After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 899 - 885: The Arrival

The heavy rain poured down, blocking some people’s paths and concealing many truths.

Zhao Hanzhang stood by the window watching the rain for half the night. The next morning, upon waking, Shi Jian came to report that the soil and rocks from the mountain had rolled down, blocking the road down the mountain. "Last night’s rain was heavy, and the mountain road is slippery. We’re traveling with the elderly and young, so it might be dangerous, therefore..."

Zhao Hanzhang said smoothly, "Then let’s stay another day and have people clear the road."

Shi Jian agreed, immediately assigning people to clear the mountain road. They returned in the afternoon covered in mud, reporting that the road was too slippery. They fell several times while clearing it, some even got injured. It was truly dangerous, and they requested Zhao Hanzhang for an additional two days of leniency.

Zhao Hanzhang nodded and said, "Very well, then we’ll stay two more days."

Shi Jian was slightly startled, not expecting Zhao Hanzhang to be so easy to persuade, completely different from her eagerness to leave the day before.

For some reason, Shi Jian also became a bit uneasy. He thought for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "Lord Zhao, I am willing to lead more people to clear the mountain road again."

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "Isn’t it dangerous? I see the sun is quite good today, and tomorrow should be another sunny day. After two days of sunbathing, it should be easier to clear. I’m not in a hurry, so let’s just let everyone rest these two days."

"No, the Great General is injured and needs a doctor urgently. We should set off as soon as possible." The more Zhao Hanzhang displayed such an attitude, the more uneasy Shi Jian felt, and the more he wanted to clear the mountain road. He said, "Please rest assured, Lord Zhao. Paving the road with stones can prevent slipping, and there are plenty of stones, both large and small, behind the mountain village. I will have people fetch them right away."

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and nodded, "Alright, you go ahead."

Her nonchalant manner made Shi Jian worried again, feeling that this was not a good move.

In such hesitation, he led people to clear the landslidden section of the mountain road, brought stones to pave it, compacted it, and found it finally stable.

He breathed a sigh of relief and began to calculate the arrival time of reinforcements. Before he could figure it out, the sound of a large army approaching was heard from below the mountain.

Shi Jian was startled and immediately sent someone down the mountain to investigate.

The soldier who went down soon came running up to report, face filled with joy, "General, it’s the Zhao Family Army coming to welcome us."

Shi Jian: ... What’s there to be happy about the Zhao Family Army coming? They’re the Shi Army, they’re the Shi Army!

But the soldier didn’t think so. The Great General had already said he joined Zhao Hanzhang, and now the Shi Army and Zhao Family Army were on the same side.

The soldier joyfully spread this good news to those on the mountain, and Zhao Hanzhang smilingly said, "Good, let them come up the mountain."

The soldiers and bandits in the mountain stronghold cleared the way to allow the Zhao Family Army to ascend.

Shi Jian’s chest heaved, and he tightened his grip on the shovel in his hand, subconsciously looking towards Shi Le.

With the extra day of rest, Shi Le was much better now. Though his lips were still pale, the azure hue on his face was gone. Without needing a doctor’s diagnosis, it was evident his condition was improving.

Shi Le had originally sighed in relief. With the Zhao Family Army arriving, would they finally be completely safe?

But upon raising his head and meeting Shi Jian’s gaze, Shi Le couldn’t help his heart from racing, having an increasingly ominous feeling.

Zhao Ju personally led the large army to receive Zhao Hanzhang!

The Zhao Family Army had surrounded the entire mountain, guarding all entrances and exits. Wearing armor and accompanied by a team of personal guards, Zhao Ju ascended the mountain. Seeing Zhao Hanzhang in perfect condition sitting at the head, and then Fu Tinghan standing beside her, he breathed a sigh of relief, approached, saluted, and said, "Lord Zhao, Governor Zhao has arrived in Wu’an County."

Zhao Hanzhang was instantly guilt-stricken, leaning forward and softly asking, "Uncle Ming knows too?"

Zhao Ju responded affirmatively, then said, "Zeng Yue returned to Wu’an County a step ahead of your letter. He cried so hard that he alarmed Governor Zhao, who had just entered the city not long ago."

Ji Yuan and Zhao Ming arrived in Wu’an County almost simultaneously.

Ji Yuan came to escort the provisions and bring in the army for support—so what did Zhao Ming come for?

Zhao Ju’s gaze swept quickly around the room, falling upon Shi Le, who had been sitting on the side. He lowered his eyes, drew near Zhao Hanzhang, and whispered, "News from the Northern Land: Liu Cong has ascended the throne as the new Emperor of the Han Kingdom."

Zhao Hanzhang was taken aback, astonished, then delighted, "Liu Cong ascended?"

Shi Le raised his head abruptly.

Zhao Ju couldn’t quite understand the young lady’s mindset. Wasn’t this a troubling matter? What was she happy about?

Seeing Zhao Ju nod affirmatively, Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t contain herself from laughing heartily, inadvertently tugging at the wound on her shoulder, showing just how happy she was.

Shi Le also watched her silently and said, "Shouldn’t Lord Zhao be angry and resentful? Liu Cong, a rebellious minister and traitor, dares to ascend as emperor."

With smiles at the corners of her eyes and mouth, Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "Yes, Liu Cong, a rebellious minister and traitor, daring to dream of becoming an emperor. Naturally, he should be eliminated by everyone in the world. Let the world know, and let everyone come to kill Liu Cong."

She added, "Tell the Jin people that Liu Cong is the mortal enemy of our Jin State. Not killing him, it’s a disgrace to live in this world!"

"Tell the Han people, Liu Cong murdered the sovereign and usurped the throne. Not killing him, it’s unworthy of being a subject!" Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze fell on Shi Le, with a faint smile, "General Shi once received Liu Yuan’s kindness. Haven’t you ever thought of killing this treacherous minister to avenge your former lord?"

Shi Le: "... I am injured."

Zhao Hanzhang smiled, "What’s the issue with that? My office has many capable generals. I can lend them to you, and even I, oh, I, am willing to assist General Shi in avenging this blood feud."

Shi Le: ... Thank you, but before these few days, he indeed wanted to go back and seek that vengeance, but now...

Shi Le just calmly looked at Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze grazed over his side and torso, smiling slightly, "I know, General Shi is injured. You can rest well during this time, and I will avenge this favor for you."

After speaking, she instructed Zhao Ju, "Please have Mr. Ji draft a manifesto for General Shi, and also one for me. Send them to Anping Country, proclaiming to the world that General Shi is wounded by Liu Cong’s ruthless regicide and seeks the light by turning to us, intending to join our Zhao Family Army in attacking Liu Cong."

Zhao Ju responded loudly with an "Yes" and immediately went to mobilize troops.

Shi Le: "Lord Zhao is quite shrewd."

Zhao Hanzhang smiled at him and said, "General Shi, now you and I are of one heart. Beside the people you have in Shunyang County, those scattered around engaged in guerrilla warfare with my army, there are at least fifty thousand, right? Please, General Shi, write a letter to summon them to Wu’an County to meet you—I also wish to meet these brave and gallant generals."

This was to make Shi Le bring people to pledge allegiance.

Shi Le said, "Surrendering is possible, but I will not send troops to attack the Han Kingdom."

"Oh?" Zhao Hanzhang glanced at Shi Jian, with a faint smile, "It seems General Shi is reluctant to part with the Han Kingdom, no wonder you sent someone to seek help from Liu Cong."

Shi Le was stunned and asked, "What did you say? When did I..."

He thought of something, suddenly turning his head to look at Shi Jian, whose already pale face turned even paler, "Shi Jian, did you do something behind my back?"