After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 578 - 573: Farewell

Early in the morning, Zhao Hanzhang went up Mang Mountain and stood halfway up to look down. From there, she could see the Ten-mile Pavilion.

Beigong Chun escorted Huang An and others to the Ten-mile Pavilion and noticed Zhao Xin and the Zhao Family Army waiting there. As Huang An said, Zhao Hanzhang did not come.

He turned his head to glance at Mang Mountain. Amidst the lush forest, he wondered whether he could see Zhao Hanzhang on the mountain.

Huang An also glanced at the mountain and said to Beigong Chun, "General, I will certainly bring the old lady and sister-in-law here, rest assured."

Beigong Chun nodded, "The elderly and the weak, be sure to be cautious and careful on the return journey."

"Yes."

Beigong Chun glanced at Zhao Xin standing under the pavilion and instructed, "Protect the envoy well."

"Yes!"

Beigong Chun nodded and without further ado, waved them off.

This time, Zhao Xin went to Xiliang, not only bringing the Dingguo Sword but also many local products from the Zhao Family workshops. Besides gifts for Zhang Gui, the rest were meant for the caravan trade.

Zhao Hanzhang was serious about opening trade routes between the two places.

Not only because she now has a Xiliang army but also due to the Xianbei in the northwest.

If the Xianbei were to deploy, Luoyang would inevitably have to ally with Xiliang. How could she let Chang’an hold her by the throat?

Thus, this passage must be opened, not for commerce, but to ensure smooth communication with Xiliang.

This mission for Zhao Xin is not only to settle the morale of the Xiliang army but also to connect the two places.

At this moment, Beigong Chun had not yet thought of this point. However, envoys are important at any time. As a Xiliang person and a general of Xiliang, he naturally hoped that Xiliang’s relationship with Zhao Hanzhang would be closer.

Huang An strode toward Zhao Xin and invited him to board the carriage.

Zhao Xin respectfully saluted Beigong Chun from a distance and then got into the carriage.

Xiang Yu mounted his horse, escorting the carriage with the Zhao Family Army on either side.

This time, Xiang Yu was both the envoy of the Zhao Family Army and the head of the caravan.

Unlike Wu Erlang’s caravan, this caravan was entirely composed of soldiers, all selected from the Zhao Family Army.

The soldiers spread out to protect the mules and ox carts carrying goods, while Huang An’s Xiliang army protected them within the formation.

Beigong Chun stood at the Ten-mile Pavilion watching them, while Zhao Hanzhang on the mountain stood atop a rock, observing Beigong Chun who remained behind.

As the group went further and further, and Beigong Chun still stood there with four trusted aides, she couldn’t help but curl her lips into a smile.

Ji Yuan, who had accompanied her up the mountain early in the morning, immediately congratulated, "Congratulations to the lady for achieving her wish."

Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but beam with a bright smile and generously waved her hand, "Let’s go down the mountain to drink with General Beigong."

Ji Yuan followed her with a smile.

Meanwhile, at another city gate in Luoyang, a procession also set out, bearing a banner with a large character ’Zhao’ upright in the center.

Zhao Yi pulled his horse to a stop, turning to look at the city where he was born and had lived for more than ten years.

Zhao Hewan and her two sisters also lifted the curtain to look, their eyes filled with complexity. This departure might mean they could never return in a lifetime.

Zhao Hewen was the most decisive, glanced once then put down the curtain, "Let’s go, no need to look back."

Zhao Yi didn’t move and said, "Let’s wait a little longer."

Zhao Hezi pursed her lips and said, "Third Sister left early in the morning. She must be busy right now, so she won’t come to see us off."

Zhao Yi gave a bitter smile, turned to Geng Rong, who was to escort them back, and said, "Mr. Geng, sorry to trouble you."

Geng Rong expressed that it was his duty. His mission to escort Zhao Yi and the others back was mainly to retrieve people. Zhao Hanzhang had appointed twelve people, including five who entered service through last year’s talent search. If he was not mistaken, for a long time, Yu State’s affairs would need to be reported to Luoyang for Zhao Hanzhang to handle.

He had many tasks to handle upon returning and had to follow the envoy’s orders to entice merchants from Xiping to Luoyang.

Before leaving the capital, Zhao Zhongyu sent letters to Zhao Song in Xiping and the Zhong Family in Nanxiang County, entrusting Zhao Yi and his three siblings to Zhao Song, asking him to preside over the marriage arrangements with the Zhong Family on his behalf.

The letter to the Zhong Family in Nanxiang County mentioned that the recent chaos in Luoyang made him realize how short life is, and they should not let trivial matters hinder the children’s futures.

As the cousin, Zhao Hewan’s mourning period was long over. He had previously intended for her to wait until Zhao Hanzhang’s mourning period also ended before discussing the marriage date. However, he now hoped the two families could complete the marriage as soon as possible.

And since he was taking her parents to Yun City, her marriage could only be entrusted to the clan...

In the letter, Zhao Zhongyu conveyed the urgency for the two children to marry as soon as possible.

The Zhong Family, upon receiving the letter, immediately appointed someone to select a date.

Mrs. Zhong felt a bit worried, "Why is the Zhao Family in such a hurry? Could there be a problem?"

Old Master Zhong had read the letter back and forth several times. Coupling it with the recent news from Luoyang, he said, "Of course, they are in a hurry. Who knows when Gou Xi and Zhao Hanzhang will fall out?"

He said, "If they fall out, Minister Zhao will be in great danger."

Mrs. Zhong was startled, "Why do you say that?"

"Why do you think Minister Zhao is accompanying the Emperor to Yun City?" Old Master Zhong said, "He’s taking his son to act as a hostage for the Zhao Family and Zhao Hanzhang, mediating between the Emperor, Gou Xi, and Zhao Hanzhang. If they get along, he’s fine. But if the Emperor, Gou Xi, and Zhao Hanzhang fall out, then Minister Zhao and his son will be like grasshoppers caught in someone’s hand."

Mrs. Zhong turned pale, "Then should we still proceed with this marriage?"

"Why not? The gentlemen uphold their promises, and the marriage between the two families has been decided. How can we back out now?" he said.

"Moreover, do you think anyone can stand side by side with Gou Xi?" he said, "We couldn’t afford to offend the old Zhao Family, and we can’t afford to offend them now either!"

(p>Mrs. Zhong: "But when we arranged the marriage, he was the Clan Leader. Once Zhao Hanzhang and Gou Xi fall out, will they still be the Clan Leader?"

"Nonsense," said Old Master Zhong, "Whether he is or not, if Zhao Zhongyu and Zhao Ji die in Yun City, would Zhao Hanzhang wrong her cousin?"

"Moreover, the Zhao Family now only has two branches left. Zhao Hanzhang has only a foolish brother, and besides him, there’s Eldest Sister Zhao’s brother, Zhao Yi. I don’t believe the Zhao Family will let a fool become Clan Leader or turn over the clan to a woman. Besides, Zhao Hanzhang is engaged to the Fu Family."

Mrs. Zhong breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing that.

Old Master Zhong said, "Quickly choose a wedding date, ones that are closer, and send them to Xiping for the Zhao Family to select. Since Minister Zhao wants the two families to marry soon, let them marry soon."

Zhao Song knew the inside story, so when given the three dates, he immediately chose the closest one without hesitation.

Regarding Zhao Ji and his wife’s abandonment of coffins and the main house, he still held a grudge.

He chose the date and wrote a letter to Luoyang, urging Zhao Hanzhang to send the people back for the marriage promptly.

However, Zhao Song wasn’t inclined to haggle with the children and, considering Mrs. Wu’s impending death, he added an extra dowry for Zhao Hewan.