People in the Qin Dynasty, entertained during the Warring States period

The room quickly fell silent.

Because the space was too small, and in order to make room for Xiao Yan'er, Jing Ni and Li Wu had to sleep with Cao Ze on either side of them.

Cao Ze was overjoyed.

The life of being surrounded by beautiful women and sleeping in the same bed is already beckoning him; now all he has to wait for is the big bed to arrive.

The next morning, all three of them got up very early.

There's no way I can avoid getting up early; Xiao Yan'er's destructive power is off the charts.

Cao Ze exhaled a long breath, which formed a long white ribbon in the courtyard.

The Hundred Schools of Thought Study Session will end in a few days.

It's time to take the Zhanlu Sword back and use it as a fire poker.

Chapter 141 Horse Racing in Handan

With snow falling for several days, there weren't many people at the Hundred Schools Forum.

Compared to the hundreds of disciples they used to have, now there are only a few dozen left, around forty or fifty.

Of the Hundred Schools of Thought still present on the lecture platform, only Fu Nian of the Confucian school and Gongsun Long of the School of Names remain.

The representatives from the other companies have either already left or are not coming back.

Looking at the lifeless Hundred Schools Forum, Zhao Jia found it not only lacking the liveliness it once had at the beginning, but also, to this day, no one had been able to propose an effective strategy for defeating Qin through righteous warfare.

There are many strategies for strengthening the country, but they are all clichés and old clichés.

Guo Kai, dressed in a fur coat and cloak, wrapped up tightly with his hands tucked into his sleeves, looked at the worried-looking Crown Prince Jia, but his heart was already bursting with joy.

If the Hundred Schools of Thought meeting is held by taking out the benevolent sword Zhanlu, and ends in a hasty and fruitless conclusion, then it will make it easier for him to take Zhao Jia away from the State of Zhao in the future.

That's why he's been braving the wind and snow to keep coming over these past few days.

Instead of seeking warmth and comfort with other disciples from various schools in Handan.

It can only be said that Zhao Jia was unlucky. The Hundred Schools Society, which was postponed for a month, encountered such snow after only two or three days of operation.

Cao Ze strolled leisurely to the Hundred Schools Forum. The sparse snowflakes that had been falling from the sky had vanished without a trace.

Just as Zhao Jia let out a soft sigh, he inadvertently saw a familiar-looking person walking over.

"...Mr. Cao Ze?"

He instinctively cried out.

This drew a sidelong glance from Guo Kai, who was standing nearby.

Guo Kai frowned slightly, feeling somewhat uneasy.

I thought Cao Ze hadn't come these past few days, only going to the Queen's Chunqing Palace, to embarrass Zhao Jia, but I didn't expect him to come anyway.

He hesitated for a moment, then followed Zhao Jia over, intending to find an opportunity to subtly suggest to Cao Ze that he should no longer participate in the Hundred Schools Society.

"Mr. Cao Ze!"

Zhao Jia excitedly grasped Cao Ze's hand, "I've been waiting for you so long!"

If he hadn't known Cao Ze would come, he would have already accepted the reality that the Hundred Schools Society had failed in his hands.

Cao Ze calmly pulled his hand away from Zhao Jia's.

That's the downside of ancient times; every time they got excited, it was like they were having a homosexual relationship.

At the same time, he was puzzled, wondering why Zhao Jia was being so enthusiastic.

"Your Highness, why are so many disciples from the various schools of thought missing?"

Cao Ze glanced around; there were only so many people. This wasn't conducive to him performing well.

Prince Zhao Jia is such a spineless coward; he can't even pull someone up properly.

Guo Kai seized the opportunity and said, "The weather has turned bitterly cold, the inkstone is frozen solid, and my fingers are stiff and unable to bend. Many disciples from the Hundred Schools have already left to warm themselves indoors. There are still a few days left until the end of the Hundred Schools Gathering, sir, you can..."

Before Guo Kai could finish speaking, Fu Nian, with an upright demeanor and a solemn expression, walked over.

"His Royal Highness, the Prime Minister."

He bowed to Zhao Jia and Guo Kai, then cupped his hands to Cao Ze and said, "Mr. Cao Ze, you have finally arrived. I have many questions about the philosophy of mind and would like to ask you for guidance."

Cao Ze couldn't help but smile and said, "Okay."

He then asked Guo Kai, "What was the Prime Minister trying to say just now?"

Guo Kai paused for a moment, then continued, "If you cannot bear the cold, you may go to the warm pavilion to rest first, and come back when the Hundred Schools Society concludes."

Fu Nian raised his thick eyebrows slightly. These past few days, snow had fallen and the weather had been unusually cold. Among all the families, there were very few who could brave the wind and cold and encourage themselves to come here like him.

In his view, these disciples from various schools of thought who chose comfort because of the cold would not achieve great things.

If Guo Kai said that to him, it would be an insult to his character.

Zhao Jia frowned and said, "Your Excellency, do you think Mr. Cao Ze would choose this path simply because of the cold weather?"

Guo Kaixin said, "Otherwise what?"

Cao Ze smiled faintly and said, "As Confucius said, 'Since you are here, make the best of it.' Thank you for your kindness, Prime Minister."

Guo Kai was unsure and said, "Sir, you should take care of your health."

Zhao Jia glanced at Guo Kai, then remained silent, wanting to see what Cao Ze would choose.

Cao Ze suddenly pointed to the plum blossoms next to the Hundred Schools Forum.

"What's the difference between plum blossoms and snowflakes?"

Guo Kai looked over and said, "Plum blossoms and snowflakes are both flowers."

At this moment, Gongsun Long also came over. Upon hearing this, he couldn't help but laugh loudly, "Snowflakes are not flowers."

Fu Nian said, "Snowflakes are formed by nature, while plum blossoms are formed by the earth."

Cao Ze said, "In the words of Senior Gongsun Long's theory of hardness and whiteness, plum blossoms are three parts less white than snow, but snow is less fragrant than plum blossoms."

Except for Guo Kai, who disagreed, the others couldn't help but nod in agreement.

Zhao Jia said, "Sir, are you using this example to say that each has its own merits?"

Cao Ze said slowly, "My master once told me that a fine sword is forged through tempering, and the fragrance of plum blossoms comes from bitter cold."

"No pain, no gain."

"Snow-white plum blossoms, fragrant with fragrance, those who persevere and strive are there."

Fu Nian suddenly bowed and said, "Sir, your words are like a great bell, resounding and enlightening. I have learned a great deal from your teachings."

Zhao Jia clapped his hands and shouted, "Bravo!"

At the same time, he realized that he could not just wait for the disciples of the Hundred Schools to come out on their own.

He immediately replied, "Commander, obey my command!"

"Running through Handan, I heard the words of Mr. Cao Ze: 'A fine sword is forged through tempering, and the fragrance of plum blossoms comes from bitter cold.' And 'Without enduring the bitter cold, how can one smell the sweet fragrance of plum blossoms?' I share these words with all my disciples."

"If anyone hears of this and does not come to the association, then the Hundred Schools Association should not come again."

"Order!"

Guo Kai exclaimed in surprise, "Your Highness, is riding horses in Handan...?"

Crown Prince Jia said firmly, "As the Crown Prince, I have the right to ride horses. Does the Prime Minister have any objections?"

"This……"

Guo Kai was speechless for a moment.

Horse racing can be a big or small matter, and is mostly used for things like mobilizing troops for city defense and transmitting good news.

Within the entire city of Handan, there are not many people who are qualified to openly order horse races, but the Crown Prince is definitely one of them.

Cao Ze glanced at Zhao Jia with relief; he wasn't too pathetic.

In this way, he wouldn't have to wait until the last day of the Hundred Schools of Thought Society to use the bait to lure Ying Zheng.

Wei led his horse to gallop through Handan.

The thunderous sound of horses' hooves echoed through the main streets of Handan.

Famous quotes and wise sayings are spread far and wide.

Soon, the disciples of the Hundred Schools, who had been hiding in warm places like dance halls and taverns to hibernate, received various messages.

I had some complaints at first, but every now and then someone would say something like, "A sharp sword is forged through tempering, and the fragrance of plum blossoms comes from bitter cold," which would invigorate me and make me think deeply.

The mob begins to follow the crowd.

Soon after, the disciples of the Hundred Schools who had been hiding in various places during the winter appeared on the streets, carrying their treasured great swords at their waists, and strode towards the Hundred Schools Lecture Hall.

I was afraid that if I was a step too late, people would say that I couldn't even endure this little bit of hardship, so what was the point of practicing swordsmanship?

The commotion on the street quickly attracted the attention of the women inside Feixue Pavilion.

Snow Maiden Li Ji and Consort Ya sat in the warm house, each savoring the sayings such as "Plum blossoms are three parts less white than snow, but snow is a bit less fragrant than plum blossoms."

Ya Fei suddenly said, "Xue'er, don't you think... these words are not only philosophical, but also contain some musical principles?"

The Snow Woman's bright eyes gleamed with excitement as she nodded repeatedly, saying, "Indeed. Each line is seven characters long, with a distinct rhythm and cadence. If other words were added, it might even be able to form a unique musical score."

Li Ji's eyes blinked. She had always known Cao Ze was very capable; no wonder the Snow Maiden fell in love with him. She wished she could have a lover like him too.

Meanwhile, on the second floor, Yan Fei murmured to herself, "Without enduring the bitter cold, how can the plum blossom exude its fragrant scent..."

"Grand Master of Fate and Junior Master of Fate, you will follow me out of the palace to the Hundred Schools Forum."

As the Eastern Lord of the Yin-Yang School, she wanted to give Cao Ze a final show of support before leaving, as a token of her gratitude.

Chapter 142 Feudalism, Centralization of Power, and Productivity

At this moment, looking out from the lecture hall, one sees a vast, bustling crowd.

Not only were there disciples from various schools of thought present, but also ordinary people from Handan who came to watch the spectacle.