Chapter 127 - Gathering Information

Chapter 127: Chapter 121: Gathering InformationZhao Song was already prepared with the food and two boxes—one of jewelry, the other of glass.

The glass items were sent to Wu Castle by Zhao Hanzhang for Zhao Song to sell to wealthy families in Xiping a few days ago.

He brought out the entire box directly.

Cartloads of food were transported out, and Zhao Ming instructed the boxes to be opened so Shi Le could see the jewelry and glass inside.

Shi Le, upon seeing them, couldn’t help but urge his horse forward a few steps, stopping just in front of the drawbridge.

Seeing this, Zhao Hanzhang extended her hand for a glass cup to be handed to her, and then she threw it towards Shi Le.

Shi Le caught it with one hand, playing with it in his palm, "Indeed, the Zhao Family is truly wealthy, to be able to produce so many fine items like this."

"To send General Shi away, I had to show some sincerity."

Noticing the fresh red stain on the cup, Shi Le knew it was Zhao Hanzhang’s palm blood; he smiled slightly, "Actually, there’s another way. We don’t need to fight to the death. If only you all would submit to me..."

Zhao Hanzhang interrupted him, "General Shi, if we could surrender, my uncle would have done so yesterday. Our Zhao’s Fortress held fast with over a thousand lives not to surrender at my end."

Shi Le looked at her with deep eyes.

Zhao Hanzhang said, "We both know, General Shi won’t stay in Ru Nan for long. This is the Central Plains; the court will not sit idly by and watch the loss of Central Plains. They will surely send a large army. By then, General Shi can certainly leave, but our Zhao Family roots are here. What would we do then?"

Thus, the Zhao Family will not submit.

For the reputation built over a century, and for the Zhao Family disciples traveling abroad, they couldn’t surrender.

Shi Le said nothing more, raised his hand, and ordered his people to check the food.

The people of Zhao’s Fortress watched intently as the others approached, slowly retreating, allowing them access to the grain carts, but couldn’t hide the hatred in their eyes.

While they took the time to inspect and tally, Zhao Hanzhang chatted with Shi Le, "General Shi is recruiting people to join Liu Yuan, so why come to Ru Nan instead of Yingchuan?"

Shi Le was puzzled, "Yingchuan?"

"Yes, Yingchuan," Zhao Hanzhang said, "Yingchuan is a disaster area, with displaced people everywhere; recruiting there would be much quicker than forcibly taking from Ru Nan."

Zhao Ming, standing below the horse, started feeling anxious.

Shi Le: "Yingchuan is too close to Luoyang."

"But Ru Nan is in the heart of the Central Plains; entering is easy, yet leaving isn’t," Zhao Hanzhang said, "Liu Yuan even marched into Luoyang, so why fear mere Yingchuan? General Shi coming here is a real mistake; had you gone to Yingchuan, Liu Yuan might even hold you in higher esteem."

Shi Le sneered, "I came to Ru Nan because General Liu directed it, what could a little lady like you understand?"

"Though I am a lady, I’ve been reading by my grandfather’s side since childhood, and I believe I understand a bit," Zhao Hanzhang said, "If I were General Shi, I would not think of joining Liu Yuan."

She said, "The Jiehu have always been driven by the Xiongnu, considered lower class. General Shi, with such talent, has already established himself in Jizhou—why turn to Liu Yuan?"

Shi Le doesn’t think himself superior to Liu Yuan; he genuinely wants to join Liu Yuan. However, Zhao Hanzhang’s words pleased him, prompting him to say more, "General Liu is of noble Xiongnu lineage."

"Does General Shi’s ancestry begin with poor slaves? Who does not have royal ancestry a few generations back?" Zhao Hanzhang said, "I’ve heard General Shi’s grandfather was once a tribal leader, so between you and Liu Yuan, who is truly inferior?"

Shi Le was surprised, looking at Zhao Hanzhang; he was born a slave, a poor farmer as a child, became a porter at fourteen, then was caught by officials as a slave, changing from one master to another, each treated him like livestock, forcing him to do the hardest, most exhausting work.

Apart from a few friends, everyone looked down on him; this was the first time a noble spoke to him about not being inferior.

Shi Le grew interested, candidly telling her, "I killed Ma Teng from East Victory Company in Jizhou."

The Sima family was Zhao Family’s master; weren’t the Zhao Family loyal? He wanted to see if she could still say he wasn’t inferior.

Yet Zhao Hanzhang didn’t even furrow her brows and said to Shi Le, "Then Jizhou is your domain, why come to Ru Nan?"

Shi Le became interested, laughing heartily, "I came along the road, telling bandits I killed Sima Teng, they all clapped and cheered; telling Jin Dynasty officials, they all pointed at me and cursed as a traitor. Only you, ask why not stay in Jizhou; hahaha, young lady, could it be that the Zhao Family also wants to rebel against the Sima family?"

Zhao Hanzhang shook her head, "Sima Teng himself is rebellious and treacherous; his death is actually a blessing to the Jin Dynasty, General Shi is the loyal!"

Zhao Ming:...

Shi Le was also stunned, "I am loyal?"

Zhao Hanzhang nodded affirmatively, "Yes, General Shi, if you take this achievement to Luoyang and make a name, Prince East Sea will surely appoint you an official."

Upon hearing this, Shi Le sneered, "Among the Sima family, there is hatred everywhere; if being on East Sea Prince’s side counts, I might really be loyal. So the Zhao Family is with Prince East Sea after all."

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t refute, instead she made small talk, "General Shi did not stay in Jizhou because of Chengdu King Sima Ying?"

Shi Le coldly laughed, "What does he have to fear? If not for Gou Xi..."

He paused, no longer continuing.

Then Zhao Hanzhang laughed, "Gou Xi maneuvers troops with divine prowess; I’ve heard he has the nickname ’Butcher’, is General Shi avoiding his sharpness?"

Shi Le snorted coldly inside, avoiding sharpness, he was subdued by Gou Xi till there was only one man left, couldn’t help but escape.

Originally, he wanted to go to Shangdang to recruit troops and join Liu Yuan, but halfway hearing Liu Yuan had already invaded Luoyang, about to declare himself emperor, he wanted to join in the excitement, hence headed south directly towards Luoyang.

As he moved forward, gathering men, with his brawn and speech, he threatened and persuaded many to serve under him.

Then nearly reaching Luoyang encountered the withdrawing Liu Yuan army.

Liu Yuan gladly accepted his allegiance, sending him forth to plunder; they wanted to bite off Yu State, mark Luoyang as the boundary, east belonging to them, west still belonging to Great Jin, temporarily untouched.

Of course, Shi Le wouldn’t tell Zhao Hanzhang these plans, but if Zhao’s Fortress proved so hard to tackle, can they really seize the whole of Ru Nan, the entire Yu State?

Zhao Ming observed Shi Le’s expression, lightly tugged Zhao Hanzhang’s stirrup, signaling her to stop here, further probing would lead to trouble.

Though Zhao Hanzhang regretted, she nonetheless heeded advice and held her tongue.

Shi Le’s men checked thoroughly, confirmed the bags held grain, then nodded to Shi Le.

Shi Le waved, ordered everything to be carried across, looked at Zhao Hanzhang, "Lady Zhao, hopefully we won’t meet again."

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "I also hope not to meet General Shi again."