Chapter 379 - 373 Recommendation (Extra update for 8 monthly tickets)
Fu Zhi let out a sigh of relief and was about to nod when Fu Tinghan glanced at Zhao Hanzhang and said, "Grandfather, before Inspector He died, he passed the position of Yu State Governor to Hanzhang. The inspector seal is now in her hands, and the troops of Yu State also follow her command. Now, all that’s lacking is the official appointment from the court."
Zhao Hanzhang also looked at Fu Zhi, her gaze somewhat expectant.
Along the way, Fu Zhi, who was constantly worried that the two children would walk the path of the infamous Prince East Sea, hesitated. He didn’t want to assist the two children, feeling that it would be akin to creating a tyrant with his own hands.
But looking at the mighty river ahead, thinking of Prince East Sea who never listened to advice and always acted willfully, and then of the increasingly autocratic Gou Xi, Fu Zhi reluctantly nodded and said, "I will write to His Majesty."
Alas, the river’s water flows uncontrolled, and one man cannot stop the flow of water, nor can he halt the course of history.
And how the journey will be and what kind of history will be forged, no one knows. But from the current perspective, it’s better for these two children of his family to vie for power, than to hand everything to Prince East Sea and Gou Xi.
Besides, he’s still by the emperor’s side. If Hanzhang and Tinghan can truly amass enough power to oppose them, they might sway the emperor’s favor away from Prince East Sea and Gou Xi, thus ensuring that the handling of state affairs will not always be restricted, allowing the emperor and the people to fare better.
With these thoughts, Fu Zhi’s mood improved significantly. The gloom on his face dissipated, revealing a smile, and he reassured Zhao Hanzhang once more, "I will indeed mention it to His Majesty."
Seeing Fu Zhi’s sudden cheerfulness, Zhao Hanzhang hesitated for a moment before expressing her gratitude, "Thank you, Grandfather Fu."
She paused and said, "If Grandfather Fu is short of people he can use, you can go to my Great Uncle. He would be very willing to cooperate with you."
Zhao Zhongyu was naturally willing because with Zhao Hanzhang becoming the Yu State Governor, the Zhao Family would be relatively safe in Yu State, at least temporarily.
The benefits to the family far outweighed the drawbacks. Once the Xiongnu retreated, he spent money in the Capital City building Zhao Hanzhang’s reputation. Now, her name is known to everyone in the Capital City, and along with Beigong Chun, she has become a War God in the eyes of the common people.
Beigong Chun has always been the War God in the hearts of Luoyang’s citizens. He saved Luoyang from crisis twice, and although he is often suppressed in court, among the populace, there’s a ballad about him and the Xiliang Iron Cavalry.
Unlike Zhao Hanzhang, who needed Zhao Zhongyu to spend money to build her fame, Beigong Chun’s fame rose spontaneously.
So Zhao Hanzhang being mentioned alongside Beigong Chun shows how greatly she is being praised.
Even the emperor, who resides deep within the palace, has heard of Zhao Hanzhang’s name and thus summoned Zhao Zhongyu to inquire about her.
Upon learning that she is Zhao Changyu’s granddaughter, raised in martial arts and poetry from a young age as if she were a son, the emperor lamented, "It’s a pity she’s not a man."
Zhao Zhongyu immediately responded, "Why should Your Majesty discriminate between men and women in using talents? Zhao Hanzhang is exceptionally capable, adept at leading troops and governing the people. Even Inspector He recognized her abilities. Why not, Your Majesty, appoint her directly as the Yu State Governor, thus honoring Inspector He’s loyalty and righteousness?"
The emperor said, "A woman in office; I’m afraid the ministers in court will not approve."
"Are you worried that Prince East Sea will not approve, Your Majesty?" Zhao Zhongyu lowered his voice and said, "But, Your Majesty, you are the emperor. You shouldn’t listen to Prince East Sea for everything."
The smile on the emperor’s face disappeared, and he said nothing with a solemn expression.
Zhao Zhongyu said, "Your Majesty, Zhao Hanzhang holds troops. If you can win her over with Gou Xi’s help, she could assist you in relocating the capital."
Relocating the capital actually meant rescuing the emperor.
He has always wanted to relocate the capital, but Prince East Sea has always disagreed, leaving the emperor trapped in the Imperial Palace, unable to leave, like a puppet being manipulated at will.
So relocating the capital is equivalent to rescuing the emperor.
The emperor was moved for a moment but still did not immediately agree. He decided to wait and see how the ministers would react.
The ministers’ reaction was no reaction. The court couldn’t control the local affairs anymore; what’s so strange about appointing a female governor? Even the Xiongnu now call themselves descendants of the Han and have ascended to the throne as emperor, so it’s not surprising to have a female emperor one day.
Isn’t the most pressing issue right now the potential conflict between Prince East Sea and Gou Xi?
The majority of the ministers are just observers, and in fact, besides observing, there’s nothing else they can do.
Advising is futile since neither would listen, and there’s a risk to life, so everyone simply refrains from advising. But everyone is still quite worried, fearing that their fight might eventually bring disaster to Luoyang.
However, right now, both armies are stationed in Yu State. If disaster strikes, it will hit Yu State first.
Can Zhao Hanzhang let them start a conflict in Yu State?
Yu State has just survived the Xiongnu invasion, with heavy casualties among the people, and many still hiding in the forests, still afraid to come out. If another conflict erupts within the territory, would she still have Yu State?
So just after persuading Fu Zhi to leave, Zhao Hanzhang secretly bypassed Prince East Sea and returned to Yu State herself.
Zhao Ming and others were also stationed by the river, unable to leave, as Gou Xi had detained them when they came to reclaim the land Zhao Hanzhang and her forces had conquered.
In Gou Xi’s original words, "Zhao Hanzhang promised to use the power of Yu State to assist me. Even though she is not in Yu State now, you are. If you do not uphold her promise, then there’s no reason for her to return."
Gou Xi’s capabilities are well-known, and Zhao Ming and others were quite afraid that he might prevent Zhao Hanzhang from returning to Yu State, so they dared not flee and instead waited with their nearly one hundred thousand strong forces by the river, watching as the two armies across from them traded insults and had occasional skirmishes.
Zhao Ming was fed up after watching, unable to contain his anger, he shouted, "If they want to fight, why not have a proper battle? Each side has over a hundred thousand troops, yet they only send a few hundred to fight each time. What’s the point? Is this a war or just a fight?"
Zhao Hanzhang restrained the servant who was about to report and strode in with a hearty laugh, "Uncle, who upset you so much? Tell me, I’ll fight them for you, be it a battle or just a scuffle!"
Zhao Ming, startled by her entrance, exhaled when he saw her carrying a helmet, alongside Zhao Erlang and Fu Tinghan. Annoyed, he said, "It’s Prince East Sea and Gou Xi. Go on, take them both down for me."
Zhao Hanzhang pretended not to hear and looked around before asking, "Why are you the only one here? Where’s Mr. Ji?"
"At the frontlines," Zhao Ming said blankly, "Trying to persuade Prince East Sea and Gou Xi, hoping they can make peace."
Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes lit up, and she quickly asked, "Is it working?"
If it worked, they could solve the issue peacefully.
Zhao Ming lifted his eyelids to glance at her, "What do you think?"
Zhao Hanzhang knew the outcome, sighed, and said, "I thought Mr. Ji would be a world-class genius, talking eloquently enough to convince Prince East Sea and Gou Xi to withdraw their troops in awe."