The younger brother of the First Emperor

Chapter 118 Some people live, but they are also dead. Wei Wuji falls from the altar
The young man recalled the Wei Wuji he saw in history books in his previous life, and the Wei Wuji he knew from Lu Buwei, Lin Xiangru and others in this life. The two Wei Wuji merged into one in his mind.

He pointed to his head.

“I walked slowly, and my journey was exposed.

"In the name of the general of Zhao, contact Lian Po, Le Cheng and other Zhao generals in advance and ask them to provide support.

"Since Wei Wuji's followers appeared in this forest to ambush me, Wei Wuji's golden body was destined to be broken. No matter how timely and correct his response was, it would only be a little less broken."

The girl thought for a moment and asked:

"What if the person who is coming is not Zhu Hai? What if Zhu Hai does not show that he wants to abandon Wei Wuji and join you?"

The boy smiled.

“It doesn’t affect.

"If Zhu Hai hadn't come, I would have said that Wei Wuji had done a great favor to the State of Zhao and couldn't bear to kill his followers, so he let those people go.

"It doesn't matter whether Zhu Hai surrenders to me or not. I don't need him to publicize my reputation.

“If I don’t kill these people for the sake of Zhao, Zhao will naturally spread the word for me.

"Zhao Sheng was able to allow Wei Wuji to step on him to ascend to the throne for the sake of his country, but Zhao Bao, who replaced Zhao Sheng, could not do that.

"This person is cautious and shrewd, but lacks strategic vision.

"If Zhao Sheng plans things, he will look ten steps ahead before he takes one step. But Zhao Bao plans things, he will only look two steps ahead before he takes one step.

"The State of Zhao is now under attack by an army of 600,000 men from Yan. The country is on the verge of destruction, and the State of Wei is not coming to its aid.

"By making a name for myself, I can win over Qin, solve the urgent problem, and save Zhao.

“Secondly, it can promote Zhao itself.

"My reputation as a wise man spreads, and it is first known in the Central Plains. If the State of Zhao appoints a seven-year-old boy like me as prime minister, his reputation will be even greater than mine.

"A talented person would think that if a seven-year-old can become a prime minister, why can't I?"

The girl frowned and said hesitantly:

"I feel like the one who benefits the most is not you, but the State of Zhao."

The boy gave an affirmative answer:

"Yes, it is the State of Zhao."

The girl, who thought she would understand more the more she listened, became confused again.

"…Then why do you say Zhao Bao is not good enough? Aren't you trying to make Zhao strong? Among the Three Jins, Zhao is the most difficult to defeat. Once the number of male adults in Zhao grows to the level before the Battle of Changping, it will be difficult for Qin to advance eastward."

The boy looked serious.

“Remember, a local optimal solution is not equal to a global optimal solution.

“If it goes according to my idea, Zhao State will gain huge benefits this time.

"And the price of these benefits is to be hostile to Wei Wuji and the State of Wei behind Wei Wuji.

"If we only look at the present, then Zhao State made the right decision, but what about looking at the future?
“If Zhao and Wei unite, the Three Jins will be here.

“When Zhao and Wei are at odds, the Three Jins will not exist.

"As long as Zhao does not reform, it will never become strong as a country on its own. This is due to the general environment.

"You only see that all the people in Zhao are soldiers, but you don't see that Zhao is full of licentiousness.

"Drink wine today and be drunk today, regardless of having no food tomorrow.

"Almost all the people of Zhao are chivalrous and will shed blood at the slightest conflict. Which county town have we visited these days without encountering a murder case?

"Even if Zhao State recovers to the state before Changping, it won't be a big deal. But we won't let it recover. Isn't this coming to Yan?

"Before you walk, you should look up and ahead more often. It is not feasible to just stare at the soles of your feet."

The girl nodded thoughtfully and rubbed her fair forehead. She felt that this was more difficult than all the military tactics and martial arts combined.

[No wonder my father couldn’t learn well after all these years.]
[This little pervert’s mind is filled with lust and conspiracy, really…]
"Although your analysis just now makes perfect sense, what if you are wrong and Wei Wuji really didn't send an assassin to kill you?"

"If Wei Wuji didn't send an assassin, then I would send someone pretending to be Wei Wuji's retainer to assassinate me." Ying Chengjiao pinched his chin and said, "At the same time, I would update Wei Wuji's image and find out why he didn't assassinate me, so that there won't be any accidents next time I plot against him."

Zhao State.

As the children paraded and played, they sang different ballads, and several of them were updated in different cities.

Hao County.

Children ran in groups on the street, laughing and singing:

"Xinling is bad, Chang'an is good, and all the wise men are running to Handan.

"A seven-year-old boy is appointed as prime minister. Where else can this be found except in Zhao?"

There are more than ten folk songs, and this is just one of them.

Some sang about the assassination of Lord Xinling Wei Wuji by Lord Chang'an Ying Chengjiao, some sang about Zhu Hai's betrayal of the prince of Wei and his allegiance to the prime minister of Zhao, and some sang about Wei Wuji's ill-intentioned intention to overthrow Zhao...

The number of people in the mansion that Wei Wuji built specifically for his guests was decreasing day by day.

Wei Wuji sat in the room, listening to Zhang Er's report, and recalled the scene when the followers of Pingyuan Jun Zhao Sheng defected to his sect.

At this moment, he is the Zhao Sheng of that year.

The prince of Wei raised the wine jar, looked at the Taotie pattern on it, and murmured:
"The cycle of cause and effect leads to unfavorable retribution."

Drink it all in one gulp.

The sour taste of the wine went down my throat and could not suppress the bitterness in my heart.

Zhang Er pursed his lips and knelt on the ground.

"It is my fault that I failed to do my job well. I shouldn't have let Zhu Hai and the others come back alive and shouldn't have let them see the Lord. Please punish me, Lord!"

Wei Wuji staggered down the three steps holding onto a large table and helped his confidant up.

“You’ve done good enough.

“Over the years, you have been handling these matters for me and maintaining my reputation.

"I know you admire Zhu Hai very much, but you still killed Zhu Hai for me. I am the one who is sorry for you."

He sighed, the air filled with the smell of alcohol.

"How many righteous men have been killed for my false reputation."

Zhang Er shed tears.

“I have followed the master since I was young and I know what the master wants.

"My Lord is a true gentleman. If it weren't for the Kingdom of Wei, he would never have done such a mean thing.

"It's a pity that the King of Wei is so foolish and suspicious of his master."

Wei Wuji hugged Zhang Er and smiled bitterly while leaning on his shoulder.

"Have Mr. Xue and Mr. Mao left?"

"No." Zhang Er focused on these two people and said, "The two of them are lobbying others for their lord, saying that this is all a treacherous plot."

Wei Wuji breathed a sigh of relief. This was the only good news he had received in recent days.

“Smart people are sometimes more calculating than stupid people.

“Mr. Mao and Mr. Xue have great reputations in the State of Zhao.

"As long as these two wise men of Zhao don't leave, my reputation in Zhao won't be so bad. Others will wonder if I am really a villain as described in the folk song, then why don't the wise men of Zhao leave me.

"The State of Zhao is attacking me at this time. This generation of King Zhao is really short-sighted!"

Zhang Er nodded silently, this was a blessing in disguise.

Two days later, Mao Gong and Xue Gong died.

Wei Wuji looked at the bodies of the two gentlemen with great sorrow. He burst into tears and couldn't stop crying until he fainted.

He was crying not only for Er Gong, but also for himself.

After the death of Mao Gong and Xue Gong, there was no longer any great sage from the State of Zhao who could debate for him.

In these short two months, it seems that nothing has changed.

He is still the master of Zhao County, still wealthy and powerful.

But is this really the case?
Some people die, and that's it.

Some people are alive, but they are also dead.

After this incident, Wei Wuji was devastated and was bedridden, claiming to be ill and refusing to go out.

Another day passed.

Zhang Er knelt in front of the bed, his face red with slap marks, and cried:

"It's Er's fault. Er failed to protect Er Gong well. Er should have sent more people."

Wei Wuji's face was ruddy, as if he was not affected at all.

He drank bottle after bottle of wine, and his eyes became brighter and brighter.

"Zhang Er, I have already lost Zhu Hai, Xue Gong, and Mao Gong, and I cannot lose you again.

“The number of people you have arranged for the Second Master is second only to me, how are you going to assign more people?

"Zhao is my fiefdom. Who can kill the two lords under my strict protection? Our enemies are very powerful."

Less than a month later, rumors spread that Lord Xinling had killed Lord Mao and Lord Xue in anger as they were about to leave, and the children in the streets sang a new folk song... In the upper room of Lu's Inn, Handan, the State of Zhao.

This upper room had a courtyard with a bonfire and a roaring flame.

There was a group of people gathered around the bonfire, booing the man who was performing right next to it.

The man was of strong build, naked, and seemed to be holding a soft sword, which was not surprising at first glance.

But if you look a little more carefully, in the light of the fire, you can see that it is a flesh sword!
"Lao Ai! What are you asking us to see by ourselves?"

"That's right, it's interesting that you invited a beauty here."

"I want to see how you behave and what tricks you have to make all the women in Handan City come after you!"

"What's the use of being big? If you can't hold on for even a moment, you're nothing!"

Lao Ai laughed loudly and swung his hands back and forth.

"You fight with swords, I fight with birds, you can envy me!"

A bystander tapped the sword at his waist and laughed:

"My sword can be tucked at my waist, can yours be?"

The others all started to make a fuss, laughed loudly, and slapped the swords at their waists, the sound was endless.

Lao Ai raised his eyebrows.

"Don't get on, you can get on with it!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he actually wrapped it around his waist, as if he had been wrapped around a giant python.

Lao Ai clapped his hands and made a loud "pa pa" sound, and said proudly:

"How is it?"

Everyone laughed, yelled, and was convinced.

"This show is interesting! It's worth the trip. I won't blame you."

“It’s an eye-opener.”

"I'll give you a nickname. From now on, you'll be called Waist Bird. What do you think, brothers?"

“Hahahaha, great!”

"color!"

Lao Ai waved his hands and untied the giant python from his waist.

"You look like you have never seen the world. Did your master call you here to show you this?"

He bent down and picked up the wheel from the ground.

This is a Zhao wheel of extremely standard size, mostly made of paulownia wood. The outer surface of the wheel is also inlaid with copper nails to increase its weight and extend the life of the wheel.

"Who will weigh it?" Lao Ai held up the wheel.

"You bastard, why do you want us to weigh a broken wheel?" a muscular warrior scolded with a smile.

He walked forward, took the wheel from Lao Ai with one hand, shook it slightly, and said confidently:

"About 80 kilograms."

Lao Ai chuckled.

"Brothers, watch out!"

He took the wheel, put it into the hole in the middle of the wheel, and then let go.

The wheel weighing eighty kilograms was actually hung up!

Everyone was amazed, and they all leaned over to look, opened their eyes wide, and exclaimed:

“It’s so heavy!”

"Amazing! This performance is worthy of admission to the palace! I have finally convinced you, Lao Ai!"

"This is better than Youling!"

Lao Ai accepted everyone's praise and laughed heartily.

"It's not over yet!"

He exerted force between his hips, holding his strength.

The 1-jin wheel actually started to spin, faster and faster. In the end, it was spinning faster and faster than speeding on a flat official road! (Note )
Exclamations rang out one after another, louder than the flames on the bonfire, and the atmosphere was extremely good.

Lao Ai laughed the loudest.

From this day on, the name of Lao Ai began to spread in the world.

Bird around the waist, wheel turner.

Enough of the noise, put out the bonfire.

The crowd dispersed in groups of three or four, some playing mahjong, poker, throwing pots, and eating, each doing their own thing.

Lao Ai walked into the room and took a bath with cold water, which was his habit.

Although ordinary people cannot afford hot water, the charcoal for boiling water is a considerable expense.

But Lao Ai was obviously not among the common people.

As the person in charge of the Lu's Chamber of Commerce in Handan, he could build a bonfire in the courtyard in winter that would keep him warm even when naked. How could he not afford a bucket of hot water for washing?
He took a cold shower to exercise himself.

The wheel in the courtyard is spinning for less than a moment. I have practiced in private for ten years. It is not easy to do anything to the best.

After taking a bath, Lao Ai stayed in the room peacefully.

Under normal circumstances, he would definitely not be alone at this time.

He would take out his big box, pick up a handful of wood chips at random, and call all the women on the wood chips to sleep with him in the same quilt.

He had so many women that he couldn't even count them.

If Handan's population recovery were to be ranked, Lao Ai would have to be first, far ahead of the second.

But in the past few days, not only did he not look for women, he also did not sleep with women even when they came to him.

He has business.

Tuk-tuk-tuk~
There was a knock on the door.

Lao Ai's eyes lit up and he couldn't wait to open the door.

The visitor was a beautiful woman, but she was wearing a short shirt with narrow sleeves like a man, but this was a very normal attire for women in Zhao State.

The woman looked at Lao Ai with a foolish smile and threw herself into his arms.

Lao Ai was delighted.

"Done?"

The woman blushed, breathed hot air into Lao Ai's ear, and said "hmm" softly.

"Mr. Xue and Mr. Mao are both dead, and we lost eight people.

"There was also a group of people from an unknown force, five of whom died.

"Both sides joined forces to kill the second master."

Lao Ai didn't hear what he said next. He just said "hmm" and then hugged the woman and fell on the bed.

In the room, there was the sound of lewd music by men and women.

Half a month later, Lao Ai was credited with completing the task of assassinating Duke Xue and Duke Mao.

Leave Handan and head to Xianyang.

Lin Xiangru's residence.

In the main room, on the fire pit, Lin Xiangru was lying with his eyes closed, looking pale and exhausted.

Lin Yi whispered in his father's ear:
"Mr. Mao and Mr. Xue are dead."

"Hmm." Lin Xiangru's voice was not as loud as a mosquito or a fly: "As long as Chang'an Jun rises, the Lin family will not perish. Remember..."

It seemed like he hadn't finished speaking when the sound stopped.

Lin Yi trembled and put his finger in front of his father's nose.

Sensing a faint breath, he began to gasp for air, like a drowning man coming ashore.

Qin State, Xianyang, Council Hall.

Prince Chu of Qin sat alone in the middle, reviewing the memorials submitted from the Prime Minister's Mansion while waiting for the Minister of Works.

Sikong, with an official rank of two thousand stones, a silver seal and purple ribbon, was in charge of water conservancy construction.

The Dujiangyan Irrigation System was built to deal with the floods in Bashu, and Li Bing was in charge. As for the floods in Guanzhong, there was still no suitable hydraulic engineer, and the Qin prince Chu would inquire about it every three days.

"Pingyuan died, Xinling's reputation was ruined, and Jiao'er's trip saved me at least three years of hard work.

"This kid is adventurous and unconventional. He and Zheng'er are two extremes, but they complement each other perfectly.

"Why would he go to Yan State..."

【Note 1: Historical records say: Yinguan used a tung wheel to walk. This is not fabricated. The jin here is equivalent to jin in later times.】

(End of this chapter)