After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 863 - 849: Lip Reading

At this moment, Wang Cheng seemed like a person of noble character, a revered figure by Zhao Hanzhang, as she eloquently wrote hundreds of words lamenting Wang Cheng’s wrongful death, and then questioned King Langya, asking if he intended to kill all who supported the Emperor and Crown Prince in their efforts to quell the wars in the Central Plains.

She straightforwardly pinned the murder case on King Langya, assuming it was him who instructed Wang Dun to kill.

King Langya was infuriated, quickly summoned someone and handed the letter to them, saying, "Hurry and catch up with Mao Hong, give him the letter, and have him quickly escort Chuzhong back. We must give Zhao Hanzhang an explanation for this matter."

King Langya paused, recalling he still relied on the brothers Wang Dun and Wang Dao, then said, "Tell Mao Hong this is a temporary measure and will not harm Chuzhong. Once the storm passes, he will remain my Great General."

His confidant agreed, promptly took the letter from King Langya and set off.

While Wang Dao was heading to Jingzhou, Yuan Li was also receiving orders to lead people to Jingzhou, accompanied by Sun Linghui who arrived later on the battlefield.

However, Sun Linghui was not heading to Jingzhou but to Yangzhou.

She traveled with Yuan Li, parting ways just before reaching Lujiang.

Yuan Li was ordered to assist Wang Si Niang in Jingzhou; should Jingzhou and Yangzhou truly engage in battle, Wang Si Niang would require a general capable of challenging Wang Dun.

In terms of deploying troops, Yuan Li may not match Wang Dun, but on the battlefield, he can attempt to make a stand. Besides, she also needed more intelligence about Yangzhou.

Apart from Yuan Li, Zhao Hanzhang also sent Wang Xuan back.

However, Wang Xuan was currently following Zhao Ju, who was tailing Shi Le and unable to get away at the moment, thus would take longer to depart.

Sun Linghui’s journey to Yangzhou was for Cao Shu.

Zhao Hanzhang specifically met with Sun Linghui and said to her, "Cao Shu was born into a prestigious family, has a determined character, and is insightful. She can influence Wang Dao, so you must try to persuade her."

Zhao Hanzhang spoke with profound meaning, "Everyone has emotions and is easily influenced by close ones around them, so the whispers of the pillow are crucial."

Sun Linghui replied, "But I have seen the intelligence given by Mr. Ji, which states Cao Shu is jealous and has not allowed Wang Dao to take concubines in the past two years, even replacing the maids by his side with male servants, with their relationship deteriorating. At this time, asking her to persuade Wang Dao, wouldn’t it be counterproductive?"

"You also mentioned it’s the past two years, which means Cao Shu wasn’t jealous before then," Zhao Hanzhang said, "In her youth, she wasn’t upset about Wang Dao taking concubines, why is she now bothered when she’s older?"

Sun Linghui, who hadn’t married or found someone she liked, pondered for a bit but couldn’t comprehend, "Why is that?"

"Perhaps because she fell ill," Zhao Hanzhang replied, "As people reach a certain age, their bodies experience some changes, and their mentality follows suit."

Sun Linghui looked puzzled.

"A skilled doctor may know how to treat it, you can try to find them out. If you can’t find one, comfort her a bit. At this time, she needs someone to understand her, let her express more and relieve pressure," Zhao Hanzhang continued, "Cao Shu has a son, with a very close mother-son relationship, you can start with her son."

Sun Linghui took note of everything, thus her goal for this trip was Cao Shu, hoping to influence Wang Dao through her.

King Langya only relied on Wang Dao and his brother; without them, he would merely be one of the many royal princes without any significance.

The truly talented Sima Shao is only eleven years old this year.

Zhao Hanzhang had no time to contend with King Langya at the moment, nor did she wish to stir up an internal war. If she could acquire peacefully, she would try not to take action.

If the Wang Dao brothers could be used by her, would King Langya’s southern government still exist?

After making arrangements, Zhao Hanzhang temporarily set this matter aside. She had already written a letter to Wang Si Niang, and instructed Wang Xuan to restrain himself even if he despised Wang Dun.

They could stage troops in Yangzhou and mobilize Yangzhou’s soldiers and civilians to stir up trouble, but should not take action lightly.

At this moment, Zhao Hanzhang’s forces were engaged by Shi Le and Liu Cong. If a substantial war broke out in the south, not only would she be unable to provide support, but she would also find herself attacked from all sides.

However, Zhao Hanzhang judged that King Langya certainly didn’t wish to fight her at this time either.

If King Langya were to send troops against her now, his reputation in the world would be utterly tarnished.

By then, rising in revolt, anyone could break away from Jin and establish their own rule, truly spelling crisis for Great Jin.

After writing her indictment of Wang Dun and King Langya, Zhao Hanzhang turned her attention towards the operations against Shi Le.

With reinforcements and supply materials arriving from various regions, Zhao Hanzhang’s combat against Shi’s army became increasingly advantageous. She was confident that given more time, she could reclaim all of Yan State and drive Shi Le out of Yu State and Yan State.

Previously, Shi Le hadn’t come to support Meng County, abandoned Zhi Xiong and Tao Bao, and after leaving Xiaxi County, headed straight back to Yan State, seizing Chengyang and Yun City from Zeng Yue, using Juye Marsh as the boundary to block the Zhao Family Army.

Once Zhao Hanzhang captured Meng County and reinstated the Crown Prince, Shi Le had already seized three cities, nearly killing Zeng Yue.

It was only after Zhao Hanzhang dispatched Zhao Erlang to provide support that Shi Le’s assault slowed down.

But the two sides stalled, with Chengyang County — Juye Marsh as the limit, fought several battles resulting in wins and losses.

Shi Le hadn’t exerted full effort; he was preserving strength, aware that Zhao Hanzhang hadn’t either, knowing she had a trump card.

Shi Le was persistently conserving strength to force Zhao Hanzhang to reveal the mythical Thunder Shocking Son.

He had heard numerous extraordinary descriptions from his subordinates, leaving Shi Le somewhat skeptical, yet he wished to see for himself if Zhao Hanzhang truly possessed such a divine item, and if so, how many she had.

Was it merely momentary, there once then never again, or could it be tendered endlessly?

But after pulling each other for nearly a month, Zhao Hanzhang hadn’t employed the divine item.

Though eager to reclaim lost territory, Zhao Hanzhang had learned patience, aiming to reclaim Yan State at minimal cost.

She waited, seeking news from Ming Yu and Beigong Chun.

Zhao Hanzhang’s patience paid off; today she went to the frontline, overhearing the mutual verbal curses concerning each other’s ancestors between the two camps, and from afar, she locked eyes with Shi Le.

The two stared silently at one another for a long time; Zhao Hanzhang’s vision currently was fairly clear, saw someone hastily leaning into Shi Le’s ear, she immediately reached out to Ting He.

Ting He handed her the Thousand-mile Eye which she had tucked in her bosom, and Zhao Hanzhang precisely focused on Shi Le.

Despite the distance, she could distinctly see their mouths moving silently.

Zhao Hanzhang murmured along, soon her eyes brightened; seeing Shi Le’s sudden turn to leave swiftly, she too hurriedly turned to leave.

She ran back to tell Zhao Ming, "Uncle Ming, Liu Cong has rebelled!"

Zhao Ming raised his gaze and lightly glanced at her once, "Hasn’t Liu Cong been rebelling all along?"

Zhao Hanzhang responded, "I meant Liu Cong rebelled against Liu He, not against Great Jin."

Interest sparked in Zhao Ming, he sat upright, "Have we received the news? Is there a winner or loser yet? Are many rebelling with him?"

"Heard the news from Shi Le, Liu He sent people to summon Shi Le back to assist, to suppress the rebellion for the king."

Feeling surprised, Zhao Ming gazed at her, "Do you have spies around Shi Le? Is the news verified as true?"

With an air of doubt, as if suspecting she might have been deceived.