Even in My Absence, I Will Send Troops Against You

"The Chu Kingdom? Surely the Chu Kingdom wouldn't take this opportunity to wage war against the other states?" Azi said, frowning.

It is an undeniable fact that the Chu Kingdom has declined in recent years. With the new emperor now on the throne, everything is in a state of disarray and rebuilding. The Empress is already struggling to manage internal affairs, so how can she have the energy to wage war abroad?

"Not necessarily!" General Qi Gongcheng shook his head, cupped his hands to King Qi Wen, and said, "Your Majesty, the Mysterious Bookstore is located within the territory of the Chu Kingdom. According to the information I have received, the owner of this Mysterious Bookstore has an ambiguous relationship with the Empress of the Chu Kingdom. Moreover, this time, among the Five Nations of Canglong, he kidnapped the kings of the other four kingdoms besides the Empress of the Chu Kingdom. It is absolutely impossible that he did not indirectly help Chu Kingdom."

Qi Gongcheng's words were indeed reasonable and well-founded. Of the five kingdoms and five kings, the only one missing was the Empress of the Chu Kingdom. Moreover, the Mysterious Bookstore was located within the territory of the Chu Kingdom, and the relationship between the bookstore owner and the Empress was extraordinary. Under these circumstances, it was hard not to make people think the wrong thing.

"Huh? Does the shopkeeper intend to help the Chu Kingdom unify the Azure Dragon Continent?" Azi asked in surprise.

"While I cannot say for sure, given the current situation, there is definitely a chance of that happening," General Qi Gongcheng said with a serious expression.

Upon hearing this, King Qi Wen pondered for a moment and said, "Actually, what I'm worried about isn't Chu Kingdom's war against Qi State. Although the shopkeeper has bound the four kings to Dubian Town, he hasn't restricted our freedom. Otherwise, you wouldn't be here to see me now. This shows that the shopkeeper has no intention of helping Chu Kingdom unify the Azure Dragon Continent, but..."

At this point, King Qi Wen rubbed his temples, looking like he had a headache. Seeing this, Azi quickly got up and came behind King Qi Wen, reaching out to rub his temples for him.

King Qi Wen patted Azi's hand with satisfaction before continuing, "The Empress of the Chu Kingdom has just ascended the throne, and it's impossible for her to wage war against other states for the time being. Right now, my biggest concern is the Qin State."

"Qin State? Qin Shi Huang? Haven't we always maintained good relations with Qin State?" Azi asked from behind, puzzled.

King Qi Wen shook his head and said, "Making good relations is not a bad thing, but Qin Shi Huang has gone mad. Whether he will still keep his promises is not only a question, but more importantly, what I am most worried about is that he may continue to wage war against Yan State under these circumstances."

"Qin Shi Huang really gone mad?" General Qi Gongcheng exclaimed in shock.

News of Qin Shi Huang's capricious temper, his tendency to kill at the drop of a hat, and his insistence on waging war against the Yan State despite the opposition of his officials had already spread to the high-ranking officials of other states. Everyone was speculating whether Qin Shi Huang had suffered some kind of shock, but no one dared to think that Qin Shi Huang had gone mad.

After all, Qin Shi Huang ruled the Qin State for over two thousand years, working diligently to make Qin State flourish and become the strongest of the five kingdoms. How could such a wise man be insane?

Moreover, Qin Shi Huang was quite accomplished in his cultivation; aside from his constant desire for Longevity and Immortality, he had no other faults.

"If he's not feigning madness, then he must be truly insane," King Qi Wen sighed. He had known Qin Shi Huang for over a thousand years and knew him well as a ruler who was exceptionally shrewd yet never flaunted his power. However, after spending the last few days with Qin Shi Huang, he found him to be quite different from the Qin Shi Huang had encountered before.

Especially given that the rulers of the four states were captured at the same time, and considering Qin Shi Huang's previous insistence on attacking the Yan State, it is not impossible that Qin Shi Huang would not continue to wage war against the Yan State during this period, or even extend the war to the other states.

After all, the Qin Army was the most disciplined among the five states. The simultaneous disappearance of the rulers of the other four states might have caused national turmoil and instability in the army, making them feel that there was no leader. However, this was not a problem in the Qin State.

Even if the Qin State army lost its commander, it would not affect its combat capability, because the Qin State army had iron discipline.

"Then should we still stand on Qin State's side?" Azi suddenly asked.

Upon hearing Azi's words, General Qi Gongcheng, who was standing nearby, also perked up his ears and listened attentively, because he also wanted to know the answer, but he could not ask.

King Qi Wen patted Azi's hand, signaling her to stop massaging her temples. Azi withdrew her hand, and he slowly said, "We'll see how things go, but in any case, Qin State cannot be destroyed, nor can it rise again. Maintaining the status quo among the five states is the best course of action."

Upon hearing this, General Qi Gongcheng sighed and said, "How difficult it is!"

The chaos among the five kingdoms is just beginning to emerge. Whether they are ordinary cultivators or not, they can all feel this atmosphere to some extent. Everyone knows that this situation of the five kingdoms standing in balance will be broken in the near future.

It's just a matter of time.

King Qi Wen remained silent, but Azi, who was standing behind him, suddenly walked to the door, opened it, looked outside for a while, then closed the door and turned to say, "When I came in, I saw the Qin State and the Six Divine Generals enter this courtyard together. They must be going to see Qin Shi Huang now."

"Azi, these next few days, have people keep a close eye on their movements. Also, Gongcheng, Qi State should increase its troop deployment within Qin State's territory for defense, and the number of spies within Qin State should be doubled. Although I am not in Qi State, I need to know everything Qin State does at any time."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Azi and General Qi Gongcheng replied in unison.

King Qi Wen then waved his hand and said, "You may all leave; I am tired."

He has to Early Bird to work at the Mysterious Bookstore tomorrow, so he needs to go to bed early.

"Your subject (daughter) takes her leave." Azi and General Qi Gongcheng bowed and departed as instructed.

King Qi Wen watched the two figures depart, his face filled with worry.

Hopefully, these three months will pass peacefully!

In Qin Shi Huang's room, Qin Shi Huang sat on Grand Tutor Chair, facing the Prime Minister of Qin State and the Six Divine Generals of Qin State.

The Six Divine Generals was not an official title, but rather the title of one of the six generals in the Qin State's attack on the Yan State.

As for the First General, he was also honorably included in the Investiture of the Gods the Gods along with Qin Shi Huang, spending his days teaching and such, and forgetting about fighting.

"How is the battle going?" Qin Shi Huang asked in a deep voice.

Qin State Di Heyu replied, "Your Majesty, due to the capture of General Bai Ling, the 500,000 troops have been withdrawn to Giant Horn (a city on the border between Qin and Yan) and are awaiting further instructions."

"What are you waiting for? Bai Ling has been captured, but don't you still have your Six Divine Generals? Go back immediately and continue attacking Yan State. As for Qin Shuren, release him from the dungeon and let him take over Bai Ling's position." Qin Shi Huang's face was solemn and dignified, but his tone carried a hint of dissatisfaction.

"Your Majesty, but you..." One of the Six Divine Generals bowed and was about to speak, but was immediately pulled back by another of the six generals beside him.

"Are you defying my decree?" Qin Shi Huang frowned, stood up straight, and a black longsword appeared in his hand.

"Whoosh!" They all knelt on the ground.

"We dare not!"

Qin Shi Huang stared at Di Heyu and the Six Divine Generals kneeling on the ground with a gloomy face, without saying a word. An aura of death filled the air. Tension beads of sweat rolled down the foreheads of the seven men, and their breathing became heavier.

"Remember, speed is of the essence. Crown Prince Yan and Yan Xun are both in Dubian Town. The Yan State is leaderless, and among its 500,000 troops are 200,000 Northern Liang Army. If we seize the opportunity, the Yan State army will be crushed in one blow. This is Great Qin chance, my chance, do you understand?" Qin Shi Huang said quietly.

"We understand!" the seven men replied, bowing respectfully.

Qin Shi Huang took a jade pendant from his waist and handed it to Di Heyu, saying calmly, "Take my token and release Qin Shuren. He will understand my intention. Also, bring me the imperial edict seal. From now on, you don't need to send anyone; our Dragon Eagle messengers can handle the communication."

"Your subject obeys the decree!" Di Heyu accepted the jade pendant and bowed to the other six people in response.

"Speed is of the Extreme Speed in war! Go forth! You must launch an attack on the Yan State within three days and capture its Imperial Capital within seven!" Qin Shi Huang waved his hand and shouted sternly.

"Yes!"