A Step into the Past (Complete Adaptation, Episodes 6-8) Original Author: Huang Yi Adaptation: Zi Yue (frank511127)

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Volume

VI, Chapter 1: Arrival in Xianyang

The birthplace of the Qin state was on the eastern bank of the Qin River valley, upstream of the Wei River. From their ancestor Fei Lian, the Qin people revered martial spirit,
struggling for survival on this harsh land as a nomadic clan, moving with the water and pasture
. They fought for a long time against the Western Rong and Quanrong tribes; every word of their history was written in blood and tears. While their tribal fighting group structure weakened
their connection to the land and made it difficult for them to settle permanently, it also allowed the Qin ancestors to transcend land limitations, continuously
migrating westward and fighting against other ethnic groups.

During the reign of King Xiao of Zhou, Fei Zi of the Ying clan was enfeoffed here for his merit in raising and breeding horses for the Zhou royal family, establishing a vassal state
near the capital ; in reality, he undertook the arduous mission of guarding the frontier and defending against the barbarians for the Zhou royal family. The
more than four hundred years of the Western Zhou Dynasty were the most arduous and difficult years for the Qin people. With blood, sweat, and the lives of countless clansmen, they fiercely defended the western border of
the Zhou , while simultaneously expanding westward relentlessly. This unwavering and resolute spirit in the face of severe challenges
laid an incredibly solid foundation for the Qin state.

A once-in-a-millennium opportunity finally arrived for the Qin people. Due to the tyranny of King You of Zhou, the Quanrong barbarians invaded Haojing,
King You was killed, and the Zhou dynasty's authority crumbled. King Ping moved the capital east, and Duke Xiang of Qin, for his meritorious service in protecting him, was elevated
to the ranks of the feudal lords, finally giving Qin legal status as a feudal state. At the beginning of the Warring States period,
Qin was the least powerful of the seven states, with its monarchical power waning. It wasn't until the unparalleled hegemon Duke Mu of Qin ascended the throne and appointed foreign politicians
such as Bai Xi, Jian Shu, and Gongsun Zhi that the foundation for a powerful state was laid.

True wealth and military strength came from the reforms of Duke Xiao of Qin and Gongsun Yang, who radically destroyed the traditional
clan and tribal structure, reformed the military system, and established a merit-based system of nobility, elevating royal power to its peak at the time. He then moved
the capital to Xianyang, built magnificent city walls and palaces, standardized weights and measures throughout the country, consolidated the territory into thirty-one
counties, abolished the old boundaries of fiefdoms, allowed people to own private land, and directly levied taxes on land owned by the state. From this point on, Qin
rose to become the hegemon of the land, deeply feared by the eastern states. When Xiang Shaolong traveled the long distance from Handan to Xianyang,
Qin was enjoying the earth-shattering results of Gongsun Yang's reforms.

Xianyang is located south of Jiuji Mountain and north of the Wei River; hence, it is also known as Weicheng. Xiang Shaolong, accompanied by his beautiful wife Wu Tingfang, along with
Teng Yi, Wu Zhuo, and over a thousand retainers, entered Qin through the pass. They were warmly welcomed by the gatekeeper. A messenger was sent to Xianyang
, where five large ships were dispatched, saving them the hardship of trekking through the mountains and forests. They landed south of Xianyang, where Wu Yingyuan
, along with his retainers and Zhao Qian, and Tu Xian, Lü Buwei's top lieutenant, were already waiting at the ferry. The ceremony was very grand. Wu Tingfang and her father were overjoyed
to see each other again , as if they had been separated for a lifetime. Xiang Shaolong had already told everyone the reason why Zhao Ya was in the enemy camp. Everyone
admired Zhao Ya's integrity, but this also brought to mind the sorrow of Wu Tingfang's heroic suicide, leaving them all with mixed feelings.

Xiao Yuetan and another young scholar, who resembled a strategist, accompanied Tu Xian and happily greeted Xiang Shaolong. This man, Tu Xian
, was tall and thin, around thirty years old, very robust, with dark skin.
He moved nimbly, possessing a fierce and imposing aura. His eyes were bright, and although he wasn't handsome, he had a strong masculine
presence and charm. He strode forward, grabbed Xiang Shaolong's sleeve, and laughed heartily, "How fortunate Tu Xian is to finally meet such an outstanding person whom I've long
admired ! If it weren't for Xiang Shaolong, who could have accomplished such an immortal feat?"

Xiang Shaolong was a little unsure how to handle such enthusiasm and quickly declined, while also thinking that it was currently the honeymoon period between
Lü Buwei and the Wu family, and Tu Xian had been instructed by Lü Buwei to cultivate their relationship. Tu Xian then
met with Teng Yi and Wu Zhuo one by one, exchanging pleasantries with them in a warm and friendly manner. Jing Jun suddenly appeared out of nowhere,
and everyone was overjoyed at the long-awaited reunion. Xiao Yuetan, adopting the demeanor of an old friend, introduced the young man to Xiang Shaolong: "
This is Mr. Li Si, a renowned scholar from the State of Chu, currently serving as a retainer to the lord." A retainer is essentially a guest or retainer.

Xiang Shaolong pondered why the name "Li Si" sounded so familiar. Suddenly, he remembered and exclaimed with emotion: "So you are
Mr. Li Si, who harbors the grand ambition of assisting a worthy ruler in unifying the world!" Li Si trembled slightly and lowered his head ,
saying: "Mr. Xiang, you flatter me. I have no grand ambitions whatsoever. I only wish to display my talents under the leadership of Prime Minister Lü, and that would be enough!" A

strange look flashed across Xiao Yuetan's face. He thought to himself that when he said Li Si was a renowned scholar from the State of Chu, it was merely a polite remark.
In reality, Li Si was virtually unknown, only gaining Lü Buwei's favor through his eloquent tongue. Today, he had come along
specifically to see Xiang Shaolong, so why did Xiang Shaolong seem to have heard so much about him?
He couldn't help but ask, "Where did Shaolong hear about Mr. Li?" Xiang Shaolong inwardly groaned. Could he possibly tell Xiao Yuetan
that he knew Li Si from the movie *Qin Shi Huang*? He quickly changed the subject, asking, "Has Lord Lü become the Prime Minister?
"

Tu Xian approached Xiang Shaolong, saying gratefully, "Lord Lü instructed me to clearly express his
gratitude to Elder Wu, Young Master Yingyuan, and Shaolong. If Queen Ji and Crown Prince Zheng hadn't returned safely to Xianyang, things would likely have been very
different . Queen Ji and Crown Prince Zheng spoke highly of Shaolong to His Majesty and Lord Lü. His Majesty has specially
arranged a welcome-back banquet for Shaolong tomorrow evening so he can have a chance to rest. From now on, we're all on the same side."

Xiang Shaolong thought to himself, *You make it sound so nice, but you're just trying to trick me into becoming Lü Buwei's lackey
!* He was utterly weary of politics and power struggles, and had no interest in participating in the conflict between Lü Buwei's foreign political group and the local
elites . He secretly made his decision. Just by looking at the Wu family's new residence in Xianyang, consisting of twelve courtyards,
one could discern the grandeur the Qin people showed the Wu family, and also infer King Zhuangxiang's favor towards Zhu Ji, the imposter Ying Zheng (played by Xiao Pan)
, and his trust in Lü Buwei.

While this new residence was far inferior in scale and grandeur to the Wu family's castle in Handan, it was located in the area near Xianyang Palace where
high-ranking officials ministers resided. A leisurely ride of about the time it takes to drink a cup of hot tea would bring one to the central entrance of Xianyang Palace
.

Xianyang Palace was divided into inner and outer walls. The inner city mainly consisted of the Xianyang Palace north of the Wei River and the Xingle Palace south of the Wei River,
spanning the river and connected by the Wei Bridge, which stretched for 280 steps, forming a magnificent palace complex
far surpassing the palaces of Handan or Daliang in scale. Both palaces were imposing, entirely built on high platforms, exuding
a lofty and grand aura, seemingly commanding the heavens and pressing down upon the common people, subtly conveying an image of imperial dominance.

The outer city was more than ten times larger than the inner city, a prefectural district where commoners lived, with thriving commerce and frequent travel. Its markets
offered a wide variety of goods, of high quality and inexpensive. When Xiang Shaolong's caravan passed through the market east of the city, they witnessed the sale of various
animal products, such as meat, hides, tendons, horns, fat, and even roe. There were also pottery, wood, and ironware...
The prosperity of Qin's handicrafts, such as textiles, far surpassed that of Zhao and Wei, demonstrating a
direct link between national strength and economy.

According to Tu Xian, who was traveling with him, Xianyang's economy was divided into private and government-run operations. The government had
agencies and officials to manage market trade, overseeing and promoting commercial development. For example, there were salt and iron officials, "
workshops" and "master craftsmen" to manage handicrafts, and officials such as the Minister of Education, Minister of War, Minister of Works, and Minister of Agriculture to regulate product specifications, quality
, and production direction. This reflected Qin's powerful economic strength. On the way to Wujia's new residence, the people were
simple and honest , unlike the extravagant clothing seen everywhere in Wei and Zhao. Yet, the population was more abundant than in Daliang, far
exceeding that of Handan.

Xiang Shaolong was impressed, secretly thinking that this was the scale of a powerful nation. Many travelers were armed, and the martial spirit was far beyond
that of Wei and Zhao. Upon arriving at the square in front of the Wu family's main residence, Tu Xian and the others took their leave. Before departing, Li Si secretly told
Xiang Shaolong that he wanted to see him the next morning. Xiang Shaolong readily agreed, and Li Si left somewhat bewildered.

Everyone in the Wu family came to the gate to welcome these heroes and confidants of the Wu family, especially Xiang Shaolong, who
became the star and pillar of the Wu clan, receiving great respect. Wu Yingyuan allocated four sets of houses to temporarily settle everyone.
Most of the soldiers would depart the next morning for the large ranch in the northern suburbs of Xianyang. Due to the vastness and abundance of Qin, the ranch
was even larger than before. After dealing with the congratulations from his relatives, Xiang Shaolong finally had the opportunity to escort him, Wu Tingfang
, and Zhao Qian to his new Hidden Dragon Residence.

Seeing the joyful expressions of Chunying and the other women, Xiang Shaolong's worries were relieved. He put his arms around Zhao Ni and Zhao Qian's waists
and asked happily, "Who will accompany me tonight?" The two women blushed, naturally wanting to accompany him. Wu Tingfang laughed
, "Why don't the seven of us accompany you? I'm afraid you won't be able to handle it."

Zhao Qian also blushed and giggled, "What about the six maids? Let's see how you manage!" Xiang Shaolong glanced at Chunying
and the other three girls and asked curiously, "Where did you get six?"

Tingfang laughed, "Have you forgotten Princess Qian's Cuitong and Cuilu?" Xiang Shaolong was stunned and said, "Aren't they
staying in Handan?"

Zhao Qian complained, "You forgot about them! Fortunately, they asked Lord Tao to send someone to secretly bring them out during the chaos. They arrived
in Xianyang ten days earlier than you." Xiang Shaolong was overjoyed and said, "Why don't you call them to see me?
"

Zhao Qian called out sweetly, and two beautiful maids rushed out from the inner hall, knelt down in front of Xiang Shaolong,
and couldn't help but cry. Xiang Shaolong felt a pang of guilt for neglecting them, and
a surge of pity welled up within him. He rose and helped the two women up, comforting them before heading to the main hall of the house to dine with Wu Yingyuan. Tao Fang, Wu Zhuo, Teng Yi, and
Jing Jun were also present. After a round of toasts and mutual congratulations, Wu Yingyuan sincerely thanked everyone, saying, "Our Wu family's
chance entirely due to everyone's concerted efforts and selfless dedication."

Tao Fang said, "Now we can truly live in peace and prosperity. After the Queen and the Crown Prince returned to Xianyang, Lord Lü
was immediately appointed Right Chancellor. As long as he achieves further military merit, he can be promoted to a noble title. With this great support, our Wu family can rest in peace, and our lord's spirit
in heaven can finally find peace." Mentioning Wu's wife and the wives, concubines, and servants who had died with him, everyone's expressions darkened
. Wu Yingyuan gritted his teeth and said, "Prime Minister Lü will definitely avenge us for this blood debt. Steward Tu told
me privately that the Prime Minister already has a plan to attack Zhao and hopes that Shaolong will carry it out."

Xiang Shaolong was troubled. To be honest, his main enemy was only Zhao Mu,
and the King of Zhao was at most an accomplice. It was not his wish to lead an army to conquer the cities within Zhao territory one by one and cause widespread suffering. He felt a deep aversion to aggressive
wars . There was an even bigger problem: he could not possibly become Lü Buwei's
henchman. In history, Qin Shi Huang broke with Lü Buwei about ten years after his ascension to the throne. How could he stand on Lü Buwei
's side?

But it seemed that everyone in the Wu family already regarded Lü Buwei as their new master,
acting as if they would share life and death and advance and retreat together. He could not tell them how history would develop, nor could he convince them
. This was indeed an extremely troublesome matter. He sighed and said, "When the King of Qin appointed Lord Lü as Prime Minister, did
none of the local nobles in Qin have any objections?"

Wu Yingyuan, seeing that he seemed completely unconcerned about Lü Buwei's intention to entrust him with such an important task, gave him a few strange looks and said
, "Not only did they object, but they objected very vehemently." He paused and continued, "Since Shang Yang of Wei, Qin has had a very strong
xenophobic sentiment. Later, in order to dismantle the alliance brokered by Su Qin and avoid being attacked by the six eastern states, they
reluctantly used Zhang Yi to counter the alliance with a strategy of horizontal alliance. After that, they heavily relied on Fan Sui and adopted a strategy of befriending distant states while attacking nearby ones." "The strategy to deal with
the alliance of the six states can be said to be a last resort, requiring the use of foreign talent to plan for ourselves."

He sighed again and said, "However, after Bai Qi was ordered to commit suicide by King Zhaoxiang, the Qin military was very dissatisfied, which finally forced
Fan Sui to lose his post, and the xenophobic sentiment has grown stronger again. Although we have Qin blood, we are ultimately regarded as outsiders
, belonging to Lord Lü's system. Therefore, we must wholeheartedly assist Lord Lü, otherwise, if he falls, we will not
have a good life either." These last few sentences were naturally meant to remind Xiang Shaolong. Teng Yi and the others remained silent.
The three of them all followed Xiang Shaolong's lead and only valued his ideas.

Tao Fang interjected, "Master Lü's current strategy is to first establish military merit. The Qin people have always valued military prowess over commerce.
No one doubts Master Lü's business acumen, but militarily, the Qin people consider him completely ignorant
. Therefore, if he can achieve something in this area, his position will be secure. We must work hard to
help ." Teng Yi asked in a deep voice, "Who are the main people in Qin who oppose Lü Buwei?"

Wu Yingyuan replied, "The main ones are the local powerful figures, led by Yang Quanjun. Because Queen Ji was once Master Lü's
concubine suspect that Crown Prince Zheng is not a powerful figure." "The king's flesh and blood, so the king's second son, Chengjiao, came out. This group of people were all
powerful figures in Qin. Lord Lü was very wary of them, and even the king dared not disobey them too much. Therefore, although
Lord Lü was appointed as the Right Chancellor, the Left Chancellor could only be Yang Quanjun."

Tao Fang, fearing that they were not familiar with Yang Quanjun, further explained: "Yang Quanjun is the younger brother of Queen Zhaoxiang.
When the king became the crown prince, he also tried his best to persuade his sister to speak on his behalf to King Zhaoxiang. Therefore, he always thought that
he had made the greatest contribution. Now that he is subordinate to Lord Lü, he is naturally extremely dissatisfied." Everyone suddenly understood.

King Zhaoxiang was the grandfather of King Zhuangxiang, Ying Yiren, the father of the current Ying Zheng. At that time, Yiren's father, Lord Anguo, was still only
the crown prince and did not value Yiren at all. Otherwise, he would not have sent him to Zhao as a hostage. Lü Buwei obtained Yiren
After acquiring this "rare commodity," he lavishly bribed the elder sister of Lady Huayang, the most favored concubine of King Anguo, and Lord Yangquan, enabling them
to persuade Lady Huayang and the concubines of King Zhaoxiang, respectively. Through their influence, King Anguo and King Zhaoxiang would then have a chance
to seize the throne.

Xiang Shaolong knew this was not the time to persuade Wu Yingyuan to be wary of Lü Buwei, so he remained silent, changing the subject
. After some pleasantries, the banquet ended, and everyone returned to their lodgings. Leaving the main hall, Teng Yi and Wu Zhuo offered to
escort him home, walking with him. Teng Yi asked in a low voice, "Shaolong doesn't seem to have much affection for Lü Buwei, is that
right?" Xiang Shaolong smiled bitterly, "Merchants only care about practical profits. Would Brother Teng be willing to befriend such a person?"

Wu Zhuo frowned and said, "But as you said, young master, our fate is already tied to him. If he falls from power,
we're finished too." Xiang Shaolong really wanted to tell them about Xiao Pan's matter, but he suppressed this unwise thought and smiled
, "Let's deal with this as it comes! We'll try to distance ourselves from him after Lü Buwei's power is stable,
otherwise we'll be exhausted to death by him. This is my idea, don't tell anyone, not even Jing Jun and Tao Fang
." The two men were already convinced of Xiang Shaolong's abilities, and seeing how much he trusted them, they nodded happily.

After saying goodbye, Xiang Shaolong returned to his new Hidden Dragon Residence. The residence was brightly lit, and the women were gathered in the hall watching
Zhao Qian and Wu Tingfang play chess. Xiang Shaolong first went to the room to check on Tingfang. Whether influenced by the environment
or as Xiang Shaolong's beloved pet, the beautiful woman's originally alluring charm transformed into a captivating elegance tinged with nobility. She wore
a simple blue dress with pale yellow phoenix patterns, her hair styled in a high bun, her delicate eyebrows arched, exuding a
refined and alluring charm, yet also possessing a delicate and pitiful beauty. In the lamplight, her beautiful eyes held a
deep affection and longing for him.

Since the trip to Da Liang, he had rarely had such opportunities to be alone with her due to dealing with the Zhao people, and he couldn't help but feel
a pang of guilt. The bursts of laughter from the women faintly drifted from the hall, but they didn't disrupt the tranquility; instead,
they added to the feeling of happiness, contentment, and warmth. When Tingfang saw him enter the room, she exclaimed "Ah!" and
sat up joyfully, her jade-like face radiant. Xiang Shaolong sat on the edge of the bed, embracing the beautiful woman who had rushed into his arms, feeling the rise and
fall of her high, firm breasts, a full and alluring sensation.

He rubbed his cheek against her rosy face, gazing at the glimpse of her white inner robe beneath her nape and collar.
A surge of excitement welled up within him; more than ever before, he felt confident in protecting the woman he loved. But before reaching
this point, he had endured countless heart-wrenching experiences. He thought of Zhao Ya, and a sharp pain shot through his heart
! He wished he could sprout wings and fly to Handan to rescue her. Did Ji Yanran in Wei know he had arrived?

In this ancient world where communication was difficult, they were as if living on two different planets. No wonder the ancients felt so much sorrow and emotion at
parting ; the pain of longing was truly agonizing. Now, Tingfang, Meicanniang, Zhao
Ni, Zhao Qian, Su Nu, and Shu'er were all alone and helpless, relying solely on him. How could he not cherish and pamper them
? Tears welled in Tingfang's eyes as she clung tightly to him, crying, "My husband! I've missed you so much!
"

Xiang Shaolong pulled Tingfang down onto the couch, pulling open her outer robe to reveal her
rapidly rising and falling skin beneath her snow-white inner garment. A captivating fragrance wafted over, and the deep neckline revealed her delicate,
full breasts. Xiang Shaolong buried his face in her chest, his tense nerves relaxing .
A sense of weariness with the fighting and killing arose within him. He only wished to retire to a secluded place, bring Ji Yanran to him, and live
a blissful life with his beautiful wife, concubines, and maids—a life of unparalleled bliss. He envisioned a scene of gently flowing streams, lush green grass, verdant
forests , and pristine mountains and clear waters.

He had originally wanted to find the First Empress of Qin and live a life of luxury, surrounded by women. Now that his dream had come true
, he longed for a simple, primitive life. In this vast and sparsely populated world, to find a secluded paradise,
cultivate barren land, plant crops, have the beautiful woman in his arms raise chickens and ducks, while he fishes and hunts until old age—
that would be enough. Tingfang's pretty face flushed, her starry eyes closed tightly, her breathing quickened, occasionally punctuated by
soft moans that made his soul tremble; clearly, her lust was surging uncontrollably.

Xiang Shaolong wasn't in a hurry to possess her. Thinking of the primeval forest they had passed through on their way, the dense fog they had encountered
, the cascading waterfalls, and the great lakes in the mountains, his thoughts wandered, and he secretly resolved that one day he
would grow old and die in the mountains. For a 21st-century person, this kind of life was truly enchanting.

Tingfang opened her beautiful eyes, shooting out burning passion, blaming him for still not consummating their union. Completely
captivated, Xiang Shaolong abandoned everything and tightly embraced Tingfang's fiery body. His erect, iron-like penis plunged
into her smooth, moist honeypot, and Tingfang immediately let out a blissful cry of pleasure.

Xiang Shaolong moved his hips with incredible speed, his penis plunging up and down within Tingfang's honeypot, displaying his full virility. Tingfang wrapped her legs
tightly around Xiang Shaolong's waist and hips, thrusting and yielding, like a long-awaited, thirsty woman, wishing Xiang Shaolong would
tear her apart. She cried out without restraint, "Ah...ah...faster...faster...faster...let...
this...slave...ah...ah...good...good...great...um...again...coming...coming...
ah..."

Apart from Zhao Ya, Xiang Shaolong had not been able to release his desires so wildly and unrestrainedly for a long time. Recalling the time he and Tingfang
enjoyed sex in the mountains and streams, his penis became engorged and swollen again. The two of them were completely transformed into the most primal male and female
beasts, burning with a wild and fierce lust, only thinking of swallowing each other. The sound of their lower bodies slapping together was as
dense as a sudden rain, and their lewd panting filled the room, like two wild beasts wrestling inside.

In the heat of the moment, Xiang Shaolong lay back, lifting Ting Fangshi and straddling her. Ting Fangshi's hands were already braced against his
chest, her honeyed orifice tightly gripping his penis, stroking it relentlessly. Simultaneously, she twisted her waist and swayed her hips, spraying waves of lustful fluid,
sending waves of tingling pleasure through Xiang Shaolong as if he were in heaven. Enjoying the intense pleasure emanating from his lower body, Xiang Shaolong's hands fully grasped Ting Fangshi's
full, bouncy breasts, kneading them incessantly, rubbing the erect nipples against his palms. Before him was Ting Fangshi's intoxicated,
beautiful face, and in his ears were her wanton, wanton cries. The currents and pleasure within him
swirled and intertwined like a vortex, converging in his lower abdomen. At this moment, Ting Fangshi also reached her climax, her eyes tightly closed, her cries intermittent
, her hands leaving a trail of claw marks on Xiang Shaolong's chest, fragrant sweat flying from her hair.

Xiang Shaolong opened his mouth and let out a silent, wild shout, his hands tightly gripping Tingfang's full, swollen breasts, his fingers sinking deep into her soft flesh.
Semen gushed forth from his penis like a torrent from the tender flesh of her breasts, an electric current spreading through her uterus and vagina.
In an instant both were enveloped in a thunderbolt, all their senses exceeding their limits, completely out of control.
Tingfang reached an unprecedented climax, trembling and letting out the wildest moans before
collapsing onto Xiang Shaolong, her vaginal fluids still flowing uncontrollably. Xiang Shaolong slowly recovered from his climax
, tightly embracing the beautiful woman who loved him so deeply, his heart overflowing with tenderness as he fell asleep.

Chapter Two: The Night Banquet at the Qin Palace

A sweet, gentle voice woke him from his deepest sleep. Opening his eyes, he saw the rising sun
already casting its morning glow, and he sat up abruptly. The beautiful Third Princess Zhao Qian was startled, then smiled coquettishly, "
We all lost; nobody thought you wouldn't be able to get out of bed." Her face flushed red with shame and joy, clearly remembering
the intense and intoxicating "battle" he had with Tingfang the previous night.

Xiang Shaolong reminded her to stretch her muscles and found himself still full of energy. He laughed and
pulled Zhao Qian into his arms, pulling her down onto the couch. "Hmm! Let's do it with my darling Qian'er later!" Zhao Qian hesitated, but
her body was too weak to get up. She moaned, "Mr. Li Si from the Prime Minister's residence is here to see you!"

Xiang Shaolong remembered the secret appointment Li Si had made with him yesterday. He sighed, first reaching inside Zhao Qian's clothes and
indulging before getting up to have his wives, concubines, and maids serve him as he washed and dressed. He didn't have to lift a finger; everything was done
perfectly. His mind, however, was preoccupied with how to get the two pretty maids, Cui Tong and Cui Lü, onto the couch. He couldn't help but
chuckle to himself; his masculine nature of seeking novelty hadn't changed at all.

Li Si waited for him in the inner chamber, his expression calm, at least outwardly. After exchanging pleasantries, Qiu Ying served fragrant tea and
pastries . Li Si then cut to the chase, asking, "Mr. Xiang, where have you heard of my name before? Why do you seem so
familiar with me?" Xiang Shaolong had inquired with Tao Fang the previous night about the background of this future
renowned minister . He knew that Xiang Shaolong was Han Fei's junior brother and a student of Xunzi. He considered lying and saying he had heard about him from Han Fei, but
considering the possibility of the lie being exposed, he abandoned the idea. He smiled and asked, "Mr. Li, have you heard of the concept of fate
?"

Li Si was taken aback. "What is fate?" Buddhism, which specifically discusses "cause and effect," only entered China during the Han Dynasty
. Li Si naturally didn't understand what Xiang Shaolong was talking about. After taking a sip of hot tea, Xiang Shaolong said, "Fate is like an invisible
hand, drawing together different people, regardless of their backgrounds or how far apart
they are, to become friends, rulers and subjects, or husbands and wives, masters and servants. This is called destiny."

Li Si looked surprised, pondered for a moment, and then nodded, saying, "I didn't expect that Mr. Xiang not only possesses unparalleled swordsmanship
but also such profound thoughts. I wonder what this has to do with your knowledge of my affairs?"
Xiang Shaolong Xiang Shaolong said calmly, "Fate is hard to explain. Although this is my first meeting with you, sir, it's as if I already knew a lot about
your ambitions. I blurted out those words without thinking. Perhaps it's because I heard that you studied under Xunzi
."

Li Si frowned. Although he was a disciple of Xunzi, their thoughts were quite different. Just as he was about to speak,
Xiang Shaolong changed the subject, saying, "What are your insightful views on governing the country, sir?" Li Si was taken aback. If King Zhuangxiang
had asked him this, he would have spoken eloquently and endlessly. But Xiang Shaolong not only did not hold an official position, but also belonged to Lü Buwei's faction.
If Li Si, who was not very familiar with him, were to speak too frankly and reveal his true intentions, it might bring disaster upon himself. He hesitated.

Since arriving in Xianyang, although he had several in-depth conversations with Lü Buwei and Lü Buwei expressed his appreciation for him,
he could see that Lü Buwei was not only extremely ambitious and arrogant, but would also cause trouble sooner or later
. Moreover, his way of governing the country was very different from his own, so it would be difficult for him to be appreciated and given important positions. He was troubled in his heart. Xiang Shaolong smiled slightly and said, "
Sir, you are not content to be just an insignificant little advisor, are you?" Li Si was taken aback and quickly said, "Mr. Xiang,
you jest!"

Xiang Shaolong said seriously, "To achieve great things, one must take great risks. If you cannot disregard life and death,
then let's leave it at that. We will not mention it to anyone afterward, how about that?" Li Si stared at him intently for a while
, feeling a heart-stirring sincerity emanating from Xiang Shaolong. His heart warmed, and he boldly asked, "I wonder what
insightful opinions and suggestions Mr. Xiang has?"

Xiang Shaolong said, "What is Mr. Li's view on the future success or failure of Prime Minister Lü?" Li Si's expression changed slightly, and he
let out a long sigh, saying, "Mr. Xiang is being a bit unreasonable.

" Shaolong understood his predicament and asked gently, "Mr. Li, what kind of work are you doing at the Lü residence?" Li Si
readily replied, "I am assisting Prime Minister Lü in compiling the *Lüshi Chunqiu* as instructed by him. The Prime Minister hopes to use this book
to formulate a complete set of theories and policies for governing the country. Hey! I am just a small fry in this business; the word 'assisting'
is a bit of an exaggeration."

Xiang Shaolong was not a historian and was hearing about this for the first time. He asked curiously, "So this is
true. I wonder what new perspectives the book has on the way of governing the country?" A hint of disdain appeared on Li Si's lips as he said calmly, "
What new perspectives? It's mainly just a compilation of the essence of the predecessors, proposing the idea of 'following the laws of heaven and earth,' which means that
only conforming to..." Only by respecting the inherent nature of heaven and earth can great order be achieved in the world, where the ruler and his ministers each follow their own path and do not interfere with each other.
The way of a ruler is to govern the country with benevolence and virtue, constantly reflect on his actions, seek out and employ the virtuous, rectify names and clarify roles, and finally achieve
the ideal of governing by non-action.” Xiang

Shaolong admired his clear reasoning and asked softly, “Do you think the Prime Minister’s proposal is feasible ?” Li Si dared not answer him and asked, “What do you think, Mr. Xiang?” 　　Xiang Shaolong knew that if he did not show off his abilities, he would be looked down upon by this learned, ambitious, and younger man , so he calmly said, “Prime Minister Lü, a man from Han, holds power in Qin, and he mainly employs people from the Three Jin states. The queen he associates with is a woman from Zhao. In addition, since Shang Yang’s reforms, Qin has…” " He advocates governing the country by law and force, which is completely contrary to Prime Minister Lü's ideas . There is no way to reconcile them. I hope you can enlighten me on what will happen in the future." Li Si slammed his hand on the table and stood up, saying, "With a talent like Mr. Xiang in Qin, I can go home and farm." 　　Xiang Shaolong grabbed his arm and pulled him back into his chair, saying sincerely, "You flatter me, sir. Putting aside the fact that I am completely ignorant of the art of governing the country, the most important thing is that I have no interest in officialdom. All my past actions were merely for survival , not for fame or fortune. One day I will retire to the mountains and forests and not concern myself with worldly affairs. Whether Qin can unify the six kingdoms depends entirely on you, sir ." Li Si was stunned for a moment, thinking to himself that it would be more appropriate if King Zhuangxiang had said these words to him. Xiang Shaolong, even though King Zhuangxiang had other ideas...

Judging from appearances, King Zhuangxiang was by no means a capable and enlightened ruler, always following Lü Buwei's lead. In the current
situation , who else could these outsiders rely on besides Lü Buwei?

But Xiang Shaolong displayed a unique perspective, which truly puzzled him. Xiang Shaolong placed a hand on his shoulder and
smiled, "Mr. Li will understand what I'm saying one day. Stay in Xianyang! This is the only
place where you can develop your ambitions." After Li Si took his leave, Xiang Shaolong found Teng Yi and had breakfast together.

During the meal, Teng Yi asked, "What are your plans for the future, Shaolong?" Xiang Shaolong naturally had his own plans, based on
the information he had obtained from the movie "Qin Shi Huang." He was building his own team for Xiao Pan, this imposter Ying Zheng, to
deal with the future potential for Lü Buwei's usurpation of power and the appearance of the fake eunuch Lao Du. Now that he's found Li Si, and
Wang Jian and his son Wang Ben, both future generals who will help Qin Shi Huang unify the world, with these three assisting Xiao
Pan , he can finally retire to the countryside in peace.

He sighed with relief, leaned back in his chair, and stretched, saying, "To be honest, I, Xiang Shaolong, have no
great ambitions . After killing Zhao Mu, I'll go to the Wu family's remote ranch and live a secluded rural life,
content with hunting and fishing in my spare time." Teng Yi revealed a rare smile and said calmly, "If you can do that, I
'll go hunting with you."

At this moment, Jing Jun rushed in like a whirlwind, beaming, "Come! Let me be your guide and show you two
brothers the prosperous scene of Xianyang." Teng Yi frowned and asked, "Who have you been hanging out with these days?"
Jing

Jun sat down on the ground opposite the two men and said excitedly, "Of course they are people from the Prime Minister's Mansion. It's really exciting here
. There are fights and injuries every day. The day before yesterday, the swordsmen from the Prime Minister's Mansion ambushed people in the largest brothel in Xianyang. Three people died and
seven were injured. Those thieves who launched the attack were lucky. I just went to the Imperial Ancestral Temple in Weinan to peek at the widow Qing paying respects to the late king.
Otherwise, how could so many people have been injured or killed?" Xiang Shaolong and Teng Yi exchanged a glance and secretly thought that this young man was young and
belligerent and might cause trouble. Teng Yi frowned and said, "Aren't the Qin people supposed to be the most law-abiding? Why are they fighting
so casually ?"

Jing Jun said smugly, "Xianyang is in complete chaos right now. Who can control whom? Especially since it involves
the people from the Left and Right Prime Minister's mansions, nobody dares to interfere." Xiang Shaolong said solemnly, "You'd better not cause any trouble these next few days.
Once we understand the situation, we'll immediately return to Zhao to deal with Zhao Mu. Do you understand?"

Jing Jun was overjoyed and saluted, saying, "I understand, that's great! I can bring Zhao Zhi back." Teng Yi shouted in
a deep voice , "You're becoming more and more presumptuous!" Jing Jun was most afraid of Teng Yi and was so frightened that he prostrated himself on the ground, not daring to utter a sound.

Teng Yi sighed to Xiang Shaolong, "Shaolong! This boy is too young and doesn't know his place. I'll discipline him
, Shaolong, don't take it to heart." Xiang Shaolong laughed, "How could I blame him?"

Jing Jun retorted, "Xiao Jun respects both of you elder brothers the most!" Teng Yi shouted, "Shut up!" He
winked at Xiang Shaolong, indicating that he wanted to reprimand Jing Jun alone.

Xiang Shaolong understood and returned to Yinlong Residence. Before he even stepped across the threshold,
he heard cheers He rushed over and saw that his wives and maids had all changed into light short jackets and were playing ball toss. Zhao Ni and
Tingfang were sitting to the side watching with smiles. Chunying and Xiaying rushed up and pulled him into the game. The day passed in a
joyful atmosphere. At dusk, Wu Yingyuan sent someone to invite him to a banquet at the palace. Thinking that he would soon meet
Lü Buwei, a figure who had influenced the entire Warring States period, Xiang Shaolong couldn't help but feel a little nervous. How could he
have imagined that a casual fight at the Black Panther Bar would completely change his fate!

The carriage slowly drove through the magnificent gate, through the round archway, into the square in front of the main hall.
On either side of were military camps, garrisoned by two battalions of troops, commanded by the Sima Wei. After the customary questioning, twelve horsemen escorted
Xiang Wu and his companion's carriage towards the inner palace. Like the Zhao Palace, the Xianyang Palace, though several times larger, still maintained the "outer court, rear palace
" layout. The outer court was where the King of Qin conducted state affairs and held court assemblies, while the inner court was
the sleeping quarters of the King of Qin and his sons and concubines.

The three main halls of the outer court were magnificent and imposing, located on the central axis opposite the front and rear palace gates, with the Prime Minister's Hall and
various . The rear court was mainly composed of the three palaces of the King of Qin and Queen, with the Eastern Six Palaces and Western Six Palaces on the left and right,
the palaces of the Empress Dowager, the Dowager Consorts, the concubines, and the princes. As Xiang Shaolong surveyed the surroundings, he saw palaces, pavilions, gardens
, terraces, and corridors, all imbued with a strict sense of order and solemnity, far surpassing the grandeur of the Zhao Palace.

The inner court's architecture was more diverse than the outer court's, with a compact layout. Each group of buildings formed its own courtyard,
surrounded by walls, and different sections were separated by high palace walls. Without a guide, getting lost was not uncommon. Thinking that
Xiao Pan would one day become the master of this place, and that he himself had orchestrated this, Xiang Shaolong felt
a surge of proud accomplishment.

The banquet held by King Zhuangxiang took place in the "Hall of Nourishing Life" in the rear court, the most magnificent wooden structure in the inner palace. It was
a three-story high platform building, with a two-story pavilion-style hall on the platform. On either side of the hall and on the east and west
sides of the lower platform were ten rooms of varying sizes, including bedrooms, rest rooms, bathing rooms, and washrooms,
all connected by corridors and ramps. The walls were adorned with colorful murals, the steps of the corridors were paved with
bricks featuring dragon and phoenix patterns or geometric designs, and the halls and long staircases were paved with square bricks, creating a magnificent and opulent atmosphere.

The carriage stopped in the square below the steps of the main hall, where Lü Buwei had specially sent his steward, Tu Xian, to wait for them. Upon
meeting , Tu Xian was
naturally pleased and courteous. As they ascended the long staircase, Tu Xian whispered, "Tonight, besides Prime Minister Lü, we also have Yang Quanjun. This man, relying on his past service to the King, is arrogant and domineering. Both the King and Prime Minister Lü give him some leeway, so you two
should be careful." Seeing that Tu Xian was so open and honest with their father-in-law, clearly considering them one of his own, Wu Yingyuan
was delighted and repeatedly agreed.

Xiang Shaolong, thinking of the day he would have to break with Lü Buwei, sighed inwardly. Perhaps this was
the pain of foreseeing his fate; he couldn't help but feel dejected, and his desire to retreat from the world grew stronger.

As soon as they stepped through the palace gates, a loud laugh rang out. A burly
man, larger than most men in both physique and limbs, dressed in magnificent robes, strode towards them with the imposing presence of a tiger. He wore a tall silk crown adorned with bird feather tassels,
which swayed as he walked, further enhancing his imposing aura. This man was about forty years old, with a square face and large ears, possessing a majestic appearance. His only flaw was
his slightly narrow eyes, but they gleamed with a sharp light, giving him a deep and formidable air. Wu Yingyuan hurriedly pulled Xiang Shaolong
to kneel and kowtow, calling out to Prime Minister Lü.

Before they could even bow, Lü Buwei rushed forward to support them, his piercing gaze landing on Xiang Shaolong, and he said in surprise...
"No wonder Queen Ji and Mr. Xiao both speak highly of Xiang Shaolong. I, Lü Buwei, have traveled the world, and this is the first time
I've seen such a talent as Shaolong." His booming voice echoed throughout the hall. Xiang Shaolong, seeing that Lü Buwei
was only slightly shorter than him and arrived with an imposing aura, secretly praised him and quickly said modestly, "You flatter me, Prime Minister!"

Stealing a glance, he saw that besides the three seats at the head of the table, there were two seats on each side of the hall, each accompanied by two
palace maids. He breathed a sigh of relief; not having to deal with so many people made things much easier. Lü Buwei, without any airs of a prime minister,
took the hands of two maids on each side and walked towards the seat on the right at the head of the table. He whispered in Xiang Shaolong's ear, "I was
just suffering from having soldiers but no generals. With Shaolong here, I have no worries about achieving great things." He then laughed heartily.
Wu Yingyuan exclaimed happily, "It's all thanks to the Prime Minister's patronage!"

Xiang Shaolong, however, inwardly groaned. Humans aren't plants or trees; how could they be without feelings? With Lü Buwei valuing him so highly, how could he
possibly escape to enjoy the idyllic life he longed for? At this moment, the three arrived at the table. Lü Buwei first waved for the palace maids to leave
before whispering, "I have already spoken with the King, appointing Shaolong as General Meng Ao's deputy. General Meng is originally from Qi, and
since coming to Qin, he has been ostracized by the local generals, feeling frustrated and unfulfilled. In truth, his military strategy and tactics are unmatched in Qin
. If Shaolong assists him and achieves military merit, I will certainly not treat you poorly."

Xiang Shaolong secretly marveled at Lü Buwei's shrewdness. His method of winning people over was both direct and powerful; how could anyone not be
devoted ? He feigned gratitude before saying, "Since Your Excellency values Shaolong so highly,
I would not hesitate to give my life for you. The only problem is that my mortal enemy, Zhao Mu, is still alive. If I cannot tear this villain to
pieces , I will find it difficult to focus on anything else." Lü Buwei gripped his arm tightly, a fierce
glint in his eyes, and said, "I myself wish I could skin him alive. Shaolong, go ahead and do as you please. I will support you in everything.
After you take his head, remember to bring it back to Xianyang. Your Majesty and I must see it for ourselves!"

Only then did Xiang Shaolong truly understand Lü Buwei's prowess. No wonder he, a merchant, could become
the Right Chancellor of the most powerful country in the world. Moreover, Lü Buwei had seen through his plan to sneak back to Handan to assassinate Zhao Mu with just a few words, demonstrating just how quick and sharp

his mind was.
The gatekeeper announced, "General Meng Ao has arrived!" Xiang Shaolong almost blurted out, "Speak of Cao Cao, and
Cao Cao appears!" Luckily, he remembered that Cao Cao hadn't been born yet and quickly held back.

Lü Buwei turned around happily and laughed loudly, "What could be more delightful than seeing an old friend?"
Xiang Shaolong and Wu Yingyuan looked towards the main gate and saw a tall, thin man in a brocade robe striding into
the hall with an imposing air. From a distance, he bowed and said, "Meng Ao greets Prime Minister Lü!"

Lü Buwei, with his uniquely imposing gait, went to greet him, warmly linking arms with Meng Ao as they walked towards Xiang and
Wu . This Meng Ao had a long, slender face, was around forty years old, had a dark complexion, and a weathered face. His brows seemed
to be constantly furrowed, but his eyes held a deep, intelligent quality, giving him an air of extraordinary talent. He was very strong and
agile, clearly in excellent condition due to a lot of exercise. Xiang Shaolong secretly thought that Lü Buwei's judgment was so sharp that
Meng Ao, whom he had taken a liking to, must be no incompetent man.

Meng Ao and Wu Yingyuan already knew each other, and after exchanging greetings, Meng Ao's shrewd eyes fell on Xiang Shaolong's face.
Xiang Shaolong didn't want to meet his gaze and quickly performed the junior's greeting. Lü Buwei then introduced the two.

Meng Ao was clearly not good at socializing; his tense face held little smile as he awkwardly said, "Nice to meet you!
Nice to meet you!" Wu Yingyuan laughed, "That lad Jing Jun has been here for only a few days and has already become friends with General Meng's sons,
often going hunting and having fun in the wilderness!"

Lü Buwei said with delight, "That lad's skills are truly remarkable. In such a short time in Xianyang, he has already defeated
three famous local swordsmen, yet he is not convinced by any of them, only by Shaolong. This has made us all eager to see Shaolong
's unparalleled swordsmanship." Xiang Shaolong only then learned of what Jing Jun had done, and he didn't know whether to be happy or worried.
It seemed that for the time being, he had no choice but to side with Lü Buwei. Upon hearing someone mention his son, Meng Ao
revealed a rare smile, saying, "See when Shaolong is free. Please come and have a chat. Xiaowu and Xiaotian
both admire you greatly!"

Before Xiang Shaolong could reply, the gatekeeper announced, "Left Chancellor Yang Quanjun and General Wang He have arrived!"
Meng Ao's smile vanished instantly, while Lü Buwei snorted coldly. It seemed
the struggle between the new and old factions, the outsiders and the locals, had reached a fully surfaced, white-hot stage. Xiang Shaolong looked towards the gate and saw a
short, stout man in a cross-collar robe and a burly man in battle armor striding in.

The Qin people's customs were indeed different from those of the Zhao people; there were neither retinues of servants nor a band playing music to welcome them
. It was much simpler, which made Xiang Shaolong feel relaxed and at ease. Xiang Shaolong found it amusing. The fact that both Right Chancellor Lü Buwei and
Left Chancellor Yang Quanjun had brought a general to the event was clearly not accidental, but rather a deliberate
arrangement . However, Wang He was a key figure in the Qin military, while Meng Ao was merely an unsuccessful general. Clearly, Lü Buwei
had not yet gained the support of the Qin military, which was his fatal weakness. This was why Lü Buwei was so actively courting
Xiang Shaolong ; otherwise, this pragmatic businessman might not have even given him a second glance.

Yang Quanjun and Wang He both stared intently at Xiang Shaolong. Xiang Shaolong and Wu Yingyuan quickly bowed. Wang He, with great
poise, returned the bow with a smile. Yang Quanjun, with an arrogant expression, nodded slightly, narrowed his sinister
eyes surrounded by fat, and coldly laughed, "How many days has Xiang Bingwei been here! If I hadn't come to this banquet, I'm afraid I still wouldn't have been able to catch a
glimpse of your esteemed presence!" These words clearly blamed Xiang Shaolong for not paying him a visit after arriving in Xianyang.

Wu Yingyuan cursed inwardly, but put on a smile and said, "This foolish son-in-law only arrived yesterday. Please forgive any oversight, Your
Majesty ." Xiang Shaolong was relieved. This Yang Quanjun, who wore his emotions on his sleeve, was vulgar
and ordinary. How could he be a match for Lü Buwei? Wang He was much more formidable.

"Clang!" The sound of a plate being struck rang out. Eighteen burly, imposing guards, carrying long spears,
entered the hall from the back hall in orderly steps, lining up on both sides. Then, the sound of rapid footsteps descending the stairs came from behind the hall. Xiang Shaolong suddenly
realized that King Zhuangxiang had been in the upper hall all along, and had only come down to preside over
the banquet after being informed that all the guests had arrived. He also guessed that Lü Buwei had been in secret discussing matters with King Zhuangxiang on the upper floor earlier, which showed how
close their relationship was.

The crowd knelt on both sides to welcome the King of Qin. First, four eunuchs solemnly stepped forward, followed by eight pretty
young palace maids, dressed mainly in purple with red and blue accents—a rather rustic style, far inferior to those from the states of Zhao and Wei.
The palace maids and eunuchs wore elaborate embroidered robes. They stood solemnly to one side, divided into two groups of two men and four women each.

The sound of jade pendants jingled. A graceful woman in a long, flowing robe, leading
a child of about ten years old with a splendid headdress and robes, entered gracefully. Xiang Shaolong glanced at her, mistaking her for Zhu Ji and Xiao Pan, but realized
his mistake upon closer inspection. At that moment, one of the eunuchs announced, "Lady Xiuli and Prince Chengjiao have arrived!" Xiang Shaolong thought to himself, "This must be the prince that
Lord Yang Quan is promoting. This Lady Xiuli is quite beautiful; she must be one of the concubines King Zhuangxiang took after returning to Qin from Handan
. The fact that she and her son are attending this banquet suggests they are rivals to Zhu Ji and Xiao Pan, indicating that King Zhuangxiang
favors her greatly; otherwise, she would have been banished to the cold palace long ago. " The sound of jade pendants

jingled again, and Xiang Shaolong's eyes lit up. Zhu Ji wore a short blouse embroidered with gold thread
, shimmering and eye-catching. Below, a floor-length skirt and a high-bun hairstyle, her gait was graceful, like a willow swaying in
the wind, further accentuating her slender waist and full hips, and her captivating charm that outshone the beautiful lady
. With one hand holding her blouse, the other dragging a small plate—a black short blouse and brocade trousers—she was truly a figure of "
flowing robes and light skirts," light, graceful, and ethereal. Xiang Shaolong recalled their time together,
whispering sweet nothings in bed, a different kind of feeling washing over him. He lowered his head, avoiding eye contact with her beautiful gaze.

A eunuch announced, "Queen Ji and Crown Prince Zheng have arrived." The two pairs of mothers and sons approached the banquet, kneeling to await
King Zhuangxiang's arrival. The small plate kept its eyes fixed straight ahead, not even glancing at Xiang Shaolong. Xiang Shaolong inwardly approved. He had
repeatedly instructed Xiao Pan not to show any unusual behavior towards him, otherwise it might arouse
suspicion from Zhu Ji or other scheming individuals.

Four eunuchs announced in unison, "The King has arrived!" Xiang Shaolong dared not peek any longer, only able to imagine
the other's appearance in his mind. A gentle, pleasant, and refined voice rang out from the front, "Rise, my lords!"

Everyone shouted in unison, "Thank you, Your Majesty!" Xiang Shaolong stood up with the others, and his gaze met directly as King
Zhuangxiang scrutinized him. This King of Qin, who had once been a hostage in Handan, was about forty years old, tall and slender,
with a somewhat otherworldly air. His skin was as white as a woman's, his face pale, yet he possessed a rare refined elegance.
His fingers were long and slender, giving him the air of someone from a good family, a scion of a noble clan. It was a pity that his eyes lacked brilliance;
otherwise, he would have been even more extraordinary.

His crown, black on the outside and red on the inside, was adorned with a rectangular tassel, further enhancing his imperial bearing. He
wore the imperial robes, black with yellow patterns and gold trim, exuding solemnity. Seeing Xiang Shaolong's superior
physique and demeanor, King Zhuangxiang's eyes lit up, a gentle smile appearing on his lips.
He said softly, "To accomplish extraordinary things, one must have extraordinary people. Shaolong, you have not disappointed me." Xiang Shaolong, surprised that
King Zhuangxiang addressed him by his name so warmly, quickly bowed in gratitude.

King Zhuangxiang's gaze fell on Wu Yingyuan, and he said gently, "With such a son-in-law, what more could Mr. Wu ask for? The Wu
family will surely prosper because of Shaolong in the future; this is foreseeable." Wu Yingyuan was overjoyed and thanked him. Yang Quanjun and Wang He exchanged
glances, both sensing the other's displeasure.

King Zhuangxiang's gaze swept over everyone, and he said calmly, "My lords, please take your seats!" The sound of plates clinking echoed again. Eighteen more guards
emerged from within, the previous guards forming groups of nine, and stood guard at the guest seats, spears in hand. Everyone else proceeded to their seats
and waited until King Zhuangxiang sat down, the guards stood behind him, and Lady Xiuli and her son Zhu Ji also sat on the floor before daring
to take their seats.

On the right, at the head of the table sat Lü Buwei and Xiang Shaolong, followed by Meng Ao and Wu Yingyuan; on the other side
, Yang Quanjun and Wang He each occupied a seat, clearly separated. Xiang Shaolong deliberately avoided looking at Zhu Ji and Xiao Pan, lest King Zhuangxiang
or anyone else discover his special relationship with her "mother and son"—a case of "better to let people know than to let them see."

Palace maids flitted among the guests like butterflies, refilling their wine and serving them delicacies. King Zhuangxiang said, "Queen Ji and
Prince Zheng have both returned safely to Xianyang. I have no more regrets. Let us have a drink!" Everyone raised their cups in celebration, but
Lady , Lord Yangquan, and Wang He, among others, looked rather uncomfortable. King Zhuangxiang's gaze fell on Lady Zhu and Xiao Pan,
his eyes softening even more. In his melodious voice, full of emotion, he said, "Prince Zheng, Shaolong has done you a great favor. Why don't you
offer a toast to Master Xiang?"

Xiang Shaolong was also captivated by his charm, deeply realizing that success was not a matter of luck. King Zhuangxiang's ability to be noticed by
Lü Buwei was a testament to his "rare commodity." Later, he moved Lady Huayang, who was the most favored by King Zhaoxiang at the time, and adopted her
as his son. Finally, he broke through the encirclement and became the heir to the throne, possessing his own captivating qualities and charisma. Otherwise, even if
Lü Buwei had spent more money and resources, it would have been a waste of effort. Upon hearing this, Xiao Pan stood up and came to Xiang Shaolong's seat. Only now
did the two have a chance to exchange glances.

Xiao Pan's eyes immediately reddened, flashing with profound emotion, thankfully disappearing in an instant. A maidservant
promptly brought over a wine pot and cups. Xiang Shaolong rose, bowed respectfully, raised his hand above his head, accepted
the wine from Xiao Pan, and drank it all in one gulp. Xiao Pan's body appeared even more robust, his expression calm. When Xiang Shaolong imagined his future
glory in unifying the world, he couldn't help but tremble. The two returned to their seats.

Xiang Shaolong couldn't help but glance at Xiao Pan again, only to find Zhu Ji looking at him with a smile, her beautiful eyes filled with tenderness
. Startled, he quickly lowered his gaze. After chatting casually with everyone, King Zhuangxiang's gaze returned to Xiang Shaolong, and
he calmly asked, "If we want to conquer Handan, destroy the Zhao state, and capture Zhao Mu alive, how many
troops ?" Zhu Ji and Xiao Pan's eyes lit up simultaneously. Yang Quanjun and Wang He also showed attentive expressions, waiting to see
what he would say.

Lü Buwei laughed heartily, "Shaolong, speak boldly and frankly!" Xiang Shaolong smiled slightly and said, "
Judging from the current situation, capturing Handan would only require 200,000 men, but to destroy Zhao, even with the full strength of the Qin state,
it would still be impossible." Everyone was astonished.

Yang Quanjun sneered, "Xiang Bingwei is still inexperienced in military strategy, hence his ignorant words.
General Wang, could you explain this to Bingwei, lest he remain unaware of his mistake?" He insisted on calling him
Bingwei, precisely to remind others that he was just an insignificant junior officer, and also to show that he was still considered an outsider.
King Zhuangxiang and Lü Buwei initially showed displeasure at Xiang Shaolong's words, but then fell into deep thought. Zhu Ji, on the other hand, smiled with delight
, full of confidence in Xiang Shaolong. Wu Yingyuan winked at Xiang Shaolong, hoping he would be careful with his words.

Meng Ao's eyes lit up, clearly understanding the meaning behind Xiang Shaolong's words. Xiang Shaolong calmly
observed Wang He, his tiger-like eyes gleaming with a sharp light. Wang He felt a chill run down his spine under his gaze and became cautious, saying, "This general, however, intends..."
"Please explain why you hold this view, Mr. Xiang." Upon hearing this, King Zhuangxiang, Lü Buwei, Wu Yingyuan, and
Yang Quanjun four men who were not knowledgeable in military affairs, immediately realized that Xiang Shaolong was not just making things up; otherwise, Wang He would not have been so
reserved.

Xiang Shaolong smiled calmly and said, "After the Battle of Changping, the Zhao state did indeed suffer a fatal blow. It not only affected
the morale of the army but also deeply damaged the confidence of the kings and ministers in the country. However, it was precisely because of this mentality that a fighting spirit was formed
from top to bottom to resist the enemy. The great defeat of the Yan people is proof of this. Your subject proposed that we could capture Handan with 200,000 men because we took advantage of the fact that
our Wu family had just withdrawn from the Zhao state and all the livestock in the pastures had been poisoned, making it difficult for the Zhao people to continue their supplies in this area. In addition,
their morale was greatly damaged, which is why we were confident. But this battle must be fought quickly. We must take advantage of the fact that Li Mu and Lian Po
are entangled with the Xiongnu and the Yan people respectively and have no time to spare.

Therefore, we should retreat when the city is breached and not stay for long." He then said in a deep voice, "If we only want to capture the city, 100,000 men can do it. But if we want to win a quick battle and retreat with the whole army,
we need more than 200,000 men." Wang He was stunned for a long time and sighed, "What Mr. Xiang said is not without reason."

Xiang Shaolong couldn't help but feel more favorably disposed towards him because the other party would not lie with his eyes open. Meng Ao said in a deep voice, "
This humble general completely agrees with Shaolong's words." Yang Quanjun's face flushed red and then turned pale with anger. He exchanged a glance with Lady Xiuli
and was speechless for a moment. Zhu Ji giggled and gave King Zhuangxiang a flirtatious look, saying, "Your Majesty! I didn't
recommend the wrong person, did I? It seems that this is the first time that General Meng and General Wang He have agreed on the same matter!" Upon hearing this,
both Wang He and Meng Ao became embarrassed. Xiao Pan looked at Xiang Shaolong, feeling a surge of admiration and affection.

King Zhuangxiang first glanced at Lü Buwei and said casually, "
How do you explain that even with the strength of my entire nation, Shaolong could not destroy Zhao?" The most nervous person was Wu Yingyuan. If Xiang Shaolong could not convince the King of Qin on this matter, then
the slight advantage he had just gained would be completely lost. Xiang Shaolong stated, "While national strength is
fundamental , diplomacy and intelligence are equally important. As the saying goes, 'Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.'"

Yang Quanjun interjected, "Our Great Qin has never neglected these two aspects. Our late king appointed Zhang Yi as prime minister
precisely because of diplomacy, thwarting the alliance of the six states. As for intelligence, we constantly send spies to various countries to
gather intelligence ; we have never let our guard down." Xiang Shaolong increasingly looked down on this Qin veteran and bluntly asked, "
Your Majesty, if we were to launch a full-scale attack on Zhao, how would the other states react?" Yang Quanjun was immediately speechless, for
without solid intelligence, how could he answer such a hypothetical question?

Lü Buwei patted Xiang Shaolong's thigh several times, indicating his pleasure at having dampened Yang Quanjun's enthusiasm. Wang He,
finally sharing a boat with Yang Quanjun, spoke up: "This matter is indeed not something to be taken lightly. Leaving aside Qi and Chu for now,
the three Jin states are interdependent; if one falls, the other will surely rise up in resistance. The strength of any single state is insufficient to withstand the million-strong army of our Great Qin,
but united, it's a different story." While this seemed to be an attempt to appease Yang Quanjun, it also implicitly affirmed
Xiang Shaolong's statement.

Xiang Shaolong, not giving anyone a chance to catch their breath, continued eloquently: "If Zhao is attacked, the other states will certainly not
stand idly by . Even if they initially adopt a wait-and-see attitude, as long as the Zhao people close their borders and maintain their defenses, and then send troops
to cut off our supply lines, the other states will inevitably send reinforcements sooner or later. At that time, we will be attacked from all sides, and the situation will be far from
optimistic ." King Zhuangxiang slammed his hand on the table and exclaimed, "What a brilliant phrase, 'wait and see the tigers fight'! This is
the first time I've heard such a apt expression!"

Xiang Shaolong wondered to himself, "Could it be that this phrase is still not being used in this era?" After thanking King Zhuangxiang for his praise, Xiang Shaolong continued, "
Moreover, Lord Xinling of Wei is still alive, and he can influence the other states. If another alliance is formed, we will be in danger." Everyone
fell silent. Eight years ago, Lord Xinling of Wei, along with the armies of the other states, decisively defeated the Qin army at the walls of Handan. Everyone still
vividly remembered this and felt lingering fear. King Zhuangxiang sighed, "So, are you just going to let that treacherous Zhao Mu go unpunished
?"

Just from this one sentence, it was clear that King Zhuangxiang had no ambition to unify the world. Otherwise, his question would have been, "How
can we pacify the six states?" Xiang Shaolong solemnly replied, "If it is merely a matter of capturing Zhao Mu, Your Majesty need not expend a single soldier
. You can simply leave it to me."

Everyone was astonished. King Zhuangxiang's spirits lifted, and he asked, "Is there any falsehood?" Xiang Shaolong replied, "Absolutely not a single word of
falsehood. I only need half a year to gather intelligence before I can set out and bring Zhao Mu, alive and kicking,
before Your Majesty's throne, where you can deal with him as you see fit. However, this matter must be kept secret, otherwise I fear I will not return alive."

King Zhuangxiang slammed his hand on the table and exclaimed, "Anyone who dares to leak this matter will be executed without mercy!" At the same time, Lü Buwei whispered in Xiang Shaolong's
ear , "How can this be said?"

Knowing that he was worried about being framed by Yang Quanjun, Xiang
Shaolong reached out and wrote the character "false" on Lü Buwei's thigh. Lü Buwei immediately understood and gave him an approving look. Yang Quanjun lowered his head to avoid revealing his
joy . Zhu Ji giggled and said coquettishly to King Zhuangxiang, "The lively Zhao Mu, Shaolong's words are truly amusing.
Just now, Your Majesty, are you still hesitating about my suggestion?" Upon hearing this, everyone immediately knew there was more to the story.

As expected, King Zhuangxiang laughed heartily and said, "A conversation with Shaolong has greatly pleased me. If we can
capture to vent my anger, I will reward him handsomely. From today onwards, Shaolong will be my guest minister and tutor to
the Crown Prince, responsible for teaching Zheng'er swordsmanship and military strategy." Lü Buwei was overjoyed and quickly raised his cup to congratulate Xiang Shaolong.
The Crown Prince is the heir to the throne; if one can become his tutor, one can exert direct influence when the Crown Prince ascends the throne.
Therefore, this position is truly extraordinary and coveted by everyone.

Yang Quanjun stepped forward from the banquet, knelt on the ground, and said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, please reconsider. Our Great Qin has been established
for hundreds of years and is renowned for its martial prowess. Those who can serve as the Crown Prince's tutor in military strategy and swordsmanship are all the best military and sword masters in the country. No
outsider has ever held this position. Moreover, Xiang Bingwei has no military achievements, and we do not know whether his swordsmanship is worthy of his reputation. Perhaps Your Majesty can make a decision after Xiang
Bingwei captures Zhao Mu and returns!" His words were reasonable enough, showing that he still had
some cleverness. However, King Zhuangxiang was not impressed and said unhappily, "How could I have misjudged him? This is how it
is arranged . The Left Prime Minister need not say more."

Wang He could not help but step forward as well, kneeling and saying, "Your Majesty, please reconsider, otherwise I fear the people will not be convinced."
As soon as the general spoke, it was as if the Qin military was opposing him in unison. Although King Zhuangxiang was furious, he had no choice but to hesitate
. Seeing this, Xiang Shaolong also knelt and reported, "The words of the Left Prime Minister and the General are not without reason. Your Majesty, please rescind your order and
see if I can capture Zhao Mu before making a decision."

Wu Yingyuan and Zhu Ji secretly lamented their loss, with Zhu Ji especially regretting the lack of opportunity to interact with Xiang Shaolong. Xiao Pan almost...
He wanted to give Yang Quanjun a good beating. King Zhuangxiang sighed and said, "My lords, please rise." Yang Quanjun and Wang He,
knowing he had changed his mind, were overjoyed and returned to their seats. Xiang Shaolong also calmly returned to his seat. Seeing that he didn't seem to care at all, Wang He couldn't help but feel
a sense of goodwill towards him.

Before King Zhuangxiang could speak, Lü Buwei burst into laughter, attracting everyone's attention. Lü Buwei
said solemnly, "How can the position of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince be left vacant for more than half a year? Regarding military strategy, Shaolong has already demonstrated his
exceptional insight. Furthermore, Shaolong's victories against overwhelming odds in the Zhao and Wei territories, including the beheading of Xiao Weimou, have already
made him famous throughout the land; there's no need to elaborate. As for swordsmanship, as long as Lord Yang Quan and the General invite the most qualified
swordsmen in our country, a duel before the Emperor will be held on a chosen day, and the outcome will be clear." King Zhuangxiang was overjoyed and said, "That's settled then! Let's
drink and make merry!"

He clapped his hands, and a troupe of singers and dancers immediately floated into the hall, singing and dancing, but they couldn't break the tense
atmosphere . Both sides were poised, ready to deliver a fatal blow to the other. Xiang Shaolong smiled bitterly to himself, knowing he had been
drawn into the power struggle within the Qin court. Perhaps this was what it meant to be caught in the web of power struggles!

Chapter Three, News from Afar

For the next ten days, Xiang Shaolong enjoyed the most leisurely and wonderful time since arriving in this ancient and powerful country. He led his wife and maids
, along with Teng Yi, Jing Jun, Wu Zhuo, and the thousand retainers who had accompanied him from Handan, to the newly developed
ranch outside the city, where they rested and recuperated. The ranch was vast; it took a fast horse an hour to barely travel from one end to the other.
It contained eighteen simple but well-equipped houses. They chose a courtyard house located in a beautiful valley,
naming it "Hidden Dragon Courtyard."

Every morning, he and his wife and maids would ride horses across the vast grasslands, practicing archery and horsemanship. He also invited Teng Yi
, Wu Zhuo, and Jing Jun, three experts, to spar with him, practicing the mastery and use of various weapons as warm-up exercises before the decisive battle against the still unknown opponent
chosen . The "elite corps"
expanded from the original seventy-seven men to three hundred, training day and night to prepare for their eventual return to Handan to capture Zhao Mu alive.

With Xiang Shaolong, a true special forces soldier, leading the group, they all progressed rapidly, mastering various
reconnaissance and combat techniques deep behind enemy lines. The Wu family was large, including many skilled ironsmiths. Following Xiang Shaolong's
advice, Wu Zhuo established an iron smelting workshop on the ranch, crafting tools and concealed weapons like climbing ropes and flying needles based on his designs
. Xiang Shaolong also practiced meditation and qi cultivation using methods from the Mo Family Supplement. Teng Yi, upon discovering this, became very interested
and learned the techniques from him, achieving even better results than Xiang Shaolong.

Xiang Shaolong then gave him the supplement, allowing him to study the military strategies and swordsmanship written within. Their
relationship was even closer than that of blood brothers. While everyone was enjoying themselves, Tao Fang arrived. Everyone gathered in the hall for a meeting.
Tao Fang, beaming, said, "There's news from Handan! It's truly exciting!" But he didn't continue immediately. Seeing
him keeping everyone in suspense, everyone became impatient, except for Teng Yi, who remained unmoved and calm as ever.

Tao Fang laughed, "Let's go through things one by one! This time, the one we harmed the most was Zhao Mu. When the Zhao people discovered our
secret passage leading directly out of the city, they realized they'd been tricked. Then they received
news King Xiaocheng was so angry he fell ill, and he also vehemently opposed Zhao Mu, refusing to see him for a whole month. Only now
has the relationship improved a little, but Zhao Mu's power is far less than before. On the contrary, Guo Kai, I don't know what lies he told,
actually managed to gain the trust of that foolish King Xiaocheng." Xiang Shaolong couldn't help but ask, "How is Zhao Ya
?"

Knowing his particular concern, Tao Fang sighed and said, "She's staying at home, suffering from illness. Qi Yu tried to pester her, but she
kicked him out of the mansion. Many people saw it!" After Wu Zhuo learned the reason, he... Zhao Ya felt deeply apologetic and quickly asked
, "Didn't King Zhao blame her?"

Tao Fang pondered for a moment and said, "It is said that she had earnestly advised King Zhao to give Shaolong an important position. That foolish king later felt
sorry saw her suffering from illness and depression. Perhaps for these reasons, Zhao Ya was not greatly affected. Xiao Zhao and Zhao Da
and others have also returned to the Lady's residence. Now, the people of Handan are in a state of panic, fearing that we will lead the Qin army to attack Zhao. Recently,
King Xiaocheng sent envoys, hoping to unite with other countries to deal with the Qin invasion. This is truly gratifying."
Teng Yi asked, "What about the fate of the fake Ying Zheng?"

Tao Fang shook his head and sighed, "He was executed by Zhao Mu. He was full of anger and could only vent it on this innocent and pitiful wretch
." Xiang Shaolong felt quite sorry for him, but there was nothing he could do.

At this moment, Jing Jun leaned close to Tao Fang and whispered, "Did you send me a letter to Zhao Zhi?" Teng Yi was startled and asked
, "Did your letter reveal that we were going back to Handan?"

Jing Jun was startled and said, "Of course not, how could Xiao Jun be so reckless?" Tao Fang took out
a letter from his pocket, stuffed it into Jing Jun's hand, and laughed, "It seems Zhao Zhi has a bit of a crush on you!"

Jing Jun cheered, did three somersaults in mid-air, and disappeared in a flash, making everyone laugh. Tao Fang
said, "Our men who went to Daliang have returned with news. We heard that Ji Cai Nu went to Chu." Xiang Shaolong was shocked and said
, "Oh no! She must be going to Handan to find me." Everyone simultaneously understood his meaning. Of course, Ji Cai Nu couldn't go
directly to Zhao to find him; she could only go to Chu first, and then take the route through Qi to Handan. In ancient times, communication was inconvenient,
and Ji Yanran probably still didn't know what had happened in Handan.

Xiang Shaolong, however, was blinded by concern and resolutely said, "We must go to Handan immediately!" Tao Fang said, "It won't be
possible until at least the day after tomorrow. The Qin people have already sent someone to compete with you for the position of Grand Tutor to
the Crown Prince. They've scheduled a martial arts contest for the Emperor before noon the day after tomorrow, and everyone of some status will come to watch."

Wu Zhuo asked, "Who is that person?" Tao Fang replied, "I think his name is Wang Jian!" Xiang Shaolong was greatly surprised
, thinking, "What a coincidence!"

Xiang Shaolong sat alone by a small waterfall not far from the farmhouse, lost in thought. In this ancient Warring States period,
everywhere was truly a paradise. Just like the rare and wonderful scenery before him, the valley was filled with beautiful peaks, a myriad of
shapes , and clear water flowing through it. Waterfalls and colorful pools were formed by nature, and the movement of water and the changing of rocks created a tapestry of colors under the sunlight,
making it a sight that one could never tire of looking at. He sat by such a pool, listening to the melodious
sound , watching the green bamboo and trees on the bank, the rippling waves, the vibrant colors of the water, full of the vitality and flourishing
imagery of early spring, and couldn't help but feel relaxed and happy.

But when his thoughts turned to the imperial martial arts competition the day after tomorrow, a worry crept into his heart. No matter who won,
there would probably be some problems. The problem remained whether he could change history. If the answer was no, then he could simply do nothing.
Li, laughing and carefree in the mountains and forests, spent his days enjoying the pleasures of love with his wives and maids, while Xiao Pan would naturally become the first emperor of China.
He only regretted that he couldn't be sure. If he defeated Wang Jian, could the latter still become a major contributor to the unification of the six kingdoms?
This truly troubled him. But he couldn't afford to lose either, otherwise the Wu family would suffer great damage, it
would be a serious blow to Xiao Pan, and even his trip to Handan would be affected.

While he was agonizing over this, the sweet laughter of a young girl drifted over. Hidden among the grass and trees, the two beautiful maids
, Cui Tong and Cui Lü, each carrying two small wooden buckets, came to fetch water, whispering and laughing softly, unaware of Xiang Shaolong's presence. The two
women arrived at the pond and put down their buckets. Cui Tong sat on a rock, while Cui Lü took off her shoes, revealing her beautiful
bare feet, and dipped them in the water, her demeanor unrestrained and carefree, occasionally letting out a silvery laugh. This reminded Xiang Shaolong of the touching scene of playing in the stream with
the beautiful silkworm maiden in the small valley.

Cui Tong suddenly asked, "Did Young Master hug you?" Cui Lü giggled and retorted, "And you?"

Cui Tong, her cheeks flushed, nodded, a little troubled, and said, "Alas! I only lightly embraced her waist and
kissed her cheek, that's all." Cui Lü laughed, "Little girl, your heart is fluttering with spring fever."

Cui Tong retorted angrily, "You're much better than me; you were calling for Young Master in your dreams last night." Cui Lü blushed deeply and said, "
Don't you dare say that again!"

Seeing the two women's charming expressions, Xiang Shaolong, still troubled, couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion and stood up from his hiding place. The two women
suddenly sensed someone and turned around. Seeing it was Xiang Shaolong, they were first startled, then blushed deeply, too ashamed to know
where to hide. Afraid they would quickly slip away, Xiang Shaolong swiftly moved between them and took
each of their soft little hands. The two women, their bodies limp, clung to the rocks by the pool, refusing to rise, their foreheads almost hidden in their breasts
. Xiang Shaolong, his desire aroused, laughed, "Don't want to leave? Then let's make love right here in the pool
."

The two women were terrified, crying out in unison, "No! Someone will see us!" Xiang Shaolong threatened, "Want to
stay out of ? Come with me obediently!" The two women reluctantly stood up, both ashamed and delighted.

Xiang Shaolong pulled the two women along the stream, treading on the undulating rocks, climbing upwards. Soon they reached the highest
level , a small pool offering a panoramic view of the valley's beauty. He had the two women sit beside him, his arms around their
fragrant shoulders, sharing this paradise comparable to heaven on earth. The two women couldn't help but lean into his embrace, their fragrance intoxicating.

Is civilization ultimately a good thing or a bad thing? Two thousand years later, technology will surely be humanity's own trap,
constantly destroying this beautiful nature. Anyone who could come to this ancient era like him would be
moved by the drastic changes nature would undergo. Cui Tong whispered, "Young Master, were you sitting there the whole time?"
Xiang Shaolong mischievously replied, "I was asleep. I couldn't hear any gentle hugs, kisses, or anyone
talking in their sleep last night." The two women were immediately embarrassed, letting out soft moans and burying their faces in his chest.

Xiang Shaolong marveled at how fortunate the men of this era were, his hands caressing their smooth, delicate faces,
gently stroking them. The two women trembled at his touch, their breathing quickening. Silence spoke volumes. Xiang Shaolong
lowered his head, searching for Cui Tong's fragrant lips like a treasure hunter, and kissed her passionately. His other hand began to grope Cui Lü
.

Emerald Green, unable to withstand his skillful caresses and teasing, groaned in protest, "Young Master!" Just then, the sun began to
set behind the western mountains, a white cloud sweeping across the sky, turning the crimson sun into a fiery red ball hanging in the distance
. Xiang Shaolong pulled away from Emerald Green's fragrant lips, and the beautiful girl, her heart stirred by desire, let out a soft moan and turned to tightly embrace his
strong waist. He looked down at Emerald Green, whose ears were flushed red from his caresses. The lovely girl was stealing glances at him
; seeing his gaze, she was almost dying of embarrassment. Her endearing appearance made Xiang Shaolong unable to resist. He laughed,
"With grass as our bed and the sky as our blanket, do you two ladies object?"

The two women, still moaning softly, were unable to speak. Xiang Shaolong quickly stripped off his clothes, revealing his
strong, muscular body. The two women, already too ashamed to look directly at him, secretly loosened their clothes,
slowly removing their garments. Xiang Shaolong gazed at their alluring backs, especially their firm
, rounded buttocks, their tight clefts and full curves. A surge of lust coursed through
him Before the two women could even remove their clothes, he grabbed Cui Lu from behind, his hands cupping her soft, plump breasts, his penis
rubbing against her buttocks and waist.

Cui Lu, held tightly by Xiang Shaolong's strong body, felt her body go limp, as if melting. Especially
with a hot, branding penis pressing against her buttocks, she was completely lost in thought. She could only wrap her arms around Xiang Shaolong's neck
, letting the man she had longed for caress her freely, murmuring softly. Then, Xiang Shaolong
kissed her lips, their tongues entwined in a tender embrace. At this moment, Cui Lu's sparsely haired pubic area was already glistening with drops of lustful fluid. Xiang Shaolong's left hand
explored downwards, seeking out the secrets, finding the tight crevice of flesh. His middle finger gently tapped in, and with a soft "plop," a few drops of
honeyed fluid splashed out, making Cui Lu blush with shame and her whole body heat up.
Yet, she couldn't help but twist her slender waist, welcoming Xiang Shaolong's fingers. Soon, she was overflowing with lustful fluid, a fountain of love juice gushing out, overflowing Xiang Shaolong's palm and
flowing down Cui Lu's plump thighs.

Xiang Shaolong's right hand kept kneading Cui Lu's breasts, and he lay down on the grass, letting Cui Lu sit on his lower abdomen with her back to him. Her
soft, slender waist twisted restlessly, and his hot, erect penis slid between her buttocks. Her pubic area was rubbed until it glistened with lustful fluid, flowing down
Xiang Shaolong's lower body. Xiang Shaolong couldn't hold back any longer. He cupped Cui Lu's round buttocks with both hands and lifted them slightly. His penis
immediately became erect, sliding down her buttocks and into her swollen, dripping labia, instantly penetrating more than halfway in. Cui Lu trembled violently
, her teeth clenched, enduring the pain of her newly broken hymen. With a downward thrust of her hips, the entire length of his penis was inside her, the
head of his penis pressing against her clitoris, half-open, ready to enter. Cui Lu gripped Xiang Shaolong's thighs tightly, unable to cry out, her mind blank.

Xiang Shaolong's lust subsided slightly as Cui Lu gripped him, and he tenderly turned her around, letting her beautiful
virgin body rest against his chest, panting. Soon, Cui Lu's pain eased, and Xiang Shaolong held her, gently comforting
her. Cui Tong also supported her shoulders, soothing her. Cui Lu let out a soft moan, her hips slightly raised, catching her breath before slowly sliding in again
. This slow, gentle thrusting produced soft, erotic sounds between her legs. Seeing Cui Lu reaching her peak, Xiang Shaolong, aroused, pulled Cui Tong
to straddle him. The two women, naked before each other, blushed with shame, unable to meet his gaze.

Cui Tong suddenly gasped, "Ah...Young Master...No...You can't...Oh!" Then, her face
flushed, her eyes half-closed in a seductive trance, and she moaned softly. It turned out that Xiang Shaolong had taken the opportunity to pull her closer and, unexpectedly, sucked on Cui Tong's little...
His tongue licked deep inside her vaginal canal, relentlessly. Cui Tong, inexperienced in such matters, couldn't resist his seductive methods
and immediately surrendered, her juices flowing freely, overflowing Xiang Shaolong's lips and teeth, and trickling down his neck. For a moment,
the two pretty maids moaned and groaned on Xiang Shaolong's body, their bodies twisting and turning in a display of boundless spring.

That night, Xiang Shaolong indulged in pleasure, but even in the most intoxicating moments, the images of
Ji Yanran . Knowing his trip to Zhao was imminent, and heartbroken, the women clung to him with extra attachment,
reluctant to part.

Time flew by in these circumstances, and two days later they left the beautiful valley and returned
to Xianyang City. Except for Jing Jun, Teng Yi and Wu Zhuo stayed behind to continue training their elite troops. Upon arriving at the Wu residence, Wu Yingyuan summoned him
, his expression grave. "Tu Xian investigated Wang Jian. It's said that not only is his swordsmanship the
best but his greatest skill is archery. He can fire three arrows in succession, using an iron bow with a copper string; within five hundred paces, neither man nor animal can escape."
Thinking of the deceased Lian Jin's archery skills, which might not even match this man's, Xiang Shaolong felt a chill run down his spine and asked, "
How old is this man?"

Wu Yingyuan, clearly worried for him, sighed and said, "He should be around twenty years old this year. I heard..." He looked quite
refined and handsome; no one would guess from his appearance how formidable he was. He then said in a deep voice, "Tu Xian discovered that Yang Quanjun and Wang
He had already secretly planned to have him challenge you to a duel. The delay of these ten days was to allow him to use this time to intensify his training
. Those people have ill intentions; they're taking advantage of your long-awaited reunion with your wives and concubines, expecting you to suffer significant physical strain in bed. It's truly remarkable how they
thought of that. Even Prime Minister Lü is worried now!"

Xiang Shaolong recalled his frivolous behavior the previous night and felt ashamed, realizing he had underestimated his opponent. Wu Yingyuan
patted him on the shoulder and said, "Try to conserve your energy. I'll explain to Fang'er." After returning to Hidden Dragon Residence,
Xiang Shaolong abandoned everything and retreated to his quiet room. Following the instructions of Mo Shi's supplement, he meditated and practiced breathing exercises. Soon, he became completely absorbed in the moment, his mind
entering a state of profound stillness.

"Knock! Knock!" The knocking on the door startled Xiang Shaolong awake. Xiang Shaolong hurriedly opened the door, revealing
Wu Tingfang's distressed face. She said in a trembling voice, "Xiao Jun has been injured, and badly!" Xiang Shaolong
was shocked and rushed to the main house. Wu Yingyuan and Tao Fangquan were there, along with two physicians from the Wu family, who were stopping the bleeding and
bandaging Jing Jun's wounds. Xiang Shaolong squeezed to Jing Jun's side, ordered everyone to step back, and then carefully examined his injuries. He had at least seven
or eight sword wounds, the most serious being the wound on his left side, which had almost pierced his heart. While the other wounds were frightening, they were all superficial
, but two of them were so deep that the bone was visible, the flesh torn open—a horrifying sight.

Jing Jun had lost too much blood and was in a semi-conscious state, his face occasionally showing signs of unbearable pain
. Although Xiang Shaolong was heartbroken, he knew that he should be able to save his life. He stepped between Wu Yingyuan and Tao Fang and asked, "Who did this
!" Wu Yingyuan said, "Tu Xian has been notified, and they will send people to investigate. Fortunately, this kid is in good health.
Despite being so badly injured, he was able to hold on until he returned before collapsing. That's quite an achievement."

Tao Fang said, "These people clearly wanted to kill him." The gatekeeper's voice came, "Prime Minister Lü has arrived!
"

Everyone was surprised that Lü Buwei would come to visit in person and turned to greet him. Surrounded by more than ten men, Lü Buwei
strode over, first carefully examining Jing Jun's injuries before speaking with the three men aside. His expression was solemn as he said, "This must be
a trick by Yang Quanjun and his group, trying to kill Xiao Jun to demoralize Shaolong. Shaolong, don't fall for it!"
Xiang Shaolong calmly replied, "They clearly underestimated Xiao Jun's escape skills. Once Xiao Jun wakes up, he'll know
who did it."

Lü Buwei said, "Whoever did it, we'll settle accounts with the enemy after tomorrow's battle with Wang Jian.
As long as Shaolong becomes Grand Tutor, I will fully support you in avenging Xiao Jun and letting everyone
know that Lü Buwei is not someone to be trifled with." Xiang Shaolong was conflicted. He didn't want such
a close relationship with Lü Buwei, but it seemed that if things continued as they were, he would eventually become one of Lü Buwei's allies. That wasn't
the worst part; the worst was if they developed feelings for each other, which would be even more troublesome in the future.

Jing Jun groaned and woke up. The crowd surged forward. Jing Jun only saw Xiang Shaolong and
cried out , "Brother! They're ruthless!" Xiang Shaolong reached out and pressed his shoulder, saying, "Don't move!"

Lü Buwei said in a deep voice, "Who did this!" Jing Jun calmed down a bit, gritting his teeth and enduring the pain, and said, "
There were more than twenty of them. I only recognize one of them, named 'Scarface' Guo Xing."

After instructing him to recuperate in the back courtyard, Lü Buwei's eyes flashed with
murderous intent as he said, "This Guo Xing is quite famous in Xianyang. He's one of the three instructors at the Weinan Martial Arts Academy. The academy's master, Qiu Risheng, has close ties with the military and has always
looked down on my men. Shaolong, take care of that academy for me later. I want the Qin people to know they've offended me, Lü Buwei."
"Buwei will not have an easy time. How many men do you need? Just tell me." Xiang Shaolong secretly sighed that these were his henchmen
, and replied, "It's a small matter, we have enough strength to handle it."

Lü Buwei said happily, "With Shaolong, our entire momentum is different. If Yang Quanjun and the others were not afraid of Shaolong
, they would not have resorted to such a desperate measure." He paused and said, "Tomorrow I will come here first to meet you before we enter the palace together
. I am confident that Shaolong will not disappoint."

Xiang Shaolong's heart stirred, and he first gave Wu Yingyuan and Tao Fang a wink, saying, "Let Shaolong see Prime Minister Lü out
!" Wu and Tao understood and let him see Lü Buwei out to his carriage alone. Lü Buwei, a man of great shrewdness
, whispered, "What does Shaolong have to say?"

Xiang Shaolong smiled but remained silent until he reached the carriage, then said, "For the past ten days, I haven't stopped
strategizing and pondering for Prime Minister Lü. I've realized that continuing to confront the Qin's homeland forces is ultimately a poor strategy, and might only
result in mutual destruction." Lü Buwei sighed, "Peace is paramount in all matters. I've also considered this issue, but with such a great benefit at hand
, and the Qin people always harboring hatred towards foreigners, no one believes in my sincerity." "We will dedicate ourselves to the Qin state."

Xiang Shaolong calmly said, "Since they are united by interests, we will divide them by using interests to our advantage. For die-hards like
Yang Quanjun or the Weinan Warriors' Guild, we will destroy them ruthlessly to establish our authority. But for
people like Wang He, who are not purely driven by self-interest, we can win them over and show them kindness, bringing them to our side." Lü Buwei's eyes
gleamed, and after carefully examining Xiang Shaolong, he nodded and said, "Shaolong seems to have a brilliant plan in mind. Tell me quickly!
"

Xiang Shaolong casually explained his plan. Lü Buwei listened and said, "If you can do it, that would be best."
"I'm afraid that if I'm not careful, I might make things worse and lose my life." Xiang Shaolong said calmly, "Lu Buwei's kindness to the Wu family is as
high as the sky. What's a little risk to me?" Lu Buwei laughed heartily, put his arm around Xiang Shaolong's shoulder, and
left happily. Xiang Shaolong knew that he had gained Lu Buwei's absolute trust, and turned to look at Jing Jun.

(To be continued)

Chapter 4, The Imperial Martial Arts Competition

In the large training ground next to the main hall of Xianyang Palace, thousands of people crowded around, like a bustling market, all eager to watch the upcoming
martial arts competition. One side was the most famous and invincible general of Qin. The other side was a rising star and
unparalleled swordsman from Zhao. Everyone wanted to see how the two would determine the winner.

Under the bright sunshine, three high platforms were set up on the side closest to the main hall, with chairs arranged. In the center, of course, was the throne of
King Zhuangxiang and the Crown Prince and his consort. The left platform was filled with ministers and military generals, led by Yang Quanjun and Wang He.
On the right platform, besides Lü Buwei, Meng Ao and his close associates were all present. Li Si was among them; he
wasn't originally entitled to a seat, but out of concern for Xiang Shaolong, he used his persuasive tongue to secure one
. Those of lower rank could only stand around the perimeter of the training ground to watch.

The Qin soldiers, clad in gleaming armor and taller than those from the other six states, guarded the long steps of the main hall and the three viewing platforms
. Their long spears gleamed in the sunlight, adding to the solemn and imposing atmosphere. At this moment, Lü Buwei and
Xiang Shaolong arrived by carriage. As they alighted and walked towards the right platform, they immediately caused a stir, with everyone pointing and calling out to Xiang Shaolong. Lü Buwei
let out a sigh of relief and whispered in Xiang Shaolong's ear, "The Qin people love martial arts and value heroes above all else. This battle is one where victory is not an option
." Xiang Shaolong had practiced breathing exercises this morning using methods from the Mozi's Supplement, and was now full of energy and confidence
. He said, "

Don't worry, Prime Minister Lü!" Lü Buwei said, "The man in black armor on the left side of the stands is Qiu Risheng. Don't forget what he
looks like." His tone revealed deep hatred. Xiang Shaolong looked up as instructed and saw that nearly a hundred people on the platform were focused
on him. He quickly responded with a smile and a nod. He glanced at Qiu Risheng and then looked away. Lü Buwei led him
up to the stands, introduced him to everyone, and then sat down. He asked Tu Xian behind him, "Has Wang Jian arrived yet?"

Tu Xian replied, "He should be here! But I don't know where he is." A horn sounded. Surrounded by imperial guards,
King Zhuangxiang, clad in a dragon robe, led Xiao Pan, Zhu Ji, Lady Xiuli, Prince Chengjiao, and a host of concubines
out and towards the central platform. All the soldiers stood at attention, saluting, while everyone else on and off the platform knelt in welcome,
creating an eerie silence throughout the training ground. Xiang Shaolong inwardly praised the situation, recognizing the King's majesty and the Qin people's
obedience and discipline.

Only after King Zhuangxiang and his consorts were seated on the platform, and the attendant announced that everyone should rise and take their seats, did they return to
their previous posture, but everyone remained silent, awaiting King Zhuangxiang's announcement. A palace attendant announced loudly, "Where is Xiang Shaolong
!" Xiang Shaolong quickly rose, casually removing his outer robe to reveal his perfect physique, and descended to the front of the main platform to
perform the grand ceremony of paying homage to the King. King Zhuangxiang looked at Xiang Shaolong with pleasure, nodding repeatedly in appreciation. Having lived
abroad for a long time, he could essentially be considered an outsider, so he had a particular
fondness for this young swordsman from Zhao who had rescued his wife.

The eunuch called out again, "Where is General Wang Jian?" Before the words were even finished, the sound of hooves rang out, and a rider
came galloping like a whirlwind from the palace gate. The crowd erupted in thunderous cheers, making way for the rider to reach the center of the arena. In terms of sheer force,
Xiang Shaolong was clearly at a disadvantage. Wang Jian's horsemanship was astonishing; in a short distance, he had already performed
difficult . Just before stopping, he miraculously rolled under the horse's belly, then mounted it from the other side, before leaping
down, kneeling on the ground, and shouting, "This humble general, Wang Jian! Pays his respects to my king!" The crowd erupted in another deafening roar of
cheers and encouragement, pushing the atmosphere to a fever pitch.

Those on Lü Buwei's platform, including Wu Yingyuan and Tao Fang, who had great faith in Xiang Shaolong, began to waver
upon . This was even more true for Lü Buwei and others who were unfamiliar with Xiang Shaolong's abilities. King Zhuangxiang showed
surprise and nodded repeatedly. Zhu Ji, who had a particular fondness for Xiang Shaolong, nervously gripped Xiao Pan's hand, only to
find that Xiao Pan's palms were also sweating.

Those on Yang Quanjun's platform, however, were all beaming with joy, as if Xiang Shaolong's defeat was already a foregone conclusion. Wang Jian
stood tall, looking towards Xiang Shaolong. Just then, Xiang Shaolong looked back with a smile, and their faces met. Both sides
showed surprise, astonished by the other's physique and bearing. Wang Jian was indeed as Wu Yingyuan had described—fair-skinned and handsome—but
this did not adequately describe his true appearance. He was at most half an inch shorter than Xiang Shaolong, dressed in a red and black warrior's uniform with
a rattan vest. Broad shoulders and a thick back, his physique was robust, giving him a dashing and heroic appearance. He had a high nose and
deep-set eyes, his dark hair tied in a short bun with a red rope, the ends hanging down to the back of his neck,
further enhancing his imposing presence.

Xiang Shaolong inwardly admired him, smiling and bowing respectfully, thinking to himself that such a talent was no wonder he would one day help Xiao Pan conquer the land and
unify the six kingdoms. Seeing Xiang Shaolong's friendly expression, Wang Jian relaxed his expression and politely returned the bow, but his eyes remained
hostile. At this moment, an attendant read out the purpose and function of the martial arts competition from the main platform, naturally including
encouragement and emphasizing the importance of maintaining martial spirit. Finally, the eunuch announced loudly, "This competition
will be held : first, archery on horseback, then swordsmanship."

Xiang Shaolong inwardly groaned, secretly thinking that although his riding skills had improved greatly recently, he still wouldn't be able to compete with Wang Jian
even after years of practice at home. Wang Jian loudly accepted the order, and Xiang Shaolong had no choice but to follow suit. With a "whoosh!"
Wang Jian gracefully mounted his horse and galloped away.
Just as he was about to rush into the crowd at the corner of the arena, he reined in his horse, turned its head sharply, and came to a sudden stop without its hooves touching the ground. Of course, another round of
cheers and applause erupted. Two soldiers had already brought out an archery target from the sidelines and placed it in the center of the vast training ground.

At this moment, Lü Buwei had someone bring "Swift Wind" (the horse). Xiang Shaolong smiled calmly, leaped onto
the horse's back from its tail, and then spurred it on, using "Swift Wind's" astonishing speed to circle around to another corner of the training ground,
earning cheers from many. Wang Jian took out his iron bow from beside his saddle, raised it above his head, and immediately drew
praise . Knowing that Wang Jian was confident and ready to demonstrate his archery skills, Xiang Shaolong composed himself and shouted to Wang Jian, "A dead target
is no match for a living target! How about Brother Wang shoot three arrows at me? I promise I won't use my shield to block!" The entire arena fell
silent , but all eyes were filled with disbelief, as if wondering if this man was courting death.

Xiang Shaolong, however, knew his own predicament. Rather than waiting for defeat, he decided to take a risk and rely on his swordsmanship and
skill to deal with the enemy's mounted archery. If successful, he could overcome this obstacle. Wang Jian, clearly not
one to seek advantage, shouted in a deep voice, "Arrows are merciless. Brother Xiang, have you thought this through?" Xiang Shaolong bowed to King Zhuangxiang and said,
"Please grant my permission, Your Majesty!"

King Zhuangxiang hesitated for a moment before gesturing for his permission. The nearly two thousand people present immediately held their breath,
awaiting the breathtaking scene to unfold. Wang Jian raised his bow in one hand and drew four long arrows from the quiver behind his back with the other,
holding them between his fingers with practiced ease, making it seem as if he could release those four arrows as easily as breathing.
Xiang Shaolong inwardly cursed. This man had been hiding his true abilities all along, making outsiders believe he only possessed three arrows, and only now was
he revealing his true skill.

Silence fell. Wang Jian laughed loudly, "This humble general's iron bow and arrows can pierce any shield. Brother Xiang,
what if you use a shield? Be careful!" He slightly spurred his horse, and the warhorse charged forward. Xiang Shaolong laughed and spurred his horse forward, aiming to
get closer to King Zhuangxiang, taking advantage of the fact that he dared not fire arrows in King Zhuangxiang's direction, thus dampening his spirits.

The two riders approached and separated, exchanging positions. Wang Jian turned his horse around and galloped back without a moment's hesitation. Xiang Shaolong's
mind entered the Mohist principle of stillness, and the world seemed to stand still for a moment, with nothing but Wang Jian.
At the same time, he spurred his horse to meet Wang Jian. If he could get close enough to Wang Jian and dodge the four arrows, this mounted archery contest would be over.

The two riders quickly closed the distance, from over a thousand paces to within seven hundred paces. "Thump!" Wang Jian pulled back
his bowstring first, and somehow, one of the arrows was already at the bowstring. In an instant, the bow was fully drawn and the arrow was released. Xiang Shaolong had never seen an arrow
so fast; it reached his face almost as soon as it left the bowstring. Fortunately, his reaction was ten times quicker than that of an ordinary person. With a
loud shout, a spray of blood shot out from his back, striking the arrowhead diagonally. The entire arena, friend or foe, roared in unison.

Xiang Shaolong spurred his horse, drew his sword, and slashed swiftly—these movements were executed in one fluid motion, the angle and timing
perfectly controlled, displaying an ultimate beauty of movement and power that deeply moved the spectators, who
cheered . This also revealed the straightforward and sincere character of the Qin people.

With a clear "clang!", the iron arrow flew diagonally and fell to the ground. Wang Jian shouted "Good!" and
vanished , having hidden under his horse's belly. Xiang Shaolong was horrified. The force of the arrow the opponent had just fired was astonishing, leaving his
entire right arm numb and almost causing him to drop his Blood Wave Blade. Now, not seeing Wang Jian meant he
didn't even know how Wang Jian had fired the arrow; how could he not be shocked?

The training ground was so quiet you could hear a pin drop; even breathing seemed to have stopped. Only the thunderous roar of the warhorses
could be heard. The two sides closed the distance from seven hundred paces to five hundred paces. Without the sound of bowstrings, from Xiang Shaolong's perspective, two arrows simultaneously
shot from under the horses' bellies, which were slightly angled to the right. One arrow aimed at Xiang Shaolong's heart, and the other at his thigh.
The accuracy of the arrows' placement at the moment of impact was absolutely astounding, a truly breathtaking sight.

Knowing that he was now two hundred paces closer than before, and with his arm still aching and numb, Xiang Shaolong had no chance of
deflecting the opponent's more powerful arrow with his arm strength, he steeled himself and forcefully deflected the incoming arrow with the hilt of his sword. At the same time, purely by
instinct and intuition, he swiftly kicked out to meet another powerful arrow. Before anyone could worry about him,
with a "thud," the sword hilt deflected the arrow, and a burning pain shot through his shoe. The arrow, having missed its mark, flew diagonally upwards in front of
Xiang Shaolong , only falling back down at its highest point. The two riders were now only three hundred paces apart.

Xiang Shaolong suddenly realized something was wrong. The last arrow had already silently shot from the side of the horse's neck, at such a tricky angle
that unless one dismounted, there was no way to dodge it, but it was too late. Xiang Shaolong's entire arm was now in
so much pain that he could barely lift or lower it; the Blood Wave he was holding was merely a decoy. With a loud shout, he drew his
wooden sword from his horse's side with his left hand and barely managed to deflect the opponent's last arrow.

"Thud!" The iron arrow was sent flying. The entire arena erupted in cheers, and even Wang Jian couldn't help but shout "
Bravo!" again. He hung his iron bow back on his horse, drew his sword, and charged towards Xiang Shaolong. Xiang Shaolong dared not be careless. Blood
rushed back to his back, and with a flick of his left-hand wooden sword, he spurred his horse forward.

The two brushed past each other, the clanging of metal against metal echoing throughout the training ground. Xiang Shaolong realized that his opponent's arm strength
surpassed his own, and a sense of unease rose within him. He deliberately rode to the edge of the arena before turning back, hoping to buy
time for his right arm to recover. The spectators were all on the edge of their seats.

Wang Jian raised his long sword high and charged forward. Xiang Shaolong switched his wooden sword to his right hand, took a deep breath, and charged towards his tenacious
opponent. The two riders quickly closed the distance, and when they were about fifty paces apart, Xiang Shaolong, riding
the steed given to the beautiful Ji Yanran, suddenly accelerated, darting forward like an arrow, seemingly riding the clouds, and arrived before Wang Jian's horse. Xiang Shaolong
used the "Whirlwind Strike," one of the three deadly moves in the supplement of Mozi's philosophy, a technique of offense as defense. His wooden sword sprang into the air, spun once
, and with its power at its peak, swept out.

Wang Jian, caught off guard by the sudden increase in speed, misjudged the situation, and his plan to win by
relying on failed. He was also bewildered by the unexpected move, and only managed to parry the sword when it was right in front of his face. Xiang Shaolong used this strange move because
he feared Wang Jian's horsemanship. If Wang Jian figured out the speed of the wind and his sword technique, he
would undoubtedly be defeated in a prolonged fight. For Wang Jian, being on horseback was far more agile and free than on foot. With a loud clang, Wang Jian was nearly knocked off his horse, sword and all. This unexpected outcome was
due to Xiang Shaolong's sword strike, which amplified its momentum using the principles of nature, and the weight of the wooden sword itself . 　　Wang Jian lay prone on his horse, guarding against Xiang Shaolong's opportune attack. Xiang Shaolong's wooden sword flashed several times to Wang Jian , and as the two horses brushed past each other, he subtly tapped Wang Jian's thigh twice with his foot. However, because everyone's attention was focused on his wooden sword, and the horses obstructed most of the view, no one except the two combatants knew what had happened. Wang Jian, of course, knew he had held back. Xiang Shaolong knew the time was right and waved his wooden sword at Lü Buwei on the platform, giving the pre-arranged signal. 　　At this moment, the two riders switched positions, facing each other from a distance. Wang Jian looked dejected. A hero of his caliber, he accepted defeat without complaint, and was about to throw down his sword in surrender when Lü Buwei suddenly stood up and shouted, "Stop!" Everyone stared at him in astonishment. Lü Buwei walked to the edge of the platform, knelt before King Zhuangxiang, and said, "Xiang Shaolong and Wang Jian are evenly matched in swordsmanship and horsemanship . I do not wish to see either of them injured. I beg Your Majesty to declare this a draw, and that both of them be appointed Grand Tutors to the Crown Prince, shouldering the heavy responsibility of instructing him." 　　Half of the people on Yang Quanjun's platform looked astonished, never expecting Lü Buwei to be so magnanimous.

Although they couldn't see Xiang Shaolong's two kicks on Wang Jian's legs, everyone had witnessed Wang Jian nearly falling off his horse from the blows
, and knew he was at a disadvantage. King Zhuangxiang nodded slightly and said to Xiang Shaolong, "What does Minister
Xiang think ? Are you willing to give up now?" He said this because he naturally saw that Xiang Shaolong had a better chance of winning. Anyone
with eyes could see from Wang Jian's expression that he wouldn't be optimistic about him.

Xiang Shaolong sheathed his sword and respectfully said, "General Wang's archery and horsemanship are unparalleled, and his swordsmanship is superb. I admire him greatly.
Prime Minister Lü's suggestion is like sweet rain in a long drought. I accept the order with great joy." King Zhuangxiang laughed heartily,
stood up, and announced, "From today onwards, Xiang Shaolong and Wang Jian will both be Grand Tutors to the Crown Prince, without distinction of rank,
serving the Crown Prince together."

A deafening cheer erupted. The most grateful was Wang Jian, for the position of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince was extremely important to him;
otherwise, even with his ambitions, he would have found it difficult to realize them. The happiest, however, was Lü Buwei. Xiang Shaolong's instruction was truly brilliant
, earning him thunderous applause—a sweet taste he had never experienced before in Qin. Zhu Ji excitedly grasped
Xiao Pan's hand, whispering in his ear, "Like rain after a long drought, it's as sweet as honey! Is there anyone in this world who
speaks ?" Xiao Pan looked at his most admired "father" with shining eyes, nodding repeatedly.

Amidst the continuous cheers, Xiang Shaolong and Wang Jian rode side-by-side to the main platform, dismounting to express their gratitude. As the entire audience knelt to bid farewell to King Zhuangxiang
, Wang Jian whispered, "Thank you!" Xiang Shaolong also whispered back, "This is a secret between us; Brother Wang, please treat me
to a drink!" Wang Jian, worried that Xiang Shaolong would spread the word later, gratefully agreed repeatedly.

At this moment, the princes and ministers rushed down from the stage, vying to congratulate the two. Xiang Shaolong seized the opportunity to approach Wang He,
sincerely thanking him for giving him this opportunity. Wang He immediately felt honored, as if he had truly been the one
to elevate Xiang Shaolong. Lü Buwei, who had a prior agreement with him, naturally wouldn't mind him currying favor with Wang He and directly congratulating Wang Jian to
win popular support.

King Zhuangxiang, seeing the perfect outcome, smiled broadly. Except for Yang Quanjun and a few die-hards who looked gloomy because they couldn't defeat
Xiang Shaolong , everyone else was overjoyed and elated after witnessing such a miraculous martial arts competition.
The storm had passed peacefully.

Chapter Five: A Fortuitous Encounter After the

competition, King Zhuangxiang summoned Xiang Shaolong and Wang Jian to the palace and encouraged them. He also publicly praised Lü Buwei,
expressing his appreciation for his win-win suggestion. That night, Lü Buwei held a private banquet at his prime minister's residence. Only Xiang Shaolong, Wu Yingyuan, and Meng Ao
were invited . From Lü Buwei's side, only his confidant Tu Xian and
a few high-ranking guests were present. Li Si was not yet qualified to attend such a high-level and intimate banquet. During the banquet, Lü Buwei
was in high spirits, frequently urging Xiang Shaolong to drink, his heart overflowing with joy. Meng Ao, having witnessed Xiang Shaolong's unparalleled swordsmanship and
fearless spirit, naturally viewed him with new respect.

Wu Yingyuan was overjoyed to see his beloved son-in-law achieve such a great feat. After several rounds of drinks and the performances by the singing girls, the banquet ended. Lü Buwei
laughed heartily and said to Xiang Shaolong across the table, "I recently received three singing girls from the people of Qi. They are all
exceptionally beautiful women, skilled in music, chess, dance, and all other arts. Beautiful women deserve heroes, so I will give them to Shaolong, Mr. Wu, and
General Meng. Please do not refuse." Wu Yingyuan and Meng Ao thought to themselves that the beauties Lü Buwei sent could not be bad, and they
were overjoyed and thanked him.

Xiang Shaolong, knowing he could no longer handle his beautiful wife and maids at home, and unable to adopt the Warring States period's view of women as tools or
adornments, hurriedly declined, saying, "Your Excellency's kindness is appreciated, but my journey to Handan is imminent,
and I do not wish to be distracted by beauty. Please forgive me." Seeing that he was not lusting after women, Lü Buwei's
respect . Furthermore, the man's lack of arrogance
led him to laugh, "Then Mr. Wu will keep it for now. After I capture Zhao Mu, I can fulfill my dream." The crowd cheered, teasing Wu Yingyuan, worried he might
steal it , creating a noisy atmosphere.

Xiang Shaolong, unable to refuse, could only accept the greeting with a wry smile. Meng Ao asked, "When does Shaolong plan to go to Zhao?"
Xiang Shaolong thought of Ji Yanran, eager to depart immediately, but hesitated after glancing at the guests of Lü's residence. Lü Buwei,
knowing his meaning, laughed and said, "Everyone here is one of our own, Shaolong, speak frankly without hesitation."

Xiang Shaolong said in a deep voice, "Once Xiaojun recovers, we will set off immediately." Lü Buwei nodded and said, "I will mention this to
the King. At that time, we can find any excuse, such as asking you to go to a certain place on business, and Shaolong can
sneak into Zhao territory without anyone noticing."

At this moment, he had full confidence in Xiang Shaolong. Although he still did not know what magic weapon Xiang Shaolong used to capture Zhao Mu alive,
he was convinced that he would succeed. Lu Buwei changed the subject, saying, "Xiao Jun's revenge cannot go unavenged. Shaolong, how do you plan to deal with Qiu
Risheng and Guo Xing?" Wu Yingyuan asked with some worry, "If this matter escalates, won't His Majesty be displeased?"

Lu Buwei laughed, "Don't worry! I just mentioned this to His Majesty, and he is also very dissatisfied with Qiu Risheng
's despicable methods. Shaolong, just go ahead and do it; I'll take responsibility for everything." Xiang Shaolong
was His eyes flashed coldly, and he said coldly, "Shaolong knows what to do."

Having lived in this era for so long, he knew that many things had to be resolved with force, otherwise, he would
suffer sooner or later. If Jing Jun hadn't escaped this time, even who killed him would have been lost forever. He didn't care about being Lu Buwei's henchman
even if forced to do it once. If he didn't teach them a lesson, and the same thing
happened to Tao Fang or Wu Yingyuan, he would regret it.

The banquet continued in a joyous atmosphere until all the guests and hosts were satisfied and went home. On the way, Wu Yingyuan , feeling the
effects of the wine, sighed, "Having such a fine son-in-law as Shaolong is not only Tingfang's blessing but also the Wu family's fortune. If it weren't for
Shaolong , where would we be in Qin, where would we be in such a glorious state?" Xiang Shaolong developed a deep affection for his shrewd father-in-law
. From almost the very beginning, Wu Yingyuan had unconditionally supported his son-in-law and even betrothed his beloved daughter to him; how could he not be
grateful?

Tears streamed down Wu Yingyuan's face as he sighed, "After Shaolong captures Zhao Mu, Shaolong's most important task
is to propose a magnificent cenotaph be built for my father in Xianyang. Thinking of how his remains are nowhere to be found, I—alas!"
Xiang Shaolong, fearing he might harm his health from drinking, quickly comforted him.

That night at the Hidden Dragon Residence, he and his many beautiful wives, concubines, and maids indulged in endless love and intimacy, their bodies entwined in passionate embrace. Even with his astonishing strength and electrical abilities, Xiang Shaolong was still exhausted from
being surrounded by the seductive voices, undulating breasts, and swaying hips of a dozen beautiful women . He slept until late morning. 　　The next day, Teng Yi and Wu Zhuo, having learned of Jing Jun's injury, rushed back, bringing with them fifteen of the most skilled swordsmen.

The elite soldiers. Jing Jun was much better and could sit up and talk. Teng Yi examined his wounds and nodded
, "They really wanted to kill Xiao Jun." Jing Jun said worriedly, "When you go to Handan, you absolutely can't leave me out
."

Wu Zhuo said, "Then you should get some sleep!" He winked at the two of them and left the room. Xiang Shaolong
and Teng Yi followed him to the outer hall. Wu Zhuo said, "The only way is to fight fire with fire, otherwise
the same thing will happen again sooner or later."

Xiang Shaolong laughed, "We should act openly and make a big scene so that everyone knows that the Wu
family is not to be trifled with." Teng Yi said, "There's no time to lose. I haven't stretched my muscles in a long time."

Xiang Shaolong laughed loudly, "Then let's set off immediately. After we teach those fools a lesson, we'll still have time for a
hearty lunch." The three of them set off immediately, leading the fifteen skilled warriors, riding out of the Wu residence and heading towards the martial arts guild
.

The streets were bustling with people and carriages, a lively scene indeed. This was Xiang Shaolong's first time riding a horse through the streets of Xianyang, and
he found it very interesting. He pointed and chatted with the crowd along the way, quite pleased with himself. Suddenly, Teng Yi reined in his horse and looked in the direction of the sound
. He saw chaos on the sidewalk. With a "bang!", a plate of
fruits and vegetables was knocked to the ground, and people scrambled to avoid it.

Suddenly, a woman with her head and face wrapped in a long scarf darted out from the crowd, desperately trying
to cross , pursued by five or six fierce-looking men. Just then, a mule cart came along.
The woman, whose face was obscured, screamed in surprise, and was about to be knocked down by the mule. Fortunately, she managed to step back in time, but tripped over something, lost her
balance, and fell to the ground. The scarf covering her head and face fell off, and her long, flowing hair cascaded to the ground. The men
caught up and surrounded the woman. The woman raised her pretty face and screamed, "Kill me! I'm not
going back !"

Xiang Shaolong and the others' eyes lit up; they hadn't expected this woman to be so young and beautiful. Teng Yi shouted and
jumped off his horse. One of the burly men sneered, "You dare interfere in our affairs? You're tired of living!" Teng Yi
darted forward, appearing between the two burly men. The two men roared and threw punches. Teng Yi slightly lowered
his body , his iron fists striking left and right, instantly sending the two burly men flying, unable to get up. The other four burly men
drew their weapons. Wu Zhuo gave the signal, and fifteen warriors simultaneously dismounted and formed a battle formation.

Ignoring the others, Teng Yi approached the girl and extended his hand, saying, "Get up, young lady!" The girl looked
up Teng Yi with a sorrowful expression, shaking her head and saying, "You can't defeat them. Go! Otherwise,
you'll be dragged down with them."

Xiang Shaolong, on horseback, was greatly surprised. His side was strong and well-equipped, clearly not benevolent people. Why did
this beautiful girl still lack confidence in them? Just who were they? Seeing that she
could still think of others even in this situation, Teng Yi was moved and smiled, "I, Teng Yi, am not afraid of anyone. At worst, I
'll just die!"

The girl placed her hand in his large palm, her delicate body trembling slightly. Teng Yi pulled her up. The
burly helped the two men up, their eyes flashing with menacing light as they sized them up. One of them suddenly spotted
Xiang Shaolong, who was perched high on his horse behind them, and exclaimed, "Isn't this Grand Tutor Xiang?" Xiang Shaolong thought to himself, "So this is how much
prestige I've gained!" He glanced at the crowd, spurred his horse forward, and looked at the burly men, whose expressions had become incredibly respectful
, asking, "What's going on here?"

The leading burly man replied, "My name is Zhang Lang, and I'm from Prime Minister Lü's residence. I was just......" " The Prime Minister ordered that two
Qi women be delivered to your residence, but this woman managed to slip away en route." Xiang Shaolong and Wu Zhuo exchanged a glance, then
burst into laughter, saying, "So it was all a misunderstanding! Alright! Consider this Qi woman handed over to me, and you can go back
and report."

The burly man said, "There's another one, in the carriage behind—" Xiang Shaolong found it amusing and said, "
Please trouble you gentlemen to take that one to my humble abode." The burly men, impressed by his humility and politeness, bowed and took their leave. Xiang

Shaolong rode up to Teng Yi and the Qi beauty. Seeing the beauty nestled against Teng Yi like a little bird,
he was and said, "Shall we find a restaurant nearby to sit down and talk?"

Xiang Shaolong and the others sat at four tables and ordered wine and dishes. Qi Nu naturally shared a table with Xiang Shaolong, Teng Yi, and Wu Zhuo.
After drinking a cup of hot tea, her previously pale face flushed, and she became even more beautiful than a flower. No wonder Lü Buwei
praised her beauty. Teng Yi remained silent, a strange look flashing in his eyes. Xiang Shaolong asked softly, "
How should I address you, young lady?" Qi Nu stole a glance at Teng Yi, and seeing that he was not looking at her, she was a little disappointed. She lowered her head and
said sadly, "My name is Shanlan!"

Wu Zhuo asked, "Why did you run away after coming to Xianyang? The laws here are very strict. Ten families form a group. If
one family breaks the law, the other families will be punished together. Those who know about it but do not report it will be cut in half at the waist. Who would dare to hide you?" Shanlan's
eyes reddened and she said, "I am prepared to die. I don't care about so many things."

Teng Yi's body trembled, and he lowered his head, staring at the steam rising from the hot tea in his cup. Xiang Shaolong said softly
, "Now that Miss Shan knows she's coming to our house, do you still want to run away?" Shan Lan was stunned for a moment, then whispered,
"I don't know!"

Xiang Shaolong smiled and said, "How about this? I'll give you two choices: one, we'll send someone to take you back to
Qi to reunite with your family; two, you marry my brother, Teng Yi." He patted Teng Yi's shoulder. Teng Yi trembled
and looked at Xiang Shaolong, his expression both embarrassed and filled with undisguised gratitude. Love always comes unexpectedly
. Shan Lan's pitiful situation and her charmingly pathetic appearance deeply touched the heart of this tough man.
Xiang Shaolong, judging by appearances, knew exactly what Teng Yi was thinking.

Shanlan stole another glance at Teng Yi, her eyes reddening, and whispered in a voice barely above a mosquito's buzz, "This humble woman has long
been homeless ." Wu Zhuo slapped the table with delight, "Then congratulations, Brother Teng!"

Teng Yi frowned, "Shaolong! She should have been—" Xiang Shaolong interrupted him, "Saying such things
would be disrespectful to me as a brother. Alas! I'm so happy that Brother Teng is willing to accept a happy life again, I almost cried!"

Wu Zhuo laughed, "Today doesn't seem like a good day to go and cause trouble for Qiu Risheng!" Xiang Shaolong happily said, "Let's
go back to the manor first!" He couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. Could the problem between Qi Nu and Teng Yi have been resolved so perfectly
?

Chapter Six, Lüshi Chunqiu

Upon arriving at the Wu manor, Tao Fang greeted him, "I was just about to send someone to look for you, thankfully you're back." Xiang
Shao Long was taken aback and asked, "What's so important?"

Tao Fang laughed, "It's extremely important, but it's good news. The King has ordered you to go to the palace immediately to see him."
He then pulled him aside and lowered his
voice

, saying, "Shao Long, don't blame me for being old and nagging, but yesterday during the martial arts competition at the training ground, the Queen looked at you strangely. You must be careful!" Xiang Shao Long understood the implication of his words and said firmly, "I know what I'm doing. Even if it doesn't implicate anyone
, I would never do such a shameful and foolish thing." Tao Fang knew that he meant what he said and was relieved.
Xiang Shao Long turned his horse around, refused the escort offered by Wu Zhuo and the others, and rode towards the Qin Palace.

The streets of Xianyang were somewhere between Handan and Daliang, but that only referred to the largest
streets . On average, the streets of Xianyang were much wider and more open. As soon as he turned onto the main road heading south, Xiang Shao Long
felt a sense of being watched. It was a feeling that was difficult to explain. Xiang Shaolong was surprised. Perhaps
it was from too much meditation and internal energy cultivation, but his senses had become so acute. He was also puzzled as to why someone was secretly watching
him. He pretended to casually stroll through the street, silently surveying his surroundings to get a feel for the situation.

This area bordered the southern market district, a mix of shops and residences. Large trees stood every two zhang or so along both sides of the road, providing ample
shade and lush greenery; it would be easy for an attacker to conceal themselves. A quick glance
revealed several suspicious individuals. Two men sat at a table by the window on the second floor of a restaurant. Upon seeing Xiang Shaolong's gaze,
they immediately lowered their intense stares and pretended to speak. Another man was a traveling vendor selling miscellaneous goods by the roadside,
surrounded by a group of people who appeared to be buying things, haggling over prices. However, Xiang Shaolong noticed him intently
watching his approach, and the veins on his forehead bulged with tension.

Among those carrying him, two or three were burly, most likely his accomplices. On the
opposite street, opposite the group disguised as traveling merchants, two men saw Xiang Shaolong approaching and quickly hid behind trees, clearly harboring ill intentions
. Xiang Shaolong, however, was thinking of something else entirely. It wasn't surprising that someone had plotted to kill him; what was surprising was how accurately they
knew his route and itinerary. The only explanation was that they knew King Zhuangxiang had summoned him to the palace, and thus could
set a deadly trap on this inevitable route to the palace. And the enemy's strength shouldn't have been afraid of him having
any , because they wouldn't have considered that he was traveling alone when devising the plan.

Thinking of this, he felt a chill run down his spine. At this moment, he was almost certain that the person who wanted to kill him was Yang Quanjun. Only he
could know the King of Qin's actions clearly through Lady Xiuli, and only he had the courage and strength to deal with him.
Since had dealt with Jing Jun, he didn't need to be polite to him either.

The sound of carriages approached. Four carriages loaded with hay came galloping down the street ahead, each with a driver. Two carriages
approached from the left and right, near the sidewalk, clearing a space of about ten feet in the middle, enough for him to pass straight through. Xiang Shaolong
knew something was wrong just from the time, place, and manner of their appearance. In this life-or-
death the reins of his horse, pretending not to notice, and headed towards the carriages, secretly pulling two steel needles from his waist and concealing them in
his hand.

The two sides gradually drew closer. Xiang Shaolong chuckled inwardly, lightly spurring his horse. His horse, having spent time with him,
understood his intention and immediately sped up, instantly entering the space between the four carriages. This move caught the opponents completely off guard.
The four shouted in unison, revealing their ferocious faces. Hay fodder billowed into
the air, and from within each carriage, a crossbowman emerged, his crossbows loaded with bolts, simultaneously aiming at Xiang Shaolong.

Xiang Shaolong roared and charged forward like an arrow, simultaneously hurling steel needles backward.
The archers on the first two carts, before they even had a chance to fire, had needles embedded in their faces and fell back into the haystacks. The other two, hastily
firing blindly, lost their aim, and their powerful arrows crisscrossed past him. Xiang Shaolong laughed heartily,
increasing its limit, and vanished into the distance along the long street in an instant, demonstrating that even with their strength, the enemy was powerless against him.

Xiang Shaolong met King Zhuangxiang and his concubine
Zhu . The hall was elegantly furnished. King Zhuangxiang sat alone at the head of the table, with Lü Buwei and Xiang Shaolong to his left; Zhu Ji and Xiao Pan sat
to his right, each occupying a small table. Palace maids entered and set out food and wine before leaving. Guards remained outside, giving the
luncheon a somewhat family-like atmosphere. Xiao Pan remained composed and did not steal glances at Xiang Shaolong. Zhu Ji had become much more restrained
; though her beautiful eyes were even more captivating, they no longer flirted with the same flirtatious glances as before.

Large windows on both sides of the hall offered views of the winding corridors outside, lush with flowers and trees, quiet and serene, devoid of human voices
. After offering three toasts, King Zhuangxiang smiled and said, "The Prime Minister told me this morning that Shaolong will be setting off in the next few days to
capture Zhao Mu and bring him back so I can vent my anger. The Queen and I are deeply moved, so we must
invite Shaolong here immediately for a meal to bolster his spirits." Xiang Shaolong felt a great fondness for King Zhuangxiang, not only for his refined
demeanor but also for his genuine sincerity.

Perhaps due to his long time as a hostage in Zhao, enduring much coldness and prejudice, he did not possess the extravagant and unrealistic habits
of royalty . Judging from his deep affection for Zhu Ji and his lingering gratitude towards Lü Buwei, even
joining forces with this wealthy merchant against his own people, one could see how loyal and righteous he was. There was another reason why Xiang
Shaolong particular sympathy for him. In this world, only he knew that the leader of the most powerful nation
had only three years left to live. He quickly kowtowed in gratitude.

King Zhuangxiang suddenly said kindly, "Does Your Highness have something to say?" Zhu Ji and Lü Buwei's gazes fell on
Xiao Pan, both casting expressions of boundless affection similar to King Zhuangxiang's. Xiang Shaolong found it amusing; these three all considered
Xiao Pan their precious son, only to discover he was merely a fake. At the same time, he was secretly startled; Xiao Pan must have
shown a strange expression upon hearing the name of Zhao Mu, the man who had insulted his mother, which King Zhuangxiang had noticed. Xiao Pan looked at Xiang Shaolong, disappointed,
and said, "Grand Tutor has not yet had the opportunity to instruct Your Highness before leaving."

All three laughed. Zhu Ji frowned and said, "Won't this put the Grand Tutor in too much danger?"
Xiang Shaolong smiled and said, "The more dangerous the matter, the better it suits my taste. Your Majesty, please rest assured, I will be careful.
"

Lü Buwei chuckled and said, "I have complete confidence in Shaolong; I know he will succeed." King Zhuangxiang doted on
Xiao Pan and smiled at him, saying, "Your Highness respects the Grand Tutor so much; your father is very pleased." Turning to Xiang Shaolong
, he said, "If the Grand Tutor has some free time these next few days, please take some time to come to the palace to instruct the Crown Prince. Yesterday, when you blocked Wang Jian's three arrows at the training ground
, my son was so excited that he kept telling everyone about it!"

Xiang Shaolong couldn't help but exchange a glance with Xiao Pan, secretly marveling at the boy's skill. With such an act, if he were to show
particular , no one would suspect ulterior motives. He respectfully agreed. King Zhuangxiang sighed
, saying, "My fate was fraught with hardship back then. I was stranded in Handan, enduring countless scornful looks and idle insults. I never had the chance
to study properly, and every day I worried about my survival. Therefore, the first thing I did upon Your Highness's return to Xianyang was
to have him read widely, to have him—" Zhu Ji gave him a coquettish glare, then said in a spoiled tone, "Your Majesty has found
more than ten people to tutor the Crown Prince in shifts. I'm truly afraid that Zheng'er will be exhausted."

King Zhuangxiang smiled contentedly, showing no displeasure at being interrupted. Lü Buwei chuckled
, "Would Your Majesty like to hear my grand plan for nurturing Crown Prince Zheng?" The four of them looked at him in astonishment. Lü Buwei
looked at Xiao Pan with a fatherly gaze before addressing King Zhuangxiang: "As the saying goes, 'If you don't know, ask; if you can't do it,
learn .
' The sages, the wise men, the military strategists, and the swordsmen—who among them wasn't initially ignorant? They all learned through study and reflection. Since this is the case, the way of a ruler requires even more learning."

King Zhuangxiang asked in surprise, "Does Prime Minister Lü believe that my guidance of my son is insufficient?
The people I've invited to instruct him are all among the most outstanding talents in their respective arts. For example, Qin Qing's poetry and music are
not only unparalleled in Qin, but also admired by people from the other six states. She is considered on par with the talented woman Ji from Wei. Does Prime Minister have
a better candidate?" Xiang Shaolong then realized that the widow Qing's surname was Qin, and she was also one of
the Crown Prince's tutors. No wonder Qin Shi Huang, that is, Xiao Pan, would build the "Huaiqing Terrace" to honor his female tutor.

Zhu Ji and Xiao Pan looked at Lü Buwei curiously, wondering what he would say to King Zhuangxiang. Lü Buwei
confidently stated, "As the Crown Prince of Qin, Prince Zheng certainly has no shortage of capable advisors. However,
too much of a good thing can be bad; sometimes too many diverse opinions can lead to confusion. Therefore, I have specially
gathered wise and capable individuals, as well as extraordinary people, from across the land to pool our wisdom and resources. We have compiled the principles of governance, from ruling the world to farming in the four seasons
, into a single book. Once the book is completed, the Crown Prince will be able to know everything and understand everything."
Xiang Shaolong sighed inwardly, impressed by Lü Buwei's painstaking efforts for his "son."

King Zhuangxiang chuckled and said, "It is truly thanks to the Prime Minister for coming up with this idea. If the Prime Minister needs any assistance,
please free to ask me!" The luncheon thus passed in a relaxed and harmonious atmosphere.

After the banquet, King Zhuangxiang and Consort Zhu returned to their palace to rest. Lü Buwei, as the Prime Minister, was extremely busy and barely
had time to exchange a few words. Xiang Shaolong told him about the attack they had encountered on their way there, and
Lü Buwei . Xiang Shaolong then took Xiao Pan to the training ground to practice swordsmanship. Xiao Pan
was no longer the same as before; wherever he went, he was accompanied by a large group of imperial guards, eunuchs, and palace maids, making it so tiring that the two of them couldn't even have a proper conversation. Before the duel, Xiao Pan couldn't help but whisper,
"Master! Please don't go to Handan, okay? Without you and Mother by my side, I feel like I have nothing left."
Xiang Shaolong noticing the nearest eunuch was about five zhang away, pretended to instruct him in swordsmanship and asked, "Are they
good to you?"

Xiao Pan's eyes reddened, "Very good! I truly treat them like my own parents." Xiang Shaolong gently
scolded, "This is the last time you'll consider yourself Xiao Pan. From this moment on, even before me, you are still Ying Zheng
!"

Xiao Pan nodded understandingly and asked again, "Can I not go?" Xiang Shaolong smiled and said, "Remember our
gentleman's agreement: Zhao Mu is mine, and King Zhao is yours." With that, he swung his sword.

Xiao Pan nimbly jumped aside, assuming a fighting stance. Xiang Shaolong was shocked. This boy possessed something
he hadn't had : a powerful confidence that greatly changed his aura. This was
the giant who would one day unify the world and become China's first emperor. Thinking of this, an uncontrollable impulse surged within him
.

Just then, a palace attendant came to report that Qin Qing had arrived. Although Xiang Shaolong longed to see the widow
Qing, who was as famous as Ji Yanran, and to see how virtuous and beautiful she was, it was against propriety, and he had no excuse. Besides, Xiao Pan needed to bathe and change,
so he had no choice but to return to the Wu residence. Upon entering, a guard announced that Wang Jian had come to see him and was
chatting with Wu Yingyuan and Tao Fang in the main hall. He hurried inside. Wang Jian, seeing Xiang Shaolong, was pleased and stepped forward to greet him with his hand.

Seeing that Wang Jian, dressed in ordinary warrior's attire, possessed a unique and imposing presence, Xiang Shaolong
felt a surge of camaraderie and sincerely said, "I've kept you waiting, Brother Wang!" Wu Yingyuan and Tao Fang stood up, the former saying, "
Grand Tutor Wang has come to bid farewell to Shaolong."

Xiang Shaolong asked in surprise, "Farewell?" Wang Jian excitedly replied, "Yes! I must immediately depart for the northern frontier
to fight the Xiongnu."

Xiang Shaolong felt a pang of unease, secretly thinking that if he were to go to the battlefield, he would need the approval of King Zhuangxiang and Lü Buwei
. After Shang Yang's reforms, the power of tribal leaders in Qin was stripped away, and they lost the right to inherit their positions. Official ranks were
awarded based on military merit. Any mobilization of more than fifty soldiers required the approval of the King of Qin. This was unprecedented at the time, bringing
the centralization of power in the Qin Dynasty to its zenith. All generals usually only held half of the command token; without
the King of Qin granting them the other half, they could hardly mobilize troops. Besides the military tally, a document bearing the seal of the King of Qin was also required for it
to be considered legitimate. Therefore, rebelling in Qin was far more difficult than in other states.

Knowing that the two men had something to say, Wu Yingyuan and Tao Fang tactfully excused themselves and left. After the two men sat down as host and guest,
Xiang Shaolong sipped the fragrant tea served by a maid, wondering if Lü Buwei had always lacked tolerance and had deliberately transferred Wang Jian away
to prevent him from competing for favor with him. Thinking this, he felt deeply apologetic. Wang Jian asked curiously, "Brother Xiang, why does your face look
so pale?" Xiang Shaolong sighed and said, "Brother Wang, you were just promoted to Grand Tutor to the Crown
Prince, and then you were transferred away. I feel so sorry for you! No! I must speak to the King on your behalf."

Wang Jian, a man of both wisdom and courage, was stunned for a moment, then understood and said with emotion, "Now I
realize that Brother Xiang truly cares for me. However, there was a misunderstanding. This appointment was proposed to the King by me
. Alas! To be honest, seniority is the most important thing in the army." As a junior, without any connections or influence, leading troops into battle was simply
out of the question. This time, they were unwilling to grant Brother Xiang the position of Grand Tutor, so they reluctantly promoted me to compete with him
. Now my status is different. This morning, when I paid my respects to Your Majesty, Your Majesty asked me what my wishes were, and I immediately
said I hoped to serve on the northern frontier. After discussing with Prime Minister Lü, Your Majesty inquired further about my strategy and immediately bestowed upon me the Tiger
Tally , appointing me as commander-in-chief on the northern frontier. This was something I had always dreamed of, and I never imagined it would become a reality.
"Is he here to report good news and express his gratitude to Brother Xiang?"

This time, it was Xiang Shaolong's turn to be
stunned
. The Xiongnu and Hu people had long invaded the borders of the Qin, Zhao, and Yan states. In their struggle for control of the Central Plains, the three states had always adopted the strategy of building the Great Wall to defend their borders, but they had never been able to subdue these powerful nomadic peoples who lived on the Mongolian Plateau following the water and grass. Therefore, everyone considered fighting the Xiongnu to be a thankless and arduous
task, and one wrong move could cost them their lives. The Xiongnu were nomadic and lived a hard life, making them particularly
predatory . They used the advantage of their cavalry's rapid movement to adopt a guerrilla strategy, advancing when the enemy retreated and retreating when the enemy advanced, frequently
penetrating deep into the Central Plains to harass and plunder the agricultural states. The Qin people were one of the states that suffered greatly from this.

When Li Mu offended the King of Zhao, he was transferred to the northern frontier, which was a form of punishment. So how
could anyone expect Wang Jian to volunteer and ask someone to transfer him to the northern frontier? Seeing Xiang Shaolong's concerned expression, Wang Jian smiled and said
, "No wonder Brother Xiang is puzzled. Since childhood, many of my thoughts have differed from others." Xiang Shaolong, relieved
, became curious and said, "Brother Wang, why don't you tell me?"

Wang Jian downed his tea in one gulp and solemnly said, "This humble general has always admired King Wuling of Zhao. If it weren't
for his immense courage in making two reforms, not only would Zhao have become one of the powerful states, but the way warfare has also changed
." Xiang Shaolong had already heard of this and nodded, "Brother Wang, are you referring to his adoption of nomadic dress and archery?"

Wang Jian became excited and said, "Exactly! At that time, the clothes of the Zhao people were long-sleeved, wide-waisted, with wide collars
and large hems. Such long robes and gowns were extremely inconvenient for riding horses and shooting arrows. Therefore, King Wuling ignored the ministers' talk of
'changing the ancient ways'..." He rejected all the outdated and rigid principles of "going against the will of the people," and ordered the entire army to change into Hu clothing,
replacing long robes with short jackets with narrow sleeves, leather belts around the waist, and long boots, giving them a completely new look. Xiang Shaolong found this
amusing and laughed, "This reform involves changes in appearance and social customs, so of course there will be no shortage of resistance."

Wang Jian sneered, "Compared to being slaves of a conquered nation, what is this small reform?" He continued, "Another, more
profound reform was abandoning the chariot-based warfare and replacing it with cavalry as the main force. In a short time,
a powerful cavalry was built, which not only swept through the Xiongnu but also conquered the Central Plains, becoming invincible and producing many famous generals. If it weren't for
the incompetent King Xiaocheng, even with an unparalleled military genius like Bai Qi, our country would probably still have had difficulty achieving the victory at Changping."
Xiang

Shaolong suddenly realized, "So you're going to conquer the northern frontier to emulate King Wuling's hegemonic achievements and create a new frontier
." Wang Jian smiled confidently and said, "Although I have a lot of combat experience, I've always served as a vanguard
soldier never had the opportunity to lead an army. When will it be my turn to fight against the southeastern states? That's why I volunteered
to try leading an army. I can also familiarize myself with mounted archery and find the Xiongnu to sharpen my sword."

Then he lowered his voice and said, "Back then, King Wuling of Zhao expanded his territory by a thousand li and incorporated all the Lin Hu people into his domain." Within the borders, the skilled Linhu people,
adept at riding and archery, also served as Zhao's cavalry, greatly increasing their strength. This humble general has also had this idea.
This is called killing two birds with one stone; how can we
talk
about unifying the world if we don't force the Xiongnu to retreat even once? Xiang Shaolong reached out and put his hand on his shoulder, saying with heartfelt admiration, "Brother Wang is indeed an extraordinary person. He can think of so many benefits from something that most people consider a chore. The great cause of unification in the future will surely be pioneered by your precious sword and bow."

This was the first time Wang Jian had encountered someone who didn't call him a fool or an idiot. He grabbed his arm and said gratefully:
"Brother Xiang is truly an extraordinary man. My current position—" Xiang Shaolong interrupted him, saying, "If you bring that up again, you
won't consider me a true brother."

Wang Jian's eyes reddened, and he said sincerely, "Brother Xiang, please don't blame me for arguing so highly. This northern expedition was extremely dangerous
; I might not have returned alive. I came here today—" Seeing his hesitation, Xiang Shaolong asked curiously,
"Brother Wang, what is it? Just say it!"

Wang Jian blushed and said, "Actually, I was captivated by Brother Xiang the moment I saw him. I wonder if we could become
sworn brothers, sharing both fortune and misfortune? If there is even the slightest insincerity, may I be struck down by heaven and earth." Xiang Shaolong was overjoyed and said:
"It is I who am presumptuous to presume upon your position," Xiang Shaolong said. "However, I also have three loyal friends. Why don't we emulate
the oath of brotherhood in the Peach Garden by Liu Bei , Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei leave behind a lasting

legacy of loyalty and righteousness?" Wang Jian was taken aback. "What do you mean, the oath of brotherhood in the Peach Garden by Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei?" This time, it was Xiang Shaolong's turn to feel extremely embarrassed . The oath of brotherhood between Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei took place during the Three Kingdoms period, something Wang Jian had never heard of. He quickly made up a story to cover it up. He then invited Teng Yi and Wu Zhuo, and the four of them solemnly swore an oath of brotherhood together beside Jing Jun's bed, which had mostly healed. Afterward, they had a big feast, and Wang Jian happily took his leave. 　　That night, Xiang Shaolong was in high spirits and indulged in passionate lovemaking with Wu Tingfang and the others, temporarily setting aside his troubles and longing for Ji Yanran. Suddenly, Xiang Shaolong deeply felt that he had reached the most triumphant and glorious moment of his life. He had no other desires, as long as he could bring Ji Yanran back to Xianyang and capture Zhao Mu.

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A Step into the Past (Complete Adaptation, Episodes 6-8) Original Author: Huang Yi Adaptation: Zi Yue (frank511127)

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