Since his conversation with Zhao Hanzhang, Zhao Zhongyu’s mood hadn’t been good. He forced out a smile. “Your uncle has fallen ill. I had him rest in his room.”
He turned to look at his grandson standing there honestly, saying in exasperation, “Dalang, why are you standing there dumbly? Don’t you know how to greet your sister? Earlier you said you hadn’t seen Sanniang in so long and missed her.”
Zhao Yi came back to his senses and quickly bowed to Zhao Hanzhang. “Third Sister, it’s been so long. How have you been?”
“I’m doing quite well,” Seeing Zhao Yi looking somewhat haggard, Zhao Hanzhang showed concern on her face. “Elder Brother looks unwell. Are you ill?”
Zhao Yi shook his head. “Just suffered some fright, it’s nothing serious.”
Zhao Hanzhang breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s good then. I have a calming prescription. I’ll have Ting He copy it for you later. I find it quite effective—take it for a couple of doses and you’ll be fine.”
Standing behind them, Ji Yuan lifted his eyelids to glance at the two, inwardly scoffing. Even their polite conversation wasn’t as good as their lord’s. Just this… hmph!
“Elder Sister!” Zhao Erlang rushed into the great hall, running up to them. “The banquet hasn’t started yet!” He wasn’t late!
Zhao Hanzhang took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his forehead, her face full of disdain. “The moment you return, you run around wildly. Look at all this sweat.”
Then she looked at the clothes he was wearing and asked in surprise, “Whose clothes are these? Why are they so oversized?”
Xun Xiu followed closely behind Zhao Erlang. Although he hadn’t run, walking quickly also made one sweat. He quickly greeted Zhao Hanzhang and exhaled before saying, “They’re mine. I lent them to Second Young Master.”
Zhao Erlang tugged at his sleeves. “I wanted to wear armor to the hall, but Teacher Xie said that wasn’t allowed. Then I wanted to change into my casual clothes, but Teacher Xie disliked them as barbarian dress. I didn’t bring any wide robes, so General Xun lent me a set.”
Zhao Zhongyu said, “Tomorrow I’ll have your aunt make you several sets of clothing. How can a fine young man have no clothes to wear?”
Only then did Zhao Erlang notice Zhao Zhongyu and Zhao Yi. He still remembered them and instinctively hid behind Zhao Hanzhang, pouting.
Even though he was now a general who could fight on the battlefield and kill enemies, he was still subconsciously afraid of them.
Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes darkened slightly, but her face smiled as she patted his arm. Speaking to Zhao Zhongyu, she said, “Such trivial matters need not trouble Aunt. Erlang, your memory is poor and you’ve probably forgotten. This is Uncle Grandfather, and this is Elder Brother. Quickly greet them.”
Zhao Erlang carefully raised his head to glance at Zhao Hanzhang. Seeing encouragement in her eyes, she smiled and nodded at him. He gathered his courage to emerge from behind her and greet them.
Only then did Xie Shi arrive at a leisurely pace, his manner composed. He had entered the palace with Zhao Erlang and the others but showed no urgency at all. Even now, he first greeted Zhao Hanzhang before glancing at Zhao Erlang. “This is Xie’s negligence. When we return, I’ll have someone make several sets of formal wear for Erlang.”
Zhao Hanzhang nodded with a smile.
Zhao Zhongyu subtly observed Xie Shi and couldn’t help asking, “Who might this gentleman be?”
Zhao Hanzhang introduced him to Zhao Zhongyu. “This is the teacher I hired for Erlang, Xie Shi from the Xie clan of Chenjun.”
He was actually from the Xie clan of Chenjun. Zhao Zhongyu’s gaze sharpened slightly as he nodded at him.
A palace attendant announced the arrival of the Emperor and Empress. Zhao Hanzhang had Xie Shi and Zhao Erlang take their seats while everyone else lined up properly to await the imperial couple.
Zhao Dalang couldn’t help but slightly raise his head to look at Zhao Erlang. After two years apart, Erlang had changed dramatically. Not only had he grown much taller and stronger, but the foolish look about him had almost completely vanished.
He had even managed to hire a gentleman from the Xie clan of Chenjun as his teacher.
What Zhao Hanzhang didn’t tell him was that Zhao Erlang had another teacher from the Wang clan of Langya.
The Emperor and Empress entered arm in arm. Everyone bowed in greeting.
Seeing that everyone remained fairly respectful, the Emperor breathed a sigh of relief and waved his hand. “You may all rise.”
Looking at the sparse remaining court officials, the Emperor couldn’t help but shed tears.
In the past, such state banquets, besides certain aristocratic families, only officials of the fourth rank and above and meritorious nobles could attend, and there were strict requirements on the number of accompanying family members.
But now, even sixth-rank officials could appear in this great hall, and even branch members of aristocratic families could enter. Thinking of the large number of officials and aristocratic families taken away by the Eastern Sea Prince, now all fallen into Shi Lei’s hands, the Emperor’s tears fell even more fiercely.
“Suddenly struck by calamity, our state’s scholars have suffered losses. This is my fault. Though ten thousand regrets cannot atone,” the Emperor looked at Zhao Hanzhang and Gou Xi, asking tearfully, “I wonder if the two generals would be willing to rescue the hundred officials and aristocratic families from Shi Lei’s hands?”
Zhao Hanzhang instinctively looked at Gou Xi across from her. Gou Xi also raised his eyes to look at Zhao Hanzhang. The two looked at each other for a moment before both turning to the Emperor and saying in unison, “What Your Majesty wishes, your subjects will exert every effort to accomplish.”
Hearing this, the Emperor breathed a great sigh of relief and quickly raised his cup. “Both generals have worked hard. I toast you first. When we rescue them, I will have them toast both generals again.”
Zhao Hanzhang smiled and agreed, draining her cup in one gulp before casually saying, “Your Majesty, Luoyang suffered a great fire that destroyed much of the northern city. Many commoners have also fled. This place is no longer suitable for Your Majesty’s residence. I humbly request that Your Majesty relocate the capital.”
The people in the hall instantly stiffened, immediately growing tense. Gao Yi, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, asked, “We should indeed relocate the capital, but where does General Zhao suggest we move to?”
Zhao Hanzhang smiled faintly. “That depends on what His Majesty prefers.”
The Emperor subtly glanced at Gou Xi and asked, “What does General Gou think?”
Gou Xi said, “Your Majesty, Yuncheng would be excellent. The waterways are accessible, and it’s far from both the Xiongnu and Xianbei. It could serve as the capital.”
Yuncheng was under the jurisdiction of Yanzhou.
But Yuncheng wasn’t far from Langya, where there was a certain Sima Rui—the founding emperor of Eastern Jin. For the Emperor to want to move the capital to Yuncheng…
Zhao Hanzhang immediately showed a smile and praised highly, “I also think Yuncheng is excellent. General Gou also holds the position of Governor of Qingzhou and is familiar with Jizhou. If Your Majesty moves the capital to Yuncheng, you can safely pacify the people.”
Zhao Hanzhang sighed. “In recent years, the people near the capital have been anxious and uneasy, their hearts unsettled. This is precisely when Your Majesty’s comfort is needed.”
The Emperor himself lived in fear and anxiety every day—how could he have time to comfort the people? But if he relocated to a safe environment, it would be a good opportunity to win hearts and minds.
The Emperor suddenly grasped the deeper meaning behind Zhao Hanzhang’s words. His previously wavering heart immediately became firm. “Then let’s…”
“Your Majesty cannot. Yuncheng is not suitable,” an old minister raised his hand to stop him. “Yuncheng is too far east. How can it command the realm? This subject believes that besides Luoyang, only Chang’an and Chen County are most suitable as capital cities.”
Although his suggestion had put an arrow in Zhao Hanzhang’s back, it must be said that his proposal was absolutely correct, especially since he could withstand Gou Xi’s murderous gaze to finish speaking.
So Zhao Hanzhang quietly asked Zhao Zhongyu seated below her, “Uncle Grandfather, who is he?”
Zhao Zhongyu said, “Xiahou Yan. He doesn’t hold office at court. When the Xiongnu invaded this time, his family only had a few people and didn’t leave with the Eastern Sea Prince, so His Majesty had him take refuge in the palace.”
Zhao Hanzhang brightened with joy. Not holding office at court was good! She decided to visit him tomorrow.
—