After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 569 - 563 Cannot

Zhao Hanzhang met Xun Xiu at the entrance of the main room.

At this moment, Xun Xiu was being lifted out by two soldiers, his arms propped up while his feet dangled slightly. As they encountered each other, both the soldiers and the carried Xun Xiu stared stiffly at Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang clicked her tongue twice and, after sizing him up for a moment, her gaze landed on a particular part of his body. "General Xun is impressive; he took thirty military lashes and seems more relaxed than General Mi who only took twenty. Can you already walk?"

Xun Xiu hurriedly asked the soldiers to set him down on the ground. He clutched his lower back and barely managed to stand upright, "My Lord, I was just bored at home, so I asked to be lifted over here. Actually, I can’t quite walk yet."

Zhao Hanzhang addressed his two soldiers, "What are you standing around for? Hurry and carry your general back."

The two soldiers immediately attempted to lift Xun Xiu to leave, but Zhao Hanzhang widened her eyes, "Where are you taking him?"

Zhao Hanzhang raised her chin, indicating for them to carry him inside the room.

The two soldiers turned to look at Xun Xiu.

Xun Xiu said, "Why are you looking at me? Quickly obey the command of our lord."

Being lifted like that with both arms was quite tiring, wasn’t it?

The two soldiers hurriedly carried him into the room, with Zhao Hanzhang following right behind.

Mi Ce, lying on the mat, saw Xun Xiu returning and, acting as though he knew nothing, exclaimed in surprise, "Why has General Xun returned?"

As Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze swept the distance between him and the door, she thought to herself: they spoke at the doorway but didn’t lower their voices; she didn’t believe he didn’t hear.

Mi Ce suddenly seemed to notice Zhao Hanzhang, and exclaimed in shock, "Why is My Lord here?"

He tried to exert himself to rise for a salute, but Zhao Hanzhang raised her hand and said, "Alright, no need for formalities. Go ahead and lie down, just lie there."

Mi Ce cautiously glanced at Zhao Hanzhang’s expression, finding it still acceptable, not appearing upset. He then explained, "General Xun is bored during his illness, so he came over to chat with me."

While saying this, he laid back down, possibly due to excessive movement, causing a gust of wind to lift the paper underneath him with a swishing sound. It rolled up and fell in front of Zhao Hanzhang’s feet.

Xun Xiu widened his eyes and reached out to grab it, but he was too far away and still being supported by others, so he couldn’t reach it. Additionally, he aggravated the wound on his buttocks.

Zhao Hanzhang bent down to pick it up and found it to be a simple map of Luoyang City, with streets drawn and various marketplaces encircled.

The map had a dozen or so circles marked on it with a red pen.

Zhao Hanzhang examined it seriously, realizing that the circled places were both residences and shops, scattered around with varying quality in locations.

Xun Xiu and Mi Ce exchanged confused glances and obediently lay still.

Xun Xiu also lay down, his heart aching.

Zhao Hanzhang waved to Mi Family’s soldiers.

The soldiers, very perceptive, brought over a mat and laid it opposite Mi Ce and Xun Xiu and even thoughtfully provided a cushion.

Zhao Hanzhang kneeled and sat across from them, reaching her hand out to Mi Ce, "Is there more?"

Mi Ce couldn’t help but look at Xun Xiu.

Xun Xiu lowered his head, placing his chin on his hand, neither speaking nor looking at Mi Ce.

Zhao Hanzhang persisted in staring at Mi Ce, prompting him to slowly raise his upper body and slip out two more sheets of paper to hand over to Zhao Hanzhang.

The papers still depicted Luoyang but were focused on other sections.

Aside from the nearly burned-out northern parts of the city, it encompassed the south, west, and east sides.

Zhao Hanzhang counted the number of circled locations and asked, "What’s the pattern with these shops and houses? Are there people living nearby?"

Seeing Xun Xiu and Mi Ce stunned, she realized she had guessed correctly and smiled, nodding, "This method is quite good. Everyone is busy right now, especially Zhao Kuan, who hasn’t had time to reclaim and register the vacant houses and shops in Luoyang City. Picking an empty house near already inhabited areas and placing someone inside can secure a large property. Luoyang is in its initial phase of restoration, so officials won’t inspect thoroughly; even if they do, spending a bit of money will resolve it."

Xun Xiu and Mi Ce:...

Why does their lord seem more like an experienced official rather than a lady from a prominent family?

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and handed the papers to Xun Xiu.

Xun Xiu didn’t dare accept them and quickly said, "I wouldn’t dare; these were meant to be handed over to the lord."

Zhao Hanzhang lifted her eyelids to look at him for a while and, seeing sweat forming on his forehead, chuckled, "I’ll pass them on to Zhao Kuan."

He is the Luoyang County Magistrate, and these matters fall under his jurisdiction.

Zhao Hanzhang casually gave these three pieces of paper to her trusted aide and started scrutinizing the two men lying on the mat.

Xun Xiu and Mi Ce felt a bit uncomfortable under her gaze and instinctively shifted their bodies.

Zhao Hanzhang asked softly, "Are your injuries feeling better?"

The two of them nodded together, "Much better." Otherwise, they wouldn’t be plotting a property acquisition.

This is Luoyang, and although the Emperor has moved the capital, they both believed that once the world stabilizes, the Emperor would surely move back, making any property worth quite a bit.

"Good, then," Zhao Hanzhang said, "Rest for a couple of days and return to Yu State."

The two simultaneously widened their eyes, "Return to Yu State?"

"Yes," Zhao Hanzhang responded, "I requested rewards on your behalf earlier, and Your Majesty has granted them. Now you are not only generals but also prefects of Yingchuan County and Yiyang County. These places cannot be left without a prefect for too long."

Xun Xiu couldn’t help but exchange glances with Mi Ce.

Previously, although they had the authority to lead troops, they lacked local governance power, and He Ci Shi intentionally restrained them. After Zhao Hanzhang took control of Yu State, while she frequently assigned them tasks, she also relied more heavily on them.

This time, she even requested the responsibility of prefect for them. With this authority, managing troops becomes more convenient.

Zhao Hanzhang indeed wanted them to manage their own troops, granting a certain degree of freedom. Thus, the three of them discussed the troop stationing policy.

Currently, Ru Nan County has done the best job with troop stationing, "The troops under Zhao Ju’s command can mostly sustain themselves during peacetime. Now, with people scattered and abundant wastelands, take the soldiers back and start cultivating fields for stationed troops."

Xun Xiu and Mi Ce had also heard of Zhao Hanzhang’s stationed farming in Ru Nan County, involving nearly ten thousand soldiers. During wartime, they are soldiers, in peacetime, they are civilians; they train when farming is idle, bring them to the battlefield, reducing deaths compared to conscription, and farming land isn’t wasted.

Xun Xiu and Mi Ce both nodded.

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Regarding troop stationing, I have only two requirements: First, do not encroach on the civilians’ fertile land; second, do not mistreat the stationed soldiers."

She continued, "The Xiongnu have ambitious plans, and even the Xianbei are eyeing us. Luoyang and Yu State lie directly on their path southward, and thus, each time war arises, Yu State will bear the brunt."

"As soon as we’re on the battlefield, we rely on the soldiers; otherwise, no matter how heroic we are, we’re only one person, so don’t mistreat them," Zhao Hanzhang stated, "I want a dependable army that can be entrusted behind me."

Xun Xiu and Mi Ce looked solemn with serious expressions and nodded, "Yes."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, stood up, and said, "Alright, you guys continue chatting. I noticed three days from now is an auspicious day. Have your subordinates prepare the soldiers and get ready to depart."

Xun Xiu and Mi Ce simultaneously showed hardship on their faces, feeling a sudden pain in their rears, hastily calling out, "My Lord, could you allow more days?"

Zhao Hanzhang revealed a smile with teeth, "No!" 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

For each extra day they stay, she has to provide an extra day’s worth of food, and with two armies totaling over fifty thousand soldiers, how much food costs per day?