Zhao Xin and Wei Jie were both in Luoyang. Upon receiving the orders, they immediately packed their belongings and headed for Jizhou.

Zhao Hanzhang had swept through all the commanderies and counties south of Pingyang Commandery that had been occupied by the Xiongnu, as well as those that had pledged allegiance to them. Except for the nine counties that Fu Zhi had recovered from west to east, all the remaining territories fell under her control.

She had connected Si Province and Yu Province together. As long as they suppressed the bandits within the borders, from now on, the two regions could trade freely without obstruction.

Merchants traveling between the two provinces would be safer, Zhao Hanzhang’s territory would be more stable, and the Zhao clan and Yu Province would be more secure.

The commanderies and counties that had just been captured not only might require replacing the commandery governors, but the county magistrates below might also need to be changed. Official documents arrived daily from various places in no small number.

Fortunately, Ji Yuan was there to help, so Zhao Hanzhang had time to inspect the troops daily.

The military provisions were managed by Fu Tinghan. The main army was currently stationed eighty li from Pingyang City, and the daily consumption of grain and fodder represented enormous figures.

Fortunately, they had prepared relatively well. Fu Tinghan glanced at the calculated data and sought out Wang Siniang, who was in charge of logistics this time, saying, “Requisition another five thousand shi of grain from Honong.”

Wang Siniang was startled and hurriedly said, “Honong has just been pacified. Can they produce that much grain?”

“They can,” Fu Tinghan raised his eyes to look at her, saying, “This figure is calculated from the account books confiscated from the various counties in Honong. They could provide double this amount of grain if needed.”

Only then did Wang Siniang agree, asking, “How long will five thousand shi of grain feed us? Are we going to be stationed here for that long?”

This was classified information, but Wang Siniang was the logistics officer, and this matter couldn’t be hidden from her. Therefore, Fu Tinghan hummed in acknowledgment and said, “We must wait here.”

Wang Siniang asked, “Wait for what?”

She had no favorable feelings toward the Xiongnu or Shi Lei whatsoever. Feeling that their current situation was extremely favorable, she couldn’t help but say, “We’ve had successive great victories. Why don’t we pursue while victorious and capture Pingyang Commandery in one decisive push?”

Fu Tinghan said, “The timing isn’t right.”

Wang Siniang demanded, “How is the timing not right?”

Fu Tinghan paused, and although he knew the answer, explaining it clearly would waste a lot of words. Fu Tinghan glanced at the sun’s position, feeling it would take too much time, so he said, “Go ask Hanzhang. I still have things to do. Remember to send the official document to Honong Commandery, then check the grain supplies once more, and give me the signed form after confirmation.”

Having said that, he turned to leave.

Wang Siniang was speechless for a long moment before running off to find Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang was currently crouching on a hillside, gazing toward Pingyang City. Her soldiers had set up camp here, training those who should train, standing guard those who should guard, and scouts were approaching Pingyang City to gather intelligence.

She was contemplating what Liu Yuan in Pingyang City might be doing at this moment.

At this time, he must be eating a lavish lunch of meat and fish, while she could only crouch on the hillside facing the north wind, gnawing on steamed buns.

Zhao Hanzhang thought while tearing off a piece of gray steamed bun and stuffing it in her mouth, sighing sorrowfully.

Seeing Wang Siniang, she warmly greeted her, “Having lunch?”

Wang Siniang glanced at the steamed bun in her hand and shook her head. It was currently the first month, just after New Year, and there wasn’t a trace of greenery on the northern earth, so they had no vegetables to eat, and meat was also scarce.

So their provisions really were just grain. Even for Zhao Hanzhang, money could hardly buy vegetables or meat at the front lines.

Who told her to be so strict with military discipline?

Actually, twenty li to the east was a county town they had just captured a few days ago, but she had strictly ordered soldiers not to offend the local people. She herself hadn’t moved into the city either, but stayed here with her officers and soldiers, camping in the north wind.

The north wind in the first month was truly cold. The ground was frozen hard. Wang Siniang had by now lost the delicate airs of a noble family daughter. Standing and being blown by the wind until her face hurt, she crouched down together with Zhao Hanzhang, asking her why she didn’t continue attacking to recover lost territory.

She complained in a low voice, “Fu Dalang only looks gentle on the surface, but actually isn’t considerate at all. I asked him, and he actually told me to ask you because he was too lazy to answer. My elder brother is so much better – he would never be so rude to a woman. Too bad you don’t fancy my elder brother, otherwise…”

Wang Siniang shook her head. Even now she couldn’t understand why Zhao Hanzhang chose Fu Tinghan over her brother. “My brother is better looking than him, more learned than him, more generous and gentle in character…”

Zhao Hanzhang stopped her brother-worship, “Your brother is too old.”

Wang Siniang was speechless.

“Besides, if we’re comparing learning, your brother Wang may be somewhat superior in literary accomplishments, but in areas outside literature, I can guarantee Fu Tinghan far surpasses your brother. As for appearance, beauty is in the eye of the beholder – some prefer imposing figures, some prefer handsome looks, and some prefer romantic charm. This cannot be compared.”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “As for personality, I quite like his type. I’m already chatty enough – if he were as talkative as me, our house would sound like two frogs croaking at each other in the future. How annoying would that be?”

“With him being cooler like this, even if I annoy him in the future, he won’t annoy me.” Zhao Hanzhang struggled to finish the last bite of her steamed bun, exhaled a breath and said, “What were you asking me about just now?”

Wang Siniang was stubborn and insisted she acknowledge her point, grabbing her arm and saying, “That’s not important. You tell me clearly – how is appearance a matter of personal taste? Let me ask you, do you think Wei Shubao is good-looking?”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded without hesitation, “Good-looking, yes.”

“Do you like him?”

Zhao Hanzhang also didn’t hesitate, nodding and saying, “I like him.”

“I also think he’s good-looking and like him too. Everyone in the world probably likes him, which shows that people’s aesthetic standards are the same after all.”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “How could they be completely the same? Then let me ask you, isn’t Fu Tinghan good-looking?”

“Just average, not as good as my brother,” Wang Siniang said. “My brother can be mentioned in the same breath as Wei Shubao.”

“And you’re heroic and spirited, beautiful in appearance, both talented and virtuous, and have a good reputation – who couldn’t you have? Who wouldn’t be worthy?”

In plain terms, Wang Siniang just felt Fu Tinghan wasn’t worthy of Zhao Hanzhang – only her brother could barely match her.

Wasn’t this the classic “best friend can’t stand the boyfriend” scenario?

This was a difficult problem that remained unsolved even a thousand years later. Zhao Hanzhang decided not to touch it and immediately changed the subject, “You asked me why I’m not pursuing while victorious, right?”

“Because of Shi Lei.” Zhao Hanzhang pointed in the direction of Shangdang, saying, “I can be certain that Shi Lei is definitely watching me from Shangdang right now. As long as I dare attack Pingyang, he’ll lead his troops south to attack Luoyang and Yu Province. When Liu Yuan and I both suffer losses, this fisherman will profit.”

“So I can’t let him succeed,” Zhao Hanzhang said. “Being able to recover lost territory to this point this time already counts as success. We can’t be greedy and advance further, lest we lose even more.”

“Then why are we still wasting provisions waiting here? We currently have twenty-five days’ worth of grain, and just now Minister Fu had me requisition five thousand shi from Honong Commandery, which can supply us for twelve more days. Are we going to stay here for a month?”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “To give the commanderies and counties we’ve captured time to stabilize, and also to wait for Liu Cong’s main army to return. The purpose of our military expedition is to tie down the Xiongnu forces. Now that Liu Cong hasn’t returned to Pingyang yet, how can we leave?”

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