Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

That guy is really cunning!

Xu Kun remained outwardly calm, but his heart felt as if something was gripping it tightly, a chill creeping up his spine, making even his fingertips stiffen.

He swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing, his voice hoarse: "Be careful, that delegation isn't easily fooled. They've thoroughly investigated along the way, turning over the heads of several counties. Aren't you afraid that by twisting your story and deceiving everyone, you'll expose your flaws and end up like them..."

"impossible!"

Song Yun abruptly interrupted him, slamming his hand on the table. The wine cup clattered and tipped over, the wine soaking the documents.

He showed no fear whatsoever; in fact, a slight, disdainful smile played on his lips, as if he were listening to a joke.

"Those fallen good-for-nothings, how could they possibly compare to me, Song Yun?"

He leaned forward, his voice extremely low, and the feigned slickness finally crumbled from his usually round face, revealing a hint of ruthlessness and arrogance hidden deep within him:

"A bunch of utterly stupid fools, unable to even clean up their own mess, leaving loopholes and escape routes at every turn. In the end, they were exposed and purged by the court, which they deserved. It was their own incompetence, and they have no one else to blame but themselves. But I am nothing like these good-for-nothings!"

"In my territory, Song Yun, from the most trusted officials to the lowest servants, everyone is of one mind, adhering to only one rule and keeping only one tongue. Anyone with even the slightest dissent, the most rebellious spirit, or who dares to divulge even a single word, has long been wiped out by me without exception. Not only will I not leave any evidence, but I will ensure that not even a trace of their bones remains. Their remains will be crushed to dust and scattered into the wind and earth—"

Song Yun slowly turned his head, a sinister and arrogant smile spreading across his face. His gaze locked onto Xu Kun, his tone filled with mocking malice.

"Censor Xu, tell me... how is this dead ashes supposed to testify against me?"

"hiss--"

Xu Kun gasped.

He had not only just realized today that Song Yun was ruthless and vicious, but as the other party had said, the two of them had long been birds of a feather. So even though he knew that the other party had done many evil deeds, he could only turn a blind eye and cover for each other, letting him do as he pleased. But he never expected that this person was so ruthless that he was not satisfied with just eliminating the weeds and roots, but also wanted to grind the bones to ashes!

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but it felt like something was choking him, and he couldn't squeeze out a single word.

He lowered his eyes, not daring to meet his gaze.

Xu Kun knew that Song Yun's words were also meant for him.

It's a blatant warning...

Seeing his downcast eyes and bewildered expression, Song Yun chuckled softly.

He leaned back against the armrest, his fingers casually tracing the rim of the wine cup, resuming his languid and nonchalant demeanor, as if his earlier stern and ruthless confession had never happened.

"Imperial Censor Xu, there's no need to be nervous or overthink it." Song Yun picked up a wine cup from the table, his fingertips lightly tapping the rim. His tone softened. "I've already said, we're in the same boat. Why would I, Song, harm you?"

Xu Kun kept his eyes downcast, his mind churning, but he remained silent.

Song Yun didn't care and continued, "As for that delegation, I've already sent people to find out everything. The head envoy, although he is the incomparably noble eldest son Fusu, is in the end just a baby who grew up in the deep palace, inexperienced in the ways of the world, and hasn't even grown up yet. He has the spirit of a young man, but his mind is full of those pretentious people instilling in him the rhetoric of seeking fame and fortune and benevolence. He is not worth fearing at all."

He scoffed and shook his head with disdain: "Do you really think that someone of his noble status, who travels thousands of miles to inspect several places, is truly a sage, willing to speak up for the people, and have compassion for those lowly commoners who are like ants and weeds?"

"Bah! What kind of noble person in the world is so naive and ignorant? He just wants to use the investigation to gain a reputation for being compassionate, fair and just."

"Since he wants fame, let's give it to him generously."

He took a small sip of his drink, his demeanor relaxed, and slowly revealed his plan: "I have all the leverage over Hu Kui, the Prefect of Chen County. I have my own ways to force him to submit and accept all the blame. Then I will make him cooperate with that young master to put on a grand show of corrupt officials being brought to justice and the court cracking down on traitors."

"Once the performance is over and the delegation leaves Chen County satisfied, you can sleep with your beautiful concubines, and I'll drink my fine wine. Everything will remain the same—" He turned his head, his gaze falling on Xu Kun's face, the smile in his eyes deepening. "Nobody can interfere."

After hearing his meticulously planned scheme, Xu Kun was shaken and finally slowly raised his eyes: "Hu Kui, the Prefectural Magistrate of Chen Commandery?"

Given Hu Kui's rank and status, he was barely qualified to take the blame. He thought that once this storm had passed, he would immediately submit his resignation, withdraw from this mess, and leave. However…

"Hu Kui is still your prefectural magistrate. If he takes the blame, can you really absolve yourself of all responsibility?"

He certainly didn't care about Song Yun; he was just afraid of getting himself involved again.

Song Yun looked completely unconcerned, even chuckled lightly, and waved his hand dismissively: "So what?"

"I am usually busy with official duties and have neglected to investigate carefully. I was only deceived by my subordinates for a short time and was only punished for negligence. Look at Prefect Wang of Luoyang. He was also guilty of negligence, but he is still in good health."

He scoffed, picked up his wine cup, and said, "If you ask me, this Prefect Wang is nothing but a good-for-nothing. A crime like negligence, which can be serious or minor, has only resulted in him being dismissed and awaiting further orders. Ha!"

"I already inquired about it. There was a deputy envoy named Yao Jia in that delegation. He has a fondness for rare medicinal herbs and exotic treasures. In the past, when he was sent as an envoy to other countries, he brought loads of gold, pearls, jade, famous paintings and antiques wherever he went. I don't know how much he has looted. Someone like him is very easy to talk to as long as the benefits are right."

He turned his head and glanced at Xu Kun indifferently, a barely perceptible hint of sarcasm and disdain in his eyes: "Don't worry, no matter what, it won't involve you, even if they're really clueless..."

His voice suddenly turned somber, lowering to a low, cold tone that sent chills down one's spine:

"Now His Majesty is issuing a strict order to suppress bandits in various places. The bandits are rebelling and causing chaos everywhere. Swords and arrows have no eyes, and human life is fragile. No one can say for sure. If something unexpected happens, you can't blame anyone else."

Upon hearing this, Xu Kun's pupils contracted sharply, he broke out in a cold sweat, and almost collapsed against the armrest.

crazy.

Song Yun has gone completely mad!

How dare this arrogant and conceited madman have such a rebellious and audacious idea?!

Xu Kun felt both fear and regret, hating himself for being so blinded by greed and getting himself entangled with such a lawless madman.

Now that things have come to this, he has no way out. He can only desperately pray that his scheme will proceed smoothly and that it won't come to a point of mutual destruction, otherwise...

------

The hall was filled with murderous intent, while outside, the killing intent was already brewing silently.

The officials and soldiers who had been ordered to kneel before the hall to receive orders had already quietly retreated at Song Yun's signal, without the slightest delay.

He was originally the prefect's subordinate and only obeyed Song Yun's orders. Xu Kun's "No" was nothing more than a passing breeze to him, not even enough to make him pause.

At this moment, he was leading dozens of elite soldiers, completely surrounding the abandoned city wall in the west of the city.

One by one, torches soaked in oil were carried over and piled up to the side. He looked at the ruins before him, waiting to be ready to burn the place to the ground.

At this moment, Xiao He, Liu Bang, and others... were not hiding among the ruins as he had expected, but were silently clenching their fists not far behind them.