bookbashuk Chapter 377 Yan Dan uses a scheme to eliminate the Six-Fingered Black Knight
Chapter 377 Yan Dan uses a scheme to eliminate the Six-Fingered Black Knight
Xu Lin disliked taking advantage of others in distress, but as he was about to leave, the drunken Mei San Niang suddenly grabbed him.
Mei San Niang thought she was dreaming; she had been dreaming about Xu Lin frequently lately.
Xu Lin was only slightly tipsy, so he knew this was not a dream.
However, he chose to cooperate with Mei San Niang.
Under the dim light of the oil lamp, Mei San Niang was in complete control.
Her physical strength far surpassed that of Zhao Ji, Madam Hu, and others, so even Xu Lin found it difficult to keep up for a while.
Even Xu Lin, let alone the soft couch, was finding it hard to bear.
……
The next day.
Mei San Niang woke up as usual when the eastern sky began to lighten.
Xu Lin was still fast asleep.
"This dream felt so real."
Mei San Niang murmured.
After saying that, she threw off the covers and sat up.
Mei San Niang was taken aback by Xu Lin's presence beside her.
Not a dream?
How could this be?
This?
Mei San Niang immediately covered Xu Lin with a quilt.
She got dressed and leaned against the wall, lost in thought.
Last night, she took the initiative and almost made Xu Lin beg for mercy.
Thinking of this, Mei San Niang almost burst out laughing.
She had never seen Xu Lin so disheveled since she met him.
Xu Lin woke up shortly afterward.
"Don't worry, I'll take responsibility."
Seeing that Mei San Niang was lost in thought, Xu Lin comforted her.
"Need not."
"What happened after drinking doesn't count."
"I thought I was dreaming, otherwise..."
Mei San Niang immediately refused.
Although she had no experience, in her view, matters between men and women and marriage were two separate things.
She doesn't need Xu Lin to take responsibility.
"what ever."
Xu Lin said he didn't care.
He had guessed last night that Mei San Niang would deny it.
But he didn't care, because he cared more about the reality of being husband and wife than the name of being husband and wife.
Have you not heard of the story of Lady Hu, Consort Hu, and Mingzhu?
Mei San Niang remained silent, turned over and got off the bed, and began to practice her skills.
……
at the same time.
Yan Dan was able to meet the King of Qi as he wished.
The King of Qi readily agreed, saying he was willing to send troops to help, but it was only a verbal promise.
Yan Dan asked when the troops would be dispatched and whether he could accompany him into Yan. King Qi replied that he would send someone to assist Yan after Yan Dan returned.
Clearly, the State of Qi only intended to offer verbal support.
Left with no other choice, Yan Dan had to surrender to Wei.
How can Wei, which is struggling to survive, help Yan?
Yan Dan was furious at their lack of resistance and rode his horse into Chu.
King Fuchu of Chu was still negotiating with Qu Jingzhao and his three clans, facing numerous internal troubles. How could he send troops to help Yan?
Qu Jingzhao's three clans admired Xiong Qi, the Lord of Changping of Qin, more than Fu Chu, which gave Fu Chu a great headache.
Seeing that King Fuchu of Chu had no time to attend to other matters, Yan Dan could only go to the Mo family's mechanical city to avoid disaster.
Ten years ago, he and Ying Zheng were both hostages in Handan, the capital of Zhao.
At that time, Ying Zheng's future was far less promising than his, because he was the crown prince of Yan, while Ying Zheng was the son of Ying Yiren, a prince of Qin.
At that time, King Zhaoxiang of Qin was still alive, Lord Anguo was still the crown prince, Ying Yiren was not the crown prince's legitimate son, and Ying Zheng was nothing but a surname Ying.
Ten years later, Ying Zheng not only held absolute power, but also destroyed Han and Zhao, leaving the Yan state in imminent danger.
He clearly had a higher starting point, so why is things like this now?
After Yan Dan entered the Mo Family's Mechanized City, he was not well received.
Because of Qin Wuyang, Jing Ke died because of Yan Dan. Qin Wuyang was an elite member of the Mohist school, and Jing Ke had always considered joining the Mohist school.
The fact that the Six-Fingered Black Knight consistently opposed the assassination attempt on Qin made Yan Dan feel extremely uneasy in the Mo Family's Mechanized City.
Aside from meeting Yan Dan once when he first arrived at the Mechanical City, Six-Fingered Black Knight never saw Yan Dan again after that, using seclusion as an excuse.
Ji City has been lost, and there is no way to return to Yan. If the Mechanical City is also unwilling to take him in, what can be done?
So Yan Dan gave away all his wealth and begged Master Ban, Master Xu and others for forgiveness. He said that the assassination attempt on Qin was all his fault and he promised that it would never happen again.
As for the Six-Fingered Black Knight, Yan Dan chose to apologize with a bundle of thorns on his back.
Yan Dan's deception was so convincing that she received the forgiveness of the Six-Fingered Black Knight.
However, due to Jing Ke's assassination attempt on the King of Qin, Six-Fingered Black Knight no longer considers letting Yan Dan inherit the position of leader of the Mohist school and plans to choose someone else.
While drinking with Dao Zhi, Yan Dan inadvertently learned of this matter.
Yan Dan outwardly appeared indifferent, but inwardly she was already plotting how to get rid of Six-Fingered Black Knight.
He must be the next leader of the Mohist school.
Otherwise, how can we avenge the State of Yan?
He is the Crown Prince of Yan. Does he have to be subordinate to Master Ban or Master Xu?
……
More than half a month later.
Six-Fingered Black Knight left the Mo Family's Mechanized City, intending to discuss the anti-Qin cause with the Farmer's School.
Unexpectedly, he was ambushed by high-ranking members of the Yin-Yang School and seriously injured.
His trip to Daze Mountain was known to only a few people, including the peasant hero Tian Guang, Yan Dan, and Master Ban. No one else knew about it. How did the Yin-Yang School find out?
The Mohists and the Yin-Yang School have always kept to themselves, so why did the Yin-Yang School's higher-ups suddenly take action against him?
Did the peasants betray him, or did the Mohists betray him?
Just when Six-Fingered Black Knight was completely baffled, Yan Dan appeared.
"It's you?"
The Six-Fingered Black Knight was burning with rage.
He hated Yan Dan, and he also hated himself.
In fact, as early as last year, Master Ban had warned him that Yan Dan was a deep and cunning person and that he should be wary of him.
But Six-Fingered Black Knight didn't pay attention at the time.
"The Yan state exists in name only; this is all I can do."
"I will avenge you."
Yan Dan remained expressionless.
After saying this, he saw Six-Fingered Black Knight off on his final journey.
The Yin-Yang School ambushed the Six-Fingered Black Knight as a pledge of allegiance to the Qin State, and Donghuang Taiyi decided to completely side with the Qin State.
After deliberately taking several blows from the Yin Yang School's higher-ups, Yan Dan returned to the Mo Family's Mechanical City with the corpse of the Six-Fingered Black Knight.
Due to the suddenness of the event and the imminent threat of a formidable enemy, Yan Dan was able to become the acting Grand Master as he had wished.
After defeating the Yin-Yang School, Gao Jianli and Dao Zhi supported Yan Dan to become the leader. Master Xu said it was fine. Butcher Ding was far away in Qi. Even if he disagreed, with Master Ban, there would only be two votes. In the end, Yan Dan became the new leader of the Mohist School as he wished.
After becoming the new leader of the Mohist school, Yan Dan fulfilled his promise and significantly improved the leader's treatment.
……
the other side.
The Qin army approached Liaodong, the capital of Yan.
Because the supply lines were too long, Wang Ben hoped that King Xi of Yan would surrender directly.
At this time, King Xi of Yan was still waiting for news from King Dan of Yan.
"Your Majesty."
"I think His Highness either has no intention of returning to Liaodong, like Lord Yanchun."
"Wei, Qi, and Chu will not send troops to help."
Ju martial arts.
"Don't they understand the principle of 'if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold'?"
The King of Yan was pleased and angered.
Today's Yan state is tomorrow's Wei and Qi state.
Did the King of Wei and the King of Qi lose their minds?
The King of Han and the King of Zhao said, "When we were in danger of losing our country, we didn't see your Yan state send troops to help us."
So let's not judge each other.
"Wei has the will but not the ability."
“The State of Wei is right next to the tyrannical Qin and has long since submitted to Qin. If Wei dares to send troops to help, I'm afraid Qin will immediately send troops to attack Wei.”
"As for the State of Chu, it is beset by internal troubles. Would King Fuchu of Chu dare to take such a risk?"
"The State of Qi has always wanted to reap the benefits without lifting a finger. Getting them to send troops to help is even more difficult than getting Wei to destroy Qin!"
Ju Wu analyzed.
He had already guessed this outcome.
All of this was decided from the moment Jing Ke attempted to assassinate the King of Qin.
"Then, is surrendering the city the only option left for me?"
The King of Yan asked, unable to hide his disappointment.
He didn't want to be the ruler of a fallen kingdom!
"Not at all."
"The assassination attempt on the King of Qin by Jing Ke was all the Crown Prince's scheme. Your Majesty may be able to use the Crown Prince's head to appease the King of Qin's anger and relieve the immediate crisis."
"As for what to do next, whether to side with Qi or Chu, we can only take it one step at a time."
Ju Wu offered his advice.
Clearly, Qin was somewhat exhausted from years of warfare.
Otherwise, Wang Ben would have had no reason to besiege the enemy without attacking.
Haste makes waste.
If things drag on for another year or two, perhaps things will take a turn for the better.
Upon hearing this, the King of Yan fell into deep thought.
As the saying goes, even a tiger won't eat its cubs.
Yan Dan was, after all, his own flesh and blood, but if Yan Dan didn't die, he would die and be infamous for eternity.
Faced with the choice, King Xi of Yan had no reason to choose the latter.
So he sent someone to find Yan Dan. ...
Ten days later.
Mo Family Mechanical City.
Yan Dan, dressed simply, received a letter from King Xi of Yan.
"Make me commit suicide?"
"What does the life or death of the Crown Prince of Yan have to do with me, the leader of the Mohist school?"
Yan Dan sneered.
Then he burned the letter.
It's a good thing that King Xi of Yan died, because if he hadn't died, when he restored the kingdom in the future, would he have been the King of Yan or would his father have been the King of Yan?
Since King Xi of Yan was going to kill him anyway, there was no need for him to waste words with King Xi.
……
next month.
Wang Ben led his army to conquer Liaodong, captured King Xi of Yan, and the Yan state fell.
Ju Wu refused to surrender even unto death, while Yan Yi defected.
If Yan Yi hadn't defected, it would have been difficult to conquer Liaodong so quickly.
After the news reached Xianyang, Ying Zheng established Guangyang Commandery, Yuyang Commandery, Youbeiping Commandery, Liaoxi Commandery, and Liaodong Commandery in the former territory of the Yan State.
When Mei San Niang and Xu Lin returned to Qin, it was already summer.
While Qin was destroying Yan, Xu Lin was not idle either. With his help, Mei San Niang's cultivation advanced further, reaching the peak of the Grandmaster realm, which was infinitely close to Jing Ni.
"How do you plan to thank me?"
On the way back to Xianyang, Xu Lin looked at Mei San Niang and asked with a smile.
No one was driving, because Xu Linxin had recently acquired two horses that seemed to understand human nature.
Both horses are female and have exceptional stamina.
"If you want it, just ask for it directly. Why waste time talking?"
Mei San Niang said solemnly.
She doesn't like mothers-in-law who are fussy and indecisive.
"Do you think I could break down your defenses if I were to take this seriously?"
Xu Lin used his hand as a pillow and pressed for an answer.
He was very curious about this.
If you don't try it now, you'll have very few opportunities like this when you return to Xianyang.
After all, Xianyang is full of beautiful women.
"Maybe."
Mei San Niang looked very serious.
Her movements were precise and methodical, like something out of a textbook.
……
June.
The rain poured down, as if the sky were leaking.
Xu Lin arrived in Xianyang and finally broke through Mei San Niang's defenses.
Mei San Niang's weakness is behind her.
After her defenses were breached, Mei San Niang went limp.
Mei San Niang has been so busy with exchanges lately that she has forgotten about returning to the State of Wei.
This made Mei San Niang feel extremely guilty.
What annoyed her even more was that Xu Lin managed to break through her defenses without her knowing where her weakness lay.
It seems she still has a long way to go in terms of mastering martial arts.
……
July.
Xianyang, Xu Mansion.
A snow woman in a blue silk dress requests an audience.
Upon meeting Xu Lin, she first expressed her gratitude to him, and then said that she did not plan to open Feixue Pavilion anymore, but intended to spend the rest of her life studying art.
She has bought a house near the Xu residence, and told Xu Lin that if he is interested, he can come to her, and she is willing to dance for him.
"it is good."
Xu Lin readily agreed.
After the Snow Maiden left, Shadow Guard assassins arrived and said that the King wanted to hold a meeting at Zhangtai Palace.
After conquering Yan, Ying Zheng moved to Zhangtai Palace.
Ying Zheng planned to move back to Xianyang Palace after unifying the world.
When Xu Lin arrived, Wang Jian, Li Xin, Meng Wu, Yang Duanhe, and others were already studying the map.
As the saying goes, "One should strike while the iron is hot, but the momentum will wane on the second attempt and be exhausted on the third."
"I intend to take this opportunity to destroy Chu. What do you, my esteemed ministers, think?"
Upon seeing Xu Lin, Ying Zheng spoke.
He didn't invite Li Si, Lord Changping, and others because he wanted to see what Wang Jian, Xu Lin, and others thought about this first.
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Li Xin was the first to step forward.
The Yan state is too weak; there's no point in fighting it.
Everyone says that Xiang Yan's military skills are superb, perhaps even surpassing those of Lian Po and Li Mu, and he wants to meet Xiang Yan.
"What Your Majesty says is absolutely right."
"But...but I believe this matter should not be rushed."
Yang Duanhe followed closely behind.
He believes he needs to rest and recuperate for a period of time, at least six months.
Qin did grant titles based on military merit, but soldiers were, after all, human beings, and human beings needed rest.
Furthermore, it would take time to assimilate the Yan state.
"I believe this is an opportunity that should not be missed."
"However... the State of Chu is not comparable to Han and Yan. To destroy Chu, it would probably require a million troops."
Meng Wu said in a deep voice.
King Fuchu of Chu and the three clans of Qu Jingzhao are still negotiating. Now is indeed a good time to destroy Chu, but Chu is a vast country with a million armored soldiers, so it is still very difficult to destroy Chu.
"No."
"The State of Chu only claimed to have a million-strong army."
"If Chu truly had a million-strong army, wouldn't it wage war against Wei?"
"I estimate that Chu included the soldiers of Baiyue, and even the people of Baiyue."
"The King of Baiyue has long harbored resentment towards Chu. If our Great Qin were to wage war against Chu, Baiyue would very likely turn against us."
"Being attacked from both sides, how could Chu possibly avoid defeat?"
Li Xin said loudly.
In his view, the State of Chu could be destroyed in the blink of an eye and was not worth fearing.
In the war to destroy Yan, Li Xin did perform well, which made Ying Zheng think that he might become the next Wang Jian, or even Bai Qi.
So Li Xin continued speaking.
"Your Majesty."
"I only need 200,000 troops, and I can destroy Chu within half a year!"
Li Xin clasped his hands in greeting.
Wang Jian frowned, seemingly wanting to speak but then stopping himself.
Even if it's a straightforward conquest, how long would it take to conquer all the cities of Chu?
In Wang Jian's view, one should be steady and cautious, as arrogance leads to defeat. However, he was an old hand and would not reveal this matter, since Li Xin was not his son.
People can't teach him, and Li Xin is still young, so it's a good thing for him to suffer more.
If Ying Zheng hadn't personally sent someone to invite him, Wang Jian wouldn't have intended to get involved in the destruction of Chu, so he didn't want to express his opinion on it.
"Half a year?"
Ying Zheng also frowned.
He felt that Li Xin's words were too confident.
"I plan to divide our forces into two groups: one will launch a feigned attack, while the other will march straight to Shouchun."
"As long as we capture King Fuchu of Chu and the elders of Qu Jingzhao's three clans alive, won't the remaining cities be easily pacified with a single proclamation?"
Li Xin spoke eloquently, as if he had already conquered the State of Chu.
Upon hearing this, Xu Lin rubbed his fingers together a few times.
Xiang Yan is not Yan Yi, and the State of Chu is not the State of Yan. How easy is it to destroy Chu?
Moreover, there was Lord Changping within the Qin Dynasty.
There are still peasant schools in the martial arts world, and the Mohists are at odds with the Qin Dynasty.
"What is your opinion on this, sir?"
Ying Zheng looked at Xu Lin.
He didn't want to dampen Li Xin's spirits, but there were indeed some problems with what Li Xin said.
Did the conquest of Yan cause Li Xin to develop a path dependency?
Did they think that the six states of Shandong were all fish on a chopping board?
Han and Yan, and even Wei, could be considered fish on a chopping board, while Chu was clearly not.
"I believe we should not underestimate the enemy."
"Perhaps the claim of Chu's million-strong army is exaggerated, but destroying Chu will not be an easy task."
Xu Lin replied.
Historically, Li Xin's failure to conquer Chu was partly due to Lord Changping's defection, but even without Lord Changping, could Li Xin have defeated Chu with an army of 200,000?
To reiterate, Xiang Yan was not useless, and King Fu Chu of Chu was not as stupid as King Qian of Zhao.
"General Wang."
"If you were to attack Chu, how many men would you need?"
Ying Zheng nodded and looked at Wang Jian.
The reason he invited Wang Jian here today is precisely this.
Wang Jian was a wise and experienced strategist, a pillar of the Qin Dynasty. He wouldn't speak unless he was 90% certain.
Wang Jian's approach to warfare was the exact opposite of Li Xin's. Li Xin believed that the quality of an army was more important than its quantity. He believed that by leading fewer troops, the enemy would underestimate him, allowing him to march quickly and catch them off guard.
Wang Jian believed that winning a war depended on supplies, favorable timing, geographical advantage, and popular support.
He preferred to take things one step at a time, regardless of the other party's schemes or plots. (End of Chapter)