After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 738 - 728: Smart People Who Can Think

"Yes," Zhao Xin said, "General, you hold the official position of Qingzhou Governor. Seizing Qingzhou with legitimacy is surely more advantageous than wasting troops here against Liu Kun?"

Wang Jun sneered, "Qingzhou is the territory of Gou Xi and his brother, and Gou Chun is also the Emperor’s appointed Qingzhou Governor. If I take Qingzhou, are you hoping for a fight between me and Gou Xi so you can reap the benefits?"

"Of course not," Zhao Xin replied, "Gou Chun is harsh, and the people of Qingzhou suffer greatly. In just half a year since his appointment, there are already songs in Qingzhou saying, ’Little Gou is harsher than Big Gou.’ In such a situation, if you become a joint Qingzhou Governor, you can respond to the people’s plea to drive out Gou Chun. I think scholars from both the north and south would be pleased to see it happen."

Wang Jun remained silent.

Zhao Xin continued, "If you take Qingzhou, our Governor will support you with provisions and military supplies, and even Governor Liu will send troops to assist."

Wang Jun’s eyes flickered. What is Zhao Hanzhang planning?

Does she want to ally with them both against the Gou brothers?

Wang Jun looked at Wei Jie with a hint in his eyes, "Now, with Your Majesty in Yun City, if Qingzhou is taken, where does Governor Zhao intend to place His Majesty?"

Zhao Xin also looked at Wei Jie, clearly showing that Wang Jun didn’t quite believe him.

Only then did Wei Jie speak, "His Majesty wishes to return to Luoyang."

Wang Jun opened his mouth wide in astonishment.

Zhao Xin was also surprised, but quickly regained his composure, nodding calmly when Wang Jun looked at him, confirming it, yes, the Emperor wishes to return to Luoyang.

When did this happen?

No matter, first deceive them into coming.

In a moment, Wang Jun contemplated much. Is this cooperation not just between Zhao Hanzhang and Liu Kun, but also involves the Emperor and her? So, is her campaign to reclaim Si Province also the Emperor’s decision?

Is the Emperor changing alliances again?

He’s only been with Gou Xi for a year, right?

But it makes sense. Rumor has it Gou Xi has become increasingly arrogant since arriving in Yun City, frequently taking money from the treasury, even encroaching on the Emperor’s private finances. The Emperor should have been tolerating him for a long time.

If Gou Xi is truly finished, both Qingzhou and Yan State will need new leaders...

Wang Jun’s breathing was slightly ragged, his hand on his knee clenched tightly, eyes filled with unconcealed ambition.

Qingzhou was surely his, but who said during chaos Yan State couldn’t be his too?

Heh, Zhao Hanzhang may dominate the Central Plains with a large army, but he is not inferior; not only does he have the Youzhou Army, but also the support of the Duanbu Xianbei. When the Emperor returns to Luoyang, he could advance southward and take Yan State.

At that point, attacking from both north and south, not only Jizhou, but even Bingzhou, he could have the strength to contend with.

Liu Kun, this person with empty ambitions, is quite easy to deal with. The only one he needs to be cautious of is Zhao Hanzhang. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Wang Jun thought of many things in an instant. Zhao Xin saw him lower his head and remain silent for a long time, so he signaled to Wei Jie to speak a little more.

Wei Jie shook his head slightly, indicating that for a smart man, one statement is enough.

Although Wang Jun had made up his mind, he did not agree immediately. He decided to let them wait and discuss with his confidants to ensure his thoughts were correct.

"Mr. Wei and Envoy Zhao should stay for now; such a significant matter requires careful thought from me."

Zhao Xin then rose, saluted, and said, "In that case, we shall take our leave for now."

Wang Jun mustered a smile, "Envoy Zhao and Mr. Wei, please rest. Tonight, I’ll host a grand banquet to welcome you."

After they left, Wang Jun shared his analysis with his advisors, saying, "Since Empress Jia’s misrule, several Princes have successively assisted the Emperor. The Emperor has been essentially a figurehead since the late Emperor’s time. In this world, those with ability govern. Gou Daojiang and Zhao Hanzhang are both outsiders; now that Gou Xi can command the Dukes with the Emperor in his hand, it’s no wonder Zhao Hanzhang has such ambitions. Why shouldn’t we make further advancements?"

His confidants were startled, their hearts racing. Those who agreed had eyes shining, saying, "General, you’re right. In terms of martial prowess, you are no less than Gou Daojiang and Zhao Hanzhang. In terms of virtue, you are not inferior either, so why not take their place?"

Those who disagreed showed worry and hesitation in their eyes, advising softly, "General, we are Jin Ministers, receiving titles from the Emperor. If we rebel, the world might scorn us."

"Humph, the Sima family’s position was not justly obtained. Who says I am a Jin Minister? I follow my ancestors; I am a minister of Great Wei! I am avenging and redressing grievances for Great Wei!"

The confidants: ...

"But it’s too early to speak of this," Wang Jun coughed lightly and said, "Let’s focus on the present. Right now, people only know Gou Daojiang and Zhao Hanzhang, not me, Wang Pengzu. So, we must first eliminate one party. If Gou Xi is defeated, I can replace him to confront Zhao Hanzhang."

When Gou Xi contended with Prince East Sea, Gou Xi’s name was renowned across the land; when Gou Xi contended with Zhao Hanzhang, Zhao Hanzhang’s name was renowned across the land; when it comes to his contention with Zhao Hanzhang, people throughout the land will know Wang Jun, and then, if he defeats Zhao Hanzhang, won’t the world be his to command?

Therefore, temporarily cooperating with Zhao Hanzhang isn’t an issue. Wang Jun pondered again and still felt the benefits outweighed the drawbacks.

His confidants also agreed, "Joining forces from three sides to deal with Gou Xi alone indeed has a great chance of victory, but Zhao Hanzhang must contribute more than just provisions and supplies; she must also send troops."

"Exactly, if we’re going to fight, let’s all deploy troops. Why should we be the only ones on the front lines?"

"Liu Kun must also deploy more soldiers; we’re giving him Jizhou, so he should contribute at least a hundred thousand troops, right?"

Liu Xi, who barely has eighty thousand troops including the logistics crew: ...

There was no need to send anyone back to Jinyang for advice; Liu Xi himself refused, saying, "We can only contribute at most twenty thousand troops."

Zhao Xin also refused Wang Jun, "The Zhao Family Army will not dispatch troops."

He said, "First, the road to Qingzhou is distant; between Yu State and Qingzhou lies Jizhou and Yan State, and there is no route for soldiers to pass through. Second, our Governor has no eligibility to participate in Qingzhou affairs, and support for General Wang’s provisions and military supplies must proceed discreetly, not publicly."

Wang Jun scoffed, "Your Governor wants us to fight Qingzhou, isn’t it to fight Gou Xi? I didn’t ask you to send troops to Qingzhou; I asked you to send them to Yan State to distract Gou Xi’s forces."

Zhao Xin righteously said, "Our Governor and General Gou serve the same court, only sharing colleague relations, not enemies. How could we think of attacking General Gou? Please, General Wang, speak carefully."

He said, "Our Governor’s suggestion for you to take action in Qingzhou is entirely to save the people of Qingzhou from misery and strife."

Wang Jun was silent for a while. He thought he was already shameless enough, considering he coveted the land and wanted to change the Emperor. But he didn’t expect Zhao Hanzhang to be even more shameless than him, clearly targeting Gou Xi’s power yet refusing to admit it.

Zhao Hanzhang really wasn’t targeting Gou Xi; Wang Jun was completely wrong about her. She never intended to compete with Gou Xi for Yan State while Emperor Jin was still around.

Wherever Emperor Jin was, the Xiongnu’s eyes were fixed, so she never considered having the Emperor return to Luoyang. She thought the Emperor in Yun City was fine, with him and Gou Xi there to share half the pressure from the Xiongnu.

However, Qingzhou could no longer remain under the Gou brothers. Firstly, to relieve Liu Kun’s urgent need; secondly, the people of Qingzhou were indeed living in suppression. Since Gou Chun entered Qingzhou, he has widely imposed labor duties, embarked on large construction projects, and killed people over minor discontents.

Even as she was in Luoyang, she could receive distress letters from Qingzhou.

Now that she and Gou Xi were of equal renown, everyone knew that in current affairs, Gou Xi’s word held fifty percent of the weight, and the remaining forty percent was spoken by Zhao Hanzhang.

So, the gentry and people of Qingzhou, unable to appeal to Gou Xi, could only appeal to Zhao Hanzhang, and both Yu State and Luoyang received numerous letters from Qingzhou.

Not long ago, Zhao Ming packed a stack of letters for Zhao Hanzhang, and after reading them, she felt quite uneasy.

Although Wang Jun was not much better, he was certainly better than Gou Chun for now, and all she could do was to instigate a change of Governor for them.