CHAPTER 519: CHAPTER 513: WHAT DO YOU WANT

Zeng Yue brought back news from outside the West City, "Wang Mi’s thirty thousand troops were blocked outside the city gates by General Beigong, General Xun, and General Mi, but..."

He looked up at the emperor sitting at the head of the room.

Zhao Hanzhang asked indifferently, "But what?"

Military reports, well, what could change if the emperor knew?

Zeng Yue replied, "My Lady, Gou Xi of Yan State has also arrived and is now outside the western suburbs."

Zhao Hanzhang’s temples throbbed. She retracted her previous thoughts, realizing that if not just the emperor, but all the ministers and noble sons in the room pricked up their ears and gazed intently at Zeng Yue, then knowing might indeed matter.

Then they discreetly glanced at Zhao Hanzhang.

She merely responded with an unaffected "Oh," and then asked, "Did you encounter Liu Cong?"

"Yes, which is why there was a chaotic battle outside the city last night. Now it has ceased, and Liu Cong and Liu Yao have fled. Currently, only Gou Xi’s army and Wang Mi’s army remain outside the city."

Zhao Hanzhang thought for a moment and said, "Let’s wait a bit longer. Once the fire is out, welcome General Gou into the city."

"Understood."

Zeng Yue glanced up at her, bowed, and retreated.

Ji Yuan also saw it and, after a moment of thought, said, "Judging from the fire’s momentum, it won’t reach the Imperial Palace. This place is too close to the city gate—both noisy and dangerous. It might be better for Your Majesty to move to the main hall so everyone can rest, as they have been exhausted for several days."

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and nodded, "Very well."

She turned to look at the emperor and said warmly, "I would like to ask Your Majesty to move as well."

The emperor, after a brief consideration, agreed and even invited Zhao Hanzhang to join him.

On the way, he expressed appreciation for Gou Xi, not knowing about the friction between Zhao Hanzhang and Gou Xi, only recalling that last year they had worked together to resist Prince East Sea, thus assuming their relationship was good.

He said, "General Gou is devoted to family and country and upright in loyalty to the emperor. I hope General Zhao will invite him to the capital at the earliest opportunity."

Zhao Hanzhang readily agreed and, having escorted the emperor to the main hall, bowed and left.

Outside, many ministers were standing under the morning light. As Zhao Hanzhang emerged from the hall, a ray of orange morning light fell on her, softening her entire figure.

Only then did anyone dare speak to Zhao Hanzhang, "General Zhao, there is a grain famine in Luoyang, and most of the city’s residents have been taken by Prince East Sea. Now, nine out of ten houses are empty. Keeping His Majesty here is not safe. Has the General considered relocating the capital?"

The relocation of the capital has been the focal point of the emperor’s struggle with Prince East Sea for the past two years, as well as the main contention among the court ministers. Currently, the most decisive voice in the relocation is Zhao Hanzhang, who just saved the emperor and them.

But Zhao Hanzhang said, "This is a matter of great importance and must naturally be discussed jointly with His Majesty and the ministers. My knowledge is shallow, how could I decide such a major national affair?"

Everyone looked at her in surprise.

Among them, a young man stepped forward after a moment of thought, bowed, and asked, "General Zhao, there are rumors outside that the forces of Prince East Sea were defeated by Shi Le and that Prince East Sea has passed away. Is this true?"

Zhao Hanzhang sighed and said, "It is true."

The young man’s face turned somber, and he asked, "What of the three hundred thousand soldiers and civilians who followed Prince East Sea?"

Zhao Hanzhang sighed without speaking.

Seeing this, the young man’s eyes reddened, and all the ministers followed in mourning, as many had their own kin or friends among them, let alone the fact it was three hundred thousand, a full three hundred thousand people.

The young man swayed a bit, bowed, and turned to leave.

Zhao Hanzhang found him somewhat familiar and asked the ministers, "Who was that?"

The minister beside her introduced, "That is Wang Xing, the second son of Wang Rong."

The introducer’s face showed slight disdain, unwilling to discuss this person further.

Zhao Hanzhang, however, raised an eyebrow and glanced at the departing Wang Xing. His back was straight, and his eyes were bright when he questioned earlier. Upon thinking carefully, she remembered he was among those who had killed Wang Mi’s bodyguards this morning.

Clearly a competent and promising young man, so why the disdain?

As Zhao Zhongyu and Fu Zhi emerged from the main hall, having stayed behind for secretive discussions.

Prince East Sea took many ministers with him. Even someone as high-ranking as Grand Commandant Wang Yan fled with Prince East Sea. Among the remaining ministers, the most senior in status and position were Fu Zhi and Zhao Zhongyu.

According to the level of trust the emperor placed in them, Fu Zhi should be the leader, but at this moment, everyone placed more importance on Zhao Zhongyu. As they saw the two emerge, they first saluted Zhao Zhongyu, only turning to Fu Zhi afterward.

Fu Zhi did not mind, he simply looked at Fu Tinghan, "Dalang, you should accompany your grandfather to inspect the fire."

Fu Tinghan glanced at Zhao Hanzhang before nodding in agreement.

Fu Zhi nodded to Zhao Hanzhang and left with Fu Tinghan.

Zhao Hanzhang saluted, watching them depart.

Zhao Zhongyu stood near, waiting for her to turn her attention back. Seeing that she remained focused on the departing figures, he coughed heavily.

Only then did Zhao Hanzhang return from her thoughts and address Zhao Zhongyu, "Uncle Grandfather."

Zhao Zhongyu nodded and advised her, "You are nearing the end of your mourning period, and the marriage with the Fu Family’s eldest son should also be discussed soon. It seems that the grandfather and grandson were likely discussing your marriage arrangements."

Zhao Hanzhang smiled but did not respond directly.

Seeing everyone eager to overhear their conversation, Zhao Zhongyu said, "Since our entire family is temporarily residing in the palace, I will take you to meet your uncle and aunt."

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at the ministers, then agreed with a smile, greeted everyone, and left with Zhao Zhongyu.

Once further away, with only Ting He, Zeng Yue, and several trusted aides following, Zhao Zhongyu said, "His Majesty just detained us to discuss the matter of relocating the capital with you."

He paused briefly and added, "Also, to ask what you might want."

Zhao Hanzhang was not surprised by this. There were some things she could not openly say, nor could the emperor speak out loud. Since this was their first cooperation, they hadn’t found the balance yet, thus an intermediary was necessary.

No one was more suitable than Zhao Zhongyu and Fu Zhi.

One was her uncle-grandfather and clan leader, the other her future family’s patriarch.

Zhao Hanzhang asked, "Where does His Majesty wish to relocate the capital?"

Zhao Zhongyu said, "Chen County looks quite promising."

Zhao Hanzhang’s smile faded slightly, and she asked, "Is this His Majesty’s decision or is it Uncle Grandfather’s suggestion?"

Zhao Zhongyu slightly frowned and questioned Zhao Hanzhang, "Would relocating the capital to Chen County be a bad idea?"

He said, "Given today’s achievements, you are unmatched across the nation, and Yu State is predominantly under our Zhao Family’s control. If the capital were moved to Chen County..."

"Uncle Grandfather," Zhao Hanzhang interrupted him, "I do not wish to become the second Prince East Sea, nor do I aspire to be Cao Mengde."

Zhao Zhongyu looked at Zhao Hanzhang in shock.

Zhao Hanzhang said, "The matter of relocating the capital should be discussed by His Majesty and the senior ministers. As for me, tell His Majesty that I want all of Yu State and the Luoyang area."

Zhao Zhongyu: ...

He didn’t know whether to say Zhao Hanzhang had too little ambition or too much.

You might say her ambition is great, yet faced with such an opportunity, she simply pushes it aside; look at how Wang Mi lost his life for just one such opportunity, and you’d see how rare it is;

You might say her ambition is small, yet she unblushingly claims to want Yu State and Luoyang.

One must understand, both Yu State and Luoyang lie in the center of the world, especially Luoyang, ensconced by the four natural barriers, and the Jin’s Imperial Palace resides there; her demand for Luoyang alone raises suspicion.

But how can a single Luoyang compare to a whole emperor?