Zeng Yue brought back news from outside the western city. “Wang Mi’s thirty thousand troops were blocked outside the city gate by General Beigong, General Xun, and General Mi, but…”
He raised his head to glance at the Emperor seated at the head.
Zhao Hanzhang asked somewhat indifferently, “But what?”
Military reports—even if the Emperor knew, what of it?
Zeng Yue said, “My lady, Gou Xi from Yanzhou has also come and is currently also in the western suburbs.”
Zhao Hanzhang’s temple throbbed. She took back her earlier thought. The Emperor knowing could indeed matter. Not only the Emperor—the ministers and young men from aristocratic families in the room all pricked up their ears, their eyes bright as they looked at Zeng Yue.
Then they secretly looked at Zhao Hanzhang.
They saw her expression unchanged as she said “Oh,” then asked, “Did they encounter Liu Cong?”
“Yes, so last night there was also chaotic fighting outside the city, which has just stopped. Liu Cong and Liu Yao both escaped. Now outside the city there are only Gou Xi’s army and Wang Mi’s army.”
Zhao Hanzhang thought for a moment and said, “Wait a bit longer. When the fire is out, welcome General Gou into the city.”
“Yes.”
Zeng Yue raised his head to look at her, then bowed and withdrew.
Ji Yuan also saw this. He pondered briefly and said, “Looking at this fire’s momentum, it won’t burn into the palace. This place is too close to the city gate—both noisy and dangerous. Why not invite His Majesty to move to the main hall? Everyone has also labored for several days and should rest.”
Zhao Hanzhang smiled and nodded. “Good idea.”
She turned to look at the Emperor, saying gently, “Please move to the hall, Your Majesty.”
After brief consideration, the Emperor agreed, even inviting Zhao Hanzhang to come along.
Along the way, he expressed his admiration for Gou Xi. He didn’t know that Zhao Hanzhang and Gou Xi had conflicts—he only knew they had jointly resisted Prince Donghai last year, so he assumed their relationship was good.
Therefore, he said, “General Gou has always been mindful of family and country, and is upright and loyal to the ruler. Please invite him into the capital early, General Zhao.”
Zhao Hanzhang agreed immediately, escorting the Emperor to the main hall before bowing and withdrawing.
Outside stood many ministers, facing the morning light. Zhao Hanzhang emerged from within, and a ray of orange-yellow morning light shone on her, making her entire person seem much softer.
Only now did people dare speak with Zhao Hanzhang. “General Zhao, Luoyang faces famine. Most of the city’s common people were taken away by Prince Donghai. Now nine out of ten houses are empty. His Majesty remaining here is not safe. Does the general have any thoughts on where to move the capital?”
Moving the capital had been a key point of struggle between the Emperor and Prince Donghai these past two years, and also a key point of struggle among court ministers. Currently, the person with the most ability to decide the capital’s location was Zhao Hanzhang, who had just saved the Emperor and them.
But Zhao Hanzhang said, “Such an important matter naturally requires His Majesty and all the ministers to discuss together. Hanzhang has shallow knowledge—how could I contemplate such important national affairs?”
Everyone looked at her in surprise.
Among them, a young man thought for a moment, stepped forward two paces, and after bowing asked, “General Zhao, rumors outside say Prince Donghai’s army was defeated by Shi Le, and Prince Donghai has perished. I wonder if this matter is true or false.”
Zhao Hanzhang sighed. “It’s true.”
The young man’s expression became grave as he asked, “What of the three hundred thousand troops and civilians who followed Prince Donghai?”
Zhao Hanzhang sighed without speaking.
Seeing this, the young man’s eyes reddened, and all the ministers followed with grief. Among them were their relatives and friends—not to mention that was three hundred thousand people, a full three hundred thousand!
The young man’s body swayed. After cupping his hands, he turned and left.
Zhao Hanzhang felt he looked somewhat familiar and couldn’t help asking the ministers, “This person is…”
A nearby minister introduced for her, “That’s Wang Xing, Wang Rong’s second son.”
The person making the introduction had some disdain on his face and didn’t want to discuss this person further.
But Zhao Hanzhang raised an eyebrow, glancing at the departing Wang Xing. His back was straight, and when asking questions just now, his eyes had been clear. After thinking carefully, she realized that among those who had killed Wang Mi’s personal guards this morning, he was there.
Clearly a capable young man—why the disdain?
Zhao Zhongyu and Fu Zhi, who had been kept behind for private conversation, also emerged from the main hall.
Prince Donghai had taken away many ministers. Even Wang Yan, who held the position of Grand Commandant, had run off with Prince Donghai. Few ministers remained, and among them, Fu Zhi and Zhao Zhongyu held the highest positions and offices.
In terms of whom the Emperor relied on most, Fu Zhi ranked first, but at this moment, everyone valued Zhao Zhongyu more. Seeing the two emerge, they first bowed to Zhao Zhongyu, then turned to face Fu Zhi.
Fu Zhi didn’t mind, only looking at Fu Tinghan. “Elder brother, go with your grandfather to look at the fire.”
Fu Tinghan glanced at Zhao Hanzhang, then nodded in agreement.
Fu Zhi nodded to Zhao Hanzhang and left with Fu Tinghan.
Zhao Hanzhang bowed, watching the two walk away.
Zhao Zhongyu stood to the side waiting for her to withdraw her gaze, but seeing her continue watching their backs without coming to her senses, he coughed heavily.
Only then did Zhao Hanzhang withdraw her gaze, turn around and call out to Zhao Zhongyu, “Great-uncle.”
Zhao Zhongyu nodded and said to her, “You’re about to come out of mourning, and the marriage between you and Fu family’s eldest should also be mentioned. Their grandfather and grandson should be discussing your marriage.”
Zhao Hanzhang smiled slightly, not responding.
Seeing everyone pricking up their ears wanting to eavesdrop on their conversation, Zhao Zhongyu said, “Now our entire family is temporarily residing in the palace. I’ll take you to see your eldest uncle and eldest aunt.”
Zhao Hanzhang swept her eyes around those ministers, smiled and agreed, exchanging greetings with everyone before leaving with Zhao Zhongyu.
After walking far away, with only Ting He, Zeng Yue, and a few personal guards following behind, Zhao Zhongyu said, “His Majesty just kept us to talk because he wants us to sound you out about moving the capital.”
He paused, then said, “And also, what you want.”
Zhao Hanzhang wasn’t surprised by this. There were some things she couldn’t say openly, and the Emperor couldn’t speak directly either. This was her and the Emperor’s first cooperation—they hadn’t yet found that balance, so naturally they needed intermediaries to mediate.
There were no more suitable people than Zhao Zhongyu and Fu Zhi.
One was her great-uncle and clan leader, the other her future husband’s grandfather.
Zhao Hanzhang asked, “Where does His Majesty wish to move the capital?”
Zhao Zhongyu said, “Chen County would be quite good.”
Zhao Hanzhang’s smile faded slightly as she asked, “Is this His Majesty’s meaning, or Great-uncle’s meaning?”
Zhao Zhongyu frowned slightly, looking at Zhao Hanzhang in confusion. “Wouldn’t it be good for His Majesty to move the capital to Chen County?”
He said, “Today’s achievement has made you unparalleled throughout the nation. Yuzhou is dominated by our Zhao clan. If the capital moves to Chen County…”
“Great-uncle,” Zhao Hanzhang interrupted him. “I don’t want to be a second Prince Donghai, much less Cao Mengde.”
Zhao Zhongyu looked at Zhao Hanzhang in surprise.
Zhao Hanzhang said, “Moving the capital is a matter for His Majesty and the high ministers to discuss. As for me, tell His Majesty I want all of Yuzhou and the Luoyang area.”
Zhao Zhongyu: …
He didn’t know whether to say Zhao Hanzhang’s ambition was too small or too large.
If you say it’s large—such a good opportunity was right here, yet she pushed it away. Just look at how Wang Mi lost his life for an opportunity to see how rare this chance was.
If you say it’s small—she brazenly said she wanted Yuzhou and Luoyang.
You should know, Yuzhou and Luoyang were the center of all under heaven. Especially Luoyang—it also had the natural defenses of mountains and rivers. The Jin palace was located here. Her wanting Luoyang would make people deeply suspicious.
But how could the significance of Luoyang compare to having the Emperor?
—