Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

A dull, loud thud followed.

In an instant, scarlet splattered, staining the dark brown bark and stinging the eyes.

Wei Liao's blood suddenly froze, all the noise around him vanished, and his mind went completely blank.

What happened?

Han Fei... he...

His nearly overloaded brain struggled to restart, and the next second, he practically leaped forward to catch the person who collapsed to the ground.

The man's forehead was dripping with crimson blood, which trickled down his pale jawline, almost instantly soaking through his clothes.

"Does it really have to be this way?"

Wei Liao's voice was hoarse, and he could barely control his trembling hands.

In his delirious and dying state, Han Fei's eyelashes trembled slightly, struggling to open a sliver of space.

Those guilty eyes fell on Wei Liao, as if she wanted to say something, but she could no longer muster the strength, and her eyelids closed completely.

Wei Liao felt the body in his arms gradually weaken, and his heart sank. He suddenly looked up and hissed:

"Where is the doctor?! Someone come quick! Quickly!"

The accompanying physicians immediately swarmed forward, especially the old physician who was responsible for taking care of Han Fei, who was so anxious that he knocked Wei Liao away.

My goodness! Just one glance, just one glance and I missed it! All that work for nothing!!!

They rushed the person back to their room, stopped the bleeding, bandaged them, administered acupuncture, and gave them medicine. The once orderly and peaceful courtyard was suddenly thrown into chaos and haste.

Fortunately, Han Fei had been bedridden for many days and was exhausted. Although his decisive collision was violent, it did not kill him instantly. He barely survived and had a chance to save him.

But just as the bleeding from the wound on his forehead was barely contained, the long-dormant high fever returned with a vengeance, its scorching heat penetrating through his clothes and making him feel uneasy.

Wei Liao paced back and forth in the outer room, his brows furrowed deeply.

The cries for help echoed from inside the room, further disturbing his peace of mind. One moment he blamed himself for being careless and letting his guard down; the next he regretted his miscalculation, wishing he had listened to advice and taken Xia Wuqie with him before leaving.

At the same time, he was well aware that no matter how careful he was, he couldn't stop someone who was determined to die, and the doctors he had brought were no less skilled than Xia Wuqie in treating external injuries.

Emotions and reason tore at each other and struggled endlessly, causing me to toss and turn all night.

Han Fei remained unconscious throughout the night, his high fever recurring repeatedly, further weakening his already frail body. His life hung by a thread, teetering on the brink of collapse.

Watching one doctor after another emerge with grave expressions, shaking their heads and sighing, indicating that they were utterly helpless and could only barely keep the situation afloat, Wei Liao felt as if her heart was being torn apart.

This can't go on.

Being stranded in Korea ultimately hampered their actions, as they had limitations in terms of medicines, doctors, and medical skills, leaving them only able to passively preserve their lives and unable to make any further progress.

With a heavy heart, Wei Liao finally gritted his teeth and made up his mind—he couldn't waste any more time.

He turned abruptly and gave the order in a deep voice:

"Prepare the carriages and horses, set off immediately, and return to Xianyang overnight!"

Only by relying on the top resources of Xianyang and the exquisite medical skills of the Imperial Medical Bureau can we do our utmost to snatch people from the jaws of death.

We sped along, compressing the journey to its absolute limit.

Han Fei's condition fluctuated, sometimes good and sometimes bad, like a lamp being blown about by the wind, hanging on the edge of being extinguished at every moment, which was worrying.

The wheels rolled heavily through the night, and after Wei Liao urged the driver to speed up once again, the gates of Xianyang Palace were finally in sight.

The scouts had already gone ahead to report, and the palace gates were wide open and brightly lit. They saw several eunuchs leading a large group of disheveled physicians, hurrying over.

"Help! Save them!"

The carriage had barely come to a stop when Wei Liao leaped onto the ground, bending down to protect the person on the bed. His shoulders were taut, and he said in a deep voice:

"He developed a high fever again an hour ago, is delirious, won't take any medicine, and cold compresses aren't working. We need to think of something quickly!"

The imperial physicians who had just arrived were sore throats from running, but they dared not delay for a moment. They stepped forward one after another, with the eldest physician at the head of the group, panting and talking, waving and leading the way:

"Grand Commandant, huff... Over here, first place the person on the palanquin and send them to the side hall for rest. We, huff... we have prepared the medicine and equipment, and we will begin the rescue now."

Without the slightest hesitation, Wei Liao immediately settled the person in place. Then, palace servants swarmed forward, carefully lifting the palanquin and hurrying towards the nearest side hall.

A group of imperial physicians followed closely behind. Some walked alongside the carriage, taking Han Fei's pulse as they went, their fingertips pressing on his wrist as their expressions grew increasingly grim. Others hurriedly pulled over the colleagues brought back by Wei Liao, asking in hushed tones about the pulse and the prescribed medicine. Everyone was solemn, their brows furrowed with the urgency of racing against time.

The Qin King's Palace —

Ying Zheng had just finished dealing with official business and had only rested briefly. He was still feeling tired, but when a palace servant stumbled in and whispered the bad news that Han Fei had fallen into a coma and was on the verge of death on his return journey, he instantly lost all sleepiness.

He immediately issued several urgent orders: ordering all staff of the Imperial Medical Bureau to be in place and on standby, opening up the private treasury, and transferring all precious and rare medicines, regardless of grade or loss, to the side hall for treatment.

Immediately afterward, he thought for a moment and then ordered someone to summon Li Si to the palace.

Having arranged everything, Ying Zheng quickly changed his clothes, got up, put on his shoes, waved away the eunuchs who came forward to help him adjust his robes, and strode out of the palace.

He walked in a hurry, the night wind blowing in his face, causing his dark robes to billow and billow, exuding an imposing and awe-inspiring aura.

Ying Zheng had already received the message from Wei Liao, knowing that the other party had accompanied Han Fei to Han, but...

This man, who left on his mission with clear eyes, a strong character, and unwavering spirit, returned after only a few months in a coma, on the verge of death!

After a moment's thought, Ying Zheng guessed what had happened. He clenched his teeth, his anger burning fiercely in his heart. He uttered three words, each one heavy and chilling, filled with murderous intent.

"Han-Wang-An!"

They have harmed two of my capable ministers, especially this one who was under my protection, yet dared to be so presumptuous. I would rather be torn to pieces than be satisfied with this!

His anger rose, and he quickened his pace, his black brocade robe slightly open, fluttering in the wind as he strode toward the side hall.

The personal attendant jogged after him, panting and holding his belt, calling out anxiously as he ran:

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please slow down, watch your step! Quick, someone come and light the lanterns!"

Meanwhile, at the Li residence.

Li Si was still sitting at his desk, the lamplight dim, and official documents piled up on the desk.

He was rubbing his temples, reviewing the last few volumes of official documents, when suddenly there was a rapid knocking at the door, followed by the anxious voice of a servant:

"Minister of Justice! A messenger from the palace has arrived with urgent news—the Grand Commandant has returned overnight!"

Li Si paused, then looked up, his eyes first showing joy: "You're back? Then my junior brother also..."

"Han Zi has been sent to the Imperial Medical Bureau, unconscious. It is said that... he was injured by hitting a pillar."

"What! Hitting a pillar?!"

Li Si's voice cracked sharply.

He suddenly stood up, scattering the files on the table all over the floor with a clatter, and his expression changed drastically.

Immediately afterwards, the study erupted in a cacophony of clear, impassioned, and furious curses. The words were rapid and dense, the language ruthless, and in a short time, even the ancestors of the King of Han were dragged into the fray. Every sentence was poisoned and every word was barbed, causing those who heard it to turn pale.

The servant who was delivering the message bowed his head and stood stiffly with his back taut, silent as a cicada in winter, not daring to even breathe loudly, for fear of accidentally getting himself into trouble and being punished by his ancestors in his dreams at night.

Li Si was so engrossed in his rant that he didn't care whether he had accidentally dragged his stubborn junior brother into it; he was too angry to care at the moment.

All that is known is that after this incident, no one dared to provoke the servants of the Li family, their eloquence improved significantly, and their efficiency in handling affairs was extremely high.

While venting his anger, Li Si hastily grabbed his outer robe from the rack and draped it over himself. He haphazardly tugged at his belt with one hand and hurried outside, his tone filled with urgency.

"Prepare the horses immediately! Enter the palace at once!"

When he entered the palace, the King of Qin and Wei Liao were sitting and standing in the outer room of the side hall, the atmosphere heavy and solemn.

Li Si strode forward, hastily bowed, and after being called to his feet, he didn't bother with pleasantries after their long separation. He looked at Wei Liao and hurriedly asked:

"How is my junior brother doing now?"

Wei Liao slowly raised her eyes, her gaze filled with bloodshot veins from a sleepless night. Days of travel and sleepless nights had left her utterly exhausted. Hearing this, she gently shook her head.

"It's still unclear; the imperial physician hasn't come out to answer yet."

"Ugh!"

A heavy sigh choked in his throat. Li Si clenched his fist in anger and slammed it into his palm. He couldn't stand still and paced anxiously back and forth several times.

Wei Liao, standing to the side, was also filled with worry. He unconsciously shifted his body slightly and kept looking into the hall.

"Alright, Li Qing."

Ying Zheng rubbed his temples, feeling dizzy from being swayed back and forth by the two of them. Finally, he raised his hand and pointed to the seats on the side.

"Both of you, please sit down first. Mr. Wei Liao, please tell me in detail what exactly happened during your trip to the east?"

The secret correspondence was ultimately superficial, and the news was delayed. It could only briefly record the course of events, and the twists and turns were too numerous to be fully explained in just a few words.

"promise."

Wei Liao bowed and accepted, then pondered for a moment, organized his thoughts, and began to recount how he had led his troops to Chenjun to provide relief.

Li Si suppressed his impatience and listened quietly, but the more he listened, the angrier and more alarmed he became.

If it weren't for the fact that the king was sitting at the head of the table, he would have already slammed his fist on the table and stood up.

Is this what Zhou Wenqing meant when he said, "Chen County was in danger, but fortunately, Mr. Wei Liao arrived with his troops and turned the situation around"?

Are you suggesting he eat all those dangerous processes, those shocking sights, those near-death experiences?!

Hearing that his own junior brother, such an arrogant person, had to bow his head and bend his back in that weak and helpless South Korea, suffering endless torment and humiliation, being subjected to suspicion, suppression, contempt, and exclusion by a group of mediocre, incompetent, and parasitic officials...

Li Si's knuckles clenched so tightly they turned white, and a surge of anger welled up inside him.

Do you really think that his senior brother is dead?

He and Han Fei were both students of Xunzi's school and were classmates in their youth. In terms of talent, knowledge, and vision, they were the only two among their peers who were evenly matched and equals each other.

He hadn't even had a chance to exploit his junior brothers yet, how dare they?!

When Wei Liao finally finished speaking, Li Si was so angry that his teeth were grinding and his fists were about to break. Ying Zheng's face was also gloomy, and the pressure around him was terrifyingly low, with a chilling aura quietly spreading out.

Just then, a physician hurriedly came out of the hall. As soon as he pushed open the door, he was almost frozen by the six gazes of the three people outside and shrank back inside.

"How is Han Zi doing?"

The physician steadied himself before speaking, "Your Majesty, Han Zi's high fever has temporarily subsided. As long as his pulse remains stable for the next three days and the fever doesn't fluctuate, his life will be safe. However..."

Seeing his hesitation, Li Si grew impatient and, without taking a single step forward, urged, "But what is it? Speak quickly!"

The imperial physician looked troubled, his tone helpless and troubled:

"It is only because Han Zi is depressed and has a very weak will to live. He is unwilling to wake up. External forces can heal the body, but they cannot force the mind. We have tried our best, but we cannot wake Han Zi. We hope Your Majesty will forgive us."

After he finished speaking, he lowered his head deeply.

Ying Zheng's eyes instantly darkened, his voice carrying a heavy, oppressive aura:

"What does 'unable to wake him' mean? Does it mean he'll remain in a permanent coma?"

The imperial physician lowered his back even further, fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and his voice tightened:

"Your Majesty, we are truly at a loss. The only feasible solution now is for us to temporarily stabilize Han Zi's pulse and wait for Physician Lü to return. Physician Lü's medical skills are unparalleled in the palace, especially in treating mental illnesses. Perhaps... only he can break this deadlock and awaken Han Zi."

By the time Physician Lü returns, who knows when? Besides, even if he does return, it's only "possible," and there's no guarantee of success.

"Someone come here!"

Ying Zheng suddenly spoke, his voice unusually calm, without a trace of roaring or angry shouting, yet beneath that calm tone lay a boundless ferocity capable of overthrowing an entire nation:

"Immediately convey my military orders to Generals Wang Jian and Meng Wu by fast horse."

"All members of the Han royal family were imprisoned, and all civil and military officials of the Han court were escorted back to Qin without exception. Not a single one of them was allowed to escape."

He paused slightly, a chilling glint flashing in his eyes, and slowly said, word by word:

"Especially King Han An, I must personally meet with him."

Upon hearing this, Li Si immediately bowed and requested:

"Your Majesty is wise! I humbly request that all the Han officials sent to Qin be handed over to the Court of Justice for proper 'treatment'!"

His tone was equally cold and sinister; though he spoke politely, it sent chills down one's spine.

"Your Majesty, I will personally oversee the matter, provide strict care and meticulous 'hospitality,' and will not dare to be negligent in the slightest. Please rest assured."

Having traveled tirelessly for so long, Wei Liao's thoughts were inevitably a beat slower. At this moment, he was also moved and was about to volunteer when he suddenly remembered another matter entrusted to him by Zhou Wenqing.

Zhang Liang, the son of a prominent minister from Korea.

He was so focused on clearly explaining what Han Fei had encountered in the state of Han that he forgot to mention him.