Qin Shi Ambitious

Page 299

The Guigu School can no longer afford to cling to its own rules and engage in internal strife...

"Guigu School of Diplomacy? Hmph, the big fish has barged in on its own." Zhao Gao walked out of the inner room, immediately recognizing the famous Guigu School disciple. He stood with his hands behind his back, coldly staring at the two surrounded by the Six Sword Slaves and the scattered assassins from the Luo Wang organization.

The quantity is incorrect.

Lacking confidence in gaining the upper hand, Zhao Gao immediately realized that the number of assassins from the Luo Wang organization who had arrived was too small.

But the moment this thought crossed his mind, the already dim night instantly turned a dark gray in his eyes...

The world lost its color!

Zhao Gao quickly raised his hand and circulated his inner energy to counteract the pure inner energy surrounding him. The Six Sword Slaves did the same. Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang naturally wouldn't let go of such a good opportunity and quickly stepped forward to try to join forces to reduce one of the Six Sword Slaves' members.

"Don't move!"

A light, ghostly voice sounded in his ear, and Zhao Gao froze, a rare feeling of death washing over him... Looking at the long sword that emerged from behind and was pressed against his neck, the last time the Grand Commandant of the Imperial Carriage had felt this way was when he was captured and sentenced to death by Meng Yi of the Meng family...

“Lu Wei…” Zhao Gao recognized the voice of the man he had spoken face-to-face with in the Daze Mountains, and also recalled the idea he had of the old philosophers from the Hundred Schools of Thought conspiring to plot against the Qin Dynasty…

"I was very grateful to Lord Zhongchefu for his gracious visit to Daze Mountain last time. I heard that you happened to be in Sanghai this time, so I brought some friends to bother you." Lu Wei deliberately emphasized the words 'Sanghai'. Being killed here, like the death of Zhang Han, would leave no one able to find out the truth.

Moreover, Lu Wei could rest assured that Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang would take the blame: a small sect has its advantages, and the two of them were already wanted criminals in Qin, so killing the Zhongchefu Ling would not matter at all.

The Six Sword Slaves had ambushed the enemy many times, but this was the first time they had been ambushed by the enemy's "World Loses Color" technique. A sudden stagnation of internal energy is a major taboo at any time, not to mention that they were in a standoff with the Ghost Valley School.

However, their tacit understanding as a unit allowed them to stubbornly withstand the counterattack by incurring some injuries. Once everything calmed down, they discovered that the master of the Heavenly Net had fallen into the control of others.

The Six Sword Slaves were shocked. Asking them to deal with Zong Heng and Lu Weixiaomeng at the same time was a bit too much to ask. They were unaware that Zhang Liang and Han Xin, who were not weak either, were hiding in the shadows, and Ji Yan was another layer of protection.

Those lower-level subordinates of the Luowang organization are unable to join the high-level battlefield. If Zhao Gao had not been captured, these people could have been used as expendable resources, but they are completely useless now.

Today, not only Zhao Gao may die, but the Six Sword Slaves may also die... How could the Luo Net suddenly become so fragile...?

"Lord Zhao Gao, why don't you first issue an order for those hardworking subordinates to step down? I need to speak with you privately. What do you think?"

"What the chieftain says is quite right. These lowly servants are too ignorant."

Sensing the sharpness of the sword energy at his neck, Zhao Gao, despite his considerable internal strength, knew he had no chance of escaping alive. Therefore, upon hearing that the other party wanted to talk, he quickly agreed.

He nodded to the dark gray-clad Zhen Gang, who silently took out a firework from his pocket and set it off.

Apart from the assassins from the Luo Wang organization who were already present, the other Luo Wang members of various ranks who were still heading towards the main courtyard saw the smoke signal and, after a moment of surprise, retreated to their rooms as ordered by the signal.

Ji Yan continued to monitor them from the outside, and after confirming that no one was making any trouble and that the signal was correct, she also sent out a 'safe' signal.

Lighting fireworks late at night is extremely conspicuous in Sanghai City, but the location of the fireworks is the headquarters of the Luo Wang (Net of Heaven), so no one will bother with it.

Seeing Ji Yan's signal, Lu Wei smiled and nodded, sheathing his sword. Zhao Gao was smart enough not to have any other thoughts now that his neck was no longer held, but turned around and obediently said, "Chief, come inside and talk with me?"

"That's only right."

The two entered the house and closed the door. Xiaomeng appeared outside and stood guard at the door. The two of them sat in the middle of the courtyard. Seeing that the situation was settled, Zhang Liang and Han Xin also stood up from their crawling position, wearing black robes and looking down to monitor the area below.

The six sword slaves remained silent, and the other assassins from the Luo Wang organization were even more at a loss, only able to wait blankly for the outcome of the negotiations inside the house...

Chapter 360 Planning for Fusu

"Heroic leader, how have you been? I suspect there's been some misunderstanding between the Luo Wang and the Farmer's Clan..."

Zhao Gao no longer maintained his usual mysterious and eccentric demeanor, nor did he act arrogantly as he did at Daze Mountain. Instead, he became quite pragmatic, displaying obedience and even a hint of ingratiation.

The fact that this magistrate of the Imperial Carriage Office could change his attitude so smoothly might seem easy to underestimate, but in reality, his ability to endure was quite terrifying... However, Lu Wei didn't care.

"Lord Zhao Gao, let's get straight to the point." Lu brazenly took the seat that rightfully belonged to Zhao Gao, leaving Zhao Gao standing. "Things have come to this point; there's no need for further words. I wonder what you intend to offer in exchange for your life and the lives of your servants?"

"It's getting late, and you only have one chance to speak, so please think carefully before you speak."

With his legs crossed, Lu Wei casually picked up a book of intelligence from the Luo Wang (Net of Heaven) on the table and began to read it, no longer glancing at Zhao Gao.

Zhao Gao paused, looking at the smug peasant leader, and another idea came to mind.

This is the headquarters of the Luo Wang organization, so naturally there are mechanisms set up here. In fact, the chair that Lu Wei is sitting on is the largest mechanism.

Zhao Gao's internal energy wasn't sealed, so theoretically, if he suddenly pressed the hidden button in the corner, perhaps... he could escape?

"Should we go gamble...?" A shadow of gloom flickered beneath Zhao Gao's bright, fake smile...

...

When Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang learned from Han Xin, who had revealed his identity, that Lu Wei, the leader of the Farmer's Clan, wanted to invite them to launch a surprise attack on the Luo Wang Sang Hai headquarters, Gai Nie remained outwardly calm, but Han Xin keenly observed their hidden surprise.

This proposal was extremely bold. Even though the two men believed that they were not afraid of being hunted down by the Luo Wang if they joined forces, it would still be a suicidal act to deliberately crash into the headquarters of the Luo Wang.

However, if Lu Wei himself also takes action, Wei Zhuang believes that there is indeed a chance to take down the top leaders of Luo Wang in one fell swoop!

During the first round of conversation, Han Xin only briefly mentioned this matter, but both Zhang Liang and the strategists took it very seriously afterward.

The Net of Heaven is the empire's deadly weapon. Eliminating the Net of Heaven would undoubtedly blind Qin in intelligence gathering and cripple it, which would be of great help to the anti-Qin alliance!

When Lu Wei realized that Luo Wang was following them on his way back from his public visit to Xiao Meng, and confirmed that Luo Wang would definitely take action against the two of them, and personally contacted any available helpers, Zong Heng decisively agreed. However, Wei Zhuang also raised the issue that Lu Wei should give Zong Heng an explanation afterward.

Lu Wei readily agreed.

What Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang wanted to know was nothing more than the issue of the peasant faction's stance. Lu Wei was already preparing to incorporate the anti-Qin alliance after the Azure Dragon Plan, so there was really no need to hide anything anymore.

Gazing at the calm firelight inside the room, Wei Zhuang whispered to his senior brother beside him, "It seems that Lu Wei is using us as subordinates."

“The mastermind behind tonight’s operation is Lu Xiaokui. We’ve both agreed to it. Xiao Zhuang, don’t act rashly.” Gai Nie sensed the ill intent in his junior brother’s tone and gently advised him.

"Don't worry, although I don't like this feeling, I expected it." Wei Zhuang turned to look at the wary Six Sword Slaves: "But Lu Wei doesn't seem to want to kill Zhao Gao today, or even cut off his arm to kill the Six Sword Slaves. His indulgence will bring him a heavy price!"

Gai Nie remained silent.

Zhang Liang and Han Xin, both on the rooftop, stared at the candlelight reflected inside the room. They were both quite calm: they couldn't think of a reason not to kill Zhao Gao and the Six Sword Slaves after their hard-won raid on the Luo Wang headquarters. But they knew that even ordinary people wouldn't easily let a tiger return to the mountain when they had a great advantage, let alone the leader of the Farmer's Clan.

Unless, of course, the Luo Wang organization can be more effective alive than dead...

Thinking of this, Zhang Liang surmised a possibility: 'This is probably related to the internal power struggle within Qin!'

Xiaomeng stood at the doorway, where the world seemed to have lost its color. She cleared her mind and didn't think much about anything, simply carrying out her task as agreed.

Shortly after an incense stick's time, Lu Wei walked out of the house with a smile, and behind him was the obedient Zhao Gao.

Zhao Gao ultimately chose not to gamble with his life. His grand plan was within reach; how could he die prematurely?

The temporary concession is for the purpose of completely flattening Dazeshan in the future!

"Lord Zhao Gao, I hope this unpleasant incident will not happen again."

"What Xia Kui says is quite right. This is the order of Prime Minister Li Si, and I have no choice but to comply."

The two bid each other a friendly farewell. After Lord Xia Kui led Xiao Meng and the others away from the place, Zhao Gao, whose face turned ashen the moment Lu Wei's figure disappeared, turned and went back into the house.

The Six Sword Slaves immediately followed.

"Eliminate all the eyes outside who witnessed tonight's events."

With a swift movement, the Six Sword Slaves drew their swords and stepped out of the house, launching a bloody purge of the bewildered Luo Wang in the main courtyard.

They lacked the ability to quickly defeat powerful figures, but they were quite swift in their actions against their colleagues.

------

"What agreement did you reach with Zhao Gaoda?"

Once the group of philosophers from various schools of thought had left Sanghai and stopped at a safe location, Wei Zhuang couldn't help but ask directly.

"He got his life back, and I got some leverage over him." Lu Wei turned to face the crowd, smiling without lying.

"What kind of leverage did Brother Lu obtain?" Zhang Liang noticed that Lu was in a good mood and realized that this was a good opportunity to ask.

"The secret of Luo Wang and Zhao Gao's betrayal of Ying Zheng?" Gai Nie directly stated his guess.

He and Zhang Liang spoke at the same time, but Gai Nie's question was obviously more answerable, so Lu Wei nodded to Gai Nie under everyone's surprised gaze.

"You've obtained the Net!" Wei Zhuang understood that things were far more complex than they appeared; there was only one deeper possibility beyond the surface!

“Zhao Gao values ​​his life, so he might indeed offer up the Net directly at the critical moment of life and death, but you all know how sincere such an offering would be.” Lu Wei neither admitted nor denied the question emphasizing Wei Zhuang’s tone, but what he said made his meaning clear: he would not, at least not obtain the complete Net.

It would be better if this organization perished along with the Qin state, as farmers have their own nets.

"Thank you all for your help tonight. You will understand what I am doing about the Net later. Let's talk about the agreed-upon reward first."

Lu Wei abruptly ended the topic, turning his gaze to the strategists and Zhang Liang: "You all have no doubt about the Farmer's School's anti-Qin stance. I think what's more valuable to you right now is the Azure Dragon Assassination Plan against Qin."

"Please enlighten me, Xia Kui."

Upon hearing this topic, the three immediately had their own thoughts, but in the end, it was Gai Nie who spoke up and took over the conversation.

"Xiaoyaozi is none other than Yanri of the Net." Lu Wei held out one palm: "Zifang, surely you can explain this matter clearly to your two former friends."

In a flash, two sharp gazes immediately fell upon Zhang Liang, who wore a wry smile: "It seems this matter can no longer be concealed..."

"Brother Xiaoyao's identity is quite complicated; please allow me to explain slowly..."

...

After Meng Tian returned from Xianyang and led a large army north to prepare for battle against the wolf tribe, Ying Zheng's preparations for his eastern tour were accelerated considerably.

According to the calculations of the Yin-Yang school of sorcerers, the emperor's optimal departure date, the dates for offering sacrifices along the way, and even the date of his final arrival at Sanghai were all readjusted: it is quite normal for His Majesty's eagerness to seek immortality to cause changes in the rules governing the movement of the celestial bodies.

The emperor's travels were no small matter. Ying Zheng himself appeared extremely calm about the trip, but everyone below him was filled with tension, fearing that they would make a mistake at such a crucial moment. Even Hu Hai, who was to accompany him, was no exception.

"How are Zhao Gao's arrangements over in Sanghai?" Hu Hai didn't feign innocence as usual, but paced hurriedly in the back garden: "The caravan will depart in three days. How are the preparations for making Fusu look foolish when Father Emperor arrives?"

"Your Highness, rest assured, the Chief of the Imperial Carriage Office has already prepared the situation. It is said that these anti-Qin rebels will be used by Your Highness this time."

The assassin from Luo Wang, who had been left by Zhao Gao to stay by Hu Hai's side in Xianyang, bowed his head and kowtowed to the ground. According to the latest news from Sanghai, he comforted the 18th prince, saying, "With the Zhongchefu official personally making the arrangements, it seems that there is only one outcome for Prince Fusu."

"Hmph, making him look foolish is just the first step; killing him is what I want!" Hu Hai looked at his extremely respectful subordinate, quite satisfied with his performance, and refrained from kicking him on the head. "Go and incite my brothers to make mistakes. This time, only I can accompany Father on this eastern tour!"

"As ordered!"

The assassins from Luo Wang withdrew, leaving Hu Hai with a relaxed expression. He then went to Ying Zheng with a childlike demeanor, seeking his affection.

Even if Fusu, who was incompetent, is dealt with in Sanghai this time, Huhai still has sixteen older brothers according to etiquette. However, it is not difficult to break the rules of etiquette; all it takes is a word from His Majesty the Emperor.

Hu Hai wanted to convince his father, the emperor, that he was truly disappointed in Fusu and would eventually consider making him the crown prince!

Chapter 361 The Surprise Attack of Yun Zhongjun

A grand procession arrived from the West, and a thousand beautiful boys and girls dressed in elegant white clothes moved directly into the Sanghai Huaguan.

This is the team of Yun Zhongjun from the Yin Yang School.