Chapter 301 - Peace of Mind
Chapter 301 of "After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times" opens with: Fu Tinghan gave Zhao Ming a puzzled look, "Our goals are the same."Zhao Ming had... See what unfolds next!
Fu Tinghan gave Zhao Ming a puzzled look, "Our goals are the same."
Zhao Ming had a question in his heart that had been suppressed for a long time, "Third Sister Zhao wants to take Ru Nan County because the Zhao Family is here. Sheâs scheming for Erlang and Zhao Family, but whatâs your reason?"
Fu Tinghan naturally replied, "Because sheâs here, Iâm here too."
Fu Tinghan looked at Zhao Ming with a puzzled expression, "Why is Uncle Ming suddenly asking this?"
Because my father suspects you are planning a rebellion, and I have the same suspicion.
Zhao Ming swallowed the words that were about to come out and paused before saying, "Tinghan, my Zhao Family has been loyal for generations. Third Sisterâs grandfather cherished and respected himself, accumulating the good reputation we have today. I hope no one destroys this reputation."
Fu Tinghan was not skilled at managing matters, but he was intelligent and understood the implication of Zhao Mingâs words. He raised an eyebrow slightly, comforted the horse kicking at the ground, and seriously looked at Zhao Ming, "Uncle Ming, we never thought of rebelling."
But Zhao Ming still wasnât reassured, "You have no reverence for the Imperial Family."
Fu Tinghan: "Does Uncle Ming?"
Good question, Zhao Ming didnât either!
The two looked at each other before Zhao Ming calmly turned his gaze away and said in a deep voice, "I donât care what you plan to do, as long as you donât tarnish our Zhao Familyâs ancestral reputation."
Fu Tinghan responded with a "Hmm." Not to mention that he and Zhao Hanzhang had never thought of rebelling. If they truly rebelled and lost, they could bear all consequences, and if they won, it would not be tarnishing but commendation.
When they arrived at the military camp, Zhao Hanzhang was drilling formations with the soldiers and even a confrontation. Zhao Hanzhang and Zhao Erlang each led a group of soldiers, holding guns with red cloth wrapped around the ends, charging at each other. Anyone touched by the red cloth was considered dead.
Zhao Erlang loved this game and wanted to play it every day. Although he often lost more than he won against his older sister, it was really fun.
Zhao Erlang, excited, charged at Zhao Hanzhang with a shout. Zhao Hanzhang didnât let him get close, maneuvering the formation with a command.
Two riders stepped forward from the left and right, blocking Zhao Hanzhang. One of them quickly swung a long spear. Zhao Erlang dodged by falling back, not knowing how Zhao Hanzhangâs spear struck from somewhere, touching Zhao Erlangâs waist, causing him to fall off his horse in pain...
Zhao Hanzhang held up her spear and shouted loudly, "Your commander is dead, surrender or die!"
Her people immediately cheered with her, shouting to drop the weapons and avoid being killed. When Zhao Erlang got up from the ground holding his waist, most of his men had already surrendered.
He couldnât help but jump and shout, "Didnât I tell you that even if Iâm dead, you canât surrender..."
Zhao Hanzhang dismounted, slapped him on the head, "How many times have I told you, use strategy in battle, donât be reckless. Havenât you learned from losing so many times?"
Zhao Erlang knocked away Zhao Hanzhangâs hand, grumbling angrily, "Iâm not as smart as you, but I can definitely beat you in single combat. Dare you to duel?"
"Youâll lose in a duel too!"
"Iâve learned new moves, letâs compete again!"
Seeing the siblings getting heated and the soldiers seeming ready to jump in, Zhao Ming couldnât help but shout, "Third Sister Zhao!"
Third Lady Zhao looked over upon hearing her name, finally seeing the two of them. She wiped the sweat from her face and approached them with her long pole, "Uncle Ming, what brings you here?"
If he hadnât come, how would he know Zhao Hanzhang had left governance to Ji Yuan and Chang Ning and came here to spar for fun?
Ting He, waiting at the side, immediately grabbed a cloth towel, rushing forward to wipe Zhao Hanzhangâs sweat.
Zhao Ming glanced at the soldiers in formation not far away. After forming up, they began training.
Zhao Hanzhang wiped her sweat, tossed the towel to Ting He, and followed his gaze, boasting with a chuckle, "Uncle Ming, arenât my soldiers well-nurtured?"
"Very well," said Zhao Ming, though his thoughts, which had just been suppressed, surged again.
He couldnât help but tell Zhao Hanzhang, "Do you know Liu Yuanâs army is now approaching Luoyang?"
"I know," Zhao Hanzhang replied, "Didnât we receive this news a while ago? Even Gou Xi has suspended with Prince East Sea."
Zhao Ming asked, "If the court orders you to dispatch troops to aid the king, would you be willing to go?"
Zhao Hanzhang pointed to her own nose with her finger, asking, "Me?"
Zhao Ming nodded.
Zhao Hanzhang: "Uncle, what are you thinking? I only have two thousand people. How could I go to Luoyang to aid the king?"
Zhao Ming snorted coldly, "We both know if you only have two thousand people or not."
Zhao Hanzhang, feeling indignant, said immediately, "Uncle, those people in the resettlement areas may be retinue, but their main duty is farming. They donât really train, how can they be called soldiers?"
"I really only have these two thousand in training. If I went to aid the king, you couldnât possibly expect me to lead my subordinates to their deaths, could you?" Zhao Hanzhang paused here, frowning, "Why, does the court want me to aid the king? How come I havenât received any message?"
Zhao Ming replied coldly, "No, I was just speculating."
He asked, "Have you thought about if you donât go to aid the king and the Xiongnu army captures Luoyang, then Great Jin will fall, and we will all be ministers of a fallen nation?"
The fall of Great Jin is an inevitable trend. If it falls, it falls. Sheâd have one less mountain over her head, working more freely.
But she couldnât say this to Zhao Ming, so Zhao Hanzhang said, "Uncle, rest assured, the Da Jin Royal Family has so many members scattered everywhere. It wonât fall temporarily."
Fu Tinghan stood to the side, listening to their conversation. When Zhao Ming went to inspect other parts of the camp, he spoke to Zhao Hanzhang, "Uncle Ming is worried youâre planning a rebellion."
Zhao Hanzhang: "...Just because Iâm raising troops? Iâm not raising many troops, am I?"
Fu Tinghan: "Probably because of our attitude. We lack respect for the Imperial Family and the court, and thatâs making him concerned."
Zhao Hanzhang: "Later, Iâll go and ease his concerns."
Zhao Hanzhangâs method of easing his concerns was simple; she directly said to him, "Uncle Ming, why would I drive myself to rebellion? Fighting against both heaven and man? Iâm already exhausted managing three counties. Had it not been for Liu Yuanâs covetous eyes, I wouldnât have thought of raising so many retinues."
Zhao Ming stared at her for a long time before finally nodding, "All right, Iâll tentatively believe you."
Zhao Hanzhang, with a mischievous smile, told Zhao Ming, "If one day I really rebel, you can expel me from the Zhao Family. I suppose the court wouldnât trouble the Zhao Family and you then."
Zhao Ming: "Shut up!"
"Okay." However, Zhao Hanzhang didnât remain quiet for long before saying again, "Uncle, if the court orders aid, do you think He Ci Shi will go?"
Zhao Ming asked her back, "What do you think?"
"I think not!"
Zhao Hanzhang wasnât wrong. He Ci Shi indeed wouldnât dispatch troops.
The court had already issued the edict for aid, but the document was sent directly to the Inspectorâs Mansion, where He Ci Shi shelved it without making it public.