Gou Xi was also hesitating, but in the end agreed. The Wang clan wasn’t a soft persimmon. If Zhao Hanzhang wanted to control Jingzhou through the Wang clan, who knew whether the Wang clan would instead end up influencing her Yuzhou?

Once Gou Xi agreed, the court began issuing appointment documents.

When the appointment document was delivered to Zhao Hanzhang in Chenxian, she couldn’t help but smile and had someone summon Wang Yifeng and Wang Xuan.

Zhao Hanzhang handed them the appointment document, saying, “I’ll give you a personal guard unit. They’ll escort you to Jingzhou, and once there, they’ll also protect your safety. If you need anything else, just ask.”

Wang Xuan remained silent. Wang Yifeng said, “Governor, I want to select some students from the Xiping Academy and Chenxian Academy to take with me.”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded. “You may. Choose them. As long as they’re also willing to go, you can take them.”

In truth, Zhao Hanzhang would also have people work on persuading them, trying as much as possible to convince them to go with Wang Yifeng to Jingzhou.

She had already regarded Jingzhou as her possession, so naturally she would use her own people.

Wang Siniang clearly understood this point as well, so she selected thirty students from the Xiping Academy and Chenxian Academy in one go. Among them, eighteen bore the surname Zhao. Apart from four who were Zhao clan descendants, the remaining fourteen were all orphans who had changed their surname to Zhao. Because of their outstanding performance and good academic results, they had been given the surname Zhao.

Zhao from Zhao Hanzhang, not Zhao from the Zhao clan. Compared to the Zhao clan, they were more loyal to Zhao Hanzhang.

Besides this, Wang Siniang also asked Zhao Hanzhang for an additional military force—two thousand men drawn from the Zhao Family Army, bringing their own provisions and equipment.

Zhao Hanzhang even assigned her a merchant convoy to strengthen cooperation with Yuzhou and Sizhou.

Wang Xuan thought: This wasn’t going to Jingzhou to take up office—this was clearly dividing the family estate.

No, it was a son—oh, that’s still not right—it was a daughter being sent out by her mother to conquer territory.

Wang Xuan was worried and distressed. Wang Yifeng couldn’t understand his conflicted feelings. “Elder Brother, just say it—between Gou Xi and Hanzhang, who would you choose?”

Without waiting for his answer, Wang Yifeng had already said, “Naturally it’s Hanzhang. Gou Xi’s current dog-like behavior can’t even compare to Father’s. Father, though he also didn’t attend to government affairs, at least still attended court when he should and was reasonably respectful toward His Majesty.”

Wang Xuan said, “Stop talking. Father won’t be happy hearing you make such comparisons.”

Wang Yifeng ignored him and continued asking, “Between the Emperor and Hanzhang, who would you choose?”

Still not waiting for Wang Xuan to speak, Wang Yifeng said, “Of course it’s still Hanzhang. If His Majesty could govern the realm well, there would have been some progress in these four years. He’s young—he can afford to wait things out slowly—but the common people of this realm can’t afford to wait anymore. In this realm, aside from Yuzhou under Hanzhang’s governance which is relatively stable, where else can common people survive?”

“Elder Brother, you’ve always been carefree and decisive in handling matters. How have you become indecisive after not seeing you for two years?”

Wang Xuan sighed. “It’s not that I’m indecisive, but that you’re too decisive. You’ve chosen Sanniang, but that doesn’t mean others in the clan will also choose her.”

“So what?” Wang Siniang said with her chin slightly raised. “Whoever has the bigger fist gets listened to. Elder Brother, as long as we control Jingzhou, the clan will have to listen to our opinions too.”

Wang Xuan was speechless for a long while before finally saying, “In this respect, you and Zhao Hanzhang are quite alike. You two are truly worthy of being sisters who grew up together. Fine, since you’ve chosen her, I’ll help you.”

Wang Xuan personally wrote a letter to Langya.

By the time the siblings led their personal guards to Jingzhou, the letter from Langya had also arrived. They agreed to Wang Xuan’s proposal, allowing the siblings to replace Wang Cheng as Jingzhou Governor.

However, in the private letter to Wang Cheng and Wang Xuan, the Wang clan hoped they could select a good husband for Wang Siniang as soon as possible. Once she was betrothed, the Jingzhou governorship should still be held by Wang Xuan. Women should stay home to support their husbands and raise children. Dajin already had one female governor—what would another one mean?

The Wang clan didn’t particularly want such a reputation. Their outstanding descendants were numerous enough—they didn’t need a woman to争取荣耀 for the Wang clan.

Seeing his beloved sister being covertly disparaged this way, Wang Xuan was naturally unhappy. Wang Cheng paid even less attention, merely glancing at it before tossing the letter aside. He said to the siblings who had come to see him, “I submitted my resignation memorial long ago. Since you’ve also received appointment documents, this Jingzhou is handed over to you.”

Wang Xuan saw Wang Cheng had intentions of leaving and hurriedly asked, “Where is Second Uncle going?”

Wang Cheng said, “Jingzhou is stifling. I’m going out for a walk.”

Wang Xuan asked, “Where does Second Uncle wish to go?”

“Wherever. Anywhere is fine.”

Wang Yifeng saw he wore only a loose outer robe over wide trousers, barefoot, and when he stood up, his robe fell open revealing his bare chest. She couldn’t help frowning. “Second Uncle, have you been taking the Five Minerals Powder again?”

“No.” Wang Cheng waved his sleeve. “It’s just the hot weather. Since you have the guts to come be this Jingzhou Governor, you should be one who doesn’t stick to conventional rules. I’m just being comfortable—are you going to manage that too?”

Wang Yifeng said coldly, “I have no interest in managing Second Uncle’s bare chest and exposed belly, but taking Five Minerals Powder won’t do. My first governmental decree is that within Jingzhou, taking Five Minerals Powder is prohibited. Anyone caught, regardless of who they are, will be imprisoned, fined, and then expelled from Jingzhou!”

Wang Cheng said, “You learned this from Zhao Hanzhang? Like a mother night demon.”

Wang Yifeng didn’t care what he said and warned, “Second Uncle had better be careful. If you really take Five Minerals Powder, I won’t keep you in Jingzhou.”

“I don’t need you to keep me either—I’m leaving on my own!” After Wang Cheng finished speaking, he walked out, not even bothering to put on shoes.

Wang Xuan looked helplessly at Wang Yifeng and went to chase after Wang Cheng. “Second Uncle, Siniang is also worried about your health. That Five Minerals Powder is poisonous—eating too much will kill you.”

“Hmph! She finds me disagreeable, and I find her disagreeable too. I’m not staying—I’m leaving!”

Wang Xuan grabbed his sleeve and finally said, “You’re the former Jingzhou Governor. Even if you’re leaving, you must complete the handover first.”

Wang Cheng said, “Why do I need to handle the handover? You can just go meet the officials at the Governor’s Mansion directly. I’m not familiar with them either.”

Wang Yifeng came out from inside and snorted coldly. “You’ve been governor here for three years and still aren’t familiar with the Governor’s Mansion officials. What thick skin!”

Wang Cheng finally got somewhat angry, turning back to glare at Wang Yifeng. “You’re just like your mother—利-seeking and power-hungry. You’ve just become governor and your position isn’t even stable yet. Don’t get cocky in front of me.”

“At least my mother fulfilled her duties as the household mistress. But Second Uncle, you claim to be indifferent to fame and fortune, carefree and unrestrained, but as a provincial governor, have you fulfilled your responsibilities?”

Wang Cheng wasn’t one to be easily bullied. Being questioned like this naturally made him unhappy. Uncle and niece immediately began arguing in the courtyard. On Wang Yifeng’s first day in office, the former and current governors hurled insults at each other, nearly coming to blows.

Wang Xuan stood between them, letting their spittle spray from left and right. His whole person became numb.

He had known it would be like this. Second Uncle and Fourth Sister had been like needle point against wheat awn since childhood, never ceasing.

Wang Cheng finally left the Governor’s Mansion in a huff, but he didn’t leave Jingzhou either. Instead, he moved to a villa not far away, continuing to drink wine and make merry every day.

This time, no one bothered him anymore, and he could drink to his heart’s content.

Wang Yifeng then began meeting with Jingzhou officials.

—