After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 781 - 771: A Feint (Dedicated to all readers)

Chapter 781: Chapter 771: A Feint (Dedicated to all readers)

Wei Zao was meeting Zhao Hanzhang for the second time; the first meeting was in Luoyang, and back then, he felt this female governor was very fierce, full of murderous aura while breaking into the Imperial Palace to rescue the Emperor, completely disregarding the noble families accompanying the Emperor, very aloof.

But this year, he had not had a shortage of contact with his brother, and from him, he learned about Zhao Hanzhang, who was entirely different from his initial impression, along with the rumors among the people, his impression of Zhao Hanzhang improved considerably.

Wei Zao stepped forward to salute her.

Wei Jie’s brother, even if he wasn’t as handsome, he wasn’t far off, though the two had some family ties, Zhao Hanzhang still addressed him by his official position, "General Wei."

Wei Zao saw her expression was gentle, not looking to create trouble, his gaze swept over the convoy behind her, reminding, "Governor Zhao has had a long journey, why not first go to the post station to freshen up and rest a bit, then enter the palace for an audience?"

Here, Zhao Hanzhang did not mention the incident at the city gate and smiled at Wei Zao, "I have not seen Your Majesty for a long time, truly missing him in my heart, and cannot wait a moment longer, so I ask General Wei to announce my arrival."

The Minister of the Ministry of Rites on the side had a strange expression, and couldn’t help but look at her several times. He couldn’t understand why Zhao Hanzhang’s temper had suddenly improved?

Shouldn’t she have made a big fuss to show she had suffered great injustice?

Why reached the palace gates, and she did not utter a word?

Though the Minister of the Ministry of Rites didn’t grasp the crux of the matter, his heart settled down; Zhao Hanzhang’s emotions were stable, so his emotions were also calmed, following suit.

A group of people stood at the palace gate exchanging friendly words, Wei Zao also knew Zhao Hanzhang’s identity was special, and where she was was also special, so he didn’t talk much, only asked about his brother Wei Jie’s situation.

Wei Jie and Zhao Xin had returned from Qingzhou a long time ago, and they are now in Luoyang.

Zhao Hanzhang stated he was fine, just missing family, the underlying message being, so, General Wei, are you interested in family reunions or transitioning to another post?

But there were too many people here; Zhao Hanzhang could not make it too obvious; she truly wanted to recruit Wei Zao, not specifically to cause trouble for him.

About two quarters of an hour later, Zhou Neijian, along with several guards and eunuchs, jogged out from the palace. Seeing Zhao Hanzhang standing in front of the palace gate, he didn’t bother wiping the sweat off his face, took a deep breath to calm his breath, and ran up with a smile, "The old servant pays respects to Governor Zhao."

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t wait for him to bow down, reached out to support him, and smiled, "Zhou Neijian, you are too polite; I just entered the city and have been longing to pay respects to Your Majesty, so I came here first; Your Majesty hasn’t blamed me for my unkempt appearance, has he?"

"As soon as he heard Governor Zhao came, Your Majesty was overjoyed; how would he blame you?" Zhou Neijian said with a smile, "Governor Zhao, please come inside, Your Majesty is waiting in the hall."

Zhao Hanzhang casually pointed backward and said, "I also brought some gifts for Your Majesty."

Zhou Neijian responded with a smile, had the gifts unloaded and sent into the palace, then saw the Zhao Family Army unload twelve cartloads of boxes and was stunned, "This... are all for Your Majesty?"

"Yes, they’re all specialties from Yu State, not anything precious. Later, Zhou Neijian should put in a good word for me; I hope the Emperor won’t find them displeasing."

Although Zhou Neijian didn’t know what was in the boxes, with the Emperor’s temper and personality, even if Zhao Hanzhang sent a strand of grass, he wouldn’t be angry. Not to mention the way the soldiers lifted the boxes with all their might, it was evidently not just a strand of grass.

So he readily agreed, first ushering Zhao Hanzhang to see the Emperor.

Zeng Yue and Ting He followed inside, leaving their weapons at the palace gate, Zhao Hanzhang also handed over her spear.

The Emperor led the ministers to greet them at the hall’s entrance, and coincidentally, Zhao Zhongyu was among them; evidently, before Zhao Hanzhang arrived, the ruler and courtiers were discussing state matters. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

The Emperor warmly welcomed Zhao Hanzhang’s arrival; everyone exchanged greetings briefly, then the Emperor took Zhao Hanzhang into the hall for some private conversation.

He assumed Zhao Hanzhang had some confidential words for him, given she came straight to him upon entering the city, whereas she should have typically rested and changed attire under the Ministry of Rites’ officials’ hospitality before entering the palace for an audience.

So he dismissed the ministers, leaving just the two of them and trusted attendants like Zhou Neijian, so they could speak freely.

However, Zhao Hanzhang directly handed the gift list to the Emperor, speaking of the gifts she had brought this time.

In addition to new currency, Zhao Hanzhang also presented two boxes of other gifts to the Emperor, including the glassware originally intended for Gou Xi, and some silk and porcelain.

Not to mention the silk and porcelain, the glassware was intended as a gift for Gou Xi, and was exquisitely crafted, worth no less than gold outside.

Unfortunately, Uncle Ming couldn’t appreciate it, considering glass unworthy of Gou Xi.

Hmph, since Gou Xi wouldn’t appreciate the glass, she might as well give it to the Emperor.

The Emperor handed the list to Zhou Neijian, expressing his delight at receiving her gifts, then gazed at her, indicating she could speak confidentially.

Zhao Hanzhang contemplated and genuinely had nothing to say, perhaps she could lightly discuss the drought impacts in Youzhou and Jizhou on Jin State and Han Kingdom?

Just as she was about to speak, urgent footsteps sounded outside, and an eunuch dashed in, trembling, "Your Majesty, the Great General requests an audience..."

Before he finished speaking, Gou Xi entered swiftly with Gou Chun, "Your Majesty, I brought my brother to apologize to Governor Zhao."

The Emperor was startled, instinctively leaning back toward the dragon throne, only realizing Zhao Hanzhang was present afterward, knowing Gou Xi wouldn’t dare do anything, then immediately sat upright again.

Zhao Hanzhang squinted slightly, her expression turning slightly grim.

Gou Xi led Gou Chun to the center of the hall, saluted the Emperor with arms folded, then turned to Zhao Hanzhang, "Governor Zhao, long time no see."

Zhao Hanzhang remained seated, only nodding slightly, smiling faintly, "Great General, we’ve only not seen each other for over a year, you seem to have grown thinner; is it due to busy national affairs?"

Everyone in Yun City, including three-year-olds, knew Gou Xi didn’t like leaving the General’s Mansion, nor did he enjoy handling court affairs, Zhao Hanzhang’s words were evidently sarcastic.

Since becoming the Great General, few dared speak to Gou Xi like that; the last was Zhao Zhongyu; apart from him, others either died or were dismissed from Yun City, never to be seen again.

But he couldn’t even act against Zhao Zhongyu who Zhao Hanzhang sheltered, let alone Zhao Hanzhang herself.

She was just a woman; Gou Xi wouldn’t stoop to verbally sparring with her, winning wouldn’t be glorious, losing would be aggravating, so he lifted his robe and knelt on the hall’s right, stating his purpose directly, "Governor Zhao, I brought my brother to apologize to you; what happened at the city gate was a misunderstanding, Second Son, hurry forward to salute and apologize."

Gou Chun, with a gloomy face, stepped forward and saluted Zhao Hanzhang without bending his waist, only slightly lowering his head, and without waiting for Zhao Hanzhang to speak, he straightened up.

Zhao Hanzhang examined him carefully, noticing spatter-like blood stains on his sleeves and belt, her expression grew unfavorable.