After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 967 - 952: Negotiation

Zhao Hanzhang personally escorted Tuoba Yilu to the entrance of the camp, watching him depart. Zhao Kuan stayed behind to listen to Zhao Hanzhang’s instructions. Once Tuoba Yilu was out of sight, Zhao Kuan asked, "Your Excellency has consistently prohibited the Zhao Family from selling weapons externally. Why make exceptions for the Tuoba Clan again?"

Previously, she had gifted them a batch of weapons.

"Last time was for him to take up arms and fight Youzhou for me, this time," Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes were deep, "with the Xianbei divided into three clans, nearly a hundred tribes, and Wuhuan dispersed everywhere, do you not think they should unite?"

Zhao Kuan shuddered and quickly said, "Your Excellency, if he unites the three clans, I’m afraid the next target will be us. It would be better for the clans to remain divided."

Zhao Hanzhang smiled lightly, "You’re right, but first, they must fight. What difference does it make whether the three clans are divided or united if they don’t engage in combat?"

As for the possibility of the Tuoba Tribe turning south as enemies after unification, that’s a matter for later. Given historical lessons and her foresight, Tuoba Yilu would be self-destructive.

Therefore, she must make use of him while he is still useful.

Zhao Kuan saw her resolve and didn’t know how to persuade her, feeling a bit frustrated.

Zhao Hanzhang’s thoughts had shifted elsewhere, turning to him, "Let Qiu Wu handle the weapon affairs. Prepare yourself; I’m planning to appoint you in Qingzhou." 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Zhao Kuan was surprised, "Qingzhou, what about Luoyang..."

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "I intend to choose another capable person for Luoyang. You’ll go to Qingzhou as the Governor."

Zhao Kuan widened his eyes, "But isn’t General Zu the Qingzhou Governor..."

"It’s changed," Zhao Hanzhang said flatly, "Zu Ti will be the Jizhou Governor."

She then glanced at Zhao Kuan, "You can’t guard against Tuoba Yilu, let alone Youzhou with Shi Le. Go to Qingzhou; I have tasks for you and Linghui to accomplish."

Zhao Kuan humbly inquired, "What position does Ms. Sun hold?"

Zhao Hanzhang smiled at him, "Guangzhou Governor!"

Zhao Kuan: ...

His parents recently wrote again urging him to marry, still advocating a match with Sun Linghui. Sun Linghui’s career had been smooth over the past two years, gaining a reputation just behind Fan Ying, who always stayed close to Zhao Hanzhang. His mother was most satisfied with Sun Linghui, further pushed by his aunt’s insistence, leading both families to consider marriage.

This appointment by Zhao Hanzhang made him uncertain about his parents’ thoughts, but he knew he and Sun Linghui were not destined.

Honestly, Zhao Kuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief. His feelings for Sun Linghui were more brotherly than romantic.

Zhao Kuan grinned at Zhao Hanzhang, "I’ll follow Your Excellency’s orders."

Zhao Hanzhang smiled as she nodded, "Once in Qingzhou, you and Sun Linghui must assist each other. This place is exceptionally crucial, and I will need Qingzhou and Guangzhou for many tasks."

She didn’t elaborate on what those tasks were.

Zhao Kuan agreed.

Zhao Hanzhang went to see Zu Ti, handed him the appointment order for Jizhou Governor, and smiled, "Once the negotiations conclude, head to Xindu."

Xindu, the seat of governance for Jizhou, is in Zhao Country.

Zu Ti’s eyes brightened as he accepted the appointment order, agreeing.

He gazed intensely at Zhao Hanzhang, saying, "Before the Great General arrived, I wondered, with Shi Le to the north and Tuoba Yilu to the west, which capable person can hold Jizhou?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang laughed heartily, praising him, "Across the country, aside from General Beigong, only one person — Shi Zhi — is capable."

Zu Ti had always admired Beigong Chun, considering him a confidant. Hearing Zhao Hanzhang mention both in the same breath, he too laughed heartily.

Their laughter echoed far, attracting the attention of Zhao Kuan, Zhao Shi, Wei Jie, Fu Tinghan, and others, curious about what delighted them so.

Zu Ti personally escorted Zhao Hanzhang to the main tent before returning on his own, where Zuo Min appeared from nowhere, curiously asking, "General, what did you discuss with General Zhao that made you so happy?"

Zu Ti advised him, "In the future, don’t address her as General Zhao, call her Great General."

Zuo Min retorted, "Isn’t that a self-proclaimed title?"

Zu Ti turned, gazing intently at him, causing Zuo Min to correct himself immediately, "Great General."

Only then was Zu Ti satisfied, saying, "I may not serve as a Jin Minister, but I must serve as a subject of the world — those who stabilize the world. Currently, none but the Zhao Family can stabilize the world, so show proper respect to the Zhao Family, and don’t be too harsh on Zhao Shi in the future."

Zuo Min opened his mouth, feeling Zhao Shi was just plain lucky due to his birth into the Zhao Family.

Once Zuo Min snapped out of it, Zu Ti was already back in his tent, leaving his question unanswered.

Zu Ti understood the significance and didn’t reveal the changes in positions to another person, at least not before Tuoba Yilu’s departure.

The national document Zhao Kuan delivered had been received by the Duan Family, and Duan Wumuchen summoned his sons and subordinates for discussion, ultimately deciding to negotiate.

Because, before Wang Jun’s death, they never crossed the river to fight; now with Wang Jun gone, they certainly wouldn’t — unless Zhao Hanzhang severely oppressed them.

Both sides agreed to meet by the river, Zhao Kuan proposed the near bank, but the Duan Family refused and suggested the opposite side.

According to protocol, this is where negotiations begin, traditionally involving some back-and-forth. But Zhao Hanzhang didn’t want to linger here too long, so she instructed Zhao Kuan to find the narrowest, shallowest part of the river, allowing them to talk across it.

Surprisingly, Zhao Kuan found it.

The drought in Youzhou affected even the Yellow River, let alone this river.

So finding a shallow spot where people could step across stones was easy, allowing both sides to talk from opposite banks as long as the leaders weren’t embarrassed.

Zhao Hanzhang wasn’t embarrassed.

Fu Tinghan urged her to don armor, and she complied, layering an overgown on top, and then headed to negotiate with Zhao Kuan, Zu Ti, Shi Le, Wei Jie, and Fu Tinghan.

Zhao Kuan and Wei Jie went to argue — oh no — they went to negotiate, while Shi Le sought to meet Duan Wumuchen since they’d be neighbors for a long while. Zu Ti and Fu Tinghan were just there for amusement.

Originally Tuoba Yilu also wished to go, but Zhao Hanzhang believed too many attendees might intimidate Duan Wumuchen, so she asked Tuoba Yilu to observe from the hill instead of joining closely.

Thus, Zhao Hanzhang met Duan Family’s group by the river.

Duan Wumuchen glanced at Shi Le and Zu Ti beside her, then raised his head slightly to observe Tuoba Yilu’s undisguised presence on the hill, his expression darkening but saying nothing, leading his son forward.

Zhao Hanzhang dismounted, walking onto a large riverfront stone, smiling at the Duan Family father and son on the opposite bank.

The Duan Family father and son frowned silently.

Wei Jie leisurely fanned himself, saying, "Won’t you greet the Great General upon meeting her?"

He continued, "Wang Jun died in rebellion, and the Great General pleaded with Your Majesty for leniency, granting you pardon. Yet today, it seems you don’t appreciate it."

Duan Wumuchen weighed the situation, ultimately deciding to adhere to prior strategies, continuing friendly relations with Jin State, and thus stepped forward to bow, "Humble General Duan Wumuchen greets the Great General."