Ji Yuan and the others received the news half a day in advance. Estimating that Zhao Hanzhang should arrive around this time, they came out half an hour early to meet her.

The carriage stopped in front of them. Ji Yuan stepped forward on behalf of everyone to welcome Zhao Hanzhang.

Fu Tinghan sat closest to the carriage door. He lifted the curtain first and got out. He lowered his head to straighten his clothes. Ji Yuan, standing to the side, was startled. Had the couple quarreled?

He paused for a moment, then was about to step forward to help Zhao Hanzhang when an unfamiliar head emerged from the carriage. He stopped in his tracks. That head withdrew slightly, then soon emerged from the carriage—it was a young scholar.

He climbed down from the carriage himself. Only then did Fu Tinghan step forward and extend his hand toward the carriage door.

Zhao Hanzhang held his hand and emerged. She first scanned the area around her, then got down from the carriage.

Ji Yuan: …So they hadn’t quarreled.

Ji Yuan looked specifically at Chu Kang, found he didn’t recognize him, but wasn’t in a hurry to ask. Instead, he reported to Zhao Hanzhang, “Commander, we’ve also sent people to notify General Beigong and the Young General. They should be waiting in the city now.”

Beigong Chun’s army was stationed outside the city. Zhao Erlang had returned to guard Xin’an County after coming back from the front lines. Both entered the city through another gate.

Zhao Hanzhang nodded. She was about to change to riding when she heard someone in the crowd shout, “Inspector Zhao, I am Geng Zhou from Tianmen. I have words for the Inspector.”

“Inspector Zhao, I am Ji Shuyan from Wuxing. I also have words for the Inspector.”

“I am Shan Hua from Leyang, requesting an audience with Inspector Zhao.”

“I am Yu Yi from Yingchuan. I have a memorial to submit.”

…

From the crowd queuing to enter the city, from people coming out of the city, and from those standing by watching the excitement, twelve people successively stepped forward, all wanting to see Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze swept over them. She smiled slightly and raised her hand. “Those who wish to see me, please move to the Zhao Residence. I’ll await you at home.”

Having said this, she nodded slightly to Ji Yuan and Ming Yu, mounted her horse, and led the formation into the city.

Geng Zhou and the others no longer blocked the way. They moved aside. After the army had all entered the city, they looked toward Ming Yu, who had remained behind.

Ming Yu smiled warmly at them and gestured to the side. “Gentlemen, please.”

The several people exchanged glances, then stepped forward to follow.

Zhao Hanzhang led Fu Tinghan in a swift ride back to the Zhao Residence. As soon as she entered, she instructed, “Prepare food and wine. We’ll have guests arriving soon.”

She thought for a moment and added, “Prepare portions for twenty people.”

Fu Tinghan asked, “Is there hot water in the kitchen?”

The steward who greeted them into the residence immediately bowed. “Yes, Erlang said the Young Lady and the First Master were returning, so the residence began preparations.”

Fu Tinghan nodded. “Bring us some hot water. We want to wash our hair and bathe. When the guests arrive, please have them sit in the front hall first. Treat them well.”

Zhao Hanzhang looked around and asked, “Where’s Erlang?”

The steward was about to answer when Zhao Erlang burst out from the left like a rabbit, running and shouting, “Sister, Sister—”

Zhao Hanzhang saw him reeking of odor and stepped back two paces in disgust. “I thought you’d be at the main gate to greet me.”

Zhao Erlang didn’t understand these social niceties and asked simply, “Haven’t we only been apart for about ten days?”

Zhao Erlang didn’t miss Zhao Hanzhang. “Sister, why did you call me back?”

“Called you back to report on matters, and also to divide the spoils,” Zhao Hanzhang said while walking toward the rear courtyard. “We’ve just captured several new commanderies and counties. I’m thinking of sending you to govern Hedong Commandery, but I’m afraid you won’t be able to handle it. Or you could go to Hongnong Commandery and let Zeng Yue go to Hedong Commandery?”

Zhao Erlang asked, “Where is General Beigong going?”

Zhao Hanzhang replied, “General Beigong is still in Henan Commandery. I plan to have him oversee all military affairs in Henan Commandery.”

Zhao Erlang asked, “Then where are you going?”

“I need to take the Zhao Family Army back to Yu Province,” Zhao Hanzhang said. “Spring plowing is imminent. In the short term, Liu Yuan won’t send troops. Luoyang is temporarily stable. But now relations between Yu Province and Yan Province are tense. I need to return to maintain control.”

Zhao Erlang’s eyes lit up. He nodded repeatedly. “You go back. I can guard Hedong Commandery.”

Zhao Hanzhang stopped and looked at him. “It’s not for you to say whether you can guard it. The newly captured commanderies and counties are in dire need of reconstruction. There’s much to be done. As commandery governor, you not only need to lead troops to guard the territory but also govern the people. And Hedong Commandery is on the front line, directly facing the Xiongnu. It’s a border stronghold. What needs to be done there differs somewhat from other commanderies.”

Zhao Hanzhang actually wasn’t very confident in Zhao Erlang, but she had few generals she could use, and even fewer she could trust.

During the Wei-Jin period, defecting to the opposing side with territory, population, and soldiers was not uncommon. Liu Yuan had so many Jin ministers under his command they couldn’t be counted. As long as there was better advancement, surrender was standard practice.

So the people placed in Hedong Commandery and Henan Commandery had to be absolutely trustworthy.

Beigong Chun was one. Zhao Erlang was another. These two would absolutely never betray her. But others weren’t necessarily so reliable.

And Henan Commandery had greater strategic position and significance than Hedong Commandery, so she planned to entrust Henan Commandery to Beigong Chun.

Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan quickly washed their hair and bathed—they had hardly washed at all during the month of marching and warfare.

In less than a quarter hour, Zhao Hanzhang was sitting on a soft couch with her hair still loose. Ting He led two maids in. One helped Zhao Hanzhang squeeze her hair bit by bit to dry it. Ting He went to help her coordinate her clothing. The other maid bowed and reported on household matters during this period.

By the time Zhao Hanzhang changed into a simple outfit and emerged, only two quarters of an hour had passed. Geng Zhou and the others had just settled in the front hall.

Her hair didn’t dry that quickly—it just wasn’t dripping anymore.

Zhao Hanzhang was too lazy to tie it up. But she also found it annoying hanging down and obstructing her view, so she just grabbed a bundle from the top of her head, tied it with a ribbon to hang behind her head, then dragged her wooden clogs to see the guests.

Coincidentally, Fu Tinghan had the same getup. However, he wasn’t going to see those guests. He wasn’t interested. He said to Zhao Hanzhang, “I’m going to the Ministry of Works.”

Zhao Hanzhang asked, “Aren’t you eating?”

Fu Tinghan replied, “I had Fu’an bring food.”

Fu’an picked up a food box from the kitchen. Seeing Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan looking over, he immediately served attentively, opening the food box lid to show them. “There’s rice, and also cabbage and meat.”

During this period, they had eaten nothing but various flatbreads and grain buns. They were long sick of them. Right now, there was nothing more healing to the heart than white rice.

Fu Tinghan nodded with satisfaction and left with Fu’an.

Only then did Zhao Hanzhang leisurely head to the front hall.

Chu Kang had also been invited to the front hall. He was acquainted with several of the people there. Learning he had just gotten off Zhao Hanzhang’s carriage, they surrounded him to ask, “You went to intercept her on the road? Zhao Hanzhang didn’t cut you down?”

“Whether she cut him down or not, can’t your eyes see?”

“What did you say to Zhao Hanzhang? Did she agree to withdraw troops and negotiate peace?”

Some also turned to ask Ming Yu, who was sitting to the side. “Master Ming, you’ve served both General Gou and Inspector Zhao. You understand them both best. In your opinion, will the Gou clan and Zhao clan come to blows?”

Zhao Hanzhang walked to the doorway and, seeing everyone gathered in two groups, curiously went over to listen.

Her footsteps were light, and no one announced her. Everyone was focused intently on Chu Kang and Ming Yu. For a moment, no one noticed.

It was Shan Hua, standing opposite her, who looked up and saw her. He was startled. “Inspector, Inspector Zhao!”

The crowd instantly dispersed, revealing Zhao Hanzhang standing with her hands clasped.

—