After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 521 - 515: Subdue

"How about I recommend the County Magistrate for Luoyang County?"

Fu Zhi turned around to find that Zhao Hanzhang had somehow arrived behind them.

Zhao Hanzhang, smiling, stepped forward to pay her respects. Like them, she looked at the ruins not far off and said, "Although Luoyang is a land of natural barriers, it is also a crucial place to block the Xiongnu and Xianbei from moving south. It must be heavily guarded. Your Majesty has no authority, and since Gou Xi wants to relocate the capital, he naturally can’t take care of this place. What if I recommend a talent for Your Majesty?"

Fu Zhi was filled with complex emotions and asked, "Who?"

"Zhao Kuan," Zhao Hanzhang said with a smile, "Though he is my clan brother, it’s not favoritism, but he truly has the ability."

Fu Zhi asked, "Can he lead troops?"

Zhao Hanzhang confidently nodded on behalf of Zhao Kuan, "He has followed me to the battlefield before, skilled in both literature and martial arts."

Fu Zhi wasn’t sure if he believed it, mainly because he had never heard of this person’s reputation, but he still nodded, "I will speak to Your Majesty about it."

Zhao Hanzhang immediately saluted, "Thank you, Grandfather Fu."

Hearing her call him grandfather as well, Fu Zhi’s expression improved slightly. After a pause, he said, "Third Lady, if you are willing to serve under His Majesty’s command..."

Zhao Hanzhang sighed, "I understand Grandfather Fu’s intention. In the future, should Your Majesty have any requests, I will not dare to disobey."

These words made Fu Tinghan continually glance at her.

However, Zhao Hanzhang’s expression remained unchanged.

Fu Zhi wasn’t sure if he believed it, but he nodded in satisfaction and then brought up their marriage, "Once Third Lady finishes mourning, you shall wed."

He sighed, "Originally, this matter should be handled by Dalan’s parents, but last year I sent them south to the Shu region to recruit for His Majesty, and they probably won’t return anytime soon."

Zhao Hanzhang knew that her future parents-in-law had spent their lives traveling for Emperor Jin, primarily persuading various forces to support the Emperor and working hard to recruit and sustain troops for the Emperor.

The results were uncertain, but the places they traveled through did indeed have the fewest rebellions, so their efforts could be considered fruitful.

It was just too exhausting, running around tirelessly their entire lives, and in the end, they couldn’t protect the Jin Court.

The same went for Fu Zhi.

Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan both knew his aspirations, so they never thought of persuading him to leave Emperor Jin; and Fu Zhi also knew that they held no loyalty to the Emperor or the Jin Court. At least Zhao Hanzhang pretended, but Fu Tinghan wouldn’t even kneel and referred to the Emperor simply as Emperor Jin, unwilling to say even "Your Majesty"...

If the child were a bit younger, he would surely have used a ruler to teach his grandson. But now the child was already grown, and given the current situation, Fu Zhi knew that teaching would not correct him, and it might even harm their familial friendship instead.

Knowing there’s no meaningful change to be made in education, why exert extra effort?

Fu Zhi looked at the two children standing side by side, finally joining their hands together, and sighed, "Grandfather knows you are good children and all that you do are good deeds; you have protected many common folk."

"I also know that it’s impossible for you to support the Jin Dynasty as wholeheartedly as I do, so Grandfather has just one request."

Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan exchanged a glance and respectfully said, "Please speak, Grandfather."

"Do not rebel against the Jin Court. In this lifetime, you must do all you can to protect the people under your rule."

Fu Tinghan slightly frowned, hesitating; the latter half of the sentence was acceptable, but the first half...

Who would have expected Zhao Hanzhang to agree readily, and solemnly say, "Grandfather Fu, I mean what I say. In this life, I absolutely will not rebel against the Jin Court and will do all I can to protect all the people."

Fu Zhi and Fu Tinghan could both see that she genuinely meant what she promised; Fu Zhi nodded in satisfaction, and Fu Tinghan suppressed his inner doubts.

Fu Zhi did not linger longer, as he had many matters to attend to, so he did not disturb the two children further, turning to leave the city tower and leaving the space for them.

Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan bowed as they sent off Fu Zhi, and Fu Tinghan looked at Zhao Hanzhang in confusion, "You won’t rebel against the Jin Court?"

Zhao Hanzhang looked baffled, "Why would I rebel against the Jin Court?"

Fu Tinghan furrowed his brows, "I thought you wanted to conquer all the lands."

Zhao Hanzhang said meaningfully, "Even if I wanted to conquer all the lands, there’s no need to rebel against the Jin Court. There are many talented people in the world; who says the Jin Court must fall by my hands?"

Fu Tinghan said no more.

For matters like this, he couldn’t plan better than her, so it was best to listen to her.

Fu Tinghan nodded forward and said, "The fire’s out, Wang Mi’s men should soon realize this."

Zhao Hanzhang curled her lips and said, "I brought Xun Xiu in, let’s go, we have to deal with this remnant army."

Since Wang Mi entered the palace, no news had come out. Previously, it was dark and everyone was busy putting out the fire, so most hadn’t considered this point.

But now, it was daylight, and the fire was out, yet Wang Mi still hadn’t issued any orders. Not just Wang Shou, but other Assistant General command leaders realized this.

But before they could act, many Yu State Army soldiers, who hadn’t been affected by the fire, suddenly appeared in the previously quiet streets, surrounding them with the Zhao Family Army who had earlier been extinguishing the fire with them.

Xun Xiu stepped forward with a head hanging on his spear and shouted, "Wang Mi has rebelled and has been executed. Won’t you quickly surrender!"

Wang Shou looked closely and recognized that the head was indeed Wang Mi’s, letting out a horrified scream, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Xun Xiu, "You’ve dared kill my lord, I will have your life!"

The soldiers were riled up with fury, clenching their weapons to rush forward, yet Xun Xiu laughed heartily, "Even Wang Mi couldn’t match our General Zhao, who among you can compare to him?"

"Those wise will lay down their arms and surrender. Serving under any lord is still service, and among you are primarily Han people. Following us means serving the Han Dynasty, whereas Liu Yuan is nothing more than a fake Han, in truth, just a Xiongnu!"

As these words came out, the soldiers hesitated, and with that hesitance, their recently fired-up courage crumbled.

With Wang Mi’s head hanging there as well, fear rose in their hearts, while the Yu State Army and Zhao Family Army, invigorated by seeing Wang Mi’s head, roared, urging them to surrender.

Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan rode out of the palace on horseback, with the palace guards and attendants watching from afar, quickly making way for them.

Wang Shou and his men also looked up at Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang reined in her horse in front of them and said plainly, "Wang Mi was killed by me. If anyone seeks revenge, I will let you leave the city; you may seek me out for vengeance later. If you mean no harm and only wish for a peaceful life, I will enlist you for military service, primarily for garrison purposes."

Meaning, most likely, they wouldn’t be going to war anymore.

The soldiers exchanged glances, and under Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze, someone threw down their weapon and knelt.

Others were waiting for someone to kneel first, and they followed suit, kneeling one after another.

Wang Shou clenched his knife tightly but finally gritted his teeth and threw down his knife, kneeling down on one knee with the others.

Zhao Hanzhang curled her lips, pointed forward with her finger, and the Zhao Family Army moved forward to collect weapons and enlist everyone.

The Zhao Family Army and Yu State Army roared in excitement, successfully enlisting so many without bloodshed.

The emperor in the palace stood up in shock, repeatedly asking, "What’s happening, what’s happening?"

The eunuch ran out to inquire and quickly returned, "Congratulations, Your Majesty, General Zhao has subdued Wang Mi’s remaining forces, and the fire is extinguished. The city is now safe."

The emperor breathed a sigh of relief, collapsing back onto his bed, "That’s good, that’s good."

He didn’t expect Zhao Hanzhang to be so formidable; he pursed his lips and asked, "Hasn’t Gou Xi entered the city yet?"

"No, for without an order from General Zhao, General Gou cannot enter."