Chapter Eight: Zhao Zheng and Gan Long—Only One Can Survive?

Pang Juan snorted coldly, "Wei's interests come first. Besides, it wasn't an envoy sent by the king who negotiated peace with Qin."

"But a defeated general!"

"Since ancient times, who has ever negotiated peace with a defeated general?"

"In my opinion, Qin clearly doesn't regard our great Wei Kingdom at all."

Upon hearing this, Marquis Hui of Wei furrowed his brow deeply and remained silent for a long while. Finally, he spoke heavily, "Then what do you suggest? Remember, under no circumstances can we resort to arms."

A sharp glint flashed in Pang Juan’s eyes. He immediately cupped his hands and said, "My lord, I do have a plan. If successful, it will greatly weaken Qin's strength."

"Next year... will be food for our Wei."

"Oh?" The Marquis’s eyes gleamed brightly. "Speak quickly."

Pang Juan spoke with a certain ruthlessness, "The plan is as follows..."

The air in the Wei court instantly thickened; an invisible aura of deadly intent spread throughout.

...

In the vast hall of Liyang Palace, only Ying Quliang, Zhao Zheng, and Jing Jian remained.

"Master, you’re formidable!"

Jing Jian recalled Gan Long’s face, as if he had just swallowed a fly’s excrement, and couldn’t help but laugh.

How exhilarating! When had things ever been this satisfying? Even when Old Duke Xian was alive, those old noble clans had been untouchable.

This Sage of Guigu only attended court twice, yet had caused Gan Long and the noble clans behind him to suffer two consecutive defeats.

"Master, your talent is great! Truly worthy of the name Sage of Guigu."

Zhao Zheng felt a bit uneasy; he knew the old noble clans’ vengeful nature.

Fortunately, this time they had only bled, unlike Shang Yang’s reforms that struck directly at the noble clans’ foundation, thus avoiding a brutal backlash.

"Master, what should Qin do next?"

Ying Quliang respectfully bowed to Zhao Zheng.

Zhao Zheng blurted out, "Reform! Of course, reform."

Upon hearing this, deep helplessness surfaced on Ying Quliang’s face. "I know the strength lies in reform. Wei had Li Kui, who forged a hegemonic empire."

"But where in this world can I find another Li Kui?" His gaze burned intensely at Zhao Zheng. "Could it be, Master, that you also know how to reform?"

Zhao Zheng hastily waved his hands, shaking his head like a rattle drum, "No, I won’t, I really won’t reform."

"Master, don’t get so excited."

Ying Quliang couldn’t understand why the mere mention of reform made Zhao Zheng so agitated.

Could Zhao Zheng remain calm? What happened to Shang Yang?

He was quartered alive, an utterly miserable death.

Though Zhao Zheng could make Gan Long suffer, if he touched the interests of the old noble clans, they would fight to the death for themselves.

Moreover, a faint inner voice told him not to do it.

...

Realizing his outburst, Zhao Zheng hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, you misunderstand. What I meant was... every profession has its specialty. I am suited to advising. Reform is another discipline."

"Every profession has its specialty?"

Hearing this, Jing Jian seemed to have an idea and said to Ying Quliang, "Your Majesty, speaking of reform, I know Wei has a capable man."

"His name is... what again?"

While Jing Jian was recalling the name, Zhao Zheng said, "Wei Yang, disciple of Gongshu Cuo."

History often records Wei Yang as a disciple of Guiguzi, but in truth, he was Gongshu Cuo’s student.

Jing Jian repeatedly confirmed, "Yes, yes, that’s him."

Ying Quliang frowned, recalling events at Hangu Pass and feeling somewhat indifferent toward Wei Yang.

"Besides him? I have searched within the borders but found no one suitable!"

"Why search only within Qin?"

"Why not spread the Order to Seek Talents to the eastern states, inviting scholars from the East into Qin?"

Zhao Zheng noticed Ying Quliang’s reservations about Wei Yang and thus did not press him but instead spoke of the Order to Seek Talents.

In Qin, the Order circulated only within the country, yielding little effect.

If it spread beyond the Xiaohan Mountains throughout the six eastern states, it would cause a shock.

Historically, after the Order spread to the six eastern states, many scholars braved mountains and rivers to come to Qin.

Right, the six eastern states...

Ying Quliang suddenly realized he had intended to disseminate the Order to the six eastern states but had forgotten due to Zhao Zheng’s arrival.

"Good, order the immediate and swift dissemination of the Order to Seek Talents."

Ying Quliang promptly issued the decree.

After a brief discussion, Ying Quliang had Jing Jian escort Zhao Zheng to his residence and returned to handle state affairs.

Outside Liyang Palace, Zhao Zheng asked Jing Jian, "Brother Jing, are you going to Wei?"

Jing Jian nodded, "Yes! The king sent me as envoy to Wei, but in reality, it’s to keep an eye on them in case they have second thoughts."

Zhao Zheng narrowed his eyes, stroking his chin, "Then do me a favor."

"Please, Master."

Aside from Ying Quliang, Zhao Zheng’s best relationship was with Jing Jian.

After all, Jing Jian was the one who helped bring Zhao Zheng down from the mountain.

"Help me spread the word in Wei that Wei Yang and Gongshu Cuo harbor treacherous intentions to betray Wei and defect to Qi, and that Sun Bin personally recruited them..."

Zhao Zheng lowered his voice as he whispered to Jing Jian.

Jing Jian's mouth twitched. Were Wei Yang and Gongshu Cuo digging up the master’s ancestral graves or stealing his wife? This was a ruthless move.

Being targeted by Zhao Zheng like this was truly an eight-generation curse.

A chill ran through Jing Jian’s heart. Being watched by this Sage of Guigu was terrifying indeed.

...

Zhao Zheng’s residence was located in the most prosperous district of Liyang City.

Looking at the brand-new, excellently situated mansion before him, Zhao Zheng nearly choked.

Because on the plaque of the imposing mansion opposite was boldly inscribed: "Gan Residence."

???

Gan Long’s mansion? What on earth was Ying Quliang playing at?

Zhao Zheng felt his future had turned pitch-black.

He guessed that every day, Gan Long would open his door and ponder whether to strangle him before breakfast or poison him after lunch for better satisfaction.

Ying Quliang truly disdained his life!

Jing Jian’s mouth twitched as he struggled to stifle a laugh and hurriedly said, "The king said Gan Long is suspicious and would never expect someone as important as you to live under his nose."

"This is called, uh, darkness under the lamp! Yes, the deepest shadow lies beneath the brightest light!"

Zhao Zheng rolled his eyes. "I don’t know about deep shadows, but I feel like a rabbit voluntarily jumping into a tiger’s den."

"Brother Jing, are you sure this is darkness under the lamp and not that the king just wants me and Gan Long to be the last one standing?"

Startled, Jing Jian covered Zhao Zheng’s mouth, "Master, you can’t say that." Then in a lower voice, he added, "The king also said that as long as you live here, all your requests will be met."

"All my requests?"

Zhao Zheng’s eyes lit up. Could it be such a good thing?

He immediately rattled off a long list: "I need seven strong warriors, maids..."

Because Zhao Zheng spoke so much, Jing Jian simply dragged him to the market.

As the capital, Liyang’s market was lively. But today, as soon as Jing Jian and Zhao Zheng stepped inside, they sensed something was off.

"Strange."

Zhao Zheng furrowed his brow, scanning cautiously.

"Why are there so many merchants from other states today?"

The dress of the six eastern states and Qin were distinct; Zhao Zheng immediately recognized that these were not native Qin traders.

"This is good! It means Qin’s national strength is steadily increasing."

Jing Jian felt something was wrong.

"Strong? Don’t you have any sense of Qin’s real strength?"

Zhao Zheng replied curtly, "To the eastern states, Qin and Chu are barbarians. Do you really think merchants from other states besides Chu regularly come to trade in Qin?"