Zhao Hanzhang nodded and said: “Tomorrow we’ll take down both Stone Army checkpoints. There must be provisions inside.”
Yuan Li acknowledged.
Zhao Hanzhang instructed: “Have Wu Liang handle this matter. Your task remains protecting the two young princes, especially the Prince of Qin. Don’t let him die, and don’t let him escape.”
Yuan Li was surprised. “Commander, you’ve chosen the Prince of Qin? Wouldn’t the Prince of Yuzhang be more suitable?”
Zhao Hanzhang lifted her eyelids and gave him a faint glance.
Yuan Li shuddered and immediately lowered his head to acknowledge his error.
Zhao Hanzhang withdrew her gaze without explaining her reasons for choosing the Prince of Qin.
The two checkpoints left by the Stone Army were not difficult to take. When they finished and turned back toward Meng County, Xun Ming finally caught up following their trail.
Zhao Hanzhang looked at Xun Ming with a cold expression.
Xun Ming knelt on the ground and reported: “…Lost the trail, took the wrong road. By the time we turned back and pursued again, we had missed the opportunity.”
Zhao Hanzhang: “In broad daylight, with them fleeing in haste, the wheel ruts and hoof prints on the road were clear. You still managed to take the wrong road?”
Xun Ming quickly defended himself: “Perhaps the Stone Army had moved troops through a few days ago, so there were tracks on the road.”
“Can’t you tell the difference between fresh marks and old traces?”
Xun Ming lowered his head, not daring to argue further.
Zhao Hanzhang coldly withdrew her gaze, paused for a moment, then said with a stern face: “Get up. When we return to Meng County, go apologize to General Xun yourself.”
Only then did Xun Ming remember he had something important to report. He quickly said: “Inspector, our general is severely injured and unconscious. He hasn’t awakened yet.”
Zhao Hanzhang’s expression grew even more stern. She nodded without saying anything and immediately led everyone back to Meng County.
The great fire in Meng County had been extinguished. Even though the fire was put out promptly, in the dry conditions, many houses were still destroyed.
Soldiers found many charred corpses from the houses, all killed before being burned.
During those days, the Stone Army had killed too many people. The survivors didn’t even have time to bury their relatives before having to hide everywhere. The corpses rotted in the houses.
One great fire turned them to bones. In other unburned houses, the stench of decay pervaded.
When Zhao Hanzhang returned to Meng County, soldiers were following Zhao Ming’s orders to clear the corpses from the houses. If surviving family members existed and wished to do so, the bodies were handed over to them for burial.
If there were no family members, or they were unable to bury them, the bodies were placed in mass graves for unified burial.
Ten large pits were dug in a grassy area on the city outskirts. Beside them stretched rice paddies in patches here and there. Due to drought and war, though it was nearly harvest time, the ears were still upright. Touching them, half the husks were empty.
Zhao Hanzhang watched as corpses were carried out and called over a clerk, asking: “Who is responsible for this matter?”
The clerk immediately bowed: “It’s Chief Clerk Chen.”
Zhao Hanzhang nodded and said: “Have him find some lime and mugwort. Have the entire city sprinkled with mugwort water, then spread more lime. The weather is hot—whether soldiers or civilians, no one is to drink unboiled water. Find the military physicians and carefully prevent plague.”
The clerk acknowledged and ran off to find Chief Clerk Chen after receiving the order.
Zhao Hanzhang headed straight for the county office.
Only half the county office was intact; the other half was still smoking.
Zhao Ming had also moved Xun Xiu into the city. Half the army maintained vigilance outside the city, while only half were inside pacifying civilians and restoring production.
Seeing Zhao Hanzhang, he breathed a long sigh of relief and quickly asked: “Did you catch Zhi Xiong?”
Zhao Hanzhang nodded. “I had his head hung on the north city gate and his body on the south gate.”
Zhao Ming: …That seems unnecessarily cruel.
Zhao Hanzhang said: “Make a count of how many Stone soldiers are still at large. Tell them: surrender without resistance and they won’t be killed. As long as they come forward, I’ll spare their lives and even give you provisions to return home.”
Zhao Ming: “You’re afraid they’ll scatter and become bandits?”
Zhao Hanzhang pressed her lips together and said: “This time Meng County suffered severe damage. Only one in ten in the city survived. Who knows how many years it will take to restore production.”
They could relocate large numbers of people from elsewhere to fill the void, but the dead and the wounds carved would remain forever.
Zhao Ming nodded, agreeing.
Zhao Hanzhang had Zhao Ming go see the Prince of Qin and the Prince of Yuzhang, and arrange lodging for them while he was at it.
Hearing that Zhao Hanzhang had found the Prince of Qin and the Prince of Yuzhang, Zhao Ming’s spirits lifted. He immediately ran to see them, then returned to tell Zhao Hanzhang: “You should establish a crown prince immediately and announce it to the realm.”
Zhao Hanzhang agreed. After sitting in the seat of honor, she invited him to sit as well. “We can’t drag this war out any longer. Let’s draft the edict now.”
She said: “Establish the Prince of Qin as Crown Prince and command all military forces throughout the realm to come to our aid. This time, we will annihilate Shi Lei and the Xiongnu Han State in one stroke.”
“Have Qiu Wu return to Chen County immediately and order the weapons workshop to increase explosive production…”
“Wait a moment,” Zhao Ming interrupted her, asking: “Establish the Prince of Qin?”
Zhao Hanzhang nodded. “Yes, establish the Prince of Qin.”
“Why?” Zhao Ming frowned. “The Prince of Yuzhang is the younger brother of the late Crown Prince. His age is also more suitable. I just went to see him—he’s quite obedient too.”
Zhao Hanzhang’s ambitions were plain to see. Though she needed a figurehead “ruler” in front, she would certainly carry out deposing and enthroning in the future. Given that, why not choose one who was younger and more obedient from the start?
Zhao Hanzhang said: “The Prince of Yuzhang is weak and incompetent, without his own opinions. He’s too young. He will listen to what I say, but likewise, he will also listen to what others say.”
She continued: “I prefer an obedient monarch, but one who understands benefits and harms, knows when to advance and retreat—that kind of obedience. Not someone who listens to anyone and everyone.”
Zhao Hanzhang felt the Prince of Qin was better than the Prince of Yuzhang.
Actually, she wasn’t particularly impressed with the Prince of Qin either.
Zhao Hanzhang said: “Uncle Ming, you misunderstand me. My goal is not to become emperor. My goal is to realize my aspirations, to make this world move forward according to my vision. If there’s a monarch who can help me achieve my aspirations, why would I tire myself with such ambitions?”
Zhao Ming listened to her sophistry and snorted, saying: “My son Zhao Shen—from the day he was born I hoped day and night that when he grew up he could be a refined gentleman, learned and talented, open-minded. I personally taught him until he was fourteen. He didn’t become a gentleman but instead became a wandering knight-errant.”
“A knight-errant in name, but in my view, just a ruffian.”
Zhao Hanzhang: …
Zhao Ming continued: “Knights violate prohibitions with martial force. People like you who prefer to solve problems with your hands—forget being associated with gentlemen, you can’t even be associated with wisdom. Only the incompetent resort to force when reason fails.”
“Look, he’s my son. I taught him so carefully, yet he didn’t grow into what I hoped. You want a monarch who completely follows your vision—that’s more far-fetched than ascending to heaven in broad daylight.”
So what’s the use of such high-sounding excuses?
In the end, you’ll still depose and enthrone as you please.
Zhao Hanzhang was left speechless, suppressing the urge to use force. Her face flushed slightly as she nodded firmly and said through gritted teeth: “Uncle is right. Then let’s still establish the Prince of Qin.”
Seeing Zhao Ming frown, Zhao Hanzhang quickly added: “At least he knows how to read the situation. I like children who know the times—it saves a lot of effort.”
She was establishing a figurehead to have an excuse to command military forces throughout the realm, not actually raising a child.
Zhao Ming thought it over and still nodded in agreement. “Fine, then establish the Prince of Qin.”
—