After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 929 - 914: Promotion

He was unable to make a decision for a while, so he asked Zhao Hanzhang, "What should I do? For me, for Jinyang, they are indeed heroes. Wouldn’t killing heroes violate propriety and music?"

Linghu Sheng is also a hero. When you suspected he touched your bottom line, didn’t you kill him without a second thought?

Zhao Hanzhang suppressed these words and said coldly, "If Yue Shi cannot do it, I will handle it."

Li Kun: "But you and I are both Inspectors. How can I convince people for you to handle matters in Jinyang?"

To put it bluntly, he still wanted to save people and didn’t want to give Zhao Hanzhang the power of judgment.

Zhao Hanzhang merely smiled at him and said, "Don’t worry, Yue Shi, our identities will soon be different."

It really was soon; that afternoon, Wei Jie and Zhao Kuan entered the city under the guard of Zhao Family Army. They brought Liu Yi and the imperial edict.

The edict appointed Zhao Hanzhang as Great Commander, to command the military affairs of the eight states of Qing, Xu, Yan, Yu, Jing, Si, Ji, and Bingzhou, increasing her territory by thirty thousand households, with the authority to use the golden yue.

Li Kun: ...

Zhao Hanzhang led Jinyang’s officials and generals to listen to the edict. She took the edict from Wei Jie, who temporarily acted as the messenger, turned back to look at the kneeling officials and generals, and raised her hand with a smile, saying, "Rise."

Except for her, who stood listening to the edict, everyone else knelt.

Li Kun got up from the ground, deeply realizing the difference between him as an Inspector and Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang handed the edict to Fan Ying and then said to Li Kun, "I will take full responsibility for the human trafficking case."

Now, Zhao Hanzhang was indeed his superior.

Li Kun bowed his head and responded, "Yes."

Zhao Hanzhang turned and left.

She had noticed Li Kun wanted to poach Shi Le, so she specifically wrote back to Ji Yuan, asking him to issue the edict in the name of the emperor.

Who would want to be equal, just another Inspector?

She wanted to be above him, by one head, two heads, many heads; even if he poached people from her side, they would still have to serve her!

Zhao Hanzhang strongly took over the case. She was not as considerate or sentimental as Li Kun. She directly handed the case to Zhao Kuan and Fan Ying, asking them to thoroughly investigate the matter.

"Anyone involved, regardless of their status, should be handled according to the law without favoritism."

Zhao Kuan did not expect that just after arriving in Jinyang, he would be given such a task. He was still dazed, led by Fan Ying for a long stretch before he reacted, "Wasn’t I preparing to set off as an envoy to Xiongnu? Why investigate such a case?"

Fan Ying said, "Don’t you know that internal stability must come before external threats? Because of this case, Governor Liu and General Shi almost came into conflict. This matter must be thoroughly investigated; if handled poorly, it could cause military disaster. The commander entrusts this case to you, trusting you heavily."

"But I’ve only set foot in Jinyang for less than two hours; I’m completely in the dark. What can I find out?"

Fan Ying: "That’s why the commander asked me to assist you."

She said, "Don’t worry, I’ve followed this case from start to finish, and the refugees in Jinyang have been relied on me to settle. There’s a lot of information to gather here; whatever you want to know, just ask me."

Zhao Kuan directly asked, "Between General Shi and Governor Liu, who does the commander choose?"

Fan Ying first looked around stealthily before pulling Zhao Kuan to an open area and whispered in his ear, "General Shi!"

Zhao Kuan understood, gave Fan Ying a knowing glance, and then followed her to the county government.

While Zhao Kuan and Fan Ying were interrogating suspects, trying to gather more information, the Tuoba Xianbei people also arrived.

Tuoba Yilu brought his two sons.

Zhao Hanzhang was meeting Liu Yi, had barely begun discussing, and upon hearing the report, she paused for a moment and said, "Let Governor Liu first receive the esteemed guests."

Then she remained seated, continuing her conversation with Liu Yi.

Liu Yi asked, "Tuoba Xianbei are honorable guests. Shouldn’t General Zhao see him first?"

Liu Yi said, "I’m not important. Later, we can continue our reunion with the General."

Zhao Hanzhang shook her head and smiled, "Tuoba are honored guests, but King of Beihai is also an honored guest. Isn’t it unreasonable to neglect earlier guests for later ones?"

Liu Yi smiled bitterly, "What King of Beihai, I am now just a prisoner." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Zhao Hanzhang was displeased, "Since when did Hanzhang mistreat the King of Beihai, making him feel like a prisoner?"

Liu Yi quickly said, "No, you have always treated me courteously, but I’m your captive. What am I if not a prisoner?"

Zhao Hanzhang sighed, "That is the stance between two countries. I cannot promise the King anything, but we knew each other before the conflict; I admire the King’s character, so I’m willing to offer what conveniences I can."

She added, "Now the Xiongnu have been driven to Youzhou, and your new emperor passed less than a year after ascending the throne, making it difficult to remain in the Central Plains. I want to ask you if you wish to stay in the Central Plains or return to your homeland."

Liu Yi’s eyes reddened, feeling aggrieved and slightly angry, "Our ancestors moved to Bingzhou during Lord Cao’s time, nearly a hundred years ago. My father, grandfathers were born and raised in Bingzhou, where is my homeland?"

Zhao Hanzhang’s tears also fell, lamenting with him, "I wish for you to stay, as you know, in my heart, whether Xiongnu, Jie Clan, or Xianbei, as long as they abide by Great Jin’s laws, they are just like Han people, all part of the Huaxia clan. But in recent years, the two clans have fiercely battled, forming a deep enmity. I’m willing to lead Han officials to let go of resentment, but I don’t know if you’re willing."

Liu Yi’s lips trembled, asking, "If some of the Liu Family want to stay, how does the General plan to handle us?"

"You will be treated like surrendered Han generals, receive land, protected as Han people are, but you must also pay taxes to me and protect our land and people."

Liu Yi gazed intensely at Zhao Hanzhang, "General Zhao truly intends to treat us like Han people?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Every ethnicity has its traits. Han are adept at farming, while the grassland tribes excel in herding. We can work together to find a sustainable path for the grassland people. I hope one day the people won’t worry about food and clothing, and the elderly are cared for, the young educated."

Liu Yi clenched Zhao Hanzhang’s hand with great force, nearly digging his nails into her wrist, staring her in the eyes, "I trust General Zhao, a gentleman’s word, if you break this vow?"

Zhao Hanzhang responded sternly, "Then let me be trampled by a thousand horses and unable to rest after death, with my descendants suffering as well!"

"Good!" Liu Yi said, "I know why the General brought me here. I am willing to serve as an envoy, to persuade the fourth brother to surrender."

Zhao Hanzhang asked, "If Liu Cong refuses to surrender?"

Liu Yi lowered his gaze, "Then I will take away those whom I can."

"Good!" Zhao Hanzhang agreed readily, returning his hand squeeze, "I will await the good news here!"