Chapter 120: The Youth Zhang Liang

Even Wei Zhuang could not help but be impressed. It was not admiration for the legalist path itself, but for Han Fei’s persistence. He was serious; he had even envisioned the specific methods and steps.

"By using the Son of Heaven to constrain the world, the legalist path can slowly take root in the hearts of the people. Through long accumulation, public law will eventually be able to constrain the Son of Heaven as well."

"The Ninth Prince’s desire to gain ninety-nine percent of the world must mean using the law to unify the people and constrain the ministers and officials. Such noble principles of the sovereign—I, Liang, am ashamed and humbled!"

Zhang Liang had always assumed Han Fei’s ambition was the territory of the Seven Kingdoms. Only now did he realize it was this: the path of the Law.

Han Fei smiled faintly, returned the gesture, and looked at Wei Zhuang. He could use the law to govern the state and harmonize the people, but he could not use literature to persuade the warriors. Heroes used force to defy the rules, and Wei Zhuang understood Han Fei’s intent.

"The Ninth Prince’s grand aspirations are stirring, yet you bind your own hands. If you leave Han, no matter how great your ambition, it will be in vain."

Han Fei shook his head lightly. "Public law is impartial; there are some things I cannot leave undone."

Zi Nu shook her head, then nodded. The Ninth Prince lacked the ruthlessness of a hegemon, possessing instead a deep sense of loyalty and affection. Perhaps that was what drew her to him most.

Wei Zhuang’s intention was to assist Han Fei in rising up to eliminate King Han and Ji Wuye, then take control of the Han Kingdom before he could truly free his hands to oppose the tyrannical Qin.

"In that case, Ninth Prince, there is no need for further words." Wei Zhuang did not want to go to the Eastern Ocean; his future belonged to this world.

Alas, Han Fei realized he had been overthinking. How could a brilliant disciple of Guigu be swayed by his words?

Seeing his brother’s mind in turmoil, Zhang Liang immediately stated the purpose of his visit. "Ninth Prince, I, Liang, am entrusted by my family. I hope you will grant us some convenience."

Han Fei frowned. "Does the Zhang family also wish to head out to sea? But as for how things truly are, I am still in the dark."

Zhang Liang smiled and nodded. "Ninth Prince, you may set your heart at ease. The matter of the six states in the Eastern Ocean is no falsehood; many cities and docks have already been built."

"You may not know, Brother, but the states of Yan and Zhao have already migrated hundreds of thousands of people. Fields are vast, and the shores are teeming with sea life. Now, Yan and Zhao no longer suffer from displaced refugees or the fear of famine."

Han Fei might not trust the King of Han, but he would never doubt Zhang Liang. The relationship between the Zhang family and the nobility of Yan and Zhao was incomparable to that of the Han royal family.

"If this is true, the capacity of the Northern King is evident!" Even without meeting him, Han Fei was already convinced. If hundreds of thousands of people were settled without lack of food or land, in a few decades or a century, a new Yan and Zhao would rise.

"Ninth Prince, Brother Wei Zhuang, in my view, the struggle for the world in the next twenty years will be between Qin and the North! Among the six states, only Chu remains uncertain, but there will soon be a result there as well." The Zhang family had prepared for two eventualities, one of which was a retreat to the southern part of the Eastern Peninsula.

Wei Zhuang did not want to admit it, but looking at the current situation, the fate of the world indeed rested between Qin and the North.

"Brother Liang, do you have news of the envoy Jing Ke?" With Qi having surrendered to the Northern Kingdom, the only remaining variable was Chu, and Han Fei was deeply concerned.

The eyes of those present brightened, and Zhang Liang hastened to explain. "The Zhang family has no direct connection to the envoy Jing Ke, but we know that an army of one hundred thousand from the North has already moved south from the East Sea, prepared to strike directly at the ports of Chu at any moment."

"This matter will likely spread throughout the Chu territory in a few days."

The strength of the Zhang family did not lie in military power, but in their close ties with the noble clans of various states, many of whom were their own kin.

"Being able to land from the vast East Sea! They can strike directly into the great rivers and even bring their forces to the gates of Daliang and Xinzheng!"

It was clear now. Han Fei understood why Wei had surrendered so easily, and why they were willing to pressure Han to appease the Northern Alliance.

Even the composed Wei Zhuang could not help but speak up. "In that case, most of the major cities in Chu could be potential landing zones for the North!"

"It seems we have underestimated the strength of the Northern Kingdom! Maritime transport is no longer just idle talk." Sending an army of one hundred thousand across the sea—the mere thought was terrifying.

With the conversation winding down, Zi Nu began to arrange wine and food, and had Nong Yu play the zither. The group drank, slowly savoring the melody. Zi Nu was very pleased with her arrangements; since Han Fei had appeared, her life had become much warmer.

Wei Zhuang closed his eyes periodically, lost in thought about his next move. Unfortunately, the Crown Prince was cowardly and ignorant, and the Fourth Prince was sinister and selfish; neither was someone he could cooperate with.

Han Fei cast his worries aside, listening intently to the music and stealing glances at Zi Nu from time to time. Zhang Liang was also in good spirits. He was still a youth and did not carry the heavy burden of state affairs. Although the Ninth Prince had said nothing, that was exactly what he had hoped for. If the Ninth Prince had objected, he would have said so immediately; silence meant consent, though it had to be done in secret.

Han Fei was not foolish. He had decided to take complete control of the Han Kingdom, and he did not want to see Ji Wuye and his ilk running rampant in the future.

The televised broadcast was coming to an end, but the soul-stirring music was even more captivating.

"Baby doesn't understand, but it sounds very pretty, like there are mountains, water, and many birds." Once the music stopped, little Yan'er immediately shared her thoughts.

"Yan'er is so clever!" Shao Siming nodded repeatedly, though her seat had been taken by Sister Yanfei.

Yanfei, sitting in the King's lap, smiled and said, "This girl's zither playing touches the soul; it is rare in this world!"

Lin Shu could not quite grasp the nuances, but listening to the music made him feel peaceful.

"Baby, how about we have Sister Nong Yu teach you to play the zither in the future?" Lin Shu did not want his daughter to only know how to fight and kill.

"Mm, okay! Baby will play the zither for Daddy and the mothers in the future."

"Mothers..." Shao Shao was speechless; she was still a young girl! "Yan'er, I am the Fourth Mother, not one of the 'mothers'!"

"Oh! Then that means: Mother, Second Mother, Third Mother, Fourth Mother..."

"Daddy! Don't find too many mothers in the future, otherwise, Baby won't want to call them all!" Little Yan'er had finally understood what Second Mother had said earlier. If she had dozens of mothers, she would spend all day just calling them!

"Yan'er is right! Husband, have you taken a fancy to that Nong Yu?" Yanfei immediately fixed her gaze on Lin Shu. Nong Yu possessed a youthful face and a curvaceous figure, along with a tranquil temperament.

However, Lin Shu already had enough beauties by his side.

"This Nong Yu has a difficult fate and shows signs of a short life. I simply cannot bear to watch her perish. If she is willing, she can teach zither in the royal city in the future."

"So, Husband can read fortunes now?" Shao Shao felt something was wrong.

Yanfei was also suspicious: "Looking at it this way, the girl does indeed lack good fortune!"

"Daddy, then let's hurry and bring Sister Nong Yu back, don't let her die!" Little Yan'er had understood! A short life and lack of fortune meant she would die young!

"Haha! Alright! Tomorrow, then! We shall go and ask her to teach our treasure the zither." In truth, Lin Shu was very fond of the guzheng. In his past life, he had even wanted to buy one to try, but his wallet was too thin, and he never had the chance.

"Then we shall go too!" Yanfei was not at ease; Zilan Pavilion was a place of many services, after all. It was not just about zither, dance, wine, and tea—there were other "physical therapies" as well.

"Good! We will all go!" Although she did not like that place, Shao Siming did not want to stay in the carriage alone.

Very well, Lin Shu had no choice but to nod. "Fine, we will all go." He had originally intended to have them wait at the door while he went in to tour the ancient entertainment venue.

The music finally faded away, and Nong Yu, covered in a light sheen of sweat, rose to take her leave. The live broadcast of the drama also came to an end. He couldn't very well continue streaming Nong Yu taking a bath! Lin Shu was not that shameless. Even if Xin Ying did not object, she would despise him at every turn.