News came from the Northern Land that the new Xiongnu Emperor Liu He has escaped the encirclement with the court officials and successfully joined Liu Cong. However, it is said that the brothers are not in harmony, and in the past half month, Liu Cong has not sent troops to occupy territory, allowing Beigong Chun and Zu Ti time to recuperate. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Beigong Chun even requested to return to deal with Shi Le.

Considering the uncertain situation in the Northern Land and with Ming Yu still in enemy territory, Zhao Hanzhang decided not to let him return, keeping him stationed in Jizhou. If the Xiongnu indeed descends into chaos, she plans to seize Jizhou too.

Ambitious, Zhao Hanzhang, under the Emperor Jin’s name, called on various regions to support the cause against the Xiongnu and to save the Emperor Jin, yet aside from Jingzhou, few regions have responded.

Zhao Ming wrote to her, saying, "You are merely the Yu State Governor, issuing orders to the world in the emperor’s name is illegitimate. With the emperor in the hands of the Xiongnu and the Crown Prince deceased, as a major official of Jin State, you should establish a new Crown Prince."

Zhao Hanzhang held onto this letter for some time without replying. It was only when there were few responses and Wang Dao started to influence Jiangdong and Jiangnan under King Langya’s name, leading to calls for King Langya to become emperor, that Zhao Hanzhang replied to Zhao Ming, saying, "Do everything to find the direct bloodline of the Ancestor."

When Zhao Ming received the reply, it was close to the time for counterattack. While writing back, he thought about whether he could receive the letter before the battle, knowing it would be difficult to send letters during the conflict.

Neither knew that the people they sought were not far from them, in Ningling County.

Yuan Li had a child in his arms, followed by eight others, one of whom also carried a child. They hurriedly hid in a village, and two guards spread out to search before returning and telling Yuan Li, "The village is empty, no one around."

Another added, "No food either."

Xun Fan and Xun Zu, old and surrounded, sat wearily on the ground as soon as they stopped.

Yuan Li placed the child down and grimly said, "Search thoroughly for any cellars."

He took out a piece of flatbread, broke it into two, and gave them to the two children.

The others swallowed hard and looked away, leaving two to guard while the rest went out to find food.

Guard numbers were few, only five besides Yuan Li, with two children: one was the nine-year-old Prince Yuzhang, and the other was the ten-year-old King Qin.

Xun Fan and Xun Zu, both elders, were King Qin’s uncles, alongside... Yuan Li glanced at the somber gaze of Yan Ding.

Yan Ding was a former official of Yu State, retained by Zhao Hanzhang, contrasting with newly appointed officials termed as new.

Earlier this year, he left his post due to his mother’s death, requesting Zhao Hanzhang to resign and return home for mourning.

Zhao Hanzhang agreed, but he lingered in Mi County without leaving, even gathering many skilled people. When Yun City fell, King Qin and Prince Yuzhang escaped amidst the chaos under the protection of the mansion guards.

They encountered King Qin’s uncle Xun Fan and Xun Zu along the way.

The pair took the two princes towards Yu State, meeting previous military and civil officials fleeing in panic: Wang Bi, Liu Chou, and Li Xin.

They banded together to escape.

Amid crowds fleeing in panic and scattered belongings, relying on two ox carts and their feet, they couldn’t go fast. First, they heard of the emperor’s capture, then Gou Xi’s surrender to Shi Le.

Considering Jin State’s demise, they reckoned Zhao Hanzhang would resist a few years, while Liu Yuan’s subsequent campaigns might unify the realm.

Taking advantage of the hunger, they drew knives to kill the two princes’ guards and eunuchs, intending to escort them to pledge loyalty to Liu Cong.

Xun Fan and Xun Zu fought back desperately, fled hastily with the princes to Mi County, and encountered Yan Ding. Yan Ding retaliated and joined the effort to protect the two princes.

Upon joining, Yan Ding insisted on a westward journey to Chang’an, promising escort.

He argued, "Amidst the fires of war in Central Plains, with chaos rampant, King Qin and King Langya are in grave danger here; heading to Chang’an is wiser, where Fu Zhongshu can establish temporary government to stabilize the realm."

Yet Xun Fan and Xun Zu disagreed.

Xun Fan proposed they were not far from Chen County; going to Chang’an was unnecessary, urging they seek Zhao Hanzhang’s people in Chen County instead.

Yan Ding sternly stated, "As a Yu State official, observing these years, Zhao Hanzhang exhibits aspirations beyond allegiance. Bringing the princes to her is akin to sending sheep into a tiger’s den; utterly unwise."

But Xun Fan, aged over sixty, having seen many types of people, gauged Yan Ding at first glance, and he recently met Zhao Hanzhang.

Unsure of Zhao Hanzhang’s intentions, he knew her reverence for the emperor surpasses Gou Xi’s, her heart softer, her conduct more normal than the previous arrogant officials; hence, even beyond apparent ambition, for now, she would strive to protect the princes.

Going to Chang’an, plagued by troops, refugees along rugged paths, it’s remote for commanding the realm, so heading to Chen County is prudent.

Xun Fan persisted, but with only a few elderly and juveniles in their group, rejection proved futile.

Yan Ding dragged them along to Chang’an.

Pursuing throughout, Yuan Li caught up halfway, clashing with Yan Ding, nearly resulting in mutual destruction. Ultimately, Xun Fan intervened, urging unity for the princes’ sake at such a time.

Yuan Li joined, adamantly pushing to return to Chen County.

Before Yan Ding could protest, they encountered Shi Le’s troops, not many, out raiding for supplies, correctly spotting these recognizable non-ordinary folks.

Amidst chaotic battle, Yuan Li stayed focused, retreating towards Chen County.

But drifting off course, they falteringly ended up in Ningling, as Shi Le’s army took it over, hindering city’s access, amidst rampant barbarian looters and fleeing refugees, making movement arduous.

Without provisions, they resorted to fighting alongside refugees for survival.

Shortly, the guards returned with five wild taro pieces, slightly larger than a child’s fist; pleased, said, "General, luck favored us, there was a patch of wild taro beyond that building, mostly dug up, took long to find these five."

Yuan Li nodded, signaling to cook them.

He approached the pale-faced Prince Yuzhang with respect, reassuringly, "Fear not, Prince, the Zhao Family Army surrounds Ningling, shortly we’ll meet the Inspector."

"Once you meet the Inspector, safety is assured, whatever you desire, you’ll have."

In Yuan Li’s view, Prince Yuzhang was most suitable as the next emperor, being the Crown Prince’s younger brother, younger than King Qin, and docile—easily influenced.