After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 724 - 714 Choices

When Zhao Zhongyu woke up, the sky was almost dark, and in the dim light, he saw Zhao Ji.

He was still a bit confused, but in a moment, he was wide awake, eyes wide open, and he grabbed Zhao Ji’s hand.

Zhao Ji was also excited, and he grasped Zhao Zhongyu’s hand tightly, "Father~~"

Zhao Zhongyu glanced around the room, and seeing it was unfamiliar, he said nothing.

This call brought the people outside in, and the Emperor came in with a group of ministers.

Since Zhao Zhongyu fainted, the Emperor had been waiting with the ministers. Gou Xi was not there; he had gone to the palace to deploy troops. If Zhao Zhongyu died, all Zhao Hanzhang had to do was make a move, and he could strike first.

Zhao Zhongyu waking up was a relief not only to the Emperor and the ministers but also to Gou Xi.

If he and Zhao Hanzhang were to fight, the Xiongnu would take the opportunity to attack south, and the Great Jin would face destruction. Gou Xi did not want to confront Zhao Hanzhang in arms unless absolutely necessary.

After waking up, Zhao Zhongyu proposed to return to the Zhao Mansion, assuring the Emperor, "Your Majesty, please be assured, stability is paramount now. We cannot keep this from Hanzhang, so it would be better to inform her voluntarily. I will persuade her to focus on the bigger picture."

The Emperor was relieved, holding his hand and almost shedding tears, "The Great General is becoming increasingly overbearing, and I am suffering from it. I regret not staying in Luoyang initially and ask Minister Zhao and Governor Zhao to file a complaint; I will be waiting in Yan State."

Zhao Zhongyu solemnly agreed, leaning on Zhao Ji’s hand, and under the Emperor’s gaze, he slowly exited the palace.

Once on the carriage, Zhao Ji still appeared angry and fearful, "Father, will we just let Gou Xi’s recklessness slide?"

If Zhao Zhongyu had been strangled to death by Gou Xi, no one in the Zhao Family in Yun City could survive, especially him. After killing the father, how could Gou Xi allow the son to live?

Thus, Zhao Ji was very fearful.

Zhao Zhongyu looked at him and asked, "Who brought you into the palace?"

Zhao Ji replied, "It was the eunuch beside the Emperor who summoned me, saying you had fainted in the palace. It was only then that I learned Gou Xi had offended both you and the Emperor."

Zhao Zhongyu exhaled deeply, his brows furrowing.

Zhao Ji, observing his father’s expression stealthily, cautiously said, "Father, I heard some say that Third Lady has deployed troops to attack Hedong, Fengyi, and other counties, and now they’ve reached Pingyang County. Isn’t it too dangerous for us to stay in Yun City?"

Zhao Zhongyu lifted his eyes to look at him, causing Zhao Ji’s heart to fill with anxiety, feeling unable to calm down. He instinctively avoided Zhao Zhongyu’s gaze, not daring to meet his eyes.

Only then did Zhao Zhongyu say, "Why listen to others; wouldn’t it be better to ask me directly?"

He said, "Hanzhang indeed arrived at Pingyang to assist Liu Kun. If the Central Plains can be recovered, then Your Majesty can return to Luoyang, which would be a great service to the state. General Gou just doesn’t understand for the moment. Give him some time, and he will."

Who could understand?

Currently, he holds the Emperor to command the dukes. If the Emperor returns to Luoyang, won’t the one holding the Emperor become the Zhao family?

It sounds exciting, but this requires the two of them to risk their lives, while Zhao Hanzhang would reap the benefits, which Zhao Ji is unwilling to accept.

Zhao Zhongyu withdrew his gaze and sighed deeply.

When he saw Zhao Ji in the palace, he was indeed startled. His instant thought was that they needed to find a way to get him out of Yan State.

But at this moment, Zhao Zhongyu suppressed this idea, closing his eyes tightly. Regardless of whether Zhao Hanzhang deployed troops to truly rescue Liu Kun or used it as an excuse to expand territory, the benefits were hers.

Her benefits were Zhao Family’s benefits.

The Zhao Family is now known throughout the world, even seeming to surpass Mrs. Wang in reputation. How could Zhao Zhongyu abandon such an opportunity?

Especially now when the world is in peril, the Zhao Family appears safe but is also teetering on the brink. If a mistake is made, it would be a disaster.

Let’s see, Gou Xi’s actions will ultimately cost him his entire family.

He and his son can’t escape, but fortunately, he left his grandson with Zhao Hanzhang back then.

Zhao Zhongyu sighed, reopened his eyes, and said, "The situation is increasingly chaotic. For this period, stay home and don’t go out unnecessarily."

Zhao Ji became anxious upon hearing this, "Father, aren’t we leaving? Should we just wait to die in Yun City and let Zhao Hezhen climb over our corpses to ascend?"

Zhao Zhongyu’s breathing became rapid, "I am the Clan Leader, and you are the Shangcai Marquis, the next Clan Leader. Can’t you plan a bit more for the family? Leaving now would give Gou Xi a pretext to deploy troops, and all the reputation and trust your uncle accrued with the Emperor would vanish!"

Zhao Zhongyu did not want to deal with him anymore. Once they returned to the Zhao Mansion, he leaned on a follower’s hand to head to the study. His throat was injured, so he couldn’t speak much and said, "Go summon Mr. Tan, and take Zhao Ji back to his courtyard. Without my permission, he is not to leave."

Zhao Ji did not expect to be confined and turned red with anger.

Zhao Zhongyu ignored him, waiting in the study for Tan Zhong.

Yesterday, Zhao Zhongyu had thought of writing a letter to Zhao Hanzhang but feared it might be intercepted, so he delayed.

There was a benefit to the strangulation today, as it cleared his path with the Emperor, allowing him to write openly to Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Zhongyu and Tan Zhong deliberated and composed a letter to Zhao Hanzhang, hoping she could understand it while others could not.

The main purpose was to inform her about the situation in Yun City, that the Emperor was suspicious of her and feared she would rebel;

Her deployment had provoked Gou Xi, who was becoming desperate;

The Emperor hopes she can bring him back to Luoyang to escape Gou Xi’s control... 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Zhao Hanzhang received the letter during the first month of the year; it had been forwarded from Luoyang, as she was on the road, causing a few days’ delay.

Zhao Hanzhang opened the letter, quickly scanned it, furrowed her brow slightly, then handed it to Fu Tinghan, who read it swiftly and passed it to Ji Yuan.

Ji Yuan pondered, "We didn’t anticipate that the decision to deploy troops to contain the Xiongnu would provoke Gou Xi and the Emperor. What do you think about relocating back to Luoyang, Lady?"

"No relocation," Zhao Hanzhang said, "If we bring the Emperor back, then does Yu State and Si Province belong to me or him? Currently, they are being developed according to my plans. If the court returns to Luoyang, not to mention continuing with my plan, I’m afraid what we’ve done would be undone."

Zhao Hanzhang wasn’t willing to get bogged down in factional strife with them.

Ji Yuan hesitated, "In that case, you might be branded a traitor, becoming a target for all."

Zhao Hanzhang contemplated, "If the Emperor wishes to return to Luoyang, it still requires Gou Xi’s consent. For the sake of the realm, stability should take precedence. I have no intention to contend with Gou Xi."

Ji Yuan found this approach commendable, exhaling in relief, though it was somewhat helpless as he smiled, "Because Lord Cao held the Emperor to command the dukes, many heroes wish to emulate it. However, very few will believe you sincerely intend to hand over the Emperor."