After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

The areas north of the Central Plains in the Jin State were in ruins and awaiting recovery. Even though Zhao Hanzhang issued the Calculation Order to gather considerable funds in the short term, it was still insufficient due to enormous expenditures.

As a result, Zhao Hanzhang remained poor at this time, and her allocations to various states, prefectures, and counties were still limited. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

When Zhao Kuan returned home, he began rummaging through drawers and cabinets for jewelry, ornaments, and finally glanced at the clothes in the wardrobe. He looked up and said to his follower, "Take out these clothes as well, leave just two sets of slightly old casual clothes, pawn all the rest."

The follower was surprised and felt heartache, "My Lord, why do you have to put your own money into official matters?"

Zhao Kuan waved casually, "The Great General has filled with her entire savings and hasn’t had new clothes for ages. I’m not as generous as her but don’t mind these trivial matters."

He said, "Pawning these items, take the money to the grain merchants, and use the purchased grain for the coast first. Keep a close watch on the people below, don’t let them mistreat Minister Fu."

The follower could only agree.

At this time, far away in Chen County, Zhao Hanzhang also sat cross-legged on the ground, watching Ting He and the maids rummaging through boxes and cabinets.

They were planning to move to Luoyang, and Zhao Hanzhang had already decided on the posthumous titles for the three emperors. Her emperor, former emperor, hadn’t accomplished much but also hadn’t made significant mistakes.

He was somewhat unlucky, inheriting the throne amidst chaos, being tossed around under the hands of powerful ministers like Sima Yue and Gou Xi, restricted by officials, indecisive throughout his life, and never brave and resolute until his death.

So she followed history in giving him the posthumous title "Huai," becoming Emperor Xiao Huai.

As for the other two Xiongnu emperors, regarding Liu Yuan, she actually admired him deep down. Four-fifths of Jin’s officials were willing to acknowledge his emperor status, and half of the remaining one-fifth refused only to flatter her.

Though once she expressed her opinions, they quickly changed their views.

Liu Yuan, enduring hardship and rising to power, was slightly arrogant but still contributed somewhat to his subjects. Throughout his life, he attempted to rule the Xiongnu with Han governance, seeking equal treatment for Han people and Xiongnu, although eventually failing due to significant resistance. Nonetheless, it was undeniable that during his reign, his subjects had better lives than under Jin’s rule.

So amongst the posthumous titles proposed by officials, Zhao Hanzhang chose the historical one for him—Guangwen.

Oh, this title was advocated by his son, Liu Yi, who believed his father deserved the title of "Wen" emperor.

Zhao Hanzhang granted him this favor.

Speaking of Liu He and Liu Cong, they both brought trouble to their father, Liu Yuan. Liu Yuan died a long time ago, yet they haven’t even thought about deciding a posthumous title for him—perhaps because Liu Yuan’s body was always in Zhao Hanzhang’s possession.

She showed leniency towards Liu Yuan but wasn’t as polite to Liu Cong, whom she despised.

Her disdain was obvious, setting his posthumous title as "Li."

The kind-hearted Liu Yi intervened on behalf of his brother, seeking a more peaceful title from Zhao Hanzhang, but after her refusal, he accepted the title submissively.

Well, now little Liu Yi has learned to assess the situation.

Then, she lacked the money to bury the three emperors.

Of course, she didn’t intend a lavish burial, but it couldn’t be too humble either, especially for her former emperor. Neglecting anyone else, she couldn’t slight him; otherwise, officials and aristocrats would drown her in criticism, and even Zhao Ming wouldn’t agree.

Though it felt helpless, the fact remained that the face-saving task had to be done, as it concerned legitimacy and future social customs, among other critical issues.

She didn’t want people across the land to point at her nose and curse the deteriorating moral climate a few months later.

The current atmosphere was already bad enough, and she couldn’t let it worsen.

Zhao Hanzhang forcefully swallowed the bitterness and began preparing various expenditures for the former emperor’s burial, smiling.

That said, she couldn’t shoulder the pressure alone, so she informed her dear ministers about it, oh, and the Little Emperor, along with his tutors, asking them to provide opinions together.

As a result, everyone focused on the newly collected coins in the treasury.

"What about the disaster victims awaiting relief?"

Yin Hua said, "Matters have priorities; the presence of the former emperor’s coffin cannot remain stagnant for more time."

Chang Ning held an opposing view, "Disaster victims are prioritized, the ruler secondary; matters have priorities, and relief efforts should be urgent."

Ji Yuan glanced at Zhao Hanzhang, who sat silently at the head, and stepped forward, "I find Zining’s view reasonable; the people are priority, and if the former emperor knew, he would also prioritize the people first."

Zhao Hanzhang’s expression shifted slightly.

Ming Yu agreed, "I also believe Vice Minister Chang is correct."

Anxious officials looked at Zhao Ming and whispered, "Isn’t it inappropriate to leave Your Majesty’s coffin disregarded?"

Zhao Ming lowered his gaze, thinking silently for a moment, realizing Zhao Hanzhang wasn’t looking to postpone the burial. If she wanted a delay, she wouldn’t need their deliberation, she could simply say the mausoleum wasn’t ready and place the former emperor’s coffin in the temple for a while.

Who could cause trouble for her about this?

Bringing this up expressly for criticism must be about the matter of scale.

Thus, Zhao Ming, with a stern expression, asked, "Gentlemen, what do you think the expenses for Emperor Xiao Huai’s burial should be?"

This needed to be asked of the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Revenue.

Currently, the Ministry of Revenue was headed by Chang Ning, while the Ministry of Rites was.... Everyone turned to look at Xun Fan.

Xun Fan not only served as Grand Tutor, instructing the emperor in reading, but also held a position in the Ministry of Rites, undoubtedly the right person to ask.

Chang Ning directly said, "The Ministry of Rites hasn’t yet submitted any official notice."

Xun Fan, after a brief contemplation, said, "I will return shortly to discuss with the senior officials and draft a plan."

Zhao Hanzhang sighed and nodded, then turned to look at the Little Emperor sitting beside her, smiling, "Your Majesty, let’s conclude our discussions for today."

The Little Emperor came to himself and nodded repeatedly.

Xun Fan wasn’t foolish, he understood Zhao Hanzhang’s intentions.

Her position had changed, and her actions had become more tactful, making her emotions harder to discern, but observing matters in the court, looking at Ji Yuan, Ming Yu, and Chang Ning, revealed her thoughts.

Ji Yuan and the others openly expressed focusing on the people first, indicating she didn’t want to spend too much on the former emperor’s funeral.

Thus, as long as it conformed to rituals, the funeral should be as simple as possible, saving wherever possible.

Of course, it couldn’t be proposed by her to avoid criticism, so Xun Fan had to actively bear some of the blame for her.

Xun Fan had no grievances and obediently went to carry it out.

Though he considered it quite economical, the listed expenses still made Zhao Hanzhang anxious.

So she could only return to rummage through boxes and cabinets to sell belongings.

Naturally, she wasn’t one to do good deeds anonymously, so she didn’t blatantly announce, but didn’t hide the sale of her items to fund Emperor Xiao Huai’s burial either.

As a result, the news of Great General Zhao Hanzhang selling her assets for the former emperor’s burial quickly spread throughout Chen County and then across the entire nation.