He felt that the clever Zhao Hanzhang wouldn’t want to enter his camp either, so he didn’t even mention it. Instead, he directly proposed meeting before the armies.
Zhao Hanzhang agreed without hesitation. She said, “I’ve only just returned and haven’t yet met with the generals and soldiers of Yuzhou. Once I’ve met with them, I’ll bring several generals to pay respects to General Gou.”
Gou Xi’s people had been closely monitoring Yuzhou’s camp, so they naturally knew Zhao Hanzhang had just entered and, calculating the time, indeed hadn’t had a chance to meet Xun Xiu and the others.
Ming Yu smiled and agreed, taking it upon himself to push the meeting time back. After both sides settled on a time to meet, he took his leave.
Zhao Hanzhang had Qiu Wu see him out.
Once he left, she finally let the smile drop from her face. “It seems Gou Xi has people watching the various river crossings but wasn’t able to monitor the opposite bank.”
Zhao Ming looked up at her. “The Prince of Donghai is a fool, but he’s not so incompetent. Besides, he has capable people under him. If Gou Xi’s people could know everything happening on the opposite bank as well, this battle wouldn’t need you—he could handle it himself.”
Zhao Ming paused at this point and sat up slightly straighter. “So Fu Zhongshu got drawn into this too?”
Zhao Hanzhang waved her hand. “I persuaded him to go back. He only has twenty thousand men—what good are they? The Prince of Donghai could just send out any force and absorb them.”
Zhao Ming’s fingers lightly tapped his knee. “So Fu Zhongshu returned to Luoyang?”
Zhao Hanzhang smiled at him.
Zhao Ming then asked, “And you—are you truly going to join forces with Gou Xi to attack the Prince of Donghai?”
Zhao Hanzhang replied, “That depends on whether the Prince of Donghai dares to make the first move. If he initiates hostilities, I’ll naturally join forces with Gou Xi to deal with him. But if he honestly withdraws, I certainly won’t let Gou Xi use me as his blade.”
“Can you oppose Gou Xi’s will?”
Zhao Hanzhang raised her chin slightly with confidence. “Though Yuzhou’s military strength is inferior to Yanzhou’s, we’re not without means to fight back. If Gou Xi dares attack me, would the Prince of Donghai let such a good opportunity pass?”
So Gou Xi would be brain-dead to attack her.
She had promised Gou Xi to stand on his side, but that was only if the Prince of Donghai made the first move. Well, although this precondition wasn’t explicitly stated at the time, that didn’t prevent her from adding it now.
What more could Zhao Ming say? This matter benefited Yuzhou and didn’t constitute breaking faith, so naturally he wouldn’t object.
Xun Xiu and the other generals and officials received notification and hurried back to camp to pay respects to Zhao Hanzhang.
Zhao Hanzhang sat in the seat of honor. That position had previously been occupied by Zhao Ming, but Xun Xiu and the others weren’t entirely convinced he should sit there. However, because the Zhao family army was numerous and Zhao Hanzhang’s victories were coming one after another, they had temporarily endured it.
Now seeing Zhao Hanzhang seated above, everyone lowered their heads with no objections, raising their hands in salute. “We pay respects to General Zhao.”
Zhao Hanzhang nodded and noticed Prefect Zhang mixed in the crowd, looking reluctant.
Oh my, here was an acquaintance. A year ago, she had paid respects to him just like this outside Quyang City.
Zhao Hanzhang smiled and raised her hand. “Everyone, please dispense with formalities. Take your seats quickly.”
Everyone seated themselves on either side according to the size of their official positions. Zhao Hanzhang looked toward Prefect Zhang with a smile. “When did Prefect Zhang arrive? How is the situation in Ruyin Commandery now? How many troops do you currently command?”
Prefect Zhang had many things he wanted to say, but these questions blocked them all in his chest.
With these three questions, Zhao Hanzhang completely placed herself in the position of governor. But… Prefect Zhang hadn’t acknowledged her as governor yet, nor had the court!
So Prefect Zhang sat glumly without answering, even turning his head to the side.
At this moment, Zhao Hanzhang made a decision in her heart—she would replace the Prefect of Ruyin Commandery.
She smiled as if unconcerned and turned instead to Xun Xiu, asking, “Who is currently stationed at the river?”
Xun Xiu bowed slightly. “This subordinate.”
“How many troops?”
“Twenty thousand men.”
Zhao Hanzhang asked, “Have there been any engagements?”
Xun Xiu shook his head. “None.” He paused before adding, “Without the General’s orders, we dared not rashly engage.”
Zhao Hanzhang nodded with satisfaction. “Let them remain in their standoff. We’re in no hurry to make a decision. Have the soldiers exercise restraint and simply watch from the sidelines.”
Mi Ce couldn’t help showing distress. “But the army’s provisions aren’t plentiful either. Always keeping troops massed here—the soldiers’ hearts are restless and liable to cause incidents.”
Yu Sheng also said, “Having just fought the Xiongnu, the soldiers are homesick and war-weary, with high anti-war sentiment. They’re unwilling to remain here long.”
Zhao Hanzhang nodded. “I understand. Consider these few days as rest. Comfort the soldiers first. Once the Prince of Donghai withdraws, everyone can return home.”
Prefect Zhang asked with a dark expression, “Why has General Zhao dragged Yuzhou into the conflict between the Prince of Donghai and Gou Xi? Isn’t this placing Yuzhou in fire and water?”
Zhao Hanzhang replied, “I naturally don’t wish for this either. But the court sent no relief forces. Under the Xiongnu’s iron hooves, did we have any other choice?”
Everyone fell silent.
Zhao Hanzhang continued, “When Yuzhou was in danger, only General Gou was willing to send troops to help. Even if just to repay a debt of gratitude, when General Gou is in difficulty, we should reciprocate somewhat.”
Those in military service had some sense of loyalty and righteousness. Though Xun Xiu and the others were unwilling to be drawn into the conflict between the Prince of Donghai and Gou Xi, they agreed with Zhao Hanzhang’s reasoning and nodded in acknowledgment. “We await the General’s orders.”
Zhao Hanzhang nodded with satisfaction and said, “The Xiongnu have withdrawn, and Yuzhou has achieved a great victory. But in this battle, our people were displaced and our soldiers suffered heavy casualties. I truly cannot celebrate. Pass down the order—let all three armies mourn. Tonight, use wine and meat to commemorate those who died in this battle and reward all three armies.”
The generals acknowledged the order and grew cheerful, instantly putting Prefect Zhang’s provocative words behind them.
Military rewards were always connected with memorial rites. Whenever the army was greatly rewarded, everyone would first offer wine and meat to their fallen comrades.
This was also one reason why funeral feasts were held in the Central Plains region.
Feasts served three purposes: first, to dispel misfortune; second, as a reward; and third, to signify that the living must pull themselves together and look forward.
Yuzhou had just experienced brutal combat. Now with the Prince of Donghai and Gou Xi’s hundred-thousand-strong forces facing off in Yuzhou, military and civilian morale was low. They needed a feast to boost spirits.
Once Zhao Hanzhang gave the order, all three armies sprang into action—washing rice, cooking, slaughtering chickens and sheep. The scene was lively indeed.
Even the Prince of Donghai across the river learned of their activity and couldn’t help asking his attendants, “Why is the Yuzhou army so lively over there?”
Someone quickly went to investigate and soon returned to report, “Your Highness, Zhao Hanzhang has returned victorious and is currently ordering rewards for all three armies.”
The Prince of Donghai sat up straight upon hearing this and asked, “What about Beigong Chun? Since they’ve returned, why haven’t they come to pay respects first?”
Though he was reluctant to admit it, in the eyes of the world, the Prince of Donghai represented the court and legitimacy. Zhao Hanzhang and Beigong Chun, having returned victorious, should indeed come to pay respects to the Prince of Donghai first.
But…
“Beigong Chun doesn’t seem to be with the army. As for Zhao Hanzhang…” The advisor paused. Zhao Hanzhang was now thick as thieves with Gou Xi—didn’t you know? Why are you asking questions that give me such a headache?