After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 855 - 841: Reunion

Wuliang imitated bird calls as a signal in return, and the two of them exchanged some information. Wuliang didn’t tell him that this was the Zhao Family Army personally led by Zhao Hanzhang, only mentioned that they obeyed Chen County.

After the calls ceased, Wuliang reported to Zhao Hanzhang, "Sir, they claim to be the Zhao Family Army from Luoyang."

Zhao Hanzhang had already heard. The people from Luoyang who were brought out were either with her or with Zhao Erlang and Zeng Yue. Were these Zeng Yue’s troops?

Or did Erlang break through Ningling?

But they shouldn’t have come all the way over here, right?

After waiting for a while, there was rustling in the forest, and soon a person emerged.

The Zhao Army stood facing him, watching cautiously.

He also looked at them cautiously, his eyes scanning their attire and weapons. Only upon seeing their weapons did he relax a little.

Clothes can be faked, but the Zhao Family Army’s weapons are not easy to counterfeit. Unless defeated and confiscated, it’s hard to obtain weapons made by the Zhao Family.

As he walked further in, he quickly spotted Zhao Hanzhang in the dark and his eyes lit up. He rushed forward two steps and just as Wuliang and others were about to draw their swords, he dropped to his knees and shouted loudly, "My lady, humble Niu Qing greets my lady."

Only the slaves and the earliest followers of the Zhao Family would address Zhao Hanzhang in this manner. Those recruited later called her Inspector or Sir. Zhao Hanzhang squinted and recognized him, "Niu Qing? Where is Yuan Li?"

Niu Qing exclaimed excitedly, "General Yuan is in the village. My lady, we’ve found Prince Yuzhang and King Qin."

Seeing Niu Qing’s face clearly, only then did Wuliang and the others release their grip on their sword hilts.

Zhao Hanzhang asked a bit about Yuan Li and the others and immediately decided to move the entire army to the village where Yuan Li and the others were to rest for the night.

Yuan Li and the others were only ten miles from here, and taking the small paths reduced the distance to seven or eight miles.

It’s an empty village, likely ransacked by the Shi Army, and the people inside had fled. It’s close to Sui County, and a bit further away, near Xiaxi County, offering many escape routes.

The Shi Army has two checkpoints below. According to captured Shi soldiers, Zhi Xiong chose this route to regroup the Shi Army from the two checkpoints, to maneuver out of Meng County and head to Xiaxi County.

Like Zhao Hanzhang, he believed Shi Le hadn’t come to support Meng County because Zhao Ju was holding him back.

He thought that even if Shi Le was held up, he still had the upper hand, and Zhao Ju couldn’t gain any advantage with him, so he intended to join Shi Le with the remaining troops.

Niu Qing and several trusted aides first returned to the village to inform Yuan Li, arriving only minutes ahead of Zhao Hanzhang.

Otherwise, with the army nearing, given Yuan Li’s caution, he would have definitely taken people and fled.

Sure enough, just as Niu Qing entered the village, he saw Yuan Li and the others preparing to flee with Prince Yuzhang and King Qin. Hearing Niu Qing report that it was Zhao Hanzhang, Yuan Li halted.

Still skeptical, his gaze swept over the trusted aides, holding the knife near Prince Yuzhang’s side, and said to another comrade, "Old Meng, go meet them. Old Niu will stay."

Old Meng agreed and swiftly mixed into the forest with his blade.

Niu Qing didn’t feel offended. Having followed Yuan Li since the old family head’s time, he knew his suspicious nature. Unless facing enemies directly on the battlefield, he would doubt everyone except Sir.

Soon, Old Meng returned fast, joyfully saying, "I saw the lady on horseback."

"Are you sure?"

"I’ve confirmed it. The general knows that my night vision is the best."

This was one of the reasons Yuan Li sent him.

Yuan Li finally confirmed, quickly leading people to the village entrance to welcome Zhao Hanzhang.

Xun Fan and Xun Zu exchanged a glance, staying close to King Qin’s side, hoping to remind him to pay attention to his demeanor soon.

King Qin was anxious but didn’t intend to listen to his two uncles. He truly didn’t want to be emperor.

Zhao Hanzhang dismounted, Yuan Li immediately led the people forward to greet her, Xun Fan and Xun Zu hurriedly surrounded King Qin and Prince Yuzhang and approached; only then did she stand firm, and they bowed to greet her.

Zhao Hanzhang saw both Prince Yuzhang and King Qin safe and sound, let out a sigh of relief, stepped forward to help them up. King Qin and Prince Yuzhang’s faces paled. They involuntarily took a step back, the small hands held by Zhao Hanzhang trembling slightly.

The Zhao Army had just experienced a battle, carrying an aura of bloodshed. Even with Zhao Hanzhang’s smile, the two young princes could sense an air of murder and fierceness from her.

Zhao Hanzhang noticed, released them, stepped back two steps to create a safe distance, and smilingly returned their courtesy, her tone gentle, "The two young princes should rest first. Once I have settled the army, we shall converse."

King Qin and Prince Yuzhang were more than willing; the brothers immediately left hand in hand.

Xun Fan and Xun Zu tried to stop them but couldn’t, so only followed up to apologize to Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang softly reassured them until their anxiety faded and then looked at Yuan Li, praising, "You’ve done well; you’ve achieved a significant accomplishment this time."

Yuan Li maintained a composed expression, "This was my duty, my lady."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, walked aside with him, and asked about the situation.

Yuan Li had brought two teams of elite soldiers, a full two hundred men, all elites from the Zhao Family Army, but in the end, only a few remained.

Yuan Li felt a bit down, "Besides those fallen in battle, many scattered as rearguards or led pursuing enemies away. I believe they should still be alive."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "I will issue orders to the county governments to keep an eye out for those seeking help, hoping to bring them back."

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at the fire inside the house, where King Qin and Prince Yuzhang were sitting, and slightly raised her chin to ask, "How are the two young princes?"

The Sima family’s numbers were overwhelming. Though these princes had titles, few held actual power, so Zhao Hanzhang rarely knew much about them.

Historically...

Historically, Emperor Min and Prince Yuzhang died young, unable to showcase their worth. Their lives were controlled by others, only issuing proclamations in their names representing the views of their backing forces, not theirs.

The historical records were sparse, revealing little Zhao Hanzhang could gather from them.

Yuan Li whispered, "The two young princes are a year apart. Though King Qin is weak, he has some ideas, while Prince Yuzhang is young and listens to others."

He said, "Upon knowing gratitude, he knows that it was Sir who saved him, making him very close and trusting of Sir."

Hinting that Prince Yuzhang was more suitable for the next emperor.

Zhao Hanzhang remained silent, turning to enter the house.

The four sitting by the fire immediately stood up; Xun Fan and Xun Zu wanted to speak but saw Zhao Hanzhang look down at King Qin and Prince Yuzhang, her bearing still carrying murderous intent, and occasionally glancing coldly at them, making them tremble and dare not speak.

King Qin and Prince Yuzhang nervously curled their toes.

Zhao Hanzhang seemed unaware, went up to find a seat, and seeing the two still standing, she finally gestured, "Please sit, young princes."