After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 813 - 803: Surging Waves and Twisting Clouds

Chapter 813: Chapter 803: Surging Waves and Twisting Clouds

Zhao Zhongyu returned to his residence, and Zhao Ji and Zhao Dian entered to greet him immediately.

Thanks to Zhao Hanzhang’s connections, Zhao Zhongyu received the best treatment among the Jin Ministers; not only did his strategist sons remain with him, but even his steward and guards were still around.

They were just under heavy surveillance.

Zhao Zhongyu entered with a grim face, followed silently by Zhao Ji and Tan Zhong. Zhao Dian, after glancing at the Xiongnu soldiers that escorted Zhao Zhongyu back, stayed at the door instead of entering.

As soon as they entered, Zhao Ji hurriedly asked, "Father, what did the Great General say?"

The last thing Zhao Zhongyu wanted to hear at that moment were the words "Great General," and especially from his son. His anger flared instantly as he interrogated, "Which Great General are you asking about? Gou Xi, the one who surrendered, or Liu Cong, the one who captured us?"

Zhao Ji’s face turned red as he lowered his head, yet he still protested, "Father, now that we are captured, you still keep your thoughts on the Zhao Family and Zhao Hanzhang, but have they thought of you?"

Zhao Zhongyu sneered, "You are alive now because of the influence of the Zhao Family and Zhao Hanzhang; otherwise, you would’ve perished with Lu Zuo and the others."

When Yun City was conquered, Zhao Zhongyu was inside the palace, while Zhao Ji was outside. He was hurt quite a lot, plus no one managed him since Zhao Hanzhang left the city was in constant war.

The grudges accumulated during Zhao Hanzhang’s presence left Zhao Ji without any outlet, so he sought out his delinquent friends to drink and have fun, while venting complaints about Zhao Hanzhang.

One night of revelry, sleeping peacefully, when the Xiongnu army breached Yun City, invaded the tavern killing and looting; these noble youth were cut down just like the entertainers and servants, only the beautiful women were spared.

The only reason Zhao Ji survived was because he shouted that he was Zhao Hanzhang’s uncle.

In that building, everyone, regardless of status, was killed.

He was only brought to Zhao Zhongyu’s side because of Zhao Hanzhang.

Without Zhao Hanzhang’s influence, as a merely titled Shangcai Marquis with no real power or connections, he would’ve been living among other low-ranking Jin Ministers and nobles in the livestock pen.

Thinking of the uncertain future and insecurity regarding life and death, Zhao Zhongyu grew unsettled, looking somberly at his son, still distrusting him, and after pushing him out, conferred with Tan Zhong, "The emperor won’t commit suicide; Liu Cong will likely use us to threaten Hanzhang."

Tan Zhong sighed, "Fear of death is common to all men. What do you plan to do, my lord?"

Zhao Zhongyu responded, "I can’t escape, but you might try."

He said, "Zu Ti is Hanzhang’s man. You should find a way to contact him. If you can save the emperor, that’s best; if not, run if you can. If you happen to meet Third Lady, ask her to take good care of the Zhao Family, and the siblings, including the eldest."

Tan Zhong agreed tearfully.

Zhao Zhongyu and others were tightly guarded, with their fate unknown, leaving them with much idle time,

Occasionally, Zhao Zhongyu would be taken to banquets, along with Emperor Jin, to be mocked by the Xiongnu. As for Zhao Ji, nobody bothered humiliating him, leaving him quite idle, but he still felt uncomfortable.

Not venturing beyond their small courtyard was bearable, but once he stepped out, he was met with contemptuous looks from everyone, even from servants, who could mock and slight him.

So Zhao Ji was quite distressed. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Yet his distress paled in comparison to the misery Zhao Zhongyu and other Jin Ministers faced.

They were also humiliated, but could face it with a steady gaze. What they couldn’t bear was witnessing Emperor Jin being ridiculed and scolded by the Xiongnu.

Seeing their sovereign mocked by Xiongnu, Jin Ministers felt their hearts gnawed at until then realizing how right Zhou Chang’s suicide was.

Some Jin Ministers started seeking death, but simply dying was unsatisfactory, so they attempted to unite with captive warriors, aiming to escape with the emperor.

Someone also came quietly to Zhao Zhongyu, "I have a subordinate who surrendered to Gou Xi, recently sent a covert message saying Gou Xi and Wang Zan plan to rebel, why not ally with them?"

Upon hearing Gou Xi, Zhao Zhongyu disdainfully replied, "Gou Daojiang is no longer the Great General he once was. Do you think he can rebel?"

"I think it’s possible; Shi Le wreaked havoc in Jizhou before being defeated by Gou Xi."

"That was Gou Daojiang of the past, not of today," Zhao Zhongyu said, "Had he possessed his former resolve, he wouldn’t have surrendered to Shi Le a month ago. He has declined these past years; plotting rebellion is bound to fail."

Zhao Zhongyu further commented on Wang Zan, "Loyal perhaps, but without strategy; not someone to be allied with. If you wish to provoke Liu Cong to kill the emperor and us, I’m willing to follow. But if for self-preservation alone, I advise keeping distance."

The counterpart was displeased, "How would I want to provoke Liu Cong into killing the emperor?"

The emperor could commit suicide or fall in battle but mustn’t be unjustly murdered post-capture; otherwise, no one would ever trust or believe in Jin’s resurgence.

A company, seeing no future in itself, would drive employees away.

Though prospects are dim, a subtle glimmer of hope remains, keeping habituated Jin Ministers willing to endure the trial; Jin wouldn’t entirely perish at once.

Zhao Hanzhang, nominally a Jin Minister, rules over plenty of loyal subjects to Jin; Zhao Zhongyu feared they’d become disheartened and defect to Xiongnu, so he wouldn’t let the Xiongnu murder the emperor.

The emperor might end his life, but not be murdered post-capture.

A new emperor must be established, has a capable candidate been found outside?

Zhao Ming is searching, though Zhao Hanzhang claimed she wouldn’t establish another emperor, he still needed a member of the royal family in hand, enabling strike or retreat.

Many are searching, within and beyond the battlefield, amid tumult, none seeing the future concealed within the clouds and mist.

Initially agreed so well in Yun City to dispatch reinforcements, yet many inspectors never returned; even Guangzhou Governor Wang Dun fled, taking troops and supplies from Guangzhou straight to Xuzhou, escorting King Langya and Mrs. Wang’s family to safety in Yangzhou.

Not long after Jin Emperor’s capture was revealed, rumors spread that Emperor Yan’s descendants perished in Yun City, even the Crown Prince dead, the emperor captured with no royal family surviving.

Thus, Yangzhou Governor, Guangzhou Governor, and Xuzhou Chief Historian jointly petitioned for King Langya as the Great Alliance Leader, commanding national military and organizing resistance against the Xiongnu.

Wang Dao advised King Langya, "Zhao Hanzhang now dominates Central Plains; her attitude is crucial. Great King, better to send a letter seeking her consent, also appoint her Vice Governor, overseeing Northern Land affairs."

This intended division of north and south, initially securing control over the south.

King Langya’s heritage provided convenience; he was royalty, making him a legitimate Great Alliance Leader, yet in power and reputation, he lagged behind Zhao Hanzhang.

Therefore, King Langya felt uncertain.

Nevertheless, Wang Dao assured him, "You have Mrs. Wang; our Wang clan will wholeheartedly assist you."

King Langya settled his qualms, writing a heartfelt letter to Zhao Hanzhang following Wang Dao’s guidance.