After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Being protected by the Zhao Family Army means that there will be no harassment from bandits along the way, so everyone generously brought out their money to hand over to the Zhao Family Army, hoping to take this chance to establish some connections.

However, Zhao Song did not accept everything. He had his own account book and calculated only an additional two months’ military pay for each soldier, distributing the expenses evenly among the families, apart from the grain and grass consumed by the Zhao Family Army along the way.

He handed all the money to Qiu Wu, who was escorting Mrs. Wang to Luoyang, saying, "Apart from grain and grass, distribute the remaining money to the soldiers; they’ve worked hard on this journey."

Qiu Wu hesitated for a moment and thought about the current difficult times the army was facing, how the soldiers also needed to support their families, so he accepted it.

Qiu Wu was to take the craftsmen from the weapon workshop to Luoyang; moving forward, the Xiping Weapon Workshop would merely be a branch, while the main workshop would follow Zhao Hanzhang, especially Fu Tinghan.

He was returning to Xiping to gather people, documents, and materials.

These people, documents, and materials were protected at the front of the convoy along with Mrs. Wang and Zhao Song. It took the group ten days to travel from Xiping to Luoyang, which can be considered quite slow.

There were too many people coming, and before the convoy had even entered Luoyang City, Zhao Erlang, the County Magistrate of Luoyang County, was alerted.

At that time, he was handling a dispute in the field, trying to determine whether the Zhang Family had plowed too much of the Li Family’s land or if the Li Family had moved stones too far into the Zhang Family’s area.

He was listening to the two families argue with great interest, but when he heard that a large group of people was approaching outside Luoyang City, seemingly organized, he immediately ran off, jumping onto his horse with excitement, shouting, "Let’s go to the city gate!"

Recently, he had been busy scavenging useful goods from ruins, mediating conflicts, selling land for settlement, settling refugees, and dealing with what he considered trivial matters.

Finally, something major required his attention.

Zhao Erlang cheerfully ran out of the city with his men, only to see Zeng Yue and Ting He at the city gate, which intrigued him, "Is someone attacking Luoyang, and Sister sent you to lead the troops?"

"You only brought this many people? Should I send troops to help?"

Zeng Yue quickly responded, "Second Son, we are not at war; Madam has arrived."

He didn’t dare slow down, fearing Zhao Erlang would firmly believe it was a war, turning back to call troops.

Zhao Erlang’s eyes lit up immediately, feeling a bit excited, "Mother has arrived!"

He nudged his horse, wishing to go forward to welcome them, but after only a dozen steps, he pulled the reins with a conflicted expression.

Ting He exchanged a glance with Zeng Yue, feeling tense, "What’s wrong, Sir?"

Zhao Erlang hesitated, "I miss Mother, but I also don’t want her here, what should I do?"

Ting He breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "Do not worry, Sir; now that you are a General and a County Lord, you are very busy, spending little time at home each day."

Upon calculating, Zhao Erlang really found it different from before; he was quite busy now—so Mother could no longer easily catch him for a scolding.

Once he figured it out, he joyfully sped up his horse to meet them. As he approached, Zhao Erlang realized the convoy was terribly long, an endless sight.

He froze in place, his initial excitement disappeared.

In Zhao Erlang’s mind, this unending convoy of vehicles and people automatically translated into countless troubles, which ultimately piled up to press heavily on his shoulders.

So many people suddenly flooding into Luoyang City...

Zhao Erlang silently turned and instructed Lv Hu, "Ride back swiftly to find Zhao Zheng, inform him of the situation, and let him arrange things early."

He added, "Personally lead a team to patrol; starting tonight, increase personnel in case of thefts."

Lv Hu received his orders and set off.

From a distance, Mrs. Wang saw her son and became very emotional, not having seen him for quite a while.

She held Qing Gu’s hand as she got off the carriage, quickening her pace to rush forward and embrace him. Suddenly, someone got off the nearby carriage, causing Mrs. Wang to halt and dare not move, only sizing him up tearfully, "Good, good, you’ve grown taller and stronger; your sister truly has taken good care of you."

She wiped the tears from her eyes, scanning around as she asked, "Where is your sister?"

Ting He promptly stepped forward, "Informing Madam, urgent affairs have arisen in the court, and the lady couldn’t manage to leave, so she specially ordered me and General Zeng to come greet you."

Zeng Yue came forward to salute Mrs. Wang, then turned to greet the person stepping off the other carriage with a bow, "Fifth Grandfather."

Zhao Song nodded solemnly, "State affairs are urgent, we’ll handle things on our own, let’s proceed into the city."

"Yes."

At this point, the Zhao Family Army’s escort mission was complete; aside from personal guards protecting Mrs. Wang, the rest were directly led to camp.

They would stay in the Capital City for two days, replenishing grain and water before returning to Yu State.

Zhao Erlang became quieter upon seeing the Fifth Uncle, accompanying them for a stretch, upon reaching the city gates he said, "Mother, Fifth Uncle, with so many people suddenly entering the city, food and lodging are an issue, so let me handle things here, you both go home first."

Zhao Song frowned, "This is Luoyang County Government’s matter, what does it have to do with you? Although you’re Third Lady’s brother, you cannot overstep your duties."

Zhao Erlang puffed out his chest, "Because I am the County Magistrate of Luoyang County."

Zhao Song paused for a moment before nodding, "Alright, do your best, we’ll head back first."

Mrs. Wang looked at Zhao Erlang with gratification, feeling he was getting more and more capable.

Zhao Song, however, furrowed his brows deeply, so tightly that he could crush a mosquito after lowering the window curtain.

Zhao Erlang returned to the city gate, seeing so many waiting to enter the city, he immediately sent for extra personnel from the military camp.

Firstly, to take over the work of the Zhao Family Army on-site, maintaining order to calm the people;

Secondly, to expedite the inspection process and let people into the city.

Zhao Zheng arrived quickly, nodding at Zhao Erlang’s arrangements, then reminded him, "County Lord, there are not enough skilled people in the military for calculations; with so many people, merely adding personnel is not enough, additional channels for diversion are needed."

Zhao Zheng suggested setting up inspection channels outside the city gate, opening all the gate doors, leaving only one small exit, while using the rest for entry into the city.

Inspected people and vehicles could enter directly from the city gate without lingering outside.

"If merely travelers visiting, carrying only some money, then the inspection speed is quick; but seeing the endless convoy, there might be many goods, requiring inventory and city tax payments, merely relying on City Gate Officers and county government accountants isn’t enough, I’ll send people to recruit some from Imperial College."

Zhao Erlang agreed, "That’s good, best to invite Uncle Cheng as well."

He believed having Uncle Cheng oversee would suffice.

Zhao Zheng chuckled, this was routine work for them, they already had procedures in place, there was no need for his father.