Chapter 437: Chapter 437

The soldiers saw the deer and immediately became excited, rushing forward to greet it.

Fan Ying was also very pleased, but first ran over to ask Zhao Hanzhang, "Governor, how should we divide this?"

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and said, "We already have rabbit and roe deer, let’s keep one for ourselves, give half of one to Mr. Zhu, and chop the other one for the refugees to make soup. In this cold weather, drinking some deer meat soup can ward off the chill."

Fan Ying happily agreed, but she had selfish intentions, squatting nearby to watch them kill the deer, and then took the best tenderloin from the deer, two deer and two pieces of the best tenderloin.

Having been pampered since childhood, never even witnessing a chicken being killed, Fan Ying could now calmly pick up the two pieces of tenderloin to compare, then happily placed them on two large leaves, offering them to Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan, "Governor, Young Master, these are the best tenderloin pieces, I brought them for you to grill and eat."

Zhao Hanzhang did not reject her selfishness, smiling, "Quickly invite Mr. Zhu over, rare to have good meat, bring my wine pouch as well."

The weather was cold, so Zhao Hanzhang carried a wine pouch with her, which could ward off the chill, though she hardly drank while traveling, so the pouch was still full.

Ting He brought the wine pouch and also brought bowls for everyone.

Zhao Hanzhang personally poured wine for Zhu Chuan, sincerely grateful to him. If not for his supplies, tonight’s refugees would have been left hungry in such cold weather, not knowing how many might have starved.

Moreover, without food to appease them, she couldn’t win their hearts.

Zhu Chuan was also very grateful to Zhao Hanzhang. If not for her timely appearance, he would have struggled to retreat safely today; he hadn’t expected so many refugees hiding in the woods. Thıs text ıs hosted at 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮•𝘯𝘦𝘵

Although they were mostly elderly, women, and children, if they rushed together, hunger-driven desperation could overwhelm them, making it difficult to escape, let alone safeguard the goods.

Zhu Chuan’s gaze fell on his three carts, where the genuinely valuable items were, despite their size, their value far exceeded those on thirty carts.

He didn’t doubt Zhao Hanzhang could guess, but she acted ignorant, embodying her tolerance and generosity.

Encountering other armies, he would probably pay far more than those thirty carts of supplies.

Having often traveled, Zhu Chuan understood these rules well, which was one reason he deemed Zhao Hanzhang worthy of investing in.

Seeing Zhao Hanzhang pour him wine, he hurriedly held the bowl with both hands.

Zhao Hanzhang poured him a bowl of wine, then poured one for herself, turning to pour for Fu Tinghan, though knowing he didn’t like alcohol, so she poured only a little, tossing the rest to Zhao Erlang watching eagerly, advising, "You’re still young, drink sparingly."

Zhao Erlang mumbled in reply, picked up a knife and went to cut roe deer meat.

Zhao Hanzhang raised a bowl to Zhu Chuan, "This bowl to Mr. Zhu, Mr. Zhu’s righteousness, for aiding today, Hanzhang remembers deeply."

Zhu Chuan quickly raised his bowl, "Grateful for Governor Zhao’s lifesaving grace, deeply felt within."

Both parties joyfully clinked bowls, Fu Tinghan watched them drink heartily, smiled, shook his head, and only sipped a little before putting the bowl down, saying, "Eat something to fill the stomach before drinking."

Zhao Hanzhang regretted, "It’s gone, never mind, everyone eat meat tonight, come, the rabbit and roe deer are roasted, grill the deer meat too."

Zhu Chuan immediately said, "Didn’t expect Governor Zhao loves wine, it’s coincidence, I brought some Jian Nan Chun wine this time, wait a moment."

He then searched through his three carts, soon pulling out two tightly bound jars from a box underneath.

As he opened a jar, a rich wine fragrance instantly filled the area, Zhao Hanzhang took a deep breath, praised, "Good wine!"

Zhu Chuan laughed heartily, "This wine isn’t well-known outside but is popular in our Shu area, I find it tasty, not worse than Du Kang or Bamboo Leaf Green, try it, Governor Zhao."

"Alright," this time Zhao Hanzhang was generous, calling Qiu Wu and several valued officers over to share, Fan Ying also ran over with a bowl.

With many people and little wine, each person received only a bowl, but the feeling of unfulfilled desire was better.

Zhao Hanzhang stopped Zhu Chuan from fetching more wine, smiling, "When marching outside, tasting lightly is sufficient, can’t drink much."

Upon hearing, Qiu Wu and others immediately suppressed their cravings, appearing serious, not daring to show any longing for wine.

Zhu Chuan’s gaze flickered, laughing heartily agreeing.

The wine and meat aroma stimulated the refugees, saliva quickly secreting, fortunately, their porridge was ready too. Although in exile, many brought pots and jars, Zhao Hanzhang’s side lending a few more, allowing two centurions to share a pot.

Food was distributed in fixed amounts, calculated by Fu Tinghan, so when the pot was opened, the crowd smelling the food aroma promptly stirred to action.

To prevent looting, raising a voice could eat, soldiers with knives patrolled among them, shouting, "Your centurion is responsible for distributing food, understand? Anyone daring to reach out, I’ll cut his hand! Be obedient."

Those intending to loot restrained their desire, staring longingly.

Some hadn’t realized initially, but now smelling food aroma, felt faint, hearts loudly clamoring to eat.

Fortunately, the Zhao Family Army’s reputation preceded it, coupled with Zhao Hanzhang sitting nearby, internal fear temporarily controlling desire.

The two centurions worked quickly, one swiftly accepting team members’ bowls, the other stirring and serving porridge, your team member a bowl, my team member a bowl, soon serving eighteen bowls, then hurriedly scooped a bowl for themselves.

With soldiers watching, and selected ones being either honest or capable, holding some prestige, made their actions fairly just.

One scoop per person, regardless of bowl size, was one scoop.

As porridge entered bowls, ignoring the heat, they began devouring eagerly.

Though it was husk-cooked porridge, everyone enjoyed it thoroughly, cherishing every morsel, not spilling a single grain.

Some quickly finished their bowls, began watching the pot, even those not done followed suit, eating while watching.

The centurion served them, "Each person gets only two bowls, calculated by officials from the start, once finished, no more."

Started watching them serve porridge, this time they ate even more carefully, unlike previously gulping down, this time chewing it well.

Uncertain how long since having such food, the elderly moved to tears, children simply immersed in eating.

They ate quickly, in less than a quarter hour, all finished their meals.

The soldiers were pleased with their eating speed, tapping the sheaths, "Now, centurions come forward to receive meat, our Governor’s kindness, Second Son hunted deer, share one with you, each centurion can collect some meat to make soup, chopped ready for you, simply add water and cook..."

They never expected to eat meat, momentarily moved to tears, kneeling, bowing towards Zhao Hanzhang, "Thank you, Governor, You’re surely the reincarnate of Bodhisattva..."