Chapter Thirty: Entering Wei to Rescue the Captives

"This man is the greatest obstacle to Pang Juan's path to the chancellorship; he cannot afford to be even the slightest bit careless about him."

Zhao Zheng, however, appeared indifferent. "Once your Grand Master gives his approval, I will devise a plan. You will only need to carry it out when the time comes."

Mo Hao nodded. He had absolute faith in Zhao Zheng's strategic mind. This young man might be lacking in other areas, but he was always brimming with cunning schemes.

During the wait for Mo Chen's reply, a shadow of unease hung over Zhao Zheng's mind. The death of Gongshu Cuo was steeped in suspicious circumstances. The arrest of Shang Yang followed immediately by the death of Gongshu Cuo seemed to be threads of the same tapestry. He had a nagging feeling that the ultimate victor would not be Pang Juan. Yet, in his estimation, with Gongshu Cuo dead, there was no one left in the State of Wei who could stand as a rival to Pang Juan.

Less than an hour later, Mo Hao burst in with great urgency. "Lord Zuoshuzhang, the Grand Master has agreed. He has ordered me to cooperate with your actions by any means necessary."

Zhao Zheng was not particularly surprised; he had known all along that Mo Chen would agree. He spoke directly, "Let us depart. We are going to the State of Wei together."

"???" Mo Hao's eyes widened in shock, doubting he had heard correctly. "You dare to go to the State of Wei? You burned sixty thousand Wei troops to death at Black Dragon Gorge—aren't you afraid the people of Wei will tear you to pieces?"

Seeing Mo Hao's concern, Zhao Zheng shook his head. "While my identity has not yet been fully exposed, I must get this done as soon as possible."

"This... we should at least inform the Ruler of Qin." Mo Hao hesitated slightly. If something were to happen to Zhao Zheng, the Ruler of Qin would surely raze Mount Moyuan to the ground. Not to mention the Ruler of Qin, the previous master of Guigu would likely not spare him either.

"No, we must absolutely not let the Ruler know about this." Zhao Zheng shook his head like a rattle. If Ying Quliang found out, how would he ever be allowed to go to Wei? For the sake of his future leisure—ahem, for the sake of the prosperity of the State of Qin—he had to take this risk.

"We leave now. Time waits for no man." Fearing that Mo Hao might go and report him, Zhao Zheng decided to set off immediately.

"Uh... very well then." Unable to dissuade Zhao Zheng, Mo Hao had no choice but to agree. *Sigh, what does it matter even if I am the head of the main altar? Running into Zhao Zheng is the greatest misfortune of my life,* Mo Hao grumbled inwardly.

***

After a brief preparation, Zhao Zheng set out with Mo Hao and several experts from the Mohist school, heading straight for Daliang, the capital of the State of Wei.

At the residence of Jing Jian in Wei, Jing Jian was pacing anxiously. There was still no news of Shang Yang. Such a brilliant talent—surely he couldn't be dead?

Just then, there was a knock at the door. Peering through a crack, Jing Jian saw Shen Buhai standing outside with a young woman.

"Master Shen, who is this..." Jing Jian invited Shen Buhai inside and asked in a hushed tone.

Shen Buhai introduced the girl to Jing Jian. "This is Princess Wei Lan, daughter of the King of Wei."

"Greetings, Lord Neishi of Qin." Wei Lan bowed respectfully to Jing Jian.

Jing Jian's mouth twitched. *Is this boy Shen Buhai insane?* The states of Qin and Wei were at daggers drawn, and he brought a princess of Wei to him—was he afraid that he wouldn't die quickly enough?

"Lord Neishi, please do not misunderstand. My visit is for the purpose of rescuing Wei Yang," Wei Lan said, having sensed Jing Jian's apprehension.

*To rescue Shang Yang?* Jing Jian was stunned. What kind of charm did this pretty boy possess? Not only was Zhao Zheng meticulously laying plans for him, but even the daughter of the King of Wei was willing to run risks for his sake?

He sighed helplessly, "Your Highness, I fear there is little I can do to help in this matter." For days, he had been circling every prison in Wei, and his men had been scouting everywhere for news of Wei Yang, all to no avail.

Wei Lan, however, said, "I have come specifically to bring news of where Wei Yang is being held."

Jing Jian blinked, squeezing out two words: "Truly?"

Wei Lan nodded firmly. "Truly. Pang Juan has not locked Wei Yang in a dungeon, but in a pigsty."

*A pigsty?* Jing Jian's face turned ashen. No wonder he couldn't find him; he was being kept in a pigsty! Still, having this information made things easier. But Wei Lan's next words poured a bucket of cold water over him.

"However, Pang Juan has stationed many secret guards around the area, all of whom are veterans retired from the battlefield. And Pang Juan visits frequently."

Jing Jian gasped. He had fewer than ten men under his command; rescuing Wei Yang would be an incredibly difficult task.

"Master Jing Jian, has the Sage of Guigu made a decision yet?" Shen Buhai asked, coming to the point.

Jing Jian shook his head. "The Master has not yet replied." From Qin to Daliang in Wei, even at full gallop, it took three days—six days for a round trip.

Shen Buhai frowned. "Delay breeds change. I fear that bastard Pang Juan might do something malicious..."

Jing Jian pondered for a moment before shaking his head. "I actually don't think he will move against Wei Yang so quickly... Speaking of which, I have a way to buy some time."

The two looked at Jing Jian, who continued slowly, "It will, however, require the assistance of Prince Ang. Now that Gongshu Cuo has passed, it is only proper for his disciples to attend the vigil. You could use this to pressure Pang Juan into releasing Wei Yang."

The two thought it sounded reasonable. If Pang Juan refused to release Wei Yang, he would certainly be criticized by others. But would Prince Ang be willing to help? Prince Ang had always been on good terms with Pang Juan; they feared that instead of agreeing, Prince Ang might actually support Pang Juan. Shen Buhai was particularly worried about this.

Jing Jian analyzed the situation: "I actually suspect that Prince Ang is not only unwilling to help Pang Juan, but might even be on the verge of a falling out with him."

"That is unlikely. They were drinking and making merry in the palace just yesterday," Wei Lan said, recounting the events of the previous day.

To this, Jing Jian remained firm in his conviction. "No, I believe they are merely keeping up appearances while harboring secret grudges. You should give it a try; I shall await the Master's reply."

Shen Buhai nodded, acknowledging it was the best path forward, and took his leave with Wei Lan.

Over the next two days, Jing Jian personally scouted the pigsty Wei Lan had mentioned. Just as she had said, it was crawling with secret guards. Furthermore, they were all elite soldiers of the Wei Martial Infantry; a direct assault would be like throwing eggs against a rock.

As for Shen Buhai, he went directly to Prince Ang. He had expected to spend a great deal of effort persuading him, but unexpectedly, Prince Ang agreed without a second thought. However, despite the promise, he took no action. He continued to attend Pang Juan's banquets, drinking, making merry, and laughing as if nothing had happened.

After four days and nights of continuous travel, Zhao Zheng and Mo Hao finally arrived in Daliang. The steeds of the Mohists were specially bred Hun horses, not the local breeds of the Central Plains. Throughout the journey, whenever a horse reached its limit, they would switch to a fresh one at a nearby Mohist supply depot.

Zhao Zheng practically tumbled off his horse, his legs trembling and his bones feeling as though they were falling apart. This journey was far more grueling than the trek from Yueyang to Wuguan. It seemed that the production of stirrups and saddles needed to be put on the agenda. Although the Mohists had facilities similar to stirrups and saddles, they were far less effective.

"Lord Zuoshuzhang, shall we rest for a while?" Seeing Zhao Zheng in such a half-dead state, Mo Hao could not help but ask.

"No, time waits for no man," Zhao Zheng rejected the suggestion. "Tell me, do you know where Jing Jian is staying?"