"Please speak, Miss."
Zhang Niujiao patted his chest and said, "Don't say one, even ten or a hundred, General will do them for Miss! "
"I want to ask Uncle Niujiao to send some people to secretly keep an eye on the officials in the city, not just the State Prefecture officials, but also those in the commandery and county offices. Keep an eye on them all."
A hint of ruthlessness flashed in Zhang Ning's eyes, "If anyone wants to surrender the city, there's no need to report it. Execute them on the spot! "
As early as when Yuan Shao first raised his army, some officials from prominent clans in the city had received instructions from their families to find an opportunity to open the city gates and welcome the Yuan Army into the city.
This was especially true for those officials who had been forced to exchange their land for official positions when Zhang Xin was surveying the fields.
However, at that time, Zhang Xin hadn't 'died' yet, and most of the city's officials were still loyal to him. The intentions of these people were quickly discovered by Hua Xin and others, and they were suppressed.
Now that Zhang Xin was dead, it was difficult to speak of loyalty anymore.
After all, the chaotic era had just begun, and it wasn't like later, when official positions such as Governor and General could be inherited from father to son.
Most people's concepts hadn't changed yet.
Beside, even if it could be inherited, Zhang Xin currently had no suitable heir.
He had no brothers, and his legitimate son was only three years old, still unable to speak clearly.
Even Changzi Zhang Ping was only seven years old, just starting elementary school in modern terms.
Hua Xin and the others would not agree to hand over such a large Qingzhou to a mere child.
"Don't worry, Miss, General will arrange it immediately."
Zhang Niujiao nodded, "Anything else? "
"And that is…"
Zhang Ning paused, "If Pingyuan City falls, I hope Uncle Niujiao will not linger in battle, but ensure the survival of my son."
"Naturally! "
Zhang Niujiao nodded repeatedly.
He would have done this even without Zhang Ning saying so.
After all, the only ones left with Zhang Jiao's bloodline were Zhang Ning and her son, so they certainly had to be protected.
"Anything else? " Zhang Niujiao continued to ask.
"Not for now."
Zhang Ning shook her head, instructing, "Uncle Niujiao, you must keep a close eye on all the officials."
"Don't worry, Miss."
Zhang Niujiao cupped his fists and arranged for people to go.
Zhang Ning returned to the inner chambers, brought Wang Rou with her, and then came to the State Prefecture's main hall.
Gao Shun was discussing matters with Hua Xin, Guo Yuan, Tian Kai, and others. Hearing of Zhang Ning's arrival, they all stopped and rose to greet her.
"We pay our respects to Madam."
Everyone stood up and bowed.
"Esteemed sirs."
Zhang Ning returned the bow.
Hua Xin asked, "Madam has come in person, is there something amiss? "
"Lord Hua."
Zhang Ning looked at Hua Xin, "I've thot about it repeatedly, and I always feel that the news of my husband's death in battle seems suspicious."
Everyone was stunned by her words.
Gao Shun quickly said, "Please elaborate, Madam."
"Although Dong Zhuo was an enemy of my husband, the deceased are to be honored. Logically speaking, he should have sent my husband's coffin back to Pingyuan."
Zhang Ning said, "But he did not do so; instead, he buried my husband directly in Chang'an."
"I suspect he didn't kill my husband at all. He merely intended to use rumors to sow discord in Qingzhou, so that Yuan Shao could take Qingzhou."
"If Qingzhou falls into Yuan Shao's hands, my husband will not be able to serve the Emperor later…"
Everyone's eyes widened instantly.
Don't say it, don't say it.
Zhang Ning's words, logically speaking, also made sense.
When two armies fought, if there was no deep-seated hatred, they would generally allow the deceased to return to their roots.
For example, last year, when Zhang Xin's army was confronting Dong Zhuo at Mengjin, Xun You was in his army.
At that time, Xun You's granduncle, Xun Shuang, served as Sikong in the imperial court.
After Xun Shuang's death, Xun You wrote to Dong Zhuo, requesting that Xun Shuang's coffin be returned to his hometown.
Dong Zhuo not only agreed but also sent people to deliver Xun Shuang's coffin to the Yingchuan Xun Clan's home.
Zhang Xin and Dong Zhuo had no personal grievances. Under normal circumstances, even if he truly died, Dong Zhuo should not have been in such a hurry to bury him, but rather should have waited for news from his family.
"The deceased are to be honored" was not just an empty phrase.
"But…"
Guo Yuan hesitated, "If Governor is still alive, why has the army not returned after so long? "
Cui Yan had been gone for more than two months. Calculating the time, Zhang Xin should have returned by now.
Previously, Pingyuan City was surrounded on all sides, and news was extremely difficult to transmit. Cui Yan had goop of rain fell on Zhang Xin's face.
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…"
The surrounding soldiers were all stunned.
"Is this… wind? "
"It's wind! "
Guan Jian reached out and felt the wind direction.
"It's wind! It's a northeast wind! "