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

Han Cang dismissed his men and confronted the rather relaxed Cao Ze, shouting, "Mr. Cao Ze, don't you realize you're about to face a terrible disaster?"

How could Cao Ze be frightened by a transvestite? If he were really in deep trouble, would he act like this?

"Lord Han, what do you say?"

A gold note worth a hundred taels of silver quietly landed in Han Cang's hands.

Han Cang shook the gold notes and laughed, "You're quite good, so let me tell you something."

Cao Ze looked bewildered after hearing Han Cang's words.

Guo Kai actually recommended himself in court?

Is this the power of the number one support in the Warring States period?

Han Cang sneered, "Mr. Cao Ze, do you think Guo Kaihui is so kind? He's Gongzi Qian's teacher. And you just beat up Zhao Qian, tsk tsk..."

Cao Ze said calmly, "I am just a nobody, how could I possibly cause Prime Minister Guo to go to such lengths? Is there some hidden reason?"

If Guo Kai really wanted to mess with him, it wouldn't be too difficult without knowing Jing Ni.

It must be related to Zhao Qian becoming the crown prince.

Han Cang stroked the gold note. "You're very smart. Zhao Qian made a mistake first, and Guo Kai wants to help Zhao Qian become the crown prince. At least for the time being, Guo Kai won't target you openly, and might even pretend nothing happened."

"However, if you become one of his people now..."

Cao Ze thought to himself, "It's pretty much as I guessed. That old bastard Guo Kai is really cunning."

No wonder he was able to pull off the "Lian Po's three bowel movements after one meal" stunt, earning him the nickname "Big Old Bird of Yin" from the people of Handan. With this maneuver, if he had been even slightly confused, he would have fallen into Guo Kai's trap.

Even with Consort Ya's connections, it won't work then; it might even offend Consort Ya.

However, judging from Han Cang's appearance, he didn't have good intentions towards him and seemed to want him to fight with Guo Kai.

"Alright, Young Master Cao Ze, please prepare yourself and come with me to meet the King."

Han Cang glanced at Jing Ni, who was holding a baby. This person even had a family to support her. She was truly clueless.

Cao Ze and Jing Ni returned to the hut. Jing Ni asked, "Did...something happen?"

"A little, but it's not a big problem and is still under control."

Jingni thought for a moment, then took out the He Shi Bi jade and said, "Why don't we take this opportunity to present it to them?"

Cao Ze weighed the He Shi Bi in his hand and then placed it in Jing Ni's hand.

"No need, save it for Xiaoyan to crack walnuts for later."

He understood Jingni's meaning: to exchange the He Shi Bi jade for a life-saving charm.

However, this will only complicate matters further.

If Guo Kai were to accuse him of treason, rebellion, or theft in court... he'd be in for a world of trouble.

Offering this thing requires the right timing.

Otherwise, a good thing will turn into a bad thing.

Unfortunately, all his efforts were in vain, and the He Shi Bi jade he obtained was lost...

Ok?

Cao Ze suddenly remembered the definite information he had just received from Han Cang: Guo Kai was working to make Zhao Qian the crown prince.

Haha, interesting.

It seems the He Shi Bi jade disc isn't just for cracking walnuts anymore.

However, the problem now is how to achieve his primary goal in coming to Zhao without falling into Guo Kai's trap—to step onto the Zhao stage and attract the attention of the seven states.

It's time to face the storm!

Chapter 55: I came to the palace for only three things!

In the main hall of Longtai Palace, both civil and military officials were present.

Cao Ze remained expressionless, silently analyzing the current situation in the Zhao state and the situation in the other seven states.

Given that he was a descendant of military strategists, Zhao Yan would likely ask him questions related to military affairs.

Not long ago, after the failure of the alliance campaign, the State of Han immediately kowtowed and gave Qin whatever it wanted.

After that, the Qin state began to attack the Chu and Wei states, which wanted to test their resistance.

As a result, the Qin state captured Chaoge, forcing the Chu state to relocate its capital.

In the end, the states of Wei and Chu had no choice but to cede territory and sue for peace.

The State of Yan was separated from the State of Zhao by a great distance, and the State of Qin had no time to pay attention to it.

Therefore, it is certain that Qin's next target will be Zhao.

For the State of Zhao, there were only two choices: war or peace; in other words, whether or not they were willing to cede territory.

According to historical records, the State of Zhao was always very stubborn when facing the State of Qin.

Therefore, the State of Zhao will not cede territory; it will only continue to fight.

Having reached this conclusion, Cao Ze knew what he should use to show off.

Guo Kai smiled sheepishly, "Your Majesty, this is the great talent I was talking about."

Zhao Yan was slightly disappointed; this person was rather young.

"You are Cao Ze, a descendant of Cao Gui and a successor of the military strategist?"

"Exactly."

"The Prime Minister says you have great talent, so let me ask you, now that the alliance of the five states has failed, what will become of Qin, and what will become of the other six states?"

Zhao Yan asked the question he wanted answered.

Now he has two paths before him. If Qin attacks Zhao, should he choose to cede territory and make peace in order to seek development, like Han, Wei and Chu, or should he simply fight?

Cao Ze said loudly, "The six kingdoms will be destroyed one by one by the Qin kingdom."

When Cao Ze touched on what he feared most, Zhao Yan's expression changed several times, and his anger rose rapidly.

The entire court was silent, deeply shocked by Cao Ze's tactless words.

If it weren't for Guo Kai's recommendation, someone would have already jumped out and pointed at Cao Ze's nose, calling him a brat and so on.

Guo Kai, who made the recommendation, looked astonished.

Are you fucking looking to die? If you're looking to die, don't splatter your blood on him!

Cao Ze glanced at Guo Kai, who was frozen in place.

Today, with Guo Xiangguo footing the bill and endorsing the event, it's a rare opportunity, so he should definitely have some fun.

Seeing that Zhao Yan was about to lose his temper, Guo Kai had no choice but to step forward and say, "Your Majesty, Cao Ze is, after all, a descendant of military strategists, and his insights are different from those of ordinary people. You might as well listen to him more."

She secretly gave Cao Ze a look, signaling him to be careful what he said.

This is the first time I have recommended a talent since becoming prime minister. They can be mediocre, but they absolutely cannot cause trouble.

Cao Ze gave Guo Kai a kind look.

Guo Kai felt much more at ease.

Suppressing his anger, Zhao Yan said, "Our Great Zhao has a strong army and many famous generals. Other states are also skilled in warfare. How could we be destroyed by Qin!"

Cao Ze knew the main event was about to begin, and he couldn't afford to lose momentum. He had to seize the initiative and make a stunning statement.

"The destruction of the six states was not due to inferior military strength or poor strategy, but rather to their bribery of Qin! Bribing Qin weakened their power, which led to their downfall!"

Compared to other policy essays, the "Theory of the Six States" is one-sided in its viewpoint because it criticizes current affairs and uses historical allusions to satirize the present.

But for Zhao Yan, who was now inclined to fight with Qin, this was exactly what he wanted, giving him a reason to fight.

As for the other reason for choosing "On the Six States", it is because its dissemination, acceptance and discussion are top-notch, and it can absolutely outperform other policy essays by leaps and bounds.

His main purpose in coming to the State of Zhao to take the stage was to make a name for himself. Simply put, he wanted all the other states to know that he existed; everything else was secondary.

Once you have a reputation, many things become easier.

As you may know, Guiguzi, relying on his fame, earned a reputation that "when he was angry, the feudal lords trembled; when he lived in peace, the world was at peace," making him very popular in various countries.

As a result, as soon as Gai Nie graduated, he was able to become Ying Zheng's personal bodyguard.

Therefore, after learning that Guo Kai had recommended him today, he made his decision.

I came to the palace for only three things!

Become famous! Become famous! Become famous again!

As for navigating the officialdom, with Guo Kai around, there's no need to think about it too much.

"Nonsense! When has our Great Zhao ever bribed Qin?"

Zhao Yan began to confront Cao Ze.

It was clearly the states of Han, Wei, and Chu that bribed Qin; what does it have to do with the state of Zhao?

"Did the six states perish because they all bribed Qin? No."

“Those who do not bribe Qin will perish because of those who do, losing their powerful allies and unable to survive alone. Therefore, it is said: the problem lies in bribing Qin.”

Zhao Yan narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at Cao Ze. Had Cao Ze seen through his intentions?

He will not cede territory to Qin like Han, Wei, and Chu did; if he wants to fight, he will fight!

"Go on."

Guo Kai looked at Cao Ze with some surprise. He had just been prepared to risk being punished by Zhao Yan to kill this guy who had tricked him, but things took an unexpected turn.

Zhao Yan, who was furious just moments ago, is now calm and collected. It seems this kid really has a knack for it.

"Besides conquering, Qin can gain small towns or large cities... Therefore, what Qin desires most and what the other states fear most is not war... If they cede five cities today and ten cities tomorrow, they can only have one night of peace... Thus, the strength and weakness, victory and defeat, are already determined without a fight... Offering land to Qin is like carrying firewood to put out a fire; the firewood will not be exhausted and the fire will not be extinguished!"

Cao Ze spoke eloquently, displaying exceptional verbal skills; he was just short of casually fanning himself with a feather fan and transforming into the strategist Zhuge Liang who had once argued with netizens.

However, the next step is to start making changes, since things like Jing Ke's assassination attempt on the King of Qin and Li Mu's death due to slander haven't happened yet.

"South Korea deserves to die, Wei deserves to lose Chaoge, and Chu deserves to move its capital!"