Fu Zhi seemed relieved and was about to nod when Fu Tinghan glanced at Zhao Hanzhang and said, “Grandfather, before his death, Governor He passed the position of Yuzhou Governor to Hanzhang. The governor’s seal is now in her hands, and Yuzhou’s troops all heed her command. Now all that’s lacking is the court’s formal appointment.”

Zhao Hanzhang also looked toward Fu Zhi, her gaze somewhat pleading.

All along the journey, Fu Zhi had worried that these two children would become ambitious warlords following in the Prince of Donghai’s footsteps. He froze, not wanting to help the two children. He felt this was practically using his own hands to create warlords.

But looking at the rolling river ahead, thinking of the Prince of Donghai who never listened to counsel and always acted willfully, and thinking of the increasingly autocratic Gou Xi, Fu Zhi still nodded with difficulty. “I will petition His Majesty.”

So be it. The great river’s flow could never be controlled. One person couldn’t stop the water’s flow, just as they couldn’t stop history from moving forward.

How it would proceed, what kind of history would emerge—no one knew. But from the current situation, having these two children from his family compete for power was better than placing everything in the hands of the Prince of Donghai and Gou Xi.

Moreover, he was still beside the Emperor. If Hanzhang and Tinghan truly could possess power to contend with those two, they could bring it over to the Emperor’s side. Wouldn’t that allow them to stand in opposition to the Prince of Donghai and Gou Xi? When handling state affairs, they wouldn’t be constantly constrained, and both the Emperor and the common people would have it easier.

With this thought flashing through his mind, Fu Zhi felt much more at peace. The gloom that had hung over his face dissipated, revealing a smile. He assured Zhao Hanzhang again, “I will certainly mention it to His Majesty.”

Seeing Fu Zhi suddenly brighten, Zhao Hanzhang was momentarily stunned before expressing her gratitude. “Thank you, Grandfather Fu.”

She paused before adding, “If you don’t have many people you can use, Grandfather Fu, you could seek out my great-uncle. He should be quite willing to cooperate with you.”

Zhao Zhongyu would naturally be willing. With Zhao Hanzhang as Governor of Yuzhou, the Zhao clan in Yuzhou would be temporarily safe.

It would also benefit the family’s development far more than the drawbacks. So as soon as the Xiongnu withdrew, he spent money in the capital to build up Zhao Hanzhang’s reputation. Now her name was known in every household in the capital, and together with Beigong Chun, she had become a war god in the hearts of ordinary people.

Beigong Chun had always been a war god in the hearts of Luoyang’s people. He had twice saved Luoyang from fire and flood. Though he was constantly suppressed in the court, among the common folk, there were ballads about him and the Western Liang cavalry.

Unlike Zhao Hanzhang’s fame, which required Zhao Zhongyu to pay people to spread it, Beigong Chun’s fame arose spontaneously.

So for Zhao Hanzhang to be ranked alongside Beigong Chun showed just how extensively she’d been praised.

Even the Emperor, secluded deep in the palace, had heard Zhao Hanzhang’s name. He summoned Zhao Zhongyu to the palace to inquire.

Learning she was Zhao Changyu’s granddaughter and had been trained in martial arts and studied books since childhood, raised as a boy, the Emperor expressed regret. “What a pity she wasn’t born male.”

Zhao Zhongyu immediately said, “Why must Your Majesty confine yourself to gender when employing people? Zhao Hanzhang’s abilities are exceptional—she has both the capacity to command troops and the talent to govern people. Even Governor He recognized her. Why doesn’t Your Majesty simply appoint her as Governor of Yuzhou and fulfill Governor He’s loyalty and righteousness?”

The Emperor said, “Having women serve as officials—I fear the court ministers won’t agree.”

“Is Your Majesty worried the Prince of Donghai won’t agree?” Zhao Zhongyu lowered his voice. “But Your Majesty, you are the Emperor. You can’t let the Prince of Donghai decide everything.”

The smile vanished from the Emperor’s face. He darkened and said nothing.

Zhao Zhongyu continued, “Your Majesty, Zhao Hanzhang has troops. If you can win her over and have her assist Gou Xi, it might help Your Majesty relocate the capital.”

The so-called capital relocation was actually rescuing the Emperor.

He had always wanted to relocate the capital, but the Prince of Donghai consistently refused. The Emperor remained trapped in the palace, manipulated like a puppet.

So relocating the capital was equivalent to rescuing the Emperor.

The Emperor’s heart stirred, but he still didn’t immediately agree. He decided to wait and see the ministers’ reaction.

The ministers’ reaction was no reaction. The court had long lost control over local areas. What was so strange about a female governor? Now even the Xiongnu were claiming to be descendants of the Han imperial house and ascending to the throne as emperor. So one day having a female emperor wouldn’t be strange either.

Currently, wasn’t the most pressing matter that the Prince of Donghai and Gou Xi were about to fight again?

The vast majority of court officials were observing. In fact, besides observing, there was nothing they could do.

As for counseling—neither man would listen, and there was even danger to their lives. So everyone simply stopped counseling altogether. But they were actually quite worried in their hearts, afraid that while fighting, the two would bring disaster to Luoyang again.

However, the two sides were currently deploying troops in Yuzhou. If disaster came, it would strike Yuzhou first.

Could Zhao Hanzhang let them fight in Yuzhou?

Yuzhou had just suffered a Xiongnu invasion with heavy civilian casualties. Many people had taken refuge in the mountains and still hadn’t emerged. If they fought another battle there, would her Yuzhou survive?

So immediately after persuading Fu Zhi to leave, Zhao Hanzhang quietly circled around the Prince of Donghai and returned to Yuzhou.

Zhao Ming and the others were also stationed by the river. There was no choice—when they came to take over the lost territories Zhao Hanzhang had recaptured, they were detained by Gou Xi.

Using Gou Xi’s own words, “Zhao Hanzhang promised to assist me with Yuzhou’s strength. Now although she’s not in Yuzhou, you are. If you don’t honor her promise, I see no need for her to return.”

Gou Xi’s abilities were well-known. Zhao Ming and the others were quite afraid he would prevent Zhao Hanzhang from returning to Yuzhou, so they didn’t dare flee. Instead, they brought their nearly hundred thousand troops to wait by the river, watching the two opposing armies curse at each other daily and occasionally fight.

Zhao Ming had grown tired of watching and couldn’t help losing his temper. “If you’re going to fight, fight properly! With over a hundred thousand men on both sides, yet you only send out a few hundred each time—what’s the point? Is this warfare or brawling?”

Zhao Hanzhang stopped the subordinate about to make a report and strode in with great steps, laughing heartily and loudly. “Uncle, who angered you so much? Tell me and I’ll go brawl for you—fighting battles works too!”

Zhao Ming was startled by her, and seeing her enter holding her helmet with Zhao Erlang and Fu Tinghan, he exhaled and said irritably, “The Prince of Donghai and Gou Xi. Go on then—one against two. Beat them both for me.”

Zhao Hanzhang pretended not to hear and looked around before asking, “Why are you the only one here? Where’s Advisor Ji?”

“At the front lines,” Zhao Ming said expressionlessly. “Trying to persuade the Prince of Donghai and Gou Xi, hoping they can make peace and profit together.”

Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes lit up as she hurriedly asked, “Is it working?”

If it worked, they could resolve this peacefully.

Zhao Ming lifted his eyelids to look at her. “What do you think?”

Zhao Hanzhang knew the answer then. She sighed. “I thought Advisor Ji would be a worldly genius who could persuade them with eloquent words, and the Prince of Donghai and Gou Xi would be moved and agree to withdraw.”

“That wouldn’t be a worldly genius but a deity from dreams.” Zhao Ming scoffed. “Fools won’t listen to wise counsel, nor will they listen to fools. Unless they’re deities, no one can make the Prince of Donghai withdraw.”

Zhao Hanzhang grew troubled. The Prince of Donghai was certainly the fool Uncle Ming mentioned. But was Advisor Ji wise or foolish?

Zhao Ming had already sneered. “Gou Xi is clever enough—just too clever for his own good.”

As he spoke, someone entered to report. “General, General Gou has sent someone who specifically requests to see you.”

Zhao Ming’s expression grew even colder. He said coldly, “See? He’s cleverer than you can imagine. You just returned, yet he already knows. And you came from the Prince of Donghai’s side, even crossing a river, yet he somehow knows everything while the Prince seems to know nothing.”

Zhao Hanzhang coughed lightly. “Uncle, couldn’t it be that I’m too clever and successfully deceived the Prince of Donghai?”

“Then how do you explain Gou Xi’s side?”

“Oh, I had someone tell him.”

Zhao Ming lightly lifted his eyelids to look at her. “Really?”

Of course not. She naturally wanted to first meet with Zhao Ming and Ji Yuan—her own people—then meet with Yuzhou’s generals and officials, and only lastly meet with her ally.

Unfortunately, Gou Xi was indeed too formidable. She’d only just sneaked into camp and hadn’t even warmed her seat when he summoned her.

It seemed his scouts were still superior. They needed more training on their side.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled ingratiatingly at Zhao Ming and turned to say, “Please show the envoy in.”

She added, “Go invite the generals over, and also Yu Sheng and the others who were with Governor He.”

Those were Governor He’s advisors and staff. Zhao Hanzhang wanted to replace people but didn’t want to do so rashly, so she needed to meet them first to see what kind of people they were.

The soldier acknowledged and departed.

Zhao Ming rose to yield the seat of honor to her, casually finding a seat to the side. He asked, “Where did you pursue them to? What about General Beigong? Have the Xiongnu all withdrawn?”

Zhao Hanzhang answered from the end backward. “They’ve all withdrawn. General Beigong returned to Xiliang. We pursued them to the border of Shangdang. Going further wouldn’t be advisable, so we sent a message to Liu Kun and returned.”

Zhao Ming frowned. “Why did you let General Beigong return to Xiliang? His command abilities rival Gou Xi’s. If you could have kept him…”

Zhao Hanzhang sighed. “How could I not know? But he was eager to return home. Putting myself in his place, I couldn’t bear to force him.”

Her home was still a thousand years in the future. She longed to return and would do anything for even the slightest hope of going back. How much more so for Beigong Chun, whose homeland was merely in Xiliang?

She couldn’t be like Zhang Gui’s political enemies and prevent someone from going home.

Zhao Ming fell silent after hearing this and didn’t raise the matter again.

He looked at Fu Tinghan sitting across from him, his face showing a gentle smile as he asked warmly, “How was the journey, Tinghan? Were you injured?”

Fu Tinghan shook his head. “It was fine. I wasn’t injured.”

Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help feeling a bit jealous. “Uncle Ming, look at me—I’m your actual niece.”

Zhao Ming glanced at her without warmth, his face full of disdain.

Fu Tinghan couldn’t help but laugh softly. Just as he was about to speak, soldiers had already escorted Gou Xi’s envoy inside.

As soon as Ming Yu entered and saw such a harmonious scene, he couldn’t help but pause. Regaining his composure, he hurried to bow to Zhao Hanzhang seated in the place of honor, addressing her as “Governor Zhao.”

Zhao Hanzhang was very satisfied with this form of address. She nodded to excuse him and immediately invited him to sit. “Please sit, Advisor Ming. Has the General given any instructions by sending you personally?”

Ming Yu smiled. “The General learned Governor Zhao had traveled west and worried you might encounter the Prince of Donghai’s forces. Therefore, he specifically sent me to check on you and also to ask Governor Zhao whether the promise you made to the General still stands.”

Zhao Hanzhang immediately grew solemn. “Of course it stands. Am I, Zhao Hanzhang, someone who breaks her word?”

She explained, “General Beigong and I pursued the Xiongnu all the way to Shangdang. There we learned from Liu Yuan that the Prince of Donghai had sent troops to surround Fu Zhongshu, who was supporting Yuzhou.”

She sighed. “If it were someone else, I wouldn’t dare offend the Prince of Donghai over relief forces. But the commander is my grandfather by marriage, so I couldn’t just stand by. We had no choice but to head west first to find and rescue him. I didn’t expect that in just a few days, the General would be in a standoff with the Prince of Donghai. Alas, this is Hanzhang’s fault.”

Only then did Ming Yu show an expression of sudden understanding. He glanced at Fu Tinghan before saying, “So the commander was actually Young Master Fu’s grandfather, Fu Zhongshu?”

Fu Tinghan found their pretense of ignorance quite tiresome. Lacking such acting skills, he simply nodded expressionlessly.

Ming Yu quickly asked, “Then where is Fu Zhongshu stationed now? Our General wishes to pay him a visit and also send greetings to His Majesty through him.”

Everyone knew Gou Xi had channels to communicate with the Emperor. Why would he need to send greetings through Fu Zhongshu?

Zhao Hanzhang thought that although Fu Zhi had been traveling for some time, he wasn’t skilled at commanding troops and mostly had new recruits. Even at a forced march, his speed wouldn’t be very fast.

If the Prince of Donghai learned of this, he might very well split his forces to give chase.

Gou Xi might not necessarily like the Emperor having his own power either. To prevent Gou Xi from backstabbing them, Zhao Hanzhang gave Ming Yu a meaningful smile. “Fu Zhongshu wanted to persuade the General and the Prince to show restraint. But in my view, neither the General nor the Prince can easily restrain themselves. To spare him heartache, I persuaded him to hide his troops for now. Later, if he can persuade the General and the Prince through words, that would be good. If not, with troops in hand, he can follow his own heart’s desire.”

Ming Yu narrowed his eyes and asked, “But I wonder where Fu Zhongshu’s heart lies?”

“Though I don’t know where Grandfather Fu’s heart lies, I think that since the Prince of Donghai monopolizes court affairs, acts arrogantly and tyrannically, and has repeatedly insulted the Emperor, given Fu Zhongshu’s consistent loyalty and righteousness, his heart certainly won’t be with the Prince of Donghai.”

Ming Yu’s lips curved slightly as he continued probing. “Then where does Governor Zhao’s heart lie?”

Zhao Hanzhang laughed heartily. “Is Advisor Ming asking about public or private matters?”

She smiled. “If private, my heart naturally lies with Young Master Fu. If public—” Zhao Hanzhang’s smile vanished, and she even appeared somewhat cold. “I already made a promise to the General. The Prince of Donghai refused to save my Yuzhou, allowing the Xiongnu to ravage it freely. Should I still grovel and fawn over that司马越?”

Ming Yu sensed Zhao Hanzhang’s displeasure and anger. He tactfully stopped pressing and instead broke into a warm smile. “Our General naturally trusts Governor Zhao.”

He continued, “Learning of Governor Zhao’s safe return, the General was so pleased he laughed several times. He specifically sent me to invite you, wishing to meet with you before the armies.”

With three armies currently facing off, all having brought substantial forces, Gou Xi naturally couldn’t risk entering another camp alone. Even though Zhao Hanzhang was his ally, who knew if she might suddenly betray him?