Chapter 180: Chapter 175: Yielding
Zhao Hanzhang was momentarily stunned and quickly said, "Not at all."
Chang Ning’s eager heart turned cold, and he said indifferently, "Third Lady, please leave. We are not suitable."
"How does Mr. Xu know it’s not suitable without trying?"
Chang Ning quietly looked at her.
Zhao Hanzhang laughed, "Mr. Ji speaks highly of Mr. Xu, knowing that I’m interested in you, and he specially entrusted someone to send a message on my behalf."
Chang Ning sneered, thinking it was a treacherous person sowing discord; he certainly didn’t believe it.
Seeing this, Zhao Hanzhang raised her wine cup and sighed, "Is it because you resent Mr. Ji for his previous closeness with County Magistrate Chai? But at that time, Mr. Ji and you were each serving your masters. Although he offended you, it was for Hanzhang’s sake, so, in the end, it was Hanzhang’s fault. Allow me to punish myself with a drink, and I ask for your forgiveness, sir."
After saying that, she drank it all in one gulp, and then poured herself another cup, "County Magistrate Chai is sincere and honest, while you are talented and flexible. He may not understand your thoughts, and staying under his command would be too unfair for you."
Zhao Hanzhang solemnly said, "Although I’m not talented, I was fortunate to learn under my grandfather’s guidance; I have gained some insight. At our first meeting, I was already impressed by your talent, Mr. Xu, but unfortunately, you were loyal to County Magistrate Chai, so I dared not speak."
Chang Ning’s expression slightly softened, though he remained stoic, "Now you dare?"
Zhao Hanzhang sighed, "County Magistrate Chai is overly earnest and sincere."
How is this different from directly saying County Magistrate Chai is too foolish?
Chang Ning tried hard to hold back, but his expression could not help but appear peculiar for a moment. He recalled Zhao Changyu’s advice to Emperor Wu about deposing the Crown Prince, citing his "pure ancient ways."
The phrase "earnest and sincere" uttered by Zhao Hanzhang today is strikingly similar to those "pure ancient ways" words.
This grandfather and granddaughter indeed pass down... decency, allowing people to retain their face.
Zhao Hanzhang continued, "I heard you suggested yesterday to County Magistrate Chai to purchase grain during the autumn harvest, so when next year’s grain prices rise, they could stabilize market prices, but County Magistrate Chai believed it went against moral law, so he refused?"
Chang Ning lowered his eyes, his tightly shut heart slightly opening. This was one reason he quietly came to meet Zhao Hanzhang.
He had spoken at length yesterday, and County Magistrate Chai had already agreed, but halfway through leaving, he changed his mind. He likely feared it might not look good if it grew into an incident, thereby damaging his standing and fame as a County Magistrate, so he turned back mid-way.
Chang Ning was greatly disappointed at that time; he pondered over it all night and decided to resign from his post and return home. But upon receiving Zhao Hanzhang’s letter this morning, he somehow foolishly avoided others and came over furtively.
Now being pointed out like this, Chang Ning inwardly smiled bitterly, perhaps a part of him still held some hope and reluctance.
He came from a side family and had worked hard for the opportunity to study, wandering for years before serving under County Magistrate Chai. If he returned home this time, his future might be severed, leaving him to toil in the fields all his life.
Let alone ambitions, it might even be difficult to satisfy basic needs, but... staying in Shangcai was truly depressing for him.
The relationship between a strategist and their lord is like that of lovers; it should be based on mutual trust and intimacy. But ever since Ji Yuan intervened, County Magistrate Chai grew increasingly dissatisfied with him. In the past, County Magistrate Chai would often heed his advice, but now, out of ten ideas, County Magistrate Chai could question nine.
If he leaves now, he and County Magistrate Chai could still retain some camaraderie, but if he stayed longer, they would likely become "resentful companions," endangering his very life in the future.
Although Chang Ning followed County Magistrate Chai for many years, he did not wish to reach this level of discord with him.
He looked up at Zhao Hanzhang, feeling deeply conflicted.
Zhao Hanzhang immediately said, "If Mr. Xu is willing to come to my side, I will speak to County Magistrate Chai on your behalf."
Chang Ning lowered his eyes and asked, "You already have Ji Yuan by your side; with his capabilities, how could you still need me, Lady General?"
Zhao Hanzhang heard the wavering in his heart and immediately said, "Your talents are different from Mr. Ji’s. Mr. Ji followed my grandfather and studied the ways of a strategist, while you have deep insights into civilian and economic matters from your years with County Magistrate Chai. Although we haven’t interacted much, just a few meetings have left me deeply impressed."
Having spoken this far, Zhao Hanzhang thought about how they were just starting out and had taken in so many refugees. What they desperately needed was someone who could revitalize the local economy.
In that moment, Zhao Hanzhang made a decision, looking at him with bright eyes, "Would you be willing to come and assist me?"
Chang Ning lowered his eyes to think and, after a long pause, said, "I need to think it over."
Zhao Hanzhang then invited him for a drink, "Then I will await your good news."
Chang Ning suddenly felt a great deal of pressure.
After finishing a glass of wine, he got up and left.
Zhao Hanzhang returned to the other courtyard, where Ji Yuan was already waiting in the study, immediately asking, "How was it?"
Zhao Hanzhang replied, "He hasn’t agreed yet, but his attitude has softened."
Ji Yuan mused, "Although Chang Ning is ruthless to outsiders, he is somewhat soft-hearted internally. County Magistrate Chai may be foolish, but he has treated him fairly well and recognized his talents. He has already discerned your determination to take Shangcai and can guess you intend to use him there. He likely doesn’t want to fall out with County Magistrate Chai."
Zhao Hanzhang murmured, "I didn’t mean to fall out with County Magistrate Chai. Let’s find common ground first. If we’re truly on different paths, we can part ways later."
Ji Yuan glanced at her, "Lady General, you are merely the County Magistrate of Xiping County. Someone like County Magistrate Chai will not listen to you unless your status surpasses his."
With Zhao Hanzhang’s extensive businesses in Shangcai, conflicts between the two were inevitable. Not falling out would be practically impossible at that time.
Chang Ning foresaw this, which is why he always remained indifferent to Zhao Hanzhang while standing by County Magistrate Chai.
Now that Zhao Hanzhang was digging at Chang Ning, he had to consider the future and how he would replace Zhao Hanzhang to confront County Magistrate Chai.
The once lord would become the opposing side, stirring worries within Chang Ning.
Ji Yuan stroked his beard, contemplating for a moment before suddenly breaking into a smile.
Zhao Hanzhang looked at Ji Yuan perplexedly.
Facing the confused Zhao Hanzhang, Ji Yuan couldn’t help but laugh heartily, "I was constrained in my thinking. There’s an even better way: give him the position of Chief Clerk in Xiping County."
Zhao Hanzhang looked at Ji Yuan in surprise, "What about you, sir?"
Ji Yuan nonchalantly waved his hand, "My ambitions do not lie in the Lady General’s Chief Clerk position. I will stay in Shangcai and help you take it over."
Chang Ning would show leniency because of his recognition of County Magistrate Chai, but Ji Yuan would not.
Surprised, Zhao Hanzhang looked at him, contemplating before nodding, "That would be good. Shangcai is closer to Yu Yang and the largest county in Ru Nan County. There are far more merchants, scholars, and more accessible information here. With you stationed here, I would be more at ease."
Ji Yuan was quite satisfied; he knew the Lady General could not possibly be content with just Xiping and Shangcai Counties. Look, before Shangcai County was even in hand, she already had her sights on Yu Yang.
Going to Xiping would mean being tied down by county affairs; it was better to stay in Shangcai and keep an eye on the overall situation for her.
Ji Yuan then urged her, "Lady General, go to the county seat once more. Let Chang Ning see your sincerity and strive to secure him today."
Hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang immediately stood up, "I’ll go right away."
Ji Yuan watched her, leaving without hesitation, and couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy, teasingly saying, "It seems the Lady General truly likes Chang Ning, being so eager."
Zhao Hanzhang: ... Weren’t you the one who asked me to go?