After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Although the Little Emperor was born into the Imperial Family, he was not innately knowledgeable, and he had to learn the responsibilities of various officials and the procedures for handling state affairs.

In the first ten years of his life, three years were spent in a state of ignorance, another three years in an innocent exploration of the world, and the remaining four years in a turbulent journey with his fathers and brothers.

Conflicts erupted occasionally around him, taking away his cousins, fathers, and uncles one by one, until even the emperor was captured by the Xiongnu, and he himself became the emperor.

In such circumstances, coupled with the indulgent attitude of the Jin Dynasty, where people lived day by day, the Little Emperor’s cultural education prior was limited to knowing a few words, and he hadn’t even finished the Enlightenment Book "Cangjie Chapter," only sporadically learning a few Chapters of the "Analects."

Thus, suddenly becoming emperor, Zhao Hanzhang found many capable classics scholars to teach him reading.

Besides Xun Fan, Xun Zu, and Zhao Ming, she reportedly wants to send someone to Jiangdong to invite a few masters of classics to teach him, which is quite intimidating.

Among them, Xun Zu is currently teaching him about the governmental system. He needs to memorize all the names of the Great Jin’s official positions, ranks, selection system, and their respective responsibilities to avoid future debates in which he doesn’t know what an official does in government.

The Little Emperor has been memorizing for several days but still hasn’t mastered it. Since he didn’t sleep well last night either, his face looked quite unpleasant when he met Xun Zu, and it wasn’t long before Xun Zu’s face also grew grim as he watched the Little Emperor, half-closed eyes and head nodding off.

With the day breaking, the Little Emperor had breakfast, and according to schedule, he was supposed to go to the main hall to study document reviewing with Zhao Hanzhang.

Xun Zu dared to take up time from other teachers but dared not encroach on Zhao Hanzhang’s time, so despite his grim expression, he allowed the Little Emperor to leave.

The Little Emperor went to see Zhao Hanzhang with a face full of anxiety, handed over the reviewed documents, and then presented the documents he truly couldn’t handle, bowing his head he said: "The affairs of state are complicated. The Great General is right; the court needs a Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat and an Imperial Attendant, and Mr. Ji and Mr. Ming are well-suited."

Zhao Hanzhang’s lips curled slightly, agreeing, because the emperor had conceded timely, Zhao Hanzhang granted half a day off and didn’t insist on him staying here to study document reviewing.

Upon hearing this, the Little Emperor’s eyes lit up, and he retreated after saluting, promptly lying on his bed asleep once he returned to his quarters.

Who would understand, a ten-year-old child, had slept less than an hour and a half all day...

Zhao Hanzhang was left behind, lowering her gaze to glance at the documents. She picked up a reviewed one, noticing the Little Emperor’s childish notes on it, clearly realizing the sophistication was beyond him.

She summoned Zhao Yunxin, "Go and inquire about who was with His Majesty last night."

Zhao Yunxin accepted, and shortly after returned to report: "It was Xun Fan. He was with His Majesty after noon yesterday and spent the night at the Imperial Garden, only leaving early this morning."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, musing about Xun Fan, the more she thought, the more interesting it seemed. "Xun Fan and Xun Zu, though brothers, are completely different, interesting."

Zhao Yunxin bowed his head in silence.

Zhao Hanzhang tapped the table, "On this journey to Luoyang, let Xun Fan accompany His Majesty closely."

The distance between Chen County and Luoyang isn’t far; she could reach it by fast horse in a day, but the court’s relocation certainly wouldn’t be so swift. Arriving in Luoyang within five days would be considered fast. Keeping in mind not to waste time, Zhao Hanzhang decided to continue teaching the Little Emperor on the journey, but she did select a teacher he particularly liked.

With this migration, Zhao Hanzhang directly took over twenty thousand people from Chen County, combined with the Zhao Family Army, totaling around fifteen thousand.

Of course, they didn’t all set out on the same day. These past days saw advanced units moving first, with thirty thousand heading back to Luoyang, and twenty thousand scouting the route ahead, while she led the Central Army slightly behind. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Zhao Ming led Yu State’s officials to bid farewell outside the city gates. He glanced at Zhao Hu, who was amid the crowd, whispered to Zhao Hanzhang: "Seventh Ancestor is always short-sighted and muddled, should he do anything to anger you, just write to the clan, there’s always someone who can handle him. I hope you’ll show mercy, leave him alive."

Zhao Hanzhang smiled faintly and said: "Uncle Ming worries too much. We are all kin; I have received much support from elders and will be lenient unless the law is touched. But if national law is involved, I’m powerless even if I wish otherwise."

Zhao Ming understood her boundary—ordinary power struggles are fine, even if Zhao Hu exploits her name for business dealings, one could turn a blind eye. But if it harms the people’s lives and interest, touching upon national law, she won’t hesitate.

Zhao Ming scanned the crowd, spotting Zhao Hu smiling and clasping hands, bidding farewell to friends, internally scoffing, he nodded kindly to Zhao Hanzhang, "I understand."

Zhao Hu was heading to Luoyang with Zhao Hanzhang, bringing nearly a thousand men himself.

He was to reunite with his sons and grandsons.

Zhao Song caught sight of his rarely seen grandson and wished to join, but turning around to see his son, he ultimately chose to stay.

With Zhao Hanzhang becoming Great General and Prime Minister, the world had stabilized, and the Zhao Family was no longer what it once was; he had to return to Xiping to oversee, lest the clan get into trouble.

Oh, by the way, Zhao Zhongyu’s remains were also transported back; he wanted to bring them back for burial. Under Zhao Hanzhang’s supervision, he was posthumously named Wen Zhong and honored as Marquis Xiping, a rank higher than Zhao Changyu’s Earl.

Of course, this was merely an honorary title, just a name, allowing for burial with a marquis’ ceremonial rites, without any fiefdom or stipend.

But for civil servants, Zhao Zhongyu’s achievement lay not in rank but in the posthumous name "Wen Zhong."

Countless literati spent their lives pursuing just the title "Wen Zhong."

Zhao Changyu passed away, the court granted him the posthumous name "Jian." Ah, taking advantage of naming Zhao Zhongyu, Zhao Hanzhang used public resources for personal matters, adding "Wen Jian" to her grandfather. She thinks if she were ever to ascend to the throne truly, she’d add more to her grandfather.

Zhao Ji also died, yet Zhao Hanzhang showed no leniency, even rescinding his title of Shangcai Marquis. He would be buried next to Zhao Zhongyu, latching onto his father’s funeral ceremony.

This was Zhao Song’s insistence.

Her unyielding yet tender-hearted uncle, upon learning of Zhao Ji’s actions while captured, had fumed with anger for days, but after Zhao Hanzhang stripped him of the Shangcai Marquis title, he couldn’t help but soften, specifically saying to Zhao Hanzhang, "His soul cannot wander alone; your uncle’s spirit would be restless."

He said, "The dead is of utmost importance; past grudges have faded, better to let him be buried next to your uncle to at least have incense offerings, avoiding becoming a lonely soul wandering aimlessly."

Zhao Hanzhang agreed, so Zhao Song was heading back to oversee the funeral.

As for the title of Shangcai Marquis, Zhao Hanzhang intended it for Zhao Dalang, but out of respect for her mother, she wished to seek Mrs. Wang’s opinion.

Zhao Song seemed to perceive this, therefore he said to Zhao Hanzhang: "After I return to Xiping, oversee the funeral, I will have someone escort Mrs. Wang to Luoyang for your reunion."

Zhao Hanzhang bowed and said, "Thank you, Uncle Grandfather."