Qin Gong

Chapter 698 Meeting Fan Zeng

Chapter 698 Meeting Fan Zeng

"Let me go! Bai Yan! Bai Yan! You are from Qi, and you helped the tyrant Ying Zheng and aided Zhou in his tyranny. You will not die a good death!"

"Bai Yan! You will not die well!"

"The tyranny of Qin is a disaster for the world. The people of the world with lofty ideals should gather together to resist Qin and defeat Qin to survive!"

The streets of Linzi City were already crowded with people, and as rows of Qin soldiers came with swords and spears in hand, countless Qi people made way. Then what came into view was a man tied to a wooden trailer, roaring in despair.

The people of Qi looked at those men, listened to what they said, and all started discussing in private, pointing fingers at those men.

In Qi, which had never experienced war, if a murder occurred in the city, it would be enough to cause a sensation. But now, seeing so many people being arrested and cursing, not to mention other knowledgeable people, even ordinary people knew that these people would most likely be beheaded in public.

"I know that person. He is Qu Ya and Qu Zizhao, father and son of the Qu family. How could they be in Linzi City?"

"I know that man. I have seen him before in Qin. His name is Ji Sheng. He is a wanted criminal in Qin. He was once a retainer of Lord Changping!"

"Hiss, isn't that old Mr. Wei Zhao..."

As Qi was a country with developed commerce, its merchants were spread all over the world. Therefore, among the huge crowd of people, as the merchants who were watching the excitement recognized the people who were captured one by one, everyone was stunned.

All of them were wanted criminals by Qin State. When did they come to Linzi? Why was there no news about them, and no one said they had seen them in the city?

Also, how come they were all arrested at once?

Looking at the Qin soldiers wearing Qin armor and with frightening eyes, the onlookers retreated one after another.

In the shops on both sides of the street, not only were the merchants stunned, but also the Qi nobles in the city. As scion of families with background and wealth in the commerce-rich capital of Qi, the men of the Qi nobles were extremely shocked when they saw Wei Zhao, Huang and others.

As native people of Linzi, they had no idea when these people came to Linzi city. The Qin army arrested all of them in an instant.

Thinking hard!

This made the men of the Qi nobles think of the Qin army and they couldn't help but feel afraid.

the other side.

In a small alley in the city, several women walked together, discussing the capture of Qin's wanted criminal in the city, while hurrying towards the street, fearing that they would be too late and miss the excitement.

A man in his forties, dressed in plain clothes, walked past several women at this time. Seeing people coming to watch the excitement along the way, this man was just the opposite. At this moment, his face was solemn, and he hurriedly walked towards a quiet alley.

After a long time, the man finally followed the quiet alleys and came to a small courtyard. However, when the man pushed open the bamboo door of the small courtyard and looked at the quiet yard, he stopped.

Glancing at the quiet yard, the man suddenly had a bad feeling.

He turned around and was about to walk back, but at this time, two men in cloth clothes had come behind him, pulled out two Qin swords and put them on the man's neck.

The door of the wooden house behind him opened, and Qin soldiers in armor came out, escorting tied-up men and women.

The man was Fan Zeng.

With two Qin swords held against his neck at this moment, Fan Zeng sighed, closed his eyes helplessly, and his heart was filled with despair.

Previously, as an aide to the Xiang family, Fan Zeng also had a certain reputation in the State of Chu. Before the demise of the State of Chu, too many aristocratic families in Chu defected to the State of Qin and Bai Yan. Not to mention the big families in Chu such as Song, Yu, Qi, and Liang, the increasingly powerful Zhongli family was enough to scare Fan Zeng.

It was for this reason that Fan Zeng chose to come to Qi State and chose Linzi, a city with a dense population and many noble families.

The more chaotic the Linzi city was, the easier it was to hide there because of the connections with the former Chu nobles and the support of the Jixia Academy. After all, if one went to other places where one was unfamiliar with the place, it would be easy for the local Qi nobles to discover him and the news would leak out.

But right now.

Looking at the Qin soldiers holding sharp swords in front of him, Fan Zeng knew that his whereabouts had been discovered by Bai Yan.

But Fan Zeng didn't understand.

In Linzi, only a few people knew of their whereabouts. Even among their respective noble families, they rarely interacted with each other and some even concealed their whereabouts. So why was Bai Yan able to find them so accurately?

"go!"

Hearing the angry shouts of the Qin soldiers, Fan Zeng could only stumble and be escorted out of the small garden by the Qin soldiers.

Inside the city keeper’s residence.

Bai Yan knelt under the pavilion, listening to the report from his confidant Tan Yi, with a thoughtful look on his face.

If it weren't for the news sent by the teacher and the address provided by Tian Dan and Tian Heng, Bai Yan couldn't imagine how dangerous his uncle's situation would be after he left Linzi and faced so many remnants of the Chu State.

However, in the past few days, Bai Yan has been wondering why Tian Dan and Tian Heng would help him. You must know that before this, these remnants of the Chu State were one of the reliance of Tian Dan, Tian Heng and others to support Prince Sheng and deal with the Qin State.

Even though he had been Tian Dan and Tian Heng in the past, this was obviously not enough to make Tian Dan and others voluntarily reveal the addresses of the remnants of the Chu State.

"General, Fan Zeng is here!"

At this time Su Xin came over and reported to Bai Yan, then turned around and asked the soldiers behind him to bring Fan Zeng over.

Bai Yan looked at Fan Zeng. Compared with the former Chu ministers Qu Ma, Wei Zhao, Ji Sheng and others, Bai Yan has always cared about Fan Zeng the most.

According to historical records of later generations, Fan Zeng was Xiang's counselor. Not only was his strategy high or low, but he was also an extraordinary person in judging people. He was also respected as the Yafu by the King of Chu in later generations.

"My uncle once talked to Bai Yan about Mr. Bai's talent!"

Bai Yan ordered the soldiers to let Fan Zeng go, and then invited Fan Zeng to come and take a seat.

Looking at Fan Zeng, who had an indignant look on his pointed face and an expression of arrogance, Bai Yan did not care. The Fan family behind Fan Zeng had some connection with the background of his uncle-in-law Fan Hao, and Bai Yan also wanted to invite Fan Zeng to come over and sit for a while.

"Ji Gu! Uncle of Qin General Bai Yan! Humph! In the past, no one had ever thought of this!"

Fan Zeng looked at Bai Yan placing a cup of tea in front of him, his eyes full of indignation.

"Before Fan Zeng died, he had something to ask Qi Gu: Do you remember Xiang Liang's kindness in the past? In the past, Xiang Liang treated Qi Gu like a brother. Has Qi Gu forgotten?"

As Fan Zeng spoke, his voice became louder and colder, as if he was sympathizing with Xiang Liang.

"My uncle refused to allow Bai Yan to get rid of the Xiang family. He ignored Bai Yan's advice and would rather give up his official title in Qin and follow the Xiang family to Jiangdong. On the way, it was Bai Yan who had someone lead my uncle away and get rid of the Xiang family! When my uncle returned, all the Xiang family members were already dead bodies."

Bai Yan looked at the grief-stricken Fan Zeng and explained to himself.

When Fan Zeng heard Bai Yan's words, he was stunned, and then stared at Bai Yan's face. When he saw Bai Yan's eyes looking at him, Fan Zeng was sure that Bai Yan was not lying.

Recalling the news he got at the beginning, that is to say, when Xi Gu went back, he did not go to confirm whether Xiang was missing, but Xi Gu did not know that Bai Yan had secretly sent people to kill Xiang.

"You are an ungrateful person after all!"

Fan Zeng did not dwell on it any further and just told Bai Yan that no matter what, Qi Gu was an ungrateful person.

"In Bai Yan's eyes, what is grace and righteousness? No more wars among all living beings in the world. This is grace. The world is united and there is no more war. This is righteousness! The former is for all living beings in the world, and the latter is for future generations. Which of these two is not greater than the grace of one person, and which is not more important than Xiang Liang?"

Bai Yan retorted and turned to look at the yard.

"The Xiang clan helped King Fuchu of Chu to seize the throne from Xiongyou! When the Xiang clan had Fuchu and Xiongyou's trust, was there anyone who could speak of benevolence and righteousness?"

Bai Yan suddenly laughed, and under the gazes of Tan Yi, Su Xin, and other Qin soldiers, he turned around to look at Fan Zeng, who still had an arrogant and angry expression on his face.

"Do you know why Bai Yan was able to get help from the nobles of Chu?"

Bai Yan suddenly asked Fan Zeng a question.

Fan Zeng listened to Bai Yan's explanation with rapid breathing. Although he did not refute him out loud, he sneered at Bai Yan's words in his heart.

After all, in Fan Zeng's eyes, there was nothing wrong with what Xiang did in the past.

However, when Fan Zeng heard Bai Yan's sudden question, both his eyes and expression were stunned. He was also very curious about Bai Yan's words.

It was not just Fan Zeng himself. Looking back, everyone, including Lord Changping, General Xiang Yan, the King of Chu and many ministers of Chu, did not understand why Bai Yan, a Qi man who led troops for Qin, could get help and even surrender from the Chu nobles one after another in Chu. Bai Yan even knew some secrets that even the Chu nobles could not access.

Outside the pavilion.

After Zhao Qiu asked the maid to stay in the yard, she came to the pavilion alone. When she heard Bai Yan's words, there was some confusion in her beautiful eyes.

With curiosity, Zhao Qiu walked into the pavilion step by step, came to Bai Yan, and knelt beside Bai Yan under Fan Zeng's gaze.

The moment Fan Zeng saw Zhao Qiu, there was some surprise in his eyes, but when he thought of Bai Yan's identity, he was not surprised. After all, Bai Yan was very young and was the object that countless nobles wanted to attach themselves to.

It's not surprising that Bai Yan has such a beauty by his side.

Compared to this charming beauty, Fan Zeng was more curious about what Bai Yan had just said.

How did Bai Yan know those things in the first place? Why did so many Chu nobles help Bai Yan? There are some secret things that even dozens of Yao Jias could not know.

"How did you know?"

Fan Zeng looked at Bai Yan and finally couldn't help but speak.

In Fan Zeng's eyes, even if he died, he wanted to die with a clear mind, and lose with a clear mind.

"Peng Nicheng, Peng Qi's son Peng Bo, once had a conflict with Jing Qi. Before that, Peng Qi had a private agreement with Xiong You."

"Yugan City is the heart of Chu's granary. Mi An, the son of Mi Zong, hid the grain for a hundred miles according to the secret order of King You!"

"Xiyang City is an important place in the State of Chu. Its chief general Fan Xiang has deputy generals under him, including Zeng Lai, Hu Sun, Xi Shao and other seven people. Five of them are Xiong You's confidants, and the remaining two are Li Yuan's retainers, and were promoted by Li Yuan."

Under the curious gazes of Fan Zeng and Zhao Qiu, Bai Yan drank a cup of tea and recounted in detail everything that had happened in Chu.

One, two, three...

After Bai Yan had recounted dozens of events in full, Fan Zeng's face had already turned wooden and his eyes were lifeless, as if he was in disbelief.

Finally, when Bai Yan told Fan Zeng in detail some of Xiong You's very secret things that only his followers knew, Fan Zeng looked dazed and kept shaking his head.

How could Bai Yan know so many details? It was absolutely impossible. Even Xiong You's confidants and retainers could not know so many details. How could Bai Yan, an outsider, know them? Moreover, Bai Yan had clearly led troops in Qin and fought against Zhao before, and had clearly been in the northern Zhao territory.

So many things in such detail, unless Xiong You himself...

As Fan Zeng was thinking, as thoughts emerged in his mind, he recalled what Bai Yan had just mentioned, that the Xiang family helped Xiong Fuchu to seize the throne of King of Chu!

A guess that made Fan Zeng shudder appeared in Fan Zeng's mind. When he looked at Bai Yan in front of him again, the arrogance on Fan Zeng's face had long disappeared, replaced by a look of paleness and horror!

"The unification of the world is what all people want. Qin destroyed Chu, which was the will of heaven! If you get the Nine Cauldrons, both humans and gods will help you!"

Bai Yan looked at Fan Zeng and said with a smile.

However, at this moment, Bai Yan's light words sounded like thunder in Fan Zeng's heart.

Like getting the Nine Cauldrons! Humans and gods will help you!

Bai Yan didn't seem to answer, but these eight short words made Fan Zeng tremble uncontrollably, and he felt confused deep in his heart.

After a long time, when he finally came to his senses, Fan Zeng slowly raised his head and looked at Bai Yan, his lips trembling slightly, but he could not utter a word.

"Bai Yan invited you here today to tell you that your address was given by Tian Dan, Tian Heng, and Gongzi Sheng, the former relatives of the Tian family!"

Bai Yan saw that Fan Zeng looked dazed and absent-minded, so he didn't scare him again.

"Why did you tell me this?"

Fan Zeng was silent for a long time before he spoke.

Fortunately, Fan Zeng is not an ordinary person, otherwise his crotch would probably be wet at this moment, let alone answer Bai Yan's questions.

Bai Yan did not rush to answer Fan Zeng, but asked Su Xin to go to the study to get pen and ink.

After a while.

After Bai Yan got the pen and ink, he wrote a few words on a bamboo slip.

Zhao Qiu knelt beside Bai Yan, her beautiful eyes with a teardrop mole, looking at Bai Yan's writing, and couldn't help but whispering.

"Establish a heart for heaven and earth!"

"Establish a destiny for the people!"

"To carry on the legacy of the saints!"

"Bring peace to the world for eternity!"

When she finished reciting, Zhao Qiu raised her pretty face and looked at Bai Yan beside her. Seeing Bai Yan holding the bamboo slips and handing them to Fan Zeng with both hands, Zhao Qiu's beautiful eyes flickered slightly but disappeared in a flash, but her breath did not seem calm.

Open Taiping!!!

Thinking of these three short words, Zhao Qiu couldn't help but recall that Bai Yan had helped the Qin State to establish great military exploits in the past few years and had risked his life for the Qin State!

Although he had read thousands of letters, the most shocking words Zhao Qiu had ever seen in his life were the two sentences written by Bai Yan himself when he saw them in the clouds last time.

If you are not for the people, please go somewhere else! If you are afraid of death, don't enter this door! "

Even though she was a woman, Zhao Qiu was touched by these two sentences at that time.

But now, compared to those two sentences, Zhao Qiu saw his ambition from that simple piece of bamboo slips, which was for the heaven and earth, the people, the saints, and all eternity!

Inside the pavilion.

Compared to Zhao Qiu, Fan Zeng was not much better when looking at the bamboo slips. He even looked dazed and absent-minded.

Fan Zeng, who claimed to have read bamboo slips all his life and studied countless ancient books, has always been praised and admired by many powerful people in the Chu State. This is also the reason for Fan Zeng's pride.

What is a talented person? No matter whether it is Fan Zeng or the saints from ancient times to the present, their lifelong ambition is to serve the king and become famous in the world. At this moment, they are looking at a piece of bamboo slips in their hands.

Fan Zeng, who had studied countless ancient silks, was unable to utter a word.

Establish a mind for heaven and earth, establish a destiny for the people, carry on the lost knowledge of the ancient sages, and bring peace to the world for all eternity!

The seemingly thin bamboo slips seemed to contain only a few words, but in Fan Zeng's heart, it was like a thunderclap. It made Fan Zeng, who had spent his entire life studying bamboo slips, feel confused about his ambitions for the first time.

Serve the king and become famous throughout the world!

Thinking back to the aspirations that countless famous scholars, countless talented people, and countless scholars have been striving for since ancient times, Fan Zeng looked at the bamboo slips in his hand again, stunned and absent-minded, and couldn't help but instinctively ask a question.

What exactly have you been studying for so many years?

"Sir, you are a great talent! However, the benevolence and righteousness of one person and the benevolence and righteousness of the world, Bai Yan, please think twice! Everyone has to die, some are heavier than Mount Tai, some are as light as a feather, what is the reason for passing down a name through the ages, what is the reason for being a saint in the world, Bai Yan, please think carefully!"

Bai Yan looked at Fan Zeng who was holding the bamboo slips and said with a bow.

Afterwards, Bai Yan had no intention of talking to Fan Zeng anymore, and signaled Su Xin to take Fan Zeng to the jail first.

As for Fan Zeng, Bai Yan's purpose was to see whether Fan Zeng was a person like Zhang Liang or a person like Xiao He. If he was the former, Bai Yan would not care about his uncle and aunt and would get rid of Fan Zeng without hesitation.

But if it is the latter, Bai Yan still wants to win over talents like Fan Zeng.

Especially after experiencing what happened to Tian Dan and Tian Heng, Bai Yan became more convinced that if one can turn enemies into friends and tolerate others, they will definitely help others!

At the moment, Bai Yan is not in a hurry to make Fan Zeng change. It is not easy to change the deep-rooted impression over thousands of years and let go of some grudges.

However, if Fan Zeng could really change his mind, at least for Bai Yan, the road ahead would be much easier.

"You really……"

Zhao Qiu looked at Fan Zeng, who was in a trance, and was taken away by Bai Yan's confidants. He couldn't help but turn his head and look at Bai Yan.

Bai Yan turned his head to look at Zhao Qiu. There was a hint of doubt and shock on that pretty face. It was rare to see Zhao Qiu with such an expression. Bai Yan couldn't help laughing.

Only when Zhao Qiu's expression gradually turned cold did Bai Yan restrain himself.

"If everything is granted by the heavens, how could Bai Yan be surrounded in Chudong in the past? It's just that Xiong You secretly left some relatives behind, who were Xiong You's confidants and presented to Bai Yan!"

Bai Yan looked at Zhao Qiu and explained casually.

Zhao Qiu breathed a sigh of relief after hearing Bai Yan's explanation, but after hearing Bai Yan's explanation, Zhao Qiu knew that this also meant that what he had just said were all from Bai Yan's heart.

(End of this chapter)