After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 951 - 936: Human Memory Card

Liu Kun was feeling the same way now. With Fan Ying’s departure, the responsibilities she handled largely fell onto Liu Kun.

He became busier, and working beside Zhao Hanzhang contradicted his usual leisurely way of handling matters. There were too many tasks, and even minor issues, like the lack of Chinese angelica in the military medical office, required him to allocate funds. Why did such trivial matters need to be brought to him?

Liu Kun almost gave up his duties.

It was only until then that he realized there was a slight gap between him and his elder brother.

In the end, it was Fu Tinghan who stepped in, helping him sort out many issues, allowing him to reluctantly stay instead of fleeing back to Jinyang.

Logistics weren’t easy to manage, especially since Zhao Hanzhang was responsible not only for this army’s logistics but also for the equipment, cattle, horses, and provisions of the other Zhao Family Army and Xiliang Army. Everything needed to be dispatched from here.

As her deputy, the amount of data he needed to handle was vast. Fan Ying was used to this work, having seen and known every officer from generals to colonels through the years as troops increased. The documents for their equipment, cattle, and horses passed through her hands to Zhao Hanzhang for approval before being distributed, allowing her to handle all sorts of questions from Zhao Hanzhang.

Liu Kun, however, was new; although there was data for everything, it was challenging for him to grasp it all at once.

Once a person encountered setbacks, their enthusiasm for work significantly diminished.

Fu Tinghan probably sensed his frustration. During meal times and while resting in the carriage, he would come to assist him, answering any questions Liu Kun had with ease.

Liu Kun stared blankly at him. Fu Tinghan could remember even the names and ages of centurions in the Xiliang Army, not to mention the personnel situation of various Zhao Family Army units. Everything recorded in the soldiers’ rosters, he remembered.

He not only had the soldiers’ rosters but also knew all the known warehouses in the realm, the cattle and equipment of each county, and even the geographical features along with the known influences, officials’ names, and the displaced persons’ situations along the way. All these details were readily available to him.

Fu Tinghan glanced down at the document in his hand, pointing out a detail, "Puwu County’s County Magistrate Zhu Jue passed away from illness last month. His son Zhu Qing is currently handling the county government affairs. Although Zhu Jue’s seal is used on documents, it’s not him personally. You should remind Hanzhang to reappoint a County Magistrate."

Liu Kun swallowed, shattering any concerns he once had about Fu Tinghan. He asked, "Does Hanzhang bring you wherever she goes because of your remarkable talents and your strategic prowess?"

Fu Tinghan smiled faintly and replied, "The one strategizing is Hanzhang, I merely have a good memory."

To put it frankly, to Zhao Hanzhang, he was like a human storage card, capable of reading and writing.

"I have fewer things to ponder, so I have more energy to remember these things, unlike Hanzhang, who must keep the big picture in mind and face the front lines. Otherwise, these things wouldn’t require me; she could remember them all herself."

Liu Kun remained silent but indeed developed a competitive spirit. He no longer only yearned for the battlefield; he began to earnestly memorize these things so that the next time Zhao Hanzhang asked him, he wouldn’t need to hesitantly look to Fu Tinghan for answers.

Zhao Hanzhang was quite pleased with this and privately said to Fu Tinghan, "I told you, he may be a little less capable, but he won’t be much worse than his brother."

Liu Kun was barely considered a competent person, but his brother Liu Yu was genuinely impressive, unfortunately, too indulgent in wine and women, leading to his early demise.

For Liu Kun, who similarly enjoyed drinking, Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but advise, "Wine should be enjoyed in moderation; constant intoxication can harm the liver and spleen."

Liu Kun dismissed her concerns, "I rarely get drunk."

Once his work was on track, he began thinking about proving himself on the battlefield, thus he asked, "If we encounter enemy troops again, Lord, would you be willing to let me lead?"

Now their route with the Tuoba Xianbei had diverged; they were no longer following behind them picking up cities and occasionally encountered the Youzhou Army. Liu Kun requested to fight several times, but Zhao Hanzhang didn’t grant permission.

Now he had adapted to Fan Ying’s work and had spare capacity, surely he could go to the battlefield?

His persistent requests to go to the battlefield drew curious glances from Zhao Hanzhang’s generals, thinking: Isn’t Liu, the current lord, doing Fan Changshi’s work? He doesn’t need to be on the battlefield, right?

Seeing him still pondering this matter, Zhao Hanzhang smiled and after some thought said, "Yue Shi, why not wait a bit longer."

"Wait for what?"

Wait until they encountered the Xiongnu Army.

Shi Le had already clashed with the Xiongnu. Without the dragon head, the Youzhou Army was not to be feared, so not only were they reclaiming territory in Youzhou, but Liu Cong was also capturing cities.

Of course, he snatched land from Youzhou and simultaneously lost ground in Youzhou. It couldn’t be helped as Beigong Chun and Zhao Ju were both advancing against him; in several encounters, he lost more than he won, losing quite a few cities.

Except for Zhao Hanzhang, who had a delayed-updating map, no one knew how much ground the Xiongnu had seized.

So, they suddenly stumbled upon the Xiongnu Army.

This time, the resistance during the siege battle was different, but Zhao Hanzhang was prepared, having made arrangements in advance, resulting in minimal casualties in the first assault.

Zhao Xin escorted Liu Yi and some Xiongnu generals to meet Zhao Hanzhang.

To reassure the surrendered Xiongnu generals, Zhao Hanzhang personally stepped out to welcome them.

Seeing Liu Yi significantly thinner, Zhao Hanzhang felt distressed and asked with concern, "Is your health unwell?"

Liu Yi had been internally questioning himself, witnessing the fratricidal tribal conflicts and wondering whether his actions were right. Doubt, uncertainty, and the weight of responsibility tormented him internally. Even with his mother back by his side, he still felt unsettled, leading to his noticeable weight loss, looking almost emaciated in less than a month.

But he couldn’t share his struggles with Zhao Hanzhang; he couldn’t even let his fellow tribesmen detect any doubts, otherwise, the surrendered troops he led would surely disintegrate. Smiling faintly at Zhao Hanzhang, he replied, "It’s just the weather’s unsuitable, not adapting to the environment."

Seeing him this way, Zhao Hanzhang truly felt for him, sighing, "I’ll have the doctor check on you."

She asked with concern, "Has the Empress Dowager Shan reunited with you?"

Speaking of his mother, Liu Yi’s expression relaxed, bringing a smile he couldn’t suppress, and he repeatedly bowed in thanks, "Thank you, General, for your rescue..."

Zhao Hanzhang promptly extended her hand to support him, saying, "I did my best. Since you genuinely surrendered to me, how could I bear to let you be heartbroken?"

With these words, the Xiongnu officials and generals behind Liu Yi softened their expressions, gaining a degree of approval for Zhao Hanzhang.

Only then did Zhao Hanzhang step aside, inviting them into the tent for discussions.

The Xiongnu were most concerned about where they would live, what they would do, and whether their treatment would indeed be the same as the Han people, as Liu Yi had described.

Although Zhao Hanzhang already had places in mind for them, she still inquired about their opinions, wanting to know their aspirations for the future.