Gou Xi unfolded the letter Zhao Hanzhang had sent, raising an eyebrow slightly before casually passing it to Yan Heng beside him. “She’s quite cautious—at least she knows to send me a calling card first.”

Yan Heng took it and looked, then bowed. “General, she should be here to seek aid for Yuzhou. Will you meet her, or find an excuse to send her away?”

Gou Xi pondered. “Earlier you said she broke through several cities?”

“Twelve cities. She advanced with circuitous maneuvers, movements unpredictable. The Xiongnu still haven’t tracked her down.”

Gou Xi said, “She’s indeed an excellent commander. She dares to attack cities in the Xiongnu rear and repeatedly succeeds—this shows her capability.”

“But she attacks cities without holding them, and this also benefits from being in Yuzhou. The common people won’t reveal her whereabouts.”

Why couldn’t Liu Yuan’s massive army catch Zhao Hanzhang when she was causing havoc in the Xiongnu’s deep rear?

First, Zhao Hanzhang was familiar with Yuzhou’s terrain and applied military strategy like a god. Second, all the common people who saw or heard of her concealed her whereabouts—Liu Yuan had no popular support here.

If the opponent were someone else, it would be much harder for Zhao Hanzhang to accomplish this.

But Gou Xi said, “If it were a different opponent, she’d have other methods to deal with them. This person is worth employing. Invite her. I also want to hear what she has to say.”

Yan Heng acknowledged and personally went to fetch Zhao Hanzhang.

When Zhao Hanzhang’s group stopped by the roadside, even after dismounting, they maintained strict military discipline without the slightest disorder.

When Yan Heng arrived, seeing such an army, he couldn’t help but nod approvingly.

This very much suited Gou Xi’s taste, as he himself was an extremely strict disciplinarian. Yan Heng dismounted and, under the introduction of Zhao Family Army scouts, went to see Zhao Hanzhang.

Although this female commandery governor’s family background and personal information had long been laid out on the desk and Yan Heng already knew it by heart, when he actually met her, he still couldn’t help but be startled. So young, such a handsome young lady.

Yet between her brows was a heroic spirit. When she raised her eyes to look at someone, her gaze was clear and cold, making him instinctively pause and take out the solemnity he used when facing Gou Xi to bow. “Commandery Governor Zhao.”

Zhao Hanzhang rose from the rock, nodding slightly, and tore off a piece of the steamed bun in her hand, passing the largest piece forward. “Would the envoy like something to eat first?”

Yan Heng glanced at the grayish-yellow steamed bun in her hand, lowered his eyes and thanked her, then accepted it and ate dry rations with Zhao Hanzhang.

While eating, Zhao Hanzhang asked, “Is General Gou willing to see me?”

“Naturally. The General specifically sent me to invite Commandery Governor Zhao.”

Hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang immediately stuffed the steamed bun in her hand into her mouth, brushed off her hands, and stood up, calling to the guards beside her, “Let’s go, let’s go! We’re going to pay our respects to General Gou.”

Zhao Hanzhang still trusted Gou Xi quite a bit. Therefore, she brought both Zhao Erlang and Fu Tinghan along, leaving only Qiu Wu to lead the troops. She brought only a dozen people to see Gou Xi.

Knowing that Zhao Hanzhang had come to visit him, Gou Xi didn’t wait outside the city but waited in his residence within the city.

Zhao Hanzhang brought only about ten people and entered the city with Yan Heng to see him. The generals and advisors following Gou Xi all said, “This courage alone surpasses countless men in the world.”

For this reason, Gou Xi also had some favorable feelings toward her. However, when meeting Zhao Hanzhang, he still maintained a stern face, sitting imposingly in the seat of honor.

Zhao Hanzhang wore a faint smile on her face, still in full armor. She wore her long sword as she strode forward. Walking to the bottom of the hall, she clasped her hands in a bow. “This official pays respects to General Gou.”

Fu Tinghan and the others behind her followed suit.

Gou Xi’s gaze swept across her face and the people behind her. He was also quite surprised that it was such a group of young people who had thrown the Xiongnu into chaos, actually tying down their forces so that they dispatched large numbers of troops to chase her everywhere, exhausting themselves.

The corners of his mouth lifted slightly as he raised his hand. “You may rise. Bring seats.”

Servants immediately brought in a low table and a mat. Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan sat down together, while Zhao Erlang and the others stood behind them with hands on their sword hilts.

Gou Xi’s gaze moved from Zhao Hanzhang to Fu Tinghan. “I’ve heard that Commandery Governor Zhao has a military advisor by her side who knows all the mountains and waterways. Would this be that person?”

Truly deserving of Gou Xi—information that her opponent the Xiongnu couldn’t discover was already known to Gou Xi’s side.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled as she nodded in acknowledgment. “Yes, this is Fu Tinghan.”

Gou Xi obviously knew quite a bit more, smiling as he said, “I’ve heard that Palace Attendant Fu has an eldest grandson named Changrong.”

Fu Tinghan glanced at Zhao Hanzhang before saying, “That would be me.”

Gou Xi said meaningfully, “Palace Attendant Fu received His Majesty’s decree to go to Chang’an to recruit troops for Yuzhou. Calculating the time, he should arrive soon, shouldn’t he?”

Fu Tinghan said nothing, looking instead at Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang said seriously, “General Gou is well-informed. Have you already received news of Palace Attendant Fu coming to our aid?”

Gou Xi remained silent.

Zhao Hanzhang sighed. “Although we’ve been through the Battle of Luoyang, Liu Yuan still has strong troops and fine horses. Xiongnu cavalry is renowned throughout the realm. Even if Palace Attendant Fu recruits troops to come to our aid, I’m afraid they won’t be able to drive them out, after all—they’re all soldiers who haven’t received training.”

Gou Xi lightly tapped the table without speaking.

Zhao Hanzhang spoke directly. “Hanzhang has come here precisely to request that General Gou send troops to drive out the Xiongnu together with Yuzhou.”

Gou Xi said, “Right now, aren’t my troops all at the front lines?”

They were at the front lines, but only defending, not attacking. Liu Yuan was cunning too—he knew to avoid Gou Xi’s troops, only attacking Yuzhou and not engaging Gou Xi in battle. All the pressure was on Yuzhou.

Both sides understood this clearly. Zhao Hanzhang didn’t point it out either, but instead said seriously, “General Gou, once Liu Yuan breaks through Yuzhou, Yanzhou and other places won’t escape either. With the Xiongnu’s ambition, our Central Plains will know no peace.”

Gou Xi replied, “The Prince of Donghai won’t sit by and do nothing.”

Zhao Hanzhang sneered. “With a general of such upright character as yourself now able to let the Xiongnu run rampant and disregard the nation’s interests, how can we expect the Prince of Donghai to put the greater good first?”

Gou Xi’s expression changed slightly, and his advisors became angry too, questioning Zhao Hanzhang, “What does Commandery Governor Zhao mean by this? Are you insulting our lord?”

Zhao Hanzhang ignored them, her gaze bright as she looked at Gou Xi. “When I was in Luoyang, I heard my grandfather mention General Gou, saying you conduct affairs carefully, distinguish clearly between public and private matters, show no favoritism, and are the most just and upright person. That’s why when the Prince of Qi was executed, court officials spoke up for you one after another, and you were thus spared from being implicated.”

“My grandfather has a good name among the people, and so do you, General Gou. His Majesty knew your character, which is why he entrusted national affairs to you. But now, to compete with the Prince of Donghai, you place private grievances above state affairs. Have you forgotten your original intentions?”

Gou Xi sneered and asked, “You say my conflict with the Prince of Donghai is a private grievance?”

He said angrily, “He controls the emperor to command the feudal lords. I received His Majesty’s decree to eliminate the treacherous officials by his side. How is this a private grievance?”

“But right now, the most urgent matter is the external enemies surrounding us. To stabilize the outside, one must first secure the inside. His Majesty cannot sit by and watch Yuzhou fall either,” Zhao Hanzhang asked in a deep voice. “Why can’t the General set aside the Prince of Donghai matter first and drive out the Xiongnu?”

“I would be willing, but I fear that once I’ve driven out the Xiongnu, my life will be eliminated along with them.”

Chapter 353: Cooperation

Zhao Hanzhang said seriously, “I know the General’s concerns, so Hanzhang is willing to lend Yuzhou’s strength to assist you.”

Gou Xi’s eyes narrowed slightly, becoming somewhat interested. “Oh?”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “Right now, I’m the one in charge of Yuzhou.”

Gou Xi didn’t dispute this point, because he’d received intelligence that Governor He had already died.

His injuries were severe, the wound had deteriorated to an extreme degree. On the seventh day after Zhao Hanzhang departed, he fell into a high fever and lost consciousness. He woke briefly during that time and summoned Zhao Kuan, Zhao Ju, and Xun Xiu, ordering them to keep his death secret and only maintain the appearance that he was ill and not coming out.

All matters in Yuzhou were to follow Zhao Hanzhang’s orders.

Zhao Hanzhang used two thousand troops to draw away most of the Xiongnu forces surrounding Yuzhou’s defense line. The Xiongnu’s offensive against Yuzhou had weakened considerably. Xun Xiu and the others could now hold Yuzhou.

Moreover, Zhao Hanzhang sent back messages from time to time. They followed her commands to occasionally launch counterattacks and had won several battles. The current situation appeared favorable to Yuzhou—it seemed she was winning.

But both Zhao Hanzhang and Gou Xi, who were well-versed in military strategy and the current situation, knew this was only temporary. The longer time dragged on, the more the current advantage would gradually disappear and turn into disadvantage. At that point, Yuzhou would suffer even more severe retaliation from the Xiongnu.

From the intelligence Gou Xi had received, Yuzhou’s military and civilians were now united, truly recognizing Zhao Hanzhang. Combined with Governor He’s dying words, Zhao Hanzhang was indeed Yuzhou’s legitimate heir.

As for the court…

The court had long since lost control over regional areas. Whether or not they had the court’s directive made no difference.

If Yuzhou stood on his side…

Gou Xi lowered his eyes in thought.

Zhao Hanzhang pressed her advantage. “The Prince of Donghai is Jin imperial blood, yet cannot serve the nation or show respect to His Majesty. Court officials have long had objections, but are intimidated by the Prince of Donghai’s power and dare to be angry but not speak out. My great-uncle wrote saying that court officials from Yuzhou are filled with resentment.”

“If the General needs it, we can all serve under your command,” Zhao Hanzhang’s nose tingled, her eyes filled with tears, nearly crying aloud. She stood and came forward to kneel, her eyes full of hope. “General, my entire clan is in Yuzhou—over a thousand family members! Once the Xiongnu break through Yuzhou…”

Tears slid down her face as she kowtowed. “As long as the General is willing to save Yuzhou, the Zhao clan will repay you with our lives, even unto death.”

This was a very weighty promise.

Yan Heng and the others immediately looked at Gou Xi, hoping he would agree.

Ming Yu even said, “General, the Xiongnu have been out for a long time now. A few more defeats will certainly make them war-weary. Moreover, the weather is about to turn cold.”

Zhao Hanzhang raised her head, ignoring the tears on her face, nodding repeatedly. “General, when Palace Attendant Fu’s reinforcements arrive, what is there to fear from the Xiongnu?”

“As for the Prince of Donghai, Hanzhang has always felt there’s no need to worry. He has no talent for commanding troops. Right now he’s lost the hearts of the people greatly. His Majesty sent Palace Attendant Fu to Chang’an to recruit troops—even Minister Wang didn’t obstruct this, showing that court officials also have many objections. When the time comes, if he doesn’t make a move, so be it. Once he does, all under heaven can attack him.”

Zhao Hanzhang said meaningfully, “His Majesty clearly has long been unable to endure. Otherwise, how could there be talk of secret edicts? Why else would he now send Palace Attendant Fu to Chang’an to recruit troops?”

Gou Xi’s heart stirred. He finally recalled a crucial point—the young emperor had sent Fu Zhi to Chang’an to recruit troops. Once the troops were recruited, he would no longer be a powerless emperor.

Gou Xi’s eyes narrowed as he made a snap decision. “Very well! When Yuzhou is in difficulty, we should indeed come to its aid.”

The advisors hadn’t expected Gou Xi to agree so quickly. Although they had been leaning that way too, this was too fast.

They couldn’t help but exchange glances, saying nothing for the moment.

Fu Tinghan, who had been sitting behind his low table with a stern face, gripping his fists tightly, relaxed slightly and looked toward Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang was deeply moved and repeatedly bowed in thanks.

Gou Xi’s mouth curved upward slightly. Seeing her face covered in tears, he waved his hand. “But the matter of sending troops needs detailed discussion. It’s getting late today. Commandery Governor Zhao, why not stay for now? We can talk more tomorrow.”

Zhao Hanzhang agreed and obediently followed someone out to rest.

Entering the guest room, Ting He immediately went to bring her a basin of hot water to wash her face. Zhao Erlang looked at his sister with heartache. “Elder Sister, let me wipe your tears.”

As he spoke, he lifted the hem of his garment to wipe her tears—he couldn’t help it, he was still wearing armor and couldn’t get his sleeves out.

Zhao Hanzhang disdainfully swatted his hand away. Fu Tinghan extended a handkerchief.

Zhao Hanzhang accepted it, first wiping the dust and tears from her face. When the water was brought, she washed her face and asked Fu Tinghan, “How was my performance just now?”

Fu Tinghan nodded. “Very moving.”

Zhao Erlang looked at his sister, who showed not a trace of sadness, utterly bewildered.

Zhao Hanzhang wrung out the handkerchief and casually hung it on the rack, saying to Fu Tinghan, “When Grandfather Fu arrives, tell him to keep tight control of the troops and not let Gou Xi take them.”

Fu Tinghan asked, “When you said the Zhao clan would repay him with their lives, was that true or false…”

Zhao Hanzhang replied, “Of course it’s true. I’m not someone who deceives people. However, the Zhao clan also has principles. Though we can repay him with our lives, the prerequisite is that what he does is righteous.”

She continued, “Like driving out external enemies—our Zhao clan will do this without hesitation.”

Fu Tinghan couldn’t help but laugh, shaking his head. “As long as you’re happy.”

Zhao Hanzhang was certainly happy. Being able to persuade Gou Xi meant driving Liu Yuan’s great army out was only a matter of time.

Zhao Erlang muttered, “Elder Sister, these words could have been delivered by an envoy. Why did we need to come personally? We went so far out of our way, wasted so much time—wouldn’t it have been better to just go fight the Xiongnu directly?”

“Fool, what do you think moved him?” Zhao Hanzhang said. “It wasn’t anything about him being upright and honest with a good reputation, or about the Zhao clan being willing to repay him with our lives. Rather, it was that the Yuzhou I control is willing to stand on his side, and that His Majesty has begun to build his own forces while the Prince of Donghai has lost the hearts of the people at court.”

Most of those words could indeed be delivered through an envoy, but the promise that Yuzhou would obey Gou Xi’s commands—an envoy saying it would be useless. They wouldn’t believe it either.

Only she—only she or Governor He personally coming before Gou Xi to make that promise would it count.

Gou Xi didn’t trust Governor He, and Governor He couldn’t muster the resolve to hand Yuzhou over to Gou Xi. Otherwise…

Zhao Hanzhang thought of the Yuzhou common people now suffering the ravages of war, her smile fading. “Tomorrow we’ll discuss military strategy. Tinghan, come with me. We need to fight for more opportunities for Yuzhou’s common people.”

Fu Tinghan nodded. “I know what to do.”

Liu Yuan was still searching for Zhao Hanzhang. After discovering he could never find her trail, he finally stopped letting her lead him by the nose. But… if they couldn’t catch her, their rear constantly came under attack.

The soldiers were fighting at the front, yet a blade constantly hung behind their necks—how could anyone fight properly under such conditions?

Morale was severely impacted.

Especially after Zhao Hanzhang robbed and destroyed their provisions several times, leaving their army somewhat short on supplies.

After thinking it over, Liu Yuan could only grit his teeth and order, “Collect provisions locally. Have each army find their own solutions.”

This was the last thing Liu Yuan wanted to see, because he still wanted to govern the Han people and Xiongnu together, hoping they could be as close as one family. Thus he had always ordered his troops below not to plunder excessively.

Of course, they rarely listened anyway. Among them, Wang Mi was the fiercest in robbing common people’s property and killing.

# Chapter 354: End Times

Once Liu Yuan’s order to procure provisions locally went out, all areas of Yuzhou outside the defense line suffered, and even common people in Yanzhou and Sizhou bordering Yuzhou were deeply harmed.

Generals of the Xiongnu-Han Kingdom all sent out grain procurement teams to plunder the common people’s grain and property. Many small fortified settlements were broken through, and the people inside and outside the settlements were robbed—some were killed directly, while others were pushed to the front lines, placed before the Xiongnu.

Among them, the army led by Wang Mi was the most cruel. He was currently supporting Liu Cong, with his great army right beside Liu Cong. The villages and towns around Chen County were scoured by him layer upon layer.

Previously, Zhao Hanzhang had ordered the clear field and strong walls policy. Many common people were forced to move into cities, while even more chose to seek shelter in nearby fortified settlements.

The settlement masters, following Zhao Hanzhang’s orders, had been sending people to reinforce the settlement structures. When Liu Cong twice sent people to procure grain, they didn’t fundamentally harm them.

But this time, when Wang Mi sent people to procure grain, they led troops to directly break through these settlements, not only plundering all the property inside clean but also killing everyone they could, while those they didn’t kill were pushed outside Chen County to walk in front and shield them from arrows before launching an attack on Chen County.

Inside and outside Yuzhou, wails filled the air. Chen County continuously received rescue letters from various settlement masters. Zhao Kuan looked at these pleas for help as if seeing the Zhao clan’s future. On one hand, he had people report this to Zhao Hanzhang, while on the other, he tried to rescue as many common people outside as possible back to Chen County.

When Zhao Hanzhang received this information, she squeezed her eyes shut tightly, then opened them with a cold, sharp gaze. “We’re going to Guan City!”

Zhao Hanzhang went to take her leave of Gou Xi. The two had already agreed on their battle plan and divided up the areas to be recaptured and the timeline.

Zhao Hanzhang said to Gou Xi, “The General’s achievements are comparable to the bright stars. You will certainly be renowned through the ages. Hanzhang will await your good news in Yuzhou.”

Gou Xi’s mouth curved slightly as he nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

Zhao Hanzhang respectfully bowed and withdrew, turning with Fu Tinghan to leave.

Yan Heng watched their two backs disappear and said to Gou Xi, “General, these two are not creatures of the pond. Zhao Hanzhang has the talent of a commander and general, and with Fu Tinghan’s assistance, few in this age can match these two.”

Yesterday they had talked all day, mainly discussing combat against the Xiongnu. Fu Tinghan’s extensive knowledge and learning were clear to all, even moving Gou Xi to want to claim him for himself.

But he knew that Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan’s relationship was extraordinary—he couldn’t take him, so he could only try his best to win over Zhao Hanzhang.

But Zhao Hanzhang…

Gou Xi had good judgment. He could naturally tell that while Zhao Hanzhang said she would repay him with Yuzhou, she wasn’t submitting to him. He could also see the pride in Zhao Hanzhang. If he wanted to win her over, there was still much work to be done.

However, for now, what did that matter? As long as he could defeat the Prince of Donghai, that was enough.

Gou Xi thought of what Zhao Hanzhang had promised him, his mouth curving upward. “He Chang is far inferior to Zhao Hanzhang. If he hadn’t been constantly wavering, how would Yuzhou have come to this disaster?”

Yan Heng said nothing. If Governor He hadn’t wavered, Yuzhou wouldn’t have the Xiongnu disaster, but would certainly have other calamities. Most likely, when Gou Xi and the Prince of Donghai first started fighting this year, he would have been finished.

Zhao Hanzhang reunited with her troops waiting outside the city. Gou Xi was fairly generous—knowing Zhao Hanzhang and her forces had no provisions, he sent them three days’ worth.

She only needed three days’ provisions anyway. After all, they were light cavalry and generally only carried two or three days’ worth of dry rations.

After resting for two days, the soldiers’ spirits had improved considerably. After feeding the horses, all the soldiers mounted up following Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled as she told everyone, “General Gou has already agreed to send troops. Yuzhou’s calamity will soon be resolved. We’re returning to Chen County now. This time we’re taking a detour through Guan City.”

The soldiers didn’t know why they needed to detour through Guan City, but this didn’t prevent them from following her orders, so they responded in unison.

Zhao Hanzhang then led them toward Guan City. Along the way, they encountered no enemy forces, only seeing villages that had been burned by Xiongnu grain procurement teams.

The villages were full of corpses lying everywhere. Only the cawing of crows could be heard. The villages along the way were all very quiet. Zhao Hanzhang led her troops past without stopping, only her eyes constantly filled with tears. But she didn’t look away—instead, she stubbornly turned her head to look at the corpses lying by the roadside, their features no longer distinguishable, then drove her horse to run past them.

Only when stopping to rest would everyone silently dig a large pit by the roadside, move over all the bodies within sight, stack them together in the pit, and bury them.

Fu Tinghan had seen many corpses along the way, in all kinds of terrible conditions. By now, he could move corpses into the large pit alongside Zhao Hanzhang with an unchanged expression.

He found the bodies of a mother and child in the grass. The child was only about three years old, with a large hole in his chest, pressed tightly against his mother. Her body also bore a wound—a spear should have thrust through from behind her, piercing her body before injuring him.

Fu Tinghan didn’t separate mother and child. Instead, he held the emaciated pair together and gently placed them at the very top of the pit. He estimated the space and felt it couldn’t fit more people. He said to the soldiers, “Let’s bury them. If we dig another pit and put more in, wild beasts will easily dig them out. They need to be buried deep.”

The soldiers acknowledged and found an empty space not far away to continue digging.

Zhao Hanzhang shoveled earth back over them, finally exhausted and sitting on the grass in a daze.

Fu Tinghan also sat beside her, silently gazing at these two burial pits with her. “This is comparable to when the great powers oppressed us and when Japan invaded us. I understand you better now, Hanzhang. We need to work harder. In such end times, I don’t want to see this again.”

Zhao Hanzhang forced back her tears and replied softly, “Alright.”

The great army rested briefly before continuing their march. As evening approached, Zhao Hanzhang and her forces finally discovered a Xiongnu military encampment.

The scouts returned to report, “Twenty li ahead is an encampment. We roughly counted the tents—approximately five thousand men, and there seem to be large numbers of Han people inside.”

Zhao Hanzhang looked at Fu Tinghan. “Is Guan City still far?”

Fu Tinghan took out the map to show her. “Not far now. Another eighty li west and we’ll reach it. This should be just one garrison. Are there fortified settlements nearby?”

Zhao Hanzhang looked at the scout, who replied shamefacedly, “We couldn’t find anyone to ask along the way. We checked—the Xiongnu are camped three li to the east, and there seems to be a fortified settlement, but it’s in ruins, already broken through.”

So it seemed the Han people in the Xiongnu camp were those plundered from the settlement and nearby villages.

Everyone waited for Zhao Hanzhang’s decision.

Zhao Hanzhang was silent for a moment before saying, “Have the soldiers rest where they are, eat their fill and drink their fill, then wait until deep night.”

Everyone understood and immediately acknowledged before withdrawing.

The force Zhao Hanzhang led had been fighting constantly since setting out and had never lost a battle. Everyone was exceptionally brave. These past two days, seeing so many corpses and burned villages along the way, they’d all been holding in their anger. Hearing the orders from above now and guessing they would raid the Xiongnu at night, they all fiercely bit into their dry rations, deciding to save this anger to properly vent it tonight.