People in the Qin Dynasty sought good fortune and avoided misfortune.

Chapter 131, Han Fei: It's the same kind of flavor.
Sanghai, Xiaoshengxianzhuang.

Han Fei sat in his seat, repeatedly looking at the intelligence report in his hand, trying to analyze the situation in the entire state of Korea. However, his thoughts couldn't help but return to the time when he left Korea.

As a royal prince, he was exceptionally intelligent from a young age, possessing remarkable talent. By the age of fifteen, he had already mastered various schools of thought and was skilled in practical matters such as criminal law and taxation. Countless people placed their hopes for the revival of Korea on him.

If he were in another country, a royal prince like him would definitely be designated as the crown prince or grandson, waiting only for the time to inherit the throne.

Unfortunately, he was born in South Korea, a country that was surrounded by enemies on all sides, impoverished and weak, subservient to foreign powers and dominated by powerful ministers at home.

Thus, Han Fei, who should have been the hope of the state, became a target of fear and resentment.

For Qin to expand eastward, it needed the weakened state of Han. Zhao, aiming to become the leader of the Three Jin states, relied on Wei and Han to contend for hegemony with Qin.

The State of Chu had long coveted Nanyang and could not allow the State of Han to become prosperous. The State of Wei needed to regain its hegemony and needed to unite with the State of Han.

Within the state of Han, powerful ministers held sway and treacherous officials colluded. What they desired most were incompetent rulers like King An and Crown Prince Han, rather than ambitious figures like Han Fei.

Fortunately, he saw through everything and knew that South Korea did not need a royal prince who was obsessed with the revival of South Korea and was exceptionally brilliant.

Overnight, he transformed from a gifted and brilliant hope of Korea into Han Fei, a dissolute man who frequented brothels and spent his days drinking heavily.

Out of a sense of decency, the various factions did not eliminate him, but instead had King Han send him to Xiaoshengxianzhuang to study, thus saving his life.

As the saying goes, Chong'er lived abroad, and he understood that if he wanted to save Korea, he had to leave Korea first and accumulate strength.

"It's been eight years. I haven't set foot in South Korea for eight years."

Han Fei gripped the cloth tightly in his hand, his eyes gleaming with a sharp light.

He studied at Xiaoshengxianzhuang for eight years, spending his days doing as he pleased, indulging in wine and women. He gave the impression of being a down-on-his-luck young master with no ambition, thus numbing outsiders while secretly seeking an opportunity.

Now he has finally waited for this unprecedented opportunity. The Korean court is out of balance, and his fourth brother, Han Yu, is lame, which has resulted in the loss of an important corner of the court.

The lame prince has no chance of inheriting the throne, and if Zhang Kaidi and his clan want to fight against Ji Wuye, they must have someone who can stand up to Crown Prince Han, and Han Yu is clearly no longer capable of doing so.

However, the South Korean court cannot do without Han Yu right now, but a power vacuum has emerged, which is a good opportunity for him to return.

He understood that if he returned to South Korea at this time, his intentions would be obvious, and both Ji Wuye and his fourth brother Han Yu would turn against him.

But he had waited too long. He dreamt of that sorrowful dream day and night, with that unknown melody playing on repeat, and he vaguely felt a calling in his heart.

"Although it is a risky endeavor, high risk means high reward. If I miss this opportunity, I may never have the chance to change Korea in my lifetime," Han Fei said, looking at the box beside him.

Han Fei then looked at the cloth in his hand, his gaze fixed on the five characters: "Imperial Physician Xu Qing".

"Imperial Physician, although we have never met, I have long admired you." Han Fei's face showed an expectant smile.

Ever since Xu Qing became famous in Xinzheng, he had been keeping an eye on her. He cured Hu Meiren, gained the favor of the imperial concubines, practiced medicine in Xinzheng, accepted bribes, and indulged in wine and women.
To outsiders, Xu Qing's behavior seemed contradictory and absurd, making him difficult to comment on. However, to Han Fei, Xu Qing was simply another version of himself, a kindred spirit.

He and Xu Qing shared the same exceptional talent, overflowing with ability, and lofty ambitions. Both lived in the corrupt country of South Korea and were equally rejected by society.

They could only choose to cover up their ambitions with absurd behavior, and they even chose the exact same behavior.

The only difference is that Xu Qing, even amidst the decay of South Korea, remained true to his original aspirations and dared to seek change. He, on the other hand, chose to leave South Korea, accumulating strength while waiting for an opportunity.

More importantly, he sensed a kindred spirit in Xu Qing—not in personality or behavior, but in genuine kinship.
"Such a kindred spirit! After we meet, I must invite you to Zilan Pavilion for drinks," Han Fei said with a smile.

With anticipation, Han Fei put away the cloth in his hand, lay down on the bed, and prepared to rest.

The next morning, Han Fei found Xunzi, bid him farewell, and left. In the bamboo hut behind Xiaoshengxianzhuang, Han Fei respectfully knelt and bowed to Xunzi.

"Teacher, I'm leaving now," Han Fei said.

Xunzi stroked his beard and looked at Han Fei, his most beloved disciple. Now that Han Fei was leaving, he was naturally reluctant to part with him.

But he also knew that Han Fei's heart was not in Xiaoshengxianzhuang, but in Han, and he had no reason to stop his disciple from saving his country.

"Has the opportunity you have been waiting for been found?" Xunzi asked.

"Yes, disciple has found it. I'm afraid there will be no more such opportunities in the future," Han Fei said confidently.

“You still have several months before you finish your studies. If there’s anything you’d like to ask, feel free to ask,” Xunzi said.

He could offer Han Fei limited support, but he would do his best to support Han Fei in pursuing his ideals.

Just like when he was young, he chose to break the unspoken rule that Confucian scholars should not go to Qin. Knowing that going to Qin would not yield any results, he still went to Qin resolutely, even if he returned empty-handed in the end.

The reason he liked Han Fei so much was that he saw his younger self in Han Fei – the same stubbornness, the same willingness to change.

"I will always remember your kindness in teaching me, but now that I have chosen to set off, I have naturally made all the necessary preparations," Han Fei said with a smile.

"Since you've made up your mind, then go down the mountain," Xunzi said to Han Fei with a sigh.

He knew that Han Fei's future was destined to be fraught with danger, yet he did it anyway, just like the illusory dream Han Fei spoke of, which in the end was nothing more than a flower in a mirror and the moon's reflection in the water.

"Yes, teacher. Thank you for your guidance over the years," Han Fei said, bowing his head.

“Go ahead, you have your own path. Remember that I will always be your teacher. When you feel that you can no longer go on, you might as well look back at the way you came,” Xunzi said.

"is teacher."

Han Fei bowed to Xunzi again, then got up and walked out of the bamboo house. Li Si was already waiting for Han Fei outside the door.

"Senior brother, is your departure so sudden? Isn't it a bit rushed?" Li Si said.

"Time waits for no one, so what can I do? From now on, I will entrust my teacher to my junior brother's care."

Han Fei patted Li Si on the shoulder, his face still bearing that nonchalant smile.

"Don't worry, senior brother, I will take good care of the teacher. It's just that I feel a little sorry for you, senior brother. With your talent, it's really a pity." Li Si said with emotion.

Although he regarded Han Fei as a rival and a goal to surpass, they shared a deep bond of friendship that had lasted for years, and he genuinely felt sorry for Han Fei.

"Korea is my home, and I will definitely go back," Han Fei said with a smile.

Seeing this, Li Si said no more, and smiled slightly.

"Then you may go ahead, senior brother. We will meet again in the future."

"Okay, junior brother, take care."

"Take care, senior brother."

After bidding farewell to Li Si, Han Fei turned and left with his bundle on his back, heading towards the state of Han, which he had longed to visit.

Li Si watched Han Fei's departing figure in silence. "Don't worry, senior brother, I will soon catch up with you and surpass you!"
(End of this chapter)