"So he's attacking Korea years ahead of schedule," Daniel Davis muttered, sitting in a pavilion at the Sun and Moon Manor on the outskirts of Xianyang. Listening to Ying Ge's report on recent developments in the capital, Daniel couldn't help but reflect on the accelerated timeline.
Originally, Korea could have survived for several more years, especially since the Zhengguo Canal wasn't yet completed. But with Daniel's arrival and the resulting butterfly effect, the kingdom's demise had come early.
Daniel could understand why Ying Zheng had decided to move against Korea now. Qin's army was stronger than ever, especially with the steel smelting techniques and the mechanical beasts—White Tiger and Vermilion Bird—provided by Daniel. These advancements significantly boosted Qin's military prowess.
The steel smelting technology had not only advanced the Gongshu family's work on mechanical beasts but had enhanced Qin's entire military system. The armor was more durable, the weapons sharper, and the crossbow bolts had greater range.
Combined with the hot air balloon technology Daniel provided, Qin's logistics and transportation no longer required the massive labor force they once did. In this context, it wasn't surprising that Ying Zheng wanted to launch a war of conquest.
As for concerns that Korea's early downfall could destabilize Qin's rule, opinions were divided. But from Ying Zheng's perspective, conquering Korea now would give Qin more time to manage and integrate the territory, benefiting the kingdom's long-term strategy. After all, Korea had once been one of the Seven Warring States, a testament to its strength despite its small size.
Conquering Korea offered Qin three major advantages. First, Korea had rich iron ore deposits, something Qin desperately needed, especially with its new steel production methods. Second, Korea's fertile plains were a vital agricultural resource. Despite the recent famine in Korea that led Han Fei to seek foreign grain, the country had plenty of food—just locked away by the nobles. With Qin in control and Daniel's new crop varieties, food production could be dramatically increased. Third, Korea had significant salt production, which meant Qin wouldn't have to rely on imports from Qi for this essential commodity.
Aside from these benefits, controlling Korea would also simplify military logistics. No longer would Qin's army need to funnel through the narrow Hangu Pass to march eastward.
The other six states of the Shandong region could have stopped Qin's eastern expansion with a relatively simple strategy: stationing heavy troops to block the exit of Hangu Pass, or even building a similar fortification on their side. This would have significantly restricted Qin's movements.
Unfortunately for them, they never did. Perhaps someone had once considered it, but the constant infighting among the Shandong states prevented any meaningful action. Building such a fortification would benefit Korea the most, and the other states had little incentive to invest resources into a project that only helped Korea.
Moreover, Korea wasn't strong enough to build such a fortification on its own. Any attempt to do so would have likely provoked a Qin invasion, as the nation lived in constant fear of Qin's military strength.
Of course, Qin wasn't blind to the importance of Hangu Pass. For years, they had stationed a permanent garrison near the pass's exit, maintaining a constant threat over Han, Zhao, and Wei.
"It's a pity about Han Fei, though." With Qin preparing for war, Han Fei had naturally protested, writing a memorial pleading for the preservation of Korea. His arguments were sound, but even the most logical points couldn't sway Ying Zheng's decision, especially with Qin's newfound strength thanks to Daniel.
Han Fei's memorial angered Ying Zheng. If not for Daniel's influence, Han Fei would likely have been thrown into prison. Instead, he was merely placed under house arrest.
"Master, what do you think about the conquest of Korea?" asked Ying Ge.
"If the king deems it necessary, then Korea should fall."
Daniel didn't intend to interfere with Ying Zheng's decision. Although he had considerable knowledge, much of it was theoretical. Ying Zheng, with his practical experience, was better suited to making the final calls.
Even if problems arose from this course of action, they could always be addressed later. As long as Ying Zheng remained alive and in control, any underlying issues would never have a chance to surface.
"And what of the Ninth Prince? How does Master plan to handle him?"
Daniel sighed internally at the mention of Han Fei. With Korea's impending demise, Han Fei had not remained idle. His public memorial to preserve Korea was just the beginning. In secret, he had also reached out to Wei Zhuang of the assassin group, Li Sha.
Han Fei's actions had not gone unnoticed. Xianyang was the heart of Qin, the base of operations for Luo Wang, the king's personal spy network. Conducting secret activities here without detection was nearly impossible, and Han Fei was no exception.
If Han Fei had been imprisoned as in the original timeline, his options would have been limited. But now, thanks to Daniel's intervention, Han Fei had been spared that fate—though he was still closely monitored.
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will handle this matter." Daniel understood Han Fei's position. Like Daniel's own actions in The Outcast, Han Fei was doing what he believed was necessary for his homeland.
But understanding didn't mean Daniel would allow it. Han Fei's actions put him in direct conflict with Ying Zheng, and Ying Zheng had little tolerance for enemies—especially intelligent ones. The more formidable the opponent, the more ruthless Ying Zheng became.
In the original timeline, Han Fei had died in prison, killed by the Yin-Yang family's Six Souls Terror Curse. There was no way such an important prisoner could have been executed without Ying Zheng's approval.
Now Daniel had to step in to prevent things from escalating further. If he failed, Ying Zheng would have Han Fei killed without hesitation. In the original story, Ying Zheng had valued Han Fei enough to spare him, but Daniel's presence had changed that dynamic. Ying Zheng no longer regarded Han Fei as indispensable.
Late at night, outside Xianyang, three figures sat quietly in a moonlit roadside pavilion: Daniel, Gai Nie, and Mo Ya.
"They've finally arrived," Daniel said after taking a sip of tea, glancing upward. In the moonlight, a large mechanical bird soared through the sky.
"Master Gai Nie, if you please."
The bird was, of course, the Mechanical Vermilion Bird of the Mohist School. A military operation of this scale couldn't be hidden from the spies of the Six States. After all, tens of thousands of soldiers were on the move.
The Six States had all responded in their own way, with Qi remaining stable while Zhao, Wei, and Chu began mobilizing their armies. Although Yan had not moved its military, it was clear that Yan Dan of the Mohist School wouldn't stand idly by.
The appearance of the Mechanical Vermilion Bird confirmed Yan Dan's involvement.
Hummmm.
With Daniel's cue, Gai Nie leaped to the roof of the pavilion. Drawing his sword, he focused his powerful Qi, causing the surrounding air and the pavilion's tiles to vibrate.
Swoosh.
As soon as his Qi reached its peak, Gai Nie launched himself into the air, hurling his sword with unstoppable momentum toward the Vermilion Bird. It was the famed Hundred-Step Flying Sword technique.
Boom.
Gai Nie's sword struck the Vermilion Bird squarely, causing the massive mechanical construct to disintegrate mid-flight. Four figures leaped from the wreckage, falling to the ground below.
One of them, dressed in flowing white, stood out in the moonlight—Bai Feng, a member of Li Sha. The others were Wei Zhuang, Han Fei, and a Mohist disciple, the pilot of the Vermilion Bird, whom Bai Feng carried.
"You've put me in a difficult position, Ninth Prince," Daniel said as he stepped out of the pavilion, followed closely by Mo Ya.
"As expected, we couldn't hide from you," Han Fei sighed as he looked at the three figures before him.
"Your plan was a good one. Against anyone else, it might have worked. But, unfortunately, you were up against me." Han Fei's plan had been a classic exchange the real for the fake strategy. Currently, there was still a "Han Fei" inside Xianyang, but it was actually Zi Nu in disguise. Zi Nu's expertise in disguises was unparalleled.
In fact, there were not just one but four Han Feis in play, with three decoys spread across the city. Luo Wang and the Yin-Yang family's experts had been drawn to the false leads.
Had Daniel not been monitoring everything with his Observation Haki, the outcome might have been different. But with that ability, disguises were useless.
"It seems I have no choice but to fight my way out." Han Fei unsheathed the Inverse Scales Sword, revealing his true strength for the first time as the crisis deepened.
"Ying Zheng, Han Fei, Changping Jun, Yan Dan—if these four clashed, who would win?" Daniel couldn't help but wonder as he sensed the Confucian Qi radiating from Han Fei.
"Your opponent is me. Let's see how much you've improved." Before Han Fei could reply, Bai Feng lunged toward Daniel, his unparalleled speed making him a blur. But Mo Ya intercepted him mid-flight.
The two figures—one dressed in black, the other in white—clashed in the moonlight, their silhouettes flickering as they exchanged blows, quickly moving away from the others. Mo Ya, having benefited from Daniel's resources, now had the strength to hold his own even against
Wei Zhuang.
"Xiao Zhuang, you shouldn't have come."
"Senior, is that all you have to say?"
After fighting side by side in the past, Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang now found themselves on opposite sides, their conflicting ideals bringing them to battle. They moved away from the pavilion, leaving Daniel and Han Fei to face each other.
"Let's begin," Han Fei said as his Inverse Scales Sword pulsed with powerful Qi.
"Sorry, but you're not my match." Daniel's figure blurred, and before Han Fei could react, Daniel tapped the tip of Han Fei's sword with his index finger. In an instant, the already damaged Inverse Scales Sword shattered completely. The force of the blow sent Han Fei staggering backward several steps, coughing.
"You've done all you can. Ying Zheng's unification of the world is inevitable, and you know it." Without waiting for Han Fei's response, Daniel flicked his wrist, sending three Qi needles into key points on Han Fei's body, rendering him unconscious.
"My task is done. I'll leave the rest to you," Daniel said, hoisting the unconscious Han Fei over his shoulder and calling out to Gai Nie and Mo Ya before heading back to Xianyang.
"Stay here!" Wei Zhuang, enraged at Han Fei's capture, unleashed his powerful Hengguan Bafang technique, momentarily driving back Gai Nie before charging at Daniel with his Sharktooth Sword.
"You should know that taking Han Fei back will only get him killed. Why bother?" Daniel raised his hand, summoning a wall of ice to block Wei Zhuang's path.
"Stop!" Wei Zhuang, seeing that his sword left only a faint mark on the ice wall, cursed in frustration. As he prepared to circle around the wall, Gai Nie stepped in to block his way.
"You're still too slow." Mo Ya, standing on a tree branch, smirked at Bai Feng, who was on another branch across from him.
"One day, I'll be faster than you." Bai Feng, having been completely outclassed in their duel, scowled in frustration.
"This is the last time. Next time, don't expect me to hold back." Daniel tossed the unconscious Han Fei to Zi Nu before turning and leaving.
With Daniel's swift intervention, Han Fei's rebellion was quickly put down.
"Sixty thousand troops—what an awe-inspiring black tide," Daniel remarked as he watched the Qin army march toward Korea. After dealing with Han Fei, he had traveled to the front lines to witness the campaign firsthand. Qin had deployed a massive force for this invasion.
However, not all sixty thousand soldiers were aimed at Korea. That small kingdom wasn't worth such an overwhelming force. Of the sixty thousand, thirty thousand were positioned to counter Chu's army, while another twenty thousand were prepared to face Zhao and Wei. Only ten thousand were actually assigned to attack Korea.
Leading the attack on Korea was Nei Shiteng with ten thousand troops, while Wang Jian commanded thirty thousand against Chu, and Meng Ao led twenty thousand against Zhao and Wei.
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