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

Chapter 443, The Situation in Nanyang

Namyang, South Korea.

As a famously prosperous place, Nanyang used to be a bustling hub of merchants, but now its roads are filled with ragged, emaciated people.

The wheels creaked as they rolled over the parched earth, the wooden tires groaning along with the listless footsteps of the people. Half-withered weeds lay fallen by the roadside, and the fruit and leaves of the unnamed trees along the roadside had long been devoured.

The lush green fields, scorched by the blazing sun, were covered with cracks like a spider web.

Xu Qing, dressed in a long, dark robe, stood by the roadside, looking at the pale-faced people who walked like puppets, and said in a low voice...
"The once prosperous Nanyang has been reduced to such a hell in just one month."

Yan Lingji, dressed as a man, turned to look at Xu Qing. Her fair and smooth oval face showed a hint of emotion, her eyes were like flowing water, and her long eyelashes fluttered slightly.

"The drought in Nanyang has only lasted for a month. Even if it's a severe drought, it shouldn't have ended up like this. These people shouldn't have to leave their homes," Yan Lingji asked, puzzled.

“Natural disasters certainly wouldn’t cause this, but Nanyang not only suffers from natural disasters, but also from human-caused calamities,” Xu Qing said, shaking his head slightly.

Although the drought in Nanyang came suddenly, South Korea was not without a chance to save it. However, amidst the complex power struggles in the court, these innocent people became the most direct victims of the drought.

Yan Lingji pursed her lips, looking at the people who were no longer human, her eyes filled with sympathy. At this moment, she no longer felt the pleasure of revenge, but rather sympathy for the people of Nanyang.

"Let's go, Luyang City is just ahead."

Xu Qing withdrew his gaze and led the horse forward.

Yan Lingji nodded slightly, then led the fast horse beside her and followed Xu Qing towards Luyang City.

As they drew closer to Luyang City, more and more disaster victims gathered outside the city. Several relief soup kitchens were packed with people, but the iron pots and rice buckets under the soup kitchens were already empty, and the ladles for serving rice were carelessly thrown on the ground.

After being checked by the soldiers at the city gate, Xu Qing and Yan Lingji were finally allowed to enter Luyang City.

Compared to the desolate scene outside, Luyang City, the core of Nanyang, still retained some vitality. Shops around the city were still bustling with people shouting their wares, but the pedestrians were in a hurry and no one stopped.

Instead of looking for an inn, Xu Qing and Yan Lingji wandered through Luyang City, eventually arriving at a mansion.

"Bang bang~"

After Xu Qing knocked twice on the courtyard gate, the vermilion gate opened from the inside, and a man dressed as a butler walked out.

After the man clearly saw Xu Qing's appearance, he respectfully bowed.

"Mr. Xu, the commander is waiting for you inside."

"Who is in charge of Luyang?" Xu Qing asked.

"Originally it was Lord Hanchan, but a few days ago Commander Zhen Gang arrived in Nanyang with his men and took over from Lord Hanchan. Now Commander Zhen Gang is in charge of the Nanyang Net," the man said in a low voice.

Xu Qing nodded slightly. Ever since he and Yan Lingji left Taiyi Mountain, he had received a message from Lü Buwei.

To assist him in carrying out his plan in Nanyang, Lü Buwei dispatched Zhen Gang, one of the Eight Swords of the King of Yue, to Nanyang and sent someone to inform him of the Luowang stronghold in Luyang City.

After handing the reins to the man, Xu Qing led Yan Lingji into the courtyard. Several assassins from the Luo Wang organization bowed to Xu Qing upon seeing him, while a masked man carrying a strange sword waited under the eaves.

"Zhengang greets the Grand Master." Zhengang stepped forward and bowed to Xu Qing.

Xu Qing looked Zhen Gang up and down. Although he was now a top-tier assassin in the Luo Wang organization, he exuded a sharp sword intent. His black, tight-fitting combat suit was stretched taut by his well-defined muscles, and his eyes showed no emotion other than indifference. He didn't look like an assassin, but rather like a crazed swordsman.

"Well, did Marquis Wenxin have any instructions for you when you came?" Xu Qing asked as he walked into the house.

"The Marquis says that all actions in Nanyang must be carried out under your command, and everything must be based on your orders," Zhen Gang said coldly.

After Xu Qing and Yan Lingji entered the house, two assassins from the Luo Wang organization brought them tea and pastries.

After glancing at Xu Qing, who showed no interest in resting, Yan Lingji sat down at the table and picked up her tea to drink.

"What's the situation in Nanyang?"

"As you predicted, the drought in Nanyang was not a big deal. It was only because Emerald Tiger mixed lime into the fertilizer he sold to the people of Nanyang that the drought became uncontrollable. Under the pretext of collecting military rations, Emerald Tiger bought up grain and fodder on the market, leaving Nanyang unable to provide disaster relief."

"The people began to panic and flee, and the Jade Tiger took the opportunity to buy up land in various parts of Nanyang at low prices."

"Bai Yifei, the Marquis of Blood Robe, did not react to this at all. After returning to Luyang, he stayed at Xueyi Fort and did not come out." "On the contrary, Han Fei and Wei Zhuang of Liusha came to Nanyang half a month ago to secretly investigate the drought in Nanyang. Now they have set their sights on Emerald Tiger. Three days ago, the two of them came to Luyang and found Emerald Tiger."

"According to information provided by someone lurking around Emerald Tiger, Han Fei made a bet with Emerald Tiger that he would stabilize grain prices within ten days, and he has asked the Iron Blood Alliance to be his witness."

"Han Fei has already made a bet with Emerald Tiger. Where are Han Fei and Wei Zhuang now?"

Listening to Zhen Gang's report, Xu Qing nodded thoughtfully and asked again.

The situation in Nanyang was developing much faster than he had anticipated, but it was not a big deal, since Han Fei only had a few bargaining chips.

"According to the results of the Luo Wang investigation, Han Fei sent someone to Wei to borrow grain, but now the King of Wei is seriously ill and the Queen Dowager of Wei has refused the edict from Han to ask for help. So Han Fei is preparing to go to ask for help in person. At this time, he is already on his way to Wei and has probably reached Daliang in Wei."

"As for Wei Zhuang, he is still in Luyang City, assisting Zhang Liang, who came from Xinzheng, in disaster relief," Zhen Gang said.

As soon as Zhen Gang finished speaking, a Luo Wang assassin quickly walked into the house and handed a short silk scroll to Zhen Gang.

After glancing at the contents of the cloth, a hint of surprise flashed in Zhengang's eyes. He looked at Xu Qing, who was deep in thought, and said...
“Da Liangzao, news has come from outside the city that the leader of the Farmer's Clan and his disciples have arrived in Luyang City. It seems they have been following you all the way here.”

“Don’t worry about them. Tell the people from the Net to keep a close watch on the farmers, but don’t alert them,” Xu Qing said.

"promise."

Xu Qing waved slightly, and Zhen Gang turned and left the house.

Yan Lingji looked at Xu Qing, whose expression was solemn, put down her tea and pastries, and a look of confusion appeared on her pretty face as she asked in bewilderment.

"How did those farmers end up following us to Nanyang? Did you deliberately lure them here?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Qing smiled, sat down opposite Yan Lingji, and said with a light laugh.
“Clever, they were indeed brought here by me.”

"Weren't you worried before that if Tian Guang found out your whereabouts, Xiong Qi would secretly sabotage Nanyang's chance to surrender to Qin? Why are you now actively revealing your whereabouts?" Yan Lingji asked in confusion.

“That’s because someone needs to take the blame for what’s to come, and Ji Wuye alone isn’t enough. Besides, how can I take over the Farmer’s Clan if I don’t damage Tian Guang’s prestige among the farmers?” Xu Qing said with amusement.

Looking at the mysterious Xu Qing, Yan Lingji pursed her lips. She hated it when people left things unsaid, but she wasn't particularly interested in conspiracies and tricks, so she didn't press the matter.

"Do you still need me to contact Tianze and the others for you?"

Yan Lingji rested her chin on her hand, her beautiful eyes blinking slightly as she looked at Xu Qing without blinking and asked.

“No rush. Han Fei hasn’t returned to Nanyang yet, so there’s no need to has Tianze and the others show up. We’ve just arrived in Nanyang today, so would you be interested in visiting the owner of this place tonight?” Xu Qing said.

"Bai Yifei?"

After pondering for a moment, Yan Lingji shook her head and said...
"Forget it, if you meet him, he'll probably just start plotting something again. I have no interest in those things."

If Xu Qing intended to take action against Bai Yifei, then Yan Lingji would naturally be very interested. As for the rest, she would rather rest well in the mansion. The long journey to Nanyang had truly exhausted her.

Seeing that Yan Lingji showed no interest, Xu Qing shrugged helplessly and said...
"Ok."

After saying that, Xu Qing didn't say anything more. He picked up the tea on the table and started drinking. He also needed to conserve his energy to prepare for meeting Bai Yifei that evening.

Meanwhile, in the strongholds of farmers in Luyang City.

Tian Guang sat on the seat, holding a bowl of water filled with clear water in his hand. His expression was solemn, and his eyes flashed with doubt.

"Nanyang is currently experiencing a drought. What is your purpose in coming to Nanyang?" Tian Guang wondered to himself.

Just as the farmers were preparing to leave Mount Taiyi, Tian Guang suddenly received an order from Xiong Qi to use Tian Mi to strictly monitor Xu Qing's movements in order to find out exactly how Xu Qing planned to quell the murder of the Marquis of Guannei in Qin.

Tian Guang obeyed Xiong Qi's orders unconditionally. After Chi Songzi announced that Xu Qing was going into seclusion, Tian Guang guessed that Xu Qing must be planning something, so he sent Tian Mi to see what Xu Qing was going to do.

Although Tian Mi didn't get anything useful out of Xu Qing, she did tell him that Yan Lingji, who was traveling with Xu Qing, was preparing Korean-style clothing.

Therefore, Tian Guang deduced that Xu Qing was coming to Korea. So he went down Taiyi Mountain ahead of time and dispersed his disciples to search for Xu Qing's whereabouts on various roads from Taiyi Mountain to Nanyang. Finally, he found Xu Qing's whereabouts on Wuguan Road.

In order to complete the task assigned by Xiong Qi, he secretly led his men to follow Xu Qing to Luyang to see what Xu Qing was up to.

(End of this chapter)