After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

"How can we not mention it? You helped her drive away the Xiongnu with an army of a hundred thousand, and in return, she only deployed five thousand for you?" Gou Chun was very angry, "Her calculations are too precise."

"Moreover, this shows her cunning. Yan State and Yu State are adjacent. If we don’t take advantage of our current superiority to teach her a lesson, how can she respect her elder brother in the future?"

Gou Xi pondered, stroked his beard, and said, "To subdue her, we have a long way to go, I’m not in a hurry. Let’s forget about this. As long as she doesn’t break the alliance, I won’t question the process, only the outcome."

The first time he met Zhao Hanzhang, she proposed to repay him with Yu State, and he did instinctively regard her as subordinate;

But later, seeing her drive out the Xiongnu, take a detour to the rear to rescue Beigong Chun, and remotely control the Yu State Army, he realized her troop deployments were ingenious, so he knew she was not so easily subdued.

Especially when Zhao Hanzhang had not yet returned to Yu State, he had crossed swords with Zhao Ming and Ji Yuan from afar, which made him realize that Zhao Ming and Ji Yuan could not be used by him.

If even the two strategists are like this, what about their master?

In this period, he also realized that the rumors outside were mostly incorrect. At least, what Zhao Hanzhang did was not under the orders of the rumored Zhao Ming. On the contrary, Zhao Ming seemed to be the one being directed.

Gou Chun obviously still couldn’t accurately understand Zhao Hanzhang, thus feeling indignant and quite dissatisfied.

But since Gou Xi made the decision, even if Gou Chun was displeased, he had to endure it temporarily and turned around to muster the troops.

Zhao Hanzhang was observing the surroundings with a binocular. When she was satisfied, she passed it to Fu Tinghan, "This is good. Let the glass workshop make some more and equip the generals in the army."

Fu Tinghan agreed and also started observing the terrain through the binoculars, then began drawing on paper.

Zhao Hanzhang leaned back, lying on the grass with her arms under her head, one leg raised, swinging it as she said, "Now we are just waiting for Gou Xi’s order. Once his order arrives, we can deploy our troops. Will you stay here then?"

Fu Tinghan, drawing a map while responding, "I’ll cross the river with you. You’ll lead the cavalry, Second Son is not a person to lead troops, I can oversee the whole situation for you."

Zhao Hanzhang laughed, "Then you should take charge from the rear. How can a commander charge into battle?"

Fu Tinghan looked back at her, "You are the commander."

Zhao Hanzhang, being double-standard, said directly, "I must lead by example, or else how will the soldiers be willing to fight desperately for me?"

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Fu Tinghan continued drawing, unperturbed, "I can also get on the horse and kill the enemy now."

Indeed, although he hadn’t claimed many heads, he was no longer the Professor Fu who turned pale at the sight of death.

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t oppose anymore, lying back with her arms behind her head, watching the tree above. A gentle breeze brought a hint of coolness, but she felt quite comfortable.

Now and then, Fu Tinghan glanced back at her, seeing her at ease, he focused on drawing his map. The two of them rarely relaxed in such a peaceful quietness.

Zhao Hanzhang wasn’t sleepy. She lay there, daydreaming, her previously restless heart settled down. Looking through the green leaves at the blue sky and white clouds above, she suddenly realized that history had its inevitable course. She could strive, but change wasn’t hers alone to dictate.

She didn’t have to rush; doing what she could was enough.

Zhao Hanzhang suddenly felt enlightened. Fu Tinghan seemed to sense something, turned back to see her smiling serenely, relaxed, and couldn’t help but smile too, asking, "Have you figured something out?"

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, sat up, "Life should be quiet at times; this way, there’s space to think about things you normally can’t, and you can understand better."

Zhao Hanzhang was about to share her insights, but caught a glimpse of the drawing in front of him, paused, and forgot what she was about to say, "This is..."

Fu Tinghan picked up the drawing and handed it to her, smiling, "It’s you."

Zhao Hanzhang took it and felt the person in the drawing both resembled her and didn’t. Upon a closer look, her gaze fixed on the loose hair, she said in a daze, "Like my past self."

Fu Tinghan nodded, "Just now, you looked much like before, full of ambition yet very peaceful."

Zhao Hanzhang examined it carefully; the clothes were what she was wearing now, and the surroundings seemed similar, except the hairstyle was different. She realized she hadn’t seen a ’picture’ of herself for a very long time.

Fu Tinghan let her look, gathering the other sketches. Hearing a noise, he leaned down to take a look and said, "Erlang is here."

Zhao Hanzhang came to her senses, folded the picture to put in her sleeve, noticed her sleeves were tight, then decided to hold it in her hand.

Zhao Erlang rushed up, ignoring the sentries along the way, brushed past Ting He, and jumped to Zhao Hanzhang’s side, shouting, "Sister, General Gou sent a message. This time, can I be the vanguard?"

Zhao Hanzhang thought for a moment and nodded, "Okay."

She didn’t bring Zhao Ju on this expedition, but deliberately called Wang Nai and Xie Shi. She wanted to witness their skills and let them see Zhao Erlang’s ability.

These two are cunning and capable; Erlang is too straightforward, often charging headlong on the battlefield, she wanted them to guide Zhao Erlang, at least make him a bit smarter. Learning just a bit would be enough for him.

So Zhao Hanzhang said, "I’ll let Wang Nai and Xie Shi assist you."

Zhao Erlang tilted his head and thought for a while, then said, "I can, but should I listen to them, or will they listen to me?"

Previously, Zhao Hanzhang had assigned him assistants, all of whom he had to listen to. Zhao Erlang felt restricted and uncomfortable.

Zhao Hanzhang gave him a smile. Seeing him return the smile, her smile fell away, "Naturally, you should listen to whoever is right. Since you want to be the vanguard, you can’t just focus on your own charges. Not only do you have to lead your soldiers well, but you also have to see the big picture. If you can’t do it, you can take back your words now, and I’ll never let you be the vanguard again."

Zhao Erlang’s heart clenched, he immediately said, "I, I understand, I’ll listen to them."

Zhao Hanzhang patted his head, "You can’t entirely listen to them. You must learn to think for yourself. Insist on your ideas if you are right; listen to them if they are right."

Zhao Erlang rubbed his head, feeling aggrieved, thinking his sister was fickle. He wasn’t sure whether to listen to him or them in the end.

He couldn’t help but steal a glance at his brother-in-law, hoping for some hints.

Fu Tinghan reached out and gently patted his head, "When you’re unsure whether something is right or wrong, listen to your sister. If she hasn’t given her opinion, listen to the wise around you."

He said, "Wang Nai and Xie Shi are smart people, appointed by your sister, so there won’t be a problem. You can listen to them. Once you learn to think and discern right from wrong, you can follow what your sister taught you."

Zhao Erlang earnestly repeated the advice several times to remember it, then nodded fiercely, "Brother-in-law, I’ve got it."