svetikya Chapter 372 Xu Lin bullies Honglian? Yan Dan's scheme
Chapter 372 Xu Lin bullies Honglian? Yan Dan's scheme
Honglian feigned composure, but in reality, her heart was in turmoil.
If Han Fei had half the cultivation of Xu Lin, he would have been able to detect the abnormality. Unfortunately, Han Fei has survived to this day because of his status, talent, and his fear of offending others.
"Nothing of great importance."
"It's been over a month since we last met, and I just happened to be passing by to drop by and see you."
How much longer?
Han Fei said.
Although Honglian was willful and capricious, he still liked her quite a bit because she was innocent.
Han Fei also wanted to be like Hong Lian, but that became impossible from the moment he became Xunzi's disciple.
Xunzi taught that human nature is inherently evil at birth.
The key point is that Xunzi's words are not without reason.
"I see."
"I estimate it will take another half...an incense stick's time."
"How about we talk like this?"
"Or, should I come to see you tomorrow?"
Honglian said this as she thought about it.
Once the arrow is released, there's no turning back, so she can't stop.
Stopping won't work either; if Han Fei sees Xu Lin, she'll be mortified.
Han Fei guessed it and he saw it, which are two different things!
"Yan Dan fled back to the State of Yan."
"Both Chu and Wei have recently lost their rulers, and I have many things to attend to lately, so let's just talk like this."
Han Fei said solemnly.
He has given up drinking and now paces around while chatting.
Seeing that Han Fei hadn't noticed anything amiss, Xu Lin grew bolder.
It wasn't that he wanted to bully Honglian, but rather that Honglian had taken the initiative, and he was merely cooperating, or rather, returning the favor.
Xu Lin's sudden counterattack caught Hong Lian off guard.
Honglian then turned to look at Xu Lin and punched him twice to warn him not to do anything reckless.
Xu Lin, however, said that the fault did not lie with him.
How are you getting used to living alone lately?
"You really don't need any maids?"
Han Fei stood with his hands behind his back.
Although Honglian is not young anymore, in his eyes, Honglian will always be a young girl.
"Need not."
"I'm fine on my own."
Honglian answered with difficulty.
She regretted it, but it was too late.
Xu Lin is so wicked!
It's all Han Fei's fault. Why did he have to come at this time of year? It's so annoying!
……
After an incense stick has burned.
Seeing that Honglian still showed no intention of opening the door, Han Fei guessed what was going on and felt embarrassed, so he left.
Although Han Fei was not skilled in martial arts, he was not stupid.
The rustling sound just now was clearly not the sound of Honglian changing clothes.
The sound of water is not the sound of drinking tea.
Upon realizing this, Han Fei shook his head vigorously.
He didn't want to think about it.
……
More than half a month later.
Yan Dan returned to Ji City.
Although it's not yet winter, Jicheng is located in the north, so it's already quite cold.
After entering the Crown Prince's residence, he first took a hot bath, and then had someone summon Grand Tutor Ju Wu.
When Ju Wu arrived at the Crown Prince's residence, Yan Dan had already regained his former glory.
Although he is now a eunuch, if he doesn't say so, who can tell?
"Your Highness, you're really back?"
"I thought it was fake news!"
Ju Wu could not hide his joy.
Although he and Yan Dan did not agree on everything, he was Yan Dan's teacher and still liked her quite a bit.
Undeniably, Yan Dan was talented, even comparable to King Xi of Yan. However, Yan Dan preferred pretense to open schemes and enjoyed taking risks, none of which appealed to Ju Wu, who was over fifty years old.
"I came back secretly."
"The King of Qin will surely be furious upon learning this, and may even send troops to attack Yan."
"That's why I'm so eager to see you, teacher."
Yan Dan explained.
After speaking, he dismissed his attendants and had Ju Wu sit opposite him.
"In that case, it's possible that the King of Qin deliberately let Your Highness return."
"It's all for the sake of having a legitimate reason to fight."
After hearing Yan Dan's story, Ju Wu deduced.
But in any case, it's a good thing that Yan Dan is back.
It was common knowledge that Qin intended to expand eastward, so even if Yan Dan did not return to Yan, Qin would still send troops to attack Yan.
"That's it."
"Han and Zhao were all incorporated into Qin territory."
"The next one will either be Yan, Wei, or Chu."
"Teacher, you are well-versed in classical texts, do you have a solution?"
Yan Dan asked in a feignedly humble manner.
He was extremely skilled at disguising himself, so his courteous treatment of scholars and officials seemed genuine.
"Your Highness could form an alliance with Wei, Chu, and the Xiongnu."
"Follow the example of the five states that attacked Qin in the past."
Ju Wu offered his advice.
He is a conservative and dislikes taking risks.
In a one-on-one fight, none of the states in Shandong could rival Qin; only by forming an alliance could they possibly win.
"The states of Wei and Chu each had their own plans."
"How easy is it to form an alliance to attack Qin?"
"Moreover, in any of the previous alliances, which one dealt a serious blow to the tyrannical Qin Dynasty?"
"Therefore, I want to take a different approach this time."
Yan Dan stroked his beard a few times.
"Find another way?"
"What does Your Highness intend to do?"
Ju Wu was not surprised by this, but he was very curious.
Besides forming an alliance, are there any other ways to deal with the Qin state?
"Assassination."
Yan Dan rarely smiled.
He didn't just say it casually; he had seriously considered it on the way back.
There is precedent for this.
Historically, Cao Mo forced Duke Huan of Qi to return the land lost by the State of Lu. Yan Dan could find someone to emulate Cao Mo and force Ying Zheng to return the territories of the States of Han, Zhao, and Wei.
"inappropriate."
"This matter is extremely risky, and if it fails, there will be no room for maneuver."
Ju Wu waved his hands repeatedly.
This is not a risky move, but a recipe for self-destruction.
As far as he knew, the King of Qin not only had the Net of Intrigue, but also the Shadow Guard. How could he assassinate the King of Qin?
The difficulty was even greater than the unification of the world by the Yan state.
But Yan Dan had made up his mind, because there was no better way at the moment.
While the probability of a successful assassination is low, it is not impossible.
In his view, forming an alliance to attack Qin was extremely foolish. Wei, Chu, Qi, and the Xiongnu each had their own ulterior motives, so how could they form an alliance?
"Your Highness."
"This matter requires..."
Ju Wu advised.
He was interrupted by Yan Dan before he could finish speaking.
"I know."
Yan Dan nodded.
Then he had someone escort Ju Wu out of the mansion.
Although they had an idea, how did they kill Ying Zheng?
Who should go?
After pondering for a long time, Yan Dan decided to seek help from the Mohist school.
Didn't the Mohists advocate universal love and non-aggression?
So Yan Dan wrote a letter to the Six-Fingered Black Knight, the leader of the Mohist school, expressing his willingness to fight to the death for the sake of the Mohist mechanical city and all living beings, but he needed the help of the Mohist school.
……
More than half a month later.
The cold wind was like a knife, and there were very few pedestrians on the street.
Just then, Yan Dan received a reply from Six-Fingered Black Knight.
Although Six-Fingered Black Knight wanted Yan Dan to succeed him as the leader of the Mohist school, he did not want to break ties with the Qin state. Therefore, he neither opposed nor approved of the assassination.
If Yan Dan can persuade the Mohist masters to help him, he will not stop him.
After writing the letter to Yan Dan, Six-Fingered Black Knight chose to go into seclusion.
"Fine." "It's better than opposing it."
Yan Dan said.
After he finished speaking, he went to the Yan King's Palace.
Although King Xi of Yan was very dissatisfied with Yan Dan's unauthorized escape back to Ji City, he couldn't refuse someone who was smiling, and since things had come to this point, it would be too late to send Yan Dan back. He could only take it one step at a time.
After showering him with flattery and praise, Yan Dan returned home.
With the help of Tian Guang, the chivalrous leader of the peasants, he persuaded Jing Ke.
And so, Jing Ke moved into the residence of the Crown Prince of Yan.
Yan Dan was not in a hurry, because he knew that such things could not be rushed.
Jing Ke was treated as an honored guest at the Crown Prince of Yan's residence. He was always given the first choice when it came to food and women.
At first, Jing Ke would refuse, but later he got used to it.
Li Ji no longer belongs to him, the State of Wei is gone, life is too short, what does he seek?
It's all about fame and fortune, isn't it?
Beautiful women, fine wine, and delicious food are all sources of profit.
Although none of the beauties sent by Yan Dan were as good as Li Ji, there were still some women among them who were quite attractive.
After Yan Dan went to the Mo Family's Mechanical City, Jing Ke brought Gao Jianli to the Crown Prince's residence.
Then let Gao Jianli choose the beauties.
Gao Jianli immediately refused. Unlike Jing Ke, although Xue Nu was unwilling to take things further with him, he would not indulge in wine and women.
"Big brother."
"One must not indulge in wine and women."
Gao Jianli advised him.
After saying that, he chased away the women.
Unlike Jing Ke, he neither liked wine nor beautiful women.
It's not that he doesn't like beautiful women, but he only likes Yuki-onna (snow woman). In his eyes, Yuki-onna is different!
Am I addicted?
Jing Ke asked with a smile.
He knew in his heart that he would soon have to go to Qin and risk his life, so if he didn't enjoy himself now, when would he?
Even death row inmates get their last meal before they're executed; shouldn't he enjoy it before he dies?
Although Jing Ke's cultivation had improved rapidly recently, he knew that it was almost impossible to kill the King of Qin and escape unscathed.
Therefore, the outcome of going to Qin was death, but it would ensure that one's name would be remembered in history.
"Xiao Gao."
"Are you still thinking about her?"
Jing Ke asked.
"I do not have."
Gao Jianli looked towards Feixue Pavilion and shook his head in denial.
"I didn't say who she is."
Jing Ke smiled broadly.
Then he patted Gao Jianli's shoulder hard.
He had never seen such a devoted man since he could remember.
Once upon a time, he, like Gao Jianli, felt that she was the one for him in this life.
But later...
Thinking of this, Jing Ke sighed.
Gao Jianli still harbored illusions for another reason: Xue Nu was still in Ji City. Once Xue Nu moved into the Xu residence and even had Xu Lin's child, Gao Jianli would give up.
"Seeking but not obtaining, things not going as planned, is a normal part of life."
"My trip to Qin may be of some help to you."
Jing Ke grinned.
Then he tilted his head back and started 'ton ton ton'.
Ying Zheng's eldest son, Fusu, was still young, and his mother was from Chu. If he were to succeed to the throne, how could he destroy Chu?
Ying Zheng had only one younger brother, Chang'an Jun Chengjiao, who had already been killed.
If Ying Zheng were suddenly killed, the Qin state would inevitably fall into chaos.
In this chaotic situation, can Xu Lin remain unscathed?
If Xu Lin also perishes in this chaos, Gao Jianli might still have a chance to win the heart of the beauty.
"Big brother."
"You really want to go to Qin?"
Gao Jianli's eyes showed worry.
He didn't want to see Jing Ke go to his death.
Jing Ke's swordsmanship talent was unparalleled in his time, and he was also in his prime...
Everyone dies eventually.
"Moreover, I may not die this time when I enter Qin."
Jing Ke comforted him.
From the moment he accepted the beauty sent by Yan Dan, he had already disregarded life and death.
It's a pity that this mission to Qin is to kill Ying Zheng. If only we could kill Xu Lin as well.
Xu Lin's mansion was filled with beauties. Now that Xu Lin is dead, I wonder what these women will choose to do.
Although Jing Ke didn't admit it, he was very jealous of Xu Lin, because if it weren't for Xu Lin, Li Ji would have been his wife long ago!
If it weren't for Xu Lin, Xue Nu would have had the chance to marry Gao Jianli!
Thinking of this, Jing Ke slammed the wine cup heavily onto the table.
……
A month later.
Yan Dan returned to Ji City.
He didn't come back alone; he brought a man named Qin Wuyang with him, along with a dagger coated with deadly poison, which would kill anyone who touched it.
However, since Fan Yuqi was dead and Dukang had been cut off, Yan Dan had to find another way to get Jing Ke and Qin Wuyang close to Ying Zheng.
To emulate the imperial seal?
If the Yan state could be conquered without a fight, Ying Zheng would be overjoyed, but how could he persuade the King of Yan to be pleased?
After pondering for a long time, Yan Dan decided to give away all his wealth to seek help from Yan Chunjun, Yan Yi, and Ju Wu.
Yan Chunjun initially disagreed because he was not short of money.
However, Yan Dan later sent many beauties to Yan Chun Jun, including many girls who looked very similar to Xun Nu, which made Yan Chun Jun think that it was not unacceptable.
Yan Yi is relatively simple. Although he is a general, he neither knows how to use troops nor has any military power. He is more of a general in name only, which is completely different from Wang Jian of Qin, Li Mu of Zhao before, and Xiang Yan of Chu now.
Therefore, Yan Dan persuaded Yan Yi without even having to personally intervene.
Ju Wu was a bit of a problem. Yan Dan tried to persuade him with reason and emotion, almost wearing her lips out, but in the end, she only got Ju Wu to express that he neither approved nor opposed her.
Yan Dan thought this was acceptable, but the main concern was that further delays could lead to unforeseen changes.
Three days later, he, along with Yan Chunjun, Yan Yi, and Ju Wu, went to see King Xi of Yan.
"To submit to the imperial seal?"
"Do you want me to become the ruler of a fallen kingdom?"
King Xi of Yan was furious upon hearing this.
Although the Yan state was weak, how could it surrender without a fight?
He doesn't want to be remembered with infamy forever!
"Father."
"It's just a nominal gesture of paying tribute."
"If this succeeds, our Great Yan may very well rise to power!"
Yan Dan explained.
King Xi of Yan was unwilling to listen.
That sounds nice, but what if it doesn't work out?
What are the chances of Jing Ke and Qin Wuyang winning?
Is it 30% or 10%?
If it weren't for the fact that it was his own flesh and blood who brought it up, he would have immediately ordered the person to be killed!
"There's no need to discuss this further!"
"I am dead..."
The Prince of Yan was speechless.
But he was interrupted by Yan Dan before he could finish speaking.
"Father."
"This wasn't just my idea."
"As a wise ruler, you will be misled if you listen to only one side, but you will be enlightened if you listen to both sides."
"Don't you want to hear the opinions of the General and the others?"
Yan Dan suggested.
He first flattered King Xi of Yan as a wise ruler, and then mentioned the principle that listening to all sides leads to enlightenment, which left King Xi with no choice but to listen to the opinions of Yan Chunjun and others.
"You all agree to surrender land as a form of tribute?"
The Prince of Yan frowned and asked.
"This humble general believes that what His Highness the Crown Prince said is a viable approach."
"Even the State of Zhao is no match for the tyrannical Qin. If we were to confront them head-on, my Great Yan would have little chance of winning."
"Therefore, it is better to strike first and catch the tyrannical Qin dynasty off guard."
Yan Yi nodded.
Yan Wang Xi was very dissatisfied with his words.
But he was too lazy to scold Yan Yi, and turned to look at Lord Yanchun.
"Your Majesty."
"Although the crown prince is young, he has lived in Xianyang for a long time and has been a hostage with the King of Qin in Handan for several years."
"No one understands the King of Qin's thoughts and the state of the tyrannical Qin better than the Crown Prince. Although surrendering land and offering the imperial seal has many disadvantages, it also has many advantages."
“From the time of Duke Xiao of Qin, the states fought each other frequently. In particular, Zhang Yi, through deception, made the tyrannical Qin a hegemon of the world for a time.”
"Why is it that only the tyrannical Qin dynasty is allowed to deceive people, but my Great Yan is not allowed to deceive people?"
"If things don't go well, you can shift the blame to... to some treacherous official..."
Yan Chunjun spoke.
"If that's the case, Father, you can shift the responsibility to your son."
"This was all my plan, and has nothing to do with Father!"
Yan Dan said in a deep voice.
If things fail, death is inevitable; it's just a matter of sooner or later. Of course, he could also choose to fake his death to escape.
This is Yan Dan, outwardly a virtuous gentleman, fearless in the face of death, but in reality, he is a man of deep thoughts. (End of Chapter)