After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 801 - 791: Military Orders and Deployments

Chapter 801: Chapter 791: Military Orders and Deployments

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Even if he does desire the throne now, though he shows no interest, I will not stoop to such acts of ambition."

She continued, "I dare to compete with everyone in the world for this position, but do I fear Sima Rui?"

Indeed, someone like Sima Rui whom she does not hold in high regard.

Instead of treating Sima Rui as an opponent, it’s better to consider Wang Dun and Wang Dao as adversaries.

Ming Yu couldn’t help but smile and praised, "The commander’s words are apt; I was narrow-minded."

Gou Chun was overly apprehensive of Zhao Hanzhang, worsening his own situation, even implicating Gou Xi.

Ming Yu reminded himself internally, and upon lifting his gaze, he saw Zhao Zhongyu approaching. He promptly bowed and withdrew, leaving space for the grandfather and granddaughter to converse.

"Granduncle," Zhao Hanzhang apologized sincerely, "I fear I cannot bring Uncle with us. We are marching urgently, and his injuries haven’t healed yet; he cannot keep up."

Zhao Zhongyu nodded, "I understand. Gather your things and set out swiftly; Yu State and Si Province await your leadership."

"As for your uncle," Zhao Zhongyu paused and then continued, "Even if you could take him with you, he mustn’t leave; he needs to stay to stabilize the people’s morale."

Zhao Ji is actually not of much use, but he is Zhao Zhongyu’s son, Zhao Hanzhang’s uncle; his position is significant. Now, both civil and military officials are in a panic and want to flee. As Gou Xi goes out for war, internally Zhao Zhongyu and other ministers are needed to stabilize both civilian and military morale.

If news spread that Zhao Ji has fled, both civilian and military morale would certainly collapse, possibly even shaking the Emperor’s confidence.

If the Emperor loses faith in Yun City’s defense, then Yun City truly cannot be defended.

Therefore, even if Zhao Ji were fit to travel with Zhao Hanzhang, Zhao Zhongyu couldn’t allow him to leave.

Zhao Zhongyu urged her, "You must leave swiftly."

Fan Ying and others quickly packed their belongings. Zhao Hanzhang took up her spear, ready to depart. As Zhao Zhongyu escorted her to the door, he hesitated for a long time and then whispered, "Yu State is paramount, while Yan State and Your Majesty are significant, yet not as crucial as the Zhao Family. Since you have the intention..."

"Granduncle," Zhao Hanzhang softly interrupted him and said, "Though I have the intention, I will not let the Xiongnu ruin my country and harm my people. As long as Si Province and Yu State are safe, I will come to the rescue."

Zhao Zhongyu sighed, "Your burden is heavier than Gou Xi’s; the boundaries of Yu State and Si Province are vast, and this time, the Xiongnu forces also target Yu State primarily."

Indeed, Liu Cong’s forces are focusing on Yu State. The three armies marching towards Yu State are equal in number to those directed at Yan State, yet Shi Le’s main forces also target Yu State, which places immense pressure on Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang has contemplated this, believing she can stabilize the situation. She has a solid foundation in Yu State and is confident that if the Xiongnu were to besiege the city, the elders and children of Yu State could become a resource to collectively resist the enemy. For the Xiongnu to break the defenses and capture Yu State won’t be easy.

Zhao Hanzhang swiftly mounted her horse and departed with her people.

After leaving the city, she reunited with her personal guards and immediately headed towards Yu State.

Zhao Hanzhang switched to a carriage and discussed arrangements for Yu State and Si Province with Ming Yu.

"Zhao Ju will reinforce Yan State, and I wish to appoint Zhao Ming as Great Commander for Yu State, to oversee the Yu State’s troops," Zhao Hanzhang said, "Command Xun Xiu and Lu Xiyuan to divide the forces into two routes for guarding Yu State, while Ji Ping, Li Tianhe, Yuan Li, and Gao Yi each lead twenty thousand Zhao Family Army to follow their orders."

Ming Yu asked, "What about this side of Yan State? We need to prepare for the possibility of losing Yan State; once Yan State falls..."

"Leave this to Wang Nai," Zhao Hanzhang said, "Wang Nai and Zhao Ju have collaborated frequently over the past two years and gained experience; I trust them."

Ming Yu said, "What about Jingzhou..."

"I trust Wang Yifeng."

Ming Yu then remained silent, deliberated briefly, and nodded in agreement with Zhao Hanzhang’s arrangements, "With this, Yu State won’t have the forces to support Si Province."

Zhao Hanzhang sighed, "True, but the main forces of the Xiongnu and Shi Le are in Yu State."

Her fingers tapped lightly on her thigh, "We mustn’t let them lead us by the nose; they wish to conquer Yu State, to cut off Si Province and Yan State’s retreat. Hmph, I will not yield to them."

"Your Majesty has already widely issued decrees, commanding soldiers across the realm to support the throne. Fu Zhongshu is loyal and patriotic; he will definitely respond," Zhao Hanzhang said, "When I return to Si Province, we will join with Fu Zhongshu to rescue from Wei and Zhao."

Ming Yu’s eyes flashed, "You wish to assault Pingyang City?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Don’t you think it’s a good opportunity?"

Ming Yu said, "Pingyang is the capital of the Xiongnu Khanate and must be heavily guarded."

"I also have strong forces," Zhao Hanzhang said, "I didn’t dare act earlier this year not due to their strong forces, but because they could summon relentless reinforcements. But now, do they still have reinforcements?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Besides, there’s Liu Kun and Zu Ti; everyone who needs to act should take action. Hmph, Liu Yuan seeks to fish in troubled waters, to seize us all at once. But can he truly stomach this?"

If she had no connection with Tuoba Xianbei, she would write to provoke them to send troops for a share.

Hmm, she can discuss this with Liu Kun, as he is familiar with Tuoba Xianbei.

Zhao Hanzhang and Ming Yu deliberated in detail, and when the horses tired and the group grew hungry, they stopped to rest. She immediately instructed Ting He to prepare the ink and write letters.

Ming Yu and she each took half a table: she wrote letters, and Ming Yu penned various military orders.

Once she finished writing the letters, Ming Yu had also completed the military orders. Zhao Hanzhang signed and stamped, then called in a squad of messengers to distribute the orders and letters among them. The soldiers pooled together, managing to gather ten horses for them.

They were enabled to ride each with two horses.

Watching them ride away, Zhao Hanzhang finally felt the hunger in her belly.

She took the dry cake Ming Yu handed her and took a bite, now beginning to worry, "I wonder how Ting Han is faring in Luoyang, given his lack of military experience; should he be able to hold Luoyang?"

Ming Yu paused before responding, "Commander, Luoyang also has Mr. Ji."

Zhao Hanzhang became more concerned, "I suddenly realized, though Mr. Ji is my military advisor, he seldom participates in military decision-making, doing mostly logistical work like Ting Han."

Ming Yu organized his words to comfort her, but before he could speak, Zhao Hanzhang had already come to her senses and said, "It’s alright; there’s still General Beigong in Luoyang. If the situation becomes untenable, he will ensure that Ting Han and Mr. Ji evacuate."

"Second Son also has Mr. Xie by his side and will flee as well." These words were spoken to reassure, yet Zhao Hanzhang quickened her pace, knowing generals may flee, but could soldiers escape?

And what about the civilians?

If they can’t flee, what then?

Zhao Hanzhang traveled day and night, nearly wearing out her horses and losing over twenty people along the way, finally returning to Chen County on the third day.

Without exchanging pleasantries with Zhao Ming, she inquired whether the military orders had been sent out, while requesting for a horse.

Zhao Ming stopped her haste with one sentence, "Shi Le’s army is currently in Wei County."