After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times
Chapter 167 - 161: The Value of Death

Chapter 167: Chapter 161: The Value of Death

Governor Zhang continued to seek advice, and everyone contributed many strategies, which were even more extraordinary than luring the enemy and ambushing.

Without Zhao Hanzhang having to question them, they could find a bunch of flaws themselves. One person would propose an idea, and the others would immediately try to find problems with it, creating quite a lively atmosphere.

However, Zhao Hanzhang listened with great interest, even noted down those methods; maybe she could use them in battles someday. Hahaha...

Ji Yuan saw the lady of their family draw a dagger from her waist and, after wiping it with a cloth, began to carve meat, planning to put the carved meat into his plate. Ji Yuan quickly reached out to stop her, "Lady, you should eat."

So Zhao Hanzhang ate it herself, listening while eating, seemingly quite happy.

Ji Yuan couldn’t help but shake his head, feeling she was not here to support the battle, but clearly here to have fun.

This banquet lasted until late at night. Zhao Hanzhang ate all the mutton legs on the table, gnawed several pieces of mutton bones, drank two bowls of soup, and ate quite a bit of other dishes.

Finally, she still felt unsatisfied, perhaps because she was growing, so she raised her hand and called to the soldier attending nearby, "Bring some steamed buns, rice, or flatbreads; only having dishes doesn’t fill me up."

The soldier glanced at the empty plates on her table. Meat wasn’t filling?

Nevertheless, the soldier went and soon returned with a pot of rice.

Zhao Hanzhang served herself a bowl, soaked it in mutton soup, and began to eat.

By the time they finally reached a conclusion, most of the food in Zhao Hanzhang’s stomach was digested.

After much deliberation, the final agreement was to face the Xiongnu Army directly. Once they engaged, attracting their attention, Yu Yang City’s gate would open for a pincer attack.

With this plan decided, everyone praised Governor Zhang for the good strategy, asserting they would certainly drive the Xiongnu Army into a rout this time.

Zhao Hanzhang quietly listened and then began to listen to the assignment of positions.

Governor Zhang ultimately looked down on Zhao Hanzhang, not daring to place her in the Central Army, let alone as vanguard, so he assigned her to lead her three thousand troops on the right wing, to encircle the Xiongnu Army with another reinforcements.

In fact, the main task was to flank for the Central Army.

The Xiongnu had cavalry, and powerful cavalry at that; she didn’t think they could encircle them. If they couldn’t, such a formation would lead to chaos, a total mess where the front and rear couldn’t support each other.

However, everyone was unfamiliar with each other, and hearts were not united, making this the best possible formation at present.

Zhao Hanzhang stood up and agreed with the military advisor, expressing her willingness to follow the arrangement.

Thus, the banquet dispersed, and everyone returned to their camps.

Governor Zhang mentioned that he arranged for a tent for Zhao Hanzhang so she could stay and rest well.

Zhao Hanzhang thanked him, but her camp was not far from here, just a brief horseback ride away, so there was no need to stay.

Zhao Hanzhang left with Ji Yuan.

Governor Zhang watched her ride away, his smile fading.

Lu Xiyuan saw this and asked, "What worries you, Governor?"

"Ji Yuan’s name is well known; I thought after Zhao Changyu’s death, he would follow Zhao Zhongyu but was surprised he came to Ru Nan County," Governor Zhang said. "Is this Zhao Zhongyu’s intention, or is there discord within the Zhao Family, and Xiping snatched him over here?"

Lu Xiyuan thought for a moment and said, "I have heard a bit; the one handling tribal affairs in Xiping is the Zhao Family’s fifth son, who has always been at odds with Zhao Zhongyu. Perhaps Zhao Zhongyu can’t win over the tribesmen."

Governor Zhang’s corners of his mouth slightly raised, "So, there is discord within the Zhao Family."

He said, "Since Zhao Changyu, the Zhao Family has been entrenched in Ru Nan County, dictating even in all of Yu State. Now that Zhao Changyu is dead, it seems they are about to fall apart."

"But Zhao Zhongyu has already been promoted to Chief of Staff."

"That was only because there was no one available when the court fled Luoyang," he said, "The court is still dominated by Prince East Sea and Wang Yan. He, humph, his words are not worth as much as Fu Zhi, let alone comparable to Zhao Changyu. No need to worry."

"Then Zhao Family’s reinforcements this time..."

"Let them handle themselves. Although I don’t understand why the Zhao Family sent Third Sister to lead the army, it’s good for the counties in Yu State to see Zhao Family’s current situation," Governor Zhang said. "When a prominent family like the Zhao Family’s prestige wanes, it will be simpler for me to manage Yu State in the future."

Lu Xiyuan softly responded.

Zhao Hanzhang returned to the camp through the dark.

They had many people; each person cutting down a tree could fell three thousand trees, but of course, they weren’t so brutal. They only cleared some trees to build the camp.

It was late at night, and except for the patrolling soldiers, everyone was asleep.

Zhao Ju hadn’t slept yet, waiting all this time. Upon hearing Zhao Hanzhang and Mr. Ji return, he immediately went out to greet them, glanced behind them, and asked, "Where’s the emissary?"

"Ah?" Zhao Hanzhang only then remembered, "Oops, I forgot them."

She scratched her head and said, "Though they came to see me, surely Governor Zhang would have arranged places for them to stay, right? They were talking during the day, weren’t they?"

"Yes," Ji Yuan nodded, "Arrangements should have been made."

Zhao Hanzhang dismounted from her horse, "Uncle Qianli, let’s talk in the tent."

She shared Governor Zhang’s arrangements with him.

"So tomorrow, we’re tasked with guarding the right wing?" Zhao Ju asked.

"Correct," Zhao Hanzhang said. "Act according to the situation; remember, don’t recklessly charge. If the Central Army can hold, we fight; if not, lead the troops to retreat."

Zhao Ju hesitated, "...Isn’t this inappropriate?"

"There’s nothing wrong with it. Preserving the living forces is paramount; these are new recruits; a reckless charge is merely causing the Xiongnu Army’s blades to dull. It’s not worth it."

Ji Yuan nodded and reminded, "Retreating needs to be orderly, or once defeated, it’ll be difficult to reform the troops afterward."

Zhao Ju showed a conflicted expression, "We haven’t even fought, why does the lady keep thinking about defeat?"

Because the allied forces have divided hearts. If united in determination to save Yu Yang, I would naturally urge them to fight with all might, even at great loss, for the salvation of all of Yu State.

That would justify their sacrifice.

But their hearts are divided; if the Central Army flees, the left and right wings will become abandoned pawns. If we can’t save Yu Yang, what significance do the soldiers’ deaths hold?

Zhao Hanzhang solemnly spoke to Zhao Ju, "Soldiers can face death unafraid, but their deaths should not be meaningless, nor can I let them die without value."

Zhao Ju remained silent.

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Uncle Qianli, I entrust them to you."

Zhao Ju grew solemn as well, "Rest assured, lady."

After speaking, he remembered, "Lady, aren’t you sticking with us?"

Ji Yuan also looked at her.

"I’ll go to the Central Army," she said. "To stir some excitement and also show them the Zhao Family’s capabilities."

Her lips painted with a cold smile, "Our soldiers can’t fight recklessly, but we didn’t come all this way for nothing, did we? Didn’t you say, sir, this is my first time presented before others, so I cannot do nothing."