The Zhao Residence was now occupied by Zhao Hanzhang’s people. Ji Yuan, Xun Xiu, Mi Ce, and others all lived here because Zhao Zhongyu and his family were still staying in the palace.

However, that was an unavoidable measure during the crisis. Naturally, they couldn’t continue staying in the palace now, so early in the morning, the mansion gates became lively as Zhao Zhongyu’s family returned.

Zhao Hanzhang turned over while hugging her blanket, and half of it fell to the floor. She struggled to lift her eyelids, found them too heavy, so she followed her body’s wishes and continued sleeping with her eyes closed, drifting off again in a daze…

Ting He pushed open the door and entered, “Young Lady, the First Madam and the others have returned.”

Zhao Hanzhang slowly opened her eyes, “What about Shuzu?”

“The Second Elder Master seems to have been kept in the palace.”

Only then did Zhao Hanzhang get up. Supporting herself with her arms, she sat on the bed deep in thought. After a moment, she smiled and said, “Tell Xun Xiu and the others to go live elsewhere. So many houses in the city are empty now. As long as they’re ownerless, they can occupy any they want, but they’re not allowed to damage the houses.”

Ting He acknowledged the order.

Upon receiving the command, Xun Xiu and the others immediately led people away from the Zhao Residence and began wandering throughout the capital to occupy houses.

He had wanted to do this yesterday, but Zhao Hanzhang had strictly ordered them not to seize houses, so he had restrained himself. In the end, he secretly led Zhao Erlang throughout the capital to scavenge goods, though he only dared to take things and didn’t dare occupy the houses.

Today, with Zhao Hanzhang’s permission, he knew where the good houses were and directly led people to occupy them.

After washing up, Zhao Hanzhang glanced at the clothes Ting He brought out and shook her head, “Bring the armor. I need to enter the palace shortly.”

“Yes.”

“Where are Tinghan and Erlang?”

“The eldest young master has already woken and had breakfast. He’s currently discussing matters with Mister Ji. The second young master hasn’t woken yet.”

“Tell Tinghan and Mister Ji that we’ll enter the palace together shortly.”

“Yes.”

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t meet with Zhao Ji’s family. As long as she didn’t want to, with so many personal guards in the Zhao Residence, they really couldn’t see her.

Without even greeting them, she brought Fu Tinghan and Ji Yuan into the palace, deliberately leaving Ting He behind: “Watch over Erlang’s courtyard. Since he hasn’t woken, let him continue sleeping. Don’t let any idle people disturb him.”

Ting He bowed and acknowledged, “Yes.”

By the time she entered the palace, the ministers were arguing over the emperor’s relocation of the capital. In comparison, the memorial Zhao Hanzhang had submitted requesting merit recognition was very easily approved.

Because the official positions she requested for her subordinate generals were all within Yuzhou’s jurisdiction. Honestly, even without the emperor’s endorsement, Zhao Hanzhang could have self-appointed these positions. Submitting the merit request was merely to make them more legitimate and proper.

There were no additional rewards beyond this.

Even for Zhao Hanzhang, the greatest contributor, apart from granting a title of nobility and land, the emperor couldn’t provide anything else. The national treasury was empty! Currently, even the palace’s food and necessities were supported by contributions from Fu Zhi and others.

Indeed, the emperor was this poor.

The moment Zhao Hanzhang appeared with Ji Yuan and Fu Tinghan, the great hall fell silent.

Zhao Hanzhang politely said, “You may continue. I’m just here to observe and also to inquire about the memorial I submitted yesterday and how the discussion went.”

The emperor immediately said, “There’s no problem with your memorial. I have already approved it.”

Hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang was delighted and said, “Your Majesty is wise.”

So after a brief silence, everyone continued discussing the capital relocation. After one night, more and more ministers wanted to stay in Luoyang, which neither the emperor nor Gou Xi had anticipated.

With a moment’s thought, Gou Xi knew they couldn’t bear to part with their properties in Luoyang and were unwilling to start over in Yuncheng. Angry, he slapped the table and pointed at them, scolding, “The reason Luoyang and His Majesty have faced danger twice is entirely due to your greed for profit and your indecisiveness.”

He said, “Luoyang has no troops and no power, relying only on those few thousand remaining men. Can we defend Luoyang? Can we protect His Majesty?”

Fu Zhi said, “Your Majesty can appoint General Gou as Grand Commandant and Marshal, ordering General Gou to garrison Luoyang.”

Gou Xi knew he harbored ill intentions and was so angry his beard nearly flew up, “Dream on!”

Luoyang was now a deserted city!

If his soldiers came here, they would have no food or drink and would need Yanzhou to support them with provisions. But his rear was Yuzhou—Yuzhou!

Insufficient provisions meant that if Zhao Hanzhang wanted, she could cut off his connection with Yanzhou at any time, closing the door to beat the dog. His lifeline would be completely in Zhao Hanzhang’s hands.

Unless… Yuzhou was his.

Gou Xi’s gaze deepened. At this moment, he finally realized Yuzhou’s importance. Yanzhou was very important, connecting east and west, but Yuzhou was equally important, linking Luoyang and Bingzhou above, connecting Jingzhou below, facilitating north-south communication.

If both Yuzhou and Yanzhou were in his hands…

Gou Xi looked toward Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang also lifted her eyelids to look at Gou Xi and smiled slightly. She turned her head to look at the emperor above and said, “Your Majesty, I have one more request.”

The emperor was having a headache from all the arguing and wanted to divert everyone’s attention, so he quickly asked, “General Zhao, please speak.”

“I wish to recommend someone for the position of Luoyang County Magistrate.”

The emperor’s heart stirred. Fu Zhi had mentioned this to him—this was actually one of the conditions for Zhao Hanzhang yielding to Gou Xi.

He only paused briefly before saying, “Whom does General Zhao recommend?”

“Zhao Kuan from Xiping in Runan,” Zhao Hanzhang said with a light smile. “This person has talent for governance and a gentle, tolerant nature. Since Luoyang now faces the task of rebuilding from ruins, we need precisely such a kind and tolerant county magistrate. I believe no one is more suitable than him.”

Fu Zhi sighed leisurely. This was something he had promised Zhao Hanzhang. Even though he regretted it in his heart, at this moment he couldn’t voice any opposition.

At this point, he couldn’t tell clearly whether it was better for the emperor to rely on Zhao Hanzhang or on Gou Xi.

Today’s court session again ended in arguments, but many matters didn’t need to be decided in court. The greater struggle came from below.

As soon as Zhao Hanzhang left, Fu Zhi went to find the emperor and earnestly advised, “Your Majesty, Gou Xi has changed. If you leave with him, I worry he will become the next Prince Donghai.”

The emperor asked with a sorrowful expression, “Does I have any other choice? If I stay in Luoyang and the Xiongnu move south, can we defend Luoyang?”

“Yuzhou is controlled by Zhao Hanzhang. Gou Xi won’t risk leaving his rear to her, so he won’t come to Luoyang. As for Zhao Hanzhang,” the emperor shook his head with a bitter smile, “in my view, she is the one most disloyal to her sovereign. Although she is respectful in everything and humble in attitude, if you look at what she’s done since becoming famous two years ago, which matter truly placed me, the emperor, in her heart?”

Fu Zhi fell silent.

The emperor sighed, “I naturally know that Gou Xi is different from before, but between two evils, choose the lesser. I have no choice either.”

Fu Zhi instantly seemed to age ten years.

The emperor also looked at him sorrowfully, and the sovereign and minister couldn’t help but shed tears together.

After a long while, the emperor forced a smile and said, “Actually, I have one more matter to entrust to the Chancellor.”

Hearing this, Fu Zhi quickly said, “Please command, Your Majesty.”

The emperor said, “Gou Xi said something very right—I have no troops and no power, making it difficult to be autonomous. So I want you to go to Chang’an.”

“To recruit troops in Chang’an?”

The emperor nodded and instructed in a low voice, “No need to rush back. Chang’an is as important as Luoyang. The Prince of Nanyang lacks governing ability. He enjoys such a good place but cannot treat it well. The Chancellor can take his place.”

In the future, that would also be a retreat for him and the Great Jin.

—