After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Lu Xiyuan murmured, "So Prince East Sea was intentional..."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded affirmatively, "I will definitely avenge this!"

Lu Xiyuan said nothing.

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at him, decisively got up to untie him, and even patted the dust off his clothes and knees, sighing, "Mr. Lu, I won’t stop you if you want to leave, but you can’t leave now."

"Besides Governor Zhang, you understand the situation in Ruyin County the best," Zhao Hanzhang said. "Now that Governor Zhang is gone, you need to stay and assist me with the transition of Ruyin County. After this matter, if you still insist on leaving, I will give you travel expenses."

Lu Xiyuan is no fool; he realized almost instantly and meekly asked, "If I choose to stay..."

Zhao Hanzhang almost immediately and excitedly said, "That would naturally be fortunate for Hanzhang. With your assistance, Ruyin County and Yu State will only grow better in the future."

Lu Xiyuan was silent for a moment, then stepped back and bowed deeply to Zhao Hanzhang, "I am willing to follow you, my lady."

Zhao Hanzhang curled her lips, supported him, and told him he didn’t need to be overly formal.

Lu Xiyuan looked at his attendant still kneeling on the ground and said apologetically, "My lord, my attendant is very stubborn, not knowing the extent to hold back. He accidentally injured your soldier..."

Zhao Hanzhang, hearing this, immediately helped the man up and untied him, smiling, "He is your attendant, and his duty is to protect you. He is a man of loyalty and righteousness; what fault does he have?"

After untying him, Zhao Hanzhang called a trusted aide, "Quick, arrange for Mr. Lu to have a tent and let the military doctor come and examine both master and servant."

The trusted aide agreed and led the two away.

Only after they were far did Zhao Hanzhang say to Ting He, "Go and check on the injured trusted aides for me, and ensure the military doctor treats them well."

She said, "They caught Lu Xiyuan alive, which is a great merit. Have Sun Linghui record this merit for them, and later you can privately reward them with some things."

Ting He agreed.

Zhao Hanzhang was in a much better mood after gaining a new advisor, finally managing to sleep peacefully for an hour before dawn.

As soon as day broke, there was already the sound of soldiers training outside. Zhao Hanzhang got up, her eyes still a bit dark-circled. She looked carefully in the bronze mirror and asked Ting He, "Do I look haggard?"

Ting He shook her head, "Not haggard."

"That’s good," Zhao Hanzhang straightened her back, "Today I’m meeting General Gou, I must be spirited."

Ting He thought for a moment and suggested, "Why not put on some powder, my lady? That way, you can cover the dark circles under your eyes."

Zhao Hanzhang thought for a moment and then shook her head, "Forget it, in case there’s a need to fight, if I sweat, the makeup will smudge, and that won’t look good."

Zhao Hanzhang changed into lighter clothing and said to Ting He, "We’ll keep it simple."

Zhao Ming wanted to accompany Zhao Hanzhang to meet Gou Xi, so he also changed into an outfit that looked very low-key and ordinary but still had wide sleeves and better drape. Most importantly, his makeup was even better today.

During breakfast, he drew Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan’s gazes towards him.

Zhao Erlang was the most straightforward. Seeing that Sister and Brother-in-law kept looking at Uncle Ming, he too followed their gaze and straightforwardly said, "Uncle Ming, you look very handsome today."

Zhao Ming curled his lips, picked up a bun for Zhao Erlang, "Eat more."

Zhao Erlang happily took a big bite, eating heartily.

Zhao Ming’s eyes then shifted to Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan, asking the two, "Have you looked enough?"

The two immediately lowered their heads to eat, also throwing in a compliment, "Uncle, you look very good today."

Zhao Ming hummed lightly and said to Fu Tinghan, "As a gentleman, one’s appearance should be neat and proper. It’s not just about wearing nice clothes and arranging your hair. Later, I’ll have someone teach Fu An."

Fu Tinghan wasn’t too keen on putting on makeup, but he couldn’t refuse the elder’s goodwill, so he said, "I’ll ask Fu An if he can spare the time."

He certainly won’t find the time.

Zhao Hanzhang thought silently.

The thought had just flashed when Zhao Ming’s gaze fixed on her, "You are a lady and should care about your appearance too. Look at you..."

Zhao Ming looked disdainful, "You’re covered in grime every day. What lady behaves like you?"

Zhao Hanzhang immediately sped up her eating, wanting to distance from Zhao Ming.

He said, "Even as an Inspector, you should be composed and dignified. What does it look like to rush around so eagerly?"

The action of Zhao Hanzhang slowing down as she bit into a steamed bun.

After finishing breakfast, Zhao Hanzhang felt stuffed and uncomfortable. She quietly turned her head and instructed Ting He, "In the future, we don’t have to eat breakfast together. We can each eat in our own tent."

Ting He agreed.

Zhao Hanzhang let out a breath, hearing the sound of training coming from the camp. She loosened her shoulders, feeling alive again, "Let’s review the troops; we’re off to meet General Gou."

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Zhao Hanzhang and Ming Yu scheduled a time. Seeing it was getting late, Zhao Hanzhang took a team to the riverbank to meet Gou Xi.

This was the first formal meeting of the two armies after the battle, so Zhao Hanzhang brought her generals along.

Ji Yuan and Zhao Ming, as important advisors, were naturally included.

On the other bank, Prince East Sea noticed unusual activity on this side and immediately ran to the riverbank to observe.

The river was quite wide, even with a crossbow it couldn’t be shot across, so he confidently had a high platform erected on the riverbank and stood atop, looking over.

Zhao Hanzhang glanced over there, "No wonder Mr. Ji had to sail over to negotiate. Shouting from here really can’t be heard."

Fu Tinghan handed her a box.

Zhao Hanzhang took it, curious, and opened it, "What’s this...a telescope?"

Fu Tinghan nodded, "It was delivered by the Shangcai Glass Workshop yesterday, intended for you, but there was never a good opportunity."

Zhao Hanzhang happily took it out and looked across the river, asking, "When was this made?"

"The letter said it was made some time ago, but due to the war, these things couldn’t be delivered. It was only sent after the Xiongnu army retreated."

Zhao Hanzhang adjusted it, immediately targeting Prince East Sea on the platform.

Prince East Sea was quite elderly, with graying hair and a bit chubby. He squinted, looking over on this side. Perhaps noticing Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze, his wandering eyes lifted and locked onto hers, seemingly making eye contact across the telescope.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled gently at him and made a small finger gesture, flipping it downwards.

Fu Tinghan: ...

Zhao Ming didn’t understand the gesture, but felt it was very impolite, and couldn’t help but sternly call her name, "Zhao Hanzhang!"

Zhao Hanzhang then put down the telescope, turning her head with a sweet smile to Zhao Ming.

Zhao Ming was displeased and asked, "What are you doing? You’re not just a lady; you should also strive to be a gentleman."

She couldn’t be a gentleman; she sought revenge. Zhao Changyu’s death was something she had never forgotten.