News of Zhao Hanzhang’s safe delivery of a daughter spread throughout the realm. The entire nation celebrated. Far away in Xiliang, Zhang Gui, who was hanging on by a thread, suddenly opened his eyes, shaking off the unclear speech caused by his stroke, asking repeatedly, “Is His Majesty safe?”

Zhang Mao knelt before him and answered repeatedly, “His Majesty is safe.”

Confirming Zhao Hanzhang’s safety, only then did he unclearly ask, “Is the princess safe?”

Zhang Mao choked up, “The princess is safe.”

Zhang Gui then felt relieved. His strength drained as he leaned back on the pillow, murmuring, “All safe, all safe, the realm is at peace.”

Zhang Mao’s tears fell. Zhang Gui unclearly said, “You should be happy.”

Zhang Mao nodded, holding back his crying, trying his best to raise a smile. “Yes, Xiliang respectfully follows His Majesty’s sacred decree. This year we continue light taxation and minimal corvée, resting with the people.”

That evening, Zhang Gui happily ate two large bowls of rice and never woke again.

The Xiliang Prince’s mansion was filled with wailing. Wang Rong reminded Zhang Mao, “His Majesty is greatly joyful, the court is greatly joyful. Such grief is inappropriate.”

Zhang Mao could only suppress his sorrow. He reported his father’s death by telegraph and submitted Zhang Gui’s final words.

Actually, Zhang Mao and Wang Rong wanted to delay the report by a month. After all, the princess had just been born, and the emperor was still in confinement.

Reporting a death during national celebration was truly not a good thing. But after Zhao Hanzhang ascended the throne, she had issued strict orders: for local officials at prefectural governor level and above, if they passed away, it must be reported to the court within three days by the fastest means available to them.

For local officials at provincial governor level and above, if they passed away, it must be reported to the court within twelve hours by the fastest means available to them.

This was to prevent loss of control over local areas due to unexpected deaths of high officials, causing rebellions, civil unrest, and such incidents.

Now, the realm appeared peaceful, but people’s hearts had not completely settled. Many still felt the chaos of the troubled times, so special precautions were needed.

Xiliang was the only princely domain the Zhao family army had never set foot in. The relationship between both sides was entirely supported by years of mutual assistance.

But this kind of support had a solid foundation. When things were sweet, they were very sweet, but it could also collapse easily.

Zhang Mao didn’t know what the emperor thought. Anyway, he and his father had always felt uneasy, wanting more assurance.

Unfortunately, they had no daughter of appropriate age, otherwise they would have competed for the position of Qin Commandery Princess Consort last year.

Unable to consolidate the foundation through marriage, and with his father’s funeral unfortunately coinciding with the princess’s joyous occasion, if not for his strong rationality, Zhang Mao almost couldn’t resist contacting Beigong Chun to ask him to intercede.

Zhang Mao and Wang Rong and others sat in the telegraph room waiting for the court’s reply.

In the telegraph room of the Luoyang Imperial Palace.

The communications officer had just decoded all of Xiliang’s telegram. His pupils couldn’t help but contract. He immediately delivered it to the Council Chamber.

The Xiliang Prince had died. No one dared conceal it. Ji Yuan and the on-duty Zhao Ming immediately ran to the rear hall to request an audience with Zhao Hanzhang.

Although Zhao Hanzhang was in confinement, she had already begun handling government affairs, though mostly still in the rear hall.

Zhao Hanzhang opened Zhang Mao’s report. He explained his father’s condition in detail. He had passed away peacefully only after learning the emperor had safely given birth, and recorded Zhang Gui’s final words verbatim in the report.

“Before his death, Father learned His Majesty had safely given birth and was filled with joy, saying directly that His Majesty was safe, the princess was safe, and the realm was at peace…”

Zhao Hanzhang’s heart ached greatly. Her eyes reddened, “Didn’t the imperial physicians sent earlier change his medicine and say he was improving?”

Ji Yuan: “After all, he had suffered a stroke and paralysis. His body was not as before. Even with recovery, his vital energy was quickly depleted. Your Majesty, please restrain your grief.”

Zhao Ming also advised her, “Your Majesty is at a critical time. You should control your sorrow and not harm your body.”

Zhao Hanzhang genuinely liked and respected Zhang Gui. During her most difficult times, he had been willing to give her Beigong Chun. To help her stabilize military morale, he had expended great effort to send all the families of the Xiliang troops into the pass.

If he had wanted to manipulate her, Beigong Chun would have been a very good channel. With Xiliang troop families in his hands, both she and Beigong Chun’s Xiliang army would have had to show consideration.

But he had unhesitatingly sent the families to her. Afterward, he had aided her with Xiliang horses several times. When she sent troops to counterattack the Xiongnu, it was he who restrained the Qiang and Xianbei in the north, preventing them from daring to join the melee.

If her relationship with Beigong Chun and Shi Le was one of conquest, with Zhang Gui it was a tacit understanding and cooperative partnership.

Zhao Hanzhang could understand his heartache and considerations in establishing his second son as heir apparent while abandoning his eldest son. She could also understand his concern in dragging his sick body to hold on until today.

Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes reddened as she held back the tears that almost burst forth, choking out, “Announce to the realm that the entire nation will observe mourning. Order Zhang Mao to immediately prepare Zhang Gui’s body for burial. The Ministry of Rites should rush to Xiliang at once to assist with the funeral arrangements.”

Ji Yuan opened his mouth and quickly looked at Zhao Ming.

Zhao Ming supported having the Ministry of Rites handle the funeral and was willing to personally draft a eulogy to announce to the realm, but he didn’t think national mourning was appropriate. He said quietly, “Your Majesty, this month is the princess’s joyful month.”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “Elders take precedence. Zhang Shiyan has rendered great service to the nation and the people. Mingming is still young. The days belonging to her in the future are still many. This matter is settled.”

Zhang Gui’s courtesy name was Shiyan.

But she was the eldest daughter. Judging by Zhao Hanzhang’s meaning, she would very likely establish her as crown princess. To have a crown princess give way to the Xiliang Prince…

However, Zhao Hanzhang had already made her decision.

After Zhao Ming withdrew, Ji Yuan sighed, “Such great favor may cause trouble.”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “If the next Xiliang Prince were Zhang Shi, even if I loved Zhang Shiyan, I would restrain myself. But Zhang Mao’s character is cautious, pure and calm. This honor should go to Zhang Shiyan, and it can stabilize Xiliang’s military and civilian hearts.”

Ji Yuan was slightly surprised, “Your Majesty has never met Zhang Mao. How can you be certain of his character? Last time when we met Zhang Shi, though he was somewhat frivolous and stubborn, he was quite kind-hearted.”

Zhao Hanzhang: “Kind yet frivolous and stubborn—isn’t that a big problem? As a provincial governor and princely lord, being kind yet stubborn will make him unable to listen to correct hawkish opinions. Being frivolous yet stubborn will make him selfish while ignoring the people’s voices.”

In history, wasn’t that exactly what he was like?

In the end, he died in a rebellion, though he didn’t have to die.

“Observe his words and actions to know his character,” Zhao Hanzhang said. “Zhang Shi was carefree, often absent from Zhang Shiyan’s side for extended periods. It was Zhang Mao who attended at his side. When Zhang Shiyan suffered his stroke, he immediately appointed him as general, waiting for Zhang Shi to return.”

“When Zhang Shi returned to Xiliang, he was immediately supported by everyone and could quickly handle Xiliang affairs—suppressing rebellion and stabilizing hearts. Do you think Zhang Shi possessed such talent?”

Ji Yuan: “By Xiliang Prince’s side, Wang Rong has the talent to stabilize the people, and Meng Chang has the general’s talent to charge into battle.”

“Zhang Shiyan’s inner circle showed no power struggles. Zhang Mao deserves great credit for this.” Zhao Hanzhang said, “Zhang Shi should be grateful to Zhang Mao.”

Ji Yuan instantly understood. If not for Zhang Mao’s lack of competing ambition and his genuine help to Zhang Shi, Zhang Shi simply couldn’t have secured his position, let alone suppressed rebellion on his father’s behalf.

Zhao Hanzhang continued, “The Southern Yang Prince summoned him several times, but he never responded. From this we can see his wisdom, restraint, and filial piety.”

“How can I let such talent live in fearful uncertainty?” Zhao Hanzhang said quietly, “Even for Zhang Shiyan’s sake, I should comfort his heart.”

Ji Yuan’s heart stirred with emotion. He bowed deeply, “I will immediately write the announcement.”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded.

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