Chapter 187: Chapter 182 Settlement Village
Zhao Hu was the only one not in a good mood, muttering several times before saying, "I’ll have the accounting office check when I get back."
Zhao Hanzhang generously replied, "This matter isn’t urgent for me, now we need to plant winter wheat; we can settle the accounts after planting the winter wheat."
Speaking of farming, Zhao Hanzhang took it very seriously and instructed, "It’s best for the land in the hands of the ancestors to be fully cultivated. If there are not enough people, feel free to ask me. My workers are particularly cheap: two meals a day and an additional two pounds of wheat per day. They can plow, sow, weed, and fertilize."
Everyone: ...
They thought she was going to offer help for free.
But considering the current chaos everywhere, grain prices might indeed soar next year, so they accepted her pricing.
However... "Farming doesn’t only involve sowing; later, it requires weeding, pest removal, fertilizing, and harvesting. Will you have people to help us then?"
Zhao Hanzhang replied, "Of course, anyone hired by Zhao’s Fortress will have labor costs 30% cheaper than the market rate. If there aren’t enough people, I’ll bring in my subordinates."
Only then did everyone feel reassured and began planning in their minds. Originally, because many people died this year, they were planning to leave some land fallow because they couldn’t manage all the cultivation.
But if Zhao Hanzhang was willing to provide manpower, they would have to rethink their plans.
After discussing the important matters, Zhao Hanzhang casually mentioned her mother, "Now that Shangcai Manor is stable, I plan to invite my mother back to Xiping. However, she’s not familiar with the county town, so it’s best for her to stay in the old residence where familiar people can chat with her, and she can be looked after by the ancestral mothers and aunts."
Upon hearing that Mrs. Wang wanted to move back, the elders’ expressions softened further. They nodded and said, "She should move back; what’s proper about always living outside?"
"Moving back is good; if there’s anything, the clan can offer some support."
Mrs. Wang living in Shangcai, while Zhao Hanzhang and Zhao Erlang living in the county town felt distant. Even though they knew in their hearts they were family, they still felt somewhat uneasy.
Mrs. Wang moving back is good, for nothing else, it feels a lot closer.
Moreover, with Mrs. Wang staying in the fortress, it would be much easier for her to interact with Zhao Hanzhang in the future, giving her more consideration.
Seeing that they welcomed Mrs. Wang, Zhao Hanzhang was also very pleased, so both parties were very happy.
Zhao Hanzhang was exceptionally attentive, accompanying Zhao Ming to see the elders off.
Only after Zhao Ming saw them leave did he turn to Zhao Hanzhang and ask, "You recruited so many people with that conscription order. What are you planning to do with them?"
She only kept three thousand people on the books, hiding the rest. Zhao Ming didn’t know whether to call her bold or foolish. "Can you support so many people?"
Zhao Hanzhang smiled lightly, "Certainly. If uncle doesn’t believe, just wait and see."
She said, "If I succeed, you must back me up in the future, uncle."
Zhao Ming waved his hand, "Off you go, I won’t see you out."
He turned and went back inside.
Zhao Hanzhang smiled, ran back to find Fu Tinghan and Zhao Erlang, and returned to the county government.
Mrs. Wang was reluctant to let go but knew Zhao Hanzhang was busy, so she didn’t dare to pull her, instead pulling Zhao Erlang, "Erlang, how about you stay and accompany mom? Mom will take you to visit and eat some delicious food."
Zhao Erlang pulled his hand away forcefully, unwilling, "Mom, I’m going for military training; I’m a centurion now, I can’t leave the camp casually."
"You’re so young; that’s just your sister coaxing you to play."
"It’s not true," Zhao Erlang said unhappily, "I went to Yu Yang with Sister, even went to the battlefield. Although I didn’t take a head, I grabbed things and have spoils of war."
Zhao Hanzhang turned back and said, "Mom, let him come with me. Keeping him idling in the fortress would waste precious time."
"At his age, he should be in clan school studying..."
"Let it be, spare Eleventh Ancestor and Erlang. Sending him to clan school, he would either be beaten or scolded to death, or Eleventh Ancestor would be infuriated to death." The clan school is currently overseen by Eleventh Ancestor.
Mrs. Wang, recalling his stubborn ignorance, sighed and agreed. She didn’t mind herself getting angry, but if it troubled the clan elders, reputations would be harmed.
From the fortress to the county town wasn’t far; the three of them arrived after a short ride.
The person in charge at the county government vanished instantly, leaving Geng Rong and Song Zhi looking for people but couldn’t find them, worried and wandering in circles. Seeing Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan return, they immediately stepped forward to greet them.
"Lady, Mr. Fu."
Zhao Hanzhang nodded slightly, asking, "What’s going on?"
Song Zhi said, "According to Mr. Fu’s instructions, in recent days, the newcomers have all been organized. We don’t know where to send them."
Fu Tinghan said, "Give me the list and the total number, I’ll arrange it later."
Geng Rong then said, "Each household’s outstanding taxes have been calculated. Here are the accounts."
Even Chen Si Niang came over, bowing, "It’s about to enter winter, there aren’t enough quilts and clothes in Yushan Hall, and the newly taken-in orphans are too many. The current courtyard can’t hold them."
Zhao Hanzhang handed the horse to the approaching government official, "Let’s go inside the main hall to discuss."
Geng Rong said, "Also, wheat seeds. Lady wants to cultivate so much land, but the seeds are not enough. The land is already being prepared, and sowing will begin soon."
In short, there are many things, all requiring them to spend money and make decisions.
Zhao Erlang, muddle-headed following them into the hall, was seen by Zhao Hanzhang, who patted his arm, "Go back to the camp and train with your men."
Zhao Erlang instantly perked up, happily responding, and turned to leave.
Before leaving, he saw Fu An leaning against the door and pulled him, "Come on, train with me."
Fu An clung to the pillar, "Second Young Master, I must stay with our gentleman."
"Brother-in-law doesn’t need you; come with me. You can read the military books to us later. Brother-in-law read them to me last time, but I forgot again. Tonight, Sister will definitely test me, hurry up..."
Fu An, thinking about their intense training, stubbornly held onto the pillar, "I don’t want to..."
Zhao Erlang, full of strength, pulled him away resolutely, "Come on, come on, Brother-in-law doesn’t need you..."
Fu An was about to cry; he’s the gentleman’s servant, not Zhao Erlang’s.
Fu Tinghan looked outside and then returned his gaze to the ledger, not interfering.
Names, ages, places of origin were listed, followed by totals.
Song Zhi, following Fu Tinghan’s instructions, divided people into nine groups, each of two hundred, all individuals who had come in dribs and drabs to join over the past few days.
Fu Tinghan showed the ledger to Zhao Hanzhang, "My plan is to designate a spot within Xiping County to settle them, like setting up a village."
Zhao Hanzhang: "Soldiers during wartime, civilians during farming seasons?"
Fu Tinghan nodded, "I’ve taken stock of the official fields and assets in Xiping County. There aren’t many official fields on the books, but there are lots of abandoned lands among the populace; these lands can all be utilized."
Zhao Hanzhang pondered briefly and agreed, "Alright, then set up a settlement point."