When Ji Yuan received Zhao Hanzhang’s letter of self-reproach, his own eyes became misty with tears. He didn’t make major changes, only polished it slightly before having someone copy it to post. But the hand he extended somehow wouldn’t let go.

The clerk tugged at the draft and found he couldn’t pull it away. He looked at Ji Yuan involuntarily: “Sir?”

Only then did Ji Yuan release his hand, but said: “No need to copy it. Send it back to the Miss and have her write it personally.”

Was there any better letter of self-reproach than one written personally by Zhao Hanzhang?

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang immediately divided in half the official documents piled high on her desk: “Send these to Scholar Ji and tell him I’m busy writing the letter of self-reproach, so I’ll have to trouble Scholar Ji with these documents.”

The official business Zhao Hanzhang needed to handle wasn’t limited to just Luoyang—there were also ten commanderies in Yuzhou.

Especially the four commanderies being reclaimed, which included military affairs. She had to arrange the garrison generals and soldiers.

Even several counties around Luoyang joined in the excitement. Some counties still had county magistrates who wrote requesting Zhao Hanzhang’s protection; some counties no longer had magistrates, so the aristocratic families remaining inside wrote requesting she appoint a county magistrate…

Zhao Hanzhang naturally accepted readily, but whom should she send?

So she was very busy.

She could handle military affairs herself. Zhao Hanzhang divided out many governmental affairs. Zhao Yigui hesitated: “Miss, Scholar Ji specially set these aside, saying they all require your attention.”

Zhao Hanzhang said: “Then have him write suggestions before submitting them to me.”

She would need to meet with Beigong Chun and the others soon—she really didn’t have time!

Yigui acknowledged and carried all these documents out.

Zhao Hanzhang took a large sheet of paper and lavishly copied it once, then had Yigui post it.

She set down her brush and pulled over an official document, saying to Yigui: “Go invite General Beigong and General Mi.”

“Yes.”

Ting He entered from outside and bowed: “Miss, it’s time for your meal.”

Very good—half the day had passed just like that.

Zhao Hanzhang sat without moving and unfolded the document: “Prepare two more portions—no, three portions. Have General Beigong bring Huang An as well. We’ll have the three generals dine here shortly.”

Ting He acknowledged and was about to withdraw when Zhao Hanzhang called her back to ask: “Where’s Tinghan? Has he eaten?”

Ting He shook her head: “The Young Master left early this morning, saying he was going to inspect the Luo River. Spring floods are approaching, and some irrigation ditches also need attention.”

She paused before saying: “This servant saw there were also many documents piled on the Young Master’s desk.”

“The grain and provisions for the army, Luoyang, and Gucheng all require his calculations and distribution, so naturally there are many.” Zhao Hanzhang paused before saying: “There probably isn’t much to eat outside. Have someone send him some food. Now that we’re back in Luoyang, there’s no reason to keep gnawing on dry rations.”

Dry rations really were quite unpalatable.

Taking time out to show concern, Zhao Hanzhang asked: “Has there been any news from Administrative Secretary Fu?”

Ting He, who helped Zhao Hanzhang handle some correspondence between relatives, replied: “There’s been a letter saying he has safely arrived in Chang’an.”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded and waved for her to withdraw.

But Ting He didn’t leave. She reported: “Miss, the gatehouse just sent in a calling card from Fourth Lady Wang.”

Zhao Hanzhang was startled and quickly said: “Accept it. Have someone invite her. After I meet with General Beigong and the others, I’ll see her.”

She paused before adding: “Invite both sisters to join us for the evening meal, and have Erlang return as well.”

Ting He bowed and acknowledged: “Yes.”

Beigong Chun and Mi Ce had been waiting to see Zhao Hanzhang all along. At this point, the letter of self-reproach hadn’t been posted yet, so they didn’t know Zhao Hanzhang had independently shouldered all responsibility.

The two had already prepared to be punished. Superiors bore the blame, subordinates took the consequences—this was standard procedure.

They had been prepared when receiving the orders and knew that later Zhao Hanzhang would compensate them in other ways, but the necessary theatrics still had to be performed.

Upon entering, the outwardly honest and sincere Mi Ce immediately wore a tearful expression, quickening his steps to kneel on one knee, crying: “Administrator, this general is guilty.”

Zhao Hanzhang looked up from her brush in complete bewilderment. Seeing two lines of clear tears flowing down his face, she was startled and quickly asked: “What happened?”

Had something happened to the Mi Family Army?

Mi Ce wiped his tears: “Administrator, since last year’s Yuzhou border defense battle, the troops have been continuously campaigning outside. It’s now been over a year, but the army hasn’t received military pay, let alone adequate provisions—sometimes even those run short. This general truly feels ashamed toward the soldiers.”

“This time, following your orders to protect refugees returning to Xiangcheng, those youngsters, thinking of their elderly fathers and mothers at home, couldn’t control their hands and took some things.” Mi Ce lifted his head, looking at Zhao Hanzhang with tearful eyes: “This general failed to restrain those youngsters in time. This general is guilty. Please punish me severely, Administrator.”

Zhao Hanzhang, who had already stood up, said “Oh” and sat back down, placing her brush properly on the brush rest. She glanced at Beigong Chun, who wore a serious expression, trying hard to look “very remorseful,” then waved her hand: “Rise. This matter has nothing to do with you. It was my order. I’ve already issued a letter of self-reproach.”

Now it was Mi Ce’s turn to be bewildered: “Ah?”

Beigong Chun also looked at Zhao Hanzhang in surprise.

Mi Ce still had two tears hanging on his face. After a long while, he finally processed her words. Now he didn’t rise but simply knelt on both knees, frowning: “Administrator, how can this matter be counted against you? With the letter of self-reproach issued, I fear those people will become even more agitated. Won’t this damage your reputation?”

Zhao Hanzhang said: “It was originally my order. How can I let you bear the blame?”

She pointed to the low tables on either side, indicating they should sit and talk.

But Mi Ce refused to sit, still kneeling on the ground: “Administrator, we are your subordinates. Sharing the burden of blame and risk for you is precisely our duty. This matter was done privately by General Beigong and myself, completely unrelated to you, Administrator. Please punish us.”

Beigong Chun also knelt on one knee, lowering his head: “Please punish us, Administrator.”

Huang An behind him also knelt.

Zhao Hanzhang rose and walked down to the hall floor, helping each of them up with one hand, smiling: “Do you think if I don’t acknowledge it, they won’t know? Why become that laughingstock?”

No one was a fool, especially those aristocratic families—they’d been exposed to politics since childhood and were more perceptive than the vast majority of people in this world.

Mi Ce had already said it was standard procedure, so naturally they also knew this was done under her orders, yet afterward pushed onto her subordinates.

“But as long as you don’t acknowledge it, Administrator, they have no grounds to…”

Zhao Hanzhang said: “What I want is for them to stay and do something for Luoyang, not to stay resenting me and fighting against me.”

She sighed: “Moreover, what was done wrong was done wrong. Why make excuses?”

Beigong Chun was an upright person. He didn’t refuse standard procedures, but he also believed what Zhao Hanzhang was doing now was more correct. He immediately nodded: “This general will follow the General’s decision.”

He added: “But we did let the troops plunder and pillage—we are indeed guilty. Please punish us, General.”

After slight consideration, Zhao Hanzhang said: “Very well. Then each of you will receive twenty strokes of the military rod and half a year’s salary will be forfeit.”

Mi Ce: …

He silently turned his head to look at Beigong Chun.

Beigong Chun acknowledged with a serious expression: “Yes!”

Mi Ce: …He had many words in his heart, but couldn’t spew them out in Zhao Hanzhang’s presence.