“What if the Luoyang county magistrate is recommended by me?”

Fu Zhi turned his head. Zhao Hanzhang had appeared behind them at some point.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and stepped forward to bow, then like them, looked toward the distant ruins. “Although Luoyang has natural defenses, it is also a key location blocking the Xiongnu and Xianbei from moving south. It must have heavy troops garrisoned. His Majesty has no authority. Since Gou Xi wants to move the capital, naturally he cannot spare attention for this place. What if I recommend someone on His Majesty’s behalf?”

Fu Zhi’s heart was conflicted as he asked, “Who?”

“Zhao Kuan,” Zhao Hanzhang smiled. “Although he’s my clan brother, I’m not recommending him out of favoritism—he truly has this ability.”

Fu Zhi asked, “Can he lead troops?”

Zhao Hanzhang confidently answered for Zhao Kuan, “He once followed me onto the battlefield. He’s skilled in both civil and military arts.”

Fu Zhi didn’t know whether to believe it or not. Mainly, he had never heard this person’s name. But he still nodded once. “I will speak to His Majesty about it.”

Zhao Hanzhang immediately bowed. “Thank you, Grandfather Fu.”

Hearing her also call him grandfather, Fu Zhi’s expression finally improved somewhat. He paused and said, “Sanniang, if you’re willing to be at His Majesty’s disposal…”

Zhao Hanzhang sighed. “I understand Grandfather Fu’s meaning. In the future, whenever His Majesty requests, Hanzhang dare not refuse.”

These words drew continuous glances from Fu Tinghan.

But Zhao Hanzhang’s expression remained unchanged.

Fu Zhi didn’t know whether to believe it or not. In any case, he nodded with satisfaction, then brought up the two’s marriage. “After Sanniang comes out of mourning, you two shall marry.”

He sighed. “Originally, this matter should be handled by Elder Brother’s parents, but last year I sent them south to Shu to recruit troops and travel on His Majesty’s behalf. They won’t be able to return for a while.”

Zhao Hanzhang knew this. This pair of parents-in-law spent their entire lives traveling on behalf of the Jin Emperor, mainly persuading various factions to support the Jin Emperor and working hard to recruit and maintain troops for him.

She didn’t know how much success they achieved, but in the places they traveled, there were indeed the fewest rebellions—that could be considered effective.

It was just too hard, traveling and laboring all their lives, ultimately unable to preserve the Jin court.

The same was true for Fu Zhi.

Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan both knew his aspirations, so they never thought of persuading him to leave the Jin Emperor. And Fu Zhi also knew they had no loyalty to the Jin Emperor or Jin court. Zhao Hanzhang at least still pretended; Fu Tinghan wasn’t even willing to kneel, addressing the Emperor as “Jin Emperor,” unwilling to even say “Your Majesty”…

If the child were a few years younger, he would definitely take out the disciplinary rod to teach him. But now the child was so grown, and the current situation was what it was. Fu Zhi knew that even teaching would be useless—it couldn’t straighten him out, and would only damage their grandfather-grandson relationship.

What was the point of education that couldn’t change anything and only wasted effort?

Fu Zhi looked at the two children standing shoulder to shoulder. Finally, he brought their hands together and clasped them, sighing, “Grandfather knows you are both good children, and what you do is good—you’ve protected many common people.”

“I also know that wanting you to be like me, wholeheartedly assisting the Jin royal house, is impossible. So Grandfather has only one requirement.”

Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan looked at each other, then respectfully responded, “Please speak, Grandfather.”

“You must not rebel against the Jin court. In this life, you must do everything in your power to protect the people under your governance.”

Fu Tinghan frowned slightly, still hesitating. The latter half was fine, but the former…

Who knew Zhao Hanzhang would agree immediately, and with a solemn expression, respond, “Grandfather Fu, I will do as I say. In this life, I will absolutely not rebel against the Jin court and will do everything in my power to protect the common people under heaven.”

Both Fu Zhi and Fu Tinghan could see she sincerely meant her promise. Fu Zhi nodded with great satisfaction. Fu Tinghan suppressed the doubts in his heart.

Fu Zhi didn’t linger either. He still had many matters to attend to, so he wouldn’t disturb the two children. He turned to descend from the city wall, leaving the space for them.

Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan bowed to see Fu Zhi off. Fu Tinghan looked at Zhao Hanzhang with confusion. “You won’t rebel against the Jin court?”

Zhao Hanzhang looked puzzled. “Why would I rebel against the Jin court?”

Fu Tinghan frowned. “I thought you wanted to compete for all under heaven.”

Zhao Hanzhang said meaningfully, “Even if I truly wanted to compete for all under heaven, there’s no need to rebel against the Jin court. There are so many capable people under heaven—who says the Jin court must perish by my hand?”

Fu Tinghan said nothing.

In this kind of matter, he couldn’t calculate better than her, so he should just listen to her.

Fu Tinghan’s chin pointed forward. “The fire’s out. Those people from Wang Mi should soon react.”

Zhao Hanzhang lifted the corners of her mouth. “I’ve transferred Xun Xiu inside. Let’s go. We’ll deal with this remnant army.”

Since entering the palace, Wang Mi had no news coming out. Previously it was nighttime and everyone was busy fighting fires, so most people didn’t think of this.

But now dawn had broken, the fire was extinguished, and Wang Mi still hadn’t issued any orders. Not just Wang Shou—the other deputy generals and squad leaders all reacted.

But before they could make any moves, many Yuzhou troops emerged from the previously quiet streets untouched by the fire, surrounding them together with the Zhao family troops who had been fighting fires with them earlier.

Xun Xiu rode out with a human head hanging from his spear, shouting loudly, “Wang Mi rebelled and has been executed! Why don’t you all surrender immediately!”

Wang Shou looked intently and saw the head really was Wang Mi’s. He immediately screamed, his eyes bloodshot as he pointed at Xun Xiu. “You dare kill my lord! I’ll make you pay with your life!”

The soldiers all had their anger stirred, gripping their weapons tightly and about to charge. But Xun Xiu laughed loudly. “Even Wang Mi was no match for our general—which of you can compare to Wang Mi?”

“Those who know better will lay down their weapons and surrender. Serving whom isn’t serving? Most of you are even Han people. Following our commander at least means serving the Han royal house. That Liu Yuan is just a false Han house—actually a Xiongnu!”

At these words, the soldiers all hesitated. With this hesitation, the courage just aroused dissipated.

And with Wang Mi’s head displayed, they couldn’t help feeling fear. Meanwhile, the Yuzhou troops and Zhao family troops, looking at Wang Mi’s head, felt their heroic spirit surge. They shouted in unison, clamoring for them to surrender.

Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan rode out of the palace. The palace guards and palace servants watching from afar all made way for them.

Wang Shou and the others also raised their heads to look at Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang reined in her horse before them, saying frankly, “I killed Wang Mi. If anyone wants revenge, I’ll let you out of the city. From now on, just come find me for vengeance. If you have no intention of revenge and only want to live peacefully, I will incorporate you into my army, specifically for garrison duty.”

The meaning was that from now on, they mostly wouldn’t be needed to fight battles.

The soldiers looked at each other. Under Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze, someone threw down their weapon and knelt.

The others had been waiting for someone to kneel first. They all followed suit and knelt down.

Wang Shou gripped his blade tightly. Finally, he gritted his teeth, threw the blade forcefully, and knelt on one knee.

Zhao Hanzhang lifted the corners of her mouth, pointing forward with her finger. The Zhao family troops stepped forward to collect weapons and incorporate everyone.

Seeing they had subdued so many without bloodshed, the Zhao family troops and Yuzhou troops howled with excitement.

In the palace, the Emperor startled and stood up, repeatedly asking, “What happened, what happened?”

A eunuch ran out to inquire and quickly returned. “Congratulations, Your Majesty! General Zhao has taken Wang Mi’s remnant army. The great fire has also been extinguished. The city is now safe.”

The Emperor breathed a sigh of relief, collapsing back onto his seat. “Good, good.”

He hadn’t expected Zhao Hanzhang to be so formidable. He pressed his lips together and asked, “Has Gou Xi not yet entered the city?”

“No. Without General Zhao’s word, General Gou cannot enter for the time being.”