After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 871 - 857: Doesn’t Want to Be Emperor

Upon learning that the new emperor Liu He was assassinated, Shi Le could no longer sit still. He called together all his subordinate generals for a discussion. After weighing the options, he decided to leave behind an army to cover the rear while he led the main forces back to Jizhou to hold Liu Cong accountable.

Zhao Hanzhang, having spied this confidential information from Shi Le, was elated and immediately made adjustments.

She decided to take this opportunity to eliminate Liu Cong, cripple Shi Le, and recover the lost territories.

This required a considerable deployment of troops.

Some troops would remain to distract the Shi Army while simultaneously reclaiming Yan State; some would lie in ambush along the way to intercept Shi Le and annihilate his remaining forces; another part would swiftly move north to support Beigong Chun and Zu Ti.

Zhao Hanzhang also ordered the various advancing armies to spare no expense in recovering lost territories in Jizhou and Si Province.

Fu Zhi was the first to respond. Ever since he learned that Emperor Jin was captured, he had been in deep sorrow, wanting to support Yan State. But Zhao Hanzhang had him assist in retaking Si Province, so he had to stay there and support Chen Wu.

Upon receiving the order, he led his forces towards Jizhou, aiming to attack Liu Cong and rescue Emperor Jin.

Zhao Hanzhang did not pursue Shi Le but sent Zhao Erlang, Mi Ce, and others, while she stayed behind to hold the fort and reclaim Yan State.

The army Shi Le left behind did not expect the Zhao Family Army, who had been stalemating with them all this time, to suddenly launch a fierce attack, causing their defenses to falter and losing three cities in quick succession.

However, Shi Le had already anticipated not being able to hold Yan State when he received the news of Liu He’s assassination.

Yan State is bordered by Qingzhou and Jizhou. With chaos in the Han Kingdom, it meant that the promised support from the court had changed. If Zhao Hanzhang cut off his connection with the rear, he would be trapped in Yan State like a dog waiting to be beaten.

He felt heartbroken, unwilling, and reluctant to give up the Yan State he had painstakingly conquered, but what hadn’t Shi Le experienced in his life?

In his view, this was nothing.

So he gritted his teeth and accepted it.

Shi Le decisively abandoned Yan State, leaving an army to cover the retreat while confusing Zhao Hanzhang, then hurriedly led his troops back. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

He blamed this failure entirely on Liu Cong.

He had even lost Shangdang and Jinan’s original territories to attack the Jin State, and the war was initiated by your court. Now you’re leaving him on the front lines to fend for himself?

Even a dog can’t swallow this humiliation.

Shi Le decided to take revenge on Liu Cong. No, in the words of the Han people, he wanted to set things right, to kill these treacherous ministers and traitors.

As for who would be emperor after killing Liu Cong, he didn’t care. Liu Yuan had shown him kindness, and now that Liu Yuan was dead, Shi Le felt he had fulfilled his obligations with no need to extend the family line.

Shi Le swept towards Jibei with an imposing air, encountering few city forces daring to obstruct him along the way. He gradually let down his guard, focusing solely on the journey, and then he encountered an ambush...

Seeing the flood of reports heralding victory, Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but smile, running to Fu Tinghan and saying, "Your gunpowder was incredibly effective against the Shi Army’s cavalry. Please make more."

Fu Tinghan replied, "Most of your ambushes are in the mountains and forests. Using gunpowder at this time might cause a forest fire..."

"Don’t worry," Zhao Hanzhang smiled. "I’ve ordered them to bury the gunpowder on the road to set off a noise, causing confusion among their cavalry before launching a charge. The amount used isn’t large, and with our current production, we won’t use much..."

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps approached, with Ting He and Zeng Yue both running over with pained expressions, "My lady—"

Zhao Hanzhang stopped mid-sentence and turned around.

Zeng Yue knelt on the ground, tears in his eyes, "My lady, Second Grandfather... has passed!"

Zhao Hanzhang was momentarily stunned, then quickly asked, "Who did you say?"

"Second Grandfather!" Zeng Yue cried, "Liu Cong poisoned the emperor, and Second Grandfather, who was by his side, followed Your Majesty."

Zhao Hanzhang felt a sharp pain in her heart and her eyes became moist, but she held back tears.

Fu Tinghan took a step forward, holding her hand.

Zhao Hanzhang pulled herself out from her emotions, gripping his hand tightly, and said to Zeng Yue, "Go and invite Mr. Ji and Uncle Ming."

She paused and added, "Invite the Crown Prince and the Grand Tutor as well."

Zeng Yue complied and left.

Since establishing the Crown Prince, wherever the Crown Prince’s administrative office was, the officials Zhao Hanzhang had newly appointed would also be located there.

When Zhao Hanzhang arrived, Ji Yuan and Zhao Ming and others were already waiting in the room. The Crown Prince and Xun Fan had not yet arrived.

Zhao Hanzhang did not wait for them and directly addressed the group, "You all have received the news, right? His Majesty and Minister Zhao and many other ministers were all harmed by Liu Cong."

Aside from Ji Yuan and Zhao Ming, everyone else was shocked, clearly unaware of the news prior.

Zhao Hanzhang said, "It seems everyone just found out."

She looked at Ji Yuan.

In charge of intelligence, Ji Yuan, seeing her gaze, said, "The news was sent back by General Beigong. There is internal turmoil within the Xiongnu, and Liu Cong killed the new Emperor Liu He. Subsequently, someone proposed setting Liu Yi as the new emperor."

"Liu Yi being here with the governor is no secret. Someone suggested considering the governor’s opinion to exchange hostages, and Liu Cong’s poisoning of His Majesty at this time was probably intended for Liu Yi."

A minister, in his grief, shouted, "Governor Zhao, Liu Cong killed His Majesty; you must kill Liu Yi to avenge His Majesty!"

"Indeed, kill Liu Yi, an eye for an eye!"

"Kill Liu Yi!"

Zhao Hanzhang: ...

She directly remarked in front of everyone, "Take note of those foolishly shouting. After the meeting, have them take a test. If they pass, I’ll consider them just having lost their minds in grief. If they fail, have them start from the basics to learn more and better serve the country."

The ministers shouting foolishly: ...

At this moment, Zhao Hanzhang’s words were particularly biting, entirely different from her usual kindness and generosity. She sarcastically said, "If they still propose this after passing the test, it’s neither grief-induced stupidity nor inherent foolishness; they would be spies sent by Liu Cong."

Ji Yuan and Zhao Ming both lowered their heads without speaking, everyone aware that Zhao Hanzhang was not in a good mood at this time.

Finally, Chen Changshi slowly said, "Liu Cong’s actions are intended to push for Liu Yi’s death. If Governor Zhao kills Liu Yi now, wouldn’t that play into his hands? It’s inadvisable."

The ministers advocating to kill Liu Yi blushed and fell silent.

At this moment, the Crown Prince and Xun Fan arrived, and everyone couldn’t help but look at Zhao Hanzhang.

With the news of Emperor Jin’s death, the Crown Prince would have to ascend the throne, wouldn’t he?

Zhao Hanzhang turned to face the Crown Prince, raised her hand, and bowed. The others quickly followed suit.

After seating the Crown Prince above, Zhao Hanzhang continued with the discussion, "The matter of Liu Yi will be set aside for now. Let’s first discuss establishing a new emperor."

She said, "A nation cannot be without a ruler for a day. With His Majesty assassinated, the Crown Prince must ascend the throne immediately. We must find a way to bring back His Majesty’s coffin and the Jin ministers who perished alongside him, as we cannot let their souls wander outside."

Saying this, Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but tear up.

The Crown Prince was taken aback, only now realizing that his Imperial Uncle had died and that he was to ascend the throne as the emperor.

He heard that his Imperial Uncle was poisoned with wine.

The Crown Prince felt a pang in his stomach. The previous emperor met his end by poisoning, as did this one. As the next emperor: ...

Sadly, many in their family had died of poisoning.

The Crown Prince felt no happiness; he just wanted to cry. He had long declared he didn’t want to be emperor, so why must he become one?