When in camp, Beigong Chun had used a telescope to confirm that the arriving person was Tuoba Yilu, who had also brought many familiar generals.
For no reason, bringing so many capable fighters to the border—to say he had no ulterior motives, Beigong Chun wouldn’t believe it even if beaten to death.
However, he also knew that the domestic situation was currently complex. Although he was loyal to the Jin imperial house, the Grand General had also treated him very well. He couldn’t choose which side to stand on.
But the Emperor hadn’t made him choose, and Zhao Hanzhang hadn’t forced him to choose either.
So he simply covered his ears and blindfolded his eyes, acting as if he knew nothing, and just focused on guarding the border well.
Both Huang An and Linghu Sheng said that at this time, stillness was better than movement, and stability should be the priority. So when he discovered Tuoba Yilu appearing on the opposite side, he didn’t deploy troops to take advantage of the opportunity for a “capture the leader to capture the bandits” scheme, but instead handed military command to Linghu Sheng and led Huang An to meet Tuoba Yilu.
Beigong Chun slowly reined in his horse, stopping a hundred paces away, and called out loudly: “King of Dai, why has the King of Dai come here?”
Tuoba Yilu gripped his reins tightly. “This is the State of Dai. It’s perfectly natural for me to come inspect it. But why has General Beigong crossed the border line?”
Beigong Chun snorted coldly. “What border line? The State of Dai is also territory of our Great Jin. King of Dai, don’t forget who enfeoffed your royal title. You are Great Jin’s King of Dai and also have the responsibility to guard the land.”
Tuoba Yilu clenched his teeth. “Then why is General Beigong deploying troops toward my State of Dai territory? Since we’re one family, could it be the court doesn’t trust me as a vassal king and wants to reclaim the fief?”
“The King of Dai thinks too much. I’m just conducting routine military drills,” Beigong Chun said. “Taking advantage of the agricultural off-season, before autumn harvest, I’m training troops so the swords and spears in the soldiers’ hands don’t rust.”
“General Beigong is quite loyal, but I wonder to whom,” Tuoba Yilu said sarcastically. “Is it to the national title Great Jin, or to Grand General Zhao?”
This wasn’t good to bring up—the moment he mentioned it, Beigong Chun became irritated and said without good humor: “It’s none of your business whom I’m loyal to. I only care about guarding our territory. As long as I’m here, no one can take a single step south through Bingzhou!”
This was the strategic importance of Bingzhou. As long as Bingzhou was held, attacks from the north were basically blocked outside.
Beigong Chun and Tuoba Yilu parted on bad terms. He watched them leave, then turned to Huang An. “Send out all our scouts to keep close watch on the Xianbei forces. Send people to contact our people in Xinping City. If Tuoba Yilu dares to move south, immediately have them incite Tuoba Liuxiu to attack Pingcheng. After all, he is the eldest son—the position of heir apparent of the State of Dai should rightfully be his.”
Huang An acknowledged the order.
Tuoba Yilu returned to camp and poured all his fury onto Tuoba Liuxiu. “Rebellious son, rebellious son!”
“He actually dares to disobey orders! Someone, go summon him immediately! Have him come see me at once!”
The messenger was about to withdraw when stopped by a general. “Great King, are we still attacking Bingzhou?”
Tuoba Yilu struggled internally. After a moment, he said through gritted teeth: “Withdraw the troops!”
Since they couldn’t fight, they would find another way to consolidate the power and position of the State of Dai.
He lowered his eyes. The matter of establishing the heir apparent for the State of Dai could not be delayed any longer. Once Zhao Hanzhang stabilized her position, even with her promise, it would be difficult to proceed.
They said there was no evidence of Tuoba Liuxiu’s lack of filial piety?
He would send them the evidence.
Tuoba Yilu had just withdrawn his troops when that very evening Zhao Hanzhang received a telegram.
She said nothing, simply handed the telegram to Zhao Yunxin to file.
“What about Liu Kun? What’s his reaction?”
Yuan Li said: “Liu Kun has stopped his banquets and hasn’t left his residence for three days, but he wrote letters to Governor Zu and Governor Zhao of Yuzhou.”
Liu Kun also had a telegraph station, but he didn’t use it. Although he still hadn’t figured out how the telegraph transmitted information, this didn’t prevent him from questioning its security.
He felt that confidential matters couldn’t be discussed through telegraph. Not only would the telegraph operators know, but he suspected that even people he wasn’t contacting could hear his telegrams.
So he still chose to write letters.
Yuan Li said: “This subordinate had people quietly switch the letters at the post station, made copies, and sealed them back exactly as they were. The copies will arrive tomorrow.”
Zhao Hanzhang: …She hadn’t thought of this.
Zhao Hanzhang rubbed her temples, neither saying he did wrong nor right.
Yuan Li carefully glanced at her expression, knowing he hadn’t made a mistake this time. His mood lightened somewhat, and he continued reporting: “Today His Majesty went to the observatory and asked Guo Pu to select an auspicious day. Guo Pu said choosing a time was not as good as seizing the moment—tomorrow would be a good day.”
Tomorrow was the first of July, the day of the great court assembly. The officials attending court would line up outside the hall—it was indeed a good day.
Zhao Hanzhang said: “I understand.”
The next morning, no matter how calm Zhao Hanzhang normally was, she couldn’t help rising very early. She carefully groomed herself and changed into her court robes.
Fu Tinghan noticed she was wearing new court robes. After thinking for a moment, he also removed his half-worn court robes and changed into the set just made this quarter.
The husband and wife couldn’t help but exchange smiles, then went to court together.
Rarely, the Emperor also changed into new clothes for this season. This time, he came out holding his jade seal.
The abdication edict was still written in his own hand, but Guo Pu would read it. Through Guo Pu’s voice, he told the world that Zhao Hanzhang’s ascension had been recognized by Heaven.
This time, Zhao Hanzhang knelt in the great hall and declined again. After the little Emperor insisted, she reached out to accept the edict and said to him: “I am terrified, but what Your Majesty has entrusted to me, I will complete even if it costs my life.”
Zhao Shen suppressed his excitement and was the first to kneel with a thud, calling out loudly: “Your subject respectfully welcomes the new Emperor.”
Officials knelt in a flood, saying in unison: “We subjects respectfully welcome the new Emperor.”
The little Emperor fumbled to also kneel down, but Zhao Hanzhang reached out to stop him from kneeling.
She held the edict in one hand and held the little Emperor with the other, turning to look at the hall full of kneeling officials. She felt as if the sky was high and the sea vast, ready for her to spread her wings and soar.
She said: “Rise!”
The officials responded and slowly rose.
Zhao Hanzhang led the little Emperor up the steps. Seeing the jade seal placed on the table, the little Emperor suddenly remembered, fumbled to pick it up and hand it to her. “Grand General, from now on this realm is entrusted to you.”
Zhao Hanzhang solemnly received it. “Your Majesty, rest assured.”
The little Emperor’s eyes brimmed with tears. He was very reassured. From now on, he would never again have to rise before dawn to memorize texts, memorize memorials, then attend court.
Ji Yuan stepped forward. “The nation cannot be without a ruler for a single day. The new Emperor should select an auspicious day for enthronement, so the people of the realm may be at peace.”
The little Emperor nodded repeatedly. “Guo Pu is right here. Let him calculate an auspicious day on the spot.”
Everyone’s gazes turned in unison toward Guo Pu.
Guo Pu: …
“There are quite a few auspicious days, but everyone, to select an auspicious day for enthronement requires considering the national title. What will the new dynasty’s national title be?”
Everyone turned in unison to look at Zhao Hanzhang.
Zhao Hanzhang paused briefly before saying: “People throughout the realm believe the Son of Heaven is chosen by Heaven, but in my view, the immortals in Heaven cannot constantly watch over the mortal world. The Son of Heaven is the father and mother of the people. Only by not forgetting love for the people will the people respond with filial devotion as children. When ruler’s virtue and people’s harmony unite, the realm can be stable. This is the people’s will.”
Zhao Hanzhang said word by word: “The people’s will surpasses Heaven’s will! And throughout the nation, whether Han people, Xiongnu, Jie, Qiang and Hu, Xianbei, or the Hundred Yue, all are descendants of the Yan and Huang ancestors. Therefore, I take our ancestors’ name as the national title—Hua!”
Ji Yuan’s eyes blazed. “The ‘Records of Genealogy in the Spring and Autumn Annals’ records that Huaxu gave birth to a son named Fuxi and a daughter named Nuwa—the ancestors of humanity. The ‘Guoyu, Annals of Jin’ also records that in ancient times, Shaodian married from the Youqiao clan and bore Huangdi and Yandi, whose great-grandmother was Huaxu.”
Most court officials, hearing this, felt “Hua” was a good national title, but some raised different opinions. “The Grand General is Prince of Yu. Why not use Yu as the national title?”
How could Yu compare to Hua?
Zhao Hanzhang had long set her sights on the character Hua. If not for the ancestral Xia dynasty before them—it wouldn’t do to duplicate the ancestors’ title—she thought the character Xia was also good.
Others said: “Perhaps use the Grand General’s surname—how about the State of Zhao?”
Most Zhao clan members thought this was good and raised their hands in approval.
Zhao Hanzhang asked Guo Pu: “What does Master Guo think?”
Guo Pu said: “The national title Hua is best.”
He paused briefly, then said: “Hua belongs to Water.”
He glanced at the little Emperor without saying more, but the officials were not fools and quickly thought of the Five Elements attributes.
Hua belonged to Water, while Jin belonged to Fire. Water overcame Fire—this character was wonderful!
Yu belonged to Earth. Earth generated Fire. But a new dynasty overthrowing an old one didn’t need mutual generation!
Zhao belonged to Fire. Two Fires in conflict would likely mean mutual destruction—not suitable. Putting it this way, Hua was indeed most appropriate.
With Guo Pu taking sides, the national title Hua was thus decided.
Next came selecting the auspicious day.
Guo Pu said he needed to fast for three days before divining.
Whether Zhao Hanzhang believed it or not, she agreed.
The officials withdrew from court. Ji Yuan and other trusted officials remained behind. Zhao Hanzhang also specifically had Xun Fan and Wei An stay.
The little Emperor stood before the dragon throne, also wanting to withdraw, but Zhao Hanzhang didn’t let him leave. Instead, she asked him kindly: “What title does Your Majesty desire? Do you wish to live in a locality or reside in the capital?”
The little Emperor’s whole heart rose with anxiety. He said carefully: “I, I will listen to the Grand Gen… Your Majesty.”
Seeing Zhao Hanzhang frown with apparent distress, he immediately said: “I, I only wish for peace and contentment for life.”
Zhao Hanzhang smiled. “Your Majesty need not deliberately change your self-address. You may share with me the use of the royal ‘I’.”
She asked tentatively: “What does Your Majesty think of the title Prince An?”
The little Emperor immediately nodded. “Very good.”
Zhao Hanzhang asked again: “Would Your Majesty be willing to reside in the capital? Or is there another place you wish to live long-term?”
Naturally, the little Emperor wanted to be far from Zhao Hanzhang, far from the political center. But he was too young. In his limited memory, only life in Luoyang was the most beautiful.
In Yanzhou, he could hardly leave his residence, and days were lived in poverty. Not to mention the experience of fleeing from Yanzhou—though he had been to many places, it was all displacement and hardship, with not a single good day.
So when he recalled, the place he was most familiar with and most wanted to live was still Luoyang.
The little Emperor’s eyes moistened slightly, remembering the scenes of running in his family’s garden as a child. He asked: “I wonder if Prince Wu’s Mansion still exists?”
The little Emperor’s father had been Prince Wu. Before age seven, he had lived in Prince Wu’s Mansion in Luoyang.
Zhao Hanzhang understood immediately and said at once: “I will have it renovated immediately. Prince Wu’s Mansion will be changed to Prince An’s Mansion. After renovation is complete, Your Majesty may move in.”