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.”