At dawn, white fog rolled across the river surface, making the distant shore mountains appear faintly like they were placed in a fairyland, concealing the mess and devastation left behind by the fires of war.

Six two-thousand-stone oared war sailboats raised their sails, creating ripples across the calm river surface, with fine waves lapping against the hulls.

Han Qian stood at the ship’s rail, hands clasped behind his back. The fierce river wind whipped up his robe sleeves and hair, flying backward. His lean face at this moment seemed as cold and sharp as thin ice in puddles on the river beach.

Half the night had passed, and no warships had pursued from behind, nor had large cavalry forces galloped out from the southern shore. Yang Qin’s nerves, tense all night, relaxed slightly at this moment. Rolling up his robe sleeves and walking out of the cabin, he said, “The Third Prince should have tacitly accepted the fact of our return to Xuzhou by now, shouldn’t he?”

Of course, though he said this, Yang Qin didn’t feel he could completely relax before truly returning to Xuzhou.

At this time, they still couldn’t know for certain whether Yang Yuanpu had sent secret orders to the troops stationed in Yueyang or the local forces in Langchen and other provinces, instructing them to set up checkpoints to intercept them at Dongting Lake’s mouth or on the narrow Yuan River.

Moreover, whether the large number of Xuzhou personnel remaining in Langxi and Guangde would face arrest and purges remained unknown…

Han Qian sighed softly. Though reaching this point was not his wish, thinking about being able to return to Xuzhou and reunite with Zhao Ting’er, and being able to see the son born several months ago whom he had never met, his heart also held considerable anticipation and excitement.

Though after his departure he would leave behind a complete mess, and he couldn’t completely predict how the subsequent situation would develop and evolve, now was not the time to worry about this. It was nothing more than blocking soldiers with generals and water with earth—he was no longer that hostile youth who had just experienced the dream world and lived in fear.

From deep within the fog came the faint sound of horse hooves.

Though the hoofbeats weren’t dense, they were hurried and urgent. Yang Qin remained alert. On the three ships behind, Kong Xirong, Guo Que, and others also came out wearing armor. Even without directly steering the ships toward the northern shore, they commanded the soldiers to operate scorpion crossbows and other war machines as a precaution.

“Master Han, Master Han! His Highness has words for me to convey to you. Please wait for Zheng Chang!”

Over a dozen swift horses quickly caught up to a position parallel with the fleet. Zheng Chang, sitting on the jolting horse’s back, shouted with all his might across the river surface of over two hundred paces.

……

……

The time it takes an incense stick to burn later, Zheng Chang boarded the swift sailboat on a leather raft.

“Coming to Fanchang City, I didn’t have the opportunity to sit down properly with Master Han for a few drinks. I never imagined I would be seeing Master Han off under such circumstances—it’s truly lamentable!” Zheng Chang said, cupping his hands toward Han Qian as he boarded the ship.

“Han Qian acted willfully and recklessly, implicating Lord Zheng in traveling through the night—truly a grave offense,” Han Qian said.

Looking at Han Qian’s eyes, deep as stars, Zheng Chang also inexplicably felt tremendous pressure, yet he had no way to tear off the hypocritical mask and directly negotiate terms with Han Qian. He could only first reveal the words he had prepared along the way: “Speaking of offenses, when Chuzhou mentioned the marriage matter, we should have realized Chuzhou harbored malicious intentions. But ultimately our thinking was too slow—we didn’t expect that Chuzhou’s fundamental purpose was to force Master Han to have no choice but to leave Fanchang. The great error has already been made. Please forgive us, Master Han.”

“I originally intended to capture Jinling and return to Xuzhou to continue my mourning period. Now with you lords at His Highness’s side, there is nothing for Han Qian to worry about. Leaving Fanchang early, I thought there was nothing wrong with that,” Han Qian said.

Seeing Han Qian and Zheng Chang’s calm and composed manner, as if discussing something quite insignificant, Xi Ren standing to the side wanted to roll her eyes. They had nearly crossed blades—could they not just sit down directly and negotiate terms?

“His Highness deeply regrets failing to identify earlier the treacherous interference that caused Master Han to suffer such great grievance. If not for the pressing military affairs, His Highness would have wanted to personally come see Master Han off,” Zheng Chang said.

Han Qian smiled inwardly, secretly thinking that if Yang Yuanpu truly had the tolerance and courage to come see him off, he would indeed think more highly of him. For now, he only perfunctorily cupped his hands toward Fanchang City, saying, “His Highness’s thoughts are appreciated.”

“Though Master Han is returning to Xuzhou, regarding how to attack Jinling next, you cannot completely stand aside,” Zheng Chang retrieved a brocade bundle from his wide robe sleeve—it was the official seal and official robe Han Qian had left at his residence. He said, “His Highness says that as long as Master Han is his ‘Master Han’ for one day, he will be his ‘Master Han’ for life, and will forever be Great Chu’s Consultant Participant in Military Affairs.”

Han Qian smiled and said, “His Highness is too kind.”

However, when Zheng Chang handed over the official seal and official robe, he didn’t refuse, having Xi Ren put them away for him, thus giving both sides a face-saving way out.

Next, Zheng Chang discussed the fundamental matter, which was the disposition of the Left Guangde Army and the over three hundred thousand women and children in the three counties of Guangde, Langxi, and Anji after Han Qian’s departure.

Though the Left Guangde Army numbered only over ten thousand, with over three hundred thousand women and children depending on them behind them, they had tremendous military potential that could be tapped.

When Li Pu had previously wanted to force Han Qian to conduct a total mobilization of the Left Guangde Army, he had estimated that the Left Guangde Army could expand to between twenty-five thousand and thirty thousand in the shortest time.

Moreover, Guangde’s strategic position was extremely critical.

Previously, when Han Qian occupied Guangde and forced Gu Zhilong to defect by changing sails, the overall situation was quickly reversed—this was clear proof.

Now the grain and fodder needed by the Yueyang troops were mainly transported through the passage north of the Fuyu Mountains from the eastern and southern Zhejiang regions.

Before completely controlling the Left Guangde Army and the three counties of Guangde, Yueyang might not dare to urgently attack Jinling. But with Han Qian at large outside, they also didn’t dare to tear off the mask and conduct a bloody purge and suppression of the military officers and commanders in the Left Guangde Army who belonged to the Xuzhou faction.

Otherwise, even if they could concentrate forces to suppress the Left Guangde Army nearby, who knew what Han Qian might do to their foundational territory of the eight provinces of Hunan after returning to Xuzhou?

Currently, only Chai Jian and Zheng Hui led fewer than thirteen or fourteen thousand men guarding Hunan.

Even without considering the reactions of Zhang Xiang and Du Chongtao who occupied Jingxiang, just to the south of Shao and Heng provinces, nearly thirty thousand rebel troops who had withdrawn from Yongzhou were restless.

All of this, everything, was premised on not destroying the current overall situation of attacking Jinling.

Only after capturing Jinling would the overall situation truly be under their control.

Han Qian gazed at the surging river waters and said, “Those who wish to return to Xuzhou, please ask His Highness and you lords not to obstruct them. Those who wish to remain, please ask His Highness and you lords to treat them well.”

The vast majority of people sought food and warmth, viewing the southwestern corner as a path of hardship. Han Qian didn’t expect all three hundred thousand elderly, weak, women, and children to migrate to Xuzhou.

Furthermore, Xuzhou and its surroundings didn’t have that much land to settle so many people—his making such a large compromise ultimately came down to him currently lacking the conditions to settle so many elderly, weak, women, and children. He could only have each side retreat a step.

“Zheng Chang will definitely convey Master Han’s words to His Highness!” Zheng Chang cupped his hands. Seeing that the sun had already risen, having reached consensus on the most critical issue, he no longer delayed and took his leave to disembark.

Watching Zheng Chang leave, Xi Ren asked curiously, “How strange—before leaving, Zheng Chang didn’t even ask which of Shen Yang and Wang Lin actually has problems?”

“With Shen Yang being suspected by Yang Yuanpu, it’s more beneficial to the aristocratic families’ interests. Why would he need to clarify this matter?” Han Qian said with a smile.

“So you’re saying that in your letter, you insisted on dragging Shen Yang into the water because you were worried that after capturing Jinling, Shen Yang would try to block a chariot with mantis arms by weakening the aristocratic clans’ interests, thus bringing about his own death?” Xi Ren asked. “What a pity—Shen Yang most likely won’t appreciate your good intentions and will deeply resent your slander.”

“As long as what I do doesn’t go against my conscience, I don’t care whether he appreciates it or not,” Han Qian said with a smile. “When they capture Jinling, the first thing they’ll do is force Dowager Consort Wang Chan’er to relinquish power, right? I only hope this little old man can accomplish more things and not fall in this first wave of political struggle.”

“By the way, with us just leaving like this, the world will soon know you were forced to leave because of the marriage matter. Miss Wang will only become more embarrassed,” Xi Ren sighed softly. “I’ve always suspected that when she said she was coming to Fanchang, she already knew she would be used by you this way.”

Han Qian pursed his lips but ultimately said nothing…

……

……

White morning mist rolled through the courtyard. Though it hadn’t reached the degree of not being able to see one’s hand before one’s face, the mulberry and miscellaneous trees beyond the courtyard wall had become indistinct and hazy.

Yun Puzi, having no official position, ultimately could not stay overnight in the inner residence. After bidding farewell to Princess Qing Yang, he returned to a side courtyard on East Well Lane.

At his advanced age, Yun Puzi had been dragged over by people sent by Princess Qing Yang at dawn for prolonged questioning. Now returning, he was already exhausted. He yawned and pushed open the door to walk into the courtyard. Entering the room, he saw the fire in the stove had gone out and the room was freezing cold. He took out a fire starter, thinking to light the stove to drive away the cold air.

After his two accompanying disciples were killed by Yao Xishui, Yun Puzi had used the excuse that they had business and left Fanchang City. Apart from temporarily obtaining a blind military man from Princess Qing Yang to guard the gate, he had no one else serving him at present.

The kindling was somewhat damp. Yun Puzi struck the fire starter for a long time without lighting it. When he was about to give up, he suddenly sensed something behind him. Turning his head, he saw Yao Xishui sitting silently on the bed platform—he didn’t know if she had been there all along before he entered the room.

“What good mood brings Miss Yao here so early?” Yun Puzi was startled. Glancing at the short sword gleaming with cold light in Yao Xishui’s hand, he narrowed his eyes and asked.

“What exactly did Han Qian promise you?” Yao Xishui stared coldly at Yun Puzi, as if the short sword in her hand would fly toward his face at the slightest movement.

“Miss Yao, what kind of talk is this?” Yun Puzi narrowed his eyes slightly, supporting himself on the table as he asked.

“Han Qian lacked nothing from start to finish except an excuse to leave Fanchang. How can you expect me to trust you?” Yao Xishui stared at Yun Puzi and asked.

Yun Puzi gave a bitter smile and sat down at the table, asking, “What kind of reason is that? If Miss Yao is determined to kill me, are you really too lazy to even find a proper excuse? Bringing up again the marriage between Wang Wenqian’s daughter and Han Qian—that was something you, Miss Yao, pressured me to mention before Princess Qing Yang. Now that Han Qian has slipped away, Yang Yuanpu has very likely become suspicious of Princess Qing Yang. At dawn, Princess Qing Yang sent people to summon me for questioning. They nearly strung me up for severe torture. That Princess Qing Yang treated me this way, I accept—who told us we’re both no match for Han Qian? But for you to say this, Miss Yao, truly leaves this old Taoist with a hundred mouths unable to defend himself. Miss Yao, ask yourself if your conscience is clear—where in the world is there such a reason for suspicion? If we must suspect someone of having questionable points, I’d like to ask Miss Yao instead—did you privately receive some benefit from Han Qian?”

“That day you truly just happened on a whim to visit my elder brother?” Yao Xishui didn’t believe Han Qian’s departure from the city and leaving Fanchang was a spur-of-the-moment decision. But to say this was all a conspiracy Han Qian had arranged long ago, the marriage matter had been something she herself had actively sought out Yun Puzi to scheme about.

Of course, there was another possibility—that from the very beginning when Han Qian brought Wang Jun to Fanchang City, he had already anticipated that they would make an issue of the marriage matter, and these past days in Fanchang City he had just been waiting for them to take the bait.

However, this also couldn’t prove there was anything wrong with Yun Puzi’s identity. Yao Xishui had come over afterward mainly because deep in her heart she vaguely had an intuition that Yun Puzi was unreliable, and she wanted to personally observe Yun Puzi’s reaction.