The siblings Luo Yi and Luo Cai continued north. Luo Cai felt that her elder brother had grown much quieter, so she asked, "Brother, you've been lost in thought ever since we left Huaiyin. Has something happened?"
Luo Yi pondered for a moment before saying, "I was only thinking about what you said earlier, Cai. Looking back now, that man really was unusual. I should have spoken with him properly and examined his abilities. If he truly had talent, I should have brought him back into the clan. The First Emperor is growing older, and the commoners throughout the realm have suffered under Qin's rule for a long time. They cannot bear another moment of the countless heavy labor levies and crushing taxes. Now is precisely the time to gather the realm's heroes."
Seeing her brother feeling some regret because of her words, Luo Cai, who had always been close to him, could only comfort him gently. "Brother, don't worry too much. We've met no shortage of intelligent, talented men along the way, but from your conversations with them, most couldn't even see the broader currents of the realm clearly. Those capable of governing a county numbered no more than the fingers of one hand, and we haven't encountered anyone who could truly stir the winds and clouds of the realm. I only helped Han Xin on a whim because I found him rather agreeable. Don't take it too much to heart, Brother. My tongue was too sharp."
Luo Yi shook his head. "No, Cai, you were quite right. Whenever an age of chaos is about to begin, outstanding men are certain to emerge. If we missed a hero because of me, it would be too late for regret."
The First Emperor headed toward Qi Land. He went there on