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

……

Inside the palace, Changping Jun, having just finished dealing with court affairs, arrived outside the imperial study of Zhangtai Palace with Tian Guang, the leader of the peasant chivalrous family.

"This is Tian Guang, the leader of the peasant chivalrous family. Please ask General Zhang Han to go and report this to him."

Changping Jun's voice was gentle.

Knowing that Ying Zheng valued Zhang Han, the commander of the Imperial Guards, he casually addressed him as "General."

Zhang Han gripped the sword at his waist and glanced at the chivalrous leader.

He instantly sensed a faint sense of danger and judged that the person in front of him was incredibly strong, at least a first-rate expert.

“Very well, I will report to the King immediately.”

After Zhang Han left, Tian Guang said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, isn't it a bit early?"

Lord Changping shook his head calmly. "It's getting late. I've already made arrangements in Jingyang. All that's left is for Your Majesty to say."

He had not originally planned to introduce Tian Guang to the King of Qin so soon, but things went surprisingly smoothly.

Cao Ze seemed to have a grudge against the State of Zheng, directly accusing him of several crimes. Any one of these crimes, if proven true, would be enough to have the State of Zheng executed by dismemberment.

Zhang Han arrived at the door of the study and respectfully said, "Your Majesty, Lord Changping and Tian Guang, the leader of the peasant chivalry, request an audience."

Ying Zheng, who was writing official documents, paused upon hearing this, "The Farmer's School? The Knights-Errant?"

His eagle-like gaze instantly fixed on a spot on the bamboo slip, where black ink from the wolf-hair brush slowly dripped down, obscuring the Qin Dynasty seal script that had already been written.

Gai Nie turned to look at Zhang Han, his gaze sharp as a sword, causing a dull ache in Zhang Han's brow.

How could Zhang Han not notice the change in the atmosphere of the study?

He felt uneasy and somewhat anxious. Had he done something wrong?

Ying Zheng slowly exhaled, "Let them in."

Zhang Han felt a little relieved and quickly left.

"Could it be that Cao Ze's prediction came true...?"

Ying Zheng muttered to himself, deeply unwilling to believe that Lord Changping, who had grown up in Qin, would betray Qin and him in this way.

But Cao Ze's words still echoed in my ears.

No one knew better than him what enormous benefits a hostage could gain by returning to his country and making great contributions.

Just like his father, who was once a hostage in Handan, the capital of Zhao, just like him, who was once a hostage in Handan, the capital of Zhao.

Prince of Chu... Prince of Chu...

Ying Zheng took a deep breath.

If Lord Changping's heart was with the State of Chu and he wanted to return to Chu, then Lord Changping had every reason to destroy the Zheng Guo Canal.

When Changping Jun entered the study, he couldn't help but pause for a moment.

He noticed that the atmosphere in the study today seemed different from usual.

But he didn't think too much about it.

"Your Majesty, this is Tian Guang, the leader of the Farmer's School. The Farmer's School intends to serve Qin and has specially asked me to introduce him."

The wiry and capable-looking Tian Guang clasped his hands and said, "This humble commoner, Tian Guang, greets the King of Qin!"

Gai Nie stood beside Ying Zheng, staring intently at Tian Guang.

It could bring him a faint sense of pressure; if he wasn't a grandmaster, he was probably not far from being one.

Ying Zheng said expressionlessly, "I will naturally welcome farmers to Qin."

"How does the chivalrous leader plan to serve the Qin state?"

Lord Changping chuckled and said, “Your Majesty may not know this, but the Farmer School has not only made outstanding achievements in the study of Shennong, but is also a leader in the world in terms of calendar system and water conservancy.”

"Now that Zheng has ulterior motives, and Tian Guangxia Kui is well-versed in this art, Your Majesty should let Tian Guangxia Kui replace Zheng and take charge of the construction of the national canal. With the help of the elite disciples of the Farmer's School, the national canal should be completed sooner."

Ying Zheng's lips curled up slightly. "Indeed, it's a very good idea."

"I grant your permission. Let Tian Guangxia replace Zheng Guo in building the canal."

Lord Changping was somewhat surprised by how smoothly things went. He had thought he would have to explain things more, but now it seemed... that the heavens were truly blessing the Great Chu!

Tian Guang said with an upright expression, "Your Majesty, rest assured, the canal construction will be completed within four years!"

Ying Zheng said calmly, "I hope so. Now, go down."

Changping Jun and Tian Guang left the study.

Tian Guang couldn't help but whisper, "Your Majesty, I have a vague feeling that something is not right."

Changping stopped and asked, "What's wrong?"

Tian Guang pondered for a moment and said, "Although the King of Qin is fond of making decisions arbitrarily, why did he not even ask me before directly ordering me to replace the State of Zheng?"

Changping frowned and said, "That makes sense."

"Perhaps it's because the King of Qin trusts me, or perhaps he doesn't want the canal construction to stop."

"In any case, as long as we have three months, it will be enough time to make arrangements at our own pace."

Tian Guang said no more.

Many things have been planned and arranged for a long time, and it is impossible to give up because of a little unease or doubt.

Inside the study.

Ying Zheng couldn't help but pat the desk, causing the pen holder on it to tremble violently.

"Gai Nie, summon Cao Ze to the palace immediately. I wish to see him!"

Gai Nie said, "Yes!"

He naturally understood Ying Zheng's anger, and at the same time, he admired Cao Ze. Cao Ze's ability to see things clearly was something that no ordinary person could do.

The Cao residence.

The Moon Goddess led Mi Lian into it.

The mansion was very quiet, so quiet that the Moon Goddess almost thought Cao Ze was going to ambush her there.

"What about people?!"

The Moon Goddess stood in the hall, clearly sensing that someone was around, but seeing that no one came out for a long time, she couldn't help but shout.

"What are you yelling about?!"

Cao Ze led Zheng Guo, who had a simple and honest look on his face, in a casual and relaxed tone.

"Mr. Cao Ze!"

Mi Lian couldn't help but greet him, her voice filled with joy.

“Uh…” Cao Ze didn’t expect Mi Lian to be here. He had a good impression of the little girl who danced at the private banquet.

He couldn't help but look at the Moon Goddess with newfound respect, for she had actually managed to persuade Lord Changping to allow Mi Lian to come to him with the Moon Goddess.

High, really high.

"Miss Mi Lian, you've come too? Come, this way."

Cao Ze warmly and attentively entertained Mi Lian, completely ignoring the Moon Goddess.

The moon goddess was angry, frustrated, and helpless, while also feeling a little alarmed.

What exactly does Changping Jun mean?

Why would Lord Changping's daughter have such a good impression of Cao Ze? Could it be true, as the rumors suggest, that Lord Changping intends to form a marriage alliance with Cao Ze?

If that's the case...

The moon goddess grew increasingly wary.

It seems we need to get the Yin-Yang School to relocate as soon as possible.

Next time, let Xu Fu, together with Da Siming, lead the disciples of the Yin-Yang School into Chu to return to Shennv Peak.

Otherwise, if something were to happen in Xianyang, the Yin-Yang School might be in danger of collapse.

Cao Ze and Mi Lian chatted casually, without any attempt to hide their conversation from the Moon Goddess.

“Miss Mi Lian, why didn’t you inform me beforehand that you were coming to my residence today, so that I could make some preparations?”

He originally intended to leave the Moon Goddess out of the loop, but he didn't expect Mi Lian to be there as well.

Mi Lian chuckled and said, "She said she was coming to find you, so I came with her."

The moon goddess felt a pang of pain in her heart.

If she had known it was another pair of scoundrels, she would never have let Mi Lian come along.

"Cao Ze, you invited me, the leader of this sect, to testify. Isn't it going too far to ridicule me like this!"

Cao Ze glanced at the Moon Goddess, then casually waved his hand, "Alright, you can leave now."

Ok?

The Moon Goddess was slightly dumbfounded. What did that mean?

They let her come over, then let her leave—are they playing a fool?!

"Didn't you say that I, the leader of this sect, assassinated Zheng Guo? Isn't it incredibly irresponsible of you to make such a hasty judgment?!"

Cao Ze was having a pleasant conversation with Mi Lian when he heard the Moon Goddess calling in his ear. He said coldly, "Are you trying to say that you really came to assassinate Zheng Guo, and not that you accidentally trespassed into my residence?"

He did indeed intend to make things difficult for the Moon Goddess, as he couldn't let her be too idle, otherwise something might go wrong on the side of the Grand Master of Fate.

But he didn't expect that Mi Lian would come with the Moon Goddess.

Those difficult methods are no longer suitable for now; the only option is to send the Moon Goddess back to where she came from.

The Moon Goddess seemed to have something stuck in her throat, glaring at Cao Ze intently.

When she arrived, she had already anticipated several scenarios in which Cao Ze would make things difficult for her, and she was prepared to have a falling out with him.

But to her utter surprise, after arriving, she was left standing there, and the first thing she saw was that she was told to leave.

Is this how you bully people?!