After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 745 - 735: Earnest and Well-Meaning

After everyone left, Fu Zhi also took Fu Tinghan back to the main tent, where the grandfather and grandson could speak privately.

Although Zhao Hanzhang was walking with Zhang Ru, her gaze lingered on Fu Tinghan. Seeing the two of them turning to leave in another direction, she couldn’t help but pause.

Zhang Ru was talking about her third brother’s martial prowess, but seeing Zhao Hanzhang looking back, she too turned and looked back, seeing nothing, and asked puzzled, "Lord Zhao?"

Zhao Hanzhang turned back, "It’s nothing. So, the third young master is also good with a spear?"

Zhang Ru said, "Among the horse-riding generals, six out of ten use spears."

"What weapons do the eldest and second young masters use?"

Zhang Ru replied nonchalantly, "They can use anything."

In other words, none of them have a weapon of particular expertise.

Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but laugh.

At the side, Yang Dan couldn’t help but say, "Lady Hanzhang, you shouldn’t say that, the eldest young master’s swordsmanship is quite commendable..."

Fan Ying, walking on Zhao Hanzhang’s other side, found an opportunity to lower his voice and comfort her by saying, "Lady Hanzhang, don’t worry. Fu An followed him; the young master will be fine here."

Zhao Hanzhang slightly nodded.

Fu Zhi brought Fu Tinghan back to the main tent. Seeing Fu An following behind, he instructed, "You didn’t eat well at the banquet; go to the kitchen and bring another bowl of noodles."

Fu An couldn’t help but look at Fu Tinghan.

After Fu Tinghan slightly nodded, Fu An bowed and departed.

Fu Zhi observed this, feeling somewhat gratified. He invited his grandson to sit on the mat and then asked, "How are you doing with Hanzhang?"

Fu Tinghan replied, "I’m doing well."

Fu Zhi couldn’t help but study him, seeing his calm demeanor as he sat there like a pine standing upright on a rock. He sighed and asked, "Do you still not remember the past?"

Fu Tinghan was slightly surprised. After all these years, Fu Zhi had never asked him about his memory, so he assumed the other wasn’t concerned about it anymore. He didn’t expect it to be brought up suddenly now.

After a moment’s hesitation, Fu Tinghan still shook his head honestly, "I haven’t remembered yet."

No wonder Fu Tinghan had rarely taken the initiative to write letters to him over the years. Whenever a letter came, it was either delivered along with Zhao Hanzhang’s or prompted by a letter Fu Zhi had sent to inquire after him.

Sometimes, he wouldn’t even write a separate letter but would add a few lines at the end of Zhao Hanzhang’s letter. He seldom asked about his parents and uncles; if he didn’t mention them, he probably wouldn’t even remember these people, would he?

Fu Zhi’s brows furrowed, his heart growing even more troubled and saddened.

He hesitated for a long while before speaking, "Your parents have sent a letter. They are struggling in Shu land and want to return to Chang’an, but Chang’an is not a place for long-term staying either, so I want them to go to Luoyang."

Fu Tinghan was dumbfounded, not to mention here, even in modern times, he had no experience living with his parents, and he was momentarily at a loss, "Are they going to live with me?"

Seeing his grandson’s bewilderment, Fu Zhi felt a bit happier and couldn’t help but laugh, "You are family. Isn’t it proper for parents and children to live together?"

Fu Tinghan said nothing.

Fu Zhi said, "Hanzhang is out of mourning now, and your ages are just right. By all accounts, the wedding date should be set. When your parents return, we can arrange the marriage."

Fu Tinghan pursed his lips, unable to find a reason to refuse. After thinking for a long time, he could only come up with a non-reason, "Grandfather, Hanzhang is committed to stabilizing the realm. Now that the realm is not yet at peace, how can we marry?"

Fu Zhi said, "What does the peace of the realm have to do with whether you marry? If the realm doesn’t settle for twenty years, will you also not marry for twenty years?"

Fu Tinghan calculated the age of his body twenty years later and couldn’t help but say, "It’s not impossible."

Fu Zhi: ...

He was angry, but looking at the serious Fu Tinghan, he didn’t know how to express it.

Fu Zhi rubbed his forehead, deciding not to consult with him, and said directly, "It’s decided then. Tomorrow I’ll discuss your marriage with Hanzhang. I’ll send someone to bring your parents, and when they reach Luoyang, we’ll settle on a date for the wedding."

He asked again, "Will you marry in Luoyang or return to Yu State?"

Before Fu Tinghan could speak, he added, "Forget it, I’ll discuss it with Hanzhang."

Fu Tinghan then closed his newly opened mouth and pursed his lips.

Fu Zhi took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and shifted to another topic, "Minister Zhao wants to invite Your Majesty to move back to Luoyang. Is this Hanzhang’s idea, or did Zhao Zhongyu make this decision on his own, or did they deceive the Emperor?"

Fu Zhi’s eyes shone as he stared at Fu Tinghan, who looked up at him briefly before lowering his eyes.

Seeing Fu Tinghan avoiding his gaze, Fu Zhi felt a chill in his heart, realizing it was the last possibility. He paused, forced a smile, and said, "Now that most of Si Province is in her hands, and under her command are fierce generals like Beigong Chun and Chen Wu, the stability of the Central Plains can be assured. Luoyang has natural advantages and is indeed best suited as the capital; we should welcome Your Majesty back to Luoyang."

Fu Tinghan knew that if Zhao Hanzhang hadn’t dangled the carrot of Central Plains’ stability, Fu Zhi wouldn’t have joined the expedition this time.

Thinking of Zhao Hanzhang’s eloquence, Fu Tinghan nodded, "You’re right; you may discuss it with Hanzhang."

Fu Zhi said with displeasure, "If I could easily discuss it, why would I ask you to come here?" 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Looking at his still calm grandson, anger surged within him, which he struggled to suppress, his expression growing increasingly stern, "Young man, with your education and ambitions, you shouldn’t immerse yourself in softness, unconditionally following Hanzhang. She may be good, but you should also have your own ideas."

Fu Tinghan nodded, "I have ideas."

"What ideas do you have?" Fu Zhi couldn’t hold back and his anger erupted, "At the time in Luoyang, I wanted to ask you. Following her everywhere, what have you done? What have you accomplished for the realm or the people these years? She, a lady, pacified Yu State and Si Province, and you just follow around being addressed as Mr. Fu, managing a few workshops; what will you have to match her in the future?"

Fu Tinghan opened his mouth but couldn’t speak for a long time.

Fu Zhi mentally recited twice ’anger harms health,’ suppressing his rage, and once again spoke earnestly, "You need your own ideas. You’ve read books for so many years; surely they are not useless. Think for yourself, should Your Majesty return to Luoyang?"

Fu Tinghan pursed his lips and asked, "Grandfather, are you loyal to the realm, or loyal to the Jin Dynasty?"

Fu Zhi stared at him blankly, Fu Tinghan’s face unchanged, as calm as ever, but his question made Fu Zhi’s heart tremble.

Fu Zhi’s eyes fixed sharply on him, asking, "Why do you ask this?"

Fu Tinghan said, "If you are loyal to the Jin Dynasty, then let’s consider the question unasked. But if loyal to the realm, does the Jin Dynasty ruling truly benefit the people?"

Fu Zhi gradually calmed his anger, and asked him expressionlessly, "What about you—are you loyal to the realm, or to the Jin Dynasty?"

Fu Tinghan replied straightforwardly, "I’m loyal to the realm."

Fu Zhi’s emotions fluctuated twice, then he asked, "Why?"

"The Jin Dynasty isn’t worthy," Fu Tinghan admitted. "Nor can they stabilize the realm and let the people live in peace."