Hou Sheng was also astonished by the sight of Cangwu before him. The enormous cage had been lifted in so easily.
"This person isn't made of flesh and blood? How is that possible?"
Back then, King Wu of Qin, Ying Dang, was so confident in his immense strength that he attempted to shake the Nine Tripods in order to force the Zhou emperor to abdicate.
In the end, he was crushed to death from exhaustion. Although the cage was not as heavy as the Nine Cauldrons, it was not something an ordinary person could lift. Even the strongest man in the army probably couldn't lift it.
And this rather thin man lifted it so easily?
"Cangwu, put it down," Lu Li said.
Cangwu smiled, grabbed the cage with one hand, and surprisingly, used only one hand to slowly place the cage on the ground.
Although his movements were effortless, the weight of the cage caused cracks in the floor the moment he landed.
"Hiss!" Hou Sheng gasped, even more relieved that he hadn't attacked Lu Li earlier, otherwise he might have been in trouble today.
"Prime Minister, what do you think of this horse?"
Lu Li pointed to the stag in the cage and said to Hou Sheng without hesitation.
"Huh? What did you say? This is clearly a deer, how can it be a horse?"
Hou Sheng almost thought he was seeing things. He rubbed his eyes and looked again. It was clearly a male deer, but its size was almost the same as a horse, which was quite rare.
To everyone's surprise, Lu Li insisted, "Prime Minister, you must be mistaken. This is clearly a top-quality horse!"
Hou Sheng frowned, inwardly cursing Lu Li for being crazy. It was clearly a deer, yet he insisted on calling it a horse.
"Sir, are you either trying to fool me into thinking I've never seen a deer before, or are you mocking me?"
Hou Sheng's expression had changed. If it weren't for Lu Li's dual identity and the shock brought by Cang Wu just now, he would have already ordered Lu Li to be torn apart by five horses.
Lu Li laughed heartily, then changed the subject and continued, "Prime Minister, if my King of Qin says it is a horse, then it is a horse. If you don't believe me, you can ask the envoys from Han and Wei whether it is a horse or not."
Hou Sheng was startled and immediately understood the implication of Lu Li's words.
The meaning is clear: Qin is now so powerful that it can disregard the existence of the other six states, and if Qin says it will be the other way around, then Han and Wei will not dare to say it will be the other way around.
As long as the King of Qin gives the order, the states of Han and Wei will obediently surrender.
Lu Li is threatening! He's threatening the Prime Minister of Qi on his own Qi territory!
This is a provocation, a blatant provocation!
"Sir, do you really think that the Qin state can resist the six states?" Hou Sheng's voice gradually became low, and the killing intent in his tone was almost uncontrollable.
"No, Qi is the farthest from Qin. The Prime Minister is a wise man. Why would he do something so thankless?"
The envoy from Zhao had previously approached Hou Sheng, but what benefits he received from them remains unknown. However, Hou Sheng was clearly still afraid of Qin and had yet to give a clear answer.
Now that Lu Li has come to the door, it is a direct and blatant provocation and threat. Although Hou Sheng is angry, he does not retaliate.
"Prime Minister, I have a jar of fine wine that my King of Qin has treasured for many years. I present it to you, Prime Minister!"
After saying that, Lu Li clapped his hands again, and a beautiful figure easily and quickly jumped in from outside the door, landing gently in front of Hou Sheng. This person was none other than Xiao Lu'er!
This time, Hou Sheng was even more astonished. This woman could fly so high? And without breaking a sweat!
One possessed immense strength, while the other was as light as a swallow. Hou Sheng finally understood that Lu Li had come prepared this time.
He did this to intimidate Hou Sheng and warn him against having any other ideas. After all, one of his men could sneak into the Prime Minister's residence undetected, while the other could brazenly storm in. The guards at the Prime Minister's residence were simply not enough to handle him.
Hou Sheng stared intently at Lu Li, and finally sighed.
"What exactly do you want?" Hou Sheng asked helplessly.
Lu Li, however, said, "How about the Prime Minister taste this fine wine?"
Hou Sheng's eyes darted around. He wanted to refuse, but when he saw Xiao Lu'er and Cang Wu, he still said to Chu Jiu behind him, "Go and get two wine cups."
"Yes, Prime Minister."
Chu Jiu hurriedly went to get the wine vessel. He really didn't expect Lu Li to be so arrogant. He hadn't even discussed this with him beforehand. Chu Jiu was so frightened that he was out of his mind.
However, Hou Sheng managed to hold back, which made Chu Jiu admire Lu Li even more.
A short while later, Chu Jiu came out carrying two wine cups.
After Xiao Lu poured the wine, Lu Li said to Hou Sheng, "Prime Minister, this wine was bestowed by the King of Qin. In our Qin Kingdom, only marquises can enjoy it!"
Hou Sheng's expression immediately changed, it seemed that the King of Qin was still giving him face.
"How about you drink with me, sir?"
Hou Sheng remained cautious and dared not drink it himself.
Lu Li picked up the wine cup and drank it all in one gulp! Hou Sheng then breathed a sigh of relief and also brought the wine cup to his lips.
But after just one sip, he spat it out!
"Lu Li! This is clearly water! You...you've toyed with me several times. What are your intentions? Do you think I wouldn't dare kill you?"
Chu Jiu was immediately shocked and almost made a move, but was stopped by a look from Lu Li.
"Prime Minister, did you not understand what I just said?"
"Let me repeat myself: this wine was a gift from my King of Qin, and in my Qin state, only marquises are entitled to enjoy it!"
Hou Sheng, who was about to retaliate again, was immediately stunned, and then seemed to understand.
Is this another olive branch extended to him by the King of Qin?
The marquises of Qin were not as prestigious as those of other states.
In the Qin state, it was easy for military generals to be granted titles, because they only needed to win battles; it was much more difficult for civil officials!
Moreover, the titles of nobility in Qin were more generous than those in other countries, and the land they received was also more abundant.
It can be said that the titles of nobility in the Qin state were the envy of nobles from other states. There was nothing they could do about it; after all, the Qin state was powerful and had a lot of land.
Seeing Hou Sheng's expression, Lu Li knew that Hou Sheng understood.
"May I ask, Prime Minister, how does this fine wine taste?" Lu Li asked again.
Hou Sheng looked at Lu Li, then at the wine cup in his hand.
He immediately gave an awkward laugh and said heartily, "This wine is truly delicious and has a pleasant aftertaste. I really like it! I really like it! Hahaha."
Then, Lu Li pointed to the stag in the courtyard again and asked, "Then, Prime Minister, is this a deer or a horse?"
This time, Hou Sheng did not hesitate and immediately waved his hand, saying, "I was mistaken earlier for a stag, a fine horse. I should not have done that!"
Lu Li bowed respectfully and said to Hou Sheng, "The Prime Minister is wise. As for the matter of Zhao..."
At this moment, Hou Sheng completely changed his previous words and angrily rebuked, "The State of Zhao is like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, overestimating its own strength. The State of Qi will certainly not be as foolish as it is!"
"Rest assured, sir, I will set off immediately to see the King!"
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