Wu Liang mimicked a bird call to respond with a coded signal. The two exchanged information back and forth. Wu Liang didn’t tell him that this was Zhao Hanzhang personally leading the Zhao Family Army, only saying they were under the command of Chen County.
After the exchange ended, Wu Liang reported to Zhao Hanzhang: “Commander, they say they are the Luoyang Zhao Family Army.”
Zhao Hanzhang had already heard. The people brought out from Luoyang were either with her, or with Zhao Erlang and Zeng Yue. Were these Zeng Yue’s troops?
Or had Erlang broken through Ningling?
But how could they have run all the way here?
After waiting a while, rustling sounds came from the forest, and soon a person emerged.
The Zhao soldiers all turned toward him, watching him warily.
He also watched them warily, his eyes sweeping over their clothing and weapons. When he saw the weapons they held, he relaxed slightly.
Clothing could be faked, but the Zhao Family Army’s weapons were not easy to counterfeit. Unless they were captured after a major defeat, it was difficult to obtain weapons made by the Zhao clan.
Walking a bit further in, he immediately spotted Zhao Hanzhang in the darkness with his sharp eyes. His eyes lit up, and he rushed forward two steps. Just as Wu Liang and others placed their hands on their sword hilts, about to draw, he dropped to his knees and called out loudly: “My lady, this humble servant Niu Qing pays respects to my lady.”
Only the Zhao clan’s servants and original retainers would address Zhao Hanzhang this way. Those recruited later all called her Inspector or Commander. Zhao Hanzhang narrowed her eyes to look, recognizing him. “Niu Qing? Where is Yuan Li?”
Niu Qing said excitedly: “Vice-Commander Yuan is in the village. My lady, we’ve found the Prince of Yuzhang and the Prince of Qin.”
Seeing Niu Qing’s face clearly, Wu Liang and the others finally removed their hands from their sword hilts.
Zhao Hanzhang asked about Yuan Li and the others’ situation, then immediately decided to relocate the entire army to the village where Yuan Li and his group were staying to rest for the night.
Yuan Li and his men were just over ten li away from here. If they took the small paths, it was only seven or eight li.
It was an empty village that had apparently been swept through by the Stone Army. The people inside had all fled. This place was close to Sui County, and leaning somewhat toward Xiayi County as well—there were many routes they could have chosen to escape.
The Stone Army still had two checkpoints below. According to captured Stone soldiers’ testimony, Zhi Xiong chose this route to gather the Stone troops at the two checkpoints and lead them around Meng County to Xiayi County.
Like Zhao Hanzhang, he believed that if Shi Lei hadn’t come to support Meng County for so long, he was most likely being held up by Zhao Ju.
But he believed that even if Shi Lei was held up, he still had the upper hand, and Zhao Ju wouldn’t gain any advantage from him. So he wanted to bring the remaining troops to rendezvous with Shi Lei.
Niu Qing and several personal guards returned to the village first to notify Yuan Li, actually only getting there a quarter-hour before Zhao Hanzhang.
Otherwise, as the large army approached, given Yuan Li’s caution, he would definitely have fled with his men first.
Sure enough, just as Niu Qing entered the village, he saw Yuan Li and the others were about to flee with the Prince of Yuzhang and the Prince of Qin. Hearing Niu Qing report that it was Zhao Hanzhang who had come, Yuan Li finally stopped.
But he was still suspicious. His gaze swept over those personal guards, and he placed his blade beside the Prince of Yuzhang, saying to another comrade: “Old Meng, you go forward to receive them. Old Niu stays behind.”
Old Meng acknowledged and quickly disappeared into the forest with his blade.
Niu Qing didn’t feel offended. He had followed Yuan Li since the old family head was still alive and knew his suspicious temperament. Unless it was facing the enemy directly on the battlefield, he would suspect everyone to some degree. Oh, except for the Commander.
Soon, Old Meng came running back, happily saying: “I saw my lady on horseback.”
“You saw clearly?”
“I saw clearly. General, you know my eyesight is best at night.”
This was one of the reasons Yuan Li sent him.
Yuan Li finally confirmed it, so he immediately led people out of the village entrance to greet Zhao Hanzhang.
Xun Fan and Xun Zu couldn’t help but exchange glances, staying close to the Prince of Qin’s side, wanting to remind him to mind his behavior later.
The Prince of Qin felt uneasy, but didn’t intend to listen to his two uncles. He truly didn’t want to be emperor.
Zhao Hanzhang dismounted. Yuan Li immediately led his men forward to pay respects. Xun Fan and Xun Zu also hurriedly gathered around the Prince of Qin and the Prince of Yuzhang to come forward. She had just stopped when several people bowed in greeting.
Zhao Hanzhang saw that both the Prince of Yuzhang and the Prince of Qin were safe and sound, and breathed a sigh of relief. She stepped forward to help the two up. The Prince of Qin and the Prince of Yuzhang’s faces paled, and they couldn’t help but step back. Their small hands, being supported by Zhao Hanzhang, trembled slightly.
The Zhao Army had just experienced battle and all carried an aura of blood and killing intent. Even though Zhao Hanzhang wore a smile, the two young princes could feel the solemn killing aura and malevolent energy emanating from her.
Zhao Hanzhang noticed this, released her hands, and stepped back two paces, opening up a safe distance. She smiled and returned their courtesy, saying in a gentle tone: “The two young princes should rest first. After this general has settled the army, I will come to speak with you.”
The Prince of Qin and the Prince of Yuzhang couldn’t wish for anything better. The two brothers immediately held hands and left.
Xun Fan and Xun Zu couldn’t stop them in time and could only step forward to apologize to Zhao Hanzhang.
Zhao Hanzhang gently reassured them. Only after they were less anxious did she turn to Yuan Li and praise: “Well done. You have achieved great merit this time.”
Yuan Li’s face was calm. “This is my duty as a subordinate.”
Zhao Hanzhang nodded and walked aside with him to understand the situation.
Yuan Li had brought two squads of elite troops, a full two hundred men, all elite members of the Zhao Family Army. Unexpectedly, in the end only these few remained.
Yuan Li was also somewhat dejected. “Besides those who died in battle, many were separated while providing rear guard, or drew away pursuers for us. I believe they should all still be alive.”
Zhao Hanzhang nodded. “I will send orders to all commanderies and counties to watch for people seeking help at the county offices. Perhaps we can summon them back.”
Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze turned toward the Prince of Qin and the Prince of Yuzhang sitting by the fire inside the house. She slightly raised her chin and asked: “How are the two young princes?”
There were too many people in the Sima family. Though these princes held princely titles, few had real power, so Zhao Hanzhang rarely paid attention to these people.
In history…
In history, Emperor Min and the Prince of Yuzhang both died young. Forget displaying their own worth—their entire lives were controlled by others. All that existed were proclamations issued in their names, representing the thoughts of the forces behind them, not their own.
The historical records were sparse. Zhao Hanzhang could glean little from them.
Yuan Li said quietly: “The two young princes differ by one year in age. Though the Prince of Qin is weak, he still has some ideas of his own. The Prince of Yuzhang is young and listens to whatever others say.”
He continued: “He is also grateful, knowing that it was the Commander who saved him. He is close to and trusts the Commander.”
The implication was that the Prince of Yuzhang would be more suitable as the next emperor.
Zhao Hanzhang said nothing and turned to enter the house.
The four people sitting by the fire immediately stood up. Xun Fan and Xun Zu wanted to speak, but seeing that Zhao Hanzhang only lowered her head to look at the Prince of Qin and the Prince of Yuzhang, still carrying an aura of blood and killing intent, with occasional glances at them that flashed with coldness, the two trembled and didn’t dare open their mouths.
The Prince of Qin and the Prince of Yuzhang were both so nervous their toes were gripping the ground.
Zhao Hanzhang seemed oblivious. She stepped forward and found a place to sit down. Seeing the two still standing, she pointed to the space beside her: “Please sit, young princes.”
—