The Emperor was very tempted.

After receiving Zhao Hanzhang’s memorial, the Emperor specially summoned Zhao Zhongyu to confirm with him that Zhao Hanzhang would definitely come to participate in the summer solstice heaven worship ceremony and would support him. Only then did he feel confident enough to proceed.

Since his ascension to the throne, he had been led forward by powerful ministers. Over these four years, this had made him develop a habit of extreme caution. Without a backup plan, he would not be willing to openly confront Gou Xi.

Now with Zhao Hanzhang’s support, the Emperor began to take action. He first discussed the matter of the summer solstice heaven worship in court, having the court ministers widely invite the vassal princes and regional governors from various places to come to Yuncheng to participate.

Then he began quietly making contact with several of Gou Xi’s subordinate generals.

Regional governors from various places all received invitation letters, including Liu Kun, Wang Jun, and Wang Dun who had just finished fighting.

Wang Jun and Wang Dun were one thing, but Liu Kun had the will but lacked the means—he could not leave Jinyang.

If he left, Jinyang could be taken over by others the moment he turned his back, so he could only watch longingly, then write a letter to Zhao Hanzhang, hoping she could put in a good word for him at the summer solstice heaven worship ceremony, so the court would not forget him and occasionally provide support to Jinyang.

If the court could send troops to recover Jizhou, connecting Jinyang with the court’s territory, that would be even better.

Writing to this point, Liu Kun paused his brush, thought for a moment, and still probed: “According to reports from scouts, a force has recently appeared in the areas of Jizhou near Yanzhou and Yuzhou. In less than two months, they have consecutively taken ten cities. Judging by their momentum, they seem determined to press their advantage and seize southern Jizhou. I wonder if Governor Zhao knows who their leader is?”

He said: “Scouts report that the sharpness of their blades and spears when battling the Xiongnu closely resembles the refined iron produced in Yuzhou.”

Zhao Hanzhang thought for a moment and replied with a letter containing only one sentence: “Their leader is Zu Ti.”

When Liu Kun received the letter, all his tentative questions instantly vanished. “So it’s Shizhi. He’s now grabbing territory in Jizhou…”

Liu Kun mentally calculated the territory he currently occupied, then calculated the territory Zu Ti could occupy, and breathed a great sigh of relief, murmuring: “I’m still somewhat more capable than him.”

Just as his heart was about to settle, Liu Kun suddenly straightened his spine again, becoming worried. “No, although I now occupy half of Jizhou’s territory, to the north is Youzhou and to the east is Qingzhou—I can’t occupy either. If Zu Ti occupies southern Jizhou, to the south are Yanzhou and Yuzhou, to the west is Qingzhou, and bypassing me is Youzhou…”

Liu Kun would not attack Zu Ti, and he believed Zu Ti would not attack him either. But he also believed that if Zu Ti could strengthen the court’s military forces, he would definitely attack Gou Xi, Wang Jun, and Wang Dun, even Zhao Hanzhang… If it violated moral principles and the great cause, he would also send troops.

At that time, wouldn’t Zu Ti’s territory be larger than his, and wouldn’t he be more capable too?

Liu Kun was endlessly worried. On one hand, he was concerned that Zu Ti would achieve fame and success before him; on the other hand, he had to help Zu Ti conceal information so that his cooperation with Zhao Hanzhang would not be discovered too quickly.

Speaking of which, was his relationship with Zhao Hanzhang one of cooperation or subordination?

It should be cooperation, right? He and Zhao Hanzhang were on equal footing—ahem, nominally at least. They were both regional governors! Zu Ti’s abilities were no less than his, so it should be cooperation rather than allegiance, right?

Just thinking about this question nearly made Liu Kun pull out his hair. Perhaps he could send someone to contact Zu Ti. The current Emperor was much better than Emperor Hui—he was intelligent and good at strategy. If Zu Ti could assist the Emperor, they could stabilize the situation within two years, recover lost territory within five years, and pacify the chaos.

Liu Kun thought ambitiously and decided to act immediately. He wrote a letter to his good friend and sent someone to southern Jizhou to find Zu Ti.

Although Zu Ti was delighted to receive a letter from his good friend, his views were completely different from Liu Kun’s.

He believed the current Emperor was too weak and lacked the ambition to unite the world. His abilities were also insufficient to subdue great ministers like Gou Xi, Zhao Hanzhang, and Wang Jun. Choosing to be loyal to the Emperor and serve Dajin was destined to fail.

His purpose was not to be loyal, but to end the chaos for the common people of the world. Therefore, he would not choose the Emperor knowing he was unsuitable—he would never allow himself to take detours.

Zu Ti instead advised Liu Kun, believing he should not always think about being loyal to the Emperor or doing things for fame and profit at present. Rather, he should strengthen himself, protect as many Han people as possible, and at the critical moment rise up with a decisive strike to thoroughly defeat the Xiongnu and Jie Hu, help the Central Plains recover lost territory, and unite the world.

Zu Ti advised Liu Kun not to get too close to the Tuoba Xianbei, saying: “The Xianbei people do not know propriety. Although Tuoba Yilu is brave, he lacks great wisdom and has no concept of legitimate versus illegitimate heirs or hierarchy. The way he favors his youngest son will sooner or later lead to great disaster. If you get too close to him, I fear you will be implicated.”

He also commented on the heroes of the world: “Wang Jun has ambition but no virtue; Sima Rui is merely a branch member of the Jin imperial family—weak and incompetent. Without Wang Dao’s assistance, he probably couldn’t even hold onto Xuzhou. Among the Jin imperial family, Sima Ye, who is closest to the current Emperor, is still young and has no reputation. Gou Xi is harsh and ungracious, lenient with himself but strict with others—also not worth following.”

“Zhao Hanzhang has a benevolent heart. Whether in ability or virtue, she possesses both. Although she currently has no intention of establishing herself independently, if one day the world must choose one person to follow, I will certainly choose Zhao Hanzhang.”

“If you are single-mindedly pursuing fame, then pretend I never said this. But if you are doing this for the common people of the world, please cherish and value these words.”

Zu Ti gently blew dry the ink and sealed the letter.

Zhao Shi entered in full military attire, clanking as he ran in from outside. “General, we were about to break into Lingshi County. Why did we suddenly stop?”

Seeing him, Zu Ti’s expression softened, though he remained serious as he said: “Spring plowing is the priority.”

Spring plowing was indeed very important. Having followed Zhao Hanzhang for these years, Zhao Shi knew how much importance she placed on spring plowing. But…

“At this time, the season for sowing spring wheat has already passed. What else is there to plant?”

“Beans,” Zu Ti said. “Moreover, farming is not just about scattering seeds. Fertilizing, weeding, irrigating—each step requires a large number of people. This year we’re mainly planting beans.”

“We’ve already planted enough beans. Are we adding even more?”

Zu Ti nodded, his brows slightly furrowed. “Governor Zhao wrote that she has a gifted person skilled in observing celestial phenomena. Jizhou will very likely suffer drought this year, and after the drought there will be locust plague. So I ordered people to plant more beans. Beans are more drought-resistant than wheat and can be harvested faster. Let’s cease hostilities for this period and have the soldiers do more farming.”

Zu Ti paused before saying: “We’ll decide after the summer solstice heaven worship.”

He wanted to see what the court intended to do at the summer solstice heaven worship, and what would happen with Zhao Hanzhang and Gou Xi.

He needed to accumulate strength. Moreover, the two major generals sent by Shi Le had both been defeated by him. If they continued fighting and provoked Shi Le himself to emerge, that would not be good.

Zu Ti knew when to stop while ahead and develop gradually.

Zu Ti was waiting for the summer solstice heaven worship, and many people were waiting.

He had already made advance preparations, yet still did not expect the drought to affect such a wide area and be so severe.

The Emperor, who was preparing for the heaven worship ceremony, expected it even less. When the court received data reported from various regions, from the Emperor down to the guards standing at the palace gates, everyone’s faces turned white.

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