After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 982 - 967: Duel

Although he spat at himself in his heart, Zhao Ming quickly made a decision. He was never an indecisive person.

Zhao Ming turned around and walked to the emperor’s side, reassuringly patting his shoulder and saying, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I am here, and as long as I am, Your Majesty will be safe."

If he were truly going to sacrifice for his country, he would bring the emperor along with him. Zhao Ming was determined; between the emperor and the Zhao Family, the Jin Dynasty and the common people, he chose the Zhao Family and the common people.

The little emperor didn’t know Zhao Ming’s plan, but was moved by his words. He lifted his head, eyes brimming with tears, and nodded.

He couldn’t speak due to trembling, and could only lean tightly against Zhao Ming’s back.

Xun Fan stood aside, disappointed upon seeing the emperor like this. He looked no different from other Jin Dynasty children, lacking in any backbone.

He quickly gave Zhao Ming a glance, his gaze landing on the sword in Zhao Ming’s hand, with some concern. Does Zhao Ming intend to protect the emperor or kill him?

Xun Xiu wouldn’t kill the emperor. His goal is to take custody of the emperor, so he would only kill Zhao Ming.

With the emperor alive, Xun Xiu would have the capital to contend with Zhao Hanzhang. If the emperor died, he would have only one path, which was to be eliminated by Zhao Hanzhang.

The Zhao Family Army is spread across various areas, enjoying great reputation in Yu State. If Xun Xiu cannot capture a living emperor, he wouldn’t survive. So, would Zhao Ming allow the emperor to be captured alive by Xun Xiu?

Xun Fan hesitated, wanting to stand before the emperor, but stopped when he saw the terrified look on his face, unable to stand firm.

He felt some doubt about his long-held belief, questioning if such an emperor could truly protect the world.

Even if Zhao Hanzhang returned power to him in the future, could he really stabilize the world?

If not, why insist on making him the emperor?

The world is already in chaos, and has been for so many years; must it fall into further turmoil?

Jin has never truly unified the world; only Han has. But before Han, China had been divided for millennia, with vassal states governing themselves. Before Emperor Qin Shi Huang, who could have imagined the world could have only one country, without vassal kings, only prefectures?

During Prince East Sea’s time, he once felt the country might not be able to hold together, fearing that the Han lineage might perish, until Zhao Hanzhang went to Luoyang to rescue the emperor, he began to feel some reality.

Now, although Xiongnu has surrendered, the rear has fallen into chaos again, vying for the emperor; is it going to revert to earlier times of contention?

Xun Fan, having aged greatly, felt weary, thinking that it might be better to hand over the world directly to Zhao Hanzhang, rather than letting the common people follow the Jin Dynasty into turbulence.

Xun Fan felt that these thoughts betrayed Emperor Wu’s entrustment, momentarily saddened, tears streaming down his face.

As he was lost in thought, Xun Xiu led his men to break through the Zhao Family Army guards at the door, forcing open the hall door and rushing inside.

The soldiers within immediately protected the door, shielding the officials and the emperor behind them.

However, the guards inside numbered only dozens in total, and how could Xun Xiu fear them?

Seeing Zhao Ming standing beside the emperor, Xun Xiu laughed loudly, saying, "Governor Zhao, General Zhao went missing in the Northern Land, most likely met with misfortune; now with many rebels, for Your Majesty’s safety, please hand Your Majesty to this general for protection."

With that, he stepped forward to press them.

Pingyi and Ping Zhong moved to stand in front of him, glaring fiercely, "Stand back! Governor Zhao is entrusted by the Great General to monitor the country; who among you dares to act rashly?"

The Xun Family Army holding swords did not move, but showed some hesitation.

Xun Xiu sneered, "I dare!"

"Zhao Hanzhang’s control of the court, how is it any different from Prince East Sea?" Xun Xiu sneered, "I am here to save His Majesty from death and destruction."

Zhao Ming sneered, "To speak of rebellion so grandly is quite a skill; if you shamelessly proceed, today you could ascend to the throne, and tomorrow become immortal."

Pingyi analyzed, "Our governor calls you shameless and dreaming during the day!"

Xun Xiu looked harshly at Pingyi, sneering with a facade, "It was you who killed Xun Sheng?"

Before Pingyi could answer, Zhao Ming coldly interjected, "Who is Xun Sheng? The one who disregarded military orders and led the Xun Family Army to cowardly flee? My military decree dealt with him; what, General Xun thinks his escape was good, was clever? So this is a tradition of your Xun Family Army."

Xun Xiu was infuriated by his sarcastic tone, hating such people the most, leaving him speechless.

Xun Xiu gritted his teeth; the soldiers behind him were puzzled by their general’s frustration; weren’t they here to rebel? Why debate these issues? Just charge forward and fight.

Xun Xiu realized too, why bother with whether it’s justified or not? First seize the emperor, and didn’t he get to dictate afterward?

Thus Xun Xiu directly ordered to seize him!

Instantly, the room fell into chaos; Zhao Ming stood firmly before the emperor, holding his sword. If he died, he would ensure the emperor went with him.

Meanwhile, Ji Yuan, holding a dagger, stood beside Prince Yuzhang. Fixing his gaze on Zhao Ming, seeing the death resolve in his eyes, yet the direction of the sword tip was towards the emperor’s feet; only a slight lift would...

He lifted the corner of his mouth, following Prince Yuzhang more closely, a cold glint flashing in his eyes; even if dead, he would pave a road for the lady.

If all were dead, then the lady could gain rightful title; Xun Xiu thought killing them left him able to live?

How could mere Xun Family Army be a match for the Zhao Family Army, and this is Yu State; the people of Yu State acknowledge only the lady, where could he flee?

Just as Xun Xiu nearly broke through the guards, reaching to kill Zhao Ming, battle shouts erupted outside the residence, with the Xun Family Army outside looking up to see the "Zhao" flag waving.

They were struck with alarm, immediately dispatching scouts to investigate.

Upon running out, the scout faintly saw the heads moving quickly towards this direction in the streets and alleyways, along with the "Zhao" flag waving amidst them, not only this, but from a high vantage point, the scout could vaguely see densely packed heads atop the city towers, immediately chilling his heart, shouting, "Reinforcements have arrived, their reinforcements have arrived, Zhao Family Army has returned to the city——"

The scout’s voice traveled far, the soldiers below didn’t see this scene, but just imagined and felt their hearts sink, becoming panicked.

The Xun Family Army were merely a prefecture’s soldiers after all, incomparable to the Zhao Family Army, especially with frequent cooperative combat over the past two years, they’ve witnessed the prowess of the Zhao Family Army.

In their panic, Zhao Shen was battling enemies fiercely outside the residence, drawing close to the courtyard wall, as the enemies in front had mostly been cleared, so he leapt onto shoulders and heads, flying into the courtyard, calling out, "Wenda, He Lu, what are you dawdling for?"

The few excitedly fighting in the enemy ranks turned their heads, instantly beating back the Xun Family Army opposing them, leaping after him into the courtyard, laughing heartily as they landed inside, "I say Brother Wang, why are you in such a hurry, don’t you always say your father is excelled at evading, escape is his specialty?"