After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Gou Xi unfolded the letter sent by Zhao Hanzhang, raised an eyebrow slightly, and casually handed the letter to Yan Heng beside him, "She is indeed cautious, knowing to send me a message first."

Yan Heng took it and glanced through it, bowed and said, "General, she must be seeking aid for Yu State. Do you want to meet her, or find an excuse to dismiss her?"

Gou Xi pondered, "Previously, how many cities did you say she captured?"

"Twelve cities, maneuvering skillfully with unpredictable movements; the Xiongnu have yet to track her down."

Gou Xi said, "She is indeed a capable general in military tactics. To dare to capture cities in the Xiongnu’s rear and succeed repeatedly, shows her ability."

"However, she can capture cities but not defend them, and she has the advantage of being in Yu State where the people won’t betray her whereabouts."

Zhao Hanzhang wreaks havoc deep in the Xiongnu’s territory; why can’t Liu Yuan capture her despite having so many troops?

Firstly, Zhao Hanzhang is familiar with the terrain of Yu State and applies military tactics like a deity; secondly, because the people who have seen or heard of her protect her by withholding information. Liu Yuan lacks a foundation among the people here.

If the opponent were someone else, Zhao Hanzhang would find it hard to achieve this.

But Gou Xi said, "If the opponent changes, she will have other methods to deal with it. This person can be of great use; invite her here, I would like to hear what she has to say."

Yan Heng responded and personally went to invite Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang and her entourage stopped by the roadside; even when dismounted, their military formation was disciplined and orderly.

When Yan Heng arrived and saw such a troop, he couldn’t help but nod in approval.

This was very much to Gou Xi’s liking, as he himself was a person who valued discipline highly. Yan Heng dismounted and was introduced by the Zhao Family Army’s scout to meet Zhao Hanzhang.

Even though the background and personal information of this female county magistrate had long been on file and Yan Heng was familiar with them, when he actually saw her, he couldn’t help but be surprised. Such a young and handsome lady.

Just that she bore a heroic spirit between her brows, and when she raised her eyes to look at people, there was a clear coldness, which made him subconsciously pause, taking out the solemn salute he reserved for facing Gou Xi, "Governor Zhao."

Zhao Hanzhang rose from the rock, nodded slightly, tore off a piece of the bun in her hand, and offered the biggest piece up, "Would the envoy like to have something to eat first?"

Yan Heng glanced at the grayish-yellow bun in her hand, lowered his eyes to express gratitude, and after receiving it, ate a dry meal with Zhao Hanzhang.

While eating, Zhao Hanzhang asked, "Is General Gou willing to see me?"

"Of course, the general specifically sent me to invite Governor Zhao."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang immediately shoved the bun into her mouth, clapped her hands to stand up, and called to the guards beside her, "Let’s go, let’s go, we’re off to see General Gou."

Zhao Hanzhang still had great trust in Gou Xi, so she brought along Zhao Erlang and Fu Tinghan, leaving only Qiu Wu behind to lead the troops, and went to see Gou Xi with just over a dozen people.

Knowing that Zhao Hanzhang was coming to see him, Gou Xi didn’t wait outside the city but instead waited at his residence inside the city.

Zhao Hanzhang brought only a dozen or so people and entered the city with Yan Heng to see him. The generals and advisers following Gou Xi all remarked, "Just this courage alone surpasses countless men."

Because of this, Gou Xi had some positive feelings towards her, but upon seeing Zhao Hanzhang, he was still stern-faced, sitting with great authority in the top seat.

Zhao Hanzhang wore a faint smile, still donned in armor, and with a long sword at her side, she walked forward with large strides, reaching the hall’s lower floor, clasped her hands, and bowed in salute, "I, a humble subordinate, pay respects to General Gou."

Fu Tinghan and others behind her also saluted.

Gou Xi’s gaze swept over her face and the people behind her, surprised that such a small group of young people had turned the Xiongnu upside down, forcing them to deploy large numbers of troops everywhere to catch her and overstretching themselves.

The corners of his mouth curled slightly, and he raised his hand, "No need for formalities, take a seat."

Immediately, attendants brought in a low table and a mat, and Zhao Hanzhang along with Fu Tinghan sat down, while Zhao Erlang and others stood behind them clutching their swords.

Gou Xi’s gaze moved from Zhao Hanzhang to Fu Tinghan, "I heard that Governor Zhao has a military strategist by her side who knows all the mountains and roads. Is it this person?"

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True to Gou Xi’s form, even the Xiongnu couldn’t obtain this information, yet Gou Xi was already aware.

Zhao Hanzhang curled her lips and nodded, "Yes, this is Fu Tinghan."

Gou Xi apparently knew quite a bit, smiling slyly, "I heard Fu Zhongshu has a grandson named Changrong."

Fu Tinghan glanced at Zhao Hanzhang before saying, "That would be me."

Gou Xi remarked meaningfully, "Fu Zhongshu has a mandate from Your Majesty to go to Chang’an to recruit soldiers for Yu State, and by my calculations, the day should be near, right?"

Fu Tinghan said nothing, but looked towards Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang said seriously, "General Gou, with your proficiency in information, have you already received word of Fu Zhongshu’s arrival?"

Gou Xi said nothing.

Zhao Hanzhang sighed, "Despite the Battle of Luoyang, Liu Yuan’s forces remain strong, and the Xiongnu cavalry is renowned throughout the land. Even if Fu Zhongshu has recruited troops for reinforcements, I’m afraid they cannot dispel them easily, as after all, they are mostly untrained soldiers."

Gou Xi tapped the table lightly, saying nothing.

Zhao Hanzhang candidly stated, "I have come also to beseech General Gou to dispatch troops to jointly expel the Xiongnu with Yu State."

Gou Xi stated, "Aren’t my troops all at the front line now?"

They are at the front line, but only to defend and not attack. Liu Yuan, being crafty, knows to avoid Gou Xi’s troops and only attacks Yu State, never contending with Gou Xi, putting all the pressure on Yu State.

This was something both sides understood well, and Zhao Hanzhang did not expose it but earnestly stated, "General Gou, if Liu Yuan breaks through Yu State, then Yan State and other places will not be spared. With the ambition of the Xiongnu, the Central Plains will not be at peace."

Gou Xi: "Prince East Sea will not stand idly by."

Zhao Hanzhang sneered, "With your character so upright, if even you can allow the Xiongnu to act wantonly, disregarding home and country, how can you expect Prince East Sea to prioritize the greater good?"

Gou Xi’s expression changed slightly, and his advisers became furious, questioning Zhao Hanzhang, "What does Governor Zhao mean by this? Are you insulting our lord?"

Zhao Hanzhang ignored them, her eyes intently fixed on Gou Xi, "When I was in Luoyang, my grandfather often spoke of General Gou, saying you do things with caution, distinguish between public and private, abstain from favoritism, and are most just and incorruptible, thus when King Qi was executed, numerous court ministers pleaded on your behalf, sparing you from association."

"My grandfather has a good name among the people, and so does General Gou. Your Majesty entrusted the nation’s plans to you because of your virtuous character. But now, to rival Prince East Sea, you put personal resentment above national affairs; have you forgotten your original intentions?"

Gou Xi coldly asked, "You say my issue with Prince East Sea is a personal grudge?"

He angrily stated, "He coerces the Emperor to command the dukes, while I follow Your Majesty’s decree to cleanse the court, is that a personal grudge?"

"But now the priority is external threats surrounding us. To settle internal conflicts, we must first secure the external. Your Majesty cannot sit idly by as Yu State falls," Zhao Hanzhang asked solemnly, "Why can’t the General put aside Prince East Sea’s matter first and jointly expel the Xiongnu?"

"I would be willing, but I fear that once I expel the Xiongnu, my life will be expelled as well."