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

He suddenly remembered what Cao Ze had told him on the way to Wusui: a qualified official must be able to take things in stride and act in a way that is advantageous to himself in any situation.

Therefore, the best performers in the world are not actors, but...

Li Si felt inexplicably powerless.

Many of the things Cao Ze said to him were not taken seriously at first, and he did not even realize their deeper meaning until he encountered problems and suddenly understood them.

Lu Buwei raised his hand, and the assassins from the Luo Wang organization around him disappeared into the night.

"Let's go, Li Si. You can start taking action tomorrow."

He did indeed intend to win Cao Ze over, but more than that, he wanted to see what kind of young man could reach a point where even he himself had to take him seriously.

"Yes."

……

Chapter 382 Empress Dowager, Please Behave Yourself

In the room, under the flickering red candlelight, Li Wu's fair face shone like a dazzling gem.

"I have inquired throughout Xianyang City over the past three days and spent over a hundred gold coins to buy information from several intelligence organizations, but I have not found a single piece of information about Lao Ai."

"Based on my speculation, either there is no such person in Xianyang City, or this person has changed his appearance, or his identity has been deliberately concealed."

Cao Ze tapped the desk lightly with his fingers.

There is definitely such a person in Xianyang City.

His tone was very confident.

Regardless of official or unofficial history, the original text does mention that Lao Ai launched a rebellion in the capital of Qin, which was later quelled by Lord Changping and others.

Such an important person could not simply disappear into thin air.

Li Wu glanced at Jing Ni, who was silently cultivating, and said to Cao Ze, "Then he must be hiding his identity and having his true identity concealed."

Cao Ze nodded slightly.

Lao Ai was given to Zhao Ji by Lü Buwei. Given Zhao Ji and Lü Buwei's status, it would have been easy for them to conceal someone's identity.

Unfortunately, he did not know Lao Ai's current name or appearance.

Even if you were face to face with Lao Ai, you probably wouldn't recognize him.

The only thing that can be confirmed now is that Lao Ai should be in Zhao Ji's Ganquan Palace.

"It's a bit troublesome."

Cao Ze sighed.

Li Wu asked, somewhat puzzled, "Is he that important? Is he worth all this attention?"

Based on her experience in handling intelligence, she could deduce from the name "Lao Ai" that this person was of low status, probably on the same level as the assassins of the Luo Wang organization.

Cao Ze pondered for a moment and said, "It's very important."

The original text does not mention when Lao Ai launched his rebellion, but the Records of the Grand Historian states that Lao Ai launched his rebellion in April, which was the day King Zheng of Qin was crowned.

It has been only ten months since King Zheng of Qin came of age, which is not a long time. We need to find out where he is, what his identity is, and what his plans are as soon as possible.

This would make it easier for him to use Lao Ai as a tool to send Lü Buwei to his death.

Li Wu hesitated for a moment, "Should I disguise myself and take the money to the Luo Wang stronghold to post a mission?"

"No, no, no..." Cao Ze hugged Li Wu's soft waist. "We can't let the Luo Net know that someone is investigating Lao Ai. I suspect that Lao Ai's true identity has been covered up by Lü Buwei. Let's put this matter aside for now and talk about it again when I have some progress."

He suddenly remembered that Zhao Ji had already given birth to her second child before Lao Ai launched his rebellion.

He had not seen Zhao Ji with a large belly at Ganquan Palace before, so judging from the timeline, Zhao Ji must have given birth some time ago.

It's possible that Lao Ai was looking after them.

In other words, if he could find the child born to Zhao Ji, he would probably be able to find Lao Ai.

Li Wu had no idea what Cao Ze was thinking. She took the initiative to stretch out her snow-white, lotus-root-like arm and chuckle as she put it on Cao Ze's neck.

She gently breathed on Cao Ze and said, "I've been busy for several days. Don't you intend to make it up to me, sir?"

Cao Ze glanced at Jing Ni, who was sitting cross-legged in meditation, and chuckled, "Let's go to Yan Ling Ji's room."

Li Wu rolled her eyes at Cao Ze, exuding charm and coquettishness, and said, "Can't we go to my room?"

Although Cao Ze wanted to take Li Wu and Yan Ling Ji flying together, seeing Li Wu acting coquettishly and doting on him, his heart melted.

"Okay, okay, I'll sleep in your room."

Cao Ze scooped Li Wu up in his arms and left Jing Ni's house with light steps.

Li Wu leaned on Cao Ze's shoulder and said in a suggestive tone, "I have clove oil in my room, tonight we'll..."

Cao Ze became even more excited upon hearing this.

Tonight, we'll be going in and out of three doors; it's a beautiful night, and I can't wait!

Prime Minister's Mansion.

Lu Buwei returned to his study, where two people were standing.

"Guo Kai, a man from Zhao, accompanied by his son Zhao Qian, pays his respects to Chancellor Lü!"

Guo Kai pulled Zhao Qian aside, and Zhao Qian immediately bowed deeply to Lü Buwei.

Lü Buwei said calmly, "Stand up and speak."

Guo Kai respectfully agreed.

What brings you two here?

Lü Buwei's tone was somewhat impatient.

Guo Kai was well-versed in human nature and had long been prepared.

"To be honest, Prime Minister Lü, Prince Qian and I have nowhere else to go, so we have come to seek refuge with you."

Lu Buwei sneered on his old face, "Don't you know that the Empress Dowager despises you all?"

Guo Kailian said, "It is the State of Zhao that has wronged the Empress Dowager. During this time in Xianyang, the more we suffer, the more we realize how much suffering the Empress Dowager endured in Handan. We have no complaints against the Empress Dowager, and we only wish to turn over a new leaf and share the burdens of the State of Qin, the Empress Dowager, and Prime Minister Lü."

He knew very well that once Zhao Jia ascended the throne, as long as Consort Ya was there, he and Zhao Qian would be able to return; otherwise, their fate would be uncertain.

Therefore, for him, seeking refuge in the Qin state, which was the most tolerant of talents from the six states, was almost the only option.

Lü Buwei remained noncommittal, instead asking, "Cao Ze lived in Handan for over a year. How much do you know about him?"

After a moment's thought, Guo Kai recounted everything he knew about Cao Ze.

After listening, Lü Buwei frowned slightly. "That's all?"

What Guo Kai said was no different from what he had learned from the intelligence network.

Zhao Qian, who had remained silent all along, could no longer hold back and suddenly shouted, "Cao Ze is a scoundrel!"

Lu Buwei suddenly smiled, looking at the young man before him, the former Prince Zhao Qian, and a variety of thoughts flashed through his mind.

This child has considerable value.

"What did His Highness Qian say?"

Zhao Qian froze on the spot, and subconsciously looked at Guo Kai.

Guo Kai knew Zhao Qian very well, so he naturally knew what Zhao Qian wanted to say.

He sighed and said, "To be honest, Prime Minister Lü, that scoundrel Cao Ze seduced His Highness's mother, the Empress Dowager, and caused chaos in the palace."

Lu Buwei's eye twitched slightly. "Really?"

He certainly didn't believe what Guo Kai said.

The beauty of the Queen was renowned throughout the seven kingdoms.

The claim that the Empress seduced Cao Ze is more plausible.

Zhao Qian angrily said, "It was he who seduced my mother!"

Lu Buwei hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should use this news to teach Cao Ze, this arrogant young man, a lesson.

But then he thought again that with Cao Ze's intelligence, he could easily suffer a backlash.

We need to find a good opportunity to do this.

"Alright," Lü Buwei said to Guo Kai, "You can stay under my wing as a retainer for now."

Guo Kai quickly said, "Thank you for taking me in, Prime Minister Lü."

"Go down."

"Yes."

Just as Zhao Qian was about to ask, "What about me?", Guo Kai, who was quick-witted and agile, stopped him.

The two left the study and went to the quarters arranged for them by the servants.

Guo Kai finally breathed a sigh of relief. "My good prince, this is no longer the Zhao Kingdom. There are some things that should not be said, so don't say them. And try not to say the things that should be said."

After being brutally beaten in Xianyang for six months, Zhao Qian immediately fell silent.

After a long silence, he looked up at Guo Kai and asked, "Uncle Guo, do we still have a chance?"

Guo Kai said firmly, "There will be an opportunity. The State of Zhao belongs to us!"

He might not be able to do it, but the Qin state could.

One day, Prime Minister Guo Kai will return to Handan and make all those who betrayed and insulted him die!

Zhao Qian took a breath and said, "Yes, the State of Zhao belongs to us, and I am the King of Zhao!"

……

The next day, as dawn broke.

Wearing black boots and a flowing robe, Zhao Gao arrived early at Cao Ze's residence and knocked on the door.

Cao Ze had no choice but to come out of the cave entrance, yawning and slightly sleepy, and came to the front hall.

"Brother Zhao, you've arrived so early?"