After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 938 - 923: Guo Family

Only Guo Family asked him, "Are the rumors outside true? Has a mass grave really appeared in Jinyang?"

Liu Kun quickly replied, "Not ten thousand, just a thousand."

Upon hearing this, Guo Family couldn’t help but slap him on the face, angrily saying, "A thousand is not enough? These are all human lives. Jinyang is under your administration, and such a wicked occurrence happened, yet you knew nothing of it! How are you managing your office?"

Liu Kun was ashamed and speechless.

Liu Fan hurriedly asked, "This matter is serious. Did the Great General say how to deal with you?"

Liu Kun said, "She wants me to be transferred from Jinyang to Xuzhou."

Before his father could speak, Liu Kun expressed his intentions, "I won’t go. Now is a crucial moment, how can I easily leave Jinyang? Moreover, where I fell, there I must rise again."

Guo Family said, "You should listen to the Great General."

Liu Kun’s face darkened, asking, "Does mother also think I am not good at warfare?"

"Yes!" Guo Family angrily said, "You’re barely competent at defending the city, but have you ever won any active battle?"

Liu Kun tightly pressed his lips, saying, "That’s because the timing wasn’t right..."

Seeing that he was stubborn, Guo Family became furious and punched him again, angrily saying, "Look at how you are managing Jinyang! You’ve brought such wicked issues, yet are completely unaware, precisely during the time you began indulging, favoring Xu Run. Linghu sheng and others advised you several times, but you didn’t listen, showing how obstinate you are."

Guo Family wept, saying, "You can’t promote strategic plans, nor manage heroes, easily trusting deceitful people, unable to weigh different opinions, solely desiring to eliminate those better than you for self-contentment. Not just Jinyang, even if you went to Xuzhou, you’d be a scourge, and eventually might bring disaster upon your father and me."

Liu Kun heard this with teary eyes, "Mother, your words wound me."

Guo Family looked at him, "So, will you change or not?"

Liu Kun believed that if he had those faults, he’d certainly change, but he felt he had none.

Guo Family, seeing this, was disappointed and stopped advising him, turning to assist her husband in leaving.

Liu Fan wanted to speak but stopped, saying to his wife, "Advise him slowly, it might be feasible."

Guo Family shook her head, "Linghu sheng before, Zhao Hanzhang now, one is the General Jinyang needs to rely on, the other is the Great Commander that Great Jin relies on, both are superior in talents and character, yet he didn’t listen to their advice, let alone us two old ones?"

"To persuade him further is futile. Either we leave him to save ourselves from this disaster, or stay here waiting to die."

Liu Fan:...with his forty years of experience, he could tell she was speaking out of anger.

Indeed, Guo Family was speaking in anger, she would never truly leave her son.

However, she was prepared to face death.

But people naturally have a survival instinct; she’s no different, thus after calming down, she went to seek Zhao Hanzhang.

This was the first time since Zhao Hanzhang had come to Jinyang that the old lady sought to meet her.

Zhao Hanzhang had just returned from the mine, and before tidying up, rushed to see her.

At the meeting, Guo Family immediately knelt, "I beseech the Great General to save my son."

Zhao Hanzhang startled, quickly walked two steps to support her, "Old lady, what are you doing, please rise."

Guo Family said, "Yue Shi told me everything, but he is stubborn and can’t self-reflect, if this continues, it could lead to great disaster."

Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but admire the old lady’s insight. She was like someone looking from behind the curtain of history, able to profoundly analyze the characters’ personalities, yet was truly in the middle of the situation, able to clearly judge the future’s trends.

It was truly a case of women surpassing men.

Zhao Hanzhang sighed, "I intended to send my brother to Jiangnan, where there is less conflict and it’s prosperous, suitable for someone like my brother, talented and refined. Unfortunately, he is resolute on remaining in Jinyang."

Guo Family naturally knew Zhao Hanzhang was using Liu Kun. Jinyang, after all, was a domain Liu Kun captured single-handedly. Despite the outbreak of such malicious events, once the people calm down, they would still comply with Liu Kun’s governance; his prestige remains.

As for Jiangnan, much of it was King Langya’s domain, especially Xuzhou, his old territory. Liu Kun going there means fighting against the heavens, earth, and people; political struggle is perilous, no less than the overt and covert conflict on the battlefield.

Yet this also meant Liu Kun was useful.

Only someone useful can be used; a person without even the value of being used merely has their life left, always at risk of being killed.

Guo Family also wished Liu Kun would travel. His years of defending Jinyang brought him excessive praise, but due to transport difficulties, he rarely interacted with talents, resulting in pride and obliviousness to the vastness beyond.

The world has countless talents; if one cannot remain humble, eventually, self-arrogance will lead to self-destruction, even endangering family lives.

Therefore, she was willing to allow Liu Kun to go to Jiangnan, to endure more trials and hardships.

"In today’s world, only you can make him obey orders," Guo Family said, "No one knows a son better than his mother. This child has many faults, but one merit is loyalty and patriotism."

She continued, "As long as the Great General commands with imperial authority, he may be unwilling but will comply."

Zhao Hanzhang raised an eyebrow; she indeed planned this, just awaited the right time. After all, if things became too strained, she’d gain an additional enemy, hence she contemplated moving him by emotion first, and utilizing this method only as a last resort.

Guo Family was right. Liu Kun prided himself most on his Han lineage but was most sensitive about comments regarding it, fearing doubts about his loyalty.

Thus if she uses the emperor’s command to send him to Jiangnan, he’d comply even if unhappy.

Zhao Hanzhang’s mind rapidly processed various thoughts, finally nodding, "Alright, as it’s the old lady’s wish, I will accomplish it."

Guo Family breathed a sigh of relief; she knew seeking Zhao Hanzhang was wise, as she certainly wanted Yue Shi gone from Jinyang, given his significant influence in Jinyang, Bingzhou, and Jizhou.

Guo Family then took her leave.

Zhao Hanzhang personally escorted her back to her residence.

Liu Kun was completely unaware that his mother had gone to see Zhao Hanzhang, as he was busy venting his grievances to Zu Ti.

He felt deeply wronged today; combined with all the injustice and setbacks from various sides, he was confused and could only turn to his friend Zu Ti for solace.

In the letter, he asked Zu Ti, "Do you think I am unfit for warfare? I’ve studied both civil and martial arts since childhood, believing I’m not inferior to anyone. In Jinyang, not a day goes by without me thinking of setting out to reclaim lost territories, reviving prosperity..."

The subtext was, how could I possibly be unfit for military affairs?

When Zu Ti received the letter, it was a long time later, hence, at this moment, Liu Kun didn’t gain a reply. Yet as soon as he put down the pen and sealed the letter, he heard Zhao Hanzhang had returned his mother.

Liu Kun: ... Suddenly felt a strong foreboding.