After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 984 - 969: Escape Route

Fathers know their sons best. When Zhao Ming heard this, he slightly narrowed his eyes and asked, "Is the commotion outside not the main army?"

Zhao Shen replied, "You said it’s a commotion, how could it be the main army?"

He looked up and down at his father he hadn’t seen for many years and asked, "Father, are you hurt?"

Zhao Ming snorted and then turned with a gentle expression to the Little Emperor, asking softly, "Is Your Majesty alright?"

The Little Emperor covered his waist and cried softly, "It hurts—"

Zhao Shen quickly explained, "At that time, it was too urgent..."

Zhao Ming glanced back at him, cutting him off and, after scanning the surroundings, frowned and asked, "Where is Mr. Ji?"

Ji Yuan emerged from behind a curtain holding a large boy, saying, "I am here."

Zhao Ming saw the Prince Yuzhang in his hands and was silent for a moment. They exchanged a glance and understood each other’s meaning.

If the main army arrives in time, Xun Xiu would kill Zhao Ming and capture the Little Emperor. Ji Yuan could protect the Prince Yuzhang if possible, but as for the Emperor—they could replace him—this wouldn’t be difficult for Zhao Hanzhang and the Zhao Family Army.

If he wanted the Emperor, they could turn the Emperor in his hands into a useless pawn.

If the main army doesn’t arrive in time, and Xun Xiu kills Zhao Ming, then Zhao Ming would surely kill the Little Emperor. Ji Yuan would also deal with the Prince Yuzhang before dying, leaving Xun Xiu with nothing.

By then, even if the direct bloodline of the Jin Dynasty was wiped out, Zhao Hanzhang could avenge the Jin Dynasty by killing Xun Xiu and then establish herself.

As for the King Langya of Jiangdong, they would temporarily not reconsider; he doesn’t even dare cross the river to fight the Xiongnu, let alone dare cross the river to fight Zhao Hanzhang?

When Zhao Ming heard that the army outside was fake, he immediately frowned, "If he finds out, he will immediately return; we are still in great danger."

Zhao Shen lifted his sword, saying, "You keep the door closed. I will take people out to guard."

Zhao Ming asked, "Can’t we escape?"

Earlier, they didn’t escape because they didn’t have time; they could only be trapped in the mansion to resist. Now that they’ve temporarily repelled the Xun Family Army, they can make a run for it.

Zhao Shen clicked his tongue, disapproving, "How could we run fast enough? They have forces outside the city."

Zhao Ming said, "I left a way out, through the South City Gate, where there are no Xun Family Army."

Zhao Shen hesitated for a moment and asked, "Are you sure?"

Zhao Ming gave him a disgruntled look and said, "I am sure!"

Although he hadn’t anticipated the Xun Family Army’s uprising, he hadn’t considered Meng County to be completely safe, so he had thought about leaving an escape route.

The South City Gate was the escape route he left.

He would naturally ensure that the escape route was completely under his control.

Zhao Shen’s heart was moved; he initially wanted to mobilize the city’s citizens to confront Xun Xiu, but the risk was high. After all, the citizens in the city were untrained, and it could end tragically.

If they could escape, Xun Xiu’s target was the Little Emperor, and he naturally wouldn’t make things difficult for the citizens.

But... "Who will cover the rear?"

Zhao Ming’s gaze fell directly on him, leaving no room for misunderstanding.

Zhao Shen: ...

Resignedly, he asked, "How many troops can you deploy now?"

"One thousand."

Zhao Shen couldn’t help but widen his eyes, "Do I look like a fool? The Colonel guarding the city said there are ten thousand Zhao Family Army in the city."

Zhao Ming sighed and said, "There are defenses left at two city gates and various important areas in the city. They’ve been dragged by the Xun Family Army. You saw the losses; excluding the deceased and severely wounded, I can probably command four thousand soldiers."

He added, "I must lead troops to protect Your Majesty and the officials."

Zhao Shen wasn’t foolish and directly asked, "How many men do you have stationed outside the South City Gate?"

Zhao Ming replied quietly, "Two thousand."

Zhao Shen said, "Give me two thousand men."

Zhao Ming remained silent. Zhao Shen continued, "Father, grandfather only has me as a grandson."

In other words, you only have one son. Are you willing to let me fall here?

Zhao Ming finally deployed two thousand men to him and quickly prepared to retreat from the city.

Meanwhile, Xun Xiu, running a section of the road and seeing people retreat faster, turned livid, "Is that the Zhao Family Army?"

Those around him also looked anxious.

Xun Xiu realized he had been deceived, but looking faraway; only saw crowds on the city walls with the "Zhao" flag flying; if these were city citizens, Zhao Hanzhang’s standing with the citizens was clear.

Since the mutual assaults of the Eight Princes began, citizens had grown accustomed to ignoring their upper rulers’ conflicts, keeping their doors closed.

For them to risk leaving their homes meant they valued Zhao Hanzhang’s interests more than their own lives.

Chilled to the bone, Xun Xiu realized capturing the Little Emperor and controlling the city didn’t mean he truly owned it.

Living in a city full of Zhao citizens, was it they who were in danger, or was it he?

"General, General—"

The Assistant General’s call brought Xun Xiu back to his senses.

There was no retreat now, Xun Xiu’s confused vision gradually firmed, becoming fiercely resolute.

At this stage, there was no turning back.

However...

Xun Xiu turned to the Assistant General, saying, "Immediately return to find Wang Han and have someone keep an eye on him."

The Assistant General was bewildered, "Ah?"

Xun Xiu said sternly, "If worst comes to worst, he is our retreat."

Once the Assistant General understood, he immediately led a team back.

At Xun Xiu’s residence, Wang Han, who had been constantly urged and persuaded by his aide, looked out satisfied at the rising smoke and faint sounds of battle cries and descended the stairs, saying, "Let’s go back to Xuzhou."

The aide breathed a sigh of relief, quickly following and discreetly urging, "I will have them prepare swift horses immediately."

Wang Han frowned and said, "The sky is soon dark and riding horses means insects everywhere; have them prepare a carriage."

The aide felt exhausted, wanting to persuade further, but seeing his displeased expression, swallowed his words, conceding that even if Xun Xiu didn’t win, probably no one would intercept them; carriage it would be.

With the carriage prepared and ready to leave, they were surrounded by Xun Xiu’s Assistant General and his men, invited to return indoors.

Wang Han was furious, "How dare you block my way!"

Demanding an opening to escape, the Assistant General was prepared and brought many men, directly subduing them—confiscating Wang Han’s guards’ weapons, ostensibly saying, "Swords are blind; let’s not accidentally harm Mr. Wang."

Wang Han never expected Xun Xiu would dare treat him this way, shouting, "Do you know who I am? I am Wang Han! From the Langya Wang Family..."

The Assistant General impatiently replied, "Who cares who you are, what’s the difference if you’re from the Langya Wang Family? Our General has rebelled against the Great General; even if you’re from the Xiping Zhao Family, it’s useless."

Wang Han’s face darkened, "Can a second-rate Zhao family be compared to my Wang Family? Besides Zhao Hanzhang, who else in Zhao Family is worth mentioning..."

The Assistant General, feeling irritated, didn’t want to hear him, unsheathed his sword, reflecting an icy glow on his face, chillingly warned, "More chatter, and you’re dead!"

Wang Han went silent like a duck being throttled.

At this moment, Xun Xiu encountered Zhao Shen waiting at the intersection upon his return.