Qin Dynasty: Starting with clinging to Zhao Ji's thigh

The grand assembly at the beginning of the year is followed by some celebrations.

Even in the Qin state, which was known for its martial prowess, there were few restrictions on the celebrations of the first day of the new year.

But neither Lü Buwei nor Ying Jing are currently interested in these activities.

After leaving Xianyang Palace, Ying Jing did not immediately return to the Prince's residence, but instead followed Lü Buwei to the Prime Minister's residence located in the center of Xianyang City.

The handover of the Luo Wang network was quite complicated. Ying Jing needed to obtain all the lists, spies, and various one-way communication methods from Lü Buwei.

Perhaps having already prepared for the opportunity to cut off the net and save his own life, Lü Buwei did not cause any further trouble.

He might have been prepared for this all along.

The lists in the several large boxes were not written on paper, but were all engraved on bamboo slips.

Furthermore, the methods of communication among these various clandestine agents needed to be personally passed down by Lü Buwei.

Compared to Zhao Ji, Lü Buwei's side was much more secretive and professional.

"Lord Changxin, how about we play a game of Go?"

Just as Ying Jing was about to leave, Lü Buwei suddenly spoke up.

Looking at the elderly man with gray hair in front of him, Ying Jing did not refuse.

In the small courtyard of the Prime Minister's residence.

The cold wind was biting, causing the winter bamboo stalks to sway and shake.

Snowflakes fell one by one, leaving mottled white marks on the emerald green bamboo leaves.

Inside the bamboo grove was a small pavilion, in which was placed a small table with a chessboard and two cups of tea.

Steam rises from the tea, occasionally swirling down with snowflakes that melt into the tea, adding a touch of coolness.

Lü Buwei removed his official robes, put on a loose-fitting woolen coat, and knelt before the table.

Opposite him, Ying Jing sat facing him, slowly lowering a black piece in his hand.

This was, in fact, the first time Ying Jing had ever interacted with Lü Buwei in private.

Contrary to expectations, the two were quite amicable.

Even if you secretly wish the other person dead, you still have to put on a friendly mask.

Even if they are enemies, there's no need to shout and kill them the moment you meet; that's a child's mentality.

Even enemies can still sit together, drink tea, play chess, and chat about their life ideals.

Ying Jing made his move quickly, as if without thinking.

Lü Buwei, on the other hand, could keep up with Ying Jing's speed before the thirtieth move, but afterwards he needed more and more time to think.

By the time he reached the hundredth move, his entire old face was almost completely wrinkled up, and he needed to think for a long time before making each move.

"I'm getting old after all..."

Staring at the chessboard in front of him, Lü Buwei placed another white piece, accompanied by a long sigh.

He is no longer the same as a young man; not only is his body no longer as sharp, but his mind is also no longer as agile.

Time is like a knife, each cut aging us.

Ying Jing tried to comfort the old man in front of him, but his words were somewhat hurtful.

As they spoke, Ying Jing placed a black piece in his hand, and the two remained evenly matched, locked in a fierce battle.

"A hundred years of life is but a fleeting moment. Since Prime Minister Lü is aware that his days are numbered, why should he be so attached to it?"

Lü Buwei's complexion was somewhat dark.

He only said he was getting old; when did he ever say he didn't have much time left?

This kid looks kind, but he's actually sharp-tongued and even more cunning than I am!

"I have three wishes in my life. First, I wish to break free from the shackles of the low status of merchants and be granted a title and a high position."

"My second wish is to lead the Qin state to prosperity and strength, expand its territory, and even conquer the other six states."

"My third wish is that the Lüshi Chunqiu (Annals of Lü) will be passed down to future generations and its fame will last for ten thousand generations."

Lü Buwei did not make another move for a long time; he simply stared at the chessboard and murmured to himself.

The wrinkles on his aged face seemed to have smoothed out quite a bit, and his gray hair fluttered in the cold wind, dancing with the snowflakes.

At this moment, it was as if he was no longer the powerful and influential Prime Minister of Qin who had navigated the treacherous waters of officialdom.

He was simply an elderly man looking forward to his life's ideals as he aged.

"Prime Minister Lü has done a very good job over the years."

Regardless of his stance, Ying Jing had to admit that Lü Buwei's life was indeed a legend.

His existence had a profound impact on the overall historical trend.

He is destined to be a figure who will go down in history!

"To be ennobled and appointed prime minister, Prime Minister Lü accomplished that long ago."

"In recent years, under the leadership of Prime Minister Lü, the Qin state has swept away the Zhou emperor and caused Lord Xinling's five states to return empty-handed from their campaign against Qin. The state's strength has been growing day by day, and it has also expanded its territory."

Ying Jing took a sip of tea, the heat dissipating as the snow water had been incorporated into it.

This did not affect the taste; on the contrary, it added a touch of coolness, giving it a unique flavor.

"As for conquering the six kingdoms, that is not something that can be accomplished overnight. Prime Minister Lü is already quite old, so why worry about it?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Ying Jing placed the teacup back on the table beside the chessboard.

"Each generation should do its own thing. Prime Minister Lü has already done what he needed to do. The rest can be left to those who come after him."

"Prime Minister Lü...do you agree?"

Lü Buwei remained silent.

After a long while, he finally placed his white piece on the board again.

Ying Jing continued to move quickly, placing a black piece.

This time, Lü Buwei was not slow either; his move speed actually caught up.

Ying Jing was not surprised and continued to maintain his own pace.

White and black pieces complement each other.

Seventeen lines crisscross the chessboard, and black and white pieces battle it out, going back and forth.

But soon, Lü Buwei's brows furrowed tightly.

His speed increased, but White's position worsened, and he was on the verge of collapse.

"I read a principle in a book: the more you do, the more mistakes you make. What do you think, Prime Minister Lü?"

Ying Jing calmly placed another piece.

A single word awakened the person from their dream.

Despite the falling snow, Lü Buwei suddenly broke out in a cold sweat.

He finally realized the mistake he had made.

Despite years of substantial accumulation, they have fallen to such a state in such a short time, and have no choice but to cut their losses to survive.

The more you do, the more mistakes you make!

Fearing loss of power, he continued to take action, but the more he did these things, the more dirt he revealed.

"Lord Changxin is a man of great wisdom. His advice today has enlightened me greatly."

Lü Buwei smiled with narrowed eyes, placed a piece, and switched to a defensive stance.

Ying Jing shook his head slightly and placed a piece on the board unhurriedly.

After ten moves.

Lü Buwei remained silent.

Ying Jing picked up another black chess piece and placed it steadily on the chessboard.

Slay the dragon!

"If it had been earlier, perhaps we could have held on a bit longer, but given the current situation, how can we hold on any longer? We will inevitably lose if we hold on for too long. Doesn't Prime Minister Lü understand this principle?"

Lü Buwei stared at the chessboard, remaining silent for a long time.

Finally, he slowly stood up and bowed.

"Please teach me, Lord Changxin."

Ying Jing was somewhat surprised that Lü Buwei had condescended to ask him for advice; it was truly unbelievable.

But this also demonstrates Lü Buwei's extraordinary nature.

He picked up a white chess piece from the chess box next to Lü Buwei and gently placed it on the chessboard.

"This...this is..."

Lü Buwei was immediately taken aback.

At first glance, this seems like a dead end, but upon closer examination, it does seem to offer a way out.

"It is better to give up than to defend, and better to retreat than to defend. Start over and create a new world."

Ying Jing had also gotten up. He looked at the winter bamboo in the forest, where green bamboo shoots were emerging from the soil.

"Prime Minister Lü had three wishes in his life. The first wish has been fulfilled, the second wish has been half fulfilled, and the remaining half will be completed by those who come after him."

"Only the third wish is that the Prime Minister's Lu Family Annals, based on the Taoist Huang-Lao philosophy, fused the doctrines of various schools of thought into one, yet was despised by all of them."

"If you want to establish your own school of thought and leave a lasting legacy for future generations, Prime Minister Lü still needs to devote more energy to refining it."

After speaking, Ying Jing slowly stepped out of the courtyard.

Behind him, Lü Buwei sat down again, his brows furrowed and he did not relax them for a long time.

When they reached the entrance of the courtyard, Ying Jing suddenly thought of something else, and his expression became somewhat strange.

"If Prime Minister Lü ever completes a great work, we should hang it on the city wall and offer a thousand gold pieces for a single revision. For every word changed, we will reward you with a thousand gold pieces."