He quietly exhaled and smiled with a forced laugh, “This subordinate wouldn’t dare.”

The flatbread was fresh from the oven, soft and savory. Zhao Hanzhang took one bite and consumed a third of it. Having eaten something good, her mood improved somewhat. She even reached out to pat Xun Xiu’s shoulder, “Later I’ll treat you to flatbread.”

Don’t wait till later—he felt it could be now.

Xun Xiu originally didn’t feel hungry, but watching Zhao Hanzhang eat so deliciously, he couldn’t help swallowing.

Zhao Hanzhang pretended not to see, and Fu Tinghan also pretended not to see. After she finished eating, he unscrewed the water pouch and gave it to her.

The water in the pouch was also newly filled and still warm.

Zhao Hanzhang drank the water. With something in her stomach, her mood improved. She looked around and asked, “Where’s Ting He?”

“Mr. Ji has many matters at hand. Since Ting He is literate, I had her help him together with Fu’an.” When busy, Zhao Hanzhang’s and his attendants were often reassigned.

Zhao Hanzhang was used to it and nodded, no longer urgent to find anyone.

She scanned the area and saw that the soldiers were all hungry and tired, so she said to Xun Xiu, “Tell the palace to provide grain so the soldiers can cook. After eating, they should sleep, but stay alert—when Gou Xi enters the city, I may need to call on them at any time.”

Xun Xiu’s expression became serious. Gou Xi was also their major opponent. He immediately acknowledged the order.

The grain stores in the imperial palace were not abundant. If not for each family bringing considerable grain and treasure when they fled into the palace, the palace granaries would have long been depleted.

This showed how poor the Emperor was.

When Zhao Hanzhang requested grain, the Emperor hid in his palace pretending not to know, pushing the matter to the ministers.

With Zhao Hanzhang’s troops stationed outside, no one dared anger her at this time. She was currently asking politely for grain—if they didn’t give it, wouldn’t angering her lead her to dispatch troops to seize it by force?

Such things were not uncommon in the capital. Which prince breaking into the capital didn’t first thoroughly plunder?

So everyone sensibly gathered a batch of grain for her.

The soldiers received the grain and formed groups by squad to light fires and cook.

Zhao Hanzhang headed toward the west of the city amid the city-wide fragrance of cooking rice.

She brought along Wang Mi’s head and Fu Zhi.

Upon reaching the west city, Beigong Chun immediately came to pay respects. Currently, Beigong Chun occupied the west gate, while outside the city were three separate armies.

Mi Ce and Gou Xi each occupied one side, with Wang Mi’s great army in the center.

At present everyone was waiting quite peacefully, with no one foolish enough to make a move, because if any two parties fought, the remaining party could reap the fisherman’s profit.

Beigong Chun said, “This subordinate dares not open the city gates.”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded and ordered, “Open them. Invite General Gou to come forward for a discussion.”

“Yes.”

The west gate slowly opened under the gaze of the three great armies. Gou Xi, who was gnawing on dry rations in his army, immediately received the news. He stuffed the flatbread into his chest, mounted his horse, and galloped to the front lines. He saw Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Zhi riding out side by side, with Beigong Chun and Fu Tinghan behind them, followed by a thousand troops.

Gou Xi narrowed his eyes, his hand unconsciously tightening on the reins. A year ago, he never would have imagined such a scene.

He admitted Zhao Hanzhang was formidable, but he never imagined she would enter Luoyang ahead of him.

Gou Chun also saw Zhao Hanzhang. He felt resentful in his heart, “Elder brother, I told you Zhao Hanzhang was no ordinary person. We should have killed her early on.”

“If not for Zhao Ju stationing troops at the border and repeatedly blocking us, we wouldn’t have been delayed so long on the road.”

The Prince of Donghai’s men and troops were coveted not only by Zhao Hanzhang but also by the Gou brothers. So when they heard the news, they also prepared to deploy troops.

They just wanted to reap the fisherman’s profit, planning to wait until Shi Le and the Prince of Donghai fought a major battle and both were severely weakened before making their move.

So they set out a few days late. Who knew that upon hearing Zhao Hanzhang had already rescued the two hundred thousand-plus people following the Prince of Donghai, and that the Prince of Donghai had died of illness without even encountering Shi Le, he immediately wanted to speed up.

But who expected Zhao Ju to be waiting for him halfway.

Though he didn’t fight, merely stationing troops at the border, it was enough to worry Gou Xi.

He wanted to seize the Prince of Donghai’s people, but what if his rear was lost after seizing them? What use would seizing people be then?

So he could only be held up, and by the time he arranged people to counter Zhao Ju and led his troops to depart, Zhao Hanzhang had already headed for Luoyang.

Gou Xi stared at Zhao Hanzhang, suddenly smirking. But he hadn’t been idle either. He wondered how many of those two hundred thousand-plus people she had seized remained now, and how many noble clan members among them still survived.

Zhang Tao of Wang Mi’s great army also rode out to appear at the front lines, and Mi Ce hurriedly rushed out as well.

From a distance, Mi Ce dismounted and knelt to salute, “This subordinate pays respects to the Commander.”

The ten thousand troops behind him followed suit, “We pay respects to the Commander!”

The voices resounded through the three armies.

Zhao Hanzhang’s lips curved up pleasantly as she raised her hand, “Rise!”

Only then did Mi Ce rise from the ground with a clang, his eyes bright as he looked at her.

The soldiers concluded their salute and stood quietly. Both Wang Mi’s great army and the Gou family army felt the pressure from the Zhao family army.

Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze swept over Zhang Tao before turning to face Gou Xi. She clasped her fists, “General Gou, I trust you have been well.”

Gou Xi also clasped his fists, “General Zhao’s bearing surpasses that of the past.”

“You’re too kind,” Zhao Hanzhang said, “His Majesty, upon hearing that General Gou came to protect the throne, specially ordered Central Secretary Fu to come out and welcome you.”

Gou Xi then looked toward Fu Zhi.

Fu Zhi drew a yellow silk scroll from his chest, “His Majesty’s edict is here. General Gou, please follow me into the palace for an audience.”

Gou Xi was no fool. How could he possibly follow Fu Zhi in alone? What if Zhao Hanzhang killed him?

Zhao Hanzhang seemed to know his thoughts and was too lazy to test him back and forth. She said directly, “General Gou may bring troops into the city.”

Gou Xi narrowed his eyes, “How many men may I bring?”

Zhao Hanzhang smiled faintly, “General Gou, this Luoyang city is only so large—how many troops can it hold? Mi Ce will remain outside with his army.”

Gou Chun immediately said, “Elder brother, don’t listen to her. She probably wants to lure you into the city to strike. We absolutely cannot fall for it.”

But Gou Xi stared intently into Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes and asked, “General Zhao, His Majesty wants to relocate the capital. What is your opinion?”

Zhao Hanzhang sighed, “Luoyang has long suffered famine. To the northwest are the Xianbei, to the northeast the Xiongnu, and there are rebellious forces causing chaos. Indeed it is no longer suitable as a capital.”

“Then where does General Zhao wish to relocate His Majesty?”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “This matter is of great importance and cannot be decided by me alone. Naturally it requires consultation with His Majesty, General Gou, and the ministers. This is precisely why His Majesty invites the General into the palace.”

Gou Xi asked meaningfully, “General Zhao is so confident in letting me enter the city?”

Zhao Hanzhang replied equally meaningfully, “What is honey to you—how do you know I also love to eat it?”

She said, “My heart has never been large. I only wish to protect my family and safeguard the people of Yuzhou. Therefore, Yuzhou is mine!”

Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes blazed as she stared at Gou Xi, “General Gou, the remaining four commanderies of Yuzhou…”

Gou Xi was silent for a moment before saying, “When His Majesty relocates the capital, I will return them to you.”

Fu Zhi looked at Zhao Hanzhang in shock.

Only then did Zhao Hanzhang happily raise her chin, quite proudly waving behind her, “Please, General Gou, enter the city!”