The Liao army that had been entrenched in Heishui City lost its commander, and the rest either fled north overnight or were killed.
Blackwater City returned to the State of Qi.
Yin Jin'an and Jiu Tian entered the city lord's mansion and told the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry to set fire to the granary near the city lord's mansion to send a signal to the outside world, saying that the Liao army set the fire before leaving.
As dawn broke, the entire Blackwater City was still being cleaned up. Yin Jin'an and Jiu Tian, under the protection of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, went out into the streets to tell the people that the Liao army had burned down the granary before withdrawing.
"I immediately ordered that grain and seeds be sent to Blackwater City, and everyone should seize the time for summer sowing."
"Because of the war, people have been displaced. I will implement a new household registration system in Blackwater City."
"Land redistribution."
Households with female members are permitted.
All farmland has been recounted, and each household can be allocated more than 20 mu of land.
Five years of tax exemption...
After the presentation, the people were moved to tears and wept uncontrollably.
Post-war reconstruction was an enormous challenge, but Blackwater was not afraid; this transportation hub developed rapidly.
As luck would have it, they ran into Zhao Qiaoqiao and Cuiyu riding into the city.
Zhao Qiaoqiao was still dressed as a young girl, but this time she was all smiles. Upon seeing Yin Jin'an, she immediately bowed and said, "This commoner greets Your Majesty. Your Majesty is like a god, the most wise emperor I have ever seen."
Yin Jin'an said calmly, "Rise."
Ignoring his coldness, Zhao Qiaoqiao happily reported, "Your Majesty, yesterday the Liao army fled, taking away 20,000 shi of grain before they left. They were intercepted by a woman in Zejin City and are now presented to Your Majesty."
"Didn't you leave last night?"
"They have left, heading north. The woman went to Zejin City, called her brother, and together they robbed the Liao soldiers."
Yin Jin'an said to Yang Hanfeng, "Take Miss Zhao to deliver the grain to General Gu. First, write down information about Miss Zhao and her brother, and then reward them according to their merits."
Zhao Qiaoqiao immediately chased after her and said, "Your Majesty, I do not wish for any reward. I have a wish that Your Majesty will grant."
"explain."
"This humble woman wishes to see His Majesty's face," Zhao Qiaoqiao said sincerely. "This humble woman only wishes to see His Majesty out of respect and love, and has no other intentions."
Yang Hanfeng shouted, "How dare you!"
He was about to strike without any mercy when Zhao Qiaoqiao reached out and grabbed his riding whip, smiling as she said, "In terms of martial arts, I am no less skilled than you, sir."
Yang Hanfeng refused to accept this and immediately started fighting with Zhao Qiaoqiao.
Zhao Qiaoqiao and Yang Hanfeng fought to a draw. Seeing that Yang Hanfeng was about to lose, Yin Jin'an shouted, "Stop!"
Zhao Qiaoqiao stopped, clasped her hands in a fist and said to Yang Hanfeng, "Thank you for your kind offer."
She ran up to Yin Jin'an again with a grin and said, "Your Majesty, how about I invite you to dinner? Would you dare to come?"
A provocation? How could Yin Jin'an possibly fall for it?
Just keep riding.
Zhao Qiaoqiao smiled mischievously, opened a folding fan with a flourish, looked at Cuiyu who was holding a package in the distance, and beckoned: "Come here."
Cuiyu came out, patting her chest, and said, "Miss, you scared me to death."
"What's there to be afraid of? I'm just showing my face in front of him today to leave some impression. I won't do anything."
Two days later, Blackwater City was stabilized. Yin Jin'an left a thousand men to guard Blackwater City because Wang Can was confident that Yin Jin'an could win the battle. The new prefect had already taken office.
Yin Jin'an and Gu Bahuang led their soldiers to Zejin City on the border once again.
When Zhao Qiaoqiao heard that he was going to Zejin City, she was overjoyed and immediately rode back to Zejin City with Cuiyu.
When Yin Jin'an arrived in Zejin City, he found the city gates wide open. Zhao Song, the prefect of Zejin City, and his son Zhao Situ led the magistrates of the subordinate counties to greet him from outside the city.
Yin Jin'an then learned that Zejin City was the only city in the entire northern border region that had not been captured by the Liao army.
"Your Majesty, the city was not lost because I have a daughter with superb martial arts skills." Zhao Song happily brought his family members along to kowtow to His Majesty.
When Zhao Song's son, wife, and daughter all came to pay their respects to Yin Jin'an, Yin Jin'an saw the incomparably beautiful Zhao Qiaoqiao, whose eyes were filled with a smile and cunning. Only then did Yin Jin'an realize that Zhao Song's so-called daughter, who was both scholarly and martial, was actually Zhao Qiaoqiao.
In Zejin City, the guests and hosts enjoyed themselves immensely. Zhao Song did his best to entertain Yin Jin'an, handed over the 20,000 shi of grain that Zhao Qiaoqiao and Zhao Situ had intercepted to Gu Bahuang, and also took out 1,000 shi of seeds from Zejin City to give to Heishui City.
With the war over, production needed to be restored, and seeds were extremely precious.
Yin Jin'an said, "Prefect Zhao's ability to resist the Liao army's invasion is commendable. He was originally a fifth-rank prefect, but he can be promoted to a fourth-rank prefect. The remaining rewards will be sent to Zejin City by the court along with the imperial edict."
Zhao Song knelt down with a thud and said, "It is my duty to do all this, and I dare not accept Your Majesty's reward."
Yin Jin'an smiled and said, "I can see your loyalty clearly. I don't like beating around the bush. I will reward those who have made contributions and punish those who have made mistakes."
“Your Majesty, I have no other request. I have heard that Your Majesty has not yet filled your harem. My daughter, Zhao Qiaoqiao, is willing to enter the palace to serve Your Majesty.”
Zhao Song said respectfully, "My daughter is both beautiful and talented, skilled in both literature and martial arts, and will surely be able to help Your Majesty to secure the country and maintain peace."
Yin Jin'an's lips twitched slightly as he said, "I've remembered."
I've noted it down, but I won't say whether I want it or not.
Jiutian picked at his fingers without saying a word. Zhao Song performed the rites of a subject to a ruler for Jiutian and asked, "Is this Princess Longxiang? Her forehead is full and she looks like a blessed person."
Jiutian suddenly said, "Prefect Zhao, your eldest daughter and your wife don't look alike!"
“She, she is like her mother. Her mother did not want to stay in the inner quarters and spent many years practicing in the family temple.”
Seeing how adorable Jiutian was, Madam Zhao said to her, "Princess, there is a large lotus lake in Zejin City. The lotus flowers are just beginning to bloom, and the fragrance fills the air. Would you like to come with me to admire the flowers?"
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