Chapter 54 - Chaos Theory

Chapter 54: Chapter 48: Chaos TheoryIf you want to watch from the sidelines, you must have the ability to remain unscathed; otherwise, you’ll only become collateral damage.

Gao Tao has fled, and regardless of whether Prince East Sea is truly injured or feigning it, releasing such news will surely attract some brave individuals eager for a desperate gamble.

Perhaps Prince East Sea can eventually quell the chaos, but during this process, Luoyang will certainly remain unsettled.

The main concern is, what if Prince East Sea fails?

How often has the Sima family failed?

In just seventeen years, Great Jin has once again plunged into war, all because of the Sima family’s repeated failures.

Zhao Hanzhang doubted Prince East Sea’s ability to control the overall situation and tried hard to persuade Zhao Zhongyu to leave the city.

Unfortunately, Zhao Zhongyu didn’t agree, and his reasons were also very valid.

Zhao Changyu’s funeral cannot be shortened. This concerns not only the reputation of the Zhao Family but is also very important for Zhao Changyu.

Additionally, Zhao Hanzhang’s wedding date has been set for three days later. Leaving the city now and returning so soon is extremely time-consuming.

Seeing she couldn’t persuade him, Zhao Hanzhang sighed and privately approached Ji Yuan, "Have the people we left in West City leave early tomorrow morning. Let the first unit take the third and fifth units, while the second unit escorts all the family members back to Ru Nan."

"At 3 a.m., have them come to the West Corner Gate to pick up things. Take everything portable from my dowry and also the money Grandpa Zhao left for us."

This time, Ji Yuan did not oppose and nodded, "Currently, Luoyang is a place of trouble; it’s better to leave early. However, my lady, making such a big move on our side probably can’t be hidden from the second household."

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "Don’t worry, I have my ways to handle them. Tomorrow you just come quietly."

Ji Yuan bowed and replied, "Understood!"

Watching him leave, Zhao Hanzhang pondered for a moment and asked Ting He to invite Uncle Cheng, "Move all my dowry to Grandpa’s study; someone will come to fetch it at 3 a.m. tomorrow."

Uncle Cheng was surprised but did not ask much. After pondering for a moment, he said, "Then the night watchers tonight all need to be replaced with our people."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "Indeed, replace everyone by the spirit hall as well, but don’t leak any news. After the second watch, wake them up and move all the dowry out of the West Corner Gate, moving slowly."

Uncle Cheng agreed.

Zhao Hanzhang sat in the study and thought for a moment before grabbing a piece of paper to write a letter to Fu Tinghan, expressing her concern about the current situation in Luoyang, and urging him to persuade Fu Zhi to leave Luoyang.

"Regardless of whether Fu Zhi wants to leave or not, we must be prepared to leave. I do not know what happened, but for Gao Tao to successfully raise an army, attempt to assassinate Prince East Sea, and then escape from Luoyang gives me an unsettling feeling."

Fu Tinghan, who was preparing for the wedding at home, received Zhao Hanzhang’s letter and couldn’t help but ponder.

Although she didn’t explicitly say it, he still understood her implied meaning.

In history, Gao Tao should not have been able to raise an army nor escape from Luoyang; history changed here.

Fu Tinghan tossed the letter into the brazier to burn it.

An uncontrolled butterfly flapping its wings could, in time, cause a tornado, let alone the fact that the two of them, living souls, suddenly replaced two people in this world?

Although this has created unpredictable variables, he believes there are still patterns to follow. Their advantage is Zhao Hanzhang’s deep understanding of this era’s history, and he does not want this strength to become a weakness.

Thus, he must find the development pattern within the variables, grasp the constants, and continue to maintain their advantages.

With this thought, Fu Tinghan immediately got up to find Fu Zhi.

Fu Zhi was very busy, with officials and aides coming and going in his study without a moment’s rest.

The commotion from Prince East Sea last night frightened many people; the repeated military uprisings in Luoyang have made those living here accustomed, both indifferent and fearful.

Early in the morning, soldiers withdrew from the streets, and people began to move around.

Currently, the Imperial Palace seems like a man-eating monster in the eyes of the people, so, aside from a few, no one wants to go there. Hence, those of high status, like Wang Yan and Fu Zhi, had plenty of visitors, with everyone trying to gather information from them and gain some assurance.

Fu Zhi had just dealt with a group of people and, feeling a headache, rubbed his temples and closed his eyes for a brief rest.

Fu Tinghan brought in a tray of snacks.

Upon seeing his grandson, Fu Zhi smiled gently, "What brings you here?"

"If you’re tired, then rest. Let the steward dismiss the remaining visitors."

Fu Zhi shook his head, "If they don’t see me today, they might not sleep or eat well. It’s better to meet them; Luoyang needs them to stabilize people’s hearts."

Fu Tinghan asked, "Why did Gao Tao want to assassinate Prince East Sea?"

Fu Zhi sighed and said, "After King Hejian’s death, the court split into two factions. People like me want Wang Yan and Gao Tao to take over Jingzhao County, while Prince East Sea wants to take over himself."

"Now, with Your Majesty in Prince East Sea’s hands, even if His Majesty is unwilling, the situation still leans towards Prince East Sea," he paused before continuing, "Your Grandpa Zhao supported Prince East Sea because he feared prolonged conflict between the two factions would further destabilize Jingzhao County and could even attract the Qiang and Hu from the south."

"It turns out his concerns were justified," Fu Zhi seemed to age three years instantly, sighing, "As a result of this, Gao Tao harbored resentment against Prince East Sea and incited the Right Guard Army to attempt an assassination."

"Last night, many of his accomplices were caught, and it was discovered that someone secretly informed Prince East Sea about his assassination plan," Fu Zhi couldn’t help but show a complex expression, "They planned to take action during the Dragon Boat Festival, so Prince East Sea decided to use this opportunity to lure out more accomplices to capture them all."

"Who would have thought that Prince East Sea would surround the Zhao Family, forcing Zhao Changyu to death? He found Prince East Sea too ruthless, so even supporters like Zhao Changyu weren’t spared. Consequently, they feared they might not be spared either, which led to their sudden decision to rebel."

"The informer among them didn’t have time to inform Prince East Sea and was swept up in the rebellion."

It was actually because Zhao Hanzhang’s heartfelt mourning in the Capital City made many people feel disheartened, considering Prince East Sea unworthy of allegiance due to his heartlessness.

Gao Tao capitalized on this sentiment, rallying those who were still hesitant until their numbers were sufficient and his courage grew. He acted swiftly, catching the informer off guard and leaving Prince East Sea with no time to respond.

Fu Tinghan asked, "So Prince East Sea was truly injured?"

Fu Zhi had seen Prince East Sea that morning; he snorted coldly, "Just a minor injury."

Fu Tinghan understood, looking at his grandfather’s graying hair, he pursed his lips, "Third Lady said Luoyang is likely to become chaotic and suggested we leave."

Fu Zhi gave a bitter smile, "I am the Secretary of the Secretariat; others can leave, but I cannot."

He looked up at his eldest grandson and sighed, "In three days, you two will be married. After the wedding, follow Third Lady to Ru Nan. Though it’s a rural area, it’s safer than Luoyang."

He said, "Luoyang is a place of disputes. Unless His Majesty assumes power or Prince East Sea ascends the throne, don’t come back."

This is one of the main reasons Fu Zhi agreed to let Fu Tinghan accompany Zhao Hanzhang to escort the coffin back home.