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

"Jing Ni, let's go!"

He and Jingni appeared, stepping through the reeds, and ran towards the riverbank at an extremely fast speed.

On the other side, Lord Longyang and Gongsun Long rushed over.

The four landed almost simultaneously.

"Cao Ze, kid?" Gongsun Long asked in surprise, "What are you doing here?"

Zhao Gao sensed the subtle atmosphere and stood silently behind Cao Ze, protecting him in front of him and prioritizing Cao Ze's presence.

The Six Sword Slaves and Xuan Jian are still trapped in the secret passage and will arrive in about half a cup of tea's time.

Cao Ze said, "I've come to see how Brother Wei Zhuang will execute Lü Buwei."

Lü Buwei stared at Cao Ze with a gloomy expression.

"Cao Ze, you little brat, you're ruthless!"

Cao Ze sneered, "Prime Minister, you were the one who sent Xuan Jian to assassinate me first. I was merely retaliating."

Lü Buwei said coldly, "You think you've won? That you can kill me? Humph!"

Cao Ze felt something was wrong. He looked at Wei Zhuang and asked, "Brother Wei Zhuang, why don't you make a move?"

Wei Zhuang coldly replied, "Are you ordering me around?"

Jing Ni flicked her thumb as she gripped the sword, revealing half of it. The sword's light flashed past Wei Zhuang's eyes, causing his gaze to sharpen.

Lü Buwei laughed heartily, "Cao Ze, you didn't expect this, did you? The purpose of the Three Jin states entering Qin was not to assassinate me at all, but to invite me to become the prime minister of the Three Jin states!"

Zhao Gao was shocked. Could this really be done?

Cao Ze remained silent. Was he hallucinating?

But then he thought again that, given Lü Buwei's current situation, it seemed that the only way for him to survive was to join the Three Jin states.

No wonder, no wonder...

In that instant, all of Cao Ze's previous doubts were resolved.

No wonder the three Jin states chose to help him deal with Lü Buwei.

This was intended to leave Lü Buwei with no way out and force him to leave Qin!

Ya Fei Zi Nu and the Nameless Sword Saint followed closely behind. They were delayed for a while while searching the Thousand Machine Code Copper Plate in the Prime Minister's Mansion.

"Zi Nu, Ya Fei, is this your purpose?"

Cao Ze said calmly, "Do you really think that having Lü Buwei can change the course of the world?"

It wasn't that he looked down on Lü Buwei, nor that he denied Lü Buwei's abilities, but rather that the Qin state was a major platform that contributed significantly to Lü Buwei's achievements.

As recorded in history—

Two years after Lü Buwei was tricked by Lao Ai, he was sent back to his fiefdom in Luoyang by Ying Zheng.

Historical records state that Lord Chunping sent people to various states to invite envoys from Han, Wei, and Yan to come to Luoyang together, offering generous rewards and the seals of the prime ministers of the four states to invite Lü Buwei to serve.

And what did Lü Buwei do?

Unsurprisingly, a rejection.

He knew very well that he could do everything because he had the Qin state as a stage to realize his ambitions, something the other six states could not provide.

Finally, he received the imperial edict: "What merit have you rendered to Qin that you are granted the fief of Henan and the fief of 100,000 households? What kinship have you had with Qin that you are called 'Second Father'? You and your family are to be exiled to Shu." He chose to drink poison and die to preserve his dignity.

Ya Fei took a step forward. With her mature and elegant figure, she was almost as tall as Cao Ze, and her gorgeous clothes made her look particularly imposing.

"Of course not!"

On the banks of the Wei River, Ya Fei spoke resolutely.

She drew her sword from her waist, pointing it at Lü Buwei, and then slowly pointed it at Cao Ze.

"Cao Ze, I'm giving you one last chance!"

"Come with me!"

"If you come, he dies! If you stay, he lives!"

The riverbank was deserted; no one expected that Ya Fei would pull such a stunt at the end.

Lu Buwei's old face twitched violently.

He, the Prime Minister of a nation, a figure second only to the emperor, was now being weighed on a scale by a woman against a mere boy.

What a shame!

Zhao Gao revealed a strange smile. When he went to Handan years ago, he had heard about the romantic affair between Cao Ze and the mistress of Feixue Pavilion. He never expected that it was true.

Interesting, interesting...

On the deck of the ship, Wei Zhuang, unusually, did not speak harshly. Instead, he glanced at the silent Cao Ze with a hint of anticipation.

If Cao Ze had chosen the Three Jin states, wouldn't that have proven his senior brother's failure, and wouldn't that have meant his senior brother was wrong?

All that talk about "establishing a heart for heaven and earth, establishing a destiny for the people, continuing the lost learning of past sages, and ushering in an era of peace for all generations" is utter nonsense! Only self-interest is the eternal and unchanging truth!

Zi Nu's delicate nose twitched slightly, her purple eyes lingered on Cao Ze, and her heartbeat quickened subtly.

She both hoped that Cao Ze would agree to Ya Fei's request to join San Jin, but she also didn't really want Cao Ze to join San Jin because of Ya Fei.

This left her feeling conflicted at that moment.

As for the nameless Gongsun Long and Longyang Jun, they remained silent in the face of Ya Fei's sudden words.

Consort Ya's pretty face was cold and aloof. Seeing that Cao Ze remained silent, she continued to use words to win him over.

"If you leave Qin and join my Three Jin states, you can become like Gongsun Yan, the teacher of Wei Zhuang, and serve as prime ministers of four states, holding the seals of prime minister of four states."

"A young man appointed prime minister, an unparalleled honor, your name shall be recorded in history!"

"How about joining hands with me to destroy Qin and seize the throne?"

Ya Fei showered Cao Ze with promises as if they were free, hoping he would follow her, as if it were a way of venting her frustration over Cao Ze's previous rejection of her.

Cao Ze looked at Ya Fei with a slightly complicated expression.

Ya Fei's offer was too good; it would be a crime for him to refuse.

He said with a somber expression, "What good would it do to destroy Qin? Continue the struggle for supremacy? Someone has to unify the world, end the wars, and allow it to recuperate..."

Lu Buwei, who was originally indignant, suddenly calmed down. He looked at Cao Ze and couldn't help but smile self-deprecatingly.

He had said long ago that Cao Ze was a kindred spirit to him, and if only... but unfortunately there are no ifs.

Ya Fei's cool phoenix eyes stared straight at Cao Ze.

She said, word by word, "Then why can't this person be you? Why can't this country be the State of Zhao?!"

"I?"

Cao Ze was stunned for a moment.

This was a path he had never imagined.

He had neither the noble status of royal blood recognized by the world, nor soldiers, horses, money, territory, or opportunity.

How can I compete with these veteran players from the Warring States period to dominate the world?

Chapter 441 Having a Second Child

"Yes, it's you! I believe you have the ability! And I'm willing to help you achieve the peace you desire!"

A river breeze caressed her face, and Ya Fei's emotions were somewhat agitated; she seemed to have sensed Cao Ze's interest.

She had this idea ever since she reflected on her conversation with Cao Ze that day.

Doesn't he want peace and tranquility in the world?

She can help him, she can give him anything, as long as he comes back!

Cao Ze suddenly recalled the scenes he had experienced over the years.

He waited a long time and did a lot in order to enter Qin.

Should we give up now?

What was the point of all his previous actions?

Is this a joke?

Cao Ze composed himself.

Choosing to join Qin may not be the absolute right thing to do, but it is definitely the best choice for him at present.

Qin's military and agricultural finances were far stronger than those of the other six states, and it also possessed the mechanical technology of the Gongshu family and Qin Mo.

Even if the three Jin states formed an alliance, they would only be comparable to the Qin state and would not have the ability to defeat it.

This is even under the condition of working together.

Of course, the most crucial point is that he didn't have the time to help Zhao with reforms, and it was simply impossible for that to work out. He either had to collude with those old nobles or continue the struggle to the end.

This is not a problem that can be solved by killing a few leaders; it stems from the system, from class, and from a community of shared interests.

Cao Ze solemnly replied, "I appreciate Your Highness's kindness, but my mind is made up."

Consort Ya gritted her teeth and said, "You really won't come with me?!"

"How could you bear to part with the child that Snow Maiden and Li Ji bore for you?!"

She finally couldn't help but reveal the secret.

Upon hearing this, Cao Ze gasped.

What did he hear?

Did Yuki-onna and Li-ji get pregnant and have a child? Or is it his?

Is this some kind of utter mess?!

Jing Ni, who had always been cold and aloof, suddenly glanced silently at Cao Ze, whose face was tense.

Are there other kids? It seems there are at least two?