After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 782 - 772 Forgiveness (To All Readers)

The emperor looked around and couldn’t help but ask, "What happened when Zhao Qing entered the city?"

Upon hearing this, Gou Xi narrowed his eyes slightly. After receiving the news, he first went to the city gate to pick up Gou Chun, and then hurried to the palace. How had Zhao Hanzhang not complained yet?

Zhao Hanzhang withdrew her gaze, turning to the emperor with a somewhat gentler expression, and smiled, "It’s not a big deal. Since the Great General says it’s a misunderstanding, why not let Little General Gou explain it?"

With a sullen face, Gou Chun said, "I chased an escaping slave to the West City Gate. When I shot the slave, it happened that Governor Zhao was entering the city, frightening him, resulting in some misunderstandings."

The emperor’s face turned dark upon hearing this.

What kind of escaped slave required Gou Chun to personally pursue? Clearly a pretext; he was trying to intimidate Zhao Hanzhang.

He dared not kill—neither the emperor nor Gou Xi would let anything happen to Zhao Hanzhang in Yun City.

Even as she was halfway there, news that the Zhao Family Army was massing troops at the border had already reached Yun City. In the past few days, Zhao Zhongyu was frequently hinted at to persuade Zhao Hanzhang to remain calm and restrained.

If Zhao Hanzhang left safely, it would be fine. But if anything happened to her, the Zhao Family Army could charge into Yan State at any moment.

No one knew whether the Zhao Family Army would be thrown into chaos without Zhao Hanzhang, as there were Zhao Ming, Zhao Erlang, and even Beigong Chun within the ranks.

So while they were unsure whether the Zhao Family Army would be chaotic, Yan State certainly would be, and Great Jin would inevitably be thrown into turmoil.

The usually good-tempered emperor couldn’t resist glaring at Gou Chun, thinking this fool was both clumsy and malevolent, committing misdeeds without regard to people or timing.

He had no choice but to speak up for Gou Chun, "Zhao Qing, it was all a misunderstanding. How about having Little General Gou apologize to you again?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Since Your Majesty personally intervenes and the Great General has called it a misunderstanding, let’s put this matter behind us."

So easily?

Not only were Gou Xi and Gou Chun shocked, but even the emperor was a bit incredulous.

Zhao Hanzhang hadn’t intended to pursue the matter deeply. The emperor and Gou Xi couldn’t possibly kill Gou Chun to appease her, nor severely punish him.

At most, compensation would be offered, but was Zhao Hanzhang someone who craved wealth?

She was planning to give a gold Buddha statue to Gou Xi, so why make the strained relationship between her and Gou Xi even worse because of Gou Chun, a petty person?

Thus, Zhao Hanzhang generously expressed that she wouldn’t hold a grudge.

However... Zhao Hanzhang looked up at Gou Xi sitting across her and said, "Great General, Little General Gou also frightened the Minister of the Ministry of Rites and the City Gate Officer. They are the ones who truly deserve an apology."

Gou Xi remained silent. Having Gou Chun apologize to Zhao Hanzhang was the limit; apologizing to two minor officials would likely cause unpredictable trouble due to Gou Chun’s arrogance.

Seeing Gou Xi’s attitude, Zhao Hanzhang shook her head, "Great General, Little General Gou’s reputation outside is not very good. If you continue to indulge him, advancing his career might be difficult in the future."

No one took Zhao Hanzhang’s words seriously, not even the emperor. As long as Gou Xi remained invincible, wouldn’t Gou Chun be able to do whatever he wanted?

Zhao Hanzhang left the palace, glanced back at the somewhat small palace, and asked Fan Ying, who approached, "How are the people at the city gate?"

Fan Ying replied softly, "I inquired a bit. Gou Xi arrived just in time. Gou Chun had already cut the City Gate Officer with a knife, and when he was about to chop off his head, Gou Xi stopped him and took him away. The City Gate Officer was sent to the medical clinic, and the other guards are still alive."

Zhao Hanzhang said, "When giants fight, commoners suffer. I didn’t want to fight this battle with him, but I had no choice. They were implicated because of me, so secretly send some money to the medical clinic without them knowing."

Fan Ying agreed softly and asked, "Mistress, I noticed that the guards fear Gou Chun. Perhaps they can be bought."

Zhao Hanzhang shook her head, "Their direct superior isn’t Gou Xi or Gou Chun, and they have generals they are loyal to. Yun City is deep in Yan State; bribing a few people won’t do much good. If they are discovered, they might lose their lives."

She said, "It isn’t worth the risk, no need to involve them."

Fan Ying agreed and brought the horse over to him.

Zhao Hanzhang then remembered, lowering her voice to ask, "Has Mr. Ming arrived in the city?"

"He has, and is already staying at Zhao Mansion. He entered the city later than us, and the news from the city gate was inquired by Mr. Ming."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, mounted the horse, and was about to leave when she saw the Gou Xi brothers coming out. She stopped the horse, "Great General, may I have the honor of visiting tomorrow?"

Faced with Zhao Hanzhang’s warm and welcoming demeanor, Gou Xi found it difficult to refuse coldly. The truth was, despite their many conflicts, he genuinely admired her. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Since their first cooperation two years ago.

With Gou Xi’s nod, Zhao Hanzhang turned her horse and was about to go when Gou Chun suddenly called out, "Governor Zhao, my escaped slave was taken by you; you must return him."

Zhao Hanzhang looked back at him, suddenly smiling, "No return."

"You!" Gou Chun was infuriated again, turning to complain to Gou Xi, "Big brother, you saw her clearly..."

"Shut up!" Gou Xi looked up at Zhao Hanzhang and hesitantly asked, "Why won’t Governor Zhao return the escaped slave?"

"Because his anger pleases me," Zhao Hanzhang tugged at the reins, controlling the horse that kept snorting impatiently, and said, "Great General, I accepted his apology, but his apology was too perfunctory. Isn’t asking for a slave as compensation reasonable?"

Gou Xi couldn’t find words to refute. He quietly asked Gou Chun, "Was that really an escaped slave?"

Gou Chun remained silent.

Gou Xi was angry, scolding softly, "Answer quickly!"

Gou Chun finally said, "No, I randomly grabbed someone from the street who appeared ragged, likely a beggar."

Upon hearing this, Gou Xi angrily gritted his teeth and whispered, "Reflect on your wrongdoings behind closed doors and don’t come out before the summer solstice sacrifice!"

Gou Xi wanted to take the person back; otherwise, if this issue fell into Zhao Hanzhang’s hands and the news spread, it would be damaging to Gou Chun’s reputation.

But... after glancing at the serene Zhao Hanzhang on horseback, he knew it would be hard to convince her.

Moreover, considering the time, the person had been taken by them for more than an hour; his identity would have been discovered by now, making it pointless to try to get him back.

He could only investigate the person’s identity and create a slave contract when he returned.

For Gou Xi, this wasn’t difficult; obtaining stamped slave contracts and documents from the county government was simple. He could just claim the person had escaped from his manor.

Gou Xi saluted Zhao Hanzhang, turned, and led Gou Chun away.

Watching him walk away, Zhao Hanzhang sighed, "He’s aged quite a bit compared to the illustrious Gou Xi two years ago."

She turned to Zeng Yue and other close soldiers, "Therefore, people shouldn’t be overly proud or indulge in desires. Even someone as brilliant as the Great General can deteriorate after indulging too much; what about you?"

Zeng Yue felt awkward, with the soldiers embarrassed, "Commander, we strictly follow the military rules and dare not violate them."

Zhao Hanzhang: "Good, continue maintaining this."