CHAPTER 499: CHAPTER 493: REINFORCEMENTS

Zhao Hanzhang was almost knocked to the ground by her, quickly hugged her, and patted her back reassuringly, "Isn’t everything fine now? In the midst of the chaotic warfare, you called for me to save you, and I heard."

Wang Si Niang cried for a while before slightly pulling away from her embrace, looking at her with tearful eyes, "Really?"

"Of course it’s true. I risked entering the Shi Army Camp just for you and Sister Hui Feng. Otherwise, a noble person would not sit in a precarious position; why would I take such a risk?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Si Niang threw herself into her arms and cried loudly again.

After crying for a while, she lifted her tear-stained face and asked Zhao Hanzhang, "Third Lady, can you rescue my father?"

Zhao Hanzhang sighed and shook her head, "Grand Commandant Wang is too valuable. Shi Le will not let him go. I can’t even save the other officials."

Wang Si Niang had already anticipated this, as she was present at the time. But hearing the definite answer now, she couldn’t help but feel saddened, "Will he kill my father?"

He will!

After thinking for a moment, Zhao Hanzhang said, "If he has pride and insists on not submitting to Shi Le, then he can live; if he submits but is not utilized by them, he might live; but if..."

Wang Si Niang quickly asked, "But if what?"

"If he advises Shi Le to proclaim himself emperor, then he will surely die."

Wang Si Niang was stunned, and after being dazed for a while, she said, "How could my father suggest Shi Le to proclaim himself emperor?"

Wang Hufeng, however, felt a sinking feeling in her heart and became somewhat uneasy.

She looked at Zhao Hanzhang and said, pursing her lips, "Those involved often can’t see clearly. Father is eager to survive and may not think as thoroughly as before. To protect himself, he might actually suggest Shi Le to proclaim himself emperor."

"But how does Third Lady know that Shi Le would kill my father for this?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Shi Le is a man of wisdom and strategy. He wouldn’t take Grand Commandant Wang’s advice but would instead suspect the Grand Commandant of sowing discord."

In reality, this wasn’t the case, but it wasn’t appropriate to say the truth in front of Wang Yan’s daughter. She couldn’t say that Shi Le, though appreciating Wang Yan’s talent, believed that the chaos in the world was caused by aristocrats like Wang Yan.

So he wouldn’t let Wang Yan mentor him, fearing he’d become the next Emperor Hui of Jin, thus leading to Wang Yan’s death.

Wang Si Niang deeply resented Shi Le, "He’s nothing but a slave."

Zhao Hanzhang: "Yet this slave has turned the 300,000 officials, aristocrats, and common people of Great Jin into fleeing individuals, like fish on the chopping block in front of him."

Wang Si Niang: ...

Fan Ying curled her lips.

Seeing Wang Si Niang throwing herself into Zhao Hanzhang’s arms, she no longer stared at her fiercely. But then she became nervous again, and seeing Wang Si Niang being retorted by the lady, she couldn’t help feeling a touch of joy.

Zhao Hanzhang looked at the sun in the sky and said to them, "The team has moved quite a bit, we’ll talk after we return. Fan Ying, you take them to the horse cart."

Fan Ying bowed and replied, "Yes."

Zhao Hanzhang said to the Wang Sisters, "Sister Hui Feng, Si Niang, you both stay assured. Once I rescue Your Majesty, I’ll return to discuss everything with you."

Wang Si Niang widened her eyes, "You’re going to Luoyang?"

Wang Hufeng urged, "Then hurry up and go. We can take care of ourselves; you needn’t worry."

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and nodded, mounting a horse to meet the scouts who had just returned.

The scouts, panting slightly, knelt and said, "It is confirmed; Shi Le’s men have detoured to Luoyang, but there are ambushes along the way, with a team covertly following the hostages."

Fu Tinghan looked at her upon hearing this.

Zhao Hanzhang: "What are you looking at me for? I guessed it. If it were me, I’d also guard against Shi Le doubling back to seize people, so I would set up ambushes secretly. If they come, great; if not, I can escort the hostages back to camp."

Fu Tinghan: "So are we heading directly to Luoyang?"

"Indeed, even if Mr. Ji leads a rapid march, they’d still only reach Luoyang tomorrow. Let’s hope they hurry so they can save Emperor Jin," Zhao Hanzhang lured Shi Le to Luoyang, not wanting to engage in a deadly stalemate here.

Whatever happens, let it be spoken of in Luoyang.

If her guess was right, not just Wang Mi was in Luoyang, but Liu Cong as well. Shi Le had strained relations with them, and conflicts existed between Wang Mi and Liu Cong, too.

If there’s going to be a fight, the more chaotic, the better.

Right now, Luoyang is a well-cooked meal, waiting to see who can seize it first.

Zhao Hanzhang left a troop with Fan Ying and appointed Chen Cangjiang to assist her, "The two of you manage all the refugees well and return to Xiang City, awaiting my command."

Fan Ying and Chen Cangjiang responded affirmatively.

Zhao Hanzhang then took Fu Tinghan and Beigong Chun to Luoyang.

This morning when she set out, she secretly sought out Ji Yuan, asking him to select some horses from the confiscated ones and lead ten thousand troops urgently to Luoyang.

"I’ve already sent Erlang to Luoyang. Prince East Sea has taken 300,000 men, leaving Luoyang defenseless, the emperor in danger, and Great Jin in jeopardy."

In truth, Ji Yuan was not inclined to be concerned with Luoyang.

But Zhao Hanzhang had her reasons, "The emperor must not die now, and Great Jin must not fall. Moreover, Uncle Grandfather’s family is still in the Capital City."

Only then did Ji Yuan remember Zhao Zhongyu. Oh, right, Zhao Zhongyu is still in the Capital City. He cannot die. If he dies, the stability of the Zhao Family will be broken, and Zhao Hanzhang, now deeply connected with the Zhao Family, will undoubtedly be affected.

Only then did Ji Yuan agree. Once she left, he quietly took people to Luoyang, while the remaining troops continued to protect and manage the refugees.

When they reached the location, Wang Si Niang and Wang Hufeng were stunned to see the masses stretching as far as the eye could see, "This... why are there so many people?"

Fan Ying, slightly raising her chin, said, "All of them were rescued by our lord."

Wang Si Niang was full of admiration, "I never expected Third Lady to become so formidable."

What to do when a childhood playmate suddenly becomes so impressive and powerful?

Want to cling to her!

Wang Hufeng wasn’t thinking that far. Seeing Fan Ying busy, she pulled her sister forward, "Miss Fan, is there anywhere we can help?"

Fan Ying pondered briefly and then said, "Yes, there is."

There were indeed many tasks, especially needing literate people good at counting.

Recalling that there must be many aristocrats among the rescued, Fan Ying felt nervous, hesitated briefly, but still said, "Post a notice that if there are literate and numerate people, recruit them to see me?"

"Yes."

As Fan Ying was finally learning to become independent, Zhao Erlang was already galloping towards Luoyang with a troop, not fearing for a moment despite his sister’s absence.

Xie Shi followed behind, wanting to speak, but the moment he opened his mouth, the wind and sand rushed in, forcing him to keep silent.

In the distance, seeing the towering city walls ahead, Zhao Erlang finally reined in his horse.

Xie Shi breathed a long sigh of relief and hurriedly caught up with his guards to Zhao Erlang, saying, "Prefectural Governor, send scouts to assess the enemy situation first."

"What’s there to scout for? Can’t you see? The city gates are wide open; they must have already broken in. Sister said to save the emperor. We must hurry into the city to rescue the emperor. Where is the Imperial Palace? Do you know the way?"

Xie Shi: "...The Imperial Palace is in the north. Hasn’t the young master lived in Luoyang for many years and still doesn’t know the location of the Imperial Palace?"

"I was foolish back then and never visited the Imperial Palace, so I don’t know where it is. North, aren’t we in the north now? Let’s go!"

Xie Shi, full of helplessness, raised his hand to stop him, "Erlang, we are north of Nanyang Country and south of Luoyang. This is the South City Gate, not the North City Gate. Never mind, let’s at least let the scouts investigate first, to find out how many enemy troops there are. We can’t recklessly enter the city; if trapped inside, no one can save us."