Zhao Hanzhang turned and walked away. Shi Lei took one last look at the Duan clan’s encampment across the river, then followed in Zhao Hanzhang’s footsteps.

As Zhao Hanzhang walked, she conversed with him, “I heard that General Shi has recently been suppressing bandits?”

Shi Lei acknowledged with a sound.

Zhao Hanzhang said, “This is very good. As a provincial governor, one must have a benevolent heart. You already have military achievements, and now with civil governance and a benevolent heart, you will surely be praised for ten thousand generations.”

Listening to this, Shi Lei’s heart grew happy, and the depression from being threatened and intimidated earlier dissipated considerably.

He was willing to follow Zhang Bin’s advice and change his methods because he knew that cruelty and harshness were not long-term strategies. Now that even Zhao Hanzhang said he was doing well, it showed that his changes were effective.

Zhao Hanzhang hinted, “But benevolence and love for the people is not achieved in a single day. Most people in the world are dull-witted and can only see past deeds, so there will always be many misunderstandings. As someone in a position of authority, there’s no need to argue with them over temporary gains and losses—just be more broad-minded.”

Shi Lei didn’t understand the implications of these words and could only return to ask Zhang Bin.

Zhang Bin thought briefly and said, “General Zhao is reminding you, Master, that when you officially take office, the people and officials of Youzhou may not accept you.”

Shi Lei said angrily, “Why wouldn’t they accept me? I took Youzhou with my own strength.”

He was the one who captured Wang Jun, and he was the one who killed him. Even one of Wang Jun’s two sons was killed by him. All along the way, attacking cities and seizing territories, half of Youzhou’s cities were taken because he wielded Wang Jun’s authority. Why wouldn’t they accept him?

Zhang Bin smiled and consoled him, “They are all mediocrities. Why should you concern yourself with them, Master? These people can only see past deeds. In the past, you were a bandit, pillaging and killing everywhere, and the Han people all feared you. Now you say you’ve reformed and want to be a good provincial governor. Not only do they not dare believe you, but even among your subordinates there will be doubters.”

“That’s why General Zhao reminded you that benevolence and love for the people is not achieved in a single day,” Zhang Bin smiled. “Master, why not relax your mind, pay less attention to those resentful words, and just fulfill your duties as provincial governor? As long as you treat them like your own children, one day the resentment will disappear, and you can truly become the master of Youzhou.”

Shi Lei’s gaze deepened upon hearing this, and he asked, “Mengsun, Zhao Hanzhang is so domineering—can she truly tolerate us developing our power in Youzhou?”

Zhang Bin laughed heartily and asked in return, “Master, you are so talented—why do you only focus on a single province? Why not consider achieving the merit of a famous minister for ten thousand generations?”

If he had said “achieving merit for ten thousand generations,” Shi Lei would have thought of rebellion. But he said “achieving the merit of a famous minister for ten thousand generations,” so what Shi Lei thought of was… “You mean the merit of following the dragon? Assisting Zhao Hanzhang to ascend the throne as emperor?”

Zhang Bin just smiled without speaking.

Shi Lei began to ponder. It wasn’t impossible. He couldn’t compare with those scholars in civil governance, but he could still fight battles. Who’s to say he couldn’t become a Grand Commandant or something similar?

Thinking of this, Shi Lei’s heart burned with passion. If he could become the Grand Commandant of a prosperous age, his life wouldn’t have been in vain, would it?

Thinking of his hatred for the Sima clan, Shi Lei’s eyes burned with fiery light. That’s right—seize the Sima clan’s empire! Hmph, did they really think just anyone could sit in that position?

If even the Sima clan was qualified for that position, then any Tom, Dick, or Harry could take it. Zhao Hanzhang should rebel against them!

Shi Lei immediately shifted his goal. He would encourage Zhao Hanzhang to rebel. He would become Grand Commandant, become a famous minister!

However, for now he still needed his own power base, so he told Zhang Bin, “Move the Jie people to Youzhou. We’ll first develop Youzhou properly. Hmph, Tuoba Yilu wants to occupy Daijun and look toward Youzhou and Bingzhou, but he doesn’t know that Zhao Hanzhang has long been guarding against him. The bond between these siblings isn’t even as good as the bond between us as lord and minister.”

Zhang Bin also expressed agreement, “General Zhao trusts you more, Master.”

Shi Lei grew smug.

Even if he couldn’t compare to Beigong Chun, surely he could compare to Tuoba Yilu, this brother who appeared halfway, couldn’t he?

Zhao Hanzhang was currently exchanging pleasantries with her halfway brother. Tuoba Yilu asked her, “Where is Yueshi?”

Zhao Hanzhang smiled, “Second Brother has gone to Xuzhou to take office.”

Of course she couldn’t keep everyone in Hunu County. With Liu Cong dead, those who should withdraw withdrew. The more people left in the north, the more grain and supplies consumed. She had spent this half month in Hunu County arranging northern affairs. Liu Kun took a contingent of personal guards and appointment documents straight to Xuzhou, with Ji Ping following half a step behind with twenty thousand troops.

Beigong Chun and Linghu Sheng went to Jinyang to take office. He would send Liu Kun’s parents and family to Xuzhou to reunite with him.

Tuoba Yilu said, “…Nephew Liu Zun is still in Daijun. How could Yueshi not bid him farewell?”

Zhao Hanzhang said unconcernedly, “Uncle is also father. In nephew Liu Zun’s heart, eldest brother and second brother are the same. With eldest brother taking care of him, second brother can be at ease.”

She added, “If eldest brother is worried, have nephew Liu Zun go to Xuzhou to find second brother. I’m willing to send a contingent of personal guards to accompany him.”

Tuoba Yilu fell silent.

Liu Zun was the hostage Liu Kun had given to Tuoba Yilu. He was sent to Daijun last year and couldn’t leave easily.

When Liu Kun was in Jinyang, this hostage was very useful. But now that he’d run off to Xuzhou to be provincial governor, thousands of miles from Daijun, what use was this hostage?

Threaten Beigong Chun, who was completely unrelated to him?

Tuoba Yilu felt somewhat angry.

He felt he’d been deceived. He had sent so many troops to follow Zhao Hanzhang around, and all he got was the benefit of changing his commandery to a kingdom and having his heir apparent enfeoffed. She transferred Liu Kun away, making all his previous arrangements worthless, and even the hostage in his hands became a useless piece.

Zhao Hanzhang seemed not to notice, picked up the wine to pour him a bowl, and smiled, “Eldest brother obtained much gold and silver to take back. Have you thought about how to spend it?”

Only then did Tuoba Yilu remember that for the latter half, he had been hired, and Zhao Hanzhang had promised him quite a bit of gold and silver. His expression improved somewhat, and he asked, “Does third sister have any suggestions?”

Zhao Hanzhang recommended exquisite glass products, silk fabrics, porcelain and other fine vessels and luxurious clothing, all from the Central Plains.

Tuoba Yilu wanted them all, but what he wanted most were Zhao clan weapons.

Zhao Hanzhang’s facial expression didn’t change, but a sharp edge appeared in her brow. She smiled, “Elder brother knows that the Zhao Family Army numbers in the hundreds of thousands and still cannot be self-sufficient, so Zhao clan weapons are never sold externally.”

Tuoba Yilu’s expression wasn’t very pleasant.

“However,” Zhao Hanzhang smiled, “if elder brother asks, no matter how difficult it is, I will set some aside. I wonder what weapons elder brother wants and how many of each?”

Only then did Tuoba Yilu’s expression improve. After thinking, he said, “I want five thousand cavalry sabers, five thousand long knives, and five thousand long spears.”

Zhao Hanzhang raised a smile toward him, then refused, stating that production was limited and she could only sell one thousand of each of these three items.

Tuoba Yilu frowned and said to Zhao Hanzhang, “You and I are siblings, so there’s no need to be polite. Speak plainly—can you provide two thousand of each?”

Zhao Hanzhang frowned and sighed, then said, “Alright, since elder brother asks, no matter how difficult it is, I will find a way to fulfill it.”

Only then did Tuoba Yilu’s mood improve somewhat.

—