Qin Shi Ambitious

Page 314

Before becoming Yanri, and even for a long time after becoming Yanri, Xiaoyaozi only pursued the former. He was once a chivalrous knight-errant in Guanzhong who was devoted to the righteous path!

But from some point onward, the poison of the Net had completely invaded Xiaoyaozi's body. After becoming Guo Yanri and the head of the Daoist sect, he could no longer return to the carefree days of his twenties.

Reclaiming his position as the leader of the Human Sect, which was stripped of his title by the Qin state, is the only goal he can still see, so he will choose the latter.

"No need." Xiaoyaozi slung his sword over his shoulder, stroked his beard, and sighed, "Although the assassination attempt on Qin failed, the number of righteous men against Qin will only increase with the encouragement of this operation. I will go to Sanghai to continue the cause of righteousness!"

"Very well." Han Xin's smile widened even more: "Master Xiaoyao has two more companions, right? They can go to Sanghai together."

The other party mentioned Tian Guang and Chi Songzi, and Xiaoyaozi only gave a light hum without saying much: After his identity as Yan Ri was exposed and he was removed from the Luo Wang, the three of them, who were responsible for acting as Yan Ri at different times, suddenly became a little awkward.

Chisongzi agreed to fake his death and become Xiaoyaozi's assistant in order to protect the Daoist school, while Tian Guang joined him in order to protect the peasant school and survive.

However, the reason why the three of them were together has disappeared along with the mysterious identity of Yan Ri. Therefore, in Xiaoyaozi's view, Chisongzi has a way out to return to the Daoist school and follow Beimingzi into seclusion. Even if Tian Guang's Tian family lineage is wiped out by Lu Wei, as long as he is willing to submit, he will still have a safe way out for the Agricultural School.

He was all alone, without any backing or connections...

In the world of martial arts, personal strength is indeed important, but without the backing of a powerful force, one will always be in danger.

"The traitors that Luo Wang has planted in the anti-Qin alliance are not just me, who is openly known. Among those wandering knights who come from all directions to help, there are at least three Luo Wang spies. Be careful when you take them back to Daze Mountain."

Before returning to the main force with Han Xin and Hei Qilin to hand over power, Xiaoyaozi gave them a special warning on the way: "The net of heaven and earth is all-pervasive. Even a major power like the Hundred Schools of Thought can be infiltrated by the net of heaven and earth, not to mention these wandering knights."

Especially given that Luo Wang knew in advance that there was ample time to prepare for this operation.

"Master Xiaoyao, rest assured, the Farmer School excels at eliminating traitors." Han Xin remained noncommittal. Lu Wei had already provided him with a clue before his arrival, and with a lead in the thread, he was confident in unraveling the mystery.

In this anti-Qin alliance that sought to assassinate the Qin emperor, Xiaoyaozi was the nominal leader, but he also had the support of the Mohist leader, the Heavenly King of the Flowing Sands, and the Xiang clan generals. Therefore, even if Xiaoyaozi voluntarily relinquished power, it would be extremely difficult for an ordinary person to take over.

It was for this reason that Lu Wei specifically sent Han Xin.

After sending off the esteemed former leader of the Daoist sect with his gaze, Han Xin turned to face the scrutinizing eyes of Kuang Xiu, Chi Lian, and Xiang Liang, and calmly cleared his throat to speak...

Xiaoyaozi, who had just left, was not in a hurry to head east to Sanghai. He wanted to find Chisongzi and Tianguang, who had gone to lure away the enemy.

Their situation was indeed awkward, but the combined strength of the three of them should not be underestimated, and they could not be given up easily.

However, after following the secret communication signals of the three for a short while, Xiaoyaozi suddenly sensed a terrifying killing intent appearing near him.

He instantly drew his sword to be on guard, but surprisingly, the killing intent did not launch a sneak attack. Instead, it slowly appeared one by one and surrounded him.

The six familiar figures, Xiaoyaozi's face was stiff: The Six Sword Slaves of Luo Wang!

------

In Sanghai City, inside the mirage, Xiao Yu opened her eyes, slightly dazed, only to find herself no longer under the Fusang Divine Tree, but awake in a quiet and secluded room.

The events of last night vaguely resurfaced in her mind. She remembered crying in Lu Xiaokui's arms, and then... nothing more.

With a slight blush, Xiao Yu sat up and immediately noticed that her clothes hadn't changed. She was about to go out to take a look when her attention was drawn to a golden leaf resting on the open windowsill.

Walking straight to the window, Xiao Yu's eyes lit up with surprise and delight: the window of this room faced the Fusang Sacred Tree on the ship...

Lu Wei's words from last night came back to her mind, causing the girl to pick up a leaf from the window and press it to her chest with both hands...

On the Moon Palace, which had just been briefly repaired, the Moon Goddess heard Dongjun's footsteps. She didn't turn around, but coldly said, "Your aura is chaotic."

Yan Fei did not answer, but stood beside the Moon Goddess for a long time, her expression complicated.

The Moon Goddess sneered, "He left before sunrise, yet you seem to have stayed up all night."

"Just a little discomfort... temporarily." Yan Fei finally shook her head and replied, "I'm not the little girl I was fifteen years ago anymore."

"I hope so." The Moon Goddess's eyes still couldn't help but reveal a few other emotions as she coldly turned and left.

...

Guiguzi and Gao Jianli were capable of assassinating the emperor's carriage, so naturally they wouldn't care about something as trivial as having wanted posters plastered all over Sanghai City.

However, guided by the disciples of the Farmer's School, they finally met the chivalrous leader Lu Wei outside the city.

"Congratulations on your safe return! Your names will surely spread far and wide throughout the martial arts world soon!"

The contrast between Lu Wei's smiling, relaxed demeanor and the three men's weary expressions was stark. Both Zongheng and Gao Jianli were top-tier martial arts masters; their composure demonstrated that Qin's counterattack capabilities remained formidable, which was perfectly normal.

“We can’t afford Lu Xiaokui’s flattery. Let’s talk about your next plan.” Wei Zhuang’s eyes were fixed on the topic, eager to get straight to the point.

When Gai Nie saw that his junior brother had spoken, he had no choice but to abandon his plan to exchange a few polite words.

Gao Jianli also shut up. He had said goodbye to Lu Wei, and although he had prepared many questions for him on the way, he couldn't utter a single one when they were actually face to face...

Chapter 385 Anti-Qin Leader

"The empire is riddled with internal conflicts, among which the power-hungry heart of the Net is about to surface."

"Ying Zheng's direct purpose in coming to Sanghai was to launch the Mirage, but he may also have been using this opportunity to test his successor. Therefore, you probably already know the key to the next conflict in Sanghai City."

With the abilities of the Guigu School, they couldn't have been unaware of this information. However, when Lu Wei spoke it, Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang didn't interrupt him. Instead, they patiently waited for him to finish before Wei Zhuang spoke:

"If the Luo Wang organization is going to cause trouble in Sanghai City, how will the Farmer's Clan profit from this power struggle? Aren't Lu Xiao Kui and the Luo Wang organization good partners?"

“The Farmers’ family and the Net have some connections, but everyone knows that such connections will not last long. The handle I have on the Net now will not be of any use after this power struggle, no matter what the outcome of this power struggle is.”

The competition between Fusu and Huhai could have taken many unexpected turns if things had gone smoothly, but for now, Fusu had Ying Zheng's support. Even though Ying Zheng also liked Huhai, his affection for him was not enough to warrant entrusting him with the throne.

The same was true for Fusu. Although Ying Zheng's migraines came and went, his body was still able to support him to work on official documents for long periods of time every day until late at night. When he was tired, he could also take Yun Zhongjun's pills to invigorate his spirit, which made His Majesty the Emperor very satisfied with his energy.

Furthermore, Ying Zheng was also seeking immortality through the mirage, and he clearly had no intention of relinquishing the hilt of power anytime soon.

However, given Fusu's age and his status as the eldest son, he had reached the age to learn how to govern the country, so there were certain skills that Fusu needed to master, while Huhai did not need to at this time.

King Zhaoxiang, the greatest monarch of the Qin Dynasty, reigned for fifty-six years and died at the age of seventy-five. Ying Zheng established himself as the 'beginning' of the Qin Dynasty, and his self-judgment was at least modeled after King Zhaoxiang. Thus, even if his plan to find immortals failed, he, only in his forties, believed that he could still rule the empire for another thirty years.

If that's the case, why establish a successor so early... The example of King Wuling of Zhao is enough to give later monarchs a tragic lesson in dealing with father-son relationships.

Therefore, Ying Zheng's attitude towards Fusu's personality would reflect the complexity of human nature and would not be based solely on simple likes and dislikes.

Of course, if Fusu could be more assertive and demonstrate the abilities expected of the eldest son, Ying Zheng would be more satisfied. However, he also needs to judge the degree carefully... This is a troublesome matter. Overstepping the line or being too low-key will invite reprimands or even danger. But this is a compulsory course for princes and crown princes throughout history, and cannot be avoided.

Especially when the prince's father has a very strong personality.

The internal struggles within Qin are becoming increasingly apparent. With Ying Zheng's intelligence, it's impossible that he couldn't see that Hu Hai had designs on the throne. However, since both are his children, he wouldn't oppose or stop them.

Ying Zheng's attitude would probably be to fight each other using their own methods: he had too many sons, and now only these two were fighting, but in ten years, the rest of the family would start fighting each other.

If immortality is truly impossible, the one who will eventually succeed to one's position will be the strongest among one's offspring.

What Ying Zheng couldn't have imagined was that he wouldn't live as he thought, and that the people's patience wouldn't be limitless...

The cooperation between the Farmer's Clan and the Net originated from the incident when Lu Wei led Zongheng, Xiaomeng, and others to storm the Net's Sanghai headquarters. At that time, Lu Wei had obtained evidence that the Net had betrayed the empire. This evidence was a fatal threat that Zhao Gao was unwilling to reveal, and it was also the basis for Lu Wei to cooperate with Zhao Gao to a certain extent.

If Hu Hai loses in this struggle, then the actions of Luo Wang will certainly be exposed, leading to the destruction of Luo Wang and affecting the farmers.

If Fusu loses in this struggle, Zhao Gao will support Huhai to succeed to the throne, just as in history. Huhai, as emperor, will not be able to eliminate Zhao Gao because of the evidence of the Luo Wang organization held by the peasants. The result will definitely be that the victorious Luo Wang organization will directly mobilize troops to annihilate Dazeshan.

Gai Nie understood these two points without Lu Wei needing to say them. So, after Lu Xiao Kui expressed his attitude, the Sword Saint nodded and said, "From any perspective, the Farmer's Clan's involvement in this internal empire struggle is fraught with danger. I wonder what Xiao Kui's plans are to turn the tide? Can we offer some assistance?"

“No, your strength is actually insufficient to participate in what is about to happen in Sanghai City,” Lu Wei said bluntly.

"Oh?" Wei Zhuang raised an eyebrow and immediately retorted, "Did the Xia Kui summon us here just to rely on his strength to humiliate our anti-Qin alliance?"

"I'm just stating the facts." Lu Wei smiled lightly, facing the three people's gazes without backing down. "Since we're here to meet you all, and the time for pleasantries is over, then sincerity is the foundation of our cooperation."

"You say we're not strong enough to participate in Sanghai City, yet you still want to cooperate with us?" Wei Zhuang's lips curled up: "How interesting."

"The more friends you have, the better, isn't it?" Lu Wei generously ignored Wei Zhuang's sharp retort and patiently explained:

"You are well aware of your own capabilities. Although you cannot participate in my plans in Sanghai, you could still disrupt them if you act as troublemakers or unintentionally become entangled in Sanghai. Considering this, I am proactively bringing you into the ranks of allies, even if it's just in name only. It's more controllable than leaving you outside, isn't it?"

As Lu Wei candidly recounted those words filled with nothing but rigid self-interest, Gao Jianli, who had remained silent, gazed at the face that vaguely resembled that of more than ten years ago, and felt a surge of emotions.

Time has truly changed so many things...

Unlike Gao Jianli, who was struggling with his inner conflict, Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang were very satisfied with Lu Wei's answer: at this moment, telling the unpleasant truth was more time-efficient than using distorted rhetoric.

"If we refuse, will you kill us and eliminate anyone who might interfere with your plans?" Gai Nie clenched the Yuanhong in his hand.

"I haven't considered that question. After all, you only have me as your choice, so you won't refuse, right?" Lu Wei confidently raised his head, remaining noncommittal about Gai Nie's question.

"So what can we get in return?" Wei Zhuang quickly moved on to the point of asking for benefits.

"The Mirage will no longer be setting sail. What do you think of that news?" Lu Wei casually replied with a single sentence as payment.

The mirage will not set sail. What does this mean...?

According to information from Youjian Inn, a mirage suddenly appeared at the pier a while ago. Could this be related to that...?

'The anti-Qin alliance has only been away from Sanghai for a short time, but huge changes have already taken place here, and Zifang has not sent any messages for a long time...' Wei Zhuang thought more deeply. Since they left Sanghai, the only source of information they could gather in the city was Youjian Inn.

Did something happen at Xiaoshengxianzhuang...?

The cooperation with Zongheng was only an agreement, but that was enough. In contrast, Lu Wei showed more affection when he chatted with Gao Jianli alone.

"I already know about the Mohists' plight. The Farmers will take over the organization of the anti-Qin forces. The Mohists have been resisting for many years; it's time for them to stop and take a break."

Smoothing down the flamboyance in his brows, Lu Wei patted Gao Jianli on the shoulder and said with a sigh.

Seeing him like this, Gao Jianli felt as if he had returned to twenty years ago when he first received the Hao Zhongqin (a type of zither) from Lu Wei, feeling as if bathed in a spring breeze. So he opened his heart: "The Mohist school is unfortunate, and I, as the Grand Master, am even more incompetent, ashamed before my ancestors..."

"Wildfire cannot burn it all, the spring breeze brings it back to life. Don't worry, the Mohist school will recover." Lu Wei said gently, "The foundation of the Mohist school lies in the Mohist Canon and mechanical arts. Now the most important thing for the Mohist school is to pass on your mechanical arts again. I will help you with this."

“The Great Ze Mountain is vast, with 100,000 disciples of the Farmer School. I will allocate a piece of land in the Great Ze Mountain for the Mohist School. You can start by cultivating disciples in the Great Ze Mountain, so that you may be able to continue to contribute to the resistance against the tyrannical Qin in the future.”

"Brother Lu..." Gao Jianli understood Lu Wei's intention to use the Agricultural School to protect the Mohist School, and his heart warmed: "How could this be..."

"The various schools of thought are of one mind and share the same spirit!" Lu Wei interrupted him loudly before he could finish speaking, and said righteously, "The spirit of the Mohist knights has spread throughout the martial arts world. Although I am the leader of the Farmer School of Chivalry, I absolutely do not want to see the Mohist school go to its demise."

"Those who carry firewood for the masses should not be left to freeze to death in the wind and snow. The Mohists should not get involved in the events of Sanghai City. You should lead your Mohist disciples to wait for my good news in the Daze Mountains!"

"I dare not refuse Brother Lu's kindness!" Gao Jianli respectfully clasped his hands in a fist and bowed, without further hesitation.

He was truly unsuitable to be a leader, especially the leader of an anti-Qin alliance involving multiple parties. Now that Lu Wei, whom he respected, had decided to step forward, he immediately abdicated and gave way to a more capable leader.

Chapter 386 Another Assassination Attack

Early in the morning, elite Dragon Tiger Cavalry arrived at Sanghai and announced to Fusu and Li Si that His Majesty the Emperor's carriage would arrive at Shenshi (3-5 PM). Sanghai City was immediately placed under martial law.

The entire Sanghai had been preparing for this day for several months, but even so, Fusu couldn't help but feel a little nervous and worried about making mistakes.

In contrast, Li Si was much more composed, issuing the predetermined orders in a methodical manner.

He had participated in larger events and had extensive experience in handling such matters. As long as the Qin system itself was sound, the ceremonial preparations made in accordance with this system would not go wrong.

The innkeeper and Mohist leader, Butcher Ding, has also changed his appearance today: to cook for His Majesty the Emperor, he can no longer be in a worldly, exposed-chested manner; he must wear a strict uniform, and his unkempt beard must be shaved off in advance.