After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 679 - 673: I Want to Go to Luoyang

"Not only money and provisions, but also the trust between Zhao Hanzhang and me is completely lost. How dare I entrust my back to her? Does she dare to trust me?"

This is the most objective reason.

Over the past year, trust between Gou Xi and Zhao Hanzhang has been completely lost. The current surface peace is only maintained due to the prevailing situation.

It’s impossible to expect them to cooperate in reclaiming lost territories.

Zhao Hanzhang’s proposal could only deceive someone like the emperor.

However, there are quite a few who share the emperor’s thoughts. They agree with the general trend Zhao Hanzhang laid out in the proposal, and naturally, they agree with her idea of reclaiming lost territories.

Many aristocratic families fleeing south decided to return north upon seeing the circulating proposal.

Zu Ti and Wang Xuan were among them.

Zu Ti fled from Luoyang during last year’s grain shortage, accompanied by a hundred families.

As Luoyang’s grain supply dwindled, large numbers of people fled each day. Zu Ti had several people petition the emperor, hoping he would relocate the capital.

But Luoyang was no longer tenable.

Yet the emperor was coerced by Prince East Sea, and most court ministers, motivated by self-interest, were unwilling to relocate the capital. Anticipating Luoyang’s downfall into chaos, Zu Ti was naturally reluctant to stay longer.

So he escaped with friends and neighbors. While leaving the capital, he met fleeing commoners and traveled together.

After great effort, he managed to escape to Si Kou with his family. Upon seeing Zhao Hanzhang’s proposal today, he felt exhilarated and immediately decided to head to Luoyang and join Zhao Hanzhang.

Zu Yue couldn’t understand, "Brother, we barely escaped Luoyang and got here, facing bandits and obstacles along the way, and just arrived at Si Kou. Why go back?"

Zu Ti said, "We escaped because we saw no way forward. Luoyang offered no survival, so we fled. But now, Luoyang offers a way."

He said, "Great Jin absolutely cannot lose the Central Plains; otherwise, Xiongnu cavalry would readily descend, and Jiangbei would be difficult to defend."

Zu Ti took out a booklet bought from a bookseller and said, "This is the memorial Zhao Hanzhang from Yu State submitted to Your Majesty, discussing the general trend of the world."

"Look now, Zhao Han’s power is formidable. We find it hard to compete, but the text says Zhao Han is a mix of Xiongnu, Jiehu, and Han people, with Xiongnu and Jiehu being the majority, primarily engaged in pastoralism."

"Farming versus pastoralism; we are inferior in cavalry, but in battle, we fear none. With ample provisions, we can reclaim lost territories bit by bit." Zu Ti’s eyes gleamed, "Moreover, Zhao Han is not impregnable. Liu Yuan wants to govern with the Han, but his tribal chiefs and generals disagree. He has six sons; among them, Liu Cong has notable military achievements and is much smarter than the eldest son, yet Liu Yuan delayed naming him Crown Prince. Just wait—when Liu Yuan falls ill, Zhao Han will seize the opportunity."

Zu Yue: "But Zhao Han’s Great Generals are formidable. We were overwhelmed in battles..."

"Hmph, we were overwhelmed, but they gained nothing. They have Great Generals; don’t we?" Zu Ti said, "Gou Daojiang defeated Ji Sang, Lv Lang, Liu Gen, Gongshi Fan, and Shi Le repeatedly. Although he acted irrationally at times over the past year, his martial prowess is undeniable. Zhao Hanzhang also defeated Shi Le, Liu Jing, Wang Mi, and Liu Cong. She also has Beigong Chun, a fierce general. With united efforts, reclaiming lost territories is feasible."

Zu Ti grew increasingly excited, saying, "If Bingzhou and Jizhou can be reclaimed, external troubles for Great Jin will temporarily end, allowing the people to live and work in peace, free from the ravages of war."

Therefore, Zu Ti wanted to go to Luoyang to join Zhao Hanzhang and aid her in reclaiming Bingzhou. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Zu Yue worried, "Brother, haven’t you forgotten King Langya sent someone to invite you to serve as the Xuzhou Governor yesterday? You already received the letter, and now you suddenly want to leave..."

Zu Ti lowered his eyes, pondering momentarily, then said, "King Langya respects talented individuals. I accepted the letter but didn’t promise him. I’ll write to refuse him."

Zu Yue was puzzled, "Brother, you can serve as Xuzhou Governor and still aid in reclaiming lost territories for Your Majesty. Why insist on going to Luoyang when Zhao Hanzhang is merely a Yu State Governor?"

Zu Ti bitterly laughed, "Inspectors vary; she holds only the title of Yu State Governor, but she controls the Luoyang area directly facing the Xiongnu. Moreover, she can communicate directly with Your Majesty, making her the third most influential person in the current world."

"Yu State holds geographical advantages, governing ten regions, nearly two-thirds of the Central Plains, whereas Xuzhou governs seven regions. King Langya asked me to be Xuzhou Governor, but he actually wields authority," Zu Ti said, "As Xuzhou Governor, I merely assist. Even if I intend to reclaim lost territories, he disagrees, I am powerless."

"Why would King Langya disagree?" This is the Sima family’s dynasty; someone willing to fight for them, wouldn’t he agree?

Zu Ti looked serious and said, "Last time we talked, King Langya only aimed to defend his territory without ambition."

Uncertain if that’s genuine or deceitful.

Zu Ti lowered his gaze, hiding his thoughts.

Without Zhao Hanzhang and Gou Xi, perhaps Zu Ti would’ve accepted Sima Rui’s offer, as there’s no one more suitable at present.

If Luoyang can’t hold, Yun City likely can’t either; if Your Majesty...

Sima Rui fortified Xuzhou and quietly infiltrated Qingzhou, making a decent choice.

But with Zhao Hanzhang and Gou Xi near the emperor, Sima Rui pales in comparison. This explains Zu Ti’s hesitation in accepting Sima Rui’s offer.

Zu Ti resolved to leave, telling his brother, "I’ve decided. After writing to refuse King Langya, I’ll depart. You stay at Si Kou with the family."

Zu Yue was shocked, "Aren’t we traveling with you?"

Zu Ti shook his head, "Luoyang isn’t safe, and Zhao Hanzhang intends to launch a northern expedition, inevitably leading to war. Stay here; moreover, the path to Luoyang won’t be peaceful."

In chaotic times, bandits rampage. They already experienced such while crossing south; returning means enduring bandit attacks again?

Zu Ti feared not but didn’t wish his kin to suffer further losses.

Zu Yue was fearful, indecisive, and reliant on his brother’s guidance. When Zu Ti wanted to leave him to care for the family, he was bewildered.

Zu Ti patted his shoulder, saying, "After I leave, if King Langya recruits you, just accept but try to avoid being the principal officer, aiming for a deputy role."

Zu Yue wanted to cry, "Brother, this matter is significant. Why not discuss it further with Sister-in-law?"

Mrs. Xu attentively listened to her husband’s explanation and promptly said, "Go ahead; I’ll take good care of the family."

Zu Ti looked at his wife with comfort, held her hand, and said, "I’ll trouble you with the family matters."

Zu Yue:...

Not far from Si Kou, Wang Xuan, who had just escaped from a bandit lair with friends, coincidentally found a stitched booklet and, after scrutinizing it, clenched his fist and immediately decided, "I’m going back to Luoyang!"

His friends were shocked, "Meizi, didn’t you say you wouldn’t return? We’ve encountered bandits nine times and were captured twice; next time we won’t be so lucky."

"Yes, we nearly died at the hands of bandits. If not for your quick thinking and saying you’d defect, combined with your handsome looks, we would’ve died."