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

Chapter 330, Entering Qin

After several days of travel, and after Xu Qing deliberately revealed Ying Zheng's whereabouts, the Luo Wang indeed did not take any further action against Ying Zheng. Under the protection of hundreds of Qin soldiers, the group arrived at Zuicheng, which was only a few dozen miles away from Xianyang.

"What the heck?! When did I become a disciple of the Gongyang School of Confucianism?!"

Xu Qing looked at the intelligence report in his hand and said in astonishment.

Ying Zheng and Gai Nie looked at Xu Qing with such surprise and confusion, and couldn't help but show their own expressions of doubt.

"Sir, aren't you Gongyang Ru? The message from Meng Tian should be accurate. Gongyang Ru's disciple attempted to assassinate Ji Wuye under the pretext of avenging you, but ended up dying tragically in the street."

"If you weren't a disciple of the Gongyang School of Confucianism, how could he have done such a thing?"

Ying Zheng looked at Xu Qing with a puzzled expression and asked.

"I don't know either. I really have no connection with Gongyang Ru, and I don't understand why they would do this?" Xu Qing said, looking blankly at Ying Zheng.

He was quite certain that neither he nor the original owner of the body had any connection with the Gongyang School of Confucianism. His only connection with Confucianism was his previous correspondence with Xunzi.

As if he had thought of something, Gai Nie looked at Xu Qing and said...
“I remember Brother Xu once said that you studied Confucianism for your early education. Could your teacher have been a Gongyang scholar?”

"The teacher who gave me my first education? The teacher my father hired was a middle-aged man who had traveled around studying. As for whether he was a Gongyang Confucian scholar, I don't know."

Xu Qing frowned as he recalled the original owner's memories of studying Confucianism.

Because so much time had passed, he had forgotten everything about the Confucian disciple who had taught him for a month—his appearance, name, and background.

Could that teacher really be a Gongyang Confucian scholar? And am I also a disciple of the Gongyang Confucian scholar?
Xu Qing was filled with doubts.

"Think carefully, sir. Perhaps the other party really is Gongyang Ru? Moreover, the place where Gongyang Ru's whereabouts are most concentrated is also the state of Han," Ying Zheng reminded him.

After thinking about it carefully for a while, Xu Qing finally gave up and sighed helplessly.

"Actually, whether I am Gongyang Ru or not is no longer important. In this assassination attempt, Gongyang Ru has already bound me to Gongyang Ru with the life of one of his disciples."

"I wonder if my teacher will be so angry when he finds out that he'll come to Xianyang overnight to punish me."

Although Gongyang Ru's unprovoked assassination attempt left Xu Qing bewildered, at least it was beneficial to him. The other party used the life of one of his disciples to confirm that Ji Wuye had helped him leave Han.

Even if King Han An were to disregard his reputation and allow Ji Wuye to reveal his affair with Consort Hu, no one in the outside world would believe it.

"I'll stop thinking about it. I'll wait for the meeting between Heaven and Man at Mount Taiyi in twenty-eight days. If Gongyang Ru comes, I'll ask him and find out why," Xu Qing thought to himself.

Regardless, Gongyang Ru helped him, and he should remember this kindness. If the other party needs anything, he will help if he can.

Seeing Xu Qing's worried expression, Gai Nie and Ying Zheng didn't ask any further questions. Xu Qing had already said that he wasn't Gongyang Ru, so he definitely wasn't.

The two men were also puzzled as to why the Gongyang Confucianists would use Xu Qing's name to assassinate Ji Wuye.

"The truth will eventually come out. It will arrive in Xianyang by noon. News has also come from Xianyang that Uncle Zhong and his officials are already waiting outside the city."

After Ying Zheng finished speaking, he glanced at Xu Qing, his expression somewhat complicated.

He knew that Lü Buwei was not there to welcome him, but rather to welcome Xu Qing, since Xu Qing's arrival in Qin represented a reconciliation between the Qin state and the medical community.

He wouldn't change his opinion of Xu Qing because of this; it was just a pity that Xu Qing wasn't the one who was there, and he missed this opportunity to make a name for himself in history.

Moreover, he felt that Lü Buwei was a bit petty. If it were him, he would have welcomed him directly at Hangu Pass and paid tribute to Bian Que at the same time, making sure to go the extra mile.

“Then let’s hurry on our way. This time, Your Majesty’s return to Xianyang is different from before. If necessary, we can be a little more forceful,” Xu Qing said, nodding slightly.

"I understand."

Ying Zheng's eyes gleamed with a sharp light, his face full of confidence, displaying the unique majesty of an emperor, completely devoid of the confusion and helplessness he had shown in Han.

Ying Zheng now has Xu Qing and Gai Nie as his civil officials, and Meng Tian's 100,000-strong army in the field as his military commander. Even if Li Si's mission ends and the army withdraws, Meng Tian will still have about 30,000 Pingyang heavy armored soldiers under his command.

As long as he had troops, even if Ying Zheng couldn't directly reclaim the throne, he wouldn't be constantly hampered.

After temporarily setting aside the matter of Gongyang Ru, Xu Qing, Ying Zheng, and Gai Nie returned to the carriage, and the group of over a hundred people set off again towards Xianyang.

Inside the spacious carriage, Jingni and Yanlingji both looked over when Xu Qing entered.

Jing Ni sat on the right side of the carriage, her pretty face still cold. Her close-fitting metal combat suit outlined her graceful figure, and her jet-black hair was tied back in a bun.

The Jingni Sword lay across her thigh, her hands overlapping, and the swaying hem of her clothes revealed her beautiful legs encased in black metallic fishnet stockings.

Compared to the seated Jing Ni, Yan Ling Ji was much more casual. Having not encountered any assassination attempts for several days, she had changed her red and yellow combat uniform into a light blue long dress.

Her jet-black hair was half-loose behind her, and a faint smile graced her delicate face. Her dreamy, icy-blue eyes were fixed on Xu Qing, and her pink lips were gently pursed.

With light makeup, she was charming yet lively, so beautiful that it was hard to look away.

A long, light blue dress trailed on the seat, her smooth, white legs swaying gently. Her crystal high heels lightly touched the carriage floor, producing a melodious sound, like a unique tune. "We'll arrive in Xianyang around noon. Lü Buwei will lead the officials to greet us outside the city. Would you like to show yourselves with me?" Xu Qing said with a light laugh as she sat down between the two.

Xu Qing also knew that Lü Buwei was not simply welcoming Ying Zheng. Such a high-profile welcome was also to formally bring him into the Qin state, thereby showing his submission to the medical community and seeking reconciliation.

Xu Qing had given this matter considerable thought before deciding to have Yan Lingji and Jing Ni appear in public alongside him.

His entry into Qin was destined to make him a thorn in the side of some people. They wouldn't dare to harm him, but they would inevitably take action against Yan Lingji and Jing Ni.

Having the two appear with him was also a way of sending a signal to the Qin state: taking action against the two was equivalent to taking action against him, thus making those with ulterior motives hesitant to act.

"Forget it~ I'm a wanted assassin now."

Yan Lingji rested her hands on the seat, blinked slightly, and looked at Xu Qing with exceptional tenderness.

She's not stupid; how could she not know Xu Qing's reasons for doing this?

However, this was Xu Qing's first time visiting Qin, and Qin had already shown her such great respect. If Xu Qing were to become arrogant and flaunt her talents in public, it would surely incur the displeasure of the Qin officials.

Xu Qing still needs to make a living in the court, so there's no need for him to leave a bad impression on the Qin officials because of her.

Looking into Yan Lingji's gentle and charming eyes, Xu Qing felt his heart melt.

Who says this little devil is willful? Doesn't she consider his needs in everything she does?
As for his usual capriciousness, that's clearly just flirting!

“I’m not going either,” Jing Ni said coldly.

Her identity is even more sensitive than Yan Lingji's. Although protecting Xu Qing was an order given to her by Luo Wang, whether it was helping Xu Qing intercept Luo Wang assassins or wielding a sword against Yan Ri, it all revealed her intention to betray Luo Wang.

Neither Lü Buwei nor Lao Ai would allow a top-tier assassin to betray them and then openly appear in public.

If she were to appear with Xu Qing, the two of them would inevitably feel that Xu Qing was provoking them.

Xu Qing looked at Jing Ni and was deeply moved.

Although Jingni was still cold towards him, her actions in the past few days showed that she cared about him.

Sure enough, his efforts paid off, and sooner or later he was able to completely melt this iceberg.

"We'll be arriving in Xianyang soon. Tell me about the situation in the Qin court first, so I won't be unable to distinguish friend from foe," Xu Qing asked.

Jingni nodded, organized her thoughts, and began to speak.

"The internal situation in Qin is very complex, with multiple factions vying for power in the court. Over the years, Lü Buwei has continuously promoted scholars from the six states, and half of the people in the court are his men, making him a truly powerful minister."

"But he did not have military power. Although he wanted to intervene in the military, the lack of response from various military factions delayed his ability to gain control of the military."

"Besides Lü Buwei, there are members of the royal family and relatives of the emperor from various states. Among the relatives of the emperor, the relatives of the emperor from Zhao are the most prominent, followed by the relatives of the emperor from Chu. After the death of Lord Chang'an Chengjiao, the relatives of the emperor from Han completely declined and became marginalized."

"The Zhao state's foreign relatives obeyed the orders of Empress Dowager Zhao Ji, with Marquis Changxin Lao Ai as their leader, and he also had an ambiguous relationship with Lü Buwei."

"The Chu state's foreign relatives were led by Empress Dowager Huayang, with Right Chancellor Xiong Qi and Lord Changwen as their nominal leaders."

"Empress Dowager Huayang favors the current king, so the Chu faction is very close to the king. On the contrary, the Zhao family, relatives of the Zhao state, have gradually drifted apart since the king ascended the throne."

Upon hearing Xiong Qi's name, Xu Qing's heart sank; this was a traitor.

When the Qin state attacked the Chu state, Xiong Qi betrayed the Qin state and its general Li Xin, causing the 200,000 Qin troops to suffer a crushing defeat.

"Besides these, there are also members of the Qin royal family, the Feng clan, the Meng clan, and the Li clan."

Jingni slowly explained to Xu Qing the various factions in the Qin court and the relationships between them.

Yan Lingji frowned as she listened, her icy blue eyes gradually losing focus. The intricate relationships between these factions made her dizzy.

Xu Qing listened with great interest, memorizing one name after another, trying to find those who might become his allies.

However, among the many complex forces, only a handful of people could become his allies.

Aside from the Meng clan and Wang Jian, who were staunch supporters of the King of Qin, the only people he could hope to win over were the Qin royal family and the Li clan.

The former's relationship with Ying Zheng deteriorated further due to Lao Ai's interference, but there was still a chance to mend it.

As for the latter, the ancestor of the Li clan of Qin was Laozi, the founder of their Taoist Tianzong sect.

Their lineage consists of Lao Tzu's secular descendants, and they have a natural affinity with him, a disciple of the Taoist Tianzong sect. They could try to win him over.

Through the Li family, he was also able to come into contact with Changwen Jun, a powerful relative of the Chu state. The Chu state's relatives could be considered allies, but Xiong Qi needed to think carefully about it.

(End of this chapter)