To prevent Zhao Hanzhang from disappearing without a trace again, Liu Yuan transferred troops from his Xiongnu forces in various directions. To ensure compliance with his orders, he used rather severe language. In any case, this time they must capture Zhao Hanzhang. If they couldn’t take her alive, then kill her.
Liu Cong was one of Liu Yuan’s favorite sons. Among his several sons, though Liu Cong was neither the eldest nor the youngest, he was the smartest and most capable.
Now he had been injured because of Zhao Hanzhang and suffered this defeat. The entire Xiongnu army had been led around in circles by her. No wonder Liu Yuan was pleased.
As mentioned before, Liu Yuan, this Emperor of Han State, couldn’t rule the Xiongnu with absolute authority. The various tribes had elected him as leader, but they didn’t entirely obey his commands. So Liu Cong’s failure greatly damaged Liu Yuan’s prestige.
Especially since Zhao Hanzhang had penetrated their rear, striking left and right, occasionally capturing a city and killing their fine generals.
This time, even Qiao Xi had died in battle. The Xiongnu tribes were all furious while doubting Liu Yuan’s decisions, severely damaging morale.
So even if only to regain the trust of the various tribes and boost morale, Liu Yuan had to capture Zhao Hanzhang—alive if possible, but if not, then kill her.
Liu Yuan suppressed the surging killing intent in his chest and dispatched large numbers of troops toward Guan City.
Zhao Ming and the others defending Chen County in the rear also learned of this news. Ji Yuan read through everything, then folded up all the intelligence. “We should prepare as well.”
Zhao Ming was somewhat worried. “Can Sanniang break through? The Xiongnu’s movements are so large.”
Ji Yuan’s gaze was profound as he said quietly, “That’s why Sanniang specifically asked Young Master to take charge here. If she cannot, the Zhao clan can make timely personnel adjustments. We’ve already paid such a high price—we cannot hand these battle achievements to others.”
“Yuzhou absolutely cannot fall into chaos.”
Zhao Ming lowered his eyes, his thoughts churning, and responded faintly, “Tell them to deploy troops according to Sanniang’s orders.”
Zhao Hanzhang’s last letter had arrived five days ago. She had just left Gou Xi’s place and immediately wrote to Chen County, issuing her final battle order.
She didn’t know if communication between the two sides would remain possible afterward, nor if this letter would reach Chen County safely, so she didn’t dare write in too much detail. She only required them to deploy troops immediately upon receiving intelligence of Xiongnu troop movements and internal redeployments, advancing from Chen County to reclaim the territory taken by the Xiongnu.
She had Zhao Kuan invite Zhao Ming and Ji Yuan to come and follow their commands.
In fact, Zhao Ming and Ji Yuan had arrived at Chen County earlier than she expected. Before her letter reached Chen County, they had already arrived. So after receiving the letter, even without knowing what she intended to do, the two still began preparations according to her military orders.
Zhao Kuan strode in and bowed. “Uncle, Mr. Ji, Inspector Zhang and the others have come to pay their respects and wish to see you both.”
Zhao Ming and Ji Yuan exchanged glances. Zhao Ming stood up, proudly raising his chin slightly. “Let’s go meet them!”
Inspector Zhang, Xun Xiu, and about a dozen others stood waiting in the front hall. This was one of Inspector He’s residences.
Now the He family had all gone to Xiping. Following Inspector He’s instructions, as soon as they arrived in Xiping, they called on the Zhao clan, expressing their wish to depend on the Zhao family for survival.
Zhao Ming considered only briefly before taking them under protection, generously giving them residences in the county town and allocating some fields near the Zhao clan’s stronghold, appearing very pleased to accept them.
This was also one of the reasons why Inspector He, even when Zhao Hanzhang wasn’t by his side at Chen County, still insisted on entrusting Yuzhou to her.
A favor for a favor—the Zhao clan treated the He family courteously and was willing to protect them in these chaotic times. Naturally, he was willing to choose the equally capable Zhao Hanzhang.
So when Zhao Ming and Ji Yuan came to Chen County, the He family directly offered their residence for Zhao Ming to stay in.
They had left Chen County now, and whether it would be chaos or peace here was still uncertain. They might as well give it to Zhao Ming entirely.
Ji Yuan held no official position, and Zhao Ming merely held the position of Deputy Magistrate of Xiping County. So they didn’t go to the Inspector’s Office—they stayed here. Zhao Kuan and Zhao Ju followed their orders, as did the Zhao Family Army. That meant the people from the Inspector’s Office had to come here to pay their respects.
Seeing the two arrive together, no one dared to look down on them. Everyone clasped hands in salute and bowed. “Mountain Lord Zhao, Mr. Ji.”
Mountain Lord was Zhao Ming’s early sobriquet, given after the court issued him a recruitment order and he refused, saying he wished to live freely in the wilds, thus taking the title Mountain Lord.
However, family members generally didn’t call him that.
Zhao Ming nodded slightly and sat in the seat of honor. “I was just about to look for all of you. The Xiongnu have redeployed troops. According to General Zhao’s orders, we should prepare for the counterattack.”
As soon as he spoke, the dozen or so people couldn’t help but exchange glances. Inspector Zhang stroked his beard and said, “Mountain Lord Zhao is unfamiliar with military affairs. The Xiongnu’s troop movements this time may very well be to lure the snake from its hole. We absolutely cannot fall for it.”
Zhao Ming raised his eyelids to glance at him, then said, “Is Inspector Zhang trying to kill with a borrowed knife, not deploying troops now so the Xiongnu can surround and kill General Zhao?”
Inspector Zhang’s face paled upon hearing this. He shot to his feet in anger. “Zhao Zinian, you judge my heart with a petty person’s mind. What if the Xiongnu’s troop movements are meant to lure us out, then annihilate us all?”
“If the three armies suffer losses, all of Yuzhou will be doomed forever. Can you bear this responsibility?”
Zhao Ming nodded directly. “I’ll take responsibility.”
Xun Xiu and the others looked at Inspector Zhang, then at Zhao Ming, and finally all looked back at Inspector Zhang, wanting to hear what he would say.
Inspector Zhang sneered in response. “On what grounds will you take responsibility? You’re just a commoner with no official status…”
Zhao Ming said, “My entire Zhao clan is right behind Chen County. If Chen County falls, then my Xiping Zhao clan will be doomed along with Yuzhou. Does Inspector Zhang think General Zhao and I would take such a risk?”
Inspector Zhang fell silent.
Xun Xiu and the other generals were moved and leaned more toward deploying troops.
Zhao Ming continued, “Inspector Zhang, Inspector He ordered all regions to send aid long ago, but you delayed deploying troops. You came neither early nor late, but arrived with your army just as news of Inspector He’s death quietly spread. Do you want to fight the Xiongnu, or do you want to attack Yuzhou’s Inspector’s Office?”
Inspector Zhang’s expression changed drastically as he cried out, “Zhao Ming, what do you mean by this? My heart toward Inspector He is as clear as the sun and moon. I didn’t come earlier because I was held down by Xiongnu on our border. We in Ruyin Commandery also had Xiongnu incursions—unlike you in Runan, which is below Ruyin and could naturally spare troops to provide aid…”
Ji Yuan said, “No wonder Mountain Lord Zhao suspects you, Inspector Zhang. It’s not like you haven’t done such things before. Last year—well, actually just last year—when Inspector He was trapped at Quyang, didn’t Inspector Zhang station troops nearby without deploying them?”