After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 732 - 722 Heartache

The Great Jin does not recognize the Han Kingdom. Even when they were oppressed by Liu Yuan, they still referred to him as a treacherous minister and traitor within the Great Jin.

Thus, Liu Yuan particularly longed for the demise of the Jin State. Only with the fall of the Great Jin could he legitimately become the emperor of the world.

He was always committed to capturing Luoyang, capturing or killing the Emperor Jin, and destroying the Jin State.

Now that the Jin State has moved its capital, his targets, besides Luoyang, also include Yun City. Wherever the emperor goes, he will attack.

Someone like this, even though his most beloved youngest son is in Zhao Hanzhang’s hands, and despite his heartache, he still refuses to show weakness in front of his ministers.

Thus, he first threatened Zeng Yue, "Liu Yi is the Seventh Prince of my Han Kingdom. Does Zhao Hanzhang dare to abduct him and humiliate the Great Han?"

Immediately, a minister stepped forward, glaring angrily at Zeng Yue, "If the lord is humiliated, the minister should die. I will kill you now to avenge my lord!"

Zeng Yue remained calm and said to Liu Yuan, "Great Commander, the King of Beihai was not captured by our troops; he went to the Zhao Family Army Camp as a guest on his own volition. Here is the handwritten letter from our Governor. Why doesn’t the Great Commander read it first?"

The guard beside him retrieved the letter and handed it to Liu Yuan.

Liu Yuan unfolded it and was speechless for a long time.

He had already guessed it. Zhao Hanzhang’s troops were stationed eighty li away. Even if his scouts and vanguard army were active outside the city, they couldn’t possibly have captured his son silently. It must be that the boy went there himself.

Negotiations...

Liu Yuan gritted his teeth in secret, but he couldn’t lose his temper, with people from all the tribes and the Crown Prince present.

Although he had never considered replacing the Crown Prince, because Empress Shan and Liu Yi were favored, and Liu Yi was the youngest son, the Crown Prince’s faction was very wary.

If they found out that Liu Yi wasn’t captured but went to the enemy camp himself, he might truly not be able to return, only becoming a wandering young prince outside.

Liu Yuan took a deep breath, suppressed the complex emotions in his heart, and said expressionlessly, "Come, escort the envoy to rest."

He needed to discuss with his ministers.

Zeng Yue refused, saying, "I only came to deliver a letter, to reassure the Great Commander that the King of Beihai is doing well with us, and I have no authority for peace talks. If the Great Commander wishes to negotiate with our Governor, please send another envoy. Our Zhao Family Army will be waiting."

With that, he took his leave and departed.

Liu Yuan could only have someone escort them out.

After all, he couldn’t detain Zeng Yue.

Zeng Yue was only a messenger, but Zhao Hanzhang held his son.

As soon as Zeng Yue left, everyone immediately gathered around Liu Yuan, hastily asking, "What negotiation? Does Zhao Hanzhang want to negotiate with us?"

"She has to return the cities she took first."

"Hmph, with the meat already at the mouth, would you let it go? Unless you disregard the safety of the King of Beihai, once the army returns, launch a strong attack. Otherwise, how could she return the occupied cities?"

Liu Huanle was more pragmatic, not engaging in their quarrel, and directly asked Liu Yuan, "What are Zhao Hanzhang’s conditions for negotiation?"

Now that Liu Yi is in her hands and she is not at a disadvantage, with support from both the east and west, she is not afraid of them attacking. At this time, proposing peace talks must come with conditions.

Liu Yuan handed him the letter to read, pursing his lips, "She demands that we do not send troops to Jinyang within ten years."

Liu Huanle immediately said, "That’s impossible!"

Liu Yuan also did not want to agree. He planned to destroy Jin in three years and unify the world in five years.

He wanted to destroy both Luoyang and Yun City. How could he possibly spare Jinyang, entrenched within their Han Kingdom?

Beside him, Shan Jin muttered, "Your Majesty might pretend to agree first and discuss other things after bringing back the Seventh Prince."

The Di people in the hall quickly chimed in, "Yes, bring back the Seventh Prince first. If we don’t listen to them later, what can they do to us?"

Imperial Censor Huyan Yi angrily said, "Your Majesty is the ruler of a nation, a ruler doesn’t speak lightly. If you agree with Zhao Hanzhang and sign a treaty, you must uphold it. Otherwise, if you tear up the alliance at will, what credibility will the Han Kingdom have in the future?"

He turned to the emperor, "Your Majesty, learn from the Sima family’s example. You must not make such a mistake."

Liu Yuan’s face changed, finally saying, "I understand, but Little Seven is my beloved son; I am also pained."

"Your Majesty, please give the order. I am willing to lead the troops to fight Zhao Hanzhang and bring back the Seventh Prince."

"No, no," Shan Jin hurriedly said, "What if you anger Zhao Hanzhang and she kills the Seventh Prince?"

"Then I will bring back the corpse of the Seventh Prince!"

Liu Yuan: ...

Huyan Yi believed this plan was feasible. For the Xiongnu prince, even in death, the body must be brought back.

He said, "Dying for the Han Kingdom, the Seventh Prince would feel honored."

But Liu Yuan couldn’t bear it. He was torn and finally looked at Liu He, "Crown Prince, what do you think?"

The Crown Prince, who had been staring in a daze at his own toes, was startled when he heard this. Seeing everyone looking at him, at that moment, he wanted to say to forget about Little Seven’s life or death. Yet under his father’s gaze, he still expressed urgency, "Naturally, we must save Seventh Brother."

Liu Yuan: "How will you save him?"

"This..." The Crown Prince could not help but look at Huyan Yi and Liu Huanle.

Liu Yuan’s face darkened slightly, and he waved his hand for the Crown Prince and others to leave, leaving only Liu Huanle and a few important ministers for discussion.

The Crown Prince left nervously.

Liu Huanle, being one of Liu Yuan’s confidants and understanding Liu Yuan’s ambitions the most, immediately asked, "What do you plan to do, Your Majesty?"

"The tone in Zhao Hanzhang’s letter isn’t harsh, so there might be room to talk. First, send an envoy to make some contact. If we can use gold and silver to get the person back, then do so. If she insists on us promising not to attack Jinyang..." Liu Yuan bit his lip, looking pained, "Then, I can only act as if I don’t have this son."

Upon hearing this, Liu Huanle and Huyan Yi sighed, comforted Liu Yuan for a while, and then bowed and left.

The emperor’s mind was clear, which was good. Now was not the time to concede; otherwise, Zhao Hanzhang would become more aggressive, leading to endless troubles.

After exiting the main hall, Liu Huanle put away the expressions on his face and asked Huyan Yi, "Where is the Fourth Prince now?"

"He should be arriving soon."

"Returning with a tired army, it is not suitable to take action now. Let Zhao Hanzhang act arrogantly for a few more days."

Huyan Yi inquired, "Who can be the envoy?"

Shan Jin was impossible, as the Shan family was the mother clan of the Seventh Prince; Huyan Yi was also impossible, as he was on the Crown Prince’s side.

After consideration, the only one Liu Yuan could trust and who had the weight to negotiate was Liu Huanle. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Huyan Yi reminded him, "Your Majesty aspires to rule the world, and now that Zhao Hanzhang and Gou Xi are not on good terms, it’s precisely the time to move forward. Grand Tutor, do not let personal sentiments prevail."

Liu Huanle responded emotionlessly, "Rest assured."

Liu Yi, the young prince, did not know Zhao Hanzhang was using him as a bargaining chip to negotiate with his father. Early in the morning, he was interested in watching Zhao Hanzhang practice spear fighting.

The spear techniques were swift; Zhao Hanzhang moved gracefully, creating a vigorous aura with her movements. Liu Yi couldn’t help saying, "Governor Zhao’s spear skills are truly excellent, even better than my fourth brother’s."

Zhao Hanzhang withdrew her spear and smiled, "Your fourth brother specializes in using the machete, so naturally, he can’t compare with me in spear skills. If it’s a machete competition, I can’t beat him either."

Liu Yi curiously asked, "I heard that Governor Zhao defeated my fourth brother three times and almost took his life twice. Is that true?"

"Who did you hear that from?" Zhao Hanzhang laughed, "On the battlefield, not succeeding is not succeeding; with only a small margin or a large one, the result is the same."

"Many people mentioned this. My fourth brother is determined to personally slay you to avenge himself."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang laughed heartily, "Then we’ll have to meet on the battlefield again. This time, since I’m already negotiating peace with you, Liu Cong won’t have the chance to seek revenge on me."

Liu Yi nodded.