The booming sound from the east gate was just a loud crash to most ears, but to Zhao Hanzhang it was the thunderous collapse of a city gate, followed by massive waves of battle cries.

Hoofbeats, battle cries, screams—various sounds carried from the east gate in the distance. Combined with the firelight, the entire vast city of Luoyang heard that the east gate had been breached.

Zhao Hanzhang immediately went to find Zhao Ji. “Uncle, we must leave the city immediately.”

“What?” Zhao Ji’s eyes widened. “Right now the outside is full of rebel troops. Instead of staying home properly, why would you run outside?”

“The eastern and western parts of the city are mostly inhabited by officials, aristocratic families, and the wealthy. Moreover, the palace is near the north of the city. Regardless of who the attackers are, they’ll definitely strike directly at the palace. Our household in this location isn’t safe. While the rebel troops haven’t reached here yet, if we immediately take the west gate out, we might be able to avoid this disaster.”

“They’re just some insignificant bandits. You’re overestimating them. Luoyang has Prince Donghai’s two hundred thousand troops.”

“But those two hundred thousand troops aren’t in the city, and that’s just a claimed number.” Zhao Hanzhang’s sense of foreboding grew stronger and stronger. She felt somewhat irritable. “Prince Donghai sent people to kill Prince Heijian. Jingzhao Jun has been in continuous chaos. Who knows if he’s privately dispatched troops to quell the rebellion?”

Zhao Hanzhang said: “If he doesn’t have two hundred thousand troops and rescue doesn’t arrive in time, Luoyang will fall. Those remaining in Luoyang won’t have good outcomes. Even if he truly has two hundred thousand troops in Luoyang, by the time they return to provide aid, we’ll have long been robbed. Whether we can survive is still unknown.”

Zhao Ji: “Stop spreading panic here. Go back to the spirit hall obediently and guard it. If you dare go outside and bring disaster upon my Zhao family, don’t blame me for showing no mercy.”

Hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang turned and walked away.

She summoned Chengbo: “Prepare the carriages and horses. Bind Grandfather’s coffin onto one. We’re leaving the city immediately.”

Chengbo was surprised. “Zhao Qianli and Fu Dalang haven’t arrived yet.”

Zhao Hanzhang considered briefly, then said: “Fleeing for your life is like fleeing fire—we can’t wait for them. We’ll leave them a message. I’ll send you all out first and we’ll meet outside the city.”

Since Zhao Changyu’s death, Zhao Hanzhang had been Chengbo’s master. He naturally obeyed her, so he went down to make preparations.

By the time Zhao Ji found out, Zhao Changyu’s coffin was already bound to a cart. He hurriedly brought people over, pointing at Zhao Hanzhang so angry he couldn’t speak. “How can you be so willful? Don’t you know there are rebel troops right outside the estate? If you want to die, don’t drag everyone with you.”

Zhao Hanzhang said: “Uncle, rest assured. Even outside, I won’t reveal that I’m from the Zhao estate. I’ll only take Grandfather’s coffin and my dowry. I won’t touch any of the other people.”

“You!” Zhao Ji said angrily: “This is precisely when we should unite. Perhaps we can get through this crisis. By taking so many people away now, you’re putting the entire Zhao household in danger. Moreover, if you leave like this, how do I explain to your deceased uncle? How do I explain to Father?”

Zhao Ji wouldn’t let her leave and had people block the carts.

Zhao Hanzhang’s face darkened. She reached out and drew the sword from a nearby guard, pointing it at Zhao Ji. “Uncle, do you wish to cross swords with me?”

Zhao Ji’s face immediately turned iron-blue.

Zhao Hanzhang’s face was solemn. “I am determined to leave the city today. If Uncle blocks me, we can only fight first within the estate. This way, both sides suffer and no one benefits.”

Zhao Ji pointed at her with a shaking finger. “You, you would rather both sides suffer than leave?”

“Correct.” Zhao Hanzhang said: “I’m a woman and don’t have Uncle’s magnanimity. So when I’ve decided to do something, I must accomplish it, even if it means both sides suffer or being shattered to pieces.”

Regardless of whether she spoke truly or falsely, her momentum was there. Zhao Ji hesitated—he couldn’t go all in, but he also couldn’t back down gracefully.

Just as they reached an impasse, two guards rushed back breathlessly from outside. “Eldest son, the master has sent a written message.”

These were guards who had left with Zhao Zhongyu at dawn. They knelt before Zhao Ji and presented a strip of cut silk.

Zhao Ji opened it to find only four hastily written large characters: “Leave city immediately!”

Zhao Ji: !!

If these two guards weren’t truly his father’s men, and if this handwriting weren’t truly his father’s, he would suspect this was Zhao Hanzhang’s doing.

He couldn’t help but look at Zhao Hanzhang across from him.

Zhao Hanzhang’s heart stirred. She stepped forward and snatched the silk strip away with such speed that Zhao Ji couldn’t react.

Seeing the four large characters, Zhao Hanzhang’s heart grew heavier. With a serious expression, she returned the silk to Zhao Ji. “Uncle, time is urgent. We should follow Shuzu’s instructions and leave as quickly as possible.”

Zhao Ji gripped the silk strip tightly and asked the two guards: “What exactly happened outside?”

The two guards knelt on the ground and replied: “We escorted the master into the Imperial City, then waited outside the palace gates for orders. We don’t know the situation inside the palace.”

“But there are many rebel troops outside. People have been continuously attacking the Imperial City, and others have scattered throughout the city causing chaos. The princely estate’s military officer who was waiting outside the palace gates with us said that the escaped Gao Tao colluded with rebel troops from Jingzhao Jun to attack the city. He also said…”

Zhao Ji pressed: “Also said what?”

“He also said Qiang and Hu troops are mixed in. The enemy forces are strong. The city assault and street fighting involve Prince Heijian’s troops, while outside the city the Qiang and Hu cavalry are unmatched. So Prince Donghai plans to take His Majesty out of the city to temporarily avoid danger.”

Zhao Ji listened dumbfounded and asked: “We’re leaving—what about Father?”

“Many officials are in the palace. They’ll leave together with His Majesty and Prince Donghai.”

Zhao Ji asked no more questions. Two years ago when Emperor Hui was still alive, because he was constantly being captured and recaptured, officials following along were also seized. When fleeing Luoyang, separating from official colleagues to escape was common.

Zhao Ji was already accustomed to it. He was about to give orders when Zhao Hanzhang suddenly asked: “North of the city are Prince Heijian’s remnant forces and Qiang and Hu troops. Then who’s attacking the east gate?”

The guards hesitated without speaking, looking toward Zhao Ji.

Zhao Ji was angry. “Why are you looking at me? Speak quickly!”

“We’re not certain either, but we vaguely heard it’s the Xiongnu—seems to be the Xiongnu’s Left Worthy Prince Liu Yuan leading troops.”

At this, not only Zhao Hanzhang but even Zhao Ji’s expression changed. He finally stopped dithering. After looking at Zhao Hanzhang gravely, he turned and left.

Zhao Hanzhang pressed her lips together and summoned all the servants from her branch. “Each of you carry some money on your person. Take your bundles. After leaving, stay close to the main group. If we’re not separated, that’s good. If we accidentally get separated, figure out how to survive on your own. As long as you can return to Runan, the Zhao family gate will always be open to you.”

Everyone’s hearts filled with anxiety.

Zhao Hanzhang’s face was resolute as she said earnestly: “On this journey, I will do everything in my power to protect you. I hope you won’t abandon me.”

Everyone bowed and acknowledged.

With Zhao Ji’s orders given, the household moved quickly. Since they were fleeing for their lives, they could basically only take gold, silver, and valuables.

But when the second branch packed, they discovered… they actually didn’t have much gold and silver. Thinking back, they remembered they’d exchanged all those things with Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Ji’s breathing stopped for a moment, but he quickly moved past this matter, urging everyone to finish preparing and go to the front courtyard to meet with Zhao Hanzhang.

—