Ji Yuan had the same thought. He smiled and acknowledged, “Yes.”

“Liu Kun didn’t agree to Gou Xi’s invitation to go to Jizhou, did he?”

“No,” Ji Yuan was even more pleased when discussing this, “Once Liu Kun leaves, Jinyang definitely won’t hold. He can’t abandon the common people of Jinyang, so he’s unwilling to go to Jizhou and insists on staying in Jinyang.”

Zhao Hanzhang’s lips curved upward as she said happily, “I knew it.”

Liu Kun was a very complex person. He was loyal to the monarch and loved his country, pitied the common people, yet was also jealous of talent and ability, and loved pleasure. But regardless of how many faults he had, he was indeed a person with ideals. He couldn’t let go of the Jin state, and naturally couldn’t let go of Bingzhou and Jinyang either.

Leaving Jinyang to take refuge with Gou Xi in Yuncheng and take up the post of Jizhou Regional Inspector would indeed offer better prospects, but he also knew that once he left Jinyang, it would no longer be the Jin state’s Jinyang—it would become Liu Yuan’s Jinyang.

At that time, the Han people in Jinyang would either be slaughtered or reduced to second-class citizens. This wasn’t something he could accept, so he wouldn’t leave.

Zhao Hanzhang felt that precisely because of his determination, she had to meet with the envoy from Jinyang.

However, it was already late at night, so she couldn’t meet them right now. Zhao Hanzhang decided to meet them the next day.

Ji Yuan finished saying what he needed to say, and only then did Xie Shi speak, “Governor, Beigong Chun and Mi Ce forcibly compelled refugees to relocate, causing widespread resentment. How should this matter be handled?”

Tonight, Zhao Cheng’s words had given her quite a shock. Zhao Hanzhang had gained many insights, and her thinking was somewhat different now. She said, “This matter was done at my instruction.”

Xie Shi: …How could he not know?

But she couldn’t very well be punished, so they needed to find a scapegoat. Beigong Chun and Mi Ce were the best candidates. This was standard procedure.

Publicly punish Beigong Chun and Mi Ce a bit, compensate them privately, the forcibly relocated people’s grievances would be appeased, and Beigong Chun and Mi Ce wouldn’t suffer too much loss either—everyone would be happy.

Zhao Hanzhang had indeed thought this way before, but she’d now changed her mind.

She said, “Tomorrow I’ll write a self-reproach edict. This mistake is mine, not the two generals’.”

Ji Yuan and Xie Shi’s eyes widened as they exclaimed in unison, “This is inadvisable!”

The two looked at each other. Ji Yuan said, “This action will damage the young lady’s dignity.”

Xie Shi was more direct, “Wouldn’t this transfer their hatred onto the Governor? This would be extremely detrimental to governing Luoyang.”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “Even if I don’t acknowledge it, can’t they guess that I was the one who instructed it?”

Ji Yuan frowned slightly, “The young lady has already punished Beigong Chun and Mi Ce. That’s sufficient explanation.”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “Just now during the evening meal, Uncle Cheng asked me to select talented people from among the great clans and powerful families. From that moment, I began thinking—when the Emperor was in the capital, they all neglected their duties and did nothing. Now the Emperor isn’t even in Luoyang, and I’m merely a Regional Inspector and Duke. Why would they submit to my command?”

“I forced them to return to Luoyang, making them suffer alongside everyone else. They’ll only hate me, won’t they?”

Ji Yuan and Xie Shi fell silent and said nothing more.

Zhao Hanzhang sighed deeply, “I’ve been thinking—why is the Jin state’s realm in such turmoil with constant warfare?”

“Previously, I firmly believed it was because Wang Yan and his ilk didn’t match their virtue to their positions, neglected government affairs, and accomplished nothing. But now, looking back, the root of the trouble should lie with Emperor Xuan and Emperor Wen.”

Ji Yuan and Xie Shi’s expressions changed drastically as they hurried to stop her, “Lord, speak carefully!”

Zhao Hanzhang waved her hand dismissively, “Everyone in this study is one of our own. What can’t be said?”

She continued, “Emperor Xuan and Emperor Wen seized power through intrigue, were repeatedly inconstant, and kept breaking through bottom lines. This made people throughout the realm anxious and unwilling to give their sincere loyalty to the Jin imperial house. People like Ji Kang hid from the world to avoid disaster. By the time it reached Wang Yan, he coveted power but also put on a show of not caring for authority, to avoid calamity. Should I become the same kind of person as them?”

Ji Yuan opened his mouth, then said, “This is just a small matter. It’s always been handled this way. How does it reach the level of Emperor Xuan and Emperor Wen?”

Zhao Hanzhang pursed her lips, “It may be a small matter, but everyone knows it. Punishing General Beigong and General Mi is just covering one’s ears while stealing a bell—it only invites ridicule.”

She said, “My mind is made up. I’ll issue the self-reproach edict tomorrow.”

Ji Yuan asked, “Once the edict is issued, what if those people want to leave Luoyang?”

Zhao Hanzhang: “They’re not permitted!”

Ji Yuan stared, “You’re…”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “I’ll issue an order forbidding them from relocating!”

Ji Yuan and Xie Shi were momentarily speechless, not knowing what to say. Wasn’t this textbook—I know I was wrong, but I absolutely refuse to change?

Ji Yuan opened his mouth and after a long while said, “As long as the young lady has thought it through.”

However, Xie Shi put himself in the position of the Xie family and thought for quite a while, then raised his hands in a deep bow, “Governor, after the self-reproach edict, I’m willing to serve as an envoy to visit each family and persuade them to stay.”

Zhao Hanzhang’s lips curved upward. She quickly came out from behind her desk and supported Xie Shi, saying, “Then I entrust this to Teacher Xie. Please tell them that I’m willing to govern Luoyang together with them.”

Xie Shi acknowledged.

Ji Yuan glanced at Xie Shi’s expression and suddenly felt at ease, standing calmly to the side watching their lord and minister finding accord.

Fu Tinghan was already so sleepy his eyes were about to close, but he still propped up his head, quietly watching them converse.

Zhao Hanzhang praised Xie Shi for a good half quarter-hour. Ji Yuan felt the eldest young master was still too indulgent with the young lady, so he cleared his throat lightly as a hint, “Young lady, it’s getting late.”

“Oh, right, it’s late. Teachers, please return and rest.”

Only then did Fu Tinghan rise and slowly accompany Zhao Hanzhang in seeing the two to the door. Then they turned to go rest themselves. On the way, Fu Tinghan asked, “Who are Emperor Xuan and Emperor Wen?”

“I thought you were asleep.”

“Almost, but I still heard.”

Zhao Hanzhang explained, “They’re Sima Yi and Sima Zhao.”

Fu Tinghan waited for her to tell the story.

Zhao Hanzhang also slowed her pace and roughly explained the allusions she’d mentioned earlier, “When Sima Yi and Sima Zhao contended for the throne of Cao Wei, their methods were very dishonorable, leaving deep aftereffects.”

Fu Tinghan said, “Haven’t struggles for the throne always been full of intrigue? Why is the Sima family different?”

“Because they were relatively bottom-line-breaking,” Zhao Hanzhang said. “In both conduct and governance, there must be a bottom line. Power struggles can certainly be ruthless and use intrigue, but like the Sima family, relying entirely on intrigue to seize power—only theirs is like this. Moreover, other families, after seizing power, would always accomplish something, make some contribution to justify it to the realm.”

“This way, when later generations discuss their merits and faults, at least there’s something good to say about them. But honestly speaking, after their family came to power, they had no achievements that could cover their crimes. Instead, they covered intrigue with more intrigue, so since the Sima clan took control, strife in the realm has been constant.”

She said, “You see, the great families and scholar-officials throughout the realm fear the Sima family but also disdain them, while the Sima family also lacks moral authority and confidence. Even their descendants directly say that a realm seized this way won’t have a long dynasty.”

Fu Tinghan’s knowledge of this period of history came basically from Zhao Hanzhang. He knew even less of the finer details, so he asked directly, “What did they do?”

They had almost reached the room entrance, so Zhao Hanzhang stopped and gave an abbreviated account, “Back then, Cao Shuang took the Emperor on a tour outside the capital. Sima Yi staged a rebellion in Luoyang, but with the Emperor away, a single proclamation could brand him a traitor.”

“Sima Yi then deceived Cao Shuang, swearing by the Luo River that as long as Cao Shuang surrendered military authority, he would not only spare his life but also grant him noble rank,” Zhao Hanzhang said. “Cao Shuang believed him and brought the Emperor back.”

“But only a few days after his return, Sima Yi arrested Cao Shuang’s close associates, tortured them severely, and forced them to confess that Cao Shuang had colluded with eight clans to rebel. He then annihilated three generations of those eight clans.”

Those eight men were all ministers and confidants of Cao Wei, wiped out in such a confused manner.

Fu Tinghan tilted his head slightly, “Trumped-up charges?”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, “If Cao Shuang really wanted to rebel, why wait until returning to Luoyang, into Sima Yi’s encirclement? Before surrendering, he was outside Luoyang, holding the Emperor, with the seal of the Grand Minister of Agriculture and military authority. He could have rebelled right then.”

“Sima Yi betrayed the Oath of the Luo River, deceiving his political enemies twice,” Zhao Hanzhang sneered. “He didn’t believe in oaths. Honestly, I don’t either, but oaths aren’t meant for heaven to constrain oneself—they’re for oneself to constrain oneself.”

“An oath he never intended to keep from the start—many people believed it then, but he violated it, so his credibility ceased to exist. Later people learned from his example and naturally could use intrigue to harm others.” Zhao Hanzhang said, “We offer sacrifices to our ancestors to learn from their virtues. He set a very bad precedent.”

“Alas, if he were merely a clan head, it would only corrupt the moral climate of their one clan. But Sima Zhao went on to murder the monarch in broad daylight and seize the throne, so their family’s credibility became the state’s credibility, and their family’s moral climate became the state’s moral climate.”

Fu Tinghan finally understood why she wanted to issue a self-reproach edict. She couldn’t act wrongly—she had to correct this moral climate.

Fu Tinghan gazed at her steadily, softly saying, “This will be very difficult, won’t it?”

Zhao Hanzhang pulled at the corners of her mouth, “Yes, it’s very difficult, but no matter how difficult, it must be done. I can’t keep looking down on them and despising them. The way I treat them, they’ll treat me the same—just as the Sima clan used intrigue against them, they passively resisted. Heaven knows how they’ll treat me if I keep despising them like this.”

“So I want to treat them with sincerity, hoping they’ll respond with sincerity as well.”

Fu Tinghan couldn’t help but place his palm on her head, “Then you must persist and not withdraw your sincerity when you encounter setbacks.”

Zhao Hanzhang could already foresee that things wouldn’t go smoothly at first, so she bared her teeth at him, “Don’t worry, I’m not so easily defeated.”

Fu Tinghan smiled and withdrew his hand, “Go to sleep quickly. It’s already very late today.”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded.

It was indeed very late. Aside from the two of them, everyone else in the city was probably already asleep.

Zhao Hanzhang pushed open the door and entered. Ting He was already sprawled sleeping on the couch. Zhao Hanzhang walked very lightly, and when she passed by her, she wanted to pick her up and lay her properly on the couch, but the moment Zhao Hanzhang touched her shoulder, she immediately awakened.

Seeing Zhao Hanzhang, Ting He was shocked, “When did the young lady return?”

Zhao Hanzhang smiled, “Just now. Go back to your room and sleep. If you sleep sprawled like this, your arm won’t be able to move tomorrow.”

Ting He was full of chagrin, “This servant didn’t even hear.”

She really was too derelict in her duty. As a personal maid, she should be aware even if her mistress merely turned over in bed.

Although the young lady never had her keep night watch, she shouldn’t have lost this professional skill.

Zhao Hanzhang said, “I deliberately lightened my footsteps. You’ve also been tired all day. Go back to sleep quickly.”

Ting He could only acknowledge, though she was chagrined inside, secretly determining that she must relearn this professional skill.

Ting He didn’t leave immediately but went to take out the warming bottles from the bedding, then helped Zhao Hanzhang remove her outer garments, loosened her hair, and waited until she lay down before leaving.

Zhao Hanzhang lay in the warm bedding, couldn’t help but sigh comfortably. Sleeping really was comfortable, especially in spring and autumn when it was neither cold nor hot.

In just a moment, hearing Ting He open and close the side room door, Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes gradually closed and she fell asleep.

Although Zhao Hanzhang slept late, she slept very well. Far away, thousands of miles distant, Emperor Jin had gone to bed very early but hadn’t been able to sleep all along.

Today they had received news that Shi Le had killed all the captured imperial clansmen, officials, and scholar-officials he’d taken, including the Prince of Xiangyang and Wang Yan—not one was spared.

Although those people were all imperial clansmen and court officials who supported the Prince of Donghai, Emperor Jin still couldn’t help but secretly shed tears. So many people had actually died.

At this moment, Emperor Jin felt the sorrow of seeing his kind perish.

He heard that only the Prince of Xiangyang and Wang Yan had been left with intact corpses. The rest had all been killed by swords—too horrible to behold.

The Emperor thought—after relocating the capital to Yuncheng, would he really be able to quell the rebellions and bring peace to the realm?

He felt powerless from the depths of his heart. Originally, when contending with the Prince of Donghai, he still had some fighting spirit, feeling that as long as he defeated the Prince of Donghai and took control of the court, he could certainly bring peace to the realm.

But now, Shi Le alone could defeat the Prince of Donghai’s army of over two hundred thousand. The Prince of Donghai, who had seemed insurmountable to him, couldn’t even last one round against Shi Le. What about Liu Yuan behind him?

Liu Yuan had so many capable generals—could he defeat him?

Moreover, he still hadn’t been able to take control of the court.

Gou Xi and Zhao Hanzhang were respectful to him on the surface, but who truly obeyed his commands?

Emperor Jin couldn’t help but hug his bedding and weep, his heart filled with powerlessness.

Not too far from him, Gou Xi also hadn’t slept. He was angry, and also somewhat sorrowful.

So many imperial clansmen, officials, and scholar-officials buried in Shi Le’s hands—Gou Xi ground his teeth in hatred. This matter was entirely the Prince of Donghai’s fault. If he wanted to leave, he should have left, but why take so many people with him, causing the Jin state to lose so many talented people?

Gou Xi didn’t doubt Zhao Hanzhang, but he still couldn’t help thinking of her. She should have already returned to Luoyang by now. He wondered how long she would stay in Luoyang. Yuzhou was her foundation after all.

And Yuzhou bordered Yanzhou. There would be plenty of disputes between them in the future. He needed to quickly help His Majesty settle in Yuncheng and gain recognition from the realm, so that he could use His Majesty’s name to constrain Zhao Hanzhang.

Thinking of this, Gou Xi couldn’t sleep. He got up and called his personal guard, asking, “Where is Zhao Ju now?”

“He’s already advanced his forces to the border between Yanzhou and Yuzhou and is currently stationed at the border.”

Gou Xi’s expression was emotionless, “His speed is quite fast… Have Gou Chun take another five thousand men to receive those withdrawing from the Four Commanderies. Try to relocate as many of the scholar-official families to Yanzhou as possible.”

“Yes.”

Gou Chun was sleeping soundly. Hearing this order in the early morning hours, he angrily threw off his bedding and kicked the soldier who came to relay the message out of the room, “Not sleeping in the middle of the night—did the order have to be delivered at this hour? Get lost!”

—