Wang Xuan was surprised for a moment and then accepted it. He had two elder sisters and two younger sisters. The eldest sister was not only beautiful but also a true lady, the third sister was gentle in personality, only slightly less beautiful and talented than the eldest sister.
But the second sister and the fourth sister had different temperaments. The second sister was soft on the outside but strong inside, while Si Niang was strong both inside and out. Both of them liked reading since childhood and had their own insights. Not to mention him, even their father, who was famous all over the world, could not make them submit.
So whatever they did, Wang Xuan was not surprised.
He wiped away his tears, suppressed his excitement, and said, "I can’t do a good job as the Jingzhou Governor."
Wang Si Niang replied, "I will help you, otherwise, I will take the position of Inspector, and you, brother, can assist me. What do you think?"
Wang Xuan opened his mouth wide, and after a while, he said, "This, how can this be?"
"Why not?" Wang Si Niang said, "You are a Wang Family descendant, and so am I. Father let Second Uncle go to Jingzhou to leave a way out for our Wang Family. Now Second Uncle sends an envoy to find you so that you can take over this way out."
"What you can do, I can also do. What you can’t do, I can still do," Wang Si Niang said. "So, if you don’t want to be an Inspector, then I’ll take it. If you become an Inspector, I’ll be your assistant."
Wang Xuan opened his mouth, wanting to speak, but caught sight of Fu Tinghan, who had already put down the pen and was watching them seriously. He swallowed his words instantly.
He hurriedly saluted Fu Tinghan and then pulled Wang Si Niang outside.
He held back his words all the way to the garden, chose a pavilion to stop, where it was more open on all sides, making it impossible for people to hide nearby, speaking in a low voice to prevent eavesdropping.
"Si Niang, do you know why Zhao Hanzhang wants us to go to Jingzhou?"
"Yes," Wang Si Niang said, "She wants Jingzhou."
"...Since you know, why do you still want to go to Jingzhou?"
"It’s precisely because we know that we have to go to Jingzhou," Wang Si Niang said naturally. "Brother, can our Wang Family still use Jingzhou as a retreat given the current situation?"
"Second Uncle is not interested in governance, and Jingzhou is governed by him to be full of complaints. If the Wang Family moves to Jingzhou, not to mention the local gentry, even the common people would not accept us, right?" Wang Si Niang said, "Since Second Uncle wants us to take over the mess, we have to take charge; otherwise, how can we manage Jingzhou if we are bound hand and foot?"
"And since we have to take charge, the only one who can recommend us as Jingzhou Governor to the court now is Hanzhang alone."
Wang Xuan said, "...You’re not wrong, but do you know that if Jingzhou also belongs to Zhao Hanzhang, then under the heavens..."
"I know, in the future, the world might take the surname Zhao, or maybe Fu," Wang Si Niang said rightfully. "So what? Father had long prepared the retreat, not originally intending to be loyal to the Jin Dynasty. Oh, right, you may not know this, but Father, when captured, persuaded Shi Le to rebel against Liu Yuan and proclaim himself the emperor. He pledged allegiance to Shi Le."
It’s just that Shi Le didn’t accept.
Wang Xuan: ...
Wang Xuan silently watched her, and Wang Si Niang unyieldingly stared back into his eyes, expressing her resolute attitude.
Wang Xuan had no choice but to say, "Will Zhao Hanzhang recommend you as an Inspector? Will the court agree? Will Second Uncle and the clan agree?"
Wang Si Niang: "Are you willing to help me, Brother?"
Wang Xuan nodded, "If Zhao Hanzhang indeed is willing to recommend you, and the court consents, I am willing to help."
"Good, I will go and request the envoy now." Wang Si Niang turned and went to find Zhao Hanzhang.
Seeing Wang Si Niang’s determined face, Zhao Hanzhang did not immediately agree, nor did she oppose, but asked, "How do you plan to handle the current chaos in Jingzhou?"
The envoy to Chen County from Jingzhou was a family retainer of Wang Cheng, Wang Si Niang’s uncle, so he also had to respect Wang Si Niang as his master.
She had understood the affairs of Jingzhou, coupled with the intelligence from Zhao Hanzhang’s side. She knew that the biggest problem in Jingzhou now was the rampant chaos by the refugees and severe banditry, while Wang Cheng was almost unresponsive, letting matters develop, being too cruel to his subordinate officials, thus causing disharmony between upper and lower ranks.
"I will first meet with the Jingzhou officials and tell them I take orders from you, the envoy. I represent not only the royal court but also the Langya Wang Family, as well as the Xiping Zhao Family."
Zhao Hanzhang slightly curved her lips, motioning her to continue.
"The envoy’s benevolence is renowned, and with the second sister in Luoyang, and me being personally recommended by the envoy, they will surely believe me. As long as Jingzhou officials work together, I can accomplish many things."
Zhao Hanzhang nodded in agreement.
Wang Si Niang quietly breathed a sigh of relief, not so tense anymore, and continued, "The chaos in Jingzhou stems from a leaderless state, caused by my second uncle’s lack of concern for governance. Since my brother and I are inheriting, we naturally need to change this atmosphere. First, gather the refugees, comfort the people, find ways to aid disaster victims, and then distribute land for farming, giving them work so they won’t wander around attacking Wu Castles and county government offices."
The rest can generally follow the construction route of Yu State and Si Province. There might be differences in details, but the overall direction can draw from their experiences.
Zhao Hanzhang only contemplated briefly before saying, "Fine, I will recommend you as Jingzhou Inspector."
Zhao Hanzhang stood and poured her a glass of water, saying, "You should know that going to Jingzhou will not be the same as it is now. Beside me, I can protect you; but in Jingzhou, you must protect others."
Wang Si Niang gazed at her intently, "I know, I know!"
She lifted her cup solemnly and said, "Envoy, I’ll be waiting for you in Jingzhou."
Waiting for you to go from Jingzhou to Jiangnan.
Zhao Hanzhang smiled, clinked her glass with hers, and drank the water in one gulp.
Zhao Hanzhang laughed heartily, "Go see Brother Wang, and prepare, in a few days you can set off for Jingzhou."
"Yes." Wang Si Niang set down the glass, bowed, and withdrew.
As Wang Si Niang left, Zhao Ming finally appeared from behind a large screen, holding a book. He glanced at the two glasses on the low table, showing disgust, "I clearly have wine here, why did you insist on pouring water, is it not shabby enough?"
Zhao Hanzhang replied, "I still have to go horse riding this afternoon, I can’t drink alcohol."
"Who knows where the bad habit came from, who said you can’t ride a horse after drinking?" Zhao Ming sat cross-legged, slightly lifted his chin, "Jingzhou’s location is special, is Your Majesty willing to give you Jingzhou?"
"If he doesn’t give it to me, he can’t get it either," Zhao Hanzhang replied, "Now, between Jingzhou and Jiangnan, which one can the emperor control? So, as long as Wang Cheng agrees and King Langya doesn’t obstruct it, that’s all that matters."
Zhao Ming gently tapped his fingers on the table and said, "Wang Cheng is not difficult. This man is aloof and arrogant, heartless; as long as Wang Yifeng and Wang Xuan speak to him, he will definitely give way. But the Langya Wang Family probably won’t be willing, especially Wang Dao next to King Langya. If recommending Wang Xuan as Inspector, the opportunity may be higher."
Zhao Hanzhang countered, "Si Niang is more suitable than Wang Xuan, not only because of her temperament and talent but more importantly due to her loyalty to me."
If one day there can only be a choice between the Wang Family and her, Wang Xuan would definitely choose the Wang Family, but Si Niang, it’s uncertain, Zhao Hanzhang firmly believed she would choose her.
Zhao Ming merely glanced at her, no longer objecting, "How do you plan to persuade Your Majesty?"
Just say it. She and the Emperor had become a pair of good ruler and minister, good friends, so matters like this would naturally be brought up directly.

Comments

Loading...