After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 954 - 939: Offering Protection and Support
These two hundred and thirty people include those with immense strength who’ve repeatedly proved themselves in battle; those adept at horse and cattle rearing, with small notes indicating one family raised more than five hundred horses alone, and even those who once managed horses for Liu Yuan...
There are also literate people, those knowledgeable about herbs and skilled in basic medical practices; Liu Kun also observed two wizards claiming they could perform rituals, curing epidemics and rejuvenating spirits, and bridging heaven and earth...
Liu Kun was speechless for a moment, pointing at those two and asked, "Do you believe this?"
Zhao Hanzhang with a smile, "They can speak twelve languages, not only including the dialects of various Xiongnu tribes, but also Xianbei, Di, Qiang, and even languages beyond the Western Regions. It is said that when conscripted by Liu Cong, they were the wizards of their respective tribes, often traveling with caravan crews. This time, with the whole Xiongnu nation at war, all men below forty-five were required to join the battle, hence they were recruited."
Liu Kun: ...
Liu Kun was convinced, having nothing more to say.
Such people are not merely multilingual; they have visited many places and must have delved into various lands’ geography, villages, and tribes. If such people were kept by one’s side...
Liu Kun felt a surge of excitement but quickly cooled off upon catching Zhao Hanzhang’s faint smile. Though tempted, how did this concern him?
All of this belonged to Zhao Hanzhang.
Liu Kun regretfully closed the booklet and handed it back to Fu Tinghan.
No wonder the more battles Zhao Hanzhang fought, the more capable people she acquired, enabling her to do so many things. It turned out this was how she collected talent.
If he had enough paper, maybe he could think like this too, but paper was precious and scarce; using silk was impossible, wasn’t it?
Zhao Hanzhang said to Liu Kun, "Jiangnan has been peaceful for a while; talents of all sorts are abundant. When Yue Shi goes to Xuzhou, he can recruit talent the way I do."
Liu Kun replied, "I am not going to Xuzhou, I will stand firm in Jinyang."
Zhao Hanzhang ignored him and turned to say, "Let’s go discuss the next steps in our operations; the grand battle is about to begin. Summon Beigong Chun and Zhao Ju to see me."
Liu Cong would of course prefer not to be besieged in Hunlu County, yet bringing along all civilians would slow the army’s movement, making it impossible to proceed, thus he had to abandon some of them.
Of course, he wouldn’t say openly; instead, he would muster morale and start breaking out in several directions, drawing enemy fire, while he marched towards Anle County with fifty thousand elite troops, intending to break through Zhao Hanzhang’s forces.
This was a choice he made after careful consideration.
The Zhao Family Army under Zhao Ju was large and strong, and there was no need to mention Beigong Chun’s Xiliang Army, being the first he chose to avoid, whereas Zhao Hanzhang’s troops, half were newly recruited in Jinyang, notably weaker compared to the other squads, thus he chose this location for the breakout.
Liu Cong ordered Liu Jie to open one passage.
Zhao Hanzhang finally allowed Liu Kun to go out, saying, "I will give you a chance. If you can capture Liu Jie, I will agree to let you stay in Jinyang; otherwise, you will go to Xuzhou as Governor."
Liu Kun agreed immediately.
The remaining Xiongnu were akin to a house without a guard; he didn’t believe he could lose to Liu Jie, so he happily took the order and led all his fifty thousand Jinyang Army. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶
After he left, Zhao Hanzhang said to Zhao Ju, "I need to transfer a few men under the General."
Zhao Ju immediately replied, "At your command, sir."
Zhao Hanzhang selected Ji Ping and Li Tianhe, saying, "Each of you will lead ten thousand men, one ambushing in the southwest foothills of Hunlu Mountain, the other on the east side of Arrow River. If Liu Kun fails, emerge to clean up the aftermath, remember, do not let Liu Kun suffer a major defeat."
Ji Ping and Li Tianhe agreed, yet left confused, "Not allowing a major defeat, is a minor defeat allowed?"
Ji Ping pondered and said, "Sir just made a bet with Governor Liu; if Governor Liu loses, he must listen to Sir and go to Xuzhou."
Li Tianhe understood, his mind moved, whispering, "Then do you think we should delay a bit? What if he wins?"
Ji Ping’s expression turned grim, turning to glare at him, "Hold your tongue; if Sir hears this, you might lose your head. Regardless of any bet between Sir and Governor Liu, we are not to interfere."
Ji Ping previously acted as a guard by Zhao Hanzhang’s side, along with Qiu Wu and Zeng Yue before him; he understood their lady’s temperament, whispering, "Don’t even think of it, having such thoughts alone is a no; aiding the enemy and harming comrades, regardless of your status, the lady would have you skinned."
Li Tianhe’s body stiffened, lowering his eyes, "I’m only playing the devil’s advocate; naturally, I wouldn’t dare do such a thing."
Ji Ping breathed a sigh of relief, pulling him along, "Let’s go, muster the men."
Li Tianhe followed, murmuring quietly, "General Beigong came too, but why didn’t I see Little General and Mr. Xie?"
Ji Ping honestly replied, "I don’t know."
Li Tianhe grumbled, "Old Ji, you’re too honest; you were the first to follow orders by the lady’s side, with Qiu Wu and Zeng Yue coming after, yet now they, one leading critical tasks at the weapons workshop, another with influence beside the lady..."
Ji Ping, "I am the Fen Yong General now."
"Zeng Yue also holds a General’s post; see, both Great General and General Beigong greet him courteously, do they do so for us?"
Ji Ping frowned at him, but Li Tianhe did not restrain, instead argued, "Old Ji, we came from the same squad; after this battle, the war will cease. This is the last chance to earn merit, yet only told to clean up the mess for Governor Liu, while attacking Hunlu County and the Han Kingdom’s main force, such great merits are assigned to others. When it comes to rewards, you and I will rank lower."
Ji Ping replied unhappily, "We were once just minor soldiers, our contracts still held by Lady, merely fortunate to follow Lady and earn battle merits; thankfully received the rank of General, bringing glory to ancestors, nothing more I dare to imagine, nor want, Tianhe, forget your place."
Li Tianhe, "Certainly, I haven’t forgotten, I am loyal to Lady, willing to give my life at her word, but now I speak of earning merits. We came from the same unit, why should all benefits favor Qiu Wu and Zeng Yue?"
"You recommended Qiu Wu upon leaving Lady’s side back then, Qiu Wu recommended Zeng Yue upon departure, so technically, you are their benefactor..."
"You are mistaken; I didn’t recommend Qiu Wu. Whether it’s Qiu Wu or Zeng Yue, Lady chose them personally," Ji Ping solemnly stated, "Even Yuan Li was singled out by Lady, unrelated to me."
Li Tianhe was stumped, only waving his hand, "Never mind, never mind, truly the emperor isn’t anxious, but the eunuch is worried. I am only standing up for you and now that you have no qualms, let’s proceed."
At this point, he mocked, "This is the perk of noble scions; fought so many battles, first time asked to clean up someone else’s mess, and not even our Little General enjoyed such a distinction."
Though Zhao Erlang tasted defeat, Zhao Hanzhang never demanded a cleanup crew trailing him, instead set him free to charge and fight, learning from failures.
So why was Liu Kun special?
