After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 780 - 770 Threats (To All Readers)

Zhao Hanzhang gave a clicking sound, using the spear in her hand to push the City Gate Officer aside, facing Gou Chun directly.

"I’ve always heard that Little General Gou is lenient with himself and strict with others, very harsh to those below him. I used to think it was just a rumor, but today I see, the rumors are true," Zhao Hanzhang said, "No wonder the people of Qingzhou would revolt against you, Qingzhou Governor. Who would want someone who shows no respect to the king above and no compassion for subordinates below as their governor?"

"You!"

"Don’t ’you’ me. First, you shot an arrow at the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, and now you want to kill the City Gate Officer in front of me. Aren’t you just trying to make an example of him?" Zhao Hanzhang, having survived Zhao Ming’s sharp tongue, couldn’t care less about this petty argument. She chose to tolerate Zhao Ming and others because they worked for her, being her respected uncle and advisors. But for Gou Chun, why should she tolerate him?

Thus, she snorted coldly, not giving Gou Chun a chance to interject, "However, I am not a monkey, and the Minister of the Ministry of Rites is not a chicken that you can kill at will. Gou Chun, you think too highly of yourself. Do you believe that if I were to kill you here at the city gate in front of everyone, even Your Majesty would praise me for doing so?"

Gou Chun’s face turned livid, pointing his long knife at Zhao Hanzhang, "You dare! My brother will not forgive you."

The nearby Minister of the Ministry of Rites was drenched in cold sweat, wanting to interject, but Zhao Hanzhang already mocked, "The Great General understands the bigger picture and knows that you almost caused a war between Yan State and Yu State, throwing Jin State into chaos. He would only praise me, just like Your Majesty!"

She urged her horse forward a couple of steps, bringing him within her spear’s range, and seeing Gou Chun’s hand tremble slightly as he gripped his knife, she stared into his eyes with a playful smile, "What, you don’t believe me? Then why don’t we try it? Let’s see if, three days later, I bring your head into the palace, whether I will pour a drink on your grave alongside the Great General?"

With that, the spear thrust forward, scaring Gou Chun into blocking horizontally with his knife, but the spear stopped before his blade.

A drop of cold sweat fell from Gou Chun’s forehead, his lips turned somewhat pale. Zhao Hanzhang retracted the spear, snorted coldly, and said, "Enter the city!"

Zhao Hanzhang directly led her team past Gou Chun into the city, and the soldiers behind Gou Chun quickly lowered their heads to avoid confrontation, standing against the walls of the city gate hole.

Zhao Hanzhang glanced slightly at Zeng Yue, who then rode to the side. As the team entered the gate, he deliberately passed by a person who had fallen to the ground, pulling him up onto the horse and entering the city.

Gou Chun didn’t notice; his mind was blank, filled only with anger and embarrassment, his face burning like fire.

The City Gate Officer, knowing Gou Chun’s temper, retreated a few steps. Realizing he wouldn’t survive once Gou Chun regained his senses, he grabbed the youngest soldier nearby, stripping his belongings and valuables off, aiding them alongside the Zhao Family Army’s convoy, whispering, "I’m done for. No one knows how many will die here today. Go quickly, deliver these things to my family. The rent in East City is high, but safe. Many of my colleagues are there. Tell them to stay put, don’t move to the southside with cheap rents. My eldest is thirteen already, he can support the family. Tell him...not to become a soldier."

The young soldier was on the verge of tears, "Colonel..."

Seeing the last vehicle of the Zhao Family Army about to enter the city, about to expose them both, the City Gate Officer hurriedly pushed the young soldier.

The young soldier, clinging to the belongings, ran while crying, ducking behind a vehicle to sneak inside. Two soldiers waiting inside the gate quickly pulled him aside, stuffing him with seven or eight coin purses, quickly instructing him, "These are ours, you recognize our purses, hurry back. The centurion noted you on leave; no one knows you were here guarding the gate today. Go quickly!"

The soldier gave him a push, then immediately resumed his post, gripping his spear with a stern countenance, as if they hadn’t just been stuffing purses.

The young soldier, clutching the pile of purses, ran while crying, soon ducking into an alley to take a shortcut to the East City.

Zhao Hanzhang looked back in the direction he went, frowning. She had heard his cries just now.

After riding a few more steps, Zhao Hanzhang halted her horse, telling the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, "I was startled just now, my heart is uneasy. I must immediately go to the palace to report Gou Chun."

The Minister’s face changed slightly, hastily saying, "Governor Zhao, Little General Gou’s actions are unruly. I will certainly report upward, but with the grand ceremony approaching, a dispute now might displease Your Majesty. Perhaps we should wait until after the ceremony?"

Zhao Hanzhang had already kicked her horse’s sides, running directly toward the Yun City Palace.

Zeng Yue immediately followed with the guards, having already handed over his man to the soldiers below when entering the city, now sitting atop crates of money in the carriage.

The Minister watched Zhao Hanzhang completely abandon her previous gentle demeanor, leaving him behind as she led her people toward the palace, tears nearly fell from his eyes.

Indeed, all that gentleness and humility were a facade. Could a woman capable of conquering Yu State and Si Province lack a backbone?

He quickly instructed the scribe behind him, "Hurry, go to the General’s Mansion, have him quickly bring Little General Gou to the palace, something big is about to happen!"

If Zhao Hanzhang caused such an incident right after entering the city, escalating it could mean another round of conflict. If she and Gou Xi actually fought, it would surely be his fault.

Even if it didn’t come to a fight, he might be accused of negligence this time.

The thought crossed his mind, the Minister recalled Gou Chun’s arrow. If not for Zhao Hanzhang pulling him away, he would already be a corpse.

The Minister harbored silent resentment, yet had no recourse. Gou Chun was Gou Xi’s brother; to the Ministry of Rites’ minor official, death was just death—who cared?

Zhao Hanzhang headed straight for the palace, her convoy following their governor clattered up to the palace gates.

This palace, converted from a summer residence, lacked the grandeur of the Luoyang Imperial Palace but was still heavily guarded by palace guards.

Seeing a hundred people charging at the palace gate, all armed, the guards immediately tensed, two swiftly running to block them, "Halt, who goes there?"

Before the Minister of the Ministry of Rites could speak, Zhao Hanzhang called out, "Report to Your Majesty, Yu State Governor Zhao Hanzhang comes to pay respects and brings gifts from Yu State."

The palace guards looked to the Minister, who nodded, "This is Yu State Governor Zhao."

Confirming Zhao Hanzhang’s identity, the guards became more respectful but did not allow passage, "Governor Zhao, please wait while we report to Your Majesty."

They hurried away to find the general.

Wei Zao, while instructing someone to report inside, went to meet Zhao Hanzhang.

After preventing Gou Xi from strangling Zhao Zhongyu in the great hall to protect the emperor, he was promoted to Vice Commander, mainly responsible for guarding the Imperial Palace and protecting the emperor.