Chapter 22 Qin 22
Zhu Qingai wondered if it was because of her that this accident occurred?
She carefully examined the spatial fluctuations within the palace, but even after the people outside came in and discovered that the King of Qin had passed away, she still couldn't figure it out.
She also wanted to ask Taishu Jiu... but considering that her host used to be a complete novice system, she decided to just post a question on the system forum instead.
****
The news of the King of Qin's death was not a secret that needed to be kept quiet, so it spread exceptionally quickly, and within a month, everyone who needed to know knew about it.
Qin didn't go to see it, but she could still guess how relieved and happy the people of the six states were, as the mountain that had been weighing on their heads was finally gone.
If they didn't have to pretend to be afraid of provoking Qin's anger, they would probably be celebrating with laughter and merriment.
Even Ying Zhu, as the biological son of King Zhaoxiang, was not necessarily heartbroken; his feelings were complex.
He's going to become the King of Qin; the throne will ultimately belong to their lineage.
Ying Zhu did not dare to smile; his face remained heavy with pain and sorrow. However, his steps were lighter, and the panting he used to feel after just a few steps seemed to have disappeared today.
Now, all he has to do is wait for the mourning period to end and for him to officially ascend the throne and be crowned. He will then be the rightful King of Qin. Although the mourning period is not formal, it is still in effect.
****
In the year King Zhaoxiang died, apart from the war between Yan and Zhao, nothing major happened. After his death, the six states all sent envoys to mourn him in accordance with etiquette.
It's unclear whether some of the visiting envoys laughed out loud behind their backs, but in any case, Xianyang has been shrouded in gloom lately, as if everyone is mourning the passing of the former King of Qin.
The current King of Qin has already moved into Xianyang Palace and taken over most of the country's political affairs, two months after Ying Zhu has secured his position.
Ying Zhu hesitated for two days, and then someone came to his door. This middle-aged man stroked his beard and had a kind face, making it hard to believe that he was a strategist who could talk nonsense.
"This humble subject greets Your Majesty!" The man bowed respectfully, his manners impeccable.
Ying Zhu sized up the person bowing and scraping across from him, realizing he had never seen this person before. How much hidden power did his father still possess...?
Although they are father and son, can he really tolerate someone being loyal to others under his rule?
"This humble subject, Wang Yuan, was instructed by the late King to go to the State of Zhao and persuade the King of Zhao to bring back the young prince. I wonder what Your Majesty's plan is?"
"I will naturally support you. Go in peace. I will send someone to meet you when the time comes." Ying Zhu's face remained expressionless, behaving as a superior who kept his emotions hidden. However, he waited and waited, but the other party still did not make any move.
"Is there anything else you want to report?"
Wang Yuan shook his head, smiled, and bowed again, saying, "It's nothing important, it's just that when the late king entrusted me with these matters, he didn't give me any money or valuables for bribery..."
Yingzhu: ...
Ying Zhu's lips twitched involuntarily. He understood that his father was afraid that the person would run away with the money, but... well, he was indeed his father.
"Go back first. I will send someone to deliver a large sum of money to your residence later. You should leave as soon as possible."
"Yes." Wang Yuan quickly bowed, his smile unchanged, but the smile in his eyes was now more sincere.
He managed to make a small profit from the job.
****
Whether it was transporting valuables to Wang Yuan's residence or Wang Yuan leading a group of men away from Xianyang, everything was done secretly.
No one in the entire city of Xianyang knew except for Ying Zhu and his son that someone was going to bring their future king back from the State of Zhao.
****
Wang Yuan and his entourage arrived in Handan, the capital of Zhao, after a long and arduous journey. Without even taking a break in the city, they hurriedly began their operations.
Having done this so many times, he was naturally very skilled at it, and his judgment was sharp and experienced. The list of people he could visit included all of King Zhao's confidants, many of whom were greedy for money, so he didn't have to worry about not finding someone to persuade King Zhao.
After he presented gifts twice, Zhao Gan finally received him in person, and Wang Yuan got straight to the point and explained his purpose.
Since the other party has already accepted his money, he won't easily turn on him and do something that would harm both himself and the enemy. Besides, how could someone who is greedy for money and values his life be a person of noble character who would sacrifice money for righteousness?
Wang Yuan had seen many people like this before, and felt that everything was under control. He smiled and waited for Zhao Gan's reply.
Zhao Gan was clearly tempted by the large sum of money and gifts the man brought, but he pretended to be in a difficult position and said, "The matter of voluntarily returning the hostage is a major one. How can a mere doctor like me make such a decision?"
“Lord Zhao, you are too modest. Everyone in Handan knows that you are highly trusted by the King. This is nothing more than a small matter,” Wang Yuan said, flattery never fails. He took the opportunity to hand Zhao Gan another small box. “Besides, now that King Zhaoxiang of Qin has passed away and the new King of Qin has made Prince Zichu the crown prince, advising the King to send the hostage back would be a good thing for Qin. In addition, Lady Zhao is from Zhao…”
Seeing that Zhao Gan did not interrupt, Wang Yuan took two steps closer and whispered something in his ear.
"My lord, this is a great achievement."
Zhao Gan's eyes flashed after hearing this, and he readily agreed: "Alright, then I'll give it a try, though it might not work."
Wang Yuan rolled his eyes inwardly, knowing that he was just trying to exonerate himself first; regardless of whether the matter succeeded or failed, the money was gone.
Wang Yuan smiled and said, "Whether this matter succeeds or not, there is no reason for me to take back what I gave you. If it succeeds, I will certainly offer you an even more generous reward!"
“Good, I admire such a generous person,” Zhao Gan said righteously. “If this matter is done well, it may be a blessing for the State of Zhao. I, Zhao Gan, will do my best to make this happen for the sake of the State of Zhao. You have also contributed by offering this plan.”
Zhao dared to say that Wang Yuan had made a contribution, but he didn't mention the reward at all, which showed that it was just a polite remark. Wang Yuan didn't take it seriously either, and smiled and bowed again: "It is my honor to offer advice to Your Excellency."
Zhao Gan then lowered his voice: "You don't need to say that. I know whose people you are, but this matter is indeed worthwhile. You are very good."
After exchanging pleasantries with others for a while, Wang Yuan got up to take his leave. The smile on his face disappeared the moment he turned around, and after leaving the mansion, he looked back and sneered.
He particularly liked a passage from the Zhuangzi: "He who steals a hook is punished, but he who steals a state becomes a prince; and at the gates of princes, benevolence and righteousness reside."
However, the original meaning of the Zhuangzi was to satirize the hypocrisy and irrationality of the law, but he preferred to use the first half of the sentence to fit the ministers who accepted bribes.
The feudal lords 'stole the country,' and the ministers also 'stole the country.' Although their actions appear different, what is the essential difference? How can they not be a perfect match?
Each time he succeeded, it only made him despise these people even more.
He narrowed his eyes slightly. He might be able to get the money, but he wasn't sure he'd be alive to spend it...
But... he got real benefits in return.
Wang Yuan happily headed to his temporary resting place, waiting for Zhao Gan's move. He had only given away less than half of the gift money, leaving himself an out in case Zhao Gan didn't go to persuade King Zhao. He would have to find someone else to do it.
He wouldn't dare run away with the money, whether it was out of reluctance to lose his job or because of Qin's intimidation, he wouldn't dare to run away.
****
Fortunately, Zhao Gan actually did the job after taking the money. He wasn't the kind of person who would turn his back on someone after receiving the money. In terms of accepting bribes and whispering in the ear of King Zhao, Zhao Gan's credibility was quite good.
Zhao Gan even deliberately chose a time when King Zhao was troubled, claiming that he would share the king's worries and solve his problems.
"Your Majesty must be troubled by the increasingly tense relations between the two countries due to the change of Qin's new king. I wonder if I have the honor of sharing Your Majesty's worries."
Out of his favor towards Zhao Gan, the King of Zhao agreed, nodding and saying, "Tell me, what good idea do you have?"
He was troubled by many things lately, feeling confused and disoriented. He thought that Zhao Gan might actually be able to use his cleverness to offer a plan.
Unbeknownst to the two, the "Zhao" they were "considering" was kneeling beside them, her expression inscrutable yet carrying a hint of murderous intent. Although this was something she had expected, she still felt displeased watching the Zhao king's favorite ministers slander her.
Zhao Gan was unaware that there were 'others' in the hall. He shivered but only thought it was because he hadn't been wearing enough clothes lately, and didn't think that he was being targeted by 'Zhao'.
A note from the author:
----------------------
This Tuesday, Chapter 23 will be available for purchase. Updates will be delayed until midnight, but it will still be 10,000 words! Ying Zheng will definitely return to China in the next chapter! (Setting a flag!) However, at my current pace, I feel that a single world is already quite long, so I'll start writing "Fake Nation 2" as a sequel. Please add it to your favorites and pre-orders! I should finish writing a few worlds here, and then put the remaining worlds in "Fake Nation Consciousness 2". I also really want to write "Starting to Save the World with a City Vest"—if only I could do the work of ten days in one day! *sighs*
-
P.S.: Zhao Gan is a fictional character. I felt it wouldn't be appropriate to pin the blame on any real historical figure, so I created one.
-
The *Zhuangzi*, also known as the *Nanhua Jing*, contains the following passage: "He who steals a belt hook is punished, while he who steals a state becomes a prince; in the homes of princes, benevolence and righteousness reside." (The phrase "hook" is a colloquial translation of the original text, which is not directly related to the passage.)
Wang Yuan is also fictional; he's a strategist who pretends to be a Confucian but actually works like a diplomat, a true persuader! hhhh
-
My cat got attacked by a stray cat again! Ugh! This is the first time I've ever felt like killing a stray cat. It came into my house early this morning and beat my cat up. My cat's chest is bleeding, and the vet wasn't open yet, so I have to go later. Luckily, I finished writing my update yesterday! (screams)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
