After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 757 - 747 Proposal

Wang Dun’s sudden intervention further complicated the situation, but it indirectly demonstrated that this matter had little to do with Zhao Hanzhang; perhaps it really wasn’t her instigation.

Wang Dun also submitted a memorial to the court, stating that in just half a year since Gou Chun took office, thousands of civilians had died, especially during the past winter.

Gou Chun actually conscripted labor in winter for major construction projects. For one estate, a water garden needed to be built, so they drove the laborers into the water to fill the earth during winter, with eighty-five workers either freezing or dying of frostbite.

Any laborer who failed to arrive on time for work was executed without question, comparable in severity to Yama.

Gou Chun’s harshness extended not only to ordinary citizens but also to his subordinates and local prominent gentry; any mistakes, regardless of severity, resulted in punishment, ranging from whipping to execution.

For instance, there was an old soldier who had followed Gou Xi in campaigns for many years. He served as a centurion and went to Qingzhou to guard the city under Gou Chun’s order.

One day, he had a stomach ache and went to the toilet, just as Gou Chun was inspecting and found that the centurion was absent. When the centurion returned, he was immediately apprehended.

Although the centurion explained his reason, Gou Chun still executed him for violating military discipline.

Furthermore, when his subordinate generals advised him, he inflicted them with whipping, claiming that their language was offensive...

Wang Dun deemed Gou Chun’s temperament too harsh, unfit to be a governor. He himself was appointed as Qingzhou Governor by the court, which had neither dismissed him nor transferred him elsewhere. Since Gou Chun could not govern Qingzhou properly, he, as the former Qingzhou Governor, could not stand idly by.

As soon as the letter reached Yun City, the court was in an uproar.

An old official couldn’t help but question the Emperor directly, "Is the court’s appointment of officials such a child’s play?"

The Emperor remained silent; it sounded like he had autonomy. Wang Jun was appointed as Qingzhou Governor during Emperor Hui’s time, due to his participation in harming the former Crown Prince, and was pushed by Empress Jia;

Wang Dun was recommended by Wang Yan, which was also endorsed by Prince East Sea, who issued the appointment;

Gou Chun, however, was directly appointed by Gou Xi.

Indeed, how coincidental is it that the three Qingzhou Governors mirror the three power transitions around him, the Emperor thought sorrowfully, wondering who Zhao Hanzhang might appoint as the next Qingzhou Governor.

No matter who it may be, next time he makes an appointment, he must fire the previous Qingzhou Governor first.

The Emperor thought so, but reality was not so straightforward.

Did they think that everyone would solve the problem once an issue arose?

No, the first thing they did was find someone to blame, hold them accountable, and then address the matter.

So, the discussion eventually focused on Zhao Zhongyu.

As the Chief of Staff, the Ministry of Personnel was under his jurisdiction, even if Gou Chun was appointed by Gou Xi, couldn’t they use their heads before issuing the appointment, considering that Wang Dun was already in Qingzhou?

If they had thought of Wang Dun, they would surely have thought of Wang Jun as well; if they had dismissed them both at the time, there wouldn’t be any issues now.

Zhao Zhongyu looked at them with a cold smile, as if they were speaking the truth.

Since when did the court intervene in local military and political transitions?

Now, what could the court manage? The Emperor could arbitrarily grant positions, but whether the officials could assume office depended solely on their own abilities, didn’t it?

Before issues arose, who would regard this as a problem?

But, ultimately, who provided Wang Jun with such a flimsy excuse? This seemed very unreasonable.

Zhao Zhongyu suspected Zhao Hanzhang deep down but was reluctant to speak out due to their mutual interests.

The court was in chaos, but Zhao Zhongyu was not in a hurry because Gou Xi’s anger had subsided, reducing his desire to send troops to Yu State.

Who among the ministers on the court wasn’t keen-eyed? Naturally, they saw Gou Xi’s intent, so no one was in a hurry to address Qingzhou’s affairs; they argued, hoping to reach a result, but not concerned if none came about.

Their real concern was whether Gou Xi and Zhao Hanzhang would clash, not who would replace the Qingzhou Governor.

In fact, some ministers felt that changing the Qingzhou Governor was a good idea since Gou Chun was indeed too harsh.

But who would they replace him with?

Most people didn’t like Wang Jun, so they suggested the Emperor reappoint Wang Dun.

Gou Xi wasn’t willing to give up Qingzhou, so he expressed his opposition.

Once he opposed, the voices in the court quieted significantly, and they discussed sporadically, day after day passing.

Gou Xi was more focused on Zhao Hanzhang and the movements in Yu State. The spies reported that Zhao Hanzhang returned to Yu State, but instead of increasing, the Zhao Family Army at the Yan State border had decreased.

It was said that Zhao Hanzhang told them to return for farming.

Half a month passed without the court reaching a resolution on Qingzhou, while the Zhao Family Army in Yan State gradually withdrew. In early March, there were three consecutive days of spring rain; two days ago, the sun came out, and fields were filled with people ready for spring planting.

Spring planting was already underway, but Qingzhou was still at war, so Zhao Hanzhang had to submit a suggestion, proposing that the Emperor divide Qingzhou into Qingzhou and Guangzhou, appointing Wang Jun as Qingzhou Governor and Wang Dun as Guangzhou Governor, each managing their affairs individually. At present, spring planting was of the utmost importance.

Zhao Hanzhang reminded, "The Xiongnu are watching intently. If spring planting doesn’t continue, leading to grain shortages in autumn and winter, once the Xiongnu initiate a campaign, we will be in great danger."

The Emperor was quite moved and thus looked to Gou Xi.

Gou Xi naturally wouldn’t agree; if he did, wouldn’t he lose Qingzhou?

Zhao Hanzhang harbored ill intentions, dividing Qingzhou into two and handing it over to Wang Jun and Wang Dun, ostensibly to quell their conflict, but actually to wrest Qingzhou from his grip.

However, at this time, Gou Chun was losing ground in Qingzhou. Wang Jun and Liu Kun were fighting him, Wang Dun was also fighting him, and naturally, whenever Wang Jun and Wang Dun encountered each other, they fought as well, almost to the point of killing each other’s brain cells.

Now, Gou Chun had retreated to Luo’an County. With confirmation that Zhao Hanzhang had no intention to invade Yan State, Gou Xi dispatched reinforcements and was currently counterattacking, reclaiming a third of Jinan County. Given enough time, he believed he could quell the chaos and regain control of Qingzhou.

But... spring planting was imminent.

Wei Zao was sent as a mediator, telling Gou Xi, "The Great General’s talents are extraordinary and his army is mighty. Across the land, only Beigong Chun can rival the Great General. This time, the Great General’s reinforcements of eighty thousand were sent to Qingzhou, yet after half a month, they only captured three counties. Could it be that Wang Jun, who is holding Jinan County, is too formidable?"

Gou Xi let out a disdainful snort.

Wei Zao nodded, "Wang Jun is merely fortunate. Compared to the Great General, or even to General Gou Chun, he’s weak, yet why can he advance step by step, capturing dozens of cities?"

Gou Xi slightly furrowed his brow.

Wei Zao continued, "Shubo’s letter said that both officials and citizens in Qingzhou harbor grievances against General Gou Chun. In some cities, officials would open the gates to welcome Wang Jun’s forces as they approached, while in others, the populace would find every means to send information to Wang Jun’s army, wishing they’d swiftly capture the cities."

Gou Xi’s face turned ashen.