Now, Yongzhou had instead beco the last breath Zhao Hanzhang had to preserve, and Xie Shi understood that Zhao Hanzhang was entrusting the retreat route to Zhao Erlang.
Zhao Hanzhang said, "Erlang has served for a ti as Luoyang County Magistrate and has gained so understanding of civil affairs. He won’t interfere with you too much. You will serve as his Chief Historian. In the future, you will be in charge of civil administration, and he will be in charge of military affairs."
Zhao Hanzhang said aningfully, "Zi Chen, only after you have accumulated enough seniority and enough rit will it be appropriate for you to take charge on your own."
Xie Shi felt as if he were drinking sweet spring water; he bowed solemnly and replied, "By your command!"
Zhao Hanzhang escorted him to the door and instructed, "A group of people has arrived from Jiangnan. Among them is Xie Pi of Chen County, who is of the sa clan as you. I’ve sent him to Anding County to serve as Prefectural Governor."
Xie Shi understood. This man could be used; he could draw closer to him under the banner of kinship, which would also help strengthen the ties between Anding County and Chang’an.
"Also, Yongzhou has suffered from grain shortages for many years. Recovery cannot be achieved overnight. The labor for building waterworks and official roads must be carried out within your ans. There’s no need to be like other prefectures and counties..." Zhao Hanzhang caught sight of Fu Tinghan sitting outside the door and was sowhat surprised. She turned her head and said to Xie Shi, "Go back and make your preparations. Matters in Yongzhou are urgent. You and Erlang must set out as soon as possible."
Xie Shi agreed, and only after saluting Fu Tinghan as well did he withdraw.
Fu Tinghan had already risen from the ground; he bent slightly toward Xie Shi in return.
Only after everyone had gone so distance did Zhao Hanzhang quietly ask, "You’re worried about Grandfather Fu?"
Fu Tinghan nodded. "I thought he would be able to return to the Capital City and wait for to co back, which is why I accepted the task of investigating the Yellow River’s water conditions. But now..."
Fu Tinghan paused, then said, "I want to make a trip to Chang’an."
In this world, aside from Zhao Hanzhang, Fu Zhi counted as the second most important person to him.
Before today, even Fu Tinghan himself hadn’t realized this, because he knew he was not Fu Changrong, so he had always consciously kept a distance from the interpersonal relationships that had originally belonged to him.
Yet Fu Zhi had always treated him very well, and it was a sort of kindness that sought no return.
Clearly, the grandfather and grandson rarely saw each other and rarely communicated. Fu Tinghan had always felt that he didn’t have much affection for him. But when he received the letter confirming that the old man’s life had reached a point beyond saving, he finally felt the pain and helplessness.
Before life and death, they were utterly powerless.
Fu Tinghan had a vague feeling that if he still went to the Yellow River according to plan, he would definitely miss Fu Zhi’s final monts, and he felt that he would regret it in the future.
Fu Tinghan did not want to do sothing he would regret.
Zhao Hanzhang looked at him and said, "Then go. We’ll set out early tomorrow morning, I—"
"You don’t need to see off," Fu Tinghan cut her off and said, "You’re not in a position to leave Luoyang right now. This ca about so suddenly; you can’t possibly cover it up flawlessly and go with ."
Zhao Hanzhang smiled and said, "Who says I can’t leave Luoyang? I still have that bit of freedom and confidence. Grandfather Fu has devoted his whole life to the country; I can at least go to receive him once."
She said, "You don’t have to worry about these matters. Go pack your things first. Rest well tonight. Tomorrow morning we’ll leave together."
Seeing that she didn’t look troubled at all, Fu Tinghan finally agreed.
Zhao Hanzhang turned to have people make arrangents. Things were not as complicated as Fu Tinghan imagined. The whole of Luoyang was under her control; her leaving for a short while would not cause any problems.
And if sothing did happen, it might not necessarily be a bad thing. Sotis, loosening one’s grip a bit might just bring unexpected gains.
Seizing the remaining daylight, Zhao Hanzhang entered the Imperial Palace and issued several decrees in succession. First, she appointed Zhao Erlang as Governor of Yongzhou and Xie Shi as Yongzhou Chief Historian, ordering them to assu office with the Zhao Family Army under their command within five days; second, she appointed Zhao Zheng to succeed as Luoyang County Magistrate; third, she herself would temporarily leave Luoyang, and ordered Ji Yuan and Ming Yu to jointly manage state affairs...
After issuing the decrees, she said to Ji Yuan, "As for the inspection of the Yellow River, we must choose soone else. Mr. Ji, do you have a suitable candidate?"
Ji Yuan thought for a mont and said, "Xiahou Yan, the renowned scholar recomnded by Governor Fu. He is very suitable."
"Oh?"
"Xiahou Yan once wrote the ’Discourse on the River.’ Governor Fu has also praised him for having the ability to manage the river." Unfortunately, because Xiahou Yan, like Zhang Xie, looked down on the chaotic Jin Dynasty and had often voiced his dissatisfaction with the Sima family, he had never held an official post, despite being from the Xiahou clan.
Zhao Hanzhang said, "Very well, invite him to go. I’ll trouble you with this matter, Mr. Ji."
Ji Yuan smiled and said, "I can still speak to him reasonably well. Rest assured, my lady."
"Will Zeng Yue accompany you on this trip, my lady?"
Zhao Hanzhang nodded.
Ji Yuan felt reassured yet also worried, torn between the two. "Then Luoyang..."
Zhao Hanzhang said softly, "Don’t worry, Mr. Ji. Leaving aside that all the imperial guard are drawn from the Zhao Family Army, there are also Zhao Family Army encampnts on three sides outside the city. I should be able to return before Erlang departs."
Ji Yuan calculated the distance from Chang’an to Luoyang and then nodded. "Indeed, Chang’an and Luoyang are not far apart."
Standing before the main hall, Zhao Hanzhang looked at the Imperial Palace and said quietly, "If sothing unexpected happens, you need not be anxious. Loosen your hand and let them make a racket. I want to see whether Luoyang is really as calm as it appears on the surface."
Ji Yuan: ...
Wasn’t this just fishing?
But Ji Yuan still agreed without hesitation.
The next morning, Zhao Hanzhang left the Capital City with Fu Tinghan, heading straight for Chang’an.
Zeng Yue brought only five hundred cavalry. They planned to push their horses hard and rush to Chang’an, striving to arrive within two days.
Fu Tinghan stayed in the saddle and rode at a gallop, stopping only half an hour at a ti to rest, then changing to a fresh horse and continuing on.
Zhao Hanzhang had estimated that eting Fu Zhi the day after tomorrow would already be quite good, but she had not expected to see him that very night.
They took turns riding and driving, running on until sunset. Knowing there was a post station ahead, they pushed on a bit farther, and only stopped when they saw lights.
The people in the post station heard the thunder of hooves and imdiately ca out with sabers and torches. As soon as they could vaguely make out the figures, they shouted, "Halt! This is a Jin Officials’ post station—who goes there?"
"The Great General’s carriage is here. Where is the Posthouse Minister?"
The Posthouse Minister, who was holding a broadsword and a torch, heard this, waved his hand to the soldiers behind him, and stepped forward with the torch raised. A trusted aide rode up as well, dismounted, and produced a token.
The Posthouse Minister took a look. They really were Zhao Family Army, and he was overjoyed. "Which Great General is it?"
"How many Great Generals are there under heaven? Who is staying at this post station? Why are there so many carriages?"
The Posthouse Minister said, "Governor Fu and Her Highness Princess Hongnong and the Prince Consort are here, they—"
Before he finished speaking, the trusted aide protecting Princess Hongnong heard the commotion and ca out to inquire. When the two sides ca face-to-face, they were both sowhat surprised.
Zhao Hanzhang imdiately dismounted and asked, "When did the Princess and the others leave Chang’an?"
Seeing Zhao Hanzhang, the trusted aide cupped his fists and replied, "Three days ago. As soon as the letters and official docunts were sent out, Governor Fu’s condition worsened and he fell into a coma. Because Governor Fu was constantly longing to see the young master and my lady one last ti while he was lucid, the Princess made the decision to bring Governor Fu back to Luoyang. But since Governor Fu is unconscious, the carriage cannot travel fast, so it took three days just to reach this place."
They had estimated it would still take another three days to reach Luoyang.
Such is the way with slow-moving carriages; under normal circumstances, even riding in a carriage, the journey would only take about three days, but this ti they had slowed their pace by half.
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