Zhao Hanzhang was stunned for a moment and quickly said, “No, that’s not it.”
Changning’s eager heart cooled down. He said coldly, “Please return, Sanniang. We’re not suitable.”
“How does Gentleman know we’re not suitable without trying?”
Changning just looked at her quietly.
Zhao Hanzhang smiled. “Gentleman Ji also speaks highly of you. Knowing I was interested in you, he specifically had someone deliver this letter to you on my behalf.”
Changning sneered. That crafty, divisive villain—he wouldn’t believe it.
Zhao Hanzhang saw this and picked up her wine cup with a sigh. “Does Gentleman hold a grudge against Gentleman Ji for previously getting close to Magistrate Chai? But at that time, you and Gentleman Ji were each serving your own master. Though it offended you, it was for my sake—so counting it up, this is Hanzhang’s fault. Hanzhang will punish herself with a cup. I ask for your forgiveness, Gentleman.”
With that, she tilted her head back and drained it. She poured herself another cup and said, “Magistrate Chai is honest and sincere as a person, while you are highly talented, Gentleman, and flexible in handling matters. He probably cannot understand your thinking. To continue under Magistrate Chai would be too much of a waste of your talents, Gentleman.”
Zhao Hanzhang said earnestly, “Though Hanzhang lacks talent, I was fortunate to receive instruction at my grandfather’s side and have some insight. When we first met, Hanzhang was impressed by your abilities, Gentleman. It’s just that you were wholeheartedly loyal to Magistrate Chai, so Hanzhang didn’t dare speak up.”
Changning’s expression softened slightly, though his face remained impassive. “And now you dare?”
Zhao Hanzhang sighed. “Magistrate Chai is too honest and sincere.”
What difference was there between this and directly calling Magistrate Chai too stupid?
Changning struggled to hold back, but his expression still became strange for a moment. He remembered when Zhao Changyu had advised Emperor Wu to depose the Crown Prince, describing the Crown Prince as having “the spirit of pure antiquity.”
Today, Zhao Hanzhang’s “honest and sincere” had the same flavor as that “spirit of pure antiquity.”
This grandfather and granddaughter really inherited the same traits…giving people face, preserving their dignity.
Zhao Hanzhang continued, “I heard that yesterday you suggested Magistrate Chai take advantage of the autumn harvest to purchase grain in order to stabilize prices when they rise next year, but Magistrate Chai thought it violated moral principles and law, so he didn’t agree?”
Changning lowered his eyes. His tightly closed heart loosened somewhat—this was also one reason he’d quietly come to see Zhao Hanzhang.
Yesterday he’d said a great deal, and Magistrate Chai had already agreed, but halfway out the door, he changed his mind again. Probably he was afraid that if things came to light it would look bad, damaging both his authority as county magistrate and his reputation, so he turned back midway.
Changning had been deeply disappointed at the time. After thinking all night, he decided to resign from his advisory position and return home. This morning when he received Zhao Hanzhang’s letter, he didn’t know why, but in a daze, he’d avoided people and come to find her.
Now having it pointed out, Changning smiled bitterly inwardly. Perhaps he still had some hope and unwillingness in his heart.
He was from a common clan and had finally obtained the opportunity to study and become literate. After drifting for many years, he’d only managed to join Magistrate Chai’s service. If he returned home this time, he might have to cut off his future prospects and spend his life laboring in the fields.
Never mind aspirations—even basic food and clothing would be problematic. But…continuing to stay in Shangcai made his heart truly depressed.
An aide and his lord were like lovers—they should trust each other and be intimately close. But since Ji Yuan had inserted himself between them, Magistrate Chai had become increasingly dissatisfied with him. Previously, Magistrate Chai would always accept his suggestions, but now, out of ten ideas, Magistrate Chai would question nine.
If he left now, he and Magistrate Chai could still maintain some friendship. If he stayed longer, they would probably become “resentful partners,” and at that point, whether he could even keep his life would be questionable.
Having followed Magistrate Chai for many years, Changning didn’t want to reach that point with him.
He raised his head to look at Zhao Hanzhang, struggling with the decision.
Zhao Hanzhang immediately said, “If you’re willing to come to my side, I’ll handle things with Magistrate Chai, Gentleman.”
Changning lowered his eyes and asked, “You already have Ji Yuan by your side. With Ji Yuan’s talents, how could my lady still need me?”
But Zhao Hanzhang heard his wavering and immediately said, “Your talents are different from Gentleman Ji’s. Gentleman Ji followed my grandfather and learned the way of a strategist, while you followed Magistrate Chai for many years and have other insights regarding people’s livelihood and economy. Though we haven’t interacted much, in just a few meetings, Hanzhang has been deeply impressed.”
Having reached this point in the conversation, Zhao Hanzhang thought about how they were just starting out with everything, having taken in so many refugees—what they most needed was someone to invigorate the people’s livelihood and economy.
Zhao Hanzhang’s mind was instantly made up. Her eyes shining, she looked at him. “Are you willing to come help me, Gentleman?”
Changning lowered his eyes in thought. After a long while, he said, “I need to think about it more.”
Zhao Hanzhang invited him to drink. “Then Hanzhang awaits your good news, Gentleman.”
Changning immediately felt great pressure.
After drinking a cup of wine, he stood to leave.
Zhao Hanzhang returned to the villa. Ji Yuan was already waiting in the study and immediately asked, “How did it go?”
Zhao Hanzhang said, “He hasn’t agreed yet, but his attitude has softened.”
Ji Yuan pondered. “Changning is fierce toward outsiders but somewhat soft-hearted toward those close to him. Though Magistrate Chai is foolish, he’s treated him fairly well and showed him the grace of recognition. He can see my lady’s determination regarding Shangcai and can guess that my lady wants to use him for Shangcai. He probably doesn’t want to become enemies with Magistrate Chai.”
Zhao Hanzhang muttered, “But I never said I wanted to become enemies with Magistrate Chai. We should first seek common ground—when we truly can’t travel the same path, it won’t be too late to part ways.”
Ji Yuan glanced at her. “My lady, you’re still just the Xiping county magistrate. Unless your position is above his, Magistrate Chai won’t listen to you.”
And with Zhao Hanzhang’s large properties in Shangcai, the two were bound to have conflicts. At that time, wanting not to become enemies would be basically impossible.
Changning had long foreseen this, so standing in Magistrate Chai’s position, he’d always been unfriendly toward Zhao Hanzhang.
Now that Zhao Hanzhang was poaching Changning, he had to consider the future. He would need to represent Zhao Hanzhang in facing Magistrate Chai.
His former lord becoming an adversary—Changning probably had reservations about this.
Ji Yuan stroked his beard, pondering for a long while before suddenly smiling.
Zhao Hanzhang looked at Ji Yuan with incomprehension.
Ji Yuan looked at the innocent Zhao Hanzhang and couldn’t help laughing aloud. “I was too limited in my thinking. There’s an even better solution—give him the position of Chief Clerk of Xiping County, my lady.”
Zhao Hanzhang looked at Ji Yuan in surprise. “What about you, Gentleman?”
Ji Yuan waved his hand unconcernedly. “What Yuan desires is not your position as Chief Clerk, my lady. I’ll stay in Shangcai and help you seize Shangcai for you.”
Changning would show mercy to Magistrate Chai out of old affection, but Ji Yuan would not.
Zhao Hanzhang looked at him in surprise, thought for a moment, and nodded. “That’s also good. Shangcai is closer to Quyang and is Runan Prefecture’s largest county. Traveling merchants and scholars passing through are more numerous than elsewhere, and information is more well-informed. With you stationed here, Gentleman, I’m more at ease too.”
Ji Yuan was very satisfied. He knew my lady couldn’t possibly be content with just Xiping and Shangcai counties. Look—Shangcai wasn’t even in hand yet, but she was already eyeing Quyang.
Going to Xiping would just confine him to Xiping’s county affairs. Better to stay in Shangcai and keep watch over the whole situation for her.
Ji Yuan stood and urged her, “Go to the county seat again, my lady. Let Changning see your sincerity too. Try to secure him today.”
Zhao Hanzhang, hearing this, immediately stood. “I’ll go right now.”
Ji Yuan saw her leave at the drop of a hat and couldn’t help feeling jealous, sourness rising in him. He said wistfully, “It seems my lady truly likes Changning—so eager and impatient.”
Zhao Hanzhang: …Weren’t you the one who told me to go?