People in the Qin Dynasty sought good fortune and avoided misfortune.

Chapter 183, Korean Non-stick Pan (Bonus Chapter, Please Vote!)
Upon hearing Han Wang'an's words, Ji Wuye, Zhang Kaidi, and Han Yu all looked at Xu Qing, their expressions varying, each feeling somewhat nervous about Xu Qing's response.

"You're really inhuman, throwing this problem at me right off the bat," Xu Qing thought to himself.

Meeting the gazes of the four, Xu Qing straightened up and said to Han Wang'an.

"Your Majesty, I have not experienced this matter, so I dare not speak presumptuously. If Your Majesty asks for my opinion, I can only offer my own opinion."

“The Confucian school has a saying: ‘The Master did not speak of strange phenomena, physical prowess, disorder, or spirits.’ If it were just one or two people spreading rumors, then someone must be faking it. But over a hundred people, including Lord Longquan and Lord Anping, witnessed it with their own eyes. These two lords are your own brothers, so their words are certainly not false.”

Hearing Xu Qing's smooth reply, Ji Wuye withdrew his gaze with satisfaction.

Han Yu and Zhang Kaidi's faces darkened, but they said nothing. They knew that Xu Qing didn't want to offend anyone, but they also understood that this matter couldn't be ended so hastily.

"Lord Anping and Lord Longquan would certainly not deceive me," King An of Han murmured to himself.

Trusting his two younger brothers, King Han An had already sided with the fact that the ghost soldiers had robbed the supplies.

People in this era were still very superstitious about ghosts and gods, especially about retribution, which they greatly feared. The massacre of surrendered soldiers from Zheng was already an ominous event, and the fact that Han had gone back on its word made it even easier for King An of Han to believe that ghost soldiers were stealing their supplies.

But the loss was 100,000 taels of gold—not 100,000 Korean bobo, nor 100,000 gold ingots, but 100,000 taels of gold! This made King An of Han reluctant to give up this military pay so easily.

"Father, I believe that regardless of whether it is ghost soldiers robbing the supplies or not, we should first send someone to investigate. Otherwise, the people of Xinzheng will become uneasy," Han Yu said.

"I second that," Zhang Kaidi said. "There are already rumors circulating among the people about the haunting of Broken Soul Valley. If we assume that ghost soldiers are robbing our pay without explanation, it will surely frighten the people and shake the foundations of the country."

Han Wang'an looked at the two people who supported the investigation of the truth, then turned to Ji Wuye and asked...

"General, what do you think?"

Ji Wuye glanced coldly at Zhang Kaidi and Han Yu. His target was not only Han Yu and Liu Yi, but also Zhang Kaidi.

"I also agree. Matters concerning ghosts and spirits should not be discussed lightly and should be investigated," Ji Wuye said, cupping his hands in greeting.

Seeing that all three supported a thorough investigation, Han Wang'an did not ask Xu Qing for his opinion again. After pondering for a moment, he gave the order.

"In that case, I hereby issue an imperial edict ordering the Ministry of Justice to thoroughly investigate this matter and obtain the results as soon as possible."

"At the same time, have the Situ Mansion collect taxes again to raise enough funds for the army as soon as possible."

"Yes, sir," Xu Qing and the other three said, bowing.

Seeing that the matter had been resolved, just as Xu Qing and the other three were about to take their leave, Han Wang'an spoke again.

"The Imperial Physician will remain; the rest of you may return."

Ji Wuye and the other two glanced at Xu Qing, bowed to Han Wang An, and then turned and left, leaving Xu Qing looking bewildered.

After the three men left, the other eunuchs also left, with Han, the eunuch, closing the door behind him as he departed.

With a clang, the palace doors slammed shut, and Xu Qing began to feel uneasy, wondering if Prince Han An knew about his affair with the harem.

Xu Qing lowered his head and cautiously scanned his surroundings out of the corner of his eye, trying to see if there were any axemen hiding in the hall, but apart from him and Han Wang'an, there was no one else in the empty hall.

Han Wang'an looked at Xu Qing, who was bowing his head and remaining silent, slammed his hand on the table, and said angrily.
"Imperial Physician, don't you have anything to say to me?"

Faced with this sudden question, Xu Qing's first reaction was that he had been caught, but he forced himself to remain calm and bowed, saying...
"Your Majesty does not understand what you are saying. I have always been honest with Your Majesty and have never concealed anything from you."

"Are you still pretending to be confused now? As far as I know, your Imperial Physician Xu Qing is very famous in Wei, and is known as..." King Han An said coldly.

Upon hearing the name Wei, Xu Qing felt greatly relieved. He had long anticipated that news of Nian Duan's efforts to build momentum for him in Wei would reach Han, and he already had a plan in mind.

"How do you explain these things!?"

"This is a rumor. Your Majesty knows me better than anyone. I may have some skill in medicine, but when it comes to governing the country, I'm afraid I'm not even as good as a minor local official," Xu Qing said in a steady voice and with a calm expression.

Han Wang'an stared at Xu Qing's expression, trying to see if the other party was lying, but after looking for a long time, he couldn't see anything.

When he first heard the various rumors about Xu Qing, he also thought they were just rumors. After all, he knew Xu Qing's abilities all too well.

That's why he chose her as a pawn. So naturally, he didn't want Xu Qing to be too talented, risking her slipping out of his control and becoming a second Han Yu or Ji Wuye.

After learning by chance that Xu Qing had studied Confucianism, he couldn't sit still and began to doubt the truth of these rumors, which led to today's test.

However, Xu Qing's expression remained unchanged, and he spoke with great confidence. But Han Wang'an was still somewhat uneasy, so he continued to probe and ask...
"Then I've heard that you've recently been indiscriminately associating with officials, calling them 'mentor' and 'disciple' as if you intend to form a clique?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Qing guessed why Han Wang'an asked such a question. It was simply because of these rumors, coupled with the fact that his power had expanded rather rapidly recently, which made Han Wang'an feel insecure and suspicious that he would become the second Ji Wuye.

Xu Qing quickly came up with a solution, and with a serious expression, he cupped his hands in greeting to Han Wang'an.

"I entered the Imperial Medical Academy in the third year of King Han's reign. My family has been favored by the king for generations. I was able to become the Chief Physician thanks to Your Majesty's kindness. If we are talking about disciples, I am Your Majesty's disciple."

"If we're talking about mentors, Your Majesty is my mentor. I rose from a lowly, insignificant physician in the Imperial Medical Academy to a physician, and then to the chief physician. Every step of my journey was thanks to Your Majesty's promotion."

"If we're talking about powerful backers, then you are my powerful backer. If we're talking about allies, then I can only be your allies!"

"What Your Majesty just said is not the proper way for a ruler to discuss matters with his subjects. I humbly request Your Majesty to retract your words!"

Xu Qing's words were sincere, and his gaze toward Han Wang'an was full of genuine emotion. He showed no fear of being questioned, but rather an unprecedented determination.

Han Wang'an turned his head and looked at Xu Qing in shock, his eyes filled with astonishment. He never expected Xu Qing to say such a thing.

Such a loyal statement made King Han forget what he was going to say next, and even began to doubt whether he should doubt Xu Qing's loyalty.

"Could it be that I'm overthinking things? Have I misunderstood a loyal and devoted minister?" King Han An wondered blankly.

(End of this chapter)