Gou Xi sneered, "It’s all thanks to Zhao Ju, a subordinate of General Zhao. If he hadn’t obstructed , perhaps I could have fought side by side with General Zhao to take Wang Mi’s head."
"General Gou must be mistaken. I sent Zhao Ju to patrol the counties to suppress bandits. How could he have obstructed General Gou?" Zhao Hanzhang smiled and said, "But perhaps it was fate, fate that let arrive in Luoyang first, fate that let rescue the emperor, and fate that let kill Wang Mi."
Zhao Hanzhang’s boasting rekindled Gou Xi’s anger, but he suppressed it, sneering, "Indeed, it was fate. Congratulations to General Zhao for his great achievents. But who knows on whose side fate will stand next."
Fu Zhi rode horseback in between the two, listening to their verbal duel, unmoved like Mount Tai, though his heart sank continuously.
Previously, Prince East Sea and Gou Xi were at odds, and Gou Xi was upright and loyal. With Prince East Sea’s death, he thought the situation would improve. But now, Gou Xi and Zhao Hanzhang are at odds.
Sigh~~
Fu Zhi sighed deeply, feeling sad for himself and even sadder for Your Majesty. In such chaos, who knows when peace will return.
Zhao Hanzhang and Gou Xi arrived at the palace gates, not completely harmoniously. The ten thousand troops Gou Xi brought filled half the street, but as Gou Xi and Gou Chun surveyed with raised heads, they saw many soldiers standing gradually in the alleys and streets beside the main road, all clad in Zhao Family Army and Yu State Army gear.
On one side of the street, most of the houses were burned down, offering a clearer view. So soldiers held bowls in their hands, not in formation, but lazily watching them, yet exuding a sense of severity.
Zhao Hanzhang’s face darkened, she shouted loudly, "What is this, celebrating the New Year at ho, having a al until now?"
Xun Xiu imdiately shouted, "Line up—"
The soldiers stuffed their bowls away and quickly ford into squads, in rely a dozen breaths, lined up neatly in the alleys and streets, solemnly staring at Zhao Hanzhang.
Zhao Erlang sneaked back first after Zhang Tao led the troops away. He disapproved of his sister’s slow pace, and was rely halfway through his bowl when he heard the call. Unable to stash the bowl in his bosom or on his back, he grabbed the rice into a ball, shoved it into his bosom, covered it with the bowl, and quickly ran to the front line of the army.
There was no choice. Now, he was also a general and had to stand at the front.
His cheeks were bulged out with unchewed rice stuffed inside.
He stood right in front of Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan.
Zhao Hanzhang glanced at him and quickly looked away.
Fu Tinghan thought he looked like a rabbit and couldn’t help smiling. Seeing him staring innocently, Fu Tinghan said to Zhao Hanzhang, "Let’s quickly enter the palace, the emperor is waiting."
Zhao Hanzhang then turned to Gou Xi, "Please, General Gou."
Fu Zhi said, "Neither of you is allowed to bring troops into the palace, and you must disarm when entering the hall."
Gou Chun felt this was too demanding, thinking the ministers were asserting power out of nothing. Just as he was about to speak, Zhao Hanzhang had already tossed her spear to Zeng Yue, smiling at Gou Xi, "The last person who didn’t comply with this order was Wang Mi, and he died."
Gou Xi disard his weapon and sternly ordered Gou Chun to disarm his sword.
Gou Chun glanced at Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Zhi, with a calm face disard his sword, thinking Zhao Hanzhang’s actions were to assist Fu Zhi.
Inside the imperial palace, news had already been reported to the emperor and ministers.
The emperor personally led the ministers to greet at the entrance of the main hall. Zhao Hanzhang looked briefly at the emperor on the high steps, slightly smiled and followed Fu Zhi and Gou Xi.
When she previously entered the main hall, the emperor didn’t greet her. When she and Wang Mi went to the Ministry of Industry to see the emperor, he was steadily seated at the top.
It seems this emperor truly trusts and values Gou Xi. But does he know that the current Gou Xi is no longer the upright, thrifty, and loyal one from back then?
The emperor, after years, seeing Gou Xi again, had tearful eyes.
When they last t, Emperor Hui was still alive, and the current emperor was rely a timid Imperial Brother then. No one believed he would safely ascend the throne, not even himself.
Among nurous ministers, there were few whom the emperor trusted. Fu Zhi was one, among them was Gou Xi.
However, Fu Zhi could only manage dostic affairs, with no troops or power, exhausting his efforts. He always wanted a trustworthy power minister like Gou Xi to assist him.
Unfortunately, he was always under Prince East Sea’s control, not gaining a chance until today.
Gou Xi, seeing the emperor, was also excited, raising his robe intending to kneel. The emperor quickly moved to support him, but Gou Xi insistently knelt, "Your Majesty, I am late to your rescue, please punish !"
"Beloved minister, rise quickly. I know you’ve done your utmost, how can I bla you?" The emperor was moved, pulling Gou Xi to rise, and asked, "I heard there were still Wang Mi’s thirty thousand troops outside."
Gou Xi said, "They have retreated."
The emperor breathed a sigh of relief, holding his hand, "You are indeed capable, repelling the enemy. I..."
"Your Majesty," Gou Xi hastily explained, "It was General Zhao’s stratagem that drove away Wang Mi’s troops."
The emperor, stunned for a mont, imdiately looked at Zhao Hanzhang, smiling, "Zhao Qing indeed unmatched in wit."
Zhao Hanzhang smiled, accepting the praise.
"Is the crisis in Luoyang completely resolved?" The emperor happily said, "Then a banquet must be held today to celebrate, also allowing everyone to et Zhao Qing and Beloved Gou."
Both smiled in agreent.
Though called a banquet, it was almost like a court eting with many matters to discuss, such as the rit rewards for Zhao Hanzhang and other generals, and the issue of relocating the capital.
There were people in the palace, but food was scarce. However, Empress Liang exerted herself, leading the palace attendants to prepare a fairly decent banquet.
The emperor and empress both appeared in formal attire, with Zhao Hanzhang and Gou Xi seated in the foremost positions, but who should sit on the left?
To resolve this matter, avoiding Zhao Hanzhang and Gou Xi, the ministers argued in the rear hall for two whole hours.
Even Zhao Hanzhang, having returned to the Zhao Family for washing and changing clothes, heard about it.
Officials led by Zhao Zhongyu naturally insisted Zhao Hanzhang should sit on the left, but more people believed Gou Xi’s national contributions were no less than Zhao Hanzhang’s, and the emperor would surely rely more on him in the future, so he should sit on the left.
In the end, Fu Zhi said, "Today is a celebration banquet, Zhao Hanzhang’s slaying of Wang Mi and rescuing the emperor are the foremost rits, her contributions, unmatched in the nation."
Wang Xing, who had been silently standing outside the circle, also said, "Now, the military strength in the capital is led by Zhao Hanzhang. I see her actions are asured yet decisive. Why provoke her over such trivial matters?"
"How can this be minor? Seating order represents rank, and if she sits left today, then General Gou will always lag one step behind her, doing things without proper status."
Fu Zhi, angry, said, "What need does Gou Xi have for proper status?"
He continued, "As Jin minister, just heed Your Majesty’s orders, why bother competing over such minor matters?"
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