The Qin Dynasty entered the game with love.

Qin's territory already bordered Zhao's, but it deliberately took a route through Han, leaving Wei feeling attacked from both sides.

Daliang, Wei State

King Wei Yu summoned his court officials: "The fact that Han borrowed a passage to attack Zhao and the Qin army did not originally concern Wei. However, since Han dared to borrow a passage to attack Zhao this time, it will likely borrow a passage to attack Wei in the future. Do you, my dear ministers, have any thoughts on this?"

Lord Xinling, Wei Wuji, stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, I am willing to unite the five states to resist Qin. Han is not strong enough on its own. Qin can easily force us to pass through with just a little intimidation. Han must be very frustrated. At this time, Wei can connect with the states and choose to fight between Qin, Zhao and Han. It can be said to kill three birds with one stone."

(See the author's note for a simplified version of the seven-nation map.)

King Wei was overjoyed: "Wuji, I am so fortunate to have you. From this day forward, Lord Xinling, Wei Wuji, shall be appointed Chancellor of Wei and travel to the five states to persuade them. Do any of you have any objections?"

All the officials already knew that Wei Wuji's theft of the tally to rescue Zhao was already an immense favor. Now, he was merely a chancellor, which he was naturally qualified for. All the officials paid their respects to the chancellor without any objection.

Wei Yu, thinking it was due to the admiration of the officials, laughed heartily in the main hall and left.

As soon as Wei Wuji left the palace, many court officials came to offer their congratulations.

"Everyone is worried about Lord Xinling's journey to the five states. It is common knowledge that Lian Po of Zhao was assassinated along the way. You must arrange for guards to protect him at every level."

Wei Wuji smiled broadly: "Thank you for your concern. I am a member of the imperial clan, and I will do my utmost to benefit the Wei Kingdom. On this trip, I ask that you all handle the affairs of the Wei Kingdom perfectly."

Everyone nodded in agreement. Wei Wuji's gentlemanly demeanor earned him the deep respect of the court officials, but it also sowed the seeds of future trouble.

When the cunning rabbit dies, the hunting dog is cooked; when the birds are all gone, the good bow is put away.

The enemy state was destroyed, and the strategist was killed.

Handan, Zhao State

Zhao Yan had just received news of Zhao You's death and hadn't been happy for more than a few days when he received news that the Qin army was attacking Han and that Han was borrowing troops.

Zhao Yan naturally refused, but the Qin army then used the route to attack Zhao, which angered him so much that he directly beat to death a palace maid who had spilled tea in her anger.

When Guo Kai arrived, he saw that the palace maid was on the verge of death. He gave a look to the people around him, and the palace maid was immediately carried away and thrown into the Cold Palace. Her body was burned to ashes. His skillful actions made all the eunuchs and palace maids shudder. The entire palace was trembling with fear, afraid of offending the new king.

Upon seeing Guo Kai, Zhao Yan threw his whip aside: "That Ying Zheng is a real wolf cub! I've only been on the throne for a month, and he dares to attack Zhao directly. Who does he think he is?"

Guo Kai wore a standard obsequious smile: "Your Majesty, you are now the ruler of a country. It's just Qin. You still have Li Mu and Hu Zhe, who are both very capable fighters. Let them go. Qin has 10 troops, and we will contribute 20. We expect to hear good news in less than a month."

Zhao Yan listened and found it somewhat reasonable: "You lad, I'm just missing someone as loyal as you by my side. Perfect, since that fellow Lian Po dared to run away, we'll just confiscate his property and use what we find for the war. The position of Prime Minister will also be vacant. I will definitely give you what I promised you before."

Guo Kai smiled broadly: "Your Majesty is wise. I am only clever because of your favor. Only by following you can I be of some use."

Zhao Yan's gloom vanished instantly, and he took the beautiful palace maid beside him and went straight to the backyard.

During the court assembly, Guo Kai was officially appointed as the Chancellor of the State of Zhao.

Lin Xiangru knew this calamity was coming the day Lian Po left. He lamented that the Zhao state was probably doomed, but thinking of the kindness of the late king, he could only diligently carry out his duties.

Li Mu received a new order to lead 10 soldiers to Wucheng to fight against Qin.

Hu Zhe also received orders to lead 10 troops to Pingyang. On the same day he received the order, he led the Zhao army to the border.

Qin army camp

Meng Ao looked at the map: "In another day, we will reach the border of Zhao. Wang Jian, obey my command: send 5 troops to Pingyang to capture the city, and Meng Wu will lead 3 troops to Wucheng as the vanguard."

The two men accepted the order and left together. Huan Yi, standing to the side, bowed and said, "General, 100,000 troops have secretly approached Shangdang."

Meng Ao nodded slightly: "In this struggle, other countries will surely come to interfere. 20 soldiers are not enough. I will send a message to the King of Qin to send reinforcements. You will lead 10 troops."

They marched eastward from Shangdang, crossed the Taihang Mountains, and penetrated deep into Zhao's rear from the north, capturing Chili and Yi'an. This pincer movement caught Li Mu off guard, but he still had to be wary of Han; if they harbored any other intentions, he should suppress them directly.

Huan Yi accepted the order: "Yes, General. This arrangement is a perfect plan."

After the man left, Meng Ao began to write down military secrets on cloth, and also requested an additional 100,000 troops to stabilize the east.

Xianyang Zhangtai

Upon receiving military intelligence from the front lines, Ying Zheng summoned his court officials to discuss the matter: "General Meng Ao is concerned that the other five states are requesting reinforcements of 100,000 troops. What do you think, my esteemed ministers?"

Chancellor Li Si stated: "The Zhao army is brave and strong, and with a general like Li Mu who is good at avoiding their elite troops and attacking their laziness, it is safest to increase the army by 100,000."

Grand Master Han Fei also supported this view: "The state of Han is only borrowing a passage; there is no question of them borrowing troops. On the contrary, the state of Wei, which borders Han, is the most worried and most likely to borrow troops. They need to send an additional 100,000 troops to guard the east."

Lord Ying Ji of Danyang pondered the supplies and provisions for the 300,000-strong army. Although it was somewhat difficult, it was not a crippling blow: "The logistics and supplies for the 300,000-strong army are enough to last for half a year. If it goes on for longer, I'm afraid the supply of provisions will be insufficient. We have been planting potatoes and sweet potatoes for years, and the land now needs to rest. We cannot continue planting this year. This battle should not be dragged on for too long."

Zhang Tang knelt down and said, "Your subject is willing to lead 100,000 troops to guard the east."

Yang Duanhe, also of humble origin, said: "I am willing."

The other ministers did not object; they debated where to allocate soldiers or whether to recruit a new batch.

Ying Zheng already had a plan in mind: "There are still 100,000 elite troops in the suburbs of Xianyang. Zhang Tang will lead his troops to Shangdang to await orders, and Yang Duanhe will recruit another 100,000 troops to continue training in the suburbs."

The city's garrison still has 5 elite troops, enough to withstand any unforeseen events. "An army marches on its stomach," so the Lord of Danyang ordered his troops to the granary to escort the supplies.

Ying Ji, Zhang Tang, and Yang Duanhe all accepted the order.

When Ying Ji returned to the palace, she found Zhang Liang already waiting for her: "Why are you back so early today?"

Zhang Liang frowned: "Why must you escort the grain? If it's really not possible, I can go myself."

Ying Ji patted the boy's head and comforted him, "I know you can figure this out. There are good and bad things about Han borrowing a route. The Bad People have received news that Lord Xinling of Wei has gone to Qi to persuade them to lend him troops. Qi is already interested in lending troops and is now heading to Chu. If the five states really form an alliance, Han will naturally join forces as well."

My trip there is also to reassure them. I will be stationed in South Korea to dispel their concerns; this is a decision made after discussions between Ah Zheng and me.

Zhang Liang let his arms hang limply, unsure of what to say, but his heart felt like it was being squeezed, burning and aching.

Ying Ji comforted him and coaxed him to sleep, reminding the Yuezhi to pay more attention, since the weather was getting warmer and Zhang Liang was always seeking coolness and was prone to catching a cold.

After dealing with matters in the palace, he went to Xianyang Palace to see Ying Zheng.

The man no longer reviewed memorials as usual; instead, a banquet was prepared, waiting for her.

Ying Ji took her seat: "Ah Zheng has been slacking off today."

The boy ignored him: "You absolutely have to go to Korea? I can marry you..."

"I will definitely go." Ying Zheng was interrupted before he could finish speaking.

Ying Ji patted the man's shoulder: "I don't know who said that marriage is the most unreliable thing, and you're just joining in the fun."

Ying Zheng's expression remained unchanged: "At worst, we can marry her and keep her as a decoration. The King of Han relies on his princess to marry into various families, which is not only useless but also makes him a laughing stock."

The woman downed her drink in one gulp: "How can people think the same way? King Han is at most a ruler who maintains the status quo. It's understandable that he can trust kinship ties. Why not let him make Zhang Liang a prince, and I can marry him? That would be just as feasible."

Ying Zheng was amused: "King Han is probably not that senile."

Ying Ji blinked: "How about we make a bet? I'll go to South Korea and give it a try. If I succeed, you can let Bai Changchuan start his own business."

Ying Zheng was surprised: "You're willing to let go?"

Ying Ji scratched her face sheepishly: "I don't think so. It's just that we haven't seen each other for a long time, so I wasn't really taking it that seriously."

Ying Zheng's suspicious gaze was blatant, and Ying Ji was furious: "Fine, fine, I'm not going to let him go. Even if he sets up his own business, he won't escape my grasp. It's good for him to go out and make his own way."

Ying Zheng withdrew his gaze, and he knew that, being of the Ying surname and having the magnanimity to release animals, was not quite like his elder sister.