Wandering Sword Seller's Life in the Qin Dynasty

However, as time went by, the country's power declined, and neighboring countries, like wolves, surrounded and repeatedly encroached upon it, causing the Korean territory to gradually become fragmented.

Under these circumstances, Nanyang's status underwent a dramatic change.

Today, it has risen to become an extremely important territory of the State of Han, apart from its capital, Xinzheng. If it were located in the State of Yan, it would be a "fertile" land, comparable to Dukang.

This land is fertile and is the undisputed granary of Korea. Despite its long distance from Xinzheng, Korea relies heavily on it because if Nanyang were to fall, the entire food supply of Korea would be fatally threatened.

Ji Wuye and his group also valued this place.

As the great general of Han, Ji Wuye had generals like Bai Yifei under his command, who led an army of 100,000. They knew that in chaotic times, having a fierce army was far from enough, and the army also needed food to sustain it.

Therefore, many years ago, Emerald Tiger, with his immense wealth, took the lead in establishing himself on the fertile land of Nanyang, building an extremely luxurious Emerald Manor. The manor was filled with servants, and Emerald Tiger himself was the largest landowner in Nanyang, owning a staggering 300,000 mu of land.

Moreover, Jade Tiger extended its reach to the entire grain transportation chain, becoming the largest private grain supplier.

He established numerous grain shops, controlling the source of grain on which the people depended for their livelihood.

With just a thought, he could easily influence the entire harvest of Nanyang, and even artificially create a grain disaster.

This is also the sinister tactic he later employed in the original work.

The carriage rolled through the dust and drove away from the center of power and intrigue in Xinzheng City.

Despite the turbulent situation and undercurrents in the city, Xu Qing decided to temporarily withdraw and go to Nanyang to relax his tense nerves.

The situation in Xinzheng was too complex and unpredictable. Staying there for too long made even the air feel oppressive. Traveling to Nanyang, on the other hand, gave me a sense of freedom and ease, like the saying "The sea is wide enough for fish to leap and the sky is high enough for birds to fly."

"I wonder where the game will go from here?" Xu Qing pondered to himself, gazing at the scenery flashing past the carriage window.

Beneath the surface of calm, the undercurrents are now different from what they used to be.

The most significant change was the fall of the Jade Tiger.

With one of Ji Wuye's "Four Fierce Generals" gone, the cracks in the power structure have been torn open, which will inevitably trigger an unpredictable chain of shocks.

Secondly, Tianze unexpectedly obtained the Gu Mother, which allowed him to break free from the confinement within his body, but his escape had nothing to do with Han Fei and the others.

The two important hostages are still firmly in Tianze's hands.

What caused the most dramatic shift in the situation was the raging fire that Yan Lingji set in Xueyi Fortress, turning it into scorched earth. Bai Yifei's attitude towards Tianze will undergo a fundamental change after this incident, becoming an irreconcilable enemy.

"I hope you can really hold on!" Xu Qing silently wished Tianze well.

Although Tianze's actions were somewhat orchestrated by him, he had no interest in provoking Xueyi Hou's wrath or facing his raging fury.

Now, he can only hope in his heart that Tianze can withstand the storm.

After all, the other party took away his two swords, and both of them were unusual. In addition, with his newfound freedom, he should have some confidence, right?

His thoughts drifted back to the sword case he had used to help Tianze escape that day.

It was a sword case designed to mimic the firing mechanism of a crossbow.

Once activated, the tiny flying swords in the box will automatically search for enemies along a preset trajectory. To ensure absolute safety, Xu Qing even coated them with a potent poison.

In his mind, this was a very practical mid-range lethal weapon.

What if someone thinks those flying objects don't count as swords?

Xu Qing scoffed at this.

Isn't a flying sword a sword? It even has a "sword box" as its place!

"Perhaps it can be further improved and refined!"

Xu Qing thought to himself.

Although Bai Yifei was struck by his sword that day, he did not gain a large amount of reputation afterward. Xu Qing was able to conclude that Bai Yifei had not died.

Even if he didn't necessarily have to fight Bai Yifei, Xu Qing was still very interested in designing a weapon to target Bai Yifei.

……

Several days passed quickly as the wheels rolled on.

Xu Qing followed Situ Wanli and finally entered the territory of Nanyang.

Nanyang is adjacent to the State of Chu, and the connection between the farmers and the State of Chu is not a secret to Xu Qing.

Many farmers are unaware of the relationship between Lord Changping and the farmers.

But this does not include Xu Qing.

Although Lord Changping, Xiong Qi, was indeed born and raised in the Qin state, he was a true prince of the Chu state and longed for the Chu state in his heart.

Therefore, in the path of the peasants seeking opportunities to rise up, the State of Chu was undoubtedly the bridgehead for their infiltration of power.

As a hub on the border between Han and Chu, Nanyang was naturally dotted with farmhouses.

Although Situ Wanli is not yet the head of the Farmer's Clan in the original story, he is adept at social maneuvering and accumulating wealth. He has extensive connections and a deep network of relationships both inside and outside the Farmer's Clan, and his current status within the Farmer's Clan is not low.

Upon arriving in Nanyang, Situ Wanli made no attempt to conceal his intentions and led Xu Qing directly to a farmhouse settlement.

Xu Qing already knew about his peasant background, so he no longer bothered to hide it.

He's come clean; he's not going to act anymore.

After settling into the stronghold, Situ Wanli did not remain idle.

Within days, all sorts of extraordinary people and individuals flocked to Nanyang as if they had heard the news, secretly infiltrating the city.

Although Xu Qing did not know exactly what Situ Wanli had sent them to do to Jade Tiger, he suspected it was something extraordinary.

Until this day, Situ Wanli appeared before Xu Qing with a beaming smile.

"Brother, you're riding high, but has Emerald Tiger finally spoken?" Xu Qing guessed from his expression.

"Brother, you have a good eye." Situ Wanli nodded and smiled, his eyes brimming with excitement. "These past few days, we've used both soft and hard tactics, and finally pried open this dead tiger's mouth! He's spilled all his secrets..."

He lowered his voice and explained to Xu Qing, "It turns out that the inconspicuous ring he always carried was the only token to access his enormous wealth! With this ring, even if he wasn't present, all his assets could be moved without hindrance..."

“It does bear some resemblance to the tiger tally used to mobilize troops.” Xu Qing listened thoughtfully, “But upon closer inspection, it makes sense. Emerald Tiger’s private property, while ostensibly belonging to him, actually all belongs to Ji Wuye. This man is merely a rat kept by Ji Wuye to amass wealth for him. If he wants to access this wealth, it is obviously impossible for him to do it alone; there must be an important token.”

"After all, if he were to die suddenly, wouldn't Ji Wuye be at a loss? But with this hidden ring as proof, it's different. Since others don't know its secrets, Ji Wuye only needs to retrieve the ring after the Jade Tiger incident to seize all the wealth without shedding a drop of blood..."

As he spoke, Xu Qing thought of how Han Fei and others obtained the Jade Tiger's property in the original novel.

Relying on the guarantee of the Iron Blood Alliance.

Given that Jade Tiger has absolutely no credibility, it's astonishing that he would willingly admit defeat and obediently hand over all his assets to Han Fei.

Clearly, this Iron Blood Alliance is quite extraordinary!

With this thought in mind, he couldn't help but ask Situ Wanli, "Brother, have you ever heard of the Iron Blood Alliance?"

Situ Wanli was clearly taken aback, somewhat surprised by Xu Qing's sudden change of topic, and then revealed a hint of apprehension: "Iron Blood Alliance? Why did you suddenly bring up this group of scoundrels, brother? Take my advice, stay away from these lunatics! Getting involved with them will never bring any good."

"Oh?" Xu Qing raised an eyebrow. "Judging from your words, you know their background?"

“I do know a little.” Situ Wan nodded solemnly. “In terms of origins, the Iron Blood Alliance can be considered a lingering ghost of the Zhou Dynasty. The Zhou lost its throne, and the Qin people offered their final sacrifices… As you know, the Zhou emperor has long since turned to dust. Those Zhou remnants who refused to give up scattered among the various states, and the Iron Blood Alliance is one of them.”

Situ Wanli paused, a complex light flashing in his eyes: "They see themselves as arbiters above the power of the seven kingdoms, attempting to reshape the world order centered on the Zhou rites. And the means to maintain this order is what their creed says—iron and blood!"

"The Iron Blood Alliance believes that only these two things can make the world tremble and submit, so they are eager to witness and guarantee the bets and oaths between powerful and wealthy people from various countries. Once someone dares to break the contract, they will immediately show their bloody fangs and punish them cruelly with thunderous means."

"They've seemed all high and mighty all these years, but in my opinion, they won't last long!"

“A truly powerful organization would never be so ostentatious, much less claim to be superior to the seven kingdoms. When the nobles of the various kingdoms truly decide to take things seriously, this so-called Iron Blood Alliance is nothing but a bubble that will burst in an instant.” Situ Wanli spoke with sarcasm, yet also with the warning of someone who had been there before. “In this world, keeping a low profile is the only way to survive and thrive.”

He explained everything to Xu Qing without reservation.

He guessed that Xu Qing's sudden inquiry about the Iron Blood Alliance might be because he wanted to sell swords through the Iron Blood Alliance's rumored powerful channels that spanned the seven kingdoms.

As a good brother, Situ Wanli had an obligation to remind Brother Xu.

Moreover, when it comes to commercial channels, our farming family is just as good, so why go to such lengths, brother?

"Brother, your insights are truly profound. I have learned a lot!" Xu Qing nodded in agreement.

Situ Wanli's account gave him a better understanding of the organization.

At the same time, it is understandable that the Iron Blood Alliance did not exist during Tianming's time in the original work.

As Situ Wanli said, they were too flamboyant.

Even during the Warring States period, the Iron Blood Alliance still had a place to stay.

But when the Qin state destroyed the six states and unified the world, such an arrogant organization would absolutely not be allowed to exist in this world.

Even the Net of Law is hidden in the shadows, like a spider, suddenly giving you a bite, unlike the Iron Blood Alliance which is so arrogant.

The princes were even more ruthless, killing without hesitation or restraint.

Without mentioning the Iron Blood Alliance again, Xu Qing turned to Situ Wanli and said, "Now that the Jade Tiger's mouth has been pried open, the most urgent task is to transfer its vast assets as soon as possible, lest things change."

Situ Wanli wholeheartedly agreed.

Based on the cryptic information revealed in Jade Tiger's confession, he immediately dispatched his shrewd and capable farm disciples to Jade Manor to take over Jade Tiger's business.

However, as the preliminary results of the inventory came back like snowflakes, Situ Wanli's expression gradually changed from joy to seriousness, and finally showed a somewhat troubled look.

The treasures hidden beneath the iceberg by the Emerald Tiger far exceeded his previous estimates.

It was so abundant it was breathtaking, yet so enormous that he could not swallow it whole.

He realized that with his current strength, he was simply not capable of fully digesting this enormous pie.

This matter must be reported!

Let the rest of the farm family handle this matter.

Chapter 95 A Farmer Arrives, the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Sword!

"Master Zhu, why did you come in person?"

In just a few days.

The real bigwigs of the farming family then arrived in Nanyang.

Situ Wanli was extremely surprised when he saw the newcomer. The newcomer was short, almost a dwarf, and wore a comical mask, resembling a clown in a Chu opera.

However, this person's identity is extraordinary in the farming community. He is Zhu Jia, the head of the Shennong Hall, one of the six halls!

In the original story, he was the oldest among the six hall masters of the Farmer's Clan. Although he has not yet reached that level of seniority, he still holds a very high position in the Farmer's Clan, after all, he is a hall master.

“Situ, the chieftain has told me all about the good things you’ve done.”