After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 809 - 799: Prisoners

The emperor was captured because Gou Xi and Gou Chun were lured into advancing deeply, and they lost themselves in successive victories, becoming arrogant and conceited. Liu Cong then counterattacked and defeated them, while Shi Le circled behind, directly cutting off their retreat. First, Gou Chun was captured, and then Gou Xi... the letter stated that he felt the great momentum was gone, with only a few hundred riders by his side, ultimately forced to surrender to Shi Le to save his life.

Ming Yu’s heart ached upon reading this, and tears instantly welled up in his eyes, filled with sorrow, "The Great General... has fallen to such a state."

The two years of indulgence not only ruined Gou Xi’s body but also spoiled his mind. How could he surrender?

If only he didn’t surrender, within the borders of Yan State, with the emperor present, he could rally and form a new army. Even if he couldn’t turn defeat into victory, as long as he found the emperor and escorted him to Yu State or Jiangnan, they could rise again. How could he surrender out of fear of death?

This was a fatal blow to the morale of the Great Jin.

Ming Yu hurriedly continued reading, as soon as Gou Xi and his brother surrendered, the emperor faced difficulties. Almost as soon as the news of his surrender spread, the two subordinate generals originally belonging to Gou Xi also took their armies and surrendered to Shi Le.

The emperor could only muster the remaining generals to defend Yun City, but Liu Cong’s aggressive attack meant he couldn’t hold it.

Zhao Ju was on the western line, delayed by Shi Le’s fifty thousand troops, and unable to assist in time. By the time he returned, Liu Cong had already gone back and captured the emperor and numerous ministers and members of the imperial family.

Zhao Ju was also defeated, disappearing with the remaining eight thousand soldiers of the Zhao Family Army.

Ming Yu suppressed the sadness in his heart, folded the letter, and looked at Zhao Hanzhang, "Your Majesty is now in Liu Cong’s hands, should we surrender?"

Zhao Hanzhang furrowed her brows, pondered for a moment, and said, "The emperor can be replaced again." Surrendering was impossible.

Ming Yu secretly breathed a sigh of relief and immediately said, "With the emperor captured, we don’t know where the Crown Prince is. Aside from the Crown Prince, currently, among the imperial family, only King Wu, Sima Yan, and King Qin, Sima Ye, are closely related by blood to the emperor."

They are all descendants of Emperor Jin Wu, Sima Yan.

In total, Sima Yan had twenty-six sons. Except for a few who died young, the remaining have gradually passed away over the years as well. The current emperor is the youngest one. Besides him, there’s still one King Wu alive.

All other princes are dead, and as for their descendants, not many are left alive.

The Sima family was prolific, too many grandchildren, she couldn’t remember them all. Besides, too many have died in recent years.

Many died during the Rebellion of the Eight Princes, and two years ago, Shi Le killed another batch. Now with Yun City fallen, it’s unclear how many survived.

Zhao Hanzhang wrote a letter to Zhao Ming, instructing him to defend Yu State and seek out any surviving members of the imperial family and officials.

As for the emperor, save him if possible. If not, wait until she returns to discuss further.

After a pause, Zhao Hanzhang still entrusted him to inquire about Zhao Zhongyu, "As the Chief of Staff, he must be by the emperor’s side. If you can contact him, tell him to ensure his survival first, and I’ll think of a way to exchange for him."

Zhao Hanzhang sent the letter out, then turned and ordered Luoyang to launch a full attack on Pingyang County, instructing Beigong Chun to support Shangdang.

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Convert all captives into military slaves, and tell them, they can earn civilian status through military merit. Those who become civilians can choose to leave the army and farm; they can also remain in the military and rise through military achievements. Tell them, I, Zhao Hanzhang, treat everyone equally, regardless of whether they are Han people, Xiongnu, Jiehu, or Xianbei. As long as they don’t violate the laws I set, they are all good citizens!"

"I, Zhao Hanzhang am not cruel, nor do I kill indiscriminately. Follow me, and those with ability can not only be well-fed but also build a career and bring glory to their ancestors! Those without ability can farm and graze without dying unjustly!"

Fan Ying and Zeng Yue noted down her words and personally went to persuade and convince the captives.

The next day, Zhao Hanzhang personally spoke before the formation, shaking the hearts that were already wavering.

Among the captives, the Han people were self-evident. As soon as Zhao Hanzhang spoke, they surrendered.

The rest were barbarians. They hesitated because Shi Le treated them fairly well.

Apart from some who were forcibly conscripted, the rest were persuaded to join after Shi Le entered Bingzhou.

The barbarians were not in a good situation at the time.

The Sima family’s misdeeds led to constant chaos, making life difficult for the common people. And the barbarians were also commoners in the Great Jin. When migrating here, the governors and county magistrates of Jin favored Han people, imposing more taxes on barbarians and the lower-status commoners.

When officers couldn’t pay military salaries, they were captured as refugees and escapees to be sold for military pay. And when Liu Yuan established the Han Kingdom, the Xiongnu still looked down on Jiehu and other mixed barbarians, further oppressing and exploiting them.

Therefore, Zhang Bin persuaded Shi Le to raise the banner of Jiehu and unite other barbarians to dominate a territory.

Indeed, Shi Le did just that. After entering Shangdang, his position gradually solidified, and Liu Cong attempted several times to seize Shangdang but failed.

Thus, Zhao Hanzhang’s temptation only briefly shook them, insufficient to earn their loyalty.

Zhao Hanzhang declared, "Since you surrender to me, you must be loyal to me! During this period, anyone who dares to betray me or acts against me will be executed without mercy!"

The captives silently lowered their heads, reassuring the Great General that their bodies were loyal to Zhao Hanzhang, but their minds wouldn’t be faithful to her— it’s all for survival.

Zhao Hanzhang made brief arrangements and left Tunliu County, leading the army toward Lu County.

Among the captives, she selected two subordinate generals, inquired about the whereabouts of their family and friends, then had them follow her. She used them to breech the gates of two cities along the way, and after receiving their family and friends, Zhao Hanzhang met them, selected two literate youths among their children to serve as clerks in Tunliu County, and chose two girls to assist Fan Ying with paperwork, essentially menial tasks.

She also had their wives join the military medical team, learning medicine and helping treat wounded soldiers, with military status and monthly pay.

Upon calculation, it was stronger than their husbands who gained military merit but were still in the status of military slaves.

The two barbarians kneeled before Zhao Hanzhang, tearfully vowing to be loyal to her.

Zhao Hanzhang nodded and sent them away, promoting them to lead a squad, each commanding a hundred captives.

As they left the main tent, Sun Dong and Zhi Hei exchanged glances. In truth, they didn’t wish to betray the Great General; it’s just that Zhao Hanzhang offered so much, and the circumstances demanded it. If someday they were captured by the Great General, they’d switch allegiance to her again, confident the Great General would understand.

Zhi Hei muttered quietly, "My heart is still loyal to the Great General."

His body... was beyond his control.

During the attack on Lu County, Zhi Hei volunteered to lead the charge, fiercely assaulting Lu County. Only by earning merit could he shed his slave status and become military personnel. Governor Zhao— no, Zhao Hanzhang said when he accumulated enough military merit to become an Assistant General, she’d have his son transferred to his command, even his wife could join his camp as a Medical Woman.