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

Chapter 494, A Fool's Lucky Idea

Ji Dan remained calm, but Xiong Qi noticed the resentment and anger flashing in her eyes.

"Now that the Grand Chancellor has returned to Xianyang and secured a hundred miles of prosperous land in Nanyang for Your Majesty, he must be in a very good mood. If His Highness the Crown Prince were to go and pay homage to Your Majesty at this time, it would surely be to a good result."

Xiong Qi looked at Ji Dan and said calmly.

The plans of the Yan State and the Mohists must not be compromised, but that does not mean he will grant Ji Dan's every request. In truth, Xiong Qi does not hold Ji Dan in high regard.

Although Ji Dan was renowned in Yan for his courteous treatment of scholars, wisdom, and virtuous conduct, Xiong Qi was well aware of Ji Dan's ambitious nature and his somewhat hasty approach to things. If he didn't give him a warning, there was no guarantee that Ji Dan wouldn't cause trouble in Xianyang that Xiong Qi couldn't handle.

Ji Dan naturally understood the warning in Xiong Qi's words. Although he was dissatisfied, he was at Xiong Qi's mercy. In Xianyang and even back in Yan, he would still need to rely on Xiong Qi's strength. So he could only suppress his emotions and loosen his clenched hands.

“Right Chancellor, I have already met with the King of Qin. He implied that he was unwilling to let me leave, so it is probably pointless to seek his help,” Ji Dan said, shaking his head.

Seeing that Ji Dan had temporarily abandoned her plan to leave Xianyang, Xiong Qi's expression softened considerably, and he spoke.

“I know you are anxious, but you have only been in Xianyang for a month. Even if the king allows you to return to Yan, Qin will not allow you to leave in the name of respect. So don’t rush. I will handle things for you in court. You just need to wait for the right time.”

"As for the Yan Kingdom and the Mohists, there's no need to rush. I've already sent Tian Guang with the elite of the Farmer's School to the Yan Kingdom. Tian Guang will help you protect your secrets in the court and also make contact with the Mohists for you."

Upon hearing this, Ji Dan's face showed gratitude, and she cupped her hands to Xiong Qi, saying...
"It seems I was too hasty. In that case, I will entrust this to the Right Chancellor. If I am able to return to the country, I will certainly follow your lead and persuade my father to sever ties with Qin and instead ally with Chu to plot the great cause of overthrowing Qin."

"I'm helping you not because I want you to submit to me, but because we are in the same boat and share the same fate. The Qin state is eyeing the six states east of the mountains, and it will only move eastward once its domestic situation is peaceful. If any one of the six states is destroyed, the rest will not escape the fate of being trampled by the Qin cavalry."

"In order to protect our country and people, we have no chance of winning if we join hands to resist Qin. That's why I'm helping you. It's not because I want you to follow my lead or obey my orders."

Xiong Qi looked somewhat emotional, his gaze sincere, and his words earnest. Coupled with the other party's honest yet dignified face, one could tell from the bottom of one's heart that he was a selfless person, wholeheartedly devoted to the people of the six kingdoms.

Ji Dan, who had risen from hostage to crown prince, was certainly no incompetent person. His face immediately showed admiration, and his gaze toward Xiong Qi was full of worship.

“You are right, my lord. We are partners who will weather the storm together, and you are the leader of our anti-Qin cause,” Ji Dan said sincerely.

Xiong Qi naturally didn't take Ji Dan's loyalty seriously. They were all cunning foxes, how could they believe such nonsense?

"You must keep a low profile these next few days. Grand Chancellor Xu Qing has returned with the momentum of Nanyang's surrender to Qin, and he is currently riding high. Do not attract his attention, lest you cause unnecessary trouble and ruin the overall situation," Xiong Qi instructed.

Seeing Xiong Qi's serious expression, Ji Dan was taken aback at first, then asked with some confusion.

"I've heard of this Grand Master Xu Qing, but is he really as formidable as the rumors suggest? That he would make you so wary of him."

Ji Dan had naturally heard of Xu Qing's deeds and reputation. After all, during his interactions with the Mo family, everyone, from the Six-Fingered Black Knight to the other leaders and even the elite disciples, had praised Xu Qing highly.

Ji Dan had seen many people who were all talk and no action, and he himself had only seen Xu Qing from afar at Mount Taiyi a few times without having any contact with him. He couldn't help but wonder if Xu Qing was really as powerful as the rumors suggested.

Xiong Qi glanced at the puzzled Ji Dan, his expression growing increasingly solemn, and said in a deep voice...

"I can't really comment on Xu Qing, but one thing is certain: his vision and abilities are top-notch. Unless absolutely necessary, you should avoid attracting his attention."

Xiong Qi always felt a sense of regret for Xu Qing, especially after Nanyang surrendered to Qin, this regret turned into remorse.

He was the one who first took a liking to Xu Qing, but at that time he had just become the Right Chancellor of Qin and was busy being wary of political enemies such as Lao Ai and Lü Buwei, who were relatives of the Chu state, in order to consolidate his position. He was unable to focus on winning Xu Qing over.

As a result, he missed out on Xu Qing, and such a talented man became Ying Zheng's trusted advisor.

The surrender of Nanyang to Qin further proved Xu Qing's abilities. Xiong Qi also realized that he had been tricked, that Tian Guang and the peasants had been made the villains, while the real culprit, Xu Qing, was able to remain perfectly hidden in the matter.

Fortunately, Tian Guang was careful enough not to let the matter be exposed, otherwise he would have had to make a tough decision and abandon Tian Guang, this perfect pawn.

Ji Dan nodded thoughtfully. Although he didn't know Xu Qing, the fact that Xiong Qi was so reluctant to talk about him was enough to show how terrifying the other party was.

It's best to avoid contact with people like that if possible.

Seeing Ji Dan's growing nervousness, Xiong Qi worried that she was overly frightened, so he spoke up.

"You don't need to be too afraid. Xu Qing's biggest enemy right now is Lao Ai, and he also needs to train doctors for the army. Before the King takes over the reins of government, he doesn't have the energy to worry about anyone else. As long as you don't actively attract his attention, nothing will happen."

Upon hearing the mention of Lao Ai, Ji Dan's heart stirred, and a look of hesitation and contemplation appeared on her face as she curiously inquired...

"I've noted it down. But between the Right Chancellor, Empress Dowager Lao Ai, Lü Buwei, and the King of Qin, do you really think Your Majesty can defeat both of them?"

"Before the matter is resolved, no one can be certain who will win. However, the King's power is gradually being regained, and Xu Qing is helping him to gain the upper hand in public opinion. In short, the outcome is hard to predict," Xiong Qi said in a deep voice.

Although he said the outcome was uncertain, Xiong Qi knew very well that the final victory would definitely belong to Ying Zheng. After all, Lü Buwei had already reconciled with Ying Zheng, and the fate of those two fools, Lao Ai and Zhao Ji, was already sealed.

However, Xiong Qi dared not explain this to Ji Dan, fearing that if she were to do something underhanded, it would expose him, which would not be worth it. "I see."

A barely perceptible glint flashed in Ji Dan's eyes, and she nodded.

Xiong Qi didn't notice Ji Dan's unusual behavior. After glancing at the hourglass, he stood up and said...

"It's getting late, the court meeting should be over. I'll go back and gather some information. Remember my words, you must keep a low profile."

"I've got it all figured out. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing," Ji Dan said, standing up.

"Wait here."

Xiong Qi bowed slightly to Ji Dan, and Ji Dan returned the bow before watching Xiong Qi leave.

"Bang~"

The door closed again, and the respectful expression on Ji Dan's face vanished instantly, replaced by coldness.

"Wait for the right opportunity? When will that be the right time? A year, two years, or ten years? By then, will I still have a need to return to Yan?"

Ji Dan clenched his fists, his expression grim, thinking to himself.

Xiong Qi's words made sense, but he simply didn't have the extra time to waste in Qin. He had no idea how formidable Yan Chun Jun was.

If he returns to Yan too late, his people in the court and among the common people will probably be purged by Lord Yanchun, and by then it will be pointless for him to return to Yan.

The pressure and crisis brought by Lord Yanchun made Ji Dan nervous. He knew that he could not place all his hopes on Xiong Qi, otherwise he would be a fish to be slaughtered, and even if he returned to Yan, he would become a pawn in Xiong Qi's hands.

"We can't just sit here and wait to die. We must find a way to return to Yan. But besides Xiong Qi, who else in Xianyang can help me?"

Ji Dan sat in his seat, lost in thought. After much deliberation, a name suddenly popped into his mind.

"Lao Ai, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Perhaps I can find an opportunity to leave Qin through Lao Ai," Ji Dan thought to himself.

Ji Dan had heard about Lao Ai's secret collusion with the states of Han, Zhao, and Wei from the Mohists. During his time in Xianyang, he had also learned about the situation in the Qin court and was well aware of Lao Ai's arrogance and domineering nature.

For someone like Lao Ai, once Ying Zheng ascends to the throne and assumes personal rule, all that's left for him is death, and Lao Ai's recent actions prove that he will not surrender easily.

Xiong Qi also said that it was still unknown who would win among Ying Zheng, Lao Ai, and Lü Buwei. No one could guarantee that Ying Zheng would have the last laugh. Moreover, the three people who held military power, the armory, and the government in Xianyang—the Commandant of the Guards, the Left Guard, and the Inner Historian—were all Lao Ai's men.

"Regardless of whether Lao Ai is determined to break with Ying Zheng, I must help him make up his mind. Only in this way can I take advantage of the chaos to leave Qin."

Immediately, a resolute glint flashed in Ji Dan's eyes, and she decided to try to make contact with Lao Ai.

If Xiong Qi knew that his words had caused Ji Dan to misunderstand, he would have been willing to risk exposing himself to explain everything to Ji Dan. Unfortunately, it was all too late.

The elaborate schemes of a bad person can never outwit the quick thinking of a fool.

Just as Ji Dan was plotting how to get close to Lao Ai, the court meeting in Zhangtai Palace ended.

Xu Qing carried the clothes containing the tokens and attire of Lord Zhaoming out of the main hall, and the ministers around him immediately stepped forward to try and get close to him.

However, before the officials could exchange more than a few words with Xu Qing, Meng Ao led the military officers to surround Xu Qing, and the civil officials also left on their own initiative.

"Lord Zhaoming, congratulations on being granted the title of Marquis at such a young age. This is truly unique in the history of Qin," Meng Ao said with a smile.

"General, you flatter me. It is merely a favor from His Majesty," Xu Qing said with a smile.

Meng Ao then began to reprimand the seven or eight military officers around him.

“Look at Lord Zhaoming, he is humble and polite, and unperturbed by honor or disgrace. He is a role model for us rough men.”

The surrounding military officers nodded in tacit approval.

Seeing that these unruly and fierce generals were so easily taught a lesson by Meng Ao without uttering a single complaint, Xu Qing realized that these people had not come to him with pure intentions.

"General, you might as well just say what you want to say, so I don't have to guess anymore."

Xu Qing smiled helplessly and asked.

(End of this chapter)