Late Han Zhao Tang

Chapter 448 Double Happiness
In the palaces of Chang'an, Zhang Yu, guided by Wang Ji, admired the palaces that she had arranged.

When Zhang Yu was inspecting Luoyang, considering the inconvenience of traveling from Anyi to Chang'an, he instructed Wang Ji to move his family to Chang'an, accompanied by staff from the General's office.

To facilitate Zhang Yu's direct entry into the palace, Wang Ji first arranged for his concubines to purchase items for the palace.

"how?"

Looking at the simple furnishings inside the palace, Zhang Yu nodded in satisfaction and said, "Your Majesty has the qualities of a wise empress. You know that the world is in turmoil and the national treasury is not full, so it is not appropriate for you to indulge in luxury and pleasure."

Wang Ji smiled and said, “During the Former Han Dynasty, the palaces covered the sky and the corridors connected the terraces and pavilions. Kunming Lake was magnificent. However, after the Green Forest Rebellion, the palaces of the Former Han Dynasty were ruined. Although they were repaired by the Later Han Dynasty, they were never as grand as they used to be. Now that the great cause is not yet accomplished, we may stay here for a while.”

"Thank you for your trouble, Madam!"

Zhang Yu reached out and grasped Wang Ji's soft hand, smiling.

Wang Ji looked at Zhang Yu's profile and said with a half-smile, "Would you like to take a stroll through the inner palace and see the women's quarters today?"

"No need!"

Zhang Yu smiled and said, "As the mistress of the harem, the affairs of the women are to be handled by the mistress!"

Wang Ji smiled and said, "My husband is away on campaigns all year round, and his wives must miss him dearly. Now that my husband has become king, he should bestow titles and ranks to justify the status of his concubines. Moreover, some people say that the Zhang family has few children, which is not good for my husband's foundation. So I will select beautiful women from official families to enrich the palace's concubines."

Zhang Yu held Wang Ji's hand tightly and said in a low voice, "Madam is in charge of domestic affairs. As for having children, we can't rush it. Once everything has settled down, there's no need to worry about not having children."

Zhang Yu had known Wang Ji for many years and knew that Wang Ji had a strong personality. Therefore, he left all matters within the Queen's authority to Wang Ji to handle himself, and Zhang Yu tried his best not to interfere, so as not to make Wang Ji think too much or feel that he favored a certain concubine.

As for offspring, since there are few direct relatives of the Zhang clan, Zhang Yu does indeed have to bear the responsibility of procreation. Whether Zhang Yu is willing or not, he must accept this task, and his subjects may even put pressure on him.

"correct!"

Wang Ji thought of something and asked, "If we live deep within the palace now, we cannot be without close attendants. Zhong Yuanchang has submitted a memorial requesting that children from impoverished backgrounds throughout the land be recruited as palace maids. I wonder what you think, my husband?"

Zhang Yu pondered for a moment and said, "The population of Hebei is depleted and sparse. Taking children as eunuchs will be detrimental to population growth. Therefore, we can take captured children as eunuchs and recruit impoverished children from Han, Hu, and Qiang ethnic groups as well."

Although Zhang Yu held the title of king, in many ways he was not much different from the emperor. Therefore, since there was a palace, eunuchs were needed to serve him. Taking Han children as eunuchs would be detrimental to the already dwindling Han population, so Zhang Yu decided to also recruit Hu and Qiang children, as well as boys captured during his campaigns, into the palace.

"promise!"

While Zhang Yu and Wang Ji were talking, a female servant approached and said something.

"Your Highness, a military report has arrived. Lords Xun, Guo, and Jia are waiting in the Zichen Palace."

“There is an important matter today, my husband, are you ready to take care of it?” Wang Ji asked.

"This must be military news from Hanzhong. I need to manage it together with my colleagues!" Before leaving, Zhang Yu instructed, "Madam, please handle matters in the palace. Keep everything simple and avoid extravagance!"

"promise!"

Guided by a maid, Zhang Yu hurried to the Zichen Palace.

The palaces in the Han Dynasty each had their own names, but considering the new dynasty and the new atmosphere, Wang Ji asked Cai Yan to invite the elderly Cai Yong to come out and name the palaces. The Zichen Hall is now the place where Zhang Yu and his close ministers discussed politics.

"Greetings to Your Highness!"

Upon seeing Zhang Yu enter the hall, the others performed the rites of a ruler and his subject.

Zhang Yu sat on the couch and gestured for Xun You, Guo Jia, Guo Tu, and others to excuse themselves from formalities and take a seat.

Previously, Zhang Yu was not used to the change in status and originally wanted to wait until he became king before having everyone perform the rites of a ruler and his subject. However, there were some thoughtful people among the ministers who said that although Zhang Yu had not yet ascended the altar to become king, he was no different from the king and therefore should perform the rites of a ruler and his subject. After some consideration, Zhang Yu agreed.

As for declaring himself king, Zhang Yu kept delaying. He initially planned to declare himself king in Ye City, but due to the war, he abandoned that plan and instead intended to declare himself king in Chang'an. Later, considering the war in Hanzhong, he worried that he would have to personally lead the expedition, so he continued to postpone the time for declaring himself king, preparing to wait until the war in Hanzhong was over before proceeding with his so-called declaration of kingship.

"Your Highness, a military report from Hanzhong has arrived!"

Xun You presented the military report, saying, "According to the report, Xu Huang and Ke Bi, using their cavalry tactics to break through enemy lines, defeated Sun Ce's army, lifted the siege of Nanzheng, and joined forces with Shi Yi. We are currently facing Sun Ce across the Han River, awaiting reinforcements before discussing further military matters." He paused, then added, "Besides the military report, Zhang Lu also sent an envoy with a letter. Zhang Lu is deeply grateful for Your Excellency's power and virtue, and has now presented the household registers and land of Hanzhong to Chang'an to show his submission. He also wishes to pay homage to Your Excellency after the battle. In my opinion, Zhang Lu knows that Hanzhong is too small to contend with Ba and Shu, therefore he has submitted a petition to surrender."

While Xun You was giving his presentation, Zhang Yu was the first to read Zhang Lu's letter. Seeing that Zhang Lu clearly expressed his intention to submit in the letter, Zhang Yu couldn't help but smile.

“Zhang Lu’s intentions are the same as Gongda’s. Knowing that he is incapable of defending Hanchuan, he is now willing to surrender his territory.” Zhang Yu waved the letter and laughed to his men.

"Congratulations, Your Highness, on the recapture of Hanzhong!" Led by Jia Xu, the group celebrated in unison.

Zhang Yu laughed and said, "Zhang Lu's sensible surrender has saved us a lot of trouble. I wonder what your opinions are now, and how you intend to treat Zhang Lu?"

"Your Highness!"

Guo Tu stood up and said, “Zhang Lu has been in control of Hanzhong for nearly ten years. He has used the Way of the Celestial Masters to convert the Han and the Yi people, and has won the hearts of the Han and Ba people. Now that Ba and Shu have not yet been conquered, and Your Highness’s ambition is to conquer the Central Plains, I suggest that you leave Zhang Lu in Hanzhong and send a general to garrison it to defend against Sun Ce’s northern expedition. When the Central Plains are at peace and Hanzhong has not just surrendered, you can change the governor and then lead your troops south to conquer Ba and Shu.”

"Dian Jun's words are not without merit!"

Tian Feng hesitated for a moment, then said, "It is only because Zhang Lu is deeply popular that he has surrendered his territory today, and it is due to the circumstances that he is forced to do so. I fear that if the army withdraws from Hanzhong, Zhang Lu will rekindle his rebellious intentions."

"This is not difficult!"

Guo Jia said, "Except for Zhang Lu's family members, all of them should be moved to Chang'an. Without relatives to support him, Zhang Lu will find it difficult to succeed!"

Zhang Yu pondered for a moment and said, "After this battle, Zhang Lu intends to visit Chang'an. We should first observe Zhang Lu's words and actions, and then see who is suitable to take charge of Hanzhong!"

From a governing perspective, Zhang Yu did not want Zhang Lu to remain in Hanzhong, since the people of Hanzhong would be affected by Zhang Lu's presence. However, considering Zhang Lu's influence in Ba and his potential to cause trouble for Sun Ce, Zhang Yu hesitated.

"promise!"

Xun You responded and asked, "Your Highness, Xu Huang and Sun Ce are facing off across the river. Now Sun Ce is relocating the people of Hannan southward, and Xu Huang intends to send troops to rescue the people. I wonder what Your Highness's orders are?"

Zhang Yu pondered for a moment and said, "Now that the siege of Nanzheng has been lifted, let Xu Huang decide on the military strategy himself, whether to rescue the people or defeat Sun Ce. However, we must be in an invincible position."

"As ordered!"

"Any other military reports?" Seeing that the military progress in Hanzhong was going smoothly, Zhang Yu asked casually.

"Have!"

"Your Highness!"

Guo Jia stepped forward and reported: "General Hao sent a letter to Chang'an, saying that Yuan Tan was defeated by Yuan Shang and is now trapped in Linji. Yuan Tan sent an envoy out of the city to ask General Hao for help, and is willing to submit to Your Highness and fight Yuan Shang together. However, General Hao dared not make a decision and sent a fast horse to inquire urgently."

"What are the opinions of the scholars?" Zhang Yu asked.

"Your Highness, the Yuan brothers are fighting each other, not because others have sown discord between them, but because they believe they have the ability to pacify the world. Now Yuan Tan has asked Your Highness for help, which means his strength is exhausted. And Yuan Shang was unable to subdue Yuan Tan, which shows that Yuan Shang's army is also exhausted. Now the country is divided in two, Gao Gan is discontented, and Yuan Xi is incompetent. As far as I know, due to frequent wars, Qingzhou is suffering from drought and locusts, and the country has no surplus grain, which shows that it is on the verge of collapse."

Tian Feng immediately stood up and said in a deep voice, "If Your Highness sits idly by and watches Yuan Tan perish, and Yuan Shang gathers the coastal warriors to rely on Yuan Shu for help, there is a risk of him making a comeback. Therefore, in my opinion, we should send troops to relieve Yuan Tan's siege, so that Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang can attack each other. When the Yuans cannot unite their forces and their troops are exhausted and their people are destitute, Your Highness should send a general on a distant expedition, and the coastal areas will submit. When the coastal areas are recovered, the Central Plains can be conquered!"

"good!"

Zhang Yu had his own intention to rescue Yuan Tan, and now that Tian Feng also agreed to send troops, he said without hesitation: "Send orders to Generals Man Chong and Hao Zhao to cross the river and rescue Yuan Tan in Linji. Also, appoint Yuan Tan as the Governor of Qingzhou and order him to conquer Qingzhou."

"As ordered!"

Upon seeing Yuan Tan appointed as the Governor of Qingzhou, Jia Xu reminded him, "Hanzhong has submitted, and Yuan Tan has pledged allegiance; Your Highness should congratulate him. However, Yuan Tan has surrendered due to exhaustion; Your Highness must be wary!"

"Jia Jun's insight is profound!"

Guo Jia said, "Yuan Tan surrendered when he was desperate, unlike Zhang Lu. When Yuan Tan is powerful, he might betray us!"

Zhang Yu laughed and said, "Yuan Tan is only of minor wisdom. Using him now is to sow discord among the Yuan brothers!"

(End of this chapter)