After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Xun Zu watched him leave with a dark, brooding expression, and only when the man had gone far did he withdraw his gaze and ask the servant who had stopped him, "Can I go report this to my elder brother now?"

The servant bowed, then went to ask Xun Fan.

Xun Fan let him in.

As soon as the brothers met, before Xun Zu could question him, Xun Fan said in a deep voice, "Kneel!"

Xun Zu paused for a moment, then knelt down all the same.

With a stern face, Xun Fan asked him, "Why did you secretly present a weapon to Your Majesty?"

Xun Zu said, "Lord Cao has been regent for twenty-four years and has not dared proclaim himself emperor. Zhao Hanzhang’s respect toward Your Majesty surpasses even what she showed Emperor Xian. She is still young and can take things slowly. What I don’t understand is why Elder Brother is so impatient to have Your Majesty yield the throne to her."

Xun Fan said, "I have already given you my reasons. I will give you one more now: His Majesty has no will to fight. None!"

Xun Fan said in a low voice, "Emperor Xian still harbored the intent to reclaim power, so there were Han officials who threw themselves forward one after another to serve him. But His Majesty has no fighting spirit at all. At this point, how many of the old ministers are still willing to risk their lives to help him seize back power?"

"Did you not see what happened in the room today? Men like Xiahou Ren and Tao Wu long since inclined toward Zhao Hanzhang. This time she kept her promise, and they have turned fully to her. Even Wei An, Yuan Xin and the others who usually follow at your side—though they say nothing—feel respect for her in their hearts. If things go on like this, in the end will it be you who slowly consolidates power, or Zhao Hanzhang?"

Xun Zu opened his mouth, and with difficulty said, "There are still more men of loyalty and righteousness in this world."

Expressionless, Xun Fan said, "Precisely because there are more men of loyalty and righteousness, His Majesty’s throne is all the more unstable. To gain the throne in an improper way brings endless troubles. In eighty years the Great Jin has failed to win the hearts of the realm’s subjects; instead, morality has decayed, the high ministers drown themselves in wine and dreams and flee from the affairs of the world. Do you think that in the next thirty years, you alone can accomplish what Lord Zhao, Mr. Fu and all those others could not?"

Xun Zu was unable to speak.

Xun Fan said, "Let it end here."

Xun Zu sank down dispiritedly onto the floor and asked in a low voice, "What about Qiu Zhi? He’s been taken by Zhao Hanzhang. I... I fear I won’t last much longer either."

Xun Fan thought for a moment, then shook his head. "She is someone who looks to the greater picture. She will not lay hands on you at this time. This matter will most likely be reduced from a major to a minor one, then quietly let go. Even for Qiu Zhi, the problem is not great."

Here Xun Fan gave a cold snort. "It’s too easy on him. This matter was his instigation, wasn’t it? I hate him deeply."

Xun Zu said nothing.

As soon as Ji Yuan stepped out the door, he was met by a Zhao Family Army personal guard waiting outside. "The Great General is waiting for you at the mansion."

Ji Yuan was also anxious to discuss matters with Zhao Hanzhang, and hurried over.

By the time he reached the General’s Mansion, the sun was nearly setting. As soon as he entered the courtyard gate he saw Yuan Li kneeling on the ground. His steps paused slightly, then he pretended not to see and walked past him into the study.

Yuan Li was not like others. If it had been another colleague, Ji Yuan would certainly have pleaded for him.

But Yuan Li... what he handled was too important, too secret. Those covert networks Ji Yuan had once held had all been transferred to Yuan Li, who had rearranged them.

This was surely at Zhao Hanzhang’s instruction.

Ji Yuan did not wish to test Zhao Hanzhang’s bottom line. By the nature of his position, Yuan Li was destined to be a solitary minister. The less they interacted, the better for both sides.

Even so, after entering and paying his respects, Ji Yuan still could not help saying, "My lady, Yuan Li is still kneeling outside."

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Zhao Hanzhang said, "Let him in."

Ting He took the order and went out.

Before long Yuan Li hobbled in, and after paying his respects, silently stood to one side.

Seeing that Zhao Hanzhang had summoned only this small group, he knew she still did not wish too many to know. Ji Yuan instinctively lowered his voice and recounted the conversation he had had with Xun Fan.

Ji Yuan looked at Zhao Hanzhang and said, "If there are no unexpected changes, the day after tomorrow Your Majesty will yield the throne to you. You must refuse again."

He paused, then said, "Although you have already refused once today, that was in private and does not count. You still need to decline three times."

This would proclaim to the realm the legitimacy of her accession. Hypocritical as it was, it would be useful!

Zhao Hanzhang nodded her assent. Next came the defensive preparations to guard against any accidents.

Many accidents arise from relaxation after nearing success. She did not want anything to go wrong at the final step, so the necessary preparations still had to be made.

Zhao Hanzhang entrusted this matter to Zhao Shen and Zeng Yue, one outside and one inside: Zhao Shen would command the Zhao Family Army outside the city to guard against surprises; Zeng Yue would command the Imperial Guard trusted aides inside the city to ensure everyone’s safety.

Yuan Li would provide them with intelligence, while Ji Yuan and Ming Yu would naturally be at the vanguard, negotiating the relevant arrangements with those aligned with the Little Emperor.