Chapter 48: Robbery of Lü Buwei

  Zhao Ji's charming and lovely appearance was enough to make people's heads spin, her coquettish and adorable demeanor earned her bursts of applause that sounded like sharp blades piercing through the air, making Lü Buwei feel uncomfortable.

  He spent a lot of money and effort to impress Zhao Ji, but in the end, she didn't even give him a glance. Instead, she cheered for Qin Yiren, that fallen prince, and he was so frustrated that he wanted to bang his head against the wall.

  Zhao Lie's heart was inclined towards Lü Buwei, and he was about to make things clear for him. However, Zhao Xiong held him back with one hand and said in a low voice, "Second brother, don't be rash."

  "What's wrong with that? Isn't it just a fallen royal prince?" Zhao Lie said with some discontent, softly mocking.

  "Don't forget Zhang Yi's scolding of Mengzi." Zhao Xiong's face sank, and he lightly rebuked, saying: "Present matters are not to be relied upon, future matters cannot be known."

  Zhao Lie's words were like a raging storm, but eventually subsided into silence.

  Zhang Yi scolded Mengzi is a historical allusion that has been passed down since the Warring States period. It says that Zhang Yi had completed his studies and was preparing to serve in the state of Wei, where his parents were from. The King of Wei also intended to meet with him and test his talents before making a decision. Coincidentally, Mengzi was present at the scene. Mengzi was a scholarly tyrant who regarded himself as the master of the king's way and heavenly mandate, and did not put Zhang Yi, this young scholar, in his eyes, and severely ridiculed him. This enraged Zhang Yi, who launched into a tirade of abuse, leaving Mengzi speechless and vomiting blood on the spot.

  The King of Wei did not think that this meant anything, and for the sake of Mencius, he drove Zhang Yi away. From then on, Zhang Yi gave up his intention to serve in the state of Wei. Later, Zhang Yi traveled to Qi, and when the King of Qi heard that Zhang Yi had arrived, he hastily invited him over, intending to recruit him. The King of Qi's reasoning was: Mencius is a master of eloquence throughout the land, and few people can humble him; Zhang Yi left him speechless and cursed him until he vomited blood - how could Zhang Yi's talent be any less?

  Lü Buwei was a famous merchant in the world, eloquent and articulate, but he was overshadowed by Qin's three words, can Qin be underestimated?

  Zhao Xiong nodded slightly, and his gaze at Qin Yi had a hint of admiration.

  Lü Buwei knew that his efforts today were in vain, and he had inadvertently helped the Qin stranger. If things continued, who knows what would happen? He must end the banquet immediately.

  However, at this time, the maid turned around and handed Qin Zhong to Qin Yiren. Qin Yiren patted Qin Zhong lightly and smiled at Zhao Ji, saying: "I won't let you down."

  Qin Zhong was Qin Yiren's strong point, speaking with full confidence, Zhao Ji responded with a sweet smile.

  Lü Buwei was displeased at the sight, Qin Yiren's momentum was already strong enough, and if he played the Qin zither again, wouldn't that momentum be even greater? However, in this situation, he had no choice but to continue, he couldn't just stop the banquet abruptly, that would be too obvious, and it would make Zhao Ji look down on him even more.

  Qin Yiren's fingers brushed against the zither strings, and a burst of sharp, metallic sound suddenly erupted, like the clash of gold armor and iron horses, with immense shocking power.

  "Ah! How wonderful!" Zhao Ji's eyebrows curved into a crescent shape as she exclaimed in surprise.

  "Good!" The scholars applauded loudly.

  The Qin zither is a representative musical instrument of the Qin state, best embodying the murderous spirit of gold armor and iron horses. Listening to it now makes their blood boil with enthusiasm.

  Qin Yiren adjusted the sound, sat down, and pressed his hands on the zither strings. Suddenly, a burst of golden armor and iron horse sounds rose, and the atmosphere became solemn and murderous, making people feel like they were in the midst of a battlefield charge, with hot blood boiling over.

  Qin Yiren opened his mouth and sang:

  Northern Osaka has mulberry trees

  South of the Yangtze River there is a willow

  There is a car

  Farewell my homeland

  Black hair turns white

  Martyrs will be together

  Gazing out at Guan Mountain

  Missing my hometown

  The majestic and heroic singing voice, with a hint of sadness, moved people to tears, and Zhao Ji even shed pearls of tears.

  "Woe is me!" Meng Zhao, Ma Dai and Fan Tong were even more sorrowful, with tears streaming down their faces. It is said that a man may have tears, but does not easily shed them, only when the heart is truly broken.

  When Qin Yi Ren left the State of Qin and came to the State of Zhao as a hostage, when he bid farewell to his loved ones in the State of Qin, he played the Qin zither and sang this song "Bei Shan You Sang". Now that he sings it again, his emotions are stirred up and he cannot help himself. The emotions from their previous parting surged up, and tears welled up in Qin Yi Ren's eyes.

  A figure that had been vague suddenly became clear, it was a beautiful girl as lovely as a flower, with deep feeling and tender affection, waving goodbye to Qin Yi.

  Next to the girl, there was also a handsome boy waving his hand.

  "Are they all right?" Qin Yiren asked in his heart.

  "Sir, here." Zhao Ji took out a handkerchief and handed it to Qin Yiren, her eyes red-rimmed, moved by Qin Yiren's emotions.

  Lü Buwei's eyes gleamed with a reddish light as he thought that if Zhao Ji treated him like this, it would be great.

  "Thank you!" Qin Yiren took over the handkerchief and wiped away his tears. After wiping them clean, he tucked it into his bosom.

  Lü Buwei clenched his fists, wishing he could smash them into Qin Yiren's head, smashing him to the point of being disabled and unable to take care of himself.

  The maiden's handkerchief, what does it mean? Qin Yiren directly accepted it, his wolf-like heart doesn't need to be said.

  "Return it to me." Zhao Ji was taken aback for a moment, then stretched out her hand to demand it back.

  "I need to clean it up before returning it to you, now returning it is too abrupt." Such an opportunity, how could Qin Yiren miss it? Hurriedly finding an excuse.

  "Ah..." Zhao Ji blinked her beautiful and charming eyes, tilted her neck, looking extremely cute, thought for a moment: "Must return it!"

  "Definitely, definitely." Qin Yi thought to himself that if he still had any doubts, then there would be a ghost. But he wasn't that stupid yet.

  "Can I teach you how to play the Qin zither?" Qin Yiren changed the subject.

  "Teach, teach, I've asked many people before, but none of them can play as movingly and tear-jerkingly as you." Zhao Ji nodded her head like a chick pecking at grain, praising without end.

  "It's a pity that this Qin zither is a bit rough, if there was an excellent Qin zither, it would be even more pleasant to listen to." As he said this, Qin Yiren shook his head, remembering that he had brought back an excellent Qin zither from the State of Qin, which was a precious treasure. Later on, in order to make ends meet, he had to reluctantly part with it and sell it.

  "I'll definitely buy a better zither and come to ask for your advice again." Zhao Ji also knew that this Qin zither was not well-made, and the tone was actually not very good.

  If Zhao Ji went to learn Qin from Qin Yi, she would never have anything to do with Lü Buwei again. How could Lü Buwei give up like this? He sneered: "There are many people in the world who can play Qin better than you, and there are more people who surpass you. You are also qualified to be a teacher."

  "What business is it of yours who I learn from?" Zhao Ji was no longer obedient, defending Qin Yiren, her small mouth pouting in extreme displeasure.

  "Zhao Ji, don't worry, I will definitely make you a famous Qin zither master in the world." Qin Yiren patted his chest and assured Zhao Ji with a smile.

  It's hard to bear the kindness of a beauty, let alone Zhao Ji still maintained him in front of Lü Buwei, is there anything more pleasing to Qin Yiren than this? Qin Yiren was so delighted that he was beaming with joy.

  "I believe you!" Zhao Ji smiled cleverly and charmingly, her beautiful eyes shining brightly, just like a fairy from the ninth heaven descending to the mortal world.

  Lü Buwei heard it in his ears, like the loud bell of Da Lü, almost bursting with rage. I've been so devoted, spending money and effort to win your favor, but you don't believe me, yet you trust a fallen prince - is this still just?

  "Qin Yiren, you've eaten and drunk your fill, there's nothing more for you to do here, why don't you leave quickly?" Lü Buwei was extremely disgusted, waving his hand as if shooing away a fly.

  "The flavor of the venison stew is quite good." Qin Yiren let out a satisfied burp and praised it.

  As soon as he heard this, Lü Buwei's heart was bleeding, all because of Qin Yiren, who would be ruined today.

  "I suddenly remembered that there are still a housekeeper and a maid in my mansion who haven't tasted it. As I have always been kind to my subordinates, I couldn't do such a thing." Qin Yiren rushed to the manager of the Hu Feng wine shop and said: "Bring me ten stoves of Rong Ze porridge deer, ten jars of hundred-year-old fine wine, and that's just barely enough."

  Ten Tripod Encounter Zhe Glutinous Deer, ten altars hundred years old fine wine, worth hundreds of gold, this is also called so-so, can you still pretend to be a bit more?

  "Sir, this requires a lot of gold." The steward hastily reminded him that a fallen prince would not have too much gold.

  "Ask him for it." Qin Yiren pointed at Lü Buwei very succinctly.

  "What did I buy for you?" Lü Buwei's anger of three thousand feet finally burst out, pointing at Qin Yiren and shouting.

  "This thing must be worth a lot of money, Meng Zhao will move it back for the young master. And this and this..." Qin Yiren seemed to have not heard his words, pointing out all the valuable things in the room.

  "Master, you can't!" The steward's voice was urgent and trembling. These things are worth hundreds or thousands of taels of gold. If Qin Yiren takes them away, who will he ask for the money?

  "Yes!" Meng Zhao and his two men loudly acknowledged the order, quickly stepped forward, and were about to take action.

  "Don't cry like your mother has died, go ask him for money. He's rich, you can raise the price tenfold or a hundredfold. Don't tell me you don't know how to raise the price?" Qin Yiren pointed at Lü Buwei again.

  "I won't give it to you." Lü Buwei's nose was almost crooked with anger. What business do I have with you, and why should I buy it for you? Gold is not something that burns your hands, so why should I spend it on you?

  This is outright robbery.

  "I want to learn Qin from you, young master. I should give you a decent gift in return, don't you think?" Zhao Ji said to Lü Buwei.

  As soon as he heard this, Lü Buwei's face twisted on the spot and turned green.

  In Qin Yiren's eyes, Lü Buwei's jade crown also turned green!

  "Lü Buwei, aren't you going to make Lao Dai wear a green hat? I'll let him wear the green hat for you! Let you be the Green Hat Duke!" Qin Yiren thought with satisfaction, his whole body feeling light and airy.