After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 960 - 945: Open Conspiracy

Zhao Hanzhang was about to speak when Zhao Erlang and Xie Shi returned happily carrying Liu Cong’s corpse.

This was the first time Liu Kun met Zhao Hanzhang’s younger brother Zhao Yong. Of course, most people, including readers, probably didn’t remember his full name, only knowing him as Zhao Erlang.

But Liu Kun remembered him and felt the young man riding on the horse didn’t seem to have any mental issues. They said he was like Emperor Hui? He didn’t look it.

Zhao Erlang saw his sister and immediately jumped off the horse, running over joyfully, saying, "Sister, Liu Cong has been beheaded by me!"

Liu Kun’s expression shifted, confirming that although he wasn’t as foolish as Emperor Hui, he wasn’t extraordinarily smart either.

Zhao Hanzhang tapped his head, "Don’t misuse new words you learn; ’beheading’ is a punishment, to cut off a head and hang it on wood. Liu Emperor’s body is intact, which shows your treatment of him; how can it be considered beheading?"

Zhao Erlang said, "Sister, shouldn’t I treat him with courtesy? He’s the enemy, but Mr. Xie told me to handle his corpse well."

Zhao Hanzhang sighed and said, "Although we have a vendetta with him, he was a monarch, and since he has died, he should have the rites of a monarch. Prepare his body properly."

Zhao Hanzhang was not a pervert; even if she had a grudge against Liu Cong, his death meant the feud was over, and she wouldn’t vent her anger on his corpse. Moreover, she had many surrendered Xiongnu soldiers here, giving them face meant she wouldn’t do anything to harm their feelings.

Back then, Liu Cong poisoned Emperor Jin, provoking the Han Clan’s backlash. Because of this, Yu State attracted over three hundred talents during this period, not lacking in those of high ability.

Thus, Zhao Hanzhang wouldn’t do such useless things filled with resentment and a twisted psychological satisfaction.

She ordered someone to prepare a fine coffin for Liu Cong.

It was ready-made, found from the conquered Hunlu County.

Liu Yi and others saw how she treated Liu Cong with courtesy, and couldn’t help but break into tears, immediately running to mourn Liu Cong, crying out, "Brother, if you had listened to my advice earlier, how could you have ended up like this? With Zhao Hanzhang’s magnanimity, she would have treated you with courtesy."

Zhao Hanzhang, who came to offer incense for Liu Cong, silently inserted the incense, and thought: Actually, no, if Liu Cong had really surrendered alive, she would still find an opportunity to get rid of him.

Liu Cong was not Liu Yi. Even if he surrendered, he would still be rebellious, and sooner or later, a scourge.

Moreover, he was an emperor, so dying on the battlefield was actually quite fitting.

For this, Zhao Hanzhang complimented Zhao Erlang for two consecutive days, praising him in front of everyone and promising to make him a Great General when they returned.

This wasn’t a spur of the moment decision, but rather, Zhao Hanzhang needed Zhao Erlang to have some prestige in the army, which was also the reason she had him ambush Liu Ji’s route.

Shi Le and others speculated that Zhao Hanzhang had already guessed Liu Cong was hiding in Liu Ji’s route, which was why Zhao Erlang concealed his actions and ambushed them midway.

Shi Le didn’t feel comfortable asking directly, but Liu Kun had no such scruples; he asked, "Did Hanzhang know Liu Cong would hide in Liu Ji’s military route all along?"

Shi Le and Beigong Chun perked up their ears to listen.

Zhao Hanzhang shook her head and smiled, "I didn’t know. Of the four routes, I guessed either Liu Ji’s army or Liu Yao’s army. Of course, the other two routes were possible, but only with a 30% chance."

"Liu Ji and Liu Yao each had a 40% chance. If I guessed right, the credit would go to either Erlang or General Shi," Zhao Hanzhang smiled and said, "Which is why the pressure on our two armies was the greatest, and I preferred General Beigong to take the east route, as he had collaborated with Uncle Qianli several times. If Uncle Qianli encountered problems attacking Hunlu County, he could assist immediately. With both of you, our rear will be secure."

Beigong Chun and Zhao Ju nodded in satisfaction, although killing the Xiongnu Emperor wasn’t credited to them, Zhao Hanzhang’s arrangement showed her trust in them.

Shi Le’s expression improved significantly.

Only Liu Kun asked curiously, "And what about me?"

Zhao Hanzhang smiled at him and asked, "Brother, do you remember the wager we made?"

Liu Kun fell silent instantly.

Zhao Hanzhang then nodded to Zhao Ju and Beigong Chun, who immediately rose and found an excuse to leave, taking Shi Le with them, "I’ve long heard of General Shi’s strength and daring, and wish to spar with you."

Shi Le had twice been defeated by Beigong Chun, admitting his ability to command troops was inferior to Beigong Chun’s. But in personal prowess, Shi Le was eager to try, and immediately went to spar with Beigong Chun.

Zhao Erlang sat innocently by the side, waiting for the rabbit on the rack to be done. Xie Shi found two excuses but couldn’t persuade him to leave, resigning himself and leaving alone.

Fu Tinghan got up and said to Zhao Erlang, "Come, I’ll show you something interesting."

Zhao Erlang knew his brother-in-law always had many peculiar items, reluctantly tearing his gaze from the sizzling rabbit and asked, "What is it?"

Fu Tinghan pulled him away, "You’ll know when you get there."

As they walked, Zhao Erlang looked back at Zhao Hanzhang and said, "Sister, save me a thigh from the rabbit when it’s ready."

Zhao Hanzhang agreed.

Zhao Erlang was unwilling to leave, "Make sure to include the piece of meat on the chest."

Zhao Hanzhang waved dismissively, "I’ll save you half the rabbit."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Erlang followed Fu Tinghan contentedly.

The campfire side was instantly left with only Zhao Hanzhang and Liu Kun.

Liu Kun was visibly restless.

Zhao Hanzhang sighed and said, "Brother~~"

Liu Kun immediately said, "I know, I’ll keep my word and go to Xuzhou."

Zhao Hanzhang wouldn’t let it go just yet, and asked him, "Will you take General Linghu when you go to Xuzhou?"

Linghu Sheng was under his command, so of course Liu Kun intended to bring him. By convention, the Jinyang Army was all under his control; even if he couldn’t take everyone, he would take the elite and key personnel since it was his power base.

Zhao Hanzhang advised him, "General Linghu has been with you defending Jinyang for many years and knows it well. Although the Xiongnu Kingdom is destroyed, you all know the world isn’t completely peaceful yet, especially with the Tuoba Xianbei in Dai County."

Liu Kun didn’t speak, though he wasn’t foolish enough to say to Zhao Hanzhang that Tuoba Yilu was their elder brother and they should trust him.

Regardless of Zhao Hanzhang and Tuoba Yilu becoming sworn siblings, or Liu Kun and Tuoba Yilu doing the same years ago, it was all due to interests. True brotherly love existed but wasn’t abundant; at least in Liu Kun’s mind, it didn’t outweigh Jinyang and Jin State. Similarly, in Tuoba Yilu’s perspective, that bond didn’t surpass Xianbei’s interests.

Everyone understood this without needing to say it.

In terms of national interests, Zhao Hanzhang and Liu Kun’s interests were aligned, so they both knew to guard against Dai County, against the Tuoba Xianbei.

"Which is why I want to ask you to leave General Linghu in Jinyang."

Despite Liu Kun’s pride, he truly loved his country. After contemplating, he finally gritted his teeth and agreed, "Alright, I will leave Linghu Sheng and the Jinyang Army, and only take two thousand men with me."

Zhao Hanzhang promptly said, "Don’t worry, brother. I definitely won’t let you struggle like when you first came to Jinyang. I’ll give Ji Ping to you, commanding twenty thousand soldiers to escort you to Xuzhou and station in Xuzhou under your command."