After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 859 - 845: Murder

Wang Cheng’s mouth only softened when facing his own brother. To others, not even his father could receive a kind word from him, let alone his niece.

The two of them already disliked each other; if she weren’t Wang Yan’s daughter, how could he allow her to be so insolent in Jingzhou?

No one ever could stop Wang Cheng from doing what he wanted, so he swung his whip, hitting Wang Si Niang’s hand, and striking the horse’s neck at the same time.

His horse neighed loudly, raised its hooves and ran off, the driver sitting on the shaft was caught off guard, leaned back, and nearly fell off the carriage, whereas Wang Cheng, standing on the shaft, barely swayed and stood firm. Seeing Wang Si Niang’s horse also startled, stepping back and spinning in circles, he laughed heartily, saying, "You still want to stop me? Learn some martial arts from your lord first."

Wang Cheng’s guards quickly spurred their horses to chase after him; by the time Wang Si Niang finally calmed her horse, Wang Cheng had already run out of sight.

She was so angry that she waved her whip, lashing the air several times, and finally called her attendant, instructing, "Go after Uncle, warn him to endure momentary anger for his own safety, and tell him to rein in his temper, not to be too harsh."

The attendant felt a chill at the scalp but nodded under Wang Si Niang’s gaze and went silently.

Wang Cheng completely ignored Wang Si Niang’s mocking and warning. Indeed, he didn’t consider it advice, but Wang Si Niang’s sarcasm.

Due to disturbances caused by refugees on the road (this is also one reason Wang Cheng refused to support King Langya; although claims were made to quell the refugee riots, yet after Wang Dun sent troops, the disturbances grew, affecting Jingzhou from Poyang.), Wang Cheng had to change his route and passed through Yuzhang.

Coincidentally, Wang Dun was also in Yuzhang.

Wang Dun was clearly the Guangzhou Governor, yet he resided in the Governor Mansion of Yuzhang County. Wang Cheng couldn’t stand his disregard for imperial orders, privately bringing troops away from Guangzhou, ignoring the chaos in Central Plains, and upon entering the city, he immediately headed to the Governor Mansion, and upon seeing Wang Dun’s face, he began to ridicule.

"Chuzhong truly puts the world first, striving for dominance while the Central Plains is in turmoil. Big brother said you have great talent, in my view, not only do you possess great talent, but you’re unparalleled in greed and deceit, the true number one hypocrite today."

Wang Dun, incensed, retorted with aggression, "Don’t judge a gentleman’s heart with a villain’s intent; I don’t believe you can’t see Zhao Hanzhang’s ambition, young ruler and strong minister, it’s merely a continuation of the path."

Calming his anger, he said to Wang Cheng, "Among the royal clan now, only King Langya is older and ambitious enough; supporting him can end the decades-long dominance of strong ministers over weak rulers."

Wang Cheng scoffed, "The country is lost, the people reduced to pigs and dogs, the state is no longer, and yet at this time you’re thinking of supporting King Langya to fight Zhao Hanzhang internally?"

With a calm demeanor, Wang Dun confidently replied, "To deal with external threats, one must first ensure internal peace. Once we’ve subdued the internal chaos, united the nation as one, what fear is there from mere Xiongnu?"

Wang Cheng, furious, scolded him, "No fear of Xiongnu, so why did you run?"

Emotionally stirred, Wang Dun replied, "Gou Xi is indulging in pleasure, the emperor has desires for independence, the court officials each have their own agendas, and no matter how many of me there are, if there’s disunity, even ten of me are useless."

He said, "Can the troops from Guangzhou thrown into battle stop Liu Cong’s assault on Yun City, or prevent Gou Xi’s great defeat? This is entirely due to the dominance of strong ministers over weak rulers; if King Langya controls the court, united as one, the disaster can be reduced."

Wang Cheng replied, "King Langya? Scoff, he has ambition but lacks great aspirations, give him power, and he will likely forget about the Central Plains and Northern Land."

"Impossible, which emperor does not dream of unifying the realm and achieving everlasting dominance?" Wang Dun confidently said, "As long as internal unity is achieved, with everyone united, I can ensure he certainly will launch a northern expedition."

Wang Dun was confident, if given all national resources, he could reclaim lost lands, "Characters like Liu Yuan, ruthless and lacking virtue, the Han people in the Central Plains yearn to return, and then I will manage external affairs, and my brother internal, with Your Majesty’s full support, all lost lands can be reclaimed."

Wang Cheng coldly snorted, "Change of women in marriage, fickle hearts easily change, how can you be sure your heart won’t change then, Mao Hong’s heart won’t change, or King Langya’s heart won’t change?"

"Zhao Hanzhang can reclaim lost lands now, whether today or another day, the difference is many fewer deaths now," Wang Cheng sneered, "Or is it that you don’t want to let Zhao Hanzhang achieve such unprecedented accomplishments and thus constantly impeded?"

"Ah, not exactly, how could it be letting? With your present prestige, talents, how could you compare with Zhao Hanzhang?" Wang Cheng spat toward him, "And still claim to be the Qilin son of Wang Clan, not even comparable to a maiden only using covert calculations behind the scenes."

Wang Dun, angered by his words, felt his head throb, in terms of verbal prowess, Wang Yan claimed five parts of the world, Wang Cheng claimed four parts, leaving only one part for other people to share. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Thus Wang Dun truly couldn’t argue back.

Unable to argue, his fury clashing within his chest turned his eyes red; unable to endure, he reached directly to choke Wang Cheng’s throat...

Wang Cheng was choked, unable to speak momentarily, he could only glare while using force to claw his hand.

Wang Cheng’s frame was imposing, his strength immense, and amid urgency he managed to pry open his fingers, after a while, he faintly uttered, "Chuzhong..."

Chuzhong was Wang Dun’s courtesy name, hearing the sound made him somewhat rational, slowly loosening his fingers amidst Wang Cheng’s efforts to pry them.

Wang Cheng took the opportunity to escape from his grip, stepped back repeatedly, bent over and gasped, also coughing violently.

His eyes red, he glared at Wang Dun, who was staring dazedly at his own hand, turned around, and headed out.

Wang Cheng clutched his throat and staggered out, upon seeing his guards, he immediately said, "Wang Dun wants to kill me!"

As soon as the words fell, Wang Dun caught up; his face full of regret, he stepped forward and grabbed Wang Cheng saying, "Brother, this is my fault, I lost control, come inside, I’ll offer tea to apologize."

Wang Cheng flung away his hand, snorted coldly, "Just because you say go in, I will? You nearly strangled me just now!"

Wang Dun, ashamed, continued to pull at his sleeve, "This is my fault, in a moment of urgency, I lost control, come inside, and I’ll apologize."

Wang Cheng raised his chin, "Kneel down and apologize then?"

Biting his teeth, Wang Dun replied, "I’ll kneel and apologize to you."

Only then did Wang Cheng grumble and follow him back, waving to dismiss his guards.

His guards didn’t take it to heart, only thinking the two cousins were quarreling.

Wang Dun pulled Wang Cheng back inside, offered him the main seat, turned around to pour tea yet walked to the side, grasping the sword hanging on the wall.

He drew it out abruptly, turned, and charged at Wang Cheng.

Wang Cheng’s eyes widened, dodging as he shouted, "Wang Dun, are you mad?"

Wang Dun’s expression was somber, the previous hesitation vanished completely, leaving only coldness in his eyes, "Different paths cannot work together, I never considered harming my brother, but if he doesn’t unite with me, then pardon me, for the great cause, anyone can die."