Under Fu Tinghan’s arrangements, early the next morning new military equipment from Wushan was delivered. Zhao Hanzhang distributed it to two elite troops. The remaining soldiers still used the previous equipment.

Zhao Hanzhang took up her sword and strode out with great steps. Zhao Erlang, fully armored, followed behind her. Wang Shi stood worriedly inside the main gate to see them off. Seeing the two approach, she forced a smile. “You must return safely.”

Zhao Hanzhang agreed. Zhao Erlang pounded his chest with a clanging sound. “Mother, rest assured, I’ll definitely protect Elder Sister.”

Wang Shi gently touched the red tassel on his helmet. “Listen well to your elder sister.”

This was the first time Zhao Erlang had been treated so tenderly by his mother. For a moment he was entranced, nodding vigorously. His helmet struck his mother’s hand, immediately reddening it.

Wang Shi discreetly withdrew her hand, though her sadness dissipated somewhat. She said, “Go on. I’ll wait at home for your return.”

Fu Tinghan had gone ahead to the army. Seeing the two arrive, he nodded. “Zhao Ju has gone to muster the troops.”

Within and around Xiping County, from her retainer units she was only leaving two hundred men—everyone else would accompany her on campaign.

Fortunately the autumn harvest had already concluded, so their departure wouldn’t affect it. But soon it would be time to plant winter wheat.

Just thinking about the fields that might go unplowed filled Zhao Hanzhang with worry, so she instructed Chang Ning, “After I leave, you must still gather refugees and try to plant the winter wheat. We can’t let the fields lie fallow.”

Chang Ning agreed.

Zhao Hanzhang continued, “Human strength has its limits. We should raise more livestock, using animal power to replace human labor.”

Chang Ning bowed. “This subordinate will have people watch for oxen, horses, and mules, and raise as many as possible.”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded.

After Zhao Ju mustered the troops, Zhao Hanzhang rode her horse before the army. Looking at the orderly military formation, she declared loudly, “This campaign is not only to protect Yuzhou, but also to protect our Runan Commandery, to protect our parents and families!”

“Everyone has experienced the chaos of rampaging armies. Many have even lost family members to military plunder. This past year, we people of Runan Commandery have lived in peace and prosperity. But now someone wants to destroy our peace and plunge us back into warfare. Soldiers, will you agree to this?”

The silent army suddenly erupted in roars, shouting back loudly, “No! No! No!”

“Good! Then let us depart for Chen County and block these rebellious traitors outside Chen County!”

The entire army roared their agreement three times. Zhao Hanzhang kicked her horse’s belly and commanded sternly, “Depart!”

The standard-bearer immediately blew the horn, signaling the entire army to move out.

From within the county seat, Zhao Ming heard the distant, mournful horn sound. He rose and walked to the window, gazing far toward the city gate.

Zhao Cheng came to stand beside him. “Since elder brother can’t let go, why not see her off?”

Zhao Ming said, “Who knows if this departure means life or death. She even took Erlang with her.”

Zhao Ming said expressionlessly, “I underestimated her.”

Zhao Cheng felt gratified instead. “Worthy of being Zhizhi’s daughter.”

He glanced at Zhao Ming. “Elder brother cares for the clan, while she cares for all under heaven. There’s no conflict in that.”

Zhao Ming naturally knew this—otherwise he wouldn’t have sent Wang Ni and Xie Shi to her.

The two were contemplating at the window when suddenly there was commotion outside. Changqing came running in, gasping for breath, reporting, “Master, Old Master Dong has come. The steward is blocking him out front.”

Zhao Cheng was puzzled. “If he’s here, he’s here. Why block him?”

Changqing glanced at his expressionless master, lowering his voice by eight degrees. “Sanniang sent Young Lady Yunxin out to recruit soldiers. She’s also taking Miss Sun from the Sun family into battle. I heard Young Master Kuan is also leading troops to Chen County…”

Zhao Cheng frowned. “Since they’ve become court officials, naturally they must obey their superior’s orders. What’s there to make a fuss about?”

Zhao Ming nodded solemnly and said to Zhao Cheng, “You go see Zhao Dong. Over these past few years managing common affairs, he’s stuffed all his previously read books into a dog’s belly.”

Zhao Cheng lifted his foot and headed out. Before long, his voice scolding someone could be heard from outside.

Though Zhao Dong was older than Zhao Cheng, he was actually somewhat afraid of this clan brother—mainly because Zhao Kuan was Zhao Cheng’s student…

Zhao Cheng’s expression was stern. “Sanniang can lead troops into battle—why can’t Kuan’er and Yunxin go recruit soldiers? Since they’ve become court officials, they must fulfill the duties of court officials. Otherwise they should resign early and give their positions to others.”

At this point, Zhao Cheng’s expression darkened further as he scolded, “Don’t become like Wang Yan! If our Zhao clan produces descendants like that, I’ll personally expel them from the clan!”

Zhao Dong nearly wept, stamping his foot. “But Cheng-brother, on the battlefield swords and blades have no eyes! Kuan’er is one thing, but Yunxin is a young lady!”

“Isn’t Sanniang also a young lady?”

“Who can compare with her? She kills people like cutting melons, while our Yunxin has never even killed a chicken.”

Zhao Cheng grew unhappy. “Who was born knowing how to kill? Wasn’t Sanniang once like Yunxin, a precious daughter who didn’t know how to kill chickens or fish?”

“This, this… ai ya, you don’t have a daughter, so there’s no point talking to you.”

Zhao Cheng flicked his sleeve. “You’re clearly being unreasonable! Go home quickly and stop disturbing Clan Brother Ming’s peace.”

“What if Yunxin and Kuan’er meet with misfortune on the battlefield?”

Zhao Cheng’s face grew solemn as he declared, “Then the clan will record them in the genealogy, compose their biographies, and hold memorial rites for them!”

He continued, “In these chaotic times, are deaths uncommon? So many are going to battle with them—they won’t be the only ones to die. Others can die, but they cannot?”

Zhao Dong’s mouth fell open, sputtering in anger, “You, you… Cheng-brother, don’t think I won’t dare speak just because you’re Kuan’er’s teacher. You say this because it hasn’t happened to you. If it fell on you…”

“You’re absolutely right,” Zhao Cheng looked up at the sky and sighed deeply. “I’ve been confused. At such a critical moment, what can I accomplish staying with the clan?”

He lifted his foot to leave, telling his attendant, “Go back and pack. We’re going to catch up with Sanniang.”

This left Zhao Dong completely dumbstruck.

The steward who had come with Zhao Dong was also stunned. His legs went weak and he dropped to his knees, clutching Zhao Dong’s leg. “Master, quickly stop Master Cheng! If he leaves, Seventh Old Master will demolish our house!”

Zhao Dong snapped back to his senses and immediately chased after Zhao Cheng. “Cheng-brother, Cheng-brother, I was joking with you! Don’t take it seriously…”

However, if Zhao Cheng could be persuaded, he wouldn’t be Zhao Cheng. No matter whether Zhao Dong cried, begged, or threw tantrums, he couldn’t make him stay.

When Seventh Uncle Grandfather returned from collecting rent and learned that his son had taken his grandson to chase after Zhao Hanzhang, wanting to go to the battlefield to protect Yuzhou as well, his body went limp, his vision darkened, and he nearly collapsed.

Actually he did collapse, but the servants around him were quick to catch him.

Zhao Hu was revived by having his philtrum pinched. He came to slightly, pointing with a trembling finger and saying, “Quick, quick, bring him back for me.”