After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 576 - 570 Change of Thought

The Assistant General put his hands on his hips and bragged to them, "Don’t worry, don’t worry. The Governor said that this time there will be a group of officials from Yu State going with us. They’ll talk with the Inspector about future correspondences and goods between Xiliang and Luoyang. Letters from home can be sent over."

"Will Chang’an allow it?"

"Exactly, they didn’t permit us to leave the pass before. This time, they barely agree to let us through. Is it possible to have long-term access?"

The Assistant General imitated Zhao Hanzhang’s posture by slightly raising his chin, "What should we fear? If they don’t permit it, neither Luoyang nor Xiliang will sit idly!"

At that time, Zhao Hanzhang was seeing her carefully chosen cousin Zhao Xin, and she handed him the prepared letter, "We entrust the friendly relations with Xiliang to you, Cousin Xin."

Zhao Xin respectfully received the letter and responded, "I will do my utmost."

He paused and then asked, "If Chang’an blocks the pass, what should we do?"

He needed to understand the baseline so he could negotiate with Xiliang.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled slightly and said, "Though Chang’an has the pass, they also need assistance from Luoyang and Xiliang. Otherwise, if they lose Xiliang in the front and have no support from Luoyang at the back, do you think Prince Nanyang can defend Chang’an against the swift advance of the Xianbei?"

Zhao Xin immediately understood and said seriously, "When I pass through Chang’an, I will pay respects to Prince Nanyang to ensure the westward road remains open."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded with satisfaction. She chose Zhao Xin not only because he was smart and understood things quickly but because he dared to act once he thought.

After a moment of consideration, she said, "You’re currently just a Military Record Officer, with insufficient rank. I grant you the authority of an envoy, so you can act with discretion when you’re out."

Zhao Xin’s lips curled upward as he bowed to agree.

Zhao Hanzhang had no more instructions and said, "Go and bid farewell to our uncle and brothers. You’ll depart early tomorrow."

"Yes."

Zhao Xin withdrew and strode outside. He currently lived at the Imperial College, where Zhao Cheng also resided, so the people he brought lived there together.

As soon as he entered the Imperial College, the cousins who were about to leave surrounded him, "Brother Xin, how did it go?"

Zhao Xin smiled slightly and said, "The Governor gave me the authority to act with discretion, and I’ll be departing early tomorrow."

The cousins looked at him with envy, "Once Cousin Xin goes out as a Military Record Officer, though it’s on the path of the military for convenience of envoy missions, when you return from Xiliang, you may turn and could become a county magistrate, which would be the highest rank besides Brother Kuan."

"Not true, have you forgotten Yunxin? I heard from Brother Kuan that the Governor is transferring her to Luoyang to stay by her side as a Recorder."

The position of Recorder is no lower than that of a county magistrate, and being by Zhao Hanzhang’s side, it’s even more influential.

"Indeed, ladies find it more convenient moving in and out around the Governor."

"Not true, I think the Governor values talent more. Though Yunxin is mischievous, she’s detailed and did well by Fan’s side before, and we’ve all read the documents she recorded. Her succinctness isn’t inferior to ours, and she can hit the mark too."

"Sigh, we saw her as a child before, who knew now she’s more capable than us, while we still struggle with finding a way out."

Zhao Xin couldn’t help but say, "Be mindful, cousin. Compared to others, we’ve gained quite a privilege. The Governor’s recruiting talents through exams in Luoyang. Besides that, we now work at the Imperial College and are family to the Governor. If you’re willing, you can recommend yourself anytime. How is that having no way out?"

Zhao Shi replied, "Right, I even want to write home to have my cousin sister sent over. She’s been better at studying than me since young. If she enters service, she’ll achieve no less than Yunxin."

Someone who knew his cousin asked, "Isn’t your cousin older now? Hasn’t she considered marriage?"

The young man raised his neck high and said, "With the world unsettled, how can one settle down?"

Seeing the young man’s prideful face, the cousins couldn’t help but laugh, "Talking about yourself, aren’t you?"

The young man said, "I have aspirations, let alone my cousin."

He continued, "It’s a pity my sister is still young, otherwise if she came too, the tale wouldn’t belong to Brother Kuan, but to our siblings."

"Let her read well now, enter service in a few years."

As female officials like Fan Ying and Zhao Yunxin were being utilized heavily, attitudes towards women entering service within Zhao Family also drastically changed. Indeed, as long as there’s fame and profit involved, perceptions can change.

Moreover, now is the late era of Great Jin, where anything is possible.

This is the worst of times, yet also the best of times.

The pains and darkness from the wars and political struggles made thoughts collide fiercely in this era. They dared to question and think, trying to seize every chance to quell chaos.

The capabilities displayed by Zhao Hanzhang and the power she wielded led those around her to start accepting women entering service, from behind the curtains to before them.

On China’s political stage, it’s never just men alone. Women rarely came to the forefront, but anyone with insight knew that women had always been involved.

In the palace and private chambers, they were never absent. Even after Lady Lv, though the Han Dynasty claimed that women ruling was unfortunate for the state and hens crowing, female rulers were never few.

The closest example is Empress Jia; when she was in power, didn’t she hold the court in her hands?

Now, women are merely moving from backstage to the front stage. Some men felt uneasy for a while but had to accept it, while more freely accepted it naturally.

Especially the Luoyang civilians, long trapped in turmoil, cared little if those in power were male or female, but whether they could ensure a stable life.

After the initial distress and anger, they gradually accepted the fact of returning to Luoyang and began to struggle for their daily livelihood.

Zhao Hanzhang sat down at a teahouse, took a pair of chopsticks, and waited for food. Ting He went to fetch water as the water pouch she carried was quickly emptied by Zhao Hanzhang’s drinking.

The shopkeeper brought several bowls of noodles, with an extra egg in Zhao Hanzhang’s bowl.

She raised an eyebrow, "How generous of Ting He, ordering an extra egg for me."

The shopkeeper said, "This is small token from me to the Governor."

Zhao Hanzhang was surprised and asked, "Why?"

The shopkeeper’s face full of wrinkles broke into a smile, "Thanks to the Governor, my grandson entered the Imperial College. I’m hoping he’ll graduate and become an assistant under you."

Zhao Hanzhang laughed cheerfully, "Being able to enter Imperial College signifies a smart child. Surely, he shouldn’t settle for just being an assistant coming out from there. He should at least become a county magistrate."

The shopkeeper’s eyes turned into crescents, "That’d indeed bring honor to my family. Please wait, I’ll add another egg for you."

"No, no," Zhao Hanzhang hurriedly stopped him, "One is enough, don’t add more."

The shopkeeper said, "My eggs are delicious, you should try them more since you don’t come often."

"Does Ting Han often come here?"

"He does, he does," the shopkeeper smiled broadly, "Among several shops nearby, mine has the best skills, and every time, Grand Young Master comes to my shop."

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