The torrential rain—it blocked some people’s paths and concealed many truths.
Zhao Hanzhang stood by the window watching the rain for half the night. The next morning after rising, Shi Jian came to report that mud and rocks had tumbled down the mountain, blocking the path down. “With last night’s storm, the mountain path is slippery. We have elderly and children—there could be danger, so…”
Zhao Hanzhang readily agreed: “Then we’ll stay another day and have people clear the road.”
Shi Jian acknowledged, immediately assigning people to clear the mountain path. In the afternoon, covered in mud from head to toe, he returned to report that the mountain path was too slippery—they had tumbled down several times while clearing it, with several people injured. It was truly dangerous, so he wanted to ask Zhao Hanzhang for two more days’ extension.
Zhao Hanzhang nodded: “Very well, then we’ll stay two more days.”
Shi Jian was stunned, not expecting Zhao Hanzhang to be so easily persuaded—completely different from her urgent attitude yesterday about wanting to leave.
For some reason, Shi Jian also became uneasy. After thinking, he gritted his teeth: “Governor, your subordinate is willing to lead people to clear the mountain path again.”
Zhao Hanzhang said: “Didn’t you say it was dangerous? I see today’s sunshine is quite good. Tomorrow should also be clear. After two days of sun, it will be easier to clear.”
“No, the Grand General has injuries and urgently needs a physician. We should depart as soon as possible,” the more Zhao Hanzhang acted this way, the more uneasy Shi Jian became, and the more he wanted to clear the mountain path. He said: “Governor, rest assured. Using stones to pave the road will prevent slipping. Our camp has many stones behind it, large and small. Your subordinate will immediately have people bring the stones.”
Zhao Hanzhang smiled and nodded: “Good, you may go.”
Her casual manner made Shi Jian worried again, feeling this wasn’t right.
In this state of conflict, he led people to clear the landslide section of mountain path, then brought stones to lay down, tamping them firmly. After walking on them and finding they finally didn’t slip, he breathed a sigh of relief.
He breathed a sigh of relief, then began calculating when reinforcements would arrive. Before he could finish calculating, sounds of a large army approaching came from the foot of the mountain.
Shi Jian was startled and immediately sent someone down the mountain to investigate.
The soldier who descended quickly ran back up, face full of joy: “General, it’s the Zhao Family Army come to fetch us.”
Shi Jian: …What was there to be happy about with the Zhao Family Army coming? They were Shi’s army, Shi’s army!
But the soldier didn’t think so. The Grand General had said he’d already pledged service to Zhao Hanzhang. Now Shi’s army and the Zhao Family Army were on the same side.
The soldier happily spread this good news to people on the mountain. Zhao Hanzhang smiled and said: “Good, have them come up the mountain.”
The soldiers and bandits in the camp all made way, allowing the Zhao Family Army up the mountain.
Shi Jian’s chest heaved as he gripped the shovel in his hand. He couldn’t help but look toward Shi Lei.
Having rested an extra day, Shi Lei’s condition had improved considerably. Though his lips were still pale, the bluish tint had disappeared from his face. Without needing a physician, they all knew his situation was improving.
Shi Lei had originally relaxed—with the Zhao Family Army arrived, they were completely safe now, right?
But upon looking up and meeting Shi Jian’s gaze, Shi Lei’s heart skipped a beat, and the ominous premonition intensified.
Zhao Ju personally led the main army to fetch Zhao Hanzhang!
The Zhao Family Army had surrounded the entire mountain, guarding every path in and out. He wore armor and led a company of personal guards up the mountain. Upon seeing Zhao Hanzhang sitting safely in the place of honor and Fu Tinghan standing beside her, he exhaled deeply in relief. He stepped forward to salute, then raised his head: “Governor, Governor Zhao of the commandery has arrived in Wu’an County.”
Zhao Hanzhang instantly felt guilty, leaning forward to quietly ask: “Uncle Ming also knows?”
Zhao Ju responded affirmatively, then said: “Zeng Yue arrived in Wu’an County before your letter, crying terribly, which alarmed Governor Zhao who had just entered the city.”
Ji Yuan and Zhao Ming had also arrived in Wu’an County one after the other.
Ji Yuan came to escort grain supplies and bring reinforcements from the main army. Why had Zhao Ming come?
Zhao Ju’s gaze quickly swept through the room, seeing Shi Lei who had been sitting to the side. He lowered his eyes, moved closer to Zhao Hanzhang, and said quietly: “News came from the north—Liu Cong has ascended the throne as the new emperor of the Han state.”
Zhao Hanzhang froze, startled, then became delighted: “Liu Cong has ascended the throne?”
Shi Lei abruptly raised his head.
Seeing Zhao Ju nod in confirmation, Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but laugh heartily, inadvertently pulling at the wound on her shoulder—from which one could tell how happy she was.
Shi Lei also watched her silently. After she had laughed enough, he said: “Shouldn’t Governor Zhao be angry and resentful? Liu Cong—a traitorous minister and usurper—dares to ascend as emperor.”
Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes and brows were full of smiles as she nodded: “Yes, Liu Cong—a traitorous minister and usurper—actually dreams of claiming the throne. Naturally, he deserves execution by all under heaven. Someone, spread this throughout the land—let everyone under heaven come kill Liu Cong.”
She said: “Tell our Jin people: Liu Cong is a mortal enemy of our Jin state. If we don’t kill him, we have no right to exist in this world!”
“Tell the Han people: Liu Cong murdered his lord and usurped the throne. If they don’t kill him, they’re unworthy of being subjects!” Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze fell on Shi Lei, her smile light: “General Shi once received great favor from Liu Yuan. Haven’t you ever thought of killing this traitorous usurper to avenge your former lord?”
Shi Lei: “…I’m injured.”
Zhao Hanzhang’s lips curved in a smile: “What does that matter? This府… I mean, I have capable generals in abundance under my command. I can lend them to you. Even this府… oh, I myself am willing to help General Shi and avenge this blood debt for you.”
Shi Lei: …Thank you. A few days ago he truly had wanted to return and avenge this wrong, but now…
Shi Lei simply gazed quietly at Zhao Hanzhang.
Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes swept over his ribs and abdomen, smiling faintly: “I know General Shi is injured. During this time, rest well. I’ll avenge this debt for you.”
Having said this, she told Zhao Ju: “Ask Advisor Ji to write a proclamation on General Shi’s behalf, and write one for me as well. Send them both to Anping State and announce to the world that General Shi, wounded by Liu Cong’s shameless regicide and usurpation, has abandoned darkness for light and will join with my Zhao Family Army in punishing Liu Cong.”
Zhao Ju loudly acknowledged and immediately went down to muster troops.
Shi Lei: “Governor Zhao is skilled at scheming.”
Zhao Hanzhang smiled at him: “General Shi, you and I are now of one heart and mind. Not counting your forces in Shunyang Commandery, those troops of yours scattered about in guerrilla warfare against my army number at least fifty thousand, don’t they? Please write a letter in your own hand, General, summoning them to Wu’an County to meet you. I too would like to meet these brave and skilled generals of yours.”
This was having Shi Lei bring people to surrender.
Shi Lei said: “I can surrender, but I won’t send troops to attack the Han state.”
“Oh?” Zhao Hanzhang glanced at Shi Jian, smiling lightly: “It seems General Shi still can’t bear to part with the Han state. No wonder you sent someone to Liu Cong for aid.”
Shi Lei froze, asking: “What did you say? When did I…”
He thought of something and whipped his head around to stare at Shi Jian, his already pale face turning even paler: “Shi Jian, have you done something behind my back?”