After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 966 - 951: Balance

Zhao Hanzhang turned around and left; Shi Le took one last look at the Duan Family’s camp across the river and followed Zhao Hanzhang’s steps.

As Zhao Hanzhang walked, she said to him, "I heard that General Shi has been fighting bandits recently?"

Shi Le responded with a sound of agreement.

Zhao Hanzhang said, "That’s very good, as an Inspector, you should have a benevolent heart. You already have military achievements, if you also possess cultural achievements and benevolence, surely you will be praised for generations to come."

As he listened, Shi Le felt happy and somewhat relieved from the threatening pressure he had felt earlier.

Shi Le was willing to follow Zhang Bin’s suggestion to change his methods because he knew that cruelty and toughness were not sustainable. Now, even Zhao Hanzhang said he was doing well, proving that his change was effective.

Zhao Hanzhang hinted, "But benevolence and love for the people are not achieved overnight, and most people in the world are obtuse, only able to see the past, thus there will always be misunderstandings. As a leader, there is no need to compete with them for momentary gains; instead, be open-minded."

Shi Le did not understand the meaning behind these words and had to return to ask Zhang Bin.

Zhang Bin thought for a moment and said, "General Zhao is reminding you, Master, that once you officially take office, the people and officials of Youzhou might not recognize you."

Shi Le was furious, "Why would they not recognize me? It was my capability that won Youzhou."

He captured Wang Jun, killed him, and even killed one of Wang Jun’s two sons. He conquered cities along the way, with half of Youzhou’s cities falling because he carried Wang Jun to victory. Why would they not recognize him?

Zhang Bin smiled as he comforted him, "They are all mediocre people; why should you be bothered by them? These people only see the past—all they remember is Master as a bandit who plundered and killed everywhere. The Han people feared you; now you say you’ve changed and want to be a good Inspector. Even if they dare not believe it, there will be doubters even among your own ranks."

"So General Zhao is reminding you of benevolence and love for the people being a long-term endeavor," Zhang Bin smiled and said, "Master might as well take it easy, pay little attention to dissenting words, and simply fulfill your duties as Inspector. As long as you treat them like your own children, the day will come when sentiments will change, and you can truly become the master of Youzhou."

Shi Le heard these words with a deep gaze, asking, "Mengsun, with Zhao Hanzhang being so domineering, can she really allow us to operate in Youzhou?"

Zhang Bin laughed and asked in return, "Master, with your talent, why do you only see this one region? Why not consider achieving the lifelong ambition of being a renowned minister?"

If he spoke of lifelong achievements, Shi Le would think of rebellion, but speaking of being a renowned minister, Shi Le thought of... "Are you suggesting contributing to the rise of a dragon? Supporting Zhao Hanzhang to ascend as emperor?"

Zhang Bin only smiled without answering.

Shi Le started to think, it’s not impossible. He might not be able to compare with those scholarly individuals in terms of cultural achievements, but he was capable in battle; who knows if he couldn’t be a Chief of Staff or Grand Commandant?

When Shi Le thought of this, his heart ignited with passion. If he could be a Grand Commandant of a prosperous era, perhaps he would not have lived this life in vain, right?

Thinking of his enmity with the Sima family, Shi Le’s eyes burned with fire. Yes, to snatch the kingdom from the Sima family; hmph, they truly think anyone can sit on this throne?

If the Sima family qualifies for this position, then even a cat or dog could rise to power. It’s best for Zhao Hanzhang to overturn it!

Shi Le immediately adjusted his target; he wants to urge Zhao Hanzhang to rebel, he wants to be Grand Commandant, to be a renowned minister!

Meanwhile, he still needed his own forces, so he said to Zhang Bin, "Relocate the Jie people to Youzhou; we should first establish ourselves well in Youzhou. Hmph, Tuoba Yilu wants to look from Dai County toward Youzhou and Bingzhou, but doesn’t know Zhao Hanzhang had anticipated him already. Their sibling bond doesn’t even compare to our master-servant relationship."

Zhang Bin also expressed agreement, "General Zhao trusts Master more."

Shi Le felt proud.

He might not compare with Beigong Chun, but could he not surpass Tuoba Yilu, the elder brother who showed up halfway?

Zhao Hanzhang was exchanging pleasantries with her halfway brother, Tuoba Yilu, who asked her, "Where is Yue Shi?"

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and said, "Second brother has gone to Xuzhou to take office."

Of course, she couldn’t leave everyone in Hunlu County; after Liu Cong’s death, those who needed to retreat did so. The more people stayed in the north, the more food they consumed. In this half-month in Hunlu County, she arranged northern affairs. Liu Kun took a team of personal soldiers and an appointment letter straight to Xuzhou, while Ji Ping followed a step behind with twenty thousand troops.

Beigong Chun and Linghu Sheng went to Jinyang to take office, and he would send Liu Kun’s parents and family to Xuzhou to reunite with him.

Tuoba Yilu: "...Nephew Liu Zun is still in Dai County; how can Yue Shi leave without bidding farewell?"

Zhao Hanzhang casually replied, "An uncle is like a father, and in nephew Liu Zun’s heart, the elder and second brothers are the same. He has the elder brother to take care of him, so the second brother can feel at ease."

She continued, "If the elder brother is worried, let nephew Liu Zun go to Xuzhou to find the second brother. I am willing to send a team of personal soldiers to accompany him."

Tuoba Yilu said nothing.

Liu Zun had been sent to Dai County as a hostage by Liu Kun last year and couldn’t leave easily.

While Liu Kun was in Jinyang, this hostage was useful, and now he ran off to Xuzhou as Inspector, thousands of miles away from Dai County; what good is this hostage?

Threatening Beigong Chun who couldn’t be reached even with an eight-foot pole?

Tuoba Yilu felt a bit angry.

He felt deceived; he sent so many soldiers to follow Zhao Hanzhang’s endeavors, yet he only received the benefits of having the county changed to a princedom and the title of Princely Heir. She moved Liu Kun away, making all his previous efforts futile, and even the hostage in his hand became a useless pawn.

Zhao Hanzhang seemed not to notice, poured him a bowl of wine, and laughed: "I wonder, how big brother plans to spend all the gold and silver you’ve got?"

Tuoba Yilu suddenly remembered that, in the latter half, he was hired. Zhao Hanzhang had promised him a lot of gold and silver. His expression looked better as he asked, "Does third sister have any suggestions?"

Zhao Hanzhang recommended exquisite glassware, silk and satin garments, porcelain, and other beautiful and luxurious items, all from the Central Plains.

Tuoba Yilu wanted them all, but even more, he wanted the Zhao Family’s weapons.

While Zhao Hanzhang’s facial expression remained unchanged, there was sharpness between her brows as she smiled and said, "Big brother knows, the Zhao Family Army numbers in tens of thousands, but is not self-sufficient yet, so Zhao Family’s weapons are never sold externally."

Tuoba Yilu’s expression didn’t look good.

"However," Zhao Hanzhang smiled, "If big brother asks, I would find it hard to refuse even if difficult. I wonder what kind of weapons big brother wants, and in what quantity?"

Tuoba Yilu’s expression improved somewhat and he thought for a moment, "I want five thousand sabres, five thousand broadswords, and five thousand spears."

Zhao Hanzhang smiled at him but refused and said that due to limited production, she could only sell one thousand of each of the three.

Tuoba Yilu frowned and said to Zhao Hanzhang, "Between us siblings, let’s not be so formal. Straightforwardly speaking, could you give two thousand of each?"

Zhao Hanzhang frowned, sighed, and said, "Fine, since big brother asks, I’ll do my best to fulfill it even if it’s difficult."

Tuoba Yilu’s mood improved a bit.