After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 574 - 568 Selected Person

Fu Tinghan frowned and said, "If you have something to say, just get up and speak. Kneeling like this, I will be leaving."

Only then did Sima Hou rise to his feet. After casting a quick glance at Fu Tinghan, he lowered his head and said, "My lord, I know that Lord Zhao has a strict order that no refugee returning to Luoyang is allowed to leave without permission. I also understand that her order is for the protection of Luoyang. However, I still plead with you, my lord, to show mercy and allow me to leave Luoyang."

"Since you know this, why do you still wish to leave?" Fu Tinghan asked, "Your surname is Sima, so you should remain here."

Sima Hou tearfully said, "I am but a side branch, never having received the blessings of the royal family; it’s truly hard for me to prioritize state affairs. Back when Luoyang was prosperous, I was just a small commoner, and even now, I wish only to remain a commoner, valuing my family above all."

"I don’t fear letting you know, my lord, but my wife and children were lost during the battles. I am leaving the city to find them." Sima Hou knelt once more and solemnly bowed to Fu Tinghan, "I implore you, my lord, to grant this."

He slightly tilted his head up from the ground and looked at Fu Tinghan, "My lord, you are a kindhearted and affectionate person. If Fu Zhongshu or Lord Zhao were lost outside, wouldn’t you go to find them?"

Fu Tinghan remained silent for a moment before saying, "I heard they were captured by Shi Le’s subordinates. How do you plan to rescue them?"

Sima Hou, his eyes reddened, said, "At the very least, I must find them. Even if it means death, our family will die together."

Fu Tinghan said, "I might have a way. It would allow you to leave Luoyang openly and help you find your wife and children more swiftly."

Sima Hou’s eyes lit up as he eagerly looked at Fu Tinghan.

Fu Tinghan gestured to a mat and said, "Sit down, and let’s talk."

Only then did Sima Hou stand up and kneel down on the mat.

Fu Tinghan said, "I plan to form a caravan heading to the Northern Land. It will not only earn some money but also gather some information. Are you willing to go along?"

Sima Hou hesitated, "But the two countries have just fought. Wouldn’t the caravan be plundered going north now?"

"I will provide you with a team, all personally selected guards. You only need to carry the treasures. Whether it’s Liu Yuan or Shi Le, they both actually want to trade with Jin. Their subordinates might act recklessly, but they only dare target small merchants. Since you have people and weapons, there’s no need to be overly afraid."

Fu Tinghan said, "Moreover, if you fear being plundered while traveling with a large caravan, going north alone would be even more dangerous."

Naively, Sima Hou said, "I have nothing of value. Why would they want to plunder me?"

Fu Tinghan cast a disinterested glance at him and said, "You yourself are a valuable commodity, one they can easily take. Ten years ago, Shi Le was just a slave. He was not born a slave, yet he was captured on the road and made a slave."

Sima Hou, with his well-bred and learned Han appearance, was the ideal target for capture—easily sold for a few strings of cash.

Unfazed, Fu Tinghan gave an example, "If someone caught you and tried to sell you at the horse market, I would be compelled to buy you. Now, do you still think you have nothing of value?"

Sima Hou turned pale and said nothing.

Fu Tinghan took a sip of tea, waiting for his decision.

Sima Hou didn’t hesitate for long, "I am willing to go!"

Fu Tinghan nodded and advised, "This matter must not be disclosed to outsiders. Only the three of us should know, especially not Lord Zhao’s people."

Sima Hou was dumbfounded, not expecting Fu Tinghan to already be in a power struggle with Zhao Hanzhang.

However, he didn’t object since all he wanted was the chance to leave the city to find his wife and children.

Seeing him agree, Fu Tinghan said, "You should go back for now. In a couple of days, I will arrange for you to meet the person in charge of this caravan."

Hearing there was someone above him in charge, Sima Hou secretly breathed a sigh of relief and quickly agreed with a "yes."

Fu An, as usual, escorted him out of the mansion and returned to the study with a perplexed look, "Why did the lord choose him as the deputy? What if he runs away midway?"

Unconcerned, Fu Tinghan replied, "If he runs, he runs. The person in charge is Gao Hui. I’ll just choose another deputy manager."

Fu An understood, "So you’re just giving him a convenient way to leave the city."

Fu Tinghan momentarily paused his writing and said, "Staying in Luoyang is Hanzhang’s order. I cannot lead by breaking it, but I can be flexible. Law should not override human compassion. Being too rigid and indifferent to people’s feelings is not always wise."

Fu An seemed to understand but didn’t fully grasp him.

But Zhao Hanzhang understood.

Seeing Fu Tinghan appoint Sima Hou, Zhao Hanzhang knew he intended to let him go and wouldn’t care if he fled after leaving the city.

Run or not, it was within his expectations.

Zhao Hanzhang set aside the booklet she was holding and said, "The guards shall be selected from Xiping. Coincidentally, Mother wrote to ask if she should send the people trained for us over the past two years. I think we should bring them over."

Fu Tinghan agreed.

It would take some time for people to come from Xiping, and the identities and backgrounds of the guards needed handling.

Zhao Hanzhang encouraged Fu Tinghan, "In the meantime, meet more people and see if there are others who are suitable."

Fu Tinghan glanced at her and said, "It’s better to have quality than quantity."

"But you’ve only seen a few. How do you know there aren’t more suitable ones?" Zhao Hanzhang replied, "And as for caravans, we don’t mind having more."

Fu Tinghan chose not to respond.

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Grandfather wrote to say he can now obtain documents for leaving the passes. I plan to let Huang An return to collect the families of the Xiliang Army. To maintain long-term relations with Xiliang, I think he should be accompanied by a caravan."

Fu Tinghan: "... Do you want me to choose this person too?"

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "Many hands make light work."

In the end, Fu Tinghan did not agree; choosing people was a difficult task for him and not something he excelled at.

Ultimately, Zhao Hanzhang didn’t push him too hard and chose the person herself.

She not only wanted economic exchanges with Xiliang but political ones, as well.

After a careful selection, she chose one brother from her many cousins.

For this, she took time daily to chat with people at the Imperial College, and after many conversations, she discovered this cousin.

Huang An stood anxiously at the entrance of the Zhao Mansion. He was prompted by the assistant general behind him, but he didn’t move.

He quietly asked the assistant general behind him, "What do you think Lord Zhao needs us for?"

The assistant general answered without a sideways glance, "I don’t know. Besides, Lord Zhao isn’t looking for us. It’s you, Deputy General, who insisted on having me come for moral support."

"What moral support? Lord Zhao is busy with myriad affairs and must be seeking counsel on the Xiliang Army. I brought you along to help strategize."

The assistant general cast a glance at Huang An, but because Huang An was the deputy general and held a higher official rank, the assistant general dared not voice his inner thoughts.

Standing at the Zhao Mansion entrance for a moment, the assistant general sighed and whispered softly, "Don’t worry. Only we in the Xiliang Army heard the bad things you said about the general; it won’t be spread. Lord Zhao surely doesn’t know."

Huang An shot him a glare, gathered his thoughts, and finally stepped into the Zhao Mansion.

The Zhao Mansion was now divided in two; the front served as the Yu State Governor Mansion and Henan County Governor Mansion office, with even Zhao Kuan, the Luoyang County Magistrate, coming by frequently to discuss matters with Zhao Hanzhang.

The back served as the residence for the Zhao Family.