Qin Shi Ambitious

Page 9

Lu Yu remained silent; he always followed Brother Lu.

"Well... then I'll go with you!"

When everyone else agrees, Lu Shan lacks the ability to make a different decision on his own.

The matter has been settled.

The next day, Xu Sheng took the initiative to visit the Dragon Gate Inn, as he held Lu Wei in high regard. Beyond their superior-subordinate relationship, Xu Sheng hoped the two could become friends.

Lu Wei keenly sensed the young master's thoughts, and with his active cooperation, the two quickly became friends.

He didn't hold back either the Frost Palm or the Butterfly Sword Technique from his four younger brothers, and naturally he would openly demonstrate each move to Xu Sheng, hoping to receive guidance.

Young Master Xu was deeply moved by this trust.

The two techniques, rated as purple quality by the system, are considered top-tier martial arts in the martial arts world. Even as the young master of Luqiu Pavilion, Xu Sheng would only know one other technique at the same level: Spring Chill Severing Palm.

Unfortunately, the Spring Cold Severed Palm technique is a martial art of the Gonggong Hall and cannot be taught privately without permission.

Feeling guilty, he shared his knowledge of swordsmanship without reservation, sincerely explaining the key points of basic swordsmanship to Lu Wei and his four younger brothers who were listening in.

The following day, they sent a hundred taels of gold, along with a fine iron sword.

"Brother Xu, what do you mean by this!"

With his trembling hands behind his back, Lu Wei never expected that the fifty gold coins he had painstakingly stolen last time would be replaced by a hundred gold coins from the young master Xu, whom he had deliberately befriended...

He could even hear the pay-to-win system in his brain vibrating.

But even though they really wanted it, on the surface, they still had to act.

Lu Wei's face vividly showed his astonishment and confusion upon seeing the gold.

"I have learned your family's martial arts, so naturally I cannot leave without showing my appreciation."

After returning home, Xu Sheng investigated the current situation of the five Lu brothers and learned that they had gone to the trouble of hanging lanterns for a mere five dollars on New Year's Eve, which made him realize that Lu Wei was short of money.

"This hundred taels of gold is from my personal collection, and this sword is a testament to our friendship. I hope Brother Lu will not refuse!"

Xu Sheng's expression was very sincere. Lu Wei hesitated, then turned to look at the four people from Shan Yu Mu Ye behind him. He gritted his teeth, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said, "Since that's the case, I dare not refuse any longer..."

"Good, good, this is the brother I, Xu Sheng, truly deserve!"

Xu Sheng was overjoyed and signaled his servants to carry the gold into the inn, where it was taken by Shan Yu Mu Ye and his three companions.

"Brother Lu, let's talk in the backyard."

Upon arriving in the backyard, after using his internal energy to sense that there were no unauthorized persons around, Xu Sheng suddenly lowered his voice:

"Brother Lu, this caravan operation is no ordinary one!"

"..." Lu Wei looked at Xu Sheng's barely suppressed urge to complain and calmly said, "Brother Xu, since it's not ordinary, it's better if you don't tell me."

“No, Brother Lu, although we’ve only known each other for a few days, I trust you!” Xu Sheng grabbed Lu Wei’s arm and sat him down on the bench.

"Although I'm in charge of this operation, do you know who gave the order to organize it?"

Xu Sheng stretched out his finger and pointed to the sky with an air of seriousness.

"If it's not Pavilion Master Xu Qiu, then could it be the Hall Master?"

Since the other party had already revealed part of the secret, Lu Wei had no choice but to listen to him. Besides, why not learn a secret for free?

"No!" Xu Sheng's lips parted slightly: "It's the leader of the chivalrous sect!"

"The old master Xia Kui personally came to the Yan Kingdom to give my father his orders!"

Tian...Guang?

Lu Wei's heart stirred...

Chapter 12 Each Has Their Own Plan

If you connect the names Yan, Tian Guang, and Chu, four words immediately come to mind for Lu Wei, who knows the plot:

Project Azure Dragon!

This secret plan, initiated by the current Right Chancellor of Qin, Lord Changping, will involve the six states of Shandong and various schools of thought from the Hundred Schools of Thought period in the future.

Years later, its most direct manifestation was Jing Ke's assassination attempt on the King of Qin.

In reality, this plan is highly likely to be closely related to another mysterious force: the Seven Constellations of the Azure Dragon...

"So, in that batch of goods we sent to the State of Chu this time..."

Lu Wei didn't say everything clearly, but Xu Sheng naturally understood what the remaining words meant:

"Part of it is strong liquor, and the other part is just as you imagine..."

"What kind of things would Qi allow to cross the border?"

"Of course not. The relationship between Qi and Yan is terrible, but we are farmers, and Qi is our stronghold. Even the King of Qi can't have complete control over everything!" Xu Sheng pursed his lips. "However, I have some concerns..."

"Worried?" Lu Wei knew how to be a good listener.

"While the Farmer's School boasts tens of thousands of disciples, making it the largest of the Hundred Schools of Thought, its involvement in the chaos between states will likely not end well... the leader of the Knights..."

At this point, he shut up.

Lu Wei understood Xu Sheng's meaning. The Farmer's Clan was far from being as glorious as it would be with '100,000 disciples' in the future. Although the top-level combat power was not small, the quality of the leadership at the middle and lower levels was extremely poor.

The transformation of the peasantry was mainly due to the continuous investment and active absorption of the people who were left behind by the six states after Qin unified the world, after Lord Changping took power.

The addition of these individuals significantly improved the quality and quantity of disciples within the Farmer Clan. It's safe to say that among the many forces involved in the Azure Dragon Project, the Farmer Clan undoubtedly benefited the most!

However, it is precisely for this reason that it will be targeted by the Net in the future...

“The leader of the knights has his own wisdom; we just need to carry out his orders.” Lu Wei patted Xu Sheng on the shoulder: “The game played in the shadows will be handled by the right people.”

"Ah, perhaps," Xu Sheng sighed. "Brother Lu, our Gonggong Hall is currently in turmoil. My father has assigned me to oversee this caravan matter, and I suspect he intends for me to stay away from Yan for a while..."

"But unfortunately, this caravan also involves a great deal of classified information..."

"Something happened at headquarters?" Lu Wei frowned, keenly grasping the subtext in Xu Sheng's words.

"Hmm," Xu Sheng stood up and took a few steps forward: "Zhou Zhang massacred his fellow disciples, which was exposed by Tian Zhong. He has now been stripped of his martial arts and expelled from the Farmer's Clan..."

"You are aware of the current situation at our Gonggong Temple and know what this matter represents..."

"I know Brother Zhou, he's not that kind of person..."

Xu Sheng clenched his fist and spoke in a low voice.

"Does Zhou Zhang refer to the grandson of Zhou He, the head of our Gonggong Hall?"

Xu Sheng nodded silently, and Lu Wei continued to ask:

"He was the most likely candidate to succeed as the hall master. The fact that the massacre of fellow disciples broke out at this time suggests that there is a considerable probability of a conspiracy behind it... So who has now taken over the position of steward?"

"...It's probably Tanaka..."

"You suspect Tian Zhong?" Lu Wei was familiar with the name. He already had his own judgment about Zhou Zhang's matter, but he didn't say it aloud.

“It’s not a doubt, it’s a certainty!” Xu Sheng turned around and looked at Lu Wei: “Tian Zhong is no good person. After Brother Zhou is eliminated, Father will definitely be seen as a thorn in his side!”

"However, Brother Zhou is upright, which is why he was framed by that guy. But he'll have a much harder time getting his hands on my father!"

At this point, Lu Wei sensed that he was even somewhat smug...

"I cannot become my father's weakness, so even though the caravan may encounter dangers on this journey, I must go!"

"I will do everything I can to help you."

Lu Wei made a sincere promise, which was precisely the purpose of Xu Sheng's visit.

"Brother Lu..."

------

After seeing Xu Sheng off, Lu Wei, who had learned a lot of useful information, breathed a sigh of relief, stretched, and returned to his room.

He needs to carefully consider what Xu Sheng said today.

However, before that, the things that Xu Sheng sent could not be ignored.

The most precious item was undoubtedly the hundred gold coins. Lu Wei, a gold-obsessed little tycoon, wished he could immediately invest them all into the system, but reason told him he couldn't do that for the time being.

This hundred taels of gold was delivered in full view of everyone, and the fourth brother was a direct witness. The sudden disappearance of this entire hundred taels of gold was something that even though he had a high reputation among his brothers, he could not reasonably explain.

The existence of the system must be kept strictly confidential, and not a single trace can be revealed. This hundred gold coins cannot be touched for the time being.

He picked up the fine iron sword again, pulled it out forcefully, and the blade was as bright as a mirror, reflecting the tips of his eyebrows.

It's a fine sword, probably worth almost as much as a hundred gold pieces.

But for Lu Wei, who can now acquire the 'Jade Soul Sword' from the shop at any time, it's nothing special.

"The struggle within the Gonggong Hall has begun, and the first of the three successors to be eliminated will surprisingly be the current hall master's grandson..."

“Zhou Zhang has never appeared in the original work. Based on Tian Zhong’s methods, this must be his conspiracy.”

"Although Xu Sheng has great faith in his father, I know that Tian Zhong will ultimately become the leader of the Gonggong Hall. It seems that Xu Qiu and his son Xu Sheng are doomed..."

"Joining forces with them is not the best option, but I have no way to get close to Tian Zhong. I can only try to climb higher by relying on the Xu family's power."

"As for the future, if the Xu family can compete, I will help them; if the Xu family makes a fatal mistake and cannot correct it, I must also leave myself a way out..."

"However, could Tian Zhong have framed Zhou Hetang's grandson right under Zhou Hetang's nose, and later forced Xu Qiu, who was the richest man in Yan, out of the game? Could he have done it just by siding with Tian Meng and Tian Hu?"

"Could it be that Tian Zhong has already colluded with the Luo Wang organization...?"

"Tian Guang is currently in the Yan Kingdom, as Xu Sheng said. Unfortunately, my status is too low to request an audience with this chivalrous leader..."

After a brief analysis of the current situation at Gonggong Hall, a sense of urgency immediately arose in Lu Wei's heart:

Tian Zhong has begun to act, and so has Lord Changping of Qin. We can't remain so weak!

"For this caravan trip, I must try to obtain some external assistance."

"The Little Sage Village of Qi, the Xiang Clan of Chu, the Armored Gate of Wei, and the Quicksand of Han—these are all forces I'll encounter during my trade journeys. But to forge good relations with them, I must devise a plan beforehand..."

"On the contrary, it seems that my birth country, Zhao, has no power that I can contact or utilize."

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After returning to Luqiu Pavilion, Xu Sheng took off his coat and went straight to the third floor without any guards following him.