socalfunplaces Chapter 215 made 6 nations wary!
Chapter 215 made 6 nations wary!
Seeing Lin Tian push open the door and enter, Zi Nu looked up to greet him and immediately asked, "Has Lü Buwei left?"
"They're gone. His demand for people is just a pretext; he probably has other plans." Lin Tian responded and took his seat in the main seat, briefly explaining the situation outside; Han Fei added details from the side, presenting them clearly and logically.
"Master is quite protective!" Yan Lingji's eyes sparkled with a smile, deliberately choosing the most harmless remark to tease, "Just now, Li Wu and we all heard it—Li Wu, is she one of yours?"
Lin Tian glanced at her sideways: Here to cause trouble again?
Yan Lingji understood immediately, covered her lips and chuckled, her eyes burning as she looked back: I'm determined to stir things up.
Li Wu quietly stepped forward. She was usually very quiet, always cold and aloof, with an air of refined elegance.
At this moment, she lowered her head slightly, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her sleeve. She didn't even dare to look at Lin Tian, and only said in a low voice, "Thank you for your favor, young master... I am willing to take up my blade to protect you, and also... that young lady."
"You have come back from the dead and broken free from Lü Buwei's control. Although I personally severed your lifeline, I also personally pulled you back to the mortal world. Stay by my side, you don't have to act against your conscience, and you don't have to wrong yourself."
……
Lin Tianlian was determined to take action back then because of her precarious background; looking back now, that step was taken with great care.
After that, nothing else happened. Lin Tian kept Zhang Liang, Han Fei, and Wei Zhuang for a private talk, listening to them recount their recent activities.
Then, he revealed his plans for a northern expedition against the Xiongnu and exposed the underhanded schemes Li Mu had laid in the Zhao state.
"The only way to break this deadlock is to eradicate the Xiongnu threat once and for all. All seven kingdoms say the northern deserts are bitterly cold, making it difficult for cavalry to garrison and supply lines to be maintained—but I don't believe in this impregnable fortress!" Lin Tian's tone was calm as his gaze swept over the three men. "If the enemy can advance unimpeded, so too can I brave the snow and capture their king!"
"Brother Lin, who do you plan to send to lead the army?" Han Fei frowned slightly, his face full of astonishment. "Could it be... that you really intend to personally don the armor?"
It's not that I doubt his fighting ability, but I'm shocked that he would abandon his sword and instead take up a saber and mount his horse? I really can't understand it!
Lin Tian laughed loudly: "I want a great victory—a victory that will shake the court and intimidate all officials! Let those old and arrogant officials in Xianyang understand who the real power is. I also want to take this opportunity to consolidate military power! Meng Tian has already secretly submitted. If we really set out, his Meng family army will deserve the greatest credit."
This great achievement of defeating the northern barbarians and eradicating their strongholds was the generous gift Lin Tian prepared for Meng Tian.
If this battle succeeds, military power will be in his hands, and everything will fall into place naturally. From the very beginning, Lin Tiantu's goal was not only to expose Li Mu's scheme, but also to leverage the situation and advance step by step.
"Zhang Liang and Han Fei, you two will represent Qin in negotiations with the embassies of the six states in my name and Ying Zheng's name—especially Bai Yifei, you must make sure he sees the weight of Qin's iron hooves! Make him afraid, make the six states wary! Make them suspicious of each other, hinder each other, and shirk responsibility—the longer it drags on, the more time we have, and the more stable our northern expedition will be."
Lin Tian felt he had already explained everything clearly.
Han Fei hesitated. Lin Tian's eyes darkened, and his voice suddenly lowered: "Han Fei, can't you get rid of your indecisiveness? Protecting the peace and well-being of the people of Han and ensuring the continuation of the Han imperial lineage, that is the real lifeline you should be holding onto—don't forget who you are."
"Yes, I understand! I will do my utmost with Zifang to live up to your trust." Han Fei's expression turned solemn as he solemnly agreed.
In the Prime Minister's Mansion.
When Lü Buwei stepped into the main hall, he was slightly surprised to see Bai Yifei still sitting upright at the table. He slowly walked forward and took his seat in the main seat.
Upon seeing his return, Bai Yifei immediately asked, "Just as I expected?"
"The Blood-Clad Marquis is incredibly insightful." Lü Buwei straightened his back, took out a small ebony box from his sleeve, placed it on the table, his brows furrowed with dark clouds, and a hint of anger flickered in the corners of his eyes.
Bai Yifei, observing the expressions on people's faces, immediately held his breath and became extremely cautious.
"Have the Gu worms been planted?" he asked in a low voice.
"Hmph! Your Baiyue secret Gu is quite cunning!" Lü Buwei placed his palm on the black box, tapping it three times slowly with his fingertips, his voice cold and hard, "How could it be so easy to obtain?"
The box contained the Baiyue rare Gu, a gift from Bai Yifei and left behind by Crown Prince Longze. It was specifically designed to suppress top experts. Once it entered the body, its use would damage the five internal organs; it lay dormant and silent, but its attack would be fatal.
Bai Yifei gave this item with the intention of poisoning Lin Tian.
But he knew Lin Tian was troublesome and hadn't held out much hope; now that he had failed, he only felt a little regretful and a faint sense of disappointment rose in his heart.
"Besides the old affairs of the six states, I'm afraid the Blood-Clad Marquis has other plans for entering Qin this time?" Although Lü Buwei hated Lin Tian to the core, he was not confused at all.
As the Prime Minister of Qin, his position would crumble like a tower built on sand if the state's power faltered. With Bai Yifei, this double-edged sword, hanging over his head, how could he dare to be careless?
Blood-Clad Marquis Bai Yifei slowly walked to the front of the hall, bowed deeply to Prime Minister Lü, his robe sleeves hanging down like ink, and said in a clear and cold voice: "This trip is purely official business - I am sent to Xianyang on the orders of King Han An to formally demand the return of Han Fei and Zhang Liang."
"Oh? If that's really the case, then it saves trouble." Lü Buwei narrowed his eyes, his tone indifferent yet sharp. "Tomorrow morning at court, I will personally handle things on your behalf, Marquis. Among the kings and marquises of Han, only you, Bai Yifei, have been granted the title of marquis. This weight is not something you can obtain by chance. I won't elaborate on the proper conduct in court, but I hope you will remember this: do not disappoint those you have personally promised."
"With a mere urging, we will surely drive Lin Tian out of Qin!" Bai Yifei declared resolutely.
"Kill him? I haven't even considered that." Lü Buwei tapped the table lightly with his fingertips, his expression calm. "But I still have the strength to banish him from Qin territory forever." — Ever since hearing the rumors of Lin Tian's ability to shatter iron halberds with his bare hands and trample thousands of soldiers, he had quietly abandoned his murderous intent and instead planned his escape route: as long as Lin Tian left Xianyang, his position as Prime Minister would be as solid as a rock.
Before dawn the next day, the Imperial Preceptor's residence was already bustling with noise.
Lin Tian was abruptly pulled awake from his bed. Still sleepy and with his eyelids drooping, he heard a voice say, "The King summons you to court immediately!"
It was Gai Nie who arrived, with a vermilion-lacquered and gold-embroidered imperial carriage parked behind him—it was actually the imperial carriage used by Ying Zheng for his hunting expeditions.
Someone who's flown in an airplane, why would they care about a horse-drawn carriage? Lin Tian yawned, completely unconcerned.
However, the ancients preferred to get up at the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), and the entire household would already be quietly getting dressed, rinsing their mouths, and adjusting their hats.
It just so happens that Lin Tian entrusted Zhang Liang with a matter last night, and seeing that he was dressed neatly with his hair tied up and wearing jade ornaments, he casually asked, "Is everything prepared?"
He was standing in the main hall, side by side with Gai Nie, preparing to set off for the palace.
Zhang Liang cupped his hands and replied, "As you instructed, everything has been arranged and is located inside the gate of the manor."
"Gai Nie, send a guard to fetch—a black wooden box, about three feet long." Gai Nie accepted the order and left with steady steps.
Nongyu stepped into the hall carrying the set of dark blue imperial advisor's official robes embroidered with cloud patterns, and asked suspiciously, "Young master, why are you carrying this out if you're not going to wear it?"
That court robe was sent by Ying Zheng as a special envoy. Lin Tian disliked it for being too tight around the neck and wrists, so he casually stuffed it deep under the bed.
Zi Nu, accompanied by Hong Lian, entered the main hall from the backyard. Upon hearing this, she smiled and said, "Perhaps... he really wants to put on airs today?"
Honglian, however, made no attempt to be reserved. She excitedly stepped forward, took Lin Tian's arm, and pleaded softly, "Brother Lin Tian, can I go to the palace with you?"
"Didn't the King bestow upon you a waist token? You can go wherever you want, just let Li Wu accompany you." Lin Tian casually agreed.
Honglian's face lit up immediately, and she took off running, exclaiming, "Great! I'll call Sister Liwu right now!"
As Han Fei and Wei Zhuang entered, Gai Nie had just returned, but his face showed astonishment, and his gaze was fixed on Lin Tian's face...
He bowed his head and reported, "Sir, the box has been retrieved and placed outside the door. But—what use do you need it for?"
"When you're putting on an act, you have to make it so real that even you believe it." Lin Tian smiled and turned to Nongyu. "Wrap the official robes up tightly and put them in the coffin by the door. Later, have Gai Nie pull it along into the palace."