After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 932 - 917: Out of Money

Zhao Hanzhang said, "I asked Zhao Kuan to investigate that copper mine. I have seen the numbers reported by Shi Le. Although they are only approximate figures, they are quite large. I’ve been wondering, where have all these people been sold to?"

"Those attractive boys and girls are raised in separate courtyards and sent elsewhere after training. But besides them, there are many others, mostly middle-aged men and women and teenagers. According to the figures reported by Shi Le, there are at least over three thousand of them. Where have those people gone?"

Zhao Hanzhang suspects they are in the mine caves.

She shared this suspicion with Zhao Kuan.

Zhao Kuan immediately investigated in this direction. Because Zhao Hanzhang and Liu Kun have sworn allegiance, he has acted more comfortably in Jinyang than when Fan Ying used to settle refugees. He was new and didn’t understand deeply, but Fan Ying experienced the difference and felt quite saddened, "Why didn’t Lord Zhao swear allegiance with Governor Liu a few days earlier?"

Zhao Kuan said nothing, lowered his head, glanced at the blueprint he got from Fu Tinghan, and pointed to a spot, "To inspect the mine, we must guard this place, otherwise we enter from the front gate, and they exit through the back mountain, preventing us from capturing anyone."

Fan Ying looked over and said, "This is a copper mine. I carefully inquired about it, and although Governor Liu gave the mining rights to the Zhang Family, they still have to pay him a management fee every month. So there may be some of Governor Liu’s people inside."

In investigations, everyone is a suspect, and anyone could be the villain.

Moreover, with Jinyang under Liu Kun’s jurisdiction, it’s hard not to think badly of Liu Kun.

Zhao Kuan pondered for a moment before saying, "Then let’s not transfer people from the county government, but request personnel from the Zhao Family Army."

Fan Ying replied, "We only brought a thousand bodyguards. Now, both the Xianbei and Jie Clans are here. We need to leave enough personnel to protect Lord Zhao."

"Weren’t you recruiting soldiers here? I heard there are as many as twenty thousand?"

"They are all new recruits, and recruited from Jinyang, a mix of good and bad. Who knows if there are spies among them? They have yet to be trained. Can you use them?"

Zhao Kuan asked, "Then what do you suggest? Such a large mining site requires at least two thousand soldiers to capture the people inside, doesn’t it? We’re here to apprehend, not to kill!"

If they were here to kill, fewer people would be needed. Given the Zhao Family Army’s ability, three to four hundred would suffice.

But they aim to capture them alive, requiring at least triple the number to ensure success.

Fan Ying whispered, "Request people from General Shi, directly from the Shi Army."

Zhao Kuan didn’t trust Shi Le much, and upon hearing this, he frowned deeply.

Being a senior secretary by Zhao Hanzhang’s side, Fan Ying sensed Zhao Kuan’s hesitation and softly said, "If you lack confidence in General Shi, you can ask Lord Zhao for a decision."

Zhao Kuan went to Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang approved immediately, saying, "Go ask General Shi for personnel."

She paused and added, "Pass a message to General Shi for me."

Zhao Kuan bowed to listen.

Zhao Hanzhang said faintly, "Once is fine, but not twice."

Zhao Kuan waited for more, only to find Zhao Hanzhang had lowered her head to process official documents, clearly only having these five words.

This was not a complete sentence, merely half of one. If you have the guts, why not say the remaining half?

Zhao Kuan dared only to shout inwardly, retreating quietly to pass on the message.

Shi Le understood the threat in Zhao Hanzhang’s words and agreed to Zhao Kuan, sending two thousand Shi Army soldiers to help.

Zhang Bin secretly breathed a sigh of relief beside him. Once Zhao Kuan left, he immediately grabbed Shi Le, persuading him, "Thankfully, Lord Zhao is generous and puts enough trust in you. Otherwise, your plan would likely fail due to your breach of word."

Shi Le snorted, "My mother, wife, and children are all in her hands. Would I dare to betray her?"

Zhang Bin asked, "If you truly encounter an exceptional opportunity, would you abandon it for your family?"

Shi Le was silent.

Then Zhang Bin laughed and said, "That’s the Master I know."

He continued, "Don’t worry, even if you were to act in falsehood, Zhao Hanzhang wouldn’t harm your family. From what I know of her, her methods, though decisive and strong, are clear and do not involve family members. In her hands, your mother, wife, and sons are safer than with you."

Shi Le thought so too, which was one reason he hadn’t fled after surrendering. Because compared to others, Zhao Hanzhang truly excels in this respect.

Yet he still felt resentful, muttering, "She is too greedy. She snatches everything we seize. We have over 100,000 people to feed. She forbids us from plundering or forcibly recruiting, yet the provisions she provides are insufficient. Are we to let the soldiers die of hunger?"

"We managed to seize some wealth with great difficulty. I calculated it would be distributed: half for relief aid to gain merit and the other half to buy provisions and pay the soldiers. Shi Le said, "Those five thousand we brought must have full meals to go to battle with us, right?"

Zhang Bin sighed, "I know of your difficulties, but Lord Zhao must have her own troubles too. This year drought and locust plagues are severe. After the new year, she began to wage war and has been fighting for over half a year, exhausting the people’s strength. Provisions... Sigh~"

Shi Le couldn’t help but furrow his brows, feeling particularly unfortunate.

When he was opposed to Zhao Hanzhang, her provisions were ample, allowing her to chase him. But now, with both on the same side, she faces hardships with lacking provisions.

Zhao Hanzhang was indeed troubled by provisions, which is why she preferred using espionage and negotiation. If wealth and provisions were abundant, and there were enough soldiers, she’d lead her forces quickly to seize lands.

But now, her soldiers were growing weary amidst scarce provisions.

The closer it gets to the end, the more she needs to take things steadily, preferring to delay reclaiming lost territory than risk losing everything.

She understood why Shi Le deviated from plans because his gaze was fixed on seized assets.

Honestly, the nobles of Jinyang were truly wealthy. Even she was tempted. If she could confiscate their possessions...

No, no, Jinyang is already unstable. She can’t recklessly provoke them to rebel.

Sigh~

Zhao Hanzhang sat at her desk, worried about the account books.

Fu Tinghan noticed her distress and offered a suggestion, "Your newly recognized second brother leads a lavish life and seems wealthy. Why don’t you borrow from him?"

Previously, Zhao Hanzhang wanted to maintain her image in front of confidants, restraining herself even if tempted. But now...

Zhao Hanzhang smacked the table, "Right! Borrow from Second Brother! We are family now, no shame in asking."

Zhao Hanzhang took a moment to prepare mentally and immediately got up to find Liu Kun.

The day after Liu Kun recognized her as his sister, he lent out most of his treasury, leaving only his few prized wines and musical bands intact. Everything else that could be turned into cash, he lent to Zhao Hanzhang.

Not to mention the money and provisions in his storeroom.