Chapter 60: The Heroic and Chivalrous Qin Zhao Wang (Part 1)

  "Sui Dai has met Ying Hou." Sui Dai rushed to see Fan Yi and paid his respects.

  Yinghou was the title of Fan Ju.

  "Su Zi is excused from the ceremony, please come in." Fan Yi stepped aside and invited them in, leading Lu Zhonglian and Su Dai into the house.

  As soon as he entered the house, Su Dai was stunned again.

  All that can be seen is the simple furnishings of the house, which can be said to be crude. A wide wooden table is piled high with books and has writing brushes and ink on it. In front of the table is a low stool, full of wear marks.

  There were dozens of low tables placed on both sides, which were used for officials to discuss matters.

  There is also a brazier with charcoal fire burning brightly, emitting hot air.

  There are also some ordinary ceramic tea sets.

  Besides this, there is no other decoration.

  "Is this where Lord Hou is receiving guests?" Su Dai thought he had entered the wrong room.

  "From Shang Jun till now, all the prime ministers of successive dynasties have worked here and never changed it." Fan Ju explained to Su Dai.

  "Also too..." Su Daili suddenly realized her mistake and hastily closed her mouth, saying nothing more.

  "Too simple, isn't it?" Fan Yu smiled and said the unsaid words for him: "Su Zi traveled all over the world, deeply understanding the trend of the world. Can you understand why Qin State can defeat six with one and become stronger in battle?"

  This issue has been discussed by countless people, with many answers. Su Dai had his own views and was prepared to respond, but Fan Yi pointed inside the house and said: "The truth is here. The Qin people are thick and heavy, grand and simple, practical and realistic, not pursuing luxury, not seeking brocade clothes and jade food, not seeking precious goods, only pursuing achievements. The state of Qin uses every penny it can earn for military conquests, while the six countries in Shandong have more land than Qin, more people than Qin, and more taxes than Qin, but they pursue luxury and do not use them for military conquests. How can they be a match for Qin?

  This statement is quite novel and different from any popular saying, yet it is very persuasive. The Qin state used every penny that could be earned to contend for hegemony, which made the Qin army well-trained, with advanced tactics, excellent equipment, invincible in battle, and unbeatable in attack.

  "Fan Jue was originally from the state of Wei. In previous years, he had served under Su Jia and often entered and exited the prime minister's mansion of Wei Qi. Pearls from the South China Sea, jade from Kunshan, treasures from the East China Sea, rare goods from the Baiyue region, and precious goods from the Xiongnu were all visible everywhere, with a luxurious atmosphere and a brilliant aura. However, when the Qin king issued an edict, the state of Wei surrendered, Wei Qi died, and the entire state of Wei did not dare to fight against Qin." Fan Jue was deeply moved and mentioned the matter of "Fan Jue's revenge".

  "Indeed a high-level view!" Lu Zhonglian and Su Dai couldn't help but admire Fan Li's insight.

  "Don't mention me, this prime minister's office is just like the Qin king's study, it's also arranged in such a way." Fan Jushi spoke again with astonishing words.

  As Fan Ju's status and position, it is not worthy to tell lies on this matter. Lu Zhonglian and Su Dai were shocked by these words and became a little silly.

  Even the monarch of a country is so simple, can Qin not be strong? Can the Qin army not be good at fighting? The six countries in Shandong are still luxurious, can they not be beaten by Qin to the point of having no power to fight back?

  Their mood was unusually heavy.

  "The people of Qin are straightforward, Fan Sui has been in Qin for many years and also got infected with this spirit. What brings you two to Xianyang?" Fan Sui asked while serving tea to the two men, skipping the usual pleasantries.

  If it were in the six states of Shandong, before discussing national affairs, one must first speak a lot of good words and boast loudly. Sometimes they would even hold grand banquets and indulge in excessive eating and drinking, unlike Fan Ju's straightforward approach.

  "He came for Lord Huan." Lu Zhonglian gave Su Dai a glance.

  "Oh." Fan Yu's curiosity was piqued, his thick eyebrows rising like a sharp sword being drawn from its scabbard.

  "The Battle of Changping, Qin won and Zhao lost. Bai Qi wanted to send troops to destroy Zhao, is this possible?" Su Dai rolled up his sleeves and began to persuade him.

  "The great war of Changping, the state of Zhao lost nearly all of its 500,000 elite troops, Handan is empty and defenseless, if Qin doesn't send out troops to destroy Zhao now, what are they waiting for?" Fan Yu remained calm and asked back.

  "Congratulations to General Fan, achieving an unprecedented feat." Su Dai stood up and paid his respects to Fan Sui, saying: "For a hundred years, the Warring States have not seen one state being annihilated. The annihilation of Zhao is truly an unparalleled achievement. From now on, Qin will have no equal under heaven, and imperial success can be expected."

  Fan's bright eyes glanced at Su Dai, but he didn't respond.

  Fan Ju was originally a eloquent person, deeply understanding the art of persuasion. Su Dai's approach was clearly to first praise and then suppress, wanting Fan Ju to take the initiative to speak up, how could he not know?

  Su Dai saw that Fan Sui had no intention of talking, and his heart skipped a beat. He thought to himself that if Fan Sui could become the Prime Minister of Qin, he must be quite capable. As for whether this diplomatic mission would succeed or not, Su Dai also had no idea. So he decided to speak up himself, saying: "If Zhao is destroyed, Bai Qi will surely become one of the top three officials in Qin, with merit surpassing that of Xiangzi. Xiangzi is in danger."

  This is a frightening rumor, a guest's usual trick, nothing unusual, Fan Jie still did not respond.

  Su Dai's heart sank, it seemed that this diplomatic mission would be difficult to succeed. He gritted his teeth and said: "Bai Qi was originally a Qin person, while Ying Huan was originally a Wei person. If Bai Qi becomes one of the three dukes, he will be above Ying Huan in rank. How can Ying Huan remain as prime minister of Qin for long? If Ying Huan seeks revenge and is guilty, he will be in danger in the land of the Eastern Mountains. Can't he see that it's perilous?"

  "Fan Yi's Revenge" is a famous story, but it has completely offended the six nations of Shandong. If he cannot become the prime minister of Qin, he will have no place to stand, and the six nations will not take him in. Especially Wei, which will kill him.

  "Suzi taught me." Fan Yi's face, like a stone Buddha, changed color and hastily asked for advice.

  "If we cannot make Zhao rise again as one of the three great powers, then at least let us ensure that Qin does not destroy Zhao." Su Dai threw out the words he had long since thought out.

  "At your service!" Fan Yi stood up and bowed deeply to Su Dai.

  "I don't dare, I don't dare." Su Dazi was quite pleased with himself and raised his head, but didn't see the hint of ridicule that flashed across Fan Zeng's eyes.

  "After a brief moment, Fan Jushi went to report to the King of Qin." Fan Jushi stood up, bowed to the two men, and turned to leave.

  "It's done, it's done." Su Dai gazed at Fan Yi's back, letting out a long sigh.

  "Ying Hou was originally a eloquent person, able to speak well and persuasively. Could he be swayed by just a few words?" Lu Zhonglian rubbed his forehead, pondered and said: "This matter is suspicious."

  "What's the point?" Su DAI was somewhat dissatisfied, it was clear that he had moved Fan Yu, but Lu Zhonglian not only did not praise him, but instead poured cold water on him.

  "Ying Hou's mind is deep and profound, Zhong Lian does not know." Lu Zhonglian shook his head fiercely.

  XXXXXXX

  The king of the Qin state, in the upper book house, was Qin Zhao Wang, with white whiskers and eyebrows, eight feet tall, with a broad and sturdy build, prominent cheekbones, and a majestic appearance that inspired awe.

  King Qin Zhao wore a crown on his head and a royal robe on his body, kneeling on a low table, like an unsheathed heavenly sword, with an aura that intimidated people. The momentum of the superior position was evident, making it impossible for others to look up at him.

  "The Grand Master of Agriculture has arrived to see Your Majesty." A lean official stepped forward quickly and made a fist salute to Duke Xiao of Qin.

  In the Warring States period, etiquette was simple and plain. When a minister or son saw the monarch, they would just make a fist and salute, with the main emphasis being on making a bow. As for kneeling and kowtowing, it was rarely used.

  "Sit down." King Zhuang of Qin waved his hand, his voice like a bell.

  Dà Tiān Lìng also didn't stand on ceremony, moved over a low table and sat down, saying: "Your Majesty has summoned me to come forward, I don't know what important matter there is?"

  "You were summoned here, of course, to discuss the matter of the treasury's funds and grain stores." Qin Shuang Wang's white eyebrows rose like a sharp sword being unsheathed, extremely startling: "At present, how much money and grain does Great Qin have? How many are in the treasury? Is it enough to support a major war?"

  "Your Majesty asks, I will speak my mind." Da Tianling's face turned gloomy as he reported the truth: "The granaries inside the pass only have two-tenths of grain left, and there is no grain in the compressed granaries outside the pass either."

  "What did you say? Not even a grain of rice is left in the storehouse?" King Qin Zhao's body leaned forward, his eyes wide with anger, his voice suddenly rising to a high pitch, like the sound of a great bell, thundering loudly.

  "That's right." Commander Ota said affirmatively.

  "I recall that at the beginning of the Changping Great War, grain and fodder were piled up like mountains, with no worry about having enough food, only worrying about having no one to transport it. What a magnificent scene it was! It's been only three years since then, so why is there not even enough grain in the warehouses?" King Zhao of Qin thundered, his voice echoing through the mountains, as if a clap of thunder had exploded, extremely frightening.