Qin Shi Ambitious

Page 293

"But you'll have to take over his work. Yun Zhongjun should be arriving in Sanghai soon, right?"

The task here naturally refers to the matter of poisoning Ying Zheng's elixir through Yun Zhongjun.

The Moon Goddess nodded: "I know what I'm doing."

"The Yin-Yang School and the Agricultural School are cooperating in order to resist the Empire?"

Xiaomeng suddenly interjected, saying that the relationship between Taoism and Yin-Yang School could not be considered harmonious, or rather, very few of the Hundred Schools of Thought had a harmonious relationship with Yin-Yang School.

“I will explain this to Master Xiaomeng separately later, how about that?” Lu Wei certainly wouldn’t let the Moon Goddess speak directly with Xiaomeng at this moment, so he took the initiative to take over the topic.

Faced with Lu's attempt to shut her up, Xiaomeng's gray-white pupils remained unmoved: "You can call me 'Xiaomeng'... or 'Zhen'."

“Alright, Xiaomeng.” The sect leader of Tianzong was straightforward and natural, so Lu Wei didn’t stand on ceremony. He nodded to her and continued to look at the Moon Goddess: “This is the final moment. Xinghun’s injuries need time to heal naturally.”

"The agriculturalists should not be the focus of Qin's attention at this time. In terms of astrology, the Yin-Yang School can provide more 'reasonable' guidance to Xianyang."

------

Fusu, who had entered Sanghai and removed his double, was not particularly surprised by his assassination attempt, at least on the surface he appeared calm.

However, when news of Zhang Han's death arrived, he could no longer maintain the composure of the eldest son of the empire and immediately summoned Li Si and Meng Tian.

Li Simengtian's reaction was even worse: the commander of the Emperor's personal guard died in Sanghai. Who could predict what the Emperor would think after learning this news?

In particular, Zhang Han did not die in a fair fight against the anti-Qin rebels; he died in the post-war treatment room!

“This matter is of great importance and requires His Majesty’s personal decision.” Li Si dared not handle the Zhang Han issue on his own, but as the prime minister, he could not shirk his responsibility. Therefore, he offered a safer solution: “Zhao Gao will soon arrive in Sanghai. The Luo Wang will spare no effort to collect clues and report to His Majesty for a wise decision.”

"This humble general will thoroughly eliminate the scattered rebels who have escaped, ensuring the safety of Sanghai." Meng Tian and Zhang Han did not interact much, but these few interactions were enough for the two to firmly recognize each other as imperial generals wholeheartedly devoted to serving their country.

Now that Zhang Han has died at the hands of a villain, besides his public stance, he also feels some personal regret and anger.

"Seal off the shipyard and have the Shadow Guards and the Net investigate together!" Fusu sat in the main seat, placed his hand on his forehead, and made a serious decision: "All the details of the scene must be written down today and sent to Xianyang as soon as possible."

"General Meng Tian, ​​we must not let our guard down in suppressing the rebels. You must take charge personally."

"Has Master Xiaomeng, who went to the shipyard with us, not returned yet?"

"No news yet..." Li Si bowed.

"Once Master Xiaomeng returns and we have clarified everything, we should also put Xiaoyaozi on the wanted list and request His Majesty the Emperor to hold the Taoist sect of Taiyi Mountain accountable!"

Chapter 351 Presenting the Xun

"After telling me some things, Xiaoyaozi used the Dream Butterfly Escape technique to escape, and I did not stop him."

In the corridor, Lu Wei asked Xiaomeng about Xiaoyaozi. She easily told him about the fate of the Human Sect leader in the shipyard prison, but she also intentionally kept some secrets.

Having communicated with Chishongzi and Tianguang beforehand, Lu Wei roughly knew the secret behind Xiaoyaozi's ability to make Xiaomeng let go of the orthodox Taoist debate, even without their explicit explanation. However, gathering different accounts would allow him to see the bigger picture more clearly, so Lu Wei still asked without hesitation, "What did he tell you?"

"..." Xiaomeng stopped, clutching the Qiuli Sword. She turned around in her dark green high heels and looked up to meet Lu Wei's gaze. This straightforward way of speaking was in line with her style, but the question itself was a bit too much: "It's none of your business."

"Is it related to your senior brother, Chishongzi?" The chivalrous leader looked down at Xiaomeng, whose ample bosom seemed disproportionate to her slender frame. Even without intentionally looking, it was impossible to inadvertently catch a glimpse of her snow-white skin from this distance...

"You know?" Xiaomeng raised her slender white eyebrows, staring intently into Lu Wei's pure eyes, looking carefully at her reflection in them: "Xiaoyaozi is also one of your people?"

Such eyes are beautiful, so Xiaomeng continued to admire them freely. She loved to look at anything that tended towards beauty, and the highest level of the Rejuvenation Technique allowed Lu Wei to hide his ambition on the outside and exude the gentleness of spring.

Although he has always been confident in his appearance, among all the women he has dated, Xiaomeng is the first one who openly stares at his looks. Is this a manifestation of the Taoist pursuit of instinct?

Having gained a deeper understanding of the Heavenly Sect's philosophy, Lu Wei continued to follow his pre-set strategy for communicating with Xiaomeng, frankly saying, "No, but not long ago, I met your senior brother."

Xiaomeng actually saw her senior brother very few times, since both of them often went into seclusion. Apart from the time she became his disciple, she probably didn't speak as many sentences to him as she did today.

But as a fellow disciple, Xiaomeng, wearing dark green shoes with flying forks, still took a third of a step forward: "In Sanghai? Can he still move?"

'It sounds like in Xiaomeng's imagination, her senior brother was taken away with his leg broken...' Lu Wei shook his head and smiled: "He should be actively cooperating with Xiaoyaozi, so I want to know how Xiaoyaozi explained this to you."

"Is that so..." Xiaomeng blinked slowly, flicked the whisk-shaped tassel of the Qiuli sword in her arms, turned around and continued walking calmly: "Xiaoyaozi told me that Chisongzi was plotting to rebel against Qin, and faked his death to escape in order not to implicate the Daoist school."

"Do you believe that this story can be kept from your master, Bei Mingzi?" Lu Wei followed behind, his height advantage allowing him to easily keep up with Xiao Meng without having to speed up.

"That's their business. I am the head of the Heavenly Sect, and I only do the duties of the Heavenly Sect head." After a few steps to the top of the stairs, Xiaomeng stopped again before going downstairs and said coldly, "Since you took that ocarina with you when you came out, did you intend to give it to me when we parted?"

That's incredibly honest. Lu Wei nodded, "You want it, don't you?"

He took out a pottery ocarina, a very ordinary toy from a stall in Sanghai City. However, Lu Wei used his internal energy to carve the "Autumn Floods" chapter of Zhuangzi on it without damaging the ocarina itself. Each small character was his unique calligraphy, thus turning this pottery ocarina from a mass-produced item into a one-of-a-kind piece.

With a flick of her wrist, the ocarina fell into Xiaomeng's hands. She stared down at the small characters, her tone suddenly turning colder: "You were all prepared to use this to win my favor?"

It is problematic that a leader of a peasant family would inscribe Taoist scriptures on a pottery flute beforehand.

“Yes,” Lu Wei withdrew his hand and put it behind his back: “After we parted ten years ago, I knew we would meet again. And with your talent, you will definitely be one of the top figures in Taoism when we meet again, so I naturally have to prepare some gifts.”

"But I haven't prepared a gift. What do you want from me by being so attentive?" the emotionless voice continued.

"Help me monitor Fusu and Li Si's movements, and at the same time, lead the Taoists to support me at the 'critical moment'." Lord Xia Kui was practically asking for an exorbitant sum.

'...' Xiaomeng was also taken aback by his conditions. She stared at him coldly in silence, but after only a few breaths, she suddenly smiled gently, like melting snow, revealing the charm of a young girl: "Okay."

After saying that, she gracefully walked downstairs, holding the ocarina: "You're very good, so I'll agree to your request."

Watching the graceful figure dissipate into a wisp of blue mist, Lu Wei didn't linger at the empty stairwell. He turned and went back to his room: after seeing Xiaomeng off, he had more important topics to discuss with Yue Shen and Ji Yan.

"It seems that the sect leader of Tianzong has not escaped."

The Moon Goddess watched Lu return with his hands behind his back, and made a simple, indifferent remark.

"Now that the outsiders are gone, let's get down to business." Lu Wei smiled at her words without responding, and sat down again to face Yue Shen Ji Yan: "When the news of Zhang Han's death reaches Xianyang, what do you think His Majesty the First Emperor will do?"

Although the question was directed at "you", among those present, only the Moon Goddess truly understood Ying Zheng.

“After a thorough investigation and a wave of bloodshed, he will hurry to Sanghai.” The Moon Goddess also knew that Lu Wei was asking her questions, so she took the initiative to say, “His Majesty the Emperor will not shirk challenges. After arousing his anger and interest, he will personally crush the enemy.”

"Just like the only time he reached the front line of the army was during the second attack on the State of Chu."

"Will it speed up the plan..." Lu Wei stroked his chin, unsurprised by the Moon God's speculation. He had only intended to provoke Ying Zheng by using Zhang Han's shipyard plan to kill Zhang Han.

After all, three years ago, when the First Emperor was boating on the Yangtze River, he wanted to go to Xiangshan to offer sacrifices, but he encountered a strong wind and could not cross the river. So he angrily ordered three thousand convicts to cut down all the trees on Xiangshan, leaving only reddish-brown rocks on the mountain.

Anyone who angers this emperor will be struck by lightning, whether it be a person or the weather, and the ultimate victims will be the common people.

At the same time, in order to prevent the lightning from possibly striking him due to some bizarre twist, Lu Wei deliberately chose the time when Luo Wang was provoking the Northern Wolf Clan to make his move.

"Then you need to be careful when you take over Yun Zhongjun's affairs."

As mentioned earlier, since Xiaomeng wasn't present, Lord Xia Kui emphasized it again.

"Hmm," the Moon Goddess knew the seriousness of the matter and that it was reasonable to emphasize it every day, so she nodded patiently to show that she understood.

"The losses suffered by the anti-Qin alliance have rendered them powerless to resist. After surviving the latest large-scale military pursuit, should we take them under our wing?"

After discussing Zhang Han's matter, Ji Yan immediately brought up a new topic.

"The timing is about right. You'll be in charge of the Black Qilin over at Liusha. Also, here's this." Lu Wei took out a flying wheel belonging to Dao Zhi: "Let's symbolically support them in completing the final Azure Dragon Plan. This flying wheel probably can't make Dao Zhi do everything anymore, but if we use it properly, it can still play a certain role."

Black Qilin was detained by Gai Nie for a long time during the assassination attempt on Lu Wei by the Quicksand organization many years ago, and was only released before Gai Nie was about to defect.

With the Black Qilin's ability to transform, it still has its uses in the martial arts world. Although many people in the Yin-Yang School can also perform such transformations, having one more would naturally be better.

Therefore, Lu Wei used the Black Qilin as the first test subject for his Soul-Controlling Technique to manipulate minds.

Compared to the Yin-Yang School's Soul Transfer Technique, the Soul-Sweeping Technique is more covert. Under prolonged hypnosis, the Black Qilin successfully became Lu Wei's possession.

Black Qilin played a crucial role in the battle of the Mechanized City, killing the powerful nobles of the six kingdoms.

It can be said that Lu Wei made great contributions to the empire in dealing with these rebels, but he always did good deeds anonymously and kept a low profile.

After those rebels died, the influence of the people in their controlled areas was quickly replaced by a Jianghu (江湖, a term referring to the martial arts world) force. Coincidentally, these Jianghu forces all had one name: the Farmer's Family.

Power never disappears; it only changes.

"Yes." Ji Yan took the Instant Flying Wheel. Now the Anti-Qin Alliance was no longer qualified to negotiate with Lord Xia Kui in person. As the head of the Four Mountains Hall, she was qualified to recruit them.

"Then let's talk about the Mirage Project one last time."

Having arranged the two side stories, the main storyline that lies before us cannot be ignored: "Donghuang is likely to arrive in Sanghai soon, and dealing with him is the final step to gaining control of the Yin-Yang School and the Mirage."

------

Xiaomeng arrived at the General's Mansion in Sanghai City, where she was summoned by Fusu.

"Master Xiaomeng has been hunting down the traitor Xiaoyaozi ever since, but what has become of him?"

The main reason His Highness summoned Xiaomeng was because of Zhang Han. He was extremely anxious about this matter, but his excellent manners allowed Fusu to maintain the etiquette befitting a nobleman.

"He escaped." Xiaomeng's answer was calm and direct.

"These rebellious methods are indeed remarkable." Fu Su had heard about Master Xiaomeng's rumored personality, so he was not annoyed. He shook his head and directly explained: Xiaoyaozi's most important identity as a rebel is the leader of the Human Sect. After being caught red-handed, it would be easy for him to be deposed by a large army pressing on Taiyi Mountain.

After losing his identity, Xiaoyaozi's personal strength was ultimately limited: the fact that even Guigu Zongheng almost lost his life in the shipyard prison is proof of this.

"Master, you've worked hard. Do you know anything about General Zhang Han?" His Highness the Eldest Prince continued to ask gently.

"Death returns to dust. I heard discussions within the General's Mansion," Xiaomeng said, adding a few more words.

"Then I don't know..." Before Fusu could finish his question, Master Xiaomeng slowly shook her head: "I already know the answer to your question, but I lost track of Xiaoyaozi outside Sanghai City and did not return to the shipyard, so I do not know the details of General Zhang Han's death."

"I see." Fu Su saw Xiao Meng's indifferent expression throughout and didn't think there was anything wrong with it: he knew that there were rumors that this Tianzong sect leader hated it when people talked about life and death, and that he was always straightforward and only spoke the truth.

Since she said there was no news, it must be true, so he skipped the topic: "Master, you have been tracking us all night, which must have been very tiring. Fusu has just arrived in Sanghai and has arranged a banquet for the officials and scholars of Sanghai tonight. I wonder if Master Xiaomeng would do me the honor of attending?"

"I am not used to crowds."

Xiaomeng refused without hesitation. She had just received the ocarina from Lu and heard a tune from her childhood, so she wanted to try playing it herself and naturally wouldn't go to any banquet.

Chapter 352 Han Xin's Surrender

"Zhang Han was killed?"

In Xianyang Palace, Ying Zheng looked at the intelligence report from Sanghai, and couldn't help but read it aloud in his majestic voice, his gaze sharp as a sword.

The eunuch serving beside the emperor was familiar with the emperor's habits and knew that His Majesty was extremely angry. He could sense the suppressed anger and trembled as he knelt down on the ground, not daring to raise his head.

"My prime minister, generals, eldest son, and commander of the Shadow Guard have gathered in a small city, and this is the result?"

"It seems they are terrified of the mirage's launch."

The eunuch dared not guess who "they" referred to. The purpose of the Mirage Shipyard's voyage was to find the elixir of immortality for His Majesty the Emperor. Now, Zhang Han, the Emperor's personal bodyguard commander, had inexplicably died in the Mirage Shipyard. The murderer was still unknown. How could this outcome satisfy His Majesty the Emperor...?

Zhang Han was indeed suppressing rebels before his death, but was he necessarily killed by the rebels?

"You said yesterday that the northern wolf tribes showed signs of invading the Qin Dynasty this year?"