Two fast horses galloped into the city. Before reaching the entrance of the Regional Inspector’s mansion, the riders leaped from their mounts before the horses had even stopped fully. “Great joy for the Governor! Great joy for the Governor—”
The men shouted as they rushed inside. Zhao Hanzhang, who was playing chess with Fu Tinghan, paused and looked up at him.
Fu Tinghan hadn’t yet heard the shouting. Seeing her suddenly look up and stare at him, he glanced down at the board. “What’s wrong, am I about to win again?”
He carefully counted the pieces. “You should still be able to place three more stones.”
Zhao Hanzhang: …
She dropped the chess piece in her hand. “I’m not playing anymore.”
He could even calculate exactly how many moves she had left—what was the point of continuing?
Fu Tinghan smiled. “I can give you two more stones. Perhaps there’ll be a different outcome?”
As his words fell, the soldiers bringing the good news rushed over and knelt beneath the pavilion to report: “Governor, General Beigong has come to pledge allegiance and is heading toward Yuzhou.”
Zhao Hanzhang shot to her feet. “Is it true? Where is Wuren?”
“Wuren and Gengrong are both accompanying General Beigong.”
Zhao Hanzhang burst into hearty laughter, joy written all over her face. She turned and grabbed Fu Tinghan. “I’ll concede this round. Come on, stop playing. Let’s go welcome General Beigong together.”
The two brought a contingent of troops and quickly rode out of the city. Ji Yuan arrived just in time to see their backs disappearing into the distance.
He stomped his foot and turned back to give orders: “Prepare a banquet to welcome General Beigong. Also, prepare space at the military camp outside the city to accommodate the Xiliang Army. Have the main camp slaughter chickens and sheep—this is good news and should be celebrated.”
Zhao Hanzhang had been thinking about Beigong Chun for so long. His allegiance certainly called for celebration.
Everyone dispersed to carry out the orders.
At this time, as soon as Zhao Hanzhang left Chen County, she rode rapidly in the direction of Chang’an. After half a day’s journey, she could see the Xiliang Army marching slowly in the distance.
To avoid misunderstandings, once they entered Yuzhou territory, Beigong Chun had slowed their pace, advancing gradually.
Now when the two parties met, Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze locked with Beigong Chun’s. Both were excited. She immediately spurred her horse forward. “General Beigong!”
Beigong Chun leaped from his horse, knelt on one knee, and clasped his fists. “This subordinate, Beigong Chun, pays respects to General Zhao!”
Zhao Hanzhang quickly dismounted and stepped forward to help him up. “General Beigong, please rise quickly.”
She grasped his hand, her eyes full of excitement. “That the General is willing to come to my Yuzhou is the greatest fortune of my three lifetimes!”
Beigong Chun smiled bitterly. “I am merely someone who cannot return home. Chun presumptuously comes to seek refuge, only hoping to find a peaceful place for my subordinate soldiers. In the future, if the General has any requests, we dare not refuse to comply.”
“General Beigong’s words shame me,” Zhao Hanzhang said. “You came to rescue Yuzhou. You have shown great kindness to both me and the people of Yuzhou. Brothers, please settle in with peace of mind. I will treat you just as I would treat family, never with any different regard.”
This was the most moving promise Beigong Chun had heard in two years. He nodded with tears in his eyes. “Good!”
Fu Tinghan, still mounted, saw them harmonizing above and below, and couldn’t help but smile. He dismounted and said, “We’ve ridden half a day. Everyone should rest a bit and take some food and water before continuing.”
Beigong Chun looked at Fu Tinghan and his eyes brightened. He agreed repeatedly and immediately ordered everyone to rest on the spot.
Only then did Wuren and Gengrong come forward to see Zhao Hanzhang. Beigong Chun pulled Fu Tinghan aside to talk. “I wonder what position Young Master Fu holds in Yuzhou now?”
Fu Tinghan replied, “I hold no official position.”
“Have you ever considered taking a military position in the army?” Beigong Chun said. “You wouldn’t even need to go to the battlefield—just sit in the rear would be sufficient.”
Zhao Hanzhang took a moment to turn back and interject, “General Beigong, Tinghan is my military advisor. You already have Vice General Huang, so you can’t poach my people.”
Beigong Chun’s smile faded slightly as he explained to Fu Tinghan, “Huang An is a vice general, not a military advisor.”
Huang An, standing nearby, felt somewhat aggrieved. Actually, he could also serve as a military advisor.
Fu Tinghan politely declined. “I’m accustomed to being unrestrained and only follow Hanzhang.”
Zhao Hanzhang gave Beigong Chun a triumphant look and said to Wuren and Gengrong, “You two go rest.”
“Yes.” The two bowed and withdrew.
Now that Zhao Hanzhang had gained Beigong Chun, she didn’t intend to constrain him too much. Once they returned to Chen County and learned that Ji Yuan had cleared space for the Xiliang Army at the main camp, she said to Beigong Chun, “General Beigong should settle in first. Tomorrow we’ll select a good location and build a separate military camp for the soldiers.”
Beigong Chun was slightly surprised. “The Xiliang Army will have its own separate camp?”
Zhao Hanzhang nodded. “I know that General Beigong has a unique method of training troops that other generals can’t learn immediately. To avoid disturbing you, you’ll have your own camp.”
She smiled. “In the future, if the General sees anyone promising, you can also recruit them.”
The power to recruit soldiers—this was a significant authority.
But Beigong Chun and Huang An didn’t find it unusual, because during their two years wandering outside, they had already figured out that in the Central Plains, anyone could recruit soldiers as long as they had money.
So…
Huang An asked on Beigong Chun’s behalf, “Then the provisions for our camp…”
Zhao Hanzhang smiled. “Full supply.”
Huang An’s eyes lit up and he couldn’t help but look at Beigong Chun.
Beigong Chun clasped his fists. “Yes, this subordinate will certainly train the troops well and not disappoint the General’s expectations.”
Zhao Hanzhang smiled and patted his hand. “Come, Ji Yuan has prepared a banquet. Today we’ll welcome General Beigong and introduce you to all the officers.”
Ji Yuan had invited all the officials and generals of Chen County, many of whom had met General Beigong before.
They truly hadn’t expected that after going in circles, Beigong Chun would return to Yuzhou.
Moreover, Zhao Hanzhang valued him so highly.
Everyone, especially the military generals, felt a rising sense of urgency.
They had previously not taken Beigong Chun seriously. Even though they knew in their hearts he was brave and could be called a war god, they still didn’t regard him highly, precisely because they knew that in the Central Plains, no one would employ him seriously.
This man was extremely loyal to Zhang Gui of Xiliang. Who would use someone devoted to another?
Even the Emperor, Prince Donghai, and Wang Yan had all used and discarded him—what about others?
They really hadn’t expected that Zhao Hanzhang would snatch him away and value him so highly.
Even Xun Xiu couldn’t help but say jealously, “Did General Beigong take leave from the Prince of Nanyang before coming to Yuzhou?”
Beigong Chun’s heart tightened and he was about to explain when he saw Zhao Hanzhang raise her finger to everyone in a shushing gesture, leaning forward to whisper, “Everyone, keep your voices down. I secretly snatched General Beigong from the Prince of Nanyang. It’s fine for us to know among ourselves, but don’t spread it outside. If the Prince of Nanyang comes to demand his return, we’ll have to fight him.”
All the officers: …
Yu Sheng said, “Governor, isn’t it bad to offend the Prince of Nanyang this way? Nanyang Commandery is still the Prince of Nanyang’s fief.”
Zhao Hanzhang waved her hand. “For the sake of Nanyang Commandery, I could disobey the Prince of Nanyang’s orders. Compared to Nanyang Commandery, General Beigong is ten times more valuable, if not more.”
Beigong Chun’s mouth moved. He rose and knelt in the hall, his eyes red as he said, “This subordinate is willing to serve the General and only wishes to resolve the conflict between the General and the Prince of Nanyang.”
—