Chapter Thirty: Han Fei Arrives in Xinzheng

Year Seven of King Zheng of Qin, Second Month, Fourth Day

A desolate country road, a destitute scholar, and a forlorn white horse—together they painted a scene of bleak solitude.

The scenery was beautiful, rural springtime, with tender buds already faintly sprouting on the branches.

A small tavern stood nearby; a husband and wife sat in front, the gentle swell of the wife’s belly attesting to her pregnancy.

The down-and-out scholar was merely passing by, intent on continuing his journey, but the aroma wafting from the tavern caught his attention. His mount, the white horse, seeming more spirited than he, trotted eagerly toward the tavern.

With two wads of ragged cloth stuffed in his nostrils, the scholar cut a ridiculous figure as he approached the innkeeper, slapped the table with both hands, and declared, “Wine! I want good wine!”

The innkeeper, startled by the scholar’s appearance, relaxed upon realizing he was only here to buy wine. “We don’t have any rare vintages, only our own strong spirits,” he explained.

At this, the scholar’s interest was piqued. “Strong spirits? How strong?”

“Take a sip and it’s like swallowing a blade,” the innkeeper said, gesturing animatedly.

The scholar nodded with satisfaction, “That’s proper wine. I’ll take it—quickly!”

The innkeeper, unaccustomed to such customers, asked, “How much?”

The scholar gestured with two fingers, “Two jars. One for me, one for it—” He pointed at the white horse beside him.

The innkeeper was speechless.

Soon, the two jars were brought out. The scholar leaned forward to sniff them, his expression transcendent, as if encountering the most beautiful woman in the world.

Seeing him nearly crawl atop the jars, the innkeeper hurried forward to push him away and protect the wine, extending his hand clearly—payment first.

With a flourish, the scholar flicked his sleeve, reached inside, felt around—then again, and again. His embarrassment grew as he searched his entire body.

Seeing the innkeeper’s scornful gaze, the scholar finally broke down, roaring up at the sky to vent his frustration, kicking a pillar. Whether from pain or some other reason, he calmed down.

He then explained, “I was hungry earlier and went fishing. It started to rain, and I fell into the river. The fish escaped, and my purse was lost. So, well...”

The innkeeper listened, when suddenly a glittering pendant necklace swayed before his eyes, leaving him speechless, mouth agape. The scholar was about to pawn the necklace for wine.

At that moment, the husband at the neighboring table spoke: “Everyone faces hardship away from home. Helping one another is the way of the world. Innkeeper, I’ll pay for this brother’s wine.”

He tossed ten coins on the table, helped his pregnant wife, and headed for their carriage.

The scholar grabbed the two jars of wine and hurried after them, calling, “Sir, please wait!”

Just as the husband was about to step onto the carriage, he smiled, turned back, and asked, “Is there something you wish to say?”

The scholar, still with rags in his nose and clutching the wine jars, looked quite comical. He said, “My surname is Han, and my given name is Fei. May I ask your name?”

The husband smiled, bowed, and replied, “I am Fang, given name Yu. This is my wife,” he said, gesturing to the pregnant woman.

Han Fei saluted the lady. At that moment, the white horse approached and sniffed at the wine jar in Han Fei’s hand. Han Fei handed it to the horse, who lifted its head with spirit.

“Gulp, gulp, gulp!” The horse drained the jar quickly and flung the empty bottle aside.

It then nuzzled toward the other jar in Han Fei’s hand, but Han Fei guarded it, saying, “We agreed—one for you, one for me!”

Only then did the horse desist.

Fang Yu was intrigued, “Your horse drinks wine?”

Han Fei laughed, “By chance, my horse discovered wine once and became enamored with its taste,” he said, shaking his head helplessly.

Fang Yu asked, “Why did you call me back?”

Han Fei replied, “As scholars, we must be sincere and honest. I owe you wine money and should repay you.”

Fang Yu smiled, “You just called me friend. When friends treat each other, that’s that—no need for repayment. I’m heading to Xinzheng; where are you bound?”

Han Fei was delighted, “We’re on the same road! Since you say so, let’s head to Xinzheng together. I’ll treat you!”

Fang Yu glanced at Han Fei’s white horse, “Why not travel together, you and I? You ride in my carriage.”

Han Fei agreed readily, “Very well!”

...

On a country road, two horses pull a carriage—one white, one black.

---

There were two coachmen: one, though looking destitute, wore fine clothes; the other, though simply dressed, wore high-quality fabric.

Fang Yu drove the carriage, turning to Han Fei, “Your attire is refined—how did you end up so down-and-out?”

Han Fei smiled, “You heard what I said at the tavern. Life is full of coincidences.”

Fang Yu chuckled, “Indeed—fate is mysterious. Our meeting, for example, is a kind of fate.”

Han Fei nodded in agreement.

Along the way, traces of battles lingered—broken tiles and debris, the bodies of those starved or frozen to death everywhere. It was a scene fit for the world’s end.

Fang Yu’s scalp tingled at the sight. He asked Han Fei, “Brother Han, do you think the world belongs to its people, or to those in power?”

Han Fei pondered, “Everyone’s responsibilities differ. Their roles are merely divided. Nobles aren’t necessarily more privileged than common folk.”

Fang Yu knew this was the limitation of the era. In a future age of mass awakening, Han Fei’s words would be much criticized.

He didn’t argue further. A person’s character and beliefs are formed from youth, rarely changed unless by great upheaval.

Fang Yu asked, “Do you believe the world should be governed by Confucianism or by Law?”

Han Fei smiled, “Brother Fang, you’re interested in philosophy?”

Fang Yu replied, “Sooner or later, the world will be unified—within a few years or ten at most. One can’t help but wonder how the First Emperor will rule such a vast realm.”

Han Fei was astounded into silence, then asked, “What makes you think so?”

Fang Yu said, “The cycles of the world: long divided, long united. The world is one family. After centuries of chaos, it’s the common folk who suffer.”

“When the people no longer wish to war, the wars will end. The powerful fight for profit, but the people only wish to survive. Brother Han, have you heard of Li Yu?”

Han Fei, still mulling over Fang Yu’s words, was intrigued at the mention of Li Yu. “I’ve returned to Han precisely to challenge this Li Yu, to see what sort of figure he is.”

Fang Yu: “...”

Fang Yu continued, “The world’s fate now rests with Qin. Qin shines like the sun at noon—flaws exist, but they do not eclipse its virtues. Six generations of brilliant rulers, and though King Zheng is young, he carries the aura of a king. As for the other six states—” He shook his head, saying no more.

Han Fei knew well—the nobles of the six kingdoms were rotten to the core, beyond reform in a day or a decade. But what could be done? As he had said, everyone’s responsibilities differ.

Through their conversation, Han Fei recognized Fang Yu’s talent and felt compelled to draw him in. The more they talked, the more amazed he became—such a talent encountered in the wilderness!

Han Fei suddenly felt his luck wasn’t so dire after all.

Six days on the road, their clothes were threadbare. Fang Yu grew increasingly fond of Han Fei, thinking it would be a shame if such a man died without accomplishing anything. He resolved to help him as much as he could.

Xinzheng—the capital of the Han Kingdom.

At last, they arrived.

Unlike the desolation along the way, Xinzheng, as the royal capital, was bustling—people everywhere, carriages streaming, vendors calling, conversations tumbling over one another—a lively cacophony.

Fang Yu surveyed the city’s layout and found it quite suitable for his future plans, nodding with satisfaction.

“Xinzheng, here I come!” Fang Yu shouted to the sky.

Truth be told, Xinzheng was always his intended first stop—it held people he admired, and his dreams.

“Brother Fang, since you’re in my territory, let me treat you to a drink,” Han Fei, seeing Fang Yu’s fondness for Xinzheng, felt relieved.

He feared Fang Yu might find Xinzheng unimpressive; then he’d be unable to keep him.

Fang Yu smiled, “Brother Han, you’re not very honest! By my reckoning, this should have been only two days’ journey—why did it take six?”

Han Fei laughed awkwardly, “I haven’t returned for so long—I lost my way.”

Fang Yu didn’t press the issue. Han Fei’s detour was, in truth, a tour to observe the people’s conditions.

Fang Yu himself wanted a rough grasp of the Han Kingdom.

Just then, a voice as clear and sweet as a hundred songbirds rang out in the distance, tinged with surprise and uncertainty.

“Brother!”

“??”

At the sound, Han Fei’s scholarly composure froze. He glanced at Fang Yu, blinked, then stiffly turned his neck toward the source, for though the voice had changed, the familiar term of endearment was unmistakable.

Fang Yu also looked over.

From afar, a graceful young maiden was running toward them, her pink dress swirling as she moved, radiating youthful energy.

---

She was like a peach blossom just beginning to bloom, exuding a faint, refreshing fragrance.

Her presence brought the cool sensation of spring water upon the skin.

“So it really is you, brother! I thought my eyes deceived me!” she cried.

The maiden rushed up. Upon seeing Han Fei’s face clearly, she leaped into his arms without hesitation, her bright peach-blossom eyes shining with joy as she called out.

Behind her came a dozen palace guards in armor, fully armed.

The captain, seeing the scene, was taken aback. Upon hearing the princess address Han Fei as brother, he quickly lowered his head, not daring to speak.

He had heard rumors that Princess Honglian had a brother who was away studying and hadn’t returned in years.

He’s back?!

“Brother, you didn’t even send word when you returned! Father sent so many to meet you, but no one could find you. I thought you were missing!” Princess Honglian’s eyes sparkled as she spoke in delight.

“I’ve come back, haven’t I?” Han Fei looked at his little sister, now grown into a beautiful young woman, surprise flickering in his eyes. The once headstrong little girl had blossomed into such loveliness. He smiled.

“Hmph! Off to Sanghai reading your silly books, for years! No one to play with me!” Honglian pouted at Han Fei, huffing.

She had been quite bored since Han Fei left.

“You missed me so much? Want to give me a kiss?” Han Fei ruffled Honglian’s hair, laughing.

“Sure!” Honglian giggled, nestling in Han Fei’s arms and planting several kisses on his cheek. Her eyes curved into crescent moons, affectionate and close. Years apart had not created any distance between them.

“Silly, I was joking. There are others here,” Han Fei remembered Fang Yu behind him and moved aside, stopping Honglian from continuing.

Fang Yu stood up and addressed Honglian, “Greetings, beautiful princess.”

Only then did Honglian notice Fang Yu behind her brother.

She spoke with haughty authority, “Rise.”

Fang Yu thought, I never knelt, so what’s this ‘rise’ for? But he politely replied, “Thank you, Princess.”

He then turned to Han Fei, “Brother Han, you tricked me. You said your sister was just a little girl.”

Pointing at Honglian, he continued, “This radiant beauty—how can you call her a little girl?”

Honglian’s brows furrowed, “Did my brother really say that?”

Fang Yu feigned a wounded look, “Brother Han and I hit it off at first meeting. I hoped to become kin with him, but he said his sister was too young for me.”

Then, turning to Han Fei with mock disdain, “If you dislike me, say so, but don’t belittle such an extraordinary lady as a child. It’s disrespectful to me and an insult to the princess.”

He finished with a look of heartfelt anguish.

Han Fei, who had traveled with Fang Yu, never expected him to act like this. He was stunned.

Suddenly realizing something, he grabbed Honglian and tried to leave.

Honglian wouldn’t have it. At last, someone interesting had appeared, and her brother wanted to leave? Weren’t they supposed to be kindred spirits?

She shook off Han Fei’s hand and confronted him, “Brother, what did he mean?”

Han Fei was anxious—my silly sister! He’s interested in you! Can’t you see?

But he couldn’t say it, so he smiled awkwardly, “I’ve been away so long. When I left, you were still a child. Who’d have guessed you’d grow so much in a few years?” He even gestured to show her childhood height.

Fang Yu knew Han Fei was wary of him. He wasn’t in a hurry; time would reveal all. He saluted Han Fei, “Since you have urgent matters, I won’t disturb you. Farewell,” and turned to lead his carriage into the city.

Han Fei, seeing Fang Yu depart, took Honglian’s hand, “From now on, keep your distance from him. He’s dangerous.”

Honglian blinked her bright eyes, curious. He seemed quite interesting—his words pleasant. Where was the danger? Her brother was just making things up.

Han Fei had no idea what went on in the mind of a rebellious young maiden.