After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 744 - 734: Covenant

After a year’s absence, Fu Zhi’s hair grew even whiter, his face more lined, with an air of gloom between his brows. Seeing his grandson and future granddaughter-in-law, he couldn’t help but smile, though the worry between his brows didn’t diminish much; instead, his eyes were filled with even greater concern.

Zhao Hanzhang dismounted ten steps away from him, then quickly approached with Fu Tinghan to pay respects, "Grandfather Fu!"

Fu Zhi’s beard fluttered in the cold wind; he grabbed his unruly beard with one hand and beckoned with the other, "Quickly rise, quickly rise, the envoy from Xiliang is already waiting in the tent, let’s go and meet them."

Zhao Hanzhang agreed with a smile and entrusted the accompanying people to Fan Ying for management.

She followed closely behind Fu Zhi, "Who from Xiliang has come?"

"It is Chief of Staff Yang Dan."

Yang Dan was a tall scholar, with a small mustache, fair-skinned, and a medium-long face, exuding righteousness.

Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze swept over his left ear, which was empty, cleanly cut off.

He must have been the one who cut it, pleading for Zhang Gui with Prince Nanyang back in the day. Zhao Hanzhang admired this sort of person who could be so harsh with himself.

Yang Dan was also sizing up Zhao Hanzhang. He had heard of Zhao Hanzhang’s great name for a long time, but today was his first time meeting her. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

This past year, Xiliang and Zhao Hanzhang had cooperated frequently. Xiliang’s barley, herbs, cattle, sheep, and furs were all sold through Chang’an to Luoyang, Yu State, and other places.

Yet, Zhao Hanzhang herself was short of food; she still introduced several grain merchants to Xiliang, facilitating their transactions, and even allowed them to trade salt to Xiliang.

One of their Xiliang Army units was under her command; it was said she used Beigong Chun as her arm without any reservations.

Because of this trust, both Zhang Gui himself and his subordinates had a favorable impression of Zhao Hanzhang.

Yang Dan couldn’t help but smile. As Zhao Hanzhang approached, he bowed deeply, "This humble official Yang Dan pays respects to Governor Zhao."

Zhao Hanzhang waved her hand with a smile, "Yang Zhizhong, no need for such formality, please have a seat."

After finishing, she realized she too was a guest, and couldn’t help turning her head to look at Fu Zhi.

Seeing her showing a flattering smile, Fu Zhi waved his hand irritably, "Please sit, Governor Zhao also take a seat."

For Xiliang to travel to Luoyang, it must pass through Chang’an, so Yang Dan invited Fu Zhi to join the discussions.

Now there were two people making decisions in Chang’an, one being Fu Zhi, and the other Prince Nanyang.

Prince Nanyang, by status, was seemingly more rightful, but he lacked ability. Fu Zhi had been in office for a year, and not only the people inside and outside Chang’an but also many generals and subordinate officials under Prince Nanyang had turned to Fu Zhi.

Hence, Chang’an was essentially under Fu Zhi’s control.

In terms of political maneuvering, Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t match him.

Thus, she never invited any prestigious high-ranking officials to serve under her, knowing she couldn’t compete with them yet; she preferred elevating people from lower positions.

Xiliang’s request was simple: they hoped to attract more merchants from the Central Plains, not limited to grain merchants. They welcomed silk, linen, porcelain, glass, and hoped these merchants would travel to Xiliang to explore...

At the same time, Xiliang spices, gems, herbs, furs, and even the urgently needed cattle and horses for Zhao Hanzhang could be transported to the Central Plains.

This was economic cooperation; in political and military aspects, Yang Dan hoped there would be deeper collaboration concerning the Qiang Clan and the western and northern Xiongnu.

Xiliang’s location destined it to have four enemies: First and second were the mixed-in western Xiongnu and Qiang Clan; third was the Han Kingdom Xiongnu ready to cross the Qiang Clan into Xiliang; fourth being the northern Xiongnu.

These enemies, aside from the northern Xiongnu temporarily not touching Zhao Hanzhang, the other three could equally invade southwards at any moment.

Thus, Xiliang hoped to strengthen cooperation with Zhao Hanzhang. Just like this time, Zhao Hanzhang launched a campaign against Liu Yuan, Xiliang dispatched troops to flank; Xiliang hoped that one day they might fight external enemies, Zhao Hanzhang would also send troops to support.

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t hesitate much and agreed.

Zhang Gui’s conditions were offered generously, and his requests were reasonable. She appreciated allies with such self-awareness, knowing first to give before expecting gains.

This negotiation seemed to be between Zhao Hanzhang and Xiliang, yet it couldn’t bypass Chang’an.

For whether commerce or soldier movement, they both needed to pass through Chang’an’s checkpoints, making Fu Zhi critical.

Fu Zhi remained silent as he listened to their discussions; he had no objections to their cooperation, only one condition, "If one day Your Majesty faces trouble, I want your promise to spare no cost in supporting the king and protecting Your Majesty and the Great Jin."

Zhao Hanzhang and Yang Dan exchanged a glance, then both bowed their heads in agreement.

Fu Zhi slowly exhaled and said, "Then let’s draft the alliance agreement."

Both parties harbored goodwill, so the negotiations proceeded swiftly, finalizing the alliance in only half a day.

Fan Ying drafted the alliance document, and together with a secretary under Fu Zhi’s command copied a version each, handing up three copies.

The three of them reviewed, confirmed they were correct, then signed and sealed them.

Yang Dan’s gaze swept over Fan Ying, and he laughed with Zhao Hanzhang, "I have long heard that Governor Zhao’s office has many capable female officials, and today I see their reputation is well-deserved."

Zhao Hanzhang too glanced at Fan Ying with a smile and nodded, "This is my Chief of Staff."

Meaning, Fan Ying and Yang Dan’s official ranks were equivalent.

Yang Dan became even more respectful upon hearing this, stood up and made a respectful gesture to Fan Ying, then said to Zhao Hanzhang, "The lady of our Inspector Mansion heard that Governor Zhao here has female officials, clamoring to come along, saying they want to ask for a post under Governor Zhao’s command; our inspector reprimanded the lady for her nonsense, but ultimately couldn’t refuse, so let her come along to broaden her horizons."

"Later, the lady will come to pay respects to Governor Zhao, I ask Governor Zhao to kindly accommodate her; we will stay a few more days and then return to Xiliang."

Zhao Hanzhang raised her brows and said with a smile, "So, Miss Zhang, daughter of Governor Zhang, has also come. Then I must meet her; they say a tiger father doesn’t breed dogs, Governor Zhang is a hero, surely Miss Zhang is a heroic lady."

Zhang Gui’s daughter was named Zhang Ru, she was Zhang Gui’s fourth and youngest child, quite pampered, otherwise, she wouldn’t be allowed to come just by crying.

She was the same age as Zhao Hanzhang, dressed in red, yet looked very gentle, with a touch of heroic spirit between her brows. Upon hearing Zhao Hanzhang wanted to see her, she immediately came with her long sword.

She hastily made a courtesy to Fu Zhi seated at the head and raised her head to search for Zhao Hanzhang, at once seeing the young lady seated to Fu Zhi’s left, staring in awe.

Zhao Hanzhang watched her with a smile, seeing her staring blankly, she couldn’t help but laugh, asking, "Miss Zhang, why so dazed? Is it perhaps my appearance is too ugly and frightened you?"

Zhang Ru blushed and shook her head repeatedly, her eyes shining brightly at her and said, "No, the governor is the most handsome inspector I’ve ever seen; I was momentarily stunned."

Hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang laughed heartily, patting the seat beside her, "Miss Zhang, come forward, let’s drink together."

Fu Zhi silently turned his head to look at his grandson, only to see Fu Tinghan merely glance at Zhang Ru and Zhao Hanzhang once before lowering his head to drink soup.

Fu Zhi was momentarily of mixed emotions, not knowing what expression to make.