After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 529 - 523: Palace Banquet

Zhao Zhongyu has been in a bad mood ever since his conversation with Zhao Hanzhang. He forced a smile, saying: "Your uncle is ill. I’ve asked him to rest in his room."

He turned to look at his grandson standing obediently and said, "Dalang, why are you just standing there? You see your sister but won’t greet her? Earlier you said you hadn’t seen Third Lady for a long time and missed her."

Zhao Yi snapped back to reality and quickly bowed to Zhao Hanzhang, "Third sister, it’s been so long since we last met. How have you been?"

"I’m doing well," Zhao Hanzhang said with some concern, seeing Zhao Yi looking a bit haggard. "Big brother doesn’t look well. Are you ill?"

Zhao Yi shook his head, "It’s just a little fright, nothing serious."

Zhao Hanzhang sighed in relief, "That’s good. I have a soothing remedy. I’ll have Ting He copy it and send it to you later. I find it quite effective; two doses should do the trick."

Standing behind them, Ji Yuan glanced at the two, scoffing inwardly. Even their civilities weren’t as polished as those of their lord. This... Hmph!

"Sister!" Zhao Erlang charged into the hall, running up breathlessly. "The banquet hasn’t started!" He wasn’t late!

Zhao Hanzhang pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his forehead, looking unimpressed, "You run around as soon as you return. Look at you, all sweaty."

Then, noticing the clothes he was wearing, she was slightly surprised, "Whose clothes are these? Why are they so oversized?"

Xun Xiu followed Zhao Erlang inside. Though he hadn’t run, a brisk walk could also make one sweat. He quickly saluted Zhao Hanzhang, exhaling before speaking, "They’re mine. I lent them to Erlang."

Zhao Erlang tugged at his sleeves, "I wanted to wear my armor to the palace, but Mr. Xie said no. I wanted to change into my casual clothes, but Mr. Xie rejected them as barbaric attire. But I didn’t bring anything large, so General Xun lent me a set."

Zhao Zhongyu said, "Tomorrow I’ll ask your aunt to make you some clothes. A fine lad should not lack for attire."

Only then did Zhao Erlang notice Zhao Zhongyu and Zhao Yi. Remembering them, he instinctively hid behind Zhao Hanzhang, pouting.

Even as a general capable of fighting on the battlefield, he subconsciously feared them.

Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes darkened slightly, but she smiled and patted his arm. Addressing Zhao Zhongyu, she said, "Such trivial matters shouldn’t trouble Aunt. Erlang, you have poor memory, but perhaps you’ve forgotten. This is your great-uncle, and this is your big brother. Greet them quickly."

Cautiously, Zhao Erlang raised his eyes to look at Zhao Hanzhang. Seeing her encouraging gaze, she smiled and nodded at him. Boldly, he emerged from behind her to salute.

Xie Shi arrived leisurely, acting composed. Although he’d entered the palace with Zhao Erlang and the others, he seemed unhurried. As he approached, he saluted Zhao Hanzhang first, then glanced at Zhao Erlang, saying to Zhao Hanzhang, "This is an oversight on my part. I’ll have formal wear made for Erlang when we return."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded with a smile.

Zhao Zhongyu subtly observed Xie Shi and couldn’t help asking, "Who is this?"

Zhao Hanzhang began to introduce him: "This is the teacher I’ve hired for Erlang, Xie Shi from Chen County."

To think he hails from the Chen County Xie Family, Zhao Zhongyu’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he nodded at him.

As the eunuch announced the arrival of the emperor and empress, Zhao Hanzhang invited Xie Shi and Zhao Erlang to take their seats, while everyone else stood in order, awaiting the imperial couple.

Impatiently, Zhao Dalang lifted his head slightly, looking toward Zhao Erlang. After two years of absence, Zhao Erlang’s appearance had greatly changed; not only had he grown taller and more muscular, but his foolish demeanor was almost gone.

He had managed to secure a disciple from the Chen County Xie Family as his teacher.

What Zhao Hanzhang hadn’t mentioned to him was that Zhao Erlang also had a teacher from the Langya Wang Family.

Zhao Erlang’s keen instincts, honed on the battlefield, sensed Zhao Dalang’s attention once he looked at him.

He turned his head and glared at him fiercely.

Standing beside him, Xie Shi glanced at him, prompting him to stand properly.

The emperor and empress entered hand in hand, and everyone bowed in salute.

Seeing that everyone maintained a respectful demeanor, the emperor sighed in relief, gesturing, "You may rise."

Looking at the remaining courtiers, the emperor couldn’t help but shed tears in sadness.

In the past, national banquets were attended by noble families and officials of the fourth rank and above, with strict limits on the number of accompanying family members.

But now, even officers of the sixth rank could appear in the hall, along with some peripheral branches of noble families. Thinking about the large number of officials and noble families taken by Prince East Sea and now under Shi Le’s grasp, the emperor’s tears flowed even more.

"Sudden disaster, damages to the nation’s talents. This is my fault. Even if I regret it a thousand times, it cannot be undone," the emperor looked towards Zhao Hanzhang and Gou Xi with tears, asking, "Would the two generals be willing to rescue the officials and noble families from Shi Le?"

Zhao Hanzhang instinctively glanced at Gou Xi opposite her, and he also raised his eyes towards her. After a moment of mutual gaze, they both addressed the emperor together, "Your Majesty’s wish, we will exert our utmost."

Upon hearing this, the emperor breathed a big sigh of relief and quickly raised his glass, saying, "Two generals, thank you for your hard work. I’ll first offer you a toast; once the people are rescued, I’ll ensure they also salute the two of you."

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and agreed, downing her drink in one gulp, saying casually, "Your Majesty, the fire in Luoyang destroyed over half of the northern city, and many people have fled. This place is no longer suitable for Your Majesty’s residence, I humbly request Your Majesty to relocate the capital."

The people in the hall immediately stiffened their backs, growing tense. Gao Yi, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, asked, "Indeed, the capital should be moved. But where should it be moved to?"

Zhao Hanzhang smiled lightly, "That depends on Your Majesty’s preference."

The emperor discreetly glanced at Gou Xi, questioning, "What does General Gou think?"

Gou Xi responded, "Your Majesty, Yun City is quite good; the waterways are accessible, and it’s distant from the Xiongnu and Xianbei. It could be the capital."

Yun City falls under the jurisdiction of Yan State.

But Yun City is not far from Langya, where Sima Rui resides, the founding emperor of the Eastern Jin dynasty. The emperor wants to move the capital to Yun City...

Zhao Hanzhang immediately flashed a smile and highly praised, "I also think Yun City is good. General Gou also holds the title of Qingzhou Governor and is familiar with Jizhou. Should Your Majesty relocate to Yun City, it would ensure the peaceful settlement of the populace."

Zhao Hanzhang sighed, "In recent years, people near the Capital City are worried and restless, losing faith. Now is the time for Your Majesty’s reassurance and appeasement."

The emperor himself lived in constant fear and anxiety each day, leaving no time to comfort the people. This relocation of the capital, if conducted in a safe environment, would be an ideal opportunity to appease and win over the people’s hearts.

The emperor suddenly grasped Zhao Hanzhang’s deeper meaning, which swiftly solidified his previously undecided thoughts, "Then..."

"Your Majesty, it is not suitable; Yun City is not appropriate," an elder minister raised a hand, halting his words, "Yun City is biased towards the east, how can it command the entire realm? Apart from Luoyang, I believe only Chang’an and Chen County are most suitable as capitals."

Though his suggestion seemed to put Zhao Hanzhang in a difficult position, it must be said his proposal was remarkably correct, especially when he managed to speak under Gou Xi’s murderous gaze.

Thus, Zhao Hanzhang quietly asked Zhao Zhongyu, seated nearby, "Great-uncle, who is he?"

Zhao Zhongyu replied, "Xiahou Yan, he does not officially serve in the court. This time when the Xiongnu invasion occurred, only a few people remained at his home, not leaving with Prince East Sea. Thus, Your Majesty allowed him to take refuge in the palace."

Zhao Hanzhang felt delighted; not holding office is advantageous, she decided to meet with him tomorrow.