After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 766 - 756: Early Warning

The Emperor was very tempted.

After receiving Zhao Hanzhang’s letter, the Emperor specifically summoned Zhao Zhongyu to confirm that Zhao Hanzhang would definitely attend the Summer Solstice ceremony and support him, only then did he proceed.

Since ascending to the throne, he had been led forward by the powerful ministers around him, and over four years, he had developed the habit of being cautious and prudent. Without a backup plan, he was unwilling to oppose Gou Xi head-on.

Now, with Zhao Hanzhang’s support, the Emperor began to act. He first debated the matter of the Summer Solstice ceremony in court, encouraging the ministers to widely invite vassal kings and inspectors from various regions to Yun City to attend;

then started quietly contacting several subordinate generals of Gou Xi.

Inspectors from various places all received invitations, including recently fought Liu Kun, Wang Jun, and Wang Dun.

Wang Jun and Wang Dun were rather indifferent, while Liu Kun was willing but unable; he could not leave Jinyang.

The moment he walked out, Jinyang could be taken over by someone else, so he could only watch eagerly and then wrote to Zhao Hanzhang, hoping she would speak a few good words for him during the Summer Solstice ceremony, to make sure the court would not forget him and occasionally support Jinyang.

If the court could send troops to reclaim Jizhou, connecting Jinyang with the court’s territories, that would be even better.

Liu Kun paused here, thought for a moment, and then inquired: "According to the scouts’ reports, a force has emerged near Yan State and Yu State in Jizhou recently, capturing ten cities in less than two months. It seems intent on seizing the southern part of Jizhou. Does Governor Zhao know who leads it?"

He said: "Scouts reported that the sharpness of their weapons in battles with the Xiongnu greatly resembles the fine iron produced in Yu State."

Zhao Hanzhang thought about it, replied with a letter containing only one sentence, "The leader is Zu Ti."

Liu Kun received the letter and instantly all his probing words vanished, "It’s actually Zu Zhi, and he’s now seizing territory in Jizhou..."

He calculated the territories he currently occupied in his mind, and then calculated the territories Zu Ti could occupy, taking a long breath, murmured, "I am still a bit more powerful than him."

Just as his heart was about to settle, Liu Kun suddenly straightened his back again, became anxious, "No, although I occupy half of Jizhou now, heading north leads to Youzhou, east goes to Qingzhou, neither can I take. If Zu Ti occupies the southern part of Jizhou, southward is Yan State and Yu State, westward is Qingzhou, bypassing me leads to Youzhou..."

Liu Kun would not fight Zu Ti, believing Zu Ti also wouldn’t fight him, yet he equally believed that if the court could strengthen and expand its army, he would certainly fight against Gou Xi, Wang Jun, and Wang Dun, perhaps even Zhao Hanzhang... If defying moral principles and great undertakings, he would still send troops.

By then, wouldn’t Zu Ti’s territory be larger than his, and he also more powerful?

Liu Kun was extremely worried, fearing Zu Ti would achieve success and fame before him, while trying to help Zu Ti conceal information, making their partnership with Zhao Hanzhang not discovered so quickly.

By the way, were he and Zhao Hanzhang collaborative partners or subordinate relationship?

It should be collaboration; as he stood on equal footing with Zhao Hanzhang, cough, cough, nominally, both are inspectors, Zu Ti’s abilities are no less than his, it should be collaboration, not allegiance, right?

Just thinking about this problem nearly made Liu Kun pull out his hair, maybe he could send someone to contact Zu Ti. The present Emperor is much better than Emperor Hui, clever and strategic, if he could aid the Emperor, they might achieve peace in two years, recover lost territories in five, and pacify the chaotic times.

Liu Kun, full of ambition, began to act immediately, writing a letter to his good friend and sending someone to the southern part of Jizhou to find Zu Ti.

Zu Ti was very pleased to receive the letter from his good friend, but his views were entirely different.

He believed the present Emperor was too weak, without the ambition to unify the world, nor the ability to subjugate ministers like Gou Xi, Zhao Hanzhang, and Wang Jun. Choosing to be loyal to the Emperor and sacrificing for Great Jin was destined to fail.

His goal was not loyal dedication, but to end the chaotic times for the people of the world, so he wouldn’t knowingly choose an unsuitable Emperor, he would never allow himself to go astray.

Zu Ti advised Liu Kun instead, believing he should not constantly think about loyalty to the Emperor, acting for fame and fortune, but rather should strengthen himself, protect as many Han people as possible, and strike decisively at the critical moment, completely defeating the Xiongnu and Jiehu, assisting the Central Plains in recovering lost territories and unifying the world.

Zu Ti advised Liu Kun not to get too close to the Tuoba Xianbei, saying: "Xianbei people lack ceremonial etiquette, Tuoba Yilu is brave but lacks great wisdom, nor does he recognize distinctions between legitimate and secondary sons. Such favoritism towards younger sons will lead to disaster sooner or later. If you get too close to him, you might suffer his backlash."

He also judged the heroes of the world, "Wang Jun has ambition but lacks character; Sima Rui is merely a branch of the Jin Dynasty, frail and incompetent, if not for Wang Dao assisting, they couldn’t even hold Xuzhou; within the Jin Dynasty, the closest to the present Emperor is Sima Ye, who is still young and lacks reputation; Gou Xi is harsh and unkind, lenient to himself and strict with others, not worth following either."

"Zhao Hanzhang possesses a benevolent heart, whether in talent or character, she has it all, although she currently has no intention of establishing herself, one day if the world must choose someone to follow, I will certainly choose Zhao Hanzhang."

"If you seek fame, consider my words unsaid, but if for the people of the world, please cherish and value them."

Zu Ti gently dried the ink, sealed the letter.

Zhao Shi, in full military attire, clattered in from outside, "General, we are about to break into Lingshi County, why suddenly stop?"

Zu Ti saw him, his face eased but remained serious: "Spring plowing is essential."

Spring plowing is very important, Zhao Shi followed Zhao Hanzhang for years, knowing how much she cares about spring plowing, but... 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"It’s already past the time for spring wheat sowing, what else needs planting?"

"Beans," Zu Ti said, "Moreover, farming isn’t just about scattering seeds. Fertilizing, weeding, irrigating, every step requires a lot of manpower. This year we will mainly plant beans."

"We’ve planted quite a lot of beans, do we really need more?"

Zu Ti nodded, frowning slightly, "Governor Zhao wrote saying she has an expert in observing celestial events by her side, predicting a drought may occur in Jizhou this year, followed by a locust plague. Therefore, I ordered planting more beans. Beans are more drought-resistant than wheat and faster to harvest; let’s halt warfare for now and lead the soldiers in more farming."

After a pause, Zu Ti said: "Let’s talk again after the Summer Solstice ceremony."

He wanted to see what the court planned for the ceremony, how Zhao Hanzhang and Gou Xi would react.

He must accumulate strength, moreover, the two generals sent by Shi Le were defeated by him, continuing would provoke Shi Le which would be unfavorable.

Zu Ti understood when to stop, advancing step by step.

Zu Ti awaited the Summer Solstice ceremony, many people were waiting.

He had made preparations in advance yet didn’t expect the drought would affect such a broad and severe area.

The Emperor, preparing for the ceremony, hadn’t thought of it either. When the court received reports from all over, from the Emperor down to the guard watching the palace gate, faces turned pale.