"Father," Fusu asked, somewhat surprised, "this Blood Ginseng is priceless. Are you really going to bestow it upon him?"

When Zhao Feng first made the request, Fusu had thought Ying Zheng would not grant it. After all, the Blood Ginseng was a life-saving Spiritual Medicine in critical times, a supreme treasure of the royal family. Countless ministers from previous generations had requested it, but none had ever received it.

"The Blood Ginseng is an inanimate object," Ying Zheng said slowly. "But to Qin, Zhao Feng's value is immeasurable. Let him fulfill his filial duty, and also his loyalty."

"The King is truly wise," Han Fei said with a look of admiration.

At that moment, Han Fei truly understood the regal magnanimity of Ying Zheng. Back when he was in Han, Han Fei had heard of this Blood Ginseng; it was a treasure of truly inestimable worth. Even foreign kings had sought it, but they were all rejected by Qin. Yet now, Ying Zheng, the King of Qin, was willing to give such a supreme treasure to a subject.

No king in the world can match the boldness of the King of Qin. With royal power in his hands, he commands his ministers, his generals, and an army of a million strong. With this, how could the world not unite under Qin? I finally understand completely. Han Fei sighed to himself.

"Go and handle it," Ying Zheng said, waving his hand toward Zhao Gao.

"This servant obeys the decree," Zhao Gao replied, immediately withdrawing.

"Apart from the matter concerning Zhao Feng," Han Fei added with a smile, "Your Majesty must have already received the news that Jinyang has fallen. Our Daqin Elite Soldiers can continue to advance eastward. No matter how reluctant the King of Zhao is, he will have to withdraw his troops from Yan this time."

"Fusu," Ying Zheng said, looking at his son with a hint of a test in his gaze. "If the Zhao state withdraws its troops from Yan, do you think Yan will pursue them?"

Upon hearing the question, Fusu became serious, knowing his father was testing him. After pondering silently for a moment, he replied loudly, "Before the new year, Yan sent envoys to Qin seeking support. Qin dispatched troops to save Yan, forming an alliance. If Zhao withdraws from Yan, Yan will certainly not miss the chance for revenge. They will definitely pursue them vigorously and strike a severe blow to the Zhao Jun."

Hearing this answer, however, Ying Zheng shook his head in disappointment.

"Father, was what your son said incorrect?" Fusu asked, taken aback and confused.

"It's not that you're wrong, Prince," Han Fei interjected. "It's that you view this alliance too simplistically."

"Qin sent troops for a righteous cause—to save Yan. Without Qin's intervention, Yan might have been destroyed by Zhao. In Yan's eyes, does that not count as an alliance?" Fusu argued, holding to his own perspective.

"Prince, you are too naive," Han Fei said with a faint smile. "There is no such thing as an unbreakable alliance between nations. Before Qin aided Yan, the Great King had also signed a pact with the King of Zhao. Such pacts are built on national interest. If there is no conflict of interest, an alliance can hold. If interests conflict, an alliance is nothing more than a scrap of silk."

At this point, Han Fei understood the limits of Fusu's perspective.

Crown Prince Fusu is too heavily influenced by Confucianism, to the point that it has narrowed his perspective. Although he has a kind and benevolent nature, he is ultimately not suited to be a ruler. In a nation free from internal and external threats, he might serve as a benevolent monarch who maintains the status quo. However, he is simply not capable of being a king who expands territory or quells internal strife.

From Fusu's response alone, Han Fei understood the prince's capabilities.

"Do you mean to say Yan would break its alliance with Qin?" Fusu asked with a frown.

"It's not about breaking it," Han Fei explained. "At most, they would allow the Zhao Jun to withdraw from Yan without obstruction. They will not pursue them. After all, to Yan, Qin is a far greater threat than the Zhao state is. If we were to truly destroy Zhao, Yan would live in constant unease."

Fusu nodded with a serious expression, his face a mask of deep thought.

After a long while, Fusu said, "Thank you for the lesson, Minister."

"Minister Han," Ying Zheng suddenly spoke.

"Your servant is here," Han Fei responded.

"I wonder, what is your assessment of Fusu's talent?" Ying Zheng asked.

"This..." Han Fei glanced at Fusu, then replied, "The Prince has good natural abilities, but his way of thinking has already solidified, and it differs from the path I follow."

As a clever man, Han Fei immediately understood the king's intention: Ying Zheng wanted him to mentor Fusu. But Han Fei was too astute for that. Agreeing to tutor Fusu would mean getting entangled in the vortex of the succession struggle, and he was not so foolish as to make that mistake. He was alive and served Qin for one reason: to see the unified Huaxia that Zhao Feng had spoken of.

Seeing this, Ying Zheng glanced at Han Fei but did not insist. "In that case, it is a pity."

"The Prince has Grand Tutor Chunyu Yue to instruct him. I am certain he will achieve great things," Han Fei immediately added with a smile.

...

「Xianyang, the Royal Mansion!」

Several months had passed since Wang Yan had given birth. She was now able to leave her bed and was sitting in the courtyard. Beside her was a small cot where her son and daughter lay.

"My first treasure, my second treasure," Wang Yan cooed, playing with her children, her face glowing with motherly affection. "You are already two months old. In a few more months, you'll be able to walk, and by then your father might just return."

From the moment she gave birth to her twins, Wang Yan had truly become a mother, a different person from who she was before.

"Yan'er," a voice called out. "I've found all the guards you requested."

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