Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

——Chenjun Border——

The wind in the wilderness was as sharp as a knife, sweeping across the fields with withered grass and sand.

Han Fei lay prone, almost pressed against the horse's back. The sharp wind blades grazed his lips and cut his cheeks, leaving several fine red marks. His wide scholar's robe billowed wildly and crackled in the strong wind, but he seemed oblivious to it.

All that remained was a burning urgency in my heart.

He gripped the reins so tightly that his fingers turned white and his hair bluish-gray, and the veins on his arms and back bulged. His horse galloped wildly eastward, kicking up dust, without stopping for a second.

In just two or three hours, the city behind them, which held so many entanglements and severed all bonds, sank completely below the horizon and was swept far away by the endless dust and wind.

At the end of the road ahead, the imposing outline of the border fortress loomed large.

As dusk settled and darkness pressed down on the ground, rows of Qin soldiers stood in formation, spears in hand, as solemn as statues.

Torches crackled and popped in the wind, their dim yellow flames swirling wildly, barely tearing through the thick night to illuminate the chilling glint of halberds and bows.

Hearing the distant sound of horses' hooves and billowing dust, the guards instantly became alert, raising their spears and bows, and shouting sternly:

"Halt! Who goes there? Reinforcements immediately for inspection!"

Han Fei suddenly tightened the reins, and the horse, startled, raised its head and neighed loudly. Its front hooves suddenly lifted into the air and then slammed heavily to the ground, finally stopping just a hundred feet away from the checkpoint.

As the sand swirled around him, he looked up at the darkening sky, his heart sinking slightly, a wave of helpless anxiety instantly washing over him.

Even if you rush as fast as you can, will you still not catch up?

Border laws are strict, especially in the Qin Dynasty. Passes are open in the morning and closed at night, with a clear distinction between day and night. Passes are sealed off at night, and private entry and exit are strictly prohibited.

Except for special envoys delivering urgent military orders or carrying imperial edicts or warrants personally bestowed by the emperor, all other people, whether kings, nobles, scholars, merchants, or commoners, are strictly prohibited from passing through at night, without the slightest leniency.

Han Fei's fingers, hanging by his sides, suddenly tightened, his fingertips digging into his palms. A slight pain came, but it couldn't suppress the urgency surging in his heart.

He left Chen alone and in haste, even the horse he rode was... a gift from that person, where did he get any imperial edict or talisman?

As for urgent military reports, that was out of the question.

Han Fei gritted his teeth, dismounted, and looked at the general who had led his troops to gallop in front of him, his heart filled with resentment.

No matter how unwilling they were, they could only untie the bundle at their waist and submit to inspection.

The moment Han Fei handed over the luggage, a secret expectation lingered in his heart.

He hadn't even had a chance to open the package yet, but it felt heavy. He wondered what was inside, but what if...?

What if he... helps him?

No, no way. Even if that person wanted to help, there's no way they would hand over the mission's credentials to me!

As for requesting orders from the King of Qin, that was even more impossible. Even if the delegation sent a message back on the day it arrived in Chen County, the time allotted for the round trip would be far from enough.

Han Fei's eyes dimmed slightly as he watched a group of soldiers approach and surround him. The gatekeeper, with a cold and hard expression, stepped forward, solemnly took Han Fei's baggage, and opened it to search through it.

Even though he knew it was impossible, his gaze still unconsciously drifted over.

As the soldiers searched the bag, they found only a few changes of clothes, some dry rations, and...

Dozens of gold coins!

Han Fei's pupils contracted slightly, and a storm of emotions surged within him.

No wonder it's so heavy! Is Zhou Wenqing trying to get him to bribe the guards?!

This, this, this...

How could a dignified Korean prince now have to rely on money to pave his way?

Han Fei's expression changed several times, his lips pressed into a sharp straight line, and even his breath hitched for a beat.

He was no stranger to such scenes. During his years of guarding the gates of the Han King's palace, he had seen many officials come to pay their respects with fawning smiles, secretly slipping silver into the sleeves of eunuchs. The eunuchs would then give the officials a "sensible" look, turn back, and soon welcome them into the palace with smiles, not forgetting to give him a cold look.

Han Fei despised this, preferring to wait outside the palace gates rather than be so servile.

But in times of crisis, one must act expediently. A true man can bend and stretch; what does it matter if he has to compromise? For the sake of saving the country, he endured it!

As long as the gatekeeper's eyes flickered slightly, or he gave him a clear or subtle hint of wanting something, he would readily hand it over.

Han Fei gritted his teeth, mentally accepting the situation. He had even rehearsed how to slip the gold ingots into his bag. However, the gatekeeper simply pushed the gold ingots aside without changing his expression, carefully examined the bag, and, after confirming that there was nothing suspicious, tied it up and handed it back to him.

They even thoughtfully added a few extra buttons to secure the package tightly.

Han Fei's lips twitched, and he felt a loud "whoosh" in his ear. A wave of emotions surged in his heart, crashing over him and drenching him completely.

I was just being delusional; it turns out it wasn't going to work out after all.

He stood expressionless in the twilight, took a deep breath, and paid no attention to the soldier's actions as he searched the boxes hanging on the horse's back.

The Qin border army truly lives up to its reputation. Bribery is clearly out of the question. Should we wait another night?

Han Fei looked up at the deep twilight beyond the pass. The distant mountains were as black as ink, swallowing the last ray of light. He was extremely anxious.

The country is in peril, its survival uncertain. Asking him to wait even a moment longer is agonizing, let alone an entire night.

Perhaps... taking a detour via a side path might allow us to bypass the checkpoint.

However, if they avoided the official road, they would have to abandon their horses and proceed on foot, groping their way forward. Not to mention that traveling through the wilderness at night was extremely risky, and the possibility of encountering wild beasts or patrolling soldiers along the way would make it a matter of life and death...

To gamble, or not to gamble?

Just as he was filled with anxiety, gritted his teeth, and was almost ready to take a gamble—

"thump!"

With a muffled thud, Han Fei turned his head in surprise.

But then the gatekeeper who was inspecting his horse's chest suddenly knelt down heavily, a long sword raised high above his head, the patterns on the scabbard flickering in the torchlight, solemn and awe-inspiring.

"This humble general pays his respects to Your Majesty and greets the envoy!"

Before he finished speaking, the Qin soldiers who were lined up around him, watching him intently, all bowed down. The sound of their armor clashing together filled the air as everyone lowered their heads and lay prostrate on the ground, not daring to make the slightest presumptuous move of looking up.

"Greetings, Your Majesty! Greetings, Lord!"

Han Fei froze on the spot.

His gaze slowly shifted to the sword—the exclusive patterns belonging to a monarch were clearly visible, and its eerie, cold light flowed in the twilight, exuding an inviolable majesty.

Wang Jian!

Han Fei abruptly closed his eyes, his heart trembling.

How dare he? How dare he!

How could Zhou Wenqing dare to hand over the Supreme King Sword to him so quietly!

Even if he lacked the ability to mobilize troops, wouldn't he be afraid of using such a significant token for personal gain, thereby disgracing the King of Qin and incurring his wrath?

At that time, even if he was still trusted by the King of Qin, he would still be unable to escape punishment.

Zhou Wenqing, have you gone mad?

A complex mix of shock and disbelief instantly swept over him, and a jumble of chaotic thoughts churned and tore at his mind.

No... perhaps, perhaps it's a way to force him to return to Qin and return the sword as soon as the matter with Han is settled.

Perhaps it was another of his schemes that made him feel indebted to such a huge favor, causing him to waver and immediately turn back.

Or perhaps, he truly only trusted himself and was using that as a pretext to help...

No, he didn't want to think about it anymore.

A myriad of speculations tangled together, clashing repeatedly in his mind and causing him great turmoil.

Han Fei pursed his lips, opened his eyes, and suppressed the surging, chaotic, and inexplicable thoughts, swallowing the bitter taste rising in his throat.

Regardless, let's get through this hurdle first.

He spoke, his voice a little hoarse, but he still managed to say it steadily.

"I... am acting on the king's orders, secretly on this mission. Open the gates and allow passage!"