After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 727 - 717 Pure-Hearted Young Prince

Zhao Hanzhang stationed fifty thousand soldiers eighty miles outside Pingyang City, while Beigong Chun was leading twenty thousand troops between Shangdang and Pingyang, on guard against Shi Le;

Zhao Erlang and Chen Wu each commanded twenty thousand troops in various counties to eradicate bandits, gather refugees, and were ready to support Zhao Hanzhang whenever needed.

Fu Zhi also led twenty thousand troops stationed in Fengyi County, guarding against the Xianbei from the west.

Even Zhang Gui in Xiliang began to mobilize troops towards Chang’an to support Fu Zhi.

Liu Yuan in the Pingyang Palace could hardly believe that Great Jin had deployed so many forces merely to help Liu Kun hold him in check.

Wang Si Niang queried Zhao Hanzhang why she did not seize the opportunity to pursue, while Liu Yuan equally feared Zhao Hanzhang would advance triumphantly into Pingyang.

Thus, he issued five military orders urgently instructing Liu Cong to bring back his army posthaste.

Liu Yuan claimed that one hundred thousand troops were defending Pingyang City, yet only he and several top generals of the Han Kingdom knew there were not actually one hundred thousand troops within the city.

Zhao Hanzhang needed to be watched, but Beigong Chun was even more terrifying, so Liu Qin led eighty thousand troops to keep an eye on Beigong Chun.

Liu Kun was stationed in Jinyang, a thorn in Liu Yuan’s side within the Han Kingdom, and whenever possible, he entrusted Liu Cong with a crucial force to attack Jinyang.

As for the other large armies, they were in the hands of their respective leaders.

Suspected by Zhao Hanzhang of feasting on lavish meals, Liu Yuan was standing on the city wall gazing into the distance, where cooking smoke coiled, leaving him in a foul mood.

He turned back into the palace.

Crown Prince Liu He noticed his father’s gloomy expression and asked, "Are you worried about Zhao Hanzhang outside the city, father?"

Liu Yuan sighed, "The matter of Zhao Hanzhang dispatching troops is unavoidable, there’s no point fretting over it. We haven’t taken many cities over there; due to unfavorable terrain, most people have fled from those cities, leaving her with just a few empty towns. What worries me is the delayed support from our allies."

"If Pingyang is attacked in the future and support remains delayed, can our Han Kingdom remain unscathed?"

Liu He said, "But isn’t General Shi right in Shangdang? Should Zhao Hanzhang dare to attack, father would unleash Shi Le, our two hundred thousand troops should easily overwhelm Zhao Hanzhang’s ten thousand."

They were merely claimed to be two hundred thousand, and would Shi Le genuinely deplete his reserves for the Han Kingdom?

Previously he and Liu Cong vied against each other, Shangdang was seized by him first, leaving Liu Cong deeply resentful.

But such concerns he could not voice, lest it be perceived by Shi Le as irrefutable evidence of distrust.

Liu Yuan was about to dismiss the Crown Prince, but considering his age, refrained, instead summoning a few key ministers for discussions, "When can Xuanming return to Pingyang?"

Liu Cong, courtesy name Xuanming.

Grand Minister of Supervision Liu Yang immediately replied, "They are traveling swiftly, they should return to Pingyang by tomorrow afternoon."

Liu Yuan: "I wonder if Zhao Hanzhang will launch a surprise attack tonight?"

Grand Tutor Liu Huanle said, "I believe Zhao Hanzhang’s actions are mere intimidation, without any intention to attack, she has just been camping for two days, showing no signs of aggression."

Liu Yang said, "Precisely for that reason we need to be cautious, Zhao Hanzhang is known for ingenious tactics, who knows if this isn’t a ploy to deceive the enemy?"

"Indeed," Liu Yuan also worried that Zhao Hanzhang was lulling them into complacency to attack Pingyang at the opportune moment, "She is full of subterfuge, we must be vigilant."

Liu Yang suggested, "Your Majesty might consider issuing another decree for Shi Le to lead troops for reinforcement?"

Nearby, Grand Minister of Supervision Liu Yannian interjected, "Not wise, Beigong Chun is currently stationed between Pingyang and Shangdang, Shi Le might be intercepted before reaching Pingyang."

Liu Yang: "There’s more than one road from Shangdang to Pingyang, they can detour north."

The Huyan Tribe territory is in that region. Crown Prince Liu He was displeased and immediately said, "That’s inadvisable, what if Shi Le pillages our towns during the passage?"

Mainly fearing Shi Le would seize the opportunity to replace them; originally Shangdang was under Wang Mi’s control, Wang Mi was Liu Yuan’s subordinate general, after his death, Shangdang should be claimed by Liu Yuan’s envoy, yet Shi Le seemed oblivious to the court orders and directly took it.

Liu He said, "Shi Le is of slave origin, humble and devoid of etiquette, he likely wouldn’t honor his promises, father must not trust him."

Infuriated, Liu Yuan retorted, "Such words mustn’t be uttered again, he was a slave, but also a former Jiehu prince, besides, he is now my Great General; earlier you said he could deter Zhao Hanzhang, so why is now, when he intends to traverse your maternal family’s territory, he not trustworthy?"

Liu He bowed his head, though he still seemed somewhat defiant.

Liu Yannian sighed, "Your Majesty favors General Shi highly, which causes dissatisfaction amongst other tribes, hence the delay in their support."

Exasperated, Liu Yuan slammed the table, crying, "Must I consult them to show favor to my generals? The capital faces a formidable foe, yet they squabble over such trivialities, the Han Kingdom has only been established for a few years, are we to follow in Jin State’s footsteps?"

Liu Yang slightly frowned, although he disagreed with part of Liu Yannian’s viewpoint, nevertheless said, "Why does Your Majesty need to estrange various tribes over someone like Shi Le? He is just a Jiehu, a slave no less."

Liu Yuan revered the Han Dynasty and considered himself the heir of Liu Chan, though he was Xiongnu, surrounded by Xiongnu people.

Liu Huanle, Liu Yang, Liu Yannian, and many ministers all took Han surnames but were Xiongnu.

Within the Xiongnu Kingdom, they looked down upon Han people and Jiehu, and at heart, viewed Jiehu more despicably than Han people, thus disdain for Shi Le and the Jiehu was deeply rooted.

Moreover, Shi Le was not just Jiehu; having been a slave, he was even more disparaged.

No one understood why Liu Yuan treated Shi Le with such favor, similar to the incomprehension of Liu Yuan’s advocacy for Han governance.

They were Xiongnu, thus should govern according to Xiongnu methods; anyone other than Xiongnu were deemed inferior.

Han people and Jiehu were only fit to serve as footmen.

This ideological discord created an impervious wall between them, thicker than any city wall.

Liu Yuan was exasperated to the extent his chest throbbed in pain, ultimately erupting, ordering all tribes to come to Pingyang to defend the throne; failure to comply would bear consequences!

Liu Yuan dismissed everyone except his youngest son, Liu Yi.

Liu Yi was the son of Empress Shan; born later, he continually received his father’s education on Han governance, personally inclining more towards Han governance.

This young prince also retained a genuine innocence, thus after aiding his father onto the dragon bed, he inquired, "Father, why not negotiate with Zhao Hanzhang first?" 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Liu Yuan was still somewhat headachy, hence did not immediately grasp, counter-questioning, "What?"

Liu Yi explained, "Father, since you don’t lament the lost cities and yet fear her attack on Pingyang, why not attempt negotiation first? Perhaps it could be talked through."

Who said he wasn’t aggrieved? Despite the scant population in those cities, the southward advance pained him.

Yet facing his child’s earnest expression, Liu Yuan sighed and waved, "Our relationship with Jin State is one of mutual destruction; negotiations aren’t so simple?"

"How could it be mutual destruction? Father was once a Jin minister, learned in Luoyang; relations should be amicable, son thinks negotiation might be tried, ending this conflict with Zhao Hanzhang amicably would be best,"

Liu Yuan replied with a headache, "I understand, let me consider it."

His heart hurt, head ached, longing only for solitude.

Liu Yi glanced at his fatigued father, pursed his lips, then agreed.

Once retreating, he directed his gaze outside the city, clenched his teeth, gathered his personal soldiers, and exited the city; he resolved to find Zhao Hanzhang and personally persuade her to withdraw her troops!