After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Zhao Hanzhang stood on a restaurant looking down. From here, she could see the execution ground.

This time, thirty-eight people were being executed, all leaders of the bandits and their family heads.

Old Xun was the most furious, cursing all the way and continuing to curse even as he was forced to kneel on the execution ground.

Though the onlookers hated Xun Xiu, they hesitated to throw the stones in their hands at Old Xun’s aged face, especially upon hearing his curses.

Old Xun did not resent Xun Xiu for implicating him in his death, but for dragging his entire family into the destruction of their ancestral line. This was his constant curse, and as the executioner’s knife was about to be raised, he finally spat out his last words, "You are not my son. If there is a next life, you will be the pig or sheep in my pen, and I will definitely kill you!"

Xun Xiu’s face was deathly pale. He had marks on his forehead and face where he’d been hit with stones, giving him a ghastly look.

Fu Tinghan, who had a detached view of family ancestry, found it hard to understand, "Is destruction of the family line more serious than having the whole family executed?"

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "For people of this era, it is. Destruction of the family line means having no ancestors. Imagine a devout follower being excommunicated, abandoned by the master they believe in. It equates to spiritual exile. The Chinese believe in ancestors, considering the afterlife as important as their earthly life, placing great importance on this."

"This is just one aspect. Additionally, when the family line is eradicated, their names and deeds are erased from the family records. Only a very few people are recorded in history, and for the gentry, leaving their mark depends on the family records."

She said, "So, when their names and deeds are erased from the family records, it is as if they never existed in this world. To them, it is as if they have never walked this earth."

The gentry always have some special ideals. For instance, leaving something behind in this world.

Even she had such a thought. Having come to this world once, she wanted to leave something behind.

Zhao Hanzhang thought, this execution might serve as a warning for some time?

She didn’t know, it was more than effective.

The fate of Xun Xiu made the gentry and powerful families across the land tremble. Don’t they rebel mainly for power and to honor their ancestors?

Rebellion, if it failed, meant at worst dying, and they could become heroes again after eighteen years.

They understood that to gain, one must take risks.

But the Xun family’s fate taught them that rebellion, if failed, not only led to death for themselves and their families but also to erasure of the family line, denying even death’s peace. They realized they might not even reincarnate as ghosts, let alone heroes after eighteen years; entering the animal realm would be hard.

The risk was simply too great. Unless one was extremely reckless, no one wanted to take this risk.

Even King Langya from Jiangnan was intimidated by Zhao Hanzhang’s ruthlessness. Though he received Wang Han’s head, he didn’t dare to utter a word, silently accepting the head.

Naturally, Xuzhou also quietly replaced the Inspector.

King Langya’s fief was in Xuzhou, so he had been operating there for many years. If another took the role of Inspector, they wouldn’t last without his influence or they would be rendered powerless by King Langya.

But... the replacement was Liu Kun.

Zhao Hanzhang thought Liu Kun had plenty of faults, but he was esteemed among the gentry, possessing a natural charisma that could make him friends with anyone he chose.

Oh, right, Duan Pidi, whom Zhao Hanzhang demanded as a hostage, was an excellent example.

In earlier years, Liu Kun relied on the Tuoba Xianbei, while Wang Jun cooperated with the Duan Xianbei. The two sides often clashed, which led to a poor relationship between Duan Xianbei and Liu Kun.

However, historically, after the Tuoba Xianbei encountered issues, Liu Kun managed to become good friends with the Duan Xianbei, including Duan Pidi, forging deep friendships.

But unfortunately, in the end, Duan Pidi, with Wang Dun’s instigation, suspected Liu Kun and then killed him.

Although Duan Pidi killed Liu Kun, he still admired Liu Kun deep down. Zhao Hanzhang used this example to show that Liu Kun thrived in Xuzhou and quickly found his footing.

With Wang Han, the former Inspector, gone, instead of falling into chaos, Xuzhou flourished. Some of the gentry even showed signs of distancing from King Langya, aligning with Liu Kun towards Zhao Hanzhang. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Of course, they believed they were leaning towards the Little Emperor, believing he was the legitimate ruler. Being with King Langya seemed to be repeating the chaos of the previous Eight Kings’ Rebellion.

See, the groundwork King Langya laid for over a decade was dismantled by a few banquets and concerts by Liu Kun.

While envious, Zhao Hanzhang instructed Liu Kun to focus on people’s livelihoods, prepare to establish schools in Xuzhou, take in refugees, and manage the winter wheat planting...

Of course, these were all minor in current governance. Zhao Hanzhang merely mentioned them, issuing a simple order. What drew more attention in the court were some emperor’s funerals, posthumous titles, and temple names.

Their own emperor and the Former Emperor’s funeral arrangements were straightforward. However, Liu Yuan’s and Liu Cong’s were contentious.

Half of the court considered Liu Yuan and Liu Cong as traitors and bandits. Giving them a title like "Great General" and a martial-related posthumous title already seemed generous.

But the other half felt this was inappropriate.

Whether they admitted it or not, the Xiongnu Khanate was a real entity. After Liu Yuan established the country, he achieved some accomplishments. Even if positions differed, they couldn’t deny Liu Yuan or the Xiongnu Khanate. It was about respecting history and leaving an inheritance for future generations.

Moreover, the Xiongnu still existed. Completely denying the Xiongnu Khanate’s existence would harm ethnic unity and national stability.

So they believed Liu Yuan and Liu Cong should receive posthumous and temple names. As for Liu He in between, it was considered unnecessary due to his brief reign. His remains weren’t even found, making him naturally unworthy of new titles. Returning to his previous titles would suffice.

So, the question arose: what posthumous titles should Liu Yuan and Liu Cong receive?

The entire court debated fiercely, yet Zhao Hanzhang seemed unhurried, occasionally hearing suggestions while managing other affairs, sending out personnel amidst the distraction.

Zhao Kuan also had orders to head to Qingzhou, traveling with Sun Linghui, and after setting the time, he sought a chance to bid farewell to Zhao Ming.

He didn’t come empty-handed, bringing a box of ointment. "Uncle Ming, this is an ointment from a traveling Taoist I know. It works really well, please try it."

Zhao Ming fixed his gaze on the box, frowning, "What would I use this for?"

Zhao Kuan said, "Didn’t you have back pain after being kicked by Cousin Shen? Use this to apply."

Zhao Ming’s face darkened, saying, "I’m already better. I don’t need this. Take it back for your father."