Zhao Kuan was pushed forward and stammered, “Third… Excellency, what does the letter say?”

Zhao Hanzhang lifted her eyelids to glance at him, smiled lightly, and handed the letter to Governor Zhang. “Would Governor Zhang like to read it? This is the Prince of Donghai’s reply to you.”

Fu Tinghan standing beside her explained on her behalf, “Governor Zhang pledged Yuzhou to the Prince of Donghai in exchange for the position of Yuzhou Governor. The Prince of Donghai agreed. This is the official letter appointing him as Yuzhou Governor. It not only bears the Prince of Donghai’s seal but also the Imperial Seal.”

This indicated that the Imperial Seal was in the Prince of Donghai’s hands—he could act on behalf of the Emperor.

To be honest, with this letter, Governor Zhang had even more legitimacy than Zhao Hanzhang.

Governor Zhang also thought of this. He snatched the letter from Zhao Hanzhang’s hand, ignoring the hand she was pressing on his shoulder, and exclaimed with delight, “I’m the Governor now!”

He glanced at Zhao Hanzhang, then swept his gaze over Xun Xiu and the others, his expression darkening. “What’s this? Do you only recognize Governor He’s dying words and not the court’s orders?”

Xun Xiu and the others looked at each other, momentarily uncertain. But they weren’t all brainless. Mi Ce couldn’t help saying with a darkened face, “Governor Zhang, your actions are what truly roast Yuzhou over a fire. We stand with Gou Xi because he helped us expel the Xiongnu. Repaying him is natural and right. Your pledging us to the Prince of Donghai also drags Yuzhou into conflict, but it places us in an unjust position!”

“Exactly,” Xun Xiu was also very unhappy, and at the same time unconvinced. If even Governor Zhang could become Governor, why couldn’t he? His military merit this time was considerable too.

Zhao Hanzhang becoming Governor was one thing—first, she was chosen by Governor He. These people were all considered Governor He’s trusted subordinates, and on his deathbed, Governor He had entrusted them to Zhao Hanzhang. Second, in this Yuzhou crisis, Zhao Hanzhang deserved the greatest credit. So them accepting her as Governor was still reasonable. But what made Governor Zhang qualified?

Xun Xiu really wanted to shout that if even Governor Zhang was acceptable, then he was too!

However, looking around, he still swallowed the words that had reached his lips.

Zhao Hanzhang’s face still bore a smile as she withdrew the hand pressing on his shoulder and seriously answered Governor Zhang’s question. “We recognize it! Yuzhou is the court’s Yuzhou—how could we not recognize the court’s orders?”

Behind Zhao Hanzhang, Fu Tinghan closed his eyes, then drew the longsword from his waist and handed it to her.

This was the sword Zhao Changyu had given to Zhao Hanzhang. Later, Fu Tinghan had taken steel and reforged it for her. But after it was forged, Zhao Hanzhang rarely used it—she preferred using a long spear. So Fu Tinghan had been using this sword all along.

Zhao Hanzhang took the sword. Governor Zhang’s heart instantly filled with foreboding. He retreated repeatedly, but someone blocked him from behind. A hand pressed on his shoulder.

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t waste words and directly thrust toward his heart. Governor Zhang hadn’t expected that she wouldn’t even give him a moment to react or defend himself. His eyes widened instantly. “You, you…”

The warriors were also startled and all stepped back at once. The middle area instantly cleared, leaving only a few people, allowing everyone a clear view.

Fu Tinghan stood beside Zhao Hanzhang, having just handed her the sword. Behind Governor Zhang stood Zhao Ju, who had also been specially commended. He was still holding a wine jar, using only one hand to press Governor Zhang’s shoulder, preventing him from retreating…

Beside them stood a bewildered, pale-faced Zhao Kuan.

Behind Zhao Hanzhang, Sun Linghui had somehow appeared. At this moment, only these few people remained in the middle.

Zhao Hanzhang pulled out the sword, not avoiding the spurting blood. She angled the sword tip downward, letting the blood drip down the blood groove. Her facial expression hadn’t changed much from before—still gentle, still bearing a smile. “I heed the court’s orders, but if the newly appointed Governor dies, can’t they just appoint another one?”

Governor Zhang wasn’t quite dead yet. His consciousness remained. He pressed his chest and slowly fell to the ground, trembling as he looked at Zhao Hanzhang, giving orders left and right. “Someone, someone, kill Zhao Hanzhang to avenge me…”

Staff Officer Cai and Staff Officer Qiao, who had come to the banquet with Governor Zhang, immediately drew their swords. Sun Linghui saw this and was the first to draw her sword, pointing it at them and shouting, “How dare you! This is the Yuzhou military camp. The warriors have long acknowledged my Lady as Governor. You would also follow Governor Zhang in rebellion?”

Staff Officers Qiao and Cai were furious. “The ones rebelling are clearly you! Our Governor is the one appointed by the court!”

Zhao Hanzhang turned her sword and sheathed it behind her, turning sideways to look at them. She asked with a smile, “Do you want to join Governor Zhang?”

The smile gradually faded from her face, her expression turning cold. “Tonight we reward the three armies—it’s a victory banquet and also a funeral for all the comrades who died this year. Yuzhou’s peace today was exchanged for with their lives. Whoever destroys Yuzhou’s peace, I will personally cut them down.”

Zhao Hanzhang looked directly at the two of them. “Do you wish to be loyal martyrs to Governor Zhang, then betray these hundreds of thousands of common people and comrades who died for Yuzhou’s war?”

Staff Officers Qiao and Cai exchanged glances, hesitating. Zhao Ming and Ji Yuan’s deployed personal troops had also arrived, with countless blades and spears all pointed at them.

Staff Officers Qiao and Cai looked at each other and helplessly lowered their swords.

Governor Zhang, not yet dead, saw this and expired from anger, pressing his chest as he slowly collapsed to the ground.

Zhao Hanzhang asked Staff Officer Cai, “Where is Lu Xiyuan? Doesn’t he always follow Governor Zhang closely, inseparable?”

Staff Officer Cai was currently feeling aggrieved and replied unhappily, “Master Lu is ill and resting in his tent.”

Hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang felt something was wrong. She immediately ordered, “Go find Lu Xiyuan and bring him to me.”

Ji Yuan also sensed something amiss and quickly instructed, “Send people to search at the camp gates. Don’t let him escape.”

Lu Xiyuan knew quite a few military secrets. Moreover, he was very familiar with Ruyin Jun. After Zhao Hanzhang killed Governor Zhang and took over Ruyin Jun, she would certainly face resistance. Having Lu Xiyuan’s assistance would make things very different.

The personal guards ran off to find him. Staff Officers Qiao and Cai also had their weapons removed. Not just them—Zhao Kuan also smiled at Xun Xiu and the others, saying, “Generals, tonight is a drinking banquet. There’s really no need to carry weapons. How about you all hand your swords and blades to your attendants?”

Everyone’s gaze uniformly fell on Zhao Hanzhang’s dripping sword and Sun Linghui’s longsword held in her hand. Zhao Kuan acted as if he couldn’t see them and continued smiling at them.

Seeing this, the warriors could only silently remove their weapons and hand them to their attendants.

Sun Linghui was satisfied and sheathed her sword.

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t enjoy killing people. Having a perfectly good victory banquet marred by bloodshed put her in a somewhat foul mood. She took the scabbard from Fu Tinghan, sheathed the sword, then sat in the main seat holding it. She raised her chin and asked them, “I am Yuzhou’s Governor. Does anyone still harbor dissent in their heart?”

The warriors all silently lowered their heads, not daring to meet her gaze.

Zhao Ming turned and stood in the center, bowing deeply toward Zhao Hanzhang seated above. He called out, “This official pays respects to the Excellency!”

Ji Yuan, Fu Tinghan, and the others immediately came to their senses. First, the Zhao Family Army people all performed the courtesy together, calling out, “We pay respects to the Excellency!”

Then came Xun Xiu and the others. They exchanged glances before respectfully bowing in salute. “We generals pay respects to the Excellency!”