Chapter 10, Thrilling Assassination, Internal Conflict and Trade
"Uncle Fan, there is no need to persuade me further. A physician without medicine is like a soldier without weapons. Even you have said that the situation is unstable, so naturally, one must be prepared with healing remedies. Today, I shall set out to gather herbs." Having said this, Yue Zhi shouldered a small basket and hung a medicinal hoe, then walked off directly.
Upon the success of the first move, Fusu felt a slight sense of relief in his heart
"There is none. However, a crossbow remains, which is a Chu crossbow," Qi Ze replied
"Young Master, I am incompetent. That assassin with the crossbow has escaped," Qi Ze said with shame.
The foremost priority is to clear oneself of suspicion, maintain restraint, and avoid exacerbating conflicts. Moreover, Fusu is well aware that in recent years, the First Emperor has been constructing the Epang Palace and waging campaigns in the south and north. The government's expenditures are enormous, and the royal family's financial situation is equally substantial. Fusu understands this clearly; as a result, the burden of taxation on the common people will also become increasingly heavy. The public's trust and confidence in the court will sharply decline, and it is evident that this discontent must be suppressed, at least not allowed to manifest under his own control
I said, "Yue girl, why are you so stubborn?" Tian Fan said with a frown, "Today, Young Master Fusu was attacked, and there will surely be a great mobilization of troops. It is even possible that they will lead an army to search the mountains. If you go into the mountains like this, and something unfortunate happens, how will I explain it to the leader?"
At the moment when the eyes of the crowd turned ashen, a beam of emerald light swiftly flew in front of Fusu. With a loud bang, the arrow grazed past Fusu. A half-section of a jade flute fell to the ground.
In the future, upon learning of this, one would surely be astonished and find it hard to believe
Fusu sat upright in the center, his gaze cold and piercing. The soldiers on either side were strong and imposing, exuding a formidable presence
The wording here is rather ambiguous, as it does not directly state surrender or inform on others. The use of the word "to投" clearly allows for both advancement and retreat.
Furious, Fusu Lingtai made every effort to remain calm. The more one is swayed by emotions, the more likely one is to make erroneous decisions
Everything is difficult at the beginning, and the first step of the picture book has been accomplished. The subsequent matters will test one's patience, with thoughts in mind and words flowing continuously. As a noble of the highest rank, Fusu has faced numerous conspiracies and assassination attempts. To stand firm until now, it is evident that he is not merely a figure of righteousness who can withstand all blades and weapons; he is also exceptionally eloquent.
A slight offense against Your Majesty should naturally be addressed by the appropriate authorities. However, with countless Confucian scholars, how can one person's actions implicate them all? This is truly inappropriate. The Confucian scholar speaks with refinement, exhibiting both courtesy and propriety
The Mo family is conducting secret operations, and Fusu has also ordered his personal guards to be fully armed and mobilized. Fusu, determined, has already issued orders for the palace cavalry to enter the mountains. His trusted guards hold the tiger talisman to mobilize the army to encircle the mountain. No one is allowed to leave the mountain until the objective is achieved.
Mojia Village. A bamboo building, exquisitely designed, with a pleasant view. Surrounded by blooming peach blossoms, it is truly a delightful place to live
Fu Su felt a surge of anger, and the suspicion against the Mo family was magnified infinitely. The Mo family was located at the border of Qin and Chu, and with their immense resources, they could indeed acquire several Chu crossbows. Moreover, the two assassins in black had actually emerged from the main gate of the Mo family's castle, clearly having come from within. Although the poisoned arrow that was meant to deliver the final blow was deflected by the jade flute, the Mo family was undoubtedly the prime suspect at this moment
"Do these assassins in black have any tokens or items that can prove their identity?" Fu Su inquired
Otherwise, it will not only hinder the proper conduct of affairs but also provide an opportunity for political adversaries to attack.
Oh? You certainly have some courage. Very well, state your name!" Fusu nodded to the Confucian scholar, acknowledging him with a degree of respect.
Very well, the guards prepare. Follow me to capture the thief
It is likely that even the conspirators themselves could not have anticipated that they would leave behind a trace, merely from their manipulation of human nature, which was caught by Fusu.
Indeed, at the entrance of the Mo Men Castle, two black-clad figures suddenly flashed by, their heads and faces covered. In their hands, they wielded sharp weapons, rushing directly towards Fu Su
It is not worth discussing with outsiders; one can only find joy within oneself
Although the current situation is not favorable for Fusu, he has already caught some clues from the other party's actions amidst the dire circumstances.
A fleeting glance revealed a dark spot reflecting a deep, cold blue light.
Fusu's sword is a top-tier divine weapon, relying on his agile physique and peculiar techniques. With a single strike, he can dispatch both weapons and opponents.
As he stepped out of the gates of the Mo family fortress, Fusu raised his eyes to gaze at the setting sun. Suddenly, thoughts of the fate of the Qin Dynasty and his own future flooded his mind, leaving him in a moment of daze
At this moment, Qize came to report: "Young Master, a Confucian scholar has come to seek an audience."
The one who saved Fu Su was none other than the last silent Mo Shou, Miss Yue Zhi, the party involved in the theft of the giant's order.
No matter how intricately and unimaginably a conspiracy is woven, once it is seen through, it is merely a charming little trick. Fusu is currently in this state.
"It is a hidden arrow"—the words suddenly flashed through Fusu's mind, and his figure swiftly moved. Instead of retreating towards the Mo family's castle, his instinct led him to sidestep directly to the location of the military camp.
Fusu glanced at Qize and said, "Return to the military camp first and bring the person to the camp."
"There is an assassin!" Fu Su shouted loudly, yet his steps did not falter. He suddenly halted, turned around, and swiftly drew the sword at his waist, producing a clanging sound. A black-clad assassin, Wu Ge, fell in response, his eyes turning red as he brandished his broken spear, determined to fight to the death. However, just as he took half a step forward, a hissing sound suddenly emerged from his neck, and blood gushed forth like a fountain
Suddenly, she appeared in a light green dress adorned with embroidered orchid patterns on the collar. A gauzy veil covered her face, revealing only a pair of autumn water-like eyes. Looking at the jade flute, she expressed a hint of regret, saying: "Although I do not particularly like you, the libertine, it is not the way of a healer to stand by and watch someone die."
Wait! A glimmer of insight flashed in Fusu's eyes as he grasped a thread of clue. He forced himself to calm down, not allowing emotions to cloud his judgment
At the moment when the black-clad assassin struck, Fu Su's eyes suddenly narrowed as a crossbow bolt shot towards him. He sidestepped, pushing off with the tips of his toes, and his body shot away like an arrow. However, the arrowhead, which glimmered with a cold blue light, was reflected in Fu Su's gaze
Uncle Fan, since I have become the head of medicine, I cannot be timid. Moreover, the medicinal herbs in the village have become scarce; the places we used to gather from are no longer sufficient. Only I know of some other locations where herbs grow. Yue Zhi spoke softly, yet the determination in her words was evident
"The Confucian scholar has committed the crime of deceiving the sovereign, yet you still dare to come and see me?" Fusu stated directly.
Having just played the role of a grandson, he was nearly assassinated upon his exit, almost losing his life on the spot. How could Fusu not be enraged, how could he not be indignant
In the face of perilous situations, Fu Su, having narrowly escaped disaster, gratefully clasped his hands in salute to Yue Zhi, intending to say something. However, Yue Zhi turned away without uttering a word, leaving Fu Su feeling deeply troubled and distressed. He realized that his reputation as a scoundrel was indeed well-deserved, and he couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh
However, what piqued Fusu's interest was that this person remained calm and composed in the face of these influences. Upon meeting Fusu, every gesture and movement was neither servile nor arrogant.
Fusu smiled inwardly: "A transaction? However, they do have that capital. Moreover, I have never agreed with the First Emperor's burning of books and burying of scholars. Although most of those executed were sorcerers, my feelings towards them are quite lacking. Yet, Fusu is very clear about the vitality of Confucian thought. Therefore, while severely punishing the sorcerers, he believes in raising the Confucian scholars high so they understand the severity, and gently letting them down so they recognize the grace. He naturally is willing to go along with the flow and harmonize with the situation. Thus, while severely punishing the sorcerers, he believes in raising the Confucian scholars high so they understand the severity, and gently letting them down so they recognize the grace. He naturally is willing to go along with the flow and harmonize with the situation.
After a long while, Tian Fan realized that he could not stop Yue Zhi. Since their statuses were equal, he could not impose his will. He had no choice but to take a step back: "How about we wait a couple of days? After all, the herbal medicine in the village can last for another half month. There is no need to rush at this moment"
Upon this thought, Fusu ordered all soldiers to change into their regular attire, without armor. However, they carried their Qin halberds and short swords with them.
"It is truly distressing!" Tian Fan stamped his foot, feeling uneasy in his heart, and shouted, "Come here, all ink practitioners, be on guard. Distribute the weapons, and gather the Ink Guards!"
"Yue Zhi, the situation has been chaotic these past few days. It would be better to let the subordinates handle the matter of gathering herbs. Those individuals are not pure of heart; just look at what happened earlier, sigh. The situation is unstable, and it is truly not appropriate to go out now," Tian Fan advised gently.
The remaining man in black, seeing soldiers rushing in from all directions, noticed that Fusu appeared to be intent on leaving a survivor. With a loud shout, he slit his own throat and committed suicide. Fusu, despite his swift sword, was unable to react in time
Tian Fan brought out the great deity of the giant, and Yue Zhi found it difficult to refute, leaving her with no choice but to remain silent
Within the village of Mo Family, ominous clouds roll in, casting a heavy shadow over this paradise, this beautiful and pure land
The one whose expression softened the quickest was Fu Wan. Being a person of straightforward temperament, Fu Wan felt much more at ease seeing Fu Su's candidness, and he also felt somewhat embarrassed to continue speaking.
In broad daylight, Fu Su found himself having to deal with the accusations from the members of the Mo family within the beautifully scenic peach orchard of the fortified village.
However, Fusu had no leisure to ponder such trivial matters in the future. The people of Mo Family Village held no good feelings towards Fusu due to the theft of the giant's decree. No matter how great Fusu's personal charm was, it could not entice thousands of men and women, young and old.
Fusu enumerated the contributions of the Mohist school to the Qin Dynasty, emphasizing the friendship between the two. He frequently mentioned the great Mohist masters, the noble principles of the Mohists, and the moral righteousness of their actions. Initially, he suppressed the anger of the six Mohist leaders with great effort. As the saying goes, one does not strike a smiling face, especially when addressing the esteemed Prince Fusu, who speaks of their ancestors. His words were pleasant, and the expressions of the crowd softened.
Fusu repeatedly stated that he came here solely to investigate the imperial mandate and held great admiration for the teachings of Moism, which the Moists also respected. Upon hearing these words, the six leaders of the Moists were deeply moved. Fusu's willingness to lower himself to clarify misunderstandings was indeed commendable. At this point, the five could no longer pretend to be mute. They expressed their understanding, and the atmosphere gradually improved. The five began to waver in their earlier speculations.
The poisoned cold arrow, which had been held back all this time, finally struck when Fusu was suspended in mid-air and unable to gain any footing, delivering a fatal blow
"Student Shen Luo, at your service, young master." Shen Luo felt a sense of relief in his heart and replied respectfully
Speak, what is the purpose of this visit? If it is to discuss benevolence and righteousness, let us postpone it to another day. Enough of idle chatter! Fusu spoke with resolute determination, leaving no room for negotiation.
"Chu crossbow..." Fusu murmured. The Shennong Mountains are located in the mountainous area at the border of Qin and Chu, so it is not surprising that the Chu crossbow has been passed down here. However, crossbows are military weapons that are strictly regulated in this era, and being able to access such items clearly indicates a status that is not low
After much effort, the imminent conflict has been suppressed. As dusk approaches, Fusu gazes at the peach orchard under the setting sun, with petals dancing in the wind. Although it is exceedingly beautiful, he has no time to appreciate it.
Before long, two soldiers escorted a young man dressed simply and modestly to the main tent of the military.
A look of despair flashed in Fusu's eyes, and his heart twisted: "Am I to die at the hands of scheming villains, having not perished on the battlefield achieving great deeds?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Luo's expression turned somewhat grim. However, he still spoke with neither servility nor arrogance: "The student is willing to inform the young master of the assassin's whereabouts, but most scholars are innocent. I ask the young master to make a clear judgment."