The two men were filled with a fearful suspicion but dared not ponder it further. They respected Zhang Fang immensely. After all, he was now in control of a city and commanded a large group of mountain bandits. If he was unwilling to accommodate them, the consequences could be dire…
With this thought, Hao Zhuang and Shi Houde were so frightened that they broke out in a cold sweat.
When they finally came to their senses, they realized they hadn’t seen the figure of Chen, the bandit leader. Shi Houde couldn’t help but cautiously inquire of Zhang Fang, “Where is that bandit leader, Chen?”
Zhang Fang’s head was very hot, filled with so much to do that he couldn’t relax. He had just finished delegating some tasks and turned to Shi Houde, answering, “I have other arrangements. The immediate priority is to locate the gold mine; there must still be a group of people there.”
Shi Houde opened his mouth to remind Zhang Fang that this was not his responsibility, but was pulled away by Hao Zhuang.
“Yes! Young Master Zhang, we’ll investigate immediately!”
Once they were out of earshot, Hao Zhuang glanced back and, seeing no one following, whispered, “If I hadn’t stopped you just now, what were you thinking? Letting him handle things on his own and continuing to escort people to the border?”
Shi Houde sighed helplessly, “Isn’t that our job? If we don’t deliver the people on time, we will be punished!”
Hao Zhuang reminded him, “Young Master Zhang is surrounded by so many people; the entire county of Mei is under his control now. Do you think you can just take people away? What nonsense are you talking about!”
The implication was clear that their lives were firmly in Zhang Fang’s hands.
Shi Houde knew this well, letting out a frustrated sigh as he asked Hao Zhuang, “So what should we do?”
Hao Zhuang looked at him speechlessly. If they knew what to do, would they be afraid of Zhang Fang?
In the current situation, they couldn’t even control their own lives, yet they were trying to control Zhang Fang? Surviving was already fortunate enough!
Holding his scorching forehead, Zhang Fang took a large sip of cold tea.
Mu Qing and Yuan Chuan arrived at the county office, and upon seeing Zhang Fang, reported cheerfully.
“Young Master Zhang, you’re impressive! You’ve taken Mei County!” Mu Qing’s admiration for Zhang Fang soared to new heights. The more clever and heroic Zhang Fang became, the more he felt the other was divine!
Yuan Chuan was more composed and straightforwardly explained the evacuation situation: “Most of the affected citizens have been brought into the city, and Brother Chang is in charge of their resettlement. Fortunately, there’s still some food in the granary, enough for at least half a month for these people. I heard that fewer citizens ventured out today, and the streets are devoid of children. It seems the people in the city have sensed the changes in Mei County.”
Zhang Fang nodded, lowering his hand as he gazed at them, speaking earnestly, “The only people I can trust right now are the three of you. Those officials only think of escorting us to the border, disregarding the lives of the people. But looking at so many suffering, how can I turn a blind eye?”
Mu Qing was somewhat angered and exclaimed, “What cold-blooded people! Is this what the court hires, a bunch of scoundrels who ignore the lives and deaths of the citizens?”
Sighing, Zhang Fang replied slowly, “They are under obligation too; one can somewhat understand. If they fail to escort us criminals to the border on time, it will be them who are punished.”
“But they can’t put their own interests before the lives of so many citizens!” Mu Qing spoke fiercely, his emotions clearly visible on his face.
Yuan Chuan looked thoughtfully at Zhang Fang, quietly asking, “Young Master Zhang, what are your orders? Please speak freely.”
Zhang Fang stood up and walked over to them, speaking seriously, “I want you both to keep an eye on them. Bring them along to provide relief and help the citizens.”
Yuan Chuan felt that what Zhang Fang intended to do was not simple, but since Zhang Fang wouldn’t elaborate, he didn’t pursue it further, simply agreeing, “Understood.”
“Since manpower is already insufficient, of course we must take them along for the relief effort!” Mu Qing said, looking very justified.
“Thank you for your hard work!” Zhang Fang politely bowed to them.
Both Yuan Chuan and Mu Qing felt embarrassed and helped Zhang Fang back up.
“What are you doing, Young Master Zhang! If you consider us friends, there’s no need for this formality! Just tell us what you need! When I was young, I admired Zhang Xiang Gong; now, I admire you!” Mu Qing, being direct, said whatever came to his mind.
Zhang Fang smiled. No matter how this coup unfolded, he had secured Mei County. Now he had to deal with the flood, win the people’s hearts, and keep news under wraps. As for the frequent letters from the Prime Minister, if they did not receive a response soon, they would surely realize that he was trapped near Jiangzhou. At that point, they would send someone to inquire about the situation.
It had been raining in the capital for several days, with daily downpours. Based on Zhang Fang’s pace, he should have left Jiangzhou half a month ago. Yet, there had been no news from him, prompting Prime Minister Zhang to send another letter asking if he had passed through Muzhou. The reply from Muzhou was that they had neither seen Zhang Fang nor the convoy of criminals. Prime Minister Zhang thus concluded that Zhang Fang was trapped in Jiangzhou.
In the past month, the court was in a state of silent turmoil. The emperor summoned the Qi Wang to the capital, but he delayed his departure. Angered, the emperor issued an imperial edict, branding the Qi Wang a rebel for defying his command. Only then did the Qi Wang agree to proceed to the capital. However, he fell gravely ill on the road and now lay stricken, refusing to continue.
Both Prime Minister Zhang and the emperor were unaware of how many cards the Qi Wang held. The longer the Qi Wang delayed, the more Prime Minister Zhang suspected he was waiting for something.
In the dead of night, Prime Minister Zhang, weighed down by thoughts, found it hard to sleep, sitting alone in his study in contemplation.
As dawn broke, soft sounds of rain could be heard outside. It was raining again. Prime Minister Zhang, thinking of his son, felt a sense of heaviness and unease in his chest.
He called for the steward, his voice hoarse as he instructed, “After opening the city gates, head straight to Jiangzhou immediately. Along the way, hire all the local guards and warriors you come across. Hire as many as possible to bring to Jiangzhou.”
The steward was taken aback, immediately thinking of Zhang Fang, and inquired with concern, “Is something wrong with the young master?”
Prime Minister Zhang did not answer, but his expression was enough to cause the steward to wonder endlessly.