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

Chapter 197, Who in the world is not acquainted with Qin? (Bonus chapter, please vote!)
"It seems you've had quite a haul," Xu Qing asked with a smile.

If an ordinary person saw Xu Qing and Zi Nu acting so intimately, they would have turned away long ago and wouldn't have stayed to be a third wheel. But Wei Zhuang is no ordinary person, and he went straight into the room.

“You’re right, she is indeed Han Yu’s person.”

Ignoring the cloying scent of their romance, Wei Zhuang tossed the bamboo slip in his hand onto the table.

In his mind, social niceties and love were all a waste of time; only two things mattered most: the sword and Gai Nie.

Zi Nu opened the bamboo slip, which clearly recorded the situation inside Zi Lan Xuan, as well as the time Xu Qing visited Zi Lan Xuan each time, and who he met, etc.

"So, is there something wrong with what I said?" Xu Qing shrugged.

"What do you want me to do?" Wei Zhuang asked bluntly.

He knew Xu Qing was goading him; she must have something for him to do. The matter with Green Ivy was his mistake, and to make up for it and prove he wasn't a kept man, he had no choice but to accept Xu Qing's arrangement.

Seeing that Wei Zhuang agreed, Xu Qing immediately put away his aggressive attitude and put on a gentle face.

“Brother Wei Zhuang, there’s no need to be so formal. Let’s drink and chat,” Xu Qing said.

Seeing Xu Qing's face change as easily as drinking water, Wei Zhuang's lips twitched. He took back his previous assessment. How could someone like Xu Qing be a Taoist disciple?
Even the most eloquent and persuasive masters might not be able to cultivate such a shameless person.

Zi Nu was already used to Xu Qing's change of expression, and asked curiously while holding the bamboo slip.

How did you know there was something wrong with the pothos?

"I observe the celestial phenomena at night, and I can communicate with spirits and gods. I understand the principles of heaven, and I can know the answer with a simple calculation," Xu Qing said with a smile.

"Speak like a human being," Zi Nu said helplessly.

Xu Qing is great in every way, except for her somewhat eccentric personality. But precisely because of this, she never has to try to maintain an image when the two of them are together.

Wei Zhuang also looked at Xu Qing, his gaze as sharp and cold as ever, but much gentler than before.

"Alright, alright, he's one of my doctors. He was once invited by Han Yu to the Fourth Young Master's residence, where Han Yu arranged for concubines to accompany him. Green Luo was the concubine who spent the night with him back then."

“Two days ago, I was discussing matters concerning the Situ family with him at Zilan Pavilion when he inadvertently saw Green Ivy and told me about her identity.”

Xu Qing slowly recounted the story, explaining that the doctor was someone he had obtained through Luo Jing.

The other party had a high reputation and status in the Korean court, but because he had something on them, they became his subordinates and served him.

Upon hearing Xu Qing's words, Wei Zhuang's eyes flickered slightly. He knew that Xu Qing's influence in the court was growing, but he hadn't expected that the other party would be able to extend his reach into the coffers of the Situ Mansion.

The Situ Mansion was the site of the most intense power struggle between Ji Wuye, Zhang Kaidi, and Han Yu. Xu Qing's ability to intervene was proof enough of his formidable strength. Cooperating with such a person would be entirely beneficial to his future plans.

"Is that Physician Chen from the Situ residence?"

Zi Nu recalled the person she met with Xu Qing two days ago.

"That's him, the famous Qin loyalist in the court, known as Qin's second-largest lackey in Han!" Xu Qing said with a smile.

"Those who kowtow to other countries can rise to high positions; South Korea is utterly rotten," Wei Zhuang said coldly.

"It's just the tragedy of weak countries. Facing the Qin state, which is known as a tiger and wolf, how many people like this are there among the six states? Who doesn't know Qin?" Xu Qing shrugged and said.

The state of Han was caught in a crossfire, making it the primary target of Qin's eastward expansion.

To prevent Qin from attacking, the attitude of the entire state of Han towards Qin was one of "serving Qin cautiously." Even Zhang Kaidi, Han's most loyal minister, was in a pro-Qin faction in foreign affairs. The reason for this was that Han was too weak, and this was the only way to prevent Qin from finding a pretext to attack.

I can't beat you, so to prevent you from hitting me, I'll treat you like my own father. If you hit me again, then you're being unreasonable.

However, if the Qin state had been reasonable, it would not have achieved its current territory.

Not only was this the case in South Korea, but Qi was also a prime example of a state that diligently served Qin. Aside from foreign policy, which of the powerful ministers in the six states east of the Yellow River, except for Chu, wasn't a traitor to Qin?

Ji Wuye, the great general of Han; Sikong of Wei; Yanchunjun, a member of the royal family of Yan; Hou Sheng, the prime minister of Qi; and Guo Kai, the famous general and assassin of Zhao—which of these people did not have close ties with Qin?
You could even say that if you were a powerful minister in one of the six states and didn't have connections with Qin, you weren't even worthy of being in that circle of powerful ministers.

Wei Zhuang knew that Xu Qing was right, so he changed the subject and asked...
"So, what do you need me to do?"

"I need you to do something for me, just one small thing," Xu Qing said.

"What little thing?"

“Go to the border for me and help me,” Xu Qing said, revealing his plan.

After pondering for a moment, Wei Zhuang nodded in agreement.

Taking the Mohists to the border to deal with Liu Yi would indeed be difficult if the border troops were acting normally. However, Xu Qing would incite a mutiny among the border troops, making it easy for him to capture Liu Yi amidst the chaos.

"When do we set off?" Wei Zhuang asked.

"Get ready in the next couple of days, and wait for my notification," Xu Qing said.

"Ah."

"Since Brother Wei Zhuang has agreed, then I won't disturb you any longer. Please enjoy your drink."

Zi Nu nodded slightly to Wei Zhuang, then got up and followed Xu Qing out of the room, leaving Wei Zhuang alone.

"Imperial Physician Xu Qing is indeed quite interesting. No wonder Han Fei took the initiative to seek you out."

Wei Zhuang's lips curled slightly as he spoke in a deep voice.

Although Xu Qing schemed against him, this indirectly proves that Xu Qing is not a good-for-nothing who rose to power by relying on women, but rather someone with genuine talent and ability.

Only someone like him is qualified to cooperate with him and work together on important matters.

He considered dealing with Liu Yi as a way to show his sincerity and help Xu Qing, and let bygones be bygones regarding the other party's scheming against him.

After Xu Qing and Zi Nu left the room, they walked to the backyard and went to Zi Nu's room.

"Wait here for a moment, I'll go take another look ahead," Zi Nu said softly.

"Okay, go and come back quickly," Xu Qing nodded and said.

"I'll have someone boil some water."

As she spoke, Zi Nu quickly walked outside. Upon closer inspection, one could see a deep red flush rising from her neck to her cheeks, and even her breathing became somewhat disordered.

Xu Qing's eyes gleamed as he watched Zi Nu's departing figure, a wicked smile spreading across his face.

Clearly, Zi Nu had agreed to what he had proposed earlier. Xu Qing was very excited at the thought of tonight's activities.

(End of this chapter)