Drinking wine, the talks finally entered the formal stage.
Duan Wumucheng stated that the Duan tribe Xianbei still acknowledged the Jin state as sovereign and had no intention of raising troops in rebellion. Previously they had been deceived by Wang Jun and had misunderstood Zhao Hanzhang. Now the misunderstanding was cleared.
Zhao Hanzhang naturally reassured them, telling them not to worry or fear. The Emperor knew of their loyalty, and she would speak well of them to the Emperor. Since it was a misunderstanding, clearing it up was good.
Even Shi Lei couldn’t help but snort coldly in his heart. Whether it was a misunderstanding or not—didn’t she have the final say? What did it have to do with that little emperor?
Regardless of what Duan Wumucheng thought, when Tuoba Yilu, Zu Ti, and Shi Lei all appeared here simultaneously, he knew he couldn’t initiate this battle, and he didn’t want to fight it either.
Yes, they weren’t united, and their forces were no greater than his. If he charged fiercely, he really could fight his way to Yan Kingdom. But what then?
Unless he could kill Zhao Hanzhang on the spot, even if he temporarily repelled these people, the Zhao Family Army could still return later.
Zhao Hanzhang didn’t want to fight because disaster victims were everywhere now. But if there truly was warfare, could she not defeat him?
Although Duan Wumucheng agreed to withdraw to Liaoxi Commandery and return Beiping Commandery to Youzhou, it wasn’t something that could be done immediately. Duan Wumucheng proposed a marriage alliance to Zhao Hanzhang.
Originally he and Wang Jun had an in-law relationship. Since Zhao Hanzhang had eliminated his father-in-law backer, then she should marry a Zhao clan woman to the Duan clan.
Of course, the match wasn’t for Duan Wumucheng himself, but for his son Duan Jilujuan.
Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze deepened slightly. She first glanced at Duan Jilujuan, then asked with a smile, “Has the heir apparent not yet taken a wife?”
Duan Wumucheng said, “As long as the Grand General is willing to marry a Zhao clan woman to us, she will certainly be the legitimate wife.”
Zhao Hanzhang sneered inwardly, though her expression didn’t change and remained warm. “The daughters of my Zhao family, like the sons, must enter the court and hold office. If the Duke of Liaoxi seeks to marry a Zhao clan woman, what official position can you provide for her?”
Fu Tinghan interjected, “If Liaoxi Commandery can accept Zhao clan people coming to serve as officials, why limit it to male or female? I think several younger cousins in the school are quite good.”
Zhao Kuan heard this and knew Zhao Hanzhang wasn’t satisfied with this marriage proposal. He immediately smiled at Duan Wumucheng, “If the Duke doesn’t mind, I’m willing to go to Liaoxi Commandery. I don’t seek high office—being able to serve as a minor clerk beside the Duke and the heir apparent would suffice.”
Duan Wumucheng: …What he wanted was a daughter-in-law, not a spy.
Duan Wumucheng found an excuse to refuse.
Zhao Hanzhang set down her wine bowl and smiled, “The Duke of Liaoxi has rendered meritorious service in managing Liaoxi Commandery these years, pacifying the Xianbei people. He should be enfeoffed as Grand Chanyu.”
Duan Wumucheng’s eyes brightened. He immediately rose and knelt, saying, “This subject thanks the Grand General.”
Zhao Hanzhang smiled and asked, “How many sons does the Grand Chanyu have?”
Duan Wumucheng paused, then said, “I have five.”
Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze swept over those young men behind him and pointed at one, asking with a smile, “Is this one as well?”
Duan Wumucheng said, “This is my second son, Duan Pidi.”
Zhao Hanzhang herself hadn’t expected that with a random point, she’d point out Duan Pidi. She immediately laughed heartily, “What a handsome and spirited young man! I wonder if the Grand Chanyu would be willing to let him follow at my side and come to Jin to serve as a general?”
Hearing this, Duan Wumucheng’s heart tightened. He hesitated, looking at Zhao Hanzhang’s expression, wanting to know whether she was being forceful or whether he could plead for mercy.
But her face still bore the same smile, no more and no less than when he had requested the marriage alliance. Duan Wumucheng truly couldn’t read her intentions.
And precisely because of this, he couldn’t grasp her meaning for a moment.
Everyone fell silent for a time.
No one tried to smooth things over, and Zhao Hanzhang showed no intention of speaking again. She just lightly lifted her eyelids to stare at him, waiting for him to give an answer.
In the end, Duan Wumucheng gritted his teeth and agreed.
Zhao Hanzhang smiled slightly, satisfied. She said to the somewhat pale-faced Duan Pidi, “You shall follow at my side. Later I’ll test your martial skills.”
Duan Wumucheng tried hard not to look at his second son and said to Zhao Hanzhang, “I’ll have to trouble the Grand General regarding my son.”
Zhao Hanzhang smiled and nodded, “The Grand Chanyu can rest assured. I will take good care of the second young master.”
Hmph, marriage alliance? Where was the straightforwardness of taking a hostage? They were all hostages anyway. It was better for other families to send people than for her own family to send someone. After all, whoever had the bigger fist called the shots. There was no logic in marrying Zhao clan women off to the Xianbei just because she wasn’t as powerful and authoritative as them.
If you’re not reassured, then send a son to be a hostage with me.
Duan Wumucheng also suspected Zhao Hanzhang was retaliating against him for proposing the marriage alliance. Otherwise, why hadn’t she mentioned it at all when she was stating conditions earlier?
The peace talks ended. Zhao Hanzhang generously gave Duan Pidi one day to bid farewell to his family.
Because of this, even Shi Lei became anxious. Now his family and main army were scattered between Bingzhou and Jizhou. If Zhao Hanzhang also asked him to hand over a hostage, who would he hand over?
At this moment, Shi Lei somewhat regretted it. He shouldn’t have killed Shi Hu back then. If he’d kept him, perhaps he could serve as a hostage now.
Lost in wild thoughts, Zhao Hanzhang turned to Shi Lei and said, “I’ll be leaving in a couple of days. I’ve placed people in all the commanderies and counties of Youzhou. You must manage them well later, settle the displaced people, and establish schools. If you lack personnel, ask me for them. All appointments of county magistrate and above must have court approval.”
Shi Lei’s brow furrowed slightly. “Can’t I select county magistrates myself?”
“No,” Zhao Hanzhang said flatly. “Shilong, you are Youzhou provincial governor, not King of Youzhou. The appointment and dismissal of county magistrates in all provinces must have court approval. If when you serve as Youzhou provincial governor, county magistrate appointments are yours to make, and then when you go to serve as Jizhou provincial governor or Yuzhou provincial governor it’s the same, in the long run, will there still be any order in this realm?”
Shi Lei’s heart stirred, and he asked, “Does the Governor need my young son to serve at her side?”
Zhao Hanzhang looked at him with a half-smile. “How old is that son of yours? Raise your own son yourself. I don’t have the habit of raising sons for others.”
With that, she turned and walked away.
Shi Lei secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He currently had only one son, and truthfully, he was very reluctant to part with him.
He hurried to catch up.
Zu Ti walked beside him and turned to say, “Provincial Governor Shi, you and I are no different.”
Shi Lei didn’t respond. Zhang Bin had been keeping his heart in his throat the whole time. Only after returning to their own large tent did he quietly console him, “Master, now is different from before. Zhao Hanzhang’s military strength is formidable, and her character is resolute. She’s not as soft and conciliatory as the former lord. Look at how she employs Zu Ti and Beigong Chun—she doesn’t allow either to rule their territories as kings. All must follow court governance.”
“This also shows that she treats you the same as Zu Ti and Beigong Chun. If she treated you like she treated Duan Wumucheng, then you’d need to be careful.”
Shi Lei said, “I know. Rest assured, sir. I won’t fall out with her over this.”
“When I first pledged loyalty to her, being able to keep my life was already extremely fortunate. Later being able to keep my army and family, not having to start over from scratch, was even more fortunate.” Shi Lei had experienced many terrible situations in his life. He’d been a slave, been a bandit, once conquered a province and nearly became a local tyrant, then was beaten down to just seven or eight men, fled in all directions, and then rose again…
So what couldn’t he accept?
Although he wasn’t too happy with Zhao Hanzhang’s forcefulness, he didn’t currently have the power to resist. As for the future—hmph, since he was now Youzhou provincial governor, how Youzhou developed in the future would naturally be his decision.
At this moment, Zhao Hanzhang was saying to Wei Jie, “Shi Lei is a proud man, but he’s good at listening to advice, and he’s extremely fond of talented people. I want you to temporarily stay in Youzhou and help him rebuild it.”
Wei Jie was startled. “Me?”
—