In these few years, Fusu gradually grew under Qingnu’s guidance, and so did the Great Qin.
In the seventeenth year of King Zheng’s reign, Qin destroyed Han.
In the eighteenth year of King Zheng’s reign, Qin destroyed Zhao.
A few short lines of text passed by, yet they represented one magnificent period of history after another.
Under the trampling iron hooves of the Great Qin cavalry, the King of Han was relocated and the King of Zhao fled into exile. The ancestral shrines of both nations were reduced to ashes and smoke! The Qin army’s vanguard now pointed directly at the State of Yan.
Jicheng, the capital of Yan.
"The vicious Qin are like tigers and wolves! They destroyed the State of Han, and now they have destroyed the State of Zhao! Their troops are now stationed on the banks of the Yi River—our Great Yan is in peril!"
Crown Prince Ji Dan paced back and forth in his chambers, his expression anxious.
As a child, he had been a hostage in Zhao at Handan alongside Ying Zheng. However, Ying Zheng had been protected by the remarkably talented teacher Qingnu, while he had no one. Furthermore, since the strength of Yan was inferior to that of Zhao, his life as a hostage had been miserable from the start. Now that he had finally returned to Yan and become the Crown Prince, he still found himself living under the shadow of Ying Zheng!
"Why! Why does heaven favor that vicious Qin!"
Ji Dan roared, but no one dared to answer him.
Inside the chambers, the eunuchs and palace maids knelt on the ground, their bodies trembling slightly, not daring to make a sound.
"Someone! Someone!"
A person quickly shuffled forward on their knees and bowed. "The Crown Prince has a command?"
Ji Dan grabbed the person’s collar and whispered, "Go find someone! Find me anyone, as long as they are a bold and courageous warrior! Bring them to me!"
"Yes! Yes, please calm your anger, Crown Prince!"
The person nodded hurriedly and withdrew.
Inside and outside Jicheng, countless people were soon searching for the person Ji Dan required. Many who claimed to be courageous were sent to the palace, and Ji Dan met with them personally. However, when these people learned that Ji Dan wanted them to assassinate the King of Qin, they all took their leave.
After a long search, just as Ji Dan was nearing despair, one man accepted.
His name was Jing Ke!
Inside the Crown Prince’s palace, Ji Dan looked at the sword-bearing youth standing before him and asked, "Warrior... have you truly accepted?"
Jing Ke nodded and replied, "Indeed! Rest assured, Crown Prince, I shall die along with the King of Qin! However, I alone am not enough. To approach the King of Qin, I require other things!"
"What things? Speak, warrior, and I shall prepare them for you!"
Ji Dan asked quickly.
Jing Ke clasped his hands and bowed deeply to Ji Dan, saying in a low voice, "I want the head of Fan Yuqi and the map of the Dukang region in Yan. Using the name of offering land and the head of General Fan Yuqi as a gift, I shall approach the King of Qin and kill him!"
"The land of Dukang is manageable, but as for General Fan Yuqi..."
Ji Dan frowned, hesitating slightly. But seeing Jing Ke’s solemn expression and knowing he was the only hope for assassinating the King of Qin, he took a deep breath and nodded decisively.
"Fine! I shall prepare it for you! I will also appoint an assistant for you. There is a man in Jicheng named Qin Wuyang who killed a man at the age of twelve; his bravery is extraordinary!"
Jing Ke knelt and bowed. "My thanks to the Crown Prince!"
On the banks of the Yi River.
The winter was desolate. There was no sun, and dark clouds filled the sky.
Qin Wuyang stood behind Jing Ke, holding a lacquered box. In front of him and Jing Ke stood Ji Dan and his retainers. The cold wind of the Youyan region swept past, making the Yan banners flap loudly.
Ji Dan cupped his hands and bowed to Jing Ke in farewell. "Mister Jing Ke, the State of Yan is in your hands!"
"I, Jing Ke, shall not fail the Crown Prince’s trust!"
Jing Ke bowed to Ji Dan, then led Qin Wuyang across the Yi River, heading toward Xianyang!
Ji Dan stepped onto a high platform to one side and personally played the qin. The music was sharp and resonant, carrying across the riverbank.
"The wind soughs and sighs, the Yi River is cold; the brave warrior goes forth, never to return!"
"Into the tiger’s den, into the Jiao’s palace; he heaves a great sigh, turning into a white rainbow."
...
Xianyang, the capital of Qin.
As the capital of Great Qin, Xianyang had undergone several expansions over the past century and was now a magnificent and grand city!
"It is even more grand than Jicheng!"
Qin Wuyang looked up at the gates of Xianyang, sighing with admiration.
Jing Ke sat in the carriage, silent. He looked around, watching the residents of Xianyang coming and going along the streets. He noticed many people carrying sacrificial meat and grain, all heading in the same direction.
He ordered the carriage to stop and called out to a commoner. "Sir, where are you going?"
"Winter is approaching. We are going to worship the Jade Maiden of the Azure Heavens to pray for auspicious snow!"
The man replied.
The Jade Maiden of the Azure Heavens?
Jing Ke watched them walk in that direction, his expression curious. He had never heard of the Jade Maiden of the Azure Heavens in the legends of any other state. For the people of Xianyang to worship her like this, could it be that this Jade Maiden was truly efficacious?
Should he also go and pay his respects?
Jing Ke thought for a moment and said, "We shall go and see as well!"
Hearing this, Qin Wuyang looked somewhat flustered. He whispered, "Mister Jing, we are here to assassinate the King of Qin. Why must we..."
"Precisely because of that, we must not show any abnormality! The more composed we are, the safer we will be."
Jing Ke comforted Qin Wuyang, and the group turned to go to the Jade Maiden Shrine.
The shrine was already crowded with the commoners of Xianyang. The transition from autumn to winter was always the busiest time for the shrine; since it was about to snow, everyone wanted to worship the Frost and Snow Goddess who held dominion over wind and snow.
Jing Ke mingled with the crowd and bowed repeatedly.
Inside the Qin palace, Qingnu rolled over and suddenly sat up. She walked to the main hall of the Jade Maiden Shrine, looked at her own statue, and then looked outside.
Fusu, who was studying nearby, saw this and asked, "Teacher, what are you looking at?"
Fusu had inherited the excellent genes of his father and mother. Although he was only fifteen years old, he was already eight feet tall and possessed a majestic appearance!
Qingnu took a piece of fruit from the offering table and ate it as she asked, "Is there any major event happening in the Qin palace today?"
Fusu shook his head and said, "Nothing major."
Strange. Then why did she have this odd feeling?
While Qingnu was deep in thought, Fusu added, "However, in a few days, the envoys from Yan will have an audience with my father! Half a month ago, a message arrived from the border saying that the State of Yan wishes to present a map to Father."
Qingnu’s brow furrowed. "What is his name?"
Fusu thought for a moment and replied, "I believe it was... Jing Ke! Yes, his name is Jing Ke."
"Jing Ke..."
Once Fusu spoke the name, Qingnu repeated it and let out a long sigh.
Seeing this, Fusu asked softly, "Teacher, is there a problem?"
Qingnu shook her head and looked at Fusu. "It is nothing. Focus on your studies. You do not need to worry about other matters for now!"
Fusu said seriously, "But Father said I should start thinking about these things!"
Qingnu rolled her eyes. "He is in his prime and has decades to live. Why is he making you think so much?"
Fusu pursed his lips and looked at Qingnu. After a moment of silence, he suddenly asked, "Teacher, do you know? There are rumors that techniques for longevity exist in this world. If one practices the Dao or encounters an immortal, it might be possible to live forever! If such a thing exists, I must find it for Father!"
"Which storybook did you read that in?" Qingnu glanced at Fusu.
She waved her hand and said, "It is all fake! If such a skill truly existed, why haven't we seen any immortals appearing in the world?"
Fusu said, "Aren't you one, Teacher?"
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