Zhao Erlang chased out through the North City Gate, first catching up to Zeng Yue, then pursuing the Xiongnu forces.

This pursuit lasted two full days. Had Zhao Hanzhang not sent someone to sternly order his return, he would have continued the chase.

While Zhao Erlang pursued the enemy, Liu Yi and others were escorted back to the palace.

By then, the sky had already darkened. The main streets of Pingyang City were completely empty, with only the sounds of soldiers passing by. Zhao Hanzhang had captured the city too quickly—aside from some officials’ family members, everyone else, especially the common people, had no time to escape.

At this moment, they kept their doors tightly shut. Some people peeked cautiously through their windows, and upon seeing Liu Yi being escorted back, immediately withdrew and dared not look again.

Of the Xiongnu troops who had followed Liu Yi, those who weren’t killed in battle mostly surrendered. Only a small portion escaped, and the Zhao Family Army couldn’t be bothered chasing them. They herded all prisoners to the prisoner camp, managing them separately.

They had captured quite a few prisoners this time. For better management, they needed to separate them to prevent them from banding together in rebellion.

Liu Yi was escorted into the palace.

Ming Yu followed Liu Yi into the palace. Ji Yuan hadn’t returned yet, but Fu Tinghan and the other generals and administrative officials had all arrived.

At this moment, the palace was brightly lit. The Zhao Family Army was still tallying the wealth they had uncovered.

Fortunately, because the city gate had been breached so quickly and the Xiongnu Crown Prince and others fled in such haste, much of their wealth was left behind.

However, the treasury doors had still been opened, and considerable amounts of money had been taken. When the palace fell into chaos, the Jin troops left behind, along with officials, eunuchs, and palace maids, all needed to plan their own escape routes.

They couldn’t reach other things for the time being, but money was something they could争取 for.

So they opened the treasury, broke into the consorts’ storerooms and chests, grabbing all the money and valuables they could get their hands on, hiding them away before attempting to flee.

Unfortunately, very few could escape from the palace, especially those carrying wealth.

So these gold, silver, jewels, and money made a full circle before returning to Zhao Hanzhang’s hands.

Because there were too many items to inventory at once, Zhao Hanzhang left this task to Fan Ying while she went to meet the captured Liu Yi.

Fu Tinghan accompanied her.

Seeing the two of them, Liu Yi turned his head away, refusing to look at them.

Zhao Hanzhang carried wine, while Fu Tinghan held a tray of food. The two placed the items on a low table, then moved it in front of Liu Yi before sitting down on either side of him.

“After fighting all day and fleeing for half a day, you must be starving. Please, eat something,” Zhao Hanzhang filled a bowl of rice for him, then served Fu Tinghan and herself.

Liu Yi ignored her. Neither Zhao Hanzhang nor Fu Tinghan minded. They picked up their chopsticks and ate, even remarking as they did, “Speaking of luxury, it has to be your palace—white rice! Let me think, it’s been quite a while since I’ve had any.”

Liu Yi said coldly, “If Regional Inspector Zhao wanted to eat white rice from Pingyang City, you could have just told me, and I would have sent it to you. Why did you need to attack our capital and kill my imperial father?”

Zhao Hanzhang showed no anger. She even added a piece of meat to his bowl. “Young Prince, it was your Han nation that first attacked Jin. My Emperor, my grand-uncle, and my Jin court colleagues were all captured by Liu Cong.”

“You and I have national enmity, but no personal grudge.” She sighed, “I was the person who least wanted the Han Emperor to die, because only if he lived could I exchange him for my Emperor. What a pity…”

Liu Yi froze, his spine bowing slightly as tears streamed down his face. “Father’s health wasn’t good during the New Year period. These past two months have been especially severe, which is why he wanted to unify the realm sooner rather than later, but never imagined…”

Liu Yi was a reasonable person. After a moment’s thought, he understood Zhao Hanzhang’s position. He raised his sleeve to wipe his tears and no longer resented her. “Where is my imperial father? Regional Inspector Zhao, please, in consideration of our past friendship, allow me to see my father one last time.”

Zhao Hanzhang glanced down at his bowl. “You may, but Young Prince, you must eat first.”

Liu Yi looked down at the heaping bowl of white rice, picked it up, and began shoveling it into his mouth.

Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but smile, glancing at Fu Tinghan across from her.

After finishing the bowl of rice, the discomfort in Liu Yi’s body eased somewhat, and even his mood became less heavy.

Liu Yuan had been ill for a long time. Not only Liu Yuan himself, but Liu Yi had also mentally prepared for his departure. He just couldn’t accept that his father died after Pingyang City fell, and even less could he accept that his father died without him by his side.

Thinking of this, Liu Yi raised his head to look at Zhao Hanzhang and asked, “That tremendous sound—how did you create it? What broke through our city gate? It thundered like a clap of thunder. I saw it all. That thing was hurled by a catapult.”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “That’s my secret weapon. I’ve only used it in Pingyang City and cannot tell you about it.”

Liu Yi heard this and smiled bitterly. “I never imagined our Pingyang City would receive such special honor.”

Now Zhao Hanzhang was generous with her praise. “Your father was a great hero. There aren’t many people in this world worthy of my using this powerful weapon against.”

Liu Yi asked, “Why aren’t you cursing my father now?”

Zhao Hanzhang sighed, “The dead deserve our greatest respect. He and I had different positions. He fought for your Xiongnu Five Tribes; I fought for my kinsmen and compatriots. But speaking more broadly, I wanted to bring peace to all people, and he too wanted to unify the realm and restore peace to the people. So although our positions differed, I respect him.”

Liu Yi smiled bitterly upon hearing this. “My father said exactly the same thing. He said that although you killed several of his great generals, after the initial hatred, not only did he stop hating you, but only admiration remained.”

“He also said that if any of us brothers had even half your heart and ability, he could rest easy.” Liu Yi said dejectedly, “If not for this chaotic era and such opposing positions, I think you two could have been friends.”

Zhao Hanzhang agreed with this sentiment.

She herself didn’t particularly dislike Liu Yuan.

Partly because he had foresight and wanted Han governance; partly because he maintained goodwill toward the Han people, always wanting to treat all ethnic groups equally. Unfortunately, he was just one arm, while those opposing him were five legs—his one arm couldn’t twist five legs.

Compared to Liu Cong, who was more brutal and narrow-minded.

Her earlier curses of Liu Yuan were merely for political correctness and to boost morale.

Only if Liu Yuan was contemptible and unjust would her military campaign be righteous.

Seeing Liu Yi crying with red, swollen eyes, Zhao Hanzhang reached out and patted his shoulder. “Young Prince, rest assured. I’ve already sent people to arrange Emperor Liu’s funeral. Shortly, I’ll have someone take you to where the emperor lies in state. You may keep vigil for Emperor Liu.”

Liu Yi raised his red, swollen eyes. “Really?”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded. “Really.”

Liu Yi breathed a sigh of relief and said solemnly, “Thank you, Regional Inspector Zhao.”

Zhao Hanzhang had Ting He escort Liu Yi to the palace hall where Liu Yuan lay in state.

When Zhao Hanzhang said she would bury him according to imperial standards, she meant it—even for the lying-in-state, she arranged for the main hall.

To make his funeral appear proper and well-attended, Zhao Hanzhang even had the captured Xiongnu officials and generals brought to the mourning hall to cry.

Of course, she and the Jin officials couldn’t possibly mourn for Liu Yuan. She represented Jin and burned three incense sticks for him.

Seeing her come to burn incense, the Han officials in the mourning hall wailed so loudly they nearly brought down the palace building. But seeing her bow respectfully once, twice, three times, the accumulated resentment in their hearts gradually dissipated. They no longer hated her so much and even felt some admiration and conviction.

—