Qin Dynasty: Ying Zheng is my brother, I am the Bad Commander

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Han Fei put away his folding fan, picked up the wine cup in front of him, and his face regained that cynical smile. "The world, after a long period of division, tends to unite; after a long period of unity, tends to divide. Although there are frictions between the states of Qin and Han, today in this Purple Orchid Pavilion, you and I are just kindred spirits drinking together, and we will not discuss state affairs."

"Come, let me offer you a toast, Brother Ying. Thank you for your heartfelt words today, which have enlightened me."

Ying Chen was overjoyed to see Han Fei's confident demeanor.

"This Ninth Prince of Korea is indeed very clever, but he's too clever for his own good. He's too clever for his own good. Give him just a little hint, and he can conjure up a whole drama of the Net of Intrigue in his mind, perfectly shifting the blame onto Lü Buwei for me."

Ying Chen remained outwardly calm, smiling as he raised his wine glass and lightly clinked it against Han Fei's.

"bite--"

The crisp sound of jade stones clashing echoed in the private room.

"Brother Han, you're too kind. Please."

The two exchanged a smile and each drank the wine in their cups in one gulp.

From this moment on, the atmosphere in the private room finally relaxed completely, and they truly entered the "drinking and chatting" phase.

Without the previous scheming and testing of each other, Han Fei completely let go of his true nature.

Seeing this, Zi Nu was no longer reserved. She instructed her maid to bring over several more jugs of fine orchid wine and a few exquisite side dishes. She then sat to the side, occasionally refilling their wine and interjecting with a few words, creating a perfectly harmonious atmosphere for the gathering.

After several rounds of drinks and five courses of food,

A faint blush had appeared on Han Fei's face, and his eyes had become somewhat unfocused.

But his mind became more active and sharp under the influence of alcohol.

He stopped talking about the ghost soldiers robbing the payroll and the political situation in Korea, and instead steered the conversation toward a grander and deeper realm.

"Brother Ying, we are both members of the royal family, born into this era of great strife. Tell me, what exactly is 'law'? What is 'nation'? What is 'all under heaven'?"

Han Fei, holding a wine cup, looked intently at Ying Chen and posed the grand question he had been researching all his life.

Upon hearing this, Ying Chen put down his chopsticks, his smile faded, and his expression became serious.

"Law is a written record, established in government offices, and disseminated to the people." Ying Chen quoted a famous saying from Han Feizi and said slowly, "Brother Han studied in Sanghai and brought together the great achievements of Legalism. He advocated the combination of 'law, tactics, and power' to govern the country by law. I deeply admire him."

Han Fei's eyes lit up, as if he had met a kindred spirit: "Brother Ying, you've actually read my articles?"

"Naturally." Ying Chen nodded and continued, "However, although Brother Han's laws are strict and can strengthen the country, they lack a bit of 'human touch.' The Legalist laws are too cold, like a double-edged sword, hurting others as well as oneself."

Ying Chen did not blindly agree with Han Fei, but instead put forward his own views. As a time traveler with modern thinking and an imperial perspective, his understanding of Legalism was far more thorough than that of people in this era.

"Oh? Then, in Brother Ying's opinion, what is the true way to govern a country?" Han Fei was not angry but pleased, leaning forward and asking impatiently.

Ying Chen picked up his wine glass, took a small sip, and gazed intently at the night sky outside the window, as if he could see through the prosperity of Xinzheng City and into the chaotic world of the Seven Kingdoms amidst the flames of war.

"Law is the skeleton of a nation; tactics are the means of governing officials; power is the majesty of a monarch. None of these three can be lacking. But having only these three is not enough."

Ying Chen turned to look at Han Fei and said, word by word, "There must also be a 'Way'. The Way of the King and the Way of the Hegemon coexist. The Way of the Hegemon sweeps across the land, while the Way of the King pacifies the world. The ultimate law should be like a spring breeze and rain, nourishing things silently, so that the people are unaware of the law, yet abide by it everywhere. This is the true law of the world."

Han Fei listened with rapt attention, his wine cup hovering in mid-air, not falling for a long time.

Ying Chen's words resounded in his mind like a great bell.

Hearing Ying Chen's "mixture of kingship and hegemony" remarks today gave him a feeling of seeing the clear sky after the clouds had parted.

"Excellent! What a perfect blend of benevolent and tyrannical principles! What a gentle, nurturing influence!" Han Fei exclaimed excitedly, slamming his fist on the table. "Brother Ying's talent surpasses mine tenfold! Let's raise a toast!"

Having said that, Han Fei tilted his head back and drank the wine in his cup in one gulp.

Sitting to the side, Zi Nu watched Ying Chen speaking eloquently, her charming eyes sparkling with admiration.

She had initially thought that this young master of Qin was nothing more than a spoiled brat who paraded around with unparalleled martial arts masters, but now it seemed that she was completely wrong.

This man possesses profound wisdom and a global vision, with an imperial mindset and grand perspective that are unmatched by ordinary people.

"This man is no ordinary person. If he one day soars to great heights, the world will tremble because of him."

Yan Fei and Gongsun Li were also stunned by Ying Chen's words. Although Yan Fei now believed that Ying Chen was hiding his true abilities, she did not expect that Ying Chen also possessed such amazing knowledge.

As night deepened, the noise inside the Purple Orchid Pavilion gradually subsided.

The private room was filled with the aroma of wine.

Han Fei was completely drunk. He was slumped over the table, mumbling incoherently about things like "law," "the world," and "quicksand."

Although Ying Chen had also drunk quite a bit, the alcohol had no effect on his body.

He remained calm and composed, with clear eyes.

He stood up, looked at Han Fei who was drunk and passed out on the table, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.

"Ninth Young Master, today's drinking session was quite enjoyable. I've helped you break half of your trap. The rest is up to you to play your part."

Ying Chen silently said something to himself.

He turned to look at Zi Nu, nodded slightly, and said, "Miss Zi Nu, the Ninth Young Master is drunk, so we'll be leaving now."

Zi Nu rose gracefully, curtsied, and said in a soft and respectful voice, "Young Master Ying, please take care."

Ying Chen nodded and didn't say anything more.

He took Yanfei and Jingni's hands, led Gongsun Li, and turned to leave the private room.

With a soft creak, the wooden door to the private room slowly closed, shutting out the dim light and soft footsteps from outside the corridor, plunging the room into an eerie silence.

The air was still filled with the rich and lingering aroma of orchid wine. The leftover food and scattered wine glasses on the table silently told the story of the seemingly joyous but actually turbulent drinking party.

Outside the window, the night breeze of Xinzheng City slipped in quietly through the half-open window, blowing on the flickering candlelight inside and casting the shadows of the two people on the wall in an alternating light and shadow, like ghosts.

Just then, Han Fei, the ninth prince of Korea, who had been lying on the rosewood table like a rag doll, occasionally making meaningless mutterings, suddenly stopped all movement.