Zhao Hanzhang looked up at him. Seeing his anxious, uncharacteristic state, she smiled slightly and asked, “What is Master Ji worried about? Do you think heaven sending down strange omens and auspicious signs in Jiangdong means heaven favors the Prince of Langya as lord?”

She laughed heartily, tears nearly coming from laughter. The subordinate officials and Master Ming who’d been summoned all turned pale. Only then did Zhao Hanzhang put away her smile and ask coldly, “Sovereign power bestowed by heaven—if emperors truly still relied on heaven’s choice, how could the Han dynasty have fallen? If the Son of Heaven is truly heaven’s son, how dare the Jin house publicly execute the Cao emperor and usurp the throne?”

Ji Yuan and Ming Yu were one thing, but the other subordinate officials turned deathly pale, their legs going weak as they knelt on the ground.

They were Jin officials. Though they now obeyed Zhao Hanzhang’s orders, they were actually serving in Great Jin’s court.

Zhao Hanzhang openly spoke of the founding emperor publicly executing the Cao emperor, calling Jin’s imperial house throne-usurpers. Did she intend to…

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t care what they thought and stated directly, “Sovereign power is not bestowed by heaven but granted by the people! The people are heaven. Tyrants without virtue cause the people to live in misery. Naturally they can replace them on heaven’s behalf! Creating some chaotic strange omens and auspicious signs and thinking heaven favors them as emperor—will the common people recognize them?”

Everyone’s minds shook. Ji Yuan murmured, “Sovereign power granted by the people, granted by the people. Yes, exactly—granted by the people…”

He nearly cried out, grabbing Ming Yu’s arm beside him. “This is exactly what I was searching for, exactly the principle I was seeking. And now this principle was proposed by my lord.”

Ming Yu was also so moved his eyes reddened, a surge of emotion swelling in his chest, making him unable to help crying out.

Even the subordinate officials were deeply shaken. After withdrawing and leaving, they didn’t spread Zhao Hanzhang’s words. Everyone tacitly agreed to temporarily not speak, not discuss.

Zhao Hanzhang said she would tell Wang Jun about this. As soon as she left, Ji Yuan’s feet flew as he went to find people. He controlled the intelligence apparatus—passing along a message, especially true news, was trivial.

Ming Yu followed close behind, catching up to block him and asking, “Master Ji, was giving Youzhou to Shi Lei your idea?”

Ji Yuan stopped, restraining the excitement on his face to calmness. “This was the young lady’s own decision. Moreover, Youzhou isn’t being given to Shi Lei—he’s merely being appointed Youzhou Inspector.”

Ming Yu said, “Shi Lei’s forces are strong. If not restricted, when the young lady is present it will be fine, but in the future, if… the nation will likely fall into division again.”

Intelligent people always looked far ahead. Zhao Hanzhang had only slightly revealed an intention, and Ming Yu was already envisioning twenty or thirty years hence, or even longer.

Ji Yuan was more pragmatic. He said, “That’s a matter for the future. I believe with the young lady’s abilities, she will certainly eliminate this trouble in time.”

“Currently we should still treat Shi Lei well. Wang Jun is wildly ambitious yet foolish. Though Shi Lei is ruthless, he values loyalty and righteousness. Having him as Youzhou Inspector is far better than Wang Jun.”

Ji Yuan didn’t quite approve of Ming Yu doing too much over future events that hadn’t yet occurred. For instance, he frowned at him. “Was Patriarch Zhao’s matter your deliberate doing?”

Ming Yu’s expression remained unchanged as he said coolly, “Master Ji thinks too much. Ming’s abilities are limited. Being able to sow discord between the Liu brothers was already fortunate.”

Ji Yuan said coldly, “We both know that the young lady will ascend to the throne one day. But she won’t be like the founding or second emperors—if she does it, she should be like Emperor Wen of Wei.”

Emperor Wen of Wei, Cao Pi—this emperor campaigned in the south and north, establishing immortal military achievements and maintaining the territory his father Cao Cao had conquered. So the Cao family’s realm was fought for.

Emperor Xian of Han abdicated to Cao Pi, who also performed the ritual of declining three times before accepting. Emperor Xian lived to a good end—Cao Pi even died before him.

When Emperor Xian died, the then-reigning Emperor Ming of Wei personally went to mourn—making him perhaps the first person in history to receive an emperor’s mourning.

So in Confucian scholars’ eyes, the Cao house was legitimate, while the Sima family usurped the state through conspiracy. The concept of sovereign power bestowed by heaven was directly shattered, which was why so many people dared to proclaim themselves emperors.

Because if sovereign power was truly bestowed by heaven, if the Son of Heaven was truly heaven’s son, why could the Sima family publicly execute an emperor without receiving punishment?

Ji Yuan lowered his voice. “The young lady said sovereign power is granted by the people. Then she must be a model for the people. Dirty deeds like murdering elder relatives—you should stop pinning them on the young lady.”

Ming Yu’s face turned cold. “Setting aside that I never had such thoughts, even if Patriarch Zhao died because of me, that would be my fault. What does it have to do with the young lady?”

Ji Yuan looked deeply at him before saying, “I only hope Master Ming can always remember these words.”

Ji Yuan turned and left.

At this time, Wu Sheng was also reporting to Zhao Hanzhang, mainly about their experiences along the way and the personnel losses this time.

Mentioning Zhao Zhongyu’s murder, Wu Sheng hesitated before quietly saying, “My lady, at that time your subordinate and the others were in the city. We didn’t contact the patriarch in time, and also… didn’t make any move to rescue him…”

“I know,” Zhao Hanzhang interrupted his stammering words, her expression calm. “Your mission was to sow discord between Liu Yi and Liu Cong, making the two compete. Rescuing people wasn’t your task. Uncle-patriarch’s death was not your fault. It was my lack of thorough consideration, and Liu Cong’s utter loss of conscience.”

Seeing Zhao Hanzhang didn’t blame him, Wu Sheng immediately breathed a huge sigh of relief, deeply moved at the same time.

His eyes reddening, he lowered his head and choked out, “My lady…”

Zhao Hanzhang’s expression softened as she said, “Go rest. In a few days, I’ll need you to make a trip to Jiangnan.”

She continued, “You and Master Ming were ultimately exposed in the northern lands. Now many people have connected you with me. Staying in the north to conduct business would be very dangerous. Change your name and go south.”

Wu Sheng agreed.

Zhao Hanzhang waved her hand. “Go then. In a few days, follow the logistics team back to Chen County. After seeing your nephews and nieces, you can leave.”

Wu Sheng wiped his tears and withdrew.

He specifically sought out Ming Yu to tell him, “Master Ming, rest assured. I’ve reported everything to the young lady, and she doesn’t blame us.”

Carefully relaying the young lady’s words, Wu Sheng said with deep emotion, “The young lady is truly wonderful. This humble one truly wishes I could tear out my heart to repay her.”

Ming Yu: …

He couldn’t help covering his face. After Wu Sheng left, Ming Yu contemplated deeply. After a moment, he still rose to seek out Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang was busy preparing for tomorrow’s departure. Many subordinate officials were reporting matters to her. He waited a long time before reaching Zhao Hanzhang. “I’ve come to beg the young lady’s forgiveness.”

Zhao Hanzhang only paused briefly before asking, “Is this about uncle-patriarch?”

Ming Yu nodded.

Zhao Hanzhang said, “Didn’t I already say this matter isn’t your concern?”

Ming Yu said, “Your subordinate is guilty because I never intended to save Patriarch Zhao. In fact, I had already anticipated that Liu Cong would murder the late emperor and Patriarch Zhao but did not prevent it.”

Zhao Hanzhang’s expression remained calm, showing no change. After Ming Yu finished explaining his mental process at the time, she said, “In my actions, I’ve always judged by deeds, not by thoughts. I’ll only ask Master one question: if you had intervened then, could you have rescued uncle-patriarch?”

Ming Yu paused, then shook his head. Liu Cong’s surveillance of Zhao Zhongyu and others was very strict. If he had intervened, not only could he not have saved Zhao Zhongyu, he might well have implicated himself.

Zhao Hanzhang nodded. “That’s sufficient.”

Zhao Hanzhang only said this one sentence and didn’t comfort Ming Yu further. But Ming Yu’s heart settled completely. His eyes moistening, he rose and bowed deeply to Zhao Hanzhang before respectfully withdrawing.