After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 720 - 710: A Kindred Spirit

Ming Yu guessed correctly, Wang Jun indeed bribed Gou Xi, and he also wanted to rightfully become the Jizhou Governor.

The people selected by Zhao Hanzhang brought treasures to Yun City and first went to see Zhao Zhongyu quietly, handing him the letters addressed to him and the Emperor: "The envoy says that if General Gou has different opinions, please ask Minister Zhao to help arrange things. Regardless, Liu Kun must be made the Jizhou Governor."

Zhao Zhongyu opened the letter and carefully read it before nodding, "I understand."

He had his confidant lead them out through the back door, glancing at the letter and memorial for the Emperor on the desk, he still tucked them into his hand and proceeded to the palace.

Zhao Zhongyu first brought up the struggle between Liu Kun and Wang Jun, saying, "I heard that the Xiongnu Khanate also took this opportunity to send troops to Jinyang, seemingly intending to jointly attack Liu Kun with Wang Jun."

The Emperor was quite displeased upon hearing this, pursing his lips and stating, "Now Bingzhou has only one city left to accommodate Jin people, if Liu Kun cannot hold Jinyang, wouldn’t all of Bingzhou fall into the hands of the bandit Liu Yuan?"

"Exactly," Zhao Zhongyu responded, "Liu Kun ordered his brother to seize Jizhou to break the encirclement of the Xiongnu. If he can connect Jinyang and Jizhou, in the future when the court recovers lost territory, they could form a north-south pincer attack."

The Emperor appeared troubled and stated, "The Chief of Staff’s words align with my thoughts; however, the Great General prefers Wang Jun to also hold the post of Jizhou Governor..."

After hesitating for a moment, he said, "In fact, it wouldn’t be bad for Wang Jun to become the Jizhou Governor, as he is also a Jin Minister, with strong military power and many capable generals under him. I’ve heard he once defeated Shi Le, maybe he can recover the entire Jizhou?"

"If the court can deploy forces northwards, then he and Liu Kun can join forces, wouldn’t it be better for us to jointly attack the Xiongnu?" The Emperor was upset, however, because Wang Jun should not attack Jinyang, giving the Xiongnu the opportunity.

Thus, the Emperor said, "The Jizhou Governor should be decided to prevent any conflict between them, otherwise it would harm themselves and benefit the Xiongnu."

Zhao Zhongyu, upon hearing, realized the Emperor intended for Wang Jun to become the Jizhou Governor and quickly presented Zhao Hanzhang’s letter, saying: "Your Majesty, Governor Zhao instead recommends Liu Kun for the Jizhou Governor; this is her letter to Your Majesty."

The Emperor hurriedly took it, his eyes widening as he read.

He sat upright, his expression serious, "Is what Zhao Hanzhang writes true? Does Wang Jun truly harbor betrayal?"

Zhao Zhongyu responded sternly, "If Your Majesty does not believe, why not intervene and first refrain from deciding who will be the Jizhou Governor, and have Wang Jun and Liu Kun cease fighting, observing which of them complies with orders."

The Emperor tightened his fist, finding it difficult to make an immediate decision.

Zhao Zhongyu stated, "The urgent task is to assist Jinyang in facing the Xiongnu; this is not just a matter of one city, but vital to the life and death of Great Jin. Your Majesty, if Jinyang falls, all of Bingzhou will be lost to the Xiongnu, how can Jizhou survive? Above Jizhou, Youzhou is far from the court; by then, will Youzhou still belong to Great Jin?"

Zhao Zhongyu exclaimed, "Once Great Jin loses the entire north, recovering it would be like reaching for the heavens. Does Your Majesty wish to remain in Yun City, content, watching Great Jin torn apart?"

"No!" The Emperor stiffened, finally recognizing the importance of Jinyang, lowering his eyes in thought. "If Wang Jun truly harbors betrayal, Jizhou indeed cannot fall into his hands; otherwise, his power grows too strong, and he won’t heed the court’s orders. But if he truly harbors betrayal, with Shi Le and Liu Yuan between us, I cannot compel him. Will he heed orders to cease fighting?"

Zhao Zhongyu said, "Whether Wang Jun or Liu Kun, their desire to be Jizhou Governor is for legitimate status. Your Majesty rules the entire realm; even though Wang Jun may harbor betrayal, he must fear somewhat. If he defies Your Majesty’s orders, the whole realm can be united against him."

War isn’t just about capturing cities, it involves various forms like public opinion and economics.

If Wang Jun openly displays rebellion, the aristocracy will scorn him, critique him, and economically sanction him while aiding Liu Kun, placing him under enormous pressure.

Perhaps it would help Liu Kun stabilize the situation.

Reputation is crucial.

Zhao Zhongyu glanced indifferently at the Emperor, asking why the Jin Dynasty couldn’t command the aristocracy.

Wasn’t it because they held an unjust position and had a terrible reputation?

Now everyone understands the importance of reputation, hence the Zhao Family flaunts loyalty, always supportive of the Emperor.

Though hypocritical, it’s effective.

Influenced, the Emperor suppressed Gou Xi’s proposal to name Wang Jun as Jizhou Governor, and the next day invited Gou Xi to the palace to discuss: "Jinyang is Bingzhou’s remaining land, we Jin people can only find some vitality there. Now the Xiongnu attack, and Wang Jun competes with Liu Kun, fearing Jinyang cannot be preserved."

He said, "Thus, I wish to mediate between my two beloved ministers; both are pillars of Great Jin. Losing either pains me deeply."

Having just received a substantial amount of gold and jewels from Liu Kun the previous day, Gou Xi immediately responded, "Your Majesty speaks correctly; I am willing to send letters to Youzhou and Jinyang, asking them to temporarily cease fighting to focus on responding to the Xiongnu."

The Emperor did not expect Gou Xi to agree so easily and relaxed, then said, "The appointment of Jizhou Governor will be put aside first, discussed again after they stop fighting."

Gou Xi was also unable to decide who should be the Jizhou Governor, thus nodded in agreement.

Well, although Liu Kun had offended him earlier, his relationship with Wang Jun was also mediocre; both parties sent gifts, but Liu Kun’s gift was clearly more palatable and valuable, requiring further consideration as to whom should be the Jizhou Governor.

Knowing that Zhao Hanzhang sent gifts for him to Gou Xi and was maneuvering in the court to make him the Jizhou Governor, Liu Kun was moved beyond words. When he received a batch of military supplies sent by Zhao Hanzhang, tears flooded his eyes, moved as he said, "I regarded Shi Zhi as a confidant; today I see, I have another confidant."

Shi Zhi is Zu Ti’s ancient name, and both are famous for stirring at dawn with ambition.

Liu Kun was not easily impressed, though widely charismatic and sociable, few truly won his sincere admiration.

Zhao Hanzhang became the second.

A confidant is akin to family; Liu Kun initially felt somewhat awkward, yet now felt no discomfort, and immediately wrote to her, hoping she could attack the Xiongnu from the south to alleviate some pressure.

Although the Emperor ordered them to cease fighting, messages take time to exchange, and Wang Jun may not comply, thus Liu Kun needed a dual strategy.

Liu Xi and others continued to guard Zhongshan County; as long as Wang Jun continued to fight, they could only resist. Now, dispersing the Xiongnu forces was paramount.

The message arrived at Luoyang, and Zhao Hanzhang, having read it, went to examine the map, shaking her head, "Deploying troops to Pingyang County, won’t it force Shi Le to get involved?"

Pingyang County is next to Shangdang, governed by the Xiongnu.

Though Shi Le does not follow Liu Yuan’s orders now, he remains the Great General of the Xiongnu Khanate. If Zhao Hanzhang attacks Pingyang County, he surely will not ignore it.