Chapter 492: Chapter 492

Beigong Chun looked back and then realized that their own men were also seriously injured, and they had been fighting since the morning. Continuing the pursuit would be extremely taxing on their minds and bodies.

Zhao Hanzhang also had a weary expression, "At this time, not only are the people exhausted, but the horses are also tired. We can’t pursue any further."

She called out loudly, "Where are Fu Tinghan and Fan Ying? Summon them to come and receive orders."

Fu Tinghan and Fan Ying, who were stationed at the rear, immediately stepped forward.

Zhao Hanzhang said, "I need money; other treasures would do as well."

Fu Tinghan replied, "I’ve already sent people to collect the luggage left behind on the road."

Zhao Hanzhang said, "If it’s not enough, then requisition it," she said coldly, "forcibly."

Fu Tinghan hesitated for a moment, then agreed. He and Fan Ying led the soldiers to seize the treasures. It was his first time doing such a thing, and his hands were trembling a bit.

Zhao Hanzhang dismounted and found a clean place to sit down.

Beigong Chun was puzzled, "Is the General planning to use the treasures to boost morale?"

He said, "Rewards are not appropriate at this time, and it would be better to wait until after the battle to award merits." Granting large rewards now could cause unrest among the people.

"Who said it’s to reward merits?" Zhao Hanzhang said, "This money is to be given to Shi Le."

Although Prince East Sea claimed to leave the capital, he brought along almost the entire court. Notable figures like Wang Yan, a Grand Commandant, and renowned gentry all accompanied him, not to mention other officials and noble families.

It was practically an unspoken agreement to abandon the emperor and establish a new court.

So, when he left, he not only scoured the national treasury, the inner treasury, and various other storerooms but also had the officials, aristocratic families, and gates who accompanied him bring their luggage.

They intended to start anew with Prince East Sea.

Therefore, apart from the fixed assets that could not be carried, any other valuables, from a single copper coin to large screens and wooden couches, as long as they were valuable and portable, they took it all along.

This resulted in luggage scattered all along the road.

Of course, most of it was quite bulky.

The most valuable items were mostly looted by Shi Le, after all, the officials and noble family members of Luoyang were basically in his hands now.

But due to the chaos, there were always people and... treasures left behind.

Fu Tinghan and Fan Ying each led a team and directly confiscated this portion of the wealth.

To his surprise, not only did the people who were robbed of their wealth not resist, but there were also some who offered it voluntarily.

A woman opened her personal jewelry box, gave a slight bow, and said, "Mr. Fu, this is my private savings. Many thanks to Miss Zhao and her army for rescuing us from the miseries of war and displacement."

She said, "Most of our wealth was plundered by that bandit Shi Le, and there isn’t much left. There are only these to offer Miss Zhao a little provision. Please, Mr. Fu, do not disdain them."

Fu Tinghan glanced at the jewels and pearls in the box, bowed to her, and said, "Thank you, Hanzhang is not taking these riches for provisions, nor is she taking them to exploit the deprived Yu State for resources. They are to redeem people. Does your family have anyone taken by Shi Le?"

He said, "I cannot guarantee they will certainly be redeemed, but if you provide the names, as long as we can find them, Shi Le is willing to release people, we will prioritize redeeming them."

The woman’s eyes brightened, and she immediately said, "My husband is from the third branch of the Fanyang Xu Family. He and my two sons were taken by Shi Le."

She lifted her skirt, knelt down, and kowtowed respectfully to Fu Tinghan, "Lord Zhao and Mr. Fu, your immense kindness, I swear to repay greatly in the future."

Fu Tinghan helped her up and noted down the names of her family members who were lost.

Knowing that the money was to be used to redeem people, the woman immediately removed the hairpins and bracelets she was wearing, along with the gemstone necklace around her neck, and handed them to Fu Tinghan.

Fu Tinghan didn’t refuse and accepted what she gave. If they didn’t offer it, he also would not forcibly take it. However, from the luggage carried by everyone, regardless if it was gold, silver, jewels, or silks and fabrics, he confiscated them, leaving nothing behind.

Due to Mrs. Xu’s spreading of the word, the assembled noble families and officials all knew that Zhao Hanzhang intended to use the money to redeem people.

So after a little thought, they also voluntarily handed over their properties.

After all, it would be seized anyway. Could they possibly out-rob Zhao Hanzhang’s army?

It’s better to take the initiative, and there might even be some goodwill earned. What if Zhao Hanzhang really managed to redeem their family members?

But... "Is Zhao Hanzhang really going to redeem people? Just before, they were fiercely battling Shi Le."

One official, fortunate to escape, was slumped on the ground, listlessly saying, "If there’s profit to be had, they’ll do it. Don’t just think it’s about ransoming people. With enough benefit, acknowledging someone as their father on the spot wouldn’t be impossible."

Someone nearby, hearing this, ridiculed, "Do you think everyone is like you, willing to call anyone mother if fed? Zhao Hanzhang carries the demeanor of her ancestors, the grace of a gentleman, so refrain from slandering."

The official: ... What did he say?

"Alright, alright, you two, stop arguing. It wouldn’t be good if the Zhao Family Army was drawn here," someone quickly played the peacemaker, "Quickly gather up the luggage so it won’t get taken from us later."

Someone quietly reached into their luggage and stashed away a handful of jewels into their sleeve, saying, "Why bother gathering it up? Once the people come, let them take whatever they want."

"Makes sense." The person speaking also took a piece of gold from their luggage and hid it in their coat.

Those who witnessed the entire event: ...

Alright, alright, life goes on after this—and for those who hid stuff, let them hide it.

Fu Tinghan, of course, knew some were hiding wealth, but given they were robbing people, he turned a blind eye as long as not too much was concealed, to avoid sparking public resentment.

Fan Ying, on the other hand, was much stricter. Her sharp gaze swept over and if she saw anything, soldiers were ordered to seize it. Google seaʀᴄh noᴠelfire.net

Before long, chests filled with gold, silver, jewels, and silks and jade artifacts were brought before Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang then stood up, lowered her head, and sifted through the boxes’ contents, frowning, "This is too little. Follow this road back; Prince East Sea brought out so many things, they couldn’t all have been seized by Shi Le, could they?"

Fan Ying received the order and immediately led his people away.

Fu Tinghan also had several chests brought over and asked, "Are you sure you can ransom people from Shi Le?"

Zhao Hanzhang: "How did you know I intended to ransom people?"

Fu Tinghan: "You’re not pursuing, you can’t just look on as those fifty thousand people become Shi Le’s slaves, right?"

He said, "There are quite a few soldiers and civilians among them. If Shi Le can’t sustain them, he might kill them. You’re seizing money now, apart from ransoming them, what else would it be used for?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Although Shi Le is ruthless, he is not barbaric. They have already surrendered, and their numbers aren’t large—Shi Le should be able to sustain them, so I don’t think he would kill civilians. But the others are uncertain."

Though Zhao Hanzhang had read much history, she couldn’t remember every detail. However, she vividly recalled one significant event—when Prince East Sea fled with three hundred thousand troops and civilians, they were eventually all wiped out, with ten thousand of them killed in battles with Shi Le;

The remaining two hundred thousand were burned alive by Wang Zhang, no, roasted alive.

He intentionally controlled the fire, roasting the people to be shared as food.

At that time, the Xiongnu army he led, together with Shi Le’s Jiehu army, devoured two hundred thousand people.

Whenever she thought of this part of history, even across thousands of years, she still shuddered.