Zhao Hanzhang worked in the front hall. When Huang An arrived, Zhao Yi happened to be there, so Huang An waited to the side.
Zhao Hanzhang saw Huang An had come and nodded to Zhao Yi. “The guards are ready. Once you’ve packed your things, you can depart. They’ll escort you all the way back to Xiping.”
Zhao Yi acknowledged, glanced at his cousin seated above, bowed, and withdrew.
After Zhao Yi left, Zhao Hanzhang smiled at Huang An and the adjutant behind him, pointing to the seat cushions on the left side for them to sit.
Huang An saw her smile warmly and relaxed slightly, bowing with the adjutant before sitting down.
“How is General Beigong’s injury?”
Huang An reported it was fine now—he could move freely and had even been practicing mounted archery.
Zhao Hanzhang pondered briefly. “Since General Beigong can move without impediment, I have a matter to entrust to General Huang.”
Huang An’s spine stiffened. He glanced imperceptibly at the adjutant. Could it be Zhao Hanzhang disliked the Xiliang Army being too united and wanted to transfer him away from the General’s side?
Many people had done this before, but neither he nor the General had agreed, so the Xiliang Army had remained a unified whole.
Huang An was already mentally preparing how to refuse Zhao Hanzhang when he heard her say, “I’d like the General to make a trip back to Xiliang and bring the Xiliang Army families to Luoyang.”
“Administrator, I entered the Xiliang Army at sixteen and truly don’t wish to… What did you say?” His brain finally processed what he’d heard.
The adjutant, who’d been nodding continuously, suddenly froze and looked at Zhao Hanzhang in shock.
Zhao Hanzhang smiled at them both. “Secretary Fu is currently in Chang’an. I asked him to obtain a document for entering and leaving the passes. I’d like you to go back and bring the soldiers’ families to Luoyang.”
Huang An couldn’t help looking at the adjutant. After the two exchanged glances, both grew serious. “Is the Administrator telling the truth?”
“Naturally,” Zhao Hanzhang said. “I also know that General Beigong and all of you have always wanted to return to Xiliang, but Xiliang doesn’t lack fierce generals. Right now, the great Jin and the people of the central plains all need you, so I hope you can stay in Luoyang.”
“You of the Xiliang Army have fought the Xianbei for many years. They fear the Xiliang Army and fear General Beigong. I wouldn’t feel at ease entrusting Luoyang to anyone else—only the Xiliang Army can guard it.”
Huang An couldn’t help but have tears in his eyes. They’d been away for three years, traveling from place to place fighting battles, but the first time they were truly entrusted with important responsibilities was under Zhao Hanzhang.
He’d thought the current situation was as good as it would get, never imagining Zhao Hanzhang would think to entrust Luoyang to the Xiliang Army.
Even returning to Xiliang would only amount to this.
This was the greatest trust they’d received since leaving Xiliang!
Huang An immediately rose and knelt on one knee, declaring forcefully, “Administrator, this subordinate is willing to stay and guard Luoyang.”
The adjutant quickly knelt as well. “This subordinate is also willing!”
Huang An said with tears in his eyes, “Generals fear not death—as long as our lord trusts us, we’re willing to give our lives for the Administrator!”
Zhao Hanzhang quickly rose and went down to help them both up, her eyes shining. “Excellent! If you don’t fail me, Zhao Hanzhang, I will never fail the Xiliang Army!”
At this moment, Zhao Hanzhang and the Xiliang Army truly became of one heart.
Huang An left with reddened eyes, bringing the adjutant immediately back to the military camp to see Beigong Chun.
Beigong Chun was standing watching soldiers practice killing techniques. Seeing Huang An bringing the adjutant charging toward him aggressively, he turned and walked away.
He’s definitely going to speak ill of Zhao Hanzhang again, Beigong Chun thought.
He found a relatively quiet spot and waited, making sure the soldiers wouldn’t overhear their conversation.
Huang An hurried to catch up, saying somewhat aggrieved, “General, why are you running? I’m looking for you about something.”
Beigong Chun stood calmly. “Speak then.”
“I’ve decided to stay in the central plains and serve our lord.”
Beigong Chun frowned. “Lord? What lord? Isn’t our lord in Xiliang?”
Huang An: “I’ve changed my lord. I’m pledging loyalty to Administrator Zhao now.”
Beigong Chun: …
He looked at Huang An in shock, his brow furrowing. “Nonsense. You’re not returning to Xiliang?”
“I will, of course. I’m leaving tomorrow.”
Beigong Chun: “…”
The adjutant was very anxious and couldn’t help pushing the vice general aside to report himself. “General, the Administrator summoned the Vice General to have him return to Xiliang and bring all our families to Luoyang. She says she’s entrusting Luoyang to our Xiliang Army to guard!”
Huang An added, “It’s both garrison duty and military colonization. We can not only recruit soldiers in Luoyang but also be allocated land for military farming. Provisions will also be taken first from Luoyang’s tax revenues. General, from now on we won’t have to beg others even for a bowl of rice.”
Beigong Chun: “Go back to fetch the families? So we can leave the pass now?”
Huang An: “Secretary Fu obtained a document for leaving the pass for us.”
Seeing Beigong Chun fall silent, Huang An knew he wanted to take people back to Xiliang. The fire in his heart cooled somewhat. Recalling what Zhao Hanzhang had said, Huang An gritted his teeth and continued, “General, if you and the Xiliang Army truly don’t wish to stay in Luoyang, you can take the soldiers back.”
Beigong Chun was conflicted internally. “How long will the Zhao family army stay in Luoyang?”
“The Administrator didn’t say, but I think it won’t be long. She’ll probably return to Yuzhou once Luoyang is stable. After all, she’s the Yuzhou Provincial Governor—Yuzhou is most important.”
“If we leave and the Zhao family army leaves too, Luoyang will only have Gucheng and Xin’an as two gateways. I’m afraid it won’t hold.”
Huang An nodded repeatedly. “That’s exactly what I think. General, we were sent to Luoyang by the Provincial Governor precisely to protect it. Moreover, Administrator Zhao has shown us great kindness—we can’t abandon our posts at such a time.”
Beigong Chun remained silent.
Huang An and the adjutant both knew their general valued relationships and righteousness. After hearing Zhao Hanzhang’s words, he definitely wouldn’t leave, so Huang An paused carefully before asking, “General, should we go back to fetch people or not?”
If they stayed guard, who knew when it would end? Three to five years would be acceptable, but if they had to guard for ten years, could the soldiers really abandon their families and wives to stay away for over a decade?
Beigong Chun had always wanted to take the soldiers back to Xiliang—one reason was attachment to their homeland, but the second was because their families were all in Xiliang.
He sighed and asked, “Why would the Administrator only approach you about such a major matter instead of me?”
Huang An said, “The Administrator said she selfishly doesn’t want to let you leave, so she doesn’t even want to bring it up. She only spoke to me, but if you truly want to go, General, there’s no need to take your leave of her. Just lead the Xiliang Army away tomorrow—she’ll watch you depart from Mang Mountain.”
Now that Zhao Hanzhang had said this much, Beigong Chun couldn’t leave.
After a moment of silence, he said, “Very well, you go back to fetch people.”
Huang An happily agreed and went with the adjutant to excitedly announce this to the entire army.
When the original Xiliang Army soldiers who’d followed Beigong Chun from Xiliang to Luoyang heard this, they all roared excitedly in agreement. Those willing to have their relatives move to Luoyang reported to their section chiefs one after another while also sending back messages to persuade their families to come.
Of course, whether they ultimately came still depended on whether their families were willing.
But regardless of willingness, now that they had hope, and most importantly, their letters could be sent back and they might receive replies from home…