Only after they’d finished discussing did Huang An say, “Enough, enough. We can talk about these matters later. Today is New Year’s—everyone should have a happy celebration first. Go see what food and drink the kitchen has.”

“What food and drink could there be?” Beigong Chun didn’t dare claim he shared meals and lodging with his soldiers, but when the troops below only had one bowl of porridge, he naturally couldn’t indulge in luxury either. Just maintaining a full stomach each day required great effort.

“Ahem,” Huang An thought for a moment, then painfully removed his belt and handed it to a staff officer, saying, “Take this to pawn it and buy some wine and meat. Today we’re in good spirits—everyone should eat well.”

It was a silver-buckled belt, and the belt itself was leather, worth quite a bit.

The officer took the belt and immediately ran out. “I’ll go right away.”

Seeing this, the others felt their stomachs growling and hurried to follow. “I’m going too, I’m going too!”

Once everyone had left, Beigong Chun asked him, “Do you still have anything left to pawn?”

Huang An gave Beigong Chun an ingratiating smile. “I have one or two items more than the General.”

Hearing this, Beigong Chun felt genuinely disheartened. He was somewhat dejected. “It’s my fault—I’ve failed you all. I brought you out but couldn’t bring you back.”

Huang An immediately became serious. “General, those words shame me. Others may not know you, but surely I do?”

“To protect us all, the General has expended great effort and energy. I’m the incapable one, unable to think of good solutions to help the General,” Huang An said, grinding his teeth. “How hateful are Jia Kan and Zhang Zhen! If not for their interference, we would have returned to Xiliang long ago.”

“But I truly am incapable—unable to lead you back to Xiliang or even guarantee basic necessities…” Beigong Chun turned his head away, not letting Huang An see the tears in his eyes, merely clenching his fists tightly. “I’m not afraid of dying wrapped in horsehide—dying in battle is a soldier’s proper end. But if they starve or freeze to death…”

Then he truly deserved death ten thousand times over.

Huang An’s lips trembled, and he couldn’t help but kneel before Beigong Chun. “General, let us pledge ourselves to Zhao Hanzhang.”

Beigong Chun looked at him in surprise. He had always disliked Zhao Hanzhang and opposed getting close to her.

Huang An said tearfully, “Previously I only thought she had ulterior motives, wanting to keep our Xiliang army to fight for her, so I didn’t want the General to associate with her much. But now we can’t return to Xiliang, and here in Chang’an we’re suppressed at every turn. The soldiers can’t even fill their bellies, let alone fight in battle.”

“If we truly only get one bowl of rice soup per day, what difference is there between us and raising rats? Are we Xiliang cavalry to become mere vermin and die trapped in this Chang’an? General, let us leave Chang’an. Returning to Xiliang can wait—first we must survive.”

Beigong Chun’s lips trembled, and finally he said, “Let me think about it.”

Beigong Chun wasn’t an indecisive person. His decisiveness and courage were etched into his very bones, just like his ability to become a renowned general.

Chang’an was very close to Xiliang now. Once through the pass and traveling northwest for two more days, they would enter Xiliang territory.

Whenever he thought of this, his heart burned with passion.

But it was precisely this pass that blocked not only him but also Zhang Gui.

He knew the Governor’s current situation was difficult. He’d heard that he was now paralyzed and seriously ill, yet still thought of him. Not long ago he’d received a letter saying the Governor would do his utmost to arrange for their return to Xiliang.

It was precisely because Zhang Gui treated him so well that Beigong Chun and his men were determined to return to Xiliang.

Xiliang wasn’t just their homeland—it was where their lord resided!

Pledging themselves to Zhao Hanzhang felt like changing masters, which Beigong Chun was reluctant to do.

However, this matter could be discussed later. His gaze fell on the glass products. He roughly understood Zhao Hanzhang’s meaning. “Find someone to sell these glass items.”

He continued, “These things are rare in Chang’an. Price them high. Use the money from the sale as military pay. Even if we leave, we need to prepare some provisions.”

They couldn’t very well set out on empty stomachs, could they?

Huang An agreed, “I’ll go after tomorrow.”

Chang’an was experiencing famine, but there were still plenty of wealthy households with grain. Among them there were surely some who loved luxury and would be willing to spend money on such things.

Beigong Chun decided to exchange all these glass products for money and grain.

While Beigong Chun struggled to secure provisions for his army, Ji Yuan in Chen County and Zhao Ming in Xiping were hosting grand banquets to win hearts and minds for Zhao Hanzhang and proclaim her authority.

Ji Yuan had recently executed two people, leaving officials throughout Chen County and the surrounding areas on edge, so today he specifically held a grand banquet to reassure them.

At the banquet, Ji Yuan hinted: the Magistrate had recently reclaimed Qiao Commandery. Though it was just a small commandery, the progress was considerable.

The inner five commanderies had become six. He believed that given time, the other four commanderies would return to Zhao Hanzhang’s hands.

Zhao Hanzhang was now the master of Yuzhou. She was the rightful ruler of the ten commanderies. Under her governance, Yuzhou would become more stable and prosperous.

Most people listened with stirring hearts, especially the young men and youths who had graduated from the academies and taken up positions, as well as the Zhao clan descendants.

Meanwhile, Zhao Ming announced at the grand banquet in Xiping: “Although General Xiahou still holds the position of Yuzhou Central Rectifier, he is not in Chen County. The talents he evaluates will likely be sent to the court and Yanzhou, but Yuzhou lacks capable people and cannot wait indefinitely. Therefore, the Magistrate has decided to set her own examination topics to select talent. When the time comes, those interested or with nephews who wish to participate may come.”

Everyone agreed immediately, and those with aspirations for official careers took it to heart.

The court?

Forget it. The Emperor and the Prince of Donghai and Gou Xi were fighting so fiercely the sky might change colors. Taking a position at court would be rushing to one’s death.

Going to Yanzhou was an option, but they also had their own Central Rectifier there. Gou Xi would certainly prefer talent from Yanzhou. What good positions would be left for people from Yuzhou by the time it was their turn?

Moreover, one’s homeland was hard to leave.

To speak frankly, with Zhao Hanzhang as Provincial Governor, aside from being somewhat fierce, having numerous complicated requirements, and occasionally confiscating property and executing people, she was actually quite good in other respects.

Especially since they could see with their own eyes that Yuzhou was developing. If they could make some contribution, even if they couldn’t leave their names for a thousand years, they would at least get a mention in the history books. If nothing else, taking office themselves would provide their families with additional security.

In this era, separating the individual from the family was impossible. Even Zhao Hanzhang had to rely on her clan’s influence.

After encouraging everyone, Zhao Ming drank a few cups of wine before quietly slipping away.

“How is the preparation of the seeds Hanzhang wants coming along?”

“They’re already loaded on carts. Once the second day of the new year passes, the convoy will depart.”

Zhao Ming nodded and asked, “Do you know where the merchant caravan she sent out has gone?”

“I heard they went to Chang’an.”

“Chang’an…” Zhao Ming sighed, “Her ambitions never rest. But Beigong Chun is resolute in his convictions—he probably won’t be swayed by her enticements.”

The attendant said nothing.

Zhao Ming didn’t expect a response from him either. He turned and said, “When you return, send out my letter to Zitu. He doesn’t have to come back for New Year’s, but he must return for Qingming. Now that Hanzhang has become Provincial Governor of Yuzhou, she should open the ancestral hall to announce it to the ancestors.”

“Yes.”