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

Thinking that he hadn't been affectionate with Jing Ni, Li Wu, and Yan Ling Ji for several days, Cao Ze went straight to the backyard.

That night.

A middle-aged man wearing a straw hat appeared in the Changping Jun Mansion.

Lord Changping valued this person highly and specially invited his brother Lord Changwen to meet him in a secret room.

Compared to his elder brother, Lord Changping, who frequently appeared in public, Lord Changwen was extremely low-key and rarely made any moves.

However, his strength was highly regarded by Tian Guang, the leader of the Farmer's School of Chivalry.

Although the title of Lord Changwen contains one character, anyone who meets him for the first time will think that he is a swordsman who is obsessed with the sword, because he is like a famous sword with its sharpness hidden inside.

He is at least a half-step Grandmaster... That's how Xia Kui Tian Guang judged.

Lord Changping smiled and said, "I never expected that after only a few months apart, the chivalrous leader would visit my humble abode again."

He paused for a moment and then asked, "I wonder how General Fan Yuqi is doing now?"

Tian Guang clasped his hands and said, "I have already arranged for him to be a retainer of Prince Dan of Yan, so that he will be spared the hardship of the journey."

"Very well." Lord Changping asked, "What important matter brings the chivalrous leader to visit so late at night?"

His identity was sensitive, and he did not want to reveal his personal relationship with Tian Guang in the open.

This has already been explained to Tian Guang, and Tian Guang is meticulous and a righteous man; it is impossible for him to suddenly visit him in the middle of the night without a reason.

Tian Guang's expression was rather solemn as he said, "Does Your Majesty know that the current political landscape of the seven kingdoms has undergone a dramatic transformation, with undercurrents surging?"

Changping Jun's gaze narrowed slightly. "Is the leader of the chivalrous sects referring to the reconciliation of the three Jin states?"

Tian Guang nodded, then shook his head.

"Yes and no."

He said slowly, "Last month, Your Majesty should know that I went to the State of Yan to persuade the King of Yan to join forces against the State of Qin."

"As expected, I failed."

Changping Jun showed no disappointment. He had Tian Guang give it a try, and was prepared for failure.

He remained silent and listened quietly as Tian Guang continued speaking.

Tian Guang said, "After my failure, I intended to return to Daze Mountain, but unexpectedly, Prince Dan privately invited me to the Prince's residence for a long talk. Considering Prince Dan's status, I went."

Changping Jun suddenly sat up straight and said, "I received a piece of intelligence before the New Year that Prince Dan of Yan's uncle, Yanchun Jun, died outside Xinzheng in Han. Coincidentally, Prince Dan of Yan was also in Han at that time."

"According to old news from previous years, Lord Yanchun had always been at odds with Yan Dan and had repeatedly suggested to King Yan Xi that the Crown Prince should be deposed and replaced. It is likely that Lord Yanchun's death was inextricably linked to Yan Dan."

Tian Guangsheng has thick eyebrows and big eyes, and a rugged appearance.

After listening to Changping Jun's words, he said, "The farmers also reported this matter at Qianlong Hall in Xinzheng. The murderer is Yan Dan."

Lord Changping smiled and said, "This Crown Prince of Yan is a decisive person, and he has more potential than his father."

Tian Guang sighed, “It’s not just him who has potential. King Jia of Zhao and King Fei of Han are no weaker than him, and may even be stronger.”

Changping Jun said with great interest, "Xia Kui, please explain in detail."

Tian Guang said in a low voice, "Your Majesty only knows that the Three Jin states have reconciled, but you do not know that the Three Jin states had already intended to form an alliance when King Zhao Jia succeeded to the throne of Zhao."

Changping was surprised: "So early?"

If it's really that early, then the matter of Zhao and Wei visiting Han to observe the ceremony and discussing the reconciliation of the three Jin states might have already been finalized, rather than, as Qin judged, just beginning and still having time to sow discord.

Tian Guang exclaimed, "More than that."

He said solemnly, "Not only have the three Jin states reconciled, but they are also secretly supporting Prince Dan of Yan. Prince Dan promised the three Jin states that if he becomes the King of Yan, he will form an alliance with them to jointly attack Qin."

Changping was truly shocked this time.

The Azure Dragon Plan, which was still in the nascent stage of his mind, was only just beginning to take shape. Now, Tian Guang was telling him that Yan, Zhao, Han, and Wei were about to formally form an alliance, and he almost became a laughing stock.

"King Xi of Yan is in the prime of his life, so how can Crown Prince Dan of Yan ascend to the throne?"

Tian Guang said in a deep voice, "Has Your Majesty heard of the Xuanwu Gate Incident?"

Changping Jun was slightly taken aback. "Is this the Xuanwu Gate Incident that Cao Ze and Zhao Wang Jia mentioned?"

"Exactly! It's rumored that King Han Fei is the same way!"

By the end, Tian Guang's voice was extremely hoarse.

He never imagined that a story or fable could have such a powerful influence.

"King Jia of Zhao, King Fei of Han, King Dan of Yan..." Lord Changping muttered to himself, "Am I getting old?"

Tian Guang said, "Your Majesty is young and strong, and you are able to deal with Lü Buwei with ease. This shows that Your Majesty is very capable. Your Majesty should not underestimate yourself."

Changping Jun's eyes gradually hardened. "The world is about to be thrown into turmoil, and I have no reason to linger in Qin to plan for Chu's future."

Changwenjun, who had been silent all along, suddenly became sharp-eyed.

"Brother, do you wish to return to Chu?"

Lord Changping said in a deep voice, "Indeed. Would you be willing to help me achieve great things, brother?"

Chang Wenjun stood up, like a sword raised.

"My brother has devoted himself to serving our father and the State of Chu. Even if it costs me my life, I will help my brother return home!"

Lord Changping laughed and said, "There is no need to be so serious and solemn. This matter is not urgent. We can proceed slowly so as not to let Qin find out."

He paced back and forth in the secret room, his expression agitated.

"This alliance between Yan, Zhao, Han, and Wei is different from the past. If the alliance of the four states is successful, it will not have the shortcomings of the previous alliance of five states. At that time, Chu will join the alliance and join forces with the five states to cut off Qin's hope of hegemony, dismember Qin, or even destroy it."

Tian Guang knelt on one knee and said, "Your Majesty is truly righteous."

Lord Changping helped Tian Guang up and said with a smile, "This matter will take a long time. Tomorrow, I will trouble Xia Kui to go to the west of the city to lend Cheng Jiao a hand and try to intensify the conflict between Lü Buwei and the Qin royal family."

"it is good."

……

Chapter 376 The honey pot is full, time to empty it.

Early in the morning, the sky was just beginning to lighten.

The wind, blowing from east to west, rustled the weeping willows along the banks of the Wei River.

A large crowd had already gathered outside the west gate of Xianyang.

Hundreds of armored and helmeted soldiers, holding long spears, patrolled the area continuously.

As the number of people increased, astute businessmen immediately recruited people to set up dozens of low sheds.

People from all walks of life, ordinary citizens, found places to sit down; some drank tea, some drank alcohol, and some placed bets.

Every now and then someone would crack a joke, causing bursts of laughter.

At Chen Shi (7-9 AM), the rising sun cast its warm rays upon the western side of the city gate.

At this moment, a middle-aged man dressed in tattered clothes, with a weathered and downcast face, and a disheveled boy, huddled together at the city gate, constantly looking out at the people coming out of the city gate.

"Uncle Guo, will he come?"

Zhao Qian, also known as Prince Zhao Qian who was captured by Consort Ya and sent to Qin as a hostage, asked with a somewhat complicated expression.

"Yes! Cao Ze is in Xianyang, he won't miss today's important event."

Guo Kai took a big bite of the somewhat dirty dry biscuit, which he had snatched from a few thugs.

Their nightmare began the moment he and Zhao Qian were sent to the Qin state by Consort Ya.

He thought that even if he was unlucky after arriving in Qin, he would at least be able to make a living based on his status as Prime Minister Guo and Prince Zhao Qian.

But who knew that this King of Qin was so petty?

Even hostages from other countries can at least be allocated a residence.

When they arrived, there wasn't even a proper house, let alone a bed.

Later, a rumor spread that Empress Dowager Zhao Ji disliked them.

As a result, all the high-ranking officials and nobles immediately avoided contact with them, as if they were snakes or scorpions.

That's fine, the world is fickle, and currying favor with the powerful is human nature.

But they soon discovered that these weren't the only things targeting them.

They were not only unable to rent houses in Xianyang, but also unable to stay in inns.

They could only squeeze into stinky shacks with those poor, lowly people.

Due to their carelessness, their clothes, jade pendants, and other valuables were all looted that very night. If they hadn't run away quickly, they would have been defiled.

Zhao Qian swallowed hard; he hadn't eaten a piece of meat for months.

"Uncle Guo, will he help us?"

Guo Kai glared at Zhao Qian: "What time is it? Why are you still being so wishy-washy!"

Zhao Qian shrank back when Guo Kai shouted at him.

Guo Kai's tone softened as he said, "Your Highness, Cao Ze and your mother had a brief affair. If you can put aside your pride, we'll have a chance to live a life of luxury, and who knows, we might even be able to return to Zhao and reclaim everything we have!"

Zhao Qian's eyes suddenly turned fierce, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "Zhao Jia! Zhao Ya!"

If it weren't for those two bastards, he would be the King of Zhao now, with endless meat to eat, endless wine to drink, and endless women to sleep with!

Rising higher and higher.

Cao Ze left the gentle embrace of Yan Lingji and Li Wu, dressed, and drove his bronze-canopied carriage—an ancient convertible supercar—westward from the mansion toward the west gate.

To appear sophisticated, he specifically made the towering Wushuang Ghost run alongside him.

"Uncle Guo, it's him, it's him, he's out!"

Zhao Qian said excitedly.

Guo Kai suddenly stood up, staring longingly at Cao Ze, who was driving the bronze canopy chariot alone.

He immediately slapped Zhao Qian, "Your Highness, what are you waiting for? Go!"

Cao Ze, who had just driven his horse-drawn carriage out of the city, was humming a little tune with ease.