Ji Dan sighed, understanding that Liu Kun did not think highly of King Langya.
He thought carefully and also felt that King Langya was average. Previously, several princes and heroes had erged, but none had managed to end the chaos. King Langya did not have particularly outstanding talents or virtues, so how could he represent the Jin Dynasty to bring peace to the world?
Relying on him was not as quick as relying on Zhao Hanzhang to rebel.
Actually, since the Imperial Family was the Sima family, Ji Dan felt that it didn’t matter if Zhao Hanzhang rebelled, because his family was not the legitimate lineage. However, Liu Kun was loyal to the Jin Dynasty, and as an advisor, he naturally had to consider the matter from Liu Kun’s perspective.
Ji Dan secretly glanced at Liu Kun, privately thinking it wouldn’t be bad for him to pledge allegiance to soone else.
But he also knew Liu Kun’s stubbornness. Such words could not be ntioned; if ntioned, it would explode—and that could an his death.
Zhao Ju had already sent people to clear out Hunlu County. The Xiongnu people and others remaining in the city were either detained or relocated, allowing Zhao Hanzhang to enter Hunlu County.
She had many matters to attend to and could not leave the Northern Land for the ti being, so she decided to stay in Hunlu County for a while to handle various affairs.
As she entered the city, Fu Tinghan ca to find her, "The captured Jin State officials are outside seeking to see you."
Zhao Hanzhang frowned slightly, asking, "Such matters can be handled by those below. Why was it reported up here?"
Fu Tinghan replied, "There are quite a few of them, and, Zhao Ji is dead; his body is in the city."
Zhao Hanzhang was slightly dazed; she almost couldn’t rember this uncle.
After Liu Cong poisoned the Emperor Jin and Zhao Zhongyu, he killed a group of Jin ministers who cried and cursed him. Apart from Emperor Jin and Zhao Zhongyu who could still be buried in a simple coffin, the other Jin ministers were dragged to a common grave and discarded.
It was only with the contributions of the surviving Jin ministers at that ti that they were buried.
After capturing Boping County, Zhao Hanzhang ordered the reburial of Emperor Jin and Zhao Zhongyu. Their coffins were still stored in Boping County, while Zhao Hanzhang did not move the corpses of the other murdered Jin ministers. However, she had their nas recorded, planning to honor and reward them upon return.
After all, posthumous honors did not cost much but could inspire people and set a righteous atmosphere.
At the ti, Zhao Ji was not among those murdered, but... Zhao Hanzhang had forgotten about him.
Being ntioned now, Zhao Hanzhang rembered this close uncle by blood and quickly stood up, "He is... was killed?"
Fu Tinghan nodded, his face calm, saying, "I heard Liu Cong sent people to kill him before leaving, along with several other Jin ministers. In total, nine people were killed."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang sighed, "Bury them well with dignity."
Then she asked, "How many of the remaining Jin ministers are still alive?"
"Twenty-three."
Zhao Hanzhang raised her eyebrows and went out with Fu Tinghan to see them.
Compared to the captured, those who survived were negligible. However, from being captured, humiliated, and following Liu Cong’s army all the way to Hunlu County, those who managed to survive in the end had almost lost their humanity.
They knelt outside the gate with numb expressions. Seeing a gallant woman stride toward them, so’s lifeless eyes finally moved, as if regaining so vitality; others continued to look with numb expressions.
Even though Zhao Hanzhang had no intention of using these people, she couldn’t help but sigh, stepping forward to help them up, feeling only bones.
She paused, still unable to suppress her softened heart, saying, "You all are safe now. Since you’ve returned, do so work for ."
She called for the clerks, instructing them to take them away and assign them record-keeping tasks, providing accommodation and food.
The officials, who had been numb and indifferent, finally showed so reaction, hunched over, asking Zhao Hanzhang, "Dare I ask, General, will you take us back to the Central Plains?"
Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "Naturally, if you wish to return, I will have soone bring you back."
Learning they could return to the Central Plains, soone imdiately fell to the ground, crying in anguish.
With one crying, the rest followed, wailing loudly. Within monts, the cries of twenty-three grown n echoed to the sky outside the gate.
Zhao Hanzhang: ...
After they had cried enough, one finally wiped his tears and snot, asking, "Dare I ask, General, what about the officials’ families in Yun City?"
Zhao Hanzhang calmly said, "Of the city’s populace, not one in ten survived, and very few managed to escape."
The officials grieved greatly, their faces reddening with anger, "The Xiongnu were so brutal. Why did the General not punish them? Instead, you are preparing Liu Cong, a rebel’s, funeral."
"Liu Cong, who killed our emperor, should face severe punishnt. We request the General to punish him."
Zhao Hanzhang replied, "The Xiongnu have surrendered and are now Jin people. I know what to do. I see everyone is tired; rest for now. In a few days, General Zhao is returning to the Central Plains, and I’ll have them take you along."
With that, she turned to leave.
An official hurriedly called out, "General Zhao, Jizhi left so words before he died."
Zhao Hanzhang paused, tilting her head to look at him, "Oh? What did he say?"
"This..." The official hesitated, not speaking.
Zhao Hanzhang, thinking she still needed to et with Beigong Chun and Shi Le, decided not to waste ti and nodded to her aides, "Bring him along."
The trusted aides stepped forward, helping the man up to follow Zhao Hanzhang.
Official: ...
Zhao Hanzhang went to see Zhao Ji’s corpse.
Zhao Ju had great respect for him, despite knowing the inside story that Zhao Hanzhang didn’t have a good relationship with him. But after all, he bore the surna Zhao and was once one of his employers.
The soldiers guarding the coffin saw Zhao Hanzhang and imdiately stepped forward to salute, respectfully saying, "My lord, the weather is hot, and he’s been dead for four to five days, so..."
"Open it." Zhao Hanzhang covered her mouth and nose with a handkerchief, stepping forward to take a look. Confirming the person lying in the coffin was indeed Zhao Ji, it was evident that he had died in terror, with a look of fear still on his face. It was clear he hadn’t expected to die by the sword in the end.
Zhao Hanzhang sighed and, turning to the official whose face was white, said, "Tell , what words did my uncle leave?"
The official stamred, "He said... he said he was your uncle, no, he asked you to take good care of the young and old in the family, and also said the Zhao Family is in your hands..."
Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but chuckle. Under her smile, the official stopped, murmuring, not daring to speak further.
Zhao Hanzhang looked down at the person in the coffin, directly eting Zhao Ji’s fearful face, and said, "Rest assured, uncle, I will take care of my cousins."
With that, she waved her hand, signaling the soldiers to cover the coffin.
With the formalities over, Zhao Hanzhang tilted her head to look at the official, asking if there was anything else to say.
The official faltered, and in the end, Zhao Hanzhang waved her hand, having him taken back to be arranged with the other officials.
Fu Tinghan, having watched the whole process, asked her, "Do you regret softening your heart?"
"It’s a small matter, not sothing to regret," Zhao Hanzhang didn’t care about trivial matters like this. What troubled her was, "Do you think I should personally visit Shanggu County?"
User Comments
0 comments from readers