The Moon in the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 25 May I ask your name?
Zhao Ji choked up and said, "It's my fault. I shouldn't have let you go out. You've been doing well at home. Fortunately, nothing happened to you, Zheng'er. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to live."

Ying Zheng wiped Zhao Ji's tears with his sleeves and comforted her in a gentle voice:
"Mother, it's nothing, they are just a bunch of petty thieves. I didn't even do anything myself. With Yan Jin protecting me, a bunch of low-class guys can't hurt me. Don't forget that I also have some martial arts skills."

"And you're right, fortunately, the child has a destiny, and no one can hurt me."

Zhao Ji barely stopped crying: "No matter what, you must go out less in the future. This kind of thing cannot happen again. Mother is scared to death. If you have to go out, let Geng Ying follow you."

Ying Zheng knew that it was useless to say anything at this time, so he just agreed with Zhao Ji and helped wipe her tears.

"Okay, mother, please stop crying. Your makeup will be ruined by crying. That won't be pretty anymore."

Zhao Ji said angrily: "I'm so scared that I don't care about this."

"It's okay, mother, but you are right, you should stay out less recently. Especially you, don't go out recently, just play mahjong at home."

Zhao Ji nodded repeatedly.

When Ying Zheng saw that Zhao Ji had stopped crying, he quickly changed the subject so as not to make Zhao Ji worry again.

"Mother, there are still some things that need you to do."

"First, write a letter to King Zhao, saying that you were assassinated by the Zhao people today and are worried that the hostage house is not safe. Please ask King Zhao to send more people to protect it. No more words are needed."

"Write another letter to my father and ask Qin to question the King of Zhao. We must make Zhao give an explanation."

Ying Zheng chuckled: "Although these assassins are not very capable, and there is not a single expert among the dozen or so, they are all fearless and brave. They are unlikely to be death warriors. It would be a waste to use death warriors like this."

"Moreover, these assassins all have Zhao accents, so they must be from Zhao. There might be people from Handan. If it turns out as expected, they must be Zhao people who hate Qin and have formed a secret alliance. They don't have any deep background. But we don't need to delve into it. There is no point in delving into it."

"Anyway, the King of Zhao will definitely not admit that it was the Zhao people who assassinated him. It is very likely that he said that these people were sent by another country to sow discord between the two countries."

"Let the domestic side put pressure on us and demand an explanation. We should try our best to get whatever we can from this opportunity."

"Even if nothing is given, an explanation must still be given. At worst, the king of Zhao can declare in his name that he will definitely protect the safety of the hostage. He must also display the bodies of these assassins to the public, stating that this is the fate of those who dare to assassinate the hostage in Zhao State."

"At least the King of Zhao will lose some of his people's support, so we won't lose out anyway."

"As for the Zhao soldiers who protected Yan Dan and me, please reward them generously. We will also reward them again, and give a pension to those who died in the battle, and give them more."

"And Mr. Gongsun, I think his swordsmanship must be from the military. He has a very powerful aura and extraordinary skills. He is definitely not an ordinary person. He must be a general from some country, but it is definitely not Zhao."

"This person is hiding in Zhao State in plain clothes. We can test his identity later."

Zhao Ji nodded repeatedly.

Ying Zheng looked at Zhao Ji and said jokingly, "Mother, your face is covered with tear marks and your makeup is smudged. Now it is so colorful, like a hundred flowers blooming."

Zhao Ji glared at him fiercely: "You are still talking about me. Look at you, you are covered in dust, like a dirt man."

She immediately ordered the maid to come in and take Ying Zheng to change clothes and wash up. She also went to put on makeup, as she had been holding Ying Zheng just now and was covered in dust, so she needed to change clothes.

By the time everyone had tidied up, the banquet had already been set up. Although it was already late, the moonlight was bright tonight and the hall was decorated with brilliant lights, making the entire guest room very bright.

Teacher Yan Dan had also arrived at the hostage house. When he heard the news, he was so scared that he broke out in a cold sweat. If anything happened to Yan Dan, he would have no choice but to die to atone for his crime.

When he arrived at the mansion, he went to see Yan Dan first. After confirming that everything was fine, he breathed a sigh of relief and thanked Gongsun Yu profusely.

Zhao Ji also invited him to join the table. Although he was of the lowest position, he was flattered.

Zhao Ji raised her glass and spoke first: "Everyone, we are safe today, all thanks to Mr. Gongsun's help. My mother and I are very grateful. Here, I offer a glass to Mr. Gongsun."

Gongsun Yu raised his glass and said, "Madam, your words are too kind. I dare not take credit for them. The two young masters are very lucky and have experts to protect them. It is just a small effort on my part. Even without me, the two young masters would be fine."

Zhao Ji smiled and said, "Sir, you are so modest, you are truly a gentleman. Please drink more."

After drinking a cup together, he asked again: "Sir, you are so kind. Is there any inconvenience that requires my mother and I to contribute a little? We will do our best to help you."

"This help is just a coincidence. It is the duty of every person to help others when they see that justice is in their hands. I do not deserve your thanks, madam."

Zhao Ji praised him, "Sir, you are truly a man of high moral character. I admire you. I see that you have an extraordinary bearing. Where did you come from?"

"I dare not hide the truth from you, madam. I am Kang Shu, the great general of the Wei State, Gongsun Yu."

"The situation in the country is complicated now, and the King of Wei may be interested in annexing Wei."

"I am old, and I am also a general of the country. My family has been greatly favored by the emperor for generations, so I should be loyal to the country."

"But my two disciples are still young. This time I am preparing to go from Zhao to Qi and entrust these two children to my good friends in Qi."

"It is my great honor to meet you today, Madam and the two gentlemen."

Zhao Ji smiled and said, "I see. Mr. Gongsun is actually the general of Wei State. I have heard for a long time that Wei State is a country of gentlemen, and many upright gentlemen are born there. What Mr. Gongsun did today is enough to prove that Wei State is indeed worthy of being called a country of gentlemen."

"Mr. Gongsun, my husband is a prince of the Qin State, and he is eager to recruit talented people. If you don't mind, how about you come to Qin State to serve as an official? You have both virtue and talent, and you saved my son's life. I can write a letter by hand, and my husband will certainly use you."

Gongsun Yu flatly refused: "I thank you for your kindness, madam. I am grateful. However, my country is now in a state of disrespect. I am valued by the emperor. My ancestors have been fed by the emperor for generations. How can I flee to another country when the time comes? After sending these two disciples to Qi, I will return to my country to repay the emperor's kindness."

Zhao Ji knew that this kind of person valued righteousness more than life, so she stopped persuading him: "Mr. Gongsun is a man of high righteousness. I really admire him. But if things can't be done in the future, if you have any inconvenience, you are always welcome in Xianyang."

Gongsun Yu thanked him and said, "I'll keep it in mind. Thank you for your kindness, madam."

Ying Zheng then spoke up: "Today, I am also grateful to Mr. Gongsun's disciple. If he hadn't protected me, I would have been killed. Mr. Gongsun, may I ask what is the name of your disciple?"

(End of this chapter)