After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 800 - 790 Sending Away

Governors and officials from various states came to participate in the heavenly sacrifice, bringing at most a few hundred soldiers for protection. Zhao Hanzhang brought the most, over a thousand men, because she was Gou Xi’s most important rival, fearing he might seize the chance to kill her.

These few hundred to a thousand troops are insignificant in the face of the Xiongnu army of two hundred thousand.

Conversely, if the Xiongnu could rapidly besiege Yun City, encircle them like they did with Prince East Sea and his party, capturing the emperor of Great Jin, court ministers, and officials from various regions all in one sweep, then the destruction of Great Jin would be complete.

At this moment, there were quite a few members of the Great Jin royal family in the city, including the founder of Eastern Jin, Sima Rui.

At this time, Sima Rui was just a common member of the Great Jin royal house, with a status far inferior to that of Crown Prince Sima Quan, King Wu Sima Yan, and King Qin Sima Ye.

Because Sima Rui was merely a distant relative of the royal family, not a direct descendant of Emperor Jin Wu.

Except for Zhao Hanzhang, nobody knew that he would one day surpass a group of descendants of Emperor Jin Wu and become legitimate; even Sima Rui himself didn’t know.

However, Sima Rui cherished his life greatly. He agreed to provide provisions and would lead troops to support them upon his return, the premise being that he must return. So he promptly bid farewell to the emperor, indicating his immediate return to gather military supplies and recruit soldiers.

Sima Rui set the precedent, leading other governors and local officials to step forward and bid farewell.

They all accepted the task just assigned by Zhao Hanzhang and Gou Xi, provided they could first return home.

Gou Xi’s face looked unsightly, involuntarily glancing at Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang’s expression was also poor, but she still nodded slightly and said to the emperor standing between her and Gou Xi, "A forcibly picked fruit is not sweet; forcing them to stay won’t help but rather spoil things. Let them go."

Gou Xi also heard this. He pressed his lips together and when the emperor looked over, he nodded slightly.

Zhao Hanzhang whispered, "Your Majesty, personally see them off."

Gou Xi’s eyes glittered, gritted his teeth and said, "Let me change into plain clothes, and accompany Your Majesty to send them out of the city."

Gou Xi was intending to plead guilty.

Zhao Hanzhang showed no opposition.

The emperor was very touched and immediately agreed, consenting to their request to leave.

Without delay, he and Gou Xi, who changed into plain clothes, led the civil and military officials to send the people outside the city, holding their hands one by one and saying, "I and the Great General will guard here, waiting for you all to come to aid."

The governors and officials who originally wanted to flee quickly felt sorrow in their hearts after hearing this, tears involuntarily rolled down, and they hurriedly promised, "Don’t worry, Your Majesty, we will definitely come!"

Gou Xi, in plain clothes, stepped forward and bowed to them, pleading, "I was muddleheaded these two years and greatly delayed state affairs, it’s my fault. When this matter concludes, I shall plead for forgiveness from Your Majesty and from the people. I just ask all of you to put aside former grudges, focus on resisting the enemy, even if there is resentment, settle it with me after this battle is over."

Many people secretly glanced at Zhao Hanzhang.

Originally standing slightly behind the emperor, Zhao Hanzhang saw this and took two steps forward, turned to Gou Xi and returned the courtesy, then said, "Alright, let’s put grudges aside for now, Great General, let us join forces to resist the enemy."

Seeing this, everyone followed suit to salute and respond.

After completing the courtesy, they got on carriages and horses, taking their advisors and officials and hurried away.

The emperor watched them leave, his lips quivered, intuitively feeling that once they left, they might not return. He couldn’t help but look at Zhao Hanzhang and Gou Xi, standing aside, "My two courtiers, will they really come back?"

Zhao Hanzhang looked calm, "Reluctantly and unwillingly, they are not an advantage here, but if dispersed, they could be a spark."

She paused, as if her words seemed too pessimistic.

Gou Xi glanced at her and then said to the emperor, "Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will certainly protect you thoroughly."

Zhao Hanzhang said, "I too shall!"

With the people gone, there was no need to engage in any further disputes about the heavenly sacrifice.

After a discussion, it was decided that they should hold fast to Yun City.

The geographical location of Yun City was crucial; once captured, the entire Yan State would be indefensible. By then, the Xiongnu army could not only attack Yu State from the north but also from the east.

Therefore, this was a matter of glory shared and losses shared.

The order for Zhao Ju’s army to come to aid had already been dispatched, and Zhao Hanzhang also had to leave to return to Yu State to oversee the broader situation.

The most important was Luoyang.

Gou Xi also said, "Governor Zhao, Luoyang must not be lost, nor can Chen County fall."

Zhao Hanzhang looked serious, "Rest assured, Great General, as long as I am here, Chen County will remain."

Chen County was the last line of defense in the Central Plains; if Chen County also fell, she would genuinely have to consider relocating her family southward, a calamity she had tried to avoid after so many years of endeavor.

Recalling Gou Xi’s maneuvers in history, Zhao Hanzhang raised her eyes to look at him and earnestly said, "Great General, I will be your support, also please trust me, do not lightly speak of victory or defeat."

Gou Xi immediately nodded.

Standing aside, the emperor watched the two of them, realizing that they had discussed everything between themselves.

Zhao Hanzhang looked at the emperor, personally sent him back to the Imperial Palace, and quietly spoke to him, "Also asking Your Majesty to trust the Great General, unite and collaborate together against the enemy."

The emperor quietly asked her, "Beloved courtier, if Yun City falls, where should I go?"

Zhao Hanzhang met the emperor’s teary eyes, paused, feeling compassion; after all, the emperor was only twenty-seven years old, and since being designated as the Imperial Brother at twenty-one, he had been manipulated like a puppet, powerless.

Zhao Hanzhang pressed her lips together and softly said, "Your Majesty may go to Chen County, as long as Luoyang stands, return to Luoyang; if Luoyang should fall, I shall escort Your Majesty to Chen County, to Xiping, or to Jiangnan, Huainan..."

Tears brimmed in the emperor’s eyes.

Zhao Hanzhang continued, "But presently, Your Majesty is the stabilizing anchor of Jin, so please safeguard Yun City, reassuring the hearts of all under heaven."

The emperor nodded firmly, "Good!"

Only then did Zhao Hanzhang raise her hand to bid farewell.

The emperor hurriedly wished to see her off, but Zhao Hanzhang stopped him, "Your Majesty just returned from outside the city, why rush again? I can leave by myself."

She said, "Your Majesty, rest assured here; the Great General can undoubtedly protect you fully, and I will definitely lead the army to aid."

The emperor nodded repeatedly, having no choice but to stand still and watch her go afar, moments later recalling something, he hurriedly summoned Zhou Neijian, "Quickly call Minister Zhao, ask him to see Governor Zhao off."

Zhou Neijian nodded his head in compliance, ran to the side hall where Zhao Zhongyu was busy.

Zhao Zhongyu hurried home from the palace, and Zhao Hanzhang was just letting people pack things, preparing for a rapid march away.

Ming Yu only found out the entire situation from Zhao Hanzhang, "Has King Langya left as well?"

Zhao Hanzhang nodded.

Ming Yu slightly frowned and asked, "I remember you told Mr. Fu that if one day Great Jin faces a great crisis, yet is not destroyed, then the most likely to inherit the throne would be King Langya. This time is the battle for Great Jin’s survival, why did you let him go?"

Zhao Hanzhang had ambitions for the throne, why not take this opportunity to kill him?

Given Zhao Hanzhang’s current power and status, killing a less crucial member of the royal house would be simply done and over.