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

Chapter 309, Han Fei: I treat you like a brother, and you want to be my stepfather? (Two chapters combined, please vote!)
Thick dark clouds rolled in from the horizon, shrouding the entire city of Xinzheng in gloom.

A muffled rumble of thunder echoed through the dark clouds, and occasionally a few streaks of lightning flashed across the pitch-black night sky, spreading a somber and oppressive atmosphere.

Inside the council hall of the Han King's Palace.

The dim candlelight flickered, casting long shadows of Ji Wuye, Han Fei, and Zhang Kaidi. King Han An, sitting on his throne, had a complicated expression, his hands clasped tightly on his thighs.

“Father, I believe that the Qin envoy’s public demand for the Imperial Physician’s Command must have been premeditated. The Imperial Physician’s Command has made great contributions to our country and should not be handed over easily.”

Han Fei was the first to step forward and spoke sincerely.

Ji Wuye glanced at Han Fei out of the corner of his eye and sneered inwardly.

Xu Qing was a staunch supporter of Han Fei, so Han Fei was naturally unwilling to let Xu Qing go to Qin, since Han Fei's friend Zheng Guo had entered Qin for the same reason.

However, he didn't care whether Xu Qing would enter Qin or not, since he never intended for Xu Qing to survive until today.

King Han looked at Han Fei, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes. If possible, he naturally did not want Xu Qing to enter Qin.

After all, with a highly skilled imperial physician by his side, he can enjoy his life for a few more years.

However, faced with the pressure from the Qin army, King Han An hesitated again, and then asked...

"If we refuse, how will we explain it to Qin? Ninth Brother, can you find another way to get Qin to grant us more time?"

"Your subject is willing to give it a try," Han Fei said in a deep voice.

Xu Qing's entry into Qin was a deal between him and Ying Zheng. In exchange for Qin abandoning its attack on Han, Ying Zheng would help Xu Qing enter Qin legitimately.

However, he certainly couldn't directly express his thoughts, otherwise Ji Wuye would definitely interfere, so he could only advance by retreating.

"I think this is inappropriate. Qin envoy Li Si is adamant. If the Imperial Physician is not handed over, he will not give up easily and will take the opportunity to cause trouble."

"The bet between Qin envoy Li Si and the Ninth Prince was to settle the dispute over the territories of the two countries, with the deadline being whether Han could hand over the murderer within five days."

"The fact that Qin was willing to give up land, and even cede land to Han, just to obtain the position of Imperial Physician shows Qin's true intentions."

"Therefore, I believe that we should hand over the Imperial Physician's Order and use it as a bargaining chip to force the Qin army to retreat."

However, before Ji Wuye could speak, Zhang Kaidi stepped forward first and said to Han Wang'an.

"Just like the State of Zheng back then!"

Upon hearing the mention of the State of Zheng, King An of Han, Han Fei, and Ji Wuye's expressions changed, and they all looked at Zhang Kaidi.

Zheng Guo was a rare talent in the state of Han. However, at that time, Qin was frequently launching attacks against other states. In order to protect Han and weaken Qin, Zhang Kai tried every means to send Zheng Guo to Qin to help Qin build the Guanzhong Canal.

However, just as Zhang Kaidi had predicted, over the past ten years, the Qin state had spent countless resources building canals and had reduced its external attacks.

Han Fei looked at Zhang Kaidi, his eyes gleaming slightly, a complex expression flashing across his face.

He and Xu Qing did not inform Zhang Kaidi of their plan, and Zhang Liang would not say anything, so sending Xu Qing to Qin was naturally Zhang Kaidi's own idea.

While this could indeed temporarily protect Han, in the long run it was similar to Zheng's involvement in Qin's canal construction, ultimately benefiting Qin in the long term.

Did Zhang Kai understand all this? Han Fei wasn't sure, but he felt that the other party should understand. However, he still made such a choice, which was obviously living beyond his means. It could only protect the state of Han for a short time, not forever.

When Han Wang'an heard Zhang Kaidi's words, a look of hesitation flashed across his face again. The scales in his heart tipped once more in favor of handing over Xu Qing, but Xu Qing's medical skills made him somewhat reluctant to part with her.

"General, what do you think about this matter?" King Han asked Ji Wuye hesitantly.

Upon seeing that he had been called out, Ji Wuye gave Han Fei a mocking glance.

Upon seeing this, Han Fei felt a strange unease. His mind raced as he tried to recall if he and Xu Qing had forgotten anything.

"I believe that the Imperial Physician should not be allowed to enter Qin. Qin is currently lacking in good doctors, and the army is even more lacking in military doctors. All of this stems from the fact that Li Xi, the Imperial Physician of Qin, murdered Bian Que in the past."

"If Xu Qing is allowed to enter Qin, it will affect the medical community and resolve the feud between Qin and the medical community. This would be an act that would boost Qin's national strength, so he must not be allowed to enter Qin."

Ji Wuye stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said.

Upon hearing this, Han Fei and Zhang Kaidi both looked at Ji Wuye in astonishment, scrutinizing him intently, as if wondering if the Ji Wuye before them was someone else in disguise.

Otherwise, how could such a well-considered and far-sighted statement have come from that cunning and greedy Ji Wuye?
"You also do not advocate sending the Imperial Physician to Qin? Then how should we deal with the Qin envoy's request?" King An of Han asked in a deep voice.

Recalling Li Si's previous attitude, King Han An felt a headache coming on. Li Si's offer to extend the time in exchange for Xu Qing showed that Qin was determined to get him.

After all, the wager between Li Si and Han Fei was the time it would take to hand over the murderer, and the stakes were the hundreds of miles of territory belonging to Qin and Han.

The fact that Qin was willing to give up territory in exchange for one person speaks volumes about that person's importance. Even King Han An was inclined to believe Zhang Kaidi's guess that Qin didn't want Tianze and the other Baiyue remnants who were the murderers, but rather Xu Qing.

But Ji Wuye's words made more sense. Zheng had exhausted Qin for ten years, and if Xu Qing were to further strengthen Qin's national power, then Han would be even less able to resist the Qin army in the future.

"My idea is simple. There is still half a day left before the five-day deadline, and Marquis Xueyi has already found out where Tianze is and is leading people to capture him. I believe he will be able to capture him soon," Ji Wuye said.

"Really? If we hand Tianze over to Qin, then the current problem can be solved," King An of Han said with some delight.

“Your Majesty, Qin’s target is the Imperial Physician, not Tianze. If we don’t hand him over, they won’t let this go,” Zhang Kaidi said, stepping forward.

"This"

King Han looked at Ji Wuye, hoping that Ji Wuye could provide a solution.

"Hehe, Prime Minister Zhang is overthinking it. As long as we get Qin to give up the idea of ​​demanding the Imperial Physician Xu Qing, that's all we need to do."

Ji Wuye revealed a cold smile, his eyes flashing with a dangerous light.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Kaidi's face darkened, and his fist clenched under his sleeve. He knew that Ji Wuye was going to kill Xu Qing, otherwise he wouldn't have gone to such lengths to support Xu Qing's entry into Qin.

Han Fei then realized that Ji Wuye was not acting out of kindness for the benefit of Qin, but rather wanted his father to order Xu Qing's execution.

Firstly, with an imperial edict, he could openly mobilize the imperial guards to surround and kill them. Secondly, even if the Mohists and medical practitioners sought revenge afterward, they would have nothing to say because it was his father's edict.

“Father, this is absolutely unacceptable. The Imperial Physician is a loyal minister of our Han state. He is not only dedicated to his duties, but also enjoys a high reputation among the people. If we order his arrest and execution without cause, it will be difficult to convince the public.”

Han Fei immediately stood up and objected.

Xu Qing could handle a simple attack by a hundred birds, but being surrounded by an army of hundreds or thousands of people would be a fatal blow, no matter how strong he was.

However, before Han Wang'an could react, Ji Wuye unleashed his prepared trump card. "It seems that Ninth Prince still thinks Xu Qing is a loyal minister, but little does he know that this man is nothing but a hypocritical villain. It would be difficult to convince the public if he were not killed!"

Ji Wuye looked at Han Fei and sneered, then said to Han Wang'an

"Your Majesty, I hereby accuse the Imperial Physician Xu Qing of having an affair with Consort Hu and defiled the harem!"

"What!?"

Han Wang'an, Han Fei, and Zhang Kaidi all stared at Ji Wuye in astonishment.

“Impossible! Father, this must be a false accusation. How could the Imperial Physician possibly do such a thing?” Han Fei immediately stepped forward and said.

Although Han Fei appeared calm, his heart was in turmoil. He had never expected that Ji Wuye would choose to use a suicidal approach to attack Xu Qing.

After the investigation by Liusha, Han Fei naturally learned that Lady Mingzhu was the Tide Demoness, one of the Four Fiends of the Night. And Ji Wuye falsely accused Xu Qing of having an affair with Hu Meiren. So how could the Tide Demoness, who was closer to Xu Qing, escape the wrath?

Is it possible to eliminate Brother Xu at the cost of sacrificing the Tide Demoness? Han Fei's heart sank.

“Your Majesty, this matter is absolutely a frame-up. The Imperial Physician would never do such a thing,” Zhang Kaidi also stepped forward and said.

He sent Xu Qing to Qin naturally to protect Han and maintain the balance of power in the Han court. However, he would absolutely not allow anyone to frame Xu Qing and subject him to unfounded slander.

“False accusation? Your Majesty, I have irrefutable evidence. Please take a look. This is the testimony of twelve eunuchs and maids from Consort Hu’s palace! As for how to decide, please think it over carefully.”

Ji Wuye looked at Han Wang An with a cold gaze, took out a bamboo slip from his pocket, and handed it over.

He didn't forge this bamboo slip. He originally intended to create a fake copy, but through a secret investigation of the maids and eunuchs in Consort Hu's palace, he discovered that Xu Qing really was having an affair with Consort Hu.

Not only the Chao Nv Yao, but also the Hu Meiren, is the Han King's palace really being used as a brothel?

Can one come and go as one pleases, with complete ease?
King Han An opened the bamboo slip with a gloomy face, looked at the contents, gripped the bamboo slip tightly with both hands, and his eyes seemed to be spitting out anger.

"Good! Good for you, Xu Qing! You have disregarded my trust and done such a thing!"

"Guards! General, I order you to immediately seize Xu Qing, tear him apart by five horses, and hack him to death with a flurry of blows!"

King Han An roared angrily, veins bulging on his forehead, and he slammed the bamboo slip in his hand to the ground.

He had trusted Xu Qing so much before, and dismissed the rumors about Xu Qing and Hu Meiren with disdain, but he never expected that it was actually true.

No wonder Hu Meiren made Xu Qing come to check her pulse every day, saying it was a lingering illness; it was clearly just an excuse for their affair.

Being cuckolded is something no man can tolerate, let alone a king.

Moreover, Xu Qing has been serving as the Imperial Physician for a year now. In the past year, he has been able to move freely in the Han King's palace and has treated countless concubines. Who knows how many people he has been having affairs with?
Leaving aside others, just look at Madam Mingzhu and Consort Hu, who are closest to Xu Qing. They are his two most favored concubines!

The thought of those two men secretly enjoying themselves under Xu Qing's crotch every night fueled Han Wang'an's anger.

Han Fei looked at the furious King An of Han, his mouth slightly open as if he wanted to speak, but he ultimately closed it again.

He knew that whether Ji Wuye was framing him or not was no longer important, because the royal family would not allow such a stain to exist.

Even if Xu Qing really did nothing wrong, as long as Ji Wuye sent people to spread some rumors, his father would still order Xu Qing to be killed.

Simply because the monarch would not allow such a stain.

Moreover, based on Han Fei's understanding of Xu Qing, he actually felt that Xu Qing had truly done it.

"No wonder you said I'm different from you, Ah Qing, you're serious!"

Han Fei was filled with complex emotions. He now remembered why Xu Qing had given him that meaningful smile when he told him, "I'm different from you."

It's no wonder that Xu Qing ignored the rumors circulating about him and Madam Hu Mingzhu. It wasn't that Xu Qing didn't want to dispel the rumors, but rather that they were true.

Brother Xu, should I say you're honest, or should I say you're incredibly audacious?

Han Fei sighed helplessly in his heart.

He wanted to be brothers with Xu Qing, but Xu Qing wanted to be his stepfather?

This is really...
Zhang Kaidi also had a complicated expression on his face, filled with emotion. He didn't have as many thoughts as Han Fei; he was just feeling regret.

It is a pity that such a talented and loyal minister as Xu Qing was unjustly killed. What other famous people will come to Korea to serve in the future?

“Your Majesty, the Ninth Prince Han Fei has always been on good terms with the Imperial Physician. In order to prevent the news from leaking out, I request that the Ninth Prince be temporarily detained in the palace.”

"As for Prime Minister Zhang, please bear with us for now and stay with the Ninth Prince to prevent the news from getting out."

Ji Wuye said with a cold laugh.

Han Fei and Xu Qing wanted to disperse his power, but wasn't he also trying to disperse the power of the quicksand?
"allow."

Han Wang An shouted angrily and turned to leave. He didn't care about the truth, only about saving face.

Moreover, the evidence Ji Wuye gave him was so convincing that he had to interrogate Hu Meiren thoroughly to see if she had indeed been having an affair with Xu Qing.

The tightly closed palace gates were pushed open, and several armored soldiers rushed in, surrounding Han Fei and Zhang Kaidi.

Ji Wuye looked at Han Fei, whose expression was solemn, and a smug smile appeared on his face. He sneered and said...
"Ninth Young Master and Prime Minister Zhang, please bear with me for now. Once I have executed Xu Qing, you will be free again."

"The General is truly ruthless, willing to fight to the death," Han Fei said to Ji Wuye in a deep voice.

"Whether the net breaks or not is no need for you to worry, Ninth Prince. But this cunning catfish is definitely going to die. Once this catfish is made into a delicacy, I will host a banquet for you to enjoy."

"Ha ha ha ha."

Ji Wuye laughed loudly, flicked his cloak and walked out of the hall. Now that he had the edict from King Han An, he had no more worries.

He wanted to use Xu Qing's life to warn all those who were tempted to act, to make them understand who the true master of Korea was.

Han Fei and Zhang Kai watched Ji Wuye's departing figure with solemn expressions. They wanted to do something, but with several armored guards present, they could do nothing.

"Ninth Young Master, Prime Minister Zhang! Please come in." The captain of the Imperial Guards said, bowing to the two men.

Han Fei and Zhang Kai exchanged a glance, then silently followed the imperial guards away.

(End of this chapter)