As soon as Zhao Hanzhang gave the order for a scorched earth policy, the Governor’s Office split evenly between those who opposed and those who supported it. But before everyone could finish debating, Governor He directly ordered everyone to obey Zhao Hanzhang’s commands.

Thus the order began to be transmitted downward.

Away from others, Governor He said to Yu Sheng, “I originally thought that being a woman, Zhao Hanzhang would be soft-hearted and merciful. I didn’t expect her to be more decisive and ruthless than I imagined. Issuing the scorched earth order at this time will certainly bring more condemnation.”

But Yu Sheng breathed a sigh of relief, saying, “With her order, when Your Excellency later issues the order for Yuzhou’s scorched earth policy, there will be less condemnation.”

Governor He pulled at the corner of his mouth. He did care about reputation, but actually cared more about practical benefits.

He lowered his eyes in thought for a moment, then pulled Yu Sheng close and said in a low voice, “My sons are not promising. Though I sent them to Xiping, if Yuzhou cannot be held, Xiping won’t be safe either. When the time comes, I ask Master Yu to take them south.”

Yu Sheng agreed at once.

Only then did Governor He feel at ease.

He had two sons, both older than Zhao Hanzhang, but… alas, he had wanted to hand authority over to them, but they were too incompetent.

Before leaving, he had still been wavering. In the end, he called his two sons before him, looked at them, and still made up his mind to have them stay uninvolved in everything and leave with the family’s wealth.

His two sons couldn’t suppress Xun Xiu and the others.

Looking at the situation now, even people like Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan had to be extremely careful. If he really left his two sons behind, the moment he closed his eyes, his two sons—perhaps even his entire family—could follow in his footsteps.

Governor He sighed. He had loved wealth and pursued luxury all his life, yet in the end he had to give his two most important possessions to outsiders. To say it didn’t pain him was impossible.

But compared to money and possessions, his family’s lives were more important.

Governor He was pained again and again. After repeatedly confirming with the physician that his wound had deteriorated and he only had a few days left to live, he summoned Zhao Hanzhang and one of his clan brothers.

He pointed to his clan brother and introduced him to Zhao Hanzhang, “This is my clan brother He Heng. The iron mine in Runan Commandery is under his management.”

Zhao Hanzhang was quite surprised. She had never expected Governor He could go this far, even willing to give up the iron mine.

Governor He pulled at the corner of his mouth and said, “This iron mine originally belongs to the court. Years ago, your grandfather nearly dismissed me from office over this mine. Though I’ve been mining it these years, I haven’t failed to pay tribute to the court, so fundamentally, this still belongs to the court.”

He said, “Now that you are Runan Commandery’s Governor, this iron mine shall be entrusted to your management.”

Governor He looked at her meaningfully and said, “After all, as Duke Zhao said, the iron mine is a national resource and cannot be privately owned.”

He wanted to see whether Zhao Changyu’s granddaughter, having obtained the mine, would make it private or public.

That would naturally be public!

Though this public ownership might only apply within Runan Commandery.

Zhao Hanzhang looked deeply moved, and her heart was indeed moved. Afterward, she secretly said to Fu Tinghan, “Years ago, over this mine, Governor He and my grandfather nearly became enemies. I never expected he would give it up just like that. A man as greedy and selfish as him can make such a decision, yet the ministers in court are still indulging in internal strife, hesitating over personal gains and losses.”

Fu Tinghan asked, “Do you admire him?”

Zhao Hanzhang thought about it and still nodded. “This decisiveness and breadth of mind is not something everyone possesses. I hope that if I ever fall into such circumstances, I can also prioritize the greater good and not harbor resentment just because the other party is an enemy.”

Fu Tinghan knew she was talking about Zhao Ji’s family. After thinking, he said, “Zhao Zhongyu is one thing, but Zhao Ji probably doesn’t have the ability worthy of your entrustment.”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “That’s not necessarily so. Who knows what I might need to entrust to them at that time?”

Fu Tinghan’s expression became serious as he said solemnly, “We won’t have such a day.”

If there came a day when they needed to entrust matters to someone like Zhao Ji, one could imagine how dire the situation had become.

Fu Tinghan suddenly felt somewhat worried and asked, “How confident are you about tonight’s night raid?”

Zhao Hanzhang lowered her eyes and said, “Sixty percent.”

Fu Tinghan frowned tightly. “Is Liu Cong very formidable? I saw in the military reports that he’s broken through two cities in succession, and two months ago it was he who broke through Prince Donghai’s defense line and besieged Luoyang.”

Zhao Hanzhang smiled slightly and said, “Very formidable. But it’s precisely because he’s won so many consecutive battles that I dare to launch a night raid on him.”

“He’s someone who becomes arrogant very easily.”

Fu Tinghan relaxed slightly. After thinking, he said, “I’ll go with you. I have the map in my head.”

“I have it in my head too,” Zhao Hanzhang said. “You’ve already done what you should do. Leave the rest to me. This time I’m taking Erlang with me. You stay behind and guard the rear for me.”

Fu Tinghan pressed his lips together but didn’t object further.

As night fell, both inside and outside Chen County quieted down. Zhao Hanzhang and the soldiers had already eaten and were now lying down fully clothed. She slept very soundly, but the moment the watchman’s drum sounded, she opened her eyes.

Her eyes were clear as water, as if she had never been asleep.

She moved her neck, easing her stiff shoulders from lying down. She stretched out her foot to nudge Ting He awake, saying, “Go check the time.”

Ting He woke with a start, rubbing her eyes and yawning as she went to check the time. Soon she returned and said, “It’s midnight.”

Zhao Hanzhang had already finished dressing. Hearing this, she said, “Go wake Erlang and have Zhao Ju come see me.”

Ting He lowered her head and acknowledged, “Yes.”

Zhao Ju, Sun Linghui, and others who knew about the night raid hadn’t slept much. The moment Zhao Hanzhang called, they woke.

Aside from Zhao Erlang and Zhao Ju, the others all looked somewhat weary.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled at them. “I’m the one going out to battle—why is it you who can’t sleep?”

Sun Linghui was so nervous and worried she’d barely slept half the night. “Commandery Governor…”

Zhao Hanzhang raised her hand to stop her words, her expression becoming stern as she directly ordered, “Wake the soldiers. They must assemble at the city gate by the Hour of the Ox.”

Everyone responded and departed.

This was precisely when people slept most soundly during the night, also when they were most drowsy. The squad leaders who had been selected had guessed when they received orders to sleep an hour early that there would be a surprise attack tonight, so they were already prepared. As soon as the order came down, they immediately summoned their squad leaders, who then notified the soldiers under them.

The troops assembled quickly. Zhao Hanzhang, clad in armor and holding her long spear, rode over on horseback. All the soldiers watched her in silence.

In the firelight, Zhao Hanzhang’s face was resolute. She said, “We didn’t come to Chen County to sleep or idle about eating. We came to resolve Yuzhou’s crisis. Tonight’s battle will let the Xiongnu know that Yuzhou is not without men, and let them know the courage of our Runan Commandery. Are you soldiers willing to follow me in killing the enemy?”

The troops responded in a low voice, “We are willing!”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded with satisfaction, raising her chin. “Everyone mount up. Move out!”

The small gate by the city tower quietly opened. Zhao Hanzhang turned her horse’s head to look to the side. Fu Tinghan stood there with his hands clasped, and seeing her look over, he nodded at her.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled slightly and spurred her horse to leap out through the small gate first…