The Great Qin Dynasty: The egg of the Black Bird was revered as a national guardian beast.

Han Xin held a sword in his arms.

I raised my eyes and looked at the imposing county government building.

The words of the clerk from Huaiyin still echoed in his mind: "It is your honor to be seen by such a distinguished person!"

"If you catch his eye, fame and fortune are within your grasp."

Recalling the beautiful figure in his mind, Han Xin's previously hesitant expression hardened!

This... might be an opportunity.

at this time,

The clerk from Huaiyin who had gone in earlier to report came out.

Looking at Han Xin, he smiled and said, "A distinguished guest invites you, Han Xin. Why don't you come in with me to pay your respects?"

"Yes." Han Xin bowed with his hands clasped and followed.

But when they reached the county gate, the county soldiers guarding the gate blocked their way with their weapons clashed.

The clerk from Huaiyin who had just entered turned around.

He slapped his forehead and said, "Han Xin, the county magistrate, officials, and dignitaries are all present; you must not bring weapons."

Han Xin frowned and hesitated for a moment.

This sword is always with me; how could I ever leave it?

But then, a calm yet reassuring voice came from deep within the county government.

"It's alright, let him bring his sword in."

Turning around, the magistrate of Huaiyin bowed in response, then waved his hand, and the county soldiers put away their weapons.

Han Xin hesitated for a moment, then walked in carrying his sword.

In the county court, a young man dressed in a black robe sat high on the main seat.

The county officials and clerks from all four directions accompanied him.

But as he looked around, little did he know that Xuan Ye, seated in the main seat, was also watching him.

All I could see were the people below.

He was dressed in a gray outfit, holding a very old longsword, and his brows and eyes showed a resolute expression.

However, his face looked pale and sickly.

This is enough to show that this person has been starving for years, and his complexion has become sallow.

This man is Han Xin, the famous military genius?

Looking down at the person in the main seat, Xuan Ye's first reaction was just this.

"Let me pay my respects to the nobleman and the officials of Huaiyin."

"No need for formalities." Raising his hand, Xuan Ye said, "Please take your seat, and we can continue our discussion over the meal."

"Yes." Han Xin nodded.

Then, someone led Han Xin to his seat.

As the dishes and wine were served, Han Xin looked at them, but he did not make any move; he simply sat there.

Seeing Han Xin's appearance, Xuan Ye smiled.

He raised his hand in a gesture: "Don't be shy, please enjoy."

Han Xin raised his hand in thanks and then began to eat.

The officials of Huaiyin looked at him with smiles on their faces, but a hint of disdain flashed in their eyes.

Han Xin's name was well-known in Huaiyin.

It was unbearable to sit at the same table as a despicable scoundrel like Han Xin, who crawled between people's legs, yet he dared not leave.

They couldn't understand it.

The person sitting in the main seat is a young man who has already reached the rank of Middle Two Thousand Stones, one of the Nine Ministers.

How could they treat Han Xin, a lowly servant, with such courtesy?

But they didn't dare ask, and could only sit at the table.

During the meal, Han Xin ignored the stares of those around him and ate his food without a care in the world.

He's the kind of person who'd even mooch off a washerwoman's leftovers.

They were just cold-hearted people. They didn't see the bento box. Life had forced them to this point, and filling their stomachs was the priority.

He had been hungry for an unknown amount of time.

However, he ate very modestly, chewing slowly and carefully, unlike someone who had been starving for a long time and ate ravenously.

While eating, she looked up and glanced at Xuan Ye.

The nobleman smiled, but there was no disdain in his eyes. He kept urging him to eat more, as if he was afraid that the nobleman would go hungry.

"Eat more, there's more if you're still hungry."

Han Xin lowered his head, paused for a moment, and realized that the cold stares of strangers were not frightening, for he was already used to them.

What's frightening is the sudden concern from strangers.

Han Xin raised his wine cup, looked up at Xuan Ye sitting in the main seat, and bowed sincerely.

He said, "I am but a commoner, and I do not know what merit or ability I have to be valued by such a noble person and invited to sit with me."

"This letter is offered to you with deepest gratitude; I cannot express my thanks enough!"

With a smile, Xuan Ye picked up the wine cup from the table, gestured to Han Xin, and drank it all in one gulp.

He glanced around and thought for a moment.

He then waved his hand, signaling the officials to leave their seats first.

After all the officials had left, Xuan Ye looked at Han Xin sitting below him and asked.

"Once Han Xin entered Huaiyin, everyone knew of his fame."

"Now I ask you," he chuckled, "that since you wield a sword, why would you endure the humiliation of crawling between someone's legs?"

Han Xin never expected that this important person would ask such a question.

It seemed as if he had received a meal in return. Although these words touched a raw nerve, Han Xin remained silent for a long time before finally speaking.

"The Art of War says, 'Do not act unless there is an advantage, do not act unless there is a gain. A ruler should not raise an army out of anger, nor should a general wage war out of resentment.'"

"My lord, so it is with the common people as well."

As he said this, he slowly closed his eyes.

"Don't tell me I can't beat that young man from the slaughterhouse. Even if I did kill him, what good would it do besides venting my anger for a moment?"

"According to Qin law, private fights are a crime, and murderers are to be executed!"

They couldn't win a fight, and they couldn't escape by running away.

Fighting to the death for a butcher was something Han Xin, with his lofty ambitions, was unwilling to do.

Therefore, in his judgment,

To endure the humiliation of crawling between someone's legs was the best option.

Even so, a great humiliation is a great humiliation, and Han Xin did not recover for several days.

Fortunately, Ji Tao was there to comfort him.

Only in this way could he slowly emerge from his daze.

On the main seat, Xuan Ye nodded.

He then asked, "From what you've described, you haven't learned the art of street fighting, nor are you skilled enough to defeat ten men, but rather, you're capable of defeating ten thousand?"

Han Xin nodded: "Not bad."

Then he added, "I've disappointed you, esteemed friend."

"Although the noble person gave me a meal, I have no way to repay him. Although I wield a sword, I do not kill people, nor am I a follower of Nie Zheng."

Xuan Ye looked at him,

Finally, he shook his head helplessly.

Han Xin had heard too many stories about Nie Zheng and thought he was going to emulate Yan Zhongzi by showing favor and asking him to help kill someone.

He shook his head: "You're wrong, I don't kill people."

"That...."

Han Xin raised his head and asked, "What do you want from me, a mere commoner from Huaiyin, with such courtesy, sir?"

After saying that, he seemed to have made up his mind.

"The noble person clearly stated that as long as no one is killed, I will certainly do it."

Looking at him, I found it somewhat amusing: "I shared a meal with you; how could that be considered repayment?"

I haven't talked to you much.

"But we know that he has self-awareness, extraordinary insight, and lofty ambitions, and his ambitions are very far-reaching."

At this point, he raised a finger.

He waved it in front of him and said, "If you were a stone, I would do as I please and forget about you soon."

"If you are a piece of jade covered in dust."

As he spoke, he pointed to himself: "Then I will be Bian He, the one who digs up jade."

Han Xin was stunned upon hearing these words.

Looking at him, Xuan Ye smiled and asked, "So, do you want to be a stone, or a piece of jade?"