There were fifteen men in total—not many, but they were all squad leaders, each with nine to fifteen subordinates under them.

Adding up to a total of one hundred ninety-nine people—well, not counting Zhao Ju.

But these one hundred ninety-nine weren’t bachelors. Behind them were families. All those who had survived past their first birthday were registered. Currently the roster held eight hundred ninety-six people.

All these people could be deployed by Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Changyu handed the roster to Zhao Hanzhang and closed his eyes to rest in the room, presenting a complete picture of relinquishing power.

But his fingers remained tightly clenched—his heart was far from calm.

These people weren’t many when described as numerous, but weren’t few when described as scarce. Moreover, they were all elite troops he had carefully selected—the most outstanding group among the Zhao family retainers.

If Zhao Hanzhang could control them, all would be well. If she couldn’t, she might face a backlash.

Zhao Hanzhang flipped through the roster and asked, “How many horses does the unit have?”

Zhao Ju answered, “Only two squads are equipped with horses—twenty-four cavalry in total.”

Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes lit up. “Not few at all. They can be put to use.”

Zhao Ju looked up at her. Zhao Hanzhang asked about daily training content and consumption of grain, eggs, and meat.

Compared to the farmers seen on the street, these men had more vitality—clearly they hadn’t gone hungry and were being well-fed. These were properly maintained “regular troops,” and such consumption was considerable, plus they were raising twenty-four horses.

Whether now or in her future time, war horses were more precious than people, and their consumption was much greater.

Zhao Changyu was remarkable to have privately maintained them without Zhao Zhongyu discovering.

After thoroughly questioning them and communicating with the squad leaders, Zhao Hanzhang ran back to find Zhao Changyu. “Grandfather, can I come tomorrow to watch them work?”

Zhao Changyu poured himself tea and asked with a smile, “What’s so interesting about farming?”

“Regardless of whether it’s interesting, I need to spend more time with them. Not only can this cultivate feelings, but I can also understand their strengths and weaknesses to better command them in the future.” If her leg wasn’t still not fully healed, she’d want to train with them.

In the military, trust was basically earned through action. Whether they meshed well, whether they’d obey—more training would settle it.

Zhao Changyu’s hand paused, his brow furrowing slightly. “My intention was for you to command them, to have them protect you—not for you to…”

“It’s the same, it’s the same,” Zhao Hanzhang said with a grin, leaning forward. “Grandfather, Luoyang hasn’t been stable in recent years. Farming alone can’t support so many of them, can it? You see, you’ve given me the people, but I have no money. If I can’t support them…”

Zhao Changyu’s heart clenched. After a long silence, he said, “There are some shops as well. When we return, I’ll give them all to you together.”

Zhao Hanzhang attentively massaged his legs. “Thank you, Grandfather.”

Zhao Changyu couldn’t help shaking his head with a smile, saying meaningfully, “I’m giving you these things, but you must also be able to hold onto them. Otherwise…”

“Granddaughter understands. What I can grasp in my hand is mine. What I can’t hold, I can only watch slip away—I can’t force it to stay,” Zhao Hanzhang said with a smile. “But Grandfather, rest assured—my hands are very large and very firm.”

Zhao Changyu asked, “What if you truly can’t hold on?”

“Then I’ll let go openly and generously. At least I’ll preserve some family affection. In these chaotic times, who knows when we might need to ask others for help? If it’s not a matter of critical principle, we can afford to be tolerant.”

Zhao Changyu exhaled comfortably. Though these were just grand words and results were yet to be seen, speaking with intelligent people was simply effortless. He was very satisfied with Zhao Hanzhang.

The grandfather and granddaughter returned home in high spirits. Their good mood vanished upon arriving home, however—someone had come from the palace, and Zhao Zhongyu had already been entertaining them for quite a while.

Zhao Hanzhang followed behind Zhao Changyu to meet the messenger eunuch. Upon seeing Zhao Changyu, the eunuch immediately rose and stepped forward to bow. “Earl Shangcai, His Majesty received your memorial today and specially sent this humble servant to speak with you.”

Zhao Changyu invited him to sit. The eunuch declined, his gaze falling on Zhao Zhongyu and Zhao Hanzhang. “This…”

Zhao Changyu said, “My health is far worse than before. Now both household and state affairs are basically handed over to my younger brother. Eunuch, speak freely.”

After a moment’s consideration, the eunuch said, “I ask that Your Lordship and the Marquis keep what follows strictly confidential. These words leave this humble servant’s mouth and enter only your ears.”

Zhao Changyu nodded in agreement but didn’t dismiss Zhao Hanzhang. Zhao Hanzhang also kept her head lowered and eyes down, standing to the side as a background figure, mentally chanting: You don’t see me, you don’t see me…

The eunuch glanced at her again. Seeing Zhao Changyu act as if she weren’t there, he could only try his best to ignore her, lowering his voice. “His Majesty also worries about the northern Qiang and Hu, and therefore favors having Governors Wang Yan and Gao Tao garrison Jingzhao Jun. Secretary Fu shares this view, and many in court support this deployment. If Your Lordship would submit a memorial, this matter would become all the more justified…”

In summary, it came down to one thing: have Zhao Changyu submit another memorial, this time changing the person to take control of Jingzhao Jun from Prince Donghai to Wang Yan and Gao Tao. The Emperor would be deeply grateful, and Wang Yan and Gao Tao would be deeply grateful as well.

Zhao Changyu saw the eunuch off with pleasantries. Once the man left, the smile dropped from his face. He covered his chest, his body swaying.

Zhao Hanzhang quickly reached out to support him. Zhao Zhongyu also extended his hand to steady his brother, seeing Zhao Hanzhang dart up from the other side. He frowned slightly—why was this child still here?

But the most pressing matter wasn’t this. He overlooked Zhao Hanzhang and helped Zhao Changyu sit on the couch. “Elder Brother, is His Majesty asking you to oppose Prince Donghai?”

Zhao Hanzhang poured Zhao Changyu a cup of hot water.

After drinking a mouthful and easing the tightness in his chest, Zhao Changyu said, “Just winning support, nothing more.”

“Then we…”

“I’m ill,” Zhao Changyu interrupted what he was about to say, exhaling. “Starting tomorrow, close the gates and refuse all visitors. Since I’m ill, naturally I’m powerless regarding state affairs. Let them sort it out themselves.”

Zhao Zhongyu said quietly, “Actually, helping His Majesty wouldn’t be bad either. Wang Yan is His Majesty’s maternal uncle, and Gao Tao’s power is not weak. If we curry favor with them now, in the future our Zhao family…”

Zhao Changyu waved his hand. “It’s improper. Wang Yan and Gao Tao are no match for Prince Donghai.”

“But hasn’t Secretary Fu also submitted a memorial proposing Wang Yan take control of Jingzhao Jun?”

Zhao Changyu pressed his lips together. “Our Zhao family is different from the Fu family. This matter is improper—don’t mention it again.”

Zhao Zhongyu’s expression soured, his face tightly controlled, but seeing Zhao Changyu’s chest heaving violently, he didn’t dare discuss the matter further, afraid of angering him into another mishap.

He was about to rise and take his leave when, glancing aside, he met Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes standing on the other side. His brow furrowed. “Has your leg injury healed?”

Zhao Hanzhang kept her head lowered respectfully. “Yesterday when Grandfather collapsed, I was so anxious I stood up. I walked a little and found that though there’s still some pain, it doesn’t affect walking.”

Zhao Changyu was speechless.

He glanced at Zhao Hanzhang before covering for her. “This child has a filial heart.”

Zhao Zhongyu hadn’t said anything yet. Even if he suspected she’d been feigning injury before, he couldn’t bring it up at this moment. He could only say with a stern face, “Attend your grandfather well.”

Zhao Hanzhang acknowledged and saw Zhao Zhongyu off.

—