After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 935 - 920: Falling Out

Zhao Hanzhang furrowed her brows and asked him, "When did Liuxiu arrive?"

Tuoba Liuxiu raised his hand, bowed slightly, and said, "Liuxiu wishes to study the Han books with Mr. Ming, but Mr. Ming said I need Aunt’s permission. So, I came to seek Aunt’s consent."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang smiled, nodded, and said, "Your eagerness to learn is commendable. Go ahead, you can consult Mr. Ming for any questions."

After pondering a moment, she brought Tuoba Liuxiu to her study and took a copy of the "Spring and Autumn" from the shelf for him. "This is a historical book from pre-Qin times. If one’s knowledge only comes from personal experiences, it is too limited. With shallow views, one becomes bogged down with trivial matters. Once you’ve seen the vast world and mighty history, you’ll find the troubles you once thought insurmountable were trivial."

"Reading history can reveal the rise and fall of nations. After seeing such changes, what difficulties in this world could you not overcome?" Zhao Hanzhang said, "Take this book."

Tuoba Liuxiu reached out and took it. His numbed heart contracted painfully, tingling in his eyes, reddening his rims.

He was raised solely by his mother, but she didn’t impart such knowledge nor had anyone shared this wisdom with him.

Father only taught Pugen and Bi Yan. When young, he mostly tended sheep and cattle on the prairie, which he enjoyed. There, he could do anything he wanted without being criticized or ordered around.

Tuoba Liuxiu accepted the book, saluted Zhao Hanzhang like the Han people, the gesture imperfect yet sincere. Zhao Hanzhang smiled warmly, helping him up, and said, "I don’t know what conflicts lie between you and your father, but here, you’re equal to Bi Yan and Pugen. You’re all my nephews. If you encounter any difficulties in future, you can write to me."

Zhao Hanzhang went to the table, wrote an address for him, and said, "If you can’t find my whereabouts, have someone send a letter to this place; they’ll surely get it to me."

Tuoba Liuxiu solemnly accepted it.

By noon, Hu Zhi brought the weapons into the city, eagerly attracting Liu Kun and Tuoba Yilu, each accompanied by numerous followers.

Soon after, Shi Le also came with Zhang Bin and others to join the excitement.

These weapons were intended for her new troops. A select few recruits would receive intensive training as elite soldiers, with superior weapons and equipment.

This time, Zhao Hanzhang offered to share these with her two brothers.

Tuoba Yilu promptly picked a spear to test. After two swings, he pointed its tip towards his men, who quickly dispersed, leaving only Tuoba Liuxiu.

Tuoba Liuxiu refused to give way, stubbornly facing his father’s rush, crouching low, channeling strength to his legs. As the spear neared, he pushed off, ascending with a spin to dodge the strike.

Liu Kun urgently shouted, "Enough, enough, brother! Stop now!"

Tuoba Liuxiu dodged two strikes mid-air, landing unsteadily, wobbling twice before regaining footing, glaring fiercely at his father.

Seeing his eldest son openly challenge him, Tuoba Yilu’s anger erupted. Initially, he intended to halt but resumed, spinning the spear, then thrusting forward...

Watching, Liu Kun’s face paled, worried they’d escalate into father-son strife in Jinyang.

Zhao Hanzhang swiftly maneuvered between boxes, flipping one open, selecting a saber, and called to Tuoba Liuxiu, "Dear nephew, help Aunt test this saber!"

With that, she timed the throw, sending the saber to Tuoba Liuxiu.

Tuoba Liuxiu tumbled across the ground, evading three strikes. Seeing the saber soar, he tensed his waist, springing up to seize it with one hand.

The saber was slightly weighty, over a meter long, with a curved hilt fitting snugly in his grip. Turning, he swung to deflect his father’s spear, the crisp clash resonating. Both felt the tremor in their arms, wrists aching, indicating their forceful exertion.

Simultaneously, their hearts sank. The father perceived his son’s defiance, daring such strength;

The son felt his father truly intended harm.

Each harbored fierce intent and suspicion, warily eyeing the other.

Zhao Hanzhang squinted, subtly smiled, watching the father-son deadly duel.

The longer they fought, the angrier they grew. Liu Kun’s face darkened visibly, witnessing Tuoba Liuxiu about to strike Tuoba Yilu. He hastily drew a sword, intervening to flick away the saber and held back Tuoba Yilu, saying, "Brother, enough!"

Tuoba Yilu, incensed, his own son wanted to kill him, how could he suddenly stop?

His spear slithered like a snake, deftly bypassing Liu Kun to thrust forward. Tuoba Liuxiu also tightened his grip, planning to evade Liu Kun’s block, a spear skewing diagonally, halting Tuoba Yilu’s spear, then clanging twice. Zhao Hanzhang faced Tuoba Yilu while Liu Kun stumbled, dragging Tuoba Liuxiu back a few steps, now both out of the arena.

They exchanged a glance but remained quiet, obediently standing. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Zhao Hanzhang sheathed her spear, laughingly asked Tuoba Yilu, "Brother, having tried it, how’s the spear?"

Facing Zhao Hanzhang’s smile, Tuoba Yilu’s fury receded like a tide. Sanity returned, surveying the spear tip’s gleaming chill. Despite the prolonged clash with his rebellious son, it remained unmarked, though some wear showed on the shaft, but the sturdy wood minimized damage.

Tuoba Yilu couldn’t help but praise, "Excellent spear!"

Zhao Hanzhang turned to Tuoba Liuxiu, grinning, "Liuxiu, how’s the saber?"

Lowering his gaze to the saber in hand, Tuoba Liuxiu’s eyes sparkled, enthusiastically replying, "Excellent saber!"

Tuoba Yilu approached, seeing the saber’s identical icy glare, his gaze flickered. He knew the force applied, intermittently striking the blade, driving back his rebellious son. Yet now, it bore only minor scratches, contrasting with a knife of theirs, likely already ruined.

Clutching his spear, Tuoba Yilu abandoned his petty gripe with his son, eagerly asking Zhao Hanzhang, "Hanzhang, truly you’ll share these weapons with us?"

Zhao Hanzhang smiled, "Naturally, Hanzhang never goes back on her word."

Circling the boxes with a calculating eye, Shi Le sneered at the declaration, "The envoy doesn’t renege, but favors some over others. Tuoba and Governor Liu arrived later, yet as sworn brothers they’re accorded Divine Weapons. What about me? I’ve contributed greatly too, yet you let others feast while leaving me without a sip!"

With that, he flounced away.