After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 972 - 957: Fury

Tuoba Yilu parted ways with Zhao Hanzhang halfway and returned with his troops to Dai County, while Zhao Hanzhang went through Jizhou back to Yu State to pick up the Emperor and then return to Luoyang.

After consideration, Zhao Hanzhang still believed she should return to the capital Luoyang, with Chen County as a secondary administrative center.

After years of chaotic war, a large number of aristocrats and commoners have migrated south to Jiangnan. If there were a satellite dynamic map, people would see that nowadays there are still many small groups active in the area north of Yu State. They are migrating south, trying to escape this disaster-stricken place ravaged by war.

These people are several times the number of those willing to stay and settle, so she needs a northern base to stabilize people’s hearts.

Although Luoyang now has few people, the city is broken, and resources are far inferior to Chen County, but its geographical location is most suitable.

Only when she and the Emperor settle in Luoyang, and various decrees are issued from Luoyang, will the constantly migrating refugees stop and be willing to return to the north. Only then will the Northern Land not become barren, and prosperity may be restored.

If the Emperor is taken back to Chen County, everyone will probably flock to Yu State. While the land in Yu State is still enough now, in a few years, there will be more people and less land, limiting development.

It’s better to set a direction for development early.

Zhao Hanzhang planned and wrote to Zhao Ming, asking him to bring the Emperor back to Chen County first. When she returns to Chen County, she will meet the Emperor and leave.

However, it would take some time for the letter to be delivered; currently, the Emperor’s carriage was in Meng County.

Zhao Hanzhang calculated the days for the return journey with her fingers. Just as she finished, a rider galloped over and reported, "Great General, there has been a rebellion in Tiao County, Jizhou. The rebel forces are large and currently in Wuyi County, not far from us."

Zhao Hanzhang: "...Where did the rebel forces come from? Why did we not receive any news before?"

Soon, scouts brought several pale-faced people over to report. They had run into these people face-to-face and learned about the rebel forces ahead.

The army stopped to rest temporarily, and Zu Ti and others rushed over to listen to the report with Zhao Hanzhang.

These people were sent by the Wuyi County Magistrate to report the news and ask for help. Zhao Hanzhang took the seal they brought, immediately opened the letter.

"...The rebels came suddenly, and the uprising was swift. The County Magistrate had just taken office and had no time to react. From Guangzong County to Wuyi County, they gathered 20,000 people in just three days, with more refugees continuously joining. Although Wuyi County hasn’t been breached yet, it won’t last long. Please, Lord, save it."

Zhao Hanzhang asked, "What about the Tiao County and Fucheng Magistrates?"

The arrived official wept uncontrollably, "Reporting to the General, I am the Chief Clerk of Tiao County; the County Magistrate died defending the town. He had only been in Tiao County for over half a month."

Zhao Hanzhang, of course, knew; she had personally appointed him. Yet, not even a month had passed. She clenched her fists, calmly asking, "Was he harsh in governance, hence the people’s rejection?"

"No, after Lady Zhao took office, she comforted the common people, provided food for the disaster-stricken for two days, and personally worked to rebuild Tiao County."

Zhao Hanzhang: "Then was he biased in his actions, neglecting the local gentry and aristocrats, causing them distress?"

The Chief Clerk wept, still shaking his head, "No. The remaining gentry families in the county were all visited by the County Lord, requesting them to join the government and serve the court. Even if some refused, she did not insist and spoke kindly, never showing anger."

Zhao Hanzhang then asked him, "Where did the rebels come from?"

The Chief Clerk kowtowed, "The leader, Wang Heng, came from a gentry family in Tiao County. Before the incident, he was friendly with the County Lord, who often sought his advice and even considered appointing him. Because of work relief and insufficient food aid, some in the county were dissatisfied. Just as the County Lord was about to investigate and reassure them, rumors suddenly erupted. Some hungry people revolted, and Wang Heng invited the County Lord to soothe them, only to suddenly draw his sword and kill her in front and then forcibly took over the county." 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Zhao Hanzhang gritted her teeth, "Well, what an invitation to fall into the trap."

She swiftly scanned the words on the rescue letter. Written hastily, the characters were scrawled, a single short sentence on the paper. She abruptly closed the letter, immediately commanded, "Zu Ti, you take 20,000 soldiers and capture the rebel leader."

"At your command!" Zu Ti hesitated for a moment, still asked, "Should we prioritize battle or negotiation?"

Zhao Hanzhang, though gritting her teeth in hatred, still suppressed her anger, "Negotiate!"

Zu Ti responded and withdrew.

Zhao Kuan silently sat to the side, bearing the chill emanating from Zhao Hanzhang. He turned his head to look at Fu Tinghan, hoping he’d say something to soothe her, only to hear Fu Tinghan ask, "Over at Tiao County..."

Zhao Hanzhang coldly chuckled, calling out, "Zhao Kuan."

Zhao Kuan immediately rose, "Yes, my lord."

"You and Zeng Yue take 10,000 soldiers to Tiao County and Fucheng, recover the two cities, and bring the rebel leader’s family and clansmen. I’d like to meet them."

Zhao Kuan felt a chill in his heart, bowed his head in agreement, "Yes."

He bowed and withdrew, and went with Zeng Yue to organize the troops.

The army gradually split into two routes and departed. Only Zhao Hanzhang’s 2,000 personal soldiers remained still.

After a moment of silence, Zhao Hanzhang stood up and said, "Let’s go, let’s take a look at Wuyi County."

The rebellion started quickly and ended quickly too. Zu Ti led 20,000 troops and arrived swiftly. Just as Wuyi County was about to be breached, they encircled them from the outside. This was a group of farmers temporarily pulled together; most of the weapons were stolen from the county government and garrison when they attacked the two counties. Most of the people held farm tools and wooden sticks.

It was merely a siege relying on numbers, exchanging life for life in attacking the county.

Zu Ti’s troops were battle-hardened, armed with excellent weaponry, and surrounded them swiftly, and soon, someone shouted to surrender.

The speed surprised even Zu Ti.

In less than half an hour of fighting, over 20,000 rebels dropped their weapons and expressed surrender. Wang Heng raised his sword above his head, led a group past the crowd, approached and knelt before Zhao Hanzhang’s horse, loudly proclaiming, "General Zhao, Heng has long heard of your virtue and great name, and has yearned for them. But Tiao County was unfortunate; the new County Magistrate was cruel and unjust. We commoners couldn’t survive, hence we rose in rebellion. Now, having seen the General, Heng wishes to lead the subordinate generals and 24,000 soldiers in surrender. Please let the Great General accept us."

Zhao Hanzhang looked at the sword raised before her eyes. In her chest, there was no pleasure or leniency usually felt when accepting surrender, only a surge of anger. She tightened the reins, suppressed her anger, and nodded, laughed, "Oh, you’ve brought quite a few people. What position do you seek here?"

Two people behind Wang Heng intuitively felt something was amiss and were about to warn him when Wang Heng already raised his head, staring intensely at Zhao Hanzhang, saying, "Heng dares not hope for much, only wishes to serve as an ordinary subordinate general under the General’s command."

"What an exemplary subordinate general, what an exemplary awaiting command!" Zhao Hanzhang laughed in fury, eyes blazing as she scanned the loosely scattered over 20,000 kneeling people behind him, loudly asked, "You surrender to me, what can you do for me?"