Zhao Hanzhang left Shangdang with infinite regret, never having gotten to eat Shangdang’s steamed buns.

After traveling far away, they stopped to rest and gnaw on some dry rations.

Zhao Hanzhang bit into the dry, crumbly flatbread in her hand, chewing fiercely while opening the map to look. She marked the position Xun Xiu had reported for Shi Lei last time. If she were Wang Zhang and Shi Lei, from which direction would they enter Shangdang?

Zhao Hanzhang avoided the routes they might take, pointed to the west, and said, “We’ll return this way. Send someone to find Xun Xiu and have him return to defend Luoyang.”

Zeng Yue felt somewhat unwilling. “My lady, we’ve already entered Shangdang. That Zhang Tao is nothing to fear. Why don’t we take Shangdang in one stroke?”

“And then what?” Zhao Hanzhang asked. “Would we be trapped in Shangdang, caught in endless warfare?”

She said, “War can only have one purpose, and that is for profit!”

“Whether immediate benefits or long-term gains, all are for the nation’s benefit. Shangdang’s position is special—to the east, west, south, and north, there are no territories of our Yuzhou Army, and no support. Even if we capture it, we can’t hold it. Today it could be ours, tomorrow it could be Shi Lei’s, and the day after it might fall into Liu Cong’s hands. Why should we capture it?”

Zhao Hanzhang pointed at the carts of gold, silver, jewels, and grain in the procession. “Being able to obtain these means our trip wasn’t in vain.”

She raised her chin slightly. “Moreover, letting them fight each other gives Luoyang and Yuzhou a breathing space. Isn’t that better than us holding it and being attacked from all sides?”

Zeng Yue was enlightened. “This humble officer was shortsighted.”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “Yuan Li, have people spread the news of Wang Mi’s death in Luoyang throughout the world, especially throughout Bing Province.”

She sneered. “There are quite a few remnant Jin officials, scholars, and common people here. I think they definitely don’t want to live as second-class citizens, do they?”

Even if Liu Cong and Shi Lei could reach an agreement, she would make them overwhelmed with problems, unable to recover all the territories Wang Mi had controlled.

Yuan Li acknowledged and immediately went to arrange personnel.

After selecting their route, everyone began to hurry on. When approaching Luoyang, they encountered the Qihuo Army waiting by the roadside.

The Zhao Family Army stopped ten li away. Zeng Yue was about to summon Chen Wu and others to come pay their respects when Zhao Hanzhang stopped him, having him select ten carts of provisions. She personally delivered them.

Even Yuan Li felt Zhao Hanzhang was treating the Qihuo Army too favorably.

Unlike the Zhao Family Army, whose lives were relatively manageable and who had maintained strict military discipline, the Qihuo Army was a peasant army that still had quite a few family members following along.

When Zhao Hanzhang arrived, she saw many children around seven or eight years old by the roadside staring wide-eyed at them, their clothes tattered, barely covering their bodies, barefoot, with large heads and small bodies, watching them warily.

When they saw the ox carts being pulled behind them, their eyes lit up, already guessing from the shape of the sacks that they contained grain.

Immediately someone excitedly ran toward the camp, shouting excitedly, “There’s a battle to fight, there’s a battle to fight!”

Hearing the children’s voices, people in the camp also became excited, looking toward the camp entrance one after another.

They only glanced at Zhao Hanzhang before looking at the ox carts behind her. Seeing there were only ten carts of grain, though somewhat disappointed, they were still happy.

“Finally there’s a battle to fight.”

“Who’s going from your family this time? Both your sons are dead, aren’t they?”

“I’m going. My grandson is ten years old now. I’ll earn provisions for another two years, and when he turns twelve, I’ll let him take over.”

Zhao Hanzhang’s hearing was sharp and caught all the surrounding discussions and excitement. Her gaze swept over the Qihuo Army soldiers sitting or lying on the ground, then she lowered her eyes, tugged on her reins to stop her horse.

Chen Wu, who was troubled about what gift to prepare when meeting Zhao Hanzhang, heard that she had personally brought provisions. He immediately led his subordinates running out.

Along the way, he also kicked several soldiers blocking the road, cursing under his breath, “Get up, get up! What does this lazy, slovenly appearance look like?”

“Didn’t you tell us to move less, lie down more, and save provisions?”

Chen Wu secretly glared at the old soldier who spoke back, but when he raised his head again, his face was full of smiles. He cupped his fists all the way out. “General Zhao coming—why didn’t you inform us in advance? We weren’t able to go out to meet you. How rude, how rude.”

Zhao Hanzhang dismounted and returned the courtesy with cupped fists, smiling. “I’ve long heard that the Qihuo Army is fierce and brave, so Hanzhang wanted to come see for herself.”

Chen Wu’s face showed some embarrassment. Behind him, Li Tou and Feng Long were already shouting, making the soldiers who were lying or sitting around half-dead get up and form ranks.

Zhao Hanzhang raised her hand to stop them, smiling. “I trust General Chen, and I trust the Qihuo Army. I also know that the soldiers are like this because they’re hungry. No need to be overly courteous.”

Hearing this, Chen Wu wanted nothing more than to pull Zhao Hanzhang’s hand and pour out his grievances. Unfortunately, she was a lady, so it wasn’t appropriate to hold hands. So Chen Wu tugged at his narrow sleeves to wipe his tears. “Yes, they’re all starving. Normally they maintain strict military discipline too.”

Behind him, Feng Long and Li Tou followed along with blatant lies, nodding repeatedly. “Yes, yes. Normally they follow orders perfectly. As long as they’re well-fed, their fighting ability is beyond question.”

Zhao Hanzhang pointed to the ten carts of military provisions behind her. “The provisions brought this time aren’t very plentiful. Let the brothers make do with them first.”

Chen Wu didn’t care what Zhao Hanzhang wanted them to do. Anyway, she was a Jin official—as long as she wasn’t sending them to fight the Emperor, fighting anyone was fine. So Chen Wu exchanged glances with Feng Long while being polite. “That’s so embarrassing. Leave these miscellaneous tasks to the people below. General Zhao, let’s talk inside.”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded.

Seeing she was young and a kind-looking lady, Chen Wu was very happy and enthusiastic. Seeing Zhao Erlang following behind her, he also greeted him warmly. “This must be Erlang Gongzi, right?”

Zhao Hanzhang smiled in acknowledgment and had Zhao Erlang greet Chen Wu.

Chen Wu smiled broadly. “Erlang Gongzi is indeed formidable. I heard he’s already a commandery administrator now. There aren’t many commandery administrators as young as Erlang Gongzi in all the land.”

Actually, there were quite a few—all appointed by their own families. Now that a governor or commandery administrator could occupy a region independently, they would naturally give official positions to their own children. Five or six-year-olds holding nominal positions weren’t uncommon, though the government didn’t recognize them.

After exchanging pleasantries with Chen Wu, Zhao Hanzhang began asking about their military strength.

Chen Wu wasn’t secretive about this aspect. He had always worked as a mercenary fighting for others and was very experienced in this regard. He said, “I currently have five thousand soldiers.”

Zhao Hanzhang asked, “How many non-combatant family members are there?”

“This…” Chen Wu said, “General Zhao needn’t worry. They eat the rations the soldiers earn and won’t encroach on your military provisions.”

Zhao Hanzhang smiled. “General Chen misunderstands. I just want to understand better so I can properly arrange what you’ll be doing next.”

Only then did Chen Wu say, “Family members… there are about six thousand-plus people.”

Indeed quite a few. No wonder they were starving so badly—basically one person working had to support another, and among them were definitely many potential soldiers.

Chen Wu also asked curiously, “I wonder who General Zhao wants to hire us to fight? Prince Nanyang? Administrator Jia, or General Gou?”

Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help asking, “You can fight all these people?”

Chen Wu nodded confidently. “As long as you’re willing to provide provisions and money.” Though whether they’d win or lose, he didn’t dare guarantee.