After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 969 - 954: Hostage

With drinks in hand, the negotiation finally entered its formal phase.

Duan Wumuchen stated that the Duanbu Xianbei still regard the Jin State as their leader and have no intention of waging war. Previously, they were misled by Wang Jun and misunderstood Zhao Hanzhang, but now the misunderstanding has been cleared.

Zhao Hanzhang naturally appeased them, telling them not to worry or be afraid, assuring them that the emperor knows of their loyalty. She also promised to speak well of them to the emperor. Since it was a misunderstanding, it’s good that it has been resolved.

Even Shi Le couldn’t help but sneer in his heart; whether it was a misunderstanding was not for her to decide. What does it have to do with the little emperor?

No matter what Duan Wumuchen thought, when Tuoba Yilu, Zu Ti, and Shi Le appeared here simultaneously, he knew he couldn’t initiate the conflict, nor did he want to fight.

At this moment, they were not united, and their military strength wasn’t stronger than his. If he charged aggressively, he truly could reach Yan Country, but what then?

Unless he could kill Zhao Hanzhang on the spot, even if he defeated these people now, the Zhao Family Army could return in full force later.

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t want to fight because there were victims of disasters everywhere, but if there were truly a war, could she not defeat him?

However, although Duan Wumuchen agreed to withdraw to Liaoxi County and return Beiping County to Youzhou, it wasn’t just a straightforward retreat; Duan Wumuchen proposed a marriage alliance to Zhao Hanzhang.

He originally had an in-law relationship with Wang Jun; since Zhao Hanzhang defeated his father-in-law’s support, she should marry a woman from the Zhao Family to the Duan Family.

Of course, the candidate was not Duan Wumuchen himself, but his son Duan Jilu Jian.

Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze subtly darkened. She first glanced at Duan Jilu Jian, then smiled and asked, "The Princely Heir has not yet taken a wife?"

Duan Wumuchen replied, "If the Great General is willing to marry a Zhao Family daughter over, she will surely be the principal wife."

Though Zhao Hanzhang coldly scoffed in her heart, her expression remained unchanged, still gentle, "My Zhao Family daughters are like our sons; they also serve in the court. If Duke Liaoxi intends to marry a Zhao Family daughter, perhaps a government position can be offered?"

Fu Tinghan added, "If Liaoxi County can accept Zhao Family members as officials, why limit this to just gender? I think several cousins in the school are quite good."

Zhao Kuan immediately understood that Zhao Hanzhang was dissatisfied with this marriage proposal. He instantly chuckled to Duan Wumuchen, "If Duke Liaoxi does not mind, I am willing to go to Liaoxi County without asking for a high position. Being a minor official beside the Duke and the princely heir would suffice."

Duan Wumuchen: ... He wanted a daughter-in-law, not a spy.

Duan Wumuchen found an excuse to decline.

Zhao Hanzhang set down her wine bowl with a smile and said, "For years, Duke Liaoxi has managed Liaoxi County effectively, comforting the Xianbei Clan and should be awarded the title Great Khan."

Duan Wumuchen’s eyes lit up; he immediately knelt down and said, "I thank the Great General."

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and asked, "How many sons does the Great Khan have?"

Duan Wumuchen was momentarily stunned and replied, "I have five."

Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze swept over the young men behind him and pointed at one with a smile, asking, "Is this one as well?"

Duan Wumuchen said, "This is my second son, Duan Pidi."

Zhao Hanzhang hadn’t expected that her random pointing would identify Duan Pidi, and she immediately laughed heartily, "Such a bright and heroic man; I wonder if the Great Khan is willing to let him follow me to Jin and serve as a general?"

Duan Wumuchen’s heart tightened at her words; he hesitated, looking at Zhao Hanzhang’s expression to discern whether she was being forceful or if he could plead for leniency.

But her smile remained unchanged, neither more nor less than when he proposed a marriage alliance earlier, so Duan Wumuchen really couldn’t make out her intentions.

No one spoke for a moment.

Neither side mediated, and Zhao Hanzhang had no intention of speaking again. She lightly lifted her eyelids to stare at him, waiting for his response.

In the end, Duan Wumuchen gritted his teeth and agreed.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled faintly, satisfied, and said to the slightly pale Duan Pidi, "You shall follow me from now on; I will test your skills later."

Duan Wumuchen tried his best not to look at his second son and said to Zhao Hanzhang, "My son will be under your care, Great General."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded with a smile, "Great Khan, rest assured, I will take good care of the second young master."

Humph, a marriage alliance could never be as straightforward as taking a hostage. All hostages are hostages; having someone from another family is always better than someone from one’s own. After all, who commands the stronger fist rules; there’s no logic to sending a Zhao Family daughter away to the Xianbei.

If you’re still uneasy, then send a son to me as a hostage.

Duan Wumuchen also suspected that Zhao Hanzhang was retaliating against him for proposing a marriage alliance, otherwise why wouldn’t she reveal her conditions earlier?

The negotiation ended, and Zhao Hanzhang generously gave Duan Pidi a day to bid farewell to his family. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Because of this, Shi Le became anxious; now, his family and army were scattered across Bingzhou and Jizhou. Zhao Hanzhang had also asked him to send a hostage; who should he send?

At that moment, Shi Le regretted not keeping Shi Hu; if he were alive, he might have sent him as a hostage.

While distracted by these thoughts, Zhao Hanzhang turned and said to Shi Le, "I will depart in two days. I have stationed people throughout Youzhou’s counties; you must manage them well, resettle the refugees, and establish schools. If you lack manpower, you may request from me. Appointments of County Magistrates and above must be approved by the court."

Shi Le’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, "Can’t I choose the County Magistrates myself?"

"No," Zhao Hanzhang replied calmly, "Shi Long, you’re the Youzhou Governor, not the King of Youzhou. All appointments and dismissals of County Magistrates must be approved by the court. If, during your tenure as Youzhou Governor, you appoint County Magistrates, it must be the same when you serve as Jizhou Governor or Yu State Governor; otherwise, how would there be order under heaven?"

Shi Le was momentarily moved and asked, "Does your side need a child to serve you?"

Zhao Hanzhang looked at him with a faint smile, "How old is your son? Raise your own children; I haven’t made a habit of raising others’ children."

After saying this, she turned and left.

Shi Le secretly let out a sigh of relief; he currently had only one son, and truth be told, he couldn’t bear parting with him.

He quickly followed.

Zu Ti walked beside him, turning to say, "Governor Shi, you and I are not so different."

Shi Le said nothing, but Zhang Bin, always anxious, quietly consoled him once they returned to their tent, "Master, things are different now. Zhao Hanzhang’s military is powerful, and she is straightforward, unlike the former leader and whom you describe as soft. Look, she uses Zu Ti and Beigong Chun but doesn’t let them rule independently; they must follow court decrees."

"From this, you can see she treats you, Zu Ti, and Beigong Chun alike. If she treated you like she did Duan Wumuchen, you would need to be cautious."

Shi Le said, "I know, don’t worry, sir, I won’t rebel against her because of this."

"Joining her was fortunate to save one’s life; later, being able to keep the army and family without starting anew was an even greater fortune," Shi Le reflected on his life, filled with adversity: he had been a slave, a bandit, almost becoming a regional tyrant, then was defeated down to a handful of people, escaping and wandering everywhere, only to rise again later...

So what is it that he cannot accept?

Although displeased with Zhao Hanzhang’s assertiveness, he didn’t have the power to resist now. As for the future, humph, now he is the Youzhou Governor; how Youzhou develops would naturally be his decision.

Meanwhile, Zhao Hanzhang was saying to Wei Jie, "Although Shi Le is proud, he listens well to advice and cherishes talent. I would like to ask you to temporarily stay in Youzhou and assist him in rebuilding it."

Wei Jie was surprised, "Me?"