After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 718 - 708: News from Bingzhou

Gao Hui returned this time, not only bringing back a large amount of money, fur, and medicine for Fu Tinghan, but also several important pieces of news.

"Liu Yuan is ill."

Fu Tinghan was startled and asked, "Is the news accurate?"

Gao Hui nodded and said, "I am acquainted with a subordinate general surnamed Zhou in Shi Le’s army. I heard him vaguely hint, and the news should be true."

He said, "Liu Yuan is ill, yet for some reason wants to mobilize the army to attack Jinyang. I heard Liu Cong’s army has already headed towards Jinyang, and Liu Yuan also wants to deploy troops from Shangdang, but Shi Le refused citing insufficient provisions."

Fu Tinghan frowned, "Such major news, you got it so easily?"

Gao Hui then said, "The army has already moved, and those Jiehu have long been dissatisfied with the Xiongnu people. This is their news, not from within Shi Le’s army, so those subordinate generals talk about it without any scruples. Just grab a couple more jars of wine and you can probe the news."

Fu Tinghan: "Is there any other news?"

"Yes, Youzhou’s King Jun and Liu Kun are vying for power, seemingly also wanting to deploy troops during the winter," Gao Hui whispered, "I reckon, Shi Le did not agree to Liu Yuan’s troop deployment because he wants to deploy troops to Jizhou and seize territory from Wang Jun."

Wang Jun is the Youzhou Governor, but he also occupies part of Jizhou, and simultaneously holds the title of Qingzhou Governor. Officials’ appointments in Great Jin are chaotic now, some are self-appointed, some are appointed by imperial edict, and some are repeatedly appointed by higher-ranking Dukes or the Emperor.

Wang Jun was promoted eight years ago after participating in the poisoning of the former Crown Prince, holding the governorship of both Qingzhou and Youzhou, a gift from the former emperor, while the current Qingzhou Governor Gou Chun is appointed by the current Emperor Jin.

"Tsk tsk tsk," Zhao Hanzhang said, "With such ambition, why doesn’t he fight Gou Chun for Qingzhou, rightfully so, instead of vying with Liu Kun for Jizhou?"

Jizhou is south of Youzhou and east of Bingzhou. Liu Kun is tightly surrounded by the Xiongnu in Jinyang. Shangdang’s geographical location is special, with strong military forces, and Pingyang is the capital of the Xiongnu Khanate, so it can’t be penetrated. To break the encirclement, he can only move towards the relatively weak defenses of Jizhou.

Otherwise, one day Liu Kun will be trapped to death in Jinyang.

As fellow Jin Ministers, Wang Jun doesn’t even think about helping Liu Kun, pulling him up, but instead wants to push back the forces Liu Kun struggled to break free, it’s simply foolish.

Fu Tinghan asked, "Then what do you plan to do?"

Zhao Hanzhang: "It’s too far; we are separated by Shi Le and Liu Yuan. Even if I want to help, I can’t."

She paused and said, "If Shi Le deploys troops, I can deploy to help hold back Shi Le’s army, but with Wang Jun, I’m in Luoyang, and he’s in Youzhou, separated by such a vast territory and several forces, there’s no way to affect him."

"By the way, what did Gao Hui suggest you do?"

Fu Tinghan: "He suggested I contact Wang Jun and join forces, then seize Jizhou, with Wang Jun taking the north of Anping Country, and I taking the south."

"He’s mad; Shi Le isn’t blind, just watching us seize Jizhou? And do you have the manpower?"

"I don’t, but you do," Fu Tinghan couldn’t help but smile, said, "He said to persuade you to deploy troops to seize Jizhou. Once the territory is expanded and it’s in such a crucial position, you must need people, making it easy for us to place people there."

"The seized part of Jizhou borders Shangdang to the west, Yongzhou to the south, connects to Qingzhou in the west. With slight maneuvering, it can sever connections with us, no, with you, making that part of Jizhou entirely mine."

"Sounds good, but isn’t he afraid that all three sides would simultaneously strike and annihilate whoever is trapped inside?"

Fu Tinghan just smiled and said, "Gao Hui thinks, since Liu Kun can hold Jinyang alone for many years, we should also be able to hold onto that part of Jizhou amidst multidirectional forces."

Zhao Hanzhang pondered, calculating in her mind, then shook her head, "Too aggressive. Although Liu Kun enjoys pleasures, his ability is truly strong. Jinyang has geographical advantage; he can hold Jinyang, it doesn’t mean Gao Hui and others can hold Jizhou."

She does not want to be so aggressive, preferring steady and tactical moves.

Fu Tinghan nodded, "I think so too, but I still want to hear your opinion before rejecting him."

He said, "They brought back quite a bit of money this year, yet I haven’t recruited a single soldier, the manpower gained is little, so he’s a bit hesitant."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang laughed heartily, greatly amused, "You tell him, you’re now the Minister of the Ministry of Industry, and the iron and copper mines of Zhao Hanzhang are in your hands. I have to look at your mood to act."

Fu Tinghan showed a smile, nodding and said, "Alright."

But Gao Hui is stubborn; he thinks these things are impressive, but none compare to having military power.

Because: "If Lord Zhao ever becomes dissatisfied, she can replace the master with a word, only military power is different. If you have troops, she wouldn’t dare to change whimsically."

He’s actually quite reasonable, yet Fu Tinghan only likes to write and calculate, researching future matters to aid Zhao Hanzhang, having no interest in leading troops or training soldiers.

Because of the messages brought back by Gao Hui, Zhao Hanzhang felt this business caravan of theirs is not just about money; she said to Fu Tinghan, "Treat them better, buy their loyalty, and encourage them to work harder next year, bringing back more news from outside."

Fu Tinghan agreed.

The next day, he went to meet the caravan personally, giving each of them a big bonus, letting them rest well during this period, and setting out after the new year.

Receiving the bonus, even Gao Hui rejoiced, then asked Fu Tinghan, "Did the master mention the matter of deploying troops to Jizhou with Lord Zhao?"

Fu Tinghan nodded, speaking to him aside, "Hanzhang didn’t agree. This move is too risky, plus, she and Liu Kun are friends, how can she kick him when he’s down at such a time?"

"This is the flaw of women being in power," Gao Hui said, "In the struggle for supremacy, is there any need to talk about ethics? Naturally, interests come first."

Gao Hui thought Zhao Hanzhang only wanted to be a Jin Minister, didn’t think about contending for the world. Clearly having such power, yet willing to rest easy in one corner, Gao Hui looks down on her.

Fu Tinghan glanced at him, didn’t speak of Zhao Hanzhang’s ambitions, instead said, "If I had no principles, would Mr. Gao still follow me?"

Gao Hui stiffened, immediately said, "The master’s mind is broad, with the ambition to encompass the sea and the heart to contend for hegemony. Few in the world can compare with the master, who else would I follow if not the master?"

The words were quite flattering, but Fu Tinghan was not confused. Had he been able to leave Luoyang, he surely would have gone to serve Gou Xi. Choosing Fu Tinghan was merely thinking he was an exceptional commodity without close confidants?

Fu Tinghan smiled, warmly said, "I know Mr. Gao’s mind, but this matter is not to be mentioned again. This is a significant issue, even Hanzhang wouldn’t make a unilateral decision; it’s the result of discussion among multiple advisers."

Whether Ji Yuan, Ming Yu, or Wei Jie, they all disagreed with deploying troops to Jizhou at this time.

Wei Jie even suggested Zhao Hanzhang should help Liu Kun. He said, "Liu Yueshi has great loyalty; if the lord can aid him now, he would surely repay. And Liu Yueshi has bonded as brothers with Tuoba Xianbei; most of the horses brought back this time were bought from Tuoba Xianbei."