“That is wrong!” the wicked man retorted decisively, his eyes blazing. “Although Kucha is small, it is located in a strategic position. If we can take it, it will be of great significance to our Qin state. It is a strategic location and is of no small importance.”
"Not to mention the huge profits that the distribution market can bring, which amount to an astronomical figure every day. Even missing a single day is a huge loss!"
He looked around, his voice filled with unwavering determination: "Zhao Cha must complete his mission and find a good plan so that General Huan Yi can lead his troops to attack Kucha."
Ying Zheng had an unparalleled obsession with wealth and territorial expansion, and he wholeheartedly agreed, saying, "What the Grand Commandant says is very true. Zhao Cha, if you succeed on this trip, you will be a meritorious official of my Great Qin, and I will certainly not treat you unfairly."
Zhao Cha was moved to tears and bowed again: "Your Majesty, Grand Commandant, Zhao Cha is willing to leave this body of mine, which has barely any flesh, in Kucha!"
His expression was so enthusiastic that it was impossible to tell that he was about to embark on a dangerous mission that could cost him his life; on the contrary, it seemed like a great opportunity.
"Grand Commandant, just tell me straight, how do you want me to die?" Zhao Cha spoke frankly, not bothering to hide anything.
"Judging from this, his death will be beyond my imagination!"
The wicked man nodded in satisfaction, then laughed and said, "I have been traveling all this way with the determination to die. A person who is not afraid of death has no weaknesses. He can cut off some shackles and do things with great freedom."
"Given your current condition, I, the Grand Commandant, have absolute confidence in you!"
Zhao Cha smiled slightly and said softly, "This humble official thanks the Grand Commandant for his guidance. I have already figured out how to proceed!"
The wicked man nodded in satisfaction, said nothing more, and handed over the next steps to Ying Zheng.
Ying Zheng picked up the conversation and said solemnly, "Zhao Cha, I hereby appoint you as my envoy to the Western Regions. You will travel from Xianyang to Kucha to contribute to the peace between Qin and Kucha!"
Zhao Cha flicked his sleeves, knelt down, and shouted, "Your subject, Zhao Cha, obeys the order and will certainly not fail in my mission!"
"Rise!"
Ying Zheng gestured with both hands to support himself and said loudly, "Then you should set off immediately!"
Zhao Cha stood up, his eyes flashing with determination. He turned and bowed deeply to his wicked husband, then strode out of the hall.
His steps were steady and powerful, carrying a sense of tragic grandeur, like the mournful cry of the wind howling over the Yi River.
"How could this kid snatch such a good thing away?!"
What should have been a tragic scene was disrupted by a few whispers, drawing surprised glances from many of the older ministers.
Behind Zhao Cha, the wicked husband and Ying Zheng exchanged a meaningful glance, it seemed that it would be very easy for them to take action without provocation in the future!
The following morning, Zhao Cha, carrying Ying Zheng's important mission and the hopes of the Qin state, embarked on his journey to Kucha.
His figure gradually disappeared into the morning mist of Xianyang, but his heart was filled with boundless aspirations for the future and unwavering faith in his mission.
He rode at breakneck speed, traveling from Neishi through Longxi into the Western Regions, arriving in Kucha in just two and a half days.
Inside the Qin army's command tent.
Zhao Cha greeted him respectfully, "Zhao Cha pays his respects to the Supreme General and the three generals!"
"No need for formalities!"
Huan Yi raised his hand and asked directly, "Did the King and the Grand Commandant send you here with a brilliant plan?"
Zhao Cha smiled mysteriously. He had already thought of his plan before coming and said confidently, "Later, I will go to meet Bai Wuni. I ask the general to prepare the troops and line them up for battle."
"If this subordinate does not return within two hours, the General may issue this edict to lead troops to attack Kucha directly."
As he spoke, he took out a bamboo slip from his bosom and unfolded it, on which was imprinted the seal representing Ying Zheng's identity.
Everyone's expression immediately turned solemn. Huan Yi stepped forward and solemnly accepted the bamboo slip with both hands, staring intently at the words written on it.
"If the envoy dies, the people of Kucha shall be slaughtered to be buried with him!"
"If they don't die, kill their entire clan and enslave their people."
These two simple sentences caused Huan Yi's expression to change drastically. He looked up at Zhao Cha, who was smiling, and was speechless for a moment.
He immediately understood that Zhao Cha's journey was fraught with danger, but his composure at that moment moved even Huan Yi, who was used to seeing life and death.
Huan Yi took a deep breath and asked in a deep voice, "Zhao Cha, do you know what the edict on this bamboo slip is?"
Seeing this, Zhang Han and the other two hurriedly came closer, stared intently at the contents of the bamboo slip, and blinked in surprise as they looked at Zhao Cha.
Zhao Cha's gaze was firm as he replied, "General, I know this journey is fraught with danger, but how can we achieve great things without taking risks? I have already disregarded life and death, and only wish to be loyal to the Qin state."
Huan Yi hesitated, looking at the slender young man before him, a hint of pity flashing in his eyes. "Zhao Cha, may I report to the King and the Grand Commandant... to postpone this matter?"
"Zhao Cha thanks the General for his concern, but my mind is made up. Please, General, there is no need for such formalities!"
These words changed Huan Yi's expression, and also made Zhang Han and the other two feel a pang of guilt. Everything started because of their wicked idea, and now that they had messed it up, they wanted others to clean up their mess. They felt really uneasy.
Zhao Cha cupped his hands in greeting and laughed heartily, "Thirty years have passed, half a lifetime has been cold and indifferent, but I have also been self-disciplined and hardworking, with a passionate heart, dreaming of red clothes and white horses, and being proud and triumphant."
"In the end, the mundane realities of daily life dampened my spirit and stained me with the frost of time. After ten years of ups and downs in the court, I am weary and sleepless at night. It is nothing more than a dream of fleeting glory."
"The body of an ant is as thin as paper; if one dies for a great cause, it is but a fleeting moment of glory!"
Zhao Cha bowed again, then turned and left the command tent, heading straight for the royal court of Kucha.
Behind them, Huan Yi and the others were speechless, filled with awe and respect for Zhao Cha.
Huan Yi bowed deeply and exclaimed, "Sir, your righteousness is truly admirable! Huan Yi is in awe!"
"We respectfully bid you farewell, sir!" Zhang Han and his two companions had iron-blooded faces and their voices were like thunderclaps.
Zhao Cha continued walking, a triumphant smile on his face. This scene had fulfilled his childhood wish.
The royal court of Kucha.
Having received advance notice, Bai Wuni and his ministers awaited the Qin envoy. Bai Wuni frowned, constantly pondering the Qin envoy's intentions.
A short while later, Zhao Cha arrived.
"May I ask the Qin envoy, what brings you here?" Bai Wuni asked, feigning composure.
Zhao Cha bowed respectfully and said, "I, Zhao Cha, am here on the orders of the King of Qin to travel to Kucha to clear up the previous misunderstanding and prevent any unnecessary disputes."
A warm and joyful smile appeared on Bai Wuni's face. Looking at Zhao Cha's respectful and polite demeanor, Bai Wuni felt even more delighted.
At least, it can be seen that the King of Qin is a man of principle, and the fact that his generals acted recklessly outside cannot be blamed on the king.
It's likely that Zhao Cha took those damned Huan Yi and his gang with him when he left. Once they return to Qin, they will surely be punished by the King of Qin.
He exhaled a breath of stale air, feeling quite triumphant.
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