After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Chapter 1197 - 1179: Filing a Complaint

She immediately called for the Chief Historian and said, "Temporarily suppress the battle report and report the incident of the Yangzhou Army attacking our Jingzhou Army. Send it quickly at full speed."

Chief Historian Zhou asked with wide eyes, "Not sending the battle report? Then, do we still fight?"

"Fight!" Wang Si Niang said, "First seize back all of Wuchang County, then send troops to Yuzhang. Tell my brother, he can fight however he wants, as long as he doesn’t lose all of Wuchang County."

She knew through her understanding of Hanzhang, if she said she knew, then this battle could be fought.

With Zhao Hanzhang holding up the sky, what was she afraid of?

However, she didn’t let her launch a full-scale attack, which meant that it was still a probing phase. She still didn’t want to make the scene too big. Was it because moving troops takes time, or did she have other thoughts?

Wang Si Niang pondered for a moment and said, "Tell my brother, at least drag it out until after the new year."

Since she hadn’t mentioned it directly, she’d drag out the time.

Chief Historian Zhou agreed, immediately sent out the complaint document, and suppressed the battle report.

As for the reason the Yangzhou Army attacked their Jingzhou Army, it was because Wang Xuan sent troops to seize four cities, thus prompting a night raid to retrieve the four stolen cities.

Indeed, just while Wang Si Niang was waiting for reports, she received Wang Xuan’s battle report. He had captured two more cities, and then they were attacked. The other side did not succeed, but he thought this could be reported to Zhao Hanzhang.

Hmph, if they hadn’t seized their taxed grain, could they have found an excuse to attack the Yangzhou Army?

Moreover, the county cities Shaxian and Shayang originally belonged to Jingzhou. Jingzhou army fighting against Jingzhou governed counties can’t be counted as an attack. That’s called occupation!

Chief Historian Zhou went excitedly; he had long disliked the neighboring Yangzhou’s King Langya, prominent families, and officials.

Wang Si Niang also disliked them, but she most disliked Wang Dun and the Wang family members behind him.

Hmph, wanting to emulate her father’s tranquility and status as a renowned scholar, yet bullying the weak, killing, and looting for power. Yes, her uncle might have been wrong in many ways, but if there were accusations, that was the court’s business.

What qualifications did Wang Dun, a fleeing Inspector, have to look down on her Uncle?

Even resorting to murder.

Wang Cheng was Wang Dun’s cousin!

Fratricide, such an egregious act among prominent families, back then, if not for the intense northern war, and her newly arrived instability in Jingzhou, she would not have spared Wang Dun.

Wang Si Niang’s eyes burned with fire; the world should indeed be unified.

Wang Xuan quickly received military provisions and new supplies sent by his sister, along with a letter. Wang Si Niang informed Wang Xuan that the troops under her command would support him at any time.

"But do not advance alone to avoid falling into traps. The reinforcements from Jiangbei need some time to assemble. We must remain formidable in momentum, but be cautious in engagements."

Wang Xuan understood, this was to have him fight a war of attrition.

At this time, Wang Xuan was not dealing with Wang Dun, but his cousin Wang Yi, who was also Wang Xuan’s uncle.

Wang Xuan knew this uncle, not only knew him, but he and his uncle had a good relationship. Wang Xuan personally liked him a lot, of course, he had an even better relationship with Wang Dun.

Evidently, he preferred Wang Dun, his cousin, over his nephew.

This uncle was skilled in painting and calligraphy; in their family, his artistic skills were top-notch, and he was also proficient in music, board games, and various miscellaneous skills. But he couldn’t govern the people and was even worse at leading troops.

Of course, before formally engaging, he wouldn’t know this because his uncle was well-read with extensive knowledge. But before coming, Wang Si Niang assured him, "Uncle Yi looks smart; if you discuss books or art, he’s your teacher. But if you need him as an official and General, he’s just a fool for you to manipulate. Wang Dun let him guard Wuchang County as Prefectural Governor of Wuchang County, showing he’s not yet fully aware of Uncle Yi."

Wang Xuan was half-skeptical, so he used her strategy and wrote to Wang Yi saying he wanted to visit him. Then he really opened the city gates for Wang Xuan.

Thus, Wang Xuan led his men to capture two more cities.

While Wang Si Niang was nervously reporting this event to Luoyang, Wang Yi had already started resisting, but Wang Xuan captured two more cities.

Four cities in a day and a half, he barely fought, and many tactics weren’t deployed yet. The opponent was so incompetent, Wang Xuan felt no joy.

He thought, his many-talented, famous uncle had such ability, yet was placed in such a pivotal position; how mighty must the Wang family be in Jiankang?

Could King Langya truly be of one heart with the Wang family?

Those lacking virtue suffer from disaster due to their mismatched position, and lack of talent likewise.

Did Wang Dao know about these things?

Wang Dao, of course, knew but couldn’t prevent it, even though he knew some shouldn’t be in certain positions. To gain their support or calm disputes, he had no choice but to persuade King Langya to compromise.

In this way, in the officialdom of Jiangnan and Jiangdong, nearly two-thirds were Wang family members and related prestigious families, the remaining third divided among local Jiangnan and Jiangdong prominent families and commoners.

Those two-thirds held the most stable positions, colluding together, mutually watching over each other. Even if one was toppled, the one lifted to fill the vacancy was still one of theirs.

Others, no matter how hard they tried, could only splash and compete in that one-third pool.

Initially, everyone complied with such an arrangement, but after time, people with talent and virtue found themselves unable to surpass the Wang family and its clique to further their ambitions, inevitably breeding dissatisfaction.

Thus, they began aiming at the Wang family, wanting to bite them down.

Did Wang Dao sincerely wish to use those people?

Yuan Li, by his side, knew he did not, Wang Dao was worried, hoping for a peaceful transition, gradually employing people of virtue and talent. But the people behind him were unwilling, performing all sorts of disturbances.

Even so, the situation remained under his control, as long as King Langya trusted him enough. Given time, he would slowly suppress and weaken the Wang family’s influence in Jiangnan’s political arena. For King Langya and Jiangnan’s stability, he aimed to diminish the Wang family’s political power, showing his genuine support in an era dominated by clans.

But King Langya couldn’t wait, and talented individuals feeling unacknowledged couldn’t wait either, especially under the provocative recruitment examinations and employment of Zhao Hanzhang in Jiangbei. This conflict, which might have taken four or five years to erupt, intensified within a single year.

King Langya and Wang Dao grew estranged, eager to replace the Wang family’s individuals with his own confidants.

Unfortunately, those he chose had small talents but lacked great virtue, only endlessly following his intentions without comprehensive abilities and virtues. Compared to Wang Dao, the difference was more than slight.

Yuan Li regularly reported matters from this side. Zhao Hanzhang had instructed him to gather information on crimes and unethical behaviors of the Wang family and its affiliates.

At this time, these materials were used, the day after receiving the bulletins, Yuan Li personally selected some things, silently alerting Diao Xie and Liu Kui.