After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 522 - 516 Foolish

Like the emperor, the ministers and noble families were also shocked. When they learned that Zhao Hanzhang had subdued the remnants of Wang Mi’s army, their feelings were complex. Even though Zhao Hanzhang was a woman, at this moment, her achievements were unparalleled in the nation.

Someone sighed, "It’s a pity she is already betrothed, and to Fu Zhongshu’s grandson no less. Otherwise, she could be made empress, and His Majesty’s troubles would be solved."

"Empress Liang is still here."

No one spoke further, but they all understood that the key issue was not Empress Liang, but Zhao Hanzhang.

As long as she was willing, Empress Liang could be demoted or even killed. There were always foolproof methods, but from the way Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan interacted last night, she probably wouldn’t be willing.

Still, some took it to heart, thinking that whether she was willing could be resolved simply by asking. Perhaps Zhao Hanzhang did want to become empress, after all, the power of the world could be hers.

Thus, someone tried to find a way to meet Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang was outside the Imperial City watching Wang Mi’s army split in two.

Not all prisoners wanted to stay, and Zhao Hanzhang kept her word, stripping them of weapons, money, and armor before escorting them twenty miles east of the city to be released.

Wang Shou was the leader, and about four hundred people chose to leave with him, while the rest stayed behind.

Those leaving mostly held positions elsewhere with families of wives and children.

The remaining ordinary soldiers had nowhere to go in these times, having been forced into battle, often having lost track of their families.

Moreover, they knew that leaving meant continuing to lick blood on the battlefield, with no certainty of returning alive, so they chose to stay.

Fu Tinghan watched as Wang Shou and others were escorted away, perplexed, "Why let them leave?"

"Firstly, I must keep my promise; secondly, I need to give Shi Le and Liu Yuan some troubles, though it’s minor to them," Zhao Hanzhang said. "Wang Zhang is still in Shi Le’s army, and he has a military force."

"Aren’t you afraid he will seek revenge?"

"I’m not, and if he wants revenge, he’ll need to gather his strength. The vast lands Wang Mi left in Bingzhou will be his inheritance. But Shi Le is no gentleman. If he couldn’t seize Luoyang or Yu State, do you think he’d spare the lands of Bingzhou?"

Zhao Hanzhang anticipated their dog-eat-dog scenario, raising her chin slightly, "Shi Le is a wolf, and with Wang Zhang’s skills, to contend against him..."

She let out a cold laugh, "Send Wang Shou back to assist him; maybe they can last a bit longer."

Wang Shou’s first thought after leaving was the lands his lord left them.

Wang Mi rebelled against the Han Kingdom, but Wang Zhang did not.

The military and civilians in Bingzhou would still heed Wang Zhang, and with Liu Yuan’s prudence, he might not charge Wang Zhang to maintain stability.

So Wang Shou had to quickly find Wang Zhang to reclaim Bingzhou.

Unfortunately, Wang Shou had no horse and was half-stripped of his clothes, leaving him with only his two legs to run.

As he ran, he paused suddenly, with the people behind him stopping too, "General, what’s wrong?"

"Something’s wrong. Where is Shi Le now?"

They looked at each other, unsure.

Wang Shou tried to recall, remembering that yesterday someone reported to the General that Shi Le was intercepted by the Qihu Army on the road, which should be in...

He turned toward the northwest of Luoyang.

He gritted his teeth secretly, "Zhao Hanzhang is indeed cunning, forcing us out east of the city."

"So, should we circle back to West City?"

Wang Shou thought of the thirty thousand troops still at West City, gritted his teeth, and said, "Circle around!"

But they couldn’t enter Luoyang City; crossing directly wasn’t an option, so they had to go around the outskirts. The mountains surrounding Luoyang presented natural barriers, requiring a detour that would take two days on foot, even if they ran.

Who knows if the thirty thousand troops would still be there after two days, which was why Wang Shou didn’t initially plan to go to the western outskirts because it might be a wasted trip.

But now, not only were the thirty thousand troops there, Wang Zhang might also head to Luoyang’s western or northern outskirts, so he had to go.

Xun Xiu stepped forward, cupping his hands in salute, "Governor, all the prisoners have been wholly incorporated. Do you want to assign some to my forces?"

Zhao Hanzhang looked at him, "What, you fancy them?"

Xun Xiu laughed, "Indeed, these men are Wang Mi’s elite soldiers, battle-hardened. Once enlisted, they can go straight to the battlefield, no less competent than our trained soldiers."

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "Knowing that, how dare you propose to incorporate them into the army?"

"I can disperse them into the army."

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Even more foolish."

Xun Xiu: ...

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Let them farm. If they want to enlist, let them farm for a year first."

"Won’t that waste them?"

"Better waste them than risk them turning against us in the army. Do you trust them just because they surrendered?"

Xun Xiu protested, "Didn’t you incorporate prisoners immediately before, Governor?"

"That was because right after capturing them, I sent them to battle, stained their hands with blood of their comrades to establish merit. Even if they wanted to defect, they had no chance. But where can I find a battle for them now?"

Xun Xiu pointed to the west of the city, "There’s still Wang Mi’s thirty thousand troops out there..."

"Who said I plan to fight them?" Zhao Hanzhang said, "Since they aren’t attacking Luoyang, I gain no territory by killing them. Why should I risk my soldiers for a battle?"

"Don’t forget, Gou Xi is also outside the city. After a battle with those thirty thousand troops, will I let Gou Xi reap the benefits?" Zhao Hanzhang said, "Waging war must have a purpose, either for profit or justice. As the victorious army, why should I fight those thirty thousand troops?"

Xun Xiu replied without thinking, "To seize their men..."

Zhao Hanzhang looked at him with a gaze that considered him an idiot, "Seize them for what? To feed them for nothing? Am I so wealthy? Plus, to seize people, I must sacrifice people first. How many loyal soldiers must die before we capture those thirty thousand?"

"Exchanging my few loyal soldiers for thirty thousand captives, am I brainless?"

Xun Xiu was stunned, "Then, just let them leave?"

Zhao Hanzhang was hungry, and her temper grew a bit. She couldn’t control her voice, "Not leave? Stay and celebrate the New Year with you?"

"If you like people so much, I’ll gather a group for you to recruit as many as you can manage," Zhao Hanzhang wasn’t short of people now.

In Xiang City, there were still over two hundred thousand people waiting for her arrangement.

Xun Xiu hung his head and stayed silent.

Fu Tinghan, who left, came over with a smile, handing over a paper bag from which an aroma wafted.

Zhao Hanzhang’s stomach growled, even hungrier now.

She reached out and took it, her mood instantly improving, "Where is this from?"

"Made in the palace. You were busy all night with battles and firefighting. You must be hungry," Fu Tinghan turned to explain to Xun Xiu, "General Xun, please understand. The Governor’s temper worsens when hungry, it’s not directed at you."

Xun Xiu also understood, realizing he was just unlucky to run into it.