After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 798 - 788 Emergency Military Situation

The two trusted aides felt tense seeing the unfamiliar visitor, their hands quietly reaching for their sword handles.

Zhao Hanzhang looked up at him, her gaze sweeping over his face and clothes, then shoes, and slightly smiling she said, "Governor Wang, please sit."

Wang Dun, surprised that she recognized him, lifted his robe slightly and sat down, feeling out the area he commented, "The stools and tables here are modeled after those from Yu State, aren’t they?"

As he looked around, he noticed many stalls had tables and benches set up outside, and he felt a bit envious, "Qingzhou is closed off and doesn’t have such stools and tables; often you have to stand to eat at stalls selling food by the roadside, only wider places can fit low tables and seats. Though the barbarians may not understand etiquette, these Hu stools and tables are quite convenient."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded and replied, "Indeed, besides the stools and tables, their Hu-style clothing and tools are also well suited for traveling. If Governor Wang is interested, you can have craftsmen consider these when you return. These items aren’t difficult to make."

The two thus engaged in a lively conversation, with no sense of awkwardness as at a first meeting, leaving the nearby stall owner dumbfounded, who, once realizing, immediately went back to continue cooking dumplings.

He never imagined his small stall would bring forth two governors at once.

As he kneaded the dough, he couldn’t help but glance at Zhao Hanzhang; male governors were common, but female governors were rare.

Zhao Hanzhang finished the dumplings and slowly sipped the broth, waiting for Wang Dun to express his intentions.

Wang Dun came hoping to make connections, mainly aiming to meet new people.

Ideally, he would have socialized at Gou Xi’s banquet, but he disliked their indulgent behavior, disapproving of those lost in sensory pleasures, so he left.

Unexpectedly, he encountered Zhao Hanzhang near a tavern.

Wang Dun said, "Governor Zhao saved my nephew and nieces and also helped prepare my brother’s remains. Such a great favor deserves a toast to Governor Zhao."

He instructed a follower to acquire fine wine from the tavern across the street.

He added, "My niece owes her position as Jingzhou Governor greatly to Governor Zhao’s recommendation. Please continue to look after her in the future."

Zhao Hanzhang smiled, "I recommended Miss Siniang because she possesses the capability. Governor Wang does not blame me for taking away Wang Cheng’s position, which is good."

Wang Dun snorted coldly and said, "Don’t mind him, he never deserved to be Governor in the first place."

Though both he and Wang Cheng were placed by Wang Yan in what they felt was a rabbit’s den, Wang Dun utterly disrespected Wang Cheng. Wang Cheng was more arrogant than Wang Dun, disdaining Wang Dun even further, while Wang Yan saw Wang Cheng as the best in the world, considering Wang Dun inferior.

Anyway, Wang Dun couldn’t accept him, neither physically nor mentally.

Talking about Wang Cheng reminded Wang Dun of Liu Kun, a close friend of Wang Cheng. Although he disliked Wang Cheng, he admired Liu Kun, being somewhat of a fan.

Leaning forward with interest, he asked Zhao Hanzhang, "Have you ever met Liu Yueshi, Governor Zhao?"

Zhao Hanzhang shook her head, "Never."

Wang Dun frowned, "But I’ve heard Liu Yueshi considers Governor Zhao a confidant?"

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "Connected in spirit."

Wang Dun’s interest piqued, and he asked, "I heard Governor Zhao once sent Liu Yueshi a music score. May I know what kind of score it was?"

Zhao Hanzhang asked, "Where did Governor Wang hear that?"

"News from Jinyang. Liu Yueshi held you in high regard, and the music score was one reason. Do you not know?"

She didn’t know; she thought Liu Kun was impressed by her military and political abilities, but was it actually her musical talent?

Zhao Hanzhang was silent.

Wang Dun felt a bit nervous, yet still asked, "Although Governor Zhao hasn’t met Liu Yueshi, you must have corresponded by letter?" 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Zhao Hanzhang nodded.

If she shook her head, he wouldn’t believe her either.

Wang Dun immediately said, "I wrote several pieces last night; I wonder if Governor Zhao would appreciate them and compare them to Liu Yueshi’s?"

He added, "I also play the zither; perhaps Governor Zhao could listen and compare it with Liu Yueshi’s?"

Zhao Hanzhang noticed; this was true admiration, seeking comparison in everything with Liu Kun.

The problem was, she knew Liu Kun’s calligraphy, but hadn’t heard his music.

Even then, calligraphy used for writing formal letters differed from casual writing.

Zhao Hanzhang planned to refuse, but her ears twitched, and she couldn’t help but look toward the direction of the city gate.

Curious, Wang Dun turned to follow her gaze, seeing nothing unusual, and was about to turn back when he heard someone shout loudly, "Urgent six-hundred-mile report, bystanders make way..."

People moving on the street heard the shout and immediately scattered like birds and beasts, fleeing to either side of the street seeking shelter, barely making it before a fast horse galloped past from the main street behind them, rushing without stopping, as the rider shouted desperately while whipping the horse, "Urgent six-hundred-mile report, bystanders make way—"

Watching the courier rider charging toward the Imperial Palace, Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t resist looking at Wang Dun, meeting his gaze.

The two immediately stood, calling urgently, "Prepare horses for the palace!"

Wang Dun grabbed his horse and swiftly mounted, and Zhao Hanzhang also retrieved her horse; after mounting, she saw the stall owner had just brought out three bowls of dumplings, so she pulled out some copper coins from her purse and tossed them to him, saying, "No need for change."

The trusted aides wanted to say they had already paid for the dumplings when they were served, but seeing Wang Dun had already headed off with their governor, they could only follow.

Truly stingy, older than our governor, of higher rank, yet lesser position, meeting for the first time and not paying for the noodles.

Wang Dun was perceptive; initially he didn’t react, but once at the city gate he realized too, looking back at Zhao Hanzhang. She had stopped her horse at the palace gates and dismounted, handing the horse to the palace guards, also handing over her personal longsword without hesitation, making it easy for the palace guards; Wang Dun stepped forward, handing over his own longsword.

Wang Dun stated, "Governor Zhao truly lives up to her reputation."

Zhao Hanzhang tilted her head quizzically, "Hmm?"

"Nothing," Wang Dun said, "Let’s go, someone from the palace is coming."

From the palace, eunuchs and guards were filing out in pairs, rushing towards them. The leading pair saw Zhao Hanzhang and rejoiced, hastily approaching and saying, "It’s just as well Governor Zhao is here; urgent military news, Your Majesty is summoning you."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded slightly, noticing Wang Dun standing by she pointed him out to the eunuch, saying, "This is Governor Wang from Guangzhou."

Realizing, the eunuch immediately bowed and said, "Governor Wang, please come inside; Your Majesty has also summoned you."

In fact, the Emperor intended to summon everyone he could think of.

Zhao Hanzhang knew immediately that something serious had happened and hurried toward the main hall, asking as she went, "Where is the military news from?"

"It’s from Yan State," the eunuch replied, "the Xiongnu suddenly attacked south, capturing five cities in succession, and are now close to Yun City."

Zhao Hanzhang gasped, "How is that possible?"

Wang Dun also found it unlikely, "What about the stationed troops guarding the area, how could they capture five cities before news was received?"