After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Zhao Hanzhang composed herself and asked, "Where is your father?"

A Wei replied indifferently, "My father has also died."

He reached inside his sleeve and pulled out a white band from his arm. The band should have been tied around his wrist, but perhaps because of his active nature or some other reason, the band had been pushed up and hidden by the sleeve.

This band signifies a recent bereavement within three months, meaning his father passed away less than three months ago.

Zhao Hanzhang felt even more regretful, unexpected that such a knowledgeable person has also passed away.

"My condolences."

𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

A Wei said, "I’ve long ceased to grieve. My mother said people must look forward, my father is already of the past."

Zhao Hanzhang perked up and asked him, "Did your mother ever say anything particularly philosophical?"

A Wei: "What is philosophy?"

"It’s something that sounds very reasonable."

Without hesitation, A Wei replied, "There are many, like when it’s cold, wear more clothes, when hungry, eat food..."

Seeing Zhao Hanzhang’s expressionless face, A Wei became unhappy, "Aren’t these sound principles?"

Beside him, Fu Tinghan couldn’t help but chuckle, and seeing A Wei glaring at him, he said, "These are the most correct principles indeed."

A Wei’s expression then relaxed.

Zhao Hanzhang then asked, "Since your father believed Zhao Hanzhang is not a person of loyalty and righteousness, why are you heading to Yu State?"

"My father only said she lacks loyalty to the Great Jin, but is benevolent towards the people, though she may be pretending, if she can keep pretending, she may not be a bad ruler."

Even Fu Tinghan couldn’t help but say, "Such a talent, what a pity..."

Zhao Hanzhang felt even more regretful, how could such a person die early?

Due to his father’s reputation, Zhao Hanzhang found him more agreeable. Smiling, he suggested, "Since you’re going to Yu State, why don’t I send a letter for you? I’m from Yu State and have some friends, maybe they can help you meet Zhao Hanzhang."

A Wei waved dismissively, "No need, I’ve decided not to join her."

He said, "Although my father said she’s capable and worth joining, I believe receiving the ruler’s stipend means being loyal to the ruler. Since she’s a Jin Minister, she should be devoted to the Great Jin. Such ambition makes her not a good person, not worth following, so I decided to follow you instead."

So many points to address that Zhao Hanzhang didn’t know where to start criticizing. After steadying her mood, she asked, "So you’re devoted to the Great Jin? Want me involved?"

A Wei looked surprised, "Why would Miss Zhao think like this? My grandpa said, Jin’s reign is illegitimately gained, lacks virtue, not worth following, why would I follow it?"

He encouraged Zhao Hanzhang, "With your vision and ability, you completely have the potential to start anew, just like Zhao Hanzhang."

He affirmed, "I think you’re more capable than Zhao Hanzhang, truly."

The throat-stabbing technique, he believed Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t manage it.

Shi Hongtu and the others looked at him like a fool, but Zhao Hanzhang seriously considered it for a moment before nodding, "I appreciate your high regard for me, but I’m returning tomorrow, not going to Yu State..." So, we are fated not to be together.

But A Wei quickly responded, "I’ll go with you!"

He said, "Wherever you go, I’ll go."

His eyes shone brightly as he looked at Zhao Hanzhang, encouragingly said, "Really, Miss Zhao, I think you have great talent. Jin is incompetent and lacks virtue. Why don’t you take over?"

Zhao Hanzhang understood, this person isn’t opposed to rebellion, just against Jin Ministers rebellion.

She looked at him sadly, how should she tell him she is Zhao Hanzhang?

But soon she didn’t have time to worry about this, Elder Li arrived with a son and grandson in the late night, Zhao Hanzhang composed herself and faced the three.

Fu Tinghan took off his outer garment and draped it over her shoulders, conveniently covering the injury there, so when Elder Li and his family approached, they only noticed her pale complexion in the firelight.

Zhao Hanzhang originally wanted to stand, but when she tried to steady herself with Fu Tinghan’s hand, she couldn’t rise. Seeing Elder Li approach, she simply remained seated.

In the eyes of Li Family’s father and sons, this seemed arrogant.

Elder Li’s son and grandson looked a bit angry, but Elder Li’s expression remained unchanged, still kindly saluting Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang sighed inwardly, carefully moved, felt a dizzy spell likely due to blood loss.

She knew that even if she stood up, her limbs would be weak, Elder Li being sharp would surely notice, and then her plans could not be carried out.

Hence she could only maintain an arrogant posture while seated, but kept a gentle smile, after excusing Elder Li from formalities, she said, "Elder Li, please have a seat."

She addressed A Wei still standing, "I understand your intentions, but this matter is significant, you need to seek your mother’s consent and discuss with your brothers at home."

A Wei heard this as Zhao Hanzhang agreeing to take him, but requiring family approval.

A Wei felt confident about family matters, thus considering himself Zhao Hanzhang’s follower, happily said, "You wait, I’ll go and tell them now."

After speaking, he only gave a nod to Elder Li’s family and excitedly left.

Li Family watched him head towards a nearby bonfire, where a crowd of about fifty to sixty people gathered, judging by their clothes visible in the firelight, not too shabby.

It seemed they guessed right, Gu Qilang’s background shouldn’t be poor.

Elder Li’s attitude towards Zhao Hanzhang grew more respectful.

Zhao Hanzhang appeared oblivious to his scrutiny, directly said, "The hour grows late, we must travel early tomorrow, I won’t interrupt Elder Li for long, my reason for calling you late is to discuss compensation."

Elder Li’s heart settled halfway, without asking what compensation she wanted, he directly said, "Miss Zhao, please speak."

Zhao Hanzhang gestured for him to look at Shi Le lying on the ground and said, "I need a doctor, medicine for ten people’s injuries, and food for ten people for ten days."

The Li Family isn’t poor but wasn’t wealthy enough to maintain a family doctor, Elder Li countered, "I can invite a doctor to attend to Miss Zhao’s friends, but cannot make him remain with Miss Zhao."

Zhao Hanzhang frowned tightly, reluctantly agreed.

Elder Li continued, "Currently, medicine among refugees is as valuable as gold, we didn’t bring much, plus what we’ve used, I can at most spare you three portions."

Zhao Hanzhang stated expressionless, "Too little, at least eight portions."

Elder Li shook his head, "Only three portions, Miss Zhao, it’s not a lack of sincerity, but truly no medicine."

Zhao Hanzhang fixed her gaze on him, after a stalemate, Elder Li bit the bullet, "At most five portions."

Zhao Hanzhang reluctantly nodded.

Elder Li breathed a sigh of relief, then expressed difficulty, "Miss Zhao, we’ve been traveling for quite some time, we don’t have much food left, can I exchange for money?"

Zhao Hanzhang said expressionless, "Elder Li, I don’t lack money."

In fact, she does lack it, but at the moment what is most lacking is food.