already shouting, rallying the soldiers lying around to get up and line up.

Zhao Hanzhang raised her hand to stop them, smiling, "I trust General Chen and the Qihu Army. I understand the soldiers lie like this because of hunger, so no need to stand on ceremony."

Upon hearing this, Chen Wu nearly took Zhao Hanzhang’s hand to express his feelings, but since she was a lady, it wasn’t appropriate to hold hands, so he tugged at his narrow sleeve to wipe his tears and said, "Yes, yes, they are all hungry; usually, they’re regimentally disciplined."

Behind him, Feng Long and Li echoed shamelessly with wide eyes, nodding vigorously, "Yes, yes, usually, they follow orders strictly, and as long as they’re fed, there’s no worry about fighting."

Zhao Hanzhang pointed to the ten carts of provisions behind her, saying, "This time, I brought not much food; use it to supplement your brothers first."

Chen Wu didn’t care what Zhao Hanzhang wanted them to do, as long as she wasn’t fighting the Emperor, anyone else was fine, so Chen Wu winked at Feng Long, courteously saying, "Much appreciated; the trivial tasks can be handled by others. General Zhao, let’s discuss inside."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded.

Seeing she was young and kindly faced, Chen Wu was delighted and enthusiastic. Seeing Zhao Erlang following her, he warmly greeted him, "Is this Zhao Erlang?"

Zhao Hanzhang, smiling, acknowledged, encouraging Zhao Erlang to greet Chen Wu.

Chen Wu grinned and said, "Erlang is indeed formidable. I hear he’s a Prefectural Governor now — few young Prefectural Governors like Erlang exist in the world."

In fact, there were quite a few, as each household appointed their children to positions nowadays. A single Inspector or Prefectural Governor could control an area, so naturally, they’d appoint their children to official roles, even with five or six-year-olds nominally holding office, though officially unrecognized.

Zhao Hanzhang exchanged pleasantries with Chen Wu and then began inquiring about their troop strength.

Chen Wu wasn’t reserved about this; he’d always worked for others in battles, too experienced in this area. He said, "I currently have five thousand troops."

Zhao Hanzhang asked, "And how many non-military family members are there?"

Chen Wu said, "General Zhao, there’s no need for concern; they eat from the soldiers’ earned rations and won’t consume the General’s military provisions."

Zhao Hanzhang smiled slightly, "General Chen misunderstood. I merely wish to understand better to arrange what you need to do next."

Chen Wu then stated, "Family members...about six thousand."

Indeed a sizable number; no wonder they were starving so badly, essentially requiring one worker to support another person. Surely, many of them would be part of their troop strength.

Chen Wu was curious to ask, "May I know whom General Zhao wants us to battle? Prince Nanyang, Governor Jia, or General Gou?"

Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but ask, "You can fight all of them?"

Chen Wu confidently nodded, "As long as the General provides provisions and funds." However, he wasn’t sure about the outcome.