When Zhao Zhongyu came to visit and saw such a situation, his heart turned cold. These subordinate generals weeping regardless of Gou Xi’s face only showed that their loyalty was gone.
Seeing Ming Yu in plain robes sitting quietly in the mourning hall, Zhao Zhongyu couldn’t find the words to persuade him, fearing that he himself was the greatest distraction.
Zhao Zhongyu felt increasingly hopeless and, after offering incense to Yan Heng, suddenly thought that if loyalties had shifted, it might be better to go to Luoyang rather than drift into others’ hands.
However, by doing so, Yun City would become very unsafe.
He lowered his eyes in thought and decided to talk to Ming Yu before leaving.
Although Ming Yu was not as capable as Yan Heng, being able to become one of Gou Xi’s right-hand men showed he had considerable ability. If Hanzhang could win him over, she would have at least some advantage against Gou Xi.
Ming Yu grasped Zhao Zhongyu’s intentions and gazed deeply at him, saying, "Minister Zhao will sacrifice for his own kin and nephews but hasn’t considered that if I go to Luoyang, the Great General’s subordinate generals might disperse. Yun City would then be in danger, and Your Majesty as well, making you even more at risk."
Gou Xi’s temper was worsening. If he realized Zhao Zhongyu was scheming, he would likely not spare him.
Zhao Zhongyu said, "As long as Yu State is stable and Zhao Hanzhang commands the Zhao Family Army, the Great General wouldn’t dare kill me even if he’s angry."
"But there are many ways to torment a person without killing them," Ming Yu pondered, looking at him, "Is it worth it for a nephew’s grandchild?"
Zhao Zhongyu hesitated before saying, "I am doing this for the Zhao Family, for Yu State, and for the people of the Central Plains."
He said, "Today I came to pay my respects and saw the subordinate generals mourning for Mr. Yan. It’s obvious their loyalty has shifted. Even if Mr. Yan doesn’t go to Luoyang, one day they will still leave, and by then, Yun City and Your Majesty will still be in danger."
"In that case, why not go to Luoyang?" he said, "At least I can be sure that if Yun City and Your Majesty are in danger, Zhao Hanzhang will definitely send reinforcements."
Ming Yu’s gaze became increasingly deep, "Minister Zhao has such faith in her?"
Zhao Zhongyu nodded, "She is thoughtful and comprehensive."
"Just like Minister Zhao? Even if she seized the clan leadership from you, suppressed Zhao Ji, and forced Zhao Wushi to die?"
Zhao Zhongyu’s face slightly darkened but still nodded, "Yes."
His gaze was profound, "The Zhao Family is not just my Zhao Family, Yu State is not just the Zhao Family’s Yu State."
Thus, to preserve Yu State and protect the Zhao Family, his own personal grievances and gains were trivial. Like his elder brother, even if he disliked him and Zhao Ji, for the sake of the Zhao Family, he would hand over the clan leadership and designate Zhao Ji as the successor.
If Zhao Hanzhang hadn’t been unexpected, Zhao Changyu’s choice would have been the best arrangement for the Zhao Family, even if somewhat unfair to the eldest household.
The interests of the family must be sacrificed for the greater good.
Zhao Zhongyu’s gaze flickered, so in the end, he decided to divide the family wealth in two, secretly leaving a portion for Zhao Hanzhang. It was not entirely for the eldest household,
but also to leave a way out for the Zhao Family.
If Zhao Ji’s line failed, there was still retreat with Zhao Hanzhang.
She remained in Xiping, while Zhao Ji was in Luoyang, one inside and one outside — ready to advance or retreat...
Zhao Zhongyu’s thoughts surged intensely, and only at this moment did he subtly understand Zhao Changyu’s true strategy. Had Zhao Hanzhang also realized it?
Ming Yu didn’t give Zhao Zhongyu a direct answer, but Zhao Zhongyu was willing to wait, and thus he turned to leave.
Returning to Zhao Mansion, when he stepped off the carriage, his footsteps were somewhat shaky.
It happened that Zhao Ji was going out, and father and son met at the door. Zhao Zhongyu, with reddened eyes, looked at him with displeasure and asked, "Where are you going?"
Zhao Ji was stunned for a moment before saying, "Meeting a friend for a meal. Father, what’s wrong?"
Looking as if he had just cried, was it really worth being so upset over the death of a mere aide of Gou Xi?
Zhao Zhongyu pressed his lips together and said, "The city is unstable lately, don’t go out unless necessary. Just do your job well."
He added, "You’re still in mourning, don’t indulge in pleasures."
Mourning a wife is also serious, although only observed for a year, but how long has it been since Mrs. Wu passed? Zhao Ji constantly seeking amusement is improper.
Zhao Zhongyu went past him with a gloomy face, intending to tell Zhao Hanzhang about the events in Yun City. If Ming Yu agreed to leave, she would likely need to send someone to receive him.
Otherwise, Ming Yu might find it hard to leave Yan State alive.
Ming Yu did not keep the vigil for long, only two days, and on the third day, he had Yan Heng’s body brought to a temple to burn, collecting only the ashes.
Then he fell ill, dismissed the servants from Yan Heng’s residence, and returned to the Ming Mansion, closing the doors to recuperate.
No one found it strange; Ming Yu had been ill before, to the point of having a coffin prepared. With the loss of his friend, his condition likely worsened.
Hence, Wen Ji and others dared not disturb him; knowing he planned to return Yan Heng’s ashes to his homeland, they sighed and went about their own duties.
No one knew that, after this blow, Ming Yu’s health began to improve.
He diligently took his medicine every day, not missing a dose, actively working on recovery.
Once he felt considerably better, he hand-wrote a letter to be sent to Zhao Mansion. After consideration, he believed Yan Heng’s original intention was directed at Zhao Hanzhang, thus agreeing to go to Luoyang.
When Zhao Zhongyu received the letter, he sighed in relief and immediately wrote to Zhao Hanzhang.
Zhao Hanzhang was still mourning Yan Heng while worrying about the situation in Yun City.
With Yan Heng dead, would Gou Xi also become isolated, as history suggested?
If he were alone in Yan State and isolated, it wouldn’t matter much, she might even seize the chance to take over Yan State, but the trouble was the emperor was in his hands.
Zhao Hanzhang lowered her eyes; originally, she had urged the emperor to move the capital to Yun City to alter his fate of capture in Luoyang. Although powerless, his presence was akin to a linchpin; with him, chaos in the world had limits.
No matter whether it was her, Xiliang’s Zhang Gui, Sima Rui of Langya, or the Two Lakes Region and Jiangnan, no one dared to be excessively disruptive — chaos had control.
Once something happened to him, the Jin Dynasty would sink, and more emperors would emerge, leading to worse chaos.
Why did Liu Yuan always want to attack Luoyang and capture the emperor?
Because only with the Jin Dynasty’s fall could he, the Han Country Emperor, legitimately take over.
Zhao Hanzhang pondered for a moment, extracted a stack of paper, and began writing to the emperor.
With hearts divided, better to choose the emperor rather than fighting alone or allying with Shi Le.
She didn’t mind the emperor gaining more power.
Thus, before Zhao Zhongyu’s second letter reached Zhao Hanzhang, Zhao Hanzhang’s letter arrived at Yun City.
Zhao Hanzhang’s letters could reach the emperor directly without interception, so the letter was delivered to the Imperial Palace under Gou Xi’s watchful eyes.
The opening line said, "Your Majesty is currently in a perilous situation, yet it is also the greatest opportunity in three years..."
The emperor instinctively closed the letter, then waved away those serving in the hall before reopening the letter to read it carefully.

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