Jiaozhou and Ningzhou basically had no use for cotton, so they didn’t join the competition for cotton seeds. However, their feelings weren’t relaxed either.

Zhao Hanzhang truly had Heaven’s favor—just three years after ascending the throne, she already possessed such a treasure.

Cold and hunger had always been the two greatest challenges facing humanity. For the vast majority of people in this world, their life’s pursuit was nothing more than having enough to eat and staying warm.

If cotton was really as warm as they claimed, then from now on, humanity would have conquered the cold.

The people of the world, even Jiaozhou and Ningzhou who didn’t need cotton, would feel respect in their hearts.

Wei Fang and Wei Ran exchanged glances. Although their eyes showed some defiance, they still stepped forward and joined the officials in flattering Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang was praised until she felt elated. Fu Tinghan handed her the child, and her half-elevated soul immediately returned to reality. She held Mingming in her arms, then invited everyone to the palace banquet.

Zhao Hanzhang had Zhao Xin follow her into the inner hall. Zhao Hu and other Zhao clan members lifted their feet to follow, but were stopped by a glance from Zhao Song.

They were anxious, “Zhao Xin went to the Western Regions and took three Zhao clan descendants with him. I didn’t see them outside the hall just now.”

“Zhao Jin died. Because we were captured at the time, I had no way to handle his funeral arrangements and could only dig a pit and bury him. The other two cousins were separated during the sandstorm and battles—life or death unknown, but…” Zhao Xin sat on a stool, holding hot tea and taking a sip, saying what couldn’t be said in the great hall.

Based on the situation at the time, those who were separated were more likely dead than alive. Not just those two—other soldiers would also find it difficult to survive.

Zhao Hanzhang asked, “If they’re still alive, what do you think they’d be doing?”

Zhao Xin thought for a moment, then said, “Working as slaves.”

Zhao Hanzhang asked, “Would they strive to return?”

Zhao Xin replied, “As long as they’re still alive, they’ll keep working toward that goal.”

Zhao Hanzhang then said, “Good, then we’ll go bring them back.”

Zhao Xin looked up at her in surprise, “Your Majesty intends to deploy troops against the Western Regions?”

Zhao Hanzhang asked, “Zhang Shi wasn’t among the returning mission—what happened to him?”

Zhao Xin perked up and quickly said, “He returned safely, but upon meeting Erlang, he learned that Administrator Zhang had passed away, so he went straight back to Xiliang after removing his seal.”

When this news spread, everyone who knew praised Zhang Shi as purely filial, and no one thought there was anything wrong with him resigning and returning home.

However… along with the praise came regret and concern.

Zhao Xin already knew that after Zhang Gui’s death from illness, the court quickly established his second son Zhang Mao as the new King of Xiliang. Originally, this position should have belonged to the eldest son Zhang Shi.

Zhao Xin secretly glanced at Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang lowered her eyes and sipped her tea, casually picking up a pastry and stuffing it into Mingming’s mouth as he sat beside her playing with his fingers.

Mingming immediately caught it with both hands, bringing it to his mouth and quietly nibbling.

Zhao Hanzhang set down her teacup and smiled lightly, “Zhang Shi has rendered meritorious service on his diplomatic mission. I will naturally reward him generously.”

This meant she had no intention of changing the King of Xiliang.

Not only did Zhao Hanzhang not want to change him, but the officials and people of Xiliang didn’t want to change either.

Over this past year, Zhang Mao had done very well. He basically continued the policies left by his father Zhang Gui, and the court had restored its appointment and dismissal of Xiliang officials, policy formulation, and so on…

This year, with the court’s help, Zhang Mao continued to accept refugees, reduce and exempt taxes, and pacify the people.

And Zhao Hanzhang basically hadn’t touched the political resources Zhang Gui left behind. Currently, the entire Xiliang was still largely in the configuration from Zhang Gui’s time. Whether Zhao Hanzhang or Zhang Mao, they only made minor adjustments.

This made the advisors left by Zhang Gui even more convinced by Zhang Mao, and they supported his attitude of complete submission to the court.

So this year, Xiliang’s atmosphere had been good.

Zhang Shi’s sudden return, and alive at that, made everyone’s hearts uneasy. Except for Zhang Mao, who was genuinely happy, the other officials and advisors couldn’t help but show worry in their brows.

Zhang Shi and his younger brother Zhang Mao embraced and wept together, then the two went together to offer incense at their father’s spirit tablet.

Before the spirit, Zhang Shi and Zhang Mao couldn’t help but embrace and weep again. Zhang Shi then asked, “Where is Father buried? I want to build a mourning hut and observe three years of mourning for Father.”

Zhang Mao said, “I’ll go with elder brother.”

Zhang Shi shook his head, “You’re now the King of Xiliang. How could you possibly leave the Administrator’s Mansion to build a mourning hut with me in the wilderness?”

Zhang Mao cried, “Elder brother, I don’t want to be King of Xiliang. I only want to be Father’s Chengxun.”

Zhang Shi then also wept bitterly.

The two brothers cried in the ancestral hall for a full day, nearly fainting from grief. Finally, the Princess Consort and the First Lady came together to help them out, and only then did the matter pass.

Zhang Shi wasn’t stupid. He naturally noticed the worries and undercurrents among Xiliang’s officials and people, and felt somewhat displeased, thinking Zhang Mao underestimated him.

Was he someone who cared about power and position?

It happened that Zhao Hanzhang urged him via telegraph to come to the capital to report on his duties and receive rewards for his merits, so after paying respects to his father, he left.

Zhang Mao saw him off outside the city, watching his elder brother’s figure disappear, his mood quite poor.

He turned to ask Wang Chang, “I’ve said again and again that we brothers are not the type to fight for power. Elder brother truly loves me, and I’m willing to return the kingship to elder brother. Who among you still showed it in front of elder brother?”

Wang Chang sighed, “Administrator, the eldest young master is sensitive. Even if no one dares to speak it aloud, if they show even a bit of excessive caution in their actions, the eldest young master will notice.”

“Since the eldest young master noticed, why didn’t he speak openly and candidly with you to resolve the misunderstanding?” Wang Chang asked, “You’ve always trusted the eldest young master, but does the eldest young master trust you, Administrator?”

Zhang Mao fell silent.

Wang Chang said, “This is one reason why the Great King never wanted to request that a crown prince be established, letting the eldest young master inherit Xiliang. The eldest young master… acts too much on his own assumptions, only immersing himself in his own thoughts while forgetting to listen to outside opinions.”

Wang Chang knew that Zhang Mao truly wanted to return the Xiliang kingship to Zhang Shi. To that end, the document to change the appointment had already been sent to the capital.

Wang Chang was very worried. If Her Majesty really changed the appointment to make Zhang Shi King of Xiliang, he estimated he’d have to leave early and retire.

Zhang Shi was intelligent but proud and arrogant. Wang Chang was confident he could survive under Zhang Shi’s command and even do quite well, but he didn’t believe he could help Zhang Shi defeat all his enemies.

Xiliang’s position was special. Not only did the surrounding tribal states want to annex it, but internally there were many who constantly thought of killing the Zhang family to replace them.

With Zhang Shi as leader, he fell far short compared to his younger brother.

Zhang Mao sighed and said to Wang Chang, “Let’s go. We’ll return and wait for Her Majesty’s reply.”

Zhao Hanzhang simply ignored Zhang Mao’s letter and documents, tossing them aside. As soon as Zhang Shi arrived, she showed him the letter and documents.

Zhang Shi was stunned and quickly said, “Your Majesty, I truly have no intention of inheriting Xiliang.”

Zhao Hanzhang smiled lightly, “I believe you. I showed you the letter and documents to let you know that Chengxun’s care for you is no less than your care for him.”

Zhang Shi paused for a moment, then sighed, “I know. I was thinking wrong before. I should have had a good, frank talk with him before leaving.”