After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 783 - 773: Think of a Reason

Zhao Zhongyu hasn’t finished his work, but he sent someone back early, and Zhao Dian is already waiting at the door. Seeing Zhao Hanzhang, he immediately steps forward, "Third Lady, the Old Master is waiting in the front hall."

Zhao Hanzhang dismounts, glances up at the characters on the mansion, hands the horse to the trusted aide behind her, and asks, "Where is Mr. Ming?"

Zhao Dian says, "Mr. Ming is arranged in the guest courtyard, the kitchen has prepared lunch and already sent it to him."

Zhao Hanzhang nods and walks inside but does not head to the front hall, instead asking, "Which guest courtyard?"

Zhao Dian hurriedly says, "Third Lady, the Old Master is waiting for you to have lunch in the front hall. You... the guest courtyard is over here."

Only then does Zhao Hanzhang retract her gaze and walk to the left.

Zhao Dian quickly follows, no longer trying to persuade Zhao Hanzhang, but sends the servants to prepare more food in the kitchen, seeing Fan Ying, Zeng Yue, and others following behind, he simply says, "Prepare several more meals and send them to the guest courtyard."

"Yes."

Zhao Ji has been waiting in the front hall, feeling a bit anxious ever since hearing that Zhao Hanzhang had entered the mansion, repeatedly rehearsing in his mind what he would say and what attitude he should adopt after seeing her...

He ends up waiting nervously for more than two moments, building up his mental preparation over and over, only for a servant to come in with their head lowered to report that Zhao Hanzhang had gone directly to the guest courtyard instead of coming to the front hall.

Zhao Ji feels simultaneously angry and relieved, realizing at that moment that facing Zhao Hanzhang makes him even more nervous than facing the emperor and Gou Xi.

Zhao Ji’s face turns a shade of blue, feeling ashamed and annoyed.

He suddenly stands up, slips on his wooden clogs, and starts heading out, his follower quickly intercepting him, advising, "Old Master, please calm down, Third Lady is discussing serious matters with Mr. Ming."

"Isn’t meeting the elders first when entering the house a serious matter?" Zhao Ji says angrily as he heads outside, "Who taught her etiquette? She doesn’t even know the most basic respect for the hierarchy."

The follower hurries behind him, whispering, "Old Master, the troop that Third Lady brought into the city has over a hundred people, and when she entered the city she almost shot Little General Gou upon encountering him..."

Zhao Ji stops abruptly, his face turning red then blue, and finally he snorts coldly, turning around angrily, "When Father returns, he must take a good look, this is the niece he supports, completely disregarding us, this isn’t family, not even strangers are treated like this."

But when Zhao Zhongyu returns, he is immediately intercepted by Zhao Dian and Ting He, with Ting He respectfully saying, "Second Old Master, the lady hopes you invite Mr. Ming for dinner together."

Zhao Dian meanwhile whispers, "Third Lady said she wants to discuss matters."

Zhao Zhongyu nods, completely forgetting he has a son.

Ming Yu didn’t enter the city with Zhao Hanzhang, instead, before reaching the Ten-mile Pavilion, he detoured to visit an old friend, arranging to meet a few others before entering the city.

When he enters, he happens to see Gou Xi far away with Gou Chun leaving, while the City Gate Officer lies in a pool of blood, and the citizens along the road lower their heads, fearing to speak, he guesses it wasn’t Gou Xi who acted, but Gou Chun.

Thus, he inquires about the situation before entering the city.

Seeing Zhao Zhongyu approaching, he signals to Zhao Hanzhang and quickly stands up.

Zhao Hanzhang turns around, gets up, and laughs, "Uncle Grandfather is back."

"Hmm," Zhao Zhongyu exchanges greetings with Ming Yu and kneels at the head seat, looking at Zhao Hanzhang, "What happened between you and Gou Xi?"

In the palace, he only heard vaguely that Gou Xi came to confront her, but he doesn’t know what specifically happened.

Zhao Hanzhang responds, "Uncle Grandfather misunderstood, it wasn’t with the Great General, but a misunderstanding with Gou Chun."

She recounts the events that happened as she entered the city.

Zhao Zhongyu listens, his expression darkening slightly, "Gou Chun is becoming increasingly reckless, daring to kill in broad daylight, and the one killed is the City Gate Officer."

Zhao Hanzhang is eager to try, "Will the Imperial Censor impeach him tomorrow?"

If they impeach, she can assist them in court, having felt she didn’t scold enough today, she thinks she can criticize Gou Chun further.

Zhao Zhongyu says, "Gou Chun, like Gou Daojiang, never voluntarily attends court meetings."

Even if chastised, he wouldn’t hear it.

Thus, Zhao Hanzhang suppresses her thoughts; what’s the point in scolding if he won’t hear it directly? It seems like she’s speaking ill of someone behind their back.

Putting the issue aside, Zhao Hanzhang starts discussing serious matters with Zhao Zhongyu.

Zhao Zhongyu has many matters to discuss with her too, "Your Majesty wants to move back to Luoyang, subtly suggesting you bring this proposal forward."

Zhao Hanzhang asks, "Will Gou Xi agree?"

Zhao Zhongyu lowers his voice and says, "Your Majesty has subdued three subordinate generals under Gou Xi, totaling eighty thousand troops, combined with the imperial guard, Your Majesty has a hundred thousand troops now."

"As long as you propose it, and send troops for escort, aligning with Your Majesty, Gou Xi can do nothing."

Zhao Hanzhang pauses and asks, "What do you think, Uncle Grandfather?"

"Find an excuse to delay," Zhao Zhongyu advises, "Although you could succeed Gou Xi as the National Guardian General, I always feel a bad omen hanging over Your Majesty, it seems whoever is with him ends up unlucky. Moreover, you now occupy the Central Plains, if Your Majesty returns to Luoyang, the counties and districts in Si Province might be replaced by his men."

"Cooking oil with raging fire, prosperity leads to decay," Zhao Zhongyu says, "The Zhao Family is still young, unable to withstand the battle between you and the emperor."

Zhao Hanzhang deeply agrees, nodding repeatedly, "I also think it’s better for Your Majesty to stay in Yun City. I just don’t know what excuse to use."

Ming Yu suggests, "Youzhou and Jizhou are in a drought now, moving the capital would be incredibly costly; we could drag this out past this year. Besides, the grand ceremony for the heavens is approaching, Your Majesty wouldn’t want disturbances, surely won’t mention relocation before then. After the ceremony, we could swiftly find an excuse to leave, discussing the relocation via correspondence would take time. Back then it took four years to move from Luoyang, this time moving back, discussing it over two or three years is reasonable."

Zhao Hanzhang and Zhao Zhongyu contemplate and find it’s indeed the case, so they nod repeatedly.

Zhao Hanzhang thinks, if this year’s locust plague can be safely passed, then truly, it could be postponed for another two or three years.

Considering Gou Xi’s increasing loss of sense, Zhao Hanzhang can’t help asking, "How is Uncle Grandfather’s health now?"

Zhao Zhongyu frowns slightly and replies, "Still alright."

Zhao Hanzhang lightly taps her fingers on the low table, "After the ceremony, Uncle Grandfather should frequently take leave, after one or two years, using ill health as the reason to retire."

Hearing this, Zhao Zhongyu’s brows twitch, quickly glancing at Ming Yu without saying anything.

Not until the two walk toward the rear courtyard does he softly ask, "Do you intend to act against Gou Xi and Your Majesty?"

Zhao Hanzhang says, "I won’t act against Your Majesty."

She quietly mentions, "If Gou Xi isn’t there, Uncle Grandfather wouldn’t need to be a hostage by the emperor’s side." 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Though she won’t act against the emperor, she can still have more freedom in her actions; with Zhao Zhongyu by the emperor’s side, she’ll inevitably be somewhat restrained.

Zhao Zhongyu nods thoughtfully, but he knows in his heart, convincing the emperor to agree to him retiring is nearly impossible, unless Zhao Hanzhang agrees to the emperor relocating the capital to Luoyang, she’d be by the emperor’s side, and he wouldn’t need Zhao Zhongyu as collateral.