I switched allegiance to Zhang Han and rebuilt the Qin Dynasty; Liu Bang was heartbroken.

Shusun Tong originally thought that at most, he would not be able to invite the few scholars who lived in seclusion in Shangshan to join the Qin Dynasty.

However, their disciples still have a good chance.

However, to my surprise, I have yet to formally meet any of the hermits.

They had their own private disciples and servants, and they stopped Shusun Tong.

Shusun Tong was there to visit and extend an invitation. As an official in charge of etiquette in the Qin Dynasty, he would never have trespassed on someone's property.

However, at this moment, Shusun Tong was somewhat angered.

Where did these old guys get the audacity to keep refusing him entry?

Etiquette is reciprocal.

If these guys continue to be so rude, he'll have to resort to other methods.

Seeing the servant hesitate and want to refuse, Shusun Tong's expression turned cold: "Why aren't you going yet?"

"Tell them one more thing: If I desire benevolence, then benevolence will arrive!"

The servant was stunned. Wasn't this a quote from the Analects, about benevolence and righteousness? But the current Shusun Tong was quite frightening.

He even sensed an extremely chilling killing intent, trembled slightly, and asked in bewilderment, "W-what do you mean?"

Shusun Tong grinned: "His Majesty said that this means, 'I can tear anyone in two if I want to!'"

Shusun Tong unleashed the full power and authority of a Qin official; he had traveled the world and had also killed people.

"Although I am not in the Qin army, I still know a little bit of martial arts. Let's see what these old guys think!"

The servant instantly felt a wave of fear wash over him.

He glanced fearfully at the Qin soldiers outside the manor and hurried back to report.

As he was leaving, he seemed to hear the Qin soldiers talking amongst themselves: "The Xiongnu have been wiped out, so why can't we deal with a few old guys who are resisting Qin? Should we wipe them out too?"

The servant was so frightened that he quickly fled in a blur.

……

At this moment, deep within the manor, in a study, sat more than a dozen people.

Leading the group were the four reclusive masters of Shang Mountain, surrounded mainly by their disciples.

And a special visitor who intruded on his own.

One of the four hermits said in a deep voice, "It's not that I don't want to help you, but I am no longer the great Qin scholar I once was!"

"This Qin is no longer the Qin I knew!"

"I am powerless to grant your requests!"

The visitor said softly, "Gentlemen, His Majesty said that as long as you can assist Mr. Lou Jing this time, all past favors will be forgiven."

"He proposed a marriage alliance with the Xiongnu, which is actually a policy of governance for the Qin state and will also benefit the Qin. You do not need to enter the court to serve as officials, nor are you enemies of the Qin or spies for the Southern Yue. You only need to rely on your past reputation to persuade the Qin Emperor."

The men's eyes widened in anger.

The person who was speaking was the envoy from Nanyue.

Asking them to persuade the Qin Emperor and influence the Qin state's policies is no different from asking them to serve as officials in the court.

They were a group of people who were utterly disappointed with the Qin Dynasty and had lived in seclusion for many years.

However, Zhao Tuo was also a renowned scholar, and he had a close relationship with them, having once saved their lives.

When Zhao Tuo sent people to ask for their help, the debt of gratitude for saving their lives made it impossible for them to directly refuse.

They just kept dragging things out.

However, the envoy was also getting restless, and his true intentions were revealed.

Using kindness to seek repayment is not the behavior of a gentleman.

The envoy was clearly in a very anxious state.

Lord Dongyuan sighed and looked around at the crowd: "Gentlemen, what do you all think?"

"After dragging this out for so long, they should at least give us a definite answer."

Everyone fell silent again.

They are hermits, but that doesn't mean they are completely indifferent to the outside world. Their influence as famous figures remains, and their fame only grows stronger the more they live in seclusion.

Over the years, the Qin state has undergone tremendous changes, and they have all known about it until the current Qin emperor rebuilt the world. They have even been deeply moved by it!

Things are different now; the current Qin emperor is completely different.

Although they may appear to be the same warlords, those in their positions have a much broader perspective.

The Qin emperor valued talent, promoted education, and stabilized the people's hearts; all these measures demonstrated the great talent and strategic vision of this ruler.

In their eyes, the Qin Emperor's current achievements are enough to surpass those of his father.

the student surpasses the master.

A great emperor throughout history, nothing surpasses this.

As renowned figures, they were naturally moved.

Otherwise, I wouldn't have trained so many disciples over the years.

However, the more reclusive a hermit becomes, the more aloof and detached they become.

Their departure from Qin was not honorable, and they will not voluntarily return to Qin now.

Indeed, someone from the Qin state had come to invite them before, but they were still waiting to see how things went and did not accept.

The number of people who came was not enough.

It has been delayed until now, and Qin has finally completed the empire's resurgence!

While everyone was lost in thought, Zhao Tuo unexpectedly sent someone!

Frankly, no one wants to help Zhao Tuo right now.

These renowned scholars, who value their reputation highly, have remained out of seclusion until now, waiting for someone to appear who can make their fame even more brilliant.

What kind of person is Zhao Tuo now?

They're traitors!

He is the number one traitor of the Qin Dynasty!

He amassed a powerful army and betrayed the Qin Dynasty.

Associating with Zhao Tuo would only insult them.

However, failing to repay kindness is not the behavior of a gentleman.

They then ignored the envoy for several days, and even disregarded Shusun Tong, who had come to visit them a few days earlier.

They're feeling guilty.

However, once the envoy could no longer sit still and took the initiative to speak, they had to make a decision.

This can't go on forever!

Mr. Luli, well-versed in ancient and modern classics, scoffed, "Heh heh, marriage alliances are a helpless act by which a weary nation must offer tribute to a powerful hegemon!"

"His Majesty of Qin is powerful. In three years, he unified the four seas and ordered his elite troops to go north to destroy the Xiongnu tribe. They have won several consecutive victories."

"What makes you think that His Majesty will listen to us and adopt Lou Jing's marriage alliance strategy to appease the Xiongnu?"

"Furthermore, what gives you the right to allow Lou Jing to enter Guanzhong under our name!"

The envoy seemed to have been prepared and did not panic immediately. He remained calm, and his face was obscured by his black robe, but people could sense his extraordinary demeanor.

"Lou Jing is a man of great talent. While traveling the world, he unexpectedly entered Nanyue and was highly regarded by the king."

"With everyone's help, the Qin Emperor will surely be persuaded!"

Several renowned scholars fixed their cold gazes on the envoy and said in a chilling voice, "Zhao Tuo is a native of Zhao, isn't he? Back then, Li Mu marched north to destroy the Xiongnu, defeating 100,000 Xiongnu in one battle, deterring them from venturing south for twenty years!"

"Zhao Tuo's ancestors were also soldiers who fought in the north. Why are they now going to such lengths to persuade the Qin Dynasty to make peace with the Xiongnu through marriage?"

What benefit would this bring to Zhao Tuo?

No matter how calm the messenger may appear now, it doesn't change one fact.

Zhao Tuo was so anxious that he was willing to risk ruining his own reputation by taking advantage of the favor he had received, and sent an envoy to beg for help.