After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 916 - 901: The Person I Want (Part 2)

For this remark, she sipped the wine carefully, not daring to take big gulps, though the wine was indeed delicious.

The soldiers who fought alongside Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but laugh upon hearing this, simultaneously raising their heads and grinning at the officials from Jinyang. Yes, their Lord Zhao wasn’t fond of wine.

Jinyang officials: ...

Fu Tinghan smiled and shook his head, just about to pour himself a glass of wine when Zhao Hanzhang restrainedly put down the pot, turned her head and said to him, "Tinghan, would you like to taste this grape wine?"

Fu Tinghan thought for a moment and then nodded, "Thank you, Lord Zhao."

Zhao Hanzhang immediately had someone send the wine pot she held down to Fu Tinghan, and also invited Shi Le, "General Shi should try it as well, Mr. Ming and Mr. Zhang can also taste this Jinyang fine wine."

Portraying a stance of indifference towards drinking.

Shi Le felt warm inside and bowed to express thanks together with Ming Yu and Zhang Bin.

Liu Kun sighed in his heart; the wine was indeed scarce, and if it weren’t for Zhao Hanzhang, he wouldn’t have brought it out.

Forget it, since she doesn’t like drinking, they might as well enjoy music.

Liu Kun immediately ordered music to be played.

Zhao Hanzhang drank wine leisurely; oh, listening to music while sipping sake. Indeed, Liu Kun, being one of the most renowned literary and musical figures of the time, had nurtured exceptionally skilled performers in his house, who played both ancient tunes and ones composed by Liu Kun himself.

Among the tunes composed by Liu Kun were those that were grand and heroic, captivating Zhao Hanzhang.

After three pieces, Zhao Hanzhang unknowingly drank seven or eight cups of wine. Still mindful of her objective, she looked towards Xu Run.

"Would the Jinyang County Magistrate play a tune?"

Xu Run was absorbed in the music but showed mild displeasure upon hearing this; he was the Jinyang County Magistrate, yet Zhao Hanzhang continued to command him like a performer.

He felt somewhat insulted.

But Liu Kun didn’t think so; he saw Zhao Hanzhang as sharing his passion for music, and playing pieces between enthusiasts was no insult.

Liu Kun urged Xu Run, rolling up his sleeves and extending his hands, "Quickly bring water, I need to wash my hands to play the zither for Lord Zhao myself."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang laughed heartily and said aloud, "In that case, I shall sing a song in return."

Liu Kun grew more excited and immediately urged Xu Run to prepare his flute for accompaniment.

After washing his hands, Liu Kun sat properly at the zither table, pondered briefly, and slowly raised his hand to pluck a string...

Xu Run glanced at the seated Zhao Hanzhang, found a gap, and interjected his flute sounds. The zither was distant and profound, while the flute was ethereal yet somewhat heroic. Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but gently tap her knee to the rhythm, her gaze focusing beyond the hall’s crowd, towards the layered mountains outside Jinyang, singing, "Boundless and vast, majestic mountains..."

This song conveyed ideals, though distant from the rivers and lakes it worried for its lord; rare are kindred spirits, akin to heaven and earth united, the great Dao elusive; she and Liu Kun sought to end warfare and bring harmony, thus she always felt this tune suited Liu Kun, who fought alone in Jinyang.

In spite of being dissatisfied with his nepotism and excessive self-centeredness, she couldn’t help but admire his dedication and capability in defending Jinyang.

"Hard to find kindred spirits, only heaven and earth united; seeking the great Dao to end war, transcending all..." Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze fell on Liu Kun as she sang this line.

Liu Kun also looked up at her, tearful eyes, this was the reason he persisted—to hope for peace, national strength, and universal harmony...

At this moment, Liu Kun decided to elevate Zhao Hanzhang higher than Zu Ti as a confidant.

That young man had clearly approached Jinyang yet didn’t come to see him, though knowing it was due to military orders, Liu Kun still chose to slightly demote that good friend’s position. He had decided from now on, Zhao Hanzhang would be his top confidant!

At the end of the tune, Liu Kun and Zhao Hanzhang exchanged glances, acknowledging each other as confidants.

Suddenly, Xu Run felt chilled, an extreme sense of danger enveloping him. As he tried to discern the source, Zhao Hanzhang said, "This tune indeed complements Yue Shi!"

She sighed, "Since hearing this tune, I’ve considered it akin to heavenly music; alas, I have too few musical talents at hand, lacking anyone who could manifest even a fraction of its essence, whether with zither, flute, or Hu Jia."

Her gaze fell on Liu Kun and Xu Run, with endless regret she said, "If I had musical talents like you and Xu Run by my side, I would listen to this tune daily."

Liu Kun was all too familiar with this feeling; he too liked to loop a single tune.

When he first received the tune from Zhao Hanzhang years ago, he played it incessantly for three months in his house, inviting everyone he could to listen. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Oh, Linghu Sheng alone was forced to listen seven or eight times, though he didn’t remember a single note.

Hence, hearing Zhao Hanzhang’s words, Liu Kun was overwhelmed with emotion, wishing to follow Zhao Hanzhang around and play for her daily.

He barely started to speak when the officials and gentry from Jinyang immediately widened their eyes, ready to intercept.

Zhao Hanzhang scanned their faces, knowing Jinyang still had to remain under Liu Kun’s control, as she needed him to counter the Xianbei. She then smiled, "You are the Bingzhou Governor; others can leave Jinyang, but you cannot."

Upon hearing this, the Jinyang officials sighed in relief.

Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze then fell on Xu Run, chuckling softly, "I have taken a liking to someone; I wonder if Yue Shi would be willing to give them up."

Liu Kun followed her gaze to Xu Run, hesitating.

He also considered Xu Run a confidant, his musical prowess exceptional, yet...

Forget it, though they were both confidants, distinctions must be made.

Zhao Hanzhang clearly outweighed Xu Run greatly; thus he gritted his teeth, "Then I’ll give Ruanlang to you, Hanzhang, his zither and flute are especially good, you must treat him well."

With a smile, Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "Rest assured, I will treat him as a confidant and let him excel under my command, without neglect."

Under Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze, Xu Run felt ice-cold dread spreading over his body; the danger came from Zhao Hanzhang!