People in the Qin Dynasty, entertained during the Warring States period

Li Wu, holding a bamboo flute, laughed heartily behind Cao Ze.

In the past four or five days, she has truly experienced this guy's "genius".

No wonder Jing Ni was kidnapped by this guy and got pregnant; few people could handle his thought process.

As for what Jingni thinks of Cao Ze at this time...

Jingni said she's already used to it.

……

If we were to discuss which of the seven states was the strongest, it would undoubtedly be the Qin state.

But if we were to discuss which of the seven states had the most bustling and prosperous international metropolis, it would undoubtedly be Handan in the State of Zhao.

The reason why Handan was able to become the most prosperous capital among the seven states was not only because the Zhao state had a vast territory and a long history of civilization, but also because Handan was the place where music and dance were most developed.

In Handan, Zhao dance is extremely popular and flourishing. Furthermore, since the current Queen is a former singer and dancer, the city of Handan is filled with even more dance halls of all sizes.

In addition, the rituals and music of the Warring States period collapsed, and customs became unrestrained, with the Zhao state, which had many ties with the various Hu peoples and whose Hu culture was particularly strong, being the most prominent among them.

After entering the city, Cao Ze walked several hundred meters, and the melodious and graceful sound of string and bamboo instruments never stopped in his ears.

I also saw many graceful girls, draped in light gauze, strolling and dancing on the pavilion platform, occasionally glancing back and smiling, which was so captivating and alluring.

The bustling atmosphere was so enchanting that Cao Ze felt slightly intoxicated.

This is where civilized people should be.

Compared to Handan, the royal city of the grassland wolf tribe was just a large, undeveloped primitive village.

"Li Wu, go find a brokerage firm and get a large courtyard house, somewhere close to the royal palace in the city."

Li Wu stretched out her delicate white hand: "Where's the money?"

Handan was the capital of the Zhao Kingdom, and it was not easy to live there. If you wanted to buy a large courtyard next to the royal palace in the city, you couldn't even think about it without spending a hundred or two hundred gold coins.

Without turning his head, Cao Ze admired the girls at the roadside dance hall and said, "Money is no problem, spend as much as you have."

Li Wu was taken aback, her beautiful eyes showing confusion: "What do you mean by 'I can spend as much as I have'?"

Cao Ze turned around, a sly smile on his face, and said, "I've asked Jing Ni about it. The rewards for the Eight Linglong Assassin Group's missions aren't low. You have at least four or five gold notes on you right now. I don't need to say anything more, right? Do you want me to search for you?"

After saying that, Cao Ze stretched out his devilish claws, eager to try.

Li Wu immediately jumped off the donkey cart, turned around and left.

This guy has a criminal record, she wouldn't dare gamble on him!

Seeing that Li Wu had backed down, Cao Ze revealed a triumphant smile and said affectionately from behind, "Remember to stay close to the palace, so that the net won't sneak up on you."

Li Wu turned her head and glared at Cao Ze: "You win!"

After Cao Zeyi reminded her, she dared not be stingy with money anymore.

Before entering Handan, the assassins from Luo Wang had tracked them down.

She was dragged out by the shameless Cao, who carried out many "betrayal rituals" and personally killed many members of the Luo Wang organization. Now she can't turn back even if she wants to.

Based on her understanding of the Luo Wang organization, she had already been labeled a traitor by them.

They could only keep their heads down and continue down the dark path with Jingni and Cao Ze.

After Li Wu left, Cao Ze said to Jing Ni, "Jing Ni, do you know where in Handan there are places that sell information?"

Jingni thought for a moment: "West of Handan City, there is a Wuqi Thatched Cottage. The owner of the cottage, Liang Wuqi, is extremely well-informed, and Luo Wang has bought a lot of intelligence there."

"Okay, I'll go take a look around when I have time."

He now needs to confirm Han Fei's actual situation in order to determine the approximate time when Ying Zheng left home.

I just don't know if this guy is currently staying out all night at Xiaoshengxianzhuang, or if he has already gone on his travels.

"Oh right, do you know where the Luo Wang (Net of Heaven) has its stronghold in Handan? After we meet up with Li Wu later, let's go clear out the area."

Cao Ze decided to collect some interest, but he was followed and chased all the way. They really thought he was good-natured.

"The strongholds of the Luo Wang are not fixed and change every once in a while. I don't know where it is in Handan."

Cao Ze sneered, "They're quite cautious. Fine, let's see how I find them out."

As evening approached, Li Wu returned with the rented wooden contract.

"There are no courtyards around the palace for sale, so we can only rent them for thirty gold coins a year."

Cao Ze didn't care whether it was rented or bought, since he wasn't involved in real estate.

Led by Li Wu, Cao Ze drove a donkey cart to the front of the courtyard, where a broker was waiting.

Although it's called a large compound, it's actually not very big, with only two courtyards and two entrances, and four or five rooms.

Its only advantage is its proximity to the Zhao King's Palace, just two streets away.

The Luo Wang organization isn't arrogant enough to come here for team building activities.

"Hey, young master, would you like a few maids to serve you?"

Cao Ze did want to hire a few odd jobs, but considering their situation, he could only wave his hand and say, "No need, I'll contact you if I need anything."

Seeing Cao Ze's hesitant attitude, the broker glanced at the expressionless Li Wu, put on his signature merchant's smile, and said, "Young master, you are very fortunate. I'll be going now. Please feel free to come and find me if you need anything."

He then whispered in Cao Ze's ear, "Let me tell you, I know all the entertainment venues in Handan very well. Those singers and dancers are hard to find, but there are plenty of good ones who sell themselves, I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

Cao Ze was speechless. You, a broker, are you also a pimp on the side?

However, thinking back to the daytime, after entering the city, seeing the graceful figures of those dance hall girls, it would be a bit of self-deception not to have some thoughts.

He smacked his lips and said, "Alright, alright, I'll talk to you again when I have time."

The broker walked away with a smile, seemingly certain that Cao Ze would come looking for him, and that he could earn a cut, which was very pleasing.

Li Wu, who had heard everything clearly, said with a half-smile, "You really want to go to those dance halls to find girls?"

"The ospreys cry 'guan guan' on the river's islet. A fair maiden is the object of a gentleman's affections. People always pay special attention to beautiful things; I'm just no exception."

"Is that so, madam?"

Cao Ze drew out his words as he helped Jing Ni, whose belly had grown considerably larger, off the donkey cart.

Li Wu lightly spat, not believing a single word of Cao Ze's nonsense.

He clearly wanted to go, but he pretended to be a virtuous gentleman; how hypocritical.

Jingni didn't care whether Cao Ze went to the dance hall for fun or not. Instead, she said seriously, "The Net will not give up hunting us down. Even in the inner city of Handan, we cannot let our guard down."

Li Wu nodded: "The Net may not send a large number of assassins, but it is possible that they will continue to send the Eight Linglong."

After settling his loyal donkey companion in, Cao Ze and Li Wu tidied up the two rooms.

The next day, Cao Ze instructed Li Wu to find temporary workers to tidy up the courtyard and other houses, and then went to the west of the city alone.

Wuqi Caotang is not hard to find; it is a well-known charitable institution in the west of the city.

It is called Shantang (善堂) because Liang Wuqi, the protagonist of Wuqi Caotang (无欺草堂), was very charitable.

They often adopted and raised orphans without parents in Handan City.

They also teach children to read for free.

But Cao Ze, who had been bombarded by the modern internet for a long time, immediately sensed that something was wrong.

Could someone who would make the Luo Wang organization actively seek out information be a good person?

If someone isn't a good person, how could they adopt orphans?

He knew about a criminal organization called the "Black Beggar Gang," which specialized in maiming normal people, organizing them to beg, and even maiming unattended children to make huge profits.

However, considering that this was the Warring States period, an era where human life was cheaper than grass, Cao Ze could only shake his head helplessly.

Compared to life in this era, even the "Black Beggars Gang" seems as pure and innocent as a white lotus flower.

The western part of the city is remote and sparsely populated.

The wooden door of Wuqi Caotang was open, and a group of children wearing straw sandals and patched cloth shirts, holding wooden boards with words written on them, chased and played as they left one after another.

An old man with gray hair stroked his beard, a kind smile on his face, and kept telling the children not to fall, waving goodbye to them.

This was a scene of innocent joy, like someone walking home from school, which Cao Ze happened to witness.

I couldn't help but feel ashamed of my earlier filth.

Perhaps they sell information simply to make a living and to support orphans.

"Young sir, you've been here for quite a while, is there anything I can help you with?"

Gongliang Wuqi's sunken eyes held a hint of wariness, but his smile remained.

Cao Ze said directly, "Buy some information."

Gongliang Wuqi relaxed and laughed, "Then you've come to the right person. There's no one in Handan I don't know."

"This isn't something that happens in Handan city. Do you know about Xiaoshengxianzhuang?"

"Of course I know. The holy land of Confucianism is now quite famous in the seven kingdoms."

"That's good. There's a Xunzi in there, and he has two students, one named Li Si and the other Han Fei. I want to know where they are now and what they're doing."

Gongliang Wuqi narrowed his eyes. Who was this person? Could it be that Ji Wuye sent someone to test him?

"Li Si doesn't know, but as for Han Fei, I do know he's the ninth prince of Han. As for where he is and what he's doing..."

"how much is it?"

Gongliang Wuqi said, "He is a renowned legal scholar with a considerable reputation. What you want to know isn't exactly private, and it won't be difficult to investigate. Thirty gold coins will suffice."

"Heh, that's pretty fair."

Gongliang Wuqi smiled faintly and said, "I have been selling intelligence in Handan for more than ten years. My name, Wuqi, is quite well-known in Handan."

"However, it will take some time to investigate. Please be patient, young man, and pay half of the deposit."

Cao Ze thought for a moment, then took out a small bag of gold coins that Li Wu had exchanged with the Iron Blood Alliance.

He needed to know Han Fei's whereabouts as soon as possible; there was no time to waste, so he had to use money to pave the way.

"how long it takes?"

"Ten days."