After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 636 - 630 Escape
Gou Xi was heavily drunk, but he still had people under him. Although a bit slow, someone still noticed something amiss the next day.
Thus, it was reported to Gou Xi.
The information went through layers of reporting, finally reaching Gou Xi by noon.
Gou Xi’s face changed dramatically, and he immediately threw down his wine cup and left.
Gou Xi left the residence!
Calculate it, he hadn’t stepped out of his mansion for over a month. Official business was all delivered to him here. It was for this reason that the emperor could tolerate him embezzling the money of the court for indulgence and pleasure.
At least Gou Xi wouldn’t behave like Prince East Sea, who would be displeased even if he cared about which county was hit by natural disasters. The emperor began to personally manage state affairs, liaising with inspectors of various states and counties to understand the conditions of each area, gradually gaining insights into the current Great Jin.
Gou Xi left his residence and hastily rode a horse to the Ming Mansion. Due to Yan Heng’s death, Gou Xi had become somewhat restrained. He first let someone knock on the door.
Seeing the door wasn’t opened, he then led people to break in.
Upon seeing the empty Ming Mansion, Gou Xi finally confirmed Ming Yu had fled.
Gou Xi’s chest heaved violently, his eyes flushed with anger. He kicked the seat in front of him flying, his face livid as he said, "Send people to pursue!"
He said, "Split the troops into three groups, pursuing in the directions of Luoyang, Qingzhou, and Bingzhou. Alert each county, and make sure to block them for me. Deliver the message urgently, at a speed of eight hundred miles, immediately go!"
"Yes!"
Who could Ming Yu turn to?
Apart from Shi Le, Liu Yuan, and Sima Rui, there was only Zhao Hanzhang of Luoyang.
Chasing in these three directions will surely find him.
It’s alright, he has plenty of people, no need to choose a direction, he’ll search them all!
The guilt born out of Yan Heng’s death dissipated. He was not wrong; if these people don’t serve him, if they don’t act according to his wishes, then they should be killed.
Otherwise, if left unchecked, they’ll only bring disaster eventually harming himself.
The more Gou Xi thought, the darker his expression became. He summoned another trusted aide, ordered, "Investigate who visited Ming Yu after Yan Heng’s death."
"Yes."
Gou Xi turned around but still felt the possibility of Ming Yu seeking Zhao Hanzhang was greater. His two advisors understood him, likewise, Gou Xi understood his advisors.
The likelihood of Sima Rui is the lowest because although they recommended the Sima Family, talking about the past, they didn’t really regard the Sima family highly and believed the current chaos was started by the Sima Family. So if choosing again, they shouldn’t select people from the Sima Family.
Shi Le and Liu Yuan are possible, but after all, they are barbarians;
That leaves Zhao Hanzhang of Luoyang.
Gou Xi paused, then summoned another trusted aide, and with a face full of calmness said, "Send a message to Gou Chun, have him guard the border, not allowing anyone from Yan State to pass to Yu State. Ming Yu has fled, and he may likely use his path."
"Yes."
Having made all arrangements, Gou Xi cast a gloomy glance around the Ming Mansion before leaving. Upon reaching outside, as he was about to mount his horse, he slightly tilted his head, "Where is Minister Zhao now?"
The advisor following him responded anxiously, "In the palace."
He paused briefly then explained, "Last night Minister Zhao was on duty, so he stayed overnight in the palace."
Gou Xi squinted, asking, "What about Shangcai Marquis?"
The advisor was stunned for a moment, his face slightly changing, "Also in the palace, last night, he too was on duty and stayed overnight."
Gou Xi squeezed the reins tightly, his face livid, "Dispatch two more teams in the Luoyang direction to find the man for me."
The advisor nodded, only raising his head after the furious Gou Xi mounted and departed.
He glanced back at the Ming Mansion plaque and sighed before riding away.
With Ming Yu’s departure, who knows how many people will die.
He guessed correctly, Gou Xi, filled with anger with nowhere to vent, found trouble with relevant personnel.
First was the village chief. As a chief, losing such an important person under his jurisdiction without realizing, he ought to be executed!
Then the gate soldiers and the guard commander, Ming Yu left the city without warning, showing they inspected very carelessly, also due for execution;
Then those who were advisors, officials at his residence, all punished, even several servants Ming Yu had dismissed were located and punished either by execution or severe penalty due to not reporting.
Having executed so many, the city’s atmosphere grew tense, even if the case seemingly had nothing to do with ordinary civilians, the street’s pedestrians dwindled fearing to inadvertently provoke this Great General and lose their lives in vain.
The commotion was considerable, even the emperor in the palace heard of it.
His first thought was, where did Ming Yu flee to?
Then he saw Zhao Zhongyu sitting respectfully below, handling official duties, and the emperor pondered.
"Minister Zhao, did Ming Yu go to Luoyang?"
Zhao Zhongyu paused, then without concealing replied with a bowed acknowledgment "Yes," then said, "After Yan Heng’s death, Ming Yu feared calamity and wished to leave; Minister Zhao remembered he got along well with Hanzhang in Luoyang and thus recommended him to go to Luoyang."
The emperor sneered in his heart, gently said, "Why not take a position in the palace?"
He continued, "With Ming Yu’s talents, giving him a position as Imperial Attendant wouldn’t be inappropriate, would it?"
Zhao Zhongyu was indifferent, "If General Gou isn’t pleased, insists on killing him, Your Majesty wants to protect him, wouldn’t it harm Your Majesty’s relationship with General Gou? He simply didn’t wish Your Majesty to be troubled."
Ming Yu would rely on anyone but wouldn’t turn to the emperor. Since he himself had to act according to Gou Xi’s mood, how would Ming Yu think the emperor could save his life?
If Zhao Zhongyu didn’t have Zhao Hanzhang behind him, his death might anger Zhao Hanzhang, even if Gou Xi killed Zhao Zhongyu in court, the emperor would merely grieve for a while, absolutely unable to protect him, let alone avenge him.
Hiding in the Imperial Palace merely avoided Gou Xi’s most furious moment, once past that, when Gou Xi calmed down, he would understand Zhao Zhongyu couldn’t be killed.
Unless he wished to start a war with Zhao Hanzhang.
Zhao Zhongyu’s gaze flickered, as he lowered his eyes to the spread documents on the desk, he wondered how Zhao Hanzhang plans to quell Gou Xi’s anger; if unsuccessful, his days in Yun City will certainly be difficult.
Gou Xi’s time spent in lethargy and neglect of administration hasn’t been long, his soldiers still responded swiftly, once orders were dispatched, they like tigers descending from the mountains followed orders darting in various directions.
Yuan Li and his group were cautious, yet approaching the border, nearly crossing Yan State, they were discovered.
Ming Yu, unwell, was leaning against the carriage wall, coughing violently, feeling the sweetness in his throat, he hesitated not and accepted the cup from his aide, drinking a mouthful, swallowing back the metallic sweetness in his throat.
He whispered, "Tell General Yuan, split into two paths, one carriage continues towards Luoyang, we accelerate and turn towards Yu State border, send word to General Zhao Ju to come and meet us."
Ming Yu clutched his chest, sternly said, "I have a premonition, they’ve caught up." 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖
The aide immediately complied, disembarked to find Yuan Li.
Yuan Li hesitated not, swiftly adhered to his instructions, sending a carriage and two guards while the rest continued with them.
No one knew Ming Yu’s condition seemed to be worsening, as his composure instilled confidence in the soldiers within the group.
