At this mont, most of Zhao Hanzhang’s troops were outside, and she had even transferred so soldiers and horses from Yu State. If the Emperor beca suspicious of her and Gou Xi took the opportunity to deploy troops, Yu State would be in danger. Zhao Zhongyu hurriedly said, "Does Your Majesty plan to stay in Yun City permanently? Luoyang is the capital of Jin, Yun City is rely a temporary residence for Your Majesty. Once Si Province is stable, you will need to return to Luoyang."
He lowered his voice to a volu only the Emperor could hear, "Just wait until Si Province entirely returns to my control. Zhao Hanzhang will certainly welco Your Majesty back to Luoyang. That is the land of dragon prosperity, the rightful dwelling place for Your Majesty."
The Emperor was startled for a mont, then began to ponder.
He swallowed and asked, "Minister Zhao wants to return to Luoyang?"
Zhao Zhongyu replied, "Does Your Majesty not wish to return to Luoyang? Zhao Hanzhang is currently governing Luoyang. The famine there has been relieved, and once Si Province is recaptured, with ti, Luoyang will surely restore its forr prosperity. That is the center of the world, where Your Majesty should be."
He said, "Yun City, a remote small town, is rely a temporary residence for Your Majesty."
Does the Emperor want to return to Luoyang?
Of course, he wants to return.
He was born in Luoyang, grew up in Luoyang, and witnessed Luoyang’s prosperity and decline.
How can the small town of Yun City compare to Luoyang? Not to ntion the palace is far inferior to Luoyang.
The place he resides now is called the Imperial Palace, but it is actually the modified Inspector Mansion, lacking majestic palace walls and spacious rooms—even Gou Xi’s General’s Mansion is superior. How could he not want to return to Luoyang?
The Emperor fixed his gaze on Zhao Zhongyu and asked, "Minister Zhao truly wants to move back to Luoyang?"
Zhao Zhongyu affird, "Governor Zhao and the Xiping Zhao Family keep my brother’s legacy in mind, loyal and patriotic, and dare not defy."
The Emperor couldn’t tell if he believed him, but he exhaled deeply and personally descended from the dragon throne to help up Zhao Zhongyu, who was bowing deeply, "I trust Chief of Staff Zhao, and I trust Governor Zhao."
Zhao Zhongyu was moved to tears and said to the Emperor, "The current priority is to resolve the conflict between Wang Jun and Liu Kun, preventing them from attacking each other. Once Hanzhang captures Si Province and clears obstacles, Your Majesty can move the capital back to Luoyang. Then, with a single command from Your Majesty, we can attack from both the north and the south, completely reclaim the lost territories. The resurgence of Jin rests solely on Your Majesty."
The Emperor felt his blood boiling, his face flushed red. He nodded heavily and said, "Good! The country’s fate relies on Chief of Staff Zhao and Governor Zhao."
Zhao Zhongyu solemnly agreed.
He bowed and retreated, his back straight as he returned to the Zhao Mansion. Upon entering the gate, he staggered and almost fell to the ground.
His follower quickly reached out to support him, shocked, "Master, why are your hands so cold?"
Zhao Zhongyu’s hand, clutching the follower’s arm, trembled slightly. Despite the cold weather, his back was already soaked with sweat. He shook his head and said, "It’s nothing. Please summon Mr. Tan to see ."
The follower agreed, sending soone to fetch Tan Zhong while assisting Zhao Zhongyu back to the house.
After Zhao Zhongyu left, the Emperor’s smile faded, and he pondered with lowered eyes.
Huang n Zhou Neijian cautiously changed the Emperor’s cup of tea.
The Emperor ca back to his senses, his gaze shifted to the tea, and he asked Zhou Neijian, "Do you think Zhao Zhongyu’s words are true? Does Zhao Hanzhang indeed have no intention of rebelling?"
Zhou Neijian thought for a mont and whispered, "I don’t understand Lord Zhao; I don’t know if she has rebellious intentions. However, I do know that the Great General is becoming increasingly arrogant. If not restrained, he might beco another Prince East Sea, making Your Majesty’s days difficult again."
The Emperor remained silent, internally torn between believing and disbelieving Zhao Hanzhang. Ultimately, he decided to approach her cautiously, harboring skepticism.
With military power in his hands, if Zhao Hanzhang welcod him back to Luoyang, he wouldn’t be weak. He could negotiate with Zhao Hanzhang.
At that ti, the Emperor hadn’t realized that hopping from choosing courtiers for support was a rapid path to accumulating power.
Reflecting on a year ago when he had nothing in his hands, because he chose Gou Xi, within a year he obtained two armies, another held by Fu Zhi in Chang’an.
In contrast, Gou Xi, whom he chose, lost much.
Of course, Gou Xi himself hadn’t realized this, so he was very angry, extrely angry.
He quickly returned to the General’s Mansion and imdiately sought to see the person Liu Kun dispatched to deliver gifts.
When the person ca up, he imdiately had them seized, a long knife across their necks, "Speak, have your State Governor and Zhao Hanzhang colluded, sending you here to deceive ?"
With the knife across their necks: "..."
How could they tell him their State Governor wasn’t Liu Kun but Zhao Hanzhang?
Only a fool would reveal such secrets. Held at knifepoint, they quickly insisted that their State Governor sincerely wished to ally with the Great General, "Why does the General suspect our State Governor?"
Gou Xi’s face darkened, and he said, "Zhao Hanzhang, under the guise of assisting Liu Kun, deployed troops to Hedong County and Fengyi County, nearly occupying all of Si Province. Dare you say Liu Kun was unaware?"
Whether Liu Kun knew or not, they didn’t know, but Zhao Hanzhang didn’t.
The few people shook their heads repeatedly, filled with confusion and fear.
Gou Xi slowly withdrew the knife, "It seems Liu Kun was also unaware. This suggests Zhao Hanzhang included Liu Kun in her calculations. She previously submitted a morial to Your Majesty, strongly advocating for Liu Kun to beco the Jizhou Governor, which now appears rely a temporary expedient. She may not truly endorse Liu Kun as the Jizhou Governor."
If the visitors were indeed Liu Kun’s people, this intimidation followed by such words would undoubtedly lead them to report Zhao Hanzhang’s treachery to Liu Kun.
But kneeling on the ground, trembling now, they were all Zhao Hanzhang’s people.
They wiped away sweat while nodding, acknowledging the Great General’s reasoning.
Gou Xi then stared down at them, "Even if Liu Kun is unaware, I’ve suffered due to him. You have one hour to get out of Yun City. If you dare linger in the city after an hour, I’ll sever your heads and return them to Liu Kun."
Gou Xi was always harsh with people; no one doubted his words. Thus, several individuals scrambled out of the General Mansion, not even pausing to investigate what had happened. Additionally, they didn’t dare to seek Zhao Zhongyu at the Zhao Mansion, instead rushing back to the inn to pack and flee the city.
Once outside, they dared not stop, heading directly towards Luoyang.
Boo-hoo, it was terrifying, they’ll never escape if Gou Xi suspects their identities again and sends troops to sever their heads.
Gou Xi was so furious he paced in circles; the issue of who could be the Jizhou Governor was still undecided. Anyone would do.
Because he didn’t much like Wang Jun’s person, Liu Kun also sent him substantial gifts, and Gou Xi still sowhat leaned towards Liu Kun.
However, having accepted Wang Jun’s gifts as well, it wasn’t easy to imdiately show agreent.
Who knew Liu Kun had such close ties with Zhao Hanzhang, reaching unknown agreents behind his back, allowing Zhao Hanzhang to deploy troops to restrain the Xiongnu for him.
Gou Xi decided he would support Wang Jun as the Jizhou Governor.
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