After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 756 - 746 Xiangxiang’s Qingzhou Governor

"Zu Ti requests to send troops. He has already taken three counties. Judging from this situation, as long as the military forces are sufficient, he can occupy half of Jizhou." In this way, Zu Ti and Liu Kun will divide Jizhou, greatly reducing the power of the Xiongnu.

Ming Yu said, "Governor, this is an opportunity for us. As long as we take Jizhou, we can launch a pincer attack from the east, west, south, and north in the future to recover lost territories in one fell swoop."

Zhao Hanzhang remained silent, pacing in circles.

Ming Yu watched her intently.

Beigong Chun reminded, "And there’s Shi Le. He’s holding back because Zu Ti hasn’t encroached on his territory yet. But if Zu Ti expands further, Shi Le definitely won’t just sit idly by."

Ji Yuan nodded and said, "Moreover, the situation in Qingzhou is unresolved, and Gou Xi is eyeing us covetously. If we send troops, Gou Xi will seize the opportunity."

Zhao Hanzhang said, "This is precisely what I am worried about."

If they had contacted Zu Ti half a month earlier, she might have changed her decision to use Qingzhou as bait.

But they’ve reached this point; looking back further is meaningless. Zhao Hanzhang had repeatedly run through mental simulations, and the outcomes of sending troops now were unfavorable.

So despite the strong temptation, she shook her head and said, "We cannot bear the worst outcome."

Ming Yu thought for a moment, unable to hold back his frustration, and said, "Are we really going to miss this chance? Zu Ti’s forces are weak; he’s gathering local Han people and refugees without combat experience. I’m afraid they won’t withstand Shi Le’s army."

Zhao Hanzhang’s eyebrows moved, deep in thought.

The meeting ended, and Zhao Hanzhang stayed behind to speak with Ji Yuan, "Sir, I want to send someone to Jizhou."

Ji Yuan furrowed his brows, "Didn’t you just say the outcome isn’t good?"

"They won’t go as the Zhao Family Army," Zhao Hanzhang said. "Let’s assume there’s a Qihu Army going to join Zu Ti. We will supply them—not just supply, trade. We will sell them weapons and provisions."

Ji Yuan understood, and after a moment of contemplation, he said, "If this gets exposed, Gou Xi will likely send troops immediately."

"It’s impossible to undertake no risks at all. This is the best solution I can think of," Zhao Hanzhang said. "Opportunities like this are rare; I truly can’t bear to let it go."

Seeing the determination in her eyes, Ji Yuan realized that once she made up her mind, it was hard for others to change it. Moreover, he was moved as well, so he nodded, "Who would you like to send?"

Zhao Hanzhang paced in circles again, then said, "Send Cheng Da. He is a Jiehu and has more advantages in Jizhou. Let him take five thousand men to find Zhao Shi. I will personally write a letter to Zu Ti, requesting him to keep things confidential and maneuver for us."

Zhao Hanzhang spoke truthfully; her relationship with Gou Xi was tense, making troop deployment difficult. If Yun City misunderstood, it might unleash a major conflict, which was not her intent.

However, this opportunity was indeed rare, so she was willing to secretly assist Zu Ti, all in the service of recovering their homeland. If he could reclaim Jizhou, she would guarantee to recommend him to the court as Jizhou Governor.

Zhao Hanzhang thought that Liu Kun and Wang Jun would fight over Jizhou, but they wouldn’t conflict with Zu Ti.

Because Zu Ti was someone Liu Kun could entrust his back to.

Along with the letter went an official seal and an appointment letter, appointing Zu Ti as the General of the Northern Expedition, stamped with Zhao Hanzhang’s seal.

This was Zhao Hanzhang’s guarantee to him. If she ever reneged and didn’t fulfill it, Zu Ti could use this appointment letter to demand justice from her.

Zu Ti accepted the official seal and appointment letter, and Zhao Hanzhang immediately dispatched Cheng Da with five thousand men under the pretense of a Qihu Army to Jizhou to join Zu Ti.

Zu Ti also showed his sincerity by promoting Zhao Shi to Left Military Adviser, allowing him to lead a separate army.

Zuo Min was disgruntled, "General, that Governor Zhao doesn’t even dare to fly a banner. We’ve fought to the bone for Jizhou; why should we join her?"

Zu Ti said, "They provide five thousand troops, and in war, people alone aren’t enough. We also need provisions and weapons, all of which Governor Zhao supplies. My subordination to her is only right and proper. Do not speak such words again."

Zu Ti came intending to rely on Zhao Hanzhang. He was resolute. Having disdained the Sima Family, and unimpressed by Gou Xi, he naturally wouldn’t easily change his choice.

He was also mindful of the big picture, understanding that Zhao Hanzhang’s current troop movements in Jizhou would indeed disrupt the current situation, and if Gou Xi misunderstood and attacked Yu State, it would throw the entire realm into chaos.

No problem, he could wait. He was willing to proceed slowly and carefully. To be honest, the fact that Zhao Hanzhang could foresee this, and did not recklessly seek glory, made him respect her even more.

Just as Zu Ti and Zhao Hanzhang finalized their cooperation, changes continued to arise in Qingzhou.

First, Wang Jun, who had been pressuring Zhao Xin and Wei Jie to fly the Zhao Family Army banner, withdrew his hand, focusing instead on attacking Qingzhou.

Zhao Hanzhang demanded exorbitantly, directly asking for Beihai County and Donglai County, and Wang Jun indeed ceased mentioning the Zhao Family Army banner to Zhao Xin and Wei Jie.

He quieted down, and Yun City also received Zhao Hanzhang’s letter and memorial.

The Emperor and court officials couldn’t help but re-evaluate the changes in Qingzhou, discovering that although Wang Jun and Liu Kun attacked Qingzhou in three directions, only two banners were present, and indeed there was no Zhao Family Army.

Spy inquiries were dispatched again, revealing only that Zhao Xin and Wei Jie were traveling with Wang Jun, but it was unclear whether they were detained or advising Wang Jun.

However, Zhao Xin and Wei Jie initially went to Jizhou indeed to persuade people.

The Emperor couldn’t help but look at Gou Xi, reassuring him, "Perhaps we misunderstood Minister Zhao. Why not, as she suggests, send a message to inquire of Wang Jun and Liu Kun about the reasons for their military actions?"

Gou Xi, indulging in pleasures this past year, was annoyed but didn’t want to go to war.

Mainly, he didn’t want to go to the battlefield himself. After a year in a warm and fragrant embrace, who would want to leave the soft beauty of Xiangxiang to endure the winds and sands of the battlefield?

It’s easy to go from frugal to extravagant, but difficult to go from extravagant to frugal.

Seeing Gou Xi agree with the Emperor’s handling, the Emperor secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He was the last person who wanted Gou Xi and Zhao Hanzhang to fight.

He thought if the two of them really fought, whether or not the country would perish, he certainly would.

The Emperor immediately had Zhao Zhongyu draft edicts, issuing three simultaneously, one each to Liu Kun, Wang Jun, and Gou Chun, asking them why they were fighting.

Their replies arrived quickly.

Gou Chun: I’m on defensive, ask those two bastards on the other side!

Liu Kun: I heard the people of Qingzhou are suffering under Gou Chun’s rule, and Wang Jun said he is the rightful Qingzhou Governor; he can manage Qingzhou better, so I stand on the side of righteousness.

Wang Jun’s letter was much longer, a verbose treatise with no shortage of fluff, but its core message was the same: he too is Qingzhou Governor, and if Gou Chun managed Qingzhou well, he wouldn’t mind stepping aside, after all, a title granted by the Emperor.

But since he was not managing well, as a fellow Qingzhou Governor, he couldn’t bear to see his subjects suffer, so he would reclaim Qingzhou and govern it himself!

Alongside their letters came another letter and an additional piece of news.

While Wang Jun, Liu Kun, and Gou Chun fought all but brains out, someone silently raised an army and captured Donglai County and Beihai County, securing the two counties Zhao Hanzhang coveted.

Coincidentally, that person was also a Qingzhou Governor.

He was one of Wang Yan’s scheming burrows, Wang Yan’s cousin Wang Dun, appointed by the East Sea Prince Sima Yue during his tenure, oh, with the Emperor’s endorsement too.

The Emperor was numb all over.