Chapter 23: The Arrogant Hostage

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  Listening to Lin Xiangru's roar, Qin Yiren was wrapped in a happy package, his eyes wide open, and he himself found it hard to believe: "I actually won against Lin Xiangru?"

  Lin Xiangru was a great man of the Warring States period, a wise and intelligent person, but he lost to Qin Yiren, and it was a loss that made him feel ashamed, so much so that he couldn't help but scold himself.

  Qin's success in gaining the upper hand was because his words hit the vital point, touching on what King Zhao of Chu dreaded most.

  After the defeat at Changping, Zhao was suspicious of his ministers and wondered who would take responsibility. King Xiaocheng of Zhao couldn't help but suspect that his ministers had a mind to depose him. Coincidentally, Lian Po and Lin Xiangru joined forces, and they had such strength that it was impossible for the king not to be wary of them.

  Even if a great victory is won, Qin's Yi Ren will have worn out his tongue, and Zhao's King Xiaocheng will not believe it.

  "The young master is really formidable, he actually made old Lin Xiangru suffer such a great loss!"

  "That's Lin Xiangru! Even the King of Qin couldn't handle him, but he lost to you, young master!"

  Meng Zhao, Ma Gai, Fan Tong, Hei Bo and Mo Er had stars in their eyes, admiring Qin Yiren with utmost respect.

  Later generations praised Lin Xiangru for "returning the jade to Zhao", and Lin Xiangru's opponent was the current King of Qin, Qin Shuangwang. Qin Shuangwang was a great hero of his generation, but he couldn't get Lin Xiangru, which made the people of Qin very unhappy.

  Not to mention, Lin Xiangru was even forced to smash the Qin king's musical instrument at the meeting of Pingyi, which made the Qin people hate him so much that their teeth itched, but they couldn't do anything about it.

  Today, they witnessed Xiangru being bullied by Qin Yiren with their own eyes, which made the five of them, including Meng Zhao, happier than anything else.

  "Qin Yiren, you have cleared up my doubts today. I will reward and punish clearly, and I won't pursue your crimes anymore. You can go down now." King Zhao Xian of Qin stared at Qin Yiren, waving his hand as if shooing away a fly.

  Qin Yiren's words were very clear. If Qin Yiren was killed, the State of Zhao would lose the possibility of negotiating with the State of Qin, which would be unwise for the current State of Zhao. Although King Zhao Xian wanted to kill Qin Yiren, he dared not harbor such a thought.

  Of course, he hated Qin Yiren and wouldn't give him a good face. In his eyes, Qin Yiren was just an annoying fly.

  "Are you going to spare his life?" The officials' eyes widened in shock, as if they couldn't believe their ears.

  "Have we escaped?" Meng Zhao, Ma Gai, Fan Tong, Hei Bo and Miao Er's eyes were also wide with disbelief.

  They were captured by the Red Clothed Guards, thinking they would surely die. But unexpectedly, it wasn't long before Zhao Xiaocheng's anger subsided and he gave up the idea of killing them, leaving them feeling as if they had just woken up from a dream.

  This is a great thing, by rights Qin Yiren should be over the moon with joy, rush to Zhao Xiaocheng and kowtow in gratitude, with tears of gratitude streaming down his face. But instead, Zhao Xiaocheng just sat there with an air of superiority, waiting for Qin Yiren to kneel before him.

  However, things took an unexpected turn for everyone, and all that could be heard was Qin Yiren's loud shout: "Zhao Dan, kill me! I don't want to live anymore, I don't want to live anymore!"

  "Ah!" Everyone in the imperial court, including Zhao Xiaocheng King, Ping Jun, and all the ministers of Zhao State, as well as Meng Zhao's five people, were greatly surprised, their eyes wide with shock, and grinding their teeth.

  Qin Yiren was able to escape and survive, which is extremely rare. Anyone else would be eternally grateful, crying tears of joy, but Qin Yiren instead yelled and screamed, wanting to seek death. Who wouldn't be surprised?

  "Why don't you want to live anymore?" Zhao Xiaocheng Wang asked with some curiosity.

  "I'm starving, I'm freezing, it's better to be dead than alive." Qin Yiren wept and wailed, and the thing Zhao Xiaocheng Wang had been hoping for - a nose full of snot and a face full of tears - appeared, but not in gratitude towards him.

  "If you don't want to live, then die." Zhao Xiaocheng Wang had no sympathy at all, pointing to the pillar in the hall and saying, "Grit your teeth, be ruthless, rush over, and hit your head hard. Don't worry, it won't hurt!"

  In his eyes, Qin Yiren was just a fly that could be crushed to death at any time, and it would be cleaner if he died. He wanted to kill Qin Yiren, but he was afraid of ruining the hope of negotiation. If Qin Yiren committed suicide, that would be perfect - it would preserve the hope of negotiation while also venting his anger, and he would be happy to give Qin Yiren advice on how to do it.

  "Tigers and wolves of Qin, you will die soon!" The officials also harbored such thoughts, loudly urging.

  "What a pity!" Only Pingyuan Jun let out a soft sigh, the outlet for his frustrations over the past three years, if he were to die like this, he really couldn't bear it.

  "Meng Zhao, you return to the Qin state and tell the Qin king that Zhao Dan forced me to my death in the imperial court." Qin Yiren ordered Meng Zhao with a sentence, then tidied up his clothes and said: "We Qin people, even if we die, must die with dignity!"

  "Hold on!" Zhao Xiao Cheng Wang hastily interrupted, a smile spreading across his face as he said with some amusement: "Qin Yi Ren, how have I forced you? It's you who want to seek death, what does it have to do with me?"

  "Yes indeed!" Lord Pingyuan and all the officials loudly echoed in agreement, greatly approving of this statement.

  "Zhao Dan, Zhao Dan, don't you ever think about this? This is the imperial court, I die here, whether it's by my own hand or yours, it will all be on your head." Qin Yiren's face turned solemn as he loudly explained.

  "Hmm!" Zhao Xiaocheng's face stiffened.

  Qin Yiren is right, as long as Qin Yiren dies in the imperial court, it will be counted on his head.

  "Don't say that dying in the imperial court is the same as dying in Handan, the King of Qin will still put this grudge on Zhao's head." Qin Yiren's mood was not bad, it seemed like seeking death was his heartfelt desire, he said: "The great Qin is about to send troops to Handan, and it's just a pity that there is no excuse, if I die now, the Qin country will have a legitimate reason to send troops."

  With a swish, Zhao Xiao Cheng Wang, Pingyuan Jun and the faces of the group of ministers from Zhao Guo changed greatly, their blood color lost instantly.

  After the Battle of Changping, Bai Qi was resting in Ye Wang, sharpening his sword and preparing to raise an army to destroy Zhao. If at this time news came that Qin's guest had died in Handan, whether he had taken his own life or been killed, it would be blamed on Zhao, and the Qin army could raise the banner of avenging Qin's guest and openly march on Handan.

  There is a saying "a good excuse for the teacher to go out", the army's action, even with the thickest interests, needs an excuse, that's justifiable.

  With this mouthpiece, the military strength of Qin will be stronger, the hatred in their hearts will be more intense and fierce, Zhao Guo will be destroyed faster, and it is impossible for the monarchs and ministers of Zhao to not be afraid.

  "Moreover, the King of Qin will definitely avenge me! If the King of Qin can avenge Fan Yu, he will certainly avenge me! None of you will have a good death!" Qin Yiren said with absolute confidence, his words making the king and ministers of Zhao tremble with fear.

  Qin Zhao Wang avenged Prime Minister Fan Ju's grievance, a famous event in history known as "Fan Ju's Revenge".

  Fan Yu was beaten to death by Wei Qi with a stick, and after Fan Yu fainted, Wei Qi still did not let go of his hatred. He ordered people to throw the unconscious Fan Yu into the toilet and asked guests to come and urinate on him. What kind of shame is this?

  People sighed: "A scholar humiliated like this has never been heard of in a thousand years!"

  Can Fan Yi swallow this breath?

  Later, Fan Ju came to the Qin state and was appointed as Chancellor by King Zhao of Qin, seeking revenge. After learning of this, King Zhao immediately sent someone to the Wei state to tell the king of Wei that he should hand over Wei Qi; otherwise, he would send troops to destroy the Wei state.

  The King of Wei was afraid and wanted to hand over Wei Qi.

  Wei Qi was greatly afraid, and went to seek refuge with Lord Xinling. However, Lord Xinling did not dare to receive him. Wei Qi had no choice but to flee, and came to Handan, seeking refuge with Lord Pingyuan. Lord Pingyuan was unwilling to receive him, fearing that it would tarnish his own reputation, but eventually received him out of necessity.

  Wei Qi had just arrived in Handan when the Qin envoy arrived in Handan and met with King Zhaoxiang of Zhao, ordering Zhao to hand over Wei Qi. If not, Qin would declare war on Zhao. King Zhaoxiang was unwilling to go to war with Qin for the sake of one man, so he ordered Pingyuan Jun to hand over Wei Qi. However, Pingyuan Jun hesitated and refused.

  After learning of the situation, King Zhao of Qin ordered Pingyuan Jun to go to Xianyang and explain himself in person. This was a blatant slap in the face, but Pingyuan Jun knew he could use this as an opportunity to step down and avoid further humiliation, so he endured the shame and went to Xianyang, where he was detained for two months until the head of Wei Qi was sent to Xianyang, at which point King Zhao released him.

  At that time, King Zhao of Qin planned to seize Shangdang from the State of Han and did not want to fall out with the State of Zhao, so he allowed Pingyuan Jun to return home; otherwise, even ten Pingyuan Juns would have been killed.

  Fan Yi's revenge shook the world, and Zhao Xiao Cheng Wang and Ping Yuan Jun personally participated in it, deeply understanding its danger, almost leading to a prolonged war, blood flowing like rivers. After listening to Qin Yiren's words, his face turned pale, without a hint of blood color.

  "The old Qin people are not afraid of death, I will die now!" Qin Yiren took a few steps towards the side of Prince Pingyuan, and with one exertion, he resolutely and decisively rushed towards the pillar of the hall.