Popular support was something you couldn’t see or touch, but you could feel it. After the Zhao Family Army crossed the river, Zhou Zhi felt the Jiangnan common people’s tolerance toward them, even welcome and affection.

This was something the Prince of Langya’s party didn’t have when they came to Jiangnan.

Sima Rui went south two years ago. Most of the local aristocratic families accepted him, but ordinary common people were generally indifferent, and quite a few even felt resistance and disgust.

Zhou Zhi knew why. These northerners migrated south in large numbers. Many southerners’ businesses improved, so they welcomed them. But more southerners discovered that since the northerners migrated south, their land was decreasing, their labor increasing, yet their income hadn’t increased.

Moreover, to prepare to resist Jiangbei’s forces, Wang Dun and Sima Rui had recruited large numbers of soldiers in Jiangnan this past year.

In some places where they couldn’t recruit enough, they directly issued military service orders.

Although it hadn’t yet reached the point of popular resentment boiling over, complaints among the people were not few. Furthermore, since the Qin and Han unification, the Chinese people had an attachment to unity and peace engraved in their bloodline.

Many common people, though illiterate, firmly believed that for lasting peace and stability on both banks of the Yangtze River, unification was essential.

When Sima Rui arrived, Zhou Zhi hadn’t felt that urgency from the common people. Wang Dao acted mildly and was willing to yield more benefits to their southern aristocracy. He also hadn’t felt support for Sima Rui from the aristocrats.

Like himself, for example.

So when he felt that urgency from the common people after the Zhao Family Army crossed the river, as well as the obedience of various aristocratic family heads toward Zu Ti and their longing for Zhao Hanzhang in Luoyang, he made his decision.

The Zhou clan was the leader of Jiangnan aristocracy. He controlled the most troops and greatest military power among Jiangnan aristocrats.

His choice directly influenced the various aristocratic families of Jiangnan.

The moment Zhou Zhi boarded the ship following the Prince of Langya, the heads of the Jiang, Lu and other families also packed their things to cross the river, following distantly behind their party heading to Luoyang.

As for the northern aristocratic families who had fled to Jiangnan, those who still had resources also bundled up their belongings and followed. Not knowing what lay ahead, they temporarily left their families in Jiangnan.

There were also some aristocratic families who had fallen into decline fleeing from war. They also took this opportunity to mix into the group, shamelessly requesting support from some old acquaintances’ families, asking them to help get to Luoyang together.

Everyone knew Zhao Hanzhang thirsted for talent and Luoyang had recruitment examinations. So even though the scholars were in decline, they remained confident, feeling that as long as they reached Luoyang and let Zhao Hanzhang see their talents, they could get ahead.

Therefore, after the Prince of Langya and Wang Dao crossed the river, they discovered the procession following behind grew longer and larger.

Sima Rui couldn’t help but lift the curtain and peek outside. The official road stretched endlessly, with lush trees on both sides. At a glance, among the travelers following behind, occasionally interspersed were horse carts, mule carts, donkey carts, and ox carts. From time to time, someone riding a horse galloped past on the grass below the official road, raising clouds of dust. Further away he couldn’t see.

Such large-scale migration—this was the second time Sima Rui had seen it. The first time was when fleeing south, when large numbers of aristocrats and common people had also followed behind him.

But at that time, everyone’s faces showed anxiety and fear of the unknown. Even he had repeatedly questioned his choice, appearing hesitant and uncertain.

But now, the faces of those following behind him wore expressions of longing, their eyes bright as they stared ahead, walking forward with unwavering determination.

Even though a Zhao Family Army escort separated them, he could still feel the hope and vigor emanating from them.

Sima Rui’s eyes reddened, deeply affected. He lowered the curtain and sat properly in his seat, but his shoulders and back still couldn’t help but slump, leaning lightly against the carriage wall.

Sima Shao, who had been earnestly reading beside him, sensed his father’s low spirits. He put down his book and also lifted the curtain to look outside.

With just one glance, he understood. He lowered the curtain and said to his father, “Father should feel happy. Our abilities aren’t sufficient to bring them peace and happiness. Now that the heavy burden is lifted, the pressure is gone too.”

Sima Rui thought about it—that was true. His mood improved considerably. “Indeed. It’s just that from now on, the family’s prosperity and honor will depend on you.”

Sima Shao nodded. “Father, rest assured. I will do my utmost.”

Sima Shao’s composure gave Sima Rui tremendous confidence. He exhaled and looked at him with relief and trust. Good—now his pressure was completely transferred out.

The Zhao Family Army escorting Sima Rui’s party didn’t block people following behind the procession. When occasional incidents occurred, they would even split off a portion of troops to maintain order.

Some scholars with harder backbones or no old acquaintances willing to help saw this and simply approached the Zhao Family Army for assistance.

Guard Adjutant Ping Yi thought for a moment and had them follow the guard army for meals—two meals a day. Whatever the soldiers ate, they would eat. At night if they camped outdoors, they would also be given some bedding and permitted to camp near the army.

More and more scholars came seeking refuge, but Ping Yi didn’t take in just anyone. If they couldn’t state their family origins, couldn’t recite several pages of their family genealogy, or if their clothing and appearance still looked decent, he wouldn’t help.

Even so, the scholars he took in grew more numerous.

Then, as they neared Luoyang, one night in the quiet camp perimeter, suddenly a scream rang out, followed by commotion. But the commotion quickly dispersed, and on the ground were eight additional corpses.

In the darkness, torches lit up in succession. The heads of various aristocratic families camping not far away all sent people to inquire about the situation.

In front of the arrivals, Ping Yi wiped the blood from his blade on the corpses and smiled at them, saying, “It’s nothing serious—just that the traitor Wang Dun sent assassins to murder the Prince of Langya, but we captured them.”

“Go back and tell your family heads that the traitors have all been killed. Tell them to sleep peacefully.” Then he said to the frightened scholars, “Everyone, rest assured. We previously received intelligence about the assassins’ treasonous plans. Don’t worry—those of you who weren’t involved, our general will absolutely not implicate you.”

One scholar’s face looked unpleasant as he asked, “You knew beforehand they were mixed among us to commit treason?”

Ping Yi glanced at him and said, “This is military intelligence. Are you certain you want to pry into it, sir?”

The scholar fell silent.

Ping Yi waved his hand for people to drag away all the corpses, then said to everyone, “It’s late. Everyone should rest.”

As soon as Ping Yi left, someone immediately proposed wanting to leave.

The soldiers didn’t stop them. Apart from those eight fake scholars who had held blades trying to assassinate Sima Rui being killed, they truly didn’t implicate anyone or even investigate, seeming to fully trust there were no more assassins among them.

But while they believed it, the scholars didn’t.

That’s right—they felt there were still assassins mixed among them. Even if the Zhao Family Army didn’t implicate them, when fighting and killing started, innocents would inevitably get hurt. Tonight’s incident was unexpected, and two people on their side were injured.

One saw the assassins and soldiers fighting, hurriedly fled and fell flat on his face, hitting his head. Another, in fright, extended his foot to kick an assassin, then was surrounded and hacked by two assassins.

Although scholars all studied the six arts and those present knew some martial skills, the opponents had weapons while they…

Except for a very few who still possessed their own swords, the other scholars’ swords had long been pawned in Jiangnan for food money.

So the scholar who kicked the assassin was injured quite badly—he took two blade wounds.

Ping Yi was very sympathetic and grateful to them. He didn’t abandon them but had them carried into camp for treatment.

The commotion here didn’t affect the ordinary common people following at the very back of the procession. Most people heard nothing before it ended.

The aristocratic families closest to the camp knew about it but remained silent as chickens. They waited anxiously, and peacefully made it to daybreak when the procession departed as usual.

The Zhao Family Army didn’t take the opportunity to hunt down assassins or extort them.

The accompanying aristocrats fell silent for a moment. Seeing the escort army had gone far ahead, they hurriedly packed their luggage and brought their families and attendants to follow.

The common people behind had already walked across the grass to pass them, even turning their heads to look at them with disdain. “Scholars are so delicate. The escort camp has already left and they’re only just waking up.”

“Exactly. They don’t get up themselves but block the road ahead, delaying our travel.”

The scholars: …

These common people had all fled to Jiangnan over these past years, but in Jiangnan for many years, they still hadn’t managed to build up an estate.

Most worked as tenant farmers or laborers for aristocratic families, earning meager wages to get by. Their days were very hard.

Hearing that in Jiangbei territory, just by returning to register as residents they could be allotted land and seeds, could rent farming tools from the county office with extremely low interest—those with some courage all wanted to return.

Previously there was no opportunity. Now that the opportunity came, they directly rolled up their bundles and left.

Some families moved back entirely. Being poor folk, they also had little luggage—they made all their home grain into dry rations, carried them on their backs and left.

Others sent out one or two sons and daughters. Several fellow villagers joined together and traveled north in groups.

Their thoughts weren’t as complicated as these aristocratic families’. They simply felt this was an opportunity to survive better, so they did it.

The common people at the bottom never lacked adventurous spirit. They were like wild grass—even nearly withered, with just one drop of dew they could turn green again and strive upward.

Previously, ordinary common people didn’t dare walk ahead of these nobles, but during this time the Zhao Family Army’s tolerance toward them made them feel they could.

So seeing the nobles ahead not moving, they couldn’t bear it and directly passed them, then quickened their pace to follow closely behind the Zhao Family Army.

Ping Yi hadn’t sealed off news of the assassin attack, so not only did nearby aristocrats know, Sima Rui—the person involved—also knew. Soon even ordinary common people in the procession knew.

Sima Rui specially summoned Ping Yi to inquire about this matter. Ping Yi reassured him, “Great King, rest assured. We received intelligence early on and had already made arrangements. As soon as they made their move, we could immediately end their lives. We absolutely won’t let them harm the Great King.”

Sima Rui: “…You received intelligence early on?”

Ping Yi lifted his chin slightly and said proudly, “Our General Yuan has awakened. His intelligence network is extensive. Before I departed, I received word that Wang Dun sent assassins to kill the Great King and Minister Wang, wanting to frame our general.”

Sima Rui believed it. This was something Wang Dun could do.

He was somewhat angry, so he ran to find Wang Dao to curse Wang Dun together.

Upon learning of this, Wang Dao was also angry. The usually refined person couldn’t help but curse Wang Dun together with the Prince of Langya.

This matter wasn’t secret. Soon rumors spread among ordinary common people, and they joined in cursing Wang Dun as if he were their mortal enemy who killed their fathers.

Framing Zhao Hanzhang for killing the Prince of Langya and destroying stability and unity—in their hearts this was like cutting off their livelihood. How was this different from a mortal enemy who killed their fathers?

The traveling procession was filled with cursing. The Prince of Langya also heard it. His expression was complex.

So many people cursing Wang Dun over the assassination attempt, and many people voluntarily investigating those around them—even righteous citizens organizing patrols among the mixed crowd, looking like if another assassin appeared, they could finish them off without the soldiers lifting a finger.

This was the first time the Prince of Langya directly faced such care. To be honest, it was quite moving. It was just a pity—they cared for him so much because of Zhao Hanzhang.

“Wang Dun, that villain, dares to frame General Zhao!”

This was the curse the Prince of Langya heard most over these two days.

So his feelings couldn’t help but be complex.

The procession cursed all the way to outside Luoyang City. Officials had long been waiting outside the city gate. After receiving Sima Rui, Wang Dao, and Zhou Zhi, they were about to enter the palace. “The general and His Majesty have been waiting in the palace since early morning.”

Sima Rui keenly noticed that “the general” was placed before “His Majesty.”

Wang Dao and Zhou Zhi looked toward the empty ground on both sides of the city gate where ten tables were set up on each side. Not far away, there were steaming porridge tents.

The two couldn’t help but ask the envoy who came to greet them.

Zhao Xin smiled slightly and explained, “The general knew that many displaced people would follow the Great King back home, so she had Luoyang County Office prepare in advance to ensure every returning displaced person receives proper settlement.”

Ping Yi had sent back letters. The displaced people following behind their procession numbered about twenty thousand—quite a large migration. Moreover, as time passed, more and more people were catching up from behind.

The letters were in two copies. One was sent back to Jiangnan and transmitted by radio. One was sent by fast horse into the capital.

Zhao Hanzhang first received the telegram and immediately used telegrams to notify Xuzhou, Yanzhou, and Yuzhou through which they passed, having them prepare for the returning displaced people’s needs. They must arrange things properly.

For non-displaced people—those originally from Jiangnan and Jiangdong who wanted to settle in Jiangbei—they should also be treated equally.

On the road, those whose ancestral homes were in Xuzhou, Yanzhou, and Yuzhou, after experiencing the local officials’ friendliness, mostly chose to return home for land allotment.

Those far from their hometowns or who had fled from Sizhou areas chose to continue following.

News transmitted back to Jiangnan, and more displaced people decided to return home. They were few in number and traveled fast, so quite a few caught up with the main group. By the time they reached Luoyang, rather than decreasing, the ordinary common people in the procession had increased.

Zhao Zheng took a metal megaphone and avoided the aristocratic procession, walking before the ordinary common people. Two yamen runners cleverly brought over a table and helped him stand on it.

Standing on the meter-high table, he was finally visible to everyone.

He raised the megaphone and shouted loudly, “Fellow villagers, I am Zhao Zheng, Luoyang County Magistrate, sent by the general to settle everyone!”

The voice carried half a li away. The originally noisy, anxious crowd quieted down. Hearts settled somewhat as they watched Zhao Zheng expectantly.