Chapter 7, The Prisoner's Dilemma, Tiger Talisman Palace Knights

Fusu led three hundred palace cavalry, sending spies to spread out in all directions. They headed towards the Shennong Mountain.

Conversely, Shang Cheng was also contemplating. Yan Sheng did not like him and could not be trusted. If he remained silent and insisted on his innocence, and that guy actually reported him, would he not be acquitted while he himself would perish in a foreign land? Absolutely not! He must report the other party. If that old man holds firm, he would be able to leave unscathed. At worst, it would only be ten years of forced labor. By then, he could escape. He must report the other party. If that old man holds firm, he would be able to leave unscathed. At worst, it would only be ten years of forced labor. By then, he could escape.

In order to expand influence and facilitate external accessibility, it is spread across seven nations. For internal stability, the core remains strictly confidential. To date, the breakthrough points are primarily represented by Han Fu and Zhao Zijian, who are considered relatively central Confucian figures; however, the only known upper-level contact is that Xun Jian.

Suddenly, Fusu jumped off his horse. With his head close to the ground, his eyes narrowed slightly: "The palace guards are coming!"

The Mercedes-Benz vehicles are arranged neatly in formation. With exceptional equestrian skills, Fusu is very pleased with this cavalry unit

Qi Ze took out the tiger talisman, and indeed, when the two halves of the talisman were brought together, there was a crisp sound. The two pieces of the talisman fit perfectly as one, without any discrepancy. The two characters "Gong Qi" were now complete.

This overall situation does not imply that considering the best choice from one's own perspective is the same.

Yan Sheng analyzed that if he confessed, he would be released without guilt, while Shang Cheng would inevitably face death. So be it, if a friend dies, the Taoist will not. Shang Cheng is inherently rebellious and shows no respect for himself. How can he be trusted? Even if he reports the other party, it would only be like building the Great Wall for ten years. However, if he does not report him and the other party reports him instead, wouldn't that mean the end of his life? Even if he reports the other party, it would only be like building the Great Wall for ten years. However, if he does not report him and the other party reports him instead, wouldn't that mean the end of his life?

The sound of hoofbeats grew closer, yet none of the more than ten men on Fu Su's side displayed any signs of fear or trepidation; they were all seasoned veterans who had survived countless battles. Skilled in martial arts and rich in experience

Xun Jian Fu Su searched his memory, and although he did not know much about Fu Su, he was aware that this person was inherently cautious and very low-key. The intelligence gathered by the spies of the Qin Dynasty indicated that he was a well-known Confucian scholar from the Lu region. However, from the words of Han Fu and Zhao Zijian, Fu Su learned that the Confucian school was generally loose on the outside but strict on the inside

However, from a personal perspective, one naturally hopes for an acquittal without any fines.

When discussing the Shennong Mountain, one cannot overlook another key player, the Mohist School. This is a tightly-knit organization, which can be regarded as the leader of the underworld in China

Fusu departed gracefully, having obtained all that he was meant to acquire. From the words of two Confucian scholars and two Daoist practitioners, Fusu deduced the hiding places of the leaders of the Confucian and Daoist schools. Naturally, he could not remain in the heavenly prison, yet Xiao He chose to stay behind

The sound of hooves grew closer, the rhythmic clattering gradually transforming into a thunderous roar. On the horizon, three hundred riders galloped past, resembling a swirling mass of thunderclouds. Fusu could discern that this cavalry formation had remained largely unchanged.

The leading man exuded remarkable charisma, with his horse beneath him and a sword in hand. Just his appearance alone could make all the young women and wives in Xianyang scream. This man was none other than Fusu. Following closely behind were Fusu's personal guards.

Thus, it seems that the First Emperor was already dissatisfied with the trend of the Mohist school, eager to eliminate it swiftly. Fusu felt conflicted in his heart and ultimately sighed. He decided to first go to the Mohist school at Shennong Mountain before making further plans.

The cavalry surged forward, suddenly halting ten horse lengths in front of Li Fusu. Once the order was given, everyone obeyed, their movements synchronized, and amidst the silence, there was an orderly precision. It was a display of the strong military demeanor.

From the perspective of the two individuals as a whole, the best choice is undoubtedly to remain silent together. Now, Fu Su lacks sufficiently strong evidence to impose severe punishment on them, so in the end, it will naturally result in merely confiscating some money as a resolution

What Fusu employed was none other than the famously renowned prisoner's dilemma of later generations

As for the other part, it consists of Confucian scholars and *Tu* books who are active in the open. They are mostly dedicated to the study and practice of Confucianism, lacking the flavor of political maneuvering, and embodying more the identity of scholars and academic practitioners

"Scouting ahead for fifty miles, we have obtained the child!" With a shout from Fusu, the march suddenly quickened by three points. Several swift horses formed a group, their formation dissipating within the larger troop. They scattered apart, like hunting falcons searching for prey for the main force.

Good. The young men behind you are well-trained, thank you for your hard work! Fu Su spoke gently, leaving the simple-minded Qi Ze feeling quite at a loss.

The scene is remarkably similar; Yan Sheng and Shang Cheng are just two prisoners

"I, the humble general, have met the young master." As Fusu contemplated this, a cavalry commander dismounted with several officers to pay their respects before Fusu.

Humans are inherently selfish. Once the seeds of distrust are sown, they quickly grow into towering trees in such an environment. The friendship between the two is lost, leading to mutual denunciation. All sorts of scandals and misfortunes are exposed, and the final outcome is a decade spent building the Great Wall. In such a harsh and impoverished place, it is highly likely that within ten years, one may remain there forever.

Indeed, before long, a sound like thunder rumbling through the clouds echoed. The sound of hooves gathered densely, rushing towards Fusu.

According to the analysis of the two, the Confucian scholars active in the Qin state, namely the disciples of Confucianism and the *Tushu*, were mostly the aristocrats and nobles of the remnants of the six states. There were very few Confucian scholars of commoner origin. Their objectives were secretive, but there must have been a conspiracy brewing that Fusu was unaware of, which was soon thwarted by a surprise attack from Meng Yi, leading to the failure of their plans

Fusu's personal guards took out a silk cloth, on which was depicted the target of the current pursuit as drawn by the artist

Upon such analysis, it is evident that the greatest benefit for both individuals lies in their mutual perseverance, asserting their innocence, with the penalty being merely three thousand coins

The subsequent pursuit operations were naturally impossible for a civil official with a negative combat value to follow, and he could only assist Fusu in managing logistics. All military supplies and provisions were fully prepared. Not having to worry Fusu about logistics was invaluable in itself

Two individuals: one is the great Confucian of the present age, Xun Jian. The other is the master of both Lu Sheng and Hou Sheng: Xu Fu

The Qin law stipulates that the mobilization of an army exceeding fifty individuals requires a command from the central authority, and even necessitates the imperial command symbol known as the tiger talisman.

Another individual is the renowned Xu Fu. Xu Fu, also known as Xu Shi, styled Junfang, hails from Langya in the Qi region. This person possesses far more intelligence than Xun Jian; he is well-versed in various fields, knowledgeable in astronomy and geography. Moreover, he is highly skilled in medicine and is known for his benevolence and charitable nature, making him quite famous in the Qi region. He comes from a prestigious lineage, being a disciple of Guiguzi, and his experiences are quite extraordinary. Later, he took three thousand young boys and girls to cross the sea to Japan, becoming one of the candidates for Emperor Jinmu of Japan. Regarding this individual, Fusu's interest is significantly greater than that in Xun Jian. However, Fusu harbors little hope in being able to capture these two individuals.

A lone rider galloped ahead, like a flash of white lightning. Soon, the sound of hooves arose, with a dozen or so attendants following closely behind

"Alright. Let us verify the tiger talisman!" After saying this, he reached out and took out a half piece of a jade tiger talisman. This talisman was exquisitely crafted, with the words 'Palace Cavalry' inscribed in small seal script. However, the words 'Palace Cavalry' were split in half, with one half held by the military officers and the other half in the hands of the emperor.

It is important to note that the Mohist school has consistently opposed Confucianism and has shown a preference for the State of Qin. During the reign of Duke Hui of Qin, the prominent Mohist figure, Bai Huang, was already serving the Qin state. The military technology of Qin was advanced compared to other states, and the contributions of Mohist mechanics were indispensable. Consequently, the Mohist school held significant influence in Qin, and their natural affinity for the lower and middle classes led to a subtle trend of the organization becoming increasingly unwieldy.

Who would dare to act recklessly in the heart of the empire, where the capital is just a few days' march away with hundreds of thousands of troops?

Fusu holds great respect for the Mohist school, which advocates universal love and non-aggression, values the worthy, emphasizes heavenly will, clarifies the supernatural, rejects fate, eschews pleasure, promotes frugality, and practices simple funerals. Moreover, the members of the Mohist school are predominantly from the lower strata of society and maintain strict discipline