After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 861 - 847: Shifting Blame

Du Tao was not very satisfied with the place provided by Wang Si Niang, so he led his people to make a living around Poyang Lake. They believed the land near Poyang Lake was more fertile and wanted to settle there.

Wang Si Niang even discussed on his behalf with the Prefectural Governor of Poyang County to offer them a piece of land for settlement, but Wang Dun, wanting to take control of the other counties in Yangzhou, used the excuse that Du Tao was a traitor to come and suppress him.

The uprising of displaced people that had originally calmed down began to emerge again.

Originally, Wang Si Niang was just mediating from the middle; although this incident seemed related to her, it actually had little to do with her because Poyang County is within the borders of Yangzhou and does not fall under the jurisdiction of Jingzhou.

But even if it was unrelated to her, she could still speak to Du Tao due to Zhao Hanzhang’s influence, and she believed that as long as the enemies were not foreign, they could temporarily set aside their differences.

But things were different now. Wang Si Niang directly contacted Du Tao, wanting to work with him: "Don’t you want to settle the displaced people? Okay, let’s collaborate to take over Poyang County, Yuzhang County, and various counties. Any land within Yangzhou, we’ll seize it, and I’ll put in a word to Governor Zhao to give you a piece of land to settle your followers."

Du Tao, currently suppressed by Wang Dun, immediately agreed upon hearing this, formally joining Zhao Hanzhang with his men.

Wang Dao was in Jianye when he first heard that Wang Dun had killed Wang Cheng, barely recovering from the shock and anger when he immediately heard that Wang Yifeng intended to recruit Du Tao to assault Yangzhou.

Unable to contain his regret, Wang Dao stomped his foot, "They should not have met in the same place; how can Chuzhong be so impulsive? Pingzi, Pingzi..."

Reciting Wang Cheng’s courtesy name, Wang Dao couldn’t help but shed tears like rain. He was truly heartbroken; although their paths differed, they were brothers. Why did a small disagreement lead to murder?

The confidants around him were also anxious, speculating, "Wang Pingzi was proud and sharp-tongued; perhaps he got into a dispute with Chuzhong, and Chuzhong lost control in anger..."

"Impossible," Wang Dao said. "Chuzhong may be impulsive, but he is not reckless like that."

He briefly pondered and then understood, tearfully saying, "It’s probably because of the Southern and Northern dispute. How could one kill their kin merely due to differing political views? Chuzhong might not be able to gain support; Yangzhou is in danger, Chuzhong is in danger."

Indeed, the excuse Wang Dun used to kill Wang Cheng was not accepted by the people; even those who had originally sided with King Langya began to hesitate.

Being a member of the Wang Family and Wang Dun’s cousin, if Wang Dun could murder over political disagreement, it made others wonder...

In officialdom, conflicting opinions are common, and historically, many have died due to differing political views, haven’t they?

But in conflicts, killing requires a proper justification—be it corruption or governance failure. If there’s no fault, one would induce the other to err and then use that as an excuse to kill.

Not like Wang Dun, who directly killed and later concocted an obviously unconvincing excuse to implicate.

Morality is already at a low, and Wang Dun’s actions further lowered the moral standard. Moving forward, does having differing views mean allies can attack and kill each other? 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

This action was exceedingly vile and must be curbed.

Due to Wang Dun’s actions, people began to doubt King Langya.

If Wang Dun could mercilessly kill his brother, did King Langya instigate this?

King Langya, secretly pleased with Wang Cheng’s death: ...

Forced to act, Wang Dao petitioned King Langya to summon back Wang Dun and severely punish him, "Only by doing so can we save Chuzhong and quell the anger of Zhao Hanzhang and Wang Yifeng."

He said, "Although a battle between North and South is inevitable, at this time, transitioning from covert conflict to overt contention with Zhao Hanzhang is inadvisable; the Crown Prince is with her, and she’s resisting the Xiongnu. If war breaks out, the reputation of the Alliance Hierarch will be greatly damaged."

King Langya could persist in not launching a Northern Expedition but should first consolidate internally. However, clashing with Zhao Hanzhang while she confronts the Xiongnu is unwise; even if partial statesmen support them, public condemnation can be overwhelming.

The catastrophe since the establishment of Great Jin stems from its illegitimate founding, doesn’t it?

At last, realizing the urgency, King Langya paced anxiously and asked, "Now that Wang Yifeng is as domineering as Zhao Hanzhang and driven by her anger, how can she listen to advice? What if she insists on attacking Yangzhou? Are we to retreat continuously?"

"Even a woman can uphold great interests," Wang Dao slightly displeased but still kindly said, "The Alliance Hierarch can rest; I will negotiate with Wang Yifeng."

King Langya breathed a sigh of relief, laughing, "Mao Hong, talented as he is, and her uncle, can certainly persuade her."

Wang Dao shook his head, "Though I’m her uncle, I’m also a colleague; in discussing state affairs, sentiments alone are insufficient."

King Langya paused before asking, "How does Mao Hong intend to negotiate?"

After a brief silence, Wang Dao said, "The situation has changed; insisting on first stabilizing internally is now inappropriate. Alliance Hierarch, why not deploy troops to assist Zhao Hanzhang in quelling the Northern turmoil?"

King Langya’s face darkened, pondering a moment before stating, "If Zhao Hanzhang settles the North, will there still be a place for us in this realm?"

Once Zhao Hanzhang secures the North, her first act might be to kill him, right?

She has the Crown Prince under her control; even if unacknowledged by him, most people recognize it. By then, she wouldn’t need any pretexts, as killing him could be justified by imperial decree; could he defeat her?

Based on current power dynamics, even without overthinking, it’s clear that he cannot.

His confidence lies in the ongoing chaos in the Northern Xiongnu, with Zhao Hanzhang fully occupied dealing with them, unable to attend to any other matters.

Wang Dao regarded this as a temporary tactic; situations change, and who knows what the future holds?

But presently, King Langya cannot lose public favor.

However, King Langya didn’t view it this way; he felt Wang Dao was transferring the danger meant for Wang Dun onto him.

He deliberated briefly, "Ultimately, this is Wang Dun’s doing; perhaps Wang Cheng genuinely conspired with Du Tao? Better send someone to investigate, whether true or not, once clarified, we will know."

Wang Dao discerned the implicit meaning in King Langya’s words, his gentle smile gradually fading into silence; shortly thereafter, without further argument, he agreed, paid his respects, and took his leave.

Returning home, Wang Dao sat on the mat of the open pavilion, lost in thought.

Passing by, Cao Shu saw him and asked, "What troubles you so much?"

More relaxed facing his wife, Wang Dao let out a sorrowful sigh, feeling somewhat despondent, "Pingzi’s concerns are not without reason."

He recounted the matter of King Langya willing to abandon Wang Dun to his wife.

Clearly, King Langya does not wish to bear the risk of Wang Dun killing Wang Cheng, wanting the matter confined to personal conflict between Wang Dun and Wang Cheng, transforming it from a dispute over interests into a private feud, a murder case.

But with this approach, Wang Dun’s reputation would suffer, and Zhao Hanzhang might accuse Wang Dun; at that point, he may not even ensure his survival.

Now, Wang Dao seriously doubts whether King Langya would hand over Wang Dun’s head to Meng County if Zhao Hanzhang demanded it.

Frankly, Wang Dao chose King Langya partly for Great Jin, truly believing King Langya could stabilize the nation, not that he has exceptional talent, but because he’s normal, has military power, has people;

And partly for Mrs. Wang; with the chaos across the land, numerous noble families have faded away in wars—he aimed to preserve his family, ensuring its perpetual vitality.

This requires King Langya to feel gratitude towards him and Mrs. Wang, for Wang Dao gambled his and his family’s lives on King Langya, not for them to be sacrificed when troubles arise.