After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Zhao Hanzhang looked around, observing the two roads repeatedly. "Where do you think Prince East Sea will intercept Grandfather Fu?"

Fu Tinghan pondered and asked in return, "If he were to support Yu State, which road would he take?"

The two thought for a moment, then both focused on the road to the right. "Grandfather Fu is a straightforward person, he definitely wouldn’t expect Prince East Sea to intercept him midway, so he’ll take the fastest road to Yu State."

Fu Tinghan nodded, agreeing with this thought.

Zhao Hanzhang turned her horse around immediately and said, "Let’s go and take a look."

They headed southwest, not directly south to Yu State.

Zhao Hanzhang recruited some troops in Guan City, and along with the captives, she now had 8,000 strong men behind her. Although more than half were infantry, the forced march was quite swift.

After two days of marching, just when Zhao Hanzhang thought they would reach Chang’an, they saw people intercepted halfway.

It was at a three-way intersection, with a mountain on one side. Fu Zhi was blocked in front of the road.

Scouts had already examined the situation ahead and reported to Zhao Hanzhang, "Fu Zhongshu brought 20,000 men and is intercepted here. Today is the fifth day. Leading them upfront is General Ma, and at the back, blocking Fu Zhongshu’s retreat, is General Chunyu."

Zhao Hanzhang asked, "Which General Ma?"

"General Ma Jian’en under Prince East Sea, who also has about 20,000 men. We can’t get more specifics."

Zhao Hanzhang inquired, "And who is this General Chunyu at the back?"

"Chunyu Ding of the Chang’an garrison."

Zhao Hanzhang lamented, "Sima Mo, ah."

Sima Mo is the younger brother of Sima Yue. The older one is now the Regent King, so naturally, the younger brother has to listen to him. The two brothers have a good relationship, cooperating fully, ignoring the people of Great Jin, only concerned about their power.

Zhao Hanzhang tossed the spear in her hand to Ting He behind her, picked up the longbow on her shoulder, kicked the horse’s belly, and shouted, "Let’s go meet General Ma!"

Fu Zhi had been blocked here for five days. He paced anxiously around the camp, but had no solution.

Prince East Sea had only sent troops to block him, with no intention of attacking. But if they forced their way through, they would definitely engage.

With a total of 50,000 troops here, 30,000 belonged to the opposing side. Once the fighting started, they would certainly suffer the worst.

The main issue was, these were all Great Jin’s soldiers and civilians! They hadn’t even faced the Xiongnu yet, and there was already infighting.

Every time he thought of this, Fu Zhi’s heart ached unbearably, making it hard for him to decide to force through.

But staying stuck here wasn’t an option either. Yu State was already under attack, the situation unknown, and the grain and provisions they brought were running low.

Fu Zhi rode out of the camp, his face pale, deciding to talk to the other side again. Right now, they should prioritize national affairs. Couldn’t the infighting wait until after the Xiongnu were dealt with?

Just as he mounted his horse, a scout rushed to report, "Zhongshu, a force is approaching from the front?"

Fu Zhi’s face turned pale, thinking Prince East Sea had sent more troops, his anger causing his nose to flare. He asked, "How many? How far?"

"When we discovered them, they were fifty miles away. Now they should be twenty miles away. At a glance, they’re close to ten thousand strong, with around three thousand cavalry."

Fu Zhi was slightly stunned, "So many cavalry? Does Prince East Sea want to annihilate me?"

Meanwhile, Ma Jian’en’s scouts had also spotted this force. Zhao Hanzhang had not concealed their movements; it would’ve been visible to any scout not blind.

Unlike Fu Zhi, Ma Jian’en was clear that this was not a force from Prince East Sea.

If the Prince had dispatched additional troops here, he would have known.

So he immediately ordered the whole army on alert, then mounted his horse to gather information up front.

Fu Zhi and he arrived at the crossroads simultaneously. As soon as they met, both parties were somewhat emotional. In the past five days, although they hadn’t engaged in combat, there had been some physical conflicts.

Fu Zhi had stood at the front of the array, cursing Ma Jian’en and his ancestors, already reaching the eighteenth generation.

So upon spotting Fu Zhi, Ma Jian’en’s face turned blue, but he remained restrained, raised his hand, clasped his fist, and said, "Fu Zhongshu, is this your reinforcements?"

Fu Zhongshu squinted slightly and said calmly, "What are you here for, General Ma?"

Ma Jian’en snorted coldly, "To see who’s bold enough to defy the Prince. Fu Zhongshu, not to criticize, but you’re short-sighted. The Prince’s actions are for the good of Great Jin."

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He was about to continue when he heard the galloping of horses. He immediately stopped speaking and turned his head to see.

Fu Zhongshu, losing interest in probing him further, turned his head too, only to see dust swirling, led by two riders followed by an uncountable number of troops charging over.

Ma Jian’en’s men immediately tensed up, gripping their blades and spears tightly. Some soldiers, under Ma Jian’en’s indication, rode forward to intercept, "Halt! Who goes there? Identify yourselves!"

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t stop immediately but led her army straight up to Ma Jian’en, stopping within bowshot range.

Her troops had just finished a battle; after more than a month’s fighting, they carried a heavy aura of blood and battle, which was distinctly different from the gently obstructing army.

Even the horse under Ma Jian’en shifted back two steps involuntarily, evidently scared by their fierce demeanor.

Not until Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan stopped not far away did Fu Zhi recognize them. Both surprised and delighted, he couldn’t help but shout, "Dalang, Third Lady!"

Ma Jian’en squinted and recognized Zhao Hanzhang too, gripping the reins in his hands tightly.

Unlike Fu Zhi, who looked at his own with a soft filter, Ma Jian’en viewed Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan more objectively.

He was aware of Zhao Hanzhang’s rise in Yu State these past two years and had faced her directly when she reported a death, witnessing her tenacious character and outstanding wit.

Seeing her brought back memories of those clear, relentless eyes staring at him with little expression...

Ma Jian’en shivered, focusing firmly on Zhao Hanzhang.

But Zhao Hanzhang was different from more than a year ago. Her lips curled slightly, eyes softer, but her presence cold and fierce. When her gaze landed on him, he felt a murderous aura.

Zhao Hanzhang looked Ma Jian’en up and down before turning to Fu Zhongshu, bowing slightly, "Grandfather Fu!"

Fu Tinghan also spoke, "Grandfather."

In that brief moment, many thoughts flashed through Fu Zhi’s mind. Seeing the dust on them, the infantry coming from afar still bore bloody traces, feeling distressed, he asked, "Why are you here? How is Yu State? Did we lose Yu State?"

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "No, Liu Yuan has retreated."

Blocked here, Fu Zhi had no news, but Ma Jian’en on the side knew, so his face showed little change.

Seeing Fu Zhi’s relieved expression, Ma Jian’en said, "Fu Zhongshu, please relax. Our Prince knows the priorities well. Now that the trouble in Yu State is resolved, we request Fu Zhongshu to return to Chang’an with the troops."

Fu Zhongshu lowered his eyes briefly before lifting them again, saying, "I must return to Luoyang to meet His Majesty."