Upon hearing this, everyone knelt down with a rush. “We pay respects to Inspector Zhao.”

Zhao Hanzhang raised her hand to let everyone rise and carefully examined these common people who had escaped from Luoyang. Their clothes were ragged, their faces sallow, their expressions numb.

Of course—those with some assets had either already fled on their own or left with Prince Donghai. How could they have remained in Luoyang?

Those who stayed were those who couldn’t leave.

Zhao Hanzhang sighed and said to everyone, “Spring has arrived. As the saying goes, ‘A year’s plan begins in spring.’ No matter how difficult it is, don’t forget to farm. I will designate a plot of land for you to cultivate and provide you with grain seeds. This year’s harvest will not be taxed by the court at all—it will all be for your settlement.”

Everyone’s expressions changed slightly, but they still looked at her in silence. Zhao Hanzhang said, “I will give each household some relief grain, but how you live afterward will depend on yourselves.”

Zhao Hanzhang continued, “Choose a leader from among yourselves to come see me. I’ll have someone take you to designate the land.”

The land Zhao Hanzhang designated for them was about thirty li outside the city, where there was a water source and open terrain. It had once been fertile farmland, though it was now overgrown with wild grass.

The common people brought here were all very anxious. One middle-aged man, who knew more than others, couldn’t help saying, “Your Excellency, this… this is a prince’s land.”

Zhao Hanzhang asked, “Which prince’s?”

“I don’t know. Anyway, this area and that area over there are all lands belonging to princes and Grand Commandant Wang’s family.”

Zhao Hanzhang said without changing expression, “Now they’re all mine. I’m giving them to you to cultivate, so farm them with peace of mind.”

Everyone looked at each other. Seeing her speak so definitively, they assumed Zhao Hanzhang had bought all this land.

Then if they cultivated land for her, wouldn’t they be her slaves or tenant farmers?

Among them, those who had previously had decent family circumstances hesitated for a moment, but thinking that life was difficult now and being a commoner might not necessarily be better than being a slave, they agreed.

Not to mention the others. The Zhao family army had brought them out of Luoyang and provided them with relief—they were already very grateful. Now she was giving them seeds to farm. In their view, this was a life-saving grace.

Let alone just farming for her—even if she asked them to risk their lives, they would consider it.

“Since it’s decided, go select your plots. Choose anywhere in this area, clear the weeds, plow the land, and prepare for sowing.”

Everyone responded in unison.

Just as Zhao Hanzhang was settling the common people despite her injury, Liu Cong, who had been confronting Zhao Erlang in the city, finally received some news.

“You’re saying Wang Mi is secretly communicating with Zhao Hanzhang, wanting to betray our Han state and surrender to Jin?”

Liu Yao said hatefully, “Yes. My men have seen them secretly corresponding several times. There can be no mistake.”

Liu Cong sneered. “Do you think that’s possible? Wang Mi comes from a prestigious aristocratic family, yet he joined bandits and killed so many Han people and Jin soldiers. Would Jin people be willing to accept him?”

“How many battles don’t involve deaths? Aren’t Donghai Wang and Gou Xi’s hands also stained with blood?”

“How is that the same?” Liu Cong said. “Wang Mi’s reputation is so poor. I don’t believe Jin’s aristocratic families could accept him.”

“But I heard that Zhao Hanzhang is willing to marry Wang Mi just to rescue Emperor Jin.”

Liu Cong’s face darkened, cold light flashing in his eyes. “For Emperor Jin, she’s quite willing to sacrifice herself.”

Liu Cong had already been very dissatisfied with Wang Mi, and now he couldn’t help developing murderous intent. “Are you certain?”

“Certain. This news even came from Wang Mi’s own camp. I heard it was Wang Mi who made the demand.”

Liu Cong couldn’t help pacing in place. “What a scheme. His reputation is poor, but Zhao Hanzhang’s reputation among the common people is excellent. If he could marry Zhao Hanzhang, he wouldn’t only gain Yuzhou and the Zhao family army for nothing, but could also use her to wash away the stains on him. He wants to become another Donghai Wang, controlling the emperor to command the lords.”

Liu Yao had always held a grudge against Wang Mi for entering Luoyang before him, so he did everything possible to sow discord. “I’m afraid he doesn’t want to become Donghai Wang, but rather Cao Mengde.”

Liu Cong’s murderous intent immediately surged.

But they were currently at war. How could he kill him?

Liu Yao suggested, “General, he has thirty thousand troops here, and we have a formidable enemy like Zhao Hanzhang. Assassination is clearly impossible. Why don’t we withdraw from Luoyang, set fire to both Luoyang and the imperial palace, and ensure Emperor Jin dies in the palace? If Wang Mi wants to become a Jin official, he will certainly try to save Emperor Jin. Then we can wait outside the city, well-rested to face the weary. Wouldn’t that achieve three goals at once?”

Liu Cong frowned and shook his head. “That won’t do. Luoyang is a great city, and Father still wants to move the capital to Luoyang. How can we just burn such a magnificent palace?”

Liu Yao felt Luoyang was very inauspicious and persuaded, “Since Jin established its capital in Luoyang, how many wars has it suffered? Moving the capital here is truly inauspicious.”

He felt that keeping this city would not only give Jin commoners false hopes but would also make the Han state’s scholar-officials constantly want to resist.

So he said, “Destroying a city is like destroying a state. Let it become ashes, and Jin’s dynasty will also vanish into smoke.”

Liu Cong pondered.

“General, this is the most effortless method. Otherwise, once Wang Mi reaches an agreement with Zhao Hanzhang, forget about breaking into the palace—we won’t even be able to save our lives!”

Liu Cong thought for a long time, unable to make a decision, but soon soldiers from outside the city returned to report, “General, our army outside the city was attacked by Yuzhou forces. Commander Zhang barely escaped, bringing out only about three thousand men.”

Liu Cong was both shocked and frightened, standing up abruptly. “You’re saying of our ten thousand men, only three thousand remain?”

“Yes!”

“How did he lead the troops? We had the advantage of rest over fatigue, yet he was beaten like this by Zhao Hanzhang.”

“Zhao Hanzhang deployed Beigong Chun and Xun Xiu, attacking from both sides with swift troop movements. Commander Zhang simply couldn’t react in time.”

Hearing it was Beigong Chun, Liu Cong ground his teeth. “Wasn’t Beigong Chun in the northern suburbs? When did he move to fight in the east?”

“The scouts failed in their reconnaissance. Please punish us, General.”

Liu Cong’s face was dark as he asked, “Did Wang Mi send troops to assist?”

“No. General Wang’s twenty thousand men hiding in the suburbs didn’t move at all.”

Liu Cong finally gritted his teeth, his face cold. “Good, good, very good! Liu Yao!”

“I am here!”

“Go prepare tung oil and firewood.”

“Yes!” Liu Yao stepped back two paces before turning to leave. Once on the main street, he sneered at the buildings across the way.

Wang Mi had also just received a scout’s report, and he too stood up abruptly. “What? Zhao Hanzhang won a great victory against Liu Cong’s forces outside the city?”

“Yes. The scouts didn’t dare get too close, but it was definitely Yuzhou forces, along with Beigong Chun’s Xiliang army.”

Wang Mi instantly understood Zhao Hanzhang’s strategy and ground his teeth in hatred. “She’s forcing my hand!”

He sneered. “She’s forcing me, so I must submit? She’s underestimating me.”

A rebellious impulse rose in Wang Mi, his face cold. “I simply won’t surrender to Jin.”

“General, why clash with her out of stubbornness? As long as we can control Emperor Jin, that’s enough.”

Wang Mi reluctantly suppressed his anger and issued orders. “Have men keep watch on Liu Cong and Liu Yao’s movements. Prepare yourselves. Find an excuse to invite Liu Cong and Liu Yao for drinks, and when the time comes…”