Chapter 59 - Escape

Chapter 59: Chapter 53 EscapeThe commotion from the East City Gate was just a loud noise to everyone else, but to Zhao Hanzhang, it was the sound of the city gate crashing down, followed by the waves of shouting and killing.

Hoofbeats, shouts, screams—the sounds came from the East City Gate from afar, accompanied by firelight. The entire Luoyang City heard the East City Gate being breached.

Zhao Hanzhang immediately went to find Zhao Ji, "Uncle, we must leave the city at once."

"What?" Zhao Ji glared, "The outside is full of chaos, and you want to go out instead of staying at home safely?"

"The East and West of the city are mainly inhabited by officials, aristocratic families, and wealthy people. Moreover, the Imperial City is near the north of the city. No matter who is attacking the city, they will head straight for the Imperial City. Our place is not safe. While the chaos hasn’t reached here, we should head to the West City Gate and leave. We might avoid this disaster."

"They are just some petty criminals; you’re overestimating them. Luoyang has the Prince East Sea’s army of two hundred thousand."

"But those two hundred thousand are not in the city, and that’s only a claim," Zhao Hanzhang’s ominous feeling grew stronger. She became agitated, "The Prince East Sea had people kill King Hejian, and Jingzhao County has been in constant turmoil. Who knows if he’s secretly deployed troops to quell the unrest?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "If there aren’t two hundred thousand troops, and reinforcements can’t arrive in time, Luoyang will fall, and those remaining in the city won’t meet a good end. Even if there are truly two hundred thousand troops in Luoyang, by the time they return for reinforcements, we might have already been robbed, and whether we survive is uncertain."

Zhao Ji: "Stop with the alarmist talk, and obediently return to the mourning hall. If you bring trouble to the Zhao Family by going out, don’t blame me for not showing leniency."

Hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang turned and left.

She called Uncle Cheng and said, "Prepare the carriage and horses, tie Grandfather’s coffin on; we leave the city immediately."

Uncle Cheng was surprised, "Zhao Qianli and Mr. Fu haven’t arrived yet."

After a brief thought, Zhao Hanzhang said, "Fleeing for one’s life is like avoiding a fire; we can’t wait for them. We’ll leave a note for them. I’ll send you out first, and we’ll meet outside the city."

Since Zhao Changyu’s death, Zhao Hanzhang had been Uncle Cheng’s master, so he naturally followed her orders and went to make preparations.

By the time Zhao Ji found out, Zhao Changyu’s coffin was already tied to the cart. He hurriedly brought people over, pointing at Zhao Hanzhang in anger, speechless, "How can you be so reckless? Don’t you know there are chaotic soldiers outside the mansion? If you want to die, don’t drag everyone with you."

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Uncle, rest assured, even if I get outside, I won’t reveal I’m from the Zhao Mansion. I will only take Grandfather’s coffin and my dowry, leaving everyone else untouched."

"You!" Zhao Ji, annoyed, said, "Now is the time we should unite to possibly overcome this difficulty. Taking so many people away endangers everyone in the Zhao Mansion. Besides, if you leave like this, how can I explain to Uncle, how can I explain to Father?"

Zhao Ji wouldn’t let her leave and ordered people to block the cart.

Zhao Hanzhang’s face darkened as she drew a sword from a nearby guard and pointed it at Zhao Ji, "Uncle, do you wish to meet me in battle?"

Zhao Ji’s face turned livid.

Zhao Hanzhang looked solemn, "I must leave the city today. If Uncle intends to stop me, we’ll have to fight it out in the mansion first. This way, both sides lose, and no good will come of it."

With trembling fingers, Zhao Ji pointed at her, "You, you’d rather both sides lose than stay?"

"Indeed," Zhao Hanzhang replied, "I am a woman, lacking the magnanimity of Uncle. What I have set my mind to doing, I must achieve, even if it leads to mutual destruction or reduced to ashes."

No matter whether what she said was true or not, her presence was undeniable. Zhao Ji hesitated; he couldn’t risk it, nor lose face.

Amidst the stalemate, two guards returned hastily from outside, "Dalang, the Lang General has sent a letter back."

They were the guards who left with Zhao Zhongyu at dawn. They knelt before Zhao Ji, presenting a piece of cut silk cloth.

Zhao Ji opened it, revealing only four disorderly large characters, "Leave the city immediately!"

Zhao Ji: !!!

If these two guards weren’t indeed from his father, and the handwriting wasn’t indeed that of his father, he’d suspect it was Zhao Hanzhang’s doing.

He couldn’t help but look at Zhao Hanzhang opposite him.

Zhao Hanzhang, feeling something, sheathed her sword, stepped forward, and snatched the silk cloth with such speed that Zhao Ji couldn’t react in time.

Seeing the four characters, Zhao Hanzhang’s heart grew heavier, and she solemnly returned the cloth to Zhao Ji, "Uncle, time is of the essence; it’s better to heed Great Uncle’s instructions and leave promptly."

Zhao Ji tightened his grip on the silk cloth and asked the two guards, "What exactly is happening outside?"

The two guards, kneeling on the ground, replied, "We escorted the Lang General into the Imperial City and stood outside the palace gates waiting for instructions, so we don’t know the situation inside the palace."

"But there’s a lot of chaos outside, and someone keeps attacking the Imperial City, with others causing disorder all around the city. The Lang General, who stayed with us outside the palace gates, said Gao Tao, who fled, had colluded with the rebels in Jingzhao County to attack the city, and..."

Zhao Ji pressed, "And what?"

"And he said there were Qiang and Hu armies mixed in. The opposing soldiers are strong, with King Hejian’s forces in the siege and street battles, and no one can match the Qiang and Hu cavalry outside the city, so the Prince East Sea plans to take Your Majesty out of the city to avoid danger."

Zhao Ji listened, stunned, and asked, "If we leave, what about Father?"

"Many officials are in the Imperial City; they will leave with Your Majesty and the Prince East Sea."

Zhao Ji didn’t ask more. In the past two years, while Emperor Hui was around, because he was captured repeatedly, officials followed and fled separately from their administrative officials while escaping Luoyang.

Zhao Ji was already accustomed to it. He was about to give the order when Zhao Hanzhang suddenly asked, "The remnants of King Hejian and the Qiang and Hu are in the north of the city. Who is attacking the east of the city?"

The guard hesitated to speak, looking toward Zhao Ji.

Zhao Ji, angry, said, "Why are you looking at me? Speak quickly!"

"We’re not sure either; we only vaguely heard it was the Xiongnu, seemly led by the Left Prince Liu Yuan."

At this, both Zhao Hanzhang and Zhao Ji’s expressions changed. He finally stopped hesitating and, giving Zhao Hanzhang a deep look, turned to leave.

Zhao Hanzhang pursed her lips and gathered all her house’s servants, "You all bring some money and your belongings with you. After we leave, follow the main group closely. It’s fine if we don’t get separated, but if we do, find your way to survive. As long as you can return to Ru Nan, the Zhao Family’s doors will always be open to you."

Everyone felt apprehensive.

Zhao Hanzhang, with a resolute face, solemnly said, "On this journey, I will do my utmost to protect you. I hope you do not abandon me."

Everyone bowed and agreed.

Following Zhao Ji’s orders, the household moved quickly. As it was an escape, they could only bring valuables like gold and silver.

But when the second house gathered their belongings, they found... they surprisingly had little gold and silver left. Upon reflection, they remembered that their valuables were all exchanged with Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Ji’s breath paused for a moment, but he quickly moved past it, focusing on rejoining Zhao Hanzhang in the front courtyard once everyone was ready.