HCB Chapter 578 King Qin Meets Han Xin
Chapter 578 King Qin Meets Han Xin
His words carried a powerful persuasive force: "Moreover, we should broaden our horizons. As Mr. Lin once said on his journey, there is still a vast world overseas. If we can cultivate a spirit of 'pioneering and enterprising' throughout the empire, then some internal disputes will seem insignificant in the face of greater common interests and a more magnificent goal. This is the 'great way'! Your Highness's new policies, such as the imperial examination system that selects officials regardless of their background, are precisely aimed at breaking the old pattern of interests and selecting new talents who can understand and implement this 'great way'!"
He concluded with a grand and imposing statement: "Therefore, I believe that if the Great Qin wishes to establish a foundation for ten thousand generations, it should cultivate benevolent governance internally and nurture the strength of its people; externally, it should demonstrate its military might and expand its territory; moreover, it must establish the grand ambition of 'all under heaven as one family, expanding into the four seas,' guiding the great trend with the great principles. In this way, internal troubles can be quelled, external threats can be eliminated, and the imperial cause can be expected!"
Her lengthy discourse, broad in scope and clear in its thinking, encompassed domestic affairs, diplomacy, military affairs, strategy, and even ideology. It not only answered Ying Wuyou's question but also subtly revealed the deeper intentions behind many of her policies.
The hall was silent. Although Lin Xi had heard many of Han Xin's insights on the way, she was still deeply impressed. Ying Wuyou, on the other hand, stared intently at Han Xin for a long time before a genuine smile of admiration appeared on her face.
"What a wonderful phrase, 'leading the trend with the great way'! What a wonderful phrase, 'all under heaven are one family, opening up the four seas'!" Ying Wuyou clapped his hands in admiration. "Young Master Han is indeed worthy of his reputation. He truly has the talent to govern the world! He is not just a person who talks about war on paper."
She stood up, walked to Han Xin, and said in an extremely solemn tone, "Your talent is exactly what I, and the Qin Dynasty, need most right now! Please don't rush to agree. You can travel around Xianyang and give me your answer later."
Instead of immediately getting Han Xin involved in specific tasks, Ying Wuyou gave him the honorary title of "Military Advisor," allowing him to freely access non-core confidential documents and archives, attend lectures at the Qin Academy, and even grant him special permission to observe the Imperial Guards' drills at specific times.
This was a seemingly lenient arrangement, but in reality, it was extremely demanding. Ying Wuyou was observing how Han Xin would utilize these resources, how he would interact with various figures in Xianyang, and whether his talent could truly withstand the test of practice.
Han Xin was fully aware of this. He didn't slack off in the slightest because of this "idle" position; on the contrary, he threw himself into studying the core operating mechanisms of the Qin Empire with great eagerness. He spent his days in the archives and academy, and his evenings organizing notes and combining them with his own thoughts, often until late at night. He remained neither good at nor willing to engage in pointless social interactions; his aloofness seemed out of place in the talent-rich city of Xianyang, naturally attracting some criticism.
"He's just a madman who looks down on everyone just because His Highness has a little appreciation for him."
"I heard that you almost suffered the humiliation of crawling between someone's legs in Pei County. Such forbearance is not the mark of a gentleman."
"The military strategies you speak of seem grand, but they are actually empty and impractical."
These rumors eventually reached Han Xin's ears, but he merely sneered and ignored them. His confidence stemmed from absolute trust in his own talents, not from the opinions of others. He devoted all his energy to analyzing the Qin army's organization, equipment, and logistics, studying the habits and tactics of the northern Xiongnu, and deducing the potential impact of the terrain and climate of the southern Baiyue region on military operations.
Inside the Zhangtai Palace, the candlelight cast a long shadow of King Ying Zheng of Qin, projected onto the huge hanging map. He had just finished reviewing a stack of memorials concerning the resettlement of refugees from Chu. He rubbed his slightly sore temples. The palace was silent, save for the dripping of the water clock, which added to the somber atmosphere.
It seemed he hadn't seen Jiayang for several days.
"What has Jiayang been up to lately?" The King of Qin asked casually, his gaze still fixed on the map, his voice echoing in the empty hall.
The guard captain standing to the side bowed and respectfully reported, "Your Majesty, we have heard that Princess Jiayang has been frequently receiving someone in recent days."
"Oh?" King Qin finally raised his eyes, his sharp gaze sweeping over the guards. "Who is it?" Anyone who could make Wuyou meet with him for several days in a row must be no ordinary person.
"According to the information I have received, this man is named Han Xin. He was brought from Pei County by Lin Xi, a guard under the princess. Her Highness seems to value this man highly, summoning him for several days and talking with him for a long time."
"Han Xin!"
The name flashed through the King of Qin's mind like a bolt of lightning.
He remembered! A few years ago, in Jiayang's "heartfelt words," besides mentioning "Xiang Yu" and "Liu Ji," another name was also mentioned, although not as often as the former two, but it still left a deep impression—Han Xin!
How were those "inner thoughts" described at that time? The King of Qin tried hard to recall, and the blurry images gradually became clearer… Oh right, there seems to be a widely circulated saying: "Han Xin commands troops, the more the better." This means that when Han Xin commanded an army, he could easily lead tens of thousands, even millions, of soldiers into battle; his military talent was so outstanding that he could be called a genius of his time!
Furthermore, Jia Yang once mentioned in his heartfelt words that Han Xin was one of Liu Bang's most outstanding generals, who repeatedly achieved great feats and became renowned throughout the land. Ultimately, due to his outstanding achievements, Han Xin was enfeoffed as a vassal king, becoming a legendary figure.
Has Jiayang actually found Han Xin? Thinking of this, the King of Qin couldn't help but feel excited and expectant.
"Issue the order," the King of Qin said calmly but with an undeniable air of authority, "that Jia Yang bring Han Xin to see me at 9:00 AM tomorrow."
The commander of the guards accepted the order and withdrew, his footsteps fading into the distance in the empty hall.
The next morning, at the princess's residence.
"Father wants to see Han Xin?" Ying Wuyou asked in surprise. "Do you know why?"
The attendant bowed and reported, "His Majesty did not say it explicitly, only that we would meet at Zhangtai Palace at 9:00 AM."
Ying Wuyou waved her hand to dismiss her attendants and paced back and forth in the hall. She had been meeting with Han Xin for several days to assess his abilities, intending to recommend him to her father at a suitable time. She hadn't expected her father to be so well-informed.
"Lin Xi," she called to her personal guard, "go and invite Han Xin. Tell him I have something important to discuss with him."
Before long, a tall young man followed Lin Xi into the hall. He had changed into clothes tailored to his measurements by Ying Wuyou, and he looked radiant, exuding an extraordinary air as he walked.
"Your subordinate greets Your Highness." His bow was not perfectly standard, but it was natural and fluid.
“Mr. Han, please rise,” Ying Wuyou gestured for him to sit down. “I have invited you here today because I have important matters to discuss with you. My father already knows that you are here and has ordered me to take you to Zhangtai Palace for an audience at 9:00 AM.”
A hint of surprise flashed in Han Xin's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure: "I wonder what brings Your Majesty to my court?"
“I don’t know either,” Jia Yang said, carefully choosing her words. “However, since Father has summoned you specifically, he must have heard of you. You are a man of great talent, and if given the opportunity, you will surely be able to realize your ambitions.”
Han Xin nodded slightly, but there was a hint of smugness in his eyes.
Ying Wuyou was secretly anxious. She knew that the King of Qin was suspicious by nature, and if Han Xin showed even the slightest sign of disloyalty, he would probably not escape death. As for Han Xin, although he had outstanding military talent, he was quite arrogant in interpersonal relationships and not good at flattery.
[I hope Han Xin won't anger my father...] Ying Wuyou prayed in his heart.