After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 662 - 656: The Rise and Fall of the Nation Is Everyone’s Responsibility
Xiahou Yan and Zhang Xie exchanged glances; they both threw the sickle to the edge of the field and asked, "What troubles Lord Zhao?"
Zhang Xie dusted off the dirt on his body and rolled down his pant legs before first inviting Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan to sit down.
In front of the thatched house, there was a mat laid out, along with a low table, and a stove by the side heating water, ready to make tea or warm wine.
Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan placed their gifts down and were not in a hurry to sit. They waited until both men approached before assuming the primary and secondary positions to kneel and sit.
She unsealed the wine, casually picked up a bowl from the table to pour the wine, sighing as she said, "There are indeed too many woes; governing one area is not easy, let alone two areas both awaiting revival."
She said, "Someone told me that in recent years there have been omens in nature, fearing a severe drought; that’s why I want to build more dams in Luoyang and Yu State, digging wells and channels to ensure the people’s livelihood."
Zhang Xie and Xiahou Yan furrowed their brows, "Omens in nature?"
Zhao Hanzhang nodded and said, "The weather might turn cold, and during spring and summer, there could be droughts unfavorable for crop growth."
The two couldn’t help but glance at each other again, thinking Zhao Hanzhang might say it’s due to the emperor’s lack of virtue that such omens appeared, cough cough, they were overthinking.
"So Lord Zhao came up the mountain for water management?"
Zhao Hanzhang didn’t hesitate, directly nodding and saying, "Indeed, knowing most officials skilled in water management followed His Majesty to Yun City, the rest are scattered everywhere; I truly couldn’t find suitable candidates, so I had to come up the mountain to seek you two."
Most weren’t following the emperor to Yun City but ran away with Prince East Sea or relocated their families from Luoyang.
Among those who followed the emperor, Cao Ping can be considered talented in this aspect, already recruited by Zhao Zhongyu to Luoyang.
Yet, the water facilities Zhao Hanzhang wanted to build are numerous, relying solely on him is not enough, whoever she can invite counts.
Zhao Hanzhang looked at the two with hopeful eyes.
Seeing Zhang Xie and Xiahou Yan unmoved, Zhao Hanzhang said, "I’m inviting the two gentlemen this time not for a rivalry with General Gou or anyone else, but truly for water management."
"Although there’s no war in Luoyang now, Zhao Han still watches from Bingzhou like a tiger, and no one knows when they’ll march south again. If indeed a severe drought occurs as predicted, they certainly won’t pass up this opportunity," Zhao Hanzhang said, "My soldiers must eat well to fight; thus, the provisions must come from the common people. Without dams and channels, the people wouldn’t be able to support the Zhao Family Army and Yu State Army, let alone feed themselves."
She sighed, "The tragedies born from Luoyang’s famine over the past two years will repeat, I cannot accept this."
Zhang Xie pursed his lips, he couldn’t accept it either!
His heart burned with torment, involuntarily turning to look at Xiahou Yan.
Xiahou Yan lowered his head to drink, pondering silently, unwilling to be drawn into court affairs again.
Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze naturally fell on Xiahou Yan, offering him more wine, saying, "I know, both gentlemen wish to avoid courtly entanglements."
Xiahou Yan and Zhang Xie looked up at her.
"Yet, if chaos envelops the land, can any place truly remain unaffected by courtly matters?" Zhao Hanzhang said, "Hence, Mr. Zhang and Mr. Xiahou wish to fully evade, which is impossible. Since that’s the case, why not enter the world positively, saving others and thereby saving yourselves."
Xiahou Yan furrowed his brow and said, "If Luoyang can’t contain us, we will simply migrate southward, Lord Zhao. It’s not that we’re shirking responsibility, but rather we are old and in poor health, even ignoring summons from His Majesty. What of you?"
The last sentence remained unsaid, but all understood.
Fu Tinghan, who had been quiet, looked at him, then turned his gaze to Zhao Hanzhang, who frowned without speaking, knowing she disagreed yet unwilling to sour relations with the two gentlemen.
He pursed his lips, set down his teacup, and said, "So do the two gentlemen plan to evade responsibility for the rest of your lives?" 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖
Xiahou Yan glanced at Fu Tinghan with a half-smile and said, "Mr. Fu’s provocation won’t work on us."
Zhang Xie agreed, "If provocation worked, we would have descended the mountain long ago."
Fu Tinghan shook his head, "It’s not provocation, it’s the truth; you both have been evading your responsibilities, concealed from the world, others like Wang Yan evade by entering the world."
Xiahou Yan and Zhang Xie furrowed their brows, though they disliked Wang Yan, he was renowned, held high status, and now dead. How could a junior speak disrespectfully calling him by full name?
Fu Tinghan remained unaffected by their expressions, speaking directly, "The rise and fall of the world concerns everyone, born of noble families, you both hold significant power, thus also considerable responsibility, yet after setbacks only know to hide."
"If Hanzhang asked you down the mountain to rival with Gou Xi and others, refusing would be understandable, but this time it’s clearly for the people; your actions upon descending would directly benefit the people of Luoyang and Yu State. Why then, with your talents, do you hold back from fulfilling your inherent responsibilities?"
Zhang Xie widened his eyes, "The rise and fall of the world concerns everyone?"
Xiahou Yan scoffed, "Since when could one individual’s strength affect the rise and fall of the world? Let alone an ordinary person, Mr. Fu exaggerates."
Xiahou Yan didn’t like Fu Tinghan, especially after what he just said about him and Zhang Xie, so he unreservedly scrutinized Fu Tinghan, then mocked, "Mr. Fu, I heard you’ve become Lord Zhao’s Minister of the Ministry of Industry, including overseeing the Water Department; thus, constructing water facilities is your duty. Heard Mr. Fu is Lord Zhao’s right-hand man, though well-read in literature, lacking mastery, preferring various crafts instead, hence many workshops under Lord Zhao’s name came from Mr. Fu’s hands."
Zhao Hanzhang frowned, displeased.
She had always respected their status as refined scholars, being the one requesting their assistance, hence spoke kindly; even when disagreements arose, she was willing to concede temporarily, but now it seemed entirely in vain.
So Zhao Hanzhang no longer restrained her temper, saying, "Mr. Xiahou, the world does not belong to one person, nor to one family, not only noble families influence its rise and fall; ordinary people can alter it too."
"You disdain the strength of ordinary people, but know this, my Zhao Family Army consists of mere ordinary people; they protected Luoyang, protected your lives," Zhao Hanzhang said in a deep voice, "The general Shi Le of Zhao Han, born of Jiehu descent, once a slave, can you say he has no influence over the world now?"
Xiahou Yan’s expression slightly changed.
Zhao Hanzhang sighed, then decisively pulled Fu Tinghan and rose, folding her hands, "Our principles differ; it’s futile, let’s say Hanzhang never came today, this wine’s a gift to both gentlemen."
She said, "Since you wish to migrate south, you should do it promptly, lest come winter, the cold weather and long road make the journey difficult."
She slightly bowed, saying, "I take my leave now."
