Qin Shi Ambitious

Page 146

"Come and support!"

The two men screamed, and the sound attracted about a dozen soldiers guarding other areas.

Driven by their heightened tension, they raised their spears and thrust them at Duanmu Rong without asking any questions...

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Lu Wei had been calculating the time precisely: Nian Duan's physical condition at the time of his departure was still sufficient to last for three more months, and the situation described in Duanmu Rong's letter later was consistent with his estimation.

However, the Hall Master cannot wait until exactly three months before setting off for Mirror Lake. Arriving a month in advance will allow him to briefly explore the area around Mirror Lake and have a clear idea of ​​where Mirror Lake should be placed in the Gonggong Hall in the future.

Riding at full speed, Lu Wei returned to the shores of Mirror Lake one afternoon.

Seeing the familiar ship docked at the main road pier, he realized that Duanmu Rong had come out of the medical manor.

But before he could search for and wait for Xiao Duanmu to arrive, the same burning smell in the air drew him to Dahu Manor: he had arrived an hour earlier than Duanmu Rong.

Using his Soul-Swaying Technique to hypnotize a soldier, Master Lu learned about the epidemic in the area and that no young girls skilled in using silver needles to stab people had been found in the village. Only then was he relieved.

Nian Duan and Duanmu Rong's original route has now been completely changed. They are following Lu Wei's design in general, but some minor details may have undergone huge changes.

The boats from the medical clinic were at the dock, but Duanmu Rong had disappeared, and a fire was burning in the village... The worst-case scenario was that the young, still-developing medical fairy was trying to help with the epidemic in the village, only to be killed by the soldiers.

Even though he knew Duanmu Rong wasn't there, Lu Wei still couldn't leave. At least not until the soldiers left.

The acrid smell of burning kerosene would always draw Duanmu Rong's attention whenever she arrived at Mirror Lake.

If I were to leave by land and Xiao Duanmu happened to be rowing across the lake, causing us to miss each other, then no matter how things ultimately turn out, it would definitely deviate from my plan.

Just in case, and also to test the art of living in seclusion in the city that he had been learning over the past two months, he stayed behind to wait.

As the burning of the village neared its end, the slender figure finally appeared on the lake, but Duanmu Rong's subsequent recklessness prevented Master Lu from immediately appearing.

Only when she was surrounded and had learned her lesson did he slip away, grab Xiao Duanmu, board the boat, and escape.

"Brother Lu!"

Duanmu Rong, panting, cried out in surprise.

Her hair was now a mess, she looked extremely disheveled, and the fabric of her clothes on her shoulders and chest was torn, as the spear had almost gone deeper into her collarbone.

Compared to the thief incident he encountered on the road last time, Lu Wei could now say with righteous indignation: if he hadn't appeared in time, the little girl would definitely have been in grave danger.

Duanmu Rong probably still has some medicinal powder on her body that could help her escape, but even if she escapes, her injuries will not be light.

"Don't speak, calm your mind first."

Ignoring the soldiers' curses on the shore, Lu Wei gripped the oar, glanced at Xiao Duanmu, and headed towards the location of the medical village, estimating the direction.

"Hmm," Duanmu Rong reflected on her carelessness and the danger she had encountered. In her emotional state, she wanted to ask what had happened at Dahu Manor, but she was attacked, and by the time she tried to evacuate, it was too late.

Duanmu Rong was unwilling to reveal the myriad emotions she felt about what had happened to Dahuzhuang.

She took out the headscarf she had taken off earlier, rinsed it clean in the clear lake water, wiped the dust from her face and arms from the fight, and then straightened her hair. After that, she calmed down completely.

"Brother Lu, thank you for saving me again."

Her gaze drifted to the lord of the hall paddling at the stern of the boat, but quickly averted again, looking at her own reflection in the lake. Duanmu Rong forced herself to stay alert and muttered to herself.

"You owe me three times, just remember to pay me back next time."

Lu Wei responded calmly.

"Three times?" The girl at the bow of the boat stared at him again, her eyes wide. He nodded matter-of-factly and stared back at her. "And the other time was the deception of the Nourishing Soup."

"Oh," Xiao Duanmu said without objection.

As night falls, the starry sky over Mirror Lake seems perpetually cloudless, with the vast Milky Way stretching across the sky and below the boat.

Two months had passed since Duanmu Rong last visited the medical clinic, and the completely renovated environment proved that her diligence had not diminished during this time.

"Master is probably already asleep by now," Xiao Duanmu gently reminded him before they entered the medical clinic.

"Brother Lu, please go to your room and rest. Your room is always kept very clean."

"I still need to brew medicine for my master. I'll call you a little later after dinner is heated up!"

The two parted ways in the central courtyard. Duanmu Rong quickly walked into the medicine-brewing room, and as the firewood was lit, soft sobs could be heard.

It was probably because of the people of Dahuzhuang; only when she was alone did Duanmu Rong express her embarrassment...

If Lu Wei were to walk into the pharmacy now, he'd most likely receive a hug from a young girl.

...

Unlike the peaceful and tranquil atmosphere at Jinghu Medical Village, on the battlefield in Zhao, the city of Handan, which had been besieged for many days, opened its gates a little earlier amidst a noisy wailing.

After several days of persuasion from Chancellor Guo Kai, King Zhao Qian opened the gates and surrendered.

The State of Zhao perished.

Chapter 166 Treating the Epidemic

The State of Zhao perished.

The Yan state in Jicheng was still putting up a stubborn resistance, while the Yan state in Liaodong was only working sporadically. This gave King Dan of Yan the time to organize and mobilize troops to encircle and annihilate the small groups of Qin soldiers who had invaded Yan territory, forcing the Qin soldiers to temporarily withdraw from the Yi River.

It's easy to see that while King An of Han and King Qian of Zhao, who have already been captured, are still alive for the time being, King Dan of Yan, who organized Jing Ke's assassination attempt on the King of Qin, will surely die when the city falls.

In order to survive a little longer, he will definitely resist to the very end.

However, Wang Jian did not immediately march north to attack Yan after conquering Zhao, partly because he wanted to give his soldiers time to rest.

On the other hand, King Zheng of Qin is about to arrive at Handan!

As a child, King Zheng of Qin spent several years as a hostage in Handan, where he suffered greatly from bullying.

Now, his army has conquered this city and this country!

Returning to a familiar place is a time to feel proud and triumphant.

This is also the time to retaliate!

After the entire city of Handan was taken over by the Qin army, martial law was imposed, and no Zhao people were allowed to leave, waiting for the arrival of the King of Qin.

Prince Jia, who had fled Handan with his confidants and nobles beforehand, fled north to Dai. After learning that the State of Zhao had fallen, he occupied Dai and proclaimed himself King of Dai.

In the past few years, when Daidi suffered a major disaster, it was Lu Wei who gathered Shennong Hall and Siyue Hall to send them life-saving supplies. As a result, the people of Daidi are generally fond of farming, and there are many disciples from farming families.

Most of the rural people in Dai didn't know about this suddenly appearing King Dai, and even if they did, it didn't really matter, since the powerful figures at the top were always the same people.

After becoming the King of Dai, Zhao Jia dared not have any contact with King Dan of Yan, who had attempted to assassinate the King of Qin. Instead, he secretly contacted the Yan state in Liaodong, hoping that the two countries could form an alliance to protect themselves.

The Yan Kingdom in Liaodong agreed to the alliance. Relying on their remote location and the fact that the Qin army would suffer greater losses than gains from the long journey, the two kingdoms began to idly enjoy their aristocratic lifestyle.

When news of the fall of Zhao reached other states, Wei was still indulging in its decadent lifestyle, Qi immediately sent envoys to congratulate the King of Qin, and the internal strife and scandal within the Chu royal family was still turmoil...

For a time, the Qin state truly had no enemies.

It can then freely choose whomever it wants as its target and prepare for an attack...

When King Zheng of Qin traveled in Xianyang, his carriages were always magnificent, and the entire palace was bustling with activity.

During the King of Qin's tour of the State of Zhao, domestic arrangements were made under the supervision of the loyal and trusted Right Chancellor, Lord Changping.

However, important matters would still be sent to the King of Qin's entourage, and Ying Zheng would still handle a large amount of government affairs every day during the tour.

His experience as a hostage since childhood and the past when Lü Buwei held absolute power made King Zheng of Qin value 'having power in his own hands' more than anyone else.

This was the first and last time that Lord Changping presided over affairs while King Zheng of Qin was away from the country. For him, this was not a relaxation of his shackles, but rather a need to be more vigilant about whether his actions would reveal any flaws.

With the states of Jicheng, Yan, and Wei serving as delaying agents, he would have at least two more years to establish his presence in Chu.

In the next two years, I must devise an opportunity to accompany the Qin army during the attack on Chu, so that I can betray the Qin army and join the state of Chu!

The old Zhengzhou area and the shifting sands will be an important part of the plan.

This includes Liu Sha's recent trip to Yan.

"Yan Dan, you must persevere for at least a year."

Xiong Qi saw off the magnificent convoy outside Xianyang City, his heart as cold as ice.

...

The day after arriving at Jinghu Medical Manor, Lu Wei and Duanmu Rong rowed a boat to Dahu Manor again.

The soldiers had already left, leaving behind only the charred ruins of the village.

Upon entering the village, flocks of crows were startled and took flight, their black wings flapping – the sound of death.

This place is, after all, an epidemic area. Burning the oil only destroyed the settlements, but the disease could still spread in the air.

Even though they had already taken the herbal pills beforehand, the two of them still put on orchid-colored silk scarves and gloves on their faces and covered their bodies as thoroughly as possible before boldly walking around the ruins.

During her travels with her master Nian Duan, Duanmu Rong saw many patients in terrible condition, but the most serious injury was nothing more than limb amputation.

This was the first time she had ever seen such a horrific scene—hundreds of charred remains hidden beneath the collapsed ruins—...

The smell of burnt meat filled the air, and Xiao Duanmu's face turned pale. She swayed as if about to collapse, and the hall master stepped forward in time to support her arm.

Lu Wei had rarely seen such horrific scenes, but they were not unheard of: the Zhangshui defense line during the Qin-Zhao War, the Zhao and Wei people starving to death by the roadside due to drought, and the soldiers fighting fiercely on the Fanwu battlefield in Li Mu's last battle were all far more terrifying than the scene here.

The people who kill the most are always others.

"There are no survivors here, and we can't find any information about the epidemic in these corpses. Let's go to town; there might be some clues there."

He whispered something in Duanmu Rong's ear, and she bit her lip and nodded.

The reason they came from the medical village today is because Dahu Village has a special affection for Nian Duan. Upon learning of the epidemic in Dahu Village, the two of them came here at Nian Duan's request to check on the situation and do their best to resolve the epidemic.

However, none of them informed Nian Duan that Dahuzhuang had been burned down...

The horses that Lu Wei hid when he came yesterday are still there and have not been taken away.

This area has definitely been designated as an epidemic zone. Scattered villages nearby have been relocated to areas outside the town for quarantine and observation, and it's unlikely that anyone will live near Mirror Lake for a long time.

They mounted their horses and galloped towards the town. On the way, feeling the warmth of his back against hers, Xiao Duanmu felt much better. After calming down, he asked softly:

"Brother Lu, have you seen many similar scenes?"

Lu Wei's composure reassured her, but the meaning behind that composure gave Duanmu Rong a new understanding of the world ahead of time.

"The world is what it is, there's no need to be surprised."

The people are not yet at their worst point.