First was Sun Linghui. Because there were many matters around Zhao Hanzhang and the official documents to process were complex, after thinking it over, she transferred Zhao Yunxin to her side as well.

The other examination candidates felt rather indignant, “Who would have thought Governor Zhao practices nepotism.”

At first they didn’t know the relationship between Zhao Yunxin, Sun Linghui and Zhao Hanzhang, but when the acceptance list was published, it not only had names but also places of origin.

Moreover, once everyone worked together, family backgrounds became known.

So they were quite dissatisfied with Zhao Yunxin and Sun Linghui who could get closer to Zhao Hanzhang, especially toward Zhao Yunxin.

Sun Linghui was at least first place – although some suspected her first place was inflated, she was at least better than Zhao Yunxin.

She was clearly only eighth place – why could she leapfrog over the six people ahead to go to Zhao Hanzhang’s side?

The two were subtly ostracized in the county yamen.

Zhao Yunxin felt rather indignant and said to Sun Linghui, “The Governor clearly said it’s because I write official documents well that she transferred me to her side.”

Sun Linghui didn’t take their words to heart and said unconcernedly, “Why bother about them? Look at the Governor – she’s a woman serving as commandery governor. Do you think no one has criticized her? As long as our abilities are strong enough, they’ll shut up in the future.”

Zhao Hanzhang also noticed Zhao Yunxin’s emotions. Because she was young and a clan younger sister, she deliberately kept her to talk and offered some guidance, “If I speak up for you, I’m afraid the criticism will be even worse, so this matter must be handled by you yourselves.”

Zhao Hanzhang patted the young girl’s shoulder, “They criticize and look down on you, so show them your abilities. Everyone works under the same roof, all serving Runan Commandery. Business will naturally intersect, and with more interactions, they’ll naturally recognize your talents and shut up.”

Zhao Yunxin asked, “Third Sister, since they’re so jealous of talent and ability, why do you employ them?”

Very good – she’s learned to complain.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled, “There aren’t many people in this world who don’t envy talent and ability. I cannot require my subordinates to have the virtue of saints.”

Zhao Yunxin became thoughtful.

She took it to heart and decided to make them shut up with her abilities, so she became even more diligent and hardworking. Not only did she explore handling the tasks Zhao Hanzhang assigned, but she also went to learn from Ji Yuan and Changning how to handle county affairs.

Ji Yuan and Changning had received Zhao Hanzhang’s instructions – whoever wanted to learn skills from them could come, and they could be put to work freely.

So Changning unceremoniously worked those who came.

What he never expected was that the first to come would be the two young ladies Sun Linghui and Zhao Yunxin.

This made him sigh, “Women are more ambitious than men – the men of Great Jin have grown weak.”

Ji Yuan happened to be beside him and said with upturned lips, “It’s due to prevailing customs. Once they’re surpassed by a group of women, they’ll naturally reform.”

Changning casually asked, “What if they don’t reform?”

Ji Yuan sneered coldly – if they couldn’t reform even with this, then the heavens truly should change.

Changning felt a chill and didn’t dare ask further.

Ji Yuan said with a half-smile, “There are so many men in the realm – surely not all are like Wang Yan.”

Indeed, in this current era, although Wang Yan was highly esteemed, many in the court and among the people disapproved of him. Quite a few criticized him for corrupting customs, while cursing that he only cared for himself and his family, disregarding the nation and the people.

Wang Yan heard them but continued doing as he pleased – you can’t even control the Prince of Donghai, so what use is cursing me?

Now am I the one causing chaos in the nation?

If you have the ability, go find the Prince of Donghai!

Indeed, some did go to the Prince of Donghai – some to remonstrate, others to suggest the Prince of Donghai execute people like Wang Yan.

Someone like Wang Yan who has talent but doesn’t serve the nation, occupying a position while allowing national chaos and single-mindedly pursuing private interests through power – such people must be killed to appease public anger.

The reason for emphasizing this point was because they remonstrated with the Prince of Donghai to prioritize the nation, to send troops to aid Gou Xi in rescuing Yuzhou, preferably driving the Xiongnu army out of Bingzhou and restoring peace to the northern lands.

That’s right – when the Xiongnu army retreated from Luoyang’s territory and turned to attack Yuzhou, the Prince of Donghai stopped pursuing them. Now on the front lines, three forces were fighting: first was Bingzhou’s Liu Kun and the Xianbei allies he had invited; second was Gou Xi; third was Provincial Governor He of Yuzhou and the relief forces that had come to aid Luoyang.

But without the Prince of Donghai’s two hundred thousand troops, the Xiongnu cavalry was formidable, and Provincial Governor He showed signs of defeat.

Although Gou Xi was resisting the Xiongnu army on the front lines, he also feared the Prince of Donghai would take advantage of the situation, so he held back some strength.

Under these circumstances, Provincial Governor He retreated into Yuzhou, with the Xiongnu army pressing at the border.

When the relief forces saw this, they felt they really couldn’t win. Most importantly, without the Prince of Donghai sending troops and with Gou Xi conserving strength, staying here meant certain death.

After all, they had come to rescue Luoyang, and now Luoyang was saved – everyone simply found random excuses and fled.

When Provincial Governor He woke one night to learn that the relief forces that had been supporting him had all fled, he became so angry his old wounds reopened and he fainted.

Upon waking, he immediately grabbed his trusted aide and said, “Notify all commanderies at once and have them send aid, quickly!”

“Yes!” Although the aide agreed, he was still afraid and asked, “What if they don’t come?”

Provincial Governor He’s face was grim. “If I’m defeated in battle, Yuzhou will have no defense. The Xiongnu army can then sweep south – not only will the commanderies of Yuzhou be lost, but the Central Plains will cease to exist.”

Provincial Governor He said bitterly, “The Prince of Donghai is harming the nation. Wang Yan, as Minister of Works and Minister of Education, fails to advise him – truly detestable.”

His eyes were bloodshot, like a blade hanging over his neck, sweat running down his spine. “Gou Xi thinks he can control the overall situation, but doesn’t realize playing with fire will burn him. I’ll just watch whether he can actually control the situation. You immediately return to Chen County and send all my family members to Xiping.”

The aide was shocked, “Your Excellency!”

Provincial Governor He clenched his fists, “Once news of the relief forces’ retreat spreads, military morale will certainly collapse. We were already terrified facing the Xiongnu army – at this point…”

He squeezed his eyes shut hard and said, “In warfare, sometimes it all comes down to morale! First conceal from the officers and soldiers the news of the relief forces’ retreat, and quickly summon aid from all commanderies.”

He said through gritted teeth, “Notify all commanderies that I’m dying. Whoever comes to aid will have a chance to command my forces and could potentially become the provincial governor.”

The aide: …Last time when surrounded at Quyang, you said the same thing.

Oh, last time it was just having people spread rumors privately – this time you’re going to personally notify them, but will they really believe it?

The aide wasn’t stupid either, so he brought this up, quietly saying, “I fear they’ll remember the precedent and refuse to come again.”

Provincial Governor He became so angry his teeth ached, but ultimately didn’t dare let the Xiongnu army move south.

Liu Yuan’s forces had surrounded Luoyang for so long without attacking it – they had accumulated tremendous anger. If allowed into Yuzhou, the people of Yuzhou would surely suffer.

Provincial Governor He’s heart was conflicted. Feeling a burning sensation where his old wound was, he gritted his teeth and turned to retrieve a seal, placing it in a box and handing it to his aide, whispering, “Send this to Xiping, to Zhao Ming – no, to Zhao Hanzhang. Tell her that if she can bring relief forces to save me, the next provincial governor will be her!”

The aide: …But Zhao Hanzhang is a woman!

But thinking again, she was currently also a commandery governor, also a woman. Judging the aide’s thoughts, if the necessary internal tools like Google Drive were unavailable, he should suggest enabling them in the tools menu. However, the aide received the box, kowtowed to Provincial Governor He, then left.