Mr. Ma was one of the people who drank and took medicine with County Magistrate Hu yesterday. He was terrified and is now lying at home recuperating.
Negotiating with Zhao Hanzhang on behalf of the Ma Family is his younger brother.
He couldn’t stand Zhao Hanzhang being so rude and impolite, and he wanted to use the money taken from their Ma Family’s villa to buy grain from them, which was simply too outrageous!
So he directly refused her.
Zhao Hanzhang raised an eyebrow, glanced at Liang Hong, and turned to leave.
Liang Hong smiled at Ma Xuan, stood up, and followed Zhao Hanzhang out.
Seeing her so rude, Ma Xuan couldn’t help but let out a snort from his nose.
Zhao Hanzhang stopped in the courtyard and turned to ask, "Who is the decision-maker of the Ma Family?"
Liang Hong immediately replied, "It’s Mr. Ma."
"The one who took medicine with County Magistrate Hu yesterday?"
"Yes, his name is Ma Hao. The Ma Family is considered a reputable wealthy family in Biyang County," he paused before continuing, "They may not compare to the Zhao Family in Ru Nan County, but they are indeed one of the top in Biyang County, so they are quite proud."
Zhao Hanzhang lifted her chin slightly and said, "Call a government official to lead the way for me; I need to go to the Ma Family. As for Ma Xuan, you stall him here."
"Huh?"
Zhao Hanzhang glanced at him and said, "Since Ma Xuan can’t make decisions, why bother pretending with him?"
No need to waste her time and energy.
Still wanting her to endure his mood, he must be joking.
Zhao Hanzhang turned and headed to the Ma Family, bringing along Qiu Wu and a group of soldiers.
Upon reaching the Ma Family’s gate, the entire household was tense. Servants and attendants immediately armed themselves with swords, clubs, and sticks, hiding behind the main gate and under the walls, ready to act as soon as Zhao Hanzhang barged in.
Zhao Hanzhang looked up at the Ma Family’s plaque, nodded slightly, and turned to Qiu Wu, saying, "You stay outside with the others."
Summoning Wu Erlang and Ting He, along with a government official, Zhao Hanzhang prepared to enter.
Qiu Wu was a bit worried, "Ma’am, isn’t it too dangerous for just the four of you to go in?"
Zhao Hanzhang replied, "Would the Ma Family dare harm me, the county governor?"
The Ma Family folks hiding behind the gate shivered inwardly and immediately regained their senses. He whispered to the servants, "Quickly retreat!"
Zhao Hanzhang was correct; they indeed dared not harm her as long as she wasn’t barging in to kill. The Ma Family didn’t want to offend her to death.
Now, she was the master of Ru Nan County!
Ma Zuo squeezed out a smile, emerged from behind the gate, pushed aside the servants blocking the door, and repeatedly saluted Zhao Hanzhang as she approached, "Greetings to the county governor. Your presence at our humble abode is truly an honor."
Zhao Hanzhang smiled at him, saying, "I’ve come to visit Mr. Ma, heard he’s ill?"
Ma Zuo naturally couldn’t say he was scared, so he made an excuse, "My brother overindulged yesterday, got drunk and slept outdoors, caught a cold, but thankfully it’s not severe. How dare we bother the Zhao County Governor?"
Zhao Hanzhang said, "I still need to see him; Mr. Ma is quite a talent in Biyang County."
Zhao Hanzhang looked towards the inner door, Ma Zuo saw this and immediately turned his body sideways, smilingly inviting Zhao Hanzhang in.
Zhao Hanzhang led a government official, a runner Wu Erlang, and a maid Ting He into the Ma Mansion, encountering many servants and guards secretly observing her along the way.
They still held brooms and large scissors, some didn’t even have time to hide the sticks and swords in their hands. Seeing Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze sweep over them, they panicked, some hiding away hastily, others unable to evade simply squatted with knives, hiding behind flower bushes, chanting inwardly, "Can’t see me, can’t see me..."
Then Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze passed over his head, walking by expressionlessly.
The servant thought to himself: She didn’t see, did she?
Just as the thought flashed, a palm descended from above, hitting her head directly, "Idiot, why are you still here, you’re supposed to stay hidden, not flaunt a knife in front of her!"
"Manager..."
"Why are you still following, didn’t you see she only brought three people in? Get lost!"
The servant ran off with the knife, complaining inwardly, it was him who told them to quietly patrol around the courtyard, and now it’s him telling them to scram!
Zhao Hanzhang walked all the way with a gentle smile to Ma Hao’s room, Ma Zuo half a step behind her couldn’t help but inwardly admire, just this courage alone is not something an average person possesses.
But Ma Zuo also dared not consider her reckless; she could occupy the position of Ru Nan County Governor with a single female, and even get support from the Zhao Family, this is not something a reckless person could achieve.
Ma Hao also felt she wasn’t reckless, but she must be cruel and courageous.
Ma Hao was afraid of such a person, and Zhao Hanzhang pointing a sword at County Magistrate Hu’s neck, ordering someone to drag him down for execution was indeed too aggressive. Even when he didn’t see her, this scene kept replaying in his mind, let alone now when he saw her.
Ma Hao had been informed in advance that she was coming, and was already half-leaning on the bed when she arrived, but seeing her in person, he couldn’t help but feel his heart tremble, almost rolling off the bed to kneel and call her county governor.
Thankfully, he steadied himself without embarrassing himself further.
Zhao Hanzhang stood by the bed, smiling warmly at him, "Mr. Ma, where are you unwell? Did you call a doctor?"
Ma Hao’s back felt chilly. She only yesterday had someone drag down County Magistrate Hu in front of him for execution; doesn’t she know why he’s ill?
Zhao Hanzhang seemed like she genuinely didn’t know, sitting by the bed showing concern before sighing, "Now Biyang County, like Mr. Ma, is suffering a serious illness. Mr. Ma has medicine and treatment, but Biyang County lacks proper medicine."
Ma Hao hesitated, gradually lowering his head, "County governor, you must be joking, under your governance Biyang County can only get better, where is this talk of illness coming from?"
Zhao Hanzhang looked at him, half laughing, "Although I am newly appointed, I am confident in managing county affairs. If I say Biyang County is ill, then it is indeed ill."
"..." Ma Hao slightly bowed, "As you say, but what’s the remedy the county governor speaks of?"
"Grain," Zhao Hanzhang replied, "For the people, living revolves around food, clothing, housing, and transportation, with food being the primary need. Now they’re starving to death, half of Biyang County’s residents are gone, isn’t this illness serious?"
Ma Hao’s face changed several times, finally bowing under Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze.
Only at this moment did he realize why Zhao Hanzhang executed County Magistrate Hu; he always thought it was to better control Biyang County.
After all, she is a newly appointed official and a female, not all counties under her would be obedient.
He lowered his eyes, pondering for a moment, then asked, "So, the county governor seeks me for?"
"To buy grain," Zhao Hanzhang replied, "I heard the Ma Family is renowned for their wealth in Biyang County; you should have plenty of stored grain, right?"
She continued, "I am willing to spend money to purchase grain from you, to aid the people of Biyang County. Apart from gold, silver, and copper coins, I can pay with cloth, thread, glassware, and books, paper, etc."

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