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

In short—you can come in, but you can't stay overnight!

Although Tian Mi didn't understand what PUA was, she knew it was pure nonsense!

Cao Ze chuckled in response to Tian Mi's little scheme.

If it were Zi Nu Li Wu or Da Huo Ji who said they wanted a baby, he would never hesitate.

But if it's Tianmi instead, then forget it.

It's just that there are no condoms in this day and age, otherwise he would have to use pepper spray afterward to "make sure he has no descendants."

"What have the farmers been doing over the Zheng Guoqu area for the past month?"

Cao Ze brought up serious matters, then casually changed the subject.

Tian Mi was secretly annoyed.

She said somewhat sullenly, "It's nothing, just transporting some kerosene."

Cao Ze narrowed his eyes slightly. "Oil? What for?"

He had already discovered that there was no gunpowder in the Qin Dynasty. They had gone astray in their technological development, directly using open-air petroleum and refining it through a bunch of messy machines to create the oil used in weapons of war such as the Divine Crossbow.

Its power is greater than that of ordinary gunpowder.

However, production is extremely limited, and even when used solely as military supplies, supplies are scarce.

After Meng Tian used up his divine crossbow on the Nanyang battlefield, he waited for a month but still hadn't received his quota.

Tian Mi said absentmindedly, "It's getting cold, and Xia Kui said he needs to catch up on the progress, so Lord Changping approved some kerosene for Xia Kui."

The reason she knew so much was because she had secretly glanced at the documents she delivered, knowing she was Cao Ze's spy.

Cao Ze's heart skipped a beat. He remembered that Lord Changping was also in charge of the Xianyang Armory.

As kerosene is a military supply, Lord Changping has the right to allocate some of it.

But that's only a small amount; if there are too many, it needs to be reported to the King of Qin according to the rules.

Of course, if Changping Jun planned to do one job and leave, even if he used most of the oil, it would still be months before he was exposed.

Cao Ze asked a few more questions carefully, and even though Tian Mi was annoyed, she patiently answered them one by one.

Just looking at this scene, she seems like a virtuous and capable wife and mother.

Cao Ze understood.

He was initially wondering how Lord Changping planned to destroy the Zheng Guo Canal, but it turns out it's so modern—they just used grenades to fry the key sections of the canal.

After all this, the Qin state either had to abandon the construction of the Zheng Guo Canal or spend twice the manpower and resources to dredge it again.

The Zheng Guo Canal is now almost consuming all of Qin's annual surplus grain. If it costs twice as much, Qin will not be able to think about expanding eastward or making any moves for at least twenty years.

As an imperial censor of the Qin state, Cao Ze naturally had to prioritize his work.

then……

Tian Mi hugged the blanket, gritting her teeth as she watched Cao Ze get dressed and leave.

It's so nasty!

Once the honeypot is full, leave!

Are you even human?!

Cao Ze didn't care what Tian Mi thought.

It's all about mutual benefit, it's all about polite sex, talking about feelings is just empty talk.

When Cao Ze arrived at Zhangtai Palace, he happened to run into Zhao Gao, who had just come out of the Imperial Study.

Zhao Gao smiled broadly, "Sir, are you here to see the King?"

Cao Ze thought to himself, "Has this dead eunuch had a second spring in his life?"

"Yes, I have something to discuss with Your Majesty."

Zhao Gao nodded and was about to leave when, as if remembering something, he suddenly asked, "May I ask what brings you to see the King, sir?"

Cao Ze said with a forced smile, "Lord Zhao seems to be asking a bit too many questions."

Zhao Gao smiled sinisterly, "It was my fault."

If he hadn't just remembered Zhu Zhong saying that Cao Ze was having an affair with Tian Mi at the Zhuque Hall in the farmhouse, he wouldn't have asked Cao Ze.

He just wanted to confirm one thing.

Is Tian Mi already Cao Ze's woman...?

Cao Ze entered the imperial study.

Ying Zheng, as usual, buried himself in official documents.

He was even more diligent than he was in his senior year of high school.

Ying Zheng didn't even look up and said, "Let's skip the formalities, sir, just say what you need to say."

Cao Ze paused for a moment, then recounted what Tian Mi had told him, along with his own speculations.

Ying Zheng put down his vermilion brush and looked up at Cao Ze in surprise.

“What Zhao Gao said is exactly the same as what you said.”

Cao Ze's heart stirred slightly. Thinking of Zhao Gao's beaming face just now, he wondered when Zhao Gao had started paying attention to Zheng Guoqu.

He suddenly remembered the original story, about the nails Zhao Gao buried in the farmer's house.

"Your Majesty, I am about to escort Lord Chang'an to the State of Chu. I earnestly request that Your Majesty be careful of Lord Changping."

Ying Zheng smiled faintly, but there was a hint of murderous intent between his brows.

"Let Changping live a few more days."

The Zheng Guo Canal was the lifeblood of the Qin state. Once it was destroyed, all his ambitions would be buried underground, with little chance of ever rising again. How could he not be angry and harbor murderous intent?

Just then, Empress Dowager Huayang went abroad to Chu, which gave him the opportunity to completely eliminate the hidden danger.

Cao Ze took his leave and went out of the imperial study, intending to find Zhao Gao.

"Brother Zhao, congratulations!"

Zhao Gao was astonished. Did Cao Ze know something?

"Sir, you jest. Why should I be pleased?"

Cao Ze patted Zhao Gao on the shoulder and smiled, "Zheng Guoqu, I didn't expect Brother Zhao to be paying attention to this as well."

Zhao Gao was shocked and immediately realized that Ying Zheng had betrayed him.

No, it's Cao Ze.

Cao Ze just had something to discuss with the King; it must be related to the Zheng Guo Canal.

It seems that, just as he guessed, Tian Mi is indeed now Cao Ze's woman.

Otherwise, why did Cao Ze warn the king to be wary of the peasants so early on?

Cao Ze said earnestly, "We are both subjects of the king, working for the Qin state. Brother Zhao, why hide it from me? Congratulations in advance on your promotion."

Zhao Gao smiled effeminately: "Sir, your words are auspicious. I will certainly thank you when the time comes."

Cao Ze casually said, "No need to thank me, you should thank Zhu Zhong."

Zhao Gao's pupils shrank to pinpoints as he stared at Cao Ze in shock.

How did Cao Ze find out that Zhu Zhong was his godson?

Did Cao Ze see him with Zhu Zhong today?

No! According to Zhu Zhong, Cao Ze was clearly playing with honeydew at the Vermilion Bird Hall!

"Okay, I'll go first."

Seeing Zhao Gao's changed expression, Cao Ze thought to himself, "As expected, Zhao Gao has made contact with Zhu Zhong after all. No wonder Zhao Gao knows about the Zheng Guo Canal."

Zhao Gao stood there for a long time, looking around, feeling that someone was watching him.

"Is it a mole...?"

Zhao Gao muttered to himself, suspecting that Cao Ze had planted a spy among his men.

With this thought in mind, Zhao Gao became even more cautious.

It seems that if we want to distance ourselves from Cao Ze, we need to proceed cautiously.

As winter approaches, the nights become longer and the days shorter.

Cao Ze left the Qin King's Palace as dusk was falling.

That night.

Changping Jun Mansion.

Changwenjun walked quickly inside the mansion.

Behind him followed a handsome man with a crown on his head, two long strands of hair hanging down from his ears to his chest, a face as fair as jade, and a dashing demeanor.

Although he was slightly inferior to Lord Longyang, he was still a handsome man among men.

Having just finished his official duties, Changping-jun saw his younger brother's solemn expression and immediately had a bad feeling.

Who is this?

"I am Ji Bu, centurion of the Shadow Tiger Legion. Greetings, Lord Changping."

Ji Bu politely handed over a letter.

"This is a letter that General Xiang entrusted me to deliver in secret, requesting that Your Majesty open it personally."

Chang Wenjun said in a low voice, "Brother, Father is seriously ill."

This is why he rushed over after seeing Ji Bu.

Changping Jun's usually expressionless face was suddenly moved.

A letter from my father?

He trembled as he peeled off the sealing wax, and it took him three tries to open the letter.