After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Although Wang Xuan also didn’t much like Wang Cheng’s style, considering this was his own uncle who died supporting the Northern Expedition, he was unwilling to let it go. So after Zhao Hanzhang smoothly returned to the court, he started moving east, with the intent to rival Wang Dun.

At this point, it was no longer just a conflict between the North and the South or Zhao Hanzhang and King Langya, but also an internal struggle within the Wang family.

Wang Dun, due to his cousin being Wang Dao and their close relationship with King Langya, saw many clan members following him as Wang Dao had shown his gentlemanly demeanor in the past two years. However, many clan members also chose to side with Wang Xuan and Wang Si Niang.

Especially after Zhao Hanzhang first subdued Shi Le and then destroyed the Xiongnu Kingdom, more Wang clan members from Yangzhou went to Jingzhou to seek refuge with Wang Si Niang, and some even went directly north to find Zhao Hanzhang.

It seemed Wang Dao was helpless in this situation, and despite several attempts, he couldn’t keep many people.

This greatly dissatisfied King Langya. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

King Langya’s dissatisfaction directly affected Wang Dun.

Wang Dun was an emotional person; although older than Wang Dao, he always felt this cousin was smarter and more capable, so he let him take the lead in everything. At this point, he couldn’t help but complain to him, "When clan members stay to serve him, he is on guard, thinking our Wang family has too much power. Now that they have left, he blames you for not being wholehearted, such ingratitude..."

"Be cautious with your words, Chuzhong," Wang Dao glanced outside, paused, and said, "If you also plan to leave, then make preparations early. Such things shouldn’t even be said to me, let alone revealed outside in the future."

Wang Dun was displeased, "What is there to fear? Even if some clan members have left, there are still plenty serving us in Jianye. With your prestige and my army, what can he do to us?"

He blamed Wang Dao for being too gentle and said, "These are chaotic times; actions need to be tougher. Look at Zhao Hanzhang; though she has a benevolent heart, she also never hesitates. Her recent enactment of the Calculation Order silenced not only the Little Emperor but also the gentry and prominent families of the Central Plains and the Northern Land."

"You are too lenient, and the affairs with King Langya and these Jiangnan aristocrats, even those from the Northern Land seeking refuge, are all a mess." He wanted Wang Dao to be assertive, saying, "Now that the Northern Land is pacified and Zhao Hanzhang is recuperating, she will probably wage war on Jiangnan in less than two years. We must consolidate Jiangnan before she does. If you don’t become strong, how can Jiangnan unite to resist the enemy?"

Wang Dao lifted his head to look at him, then, frowning, lowered his gaze, saying calmly, "That is the court, not the enemy."

Wang Dun frowned, "It’s just us brothers in this room; why say such obscure words?"

He said, "Didn’t we follow King Langya south to support his ascent to the throne and preserve the Central Plains bloodline, allowing the glory of the Wang family to continue?"

Wang Dao coldly replied, "Now that the Central Plains is stable, the Han lineage can remain. As for the glory of the Wang family, it can continue elsewhere."

Wang Dun suddenly stood up, his face darkening, "Mao Hong, what do you mean by this? Are you planning to take refuge with Zhao Hanzhang as well?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Dao sighed and said, "No, even if I had the mind to, she likely has no interest. The grudge of refused northern aid might linger with her for a lifetime."

Wang Dun’s expression improved slightly, and he said sternly, "Zhao Hanzhang killed my brother; I can’t coexist with her under the same sky."

Wang Dao frowned at these words. He didn’t think Wang Dun and Wang Han had a deep bond, and although Zhao Hanzhang killed Wang Han, the reason was justified and the process was fair. Wang Dun had no reason to blame her.

He looked up at Wang Dun and immediately understood.

Wang Dun might not hate Zhao Hanzhang because of Wang Han; he said such words because he felt there was no future under her command, so he found an excuse for himself.

Wang Dao sighed, knowing today’s probing had an outcome; Wang Dun would not take refuge with Zhao Hanzhang.

Wang Dun urged Wang Dao a few more times to act decisively and not always get caught between three parties, resulting in frustration for both himself and the Wang clan members there, which made his own life difficult.

Wang Dao did not promise, and after Wang Dun urged several times without receiving a response, he left in a huff.

Once he left, Yuan Li came from another courtyard, having only seen Wang Dun’s departing back.

Yuan Li paused briefly, then turned to see Wang Dao, asking, "Is General Wang willing to serve the Great General?"

Wang Dao asked, "If Wang Dun submits to Lord Zhao, can Lord Zhao really dismiss past grievances and treat him as King Langya does now?"

Yuan Li sneered, "Our lord employs based on talent and virtue, not past grievances; even Shi Le can be appointed as Youzhou Governor. What is Chief Historian Wang worried about?"

He continued, "However, under our lord’s command, there are many talented generals. How far General Wang can go depends on his abilities."

Wang Dun’s skill was naturally significant, but compared to Beigong Chun and Shi Le, it was slightly lacking. It’s rumored she’s recently acquired a great general named Zu Ti, whose abilities rival even Beigong Chun’s.

Wang Dao thought about Wang Dun’s pride and character, pursed his lips, and said nothing.

Yuan Li then changed the subject, "I came today to ask Chief Historian Wang for help with something."

Wang Dao coldly asked, "What is it?"

Yuan Li replied, "The Northern Land recently experienced war, leaving the people destitute. I would like to ask Chief Historian Wang to help purchase a batch of grain."

Wang Dao paused, then his expression softened, agreeing immediately, "Alright."

He never doubted Zhao Hanzhang’s goodwill toward the people, which was one reason he quickly chose Zhao Hanzhang after realizing King Langya lacked a comprehensive perspective.

In all honesty, Zhao Hanzhang has never erred in the big picture, able to bend and stretch.

Wang Dao agreed.

His influence in Jiangnan was no less than King Langya’s, and given that Jiangnan is a land of fish and rice, even though the north had continuous natural and manmade disasters this year, the region of Yangzhou enjoyed favorable weather.

The regions under its jurisdiction, like Poyang, Jianan, Linhai, Huainan, and Lujiang, all produced surplus grain, and it was heard that grain prices began to fall after the autumn harvest.

A river separates Jiangnan from the lands north of the Central Plains, which are two different worlds.

He didn’t need to purchase the grain himself; he only needed to instruct his household steward.

Yuan Li was generous with silver coins, providing not only enough money to buy the grain but also rewarding the steward handsomely. After completing one batch of grain, the steward himself eagerly asked if more was needed.

Yuan Li readily agreed. Unlike the troubled Jiangnan people worried about falling grain prices, most northern people faced hunger, and now the disaster victims of six states relied on grain from Jiangnan, so he bought as much as he could.

In Yu State, Zhao Hanzhang remained stationed in Chen County, watching as each eligible household submitted their calculation money.

Not long ago, Zhao Ming finally calculated his family’s assets and submitted his calculation money, and as he did so, the officials among the gentry quietly followed.

Then Zu Ti from Jizhou, north of Yu State, immediately sent someone with money, claiming it was his calculation money, and even Beigong Chun from distant Bingzhou had someone bring a sum, stating it was his and Bingzhou’s calculation money. With this news spreading, no one within Yu State dared not comply, though tax evasion still occurred, and seemed quite prevalent.