After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 872 - 858: Sowing Discord

The emperor died suddenly, coupled with Zhao Zhongyu also being murdered. Zhao Hanzhang really wasn’t in the mood for elaborate ceremonies for the new emperor’s ascension, so she merely announced it to the world and then had a dragon robe hurriedly made for the new emperor, without even choosing a specific date, and immediately had the new emperor ascend the throne.

The new emperor had just sat on the throne, barely adjusted to the hardness of the seat, when Zhao Hanzhang, in his name, issued three edicts in rapid succession.

First, the previous emperor and many Jin ministers were harmed, and the nation mourns together. From the day the news is received, all civilians shall observe mourning for three days, while scholars shall observe mourning for three months. During these three months, it is prohibited to have banquets, marry, or enter religious life...

Second, Liu Cong is a mortal enemy of our Jin State, one worthy of being exterminated by all. Zhao Hanzhang widely issued military orders, commanding the entire nation’s civilians and soldiers to jointly attack him;

Third, amidst this national enemy scenario, any place where trouble arises shall be judged as traitors. Zhao Hanzhang shall spare no time for mercy!

On the last point, Zhao Hanzhang nearly directly named King Langya.

This is a national decree, issued to everyone under the heavens.

There is also a private letter for King Langya. Calling it a private letter, it actually counts as a public document, which Zhao Hanzhang wrote and then commanded to be delivered to Wang Dao.

In the letter, Zhao Hanzhang unabashedly berated King Langya thoroughly, saying he is even more foolish and wicked than Prince East Sea.

Now, the country is united, a pivotal moment to reclaim lost lands. Since the First Year of Yongjia, when Liu Yuan betrayed the nation and declared himself emperor, the nation has been divided from top to bottom. Now the emperor dies at the hands of the Xiongnu; this is a national enmity and familial hatred.

Even commoners, who receive the least protection and rewards from the ruler, think of sacrificing themselves for the nation and the ruler. Yet, King Langya, blessed from birth by the ancestors’ favor, sits with subjects and treasures due to the ruler’s protection. And now when the nation and ruler encounter trouble, you think only of your own interests, failing the ancestors and damaging the nation’s and ruler’s interests, proving utterly shameful!

This was very harsh scolding, not just King Langya, even Wang Dao’s face reddened upon seeing the letter, filled with shame and remorse, tormented inwardly.

Though the letter was written to King Langya, it was directly sent to Wang Dao. Indeed, Zhao Hanzhang was bluntly sowing discord.

After Wang Dao finished reading the letter, he would naturally pass it on to King Langya.

But initially, upon receiving the letter, both Wang Dao and King Langya failed to realize this fact. Until King Langya read the letter and recognized his dilemma, coupled with losing the hearts of people, blaming Wang Dao, he only then realized that such vicious insults were known to Wang Dao.

Who would be willing to let their subordinates see themselves in such a miserable state?

Once suspicion arises, it breeds more thoughts.

King Langya gradually realized that many of his matters were decisions made directly by Wang Dao or influenced by Wang Dao’s ideas.

Wang Dao is a smart and gentle person, at least on the surface, and interacting with him feels like a refreshing breeze.

He handles matters beautifully. After relocating to Jianye, the local scholar-gentry initially didn’t favor them much. Although forced by their status to accept them, so many new nobles coming in practically meant direct competition for resources.

Wang Dao resolved these conflicts bit by bit, transforming hostility into active cooperation for mutual benefits.

Therefore, King Langya trusted Wang Dao. Moreover, he essentially handed over his army to Wang Dun. Oh, right, even though Wang Dun killed Wang Cheng, to explain to Zhao Hanzhang and Wang Yifeng, he fiercely sought to punish Wang Dun. But in the end, merely demoted his position—a soft rebuke.

Wang Dun still holds his army.

It’s not that King Langya didn’t wish to punish Wang Dun severely, but when attempting to do so, he found himself incapable.

He is surrounded mostly by Wang clan members, and in Jianye, the Wang clan’s words are even more authoritative than his. Not only that, Zhao Hanzhang also wields significant influence in Jianye. Her status and power are prominent, with a rightful Crown Prince in her hands.

Therefore, several aristocrats support her.

Oh, now it’s the new emperor. King Langya can imagine more people supporting Zhao Hanzhang in the future.

King Langya felt somewhat panicked, suddenly fearful that if the Wang Dao brothers one day also chose Zhao Hanzhang, he would be left powerless.

Zhao Hanzhang merely meant to warn King Langya to behave lately, not to cause her trouble. But she never expected that this letter would directly lead King Langya and Wang Dao to an impasse.

After doing all the arrangements, Ji Yuan came in to report: "All the grain and provisions the Inspector requires are prepared, departed today. The supplies can feed the army for half a month. A batch of grain has been allocated from Jingzhou; it will take at least twelve days to reach the front line. Everywhere is collecting grains, factoring in transportation, it may take eighteen days..."

So the provisions are tightly timed, and anything can happen during warfare. In case the supplies are hijacked, burned, or lost for other reasons, they will be at a disadvantage.

This will test the leading generals and logistic coordination abilities.

Zhao Hanzhang sighed, "People’s life is still difficult, and the nation’s strength impoverished. This half-year, amidst wars and droughts, this time gathering provisions will likely empty our reserves."

Ji Yuan replied, "Therefore, the Inspector must achieve gains, to live up to what the people contribute."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded.

Ji Yuan paused a moment, cautiously observing Zhao Hanzhang’s demeanor, asked: "Is the Lord feeling better now?"

Zhao Hanzhang froze for a moment and then nodded, her expression relaxed, "Thank you, sir, for your concern. I’m fine."

Ji Yuan breathed a sigh of relief, remarking, "Since the previous emperor and Mr. Zhao were captured, the court has prepared thoroughly. Actually, the previous emperor should have martyred himself sooner."

If he hadn’t been captured, died in battle directly, or committed suicide post-capture, Yan State and Jizhou’s dozens of cities wouldn’t have fallen so easily.

Zhao Hanzhang also nodded, "Civil servants and military generals can be prisoners, except the emperor."

Ji Yuan comforted, "Mr. Zhao’s fame now spreads across the sea, living up to Old Lord’s expectations, fulfilling his wishes."

Ji Yuan was Zhao Changyu’s adviser, more understanding the brothers’ relationship than Zhao Hanzhang.

There was strife between them; Zhao Zhongyu resented Zhao Changyu but also revered him.

He always felt inferior to his elder brother, filled with vexation, but in this moment, at least his place in Huaxia’s history won’t be much lesser than Zhao Changyu’s.

Ji Yuan spoke these words hoping to counsel Zhao Hanzhang against getting trapped in a loop.

Zhao Hanzhang felt some sorrow but wasn’t caught in a loop, calmly stating, "I’ll lead an army to chase down Shi Le."

Ji Yuan: ...Saying so much was to persuade her not to take risks.

He remarked, "A gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall..."

Zhao Hanzhang said intensely, "The previous emperor harmed, morale at a turning point, advancing in increase or falling. Thus, I cannot retreat; I must go to the most dangerous place."

She said, "Sir just warned me to not fail the people’s expectations."

Ji Yuan then fell silent, simply stating, "I’m merely concerned the Lord’s provisions might not suffice, hence bringing along logistics for coordinating supplies is best."

Zhao Hanzhang said, "I’ll take Ting Han."

Ji Yuan had no objections.