As her words fell, the barrel exploded with a bang, flames leaping up as the fire instantly ignited the building…

Wang Mi’s pupils constricted as he looked at Liu Cong. “You prepared tung oil early on—you planned to burn Luoyang all along!”

“That’s right. Originally Zhao Hanzhang left me an escape route, and to prevent her from blocking me in the western suburbs, I was still hesitating whether to set this fire. But since you won’t let me live, then no one should live!”

Wang Mi couldn’t help cursing, “Ignorant slave! How can you have an emperor’s magnanimity? You want to unify the realm? Delusional!”

Wang Mi had doused oil along several shops and residences on the street, with firewood piled in some places. As sparks scattered, they instantly ignited. The fires connected with each other, and before their eyes stretched a sea of flames.

The three factions of soldiers who had been fighting fiercely all slowed their movements, mainly because this blaze looked too terrifying.

Zhao Hanzhang was furious beyond measure. She thrust her spear between Wang Mi and Liu Cong, telling Liu Cong, “You go!”

Then she turned to Wang Mi and said, “If you don’t want to die, have your soldiers fight the fire!”

Looking at Liu Cong’s head so close at hand, Wang Mi was very reluctant.

But Liu Cong knew when to be practical. He immediately pulled back. Seeing Zhao Hanzhang really was letting them go, and Wang Mi was only glaring while doing nothing else, he quickly called to Liu Yao to leave.

Zhao Hanzhang turned to give orders to Zhao Erlang. “Lead troops to pursue them. Drive them out of Luoyang. Order Beigong Chun to go with you. If he sets more fires along the way, spare no cost—take his head!”

These words were shouted out. Not only could Zhao Erlang and the two armies hear them clearly, even Liu Cong, who had already withdrawn a hundred paces, heard them.

Liu Cong, who had indeed been secretly planning to set fires all the way, gritted his teeth and ran off with his men.

Zhao Erlang received the order and departed.

Zhao Hanzhang sheathed her spear. To the still-indignant Wang Mi she said, “The General has repelled Liu Cong today and saved Emperor Jin. This is the primary achievement. Why must you insist on taking Liu Cong’s head at this precise moment?”

Wang Mi sneered at her. “General Zhao seems quite open-minded about it. Don’t forget Liu Cong once led an army that nearly broke through Yuzhou.”

Zhao Hanzhang waved her hand. “Past grudges can be avenged when future opportunities arise. I’ve always known when to be practical.”

She continued, “Please also consider the bigger picture, General Wang, and extinguish the fire first.”

Standing in the middle of the street at this moment, Wang Mi also felt the heat. Looking at the growing fire, he too feared this blaze might burn all of Luoyang. He quickly had people fight the fire.

But he wasn’t going himself. He led a force of soldiers straight toward the palace.

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t compete with him for this achievement. After he had walked some distance, she turned to give orders. “Have Xun Xiu bring troops to fight the fire and guard against Wang Mi’s army.”

She lowered her voice. “Go to the western city. Have Mi Ce be careful of Wang Mi’s other thirty thousand troops. Without my command, don’t let them enter the city. Also, go invite Mister Ji and Master Fu to come up.”

“Yes!”

At the same time, Wang Mi, mounted and ready to enter the palace, was also quietly instructing his personal guard. “…Leave twenty thousand guarding outside the western gate, on guard against Mi Ce. Have another ten thousand enter the city as backup, just in case.”

“Yes.”

The personal guard quietly departed. Wang Mi reined in his horse before the palace gate, waiting for Zhao Hanzhang to come forward.

Zhao Hanzhang soon caught up with her personal guards. To show Wang Mi her sincerity, she only brought ten personal guards, plus Ting He.

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t have her soldiers advance but instead kicked her horse’s belly to move forward herself, shouting toward the palace tower, “Your Majesty, I am Zhao Hanzhang of Xiping, Yuzhou. General Wang Mi of Donglai has repelled the Xiongnu Liu Cong and has come specially to pay respects to Your Majesty.”

After finishing the formal announcement and before those on the tower could verify the truth, she had already shouted loudly, “Great-Uncle, Grandfather Fu, I’m Sanniang. General Wang Mi is grateful for His Majesty’s grace and wishes to serve His Majesty as lord. The Xiongnu army has now retreated, but Luoyang is on fire and the blaze is too fierce. We may need to leave the city to avoid the fire. Please open the palace gate and let us in!”

Zeng Yue and his men, who had somehow entered the palace and changed into armor, said quietly to Zhao Zhongyu and Fu Zhi, “It’s the Young Lady. Please open the gate, both Ministers.”

Fu Zhi nodded. “Open the gate!”

The emperor was still hesitating. “Wang Mi is no good person. Letting him in…”

Zeng Yue immediately said, “Your Majesty, rest assured. The Young Lady had us enter the palace first precisely to protect Your Majesty.”

Zhao Zhongyu said, “Your Majesty, look at the fire outside. If we want to control it, I fear it won’t be easy. There’s also wind now—it could very likely spread to the palace.”

The assembled ministers were also panicking. They had already smelled the smoke, and urged one after another, “Yes, yes, Your Majesty. Fighting the fire is urgent right now.”

The emperor finally agreed to open the palace gate.

While they were deliberating, Ji Yuan and Fu Tinghan had also ridden up.

Wang Mi turned to look, and seeing they were just two weak scholars, he paid them little attention. He focused his gaze on Fu Tinghan, a smile playing at his lips as he looked at Zhao Hanzhang riding beside him and asked, “Won’t General Zhao reconsider my proposal?”

He continued, “If General Zhao marries me, in the future I can share the realm with you equally.”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “…Hanzhang is but a mere woman, seeking only stability. I don’t have such great ambitions.”

She paused before warning, “Moreover, His Majesty is still here. General Wang, don’t forget—you’re now a Jin subject.”

Wang Mi laughed arrogantly and coldly.

Liu Yuan was so talented, yet Wang Mi didn’t much submit to his authority. How much less Emperor Jin, who had accomplished nothing?

Previously it was because Jin had several princes and figures like Wang Yan and Gou Xi around, leaving him no chance to rise. But now Jin’s princes were basically all dead, with only Wang Yan and Gou Xi remaining. He could completely take a gamble.

Zhao Hanzhang only pointed this out and left it at that.

Wang Mi’s laughter hadn’t ceased when Fu Tinghan behind them pulled his reins. His personal guards immediately made way for him, and his horse trotted forward to Zhao Hanzhang’s side, standing shoulder to shoulder with her.

Wang Mi narrowed his eyes, staring coldly at him.

Having just finished killing, Wang Mi’s aura at this moment was formidable. But Fu Tinghan wasn’t afraid of him. Instead, he gave him a slight nod before standing at Zhao Hanzhang’s side without moving.

Wang Mi looked at Fu Tinghan meaningfully. “Master Fu is quite bold. No wonder General Zhao never abandons Master Fu.”

Zhao Hanzhang kicked her horse’s belly and adjusted direction slightly, perfectly blocking Wang Mi’s view of Fu Tinghan. She smiled. “General Wang praises too much. He simply has heaven and earth in his heart, therefore he has no fear.”

Hearing this, Fu An proudly straightened his chest. The Zhao family army’s personal guards also discreetly glanced at Wang Mi. Hmph! How could these common mortals possibly comprehend their Master Fu’s accomplishments and breadth of mind?

As both sides were secretly competing, the palace gate slowly opened before them. An official emerged and proclaimed loudly, “Summon Wang Mi and Zhao Hezhen for audience—”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded to Wang Mi, inviting him to go first.

Wang Mi wasn’t polite either. With a pull of his reins, he proceeded ahead.

Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan fell back one step, and the two exchanged glances before following Wang Mi together.

Outside the palace, soldiers were working together to extinguish the fire. The blaze looked massive, and fearing the fire would spread, the emperor didn’t receive them in the main hall but instead met them at the Ministry of Works building near the palace wall.