Chapter Seven: Digging a Pit to Bury Gan Long

Gan Long was taken aback. Was this brat trying to dig a pit for him again?

He feigned ignorance and asked, "Avoid? How are we to avoid it?"

Zhao Zheng let out a cold snort. "Since the cession of Shaoliang and Wuguan feels like cutting the very flesh from our hearts, why was it that when Pang Juan led one hundred thousand Wei troops to descend upon us like ravenous wolves, none of you esteemed lords were willing to serve the state with your loyalty to prevent such a tragedy from happening?"

Du Zhi, standing behind Gan Long, jumped out at these words: "Zhao Zheng, do not think that just because you are a sage of Guigu you have the right to slander us!"

"Slander?" Zhao Zheng scoffed. "You esteemed lords possess granaries and provisions, and the private armies within your clans, while perhaps not equal to the soldiers of our Qin, are certainly not far behind."

"Why, then, did you not pour them all out, rush to the front lines, and fight to the death alongside our Qin soldiers at Wuguan to hold onto that pass and Shaoliang?"

"Hiss..."

A collective intake of breath echoed through the hall. This was the first time anyone had dared to openly challenge the authority of the old aristocracy.

Gan Long’s expression shifted, and he opened his mouth to speak: "You..."

Zhao Zheng gave him no opportunity to retort, pressing forward with every step:

"Could it be that as long as you esteemed lords reside in the prosperity of Yueyang, you remain indifferent because it did not touch your own vital interests, but the moment your own flesh is cut, you finally know what pain is?"

The vital interests of the old aristocracy were, quite simply, their own wealth and power.

Zhao Zheng’s words incited those not affiliated with the old aristocracy to indignation, and they began to heap condemnation upon the nobles.

"Nonsense..."

Du Zhi was about to interject, but a single glare from Gan Long silenced him.

Gan Long took a deep breath. "It is I who was abrupt. I feel deeply remorseful that I did not do my utmost for the state earlier; my heart is burning with anxiety!"

"Indeed... we are also burning with anxiety..." the aristocratic faction echoed in succession.

A satisfied smile played at the corners of Zhao Zheng’s mouth. He turned to Ying Quliang and said, "My Lord, it seems the esteemed lords are burning with anxiety over their previous lack of loyalty to the state!"

"Why not grant the lords their wish? I fear that such intense anxiety might lead to illness!"

Ying Quliang was stunned. What was Zhao Zheng plotting now? He gestured for Zhao Zheng to continue. The nobles were equally bewildered, though only Gan Long sensed a faint omen of disaster.

Zhao Zheng gave Gan Long a long, meaningful look—*you dug this pit for your own kind, old man, so don't blame me*—and said slowly:

"At this moment, the state treasury is depleted due to the war. The new army is in dire need of weapons, grain, and military pay; we are short of everything."

"Since you esteemed lords are so eager to serve the state, this is the perfect opportunity!"

"???"

The aristocratic officials were completely dumbfounded. *Wait, how did this turn into a request for money?*

On the other side, Jing Jian and Ying Quliang nearly burst out laughing.

Zhao Zheng had used Gan Long’s own words to dig a massive pit for him and the old aristocracy, and the critical point was that Gan Long was now forced to lead them into it. After all, these words had come from the representative of the old aristocracy himself; if they refused to jump, wouldn't it imply that Gan Long was a useless figurehead?

***

A flicker of imperceptible delight appeared on Ying Quliang’s face. He looked at Gan Long and the others and said, "With such patriotic hearts among you, the rise of our Great Qin cannot be far off!"

"No, we meant..." Du Zhi tried to jump out and clarify, but Gan Long pulled him back secretly.

Gan Long shot a venomous glare at Zhao Zheng before saying, "My Lord, we are willing to serve the state. We are willing to donate..."

"What? Magistrate Gan, thirty thousand shi of grain? You need not be shy about it; such generosity truly makes you a model for all our officials."

Zhao Zheng stared at Gan Long in feigned shock.

*Thirty thousand shi?*

The other aristocratic officials were stunned. Thirty thousand shi of grain was equivalent to half of what each of their families possessed! This damned Zhao Zheng was trying to kill them!

"Master of Guigu, do you know that thirty thousand shi of grain..."

"What? And one hundred sets of armor as well?"

Zhao Zheng interrupted him again, feigning shock.

"No, that's not..."

"Oh? I understand, I understand."

Zhao Zheng wore an expression of sudden realization. "Minister Gan also wishes to donate military pay! You are truly loyal to the state; I admire you, I truly admire you!"

"..."

Gan Long fell completely silent. To say more? If he kept talking, he feared this brat would squeeze them until not a drop remained.

*This godforsaken brat!*

*Pfft.* Jing Jian couldn't hold it in anymore and nearly laughed out loud.

*How refreshing!* There was a time when they were ruthlessly suppressed by these old nobles in the court; seeing them suffer now was immensely satisfying. The Sage of Guigu was truly incredible!

Ying Quliang nodded in satisfaction. "In that case, let my elder brother be responsible for overseeing the donations."

"Understood!" Ying Qian stepped forward and said respectfully.

Ying Quliang continued, "The Master possesses great talent. I have decided to appoint him as Zuo Shuzhang. Are there any objections?"

Once he finished speaking, Ying Quliang scanned the officials, and not a single one dared to object.

Did Gan Long want to object? Of course he did. But he felt that if he did, he would certainly be fleeced by Zhao Zheng once more.

"Good, then it is settled." Ying Quliang nodded in satisfaction.

***

Meanwhile, seventeen years remained before the State of Wei would declare itself a kingdom.

The court of Wei was filled with a thick scent of gunpowder.

Marquis Hui of Wei breathed a sigh of relief at the safe return of Gongshu Cuo, while Prince Ang and Pang Juan looked as if they had swallowed flies.

It was well known in the Wei court that Pang Juan and Gongshu Cuo were mortal enemies. As for Prince Ang, he had been a student of Gongshu Cuo. Yet, he had pinned the entire blame for the defeat at Shaoliang on Gongshu Cuo, accusing him of three great crimes: poor strategy, losing the army, and bringing shame to the nation, offending Gongshu Cuo beyond repair. This was a desperate move; otherwise, according to the law, the one to face death would have been Prince Ang.

Now that Gongshu Cuo had returned safely, Prince Ang’s troubles were about to begin.

Marquis Hui of Wei ordered Gongshu Cuo to go and rest. After presenting the state document detailing the land ceded by Qin, Gongshu Cuo bowed and withdrew from the court.

Marquis Hui of Wei held the document high and laughed loudly, "Look at this! This is the Chancellor of our Great Wei. Not only did he return unscathed, but he also secured benefits for our nation."

"Long live the King! Long live Wei!" All the Wei officials, except for Pang Juan and Prince Ang, cheered in unison.

Marquis Hui of Wei looked at the two of them, displeased, and asked, "Do you two not wish to celebrate for Wei?"

The two exchanged a glance, and Pang Juan stepped forward. "Reporting to my Lord, I fear that matters are not as simple as they seem."

Marquis Hui of Wei’s face turned grim. "Oh? Why do you say that?"

Pang Juan replied coldly, "This matter does not appear to be what my Lord imagines."

With these words, the entire Wei court fell into silence.

Marquis Hui of Wei raised an eyebrow. "What are you implying?"

Pang Juan answered, "I believe the old Chancellor must have reached certain conditions with the State of Qin."

As soon as Pang Juan finished speaking, an official who had benefited from Gongshu Cuo’s patronage jumped out to refute him: "Slander! The Chancellor’s loyalty to the state is as clear as the heavens. How can you, a petty man, disparage him?"

Pang Juan scoffed, "For the sake of Shaoliang, an old Duke of Qin died. Wuguan is the very gateway to Qin; why would they gift it to our state for nothing?"

"You!" The official was left speechless.

The court fell into an eerie silence. After a long time, the King of Wei finally broke the quiet, looking at Pang Juan: "According to your thinking, what should be our next step?"

"Unite the strength of the five states and destroy the State of Qin in one stroke."

Pang Juan stated his proposal.

The official who had previously benefited from Gongshu Cuo hurriedly spoke up: "This must not be, my Lord! The old Chancellor has just negotiated with Qin for the cession of land to secure peace. Are you intending to make the Chancellor—and indeed the entire State of Wei—lose all credibility among the six states?"