After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 559 - 553: Envoy from Bingzhou

Zhao Hanzhang was a person who heeded advice, and Zhao Cheng made a reasonable point, so she decided to adopt it.

After Zhao Cheng finished speaking, Zhao Kuan and the others who were waiting outside the courtyard were called back in, and Zhao Hanzhang asked them, "What is the situation in Luoyang now?"

Zhao Kuan replied, "Shi Le has taken away quite a few officials and nobles, leaving mostly family members and branch relatives. When they return to Luoyang, they want to go back to their respective homes, but many houses have been burnt down or occupied, causing continuous chaos. Fortunately, they dare not make a big fuss, so it is still manageable."

"Who is occupying the houses?"

"General Beigong, General Xun, and General Mi," Zhao Kuan raised his head to glance at her before continuing, "along with the magistrate and Second Son have also occupied a few."

Zhao Hanzhang raised her eyebrows and turned to Fu Tinghan, "Have I occupied any?"

Since Zhao Mansion was still there, she had a place to stay, so was there any need to occupy others?

Fu Tinghan thought for a moment and said, "You mentioned you wanted to find a place for Mr. Ji and Uncle Qianli to settle in."

"Oh, I remember now," Zhao Hanzhang asked calmly, "Do they have the land deeds?"

"Some do, and some don’t."

Zhao Hanzhang pondered for a moment, then asked, "Have the returning people been registered?"

"Yes."

"Then we should be able to find records at the county government. Check which areas in the capital city north and east are ownerless, I need them."

This was no small task, but Zhao Kuan, seeing Zhao Hanzhang’s seriousness, agreed to take it on.

Zhao Hanzhang paused for a moment before saying, "Give it to me within three days."

Zhao Kuan agreed.

Zhao Hanzhang then thought of something and raised her eyebrows, saying to Zhao Cheng with a smile, "Uncle, it’s fortunate that the Imperial College is in the east of the city, and it wasn’t damaged at all in this fire. I’ll leave it to you; you can run the school there."

Luoyang’s Imperial College had been expanded repeatedly during the Han Dynasty, accommodating over 30,000 students.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Cheng instinctively sat upright, his eyes bright, and asked, "What about the books inside?"

Zhao Hanzhang straightforwardly replied, "They’re all yours."

Zhao Cheng tried to suppress the upward curl of his lips, "That’s not good."

Although he was genuinely happy, he sincerely felt it wasn’t appropriate, so he thought for a moment before saying, "After all, the Imperial College is a government school, and I have no official position..."

"Now that Your Majesty has moved the capital, the Imperial College naturally follows suit. It’s currently just an abandoned building; we’re simply repurposing it. Uncle, you needn’t feel burdened," Zhao Hanzhang addressed the fellow clansmen, "Brothers, if you’re free tomorrow, go with Uncle to the Imperial College and have a look, it’d be good to lend a hand."

Including Zhao Kuan, they promptly bowed in agreement.

The Imperial College, previously a place they couldn’t easily access, could now not only be entered freely but also utilized for their purposes.

The dinner lasted until late at night, and while Zhao Kuan and the others could go rest, Zhao Hanzhang could not yet.

She moved to the study to meet Ji Yuan and Xie Shi.

Zhao Erlang was already too sleepy to keep his eyes open, so he went with Zhao Kuan to his room and fell asleep.

Fu Tinghan understood that her approach this time had significant implications — a misstep could lead to another rebellion in Luoyang, so he accompanied her to meet Ji Yuan and Xie Shi.

The situation Ji Yuan reported was much more detailed, including information from various parties besides Luoyang.

"Your Majesty has safely arrived in Yan State, where Gou Xi’s army is meeting on the border with Yu State, Zhao Ju witnessed them passing through himself," Ji Yuan reported, "Gou Xi’s people are withdrawing from the four county kingdoms, and Zhao Ju is waiting to take over. He wrote to ask whether we should divide our forces."

Zhao Hanzhang pondered for a moment and said, "Do not divide the forces. I will have Ji Ping and Qiu Wu lead them to take over, one person per county kingdom. Additionally, Uncle Ming will take over Peng City; that should be enough. Have Zhao Ju keep an eye on Gou Xi—no, Gou Chun."

"Though Gou Xi has become increasingly arrogant, he still keeps his promises, especially with Your Majesty nearby. He surely wouldn’t break them; but his men are uncertain."

Ji Yuan shared the same opinion, "Gou Chun is narrow-minded and brutal; I’m afraid he won’t willingly return the four county kingdoms to us."

Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze darkened, "Tell Zhao Ju, while Gou Xi’s people retreat, no matter how much treasure they take, we won’t concern ourselves with it. But they must not take any people, nor harm anyone in the four county kingdoms."

Ji Yuan agreed and brought up another matter, "The news of Shi Le’s killing captives hasn’t been released yet. When do you think it’s best to inform the people of Luoyang?"

The officials and scholars who were killed had many relatives forced back to Luoyang, and when the news spread, there would certainly be crying.

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Issue the announcement tomorrow morning."

She paused before adding, "I’ll go ask Uncle to write a notice tomorrow."

Ji Yuan’s lips slightly curled, "No one would be more suitable than Mr. Cheng." 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Zhao Cheng came from a noble family, best able to empathize, and those noble remnants recognized him. His literary prowess was not inferior, thus more able to win hearts than a strategist like Ji Yuan writing an article.

Ji Yuan paused before saying, "Miss, has Mr. Cheng discussed the art of employing people with you?"

Zhao Hanzhang made a sound of acknowledgment, raising an eyelid to look at him, "Mr. Ji already had plans in mind; why not inform me?"

Ji Yuan looked sincerely ashamed, "It was my oversight. Had Mr. Cheng not mentioned it, I would have jeopardized the lord’s great affair."

Zhao Hanzhang certainly didn’t believe him. It was undoubtedly a joint strategy of Ji Yuan and Uncle Ming, coaxing Zhao Cheng into being the scapegoat.

Only her uncle Zhao Cheng was so naive, revealing everything to her.

Ji Yuan promptly changed the topic, "Regarding Shi Le’s killing of captives, should you send a letter to Your Majesty personally?"

He said, "They’ve already passed through Yu State and entered Yan State."

Though by this time Gou Xi and the emperor should have already received the news, Zhao Hanzhang still nodded, deciding to send a letter personally to inform both of them.

It was best to clarify with the emperor that it was not she who broke the promise, but rather truly inadequate time; Shi Le acted both quickly and ruthlessly.

Besides the news about Gou Xi, there were messages from other states and counties.

Despite Luoyang’s peril, there were still those who wished to come to the capital city and serve the king, particularly Bingzhou Governor Liu Kun, whom Zhao Hanzhang had long wished to meet but had yet to see.

Taking advantage of Liu Yuan’s expedition against Luoyang, Liu Kun also wanted to lead troops to break through, aiming to move south to Luoyang to rescue the emperor. Of course, he couldn’t break through but seized several county towns near Jinyang and connected with Ji Yuan here in Luoyang.

Even Ji Yuan couldn’t help but admire Governor Liu’s perseverance, "This time, they opened up a merchant route, through which communication can be sent."

Zhao Hanzhang was stunned, "Is it reliable?"

Ji Yuan sighed, "Liu Kun spent three years on this merchant route; only one section was troublesome, which he could not think how to deal with until Liu Cong and Wang Mi went south on a campaign, taking away one of the leaders and replacing them with another person to manage the city. Only then did he bribe his way through."

He said, "Who knows what the future holds, but for now, it’s open, and we have already connected with Jinyang."

Zhao Hanzhang, excited, clenched her fist, "Liu Kun is on good terms with the Xianbei and surely has horse trading routes. Let Wu Erlang prepare to go to Jinyang with Liu Kun’s envoy."