However, Zhang Bin didn’t really want to continue this kind of wandering life. Their Shi army sounded impressive, always having territory, but actually they weren’t much different from the Qihuo army—constantly changing masters.

Zhang Bin was ambitious. Either they found a wise lord to settle with, or they might as well establish themselves independently, with Shi Lei as king, properly managing the little territory they had. Wouldn’t that be better than roaming about plundering?

He was Han Chinese, and Han people inherently had a genetic longing for stability in their bones.

Zhang Bin thought about Zhao Hanzhang’s actions over the past few years and nodded slightly. “Gou Chun once attempted to assassinate her, yet she could forcefully suppress her feelings and not act. She’s someone who can accomplish great things.”

He added, “Gou Xi first betrayed the nation then died in battle. She didn’t judge his crime of betrayal but only lamented that Gou Xi died heroically. Even if it wasn’t sincere, it still deserves praise. Compared to Gou Xi, my lord and she were merely opposing camps. Battlefield combat is normal. You previously only had public enmity, no private grievance. Now that my lord has pledged to her, you’re naturally her person.”

Shi Lei nodded in agreement.

Though he too was unwilling to be constrained by others, when under someone’s roof, one must bow one’s head.

Since he had surrendered, he needed to show some sincerity. Zhao Hanzhang had many capable generals under her command. If he didn’t have some military achievements, it would be difficult to establish himself among them.

Shi Lei shared his concerns with Zhang Bin. “This time going to Jinyang, Zhao Hanzhang is only using Shi’s army, so this is our opportunity.”

Zhang Bin expressed understanding, then quietly reminded, “Youzhou’s Wang Jun is powerful. I’ve heard that many soldiers and civilians from Jizhou, forced by the Xiongnu and encountering locust plague, had no choice but to retreat to Youzhou to seek refuge with Wang Jun. So he has many capable ministers and military generals under his command. Zhao Hanzhang appointed you as Youzhou Inspector—she won’t let you take Youzhou by yourself, will she?”

Shi Lei pressed his lips together, his gaze deep. “If she does that, she can’t blame me. I don’t lack people. Do I still lack an inspector position?”

He said, “Forget inspector—I could even be a prince!”

Zhang Bin nodded in strong agreement.

Shi Lei brought Zhang Bin to see Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang had long heard of Shi Lei’s advisor and would have gone out to greet him if not for giving them time to catch up and speak privately.

Seeing Shi Lei finally bring him in, Zhao Hanzhang happily stepped forward. “This must be Master Zhang? I’ve long admired your reputation.”

Zhang Bin hadn’t expected Zhao Hanzhang to be so courteous. He was momentarily startled and somewhat… fearful, his heart immediately on guard, wary of some plot.

Zhao Hanzhang acted as if she didn’t see his stiff body and suddenly heightened alertness, cheerfully ushering him inside while asking, “How many troops did Master Zhang bring this time?”

Zhang Bin quickly glanced at Shi Lei before respectfully replying, “The general’s and the governor’s orders came urgently. We only brought fifty thousand men.”

Zhao Hanzhang thought for a moment and said, “Fifty thousand men should be enough.”

Hearing that Liu Kun was currently very difficult, Zhao Hanzhang still wanted to arrive as soon as possible.

Shi Lei also wanted to achieve merit and establish himself firmly in Zhao’s army, so he had no objections either.

Zhang Bin looked worriedly at Shi Lei, very concerned about his injuries.

At the time, he’d nearly died. Though he’d rested for some days now, immediately going into battle might cause great harm to his body.

But Shi Lei didn’t take it to heart, quietly telling him, “Zhao Hanzhang was also injured. I at least rested for over twenty days. Since receiving her injury, she’s been constantly busy without rest. If a woman can do it, why can’t I?”

Zhao Hanzhang only brought one squad of personal guards and a group of subordinate officials. For the rest, she used entirely Shi’s army personnel. Her audacity was so great that even the typically bold Ming Yu was alarmed, unable to help advising, “A gentleman does not stand beneath a dangerous wall. If Shi Lei develops rebellious thoughts midway, wouldn’t the governor’s great enterprise collapse before completion? The regret would come too late.”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “I trust General Shi.”

Ming Yu was about to say that in this era, one couldn’t even trust one’s own parents, so why trust an outsider?

But then he heard Zhao Hanzhang say, “I’ll bring Tinghan along, plus penicillin—bring several doses.”

Ming Yu paused, swallowing the words on the tip of his tongue, instead asking, “Returning, I heard Shi Lei was injured. How serious was it?”

“Very serious,” Zhao Hanzhang said. “Midway he had high fever and lost consciousness, nearly didn’t make it. After returning, the military physician gave him a dose of penicillin, and only then did he pull through.”

Ming Yu understood. Zhao Hanzhang trusting Shi Lei was one thing; holding a powerful tool was another.

Just for the sake of her miracle medicine, Shi Lei probably wouldn’t easily betray her. Moreover, there was Fu Tinghan—that one was also a great weapon, and of the silent type at that.

Who knew what else was stored in his mind?

However, Ming Yu still insisted, “I must accompany you.”

But he was also very much needed here. Zhao Hanzhang tried to persuade him to stay.

Ming Yu broke down in tears. “Please allow me to accompany you, Governor. On the Anping State journey, I failed to protect the late emperor or Patriarch Zhao. My heart is filled with guilt. If I cannot accompany you this time and do my utmost to protect you, I would be too ashamed to continue living.”

Zhao Hanzhang was startled by his words. Seeing him crying so badly, she was at a loss and could only agree. “If you insist so firmly, then come along.”

A grown man crying like this looked very pitiful.

Ji Yuan returned to see Zhao Hanzhang comforting Ming Yu, his face momentarily stern.

Fu Tinghan, seeing Master Ji’s expression was off, couldn’t help coughing lightly twice to remind Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang turned around to see Ji Yuan, her eyes brightening slightly. “Master, you’ve returned? Did you bring back the scattered Shi army?”

Ji Yuan nodded, his expression very displeased. “I’ve already given instructions. They’ll temporarily camp outside the city. Governor, there are strange omens appearing in the south.”

Zhao Hanzhang: “What strange omens make your expression so troubled, Master?”

Ji Yuan then recounted how stone monkeys emerged from rivers, monkey taiyue were dug up from fields, and white monkeys appeared in Yunmeng Marsh.

Zhao Hanzhang only paused briefly before asking, “What relationship do monkeys have with the Prince of Langya?”

Ji Yuan looked at her approvingly before saying, “The Prince of Langya was born in the year of the monkey.”

Zhao Hanzhang: “…What year was I born in?”

This time it was Ji Yuan who was speechless. He glanced at Zhao Hanzhang before saying, “The governor was born in the year of the ox.”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, quickly calculating in her mind before raising an eyebrow. “Isn’t the young emperor also born in the year of the monkey?”

Ji Yuan paused, his eyes brightening slightly. “That’s true—the young emperor was also born in the year of the monkey.”

Zhao Hanzhang laughed heartily, then asked, “What year was Wang Jun born in?”

Neither Ji Yuan nor Ming Yu quite understood why she asked about Wang Jun, but still answered, “Wang Jun is advanced in years. We truly don’t know his exact age. We could ask the subordinate officials.”

The subordinate officials had much to remember—for instance, certain ministers’ major birthdays. They needed to remind Zhao Hanzhang and the emperor to prepare rewards and birthday gifts.

Zhao Hanzhang had someone fetch a subordinate official. The official arrived and, after brief consideration, said, “Inspector Wang is fifty-eight years old this year—born in the year of the monkey.”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “He’s quite long-lived.”

Everyone in the room felt their hearts jump but didn’t dare speak.

Zhao Hanzhang snorted. “How can such divine signs and auspicious omens only appear in Jiangnan and Jiangdong? Send someone to transmit this news to Wang Jun. I think Youzhou also needs some strange omens and auspicious portents.”

Ji Yuan couldn’t help exclaiming, “Governor!”