Daliang City.
"Those damned treacherous and wicked officials, I shouldn't have come back!"
Having just returned home from the morning court session, Wei Wuji launched into a tirade of curses, smashing the hall into a complete mess.
"Why is Lord Xinling so angry?"
Just then, an old voice rang out from behind. Wei Wuji immediately turned around and saw that the person was Grand Physician Pang Tong. The anger on his face vanished instantly, replaced by endless bitterness.
"Grand Physician, you advised me to return to Wei, how did things suddenly turn out like this?" Wei Wuji spoke frankly, his dissatisfaction barely concealed in his tone.
Since he had just returned to Wei, there were no servants in the house yet, so he didn't worry about his words being spread.
Pang Tong sighed, his brows furrowing into a knot. "That morning at court, the king had already agreed to summon you back, and among all the ministers, only Xu Jia objected, but I managed to suppress his opposition."
"This... today... I don't know what happened, but they actually joined forces to impeach you."
Upon hearing this, Wei Wuji deflated like a punctured balloon, his eyes becoming lifeless. He smiled bitterly and said, "Once I return to Wei, it will be difficult to leave again... In the future... Sigh."
He knew that his 'brother', King Xi of Wei, was wary of him, but as a descendant of the royal family, how could he stand idly by when Wei was in trouble? He thought that King Xi of Wei would put aside his prejudices for the time being, and at least let him retreat from Qin before discussing anything else.
Now things are really messed up. Today, the court was impeached by treacherous officials like Xu Jia, and King Xi of Wei abandoned his previous idea of ​​appointing him as commander-in-chief. Now he really can't leave, and staying here means he could be killed at any time.
Pang Tong also looked distressed, feeling that he was the one who had harmed Wei Wuji. "This is all my fault, but... there must be something wrong with it, otherwise why would they suddenly change their minds and even join forces?"
Wei Wuji remained silent. He was now in a state of utter chaos. All his former retainers and confidants were gone, and he couldn't hear a thing about what was happening in Daliang City.
"Please be patient. I have already sent men to investigate. If anyone wants to harm you, they will have to step over my dead body to get there," Pang Tong said solemnly, making his promise.
Wei Wuji glanced at the frail and elderly Pang Tong in front of him, then suddenly smiled calmly, "Grand Doctor, there's no need for that. After all, we are blood brothers. He won't kill me."
Pang Tong sighed, then turned and left Wei Wuji's residence.
......
In that secluded house in the city.
"It's done!"
"Alright, then we'll return to Qin today. Before we leave, let's give Wei Wuji one last big gift!"
"Haha, that's only right."
These people were spies sent by Li Si. Last night, they visited Wei officials who did not want Wei Wuji to return to the court, bringing with them a large sum of money. This is why Wei Wuji is suffering in the court today.
Now that their mission is accomplished, they are ready to leave.
Once outside the mansion, the spies split into four teams and headed straight for the residences of four Wei officials within the city.
They had already scouted the place beforehand. These four officials were of low rank and little power, and their residence had few guards and even just a handful of servants.
These spies were all carefully selected elites, well-versed in assassination techniques. They scaled the walls and slaughtered the entire families of the four Wei officials, leaving behind some subtle clues before leaving.
Their actions went unnoticed, and once they finished, they left Daliang City without anyone noticing.
He accomplished his task and left without a trace, concealing his merit and fame!
It wasn't until evening, when someone came to visit, that the discovery was made of one official's entire family being executed, which triggered a city-wide manhunt, leading to the discovery of three more officials who had been killed...
Meanwhile, the spies sent by Li Si had already left Daliang.
At the morning court assembly the following day, King Xi of Wei was furious and wanted to punish Wei Wuji on the spot. Grand Master Pang Tong resigned his post to save his life, which resulted in an imperial edict confining Wei Wuji to his home and forbidding him from leaving his house in the future.
Meanwhile, the plan to repel Qin was abandoned with the downfall of Wei Wuji. Xu Jia advised sending someone to seek peace, and King Xi of Wei had no choice but to agree.
As the envoy carrying 'generous gifts' departed, the people from Anyi City also arrived in Daliang. The two groups arrived at the same time, just missing each other.
Upon receiving the news, King Xi of Wei personally met with the people of Anyi City. He and his ministers were overjoyed to learn that the Qin army had retreated, but the next moment they felt as if they had fallen into an abyss.
"Qin... Damn Qin... I even sent an envoy with generous gifts to sue for peace...!!" Upon learning that the Qin army had wiped out the entire city of Anyi, King Xi of Wei's eyes blazed with fury, and he gritted his teeth in hatred.
"A peace offer?!"
"Oh no, something terrible has happened!"
Exclamations of surprise rang out in the hall, and only then did King Xi of Wei and his ministers remember their previous offer of generous gifts to seek peace.
King Xi of Wei's anxious roar echoed in the silent hall, "Quickly, where is the delegation? Stop them immediately! Stop them!!"
"Oh...oh, right, quickly send someone to stop the delegation!!" The ministers, having come to their senses, shouted all at once, startling the guards outside the hall who ran away in a panic.
Suddenly, a timid voice rang out, "Gentlemen, it's snowing heavily and many roads are covered in snow... Does anyone know which route the delegation took?"
Upon hearing this, the noisy hall immediately fell silent, and everyone looked at King Xi of Wei, falling into a state of bewilderment and speechlessness.
On that day, in order to expedite the retreat of Qin, King Xi of Wei ordered the delegation to travel day and night, and no matter which way they went, they had to reach Xianyang as quickly as possible in order to seek peace and withdraw their troops.
Now, who can say for sure where the mission, which has been on its way for a day and a night, is now, or which road it is taking?
King Xi of Wei appeared extremely dejected, and waved his hand weakly, "Send more men, pursue and intercept them along every possible route..."
After saying this, he got up and left. Before leaving, he secretly winked at Xu Jia, who understood and quietly followed him while the officials were discussing.
Xu Jia left the main hall and caught up with King Xi of Wei, who had deliberately slowed down, after only a few steps. He whispered, "Your Majesty, did you summon me here because you have any orders?"
King Xi of Wei's eyes flashed with murderous intent as he growled in a low voice, "Everything changed after that man returned, and what about that advisor Pang Tong... Do you understand what I mean?"
Xu Jia was overjoyed. He had always been at odds with Wei Wuji, but now Wei Wuji was in his hands. He was so happy that he could not be more pleased. He nodded slightly and then turned and left quickly.
"My foolish brother, since you keep talking about the mighty Wei, then you shall take responsibility for this matter and quell the people's anger." King Xi of Wei watched Xu Jia's departing figure, a sinister and vicious smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
He blamed everything on Wei Wuji and Pang Tong, and would not allow any stain to fall on himself or tarnish his reputation as a wise ruler.
Moreover, he had been wary of Wei Wuji for a long time, and by taking advantage of this incident to kill him, no one could find fault with him, and he could even gain a reputation for upholding justice by killing his own family.
For the sake of the throne and fame, what does it matter if one is a veteran of three reigns or a blood brother?
Everything can be given up.
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