After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 533 - 527: Strategy II
Fu Zhi understood, and hope rekindled in his heart, but he was still worried, "But in this way, Your Majesty will have no one available at your side."
The Emperor said, "I want to bring Zhao Zhongyu along."
Fu Zhi pondered for a moment and understood. With Zhao Zhongyu in the Emperor’s hands, the Zhao Family would be cautious; Zhao Hanzhang would also endure for their sake and would even have to assist the Emperor.
Fu Zhi couldn’t help but curl his lips and salute, "Your Majesty is wise."
The Emperor convinced Fu Zhi, and Zhao Zhongyu, because of Zhao Hanzhang’s opinion, also had no objection to relocating the capital. With Gou Xi and the Emperor insisting, the matter was settled.
Zhao Hanzhang’s application for merit was smoothly approved, but Zhao Kuan’s appointment as Luoyang County Magistrate remained undecided.
Zhao Hanzhang was not in a hurry, waiting for the Emperor and Gou Xi to open negotiations.
Soon, the Emperor privately summoned Zhao Hanzhang. Upon meeting, he couldn’t help but shed tears, saying to Zhao Hanzhang, "In the peril of Luoyang, the distress of the Jin Dynasty, I commanded all regions to defend the throne. In the end, only you, General Zhao, and General Gou arrived in Luoyang. I and the officials relied entirely on my cousin to overcome this crisis."
Zhao Hanzhang quickly said, "This is what I should do. When Your Majesty is safe, Great Jin can be stable, and the people of the land can have a place of refuge."
The Emperor wiped his tears and said, "But now the stalwarts of Great Jin are all in Shi Le’s hands. He took away half the influential families of Great Jin. Every time I think of this, my heart aches unbearably. I wonder if you, General Zhao, are willing to lead troops to rescue them?"
Zhao Hanzhang hesitated, "This..."
She said with difficulty, "Your Majesty, it is not that I shirk, but we came from afar, with insufficient provisions, and Luoyang is besieged internally and externally. To gather supplies locally, I am not in a position to justify."
"I will immediately order Zhao Kuan to assume the role of Luoyang County Magistrate. Before he arrives, you will act on his behalf, allowing you to collect provisions from the people in the Luoyang area."
Where can provisions still be gathered from the people in the Luoyang area?
Nevertheless, Zhao Hanzhang accepted without hesitation.
It was merely an excuse, both sides understood.
Zhao Hanzhang promised the Emperor to dispatch troops against Shi Le to rescue the officials and influential families, and the Emperor handed her the official seal of Luoyang County.
The Emperor personally escorted Zhao Hanzhang to the main hall entrance, waved away the eunuchs beside him, and said meaningfully, "Grand Commandant Wang is old, exhausted from travel, and likely to face danger."
Zhao Hanzhang curled her lips and said, "Your Majesty is right."
Zhao Hanzhang, in good faith, took the official seal and, upon leaving the palace, immediately summoned Xun Xiu, saying, "Go to the northwest of Luoyang and find Shi Le. Spread the word that I intend to restore order for the Emperor and rescue these officials and influential families."
Xun Xiu expressed confusion, "Lord, it’s not beneficial to send troops to rescue them. How many lives must we lose to save those people? Haven’t you already redeemed most of Shi Le’s captives?"
Zhao Hanzhang glanced at him, saying, "If I tell you to go, just go. Why ask so many questions?"
Xun Xiu could only comply and went to muster troops.
Sitting nearby, Ji Yuan said, "Xun Xiu’s message may not be fast enough. Leave this matter to me."
Zhao Hanzhang was eager to have his assistance.
She lowered her gaze to the official seal she held, saying, "Once the Emperor and others depart, immediately begin gathering refugees and announce to the world, inviting willing citizens to come to Luoyang."
"Yes!" Ji Yuan paused before asking, "What about North City? Much of it was destroyed in the fire, and rebuilding will require substantial resources."
"This is not urgent," Zhao Hanzhang replied, "First focus on farming, rebuilding North City can proceed slowly."
She sighed, "Without two or three years, Luoyang will find it hard to restore its former commercial activity. Let’s talk about money when it has some again. Where has Zhao Kuan reached now?"
"At this time, the letter should just have arrived at Ruyin County. At his pace, it may take four or five more days to reach Luoyang."
Zhao Hanzhang nodded, stood up and paced for a moment before saying, "Luoyang was once the capital city of Great Jin and cannot be too shabby. Write to Zhao Cheng, he should also change his teaching location."
Ji Yuan: ... Truth be told, he still felt somewhat sympathetic for Mr. Cheng, always being persuaded by their lady to open schools everywhere, and sending the students wherever there’s a need.
Ji Yuan asked, "Shouldn’t Zhao Cheng be granted an official position to facilitate his duties?"
Zhao Hanzhang shook her head, "Giving him an official position would actually inconvenience him, and Uncle Cheng would certainly not like it."
Zhao Cheng’s pride is deeply-rooted; unlike Wang Yan, he truly speaks as he feels, disliking the officialdom of Great Jin as he claims, and sincerely means it.
If she indeed appointed him to an official position, it would spoil the camaraderie, making it harder to ask for favors later.
Rather than enticing him with official duties, it’s better to persuade him with righteousness and the future of the Zhao Family.
Zhao Hanzhang decided to personally write this letter.
While Zhao Hanzhang was writing to Zhao Cheng, people inside and outside the Imperial Palace were preparing for the relocation. Gou Chun discovered Xun Xiu leading troops to the northwest and immediately returned to report, "Big brother, will Zhao Hanzhang really keep her promise and fight Shi Le for captives?"
Gou Xi said, "Since she promised the Emperor, she will certainly fulfill it." 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦
Gou Chun felt slightly better, thinking: Let them fight, and hopefully continue the battle for several years without stopping.
But Gou Xi thought differently, "Neither Zhao Hanzhang nor Shi Le are foolish. They would not expend too much time and manpower for these officials and influential families. So in the end, Shi Le will either release them to fulfill Zhao Hanzhang’s request or kill them all."
Gou Chun was startled, "So many people; that would be most of the Jin Dynasty’s court officials, including Wang Yan. Would Shi Le dare to kill them?"
Gou Xi remained silent, also thinking Shi Le wouldn’t dare kill them.
"However, Wang Yan definitely won’t return. He is talented; Shi Le will either keep him for his own use or kill him. Zhao Hanzhang won’t allow him to live and return."
Gou Chun breathed a sigh of relief, as did Gou Xi.
Wang Yan’s reputation was too great. If he returned to court, even Gou Xi would be anxious.
The Emperor and them didn’t need much preparation. They had initially considered escaping, so they prepared particularly quickly. Zhao Hanzhang received the news and stated she would see them off the next day.
Today, Zhao Zhongyu finally found his way to Qingyi Pavilion.
Zhao Hanzhang greeted him with a smile, "Grand Uncle."
Zhao Zhongyu turned, "Seeing you is really not easy. Half of this residence is tightly guarded by your trusted aides. Since your uncle returned, he’s been intercepted several times trying to see you."
Zhao Hanzhang said, "Currently, many wish to kill me. It’s understandable for them to be tense, and I hope Grand Uncle will forgive this."
"Must you be so cautious even in your own home?"
Zhao Hanzhang said, "In this family, I’ve already experienced death once, so caution is paramount."
Zhao Zhongyu pursed his lips, pausing before saying, "The Emperor has appointed your uncle to an official position, instructing us to take the family to Yun City, but your brother is still young, his education unfinished, so I wish for him to follow you back to Yu State."
"Okay," Zhao Hanzhang readily agreed, asking, "What about Aunt, Second Aunt, and Fourth Aunt?"
