Fu Zhi moved into the Zhao residence. Zhao Hanzhang had Fu Tinghan attend to him so grandfather and grandson could talk, while she took Ji Yuan to find Xiahou Yan.
The Xiahou family’s residence had also been burned down, so he had found an empty house nearby to temporarily stay in. He was leaving tomorrow.
He had only three servants with him: one senior attendant, one carriage driver, and one guard.
Seeing Zhao Hanzhang and Ji Yuan come to visit, he was momentarily stunned before inviting them to sit down and asking directly, “What business brings General Zhao to see me?”
Zhao Hanzhang sat upright and respectfully said, “Sir possesses great talent, which delights Hanzhang’s heart. I wish to invite you to serve as Chief Administrator in Ruyin Commandery, Yuzhou.”
Xiahou Yan shook his head directly. “I’m old and dislike traveling about. I must disappoint the General’s kind intentions.”
Zhao Hanzhang glanced at Ji Yuan, and Ji Yuan then urged, “Master Xiahou, the Xiongnu and Xianbei are watching like tigers eyeing their prey, and the world is in great chaos. Only by controlling the Central Plains can the Han people of this world have a chance to catch their breath.”
“But Yuzhou has suffered calamity several times and is also in dire straits. This is precisely when we need you, sir,” Ji Yuan said. “His Majesty has withdrawn to Yuncheng, leaving Luoyang empty. The first to bear the brunt will be Yuzhou. If we don’t hurry to strengthen Yuzhou, I fear when the Xiongnu and Xianbei come south again, they’ll drive straight in without resistance.”
Xiahou Yan slowly shook his head, still refusing.
Going to Yuzhou—would that make him a Jin minister or Zhao Hanzhang’s household retainer?
Even the Emperor’s summons couldn’t draw him out. Zhao Hanzhang inviting him would be even less successful.
This world was beyond saving—no need to waste effort on it. Better to let nature take its course. So Xiahou Yan simply claimed his health was poor, he was too old, and didn’t want to take office.
No matter how Master Ji and Zhao Hanzhang urged him, he simply wouldn’t relent. Zhao Hanzhang, seeing she couldn’t persuade him, could only say with regret, “I hear you’re going to join Master Zhang Jingyang?”
Xiahou Yan looked at her guardedly. “Who told General Zhao this?”
Zhao Hanzhang said, “When Grandfather passed away, we were fortunate to have Master Zhang speak out righteously. Hanzhang has always remembered this. When I had to leave the capital that year, I wanted to properly thank Master Zhang, but never found the opportunity. I wonder if Master Xiahou would be willing to introduce us?”
Xiahou Yan pondered. He also knew about the events from over two years ago. After scolding the Prince of Donghai, Zhang Xie couldn’t remain in the capital and simply moved back to the mountains, living in seclusion and paying no attention to worldly affairs.
Xiahou Yan was going to keep him company this time.
After considering for a moment, he still agreed. This was Zhang Jingyang’s good karma—no need to turn it away at the door.
Zhao Hanzhang, seeing that of two matters she had at least succeeded in one, left satisfied.
Ji Yuan walked alongside her, leading their horses slowly back. “My lady, seeing how firm Xiahou Yan’s resolve is, I fear he won’t agree easily.”
Zhao Hanzhang said, “It’s fine. I don’t absolutely need him to go to Yuzhou. Now that I know where they’re staying, as long as it’s not too far, I can just visit frequently in the future.”
“When Zhao Kuan arrives, have him go mix with them too and get familiar. In the future, if there’s anything we don’t understand, we can go up the mountain to consult the two old masters,” Zhao Hanzhang said. “Sometimes, one sentence from them is more effective than ten things we do.”
Ji Yuan smiled. “My lady is also quite skilled in human relations and social graces.”
Zhao Hanzhang turned to look at him. “If you have something to say, sir, speak plainly.”
Ting He, following behind, also felt Ji Yuan’s praise was somewhat insincere. Did their lady, with her thick face, need such compliments about being skilled in social graces?
“My lady hardly spoke with the young master today. Are you displeased with the young master’s words of advice yesterday?” He said, “Minister Fu has moved into the Zhao residence. Under his watchful eye, my lady should be better to the young master, otherwise how can he feel at ease entrusting the young master to you?”
“Moreover, regarding yesterday’s matter, even if the young master hadn’t advised you, I would have. The young master, he…”
“Stop, stop, stop,” Zhao Hanzhang quickly interrupted him and asked, “When did I speak less with him? You don’t think we’re having a quarrel, do you?”
“Isn’t that the case?” Ji Yuan said, “I noticed this morning my lady barely spoke with the young master. I thought it was because the young master’s direct words yesterday displeased you.”
Zhao Hanzhang said, “Am I such a narrow-minded person?”
Ji Yuan smiled. “My lady naturally isn’t, but everyone in this world loves to hear pleasant words. Who wants to hear words that go against their own wishes?”
Zhao Hanzhang said, “But often words of opposition are most beneficial to people.”
Ji Yuan smiled. “My lady is being too hard on yourself this way. There are also many strategists in this world who speak and act in accordance with their lord’s wishes.”
“In accordance? Those are ideas even I can think of—why would I need them to waste mental effort on them again? From this alone, one can see they’re inferior,” Zhao Hanzhang looked at Ji Yuan suspiciously. “Master Ji, you’ve also frequently contradicted me. Why bring this up today? Could it be you’re worried I can’t accept words of advice?”
Ji Yuan laughed heartily. “Of course not. I naturally know my lady is broad-minded and won’t mind our occasional offenses. It’s just that Young Master Fu is different. Ever since he’s been by your side, this is the first time he’s opposed your words.”
Zhao Hanzhang listened and waved her hand dismissively. “Learning is about constantly challenging oneself, contending with this world while also integrating with it. This is also the essence of education. Tinghan is helping me—I’m not so ungrateful.”
Ji Yuan said, “Reading and studying should clearly be a joyful thing. Why does my lady make it sound like suffering?”
“It is a joyful thing, but that’s after achieving results. During the learning process, hasn’t the master suffered?” Zhao Hanzhang said, “Copying books in the bitter cold of winter, memorizing texts in the scorching summer heat—these are inherently processes of constantly challenging oneself. Having gains is indeed joyful, but one cannot deny that these gains all came after effort and suffering.”
Ji Yuan was slightly stunned.
This was the first time he’d heard such a perspective.
He thought it over carefully. “So as long as my lady gains something, no matter how great the suffering, you’re willing?”
“Well, the gain would also need to be proportional to the suffering. Otherwise, I’d necessarily feel unwilling—as if I’d suffered in vain.”
Ji Yuan then said, “Then I must tell my lady something.”
“What is it?”
“Of the two hundred thousand or so people you left in Xiangcheng, only about a hundred thousand remain. The news arrived yesterday after a two-day journey. By now, there may not even be a hundred thousand left.”
Zhao Hanzhang said, “Where did they go?”
“Some joined together and went to Yuzhou on their own. Some went south to seek relatives. And others… they went to Yanzhou,” Ji Yuan said. “There were too many people. Fan Ying and the others could only manage the broad strokes, unable to notice many details. Some people mixed into the crowd—they learned about His Majesty’s plan to relocate the capital, and with Gou Xi’s reputation, quite a few people took their possessions and went to Yanzhou.”
Zhao Hanzhang’s mind filled with a herd of alpacas stampeding past.
Ji Yuan looked at Zhao Hanzhang and sighed. “My lady’s methods are still too gentle. In my opinion, when you initially rescued those two hundred thousand people, you should have immediately confiscated all their possessions. That way, without money or goods, even if they wanted to leave, they’d have to think twice.”
Zhao Hanzhang said, “…Master Ji’s suggestion is quite ruthless.”
Master Ji said, “Luoyang is impoverished, my lady. You don’t have much money left either. To rebuild Luoyang and ensure Yuzhou’s stability, money is indispensable.”
Zhao Hanzhang asked, “Where is Shi Lei now?”
—