After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

He thought that the clever Zhao Hanzhang wouldn’t want to come to his camp, so he didn’t mention it and directly suggested meeting at the front lines.

Zhao Hanzhang agreed immediately, saying, "I’ve just returned and haven’t met the Yu State soldiers yet. After I meet them, I’ll bring several generals to visit General Gou."

Gou Xi’s men always kept an eye on the Yu State camp and naturally knew that Zhao Hanzhang had just entered the camp. Calculating the time, indeed she hadn’t managed to meet Xun Xiu and others.

Ming Yu smiled and agreed, pushing the meeting time back a bit. After both sides had agreed on a time, he bid farewell and left.

Zhao Hanzhang had Qiu Wu see him out.

Once he was gone, her smile faded, "It seems Gou Xi has people watching the river, but failed to watch the opposite bank."

Zhao Ming looked up at her, "Prince East Sea is a fool, but not entirely incompetent. Moreover, he has capable people under him. If Gou Xi’s men were that informed about the other side, you wouldn’t be needed for this battle."

Zhao Ming paused here, sitting up slightly, "Is Fu Zhongshu involved too?"

Zhao Hanzhang waved her hand, "I’ve persuaded him to retreat. He only has twenty thousand men, what can they do? Prince East Sea could easily dispatch a team to capture them."

Zhao Ming lightly tapped his knee with his finger, "So, has Fu Zhongshu returned to Luoyang?"

Zhao Hanzhang smiled at him.

Zhao Ming asked, "And you, are you really going to join forces with Gou Xi against Prince East Sea?"

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "It depends on whether Prince East Sea dares to act. If he takes the initiative, then I’ll surely join forces with Gou Xi to seize him. If he retreats quietly, I’ll naturally not act as a tool for Gou Xi."

"Can you really oppose Gou Xi?"

Zhao Hanzhang raised her chin slightly with pride, "Although Yu State’s troops are not as strong as Yan State’s, we are not without means to fight back. If Gou Xi dares to attack me, would Prince East Sea pass up such a good opportunity?"

So Gou Xi would be daft to attack her.

She had agreed to support Gou Xi, but only if Prince East Sea acted first. Well, though she hadn’t explicitly stated this condition before, it wouldn’t hurt to add it now.

What could Zhao Ming say? This matter’s favorable to Yu State and doesn’t amount to a breach of faith, so naturally, he wouldn’t obstruct her.

Xun Xiu and other generals and officials received the notification and hastily returned to camp to pay respect to Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang sat in the upper seat, which Zhao Ming had occupied before. However, Xun Xiu and the others weren’t very willing to see him there, it was merely because the Zhao Family Army was numerous and Zhao Hanzhang frequently brought back good news that they tolerated him temporarily.

Now seeing Zhao Hanzhang seated above, everyone bowed their heads, made no objections, and saluted, "Greetings, General Zhao."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded slightly, spotting among the crowd the reluctant Governor Zhang.

Oh, a familiar face. A year ago, beyond Yu Yang City, she greeted him the same way.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled, raised her hand and said, "Please dispense with formalities, everyone, and be seated quickly."

Everyone sat on both sides according to their rank, Zhao Hanzhang then looked at Governor Zhang and smiled, "When did you arrive, Governor Zhang? How is Ruyin County currently? How many troops do you have now?"

Governor Zhang was choked with questions and kept silent.

Zhao Hanzhang’s three questions placed herself as the Inspector, but... Governor Zhang hasn’t acknowledged her as the Inspector yet, nor has the court!

Thus, Governor Zhang sullenly did not answer and turned his head aside.

At this moment, Zhao Hanzhang decided inwardly that she would replace the Ruyin County Governor.

She smiled, unconcerned, and turned to Xun Xiu and asked, "Who is stationed by the river now?"

Xun Xiu bent slightly, replying, "It’s me."

"How many troops are stationed there?"

"Twenty thousand."

Zhao Hanzhang asked, "Have they engaged?"

Xun Xiu shook his head, "No." He paused and said, "Without the general’s orders, we do not dare to act rashly."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded with satisfaction, "Let them remain in a standoff, we’re in no hurry to make a decision. Instruct the soldiers to restrain themselves and only watch the show."

Mi Ce couldn’t help but lament, "Yet the army’s provisions are scarce, and the soldiers grow restless being stationed here, causing troubles."

Yu Sheng also remarked, "Having just clashed with the Xiongnu, the soldiers are homesick and weary of war, unwilling to linger here."

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Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "I understand, consider these few days as a rest, soothe the soldiers. Once Prince East Sea retreats, they’ll return home."

Governor Zhang scowled and asked, "General Zhao, why drag Yu State into the conflict between Prince East Sea and Gou Xi? Isn’t this placing Yu State in peril?"

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "I naturally don’t wish for this, but with no reinforcements from the court and under the iron hoof of the Xiongnu, what alternative do we have?"

Everyone remained silent.

Zhao Hanzhang said, "In times of crisis for the Yu State, only General Gou is willing to send troops to help, being grateful for his aid, and we should return the favor in his troubled times as well."

Soldiers carry a sense of duty; even though Xun Xiu and others were reluctant to get involved in Prince East Sea and Gou Xi’s disputes, they agreed with Zhao Hanzhang’s viewpoint, nodding in acceptance, "We are at the general’s disposal."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded with satisfaction, "The Xiongnu has retreated, a notable victory for Yu State, yet the people’s displacement and heavy casualties amongst the soldiers leave me unjoyful. Pass the order, all three armies shall mourn. At night, wine and meat will be offered to honor the fallen and reward the troops."

The generals agreed happily, instantly discarding Governor Zhang’s provocative remarks.

Rewards in the army are always paired with rituals; whenever great rewards are given to the troops, wine and meat must be offered first to the fallen comrades.

This is one of the reasons why feasts are common during funerals in the Central Plains region.

Feasting serves to ward off bad luck, to reward, and to signify that the living must rise and look ahead.

Yu State had just witnessed fierce battles, and now with Prince East Sea and Gou Xi’s tens of thousands of soldiers standoff in Yu State, morale among troops and civilians is low; they need a feast to boost their spirits.

Upon Zhao Hanzhang’s command, immediately the three armies bustled, rinsing rice, cooking meals, slaughtering chickens and sheep, a lively scene.

Even across the river, Prince East Sea heard the commotion and asked his aides, "Why is the Yu State army so lively on the opposite side?"

Someone quickly went to inspect and soon reported, "Prince, Zhao Hanzhang has returned victorious and is now rewarding the troops."

Upon hearing this, Prince East Sea sat upright and asked, "What about Beigong Chun? Since he has returned, why hasn’t he come to greet me?"

Although he was unwilling to admit it, in the eyes of public opinion, Prince East Sea represented the court, the rightful authority. Having returned victorious, Zhao Hanzhang and Beigong Chun should indeed greet him first.

But...

"Beigong Chun seems not to be among the troops, and Zhao Hanzhang..." The advisor paused, knowing Zhao Hanzhang is now aligned with Gou Xi, and it’s awkward and troubling to ask such questions.