With Yan Ding dead, there were no more disloyal people in this team. Yuan Li felt the air had become much fresher. Even though his stomach was still empty, it didn’t prevent his good mood.

In good spirits, he had time to concern himself with the situation outside.

Unfortunately, this area was sparsely populated. Guards had to travel far to gather any information, and even then their intelligence wasn’t very accurate. Someone actually claimed Zhao’s army had capable supernatural beings who could summon heavenly thunder to blast open city gates, allowing Zhao’s army to capture over a dozen cities.

Yuan Li scoffed at this. Their governor fought with real skill—what supernatural beings, what heavenly thunder? This was definitely people outside using immortals’ names to diminish their governor’s abilities.

However, Yuan Li didn’t know this claim had already spread throughout the Central Plains at tremendous speed, even reaching the Prince of Langya and Wang Dao in Jiangdong.

Contrary to Yuan Li, the Prince of Langya believed this showed Zhao Hanzhang had imperial ambitions.

He worriedly told Wang Dao: “Imperial authority is divinely granted. Zhao Hanzhang’s actions clearly show she wants to use immortals’ names to indicate she is the rightful sovereign. She now dominates the Central Plains and has taken Si Province. Even the Han emperor died by her hand. If she truly declares herself emperor, I fear no one can stop her.”

With the added authority of immortals, many would likely submit.

Honestly, looking north from the south, whether by population or geographical advantage, Zhao Hanzhang’s odds exceeded his.

Wang Dao said: “If she truly declares herself emperor, I’d actually worry less. The emperor still lives. If she dares declare herself emperor, the Alliance Leader can issue proclamations in the imperial family’s name to eliminate this rebellious traitor.”

Prince of Langya: “Does Maohong mean this information wasn’t from her?”

Wang Dao shook his head: “I’ve always wondered—Pingyang City is solid, the Han capital, with abundant grain and troops. How could Zhao Hanzhang take Pingyang in three days? She breached Pingyang palace in half a day.”

He continued: “Without inside help, she must have siege weapons. This is perhaps what rumors call heavenly thunder.”

The Prince of Langya laughed: “I’ve never heard of such things. This is most likely rumor. Are there truly immortals helping her?”

Wang Dao said quietly: “Not necessarily immortals, but perhaps truly capable extraordinary people. Four years ago, who imagined glazed glass worth thousands could be made in Central Plains workshops, in so many forms, with clear mirrors sold for fifty coins?”

“Then there are Yu Province’s iron implements. Zhao’s army weapons are the sharpest under heaven. Their publishing houses and paper workshops—these past two years not only has paper cheapened, even books have dropped in price. Zhao Hanzhang definitely has many capable craftsmen. Creating new siege weapons isn’t surprising.”

Hearing this, the Prince of Langya worried: “Then what should I do?”

Wang Dao said: “The Prince of Yuzhang and other imperial bloodlines are missing. The Alliance Leader should respect the worthy, recruit scholars, gain Jiangdong aristocracy’s recognition, and be first to secure the south. As long as the emperor lives, one step forward makes her a rebellious traitor. If she doesn’t advance, to resist Xiongnu she can only support the imperial family. With the Prince of Yuzhang and others missing, you, Alliance Leader, are most legitimate.”

The Prince of Langya nodded repeatedly, lowering his voice: “But what if she finds the Prince of Yuzhang?”

Wang Dao also lowered his voice: “I’ve already sent people searching everywhere. If we find them before Zhao’s people, we need not fear.”

“This is one point. We can make other arrangements,” Wang Dao said. “Now is critical. The Alliance Leader can summon officials and prominent scholars from various places to Jianye to discuss major matters.”

Wang Dao continued: “Don’t they want northern expedition? They must discuss deploying troops. Will they need passage through Yu Province or not?”

The Prince of Langya immediately understood and repeatedly agreed, immediately sending invitations to officials and scholars everywhere.

Zhao Ming had also heard this rumor. Unlike the Prince of Langya, he knew it was true—but not immortals, rather Fu Tinghan.

Looking at what Qiu Wu carefully escorted to camp, he asked: “Was this what breached Pingyang’s gates?”

Qiu Wu respectfully replied: “That’s what the young master said. We’ve modified the interior per his blueprint. When time comes, just light it and throw it like hurling stones.”

Zhao Ming circled it, thinking of the mining he’d seen, and nodded: “Is Zhao Ju’s side prepared?”

“Yes, this subordinate sent people to escort ten barrels there. The rest are all here.” Qiu Wu asked: “Should we hand them to General Xun?”

Zhao Ming considered briefly and shook his head: “Not urgent. Hand them over tomorrow during the counterattack.”

Pausing, Zhao Ming said: “Guard them carefully meanwhile. Not a trace must leak.”

Qiu Wu solemnly agreed: “Rest assured. My people are utterly loyal to the Lady.”

The weapons workshop was especially important. Those Zhao Hanzhang selected were all death-contract slaves, their families’ lives in her hands.

Zhao Ming turned toward the main tent. Chen Siniang followed, unable to help asking: “Commander, don’t you trust General Xun?”

With Meng County fallen and Xiayi besieged, Zhao Ming urgently ordered troops from counties everywhere, especially central and western Yu Province places not in danger.

Chen Siniang came in response and now served under Zhao Ming, though military matters still fell to Xun Xiu.

Zhao Ming glanced at her. Because Zhao Hanzhang had saved and employed her, he trusted her greatly: “Not distrust, but caution. Xun Xiu is too arrogant. I’m uneasy with him.”

Soon came the great counteroffensive. At Zhao Hanzhang’s command, Zhao’s army began hurling explosives at Meng County gates without regard for cost.

When the first explosive detonated, the entire city shook. Everyone on walls and in the city turned pale, some shouting: “Heavenly thunder! Heavenly thunder! Zhao’s army truly has immortals!”

“Shut up!” Zhi Xiong roared furiously: “Quick, bows, arrows, ballistae—where are the ballistae? Shoot them out!”

Meng County’s gates had been modified by Zhao Hanzhang—iron sheeting outside, layered wood and iron inside, basically alternating wood and iron, twenty-six layers total. The gates had mechanisms; once locked, they weighed thousands of pounds, impossible to ram from outside, hard even to blast open.

Two explosive barrels only blasted through two or three layers.

Zhao Hanzhang never imagined gates she’d specifically had made would defend against her own forces.

When Shi Lei attacked Meng County, he paid enormous costs, reportedly besieging a full month. If he hadn’t attacked Zhao Ju and drawn out Xun Xiu and others, this city could have held half a year with these gates alone.

Seeing the gates wouldn’t blast open, Fu Tinghan decisively aimed at the city tower.

Zhao Hanzhang also readied ladder teams. Meanwhile, on Meng County’s other side, Xun Xiu launched fierce assault. He led men to break through Jie barbarian lines but was quickly beaten back.

This was just a Meng County town, yet so many Han troops were stationed?

Facing Zhao Ming’s gaze, Xun Xiu felt somewhat angry and organized another attack, this time charging to the very front.

The Jie tribe was brave and brutal—better at farming than Xiongnu, better at archery than Central Plains people, but more brutal than both.

When border guardian Taobao learned the county seat was attacked, he went mad, leading desperate charges with apparent intent to push into Sui County and capture the Zhao clan in one stroke.

Their suicidal fighting intimidated the Xun Family Army. Combined with Jie barbarian ferocity, even Xun Xiu’s second charge gained nothing—not advancing an inch while losing over eight hundred men.

The wounded exceeded two thousand.

Xun Xiu’s expression was extremely grim. He had no choice but to sound retreat and temporarily withdraw.

With his retreat, Jie barbarians pursued victoriously, nearly attacking their Sui County camp. At that moment, Zhao Ming was closest to the chaotic Jie troops, the overwhelming blood stench making his expression dark with fury.

He hadn’t expected Xun Xiu so incompetent, nor Jie barbarians so fierce.

Seeing this, Qiu Wu couldn’t help saying: “Commander, use the explosives. Otherwise, forget coordinating with the Governor—we might not even hold Sui County.”

Zhao Ming pondered briefly before shaking his head: “Tomorrow, order Xun Xiu to attack fiercely once more. If he still fails, then we’ll use them.”

He continued: “Explosives aren’t plentiful. We must conserve them, still counting on them to breach Meng County’s south gate.”

Qiu Wu acknowledged.

After Xun Xiu retreated, Zhao Ming’s expression softened as he addressed him as gently as possible: “With Taobao so fierce, does General Xun have good strategies?”

Xun Xiu said: “Meng County is too open, difficult to set ambushes. We can only clash directly. This general truly cannot find better strategies.”

Zhao Ming frowned: “Today’s setback—though Jie barbarians temporarily withdrew, might they night raid later?”

Xun Xiu considered: “They shouldn’t. Though this general retreated, they didn’t fare well either. Tonight they likely lack strength for night raids.”

Zhao Ming said: “Still be careful. That Shi Lei is mad, and Taobao followed him from bandit days, killing like flies, committing every evil—also mad. We shouldn’t judge by normal reasoning.”

Xun Xiu pressed his lips together, feeling Zhao Ming clearly didn’t understand military matters yet still meddled. He was this eastern counteroffensive’s commanding general.

However, Zhao Ming was commandery governor, essentially military supervisor. Though displeased, Xun Xiu still said: “This general will immediately deploy additional patrols. If enemies approach, we’ll alert immediately.”

Zhao Ming stared at his face briefly, nodded slightly, and smiled: “Good. General Xun may go rest.”

After Xun Xiu withdrew, Zhao Ming’s smile vanished, his gaze deep and silent.

His attendants glanced at him and all lowered their heads, terrified.

Xun Xiu was truly bold showing displeasure before Zhao Ming. Even the Governor behaved obediently in his presence.

Zhao Ming lowered his eyes in thought, then beckoned a confidant: “Summon Chen Siniang and Qiu Wu.”

Compared to Xun Xiu, Chen Siniang and Qiu Wu were far more obedient and arrived quickly.

Zhao Ming told Chen Siniang: “Separate your troops from the army and transfer to Qiu Wu.”

Chen Siniang acknowledged.

Zhao Ming said: “Including Chen Siniang’s people, we have twenty thousand Zhao Family Army troops here, all under your command. From now on, you answer only to me.”

Qiu Wu agreed without hesitation.

Zhao Ming said: “Deploy scouts to investigate and guard against Taobao’s night raid. Leave two thousand with me. Take all remaining eight thousand immediately—make camp, cook, sleep now. If enemies raid, immediately take two thousand cavalry to their camp. You must scatter it. The remaining six thousand will ambush along the road, waiting for their retreat.”

Qiu Wu asked: “But if there’s enemy raid, our main camp—”

“Don’t worry about it. Regardless of whether the main camp wins or loses, don’t concern yourself. Just follow this plan.”

Qiu Wu hesitated: “Commander, capturing the city is important, but your safety is more important.”

“This is your Governor’s intention.”

Qiu Wu looked completely skeptical.

Zhao Ming glanced at him coolly, retrieved a letter, and extracted one sheet to show him.

Qiu Wu looked down, eyes widening. This truly was Zhao Hanzhang’s arrangement.

This was Zhao Hanzhang’s last letter to Zhao Ming, agreeing on general counteroffensive timing. At the letter’s end, Zhao Hanzhang mentioned this overall attack’s difficulty.

She wasn’t worried about Xiayi County—Zhao Ju was there. Though Shi Lei nearly took Xiayi several times, Zhao Ju always recaptured and held it, showing he could face Shi Lei.

She worried about Xun Xiu.

Mi Ce had mediocre talent but steady character, fighting cautiously. Counterattacking Ningling, he might not succeed but absolutely wouldn’t advance rashly, letting Shi’s army push further.

Attacking around Ningling were Zhao Erlang and Xie Shi. Zhao Erlang was brave, Xie Shi had rare talent. Whether or not they breached Ningling, they could protect themselves.

Conversely, Xun Xiu, whose reputation always exceeded Mi Ce’s—he came from aristocracy, was arrogant and self-important, yet had only mediocre ability. In Yu Province, only Zhao Hanzhang could suppress him.

He not only commanded a large army but was Yingchuan Commandery’s governor, equal in rank to Zhao Ming.

But he had entered office earlier. When Zhao Ming was still a commoner, Xun Xiu was already one of Yu Province’s generals wielding significant power, a confidant of the previous governor.

He somewhat resented Zhao Ming, feeling he relied entirely on his relationship with Zhao Hanzhang to surpass him and become Chen Commandery’s governor, even managing Yu Province affairs.

Though Zhao Hanzhang never spoke of it, she had always observed. In her letter she wrote: “Meng County’s terrain is open—ideal for cavalry charges. The Xun Family Army is known for infantry. Taobao is one of Shi Lei’s Eight Riders, following him since bandit days—brutal and fierce. If he becomes desperate, Xun Xiu is absolutely no match.”

“If Xun Xiu attacks without breakthrough, he’ll grow resentful. When agitated, mistakes become inevitable. Uncle, you must be alert for Taobao’s night raids.”

Zhao Hanzhang taught him how to respond to night raids.

Jie barbarian raids mainly used cavalry, basically scattering camps, slaughtering and burning before departing.

Xun Xiu might not defeat Taobao, but prepared, he could hold the main camp. (If he can’t even manage that, run quickly.) Zhao Hanzhang suggested sending troops to raid the enemy camp and ambush Taobao along his withdrawal route.

Regardless of whether Taobao won or lost his raid, halfway through departure he would certainly relax, because Xun Xiu definitely wouldn’t pursue.

This might be their only chance to scatter Taobao’s forces. If necessary, use explosives.

Zhao Hanzhang also suggested primarily using explosives against enemy cavalry.

Fu Tinghan’s explosive formula didn’t actually have great killing power. His blueprint merely modified the explosive container and fuse arrangement.

He hadn’t provided the formula for refining explosives and increasing lethality, so their explosives couldn’t demolish city walls.

Using them against cavalry would be more effective—the loud sound plus iron fragments scattering during explosion could panic horses. If enemies formed cavalry arrays, those formations could be broken.