The autumn harvest is about to end, and while various places are urgently collecting the autumn tax, Zhao Hanzhang issued proclamations seeking talent across the counties and regions.
Since she has achieved so much, Zhao Hanzhang certainly wouldn’t settle for just a few talents; she seeks unlimited talent.
The proclamation states: "The people are suffering, the chaos unrestrained, and all those with insight feel heartbroken. Hanzhang’s ability is limited and she only strives to provide a clean haven for the people in this Ru Nan County. I wish to work together with all of you, so that the people here are not left without clothes and food."
"Those talented people across the land who hear this announcement and wish to join Hanzhang are all welcome to come to Xiping, where Hanzhang quietly awaits your arrival."
The proclamation was posted, and the news quickly spread from Ru Nan to Yu State, and even beyond Yu State.
Merchants traveling and travelers journeying carried this news, with some even copying the proclamation to take outside.
In taverns and restaurants, people looked at this multiply-conveyed proclamation, eyes filled with tears, murmuring: "Can the people really have clothes to cover themselves and food to fill their bellies?"
Someone nearby overheard his murmuring and became somewhat excited, grabbing him and asking, "Brother Wang, are you going to Ru Nan?"
Wang Nai pondered for a moment and finally gritted his teeth and said: "Yes!"
The other person immediately brightened up and said to him: "I will go with you!"
"Good, then let us return, pack our luggage, and set off at once."
They decided to leave on a whim; scholars of this era are indeed capricious. The two went home, packed their bags, said a quick word to their families, and ran off.
The family chased after them for quite a distance but couldn’t catch them, so they had no choice but to give up. The family members believed they would return home soon, thinking, "That is just a maiden, even though she has become a county chief; how far can she really go? Just being drawn away by a recruitment proclamation—so reckless!"
Wang Nai and his good friend Xie Shi just ran away like that.
This proclamation also circulated among the refugees and laborers, but they focused on another aspect: "If we go to Ru Nan, won’t this mean we can settle down and prosper?"
"In these troubled times, where is the opportunity to settle down and prosper?"
Despite the words, people couldn’t help but move towards Ru Nan, regardless of whether they could truly settle there. At least the authorities showed such intentions, maybe life would be better there?
There were ambitious young men who clenched their fists, looking at their strong arms, considering whether they could go to the female county chief for a job.
Though they couldn’t read, they had strength, courage, and were not afraid of risking their lives. Talents shouldn’t be judged solely on literacy, should they? Charging into battle counts too, right?
There were also non-aristocrats, educated but without any rank, who, considering this proclamation amid various messages from Ru Nan County, decided to go to Ru Nan.
"Considering her actions in Ru Nan County over the past two years, she isn’t one to seek fame and flatteries, perhaps it’s worth a try."
"I heard that the current county magistrate of Xiping County doesn’t come from a noble background but is from a humble family, and was previously an aide to the county magistrate of Shangcai County."
"The county magistrates in Yu Yang and Biyang County also aren’t from noble backgrounds but were originally county magistrates, showing she doesn’t judge talent by pedigree."
The underlying message is that we all have a chance.
It’s hard for those from humble origins to enter officialdom, even though they have the heart to serve the country, there are no avenues available.
Without a prominent family background, one gets eliminated at the Central Justice Officer’s ranking, so those from humble origins can only start as aides.
Some spend their entire lives without achieving anything; in recent years, the most famous man of humble origins is Sun Xiu.
He is considered the most successful man of humble origins, advising Sima Lun, holding authority briefly, and wreaking havoc—abolishing the crown prince, killing renowned ministers, doing all the wrong deeds—but even so, he only remained an aide, never obtaining an official rank.
Oh, and he died a miserable death, which is why scholars from humble origins disdain to learn from him.
Nevertheless, the principles are the same; perhaps Sun Xiu’s abnormality lies in how his efforts couldn’t lead him to office.
Did Sun Xiu lack talent?
No, he was better than many in his time; otherwise, how could he stand at the top amidst chaos and manipulate the court? But he never had the chance to stand openly in the court.
Now, Zhao Hanzhang offers them a chance, even if only within Ru Nan County, it is a rare and big opportunity.
Thus, many agreed to head to Ru Nan County together.
Zhao Hanzhang inspected all the counties under her jurisdiction, returning to Xiping with her mobile mini-court, as the autumn harvest had ended, Ji Yuan managed to collect the taxes Zhao Hanzhang had stipulated for the counties, even gathering the military provisions Zhao Hanzhang owed to He Ci Shi.
Ji Yuan’s efficiency deeply moved Zhao Hanzhang.
Seeing the increasingly slim lady, Ji Yuan was also very moved, both eyes filled with tears, Zhao Hanzhang with tearful eyes said, "Sir, you’ve worked hard."
Ji Yuan: "I’m not the one who worked hard, my lady is the one who truly has."
Beside them, Zhao Ming couldn’t bear their sentimentality, frowned and looked at Zhao Hanzhang, "You spent way too much time on this tour, it took over two months."
Zhao Hanzhang sighed, "This couldn’t be helped, Uncle doesn’t know, conditions in the counties are poor."
After glancing at her, Zhao Ming said: "You issued the Recruitment Order widely, the court must know by now, and the Clan Leader likely received the news too."
Zhao Hanzhang was unfazed, smiled and asked, "Did Granduncle congratulate me?"
Whether Zhao Zhongyu congratulated Zhao Hanzhang is unknown, but the court took issue with He Ci Shi entrusting Ru Nan County to a woman.
If Luoyang didn’t urgently need support from all sides, this situation surely couldn’t go unchallenged.
Currently, Luoyang struggles to protect itself, with ministers having many opinions but unwilling to let such trivial matters occupy energy, the priority is urging He Ci Shi and Gou Xi to fight back against the Xiongnu Army.
Though not much was said in court, privately, colleagues criticized Zhao Zhongyu in sarcasm, "Chief of Staff, we must say, your Zhao Family is impressive, and Zhao Hanzhang—isn’t she Mr. Zhao’s granddaughter? I recall the one who inherited Mr. Zhao’s title was indeed your son?"
Zhao Zhongyu’s face remained calm, "Thanks for the praise. Third Lady received many compliments even while at home, she is indeed virtuous and generous; He Ci Shi valued her talents, which is only normal. If she were male, my brother and ancestors would be immensely proud, but even as a female, she stands out."
He glanced at the mocking ministers, with an amused expression said, "If the court had used her, would my grandniece need to run around with such petty matters?"
If it weren’t for your incompetence, He Ci Shi wouldn’t have used my grandniece, so what’s there for you to mock?
Zhao Zhongyu flung his sleeve, left the palace and went home.
Back home, his face immediately darkened.
Zhao Ji also heard the rumors outside; at a tavern, he even saw the copied proclamation, on which Hanzhang was written in big bold characters.
So, seeing his father return, Zhao Ji hurriedly approached and said: "Father, it seems there’s trouble at the old home in Xiping, Third Lady actually became the county chief of Ru Nan County."