Zhao Hanzhang carried the wine to find Ji Yuan.

Ji Yuan hadn’t expected his lord would bring him back a jar of wine from a date, and was moved to tears. “Where did Miss go today?”

“Zhenxiu Tower, Dashun Studio, and Youran Residence.”

All food-related places?

Ji Yuan frowned slightly but still dutifully said, “Zhenxiu Tower was opened by Zhao Hu. He even asked the Commandery Governor to inscribe the characters. Dashun Studio was opened by people from Lu—the Chen family has a fine wine recipe. Youran Residence belongs to Miss.”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded and asked, “That steward Cao Shu—is he someone from my household?”

Ji Yuan said, “He’s a refugee who came to Shangcai. His family previously ran a restaurant. He’s read some books and can do accounts. I saw he was fairly loyal, so I gave him Youran Residence to manage.”

He continued, “But Youran Residence isn’t like Treasure Pavilion—its purpose isn’t to make money but mainly to gather information. Youran Residence has many traveling scholars and literary men from north and south, and officials and gentry also love to gather there to talk. Much information can be learned from their mouths.”

Zhao Hanzhang asked, “Any news from Chang’an?”

Ji Yuan shook his head. “No correspondence has been received from Chang’an.”

Zhao Hanzhang sighed. She calculated the time—Wu Erlang had been in Chang’an for quite a while. Since there was no news, clearly Beigong Chun was unwilling to come serve her.

She tapped her fingers on the table, and finally gritted her teeth and made up her mind to send another batch of items to Chang’an. She’d have Wu Erlang appear in person to make arrangements and send Beigong Chun back to Xiliang.

Ji Yuan was shocked and hurriedly asked, “Miss, why do this? As long as Beigong Chun is trapped in the capital, Miss still has an opportunity. Once we let him return to Xiliang, I fear he’ll never be of use to Miss again.”

Zhao Hanzhang sighed, “A forced melon isn’t sweet. Chang’an’s situation isn’t good. The Xiliang army has great merit toward the state, toward Yuzhou, and toward me. I cannot sit by and watch them trapped in Chang’an for my private desires.”

Last time Wu Erlang’s letter hadn’t written in detail, but it had indicated the Xiliang army’s situation in Chang’an. That valiant Xiliang army couldn’t even afford a full meal now.

Since Beigong Chun was unwilling to come serve her, so be it. Rather than have them worn down in Chang’an and ultimately forced to join Liu Cong, it was better for her to exert some effort to send them away.

“Isn’t the Prince of Nanyang’s subordinate currently guarding the passes?”

“Yes.”

Zhao Hanzhang pondered for a moment, then said, “Bring more money. If the items we bring don’t catch his eye, then use money to open the way. I don’t believe we can’t break through this checkpoint.”

Though Ji Yuan didn’t approve of Zhao Hanzhang expending so much for Beigong Chun, he still acknowledged the order.

Geng Rong volunteered for this mission and led a team of soldiers escorting three cartloads of treasures as they departed, heading straight for Chang’an.

At this time, news from Luoyang and Chang’an had just reached Chen County. As soon as Ji Yuan received it, he immediately asked, “Where’s Geng Rong?”

“He left the city yesterday heading for Chang’an.”

“Ah, quickly call him back—no, don’t call him back. I need to give him an additional letter. Where’s Miss? Quickly go invite Miss first!”

Zhao Hanzhang had just returned from training troops, covered in sweat. She was about to return to the rear courtyard to bathe when she passed the office building and heard Ji Yuan’s voice. She changed direction and approached, poking her head through the window. “Master, you’re looking for me?”

Ji Yuan saw her and was overjoyed. He hurried over with two letters. “Miss, we can get Beigong Chun!”

Zhao Hanzhang was still holding her long spear. She took the letters with one hand and opened them. “Is this a letter from General Beigong?”

That of course was impossible. It was news from Luoyang and Chang’an.

The one from Luoyang was an appointment—the court appointed Palace Attendant Yuan Yu as Inspector of Liangzhou, ordering him to take up his post as soon as possible.

Zhao Hanzhang was stunned. “What happened to Zhang Gui? Why are they selecting another Inspector of Liangzhou?”

“I heard Zhang Gui suffered a stroke and is now disabled.”

Zhao Hanzhang gripped the letter in her hand tightly. “Given Beigong Chun’s character, he’ll probably be even more anxious to return to Xiliang.”

“Yes, but that’s not all.” Ji Yuan said, “The Chang’an correspondence says the court initially designated Jia Kan as Inspector of Liangzhou, but he refused for some reason. Only then did they select Yuan Yu. Zhang Gui has already submitted a memorial to resign, wanting to return to Yiyang to retire. Miss, the Jin court is unjust. Beigong Chun must be disheartened. This is the perfect opportunity to recruit him!”

Zhao Hanzhang finally recalled this matter and after a long while shook her head. “Zhang Gui won’t be able to resign. The position of Inspector of Liangzhou will still be his. Alas, forget it. Still have Geng Rong go and work with Wu Erlang to clear the checkpoints for General Beigong and send them back to Liangzhou. Consider this my repayment to them.”

Ji Yuan couldn’t help but stomp his foot. “Miss! Right now with just a little maneuvering we could invite him over…”

“How would we maneuver? Have Assistant Director Fu and Great-Uncle together pressure Zhang Gui to leave Xiliang?”

Ji Yuan said, “Zhang Gui truly has suffered a stroke. If he continues to remain in Xiliang, the harm outweighs the benefits…”

Zhao Hanzhang shook her head. “This is merely a temporary illness. Who knows if he won’t recover?”

She said, “I do want General Beigong. I value his talent and want him to serve me. But I’m not so far gone that I’d abandon moral principles for this. Right now if we don’t help, that’s one thing, but how could we kick someone when they’re down?”

Ji Yuan’s heart gradually cooled, and he said with infinite regret, “Such a good opportunity.”

Zhao Hanzhang handed the letters back to him with a smile. “Perhaps our affinity hasn’t arrived yet. General Beigong returning to Xiliang is also good—he can guard against the Xianbei for the Central Plains.”

Ji Yuan sighed and acknowledged the order.

Zhao Hanzhang turned to leave, unaware that at this moment the struggle over Liangzhou in Chang’an had only just begun.

When Beigong Chun received the gifts Zhao Hanzhang sent at New Year’s, he had immediately conceived the idea of serving her. After the new year, he began selling the glass she had sent, exchanging it for some money. He used most to buy grain, while a small portion he dispatched people to use in buying off the general guarding the passes.

He wasn’t someone who didn’t know how to adapt. Previously he hadn’t used this method because he had no money. Now that he had a little money, he wanted to try whether he could bribe the general to leave the city.

But the other party refused. Beigong Chun felt the other party was very upright and this path probably wouldn’t work.

Huang An thought it was because they’d offered too little money, but this truly was all their savings, so he didn’t dare speak up.

After this last effort also ended in failure, only then did Beigong Chun give up hope and prepare to lead his men to serve Zhao Hanzhang. But just at this time, great changes occurred in Liangzhou.

Worried about his old lord’s situation, Beigong Chun stayed behind again.

Beigong Chun knew that the one who’d been blocking him from returning to Xiliang all along was Inspector of Qinzhou, Jia Kan. He didn’t get along with Zhang Gui and had always wanted to replace him. This time when news of Zhang Gui’s worsening illness spread, he immediately began maneuvering to make himself Inspector of Liangzhou.

Huang An lowered his head to report the information he’d gathered. “Jia Kan was about to receive the imperial decree, but his elder brother Jia Yin rushed to Qinzhou to stop him, saying he wasn’t worthy of being Inspector of Liangzhou. So Jia Kan didn’t receive the decree and declined the position of Inspector of Liangzhou.”

A subordinate general listening nearby said angrily, “Does this person have brain problems? He did so much just to become Inspector of Liangzhou, but now he doesn’t want it. If so, why doesn’t he open the checkpoints and let us return to Liangzhou?”

Beigong Chun’s brows were tightly furrowed. He asked, “And then?”

“Then the court selected Palace Attendant Yuan Yu and ordered him to take up the post at an appropriate time.”

Beigong Chun pressed his lips together and asked, “With our lord gravely ill, how did Chang’an and Luoyang learn of it?”

Huang An lowered his head and said quietly, “I heard it was Assistant Magistrate Qu Chao who reported it to Chang’an.”

Beigong Chun slammed the table hard, his face showing anger. “I said long ago that Qu Chao is narrow-minded and selfish. Our lord should have killed him early on.”

Huang An waited for him to finish venting before asking, “General, what do we do? Do we continue staying in Chang’an waiting for news, or continue on to Yuzhou?”

Leaving at this time made Beigong Chun uneasy, so he prepared to stay.

His eyes showed fierce determination. “If they truly want to harm our lord, even if we have to force our way through the checkpoint, we’ll return to Liangzhou.”

He didn’t dare force the checkpoint—first for the sake of the brothers he’d brought, and second because of Zhang Gui. He couldn’t implicate Zhang Gui in unrighteousness.

But if Zhang Gui were to be removed from office, then forcing the checkpoint would be better. If they rebelled, so be it.

Beigong Chun was becoming fierce, but before he could proceed to the next step, Registrar Yang Dan from the Inspector of Liangzhou’s office rode swiftly to Chang’an. He didn’t look for Beigong Chun but went directly to find the Prince of Nanyang. In his presence, he directly cut off his own ear with a blade, placed it on a plate, and presented it to the Prince of Nanyang, reporting: “Great Prince, Inspector Zhang has been framed. Though he fell ill, it’s not serious. Recently he’s still been able to handle government affairs. How could it reach the point of replacing the inspector?”

He also said, “Inspector Zhang is diligent in governing and loves the people. The people of Liangzhou all view him as a parent. He has been loyal to his superiors. The court has faced difficulties several times, and he has given his all to assist. If the court replaces the inspector because of one minor illness, wouldn’t this break the hearts of all loyal officials in the realm?”

The Prince of Nanyang was frightened by his actions, his face somewhat pale. His advisor also said, “Your Highness, if even a registrar from Liangzhou is so resolute, if we truly replace Zhang Gui, I fear the Liangzhou army will become restless. The Xianbei already covet our Central Plains with predatory intent. Once we lose the Liangzhou army’s restraint, Chang’an will face the Xianbei threat directly.”

“Why not advise the court to temporarily not replace the inspector and let them struggle among themselves? Whoever wins, we’ll confer the title on them.”

The Prince of Nanyang thought about it and agreed. So he reluctantly softened his expression and said to Yang Dan, “Registrar Yang, please rise. I understand this matter and will memorialize the court.”

He sighed, “I truly didn’t expect there to be so much internal intrigue, with Inspector Zhang being harmed by treacherous people. I will certainly report this to the court and give Inspector Zhang his due.”

Only then did Yang Dan relax. He then went down with half his face bloody to bandage his wound.

When Beigong Chun learned of this, he immediately went to see him.

Yang Dan had already wrapped up his ear and was leaning against the bed with a pale face. Seeing Beigong Chun, his eyes immediately reddened, and he tried to get up to perform the courtesy.

Beigong Chun quickly stepped forward and pressed him down, also very distressed. “You—why go to such lengths?”

Yang Dan pursed his lips. “Liangzhou is in crisis. Without this strategy, I might not even have been able to see the Prince of Nanyang, let alone persuade him.”

Beigong Chun hurriedly asked, “How is our lord’s health?”

Yang Dan said, “He’s already improved. Previously it was an acute illness—he lay in bed unable to move. But his will is firm, and with the physician’s proper use of medicine, he can now get out of bed.”

His face showed thin anger. “Though the Inspector fell ill, his son the Young Master is there. Liangzhou affairs haven’t gone wrong. But Qu Chao betrayed the Inspector, colluding with outsiders to frame him.”

“As long as he’s improved, that’s good. The court still needs Liangzhou to resist the Xianbei—they wouldn’t dare greatly offend the Liangzhou army.”

Yang Dan touched the gauze on his head and nodded slightly. He thought the same.

Looking at Beigong Chun again, he felt somewhat sad and momentarily fell silent.

Beigong Chun also fell silent. With Liangzhou in such difficulty now, how could he mention returning to Xiliang?

Yang Dan couldn’t bring himself to speak either. He naturally knew Beigong Chun had been seeking ways to return to Xiliang. Before falling ill, the Inspector had also been trying to find solutions, but now with Xiliang’s difficult position, they couldn’t afford to antagonize the court further and simply couldn’t speak up.

With Beigong Chun’s wholehearted loyalty, Xiliang probably couldn’t repay him.

The two sat in mutual silence. Beigong Chun understood Yang Dan and Xiliang’s difficulty, and Yang Dan comprehended Beigong Chun’s consideration. Their eyes met, and Beigong Chun forced a smile, standing up. “You’re injured and shouldn’t travel anymore. Rest first. I need to return to the military camp to check on those mischievous youngsters.”

Yang Dan responded with difficulty. Just as Beigong Chun was about to walk out the door, he hurriedly called out, “General, Chang’an is not a place for long residence. You can… seek temporary shelter elsewhere.”

Beigong Chun stood with his back to Yang Dan, his eyes red-rimmed. He forcefully held back his tears but couldn’t suppress the catch in his voice. “Very well.”

With that, he strode away with large steps.

Yang Dan’s tears fell instantly, streaming down his face, his heart aching terribly.

Huang An was waiting outside the hostel. Seeing Beigong Chun walking toward him with a dark expression, he hurried forward. “General, how is Registrar Yang?”

“He’s fine.” Beigong Chun mounted his horse and, leading Huang An, returned to their quarters. Once inside, he said, “Prepare, prepare. Once Registrar Yang leaves, we’re going to Yuzhou.”

Huang An was stunned and asked, “Why are we going to Yuzhou? Can’t we return to Liangzhou with Registrar Yang?”

Beigong Chun shook his head. “The Prince of Nanyang has already agreed not to replace the Inspector of Liangzhou, but they haven’t dealt with those who framed our lord. Clearly they want to sit back and watch the tigers fight. At this time, they won’t let us return.”

With Beigong Chun in hand, Zhang Gui would be even more powerful. Whether Chang’an and Luoyang, or the opposition faction to Zhang Gui in Liangzhou, they would all do their utmost to prevent him from returning.

And Zhang Gui was currently struggling to protect himself—clearly he couldn’t help. The return journey seemed endless…

Chang’an truly wasn’t a place for long residence. Besides here, after calculating all the places Beigong Chun had traveled these past two years, only Zhao Hanzhang remained as someone he could turn to. Otherwise, he could only lead the Xiliang army to become bandits.

This… was absolutely unacceptable!

Historically, Beigong Chun probably had to surrender to Liu Cong ultimately because of this. But now, he had a second choice.

Registrar Yang was worried about the situation in Liangzhou. Though he’d cut off one ear, he only rested for two days before departing.

The moment Yang Tan left, Beigong Chun led his men out of the city, ostensibly to collect grain and supplies, then led the Xiliang army straight toward Yuzhou at a gallop. They were gone.

Wu Erlang, traveling with them, was so excited his face turned red. He dispatched guards ahead to notify Zhao Hanzhang.

The group had only just left Chang’an when they encountered Geng Rong, who was bringing money and gifts.

Hearing that Geng Rong had brought money to Chang’an to clear connections for his passage, Beigong Chun stood stunned for several days. His face flushed with anger at the accumulated frustrations. He stared at Geng Rong and asked, “Miss Zhao said she would help me clear connections to leave?”

“Yes.” Geng Rong said, “Our lord said that rarely does anyone in this world not love wealth. She told us to just throw money at it—we’d eventually be able to break through a path for the general.”

Beigong Chun stood dazed for a good while, then began to laugh. His laughter grew louder and louder until finally he threw back his head and laughed heartily for some time. “Excellent!”

He shouted loudly, “She has shown me such consideration—I will certainly not fail her. Men, follow me to Yuzhou to establish great achievements!”

The Xiliang army roared in unison in response.

The Xiliang army had always felt they were forced by circumstances to choose Yuzhou and Zhao Hanzhang, but at this moment, their dejected spirit vanished.

So what if they couldn’t return to Xiliang?

In Yuzhou, they could equally establish great achievements.

Beigong Chun directly ordered a forced march. “Reach Yuzhou within three days!”

“Yes!”

—