After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 862 - 848: Husband and Wife

Wang Dao understood Wang Dun; he was impulsive but valued loyalty above all. If it wasn’t for the interests of their faction, even if he had a poor relationship with Wang Cheng, he wouldn’t resort to murder.

Wang Dao even suspected that Wang Dun killed Wang Cheng due to King Langya’s hint. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

They devoted themselves to King Langya, but if King Langya cannot shield them from the storm, is it still worth doing?

Cao Shu was much more straightforward, directly asking, "Why can’t Zhao Hanzhang become Lord Cao?"

After a long silence, Wang Dao said, "I’m afraid she’s not aiming to become Lord Cao but Wei Gaozu."

"Let her be," Cao Shu didn’t have much loyalty to Great Jin. She had little regard for the Sima family and said bluntly, "If she pacifies the nation, what’s wrong with her being emperor?"

"A Long, what is so worthwhile about the Sima family that you’re so loyal to them? If not for loyalty, choose to serve those with virtue and capability. If you’re afraid she’ll repeat the chaos of the past decades after pacifying the north, then let her be emperor. If she becomes the emperor herself, no one will contend with her, and naturally, there will be no chaos throughout the land."

Wang Dao couldn’t help but say, "You’re talking irresponsibly. Do you know Zhao Hanzhang dislikes aristocratic families? Ever since she governed Yu State, few aristocrats have been able to stand out."

"Is that not an examination based on talent? The aristocratic children start learning from three to five years old, with regard to books and esteemed teachers. How can children of humble origins compare with us? Yet if they still can’t surpass the children of humble origins in exams, isn’t that a problem with their intellect?" Cao Shu said, "If they have a problem with their brains, then they should stay at home quietly to avoid causing chaos in the world."

Wang Dao couldn’t speak for a long while, and upon reflection, he realized she might be right.

Yet he still felt a deep-seated fear, a fear stemming from the unknown.

He constantly felt that there was something about Zhao Hanzhang that he couldn’t understand, which made him somewhat afraid.

Seeing his indecision, Cao Shu stood up and said, "Forget it, if you can’t figure out the distant issues, then focus on the near ones. How will you deal with Chuzhong’s matter? If Zhao Hanzhang asks you for someone, will you give them or not?"

Naturally, Wang Dao didn’t want to give them.

He and Wang Dun grew up together, and they shared a deep bond. This time, Wang Dun was wrong, but...

Wang Dao gritted his teeth and said, "I will go see Fourth Lady."

"When you see her, what will you say? Pingzi is her own uncle."

Wang Dao and Wang Dun were a generation apart from her.

Wang Dao did not speak, and Cao Shu observed his expression, smiled, and knew he was still wavering.

She straightforwardly stopped speaking as well and got up to leave.

Wang Dao hurriedly called out to her, "You never interfere with my outside affairs. Why are you saying so much today?"

Cao Shu snorted and said, "Wasn’t it you who brought it up first? You said it, and I’m here to help you solve problems, and now you’re questioning me back?"

Wang Dao: "When did I question you? You were the one who asked me first."

"I saw you looking gloomy, so I casually asked. If you didn’t want to talk, you could have avoided it. Since you spoke, evidently you wanted to tell me, and since you did, naturally, I must give advice. Why are you questioning me again?"

Wang Dao couldn’t argue with her, and helplessly said, "Alright, it’s my fault, you go."

Cao Shu returned and sat next to him, "If you tell me to go, I’ll go? I’ll deliberately not go!"

Wang Dao: ...

He had no way to deal with her and could only let her be.

Cao Shu, while sitting, couldn’t keep still. She leaned close to him and quietly asked, "If we were to join Zhao Hanzhang, what position would you get?"

Wang Dao furrowed his brow deeply and scolded softly, "Watch your words, be careful not to create trouble with your speech."

Cao Shu: "Don’t worry, when I came over, the servants avoided us. Besides the two of us, there’s no third person in the entire courtyard."

Regarding his wife’s capabilities, Wang Dao was well aware, thus he kept silent.

Cao Shu, however, refused to stop, whispering, "If you recognize Zhao Hanzhang as your master, would you dare to take a concubine? She is a woman and dislikes men taking concubines the most."

Wang Dao couldn’t hold back, covered his face with his hand, and couldn’t stand it anymore, "Why did you suddenly start talking about taking concubines?"

"Why can’t I talk about it? Family rule first, then state and world peace. Family rule comes before Qi State, which shows the importance of this matter," Cao Shu warned in his ear. "I’m telling you, if you want Zhao Hanzhang to value you and achieve your aspirations, you must know what she likes, right? She doesn’t like men taking concubines, hence you must not take concubines, definitely not allowed."

Wang Dao didn’t agree, he only asked, "How do you know she doesn’t like men taking concubines?"

"She’s a woman, and I’m a woman too. How could I not know?" Cao Shu said proudly, "Does she allow concubines for Mr. Fu?"

Wang Dao: "She doesn’t allow concubines for Mr. Fu, perhaps she takes in male spouses instead? Food and sex are basic instincts. It’s human nature; it can be changed, but not forcibly."

"Alright, you want to take male spouses then? I knew it; no wonder all your servants are handsome men. Tell me, have they seduced you?"

Wang Dao wished to sew his mouth shut and swallow his words back, but words spoken are like water spilled; they couldn’t be collected. He could only stare into empty space and close his ears, pretending he didn’t hear his wife’s nagging...

Cao Shu: "...If you dare have a divided heart, I will follow Zhao Hanzhang’s lead and take male spouses!"

The imaginary male spouses of Zhao Hanzhang: ...

Though his wife was quite a handful, when quiet, Wang Dao couldn’t help but ponder privately.

In history, Wang Dun murdered Wang Cheng. The case was considered a sensation, not because the murderer wasn’t found, but because the motive wasn’t established.

People suspected it was due to the perpetual discord between Wang Dun and Wang Cheng, leading Wang Dun to commit murder in rage.

However, wise individuals vaguely sensed the matter was inseparable from King Langya, Wang Dun and Wang Cheng had differing political views, one supporting King Langya, the other supporting the Crown Prince of Central Plains, suggesting Wang Cheng died from a clash of interests.

Ultimately, the case was finalized as Wang Dun’s murder of Wang Cheng in anger, severely affecting his reputation and leading to his demotion.

Historically, Wang Dao didn’t have a second choice. During that period, Central Plains was chaotic, the Crown Prince was weakened, and only Xun Fan was by his side. He didn’t believe the Central Plains regime could continue.

But now, there was the powerful Zhao Hanzhang in Central Plains, giving Wang Dao a second option.

Though this second option made him anxious, filled with fear of the unknown future, it also inspired a thrilling feeling of brilliant prospects.

After the Jingzhou army pressed forward, Wang Dao still sought permission from King Langya, seeking to visit Wang Yifeng in Jingzhou, "I will do my best to persuade her to cease hostilities."

King Langya persistently asked, "Does Mao Hong still wish to dispatch troops to support Zhao Hanzhang?"

Wang Dao lowered his gaze and said, "I will utilize family affection, severely punish Chuzhong to show sincerity."

Only then did King Langya allow him to leave.

While Wang Dao was rushing to Jingzhou, Zhao Hanzhang’s interrogative letter arrived in Yangzhou, questioning King Langya, "The Crown Prince orders me to ask King Langya, is the Prince plotting rebellion? How can he instruct Wang Dun to murder a noble scholar, causing disillusionment among the scholars of the world?"