Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 146, Section 145: Upholding Righteousness and Unyielding
The assassin sounded so pitiful that Qin Shi almost laughed.

So, is this what they mean by "I can't kill my whole family, so I'll assassinate the emperor and ask for the extermination of my entire clan"?
She instructed, "Don't delay our journey, put him in the carriage."

The servants quickly bound him hand and foot, then made him kneel by the carriage door.

The sound of horse-drawn carriages signaled the start of the procession's departure.

A moment later, Yan Ying, dressed in hemp clothing, also came over. Upon seeing the man kneeling on the carriage, she raised an eyebrow:
“It is Yan Ying’s fault that such a criminal entered. This person should be executed on the spot.”

The man lowered his head and remained silent.

Qin Shi laughed and said, "Killing him is not urgent. I just want to know how he climbed onto the carriage so quietly."

It should be noted that the carriage was not placed in an empty place. On the contrary, it was surrounded by soldiers. At most, there were gaps when people moved around, but that was only for a moment and was definitely not enough for a person to fall under the carriage.

She looked at the man and asked, "What's your name?"

The man shifted his knees: "Sinner, hereby plead your case."

"If you intend to assassinate someone, why did you choose my carriage over all the others?"

The official stammered, "I heard from a friend that only extremely distinguished people could ride in that large carriage..."

Qin Shi nodded: "Your friend isn't from the Qin Dynasty, is he?"

"Yes." The other person also felt guilty: "He is from the State of Wei."

Yan Ying raised an eyebrow: The other party was so frank; she must know that the Wei man had grand ambitions. Now, she suddenly realized…

She was quite surprised because she didn't know that the other person had rolled out crying.

Qin Shi laughed: "Since you're your friend, aren't you afraid we'll arrest you if you tell us?"

Zhuang's head suddenly rose, but Yan Cong swiftly reached out and pressed it down firmly.

He said in a hoarse voice, "Back then, it was him who put me in the same household as the person who killed my sister!"

Yan Ying frowned instantly: "People from Wei could enter my Qin state as minor officials a decade or two ago..."

She immediately realized that this person must be deeply involved!
But at the same time, he looked at him suspiciously: "If he is so capable, how do you know he is from the State of Wei?"

The other party shouldn't be so easily swayed by strangers.

Zhuang raised his head, not looking at Yan Ying, but staring intently at Qin Shi:

"My lord, I will tell you everything I know. Please grant me one day! Once I return to Yangling, I will kill the murderer who killed my elder sister, have him cut in half at the waist, torn apart by chariots, and subjected to the most brutal and unspeakable punishment. I will be a criminal and willingly accept my death!"

Qin Shi didn't ask her why she trusted him, but asked curiously, "You have one day to return to Yangling, kill someone, and then rush back... Do you have a fine horse?"

Zhuang shook his head: "A sinner has no need for a fine horse."

"After the criminal returned from his military service, he was trained by that friend, wearing three layers of armor, an iron helmet, carrying a strong crossbow, and fifty arrows. He also had food and water for three days."

"In this way, an army can march a hundred li in half a day."

Prince Qian gasped in shock!
He was skilled in horsemanship and swordsmanship, and he once rode a horse freely in the Shanglin Garden.

Even with just a Qin sword, without a warhorse, it would be impossible to travel a hundred miles in half a day!
Princess Wen, though not understanding the situation, could tell from everyone's expressions that it was a rare opportunity, and she also perked up.

Yan Cong and Yan Ying were also stunned—such a person was no ordinary person!

The two men then stared intently at the man, their expressions eager to try. If the man hadn't been guilty, they probably would have immediately recruited him!

Qin Shi frowned: "A hundred li of marching today is roughly equivalent to seventy kilometers in later times."

Special forces soldiers are well-nourished, scientifically trained, and equipped with complete gear. Their daily routine of rapid marches through mountains and wilderness is roughly the same.

In this era, those who could train at this intensity were trained by the people of Wei.

"Wei Wuzu?"

She recalled fragments of information from old documents and asked a question.

He looked somewhat surprised, then nodded: "Yes, I heard that person mutter in his sleep when he was seriously injured."

Yan Ying's expression changed drastically: "Now, there are still Wei Wu soldiers?!"

The Wei Wuzu were a special force created by Wu Qi of the ancient Wei state. The description of them as wearing three layers of armor, iron helmets, carrying powerful crossbows, fifty arrows, and being able to eat and drink for three days and march a hundred li in half a day is merely a passing standard for the Wei Wuzu!
This highly capable special force fought against the Qin state a hundred years ago, directly defeating Qin and seizing the Hexi region!
Losing the Hexi region means losing a vital strategic area west of the Yellow River and east of the Luo River.

The Qin state suffered a great loss as a result!

Later, the Wei state became corrupt, and the Wei Wuzu (elite infantry) no longer received good treatment. The soldiers even went hungry, and eventually the Wei Wuzu gradually declined.

Now, a century has passed, and I thought it had long since disappeared without a trace.

But to my surprise, their Qin state still had it!
what!
Yan Ying laughed in anger, yet her fighting spirit remained: "Qin Jun's capture of this man is truly a godsend."

Qin Shi also deeply agreed.

It would be extremely difficult to dismantle such a special forces unit by breaking it up and leaving it in civilian areas.

But once a clue is found...

She smiled broadly: "If you truly have made a meritorious report, I will grant you one day."

Those who have undergone the special training of the Wei elite infantry can take the head of an enemy with ease.

As for whether the other party will run away...

His household registration couldn't be changed. He was just an ordinary citizen. If he hadn't actually had contact with them, how would he have known about the Wei Wu soldiers?

If he escapes on his own, then the matter will be announced to the world. Without the Qin army taking action, the Wei soldiers hiding among the people will kill him.

Only Yan Cong disagreed: "According to my Qin law, even for the sake of avenging a blood relative, killing is forbidden; it is a serious crime."

"For the sake of long-term development, the ruler of Qin should not indulge this person just because he has made a contribution."

Princess Wen frowned immediately in the carriage: As expected, he was a bookworm with a stupid brain! He was just a criminal; if he wanted to take someone's life, he could do it anywhere.

But if he were to receive news of these "Wei Wu Zu" (Wei elite infantry), his father would likely reward them according to their merits. Which is more important? Why is he so stubborn?

Even Yan Ying was helpless:
"Yan Cong, if he were to mention the Wei Wu Zu, do you know how great a contribution that would be?"

Yan Cong shook his head again, his youthful face revealing a resolute determination.
"I only know that the law must not be disturbed."

"Today you yield for the credit, tomorrow you will yield for the sake of personal relationships. When nobles yield, officials and commoners also yield."

“If this continues, my Qin Laws will be rendered meaningless, and the fate of the nation will be in turmoil.”

"My lord, prince, princess, elder sister, this matter must not be taken lightly!"

Please think it over.

He was so stubborn, and now he kept emphasizing that he was as inflexible as rotten wood, but Qin Shi stared at him intently, his eyes full of indescribable satisfaction.

"so good."

She stopped Yan Ying, who was still trying to persuade him, saying, "General Yan has done a good job in raising his son, and there will be many talented successors."

Those who are shrewd and cunning are more likely to succeed as generals or officials. Even Qin Shi himself was not a particularly principled person.

As long as she can survive, anything she does is a means to an end.

Yan Ying was able to stay in Baiyue and restrain the surrounding areas, which shows that she was also a quick-witted and resourceful person.

However, Yan Cong is different.

Steadfast, upright, and loyal.

A virtuous person, when alone, upholds righteousness and does not yield to the wrongs of the masses.

Qin Shi smiled broadly, his eyes filled with admiration and congratulations:

"The Commandant of Yan Commandery should offer his congratulations."

　I'm painfully typing away with Huahua...

　　The saying "A virtuous person, even when alone, upholds righteousness and does not yield to the wrongdoings of the masses" comes from the Book of Han.

　　(End of this chapter)