Zhao Hanzhang led her newly recruited three thousand troops, along with Zhao Ju, following the two envoys to support Quyang. When passing through Shangcai County, she also picked up Ji Yuan.

One general and one strategist—Zhao Hanzhang was quite satisfied with this configuration.

Ji Yuan also placed great importance on this military campaign. “This is your first public appearance. Though Xiping County is already under your control, that only represents recognition from the county residents. Whether you can gain recognition from the Provincial Governor and other commanderies and counties depends on this time.”

Zhao Ju was very puzzled. “If that’s the case, why not bring our retainers? With these new recruits, can they even fight?”

Ji Yuan stroked his beard. “This is called advancing and retreating appropriately. You need to demonstrate your abilities, but you can’t be so capable as to arouse suspicion. Moreover, they’re not worth you expending your elite forces to save.”

Zhao Hanzhang slapped her thigh in approval. “Well said, Mister!”

She said happily, “When we reach Quyang, I’ll rely on your assistance, Mister.”

Ji Yuan stroked his beard and smiled. “Yuan will certainly not fail your trust.”

Zhao Ju on the side couldn’t understand. Isn’t it just sending troops to provide aid? Why all these twists and turns?

They all had one heart—how could some people’s hearts have so many chambers?

Quyang wasn’t very far from Shangcai. Traveling urgently, they could arrive in one day.

As Zhao Hanzhang’s strategist, Ji Yuan had begun gathering intelligence when the beacon fires first rose, frequently sending people to this area, so he knew more information than both Zhao Hanzhang and County Magistrate Chai, these two county administrators.

“The commander is called Liu Jing, one of Liu Yuan’s subordinates. This man is cruel and brutal. I heard that when he attacked Luoyang last time, because he arrived at Jingzhao Commandery a step behind the rebellious forces, in his fury he slaughtered two entire streets and even killed his own vanguard in a rage.” Ji Yuan said, “Liu Yuan was furious and punished him by ordering him to lead troops south to attack Yuzhou. Now that Liu Yuan has declared himself emperor, he must be eager to achieve merit and return.”

“That he could besiege Quyang for over half a month shows he’s not a reckless person.” Ji Yuan continued, “When you face him, you must be careful.”

Zhao Hanzhang asked, “So he’s the primary force attacking Yuzhou?”

Ji Yuan nodded. “Correct.”

“Then doesn’t that mean Shi Le must also take orders from him?” Zhao Hanzhang asked, “Where is Shi Le now?”

“Shi Le is just a refugee army leader. Though brave, he has no foundation. In the battle at Yanzhou, Gou Xi defeated him until only he alone remained.” Ji Yuan looked at Zhao Hanzhang, somewhat puzzled. “Why do you pay him such attention?”

Since Shi Le’s retreat from Xiping, Zhao Hanzhang had continuously had people monitor Shi Le’s movements, and every so often she would ask him about news concerning Shi Le.

She paid more attention to Shi Le than to Liu Yuan.

Zhao Hanzhang said, “Don’t underestimate Shi Le. Though he was born a slave, his abilities are no less than Liu Yuan’s. Who knows if Liu Yuan’s current achievements won’t be his future?”

Ji Yuan was shocked. “Are you saying Shi Le will also declare himself emperor in the future?”

Who knows?

Liu Yuan had declared himself emperor a year early—history seemed to have changed, yet also seemed unchanged. Who knew if Shi Le would still declare himself emperor in the future?

But the man was still that man, his abilities unchanged. Things couldn’t turn out too badly.

Between Quyang and Shangcai stood a mountain. The official road passed through it, splitting the mountain in two.

It was precisely because this mountain blocked the way that though Liu Jing had long been unable to take Quyang and had plundered all the nearby villages and towns for supplies, he had never reached Shangcai.

The troops stopped eighty li from Quyang city. They couldn’t advance further, as ahead lay Liu Jing’s encampment.

Zhao Hanzhang surveyed the surrounding terrain, found a place that was easy to defend and difficult to attack, and temporarily made camp there. Then she summoned the two envoys. “Where are the other relief forces?”

The envoy said, “Perhaps they’re further ahead.”

One envoy urged, “Since Lady Zhao has already reached this place, why not take advantage of the Xiongnu army’s unpreparedness to launch a surprise attack? You could coordinate with Quyang from inside and outside, catching them completely off guard. You could also establish merit before the other relief forces arrive.”

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at him, her eyes conveying: Do you take me for a fool?

Of course, she couldn’t actually say this aloud, so instead she said, “This is my first time leading troops on campaign—I have no experience. Better to wait until the other commanderies’ and counties’ relief forces arrive and then act together.”

Zhao Ju strode over and clasped his fists. “My lady, scouts report discovering a military encampment thirty li to the northeast. Judging by the banners, it should be our Great Jin forces.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang clapped her hands together happily. “There, didn’t people just arrive? Come, let’s go join them.”

Of course, they couldn’t just charge over blindly with the whole army. Therefore, Zhao Ju first took a detachment ahead to reconnoiter, while they followed with the main force behind.

It truly was Great Jin forces—all relief troops. Besides personnel from various commanderies and counties, there was also a colonel sent by the Prince of Donghai.

With the Xiongnu army attacking Luoyang again, the Prince of Donghai feared Yuzhou would fall and Luoyang would become an isolated city, so he had no choice but to dispatch a thousand men. His purpose was to urge the commanderies and counties of Yuzhou to relieve Quyang, achieve a quick victory, and drive the Xiongnu army out of Yuzhou so he could focus on dealing with the large army attacking Luoyang.

When their column was still five li away, someone came out to meet them. Zhao Ju ran up first and said in a low voice, “It’s people from the allied army, specially sent to receive you.”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded slightly and asked quietly, “Who’s in command of the army?”

“Prefect Zhang of Ruyin Commandery.”

“Why him? What about the colonel sent by the Prince of Donghai?”

Zhao Ju quickly replied, “I don’t know.”

Just as he finished speaking, the people coming to meet them had also arrived. Zhao Hanzhang raised her head and smiled at them.

The other party was also somewhat surprised, not expecting the leader to be such a young gentleman—so handsome, neither clearly male nor female, with a face as white as jade, not inferior even to Wei Shubao he had once seen.

However, the surprise on his face was fleeting. He quickly composed himself, stepped forward, and bowed. “This humble one is Lu Xiyuan from Ruyin Commandery. May I ask how to address you, sir?”

Zhao Hanzhang raised an eyebrow and reached up to touch her hair, which was bound high. Only then did she remember that when leaving home for convenience, she had simply tied up her long hair and donned a helmet, wearing the armor her dear Fifth Grand-Uncle had commissioned for her.

She revealed a smile and deliberately deepened her voice slightly. “This one is Zhao Hanzhang of the Zhao family, third in the family line.”

“So it’s Young Master Zhao the Third. Truly worthy of the Zhao family—so young yet already able to lead troops on campaign. Please, come inside quickly.”

Ji Yuan and Zhao Ju: …

The two envoys nearby: …

Still, they all swallowed their words and didn’t immediately expose Zhao Hanzhang.

After all, she hadn’t misspoken—her name was indeed Zhao Hanzhang, and she was indeed third in the family line.

Zhao Hanzhang spurred her horse forward and rode alongside him for a stretch. About two li from the camp, he pointed to an open area beside them and said, “I ask that your column make camp here. The main camp area is already full.”

Zhao Hanzhang wouldn’t want to crowd in with others anyway. However, this location…

After looking around, Zhao Hanzhang smiled and agreed. “Zhao Ju, take the men to make camp. This is the main road for military movements—don’t let everyone block the way. I think that spot over there looks good. Go check it out, and if suitable, make camp there.”

Zhao Hanzhang pointed to an area behind a grove of trees. The trees in front could serve as cover, while behind stood a small hill that could serve as a barrier.

Lu Xiyuan was about to say that camping in the woods would be inconvenient—what if someone set fire—but Zhao Hanzhang had already continued, “We don’t yet know when the attack will begin. We may need to camp for some time. Have people cut down those trees to build shelters. With the weather turning cold, we can’t have everyone freezing at night.”

Zhao Ju acknowledged the order.

Seeing he understood, Zhao Hanzhang then brought Ji Yuan and the two envoys to follow Lu Xiyuan to the main camp.

This was an open area where the camp had been built against the hillside. As they arrived, soldiers were lounging about listlessly on the ground. Seeing people approach, they lazily lifted their eyelids for a glance, then lowered them again, exchanging crude jokes with their companions nearby.

The patrolling soldiers also merely glanced at them. Seeing Lu Xiyuan, they paid no more attention, allowing them to enter the camp.

Lu Xiyuan led them directly to the central tent, only then reining in his horse. He smiled and invited them inside, lifting the tent flap. “Provincial Governor, the relief forces from Xiping have arrived.”

The people sitting and talking inside the tent all turned their heads to look.

Zhao Hanzhang removed the sword from her waist and held it in her hand, striding in confidently. Lifting her eyes, she met everyone’s gazes. She swept her gaze lightly across them before looking toward the person seated in the place of honor.

This was quite a large tent. The place of honor had low tables and mats laid out, behind which sat a middle-aged man with a gentle expression. He sported a small mustache, and his overall bearing was refined and scholarly. Hearing Lu Xiyuan’s report, he had just looked up.

Seeing Zhao Hanzhang, he hesitated slightly. “Which young master of the Zhao family is this, or perhaps…”

Zhao Hanzhang revealed a smile, stepped forward, clasped her fists, and bowed. “Honored Elder, this junior is Zhao Hanzhang from the senior branch of the Zhao family, third in the family line.”

The senior branch of the Zhao family—that would be Zhao Changyu’s line, wouldn’t it?

They only have one grandson, don’t they?

And isn’t he second in line, not third?

The third in line would be…

Prefect Zhang silently observed Zhao Hanzhang for a moment, then suddenly broke into a smile. Rising to his feet, he said warmly, “It’s Sanniang, isn’t it?”

Zhao Hanzhang smiled back. “Indeed. Sanniang pays her respects to Honored Elder.”

“Please, no need for such formality.” Prefect Zhang had her sit down. Though Xiping County’s status wasn’t high, the Zhao family’s position was considerable. So considering her Zhao family background, her seat was specially arranged just below Prefect Zhang’s. Yet no one had expected her to be female.

However, Zhao Hanzhang showed no awkwardness whatsoever. Without declining or demurring, she brought Ji Yuan forward and sat down.

Only after the two were seated cross-legged did Prefect Zhang ask with a kindly expression, “Why is Sanniang leading the troops? Where is Uncle Ming?”

Zhao Hanzhang sighed. “Xiping County has just suffered a great calamity, and Uncle is temporarily unable to get away, so it could only be Sanniang.”

Could it be that aside from Zhao Ming, the Zhao family had no other men, such that they needed a young woman to lead troops?

Someone immediately expressed dissatisfaction, snorting. “For such an important matter, the Zhao family treats it far too lightly—sending just a woman? “

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at him with contempt and didn’t bother responding. Instead, she turned to ask Prefect Zhang, “Honored Elder, when will we attack? Have we managed to contact those inside Quyang?”

Prefect Zhang hadn’t expected her to be so direct, immediately asking such crucial questions. He hastily reassured her, “War cannot be rushed. If you rush, mistakes happen. The Xiongnu forces are also brutal. We should proceed steadily.”

That does make sense.

However, Zhao Hanzhang sighed. “I must inform Honored Elder—we cannot remain outside too long.”

“Why not?”

Zhao Hanzhang wore a worried expression. “Honored Elder may not know, but Xiping just suffered a great calamity. The grain from the summer harvest was almost entirely plundered, so we didn’t bring much in provisions this time. That’s why I hope for a quick battle and quick resolution, so I can take them back soon.”

Prefect Zhang: …He truly hadn’t expected the first person to ask him for grain would be the newly arrived Zhao Hanzhang.

At her words, those below exchanged glances, then immediately began pleading poverty. “Provincial Governor, when we set out, we were in such haste to provide relief that we didn’t bring much provisions…”

“We’re the same.”

Prefect Zhang looked toward the two envoys standing with lowered heads, and said irritably, “Rest assured, once we defeat the Xiongnu forces and enter the city, the Provincial Governor surely won’t shortchange us.”

Zhao Hanzhang asked, “So when do we attack?”

Prefect Zhang: “This cannot be decided in a moment. We’ll wait until news returns from Quyang before discussing.”

Zhao Hanzhang obediently agreed, indicating she would follow Prefect Zhang’s lead entirely.

Prefect Zhang quietly breathed a sigh of relief, then after some thought said, “All the relief forces should have arrived by now. Tonight I’ll host a banquet so everyone can meet one another and get acquainted, and also discuss strategies against the enemy.”

Everyone rose and agreed, expressing no objections.

Only then did Prefect Zhang ask Zhao Hanzhang, “How many troops did Sanniang bring?”

Zhao Hanzhang replied, “Only three thousand men.”

Prefect Zhang was mildly surprised. Three thousand was quite a number—among all the relief forces, it could rank in the top five.

He didn’t believe a small Xiping County could provide so many men. Hadn’t even the larger Shangcai County sent no one?

So these must be Zhao family troops, right?

It seemed Zhao Changyu’s death hadn’t damaged relations between the Zhao family and the Prince of Donghai. They were still willing to heed the Prince’s commands.

Prefect Zhang now had a clear picture. Smiling, he had them go rest first while he went to prepare for the evening banquet and to meet with the two envoys from Quyang. He needed to find a way to contact those inside Quyang.

Zhao Hanzhang departed with a cold, aloof expression, leaving Ji Yuan behind.

Ji Yuan rose with effort, smiling and bowing to everyone before taking his leave. One person stopped him, asking hesitantly, “I just heard Zhao Hanzhang address you as Mister Ji. Could you be the Mister Ji who served under Administrator Zhao?”

Ji Yuan smiled. “Indeed, that is Ji Yuan. I’m surprised anyone here still knows of me.”

“It truly is you! Your reputation precedes you. But how did you come to serve a young woman?”

Wasn’t that opening the conversation perfectly?

Zhao Hanzhang had left Ji Yuan behind to gather intelligence, while she herself took two retainers to wander aimlessly around the camp. Wandering here and there, she eventually found her way to the provisions stores, then went to check on her horse and incidentally surveyed the horses in the adjacent stables.

One could tell the allied army wasn’t very wealthy. With so many people, they had only this much in provisions. There weren’t many horses either. It seemed everyone was uniformly poor.

Zhao Hanzhang shook her head and led her guards toward those soldiers lounging about lazily.

At her current age, wearing armor, she truly appeared androgynous. Without saying so, no one could really tell she was female.

So she quickly sat down among those soldiers. She pulled out a pouch containing roasted beans from her bag and, after sharing some with them, struck up conversation.

Seeing food, the soldiers eagerly gathered around. Even though each only received a dozen or so beans, they were quite pleased.

Having eaten from her hand, they decided to like her. So as long as her questions didn’t involve military secrets, they answered everything.

“You arrived three days ago? And haven’t fought a single battle?”

“Nope. We’ve just been waiting, they said to wait until all the relief forces arrived before fighting. And indeed, these past few days people have been arriving bit by bit.”

Zhao Hanzhang then asked, “Can you eat your fill each day?”

“Eat our fill? Only on the first day of battle could we eat a full meal. During times like these when we’re waiting for people, we’re lucky if we get half full.”

So they sat whenever possible rather than standing, and lay down whenever possible rather than sitting—conserving energy!

Zhao Hanzhang asked several more questions. Two quarters of an hour later, she stood with her back to the command tent, sighing wistfully.

Ji Yuan had also finished his socializing and came looking for her. “My lady, the allied forces number about twenty thousand. Adding your three thousand, approximately twenty-five thousand in total.”

Zhao Hanzhang: “That sounds like quite a lot. How many Xiongnu troops are there?”

“Fighting until now, they still have around five thousand remaining.”

Zhao Hanzhang: “Five to one odds, yet our chances of victory still aren’t high.”

“Correct.” Ji Yuan nodded. “Liu Jing commands a cavalry force. While they may struggle with sieges, in field combat and breakthrough operations, they’re unmatched.”

“Moreover, his troops may not have all experienced hundreds of battles, but they’ve at least all seen life and death. They’re far superior to these newly raised forces of ours.”

Fighting one against five would be like cutting vegetables for them—they wouldn’t be the least bit afraid.

“These troops are already the maximum each commandery and county could muster.” Ji Yuan continued, “So Prefect Zhang and the others have been hesitant and wavering, not daring to advance rashly.”

“Haven’t they contacted those inside Quyang?”

Ji Yuan sneered. “Provincial Governor He is incompetent. He’s sent orders out twice, both times telling the relief forces to attack, yet he couldn’t provide any good coordination plan. Prefect Zhang values his troops, so he still can’t bring himself to give the order.”

Zhao Hanzhang stroked her chin. “If we don’t fight soon, the provisions won’t hold out. If we just keep consuming supplies here, what happens when the provisions run out?”

“I asked about that. Someone proposed requisitioning grain locally. Prefect Zhang has already agreed.” Ji Yuan said, “Apart from the villages and towns under Quyang, the nearest place is Shangcai County. I’m afraid Shangcai will have to bear another layer of military taxation.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang’s expression immediately darkened.

Whether this military tax was calculated based on land or population, she bore the largest burden, because she was the biggest household in Shangcai County!

So after all this circling around, not only must she feed her own three thousand troops, but she’d also have to feed the other relief forces?

Don’t even think about it!

Zhao Hanzhang turned to Ji Yuan. “Do you know why the Jin court always loses battles?”

Ji Yuan: …Why ask such an important question so suddenly?

“First, it’s because of these selfish, incompetent wine-sacks and rice-bags. Second, they’re all such scoundrels—treating human lives as grass. Shangcai County has already been taxed an additional layer. Tax them again—how many people will Shangcai County have left next year?”

Ji Yuan lowered his voice. “Right now they’re only taxing Shangcai County. Next year, I’m afraid Xiping won’t escape either.”

Zhao Hanzhang snorted coldly. “If they think they can take tax revenue from me in Xiping—dream on!”

If she didn’t control Shangcai County, she wouldn’t even want to give them Shangcai’s tax revenue.

The current taxation was so heavy that even she, a major landowner, could barely breathe under it, let alone ordinary common people.

Ji Yuan thought of County Magistrate Chai and lowered his voice. “My lady, County Magistrate Chai is rather foolish but knows when to yield. Perhaps through him we could gain control of Shangcai County.”

“But he’s too foolish, and he cannot refuse unreasonable demands from the Prefect and Provincial Governor’s offices.” Zhao Hanzhang said, “Working solely through him would be too exhausting, and I fear it would affect my lifespan.”

“What?”

“Getting angry too often shortens one’s life.”

Ji Yuan: …Does that include him?

He wondered if being repeatedly rendered speechless might also shorten one’s life.

Ji Yuan swallowed his words and asked, “Then how does my lady wish to handle affairs in Shangcai?”

“No. Now that Xiping is under my control, developing Xiping and making it our foundation is the top priority. County administration is complex—I need your help, Mister. As for Shangcai…” Zhao Hanzhang paused before continuing, “What does Mister think of Changning, the man at County Magistrate Chai’s side?”

Ji Yuan considered this before shaking his head. “Does my lady wish to have Changning replace County Magistrate Chai? He cannot. Changning was born a commoner—he doesn’t even have the opportunity to participate in evaluations. Without rank, how could he assume the position of county magistrate?”

Zhao Hanzhang smiled. “Though I don’t actually intend for Changning to replace County Magistrate Chai, I still must say: I judge people not by rank, but by talent and virtue.”

“The Impartial Arbiters precisely determine rank based on talent and virtue.”

“Mister, you’re just trying to fool someone like Erlang with such words.” Zhao Hanzhang said, “I’m not a child anymore. If ranks were truly determined by talent and virtue, then with your talent and character, Mister, shouldn’t you have been assigned an upper rank? Yet you didn’t go for evaluation. Why is that?”

Ji Yuan fell silent.

Because he was from a humble family. Even if he went, he’d only be assigned a lower rank. No matter how talented he was, with his family background, being assigned lower ninth rank would already be considered good.

But with lower ninth rank, county magistrate was as high as he could go. Rather than waste away like that, he might as well take a bold gamble. That’s why he went to serve as Zhao Changyu’s aide—and served for over ten years.

Through Zhao Changyu, he could realize his aspirations and do many things he wanted but couldn’t accomplish on his own.

But an aide was just an aide. He could offer strategies, but his name would never appear in the history books.

To say he had no regrets would be impossible.

Ji Yuan looked silently at Zhao Hanzhang, his heart in tremendous turmoil. “Does my lady mean to re-establish rankings, based solely on talent and virtue, without regard to family background? Even allowing commoners to participate?”

If even commoners could participate, then surely his humble family background could as well!

Zhao Hanzhang waved her hand. “I care nothing for status high or low, bloodline noble or base—I look only at talent and virtue.”

Ji Yuan’s heart waged a fierce internal struggle. After a long moment, he asked with difficulty, “How does my lady plan to arrange Changning?”

“If he’s willing to pledge allegiance, I’ll give him two paths. First, remain as County Magistrate Chai’s aide, guiding him to favor us. In the future, when I control Shangcai County, I’ll make him Shangcai’s county magistrate. Second, I’ll directly appoint him as Shangcai County’s assistant magistrate or chief clerk, sidelining County Magistrate Chai. Later on, he’ll still become Shangcai’s county magistrate.”

Ji Yuan asked, “How does my lady plan to take Shangcai County?”

Zhao Hanzhang said meaningfully, “That depends on whose hands Quyang ends up in.”

Shangcai County was too close to Quyang. When Provincial Governor He was still Prefect, he often resided in Quyang, making it inconvenient for Shangcai County to do anything.

But after this time, Provincial Governor He probably wouldn’t want to remain in Quyang anymore.

Ji Yuan: “My lady certainly has confidence in herself.”

Zhao Hanzhang: “Not exactly.”

Could she say it was because she had no confidence in the Jin court?

Historically, shortly after Liu Yuan declared himself emperor, the Great Jin gradually reached its end. The Emperor had no prestige or power, constantly trying to escape the Prince of Donghai’s control, with no mind to govern the common people in the provinces.

Meanwhile, the Prince of Donghai was exhausted dealing with rebel forces everywhere. Beyond Luoyang, forget commanderies or counties—even individual villages could govern themselves independently. Many people driven to desperation would rally support with a single call and easily raise a rebel force.

She didn’t think carving out a few counties for herself would be particularly difficult. As long as she had money and people, with sufficient boldness, taking all of Yuzhou was merely a matter of time.

Of course, she couldn’t tell Mister Ji any of this, lest she frighten him.