Wang Hao could record many things each day and could also see surviving historical records and traces from previous dynasties and earlier years of the current dynasty. He was delighted to immerse himself in various official and private records.
He felt he was about to record another major event today. How wonderful!
Song Jin quietly withdrew. Zhao Hanzhang stepped across the threshold and looked down at Li Tianhe kneeling before the palace gate.
Among the four, Li Tianhe held the highest official rank and greatest authority. He was one of the retainers Zhao Changyu had left her, appearing in her sight even earlier than Zeng Yue. Among the squad leaders, he was relatively clever and quick-witted, learning characters the fastest and arithmetic the quickest. So she had sent him out early, believing he could handle matters independently.
Unfortunately, once sent out, she discovered he had small cleverness but lacked great wisdom.
Zhao Hanzhang stood before the four, staring at them fixedly. All four kept their heads lowered, prostrating themselves without daring to look up. But they could all feel the gaze focused on them, their hair standing on end.
After a long while, Zhao Hanzhang finally asked in a deeply disappointed tone: “Do you know where you went wrong?”
Li Tianhe’s forehead pressed tightly against the ground as he said in a muffled voice: “I know. We should not have bullied Minister Shen and Scholar Yu.”
“Raise your heads.”
The four raised their heads, only then discovering that Zhao Hanzhang had sat down on the threshold, her gaze clear and cold as she looked at them.
The four felt their hearts jump and lowered their heads again.
Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes seemed to see into their innermost hearts. She shook her head. “You still don’t understand.”
The four tensed but said nothing.
Zhao Hanzhang let out a long sigh and asked: “Why did I let Censor Lu leave but make you come see me while injured?”
Was it because they had been more forceful in blocking Shen Ruhui and Scholar Yu? And because they were military men, they could still walk after five strokes, while Censor Lu could only be carried out?
The four carefully glanced at Zhao Hanzhang but didn’t dare respond.
Zhao Hanzhang laughed coldly. “You and I fought our way out together on the battlefield. We are comrades-in-arms, with a bond unlike ordinary relationships. Censor Lu is merely my censor. If he makes a mistake, I can replace him. There are many talented people in the world—I can use anyone.”
“But you—because of our personal relationship, I’m willing to take time to discipline you.” Zhao Hanzhang said: “Do you want me to show favoritism out of old friendship and let you off?”
Li Tianhe and the other three quickly said: “We wouldn’t dare.”
“You wouldn’t dare, but you want to,” Zhao Hanzhang said with a cold smile. “Well, I’ll tell you now—I won’t show favoritism. Zhao Hu provides abundant grain and provisions for our Zhao Army. His contributions are great, and he’s my relative, yet when he makes mistakes, I still don’t forgive him.”
“If I showed you favoritism, where would those you’ve harmed voice their grievances? You have a personal relationship with me, so you can kneel here. But they don’t even have the opportunity to kneel here.” Zhao Hanzhang said, full of disappointment: “All told, the one among you who has spent the least time studying in the army has been there for four years, hasn’t he?”
Qi Hou, who had joined Zhao’s Army latest, replied: “Yes. This subordinate was conscripted on the road during the defense of Yuzhou. It’s been over four years now.”
Zhao Hanzhang said: “New recruits who’ve been in the army for one month can recite Zhao Army’s military regulations. Zhao’s Army fights for the common people, for peace in the realm. There are only sixty-eight military regulations in total. You’ve studied in the army for four years, yet you still can’t match them!”
“Setting aside Shen Ruhui and Yu Cui’s service to the state, even if they were ordinary commoners, you should not have bullied and intimidated them like this. Li Tianhe, remember this—an official must not only have ability but also moral character!”
Li Tianhe and the others lowered their heads in shame.
Zhao Hanzhang had said enough. She waved her hand. “You may withdraw.”
The four acknowledged, kowtowed once, then rose and withdrew.
With injuries on their buttocks, the four moved down the steps two at a time. Only when they reached the bottom did they see Zeng Yue standing with his arms crossed at the edge of the steps.
Li Tianhe’s expression changed, and he turned his head away without speaking.
Back when they were retainers in ten squads, the person he disliked most was Sixth Squad Leader Zeng Yue. He found him quiet but sneaky and calculating. Otherwise, after Qiu Wu, why would it be Zeng Yue’s turn to become Zhao Hanzhang’s personal attendant instead of him, the Fifth Squad Leader?
Among their eleven people, besides the four squad leaders who had died in battle, among the survivors, Zeng Yue and Zhao Ju held the highest authority and status.
They had nothing to say about Zhao Ju. After all, he had always been above them—he was their squad captain. But what about Zeng Yue?
When the former lord was alive, he wasn’t particularly favored.
Li Tianhe supported his waist and limped past him.
Zeng Yue lowered his arms and walked beside him. Qi Hou and the other two hadn’t expected Zeng Yue to see all this. Their faces flushed red as they followed with lowered heads.
Zeng Yue looked straight ahead, opening his mouth to say: “The young lady most detests using power to bully others, especially using her power.”
Li Tianhe sneered coldly. “If you weren’t relying on power, could you be the Imperial Guard Commander today?”
Zeng Yue was too lazy to argue. He said: “It seems you still don’t know where you went wrong. Li Tianhe, bonds can be worn away. In the nine northern provinces, the effort you put in doesn’t even match Zhao Hu’s. The young lady doesn’t even indulge this Seventh Granduncle. How many more times do you think she’ll tolerate you?”
Li Tianhe’s expression changed repeatedly, but he said nothing.
Seeing his ashen face, Zeng Yue couldn’t help but sigh. After all, they had grown up together and trained as comrades. He said: “Li Tianhe, the young lady is different from Gou Xi, Shi Lei and others. She’s different from all the generals in past legends. She has all soldiers in the army learn to read and count. Do you know why?”
Li Tianhe said expressionlessly: “Because the young lady is benevolent.”
Zeng Yue said: “I thought so at first too, but later I understood. The young lady does this not only out of benevolence, but more because she wants a Zhao Army that completely belongs to her, yet is different.”
“Teaching soldiers to read, count, and even read maps, distinguish directions, and even teaching them military strategy—this is to improve combat effectiveness. Veterans who leave Zhao’s Army can each form another squad, then a team, and then bring these people back into Zhao’s Army to strengthen the force.”
“Teaching them rules and laws, to care for the common people—this is to gain the people’s support. Strict discipline and firm execution of military regulations ensure their absolute obedience to orders.” Zeng Yue said: “When an order is given, they move like one’s own limbs. This is why Zhao’s Army can keep winning.”
Zeng Yue continued: “In the East and West Camps of Zhao’s Army stationed in Luoyang, East Camp Deputy Commander Yang Rui and West Camp Deputy Commander Lu Shao both only came to serve the young lady after the defense of Yuzhou. Because of their exceptional talent, they were promoted to squad captain immediately upon enlistment. At that time, you and they were equals. Why is it that after several years, they’ve surpassed you to become deputy commanders at the young lady’s side, while you’re only a staff officer in the Ministry of War?”
“Did the young lady not promote you? Did the young lady not give you opportunities?” Zeng Yue shook his head. “Neither. Li Tianhe, your opportunities were actually the best among us—better than mine, Ji Ping, Qiu Wu, and Yuan Li.”
Li Tianhe sneered, completely disbelieving. “You all served as the young lady’s personal guards. Your bonds are naturally different. Now you turn around and say my opportunities were the best?”