After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 701 - 693: Daily Government Affairs

As Ji Yuan spoke, Zhao Hanzhang remembered, "Sir, is there still no news of Wang Xuan?"

Ji Yuan shook his head, "The world is in chaos right now, communication reports are delayed everywhere, finding a person is too difficult."

Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but sigh, "I remember Wang Xuan, although he is also a famed debater, he is quite different from his father, possessing some of Uncle Ming’s practical talent. I also promised Fourth Madame to help her find him, but there’s been no news for almost a year."

Ji Yuan said, "Let it be. Now that you are using Pei Yuanjun, the disputes between the Pei and Wang families will spread throughout the world. As long as Wang Xuan is alive, he will surely hear news about Wang Yanshi. If he has the intention, he will naturally come to Luoyang."

Zhao Hanzhang could only nod, hoping that it would be so.

Pei Yuanjun came over.

Zhao Hanzhang pointed to a place and said, "Sit down, there are some government decrees you need to record."

"Yes." Pei Yuanjun kneeled sitting properly, took out the four treasures of the study, and started pouring water into the inkstone to grind ink.

Zhao Hanzhang no longer bothered with her and continued to discuss government affairs with Ji Yuan, "The grain seeds and farm tools for this year have been distributed, but this is far from enough. There’s a lot of wasteland, many refugees, and a need to restore many cultivated lands. Without farsightedness, there’ll be imminent worries. We shouldn’t wait until we’re about to plant before thinking of buying seeds or making tools."

Ji Yuan nodded, "I have sent people to keep a close eye on Bingzhou. Currently, there are no signs of troop movements from Shi Le and Liu Cong, so we should be able to get through this winter smoothly. Hence, we can prepare for next year’s needs right now."

Zhao Hanzhang intended to do the same, "Unfortunately, the two large iron mines in Luoyang and Ru Nan County are not close to water, so water power cannot be used and manpower must be increased."

Ji Yuan said, "Among the people you brought back previously, some are captives. They have been building rivers for half a year, and many have been tamed. Why not send some of the weak and obedient ones to the mines?"

Zhao Hanzhang pondered but still wasn’t willing to take the risk, shaking her head, "Forget it, let’s recruit laborers. Most of those captives are Jiehu and Xiongnu, let them dig ditches, open wasteland, and plant crops."

Ji Yuan: "... Jiehu would be fine, but Xiongnu planting crops, Lady, it would be better to send them to mine on the mountains, just dispatch more men to guard them."

Zhao Hanzhang cheerfully said, "Sir dislikes their poor farming, then we can let them herd."

She said, "We need to raise horses, and there’s a need for a large number of cattle and sheep. The Xiongnu are skilled in these, I think they can be used here."

The mines are too important, if the captives become rebellious and flee, exposing the location, it’ll be dangerous.

So it’s better to use them elsewhere, Zhao Hanzhang said, "Whether Han people, Jiehu, or Xiongnu, once captured, after serving enough days they can apply for a household registration. Once registered, they become citizens under my administration, treated equally."

Saying this Zhao Hanzhang turned to Pei Yuanjun and said, "Write a notice to reassure the captives and advise the people, our sincerity will naturally yield sincerity."

Pei Yuanjun responded but hesitated slightly, weighing it for a moment before saying, "Governor, your intentions are good, but they may not accept it. If the power is too kind-hearted..."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang smiled and told her, "I understand, just write it, make me seem kind-hearted."

Sitting opposite Zhao Hanzhang, Ji Yuan shook his head and laughed, and said to Pei Yuanjun, "Write as the lady said."

"Now we are first short of people, if those captives, after serving labor, are willing to stay for us to use, we are not losing out." Because Pei Yuanjun is new, back when Zhao Changyu took a fancy to Miss Pei wanting Zhao Zhi to marry her, he let Ji Yuan investigate her, thus Ji Yuan had some sympathy for her, and was willing to teach her, "Secondly, these people are skilled in martial arts, if they truly surrender, in future battles they can match ten men."

This is not a joke; these Xiongnu and Jiehu grew up on horseback, unlike Zhao Hanzhang’s infantry who have hardly touched horses.

To train new soldiers, Zhao Hanzhang needs at least two years, but military matters do not allow for such a long time, what to do?

Only pile up human lives.

Die and then replace, die again and replace, the mortality rate of cavalry is very high.

But this is wrong, it’s an abnormal development, Zhao Hanzhang has always wanted to form another cavalry composed of Han people and mixed Barbarians.

Pei Yuanjun’s gaze swept over Ji Yuan and Zhao Hanzhang’s expressions and couldn’t help but ask, "Is there a third option?"

Ji Yuan looked at Zhao Hanzhang, smiled after, and said, "Of course there is, the third option is to show the lady’s benevolence, in future when the armies confront each other, knowing we treat captives well, they wouldn’t fiercely resist, which could reduce casualties significantly."

Zhao Hanzhang has always treated captives well, not that their treatment is higher than her soldiers (that’s impossible), but unlike the current trend of killing captives and mistreatment, Zhao Hanzhang has a clear decree.

All armies, including but not limited to the Zhao Family Army, the large army of Xun Xiu, all must comply. Captured captives are prohibited from being slaughtered; their service days are based on their rank and the number of kills in battle.

Ordinary captives, after completing their service, can choose to settle locally. Once receiving the registration book, they will receive equal treatment like the Han people.

The vast majority of captives get military registration when settling.

Unordinary captives like those with noble status or strong military power are absorbed directly into the army upon capture, exempt from service.

If they submit, they will be given certain military positions, directly commanding troops to the battlefield. If not, they’re detained for a period; if persuasion works, good, otherwise, they would be executed, with no opportunity to serve labor.

Of course, these detailed operations will not be reflected in official documents; now they are dealing with the majority of ordinary prisoners.

Zhao Hanzhang’s goal is to stabilize the people’s hearts and the hearts of the prisoners.

With the autumn harvest over, it will soon be winter. A summary is needed for this year, and preparations for the finances and materials required for next year must begin. Various matters are being brought up for discussion.

Ji Yuan found a letter from the pile of documents he brought and handed it to Zhao Hanzhang, "This is a letter from Liu Kun of Jinyang."

Zhao Hanzhang took it, read it, and said, "I will reply to him."

Ji Yuan frowned slightly, "He mentioned the passage is blocked, and this time the things the Lady requested cannot be delivered."

"I have alternative means. He just needs to prepare well, and we will manage to transport them back."

Is it the connection held by Fu Tinghan?

Ji Yuan glanced at Pei Yuanjun, did not voice out his question, nodded, and then changed the subject, "Lady, the lacking grain tax has basically been replenished, but it has annoyed quite a lot of people. Yesterday, patrolling soldiers captured people from two families who left the Capital City without proper documents. Don’t you think you need to step out and appease the public?"

The gates of Luoyang City are already open, allowing people inside to go out. After all, they need to work, conduct business, or explore, which might require them to leave the city.

However, she still does not permit the citizens of Luoyang to migrate freely. Unless they have documentation from the government office, they cannot leave the area of Luoyang.

Of course, there are always individuals who can evade patrols and sneak out, but moving an entire family out is nearly impossible.

Moreover, life in Luoyang isn’t particularly hard right now. Those who try to move out with their entire family and get caught might either be intentionally protesting against her or have been instigated to serve as a warning.

Zhao Hanzhang asked, "How is Zhao Kuan handling it?"

Ji Yuan sighed, "That lad lacks flexibility; just like previous incidents, he has sentenced them to dig ditches. However, this time the identities of those captured are somewhat special, and many of them are women and children."

"Lady, if this matter is not handled well, it is likely to stir rebellious sentiments among the aristocratic families."

Zhao Hanzhang pondered for a moment and then said, "After the discussions are over, I will go and see this afternoon."

Zhao Hanzhang and Ji Yuan discussed many matters, with Pei Yuanjun taking records on the side and occasionally taking on the task of drafting official documents.

By the time the discussions ended, it was already afternoon. Zhao Hanzhang stood up and said to Pei Yuanjun, "These tasks used to be done by Fan Ying, but today she has taken on other work, so in the next few days, you will temporarily replace her. If there is anything unclear about drafting documents, you can ask Zhao Yunxin."

Pei Yuanjun bowed in agreement.

Zhao Hanzhang waved them off to continue their work.

Once everyone left, she twisted her waist and stretched her arms, moving her neck and legs.

Ting He laughed and brought a basin of hot water for her to wash her hands, "Lady, you must be exhausted. Do you want to go inside and rest for a while?"

"If I lie down at this time, I probably won’t wake up until the evening, and then I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night," Zhao Hanzhang washed her hands, picked up a cloth and dried them, then said, "Ask someone to prepare a horse. Let’s go to the county government, and if we have enough time, we can take a run outside the city too."

Having knelt for most of the day with her mind constantly occupied, she was indeed quite tired.

Zhao Hanzhang strolled over to the Luoyang County Government.

The county government was quite bustling, with many people standing both inside and outside the gate, and from time to time, cries could be heard.

Zhao Hanzhang reined in her horse, curiously stretched her neck to look inside, but due to the large crowd, she couldn’t see anything.

So Zhao Hanzhang dismounted and began to look around.

Ting He was quick-witted and immediately ran to a nearby stall selling fabric, buying two hoods. However, the hoods were not made of gauze but black cloth, hanging down to block others’ gaze and hers as well.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled, accepted it, and wore it on her head, draping the cloth over one side to cover the lower half of her face.

Most people who have seen Zhao Hanzhang also know Ting He, so Ting He covered her face as well and squeezed into the crowd with Zhao Hanzhang.

In the courtyard of the county government, many people were kneeling, mostly women and children, crying up towards the sky, tears flowing down like a stream, looking very pitiable.

Meanwhile, inside the public hall, Zhao Kuan was sitting sternly behind a desk, intently looking at the document in his hand.

Zhao Hanzhang, sharp-eyed, saw him quickly writing something on the document, then folding it up and setting it aside, picking up the next one. Clearly, he was handling other matters.

To be able to deal with documents amidst crying, Zhao Hanzhang admired him. She squeezed in with the crowd, curiously asking the people around her, "Who is this, and why are they crying in the county government?"