CHAPTER 304: CHAPTER 298: A SHARED ASPIRATION

Zhao Hanzhang stood up and returned to the room, followed by Zhao Yunxin. Inside, Qing Gu took out the long-prepared Quju deep robe, and the two helped Zhao Hanzhang put it on.

This is a red Quju with black borders, prepared by Mrs. Wang for Zhao Hanzhang’s hairpin ceremony two years ago, requiring just minor alterations for her to wear it.

Red like pomegranate seeds, adorned with auspicious cloud patterns, the collar, sleeves, and curved borders were black. Zhao Hanzhang tightened the belt and, seeing the person in front stopping their movements, slightly raised her eyebrows to look at the other.

Zhao Yunxin’s face was flushed, nervously looking at Zhao Hanzhang, "Third sister, you look so beautiful..."

Qing Gu was also excited, nodding repeatedly, "The lady looks really beautiful."

Zhao Hanzhang gave her a slight smile and turned to walk outside, "Let’s go, don’t keep the guests waiting."

Although wearing the Quju made her feet invisible, Zhao Hanzhang did not move slowly, nor did she appear rushed. Instead, she proceeded gracefully, full of charm.

Fu Tinghan and Ji Yuan were not among the guests below; they stood under the porch with Zhao Erlang, acting as her family.

Seeing a young lady dressed like this for the first time, Ji Yuan couldn’t help but flash a look of amazement and then turned to look at Fu Tinghan.

Fu Tinghan’s expression was gentle, without the expected distraction. In fact, he even turned back to look when Ji Yuan glanced at him, his gaze clear, bright, and expression full of spirit. Seeing Ji Yuan looking at him, a trace of confusion flashed in his eyes, "What is it?"

Ji Yuan smiled slightly and said, "The eldest master has great composure."

Fu Tinghan showed bewilderment as Ji Yuan gestured to him to look at the venue.

In the venue, there were many people as amazed as Ji Yuan; some even lost their composure, staring at Zhao Hanzhang in a daze.

Zhao Hanzhang walked to the open pavilion, smiling as she saluted the seated guests, and then saluted Zhao Song.

Zhao Song nodded slightly. After she sat facing east, he cleaned his hands, removed her hairpin, and replaced it with a hairpin crown. He loudly blessed her, saying, "Following the correct ways of the year, following the orders of the month, may all blessings be bestowed upon you. Brother and sister are together to form a virtue. May longevity be boundless, receiving heavenly blessings."

Zhao Hanzhang stood up, saluted Zhao Song again, and then faced the guests, giving a slight smile, "The hairpin ceremony is more or less complete."

The guests were perplexed; how could it be more or less complete? Shouldn’t you change the attire and come down to pay respects? Only half, oh no, it’s more than half done.

When Zhao Hanzhang declared it was more or less finished, everyone looked puzzled.

She gazed at them with bright eyes, "According to the rituals, the hairpin ceremony has not ended, and based on protocol, many of you here shouldn’t be present. This ceremony shouldn’t be held."

The crowd fell silent, unsure of her intentions.

"I am in mourning, many of you are in mourning. Since Empress Jia’s chaotic governance, ceremonial practices are disrupted, and it’s difficult for anyone to fully adhere to rituals in life."

When Zhao Hanzhang said this, everyone fell silent, and the atmosphere became somewhat tense.

Zhao Hanzhang spoke seriously, "This is a situation I don’t want to see. Ancient rituals were established for benevolence, righteousness, filial piety, wisdom, and trust. But now, with broken order, people are displaced, and parents and siblings separated, rituals have become a mockery."

"We make excuses for ourselves, claiming to adapt to circumstances. Yet every adaptation to circumstances brings painful events," Zhao Hanzhang stated. "Last year, when the Xiongnu army invaded south, Ru Nan County suffered, especially Xiping County and Yu Yang County, which faced serious damage. Other counties were also looted by chaotic troops. Among you present, how many lost relatives and friends in the turmoil?"

The guests’ eyes turned red, especially Fan Ying, shedding tears one by one. Last year’s upheaval affected her the most among those present, with even worse experiences for those whose entire families were annihilated.

"The reason for hosting the hairpin ceremony now is also to meet you all," Zhao Hanzhang stated. "Among you, there are not only county magistrates but also esteemed sages from different counties. Meeting you is first to announce to everyone that, from now on, I am the Ru Nan County Governor, overseeing all ten counties under Ru Nan County."

The guests’ expressions tightened, staring closely at Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang also looked at them seriously, stating with profound conviction, "Secondly, I ask for your assistance in helping me manage Ru Nan County."

Zhao Hanzhang deeply bowed to them, saying earnestly, "The court is in distress, chaos is everywhere, Ru Nan County faces poverty and hardship, people are displaced, while our home is in Ru Nan. Misfortune to the people equates to our misfortune; saving the people is akin to saving ourselves."

"I ask all of you to assist me!" Zhao Hanzhang deeply bowed again.

County Magistrate Chai couldn’t help but feel moved, standing up to return the courtesy, while County Magistrate Gao beside him, with tears in his eyes, stood up and deeply bowed to Zhao Hanzhang, proclaiming, "Zhao County Governor, do not abandon us, we will not fail our effort, united as the people!"

Zhao Hanzhang looked at the unfamiliar County Magistrate Gao and became emotional, directly stepping down from the open pavilion to support his bowing arm, declaring loudly, "Good, with County Lord Gao like this, what worry does Ru Nan County have?"

Everyone was similarly stirred, momentarily forgetting Zhao Hanzhang’s age and gender, bowing together and responding in unison, "Yes."

Zhao Ming watched it all intently. He knew she possessed a unique charm that always inspired trust, making others believe that what she said about the future could truly be achieved.

Ji Yuan was also greatly moved, his fists tightly clenched.

On the other hand, Fu Tinghan remained calm, only gazing at Zhao Hanzhang with a smile in his eyes, focused and tender.

Zhao Hanzhang transitioned from guest to host, oh no, from a shy and reserved young lady to the leading guest, directly hosting in the courtyard.

Zhao Hanzhang expressed openly her plans for Ru Nan County to everyone, "I hope that in the future, Ru Nan County will be as secure as a fortress, where people live peacefully and happily, and we are free from the hardships of war."

The county magistrates hesitated, wondering whether Ru Nan County could remain unaffected when Yu State fell into chaos.

Zhao Hanzhang sighed, "That’s why we must work harder. At least when Yu State is invaded by the Xiongnu army or chaotic troops, our Ru Nan County can keep the enemy outside."

She stated, "I don’t possess Liu Yueshi’s talents, so I need everyone’s assistance."

"Liu Yueshi? You mean Liu Kun, Governor of Bingzhou?"

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "Exactly."

"I heard he guarded Jinyang, while Bingzhou was overtaken by the Xiongnu, yet within Jinyang’s territory, Liu Yuan’s army couldn’t enter even half a step. Now, Jinyang stands as Bingzhou’s only land of bliss."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, I wish Ru Nan County could be like Liu Yueshi’s Jinyang. He managed it alone, but we have so many people. With joint efforts, we can turn Ru Nan County into a land of bliss too."

County Magistrate Gao exclaimed excitedly, "It is definitely possible. The way Zhao County Governor managed Xiping proves your capability; given time, Ru Nan County might surpass Jinyang."

Zhao Hanzhang felt pleasantly surprised. If she remembered correctly, this County Magistrate Gao is from Sui Ping County, and he admires her so much — what a surprise, what a delight.

Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes gleamed with a smile, delightedly saying, "Great! Let’s work together towards this goal!"