After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 787 - 777 Apologizing

Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze swept over the scene; thirteen people emerged from the house, among them five were clearly scions of noble families, young, with the unique arrogance and naivety of the aristocracy of this era in their eyes;

Three others were dressed as scholars, their clothes washed to a grayish white, and Zhao Hanzhang sharply noticed that one of them had a fraying sleeve;

The other two had broad shoulders and narrow waists, also in wide-sleeved robes, but Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze swept over their shoulders and waists, then glanced at their hanging hands, and knew they were skilled in martial arts, judging by their attire, they were likely of gentry origin.

They’ve come to seek out Gou Xi, hoping to find a path in the military?

What puzzled Zhao Hanzhang were the last two middle-aged men; she scrutinized them up and down, unable to discern their identities.

They seemed like martial men, yet also like scholars, their complexions haggard, their clothing ordinary, yet their shoes were fine, made of silk, and fit well, a testament to their good family background.

Zhao Hanzhang tutted inwardly; just two years ago, she could still afford shoes made of silk, but now it was unthinkable.

She withdrew her gaze; those on the steps were somewhat excited, wanting to approach, but upon taking a step forward, remembered they were at the General’s Mansion, and immediately regretted it, halting their steps.

Gou Xi was a man of strict discipline and valued order immensely. If he learned they had come to visit him but turned to Zhao Hanzhang instead, he certainly wouldn’t let them off.

Zhao Hanzhang might not necessarily stand up to Gou Xi for their sake, so everyone stopped in their tracks, looking at Zhao Hanzhang with yearning eyes, and silently backed away.

However, the two middle-aged men who were clearly ostracized by them exchanged a glance, and finally, gritted their teeth, ran down the steps, and bowed to Zhao Hanzhang on horseback.

"Greetings, Governor Zhao, I am Tan Shen of Luo’an."

"I am Zheng Xiao of Luo’an."

After speaking, the two of them made a deep bow to Zhao Hanzhang. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Zhao Hanzhang, sitting on horseback, returned the courtesy with cupped fists, smiling as she asked, "And what brings you two here?"

Zheng Xiao glanced at Tan Shen before saying, "The two of us heard of Governor Zhao’s benevolence while in Luo’an. To see you today brings joy to our hearts, and we dared to come intending to pay a visit. We humbly ask if you would spare a moment to meet with us."

Zhao Hanzhang saw the pleading look in their eyes, tears nearly falling, and her heart softened, so she said, "I will be available after 3:00 PM."

The two were thrilled and filled with gratitude, once more paying a deep bow.

This time, instead of waiting on the steps, they quietly negotiated with the doorman who remained, slipping him quite a sum to retrieve their visiting card. As for the gift they had brought, naturally it couldn’t be taken back—they hadn’t intended to. They hurried off as soon as they got their card back.

The success of the two made others on the steps envious, but considering Gou Xi’s nature, they suppressed their impulse, deciding to secretly visit Zhao Hanzhang at the Zhao Mansion later.

Zhao Hanzhang, seeing they hadn’t acted, also breathed a sigh of relief. She was a guest here; taking away someone else’s guests wouldn’t be appropriate.

She didn’t want her subtle tensions with Gou Xi to erupt into an open confrontation.

Seeing that the doorman who was reporting their presence took a long time to return, Zhao Hanzhang dismounted, walked up the steps, and waited with the remaining eleven people.

Everyone was about the same age, but Zhao Hanzhang’s achievements were far beyond their reach. Though they didn’t speak it, they were all very curious about her.

Unable to hold back, one noble youth couldn’t help but ask her, "Why would Governor Zhao come to visit the Great General?"

Zhao Hanzhang smiled, "The Great General and I serve in the same court, isn’t it normal for me to visit him?"

The expressions on everyone’s faces became quite peculiar, and Zhao Hanzhang’s polite smile grew more genuine, even letting out a slight laugh as she asked, "Why, in your eyes, can’t the Great General and I get along amicably in private?"

"No, no, that’s not what we meant, it’s just, just..." They couldn’t think of an excuse for a while.

Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but laugh again and proactively shifted the topic, "Are you all here seeking futures?"

They immediately nodded, looking at her with quietly hopeful eyes.

Zhao Hanzhang merely smiled at them and did not continue.

The steward of the General’s Mansion and the chief assistant hurriedly came out to greet them, Zhao Hanzhang glanced at Ting He, who whispered, "It’s been at least half an hour..."

Zhao Hanzhang then understood; Gou Xi truly disliked her, it seemed. Thinking this, Zhao Hanzhang’s fighting spirit rose, signaling for the box to be carried along with her inside.

Gou Xi was reclining leisurely on a wooden couch in a large pavilion of their family estate, the pavilion situated by the water, making it quite cool in the summer.

The pavilion had light silk curtains hanging on all sides, which kept out mosquitoes and also blocked some sunlight. Zhao Hanzhang looked towards the center of the water and saw the same silk curtains hanging in the pavilion there.

The price of such silk curtains was not low; even the emperor couldn’t afford to use silk for curtains, could he?

Gou Xi lay languidly, slouching on the wooden couch, dressed coolly, one leg propped on the couch, the other hanging down. Such unrestrained behavior, Zhao Hanzhang was witnessing for the first time.

She smiled and saluted Gou Xi, signaling for the box to be brought up. "Great General, this is a gift I’ve brought for you, carefully selected from the treasures my grandfather left me."

Upon hearing that it was a treasure left by Zhao Changyu, Gou Xi finally lowered his leg and sat up straighter. "Oh? What might it be?"

Zhao Hanzhang instructed them to open it, and two personal guards carefully brought out a gold Buddha.

Gou Xi’s eyes slightly narrowed, "I heard that Governor Zhao sent the Emperor a glass house that could move and play, very exquisite. I thought Governor Zhao was going to give me glass this time too."

"No, no," Gou Xi added, "I didn’t expect Governor Zhao to send me a gift at all."

He reclined back again, saying, "One should not receive unearned rewards. This gift from Governor Zhao is too valuable. If you don’t explain its purpose, I don’t dare accept such a gift."

Zhao Hanzhang found a place to kneel in the pavilion, smiling as she said, "Rest assured, Great General, this gift serves as an apology, and also to mend our relationship."

Gou Xi sneered, "Apologize for what?"

"The matter of Qingzhou," Zhao Hanzhang explained, "Wang Jun is a man without integrity. He received the appointment as Qingzhou Governor one moment and sold out Zhao Hanzhang the next."

He claimed it was based on Zhao Hanzhang’s suggestion to attack Qingzhou, even saying it was Zhao Hanzhang who persuaded Liu Kun to cooperate.

Zhao Hanzhang, though never publicly confessing, also never denied it, for she knew if others sent word to inquire of Liu Kun, he would surely speak truthfully and might even see it as a glorious act worth boasting about her.

Truth be told, after the matter was publicized, even more people sought refuge with Zhao Hanzhang.

People didn’t see her as treacherous but clever and resourceful, finding her nature dependable!

However, Gou Xi was vexed and angry inside, saying, "Is Governor Zhao here to watch me make a fool of myself?"

Zhao Hanzhang shook her head, "I genuinely came to apologize."

"Great General, you run a tight ship with discipline, serving your duty faithfully. You must know how vital public support is. General Gou Chun is far less capable than you, yet extremely harsh. If he weren’t your brother, he’d have been killed long ago," Zhao Hanzhang continued, "He has only been in office in Qingzhou for half a year, and public grievances there are already boiling. Should he continue as Qingzhou Governor, it’s feared that before the Xiongnu break in, the people of Qingzhou will revolt first and directly join the Xiongnu Khanate."