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

Chapter 474, Bai Yifei Surrenders to Qin
As for whether Xu Qing deceived him, Bai Yifei felt that the other party had no reason to lie about such a thing.

Noticing Bai Yifei's unusual expression, Xu Qing understood what was going on, so she took the initiative to speak.

"My lord, it seems that you have already made up your mind to come back to Xinzheng from Nanyang to see me."

“I do have the answer, but I don’t understand how you did it?” Bai Yifei asked in a deep voice.

"Are you talking about the two fires in Nanyang? If I say I didn't order them, would you believe me?" Xu Qing asked rhetorically.

"Do I have the choice to not believe?"

Bai Yifei gave a self-deprecating laugh, his voice filled with a deep sense of powerlessness; he had long since lost the right to choose.

With the two major fires in Nanyang and the purchase of grain by international grain traders, there is no possibility that South Korean grain prices will decrease further, and the drought in Nanyang cannot be solved by South Korea alone.

If things continue like this, without the support of Nanyang's wealth, he will be unable to maintain the White Armor Army. Once his military power is reduced, how will Ji Wuye treat him, this "rebellious traitor" who is always ready to overthrow his superiors?

Ji Wuye might not kill him directly, but he also wouldn't give him another chance to rise again, and he would completely become a dog under Ji Wuye's command.

Bai Yifei could never tolerate being a dog for Ji Wuye, someone who was inferior to him in both strategy and strength. He would rather submit to the Qin state than be subservient to Ji Wuye.

Moreover, Nanyang was suffering from drought, and the people of Nanyang were still suffering. He had no choice but to seek refuge with the Qin state and let the Qin state solve the drought in Nanyang.

“Then I congratulate you in advance, Lord Marquis. You have made the right choice, and I believe you will not regret your decision today.” Xu Qing said with his arms outstretched and a smile.

After planning for so long, he finally got Bai Yifei to agree.

Bai Yifei did not answer Xu Qing's question directly, but instead spoke up.

"However, before surrendering to Qin, I had one condition: to help Han Fei stabilize grain prices in Han."

Upon hearing this, Zhengang glanced at Bai Yifei with a hint of doubt in his eyes, as if he was wondering if the person in front of him was really Bai Yifei, otherwise why would he say such a thing?
Xu Qing was also taken aback, but then she understood Bai Yifei's thoughts.

Bai Yifei wasn't helping Han Fei out of a sudden pang of conscience, but rather because he wanted to take revenge on Fei Cuihu and Ji Wuye before leaving. After all, it was the two of them who mixed lime into the fertilizer for the people of Nanyang, causing a man-made drought in Nanyang.

Bai Yifei surrendered to Qin, the straw-clothed man and the tide maiden were only superficially together, Bai Niao's elite troops were all killed by him, and once the jade tiger died, Ji Wuye would become a nominally lonely man.

For Ji Wuye, who was extremely power-hungry, this was nothing short of the greatest revenge.

Of course, Bai Yifei also wanted to use this opportunity to alleviate his guilt and repay the kindness of King Han An in bestowing upon him the hereditary marquisate by helping Han stabilize grain prices.

Just as Xu Qing was about to answer Bai Yifei, the light sphere in his mind lit up again, and two fortune sticks flew out from it.

[A moderately auspicious sign. With a heart for the common people, valuing the world above all else, capable of entrusting the world with one's own life, and able to help Han Fei stabilize grain prices in Korea, one can obtain a fourth-grade opportunity. A minor auspicious sign.]

[This is a very bad omen. You are forced to watch helplessly as South Korea suffers famine. The cause and effect are intertwined, drawing both public and divine wrath. Like Guan Ning severing ties, disaster is brewing. There is no opportunity to obtain what you desire; you will reap the bitter fruits of your actions. This concerns your future; please choose carefully. Extremely unlucky.]

Looking at the two fortune sticks in his mind, Xu Qing's attention was completely drawn to the second one, which was considered extremely unlucky. He hadn't encountered such an unlucky fortune stick in a long time, especially one that was a sign of great misfortune.

Cause and effect, divine retribution, Guan Ning severing ties, disaster, and bad consequences—five bad outcomes in a row—made Xu Qing feel pressured.

The words "divine retribution" in particular made Xu Qing look up at the clear sky and feel a sense of lingering fear.

As a staunch materialist, Xu Qing naturally did not believe in ghosts, gods, or divine retribution. However, after entering the Celestial Master realm, while cultivating the Evergreen Technique and comprehending the Great Dao, a strange feeling vaguely lingered in his heart.

That mysterious and ethereal feeling made him gradually believe that there might truly be a power in this world that controls the fate of all living beings.

If he truly caused a famine in South Korea, resulting in heavy casualties, then his sins would be far too great.

As for other negative outcomes, the fact that Guan Ning severed ties with Xu Qing was of some concern.

Seeing Xu Qing remain silent, Bai Yifei assumed that Xu Qing still harbored feelings for South Korea, so he spoke up to explain.
"I will not regret my decision, but there should be a clear resolution between me and South Korea."

“I did not doubt your determination. I was just thinking about other things. Since the Marquis wants to settle the score with Han, I will naturally agree. I am not a cold-hearted person. The consequences of the power struggle should not be borne by ordinary people.”

"Moreover, I have a deep friendship with Brother Han Fei. For both public and private reasons, I should help South Korea stabilize grain prices," Xu Qing said righteously.

Seeing Xu Qing's appearance, Bai Yifei's face flashed with a strange expression. If Xu Qing really cared about the common people and valued his friendship with Han Fei, he wouldn't have interfered in the drought in Nanyang.

However, what Xu Qing was thinking was none of his business, as long as the other party agreed to his conditions.

This way, he could feel a little more at ease, and at the same time, he could leave Ji Wuye and Emerald Tiger with a surprise. After taking a deep breath, Bai Yifei adjusted his mindset and looked at Xu Qing, saying in a deep voice.
"When will I publicly enter Qin? When will Qin's grain aid for Nanyang arrive?"

"My lord, please do not be impatient. If nothing unexpected happens, you will hear the news of the Qin army attacking Nanyang during the morning court session in Han tomorrow. When you return to Nanyang, it will be time for us to fulfill our agreement."

Xu Qing looked at Bai Yifei and said slowly.

"The Qin army attacked Nanyang? So the Qin grain merchant died in the Sikou Mansion prison, which was also part of your plan," Bai Yifei said in a daze.

In that instant, Bai Yifei had a feeling that Xu Qing's plan against him and Nanyang had begun when the drought in Nanyang started.

A tightly woven, impenetrable net gradually appeared above Nanyang. The moment everyone stepped into Nanyang, they were trapped in this net, becoming puppets in Xu Qing's hands, at her mercy.

Xu Qing silently watched Bai Yifei and smiled without saying a word. Bai Yifei had no way out now, but it was better not to say some things. It would be better for both of them.

Seeing that Xu Qing was unwilling to answer, Bai Yifei did not press the matter further and continued...

"In that case, I'll wait for news tomorrow."

Xu Qing nodded, then glanced at Bai Yifei and asked...

"The Marquis's condition has been getting better and better lately, it seems that my pills are quite effective."

Upon hearing the mention of pills, Bai Yifei paused, looked down at his hands, and nodded.

"The pill is very effective. The cold and yang energies in my body have been balanced. Thank you."

Since taking the pills, although the problems caused by his cultivation technique have not been completely resolved, at least he has a means to counteract them. With the help of the pills, he has also emerged from that cold and ruthless state.

"I should be thanking you, Lord Marquis. My courtyard has been preserved intact thanks to you," Xu Qing said with a smile.

Bai Yifei glanced at Xu Qing but said nothing more, then turned and left.

After Bai Yifei left, Xu Qing looked at Zhen Gang, and Zhen Gang also looked at Xu Qing.

The two looked at each other without saying a word, and a silent atmosphere spread.

"I thought you would ask me why I agreed to Bai Yifei's request. After all, Marquis Wenxin spent a lot of money to get Guo Kai and the others to take action. If he were to hand over the grain to Han Fei to stabilize the grain prices in Han, Marquis Wenxin would lose everything."

Xu Qing broke the silence by speaking first.

"I am your sword, not Marquis Wenxin's sword," Zhen Gang said, bowing respectfully.

Xu Qing scrutinized Zhen Gang with a critical gaze, then chuckled and shook his head, saying...
"Don't be nervous. I just had some sudden feelings and that's why I said those things. Please send an invitation to Brother Han Fei for me. Tell him I'm inviting him for drinks at the villa."

Xu Qing, after all, had a reputation for being meticulous and ruthless. Helping Han Fei stabilize grain prices was necessary, but he couldn't help Han Fei for nothing.

"promise."

Zhen Gang turned and walked outside, preparing to deliver the invitation to Han Fei.

After glancing at his courtyard again, Xu Qing used his lightness skill to head out of the city to the manor he had given to Zi Nu, where he would wait for Han Fei's arrival.

Meanwhile, inside the Qianlong Hall outside Xinzheng City.

Zhang Liang stood in the courtyard, looking somewhat worried at the two figures reflected in the window ahead—Han Fei and Tian Guang.

Situ Wanli, Zhu Jia, Tian Meng, and Chen Sheng stood near Zhang Liang, their eyes occasionally glancing at the reflections of Han Fei and Tian Guang. Ever since Han Fei brought Zhang Liang to see Tian Guang, the two had asked everyone else to leave the room, and the two had been secretly talking inside for an hour.

Zhu Jia kept his head down in silence, glancing occasionally at Tian Guang's reflection in the window, then stealing a look at Tian Meng, lost in thought.

Chen Sheng stood silently to the side, looking somewhat conflicted, glancing at the window every now and then, as if he had something to discuss with Tian Guang.

Situ Wanli and Tian Meng looked somewhat somber. Both were curious about what Tian Guang and Han Fei were talking about, as they would have a chance to curry favor with Xu Qing once they found out.

Just as everyone was lost in their own thoughts, the door suddenly opened from the inside, and Han Fei, with a solemn expression, walked out.

When Zhang Liang saw Han Fei come out, he immediately went up to him. However, just as he was about to ask Han Fei how the conversation had gone, Han Fei stopped him with a look.

(End of this chapter)