Regarding this so-called oath of allegiance unto death, Ying Zheng rely responded with a calm smile.
"Guo Kai. The King of Zhao doesn’t know you were captured by Qin. Upon your return to the Zhao state, you are to continue in your role as Pri Minister. Should I have any tasks for you, I will send soone to inform you. Of course, you may also choose not to act. However, if you refuse, I will publicize the secrets you’ve shared, along with the silk manuscript pledging your allegiance to . In that case, Zhao will certainly not tolerate you," Ying Zheng said, gazing at Guo Kai.
Upon hearing this, Guo Kai’s heart trembled. He understood perfectly that after writing those things, he had no way out. If they were exposed, the King of Zhao would never spare him. He hadn’t just leaked state secrets; he had also revealed the King of Zhao’s personal indulgences and sordid deeds, such as the sche to usurp the position of Crown Prince zhao Yi—all of it was written down. If this information were to spread, not only would Guo Kai be dood, but the Zhao Royal Family would also suffer sha and humiliation.
Fully aware of his situation, Guo Kai responded respectfully, "This servant swears undying loyalty to the Great King."
Ying Zheng added with a slight, persuasive smile, "Of course, as long as you serve , I can make you a promise. In the future, if you render ritorious service and aid Qin in conquering Zhao, I may not grant you a high office or vast riches, but I will absolutely guarantee you a lifeti of glory and wealth, ensuring your descendants are free from worry."
Hearing this, Guo Kai’s heart rejoiced. Glory and wealth were precisely what he pursued, and as long as he had them, he felt anything was worth it.
"This servant would die ten thousand deaths for you!" Guo Kai bowed excitedly.
"Yu Qing, find a way to send Guo Kai back to the Zhao state. However, his return must not be conspicuous. Make it look like he barely escaped with his life."
"Guo Kai, rember this," Ying Zheng continued in a firm voice. "Everyone who accompanied you on this mission is now dead. You alone managed to escape. Once you are back in the Zhao state, you must not speak well of or show any favoritism toward Qin. You must display sufficient hostility towards both and Qin. Do you understand?"
"This servant understands," Guo Kai nodded repeatedly.
After Yu Liao led Guo Kai away, Li Si spoke up. "Great King, capturing Guo Kai is a great gain indeed. With him, Qin can obtain more intelligence on the Zhao state. Moreover, based on what Guo Kai said, the King of Zhao dislikes Lian Po and Li Mu, and he is especially displeased with Lian Po. Perhaps we can use Guo Kai to force Lian Po from the Zhao court, depriving the Zhao state of a capable general," he suggested with a smile.
"Once Guo Kai has re-established his footing in the Zhao court, we will begin our move against Lian Po. That old general is indeed difficult to deal with," Ying Zheng nodded.
"Our most urgent task now is to form an alliance with the Zhao state. This will resolve the King of Zhao’s worries about his rear and encourage him to attack Yan," Li Si added. "This matter still requires careful planning."
Ti flew by.
「Wei City」
As a populous border city built along the Wei River, Wei City was remarkably prosperous. It had a specialized rchants’ dock and a population of over a hundred thousand, many of whom were rchants.
Within the city, a tavern nad Immortals’ Liquor House had been open for ten days. From its initially quiet start to being constantly packed with custors, only ten days had passed.
"My esteed guests, my sincerest apologies!" the tavern’s shopkeeper called out, bowing with a wide smile. "All three floors of the tavern are already full, and I’m not sure when a table will open up. Of course, if you’re looking to buy so wine to take ho, that’s still possible!"
"Damn, no tables again today! Shopkeeper, can’t you expand this place? How many people can these three floors even hold?" a custor in line complained.
"That’s right, expand! Your tavern’s wine is famous all along the Wei River, and your food pairings are excellent too!"
"Even if you don’t expand, you need to sell more wine each day! I’ve co for several days straight and still haven’t been able to buy any."
"Brew more! Your wine is so fragrant and potent! It’s truly a top-shelf spirit."
"Hey, you don’t know the half of it! The wine most of us drink is called ’Double-Distilled’, and it costs Three Hundred Coins a pot. But the one that sells for one thousand coins, ’Intoxication’, tastes even better! A sha it’s too expensive for ."
"And that’s just the one-thousand-coin wine. I’ve heard there are even pricier ones selling for five thousand coins a pot, and the best is nad ’Immortal’s Nectar’, the house treasure of Immortals’ Liquor House. It’s priced at a hundred gold coins a pot. I wonder what that must taste like..."
The people queueing outside voiced their complaints to the shopkeeper. Yet, amid their grievances, their affection for the fine wines of Immortals’ Liquor House was unmistakable.
In just ten short days, the fine wines of Immortals’ Liquor House had captivated the hearts of every wine lover in Wei City. Furthermore, with the Wei River serving as a major comrcial waterway, the tavern’s reputation was bound to spread far and wide as ti went on.
"I’ve taken note of everyone’s suggestions and will certainly have the distillery increase production!" the shopkeeper said cheerfully. "Please form an orderly queue. There is still enough wine for everyone to purchase so for now!"
Seeing such a thriving business, he too was very pleased.
anwhile, in an inner room on the second floor of Immortals’ Liquor House, Han Xi looked at Zhao Feng with excitent. "My lord, business at Immortals’ Liquor House is extraordinarily good! You might not guess how much this single tavern has earned in just ten days."
"Do tell," Zhao Feng said with a smile.
"This one tavern has earned seven hundred gold coins in just ten days."
"Perhaps it’s because winter is setting in. Strong liquor is in high demand for staying warm, so it’s selling incredibly well," Han Xi added excitedly.
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