A step into the past - 寻秦记 - by Huang Yi

[tweety365]

Let's just agree that XSL is more open-minded about what qualifies as beautiful. He did live on a military base surrounded by men all the time. We can either take that explanation or go with "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." Besides #1 does not necessarily mean they are 10's on a scale. They just need to be better than the average, which would be the farm folk of the era.

LOL, true. Based on Huang Yi’s descriptions of the women, I imagine they must be out of this world 10/10 beauties. Even modern day models/celebrities are rarely 10/10.

This reminds of the movie Flirting Scholar starring Stephen Chow. When introduced to a legendary beauty played by Gong Li, he acknowledged that she is beautiful, but nothing spectacular. His friend said to compare her with the other women and she is a 10 (I'm paraphrasing). The camera zooms in for close-ups of these really ugly women. Hilarious scene…

[smurf120]

LOL, true. Based on Huang Yi’s descriptions of the women, I imagine they must be out of this world 10/10 beauties. Even modern day models/celebrities are rarely 10/10.

This reminds of the movie Flirting Scholar starring Stephen Chow. When introduced to a legendary beauty played by Gong Li, he acknowledged that she is beautiful, but nothing spectacular. His friend said to compare her with the other women and she is a 10 (I'm paraphrasing). The camera zooms in for close-ups of these really ugly women. Hilarious scene…

I think access to good natural looking makeup would be highly difficult even for rich people during ancient times. (It makes a huge difference seeing somebody with groomed and ungroomed eyebrows let alone other parts of the face.)

I love that scene in Flirting Scholar! I think the phrase is something like even the "reddest" peony needs "green" leaves (close up of ugly women) to support it. Then they shift back to Gong Li and Stephen looks at her completely different.

[Jean]

Jean, could you go ahead and do 8 as well? Thanks!

There were a few continuity issues re the exact names of various generals, I think, and that was it; I think the below is what I have been using/confirmed:

On XSL's side:
Wang He (general)
Wang Ling (general)

LBW's side:
Wang Wen
Cai Ze
Meng Ao

Lao Ai's side:
Lao Si (cousin)
Pu Hu (merchant)
Qiu Risheng (headmaster)

3 Legendary Courtesans:
Shi Sufang (lady of three perfections)
Lan Gong'ai (soft boned beauty)
Feng Fei (exquisite swallow)

ok I'll do chap 8 as well.

[balikpapan]

Just for a tease:

Last night Xiang Shaolong was laying on the bed watching his son playing

when he heard his wife's' voice from the kitchen.

"What would you like for dinner, my love? Chicken, Beef or Lamb?"

Xiang Shaolong said, "Thank you, I'll have chicken."

She replied "You're having soup!!

\

\

\

"I was talking to the cat"

[sunn]

Just for a tease:

Last night Xiang Shaolong was laying on the bed watching his son playing

when he heard his wife's' voice from the kitchen.

"What would you like for dinner, my love? Chicken, Beef or Lamb?"

Xiang Shaolong said, "Thank you, I'll have chicken."

She replied "You're having soup!!

\

\

\

"I was talking to the cat"

Too much cafein will kill u, you know?

[aliderhamy]

Just for a tease:

Last night Xiang Shaolong was laying on the bed watching his son playing

when he heard his wife's' voice from the kitchen.

"What would you like for dinner, my love? Chicken, Beef or Lamb?"

Xiang Shaolong said, "Thank you, I'll have chicken."

She replied "You're having soup!!

\

\

\

"I was talking to the cat"

hmmm I think you may need some therappy at some point balikpapan

Gl with your translation withdrawl symptoms.

[athlonkmf]

how many books are there anyway? (weird enough, wikipedia talks about the tv-series, not the book)

It's mentioned that there are 300+ chapters, we're now at 214 according to my calculations.

[yongbifan]

dangit another false alarm...sigh

[Ren Wo Xing]

Book 19, Chapter 7, part 2:

Wu Tingfang kissed Xiang Shaolong on the side of his face with her soft, fragrant red lips. She gently kissed all across his face, making him feel indescribably comfortable as he listened to his beautiful, tender young wife say, "Husband Xiang, did you know that Sister Qing owns a very large business in Ba and Shu? Sister Qing is extremely competent when it comes to business."

Xiang Shaolong knew nothing at all about Qin Qing and her history or background, all he knew was that she came from the royal family. Surprised, he pursued this line of question.

Ji Yanran knew more about this than anyone else, so she explained. "Sister Qing originally came from a major clan in Ba, which owned a major cinnabar mine. Cinnabar can be used for medicinal or chemical purposes. Their wealth accumulated over the centuries. By Sister Qing’s generation, the Qin family has become the richest family in the Ba prefecture. Hoping to foster cordial relations with their family, the Qin royal family had one of their royal scions propose marriage to Sister Qing. Unexpectedly, right after their wedding rites were completed, her husband was sent on a military mission and died in foreign lands. In order to avoid getting entangled with other nobles, Sister Qing returned to Ba prefecture to focus on the family business. She did resoundingly well, and when the Crown Prince returned to Qin, Lady Huayang recommended her to return to Xianyang and become the Grand Tutor for the Crown Prince. And then, she met you, you affectionate lover, who entangled her in the web of love once more.”

Only now did Xiang Shaolong understand why Qin Qing’s personal status and stature was so unusually high. It wasn’t due solely to Lady Huayang and Xiao Pan’s affection towards her; it was also because she had the powerful backing of a mighty clan in the Ba and Shu prefectures.

It was just as Li Si had stated. When dealing with exceptionally large and powerful prefectures such as Ba and Shu, the only acceptable policy was one of conciliation.

At the same time, he began to understand why she had been so close with Lady Huayang, this noblewoman who had come from the kingdom of Chu. Ba and Shu were, after all, located next to the borders of Chu. A rich and powerful family such as the Qin family would naturally have thousands of connections with the Chu royal family.

Whoever married Qin Qing would not only obtain this beauty of a hundred charms and a thousand fascinations; he would also gain access to her enormous family fortune. Who wouldn’t grow red-eyed with desire at this prospect? This was why Qin Qing didn’t dare to be with him openly.

Although Qin Qing became a royal kinswoman via her marriage to the royal family here in Xianyang, her marriage was nonetheless a matter filled with political implications.

Just as his thoughts were flying about, Wu Guang came to report that Guo Xing had come looking for him.

Xiang Shaolong let out a sigh. Leaving the pavilion, he first lifted up Xiang Bao’er and kissed him on his face, before handing him to Tian Zhen as he went to the main hall to meet Guo Xing.

Guo Xing was drinking tea. Upon seeing him, he actually knelt down and kowtowed thrice, frightening Xiang Shaolong so badly that he hurriedly lifted the man up. “Mr. Guo, you honor me far too much!”

After the two sat down, Guo Xing smiled uncomfortably. “This lower official originally came with evil intentions to meet you on this trip.”

Xiang Shaolong knew very well that Guo Xing had the desire to capitulate to him. But by now, he had learned to not easily trust others. Smiling, he said, “Assistant Commander, have you come to cause misfortune upon me, on Headmaster Qiu’s orders?”

Guo Xing was clearly in the midst of a spat with Qiu Risheng. Coldly snorting, he said, “On what basis would he dare to cause misfortune to you, lord? Today, because milord was busy with morning court and did not show up, he put on an appearance of being disappointed, but everyone could tell that he was relieved of a heavy load. He even took the opportunity to go boar-hunting with Pu Hu. We all knew that it was because he was afraid that Lord Xiang would go a’knocking on his door. After viewing the prowess of Lord Xiang’s “Hundred Battles Sabreplay”, who would have the courage to dare and try to stroke Lord Xiang’s tiger-whiskers?” Surprised, Xiang Shaolong said, “Then why would he instigate you to come see me?”

Embarrassed, Guo Xing said, “To tell the absolute truth, we all used to work for the second prince, and the school’s expenditures continue to be paid for by Pu Hu. Were it not for him, with Lord Yangquan’s demise, we would have had to shut down long ago. But superficially, we must appear to be subordinate to the Lord Inner Custodian. Lu Buwei has tried to seize control over the school several times, but each time, the Lord Inner Custodian has used all his strength to resist.”

Sighing, he continued, “Lu Buwei is very crafty. He enticed many of our warriors to his side, then hinted both openly and obliquely that the court wouldn’t make use of any of the people we have trained. He wore us out and caused us to suffer shortages of funds. It wasn’t until the Lord Inner Custodian aided us that we were able to stabilize our footing and have a short reprieve.”

Xiang Shaolong knew that he wasn’t too sure of the relationship between himself and Lao Ai, and thus spoke of Lao Ai in a cautious, respectful manner.

Naturally, he wouldn’t reveal the real situation to Guo Xing. Nodding, he said, “Brother Guo, what are your future plans?”

Guo Xing once more fell to his knees, calling out, “In the past, Guo Xing did many unforgivable deeds against Lord Xiang, and also used shameful, despicable means to injure Lord Jing. I deserve a thousand deaths. I only hope that in the future, I can atone for my misdeeds by performing meritoriously and be allowed to wholeheartedly serve Lord Xiang. If so, I will be able to die without any regrets.”

After having been taught a lesson by Wu Fu, Xiang Shaolong would never again fully trust someone just because of a few words. First, he lifted Guo Xing up, before saying, “Brother Guo, please feel free to speak your mind, and don’t do anything like that again.”

Guo Xing excitedly said, “Ever since that day when Talented Lady Ji showed me mercy, I, Guo Xing, have been thinking about this. Right now, everyone in Xianyang knows that Lord Xiang’s sense of righteousness reaches the heavens, and is extremely considerate to his men. Lord Xiang, please allow this humble one to follow you!”

Forcing out a smile, Xiang Shaolong said, “Is my reputation really that good?”

Guo Xing said, “Lord Xiang, you had two chances to become Premier, but easily gave those chances up. You promoted Li Si, Huan Yi, and Lord Changping, and showed great benevolence to those followers who came with you from Handan. You righteously rescued Prince Dan of Yan. Your good deeds are too many to enumerate. We’ve been quite aware of all these things this entire time. But because my personal desires and greed had closed my eyes, I only truly awakened after the Talented Lady Ji’s spear thrusts. I only hope to be able to follow Lord Xiang and no longer need to worry about fighting and fawning for favor from others, and what’s worse, worry that tomorrow, that person will sell me out.”

After Xiang Shaolong seriously contemplated his words, he nodded. “Fine! I’ll do as you wish, but you had best remember that I’m not an easy man to deceive. If I feel that a single word passes from your lips which are insincere, I will immediately kill you without any hesitation.”

Overjoyed, Guo Xing once again knelt on the floor.

Xiang Shaolong had him lift his head up and ordered him to sit down again. “Earlier, it seemed as though there was something you wished to say to me. What is it?”

Guo Xing’s expression became solemn, and he said in a lowered voice, “What I’m about to tell you is the result of my own observations and guesses, because I’m not qualified to join the secret meetings held by the Headmaster, Du Bi, and Pu Hu. But due to the many tasks they have assigned to us, I was able to guess a large part of it.”

Xiang Shaolong was a person who had experienced many calamities. Quite calmly, he said, “Speak!”

Guo Xing said, “I believe they have made a complete set of plans for the second prince to take over the Crown Prince’s position. The critical point is the three eastern prefectures. Although Pu Hu is a native Qin, he has always been zig-zagging between Qin and Zhao. When we consider how wealthy and powerful his family, and the fact that he is linked to both the Qin and the Zhao royal families by intermarriages, he has deep-rooted influences in both countries. If it weren’t for his support, the second prince would definitely not be able to thrive as he has.”

Xiang Shaolong came to a sudden realization.

Just like how Xiao Pan was the unique resource of Lu Buwei, Cheng Qiao was the unique resource of Pu Hu, the leader of yet another wealthy merchant family.

In previous years, no one could have imagined that Xiao Pan would return and forcibly seize the position of Crown Prince. This is why Pu Hu, Du Bi, and Lord Yangquan had constant fawned upon Madame Xiuli and Cheng Qiao.

Who would have thought that Xiao Pan would successfully escape Zhao and return to Qin, immediately shattering their beautiful dreams.

At first, perhaps they continued to hold Lu Buwei, this rich merchant, in contempt. Only after Lu Buwei had caused Lord Yangquan’s death did they know that the situation had taken a dramatic turn for the worse. But they had no place to turn. Their only avenue of escape was to retake the imperial seat.

If Xiao Pan’s court was as stable as Mt. Tai, it would naturally be very hard for them to succeed. But fortunately, the court was splint into the Crown Prince faction, the Lu faction, and the Lao Ai faction, three centers of power. Thus, Pu Hu and the others were in a position to cause trouble.

Guo Xing continued, “Pu Hu’s most dangerous tactic is his collusion with Zhao’s Great General Pang Nuan, who is arrogant in his power. Although I don’t know the particulars, from the way the Headmaster speaks, Pang Nuan is in the process of secretly coordinating with the three eastern prefectures, the country of Chu, and the country of Yan to disrupt Lu Buwei and Tian Dan’s secret treaties, while simultaneously assisting the second prince in ascending to the imperial throne. We can imagine how important it is for Du Bi to cause an upheaval in Xianyang. If Lu Buwei made any sudden moves, it would be even better, as that would definitely cause Qin’s military force to splinter into multiple factions. At that time, he would openly raise the banner of the second prince with the Zhao army’s assistance. His power would be greatly different than it is now.”

Xiang Shaolong was secretly proud of himself. His musings from long ago were quite similar to that of Guo Xing’s. The only thing he hadn’t thought of was the possibility that Pang Nuan would once again try to build a coalition of Chu, Yan, Zhao, Wei, and Han.

At the same time, he felt a little wounded at heart. Although Li Yuan, Lord Longyang, and Crown Prince Dan all professed to be as close as brothers to him, in this situation, where kingdoms faced off against each other, not the slightest bit of decision-making being affected by personal relationships could be tolerated.

Reality is always cruel.

Guo Xing said in a low voice, “To cause upheaval, the best thing to do is to assassinate you, Lord Xiang. Everyone would put the blame on Lu Buwei’s head. You can imagine what the results would be.”

Xiang Shaolong smiled. “There’s definitely quite a few people who want to kill me!”

Guo Xing solemnly admonished, “Lord Xiang, please don’t take the threat too lightly. Pu Hu and Pang Nuan have prepared for quite a long time now. They have recruited a gang of strange warriors and have also trained warriors in all of Zhao’s assassination techniques. They have been smuggling these people into Xianyang in groups. I personally escorted three of them in. There are all first-class experts. One of them is known as the ‘Barefoot Immortal’, Kou Lie. He is the most extraordinary expert which Chu has produced in over twenty years. Just from the way he puts on his shoes, one can tell that he is determined to assassinate you, Lord Xiang, even if it costs him his life in the process.”

Xiang Shaolong felt a cold shudder pass through him. How could one enjoy life if, every day, he had to worry about a suicidal assassin being after him? He asked, “Does Pu Hu’s dancing troupe also have assassins hidden within?”

Guo Xing said, “There should be. But my knowledge is limited, and I cannot say for sure.”

Xiang Shaolong said, “The three people you escorted, do you maintain contact with them?”

At the same time, he felt that for Chu to send an assassin to come here to slay him, they must have obtained Li Yuan’s permission. Could that mean that Li Yuan also wished to kill him? His heart became ill-at-ease, and he didn’t dare to follow that line of thought any further.

But he couldn’t help but begin guessing again. It wasn’t a big deal if Li Yuan were to want to kill him. But if Lord Longyang were also to desire his death, it would be very difficult for him to accept that.

Or perhaps these actions were the individual actions of individual swordsmen!

Guo Xing replied, “After I brought them within the city, they went their own ways.”

After pausing, he said, “Several unfamiliar faces appeared at our school as well. They follow the Headmaster all day long. They seem to be experts who are hiding their real identities.”

Xiang Shaolong secretly sighed to himself that this was an example of “Another wave arising, before the first had calmed.”

Right now, Qin had become the public enemy of all of the eastern kingdoms. Since they couldn’t win on the battlefield, their only option was to incite internal unrest. This was the same way modern history operated as well. There were no differences.

Guo Xing said, “Today, I came at Headmaster Qiu’s orders to arrange another appointment for the duel. However, it is for fifteen days in the future. I think that he expects that his death-squads will be able to assassinate you before then.”

Xiang Shaolong said, “Then go tell him that it will depend on what sort of mood I’m in. Hah! Aren’t you worried that they will get suspicious due to you having stayed here this long?”

Guo Xing laughed. “I’ll just tell them that Lord Xiang was putting on airs and made me wait here for an hour! After I go back, I’ll find out what I can about the assassins, then think of a way to give the information to you.”

Xiang Shaolong clapped him on his shoulders. “Isn’t notifying me a very easy thing? Come report in as my assistant, quickly! You are, after all, my assistant commander.”

The two laughed loudly at each other. Only then did Guo Xing joyfully depart.

Returning to the inner courtyard, he explained the situation to his three tender wives, telling them to be careful when they went outside. Ji Yanran said, “Their target isn’t actually you. It’s the Crown Prince. Claiming to be attempting to assassinate you is nothing more than a smokescreen for the general public!”

Xiang Shaolong was suddenly, violently shocked awake. “I’m such an idiot. If they were to kill the Crown Prince, they would immediately cause real unrest, and Cheng Qiao would be able to openly, honorably take the throne as his successor.”

To be honest, he actually became more relieved, because if Xiao Pan were to die, then Qin Shihuang would disappear from history, and China would probably not arise.

Ji Yanran said, “We must seize the initiative in this matter. The problem is that the City Guards are tightly controlled by Guan Zhongxie. Otherwise, it would be much easier to act.”

Just as Xiang Shaolong was pondering his next move, one of his Guardians came to report that Lao Ai had personally come to visit him.

Just as Xiang Shaolong’s face twisted in distaste, Wu Tingfang laughed and said, “If you can’t turn him down, then just go through the motions for tonight! All of us have our utmost faith and trust in husband Xiang.”

Sighing, Xiang Shaolong went to meet Lao Ai.

[end of chapter]

[Sunterjo]

Thanks Ren....after my 10th checking for today...i got my answer....

[deepbleu]

Thanks a lot Ren, Hmm the story gets more and more complicated. Now let us wait for Lady Jean`s treat XD

[yongbifan]

great work as always ren...i rest my case

[Demitre]

Thanks for the update Ren!

I was rereading this story, and something struck out at me. Other than WTF, there was never any mentioned of marriage or a wedding ceremony with any of the other girls. He calls them his wives, but are they officially just mistresses/concubines? Or were their ceremonies, but are just not mentioned?

He did mentioned that Ji Yanran wouldn't marry Li Yuan if he married Guo Xier first because Ji's status is higher. So if there can only be one "Wife," I guess that answers my earlier question. But maybe it doesn't, since Ji Yanran went with him anyways, and if she loved Li Yuan, she wouldn't care if he was married already also would she? So that observation by him made no sense; unless he thinks Li Yuan thinks Ji Yanran is vain and cares about titles and such?

If there could only be one wife, who would it be according to tradition and propriety anyways? Ji Yanran and Qin Qing have the highest fame, but WTF is the daughter of probably the richest family in the world. And Zhao Qian and Zhao Ya are princesses. Qin Qing is also royalty of some kind?

Also, what is so great about the honey drop story? It's basically the same thing Li Yuan said isn't it? Just because it's told in a parable, it's better? Or is Honey Drop a euphemism for a woman's *ahem*.

Rereading the story, tweety is right, HY really starts over exaggeration about beautiful women. When we first meet WTF, XSL is speechless at her beauty, and she's like an angel. Now, she's like 3rd tier. Every new beauty is "half a step" or "slightly" under the proclaimed top 2 beauties that he's bedded.

[Jean]

ok, me again. Back to short, regular (hopefully), cliffhanging (maybe) episodes.....

I don't usually do checks so let me know if there's any mistakes.

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Book 19, Chap 8 – The Three Legendary Courtesans

Lao Ai stood in the middle of the hall and with him were Han Jie and four of his personal guards.

Tao Fang was playing host to them and retreated into the inner hall when Xiang Shaolong arrived.

Lao Ai sighed, “Shaolong, how can you not treat me like a friend?”

After Xiang Shaolong greeted Han Jie and the rest, he pulled him aside and whispered, “It’s better that I don’t touch this type of beauty. Last night that Boss Jin deliberately hinted in front of both of us that Shi Sufang was interested in me. He’s obviously trying to make Brother Lao jealous and put me on the alert. That’s why I had to decline tonight’s meeting. Does Brother Lao understand my kind intentions?”

Lao Ai was stunned for a moment before he blushed and said, “I didn’t think of that point. Hei! At the most Shi Sufang is just a difficult courtesan to get into bed, how can she possibly sow any discord between us. Brother Xiang, do not be overly suspicious.”

Xiang Shaolong knew very well that he doesn’t mean what he said but he did not expose him. Instead he said quietly, “In my opinion, this is Pu Hu’s devious plot. You must not belittle pretty women, for they can bring down a country. Da Ji and Bao Si are examples of a fine specimen who can bring downfall upon a country and sometimes they are even more formidable than an army, and they can be almost impossible to guard against. In my opinion, if I attend the feast at your residence, Shi Sufang will certainly pretend to be attracted to me and at the same time flirt with Brother Lao. If we are not mentally prepared, what do you think will happen?”

Since Lao Ai is pretending to be a man, of course he cannot give up his deception halfway and he stubbornly continued, “Shaolong, do not worry. I, Lao Ai, can be considered one who grew up among flowers and I’ve met all kinds of women. If she try to entice me, I naturally have my own ways to deal with it. I guarantee that our relationship will not be strained because of her. Ha! Why don’t we use her as a competition, to see who can get his hands on her but without any jealousy involved. This will spoil Pu Hu’s plan. If we can win her heart, we can find out instead what secret collusion Pu Hu has.”

Xiang Shaolong secretly finds this amusing and knows that Lao Ai is ultimately not a man made for great things for he cannot control his own sexual urges. He chortled and said, “This is the reason why I have to reject Brother Lao’s drinking invitation tonight so that Brother Lao can expand all your efforts to get Shi Sufang in your hands.”

Lao Ai sighed, “Of course I won’t blame Shaolong now. It’s just that Shi Sufang openly declared that she will only attend the feast if Shaolong is around. With her temper, won’t it be a damper on the occasion if she were to leave.”

Xiang Shaolong said with a straight face, “See! This is exactly Pu Hu’s trap waiting for us to be hooked. So what do you want me to do?”

Lao Ai replied with some embarrassment, “I wish even more that Shaolong can make a trip. Let’s see what tricks Shi Sufang can come up with. Maybe I can even drug her a little and turn the tables on Pu Hu instead.”

Xiang Shaolong was secretly cursing him for being despicable but then he remembered that he too had made an unsuccessful attempt to drug the Empress of Zhao, Han Jing so he dared not curse Lao Ai too much. Because the truth is, Shi Sufang is indeed up to no good. He said, “If it’s so easy to get her, she would have been toyed with by many others already. A woman like her who is in the business will naturally have her ways of handling such matters. If she exposes the plan, it’ll be worse instead.”

Lao Ai pulled his sleeve and said, “Time is running out, Shaolong come with me quickly!”

Xiang Shaolong was unable to resist his ‘warm offers’ so had no choice but to follow him.

After they left Wu Residence, the direction they were travelling in was not towards Lao Ai’s Department of Interior Affairs. Xiang Shaolong enquired in surprise and Lai Ai replied with a sigh, “When I found out earlier that Shaolong refused to come, I tasked someone to inform Pu Hu and asked him to subtly find out Shi Sufang’s intentions. Never did I expect that she would immediately reply that she won’t be coming. Hei! So I had no choice but to come and beg for Shaolong’s help. Now we’re going to Du Bi’s General Residence in Xianyang. As to whether Shi Sufang will agree to see us, it’s still an uncertainty.”

Xiang Shaolong secretly thought that men are really naturally worthless scamps. The more a beautiful woman acts high and mighty, the more they feel she’s a rarity. Lao Ai has always been popular amongst women and now that he has met someone like Shi Sufang who totally disregards him, he’s feeling an intolerable itch instead.

The more he interacts with Pu Hu, the more he feels that this person really has formidable tricks.

After all his years of struggles since coming to this ancient warring period and with the knowledge regarding this period’s history he gleaned occasionally from the talented Ji Yanran, Xiang Shaolong is no longer as ignorant as he once was when he first came to this era.

And because he came from the 21st century, all the more he can look at everything in this era from an objective angle.

The appointment of Overlords in the San Jin and the Reforms of Shangyang can be considered the biggest change of this era right now, with the changes coming fast and furious. Even the 2,000 odd years following this, other than the terrible times China suffered after the Opium War, it’s difficult to find another period in history that can be compared to this.

In this period of great changes, the various Dukes of the Spring and Autumn Period first got rid of feudalism and established the Seven Warring States where the Overlord will hold power. Most importantly, the few areas which has started to expand during the end of the Spring and Autumn Period, like the growth in industry and commerce, expansion of cities, intensification of wars, sudden popularity in new knowledge, liberation in thinking has become even more remarkable during this period.

The most influential thing that appeared during this era is the emergence of huge enterprises.

This emerging transnational social class, because of their abundant financial backing, is able to travel far and wide, gaining experience and knowledge and with their huge social network, their influence on the political arena is incomparable.

The most outstanding one is of course Lu Buwei, collector of rare artifacts and talents. There are others, like his own Grandfather-in-law Master Wu, Guo Zong who made his fortune from the iron smelting business, and Pu Hu, who is now secretly plotting to overthrow Xiao Pan. They are all great businessmen turned politicians who can control the world.

Even Qin Qing, she was able to stay independent while protecting her chastity and gaining the respect and admiration of the Qins because her clan owns a major cinnabar mine and she is of Qin Royalty. Any other ordinary girl, with her beauty, would already have become some rich and powerful man’s mistress.

And to handle the competition between war and politics, the scholars and fighters slowly went their own different ways and everything became professionalized.

Wang Yu and Li Si are two very good examples. If their positions were exchanged it’s a guarantee that Qin politics will be in turmoil and the Xiongnus will kill their way to Xianyang soon.

The popularity of professionalism swept through the lands and to the soldiers, the soldiers of the Warring States period is no longer like the soldiers of the Spring-Autumn Period, who are just conscripted farmers made to take up arms.

This resulted in the emergence of associations like Weinan’s Warrior Public House, where there are martial artists and military tacticians abound for the employment of Rulers.

Therefore, regardless of external wars or internal conflicts, the level of intensity and complexity is nothing that the past can compare with.

The reason why Xiao Pan is able to unify the 6 states in future is because out his unique background, for he does not have the offensive habits of those heirs who were brought up by women who lived in the palace. That’s why he is able to shine and control the world in this great era of constant changes.

But a talent like him is also a rarity in this world, such that after his death, there was no one else who has the ability to suppress the others. That’s why the Qin empire ended after the second generation.

While he was deep in thought, they have arrived outside the gates of the General’s residence situated at the west of the city.

By now Xiang Shaolong is also craving for another look at Shi Sufang again. The lure of a beauty is indeed extraordinary. Although he knows that she is up to no good, he can’t help but want to get close to her.

This is exactly the most formidable part of Pu Hu’s plan.

************************************************** *****

[kohchun]

Thanks Jean! Great to have you back on board.

[Icefrog]

welcome back jean.. i get the feeling so many good things will happen soon to this thread!!! for one, weekends will be thrilling==full of suspense

[Sunterjo]

Jean.....yeeesssss. Million thanks and big ehug to you

[JAJA9]

Hi Jean, Welcome back and I love those cliff hangers. Something to look forward to. Thanks also to all the other translators who have worked selflessly to accomplish so much. You fellas should know that you have brought a lot of anticipation in our life and satisfaction when the translation is posted. Keep it up. Yahhhhhh

[SkyWalker]

Thanks for the update Ren & Jean! Really appreciate all your hard work. Keep them coming.

[yongbifan]

how we missed you Jean...welcome back