"It is said that before Han Fei was transferred to Qin, it was Zhao Feng who escorted him. Could this be the reason?" Fusu speculated. "Perhaps."

"Regarding Han Fei, this person is extremely intelligent, but one thing is certain: he is not on Li Si's side, and there seems to be some resentment between them. It would be best to try to win him over," Huai Zhuang said.

"I understand." Fusu nodded.

「Within Zhangtai Palace!」

"Your Majesty," Yu Liao said with a smile, sitting to the side. "You were not wrong in your expectations. Zhao Feng truly did not disappoint you. He actually managed to breach Lincheng with his mere tens of thousands of troops and advance into the Zhao state."

"Although I had my hopes, I didn't expect Zhao Feng to be able to expand our territory by a thousand li in less than two months, reaching all the way into the Zhao state," Ying Zheng said, laughing heartily. "As I said, this man is indeed a heaven-sent general."

"Your Majesty, dozens of cities in Wei have now changed hands and come under Qin's control," Yu Liao said with a smile. "The banners in the back hall need to be replaced."

"Let's go."

Ying Zheng burst out laughing and rose to his feet. Yu Liao did the same, his face beaming. The monarch and his minister went straight to the back hall.

From a box on the side, they took out several small Qin banners. With great pleasure, they pulled out the numerous Wei flags from the map and replaced them with those of Qin. This huge sand table map marked all the cities of the various states in Shenzhou, meticulously charted by generations of Qin people with great accuracy. The sovereign and his minister took pleasure in watching the cities on this map gradually become Qin territory, and by their familiarity with the task, it was clear this was not the first time they had done so.

"What are your thoughts on Han Fei?" Ying Zheng asked as he planted the banners.

"A great talent rarely seen in the world," Yu Liao observed. "However, although he has submitted to Qin, he hasn't truly devoted himself. After pledging his service, he has only fulfilled his basic duties without demonstrating any exceptional abilities. Perhaps he still holds a grudge in his heart."

"His talents are indeed of great use," Ying Zheng admitted with a confident smile. "In the future, I will make him serve me with genuine sincerity."

"Your Majesty, how is the matter of placing eyes and ears among Zhao Feng's trusted aides?" Yu Liao inquired.

When it came to such clandestine matters, perhaps Yu Liao was the only one in the entire court who dared to ask. After all, ever since he had pledged himself to Qin and earned Ying Zheng's trust, even the existence of the Heibing Platform, an organization passed down through the succession of Qin's monarchy, was known to him.

"It's a strange matter, now that you mention it." Ying Zheng stopped what he was doing.

Yu Liao also paused. "I wish to hear the details."

"Zhao Feng had his Personal Guard Commander select elites from the army. The Heibing Platform had managed to insert more than ten Heibingtai Anshi into the selection pool, but they were all rejected the very next day. Without exception, none of those men became one of Zhao Feng's trusted aides," Ying Zheng said in a heavy tone, his eyes filled with contemplation.

"Could it be that they revealed their identity as Heibingtai Anshi?" Yu Liao asked, slightly taken aback.

"Impossible," Ying Zheng waved his hand, his expression serious. "Heibingtai Anshi do not recognize each other. Even if a few were exposed by some fluke and weeded out, it's impossible for them all to have been exposed. This is what puzzles me."

Hearing this, Yu Liao's face also grew pensive. He was naturally aware of the strict secrecy of the Heibing Platform. Even among fellow Dark Guards, unless they wore identical clothing, once mixed into a crowd, none would recognize another. The Heibing Platform was spread throughout every corner of Shenzhou—in the military, in government offices, and even among the common people. They were everywhere. This was the terrifying reach of the Heibing Platform, and it had provided Qin with countless pieces of intelligence, laying the foundation for its future unification.

"Could it be that this Zhao Feng can read people's hearts?" Yu Liao said with a laugh.

"Read people's hearts?" Ying Zheng smiled faintly, then shook his head. "Does such an art truly exist in this world?"

"Perhaps," Yu Liao chuckled. "Other than that, I really can't figure out how Zhao Feng could have pinpointed the Dark Guards."

"It seems this Zhao Feng is truly formidable," Ying Zheng said slowly. "He can even find the most covert Dark Guards."

"Your Majesty, why not send more Dark Guards?" Yu Liao suggested with a smile.

"His contingent of trusted aides is already full. It's impossible to place any more," Ying Zheng shook his head. "I wonder... was it unintentional, or did he do it on purpose? If it was unintentional, that's one thing. But if it was deliberate and he can read people's hearts, then Zhao Feng is simply terrifying. He is no ordinary man," Yu Liao remarked with a sigh of admiration.

"Regarding this young man," Ying Zheng smiled, "my curiosity grows ever stronger."

"Since Zhao Feng is Your Majesty's subject, you will surely see him in the future. It's a pity that it is the Eldest Imperial Son who will be going to reward the troops this time; otherwise, I would have really liked to visit the Zhao state and see Qin's newest and sharpest War General for myself," Yu Liao said with a smile.

After all, neither the sovereign nor his minister had ever met Zhao Feng. An eighteen-year-old Main General who had achieved great merit time and again... they were truly curious

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