Qin Shi Ambitious

Page 176

With nothing happening in Jing County, the leisure activities at Jinghu Medical Village continue.

The air is unusually muggy, and it might rain in the evening.

Little Qian'er usually takes a nap for one or two hours after lunch, accompanied by her maid. Infants and young children always have very good sleep quality.

Sister Duanmu and her mother went to the back mountain to gather herbs again. Sister Xuenu has been as sleepy as ever these days, leaving only Xiaoyan'er and Baihe playing in the front yard of the medical manor.

Staring at the slender neck of the white crane she had fed, Ji Yan was now able to touch it freely.

"I am nine years old this year. I heard that my brother, the head of the hall, started working hard in a farmhouse with a few subordinates when he was twelve. In three years, I will also be able to gain some power in the Gonggong Hall."

Xiao Yan'er knew that Lu Wei had used his identity to recruit a group of subordinates in Daliang City. These people's status in Gonggong Hall might gradually become less important, but as long as Lord Xinling's reputation in Wei could still be spread, she would always have some basic value.

At first, the sharp light from the drawn Jingni sword would frighten her white crane friends, causing them to run away, but now she can calmly continue to maintain her elegance.

With the support of his established reputation and his own hard work, he will always have a place in the Gonggong Hall.

"Xiaobai, we've been friends for so long, and in a month I need your help with something. You absolutely can't refuse."

Staring at the white crane and muttering to herself, Ji Yan slid her small hand from the crane's neck to the tip of its black feathers. She chuckled softly, took several steps back, and then began to practice the sword techniques she had already mastered. Her movements were careful, as if she was afraid of hurting her crane friend who had not yet left.

The sect leader walked out of the room and looked at Xiao Yan'er's Butterfly Swordplay, which was like threading a needle. He stopped in his tracks, which was about to go to Jing County to take a look. The Jingni Sword was very suitable for this kind of fancy and skillful swordplay, but this sword was still a bit too big for Xiao Ji Yan.

Lu Ni insisted that Ji Yan use this sword so that Ji Yan and Jing Ni's sword energy could be closely matched, and that she could cultivate her own sword energy from a young age, making it as easy as her own arm.

This plan succeeded a few days ago. Sword energy has attributes. Most swordsmen can only use the characteristics of the sword itself, but they lose themselves: when they use the sword, they can only let their 'intention' follow the 'sword intention'. The most typical example of this is the Six Sword Slaves.

They actively cooperate with the sword in their hands, allowing the sword's sharpness to reach its peak. Even if the sword's master dies, as long as the successor's skill is not much inferior to the former's, and they also sacrifice themselves to feed the sword, the sword's lethality and sword energy will not change in any way.

However, this is not a practice that needs criticism, because adapting oneself to the sword to unleash its sharpness is not something anyone can easily do. It also requires a lot of hard work and understanding. In fact, there was a period in the past when becoming a so-called 'sword slave' was a proper way to practice swordsmanship.

However, this is on the premise that you are aware that after you have fully cooperated with the famous sword in your hand to the end, relying on your own complete mastery of the sword, you can go a step further and reach a transcendent state so that you can use your 'will' to defeat the 'sword intent'. The original purpose of 'obedience' is to 'endure hardship and bide your time'.

Xiao Yan'er followed a similar path, but she didn't walk it on her own. Instead, Lu Ni used her experience as an assassin in her youth to help her take a shortcut.

Before she even held the Jingni Sword, Lu Ni had already explained the sword's characteristics and the techniques for using its structure to her daughter. She also instructed her daughter to closely perceive the top-tier attributes of the Jingni Sword's energy every day from the very first day of practicing swordsmanship.

It's as if Lu Ni forcibly 'stripped' the Jingni Sword for three years, allowing Xiao Yan'er to carefully examine every detail of this 'naked' sword.

This sword holds no secrets for Ji Yan.

"Brother Hall Master!"

The white crane was startled and flew away, causing Xiao Yan'er to stop her sword dance. She turned around, her eyes lit up, and she bowed respectfully and called out.

"Hmm." Lu Wei turned his gaze back to Ji Yan from the white crane that had flown away without giving him any face. He nodded with satisfaction and said, "Your swordsmanship talent is very high. With diligent practice, your swordsmanship only needs time to be honed. You can occasionally spend more time learning other skills."

This all-around talent has been spending too much time on swordsmanship due to his mother's influence. There is no shortage of martial arts masters in the farming community, but a well-rounded individual who can stand on his own is much more urgently needed. Master Lu intends to interfere with Ji Yan's future path.

“Yes…” Xiao Yan nodded, then suddenly added, “Besides practicing swordsmanship and playing with the white crane, there’s nothing else to do at Mirror Lake Medical Manor. I don’t have the opportunity to learn anything else.”

"Brother Hall Master, if you go to Jing County in the future, can you take Ayan with you? Ayan wants to share the burden of Gonggong Hall now."

Holding the Jingni Sword close to her chest, the little girl took a step closer to the hall master, blinking her large, bright eyes and biting her lip in a pleading manner that made it difficult to refuse...

Lu Ni shouldn't have the skill to take advantage of someone like that; who did Xiao Yan'er learn such bad habits from...?

After a moment's thought, Lu Wei neither agreed nor refused outright, but simply asked with a faint smile, "What worries do you want to share for Gonggong Hall?"

“Ayan knows the Book of Arithmetic and the Book of Rites, but she has only learned them from books. Therefore, she wants to broaden her horizons so that in the future she can handle the trivial matters in the hall for the head of the hall, just like her brother Ashan. Then the head of the hall will only need to play with her sisters and mother in the backyard.”

She tried her best to appear innocent and naive, and her childlike voice clearly expressed Ji Yan's thoughts on presiding over the affairs of the hall... or rather, her ambition.

Taking advantage of her young age, Ji Yan boldly voiced her thoughts, testing the waters in her heart.

She felt that even if the head of the hall knew her thoughts, he wouldn't be angry.

Those powers are the same whether they are given to Lu Shan and Lü Qing or to me. I was raised by my brother, the Hall Master, and I have always been well-behaved. There is no reason why the Hall Master would trust them but not me.

Lu Shan and Lü Qing even formed a marriage alliance. In Zhou Dynasty law, collusion between high-ranking and low-ranking officials was a major taboo for the monarch. Although the Gonggong Hall wasn't the imperial court, the political principles were similar, and he would never allow his brother, the hall master, to suspect him on such a matter!

"It is indeed a good thing to broaden one's horizons."

Lu Wei didn't refuse the reason of 'broadening one's horizons,' but before he could make Xiao Yan'er happy, he immediately added:

"However, you haven't read enough books yet. Getting exposed to reality too early can easily make you feel lost."

"Reading the mathematical classics and the Zhou rites is not enough. You should also read the most prominent legal texts of the time, as well as some Confucian books."

"In a few days I will find some of Han Feizi's works and the Spring and Autumn Annals, and you must try to memorize them."

Without mentioning her age, only saying that she hadn't learned enough from her textbooks, Lu Wei patted Ji Yan's head with a smile, and before leaving, he didn't forget to draw a picture of a bright future for her as well:

"Your father's retainer, Zhang Er, has already infiltrated the Four Mountains Hall and will soon become its chief steward. He is, after all, an outsider. Although he is very loyal to you, he will never be as important to me as you. Do you understand?"

Xiao Yan'er was indeed disappointed when her idea of ​​participating in the construction of Jing County was rejected. However, she was pleasantly surprised to understand the hidden meaning in the following sentence: Master Lu's plan to send someone to infiltrate the Four Mountains Hall as its head steward was definitely not just for the position. If Zhang Er remained the head steward of the Four Mountains Hall, then the position of Hall Master...

No, if I'm to become the head of the Four Mountains Hall, Zhang Er can't continue to hold the position of chief steward; it needs to be filled by someone other than Lord Xinling's retainers...

"Yes, Brother Hall Master is right. Ayan hasn't read enough books yet. From now on, Ayan will study Legalist and Confucian doctrines carefully!"

She bowed slightly to see Lu Wei off as he sailed away, her little mind wandering.

'It sounds like the Four Mountains Hall is already in the Gonggong Hall's grasp. As for the other halls, given my brother's cunning and intelligence...' Suddenly looking up to confirm that Hall Master Lu hadn't returned by boat, Xiao Yan'er flicked her index finger hard against her head, making sure she remembered the pain. She continued thinking, 'The other halls are definitely no match for my brother. The Heroic Leader must be quite old; anyone who dares to vie for that position will ultimately meet a dead end.'

'Only if my brother, the Hall Master, becomes the Heroic Leader will he possibly let me become the Hall Master of the Four Mountains!'

------

Unaware that his age was being noticed by a nine-year-old girl, Tian Guang boldly traveled north from the border of Chu back to Qin territory.

In Xinzheng, this old city, undercurrents surged once again. The nascent flames of rebellion were already burning hot, but due to the cover-up by several forces, not a single word reached Xianyang.

"While this operation was indeed planned by Changping Jun, the fact that it was kept so quiet suggests that other forces are happy to see the fire reignite."

Tian Guang smelled the familiar scent and grinned, "I must be crazy, but this place might actually be an absolutely safe place... before the fire starts!"

Despite being caught up in the game of chess in the secret basement, Wei Zhuang was equally astute about the unusual atmosphere outside: "This plan itself was hasty and full of loopholes. It should have been forced to start prematurely because it was discovered by Xianyang during the preparation stage."

Clang! The sound of Shark Tooth hitting the ground was somewhat hurried: "Now that Quicksand's scheme behind the scenes has been completely covered up, should I instead thank this mastermind?"

"But the question is, why would it help this anti-Qin plan..."

The Qin state was fully prepared to launch the war to destroy Wei: neither Qi nor Chu would lend a helping hand, and King Jia of Wei refused to surrender. Now everything depended on the outcome on the battlefield.

The Qin state was very confident about this.

Lord Xinling of Wei died ten years ago, and the general who commanded the Wei Wuzu was also forced to death by his own people in the court. They had no chance to resist the Qin cavalry.

Just as war was about to break out, the Xinzheng Rebellion was ignited!

Those who protected Qin only wanted to delay the unification of the country, but they never thought that Qin would suffer a possible military defeat. A pre-prepared and ready-to-be-launched betrayal forced the rebellion that wanted to wait and see how things developed to head towards a doomed failure before the war between Qin and Wei even began.

With a thud, a scroll of bamboo slips was thrown out and slammed onto the bookshelf. Even the usually composed King Zheng of Qin was unusually enraged.

"Rebellion? Have I been too lenient? So lenient that if it weren't for the investigation by the Net, which revealed that even crossbows were laid in ambush within Xinzheng City, our officials would still be completely unaware!"

"Of all times, of all times!"

Zhao Gao, who was serving the king, stepped forward, bent down, picked up the bamboo slips that had been thrown away, and respectfully placed them back on the table: "General Wang Ben's army has not yet set out. Should we ask General Wang to send a detachment to quell the rebellion first?"

He glanced at Zhao Gao, who was offering advice on matters of state, but the latter seemed oblivious, kneeling and bowing quietly awaiting his royal command.

Gai Nie, the bodyguard, remained silent. Having spent so much time in the Qin Palace, he truly had little information about this rebellion. Moreover, the news of Wei Zhuang of the Flowing Sand Gang appearing in Xinzheng had been completely concealed.

"What is the banner under which this rebellion is being waged?"

The King of Qin was still suppressing his anger, but he was able to calm down a little and ask more clearly about the key to solving the problem.

"Restore the state of Han." Zhao Gao, who was prepared, answered fluently.

"Restore the State of Han?" With a cold snort, the King of Qin continued, "Is the deposed King of Han still in Chen County?"

"Yes, Han An made no move; he seems unaware of the rebellion in Xinzheng."

"Execute him, and summon Xiong Qi and Wang Wan to the palace." King Zheng of Qin waved his hand, and Zhao Gao quickly walked out of the palace to carry out the order.

After receiving the royal order, Lord Changping, having waited for the messenger to leave, gripped the carved wooden armrest of his chair, looked at his daughter Mi Lian, hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and gave Zhu Jia a look: he could leave Xianyang, but he didn't need to take Mi Lian with him.

The outbreak of the Korean rebellion signified that the Changpyeong Junfang Plan had entered its final and most dangerous phase.

At this point, it's crucial not to let Mi Lian leave, lest the plan be exposed.

After calmly donning his court robes, his expression turned anxious as he boarded the carriage and headed towards the palace.

Chapter 198 Crane Head

The state of South Korea was simply a casually eliminated by Qin after it suffered several setbacks in its attempt to unify the world against the state of Zhao.

In the past, when this country was intact, it was easily destroyed by the Qin army's iron cavalry. Now, the rebellion in Xinzheng only involves one city and one place. Ying Zheng is not worried at all about how much trouble those old nobles who are unwilling to lose their power can cause this time.

What he was concerned about was that if similar incidents frequently broke out in other regions, Qin's energy would have to be diverted to suppressing rebellions in various places, which would in turn affect the war against Wei, Chu, and Qi on the front lines.

This rebellion cannot be simply treated as an ordinary rebellion that can be easily suppressed by sending troops. The politically astute King of Qin saw the nostalgia of the nobles and common people of the fallen state for their former country, a nostalgia that the Qin Dynasty would never allow!

If the people's hearts are not yet won over, and if this incident in Xinzheng is not handled properly, the anti-Qin forces in Zhao and Yan will surely become restless and threaten the foundation of Qin's rule.

What's there to reminisce about in those corrupt six kingdoms!

Suppressing his anger, Ying Zheng handed over the information that the Luo Wang (a network of intelligence agencies) was constantly collecting to Xiong Qi, who had rushed to the palace first.

He still trusted his brother-in-law, who had helped him seize power, and for more than ten years, Xiong Qi had never had any problems with either loyalty or ability.

"What does Changping Jun think should be done about the situation in Xinzheng?"

The guard Gai Nie and Zhao Gao, who was in charge of serving, had both left, leaving only the two of them, the emperor and his minister, in the empty palace.

Xiong Qi slowly put down the bamboo slip in his hand. After a few moments of contemplation, he replied, "On the surface, this matter is nothing more than a minor ailment. Although the rebels killed the city guards and completely controlled the entire Xinzheng, it is still an isolated city. There is no need for the front-line army to be mobilized. Even if only the garrison troops from nearby areas are mobilized, the rebels can be wiped out in a few months."

"But the real problem of this rebellion is not the sharp weapons, but the hearts of the people, which is more worrying. Therefore, it is not convenient to transfer troops from nearby areas. Instead, all other cities in Han should strengthen their defenses to prevent a second Xinzheng from recurring due to the unrest in the hearts of the people."

"As for Xinzheng City itself, it is not enough to just use military suppression; we must use both kindness and force."

"First, use swift and decisive action to eliminate the stubborn elements, then treat the people in the city with kindness and compassion to soothe their hearts."

"They are all rebels, and we still want to appease them? Isn't that condoning evil?" King Zheng of Qin's eyes flashed with anger, and his deep voice, still filled with rage, echoed throughout the entire palace.

"Only by quelling the internal strife as soon as possible can we repel external enemies and unify the nine provinces. I hope Your Majesty will consider this carefully," Xiong Qi said calmly, bowing respectfully.

He knew very well that his answer reflected Ying Zheng's own thoughts: the chaos in Xinzheng would certainly enrage him, but when it came to matters of state, this King of Qin usually understood which choice was the right one.

This can be seen from the fact that he was able to arrive at the palace first while Wang Wan did not arrive for a long time.

Wang Wan, representing the conservative forces, would certainly advocate sending troops to massacre Xinzheng and intimidate the enemy.

Arriving first was a way to present a more moderate proposal. If the King of Qin deemed it appropriate, he would allow Wang Wan, who arrived later, to engage in verbal exchanges. At that point, the King of Qin would retain only the final decision-making power and would not participate in discussions with his ministers.