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

Chapter 415, Ying Zheng: I will unconditionally support whatever you decide, sir!
Meanwhile, in Zhangtai Palace in Xianyang.

Ying Zheng sat upright on his seat, holding a scroll of bamboo slips in both hands. His cold and composed gaze was fixed on the words on the bamboo slips, as if he was afraid of missing a single word.

Wang Ben, kneeling on one knee below, kept his head down and dared not speak. The majesty emanating from Ying Zheng made the atmosphere in the hall somewhat oppressive, making it hard for him to breathe.

After receiving Xu Qing's orders, he secretly left Mount Taiyi with the bamboo slips and returned to Xianyang without daring to stop for a moment. Through the Wang family's channels, he secretly entered Zhangtai Palace and met Ying Zheng, handing over the bamboo slips to him.

He was unaware of the contents of the bamboo slips, but judging from Ying Zheng's serious expression, the contents must be of great importance.

"Sir, is there anything else you would like to convey back to me?"

Ying Zheng put down the bamboo slip in his hand, looked at Wang Ben with a deep gaze, and asked.

Feeling uneasy under Ying Zheng's gaze, Wang Ben maintained his composure and said...
"The Grand Chancellor said that this matter is of great importance and instructed me to deliver it to the King alone, and not to let anyone else know about it."

Although the Wang family were staunch supporters of Ying Zheng, Wang Ben was only a mid-level officer in the Qin army and had never had the opportunity to meet Ying Zheng before.

Now that he was finally meeting his own King of Qin, and about an important mission, Wang Ben couldn't help but feel nervous and uneasy.

"Yes, Wang Ben, you must be tired from your journey. How is the situation at Mount Taiyi?" Ying Zheng continued to ask.

"Your subject dares not claim hardship; since returning to Mount Taiyi, the Grand Chancellor only awoke from his meditative state yesterday."

Wang Ben recounted everything that happened after Xu Qing returned to Mount Taiyi, especially emphasizing Xu Qing's process of enlightenment.

Upon hearing Xu Qing comprehend the Dao, Gai Nie, who was standing to the side, was filled with surprise, and his hand gripping his sword tightened involuntarily.

He was a year or two older than Xu Qing, but he was still stuck at the threshold between the first-rate and the Celestial Master realms. He had learned from his previous conversation with Xu Qing that the latter had only started practicing martial arts in the last year or two.

However, Xu Qing surpassed his more than ten years of skill in just one or two years, which surprised Gai Nie with Xu Qing's talent and also made him feel a little anxious.

"Sir, have you attained enlightenment? I wonder what the outcome of the covenant between heaven and man was?"

Ying Zheng also looked surprised, with a hint of disappointment and helplessness in his eyes.

He was happy that Xu Qing had attained enlightenment, but if Xu Qing had been focused on enlightenment during this time, it was clear that Xiong Qi had not been able to inform Xu Qing of the current situation in Xianyang. This also meant that Wang Ben had not brought back a solution to the matter of the Marquis of Guannei being killed.

After composing himself, Ying Zheng looked at the bamboo slips in his hand again and sighed softly.
"Sir's idea is too bold. Teacher, please take a look at this plan."

Gai Nie took the bamboo slip handed to him by Ying Zheng. The moment he saw the contents, Gai Nie's eyes widened in surprise.

"The Grand Chancellor's plan is far too far-fetched. To persuade Bai Yifei to surrender and let Nanyang return to Qin? How is that possible?" Gai Nie said in surprise.

Upon hearing Gai Nie's words, Wang Ben suddenly looked up at him, his face showing shock.

"Yes, that's why I said you're bold, sir. What do you think of this plan, teacher?" Ying Zheng asked in a deep voice.

The bamboo slips contained Xu Qing's plan to turn Bai Yifei against his will, thereby bringing Nanyang under Qin's control.

To be honest, Ying Zheng was shocked by Xu Qing's bold idea after seeing the plan. Whether it was turning Bai Yifei to defect or bringing Nanyang back to Qin, it was almost impossible.

Bai Yifei was a hereditary marquis of Han, sharing the fate of the state and receiving the king's favor for generations. How could such a person betray Han and defect to Qin? If Bai Yifei were to do such a thing, he would surely be condemned to the pillar of historical shame. Nanyang was a wealthy land, and the only source of tax revenue for Han. Although it was Bai Yifei's fiefdom, the officials governing Nanyang were all loyal ministers of Han.

Even if Bai Yifei really surrendered to Qin, these people would not surrender to Qin.

After reviewing the contents of the bamboo slips again, Gai Nie fell into deep thought. Looking at the names of Han Fei and Wei Zhuang, he spoke.

"If the situation in Nanyang develops as Da Liangzao said, then this plan is feasible. Moreover, the Black Ice Guard has returned, and with their assistance, the chances of success are higher."

"However, this plan is so absurd that I dare not make a hasty conclusion."

After Gai Nie finished speaking, the hall fell silent once again.

Ying Zheng looked thoughtful, considering the success rate of Xu Qing's plan to return Nanyang to Qin.

During the time Xu Qing was away from Xianyang, he was not idle. He carried out his plan to spoil Lao Ai while strengthening the Qin King's faction.

After meeting with the commander of the Black Ice Guard, the elite troops of the Black Ice Guard began to secretly return to Xianyang. Now, the spies of various forces in Zhangtai Palace have been eliminated by the Black Ice Guard, and he has successfully obtained the full support of the Black Ice Guard.

"Sir, you want to use the drought in Nanyang to exacerbate the conflict between Han Fei and Ye Mu, and then sow discord between Ji Wuye and Bai Yifei, thereby forcing Bai Yifei to be isolated and helpless, and ultimately to seek refuge with my Qin state."

"This is indeed a good plan, but is Bai Yifei really willing to defy the world and surrender to my Qin state for the sake of the people of Nanyang?"

Ying Zheng looked at Gai Nie and Wang Benlai and asked.

"It's hard to judge Bai Yifei, but the Grand Marshal has had a lot of contact with him, so he must know him well. Since he thinks the plan is feasible, there's no harm in giving it a try, since it doesn't require much manpower or resources."

After pondering for a moment, Gai Nie said in a deep voice.

Wang Ben remained silent. As a military general, he was not good at these things. The only thing he could do was not to affect Gai Nie and Ying Zheng's thinking.

However, the fact that Ying Zheng and Gai Nie discussed things in front of him clearly showed that they considered Wang Ben a trusted confidant, which made Wang Ben breathe a slight sigh of relief.

"The teacher is right. If the plan fails, it won't be a big deal, but if it succeeds, given Qin's current situation, I'm afraid..."

Ying Zheng didn't finish his sentence, but both Gai Nie and Wang Ben understood what he meant.

If Xu Qing's plan fails, it will only be a waste of some energy and will not have much impact on the Qin state. But if the plan succeeds, then the Qin state will not only be responsible for the drought in Nanyang, but will also have to deal with the change in the Han state's attitude towards Qin.

Meanwhile, some people within the Qin state may also take this opportunity to cause trouble.

Although the risks are high, the rewards are also great, as it is Nanyang, the most prosperous and strategically valuable place in the world.

If Nanyang were to fall to Qin, Qin would strategically encircle Han, providing a strategic forward base for either attacking the three Jin states or marching south to attack Chu. Furthermore, Nanyang's wealth was renowned throughout the land, and with the soon-to-be-completed Guanzhong Canal, Qin would never again worry about food supplies.

After weighing the pros and cons carefully, Ying Zheng said with a firm expression.
"Since you think it's feasible, then I will support it unconditionally!"

(End of this chapter)