Different Intentions, Overt and Covert Strife

"Prime Minister, King Wucheng, please wait for me, wait for me."

Leaving Qingxian Hall, You Hun trotted to catch up with Huang Feihu and Shang Rong, who were walking together, and shamelessly tried to get close to them.

"My lords, the Great King's instructions, how do you... see it?"

"We'll see it standing up!"

"Indeed!"

Huang Feihu spoke, and Shang Rong smiled knowingly: if they were to watch standing, then naturally someone else would be watching kneeling.

You Hun's mouth twitched, a flash of anger crossed his face before disappearing. A true man knows when to bend and when to stand firm; he wouldn't stoop to the level of this brute!

"King Wucheng, we are both serving the Great King. The task is arduous now, so let us put aside our past grievances and work together for the Great King. How about you two esteemed lords come to my manor for a while? We can discuss how to handle this matter properly."

"This..."

As the saying goes, one doesn't hit a smiling face. You Hun greeted them with a smile, and Huang Feihu couldn't bring himself to mock the scoundrel further. However, he was still hesitant about working with him.

If this news were to get out, his lifelong reputation would be ruined! But the king's command was paramount. If his disagreement with this scoundrel were to ruin the Great King's grand plan, then...

In his indecision, Huang Feihu looked to Shang Rong. The latter, however, had no such qualms and nodded directly, saying, "I have long heard of the luxury of Lord You Hun's manor. This old man is fortunate to see it today!"

Shang Rong was not as straightforward as Huang Feihu. He had already roughly guessed Di Xin's intention: This is the cannon fodder I've prepared for you, use it as you please, play with it however you like.

Since that was the case, he wouldn't hold back!

"Prime Minister, please! King Wucheng, please!"

You Hun was overjoyed. If Shang Rong hadn't agreed, he would never have dared to act according to his own plan.

Once he made his move, it would surely incur the wrath of the lords and ministers of Chaoge. This was a situation of seeking life amidst death! If Shang Rong and Huang Feihu were to stab him in the back and kill him to appease the public's resentment, then after the matter was settled, all the benefits would be theirs, and he would only have a grave. He, You Hun, would certainly do such a thing, sacrificing himself for the benefit of others!

In this situation, although King Wucheng Huang Feihu was an upright man and might not do such a thing, Prime Minister Shang Rong would absolutely not show mercy to a treacherous official like himself!

Yes, You Hun's self-awareness was exceptionally clear!

To gamble his own life on the mercy and conscience of others? You Hun would never do that!

The royal palace gradually receded. The three of them, riding in a carriage pulled by exotic beasts, arrived at an unremarkable mansion within three quarters of an hour.

"This mansion?"

Looking at the dilapidated main gate, Huang Feihu's brows furrowed. He almost pointed at You Hun's nose and asked: Is this your luxurious manor?

"Ahem, King Wucheng, people... cannot be judged by their appearance!"

You Hun said with a flourish, his words carrying a hidden meaning. Shang Rong, however, got off the carriage without a word, carefully stepped over the threshold, and walked inside.

"King Wucheng, please go ahead."

You Hun stepped aside. Huang Feihu hesitated before stepping forward: Could it be that I've wronged him? Is this You Hun a man of integrity?

Before Huang Feihu could feel guilty for half an incense stick's worth of time, he and Shang Rong, accompanied by You Hun, had already arrived in the main hall.

As he stepped in, Huang Feihu only glanced at the hall. He couldn't bring his other foot to step inside!

Good heavens, tables and chairs made of jade, silk screens, and these bronze beams... even Prince Dizi Shou, who was said to have held up the heavens, couldn't bear their weight!

And then there were the luminous pearls on the roof, the hides of savage beasts on the floor, and these few minor demons whose cultivation had been sealed. The scent of fox and cat, it was over the top!

"Indeed, people cannot be judged by their appearance!"

Huang Feihu sighed, finally truly understanding You Hun's words: Don't look at the broken gate, you'll understand once you get inside!

"Haha, this subordinate occasionally receives the Great King's favor, and friends and family also send some trinkets. Over time, these common items have accumulated. Prime Minister, King Wucheng, please take your seats, please."

You Hun maintained a humble posture, but his gaze constantly observed Shang Rong's attitude. His intention was clear: I have the Great King's favor and am on good terms with the various feudal lords. You must weigh the consequences before trying to stab me in the back. Why don't we sit down and talk properly? If we divide, both will suffer; if we unite, both will benefit.

"It's much better than my dilapidated hovel."

Shang Rong slowly nodded and knelt at a jade square table on the right side of the hall. Huang Feihu sat to his right, and You Hun sat opposite them.

"The Great King's request is difficult, yet also easy."

Shang Rong spoke first, and You Hun quickly followed, showcasing his capabilities.

"That's right. As long as the chosen slaves are strong enough, fed three meals a day, given ample rest, not rushed during rainy, snowy, or hailstormy weather, and treated by physicians when sick, these slaves can completely survive!"

"Indeed, the Great King did not set a completion date."

Huang Feihu nodded belatedly.

"Then how should we select these one hundred thousand slaves?"

Shang Rong stroked his beard and got to the point. It was true that Di Xin had hundreds of thousands of slaves, most of whom were women, children, and the disabled. The adult male slaves numbered only tens of thousands. Even if they selected the strong ones, they would be lucky to get ten thousand. Now, they needed one hundred thousand. This was the meaning behind Di Xin's words, "They are not my slaves": whether through coercion or extortion, the price is set, and you must get it done!

Seeing the playful mockery in Shang Rong's eyes, You Hun's mouth twitched incessantly: This old fellow, knowing full well I'm the King's "white glove" for you, you still pretend to be foolish and naive, striking at the heart! Truly striking at the heart!

However, despite his anger, this was a matter of life and death, and You Hun dared not lose his temper!

"If the Prime Minister and King Wucheng trust this subordinate, this subordinate is willing to try. However, I will still need the assistance of both your excellencies."

"How will you assist me?"

Huang Feihu, being a true general, could handle charging into battle, but the subtle nuances of words were beyond him.

Shang Rong, that old fox, was clearly different. Before You Hun could even begin to explain, he nodded and stood up:

"Yes! Go ahead and do it!"

I have fewer than a thousand slaves under me; pick and choose as you please!

Huang Feihu, still confused, was led away by Shang Rong. You Hun watched them leave. After they disappeared, he kicked over an expensive jade table in front of him:

"Damn it! Fei Zhong! Shang Rong! I, You Hun, will remember this! Don't let me catch you, or I'll make you taste my power!"

"Guards, bring out my carriage! I'm going to visit all the dukes and ministers one by one!"

"Yes, sir!"

Just as You Hun began to act, Fei Zhong returned home and started contemplating his own mission—to recruit Kong Xuan to Chaoge!

Di Xin's single word, "please," carried many implications.

"It seems this Kong Xuan must have something extraordinary about him. To be so valued by the Great King, he will surely rise to prominence in the future! If I befriend him now, perhaps he can help me if I fall on hard times later.

Great King, having been acknowledged by the ancient Three Sovereigns, are you still willing to listen to my sweet talk?

That brat You Hun has always wanted to step on me to get ahead, so I'll let him have his moment. Once this storm passes and I can see the situation clearly, what is mine will be mine, and no one can take it away!"