After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 708 - 698 Judgment

When Xiao Zhi emerged from the back hall, he was drenched in sweat, beads glistening on his forehead, his complexion pale and fearful.

Zhao Hanzhang followed behind him, her demeanor as relaxed as before, but everyone could tell she was in high spirits, suggesting she had obtained what she wanted.

Madam Chen saw this and felt somewhat pleased.

She felt deceived by the Xiao Family, so seeing them thwarted naturally delighted her.

Zhao Hanzhang was merely seeking an explanation, leaving the judgment to Zhao Kuan, but when she lifted her gaze and saw the crowd outside had not yet dispersed, she said to the Chen and Xiao families, "Luoyang’s location is unique, serving as the northern gateway to Great Jin, and thus it can never be breached. That’s why every citizen within this city is of utmost importance."

Zhao Hanzhang said, "The prosperity of Luoyang ensures the stability of the Central Plains, and now is precisely when everything awaits to be rejuvenated, at this crucial moment, I could certainly compel all of you to stay, but I strongly hope you would willingly remain, and join me in revitalizing Luoyang, safeguarding the citizens south of Luoyang."

Zhao Hanzhang bowed deeply, "I appeal to you."

Madam Chen flushed and quickly curtsied in response, filled with shame, "Lord Zhao is too gracious; we, we shall no longer flee, and will follow your orders in everything."

Xiao Zhi also respectfully agreed.

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, looked at the young man standing behind Madam Chen, beckoned him forward, and asked, "Are you still studying?"

The young man was Chen Pei, the only surviving male of Chen Family’s two households, who calmly bowed and replied, "Yes, I am still studying."

"What are you studying?"

Chen Pei replied, "I am studying ’Mencius’."

Zhao Hanzhang then asked, "Are you a Confucian Scholar?"

Chen Pei paused slightly and replied, "Yes, my grandfather and father both revered Confucian teachings, hence I am a scholar."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded and asked him, "You are already twelve years old, capable of being head of a household. What is your view on the relocation? Do you have any questions for me?"

Chen Pei pursed his lips; he was still young and spirited, though his mother was signaling to him, he nevertheless raised his head and asked Zhao Hanzhang, "I have a question, my Lord. You confine so many citizens within Luoyang under the pretense of rejuvenating Luoyang, but how can you be certain that we will indeed revitalize Luoyang?"

He asked, "What if the citizens within Luoyang City not only fail to revitalize the city but stir chaos instead? Or if the barbarians invade again and you are unable to protect Luoyang, leading to the death of thousands of citizens, bearing such blood debts and consequences, aren’t you afraid?"

"Pei’er!" Madam Chen looked at him anxiously.

Yet Chen Pei steadfastly looked at Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled warmly at him and said, "Since you are reading ’Mencius,’ you must have come across the passage ’Gong Sun Chou Shang,’ right?"

Chen Pei nodded.

Zhao Hanzhang said, "If upon self-examination I do not retreat, even if wearing coarse clothes, I am unafraid; if upon self-examination I retreat, even if faced with thousands, I press forward."

Tears welled in Chen Pei’s eyes, he stepped back a foot and bowed deeply, "My Lord, I would like to borrow some of your courage, and like my father and brothers, live and die with Luoyang."

Madam Chen burst into tears and grabbed his sleeve, "Pei’er!"

Old Madam Chen’s body went limp, collapsing into Second Madam Chen’s arms, unable to utter a word to her only surviving grandson.

Zhao Hanzhang hurriedly reached out to help him up, loudly praising, "Good!"

She looked at him approvingly and said, "Tomorrow, you should go to the Imperial College, since it is still the age for study, then study diligently. In a few years, Luoyang will be handed over to you, it is the likes of you, brave and wise people, who must protect it."

Second Madam Chen supported Old Madam Chen, excitedly saying, "Mother, did you hear that, Pei’er can go to the Imperial College to study."

Old Madam Chen did not seem very happy, although attending the Imperial College would bring prospects, the grandson apparently intended to risk his life to repay Zhao Hanzhang.

She had two sons and six grandsons, now only this one remains.

Old Madam Chen’s tears flowed uncontrollably, wanting to sit on the ground and wail loudly. Zhao Hanzhang worriedly hurried over to support her saying, "Old Madam, rest assured, I shall instruct County Magistrate Zhao for a lighter sentence; you and the Second Madam should return home and wait, shortly, Madam Chen and the others will be home."

After speaking, she supported the old lady to the county government entrance, finding herself a convenient excuse of administrative duties to make a quick exit.

Her silhouette just vanished when Old Madam Chen’s heart-wrenching cries resounded behind, "My grandson, you all think only of your grand deeds, leaving me to bury black-haired as white-haired, I sent off your father, and five grandsons, now just you are left——"

Chen Pei, in a flurry, comforted his grandmother, "Grandpa, I’m just going to study at the Imperial College, not going to the battlefield, rest assured, I’m safe."

"You may think I don’t see through it, but you intend to go to the Imperial College, learn skills and head to the battlefield. If the barbarians attack again, wouldn’t you defend Luoyang? Zhao Hanzhang plans to fatten you up and send you out, I know, I know it completely!"

"Grandpa, the Zhao Envoy is not much older than me, though I’m without her courage to face thousands alone, I can inherit the legacy of father and brothers." Chen Pei kneeled and said, "Grandpa, let us stay, let your grandson study at the Imperial College, if there comes a day I can die for Luoyang in battle, my life would be without regret."

Old Madam Chen gazed at his resolute face and ultimately embraced his head, wailing in anguish.

Zhao Hanzhang walked far away, hearing the cries she looked back, letting out a sigh, said to Ting He with a tug at her lips, "Thankfully we ran fast."

Ting He said, "If mistress is unhappy, then don’t laugh."

Zhao Hanzhang suppressed her laugh, lifting her gaze slightly toward the sky, making it hard for others to see the tears brimming in her eyes, "If one day, I can ensure people needn’t be torn between loyalty and filial piety, it would be wonderful."

Zhao Hanzhang sighed softly, told Ting He, "Return once more, tell Zhao Kuan, the Chen Family is to be given a lighter sentence, there’s no need to hold them in custody anymore."

Ting He acknowledged and turned to leave.

The spectators quietly watched the weeping Old Madam Chen, feeling heartache alongside but didn’t depart, instead focusing keenly on Zhao Kuan, anticipating his verdict, which if unpleasing, would likely spark a joint protest with the Chen Family.

As for the Xiao Family, it wasn’t worth considering.

Even the gossiping youngsters, continuously shocked by Zhao Hanzhang’s identity, managed to suppress their astonishment, joining as fierce observers of Zhao Kuan.

Zhao Kuan: ...

Ting He returned, whispered briefly at Zhao Kuan’s ear, Zhao Kuan nodded, and then coughed lightly, tapped the court mallet saying, "The hour grows late, early judgments should be made."

Among the Chen Family, most are elderly and womenfolk now; imprisoning them would merely cause suffering, and penal labor isn’t suitable. Although they violated Zhao Hanzhang’s decreed laws, initially to set an example, a harsher punishment was warranted, but now...

Zhao Kuan showed leniency, only imposing a small fine, and once the penalty was paid, they were free to go.

In contrast, the Xiao Family was not so fortunate, although sentenced lighter, beyond fines, household head Xiao Zhi and his two sons were required to serve a hundred days’ labor.

The trio’s attempt to pay off their offenses failed.

As Zhao Kuan explained, "The Lord said, only by participating in the construction of this city can one truly come to love it deeply. Mr. Xiao seeking to leave Luoyang obviously doesn’t love it enough yet, hence these hundred days shall be used to nurture affection for Luoyang."

Xiao Zhi: ...