Seeing that the advisor did not finish speaking, Prince East Sea frowned and, hearing the annoying sounds outside, asked, "Is that Ji Yuan still outside?"
"Yes, he is still outside."
Prince East Sea said irritably, "Chase him away. What right does he have to persuade ? Let his master co."
The advisor agreed and went out to chase away Ji Yuan, who was still chattering.
Ji Yuan boarded the boat with a look of sorrow and pain, taking two trusted aides across the river back to the camp.
As soon as he got on the boat and turned his back, the sorrow on his face vanished, the tears in his eyes receded, and he was slightly cold as he squinted toward the opposite shore and asked a trusted aide, "Why is our camp so lively?"
The trusted aide had always been by his side and knew nothing of the reason.
Ji Yuan did not expect him to answer, stared thoughtfully at the camp, and muttered, "Could it be that the lady has returned?"
Once ashore, a soldier imdiately ca to et him, happily saying, "Mr. Ji, the Inspector has returned and will reward the three armies."
Ji Yuan’s eyes lit up, he supported himself on the soldier’s hand to jump onshore, and rushed towards the camp.
Zhao Hanzhang had already arranged everything and had just returned to her tent. While removing the armor, she asked, "Why hasn’t Mr. Ji returned yet? Where did he go to persuade the armies?"
Outside the tent, Wu Erlang bowed and replied, "Today it’s his turn to go to Prince East Sea on the opposite shore."
Zhao Hanzhang paused, dropped the armor, lifted the curtain, and went out, surprised, "He went to the opposite shore?"
"Yes," Wu Erlang said, "One day persuading Prince East Sea and another day persuading General Gou. Although both armies are not polite, they won’t hurt Mr. Ji."
Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but admire, "Mr. Ji really knows how to play."
She glanced at the ti and thought Mr. Ji would probably take a long ti to return, so she asked Ting He to bring hot water for a bath, washed her hair, changed clothes, and had Ting He dry her hair while she sat and took a nap.
She was already half asleep, floating in dreams, when the tent curtain was suddenly lifted, light shone on her face, making her try to open her eyes to see, and in the haze, she saw a figure walking toward her.
Zhao Hanzhang’s hand moved abruptly, reaching sideways without grabbing her sword, and her eyes opened, but before she could see clearly, a hand pressed on her.
Zhao Hanzhang slled the familiar scent and heard the familiar voice; her eyes, just opened, slowly closed again.
Fu Tinghan pressed her hand with one hand and touched her hair with the other, feeling it was almost dry, then picked her up and placed her on the bed.
Ting He followed step by step, covering Zhao Hanzhang with a quilt. Seeing she hadn’t woken up, moving slightly before sleeping deeply again, Ting He breathed a sigh of relief, "Sir, you should rest too. I’ll take care of the lady here."
It’s been more than a month, everyone was either fighting or on the way to battle daily, now finally a slight relaxation.
Fu Tinghan nodded, looked at the sleeping Zhao Hanzhang, then turned to leave, "Rember to wake her at 5 p.m.; she must appear at the evening to reward the three armies."
Ting He agreed.
Fu Tinghan had just stepped out when he ran into the hurried Ji Yuan.
Seeing his slightly damp hair, Ji Yuan knew he had just bathed, stopped, and glanced at the tent behind him, "Greetings, sir. Sir, the lady, she..."
"She’s asleep," Fu Tinghan paused before saying, "Do you have anything urgent? If not..."
Ji Yuan knew he was concerned for Zhao Hanzhang and smiled slightly, "It’s not urgent. Seeing her later is fine. Sir, are you going to rest too?"
Fu Tinghan nodded but still invited Ji Yuan inside to sit in the tent, where they exchanged information.
Upon learning that Fu Zhi returned to Luoyang with the conscripted twenty-thousand-strong army and would petition the emperor to appoint Zhao Hanzhang as Inspector, his eyes flashed, smiling at Fu Tinghan, "If a formal docunt from the court can be obtained, the lady will be justified."
Indeed, Governor Zhang also thought so.
Therefore, he quietly sent soone out to contact Prince East Sea, "Zhao Hanzhang foolishly ddled in the conflict between Prince East Sea and Gou Xi. Yu State can no longer be stable. She is a woman; Prince East Sea will certainly not appoint her. In Yu State, under He Ci Shi, I should inherit the position of Inspector."
Although Lu Xiyuan also thought so, he didn’t support Governor Zhang’s actions and advised, "Master, we are still in the sa camp. Once Prince East Sea grants you the title, Zhao Hanzhang can react imdiately, which is unfavorable for us."
In terms of numbers, they couldn’t match the Zhao Family Army; in terms of commanding battle, they couldn’t compete with Zhao Hanzhang, so there was no need to provoke Zhao Hanzhang now, as their safety couldn’t be guaranteed.
Lu Xiyuan said, "If Prince East Sea promotes you as Yu State Governor, it openly puts you and Zhao Hanzhang on opposing sides. Yu State Army’s chaos benefits Prince East Sea but harms the master more than helps."
Governor Zhang had long yearned for the position of Yu State Governor and wouldn’t listen to Lu Xiyuan. He said, "With recognition from Prince East Sea, we can stand against Zhao Hanzhang. Do you think Xun Xiu really wants to be directed by a re woman?"
He said, "It was only because He Ci Shi entrusted Yu State to her before his death, but if the court appoints another Inspector, He Ci Shi’s words will not count."
Governor Zhang had long been managing Yu State and was confident, "I have decent relations with Xun Xiu and Mi Ce. Once I gain Prince East Sea’s recognition, I can legitimately take over Yu State. Xun Xiu and Mi Ce will also acknowledge ."
"Then I will leave with Yu State Army," Governor Zhang snorted coldly, "Yu State has just experienced chaos and needs recuperation. Zhao Hanzhang, participating now in the struggles between Prince East Sea and Gou Xi, puts the people in danger, and I cannot ignore it!"
Lu Xiyuan:... The reasons Zhao Hanzhang is involved in the conflict between the two, others might not know, but the Yu State troops certainly do.
It is the condition for Gou Xi to help them expel the Xiongnu.
This is not sothing they can decide not to acknowledge just because they say so; don’t end up siding with Prince East Sea and anger Gou Xi.
As for who is stronger between Gou Xi and Prince East Sea, it’s unclear.
Lu Xiyuan pondered, realizing the key was determining which side the Yu State Army would choose now.
If the Yu State Army sides with Gou Xi, then Gou Xi has the advantage; if they side with Prince East Sea, then Prince East Sea is stronger.
Lu Xiyuan swallowed; if it were that simple, he would agree with Governor Zhang’s choice. As long as the one they chose won, it would be fine.
But the issue is Zhao Hanzhang has already chosen Gou Xi, and her influence within the Yu State Camp is not weak.
Truthfully, Lu Xiyuan lacked confidence in his master, doubting he could compete with Zhao Hanzhang, so he strongly advised, "Master, if you truly wish to go the route of Prince East Sea, you should prepare, and it wouldn’t be too late to contact him after we are ready."
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