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

Chapter 292, Li Si: How could there be someone like Xu Qing? (Bonus chapter for monthly votes, please vote!!)

The carriage quickly brought Xu Qing to the Ninth Young Master's residence, but it was already dusk.

Led by the guards at the gate, Xu Qing entered the Ninth Prince's residence and found Han Fei, who was playing chess with Zhang Liang and looking troubled.

"Brother Xu, you are a rare guest. You rarely take the initiative to visit me," Han Fei said with a smile.

"Imperial Physician." Zhang Liang also bowed slightly in greeting.

Xu Qing nodded slightly to Zhang Liang, then sat down on the other side of the table and said with a light laugh.
"Why can't I come to see you on my own initiative if there's nothing wrong? How is the situation at court?"

"The outlook is not very optimistic. The new Qin envoy is my junior brother Li Si. My junior brother comes from an ordinary background and has now pledged allegiance to Qin's prime minister, Lü Buwei. This mission to Han is crucial to his future career."

“Zifang and I just met with him and tested each other. It’s clear that he’s determined to win this time.”

Han Fei shook his head slightly and sighed softly.

“Brother Han Fei is right. This envoy Li has a very clear goal: to use this mission to Korea to pave his own way in the officialdom. Korea is in grave danger this time,” Zhang Liang said with a worried expression.

He had seen Li Si in person, and even though they weren't close, he could see Li Si's desire for a high position and power.

This is a very ambitious person, and to realize his ambitions, he must step over countless bones, and unfortunately, South Korea will become his stepping stone.

Xu Qing glanced at Han Fei, who claimed to be difficult but wasn't actually nervous, then looked at Zhang Liang, whose face was full of worry, and slowly began to speak.

"Zifang, you've been fooled by him. If he really had no way to deal with the Qin army's current predicament, would he still be sitting here playing chess with you?"

Zhang Liang was taken aback upon hearing this, and then looked at Han Fei, only to see Han Fei looking helpless. When he noticed Zhang Liang's gaze, Han Fei scratched his head sheepishly.

"Oh dear, as expected, Brother Xu understands me best. I was hoping to see if Zifang would make any progress in times of crisis, but you ruined it all."

Han Fei lowered his hand and said helplessly.

"I'm afraid you'll scare Zifang so much that he won't be able to sleep at night, which will cause Zhang Xiangguo to fight you to the death," Xu Qing joked.

"Ninth Young Master, Imperial Physician, please stop making fun of me," Zhang Liang said, shaking his head repeatedly.

Compared to Xu Qing and Han Fei, he was regarded as the future of the Zhang family from birth, so he was well protected from a young age. This made him somewhat envious of Xu Qing and Han Fei, who had enough opportunities to gain experience.

After the joke, the heavy atmosphere in the room dissipated, and Han Fei coughed twice before speaking.
"I do have a plan in mind, but we'll see how it goes in court tomorrow. My meeting with my junior brother earlier was also to lay the groundwork for tomorrow."

"I see," Zhang Liang nodded and said.

Han Fei didn't reveal the details of the plan, nor did he ask; everything would become clear tomorrow.

"It seems you know your junior brother quite well. But it's good that you have a good understanding of him. Could you let me meet him another day?" Xu Qing said.

Han Fei and Zhang Liang were taken aback upon hearing this, and looked at Xu Qing with a puzzled expression.

"Brother Xu, are you and Junior Brother Li Si old acquaintances?" Han Fei asked curiously, but his heart was pounding with nervousness.

One of Li Si's goals in coming to Han was to find Xu Qing, whom he considered a close friend and helper. He was reluctant to let such a talented person be poached by Qin and strengthen Qin's power.

"No, I didn't know him before. It's just that in the letter that Master Xun gave me, he mentioned you and your fellow disciples, and he wrote the most about you and Li Si."

"So I really want to meet this person and see what Xunzi's second disciple is like."

Xu Qing casually passed the buck to Xunzi, saying that if he asked Li Si to help him leave Han, Han Fei would never allow him to meet Li Si.

Hearing Xu Qing's explanation, Han Fei didn't suspect anything. His teacher was an eccentric old man, so it wasn't surprising that he would talk to a young man like Xu Qing who shared similar interests.

"Is that so? I was just about to go find you. My junior brother said he wanted you to come and take his pulse, but actually he wants..."

Han Fei explained Li Si's purpose in coming to Han, while observing Xu Qing's expression as he spoke.

"Since that's the case, I'm even more determined to meet him. Who knows, Marquis Wenxin of Qin might even have prepared a gift for me."

Xu Qing revealed a smile, looking just like a complete shrewd businessman.

Upon hearing this, Han Fei and Zhang Liang's tension dissipated. They knew that no one would do anything for a stranger without a reason, which was very much in line with Xu Qing's way of thinking.

Moreover, Xu Qing is notorious for switching between doing things for money and not doing anything for money, leaving people with no idea what will happen to their money.
However, judging from Xu Qing's appearance, Han Fei knew that his junior brother was probably about to be tricked.

"Although Junior Brother Li Si is now our enemy, he is still my junior brother. For my sake, please show mercy and don't hurt him too badly," Han Fei said to Xu Qing.

"Am I that kind of person? Why would I cheat him? On the contrary, I should give him a gift." Xu Qing said, shrugging.

Han Fei and Zhang Liang chuckled and remained silent. It would have been better if Xu Qing hadn't mentioned giving gifts; once he did, it would definitely have put Li Si in a difficult position.

"What kind of looks are those?" Xu Qing said speechlessly.

"It's nothing. Since that's the case, I'll accompany you. I've already consulted my father, and Brother Xu doesn't need to go to the palace anymore," Han Fei said.

"Okay, let's go together."

Xu Qing did not refuse Han Fei's request to come along. He believed that Li Si would naturally send Han Fei away when the time came. After all, Li Si's skin should not be thick enough to try to poach someone in front of others.

“In that case, Brother Han Fei and the Imperial Physician should go. I should also go home and tell my grandfather, so that he won’t worry about state affairs anymore.” Zhang Liang stood up and cupped his hands to the two of them. “Zifang, go ahead.”

Xu Qing and Han Fei also bowed slightly to Zhang Liang, and the three of them left the Ninth Prince's residence side by side before splitting into two groups and leaving.

As night fell, Xu Qing and Han Fei met Li Si at the Qin embassy.

"I just told my senior brother during the day that I wanted to see the Imperial Physician, and I didn't expect him to grant my request tonight. I'm quite flattered," Li Si said to Han Fei as he led Xu Qing and Han Fei into the room.

"Junior brother, you are too kind. This is Xu Qing, the Imperial Physician of the Korean Kingdom."

Han Fei stood between Xu Qing and Li Si and introduced them to each other.

"Brother Xu, this is my fellow disciple, Li Si, the Qin envoy who has come to Han this time."

Looking at the dignified Xu Qing, Li Si was still surprised, even though he knew the rumors about how young Xu Qing was. He was amazed that such a young person not only possessed unparalleled medical skills but also held a high position.

When Xu Qing was that age, he was still studying hard at Xiaoshengxianzhuang.

"Is this the Imperial Physician? He is indeed as rumored to be—young, promising, and dignified. Truly extraordinary."

Li Si smiled and spoke very warmly to Xu Qing, as if he had met a long-lost friend.

"I have met Envoy Li. I have often heard Brother Han Fei mention you, and Master Xun also emphasized you in his letters. Today I am finally able to meet you." Xu Qing smiled and returned the greeting to Li Si.

"Oh? The Imperial Physician has correspondence with my teacher?" Li Si asked in surprise.

"I previously discussed Legalist principles with Brother Xu, and we debated the severity of criminal penalties. It's still very interesting to think about now," Han Fei said.

Although Li Si didn't understand why Han Fei mentioned debate, his curiosity was piqued. Although Han Fei's reputation in Xiaoshengxianzhuang wasn't very good, his talent and debating skills were unparalleled among his peers.

Many Confucian disciples from Xiaoshengxianzhuang were rendered speechless by Han Fei's arguments, and he, a Legalist in the same profession, had never won a debate with Han Fei.

"What was the result? Senior Brother should have won, right?" Li Si said.

"No, I lost, I lost badly. Brother Xu pointed out all my shortcomings, and he did so with the same level of respect and courtesy as our teacher."

Han Fei made no attempt to conceal anything and recounted the incident of his debate with Xu Qing on horseback that day.

"So afterwards I wrote a letter to my teacher. When my teacher found out, he was overjoyed and sent his nameless uncle, who had come down from the mountain, to bring a letter to Brother Xu."

"Senior brother actually lost!?"

Li Si's attention was completely drawn to Han Fei's loss, and he looked at Xu Qing in astonishment, filled with disbelief.

"It was just luck. That debate was only about the severity of punishment, not all of Legalist principles," Xu Qing said modestly.

Han Fei, as the greatest synthesizer of Legalism, was the last and youngest of the Seven Masters of the Pre-Qin period. If we're talking about defeating Han Fei in debates concerning Legalist principles, then the historical Han Fei might be able to do so.

After all, Han Fei was a stutterer, and he had a million ways to make the other party so angry that he couldn't speak at all.

"The Imperial Physician is too modest."

Li Si looked at Xu Qing, his eyes gleaming with a complex expression. He no longer had the enthusiasm he had shown Xu Qing before, but instead felt a sense of apprehension.

Among Lü Buwei's many retainers, Li Si dared not claim to be the strongest, but he dared to consider himself the best in Legalist thought; he had that much confidence.

This is also why he was confident enough to enter the Qin court through Lü Buwei.

He believed that his talent would eventually be recognized by Lü Buwei, and that he would be given an important position.

But Xu Qing's appearance made him feel a bit of a crisis.

Lu Buwei was very clear about Xu Qing's attitude. Lu Buwei, or rather the entire Qin state, needed Xu Qing. In fact, as long as Xu Qing entered Qin, he would be treated with high-ranking official positions and generous titles.

When Li Si entered Han, his idea was to befriend Xu Qing so that he could form an alliance with him after winning him over to Qin, and they could support each other and benefit from each other's success.

But Xu Qing's talent has exceeded his expectations. Although the other party said that he defeated Han Fei in one aspect, that was because the two only debated in this aspect.

As for Xu Qing's attainments in other Legalist concepts, who knows?

If he doesn't believe in Han Fei, does he not believe in his teacher Xunzi? The fact that his teacher values ​​Xu Qing so highly shows just how formidable Xu Qing's talent truly is.

If Xu Qing were to enter Qin and gain the favor of Lü Buwei, their original mutually beneficial relationship might turn into competition.

How could Xu Qing, who defeated Han Fei, possibly be his opponent?

For a moment, Li Si felt a mixture of fear, emotion, and even a sense of powerlessness.

As long as Xu Qing is willing, he cannot stop him from entering Qin; if Xu Qing is unwilling, he will have to find a way to persuade him.

Was it truly Heaven's will that Li Si was not favored? First came Han Fei, then Xu Qing; when would his day finally come?

(End of this chapter)