The mountains were high, the roads long. Once he left, there was no telling when he would return.
King Zheng of Qin sat in his chair, his gaze deep as though lost in thought. He held a jade bird in his hand, lightly rubbing it with his fingertips.
The gathered ministers sat in utter silence, all waiting for King Zheng of Qin to speak.
He slowly raised his hand and set the jade bird aside before looking down at those below the dais.
"Wang Ben."
A middle-aged general radiating murderous intent stepped out from his seat and dropped to one knee. "This general is here!"
"Attack Qi from the former lands of Yan." King Zheng of Qin's voice carried an unquestionable majesty, making every minister in the hall's scalp tingle as their breathing quickened.
This command perhaps signified that the centuries-long era of chaos was about to end, and that Qin would gain complete control over the realm.
Wang Ben found it somewhat difficult to breathe. Raising his head to look at King Zheng of Qin, he said, "This general accepts the command!"
It was now early 221 BC.
"You will not disappoint me, will you?" King Zheng of Qin looked down upon Wang Ben like a true dragon.
"Never!" Wang Ben's excited voice trembled.
The court session had already ended. King Zheng of Qin sat alone beneath a side hall of Xianyang Palace, watching the sun slowly sink in the west.
"I'm about to achieve it, Brother Chao."
He was still stroking that jade bird.
He knew Ji Chao's efforts had borne results.
During the reign of the late King Zhuangxiang of Qin, barbarian tribes from the west had constantly harassed them. While contending for dominance over the Central Plains, King Zhuangxiang had also needed to divert his attention