The azure sky was washed clean, but below it lay a scene of iron discipline and blood: full suits of bronze armor and mighty professional elite soldiers, their murderous aura surging skyward as though stirring the winds and clouds.
Han Cheng and Zhao Yong gazed at Wei State's broad-shouldered, thick-waisted Wuzu, practically drooling with envy. "Marquis of Wei, your Wuzu truly are one of the strongest armies under heaven!"
Of the six states assembling for the Vertical Alliance, only Han and Zhao had sent their actual rulers. The other three states had sent princes instead, clearly unwilling to trust Marquis Qing of Wei's character.
Marquis Qing of Wei cursed in fury, "Qi State and Qin State dare humiliate me like this! If they already harbor ulterior motives at the alliance assembly, how can they fight Chu State with one heart?"
Wei Cheng considered this perfectly reasonable. Coalition warfare was naturally full of mutual wrangling, so he advised, "My lord, the Count of Qin and the Duke of Qi are shortsighted, while you are an enlightened ruler and the leader of the Vertical Alliance.
"You should take the lead in demonstrating sincerity to quell the discord within the alliance. Only then can the Vertical Alliance achieve its purpose. Our greatest priority now is defeating Chu State.
"I propose that Wei State exchange princes as hostages with Qin State and Qi State. This will surely dispel their wariness."
A hostage prince was not merely a hostage, but a weapon for interfering in another state's internal affairs. Thus, exchanging hostages was a high-level political commitment.
Marquis Qing of Wei's eyes lit up. He hastily feigned a sigh and said, "I love my sons. How could I bear to place them in danger?
"But as sons of the Ducal House, they have enjoyed wealth