Chapter Thirty-One: Pang Juan Becomes Acting Chancellor

Mo Hao nodded; he was naturally aware of such trivial matters.

He didn't just know where Jing Jian lived; he could easily find out everything Jing Jian had done that day if he wanted to.

"Lead the way," Zhao Zheng commanded crisply. "We are going to find Jing Jian."

"Understood," Mo Hao replied, having no choice but to obey.

Mo Hao soon obtained Jing Jian’s address from the local Mohist headquarters and then led Zhao Zheng in a mad dash toward it.

On their way, a lavish carriage sped past them—it was Pang Juan, on his way to pay his respects at the residence of the late Gongshu Cuo.

Mo Hao looked as if he had seen a ghost. "That fellow Pang Juan is going to mourn Gongshu Cuo, but why do I have the feeling he’s up to no good?"

"Perhaps," Zhao Zheng said with a trace of disdain. "He feels he can now sit securely in the position of Chancellor."

"Isn't that the case?" Mo Hao asked back without a second thought. "The news we received is also that Pang Juan will inherit the chancellorship."

Besides, who else in the State of Wei could shoulder such a heavy responsibility right now?

Zhao Zheng shook his head with a profound expression. "Just you wait. I have already caught a different scent. Perhaps we can take this opportunity to rescue Wei Yang."

"Who exactly is this Wei Yang? Why do you all value him so highly?"

Mo Hao was baffled. While he knew Wei Yang had some talent, he didn’t think it was enough to make everyone fight for the lad.

Zhao Zheng was taken aback by this. "Who else is plotting after Wei Yang?"

Mo Hao looked puzzled. "You might not believe it, but it’s the Wei King’s eldest legitimate daughter."

The Wei King’s eldest daughter? How did she get involved with Wei Yang?

Zhao Zheng was shocked. Could his own presence have shifted the course of events? Still, with Wei Lan's help, the rescue mission might go much more smoothly.

The two raced on and soon arrived in front of Jing Jian’s residence. Zhao Zheng stepped forward, knocked on the door, and shouted, "Little Jing, come out and open up!"

Jing Jian, already tormented by the Wei Yang affair, felt his temper ignite instantly upon hearing such an insolent command.

Who was it? Who the hell dared to provoke him like that?

"You damn—"

Jing Jian flung the door open, the profanity dying in his throat the moment he saw the handsome face before him.

Zhao... Zhao Zheng?

Why did this living ancestor come here in person?

Jing Jian rubbed his eyes, thinking he was hallucinating.

Zhao Zheng’s face darkened, and he said testily, "Little Jing, haven’t seen you in a few days, and you don’t recognize your master anymore?"

Damn... it really was that fellow Zhao Zheng.

No regard for etiquette, calling himself "master" at every turn—who else could it be but Zhao Zheng?

"My Lord Zuoshuzhang, please, come in." Jing Jian hurriedly invited Zhao Zheng into the house.

After striding inside, Zhao Zheng looked around and nodded with satisfaction. "You’ve found a nice place. You’ve been living quite comfortably these days, haven't you..."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Zheng’s expression changed. He pointed at Jing Jian and began to scold him: "Damn you, Jing Jian! I gave you one task, and you botched it completely..."

Jing Jian was stunned. Wait, how did Zhao Zheng know he had botched it? He hadn't told anyone!

Zhao Zheng snorted coldly. "Let me tell you, when we return, you can explain it to the Lord yourself. And oh, as for Brother Ying Qian, you’ll have to deal with that yourself."

Jing Jian was completely bewildered. What was all this?

How did the Lord and Ying Qian get dragged into this? Didn't that make things impossible to handle?

Mo Hao’s mouth twitched. He decided to let Jing Jian die with his eyes open, so he leaned in and whispered in his ear: "The Zuoshuzhang snuck out to the State of Wei; he’ll likely face some trouble upon returning..."

Jing Jian’s face stiffened. What on earth? Was this guy trying to make him take the fall?

Alas... how miserable. Jing Jian felt a bitter ache in his heart.

He couldn't even imagine how severely the two top leaders of Qin would deal with him once he returned.

Back in Qin, when Ying Quliang and Ying Qian learned that Zhao Zheng had run off to Wei, they were furious. They had nearly mobilized the army to invade Wei and rescue him. It was only after Ying Shu explained the situation that they were persuaded otherwise. Even so, Ying Quliang still ordered Ying Qian to lead a large army to station at Wuguan to welcome Zhao Zheng back.

Zhao Zheng sat down heavily on a chair, stretching his body, which was sore from long hours of riding.

Jing Jian hurried over and asked cautiously, "Zuoshuzhang, what are your next orders?"

Zhao Zheng thought for a moment. "Rest for a while, then take me to see the pigsty where Wei Yang is being held."

Mo Hao, hearing that Zhao Zheng intended to visit the site in person, hurried to say, "Zuoshuzhang, you really don't need to go yourself. I have my people from the Mohist school there."

Zhao Zheng shook his head. "No. What kind of strategist fails to scout the enemy position before a battle?"

"But..." Mo Hao tried to dissuade him again.

"Enough, say no more," Zhao Zheng said decisively.

The two could not go against him and had to yield.

After a short rest, Jing Jian led them personally to the place where Shang Yang was imprisoned.

The pigsty holding Shang Yang was located on a farm outside the city of Daliang. It sat on an open plain, very close to the city, with flat terrain offering no cover. If their operation were exposed, the garrison in Daliang would respond rapidly, making the rescue extremely difficult.

Even Zhao Zheng found this terrain tricky. If the Wei cavalry were alerted, everyone would die there. The infantry had no advantage against cavalry, and they didn't even have a formal infantry unit.

"How many men do we have?" Zhao Zheng asked, his voice grave, turning to Jing Jian.

"I only have ten men here," Jing Jian said helplessly.

Zhao Zheng looked at Mo Hao. "How many can the Mohists provide?"

"Hmm... about three hundred," Mo Hao estimated.

Altogether, it was fewer than five hundred. Zhao Zheng’s brows knitted together. "Too few. Not even enough for one charge from the State of Wei."

"Therefore, we can only win by wit, not by brute force."

Win by wit?

The two looked at each other, confused. How could they win by wit?

Zhao Zheng smiled mysteriously. "Just wait... in these next few days, a major event will surely happen in the State of Wei."

"Oh, and Jing Jian, help me contact the Princess of Wei. There are some things I truly need her help with."

Jing Jian nodded hurriedly. "I guarantee the mission will be accomplished."

In the Wei royal court, the appointment of a new Chancellor had been delayed.

Today, as the court session began, Pang Juan’s supporters could no longer hold back. They jumped out one after another, their voices demanding Pang Juan be named Chancellor filling the hall.

However, the Wei King, sitting upon his throne, merely raised his eyelids coldly and said in a deep voice, "The appointment of a Chancellor concerns the state. We shall wait until after Lord Gongshu is buried to make a decision... As for the complex government affairs in the meantime, Pang Juan shall act as a proxy."

With that one sentence, the King had tilted the power toward Pang Juan.

Just as everyone thought the matter was settled, a voice suddenly rang out.

"Pang Juan!"

Prince Ang stepped out from the ranks, his gaze burning like a torch, his tone aggressive.

"Is it time to release my junior fellow apprentice yet?"

Prince Ang glared at Pang Juan with ill intent.

Pang Juan frowned and hurriedly said, "Wei Yang colluded with Sun Bin of the State of Qi. This is treason. It must not be forgiven..."

Before he could finish, Prince Ang interrupted him sharply: "Forgiven? So, you have conclusive evidence?"

"The wooden tablets are the best evidence," Pang Juan replied.

"Wooden tablets?" Prince Ang sneered. "Who knows if those weren't planted by someone with ill intentions?"

Pang Juan’s face stiffened, and he retorted, "I don't know who has ill intentions, but someone planted a collaborator with Qi into the Wei court. Could it be that person also colluded with Qi?"

*What’s wrong with Prince Ang today? Why did he suddenly bring up Wei Yang?* Pang Juan muttered to himself.

"Pang Juan, don't think that no one knows what you’ve done. If you know what’s good for you, release my junior apprentice, otherwise... heh heh."