After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 553 - 547: Reunion

"Those 100,000 people were brought back to Luoyang, leaving several counties around Luoyang empty, so I brought 500 households this time to settle." Fu Tinghan glanced her over, relieved to see she wasn’t injured, and said, "Fan Ying also came over and is waiting outside to see you."

"Why didn’t she come in?"

Fu Tinghan smiled and said, "She feels guilty, knowing she failed your trust, so she doesn’t dare to come in."

At that time, Zhao Hanzhang had rescued about 200,000 people from Shi Le’s hands and left them in Xiang City under Fan Ying’s management.

These people all fled Luoyang with Prince East Sea.

Luoyang is vast, with five or six hundred thousand people in the city. Bringing back these 200,000 people is not difficult to accommodate and can inject life into the stagnant Luoyang.

So before leaving, Zhao Hanzhang had left her instructions to watch over them well.

However, as soon as Zhao Hanzhang left, people began leaving the group.

Of the 200,000, there were soldiers in disarray, impoverished commoners, cold-door gentry, and collateral branches of aristocratic families with their relatives.

There were even officials and scholars who got dispersed in the chaos.

These people, having already escaped Luoyang, naturally couldn’t return to such a dire state with Zhao Hanzhang, so they chose their destinations and left.

Fan Ying couldn’t stop them because Zhao Hanzhang left only 10,000 soldiers, and she dared not act too strictly for fear of backlash.

But unexpectedly, some who left returned the next day, stirring others to leave with them.

Because of the chaos and people’s whims, Fan Ying initially didn’t pay attention, and by the time a large number left, she realized something was amiss. Upon investigation, she found that someone was spreading rumors among the refugees to incite them to go to Yan State.

The originally mighty 200,000 dwindled to less than 100,000 in just a few days.

Fan Ying was heartbroken and knelt down with reddened eyes when Zhao Hanzhang called her into the room.

Zhao Hanzhang hurriedly helped her up, saying, "It’s not your fault; it was my oversight. I should have divided the people for management at that time."

Fan Ying felt even sadder, "You risked so much to rescue so many people, yet I couldn’t even keep them. I’m truly incompetent. Please punish me heavily."

Zhao Hanzhang was about to comfort her when Fu Tinghan said, "Since there was fault, there should be punishment. You’ve always been clear with rewards and penalties."

Zhao Hanzhang paused, then said, "Fine, then a penalty of six months’ salary, which offsets your contributions this time."

Fan Ying opened her mouth wide, "Is that it?"

"If not, do you want to resign?" Zhao Hanzhang sighed, "I need people around me right now. Are you planning to leave at this time?"

Fan Ying quickly said, "As long as you need me, I’m willing to follow you for a lifetime."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "Good, then go arrange for the relocated refugees, make sure to register them properly, and allocate them some land in the south of the city to cultivate. Don’t miss the farming season."

"Yes," although it’s already a bit late now, fortunately this spring came later, and there’s still occasional spring frost, so planting can be made up for. In previous years, spring plowing usually started around this time, so it’s already late.

Fan Ying asked, "Who is the County Magistrate here?"

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "I’m also worried about this. Do you have anyone to recommend?"

Fan Ying shook her head, "Shall I get the list of this year’s exam passers?"

Zhao Hanzhang nodded with a smile, "Go ahead. I also plan to select people from there."

This is her main way of selecting talents. Zhao Hanzhang lightly tapped her finger, and said, "Besides, there should be many talents among the people brought back this time. Fan Ying, draft a notice and post it in the counties of Luoyang and Guy City, stating that I am eager for talent, and those who consider themselves talented can self-recommend at the county government."

"Yes."

Fan Ying immediately went to make arrangements.

With Fan Ying entering work mode, Zhao Hanzhang had time to ask Fu Tinghan about the situation in Luoyang, "Have you settled the people you brought back?"

"Almost. General Beigong and General Mi took over their belongings when they went to welcome them back, escorting them back. Without money and with soldiers nearby, they had no choice but to return."

Fu Tinghan paused and said, "However, many among them were angered, and their words were rather inappropriate. The refugees were stirred up greatly and are not very compliant with government management."

He said, "Mr. Ji suggested you return to Luoyang soon and severely punish General Beigong and General Mi to win over people’s hearts."

Zhao Hanzhang held her forehead, this idea was Ji Yuan’s, and Beigong Chun and Mi Ce were just executors, now they are to be severely punished.

Zhao Hanzhang chuckled, shaking her head before agreeing. This kind of political maneuver would likely be used more in the future, and her subordinates indeed needed to become familiar with it.

However, she had already prepared to compensate Beigong Chun. As for Mi Ce...

Zhao Hanzhang pondered for a moment and said, "How about I have Mi Ce guard Yingchuan County?"

"Weren’t you originally considering Xun Xiu?"

"Xun Xiu is too impatient, unlike Mi Ce, who is steadier. The most urgent thing now in Yu State and Luoyang is stability, allowing the people to recuperate. Mi Ce may not be as capable as Xun Xiu, but his steady personality and honesty would help stabilize the people of Yingchuan County more quickly."

Fu Tinghan nodded, "Alright."

He paused and asked, "What about Henan County?"

Luoyang falls under Henan County, which belongs to Si Province.

The Emperor only agreed to the recommendation for Zhao Kuan as Luoyang County Magistrate, but Zhao Hanzhang took the chance to influence other counties in Henan County, like Guy City and Yang City.

Fu Tinghan lightly coughed and said, "When I left, Mr. Ji said, since you want to station troops in Guy City, why not take the whole Henan County?"

Zhao Hanzhang waved her hand, "Now, the counties around Luoyang are basically empty. I don’t need to personally take them over. Just recommend a County Magistrate where needed or send someone over to take charge. As long as we ensure no more external disturbances, people will return by themselves, and it will naturally liveliness will return."

Fu Tinghan nodded.

The two exchanged a lot of information, essentially discussing work. When they finished, Zhao Hanzhang pulled him to stand and enthusiastically walked out, "Come, I’ll take you to meet Chen Wu. Do you remember Chen Wu? I mentioned him to you before, a very famous Qihu Army general."

Fu Tinghan: "You didn’t mention him."

Zhao Hanzhang stopped, "I haven’t?"

Fu Tinghan nodded, "You mentioned the Qihu Army, but didn’t say Chen Wu was a famous general of the Qihu Army."

"Then I guess I forgot. Come, I’ll take you to see."

"But the name does sound familiar, though I can’t remember where from for now," Fu Tinghan was dragged along by her and nearing the General Mansion, he recalled and said, "I remember you collected someone before, named Chen Wan."

"Hmm?" Zhao Hanzhang said, "I know Chen Wan, he’s quite brave in battle. I had him follow Uncle Qianli. By the way, is there any news from Uncle Qianli? Didn’t Gou Xi promise to return the remaining four counties to me, have they retreated?"

Fu Tinghan, accustomed to her digressions, quickly replied, "Gou Xi said they would retreat once Your Majesty safely reaches Yun City. Uncle Qianli is already holding the border awaiting them."

He said, "I remember Chen Wan mentioned he was from the Qihu Army and had a cousin in the Qihu Army, probably named Chen Wu."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang stopped in her tracks, blinking, "Such a coincidence?"