After not seeing him for a year, Fu Zhi’s hair had grown whiter, the wrinkles on his face more numerous, his brow carrying a melancholy air. Seeing his grandson and future granddaughter-in-law, he couldn’t help but smile, though the worry between his brows didn’t decrease much—the concern in his eyes grew even heavier.
When Zhao Hanzhang was about ten paces from him, she dismounted, then quickly walked forward with Fu Tinghan and bowed. “Grandfather Fu!”
Fu Zhi’s beard flew in the cold wind. He grabbed his wildly flying beard with one hand and waved at them with the other. “Quickly get up, get up. The Xiliang envoy is already waiting in the tent. Let’s go meet them.”
Zhao Hanzhang smiled and agreed, handing over all her accompanying people to Fan Ying to manage.
She followed closely behind Fu Zhi. “Who came from Xiliang?”
“The Zhizhong, Yang Dan.”
Yang Dan was a tall scholar with a small mustache on his upper lip, a pale face, and a medium-long face with an upright bearing.
Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze swept over his left ear, which was empty—cleanly cut off.
That should be the one he cut himself, cut back then to see the Prince of Nanyang and plead on behalf of Zhang Gui. Zhao Hanzhang respected people who could be so ruthless to themselves.
Yang Dan was also sizing up Zhao Hanzhang. He’d long heard Zhao Hanzhang’s great name, but today was his first time seeing her.
This past year, Xiliang had cooperated extensively with Zhao Hanzhang. Xiliang’s highland barley, medicinal herbs, cattle, sheep, leather, and fur all passed through Chang’an and were sold to Luoyang, Yuzhou, and other places.
Though Zhao Hanzhang herself lacked grain, she had introduced several grain merchants to Xiliang, facilitating their transactions with these merchants, and even permitted them to transport salt to Xiliang.
Their Xiliang army even had a force serving under her command. He’d heard she used Beigong Chun as if he were her own arm, without any reservations.
Because of this trust, whether Zhang Gui himself or his subordinates, they all had a good impression of Zhao Hanzhang.
Yang Dan couldn’t help but smile. Just as Zhao Hanzhang approached, he bowed deeply. “This humble official Yang Dan pays respects to Governor Zhao.”
Zhao Hanzhang waved her hand with a smile. “Minister Yang needn’t be overly courteous. Please sit.”
Only after speaking did she realize she too was a guest, and couldn’t help turning to look at Fu Zhi.
Seeing her show a flattering smile, Fu Zhi waved his hand irritably. “Please sit. Governor Zhao, you sit too.”
For Xiliang to communicate with Luoyang, they had to pass through Chang’an, which was why Yang Dan invited Fu Zhi to join the talks.
Currently two people held authority in Chang’an—one was Fu Zhi, the other was the Prince of Nanyang.
The Prince of Nanyang had higher status and seemed more legitimate, but he lacked ability. Fu Zhi had only been in office a year, yet not only the common people inside and outside Chang’an, but even many generals and subordinate officials under the Prince of Nanyang had pledged allegiance to Fu Zhi.
So now Chang’an was essentially under Fu Zhi’s control.
In political maneuvering, even Zhao Hanzhang wasn’t his match.
That’s why she never invited famous and prestigious high officials to serve under her—she knew she couldn’t outmaneuver them temporarily. She preferred promoting people from lower positions.
Xiliang’s demands were simple. They hoped to attract more merchants from the Central Plains, not limited to grain merchants. Xiliang welcomed silk, cotton-hemp cloth, porcelain, glass, and other goods. They hoped these merchants would all visit Xiliang to take a look…
At the same time, Xiliang’s spices, gemstones, medicinal herbs, leather, and even the cattle, sheep, and horses that Zhao Hanzhang urgently needed could all be transported to the Central Plains.
This was economic cooperation. Politically and militarily, Yang Dan hoped they could deepen cooperation regarding the Qiang, western and northern Xianbei.
Xiliang’s position meant they had four enemies: first and second were the western Xianbei and Qiang living together; third was the Han Kingdom Xiongnu who could cross through Qiang territory to reach Xiliang at any time; fourth was the northern Xianbei.
Among these enemies, except for the northern Xianbei who currently couldn’t reach Zhao Hanzhang, the other three could potentially move south to invade Zhao Hanzhang’s territory at any time.
So Xiliang hoped to strengthen cooperation with Zhao Hanzhang. Just like this time, when Zhao Hanzhang sent troops against Liu Yuan, Xiliang sent troops to support her. Xiliang hoped that if they ever fought external enemies, Zhao Hanzhang could also send troops to coordinate.
Zhao Hanzhang didn’t hesitate long before agreeing.
Zhang Gui’s conditions were generous, and the demands were all reasonable. She liked allies with such self-awareness who understood that to receive something, one must first give.
This negotiation seemed to be between Zhao Hanzhang and Xiliang, but actually everything revolved around Chang’an.
Because whether commerce or troop movements, they all needed to pass through Chang’an’s checkpoints, so Fu Zhi was crucial.
Fu Zhi had been silently listening to them negotiate. Regarding their cooperation, he had no objections. He had only one demand: “If there comes a day when His Majesty is in danger, I want you to promise me you’ll spare no cost to rush to the emperor’s aid and protect His Majesty and Great Jin.”
Zhao Hanzhang and Yang Dan exchanged glances, then both lowered their heads in agreement.
Fu Zhi slowly exhaled and said, “Then let’s draft the alliance.”
Both sides held friendly intentions, so the talks proceeded quickly. In just half a day, they finalized the alliance.
Fan Ying drafted the alliance document. She and a clerk under Fu Zhi each made a copy, then submitted the three alliance documents.
After the three reviewed them and confirmed there were no errors, they signed and sealed them.
Yang Dan’s gaze swept over Fan Ying, and he said to Zhao Hanzhang with a smile, “I’ve long heard that Governor Zhao has many capable female officials under her command. Seeing one today, the reputation is indeed well-deserved.”
Zhao Hanzhang smiled at Fan Ying. “This is my Zhizhong Congshi.”
In other words, Fan Ying held the same official rank and position as Yang Dan.
Hearing this, Yang Dan became even more respectful. He even stood and bowed to Fan Ying before saying to Zhao Hanzhang, “The young ladies at our governor’s residence heard that Governor Zhao has female officials and clamored to come along, saying they wanted to seek an official position under Governor Zhao. Our governor scolded the young lady for being nonsensical, but ultimately couldn’t refuse her, so he let her come along to broaden her horizons.”
“In a moment the young lady will come to pay her respects to Governor Zhao. Please be understanding, Governor Zhao. We’ll stay a few more days before returning to Xiliang.”
Zhao Hanzhang raised her eyebrows and smiled. “So Governor Zhang’s daughter also came? Then I must meet her. They say like father like daughter—Governor Zhang is a hero, so Miss Zhang must also be a heroic woman.”
Zhang Gui’s daughter was named Zhang Ru. She was his fourth child and also the youngest, quite favored. Otherwise, Zhang Gui wouldn’t have let her come along just because she cried and made a fuss.
She was the same age as Zhao Hanzhang, dressed all in red, yet looked quite gentle, with heroic spirit between her brows. Hearing that Zhao Hanzhang wanted to see her, she immediately grasped her long sword and came to meet her.
She hastily bowed to Fu Zhi sitting in the seat of honor, then raised her head to find Zhao Hanzhang. She immediately spotted the young woman sitting to Fu Zhi’s left and stared at her in a daze.
Zhao Hanzhang looked at her with a smile. Seeing her staring blankly, she couldn’t help laughing aloud and asked, “Why are you dazed, Miss Zhang? Am I so ugly I’ve frightened you?”
Zhang Ru’s face turned red. She shook her head repeatedly, her eyes shining as she looked at her. “No, the Governor is the most handsome governor I’ve ever seen. I was stunned for a moment.”
Hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang laughed heartily and patted the seat beside her. “Miss Zhang, quickly come sit. Let’s drink together.”
Fu Zhi silently turned his head to look at his grandson, only to see Fu Tinghan merely raise his head to glance at Zhang Ru and Zhao Hanzhang before lowering his head to drink soup.
Fu Zhi felt extremely complicated inside, not knowing what expression to make.
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