Chapter Eleven: Pang Juan: I'm Truly Jealous

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Still some distance from Liyang Palace, Zhao Zheng briefly recounted the events of the previous day.
“Ugh…”
Both men involuntarily drew in a sharp breath.
Had such a sinister plot gone unnoticed, the consequences would have been unfathomable.
Qin was already short on grain; with this calamity, recovery would take no less than two or three years.
What was even more terrifying was that if the state of Wei launched a full-scale invasion during this time, what could Qin possibly do to resist?
Gan Long furrowed his brows deeply, pondering for a moment before speaking slowly, “This old fox senses there may be other schemes at play behind the scenes.”
Truly a seasoned strategist, his insight was razor-sharp. If Qin’s tangled mess today wasn’t solely due to the selfishness of the noble clans, what else could explain it?
“Exactly,” Zhao Zheng nodded in agreement, voice heavy with implication. “This so-called economic warfare is merely surface ripples; the depths conceal far more.”
However, Zhao Zheng had no intention of meddling further. It was best not to get involved in these affairs.
Helping Qin through this crisis was a debt repaid.
As for carving out a grand legacy, that was another matter entirely.
Besides, the Wei might dispatch assassins against him yet again, and then all would be lost.
Meng Bai stood beside them, utterly perplexed. What were these two discussing in such riddles?
At Liyang Palace, the ministers had long awaited their arrival. As Gan Long and his companions entered, Ying Qu Liang promptly convened the court assembly.
He scanned the gathered officials and began deliberately, “You have all heard, to some extent, what transpired yesterday, have you not?”
The ministers nodded in unison, though none understood the underlying causes.
Ying Qu Liang wasted no time and recounted the events of the previous day in detail.
“Damn those merchants from the Six States! I boldly suggest we execute them all.”
The ministers bristled with indignation, united in their fury. Even the usually antagonistic old aristocracy and the rising new factions found themselves inexplicably aligned in this moment.
After all, the interests of the noble clans were bound to Qin’s stability. Despite their frequent clashes, if Qin faltered, their own fortunes would suffer — a prospect none wished to see.
“Indeed, Your Majesty, we propose the complete eradication of these merchants.”
Officials echoed the sentiment, eager to vent their anger.
Meng Yun stepped forward to dissent, “No, absolutely not.”
“Why not? Mere merchants daring to harm the great Qin’s interests — what harm is there in killing them?”
The official who had been shouting most fiercely glared at Meng Yun.
“Umm…”
Meng Bai was momentarily speechless under the rebuke.
He had no plan at all; only by catching a subtle frown from Ying Qu Liang did he realize the situation and stepped forward to speak on behalf of the king.
“Grand Tutor Gan, may I ask your stance on these merchants?”
Ying Qu Liang looked to Gan Long, eager to shift the topic so as not to embarrass Meng Yun.
Gan Long’s brows knitted tightly; clearly, these merchants could not be killed.
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But could he say that aloud? No.
The noble officials behind him, learning their interests were threatened, would have relished tearing those merchants apart piece by piece. He had to consider their feelings.
As chief minister, his position depended on their support.
Then inspiration struck.
In a flash, he spotted Zhao Zheng dozing in a corner and smiled faintly. “I am but a fool. Perhaps we should ask Master Guigu.”
His gaze locked precisely on Zhao Zheng.
Zhao Zheng blinked wide-eyed, nearly exploding on the spot.
Damn that old man. He just wanted to live a quiet, unremarkable life.
He had acted before partly out of obligation and partly because he was forced.
Hadn’t things just settled down a few days ago? Now this?
Ying Qu Liang’s eyes lit up; exactly the response he had hoped for. He turned to Zhao Zheng and said, “Sir, might we hear your esteemed counsel?”
“Well…”
Zhao Zheng forced a strained, conflicted expression.
“Sir, Qin faces dangers on all sides. We beg you to save us once more.”
Ying Qu Liang’s tone was sincere.
Zhao Zheng inwardly rolled his eyes in frustration. Others entered Qin’s realm expecting a unified empire, overflowing with wealth.
He, however, found himself plunged into hellish straits, penniless, surrounded by ravenous wolves.
Grimacing, he finally spoke, “My recommendation is also not to kill them.”
“Do you truly believe that executing these merchants will resolve the crisis?”
“Then what else?” An aristocratic elder stood and challenged.
“The root of the problem lies with these merchants. Kill them, and the crisis will be solved, won’t it?”
Zhao Zheng’s eyes swept coldly over the speaker. “You are mistaken. Do you think this is merely a silent economic war?”
“How naive. If our economy collapses, what will be the consequence?
“The Six States will attack Qin as if it were an undefended realm!”
“But now that we have uncovered the plot, avoided economic collapse, the Six States will quiet down for a time.”
“But if we kill these merchants, they will gain a just cause — an excuse to unite their forces and storm our gates.”
“Honorable lords,”
Zhao Zheng’s voice chilled the hall, sharp as a blade,
“We struggle to repel even a single Wei invasion; what hope against all six combined?”
His words plunged the officials into deep contemplation.
This was a case of true intentions hidden beneath the surface!
Their earlier anger had blinded them to the full picture.
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Qin’s meager resources were insufficient even against Wei alone, let alone the armies of six states.
Seeing the silence, Zhao Zheng continued, “If I am correct, Wei has already gathered envoys from the Six States, waiting for news of our execution of their merchants to justify an assault on Qin.”
Historically, there was indeed such a campaign by Wei against Qin during this period.
Due to incomplete records, Zhao Zheng could only analyze and speculate.
“What shall we do then?”
Ying Qu Liang hadn’t anticipated matters were this dire.
Zhao Zheng shrugged off the worry. “No matter. Did you arrange what I instructed yesterday, Your Majesty?”
Ying Qu Liang nodded. “It is done. The merchants from the Six States have been released separately.”
Zhao Zheng exhaled in relief. “Good. If we do not kill the merchants, they lose their pretext for a coalition invasion.”
“Spreading rumors that we ceded territory to Wei — would the Six States still stand united?
“They will only resent Wei’s disproportionate gains, creating discord.”
Self-interest breeds both alliances and conflict among wolves.
Each state harbors its own agenda, seeking to carve up a weakened Qin, but none wishes to see one dominant.
Balance is the true path; any power growing too strong will be attacked by all.
This explains why, after the reforms, Qin faced repeated combined assaults from the Six States.
Too powerful, and they feared her.
At the Wei General’s Mansion, amid fine wine and brilliant lights, the envoys of the Six States awaited news.
Instead, they learned their merchants had returned safely and been honored lavishly by Qin.
More importantly, they brought news that Qin had indeed ceded land to Wei.
“General, your appetite is enormous!”
One envoy immediately challenged.
“Hmph, having gained the Lesser Liang and Wuguan territories, you still dream of more?”
Another envoy stormed out in anger.
“I take my leave.”
In the blink of an eye, all envoys departed, leaving Pang Juan standing grim-faced and frozen in the grand hall.
Clang!
He slammed his golden goblet filled with fine wine to the ground, eyes burning red.
“Damn it! What on earth is going on?”
“This shouldn’t be happening!”