Chapter 28: The Imprisonment of Shang Yang! Turmoil in the State of Wei!
Page (1/3)
“What is it?” Zhao Zheng pressed.
Mo Hao shook his head. “We have not uncovered the exact details yet, but it seems a conflict has broken out.”
A conflict?
Damn it... The course of history had truly diverged.
According to the original history, Shang Yang had languished in obscurity in Wei before abandoning the state for Qin. After bribing Jing Jian, he had been introduced directly to Ying Quliang.
How had things now turned into Prince Ang recommending him for the position of chancellor?
Who in Wei currently wanted that position most?
Naturally, Pang Juan.
With Prince Ang making such a move, Pang Juan would surely develop murderous intentions toward Shang Yang...
Then Shang Yang...
Zhao Zheng’s breathing quickened for an instant. But then he thought of Jing Jian. Surely Jing Jian could protect him?
With that in mind, Zhao Zheng asked Mo Hao, “Does this token grant me any authority?”
Mo Hao looked at Zhao Zheng strangely. “This token is equivalent to the Grand Master’s personal presence. Apart from mobilizing Mohist private troops, it can grant you access to any information you desire.
“If you wish to seek the Mohists’ assistance, we will report it to the Grand Master at the fastest possible speed.”
“Then continue gathering information about Wei for me.”
Zhao Zheng did not hesitate.
“If anything happens, report it to me immediately.”
Mo Hao cupped his fists. “I guarantee the task will be completed.”
Zhao Zheng turned to leave. After taking a few steps, he suddenly stopped and turned back.
“Come to think of it, among the various states under Heaven, there should be other organizations like yours, shouldn’t there?”
Zhao Zheng had been thinking about this ever since he first entered the Mohist stronghold.
Mo Hao shook his head. “It is only natural that the various states under Heaven do not possess just one organization. We have no shortage of enemies, either. Even your Ghost Valley Sect has forces of its own.”
The Ghost Valley Sect had its own forces?
Why had he never known about this?
Zhao Zheng’s pupils contracted slightly. Could that old bastard have deliberately kept it from him?
No, he had to find Wang Xu as soon as possible. It was better to rely on himself than to seek help from others.
After leaving the Golden Jade Workshop, Zhao Zheng felt the night breeze brush past him.
At his side, Ying Shu could not help asking, “Who exactly is this Shang Yang you mentioned? Why do you hold him in such high regard?”
“Shang Yang... He truly was an extraordinary man.”
Zhao Zheng’s tone was complicated, filled with profound admiration. Calling Shang Yang extraordinary was no exaggeration. He had made an indispensable contribution to transforming weak Qin into a powerful state.
Suddenly, the scene in which Master of Ghost Valley had sent word through Zhang Yi surfaced in his mind. Every person had a destiny of his own.
Then what, exactly, was his destiny?
A trace of confusion brushed across his heart.
“Something troubling you?”
Ying Shu’s clear voice broke into his thoughts.
Page (1/3)
Page (2/3)
Zhao Zheng instinctively shook his head. “No. I was only thinking about some things from the past...”
“The past?” Ying Shu tilted her head, her eyes filled with curiosity. “You should be from Zhao, shouldn’t you?”
Zhao Zheng abruptly raised his eyes to look at her, astonishment flickering through them. Even Ying Quliang did not know the truth of his origins, yet she...
A faint smile appeared on Ying Shu’s lips. “I inferred it from your clan name. Zhao and Ying belong to the same surname and clan.”
His surname?
Zhao Zheng froze, then suddenly understood. In this era, one’s surname and clan name were the most conspicuous form of identification.
As for his own name, it was rather coincidental. It happened to be the same as that of the famed First Emperor.
At that thought, an inexplicable sensation welled up within Zhao Zheng.
After parting from Ying Shu, Zhao Zheng walked toward his residence, his figure blending into the dusk of Xianyang.
Elsewhere, at Gan Long’s residence—
“Teacher, what do you think His Highness is trying to do?”
“Why on earth must he issue some sort of Edict for Seeking the Worthy? As the head of all officials, should not the important posts at court naturally belong to the sons of our noble clans? Why throw open the gates to outsiders and invite needless complications?”
Du Zhi spoke indignantly, feeling that his teacher had been treated unfairly.
Gan Long’s expression darkened. He slammed his hand against the table.
“Du Zhi, stop talking nonsense! The Edict for Seeking the Worthy is a sound policy that benefits the state!”
“I am merely speaking the truth, Master. Ever since that Master of Ghost Valley from the Ghost Valley Sect was invited out of seclusion, our position has grown weaker by the day.”
“Why don’t we simply kill him?”
A venomous glint flashed through Du Zhi’s eyes. He was clearly unwilling to submit.
Gan Long’s beard bristled as he shouted, “Du Zhi, have you gone mad? He is the Left Commandant of Qin, personally appointed by His Highness!”
“I truly have taught you in vain. After all this time, have you still not seen it?”
“Do you honestly think Zhao Zheng cannot deal with us? You are mistaken! If Zhao Zheng wished to move against us with the force of thunder, would we still be living as securely as we are now?”
Having contended with Zhao Zheng openly and covertly several times, Gan Long understood better than anyone how terrifying he was.
He was a monstrous talent who could manipulate human hearts, the political climate, and every advantage and disadvantage with exquisite precision.
Even Pang Juan, whom the six states feared, had suffered a crushing setback at his hands.
“But... Teacher, why bolster another’s prestige while diminishing our own?” Du Zhi said, his face full of defiance.
Gan Long had completely lost his patience. He said coldly, “Du Zhi, stop making a fool of yourself. The authority to examine the scholars from the eastern states remains in my hands. This does us no harm.”
“If I hear you say anything else that undermines unity... Hmph.”
He let out a sinister snort.
“I will strip you of your position.”
“Teacher!” Du Zhi’s face turned deathly pale.
“Get out!” Gan Long roared bluntly.
Du Zhi shuddered in fright and stumbled out on hands and knees.
In the state of Wei, within the city of Daliang—
In recent days, Jing Jian had visited Wei Yang’s residence every day in an effort to grow closer to him. But when he reached the entrance of the alley that day, he saw Wei soldiers surrounding the residence.
This was disastrous!
Page (2/3)
Page (3/3)
Jing Jian forced himself to remain calm, avoided the soldiers, and hurried back to his own residence.
He paced anxiously around the main hall. Just then, someone knocked at the door.
“Who is it?”
Jing Jian opened the door and found a completely unfamiliar man standing outside.
The man had a thin face and an unmistakably anxious expression. He bowed deeply to Jing Jian and spoke urgently.
“My name is Shen Buhai. Forgive me for disturbing you, Lord Jing Jian.”
Shen Buhai?
Jing Jian searched his memory and quickly recalled that this man was a Legalist friend of Shang Yang’s who often came to discuss scholarly matters with him.
“May I ask what brings you here, sir?” Jing Jian returned the bow before asking.
Shen Buhai drew a deep breath. “Yesterday, Pang Juan led men into Brother Wei Yang’s home and arrested him.”
“What?”
Jing Jian was stunned.
Arrested by Pang Juan? How had Wei Yang provoked him?
Shen Buhai sighed helplessly. “I heard that yesterday Prince Ang recommended Brother Wei Yang to the King of Wei. Unexpectedly, Pang Juan discovered a wooden tablet containing evidence that Gongsun Cuo had secretly corresponded with Pang Juan of Qi. That was when everything went wrong.”
A wooden tablet?
Damn it! How had it fallen into Pang Juan’s hands?
Jing Jian’s face stiffened. He knew very well that the tablet had been placed there by him. His original plan had been to administer a strong dose of medicine and force Wei Yang to leave Wei.
Who could have imagined that things would turn out like this?
Jing Jian drew a deep breath and looked at Shen Buhai.
“So you want me to rescue Wei Yang?”
Shen Buhai nodded. “Yes. Rather than asking you, I should say that I am appealing to the person behind you—the Sage of Ghost Valley who saw through Brother Wei Yang’s strategy and burned six hundred thousand Wei troops.”
Shen Buhai’s knowledge of Zhao Zheng was perfectly understandable. After suffering a setback at Wuguan, Wei Yang had returned and complained about it to Shen Buhai.
At this point, there was no choice but to seek that gentleman’s help.
Jing Jian smiled bitterly inwardly. This was the first task Zhao Zheng had entrusted to him, and he had already botched it. Now he even had to ask Zhao Zheng to clean up the mess.
Helplessness became a sigh.
“Do not worry. An expert will take action on Mr. Wei Yang’s behalf.”
Shen Buhai bowed deeply. “Since that is so, I shall take my leave. I will also do my utmost to investigate Wei Yang’s whereabouts. Farewell.”
“Farewell.”
After seeing Shen Buhai off, Jing Jian immediately wrote a letter and ordered a messenger to send it back to Qin at the highest possible speed.
He also hurriedly dispatched men to investigate Wei Yang’s whereabouts.
At the Chancellor’s residence, the old chancellor Gongsun Cuo lay on a couch after suffering two devastating blows. His breath was faint, and he looked like a guttering candle in the wind.
Hearing footsteps, he struggled to open his eyes a narrow slit.
“How is it? Have you found Wei Yang’s whereabouts?”
He looked at Prince Ang as the latter entered, forcing the hoarse words from his throat with great difficulty.
Page (3/3)