Chapter 42: Zhao Ji

  Hu Feng wine house, Lv Buwei's residence. Lv Buwei was enjoying the service of a green-clad maid, softly moaning in comfort.

  "The old slave has seen his master." At this moment, Old Man Xi Men came in and paid respects to Lü Buwei.

  "Ximen Lao, you're back just in time." Lü Buwei was no longer as nonchalant as he usually was. He pushed the maid away and asked with a somewhat urgent expression: "The matter I had you investigate, have you investigated it clearly?"

  "Reporting to the master, I have made a thorough investigation." Ximen Lao's face was filled with joy, his tone turned high, and he loudly reported back: "The master has been widowed for many years and has not remarried. He is looking for someone who is both talented and beautiful, a beauty who knows books and etiquette. Now, in Handan City, there is such a lovely girl."

  "Hurry up." Lü Buwei was getting impatient.

  "This young lady is the daughter of Zhao, a wealthy and powerful family in Handan. She is exceptionally beautiful, with few people able to match her. She is skilled in singing and dancing, knowledgeable about books and etiquette, and has a reputation that spreads far and wide. Many people have come to propose marriage, but her father, Zhao Xiong, has politely declined them all." Old Master Ximen became more and more agitated as he spoke, his face flushing with excitement, saying: "Zhao Xiong has declared that unless one has a vast fortune and is from a high-ranking family, they should not bother coming to propose. Therefore, even though she is now eighteen years old, she has not yet been betrothed."

  In the Warring States period, an 18-year-old unmarried woman was considered a "leftover woman", which was extremely rare at that time.

  "Oh!" Lü Buwei became even more interested and said: "Since Zhao Xiong is so confident, he must have something special. What's the background of the Zhao family?"

  "Although the Zhao family is a powerful family in Handan, owning many properties and shops, I estimate that they are worth no more than 4,000 to 5,000 taels of gold." Ximen Old Master had an attitude as if he didn't take the Zhao family seriously.

  "Forty or fifty thousand taels of gold can only be proud in Handan, but if you look at the world, it's nothing. Like our Lv Shi business, famous all over the world, one of the top merchants in the world." Lü Buwei was very pleased and said: "Hmm, what is this called?"

  "She is called Zhao Ji." Ximen Lao Die hastily reported back.

  "A beauty, that's what 'ji' means. Whoever dares to be called 'ji' must be exceptionally beautiful." Lü Buwei made up his mind and said, "Prepare a generous gift, I'll go visit the Zhao family right away. If it's meant to be, I'll marry her."

  Ji, in the Warring States period, was not a personal name, but rather a term used to praise women's beauty, equivalent to the modern terms "beauty" or "beautiful woman".

  Zhao Ji, in modern terms, means " Zhao the Great Beauty", rather than a personal name. It's just that the historical records do not mention the name of Qin Shi Huang's mother, so later generations used flattering words to refer to her.

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  Handan City South is the industrial and commercial district of Handan. In normal times, this place is bustling with people coming and going, the sound of hawkers never-ending, haggling over prices a common sight. Now, pedestrians are scarce, extremely desolate.

  There is a mansion with more than 100 rooms, covering a vast area, built in an extremely luxurious style. The plaque above the gate of the large courtyard reads "Zhao Fu" (Zhao's Mansion).

  Here is Handan, the stronghold of the Zhao clan.

  A tall and majestic man with a double queue and a magnificent beard came hastily, saluted Lu Dian, and said: "I am Zhao Xiong. I have the honor of meeting you, sir. May I ask where your esteemed hometown is?"

  "In the lower reaches of the country, there are people from Puyang, Lü and Wei." Lü Buwei revealed his identity.

  In the Warring States period, men were referred to by their clan name but not their surname. For example, Qin Yi Ren, if he wanted to introduce himself, should say "Ying Shi Yi Ren" instead of saying "Surname Ying Name Yi Ren".

  "But Lü's business... " The reputation of Lü's business was well-known, and Zhao Xiong jumped in fright, his voice somewhat high.

  Lü Buwei was very satisfied with Zhao Xiong's reaction and smiled: "That is exactly what I wanted."

  "It turned out to be the big boss of the Lyu's business firm, please come in quickly! Open the door and welcome the noble guest. Play music!" Zhao Xiong had not spoken yet, when a man slightly younger than him, with a face full of smiles, loudly instructed.

  He is Zhao Xiong's second brother, Zhao Lie.

  During the Warring States period, when guests visited, they would enter through different gates according to their identity. Opening the main gate and playing music to welcome Lü Buwei was the highest courtesy.

  "In the name of the Lv's merchant house, you have no choice but to do so." Lü Buwei held his head high and puffed out his chest as he entered the room with Zhao Xiong brothers surrounding him.

  Lü Buwei was welcomed into the hall, Zhao Lie hastily moved a low table over, wiping it repeatedly with his sleeve, and respectfully invited Lü Buwei to take a seat.

  Zhao Xiong saw it with his own eyes, furrowed his brow, and was somewhat displeased. The Lu family's business is wealthy and powerful, but you can't be so flattering to him, can you?

  Lü Buwei was overjoyed at what he saw, and Zhao Lie was trying to curry favor with him, and would follow his lead.

  Zhao Xiong personally served tea and then asked about his purpose, saying: "I dare to ask Mr. Lü, what brings you to my humble abode?"

  The Zhao family is a powerful family in Handan, but compared to the Lv family's business, they are nothing. Lü Buwei suddenly visited, and Zhao Xiong was really confused.

  Zhao Lie, although extremely eager to please, was also curious, perked up his ears and listened intently.

  "Sir, may I speak my mind?" Lord Lü Buwei didn't mince words and went straight to the point: "I've heard that the Zhao family has a daughter who is exceptionally beautiful, skilled in singing and dancing, and I have come to pay my respects."

  "May I ask, sir, are you going to marry your niece?" Zhao Lie asked hastily, with sparkling stars in his eyes.

  The Lü family business is one of the most prominent in the world. If they can establish a connection, it's obvious that the Zhao family will ride on the coattails of the Lü family business to achieve success and fame, making their name known throughout the land.

  "If you like it, it's not impossible." Lü Buwei nodded slightly and said: "Lü Buwei has been widowed for many years and has not remarried because he has not met a woman who suits his taste."

  This statement is not self-aggrandizing, his status is already high enough and doesn't need to be raised. In his eyes, only the most exceptional beauty can catch his attention.

  "Sir, you may have heard that although the young lady has a somewhat tarnished reputation, she is actually spoiled and willful. I fear she may not be to your liking." Zhao Xiong cast a disapproving glance at Zhao Lie before turning to Lü Buwei.

  "Big brother, what are you talking about? My niece is a natural beauty, truly stunning. Only someone like Mr. Lü, who is as majestic as a dragon and phoenix, can match her. Quickly invite my niece." Zhao Lie shouted loudly.

  That's my daughter, not your daughter, okay? Zhao Xiong was extremely dissatisfied with Zhao Lie's arbitrary behavior, but things had already come to this point, so he could only say: "Invite the young lady over."

  "Yes!" The servant answered and left.

  Zhao Lie forced a smile and tried to please Lü Buwei, saying: "Mr. Lü, please rest assured that if my niece does not meet your expectations, I don't know who else in the world can enter your eyes."

  Although these words were flattering, they exuded a strong sense of confidence. Zhao Xiong raised his head high. As a father, he was proud of his daughter and his face was filled with joy.

  "Could it be true beauty?" Lü Buwei watched the two people's movements with great anticipation.

  The soft footsteps sounded, and a tall and beautiful girl appeared, walking lightly, like a butterfly fluttering among flowers.

  "Wow!" Lü Buwei was only startled for a moment, then suddenly stood up, and the teacup in his hand was smashed to the ground without him even realizing it. He loudly exclaimed: "Truly a beauty! Truly a beauty!"

  It seems that such praise is still not enough, and he loudly chants: "Add a little more and it's too long, subtract a little less and it's too short; apply powder and it's too white, apply rouge and it's too red. Eyebrows like green feathers, skin like white snow, waist like a bundle of silk, teeth like hidden jade. With a smile so charming, it bewilders the city of Yang, and entices the lower Cai." This is a famous phrase from Song Yu, a student of Qu Yuan and a literary giant of the Chu State, in his "Rhapsody on Master Dengtu's Love for Women".

  "What a heavenly beauty! What a heavenly beauty!" Lü Buwei's mouth opened wider and wider, even with his rich experience of having seen countless women, he was still enchanted by Zhao Ji's charm, and the corners of his mouth flowed with sparkling **.