Chapter 1427 - 1336: Mother and Daughter by Nature

Every response from Zhao Hanzhang resonated deeply with Zhang Mao and the Xiliang military and civilians. The grief of the Xiliang military and civilians, mourning Zhang Gui’s death, quickly shifted to Zhao Hanzhang.

"They say the Great General and the Emperor have a good relationship, but it’s surprisingly good."

"Of course it’s exceptionally good. Before the Emperor ascended to the throne, when Xiliang suffered from a grain shortage, she sent people to deliver grain, and when we lacked manpower, she relocated many civilians to us."

Currently, nearly one-third of Xiliang’s population has migrated from the interior. Those years were too challenging, and leaving their homes behind was the most comfortable means of survival for them.

Their feelings for Zhang Gui and Zhao Hanzhang are deeper and more sincere.

Back then, they crossed the border with fear, worried about becoming horse slaves, but Zhang Gui did not treat them as inferior. Instead, he directly divided Han State, splitting a large region to accommodate these disaster victims.

When they were grateful yet anxious, Zhao Hanzhang immediately sent several batches of grain and personally wrote to invite them to settle in Xiliang. If they truly couldn’t survive, they were welcomed to return to Yu State, and the Zhao Family Army would surely find them a place to settle.

Zhang Gui also personally visited them, saying that within the four seas, all are brothers, sharing the same lineage and naturally being family, reassuring them to reside in Xiliang with peace of mind.

Therefore, they loved Zhang Gui, they loved Zhao Hanzhang. Upon learning of Zhang Gui’s passing, these people wept bitterly along the streets, mourning as they headed north, wishing to bid farewell to Zhang Gui one last time.

The native Xiliang residents were even more affected; life was hard, but Zhang Gui always provided them with a shelter, a roof tiled against the skies, offering protection despite the winds and rains.

At this moment, they wished to give their hearts to Zhang Gui, wishing him to receive all the world’s goodness.

Hence, after his death, his mourning was exceptionally honorable.

If the court, because of the Eldest Prince, did not permit Xiliang to conduct a grand funeral, although the Xiliang military and civilians would not dare to rebel, their hearts would be full of resentment, resenting the court and Zhao Hanzhang.

But now, Zhao Hanzhang placed Zhang Gui first, mourning across the nation. This is a significant honor; typically, only the Emperor, Empress, Empress Dowager, and Crown Prince receive such recognition.

This gesture comforted the pain in the hearts of the Xiliang military and civilians.

Zhao Hanzhang also posthumously honored him as Grand Commandant.

She had once held the position of Grand Commandant, and according to rules of avoidance, from now on, no one in Hua Country would occupy the role of Grand Commandant. Although it is posthumous, it reflects a profound honor akin to sharing her own status.

Then there is the posthumous title "Wumu," which is a prestigious title.

Thus, after this event, the sense of belonging among Xiliang military and civilians towards Hua Country and the Emperor reached its peak, and Zhang Mao was willing to devote himself to Zhao Hanzhang.

Once the funeral ended, the Ministry of Rites unveiled the imperial edict, commanding Zhang Mao to succeed as King of Xiliang, taking over Zhang Gui’s governance of Xiliang.

Zhang Mao accepted the order and assumed the position of king that month, then handed cotton seeds to the envoy, who traveled back to the capital with officials from the Ministry of Rites.

Along with the seeds, they carried Zhang Mao’s petition. He stated that Xiliang is remote with dwindling talent, thus requests the court to establish more schools in Xiliang, enabling more students to participate in the talent recruitment examinations;

Secondly, aside from him and his father, no officials in Xiliang have received orders and rewards from the court. He requests the Emperor to confer rewards upon Xiliang officials.

Ordinary people might perceive this as Zhang Mao seeking credit for Xiliang officials, thinking him overreaching, but all astute individuals know Zhang Mao is integrating Xiliang fully into Hua Country by returning the authority to appoint and reward official positions in Xiliang to the court.

Henceforth, Xiliang is no longer a vassal state but a region directly governed by Hua Country, and the King of Xiliang is merely a manager of affairs within Xiliang.

Zhao Hanzhang never expected such a harvest, clutching the petition tightly in silent contemplation.

Ji Yuan was very excited, and said to Zhao Hanzhang, "Your Majesty, the King of Xiliang clearly comprehends righteousness and should be greatly rewarded."

Ming Yu was also pleased but quickly regained composure, saying, "Generous rewards at this time are inappropriate; Your Majesty should note this down and reward at a later time."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded.

She did not appoint or dismiss any Xiliang officials at this time; instead, she issued letters of appointment based on the current officials and incorporated Xiliang’s educational system into Hua Country. Next year, a new educational fund will be allocated to Xiliang, along with educators and some teachers.

With weather turning cold, she decided to send an Imperial Censor Team to conduct research on governance, geography, and agriculture in Xiliang next year.

Xiliang, being harsh and cold, requires support from the Central Plains to develop.

Xiliang’s cattle, sheep, horses, and medicinal materials will be excellent products, yet... they are still too few. Their agricultural economic development will be much slower compared to the Central Plains due to geographical constraints.