CHAPTER 345: CHAPTER 339 CRYING

After the court session, the Emperor summoned Fu Zhi alone. Holding Fu Zhi’s hand, he said, "Prince East Sea now is wholly fixated on competing with Gou Xi, becoming increasingly domineering in the court, and he’s monopolizing the politics. I am powerless even if I have the intention."

"Ultimately, it’s because I hold no military power. If Yu State falls, the Central Plains will be lost, and Luoyang will scarcely stand alone. This is the crisis of my Great Jin." The Emperor rose and solemnly bowed to Fu Zhi, "I implore Fu Aiqing to lend me your strength to drive away Prince East Sea!"

Fu Zhi hastily bowed to support the Emperor, and he understood in his heart that the Emperor intended to push him to the forefront to contend against Prince East Sea. In the past, he may not have favored Prince East Sea but would not have offended him over military power.

But this time, with Yu State and Great Jin on the brink of peril, there’s no room for hesitation, even if stepping out of the palace might mean death at the hands of Prince East Sea.

Fu Zhi suddenly clenched the Emperor’s hand, solemnly kneeling, "I will not fail Your Majesty’s trust."

The Emperor was indeed relieved to see him comply and quickly pulled him up, whispering, "I will immediately have someone escort Fu Zhongshu out of the city."

Fu Zhi did not refuse.

The Emperor immediately wrote him a secret decree and then arranged for someone to escort him out of the capital.

The Emperor was surrounded by people loyal to Prince East Sea, and when he mentioned recruiting soldiers in front of Wang Yan, in the past, Prince East Sea would have already charged into the palace to accuse the Emperor.

But this year, ever since the internal conflict between Prince East Sea and Gou Xi and the subsequent siege of Luoyang by the Xiongnu forces, the Emperor had openly suggested recruiting soldiers, confronting many of the senior ministers, including Zhao Zhongyu.

However, under Prince East Sea’s influence, none dared to agree. After numerous attempts, Prince East Sea treated it as a joke.

Initially, he would summon and even visit the summoned senior ministers with a sword. Later, Prince East Sea merely considered it a joke, at most giving a harsh look to the summoned ministers.

Thus, this time when the Emperor brought it up again, everyone feigned shock, and upon leaving the court business continued as usual. Still, some went to Prince East Sea to report, mentioning the Emperor had asked Fu Zhi to recruit soldiers.

Prince East Sea, having heard it many times, paid no mind, scoffing, "Fu Zhi wouldn’t dare."

Informants also thought Fu Zhi wouldn’t dare, as he had no troops. If he dared to leave the capital to recruit soldiers for the Emperor, Prince East Sea would surely send someone to swiftly catch up and kill him.

His death would be in vain. In these years, many princes had been killed in succession, who would truly care about the life or death of a courtier?

Therefore, the court’s senior ministers, though appearing to constantly advise Prince East Sea, actually dared not deeply offend him. After all, Luoyang was in Prince East Sea’s control; their lives, and those of their families, were also in his hands.

Only, due to his actions over the past year, many ministers, including his staunch supporters, had developed objections.

Not everyone was as short-sighted or impulsive as him; the actions of Prince East Sea disregarding the fate of the Great Jin State dissatisfied many, although under his influence, they dared not voice it.

However, there were already cracks in the mirror, making it hard for everyone to stay together. Some had noticed Fu Zhi leaving the capital but pretended to be ignorant after contemplating.

Considering Prince East Sea’s influence, they thought, he would eventually find out; why should they be the villains?

One might inadvertently be remembered infamously for eternity.

Thus, everyone remained tacitly silent.

Wang Yan also stayed silent; as long as his interests weren’t compromised, he cared about nothing.

By the time Prince East Sea learned of this, Fu Zhi had already been gone for a day and a night, nearly reaching Yongzhou.

After Chang’an was captured, it came under Prince East Sea’s control, but his actual control over the Chang’an region was not strong.

Even though King Hejian’s troops lost, forcing them to hand over Chang’an to Prince East Sea, people were discontented. The noble families in the Chang’an region were not submitting to Prince East Sea, let alone the common people, trapped in chaos and oppressive taxes.

Thus, Chang’an remained outside Prince East Sea’s influence; at least here, he couldn’t kill whomever he pleased.

Fu Zhi, with the secret decree, arrived in Chang’an. The noble families and wealthy merchants there respected and recognized him, and thanks to Fu Zhi’s good reputation, many respected him. Moreover, his son and daughter-in-law were also there.

His daughter-in-law was even a princess of the Jin Dynasty.

The couple came forward, gathering substantial funds and provisions for Fu Zhi, allowing him to start recruiting soldiers and horses.

At this moment, Zhao Hanzhang and her entourage had also arrived outside Chen County.

He Ci Shi’s old wounds had relapsed, and the recent intense battles, with Gou Xi being a mere spectator and the reinforcements retreating, left the heavy burdens suddenly upon him. Hence, he was now sick and injured. Zhao Hanzhang almost didn’t recognize him when she saw him.

He looked over ten years older, with dark circles under his eyes, graying hair, a haggard face, and his clothes hung loosely on his frame. Zhao Hanzhang felt as if he might depart this life at any moment.

She paused in silence for a moment, quickly stepping forward to pay respects. Seeing her indeed arrive with troops, He Ci Shi hastily called together the military leaders to personally welcome her at the door.

Upon meeting, tears welled in everyone’s eyes. He Ci Shi said, "Hanzhang, you finally came!"

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "I was late in coming, causing you to become so haggard; I am ashamed, Hanzhang."

The military leaders quietly watched the two perform, thankfully not overly sentimental. After shedding three tears, He Ci Shi invited Zhao Hanzhang inside to talk.

Zhao Hanzhang left the army behind, taking only Fu Tinghan, Zhao Ju, and Sun Linghui with her. Ting He attended her.

Entering the front hall, He Ci Shi invited Zhao Hanzhang to sit in a position of lower status, while the other military leaders sat below her.

Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze swept through the room, finding no familiar faces, meaning the other prefectural governors and county magistrates hadn’t arrived.

Zhao Hanzhang asked, "What is the frontline situation? How many reinforcements have arrived this time?"

He Ci Shi was full of worry, reflecting on his condition, he did not conceal, "We have repelled the Xiongnu army’s attacks three times, but the reinforcements... currently, only the people from Ru Nan County have come."

Zhao Hanzhang frowned, "Have the other prefectures and counties not sent anyone yet?"

He Ci Shi sighed, "Indeed, they are unlikely to come."

Zhao Hanzhang pursed her lips, "If Chen County falls, the Xiongnu will enter Yu State unchallenged. Do they think their prefectures and counties will be spared?"

He Ci Shi remained silent.

The crisis was present, but those in power, if needed, could abandon the prefectures and counties and leave Yu State with their troops.

The benefits were lacking.

Embarrassingly, earlier when Yu Yang was under siege, He Ci Shi couldn’t command all the counties and counties and released news that he was severely injured, nearing death. Whichever county or prefect reached Yu Yang first to save him would become the next Inspector...

But afterward, although He Ci Shi was injured, he continued to live vibrantly, with no intention of stepping aside for another,

Thus, this time no one believed He Ci Shi.

Yet this time, he was indeed at death’s door!