Chapter Fourteen: Life and Death, The Fate of the Nation Hangs in the Balance!

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“You’re not one of Lord Jing’s personal guards? Has something happened?”

Ying Quliang recognized the man as one of Lord Jing’s guards, and his heart suddenly sank.

The guard panted heavily, his voice breaking: “Your Majesty! Lord Jing sends urgent news—Wei is... Wei is about to attack us again.”

“What? Again?”

Hearing the name Wei once more, Ying Quliang’s head throbbed. Had he desecrated the Wei Marquis’s ancestral tomb or flooded the capital of Wei? How else could he have incurred such deep resentment?

Beside him, Zhao Zheng’s expression was calm. He had anticipated Wei’s move, but not with such speed—not even allowing a moment to catch their breath.

“Alright, I understand. You may go rest.”

Ying Quliang’s face darkened as he dismissed the soldier to rest. Then he turned to Zhao Zheng: “Sir, what should we do now?”

Without hesitation, Zhao Zheng said, “Fight. We must fight.”

Shaoliang is lost, Wuguan is lost—Qin has nowhere left to retreat.

If we cede even an inch more land, tomorrow the Six States will feast on our flesh.

Constant retreat will only make others think we’re easy prey.

Moreover, if we keep showing cowardice, the old aristocratic powers in Qin will immediately depose Ying Quliang and install Ying Qian in his place.

Ying Quliang sighed helplessly. “Fight... I know we must fight, but how exactly should we?”

Zhao Zheng’s tone was even but carried undeniable authority: “I am seventy percent confident we can repel the enemy. If not, I have one last stratagem.”

“Seventy percent? Sir, you’re not joking?”

Ying Quliang knew that these two recent defeats had surely enraged Pang Juan, making it hard for him to maintain his standing in Wei.

If Pang Juan wanted to regain face, he must reclaim ground in Qin; thus, this offensive would be fierce.

“Truly. Your Majesty, first summon the ministers for a council.”

Zhao Zheng’s lips curled into a slight smile, confident and unshaken by Wei’s impending attack.

Historically, Wei’s assault on Qin at this time was the fiercest, yet also the last proactive attack during Ying Quliang’s rule.

Later, Pang Juan forced Shang Yang to flee, and after Shang Yang’s reforms in Qin, Wei could no longer match Qin’s strength.

But history did not record how this battle against Wei was won.

Still, Zhao Zheng remained composed. He had long seen through Pang Juan’s character.

As the saying goes, know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.

At Liyang Palace, not only were ministers summoned back, but rarely attending court, Ying Qian also appeared unusually at the assembly.

The ministers, seeing Ying Qian at the head, understood the gravity of the situation.

“Zhao Zheng, boy, what’s happened?”

Ying Qian’s way of addressing Zhao Zheng differed from Ying Quliang’s, but it did not imply a lack of respect.

Zhao Zheng shrugged helplessly: “Old acquaintance.”

“Again?”

Ying Qian’s thick brows furrowed fiercely, a murderous aura filling the hall. How could he not know whom Zhao Zheng referred to?

Gan Long entered the hall, immediately greeting Ying Qian: “Eldest Young Master, it’s been a long time.”

“Hmm, Senior Doctor, your health is still good.”

Ying Qian studied Gan Long’s pale face with concern.

Good? Not at all!

Gan Long glanced at Zhao Zheng, who had nearly driven him mad recently.

“Enough, let’s start the court session.”

Seeing Zhao Zheng about to tease Gan Long again, Ying Quliang hastened to begin the meeting.

Ying Quliang scanned the ministers: “Gentlemen, the latest news is that Wei is about to attack Qin again. What say you?”

Meng Yun was the first to stand: “Fight—face them directly!”

He discerned Ying Quliang’s resolve to battle; as a military man, he knew retreat was no longer an option.

“Yes, we must fight!”

All factions at Qin’s court united once more.

“We, the aristocrats, are willing to provide funds and grain.”

Unlike Zhao Zheng’s previous schemes to undermine the old aristocracy, this was their genuine willingness.

The aristocrats of Qin knew clearly: first, they were Qin people; second, aristocrats.

Zhao Zheng smiled silently. Well done, Old Gan.

He praised at the start: “Well, well, Senior Doctor Gan shows great spirit.”

Seeing Gan Long’s stance, Zhao Zheng decided not to target him for now.

Gan Long pretended not to hear the praise; he had learned his lesson well.

Ying Quliang continued: “Funds and grain are one matter; the main concern now is how to fight. Pang Juan, eager to regain his footing in Wei’s court, will bring a sizable force.”

As Ying Quliang finished, all eyes turned to Zhao Zheng and Ying Qian.

These two were Qin’s current leaders.

At the battle of Wuguan, scouts reported that under Zhao Zheng’s ambush, Wei’s casualties numbered over five thousand.

Of course, few were truly crushed or wounded; most deaths were from trampling and friendly fire.

Even after ceding Wuguan to Wei, Qin had evacuated all civilians.

It was said that King Hui of Wei was furious upon hearing this.

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“Now that the natural fortress of Wuguan is lost, Pang Juan will surely march through Wuguan straight toward the Lantian camp.”

Ying Qian strode to the map, pointing to Lantian—the last defensive stronghold.

This was not only the final barrier but also the station of Qin’s elite troops.

Everyone supported Ying Qian’s analysis; there was no other choice.

“No, I think otherwise.”

Zhao Zheng spoke up.

Ying Qian looked at him puzzled: “You think Wei won’t attack Lantian?”

Zhao Zheng shook his head: “No, Lantian will definitely be attacked. But Pang Juan will not advance along the Wuguan path.”

Ying Quliang was baffled. “Why?”

Zhao Zheng pointed to the map: “Pang Juan suffered losses before Wuguan. The terrain along the Wuguan path is similar to that before Wuguan. Given his suspicious nature, he would never take that route.”

“You’re so sure about Pang Juan’s character?”

Ying Qian found this questionable.

How could one’s character alone determine their marching route?

“Know yourself and your enemy, and you will never be defeated.”

“A general’s character shapes their command style—whether rash or cautious.”

Zhao Zheng said calmly, “War is not just about a commander’s skills but also about understanding the hearts of men.”

Historically, Pang Juan’s style was to “avoid the strong and strike the weak.”

Zhao Zheng studied the map carefully, recalling knowledge learned from Guiguzi and later historical texts.

After a long moment, he said: “I believe he will detour along the Dan and Xi Rivers, circling southeast to flank the Lantian camp.”

Everyone looked toward the direction Zhao Zheng indicated.

Instead of marching west directly from Wuguan, the army would travel southeast along the Dan River valley, enter Shangyu territory, then turn north along the Xi River or its tributaries, launching an attack on Lantian’s flank or rear.

This would catch Qin’s forces off guard.

Though Wuguan would be lost, Qin’s main force was still guarding the Wuguan path, and Lantian’s defenses were focused there.

The flanks and rear of Lantian were nearly undefended; if Wei bypassed the Wuguan path, Qin could not stop them.

Such a move would yield greater results than a direct assault on Lantian through Wuguan.

“I still find it unlikely.”

Ying Qian remained unconvinced, reasoning the detour would take too long.

War values speed; delay invites disaster.

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