On both sides of the main hall, seating arrangents were made, two people per seat. Ting He turned slightly and said, "Young Master Yang, Mr. Xie, please take your seats."
Not even considering Lu Wen and the others, Xie Pi himself was surprised. How was he sitting with Yang Yi in the first seat on the left-hand side?
Xie Pi, the oldest and forrly holding the highest official position among this group of young people, but the noble families truly don’t consider factors like this; they weigh the family’s status. Unfortunately, the Xie Family among this group is currently of middle-lower standing. Ordinarily, Yang Yi should be seated with Lu Wen in the first seat on the lower left.
Zhao Hanzhang’s arrangent showed high regard for Xie Pi.
Everyone inadvertently turned their gaze to Xie Pi, wondering if this elder brother accompanying them all along had outstanding talents yet unseen by them, which Zhao Hanzhang had discerned from across a thousand mountains and rivers?
But Xie Pi thought instead, could Zhao Hanzhang know about his close relationship with King Langya and thus suspect he had ulterior motives?
Recalling the soft sword and short dagger that were confiscated upon entering the mansion, Xie Pi felt a bit anxious. Could there really be a misunderstanding because of that?
He panicked for a mont, but quickly cald himself down. No matter what, having reached this point, if Zhao Hanzhang indeed intended to harm him, it was his fate and struggling would be in vain.
With this in mind, Xie Pi calmly accepted the situation and walked with Yang Yi to sit in the first seat.
Others also took their places in the arranged seating.
Ting He glanced at a maid waiting at the door, who then withdrew. Shortly after, a group of servants carrying trays entered in a single file.
They all appeared to be around sixteen or seventeen, with nimble postures and light steps. When placing tea and snacks on the table, Lu Wen noticed the calluses on their hands, evidently from gripping knives.
Lu Wen’s heart trembled. Could it be that from top to bottom, inside and out, everyone in the General’s Mansion is a soldier?
Though Lu Wen’s thoughts weren’t entirely correct, they were close enough. Except for the servants in the inner courtyard, trained and sent by Mrs. Wang, everyone in the outer courtyard was selected from the military.
The servants serving tea and water weren’t just servants; they weren’t registered as slaves but held military registrations, primarily to protect Zhao Hanzhang, so they could react more swiftly should any incidents arise.
After placing the tea and snacks, the servants exited in a single file again, leaving six standing on either side behind the guests, ready to attend to their needs.
Ting He invited them to drink so tea first, indicating that Zhao Hanzhang would be with them shortly.
Zhao Hanzhang had originally been waiting for them in the main hall, but suddenly received news from Shu. After six months, Zhao Xin finally persuaded the stubborn Jin officials still resisting Shu to hand those areas over for Shu’s managent.
Zhao Hanzhang then hurried to contact Zhao Xin, instructing him to select reliable individuals to remain in Shu, while bringing back the remaining officials and soldiers. She also advised, "If King Cheng wants certain talents and they are willing, don’t force them to return."
After the New Year, the Cheng Country delegation returned. Zhao Hanzhang formally issued a decree, appointing Li Xiong as Chengdu King, abolishing the Yanping era na, and appointing his Crown Prince as the Heir of Chengdu King, to stay at the Imperial College to study governance strategies.
Li Xiang then led the delegation back.
The smooth process was because Zhao Hanzhang hadn’t intended to keep Li Ban. Keeping him would imply demands on him as a hostage.
Zhao Hanzhang and Li Xiong were just newly in touch, cautiously probing each other, and she didn’t want to strain relations.
However, Li Ban was especially eager to stay, especially after eting Zhao Cheng. He would run to Zhao Cheng every day, hoping to be accepted as a student.
For this, even in the coldest days, he waited at the door before dawn, knowing Zhao Cheng liked mutton soup and cakes from Willow Alley. He’d bring a portion of soup and cakes to the Zhao Family’s ho every morning.
Even Zhao Hu couldn’t help advocating for Li Ban, "He’s more filial than your son. Why not accept such an excellent student?"
Zhao Cheng was briefly swayed, but recalling Li Ban’s status, he shook his head.
Li Xiang sought Zhao Hanzhang’s help in persuading Zhao Cheng, resulting in Zhao Cheng finally accepting Li Ban as his student.
Zhao Hanzhang’s initial plan was to send him away after the Lantern Festival. As for Li Ban’s studies, he wasn’t an actual child; they could be pursued via correspondence.
Yet...Li Ban insisted on staying. He was interested in the new textbooks at the Imperial College, the various perspectives in the official reports and "Boundless Learning" journal, and Zhao Cheng’s teaching philosophy...
He felt weak and ignorant, unable to do anything for the people even if he returned to Shu. He wanted to learn skills here, to help his uncle and the people of Shu after mastering them.
In short, he wanted to study in Luoyang!
Neither Ji Yuan, Ming Yu nor Zhao Cheng’s persuasion worked. Finally, seeing his determination, Zhao Hanzhang decided to let him stay.
Li Xiang left several individuals to protect Li Ban before taking the national letter and the delegation back.
Since Cheng Country had beco a vassal state of Great Jin, both regions enhanced their exchanges and learning.
Upon returning to Cheng Country, Li Xiong imdiately selected twelve young disciples to send to Luoyang to study, and Cheng Country purchased a large quantity of salt from Great Jin, exchanged many craftsn to build water mills, waterwheels, among other things.
These exchanges spread into the southwestern mountains, ultimately convincing the Jin soldiers who had been resisting the handover of counties for Cheng Country’s governance to sit down and engage with Zhao Xin.
"Is Cheng Country’s Crown Prince now held as a hostage in Luoyang?"
Zhao Xin corrected, "Cheng Country is now a vassal state of Great Jin, and there’s only the princely heir, not a Crown Prince."
He then nodded, saying, "Currently, the Prince is studying at the Imperial College, apprenticed to Imperial College Sacrificial Officer Zhao Zitu, who is also my ntor."
Ma Cheng had never heard of Zhao Cheng before, logically assuming he was not a prominent scholar, but the Zhao surna, combined with the capacity as Sacrificial Officer and Li Ban as his student, likely ties him to the Xiping Zhao Family, associated with Zhao Hanzhang.
This signifies that Cheng Country truly complies with Zhao Hanzhang, not rely feigning weakness but genuinely operating as a vassal state.
Ma Cheng shot a glance at his fellow soldiers suffering hunger and cold. Due to the war, many civilians had fled, preventing them from collecting military provisions, leading the troops to starve from the beginning of winter.
"If we surrender the territory to Cheng Country, what will beco of us?"
Zhao Xin promptly replied, "General Ma will naturally return with to the capital to report duty. You’ve defended the territories for the nation. The Great General will undoubtedly make proper arrangents and won’t treat you unfairly."
After glancing at those behind him, he added, "Should the soldiers not dislike it, they can accompany us to the capital. If anyone wishes to remain in Shu, I am willing to recomnd you to King Cheng."
Zhao Xin continued, "King Cheng possesses a large heart and kindness, and will not vent previous grudges upon you all."
Ma Cheng scoffed, skeptical, and stated plainly, "We shall all leave together!"
Zhao Xin did not hinder him, nodding directly. The outside lacks personnel; regardless of how many leave with him, he can manage it all.
When Ma Cheng surrendered, Zhao Xin realized just where the persuasion point lay. Over the next four months, he traveled extensively, climbing mountains and crossing rivers, finding one resisting force after another against Cheng Country, using the fact that Cheng Country beca a vassal state of Great Jin, with their princely heir currently in Luoyang as a hostage, to convince them.
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