After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 844 - 831: Eliminating Dissent

Xun Fan and Xun Zu, on the other hand, felt that King Qin was more suitable and quietly advised him, "Currently, the Jin State only regards Zhao Hanzhang as influential. People like Wang Dao in Jiangdong aspire to elevate King Langya, but he is a distant branch, far inferior to you and Prince Yuzhang. As long as Zhao Hanzhang supports you, the world will abandon King Langya and choose you."

"All are descendants of the Ancestor, you and Prince Yuzhang have the same opportunity, but you are slightly older, making you more suitable."

Though young, King Qin could see farther than Xun Fan and Xun Zu. With a calm face, he said, "Uncle, speak cautiously. How can matters of the state be something you and I can plot?"

King Qin had long seen through it: becoming emperor was a path to death. Even if not killed, one would be gripped by powerful ministers, life and death no longer self-determined. Better to remain a carefree member of the imperial family.

Though not entirely free, at least the pressure was not as great.

Look at his Imperial Uncle and Imperial Brother. One was poisoned to death, and the other now in the hands of the Xiongnu, life or death unknown. The outcome could not be favorable.

Now that the Jin State is fragmented, ascending to emperorship would only hasten his demise.

He did not want to be emperor.

Xun Fan, discerning King Qin’s thoughts, couldn’t help but shed tears and said, "Great King, this is not about whether you want it or not, but about your responsibility."

He continued, "With chaos in the Central Plains and people displaced, only by establishing a new ruler can we command the world, restrain thieves and bandits, sparing the common people excessive suffering."

"Zhao Hanzhang can only manage Si Province and Yu State for now. Beyond these two provinces, without a king’s mandate, her command cannot reach," Xun Fan said. "Those places will be very chaotic, people will suffer greatly. Great King, I know that by making you ascend to the throne, you would be under Zhao Hanzhang’s control, and the end result may not be good. But this is your duty; you belong to the imperial family, this is your obligatory responsibility."

Seeing his face turn pale, he comforted him, "Don’t worry, Your Highness. I will help you. Zhao Hanzhang is a gentle woman by nature, even tolerating Gou Xi as emperor, so why wouldn’t she tolerate you?"

King Qin was not consoled, recalling his uncle’s frustration as emperor and his cousin’s anxiety as crown prince.

He said, "Isn’t Cousin Duan also suitable? He is still the crown prince’s younger brother. Anyways, Zhao Hanzhang only needs someone to sit on the throne. Does it matter who it is?"

Xun Fan said, "Prince Yuzhang is too young, too timid, and too cowardly."

In truth, King Qin was not an ideal candidate either. Though more insightful, he was also timid and cowardly, lacking courage.

Xun Fan sighed. Emperor Wu had eighteen sons, who sired grandsons. Among hundreds, it was hard to find one of courage, wisdom, and strategy, leading to the necessity of relying on a woman to turn the tide now.

The uncle and nephew parted in discord. King Qin became even more reticent, redirecting Yuan Li’s main efforts towards Prince Yuzhang.

With no one to turn to now, they didn’t dare to encounter anyone outside. Consequently, Yuan Li and the others were slow to obtain news. All they knew was that the Zhao Family Army had besieged the city for half a month, attacking sporadically, but having not yet conquered Ningling.

But Yuan Li had faith in the Zhao Family Army, believing that Ningling couldn’t hold out for long. So they planned to move closer to Wuping, "As long as the Zhao Family Army launches a strong attack on Ningling, the Han Army intercepting at various checkpoints will be redeployed. We can then pass through Wuping to Chen County. If not, we can find a safe place to wait for the Zhao Family Army to pass by, then join them."

Aside from Yan Ding, everyone else agreed.

As for Yan Ding, Yuan Li gave him a cold glance, secretly deciding to find an opportunity to kill him.

Yan Ding had no intention of defecting, genuinely wanting to protect the two princes. But by daring to lead them to Chang’an, he was betraying Zhao Hanzhang.

He acted for personal gain, ignoring his lord’s interest, deserving death!

After a short rest and distributing the dug-up taro among themselves, the group stealthily bypassed the roadblocks heading towards Wuping County.

Two days later, they settled in a dilapidated village, after guards checked and confirmed no one nearby, they decided to stay there to await news.

Yuan Li wandered around, called over a guard, whispered with him, then split to head toward Yan Ding.

Yan Ding stood not far from Prince Yuzhang, in a position allowing him to grab Prince Yuzhang first in case of emergency, both to protect and potentially use him as a hostage.

Yuan Li approached Prince Yuzhang, pulled out a handkerchief from his bosom and smiled, "Great King, I have a piece of dry food here..."

As soon as Prince Yuzhang heard this, his small eyes lit up, immediately stood and walked towards Yuan Li.

Yan Ding shifted his position to face Prince Yuzhang, Yuan Li spread open the handkerchief to show Prince Yuzhang. Once close, he grabbed Prince Yuzhang’s arm, lifted him, and threw him forcefully...

Yan Ding’s eyes widened, he rushed forward but heard a whizzing sound from behind. His hair stood on end, instinctively flipping mid-air. A large blade swung down narrowly across his back, crashing heavily onto the ground.

Prince Yuzhang was flung towards a guard, who quickly caught him. Holding him, they fled the battlefield.

Another guard simultaneously grabbed the nearby King Qin to escape.

Inside, only two guards and Yuan Li remained, along with the elderly and frail Xun Fan and Xun Zu.

Xun Fan and Xun Zu: ...

The two scrambled to get up and leave, but Yuan Li, with two guards drew their swords and attacked from three directions.

Yan Ding shouted in rage, "Yuan Li, you despicable scoundrel, dare you face me one-on-one?"

Yuan Li didn’t respond, each of his strikes aimed at vital points, killing intent focused.

Hmph, when it’s possible to defeat many with few, why fight one-on-one? 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

His life was preserved to protect the two young lords, to report back to the Inspector, to return and live prosperously, not to waste in petty duels!

The three hailed from the Zhao Family Army, acquainted from their time in the troop, coordinating seamlessly. Even with Yan Ding’s formidable strength, he couldn’t fight against six hands. Moreover, the combination of skills exceeded mere addition, and unwilling as he was, he fell to Yuan Li’s blade.

Fallen to the ground, he raised his head with effort, blood continuously gushing from his mouth, he glared hatefully at Yuan Li, "With the imperial bloodline in our hands, we could cooperate to elevate him, command the world. Then, you could become a Great General, Chief of Staff, even an Upper Pillar. Bring him back to Zhao Hanzhang, you’d at most get a promotion..."

Yuan Li remained unmoved, lowering his blade, stabbing it ruthlessly through his back, cutting off his words.

Looking at Yan Ding’s body, eyes open in disbelief, Yuan Li spat and said, "You think everyone is as self-interested as you?"

"To hold the Son of Heaven hostage, demanding dukes’ compliance, do you even have the capability!" Yuan Li turned, grinned coldly at Xun Fan and Xun Zu who had fallen on the ground, "Rest assured, we will protect you safely back to Chen County."

Xun Fan, barely regaining his composure, obediently said, "Thanks to General Yuan."