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

The hall is surrounded by columns, with five bays in width and three bays in depth. Under the double eaves, there is a balustrade, and on the main ridge of the double eaves, mythical beasts and chiwen sit facing each other. The plaque above reads "Hall of Hidden Dragon".

Paired with eaves and glazed tile trim, it is understated and not extravagant.

Cao Ze clicked his tongue and said, "The farmers are quite wealthy."

Back then, the honey pots he raided could yield hundreds of taels of gold from the Baihu Hall in Handan, which shows that the farmers were not as poor as Dazeshan appeared on the surface.

I wonder if Tian Mi's honey pot is full yet; I'll have to scoop some out later.

"If we were to discuss which of the hundred schools of thought in this world is the wealthiest, it would be the farming school."

Zi Nu commented: "Although both the Mo and Nong families have many disciples, the Mo family values ​​loyalty and friendship over life and death and regards money as dirt, unlike the Nong family, which has fewer rules and can accumulate wealth that rivals that of a country."

Cao Ze nodded slightly as he watched the farm disciples come and go.

In their previous lives, the various schools of thought were monopolists in their respective fields, investors in various profitable industries, wielded influence in finance, economics, and other fields, and had the ability to raise an army and become rulers of a region at any time.

It was during the chaotic Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods that the various schools of thought became a force to be reckoned with. Any unified state would find it difficult to tolerate so many individuals who were capable of becoming "traitors and rebels" at any time.

For example, the Mohists have done quite a few things in the past two hundred years that have made various countries tremble with fear.

"Ha, Mr. Cao Ze's presence at my humble abode is an honor, a great honor indeed."

Cao Ze cupped his hands and said, "Congratulations, Hall Master Situ."

Situ Wanli smiled and said, "Thanks to you, sir, the leader of the chivalrous sect has sent me to Xinzheng to manage the Qianlong Hall."

Zi Nu glanced at Situ Wanli briefly. He had a goatee, long straight hair, an open-necked outer garment, and an inner garment painted with auspicious clouds and patterned with black dragons. He also had a string of pearls hanging from his waist, symbolizing his status as a hall master. He was just as described in the intelligence report.

To her surprise, Cao Ze and Situ Wanli knew each other.

But then I thought about it again. Cao Ze had been lecturing in Handan for a long time, so it was normal for him to know disciples and followers of various schools of thought.

Situ Wanli couldn't help but sigh, "I knew you were a lucky man and that you would be caught in a trap. Now that I see you are safe and sound, I am relieved."

Cao Ze smiled faintly, ignoring all the rumors and gossip about him circulating in the seven kingdoms.

Even with the internet so developed in later generations, no one can be sure whether Dong Ge is dead or not, or whether the person in charge has been replaced, let alone in the era two thousand years ago.

Unless he takes the initiative to come out, just like when he lectured at the Hundred Schools Forum in Handan.

Just as Cao Ze and Situ Wanli were chatting, a portly, obese nobleman, with two beautiful concubines in his arms, walked over with a smug laugh.

Cao Ze, who was treated warmly by Situ Wanli, didn't even glance at him.

"I heard there are treasures here, so I traveled through Korea and came here specifically. My pair of jade bracelets are rare treasures, sure to outshine everyone else. Quickly prepare the best room for me!"

Cao Ze glanced at the man, a slight smirk playing on his lips. This was none other than Yan Chunjun, the uncle of the King of Yan and the great general of Yan, who was second only to the God of War Guo Kai and whom even Yan Yi had to curry favor with. He was arguably the best supporting player for Qin in the unification competition.

Situ Wanli was a shrewd man and naturally recognized the powerful figure before him who was "famous throughout the seven kingdoms".

"Please, Lord Yanchun."

Situ Wanli gave Cao Ze an apologetic look and prepared to lead Yan Chunjun inside.

However, when Yan Chunjun saw Zi Nu beside Cao Ze, he was overcome with lust and released his two beautiful concubines from his arms, moving closer to Zi Nu.

"What is your name, young lady? I am Yan Chunjun, the younger brother of the King of Yan. Would you be willing to sit with me for a while?"

Cao Ze reached out and grasped Yan Chunjun's wrist, saying indifferently, "Yan Chunjun, this is not the State of Yan. You'd better behave yourself."

In the original story, this guy was an extremely lecherous man who bullied the Snow Maiden who had wandered to the Yan Kingdom.

He naturally wouldn't give him a friendly look.

Enraged, Yan Chunjun shouted, "Boy, you're asking for death!"

He turned and roared at those behind him, "Why haven't you killed him yet!"

A flash of cold light, and a dark figure swept across the bluestone ground, his hands flashing with short blades, as if to sever Cao Ze's head.

Cao Ze snorted coldly, then clenched his fist and directly shielded Yan Chunjun in front of him.

The fierce attack paused.

Situ Wanli hurriedly stepped in between them, saying, "Don't make a move, don't make a move."

Yan Chunjun was grabbed by Cao Ze and cried out in pain, "Boy, do you know who I am? If you dare to move again, I'll feed you to the dogs!"

Cao Ze's eyes turned cold, revealing murderous intent: "Dare you say that again?"

Jueying slowly revealed his face, expressionless, and said, "Release the lord, and I'll spare your life!"

Situ Wanli wiped away his cold sweat, never expecting things to turn into such a mess in the blink of an eye.

“Mr. Cao Ze, look…”

Two carriages slowly entered the village, and two young men alighted one after the other.

Han Fei was stunned by this scene and subconsciously looked at Yan Dan.

Yan Dan shook her head slightly, indicating that she did not know.

When Yan Chunjun saw that Yan Dan had arrived, he shouted, "Nephew, hurry and save your uncle!"

Yan Dan glanced at Lord Yanchun with a slightly gloomy expression. He bid farewell to the Grand Master and temporarily postponed his plans to seize power in Yan. He brought Jing Ke to Han specifically to deal with his greatest threat, his uncle Lord Yanchun.

But he knew that even if he wanted Yan Chunjun dead, he couldn't just sit idly by and let him die in front of everyone.

At least...

Yan Dan feigned concern and said, "Mr. Cao Ze, I don't know what my uncle did to offend you. Please spare his life."

He kept praying in his heart that they would not give him any face and would just kill him, so that he could go back and explain to his father without having to think about it.

Cao Ze looked at Yan Dan and Han Fei.

Han Fei shook his head slightly. Although he disliked Cao Ze for looking for his sister and always trying to trick him, he didn't want Cao Ze to be used by Yan Dan for no reason and get into danger.

Cao Ze seemed to be deep in thought, then said calmly, "The death penalty can be waived. I'll take the bracelet in this box. Lord Yanchun, are you willing?"

Yan Chunjun's heart was bleeding. This was a jade bracelet carved by a master craftsman, named "A Little Red," a perfect gift for a maiden, and his most prized possession.

Yan Dan added fuel to the fire, saying, "Sir, isn't it inappropriate to take advantage of someone in distress like this?"

Yan Chunjun said angrily, "Stop talking nonsense! Here, take the bracelet!"

A beautiful concubine walked over tremblingly, carrying a box containing a jade bracelet.

Cao Ze glanced at the jade bracelet inlaid with a ruby, then suddenly smiled and said, "Miss Zi Nu, beautiful jade suits a beautiful woman. I'll give this jade bracelet to you to calm your nerves."

Zi Nu was not afraid of Yan Chun Jun's power. This was the State of Han, not the State of Yan, let alone Yan Chun Jun's lewd attempt to take advantage of her.

She smiled and said, "It would be impolite to refuse such a gift from you, sir, so I will accept it."

Yan Chunjun was so angry he almost fainted.

Jueying knelt on one knee, "This subordinate failed to protect you properly, please punish me, sir."

Yan Chunjun snorted coldly and gave Cao Ze a sinister look. "Let's go!"

"Yes!" Jueying no longer hid in the shadows, and followed behind Yanchunjun with a bent back.

He was a spy planted by Luo Wang next to Yan Chun Jun, responsible for protecting and monitoring him.

Zi Nu whispered, "That person is quite strong, be careful."

Cao Ze smiled and said, "It's nothing. He's just a top-tier expert who recently broke through to the next level."

His strength is probably not even enough to beat Li Wu, while he could take down several Li Wus.

Han Fei said to Yan Dan, "Brother Yan Dan, Lord Yan Chun is protected by a master. Are you confident in your abilities?"

He knew Yan Dan's purpose in coming to Korea, because Lord Yan Chun had arrived.

Furthermore, he also knew that Yan Dan planned to launch a palace coup and seize the throne when the King of Qin was crowned next year.

Its meaning is self-evident.

Yan Dan felt a little regretful that Cao Ze hadn't killed him directly. At the same time, he became wary. He had underestimated his uncle and hadn't expected that such a skilled fighter would be working for him.

It's a pity the teacher is too pedantic. Otherwise, with the teacher around, killing Yan Chunjun quietly would have been easy, and there would have been no need for him to come all the way to Korea.

"Yes, I brought people with me."

Yan Dan felt slightly relieved when she thought of Xiao Ke drinking outside the manor.

Fortunately, he was only a first-rate expert, and both he and Xiao Ke were first-rate experts, so eliminating Yan Chunjun shouldn't be too difficult.

Zi Nu handed the wooden box she brought with her to Situ Wanli, and then went into the pavilion with Cao Ze.

Inside the pavilion is an octagonal water platform, with a bronze dragon head spouting water in each of the eight directions. Bronze candle lamps are placed on the dragon heads, illuminating the interior of the pavilion brightly.

Cao Ze and Zi Nu entered the Wu Zi Pavilion.

Zi Nu got up and removed the thin veil, covering everything inside the Wu Zi Pavilion.

"Why bother with all that?" Cao Ze said with amusement.

Zi Nu sat back down next to Cao Ze, smiled slightly, and said, "Whether it's unnecessary or not depends on how others see it."

She was used to maintaining an air of mystery in front of outsiders; it was a self-protection skill she had acquired over the years.

Cao Ze noticed that only Han Fei and Yan Dan were at the Treasure Exchange Conference, which felt rather desolate.

Touman, who carried the Panlong Cauldron in the original story, is not here. It's unknown whether Her Majesty the Queen beheaded him.

Jing Ke wasn't there either; it was probably his own fault.

As for Yan Chunjun... well, he's a dying man, why bother thinking about him?

Situ Wanli has presided over many Yi Bao Conferences. Even if there are only two companies, let alone three, he remains unfazed.

"Welcome to Qianlong Hall. Today, everyone has brought their own rare treasures. Let's barter, exchange items, look after each other, and make friends."

Han Fei twirled the slender silver brush with remarkable fluency.

Cao Ze glanced at it, a slight smirk playing on his lips. It seemed his brother-in-law had indeed "studied well" at Xiaoshengxianzhuang, as he could twirl a calligraphy brush so skillfully.

Outside the Hidden Dragon Hall.

Yan Chunjun's chubby face darkened. "Is everyone here?"

Jueying respectfully replied, "Reporting to my lord, everything is ready."

Looking at the low pavilion of Qianlong Hall, Yan Chunjun said hatefully, "When he comes out, I will torture him to death! And that woman, I will play with her to death in front of him!"

Jueying remained silent, waved his hand, and the surrounding assassins, guards, and retainers dispersed and went into hiding.