Among these two hundred thirty-some people were those with extraordinary strength who had repeatedly distinguished themselves in battle; those skilled in raising horses and cattle—the small characters noted that one household had independently raised over five hundred horses, and there were even horse grooms who had raised horses for Liu Yuan…

There were those literate and numerate, those who knew medicinal herbs and rough medical skills. Liu Kun even saw two shamans listed. They said they could perform magic, extract plague from people, restore vigor, and connect heaven and earth…

Liu Kun was speechless for a long moment. Pointing at those two people, he asked: “You believe this?”

Zhao Hanzhang smiled: “They speak twelve languages, including not only the dialects of various Xiongnu tribes, but also Xianbei, Di, Qiang, and even foreign languages from the Western Regions. I heard that when they were conscripted as soldiers by Liu Cong, they were shamans in their respective tribes and often traveled with their tribes’ merchant caravans. This time, in the Xiongnu’s total war, all men between the ages of four and forty-five had to fight, so they were conscripted.”

Liu Kun: …

Liu Kun was convinced and had nothing to say.

Such people weren’t merely multilingual. They had been to many places and must have knowledge of mountains, rivers, villages, and tribes in various regions. If such people were kept close at hand…

Liu Kun’s heart burned with desire. Then, seeing Zhao Hanzhang’s slight smile, it quickly cooled. Though very tempted, what did this have to do with him?

These all belonged to Zhao Hanzhang.

Liu Kun regretfully closed the notebook and returned it to Fu Tinghan.

No wonder the more Zhao Hanzhang fought, the more capable people she had under her command, enabling her to accomplish so many things. So this was how she collected talent.

If he had enough paper, perhaps he could have thought of this too. Unfortunately, paper was precious and scarce—he couldn’t very well use silk, could he?

Zhao Hanzhang said to Liu Kun: “The south of the Yangtze has long enjoyed peace. All kinds of talented people are only more numerous, not fewer. When Yueshi goes to Xuzhou in the future, you can collect talents like I do.”

Liu Kun said: “I’m not going to Xuzhou. I’m going to hold fast to Jinyang.”

Zhao Hanzhang ignored him and turned away: “Come, let’s discuss the next battle plan. The great decisive battle is about to begin. Summon Beigong Chun and Zhao Ju to see me.”

Of course Liu Cong wasn’t willing to be besieged in Hunu County. However, if he took all the troops and civilians, the army would move slowly and simply couldn’t advance. He could only abandon some people.

Of course, he wouldn’t say it openly. He just gave a rousing speech to boost morale, then began splitting into several routes to break out. He had them draw firepower while he led fifty thousand elite troops toward Anle County, planning to break through from Zhao Hanzhang’s position.

This was his carefully considered choice.

Zhao Ju had many elite Zhao family troops under his command. Beigong Chun’s Xiliang army was even more formidable—it was the army he had first chosen to avoid. But as for the troops under Zhao Hanzhang’s command, half were new recruits she had enlisted in Jinyang, far inferior to the other army units. So he chose to break through here.

Liu Cong had Liu Jie go open one of the passages.

Zhao Hanzhang finally agreed to release Liu Kun. She said: “I’ll give you an opportunity. If you can take down Liu Jie, I’ll agree to let you remain in Jinyang. Otherwise, you go to Xuzhou to be Provincial Governor.”

Liu Kun immediately agreed.

The remaining Xiongnu were already like homeless dogs. He didn’t think he couldn’t defeat Liu Jie, so he happily accepted the order and took all his fifty thousand Jinyang troops with him.

After he left, Zhao Hanzhang said to Zhao Ju: “I need to transfer a few people from the General’s command.”

Zhao Ju immediately said: “The Commander need only give orders.”

Zhao Hanzhang selected Ji Ping and Li Tianhe from his ranks, saying: “You two shall each lead ten thousand men and set ambushes on the southwest foothills of Hunu Mountain and east of the Arrow Shaft River. If Liu Kun fails, you shall come out to clean up the mess. Remember—you must not let Liu Kun suffer a major defeat.”

Ji Ping and Li Tianhe acknowledged the order. When they withdrew, they were completely puzzled. “Not allow a major defeat—so does that mean allowing a minor defeat?”

Ji Ping thought for a moment and said: “The Commander just made a wager with Provincial Governor Liu. If Provincial Governor Liu loses, he must obey the Commander and go to Xuzhou.”

Li Tianhe understood. His mind stirred, and he whispered: “Then tell me, should we drag our feet a bit? What if he wins?”

Ji Ping’s expression turned stern. He turned his head to glare at him: “Don’t speak nonsense. If the Commander hears such words, you can forget about keeping that head of yours. Regardless of what wager the Commander and Provincial Governor Liu have made, we cannot interfere.”

Ji Ping had served as Zhao Hanzhang’s bodyguard. Before Qiu Wu and Zeng Yue, it was him. He understood their lady’s temperament. He lowered his voice: “Don’t even think such thoughts, let alone act on them. Colluding with the enemy and harming comrades—regardless of your background, the lady can have you flayed alive.”

Li Tianhe’s body stiffened. He lowered his eyes: “I was just speaking casually. I wouldn’t dare do such a thing.”

Only then did Ji Ping relax. Pulling him along, he said: “Come on, let’s go muster the troops.”

Li Tianhe followed, asking quietly: “General Beigong has also come. Why don’t we see the Young General and Advisor Xie?”

Ji Ping honestly said: “I don’t know.”

Li Tianhe muttered: “Old Ji, you’re too honest. By rights, you were the first to serve at the lady’s side. Qiu Wu and Zeng Yue both came after you, but now one has been given charge of such a crucial task as the weapons workshop, while the other calls the wind and summons the rain at the lady’s side…”

Ji Ping: “I’m also a Brave General now.”

“Zeng Yue also holds a general’s rank. You see how the Great General and General Beigong politely salute him when they meet. Do they do that with us?”

Ji Ping frowned at him. Li Tianhe didn’t restrain himself but continued: “Old Ji, we all came from the same squad. After this battle, the fighting will end. This is the last chance to earn merit, yet the lady only has us going to clean up Provincial Governor Liu’s mess. The great merit of attacking Hunu County and the Xiongnu main force has been given to others. When merit is assessed afterward, you and I will both be one rank lower.”

Ji Ping said displeased: “We were formerly just minor squad members. Our indenture contracts were still in the lady’s hands. We were fortunate enough to follow at the lady’s side and earn military merit, luckily obtaining a general’s rank. That’s already brought glory to our ancestors. I don’t dare think about more, nor do I want to. Tianhe, don’t forget your station.”

Li Tianhe: “Of course I haven’t forgotten. I’m utterly loyal to the lady. If the lady wanted my life, I’d give it to her without a second word. But what I’m talking about now is earning merit. We all came from the same squad—why should all the benefits go to Qiu Wu and Zeng Yue?”

“Back when you left the lady’s side, you recommended Qiu Wu. After Qiu Wu left, he recommended Zeng Yue. By rights, you’re their benefactor…”

“You’re wrong. I didn’t recommend Qiu Wu. Whether it was Qiu Wu or Zeng Yue, both were personally selected by the lady,” Ji Ping said solemnly. “Even Yuan Li was chosen by the lady at a glance. It had nothing to do with me.”

Li Tianhe was choked speechless. He could only wave his hands and walk away. “Fine, fine. Truly the emperor isn’t anxious, but the eunuch is frantic. I was just trying to speak up for you. Since you have no objections, let’s go then.”

Coming to this point, he sneered: “This is the benefit of being a young lord from a great family. After fighting so many battles, this is the first time being sent to clean up someone else’s mess. Even our Young General has never had such special treatment.”

Although Zhao Erlang had also lost battles, Zhao Hanzhang had never said she would send a force to follow behind him and clean up his mess. She always let him go and fight freely. If he failed, he learned his lesson.

Why was Liu Kun special?

—