Both were younger than Zhao Ming, but had some reputation. Most importantly, their families were still quite powerful at this time. When aristocratic families interacted, they didn’t look at age.
Wang Nie laughed heartily. “We left in such a hurry, and there’s still time until the fifteenth of next month. During this period, we can only trouble Brother Zinian. We didn’t bring much silver.”
Zhao Ming smiled faintly. “Please stay as long as you like. Don’t say until the fifteenth of next month—even if you stayed until this date next year, it would be fine. Having you two as guests brings glory to the Zhao family.”
Wang Nie and Xie Shi smiled and accepted. They actually weren’t familiar with Zhao Ming, but had long admired him. Within a few sentences they became acquainted. Wang Nie directly asked, “There are rumors outside that Runan Prefecture is actually controlled by Brother Zinian. Is this true or false?”
Zhao Ming: …
He suppressed the crude words about to escape his mouth and denied with a righteous expression, “It is not.”
The two didn’t know whether to believe him or not. After staring at him seriously for a while, they nodded. “Then it’s Zhao Hanzhang. Your Zhao clan is abundant with talent—a young lady who in less than two years went from an orphan to Assistant Administrator of the prefecture.”
Zhao Ming lowered his eyes without speaking. As long as you’re bold enough, you could do it too, even bigger and faster.
In such chaotic times, as long as you could produce money and grain and raise your arms in a call, there were plenty who would follow. With people, even if just to appease you, the court could grant titles and official positions.
The main question was: did they have that courage?
Occasionally such talented individuals emerged from among commoners, because they had nothing to lose—they were barefoot and unafraid of those wearing shoes, having nothing left to lose, so they could risk everything.
Conversely, aristocratic families had many more considerations when doing such things.
Zhao Hanzhang…
Zhao Ming no longer tried to guess what she was thinking. In any case, her boldness was genuine.
Wang Nie expressed his wish: “I’m truly curious what kind of person she is. Brother Zinian, could you introduce us?”
Zhao Ming didn’t know Zhao Hanzhang had just refused them. After thinking it over, he nodded in agreement. “I’ll ask her.”
Wang Nie raised his eyebrows and exchanged a glance with Xie Shi. He didn’t agree directly. It seemed Zhao Hanzhang’s independence was quite strong—she really wasn’t controlled by Zhao Ming and the Zhao clan.
With Zhao Ming stepping forward, Wang Nie and Xie Shi didn’t think meeting Zhao Hanzhang would be difficult. Zhao Ming also didn’t think it would be—he still had that much face.
Zhao Hanzhang indeed didn’t make things difficult for Zhao Ming. As soon as he mentioned it, Zhao Hanzhang readily agreed. But in the end, they didn’t meet.
Because before Zhao Ming could leave the county office, five riders came galloping and shouting into the county town, yelling about urgent military reports, racing from the city gate straight to the county office entrance.
Zhao Hanzhang, who was seeing Zhao Ming out, narrowed her eyes and stood on the steps waiting.
The rider dismounted, his gaze sweeping over them before skipping past Zhao Ming and rushing toward Zhao Hanzhang.
Seeing this, Qiu Wu stepped forward, his hand on his sword hilt in a defensive stance. The rider climbed two steps but didn’t kneel. However, he was very respectful toward Zhao Hanzhang, bowing deeply. “Assistant Administrator Zhao, Prefect He has ordered that Yuzhou is in danger and commands all prefectures to send reinforcements.”
Zhao Hanzhang had a feeling of inevitability and asked calmly, “Has the Xiongnu army attacked Yuzhou?”
Yu Sheng was momentarily stunned, then said, “Yes, the Xiongnu army is pressing at the borders. Chen County is in danger, Yuzhou is in danger!”
Zhao Hanzhang asked, “What about the Prince of Donghai and the court’s armies? What about Prefect Gou’s forces? And the reinforcements from Luoyang?”
Very good—each question hit the key points.
Yu Sheng finally understood why Prefect He had ultimately chosen Zhao Hanzhang.
He glanced at Zhao Ming standing to the side, lowered his eyes and said, “Assistant Administrator Zhao, Prefect He has a confidential letter for you.”
Zhao Hanzhang also turned to glance at Zhao Ming. Seeing him standing there with a calm expression, she nodded to Yu Sheng and stepped aside. “Please, messenger.”
Zhao Hanzhang smiled at Zhao Ming. “Uncle Ming, Tinghan is in the rear courtyard. I’ll have someone brew you and him some good tea.”
Zhao Ming looked disgusted. “I don’t like drinking tea at your house. Have someone send wine instead.”
Zhao Hanzhang didn’t refuse, though besides wine, she still had someone send a pot of tea—Fu Tinghan wouldn’t drink alcohol while working.
After Zhao Ming went to the rear courtyard, Zhao Hanzhang strode off to meet the messenger.
Yu Sheng was a trusted confidant of Prefect He. Before Zhao Hanzhang became Assistant Administrator, Ji Yuan had already collected information on him. He rarely left Prefect He’s side.
Somewhat like how Ji Yuan used to be with Zhao Changyu.
So she was very curious—what confidential letter would Prefect He give her?
Or rather, what conditions could he offer to entice her to send reinforcements?
In this world, princes didn’t obey the Emperor, regional prefects didn’t obey the court, and prefectures and counties naturally followed suit—anyone capable of standing on their own could disregard their prefect.
Zhao Hanzhang clearly belonged to this category. She believed Prefect He knew this perfectly well, so if he wanted her to deploy troops, commands alone wouldn’t suffice.
Entering the study, Yu Sheng immediately took out a box from his chest. “This is the Prefect’s sincerity.”
Zhao Hanzhang accepted it. Opening the box to see the seal inside, she raised her eyebrows. “What does the Prefect mean by this?”
Yu Sheng said solemnly, “Assistant Administrator Zhao, Runan Prefecture belongs to Yuzhou. You and the Prefect share glory and shame alike. If the Xiongnu army truly breaks through Chen County and advances south, Runan Prefecture cannot survive alone. Please deploy troops to provide aid.”
He continued, “The Prefect’s health is poor now. After days of traveling and with old injuries recurring, he is currently… Before departing, the Prefect was already making arrangements for his succession. Throughout Yuzhou, after careful consideration, the Prefect still feels Assistant Administrator Zhao is most suitable to succeed him.”
Zhao Hanzhang narrowed her eyes but didn’t lose her head with joy. Instead, she said, “The messenger hasn’t answered my three questions at the county office entrance.”
Yu Sheng paused, then sighed. “The Prince of Donghai fears battle. As soon as the Xiongnu army retreated from Luoyang, he holed up in Luoyang and wouldn’t come out.”
“Seeing the Prince of Donghai preserve his strength, Gou Xi also slacked in battle. The front-line situation is very poor. Seeing this, all the reinforcement armies withdrew one after another. Now only the Prefect struggles alone at the Chen County front lines.” Yu Sheng’s eyes filled with tears as he lowered his head and pleaded with Zhao Hanzhang. “Please deploy troops to aid the Prefect!”
Zhao Hanzhang’s expression was somber as she nodded. “Very well!”
The messenger was overjoyed and quickly asked, “When will the reinforcements depart?”
“Give me time to muster troops, but since the front is critical, I won’t delay.” Zhao Hanzhang said, “I’ll divide into two routes. Tomorrow I can have someone lead the first army out. The day after tomorrow, the second route. We can rendezvous on the road.”
Yu Sheng breathed a great sigh of relief and quickly said, “Assistant Administrator Zhao shows great righteousness. The Prefect will certainly not forget your kindness.”
As long as he remembers his promise, that’s enough.
Zhao Hanzhang turned to make arrangements. Yu Sheng thought for a moment and still said, “Assistant Administrator Zhao, not only did I come to report, but Prefect He’s family also came, though they’ve fallen behind.”
Zhao Hanzhang was surprised. “They came to…?”
Yu Sheng sighed. “Prefect He specifically had me bring them here to show the Prefect’s sincerity to Assistant Administrator Zhao, and asks that you take good care of the He family.”
Sent here as hostages?
Zhao Hanzhang frowned, feeling something was off.