After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Ji Yuan put down the tea cup and said, "In times of chaos, severe laws must be used, otherwise it’s difficult to deter evil. Does Grand Tutor Xun also think the Great General’s use of law is too harsh?"

Xun Fan shook his head and looked at Qiu Zhi, "You haven’t seen those disaster victims, you don’t know how hard their lives are. Officials like Yu Hong... no matter how severe the laws used on them, it’s not excessive. If the Great General lets them prey on the people at this time, then this world will probably be beyond redemption."

Qiu Zhi didn’t expect Xun Fan to side with Zhao Hanzhang, and couldn’t help frowning, "Grand Tutor, you are..."

"Enough," Xun Zu interrupted their argument, "Elder brother is still ill, and he has been weary from the journey. Let’s let him rest more."

Ji Yuan merely came to take a look and confirm if the brothers Xun Fan and Xun Zu were doing well. Having seen them now, he would not stay long and immediately got up to leave.

The other court officials, understanding the situation, also rose to leave. As they were about to withdraw, a servant suddenly rushed in and said, "Master, the Great General and Your Majesty have come to visit the illness, they’re already at the door..."

Upon hearing this, Xun Fan was about to get up to greet them, but Ji Yuan quickly reacted and held him down, "Your leg is injured, stay put, and we will go to greet them."

Xun Zu also held him down, "Yes, elder brother, you must be careful with the wound on your leg. If it splits open, it could be dangerous. We will go to greet them."

Ji Yuan led the others out to welcome them, while Xun Zu was about to follow but was pulled aside by Qiu Zhi.

He couldn’t help but slow down and speak to Qiu Zhi aside, "What can’t be said a bit later?"

"Later will be too late. It’s rare for His Majesty to come here; why not prepare a bit?"

Xun Zu was startled, lowering his voice, "Are you mad? Zhao Hanzhang always travels with bodyguards, and with her skills, even if the guards don’t approach, we wouldn’t be able to take her on."

"Oh, who’s talking about that? The death of one Zhao Hanzhang means the Zhao Family Army and the Zhao Family are still there. How could I kill her? I’m talking about preparing some items for His Majesty to take into the palace."

Xun Zu was reassured and asked, "What items?"

Qiu Zhi then took a dagger out of his sleeve.

Xun Zu’s eyes widened and he pushed his hand back, "Are you crazy!"

Qiu Zhi: "It’s better to be prepared. Haven’t you always wanted to bring something for His Majesty but couldn’t get it into the palace? A short knife can not only protect him but also kill enemies. We are all searched when we enter the palace, but no one dares to search His Majesty when he enters or leaves. This might be the only opportunity."

Xun Zu lowered his eyes and contemplated.

Don’t be fooled by the fact that the Little Emperor practices riding and archery in the palace and learns swordsmanship from Zhao Hanzhang or Zeng Yue; in reality, he can’t get hold of a single weapon privately.

The Imperial Palace, from inside out, is full of Zhao Hanzhang’s people.

The former Imperial Army was disbanded and incorporated into the Zhao Family Army, and those chosen to serve as imperial guards in the Capital City are all direct descendants of the Zhao Family Army.

Those selected for the Imperial Palace are even more loyal.

In the Emperor’s residence, even if a bowl is broken, the pieces must all be collected and confirmed to form a complete bowl before being tidied up and registered. Therefore, the Little Emperor has no self-defense or offensive items.

A handy weapon is something Xun Zu had long wanted to bring to the Little Emperor, but he couldn’t get it into the palace.

But it’s different when the Emperor leaves the palace. The Zhao Family Army at the palace gates will search every person entering the palace, but they certainly won’t search the Little Emperor.

After thinking it over, Xun Zu took the dagger and stuffed it into his sleeve, whispering, "We can’t give it like this. Put it in a cloth bag, and add some other things. Quickly think about what else His Majesty might need."

"Money!" Qiu Zhi softly said, "If His Majesty has enough money, he might be able to bribe those around him. We could proceed gradually, shaking Zhao Hanzhang’s mountain one step at a time."

Xun Zu felt he made sense. Glancing in the direction of the main gate, he quickly returned indoors, grabbed a handful of pearls and some gold nuggets, and put them in, tightened the cloth bag, and stuffed it into his sleeve, hurrying out to greet them.

The two hurriedly headed to the front courtyard, and before reaching it, they met Zhao Hanzhang and the Little Emperor coming towards them. Ji Yuan met the visitors inside the gate, so his return was swift.

Zhao Hanzhang stopped and scrutinized Xun Zu, "What’s happened to Imperial Censor Xun, why are you sweating profusely?"

Xun Zu wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "It’s hot. I was just about to go out to greet His Majesty and the Great General when I suddenly remembered to instruct the servants to finish boiling the medicine. If my elder brother drank the medicine right then, wouldn’t it be disrespectful to His Majesty and the Great General?"

Zhao Hanzhang: "Health is the priority. Neither I nor His Majesty cares about formalities."

The Little Emperor also nodded, "The Grand Tutor’s health is important."

Zhao Hanzhang lifted her foot to go inside and casually said, "Have someone bring up the medicine and also call the Imperial Physician to report. His Majesty is very concerned about the Grand Tutor and wants to inquire about the injury."

Xun Zu complied and quickly sent someone to summon the Imperial Physician and have the boiled medicine brought up.