After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times
Chapter 163 - 157 Reinforcements

Chapter 163: Chapter 157 Reinforcements

Zhao Hanzhang led the newly recruited three thousand soldiers and Zhao Ju, following two envoys to support Yu Yang. On their way past Shangcai County, they picked up Ji Yuan.

With one general and one strategist, Zhao Hanzhang was quite satisfied with this setup.

Ji Yuan took this deployment very seriously, saying, "This is Miss Zhao’s first appearance before others. Although Xiping County is already under your control, it is only acknowledged by the people in the county. Whether you can gain recognition from the Inspector and other counties will depend on this."

Zhao Ju was perplexed, "If that’s the case, why don’t we take our trained troops? With these new soldiers, can they even fight?"

Ji Yuan stroked his beard and said, "This is called advancing and retreating appropriately. Miss Zhao needs to demonstrate her capabilities but not be too formidable to arouse others’ envy. Besides, they are not worth Miss Zhao wasting her elite troops to rescue."

Zhao Hanzhang slapped her thigh and praised, "Sir, you are absolutely right!"

She said happily, "When we arrive at Yu Yang, please assist me, sir."

Ji Yuan stroked his beard and smiled, "I shall not fail your expectations, Miss Zhao."

Zhao Ju on the side couldn’t understand. Isn’t it just troop deployment? Why are there so many twists and turns?

Everyone has a heart, why does this person’s heart have so many knotholes?

The distance from Shangcai to Yu Yang is not very far; a day of forced march will suffice.

As Zhao Hanzhang’s strategist, when the smoke signals rose, Ji Yuan began gathering information and frequently sent people over. So, he knew more than Zhao Hanzhang and County Magistrate Chai, the two county controllers.

"The one leading the troops is Liu Jing, a subordinate of Liu Yuan. He is brutal. It’s said that the last time he entered Luoyang, being late by just a step behind the rebels from Jingzhao County, in a fit of rage, he massacred two streets and vented his anger by brutally killing his vanguard," Ji Yuan said. "This infuriated Liu Yuan, who punished him by sending him south to attack Yu State. Now that Liu Yuan has declared himself emperor, he must be eager to earn merit and return."

"If he managed to besiege Yu Yang for over half a month, he clearly isn’t a reckless person," Ji Yuan said, "Miss Zhao, you must be cautious against him."

Zhao Hanzhang: "So you mean that the attack on Yu State is mainly led by him?"

Ji Yuan nodded, "Precisely."

"Then Shi Le must take orders from him as well?" Zhao Hanzhang asked, "Where is Shi Le now?"

"Shi Le is just a refugee army. Though brave, he has no solid foundation. In the Battle of Yan State, he was beaten by Gou Xi until he was the only one left," Ji Yuan looked at Zhao Hanzhang, puzzled, "Why is Miss Zhao so focused on him?"

Since Shi Le retreated from Xiping, Zhao Hanzhang had been keeping an eye on Shi Le’s whereabouts, asking about him regularly.

More attention was given to Shi Le than to Liu Yuan.

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Do not underestimate Shi Le. Though born a slave, his abilities are no less than Liu Yuan’s. Who knows if Liu Yuan’s achievements today might not be Shi Le’s future?"

Ji Yuan was surprised, "Miss Zhao, are you saying that Shi Le might also declare himself emperor in the future?"

Who knows?

Liu Yuan declared himself emperor a year early, history seems to have changed, yet perhaps not; who knows if Shi Le might still declare himself emperor in the future?

But people remain who they are, his abilities are there for all to see and are unlikely to be inferior.

There is a mountain between Yu Yang and Shangcai, with the official road cutting through the mountain, dividing it into two halves.

It was precisely because of this mountain barrier that Liu Jing, unable to take Yu Yang after a prolonged attack, plundered nearby villages and towns for supplies, yet never reached Shangcai.

The troops halted when eighty li from Yu Yang City, unable to proceed any further, for ahead lay Liu Jing’s encampment.

Zhao Hanzhang surveyed the terrain and found a place that was easily defensible and difficult to attack, and temporarily set up camp. Then, she called the two envoys, "Where are the other reinforcements?"

One envoy replied, "Perhaps they are still ahead of us."

Another envoy urged, "Miss Zhao, since you are already here, why not take advantage of the Xiongnu army’s unpreparedness to launch a surprise attack, coordinating inside and outside with Yu Yang to catch them off guard and earn merit before the other reinforcements arrive?"

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at him, her eyes saying, "Do you think I’m a fool?"

Of course, she couldn’t say that out loud, so she said, "As it is my first time leading troops into battle, I lack experience; it’s better to wait for reinforcements from other counties to arrive, then act together."

Zhao Ju walked over in large strides, cupping his fists, "Miss Zhao, scouts report that a military camp is located thirty li to the northeast, the flag indicates it should be our Great Jin army."

On hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang clapped her hands in joy, "There they are! Come, let’s go join them."

They couldn’t just recklessly charge with the main force; thus, Zhao Ju first took a contingent to scout ahead, while they followed with the main force behind.

Indeed, it was the Great Jin army; all were reinforcements, including personnel from various counties and an Assistant General sent by Prince East Sea.

The Xiongnu army attacked Luoyang again; Prince East Sea feared that Yu State would fall, leaving Luoyang isolated. Therefore, he had to send one thousand men to urge Yu State’s counties to assist Yu Yang swiftly and decisively expel the Xiongnu army from Yu State, allowing him to focus on the large army advancing on Luoyang.

Zhao Hanzhang’s forces had just reached five li away when someone came to greet them. Zhao Ju was the first to run up, leaning in to say, "It’s the allied army folks, here specifically to receive you, Miss Zhao."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded slightly and asked in a low voice, "Who is in charge in the army?"

"It’s Governor Zhang of Ruyin County."

"Why him? What about the Assistant General sent by Prince East Sea?"

Zhao Ju replied quickly, "I’m not sure."

As soon as he finished speaking, the people welcoming them arrived. Zhao Hanzhang raised her head and smiled at the other party.

The other party was a bit surprised, not expecting the leader to be such a young youth, looking so handsome, almost indistinguishable in gender, with a jade-like pale face, not inferior even to the Wei Shubao he had seen before.

However, his surprise was fleeting and soon he composed himself, stepped forward, and greeted, "I am Lu Xiyuan of Ruyin County. May I know how to address you, sir?"

Zhao Hanzhang raised an eyebrow, touched her high-tied hair, only remembering now that for convenience when going out, she’d tied her hair up and wore armor forged by her dear Fifth Uncle.

She smiled, lowered her voice, and said, "I am Zhao Hanzhang of the Zhao Family, called Zhao thrice at home."

"So it’s Zhao Sanlang, indeed worthy of the Zhao Family, leading troops into battle at such a young age. Please come inside."

Ji Yuan and Zhao Ju: ...

The two envoys beside them: ...

But they held their tongues, not exposing Zhao Hanzhang immediately.

Because she wasn’t wrong; she indeed was called Zhao Hanzhang, and indeed third in line.

Zhao Hanzhang rode forward and walked with him a while. When two li from the main tent, he pointed to a nearby open area and said, "Please have your detachment camp here, the main tent area is fully occupied."

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t wish to crowd with others anyway, although this spot...

Zhao Hanzhang looked around and agreed with a smile, "Zhao Ju, take the men and set up camp. This is the main road for dispatching troops; don’t block the way. I think that area looks good, go check it out, if suitable, camp there."