Inside the grand hall!
Qin Wuyang's face turned deathly pale.
This assassination attempt...
It ultimately resulted in the worst possible outcome.
The assassination had failed.
The state of Yan was finished!
Initially, Qin had no justifiable reason to wage war against Yan. But after this incident, Qin now had the perfect excuse, leaving Qi and Chu with no reason to intervene on Yan's behalf.
"Fate has decided."
"Crown Prince..."
"I have failed in the end," Jing Ke said in anguish.
He knew exactly what awaited him.
"The laws of Great Qin are strict."
"A would-be assassin who dares attempt to kill the King..."
"Must suffer the punishment of death by a thousand arrows."
At that moment,
Li Si stepped forward and declared in a loud voice.
"We, the ministers, all agree."
"The assassin must be executed by a thousand arrows."
For once, the entire court was unanimous.
Zhao Feng glanced at the assembled ministers.
Then at the situation before him.
Expressionless, he turned and looked at Jing Ke, who was still pinned to the wall.
"Jing Ke, the assassin of the King of Qin."
"Though you die, you die with honor."
"But what a pity..."
"You failed in your assassination, and instead, you have handed Qin the sword of righteousness on a silver platter," Zhao Feng thought to himself.
But at this moment,
Zhao Feng stepped forward, gripping the hilt of the Dragon Spring Sword.
With a swift pull
"Ah!"
Jing Ke let out a scream as he collapsed to the ground, blood pouring from his chest.
"Seize him!"
Ren Xiao bellowed.
Immediately, two imperial guards stepped forward and restrained Jing Ke.
"Take this assassin to the marketplace in Xianyang, announce his crimes to the people,"
"And execute by a thousand arrows," Ying Zheng ordered coldly after glancing at Jing Ke.
How could he possibly spare the man who had nearly taken his life?
"As you command!"
Ren Xiao accepted the decree without hesitation.
Along with several guards, he dragged Jing Ke away.
Blood stained the floor of the grand hall.
But palace maids and eunuchs swiftly arrived with water and basins, cleaning the bloodstains.
The shattered tables and chairs were also promptly replaced.
At this moment
Ying Zheng turned his gaze to Zhao Feng, his expression carrying an unusual warmth. "If not for your sword, I would already be in the underworld."
"Luckily, I arrived in time."
"Otherwise, I truly wouldn't have made it,"
"It is also because the King has great fortune," Zhao Feng replied with a smile.
"Zhao Feng has rendered a great service in saving the King."
"A reward is in order!"
Ying Zheng firmly grasped Zhao Feng's arm and turned to face the court ministers.
In his words,
No one dared to object.
Everyone in the court had witnessed the perilous moment earlier. If Zhao Feng had not acted, the King might have fallen to the assassin's blade.
Had that happened, Qin would have faced a crisis beyond imagination.
This merit was no less significant than the conquest of an enemy state.
After all, Zhao Feng had directly saved the life of Ying Zheng.
"Draft the decree."
"Zhao Feng, for your great service in saving the King, I hereby elevate your noble rank by one tier, granting you the title of Grand Chief."
Ying Zheng's voice was authoritative and final.
At this moment,
Even Wang Wan, who had long been reluctant to see Zhao Feng rise in power, had no way to object.
Who would dare question the merit of saving the King?
Would they argue that Zhao Feng should not have saved the King?
That would be suicide.
Grand Chief.
The eighteenth rank of nobility.
Zhao Feng had already been at the seventeenth rank, the highest in Qin. Now, with this promotion, he had surpassed the other three Great Generals.
Seeing this,
The court officials all understood one thing.
"The position of Grand Commandant seems to have been decided."
"The highest noble rank, Grand Chief."
"The highest title in Qin."
"The other Great Generals have no chance now."
"Who could have imagined that the title of Grand Commandant would fall upon a man like Zhao Feng, still in his twenties?"
"Incredible!"
"From humble origins, rising from obscurity, he has become one of the most powerful figures in Qin."
…
The assembled ministers gazed at the figure standing on the steps, a deep sense of reverence rising in their hearts.
Everyone understood.
Zhao Feng's rise to Grand Commandant was now unstoppable.
"Your subject thanks the King for his grace."
Without hesitation, Zhao Feng accepted the promotion and expressed his gratitude.
"Your Majesty."
"What should be done with this assassin's accomplice?" Li Si gestured toward Qin Wuyang, who was still restrained in the hall.
"Execute him alongside the assassin."
"A thousand arrows shall pierce him as well."
"Announce his crimes to the people," Ying Zheng ordered coldly.
"Wise judgment, Your Majesty!"
The entire court echoed in unison.
Qin Wuyang's face turned ghastly pale, yet he made no plea for mercy.
The moment Jing Ke had struck, his fate had been sealed.
Under the escort of several imperial guards, Qin Wuyang was also dragged away.
"Han Fei."
Ying Zheng turned to Han Fei.
"Your subject is here," Han Fei immediately responded.
"Prepare the supply logistics for the military campaign."
"You have one month."
"Gather provisions for two grand battalions to sustain a six-month campaign," Ying Zheng commanded solemnly.
"Your subject accepts the order!" Han Fei responded at once.
Thus began
Before the appointment of the Interior Minister of Granaries, the collection and distribution of provisions had been handled by Wang Wan and Wei Liao.
Now that Han Fei had taken on the position, it was naturally his responsibility.
"The collection of provisions shall be overseen by Han Fei,"
"The transportation shall be managed under Wei Qing's command," Ying Zheng said as he turned to look at Wei Liao.
Wei Liao did not hesitate. "I accept the decree."
As for Wang Wan, who had once played a role in these affairs, he was now sidelined.
Anyone who could perceive Ying Zheng's intentions would realize that he had no plans to reuse Wang Wan.
The authority of the Prime Minister had already been significantly reduced.
Because of this, Wang Wan's face darkened, but he understood the situation and dared not speak.
"Enough,"
"If there's nothing else,"
"Then the court is dismissed,"
"I am weary," Ying Zheng said with a wave of his hand.
With that, he officially decreed the court session over.
The near-death experience had left him physically and mentally drained.
"We respectfully send off His Majesty,"
The entire court of officials bowed in unison.
Without a word, Zhao Feng followed Ying Zheng toward the Zhangtai Palace.
Having spent so much time together, Zhao Feng could often understand Ying Zheng's intentions without the need for words.
Meanwhile, in the marketplace
Inside two prison carts, Jing Ke and Qin Wuyang were held captive.
Following behind the carts, more than a hundred envoys from the state of Yan were shackled, their wrists and ankles bound in iron chains.
After Jing Ke's failed assassination attempt, all members of the Yan delegation were arrested.
By royal decree,
Every single one of them was sentenced to death.
For these envoys, their fate could be seen as an undeserved calamity.
Yet in truth,
They were not entirely innocent.
The moment they set foot in Qin, their deaths were already sealed.
All of this had been orchestrated by Crown Prince Dan of Yan.
At this moment
Inside the prison cart,
Jing Ke's chest was drenched in blood, and his breathing was weak. He was barely clinging to life, his death seemingly imminent.
Beside him, Qin Wuyang's face was pale, consumed by the terror of impending doom.
"What's going on?"
"Aren't those men wearing Yan state official robes? Why are they locked up in prison carts? What did they do to deserve such treatment?"
"I have no idea."
"That one Yan envoy is covered in blood. It looks like he's seriously injured."
"Let's wait and see. The authorities will surely explain."
…
The sight of two prison carts being escorted by the Qin Imperial Guard quickly drew a crowd of curious onlookers.
At that moment
Leading the escort, General Ren Xiao rode forward on his warhorse and proclaimed loudly,
"The state of Yan has acted in treachery. Under the pretense of presenting a map as tribute, they concealed a dagger within the scroll and attempted to assassinate His Majesty!"
"Fortunately, General Zhao Feng returned just in time and struck the assassin with his sword, pinning him to the wall. Otherwise, His Majesty would have been in grave danger!"
"Now,"
"By decree of His Majesty,"
"The state of Yan's treacherous actions and utter disregard for righteousness shall not be forgiven nor pardoned!"
"By royal order,"
"All members of the Yan delegation are to be executed by the punishment of 'Ten Thousand Arrows Piercing the Body!'"
"All Qin citizens are welcome to witness the execution!"
Ren Xiao's voice rang loud and clear,
declaring the Yan envoys' crimes for all to hear.
The moment his words fell
The people of Xianyang, who had previously been puzzled by the sight of the prisoners, instantly had their expressions change.
Then, as realization struck,
a tide of fury and hatred erupted among them.
"Scoundrels!"
"These damned Yan people! How dare they try to assassinate our king!"
"They're courting death!"
"They pretended to offer tribute but hid a dagger to kill His Majesty? They deserve to die a thousand times over!"
"Stone these wretches!"
"Kill them!"
"Crush them"
The previously peaceful citizens of Qin burst into rage,
grabbing whatever they could
rotten eggs, spoiled vegetables, even stones
and hurling them at the captured Yan prisoners.
In an instant
The streets were filled with flying objects.
Upon hearing of the assassination attempt against their ruler,
the people of Qin were infuriated beyond measure.
And it was clear
The citizens' reverence for Ying Zheng ran deep.
For them,
he was a wise and capable ruler
one who upheld strict but fair laws,
one who expanded the empire's borders.
A sovereign such as this
How could they not hold him in the highest esteem?
Amidst the deafening fury of the crowd
Many of the Yan envoys were struck repeatedly,
groaning in pain, their heads bloodied.
Yet, no one intervened.
The Qin Imperial Guards watched on with cold indifference
some even seemed to encourage it.
These Yan prisoners had angered the masses.
Were it not for the royal decree ordering a public execution,
the guards themselves would have gladly hacked these men to pieces right then and there.
Had Qin's king truly been slain,
the palace guards would have suffered a brutal purge
many of them would have faced execution.
After all,
it was their duty to protect the king.
With the people's wrath at its peak,
The Qin Imperial Guards marched the prisoners toward the execution site in the bustling marketplace.
A section had already been cordoned off,
designated as the place of execution.
Standing at the forefront
Minister of Justice, Li Si, personally arrived at the scene.
His expression was cold as ice,
his gaze filled with murderous intent as he stared at the Yan prisoners.
"Kneel!"
The guards dragged the shackled envoys forward and kicked them to the ground.
And Li Si coldly observed before loudly declaring, "People of Great Qin!"
"These despicable Yan people used the pretense of presenting a map to conceal a dagger and attempted to assassinate the King. Their crime is unforgivable!"
"By the King's decree!"
"I, as the Minister of Justice, will personally oversee the execution."
"Bind all these Yan assassins!"
Li Si commanded in a chilling tone.
"Yes, sir!"
The numerous imperial guards immediately took action, tying up more than a hundred Yan captives to the execution targets.
"Spare us, my lord! I knew nothing of the assassination!"
"I had no idea about this plot!"
"Please, have mercy! Spare us, Your Majesty!"
"We were unaware"
As they were tied up, the ordinary Yan envoys pleaded in terror. To them, this was an unjust calamity. The moment they set foot in Qin, their fate had been sealed whether the assassination succeeded or not, they were doomed to die.
"Archers, ready!"
Li Si paid them no heed, giving the order in an icy voice.
At this moment, he was truly enraged.
The crisis just moments ago had genuinely frightened him.
Although he was one of the Nine Ministers and held the post of Minister of Justice, if the King had perished, he too would have been finished.
Everything he had was granted by the King. Compared to the old noble families like Wang Wan, his political foundation was weak.
The moment the assassination took place, Li Si had already considered the worst-case scenario. If the King had fallen, then the most likely successor would have been Crown Prince Fusu.
The royal clan and the old nobility would have strongly supported Fusu's ascension.
And people like Li Si would have been gradually purged.
At this moment
A thousand archers had already taken their positions, bows drawn, arrows aimed at the Yan captives.
"The wind howls, the Yi River grows cold,"
"A warrior sets forth, never to return."
Jing Ke, carrying a sense of tragic heroism, sang loudly.
"Crown Prince…"
"The State of Yan is finished," Qin Wuyang lamented in despair.
"Fire!"
Li Si roared with fury.
In an instant
A barrage of arrows was unleashed.
A rain of arrows descended upon the Yan captives.
Almost simultaneously
Every single assassin was pierced through, dying on the spot.
"Fire again."
Li Si commanded coldly.
This time, he had no intention of leaving these Yan people with intact corpses.
The rain of arrows continued.
Accompanied by the enraged shouts of the surrounding Qin citizens.
For these assassins
Even in death, their bodies would be desecrated.
This was the price of attempting to assassinate the King of Qin.
When the day came that Qin destroyed Yan, the entire families of these men would also be exterminated.
Such was the consequence of trying to kill the King.
Unless they chose to flee and live the rest of their days in anonymity.
Ying Zheng and Zhao Feng sat across from each other.
The palace doors were shut.
"Judging by the timeline, today wasn't supposed to be the day you returned to the capital," Ying Zheng remarked with a smile.
"Based on the speed of the convoy, I should have needed at least another ten days to return," Zhao Feng replied.
"Did you somehow know in advance that the Yan delegation would send assassins?" Ying Zheng looked at Zhao Feng in astonishment.
This was something even he had not foreseen.
He had originally assumed that Yan had truly come to offer tribute but instead, they had sent assassins.
"What if I said it was just a lucky guess?"
"Would Your Majesty believe me?" Zhao Feng smiled faintly.
"I would."
Ying Zheng did not hesitate and nodded immediately.
"That's the reason."
"So, I came."
"I rode day and night."
"And finally, I made it just in time. Otherwise, Your Majesty might have been pierced through the heart by that assassin," Zhao Feng said with a playful tone.
"This only proves that fate has spared me," Ying Zheng laughed heartily.
"But while this was dangerous, we made it through."
"And now we have the perfect justification to wage war against Yan," Zhao Feng added with a sneer.
"Indeed."
"Although perilous."
"In the end, we gained a legitimate reason to march on Yan."
"They dared to assassinate me under such a pretext, Qi and Chu can only stand by and watch as Qin destroys Yan."
"However…"
"I do not believe that King Xi of Yan is foolish enough to personally hand me a sword."
"He would not gamble in such a reckless manner," Ying Zheng said with a knowing smile.
He understood the King of Yan well.
"If the King of Yan didn't dare, then what about another person?" Zhao Feng smirked mockingly.
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