After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 737 - 727: Pie
Wei Jie and his group did indeed bypass Quzhou County, heading straight to Zhongshan County without pausing.
However, the atmosphere within the team grew much heavier, completely different from the previous lightheartedness.
The group quickened their pace, traveling day and night, and arrived at Zhongshan County by the evening of the third day.
Zhao Xin and Wei Jie first went to see Liu Kun’s cousin, Liu Xi.
Liu Xi is Liu Kun’s spokesperson in Jizhou. They are all natives of Zhongshan County. The Liu Family has many village elders here, and Liu Kun is a renowned scholar. In recent years, due to him steadfastly defending Jinyang and sheltering refugees, his reputation in the Jizhou and Bingzhou regions has grown even larger.
Zhongshan County regards Liu Kun with pride.
Therefore, when Liu Xi received orders to return to Zhongshan County to assemble forces to reclaim Jizhou, he was able to rally support with a single call. And places like Dai County also abandoned the more powerful Wang Jun to turn to Liu Kun due to Liu Kun’s prestige.
Upon hearing that Zhao Hanzhang’s envoy had arrived, Liu Xi immediately went out with his subordinate generals to greet them.
He knows that Zhao Hanzhang is now their ally. Two days ago, reinforcements arrived from Jinyang; they were able to spare reinforcements because Zhao Hanzhang had besieged Pingyang City, forcing Liu Cong’s army to return.
Otherwise, he feared he would not have been able to hold Zhongshan County two days ago, so Liu Xi values Zhao Hanzhang’s envoy highly.
However, he was also curious as to why the envoy was not visiting Jinyang but coming to Zhongshan County. If there was a benefit exchange, they should find Liu Kun, not him.
He’s just a worker.
"Meeting Wang Jun?" Liu Xi almost lost his seat, nervously asking, "Why does Zhao Envoy want to meet Wang Jun?"
Surely Zhao Hanzhang isn’t going to abandon them to form an alliance with Wang Jun?
Zhao Xin said, "Our Inspector believes that whether General Wang or Governor Liu, they are both Jin Ministers. It’s inappropriate to attack each other at this time, as it benefits the Xiongnu instead. Hence, our Inspector has dispatched me and Mr. Wei as envoys to persuade General Wang to stop attacking and instead divide Jizhou into two for governance, using the current military line as the boundary."
Liu Xi’s eyes flickered, hesitating, "Will Wang Jun agree?"
On their side, there’s no strong objection since besides Liu Yuan and Shi Le, they hold the largest territories in Jizhou, with Wang Jun only possessing the smallest part.
In terms of military power, Liu Kun cannot compare to Wang Jun. If they continue fighting, the one certain to lose is Liu Kun, and places like Dai County, though allied with Liu Kun, lack high combat enthusiasm. If Wang Jun insists on not retreating and continues fighting, they might directly surrender.
Thus, the deal is more of an advantage than a disadvantage for them.
Liu Xi had one more thing to say but dared not utter it; actually, if they could coexist peacefully, they would be willing to give up a county.
However, he feared saying it would hurt morale, so he only dared to entertain the thought privately.
Zhao Xin said, "If it’s just drawing lines for governance, he certainly wouldn’t agree, but what if we are willing to help him capture Qingzhou?"
Liu Xi widened his eyes, "Qingzhou? But that’s Little General Gou’s..."
Zhao Xin smiled and said, "General Wang also holds the role of Qingzhou Governor, but Little General Gou is busy with numerous affairs, perhaps forgetting this role, so General Wang additionally appointed Little General Gou as Qingzhou Governor."
Liu Xi was uneasy, swallowing hard, "But if we capture Qingzhou, and in case it provokes Little General Gou..."
Zhao Xin said, "General, now that Governor Liu and General Wang are mutually attacking, the lawsuit at Yun City has dragged on for over a month without a conclusion. Clearly, Little General Gou isn’t very concerned with this matter." 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂
"General Wang possesses strong military power, while Governor Liu has high prestige. With our Inspector assisting from the side, capturing Qingzhou is a mere matter of reaching out. This action can quell the battles in both places and unite the three territories against the Xiongnu, achieving a dual outcome. Even Your Majesty would be pleased, and I believe Little General Gou would certainly prioritize the bigger picture."
It’s a win-win situation with only Gou Xi getting hurt. If Gou Xi finds out, he might get so furious that he vomits blood.
But Liu Xi readily agreed after just a thought.
Zhao Hanzhang stands between Shi Le and Liu Yuan, making it difficult to dispatch troops over to assist—they can only use diversionary tactics and others like surrounding Wei to save Zhao. Now they face less threat from the Xiongnu, but that doesn’t mean they can defeat Wang Jun.
If they can negotiate peace and send troops to assist in the Qingzhou battle, it’s not impossible.
Betray a comrade rather than oneself.
Liu Xi agreed, also indicating that he would dispatch troops to escort them for negotiations with Wang Jun.
Liu Xi first sent a letter to Wang Jun across, then proactively prepared to warmly entertain the envoy.
He couldn’t resist stealing glances at Wei Jie repeatedly. The man is indeed like jade; if someone like him travels, what happens if he gets offended by characters like Wang Jun?
So Liu Xi proposed, "Why don’t you stay in the city and await news, Mr. Wei? Outside is still too dangerous."
Zhao Xin:... Isn’t he dangerous too?
Wei Jie shook his head, "There was my signature on the letter just sent out. I’m the deputy of this envoy, so if General Wang consents to meet us and I don’t show up, wouldn’t that be deceitful?"
In the Youzhou Army’s camp, Wang Jun certainly didn’t want to see any envoy, especially one from Zhao Hanzhang.
After reading Liu Xi’s letter, he tossed the letter accompanying the Zhao Hanzhang envoy’s letter to his deputy general, bitterly stating, "How dare Zhao Hanzhang send envoys here? Does she truly think she represents the court? Hadn’t it been her meddling at Yun City, Your Majesty would have already appointed me as Jizhou Governor."
Once appointed as Jizhou Governor, Liu Kun would have no choice but to vacate even if he occupied more land.
Beside him, his subordinate general also disliked Zhao Hanzhang, saying, "Had it not been for reinforcements arriving suddenly from Jinyang three days ago during the general attack, we would have taken Zhongshan County early and eliminated Liu Xi. The reason Jinyang could spare reinforcements was solely due to her troops attacking Pingyang County, causing Liu Cong, who’s tied up in Jinyang, to leave. Great General, how about we deploy troops again tomorrow, giving her envoy a hard time and showing them the error? Let Zhao Hanzhang know that between Great General and Liu Kun, her choice of Liu Kun was akin to eyes being affixed behind her ass."
The deputy general has already read the letter, and seeing Wang Jun genuinely considering this suggestion, he hurriedly stepped forward with the letter, stating, "General, there’s Wei Jie in the envoy this time."
Wang Jun furrowed his brows, "Wei Jie of Hedong?"
"Exactly," the deputy general weighed his response while observing Wang Jun’s expression, saying, "Great General, Wei Jie is a contemporary renowned scholar. People often say the three sons of the Wang Family are no match for one son of the Wei Family. If General sends troops without even meeting him, rumors might spread, defaming the General."
Wang Jun was surprised, "How could Wei Jie be in Zhao Hanzhang’s envoy? Could it be he has decided to ally with Zhao Hanzhang?"
The deputy general proposed, "Why not meet them first and hear what they have to say? If General isn’t pleased, you can find an excuse to dismiss them later."
Wang Jun lowered his gaze in thought, then nodded. He wanted to meet Wei Jie; if Wei Jie truly sided with Zhao Hanzhang, he’s curious about Zhao Hanzhang’s intentions.
Wang Jun imagined various possibilities, with Zhao Hanzhang potentially speaking nonsense or trying to mediate between him and Liu Kun, suggesting they divide governance...
He had already thought up reasons for refusal. West of Youzhou is Jizhou, making Youzhou the closest area to Jizhou. This region was inherently within his sphere of influence.
That Liu Kun, with his ambitions like a wolf, dared to covet his Jizhou!
Back when his parents got trapped, finding no refuge, it was he who lent him troops to rescue his parents, yet now he repays kindness with treachery.
Wang Jun gritted his teeth in resentment, deciding he’d refuse peace talks even if Wei Jie initiated them, but when the envoy arrived, before he could recover from Wei Jie’s stunning appearance, Zhao Xin hit him with a surprising proposal, "Capture Qingzhou?"
