Chapter 27 Prerequisites

  Looking at the sword blade on her son's neck, and listening to Yin Xu's polite words, Wu Rui's eyes flashed with a hint of doubt, calmly saying: "Sit down and talk!"

  Yin Xu and Wu Rui Bin swapped positions, with the latter sitting down in front of the former. Pu Jun held a sword and followed behind, while Ying Bu still had control over Wu Chen, but no longer had a knife to his throat.

  Wu Rui was very clear that as long as there was any slight movement, the father and son would be killed. However, from his actions and words, Yin Xu seemed to have no malicious intent, so he calmly asked: "How do you gentlemen address yourselves?"

  Yin Xu smiled lightly and said: "Magistrate Wu is being polite. I am Yin Xu, and these two are my younger brothers."

  Yin Xu?

  Wu Rui's face flashed a hint of shock, and then immediately returned to calm. On the contrary, Wu Chen was excited and exclaimed: "Is your Excellency the one who flooded Qing Shi, burned the grain depot, and defeated the Qin army, Yin Xu Yin Dong?"

  Yin Xu smiled and said: "Wu Gongzi has overpraised me, but it's just a small trick. If not for your esteemed father's tolerance, I'm afraid there would be no place for me, Yin Xu, to stand."

  "Haha, Yin Zhuangshi is being polite!" Wu Rui said calmly: "Visiting my humble abode in the middle of the night, what's the honor?"

  "Excuse me, I'm Yín, with nothing better to do, and I'd like to discuss the overall situation of the world with Lord Wú."

  Yin Xu's words made Wu Rui somewhat helpless, and she forced a smile: "I don't know what wisdom Mr. Yin has to impart?"

  "It's an honor to meet you!" Yin Xu bowed and said: "I have some humble opinions, I hope Lord Wu can enlighten me. Qin Shi Huang unified the six states and declared himself the First Emperor, hoping that his descendants would rule forever, for thousands of generations. What do you think, Lord Wu?"

  Wu Rui shook his head: "As a lower-ranking official, it's not convenient to discuss court politics rashly. However, listening to Yin Zhuangshi's lofty views isn't entirely impossible."

  "I thought Qin would surely perish with the Second Emperor!" Yin Xu's words rang out loud and clear, striking a chord in everyone's heart.

  Before Wu Rui could speak, Wu Chen shouted: "May I ask, General Yin, why are you so certain? Do you have any evidence?"

  Yin Xu smiled and said, "Qin destroyed the six states, implemented cruel policies with severe punishments and harsh laws to oppress the people of the world. The common people's lives were unbearably bitter, and they had long harbored resentment in their hearts. Previously, when Ying Zheng was in power, his majestic presence intimidated the world, and no one dared to make a move lightly. But what about now?"

  It seems to be inquiring, it seems to be muttering to oneself, pausing for a moment, Yin Xu continued: "If Fusu Gongzi is kind, wise and virtuous, and if he ascends to the throne and implements benevolent policies to comfort the people of the world, perhaps he can transition smoothly. But why did Hu Hai forge an imperial edict to usurp the throne, harm his own flesh and blood, use treacherous and deceitful people like Zhao Gao, act contrary to morality, and make the world chaotic? The people are even more miserable, and those who want to overthrow Qin are not in the minority.

  "With the death of Emperor Shi Huang's prestige, and the loss of Fu Su's benevolence, the Qin court's rule is precarious. The Qin dynasty has only existed for a few decades since it conquered the six states, and there are still many people in the east who cherish their former countries, and many remnants of the six states' officials and citizens remain. If someone were to stand up now and rally the masses, the heroes of the world would surely respond, sweeping away the Qin dynasty like a whirlwind."

  The words were reasonable and touching, Wu Chen nodded frequently, and Ying Bu also secretly admired. Wu Rui smiled lightly: "Yin Zhuang's words are eloquent, Wu certain admires, but the Great Qin army is strong and powerful, it's still difficult to defeat!"

  Yin Xu smiled and said, "In the past, Qin's military was strong and powerful, and many famous generals emerged, which is not false. Unfortunately, it has become a thing of the past. Wang Jian and his son Wang Yi died, and Meng Tian, who could have been a pillar of the state, was also harmed by Zhao Gao. Nowadays, among the Qin dynasty's generals, only three people are worthy of mention: Zhang Han, Li Yu, and Wang Li."

  Li Si was beheaded in Xianyang, and although Li Yu did not show any unusual movements, there must have been some estrangement in his heart. Even if he was loyal to the Qin state, could Zhao Gao trust him? As for Wang Li, let alone whether he had the demeanor of his grandfather, he was stationed on the northern border and was restrained by the Xiongnu, and it would be difficult to quench a nearby thirst with distant water. Zhang Han had some ability, but he too was unable to make any great achievements single-handedly, not to mention that there was also Zhao Gao's interference within!

  Wu Rui still maintained that smile, saying: "Yin Zhuangshi has a broad vision and keen insight. The great army of Qin is not worth mentioning, so be it! However, according to what you said, someone should have shouted loudly by now, why haven't we seen any movement yet?"

  "The news has already spread, it's just that Lord Wu hasn't heard it yet!" Yin Xu clenched his fists and said in a low voice: "The Central Plains are already in chaos. It is said that a group of civilians who were delayed due to heavy rain while on their way to the border for military service will be put to death. Those civilians were forced to rise up, and countless heroes from Shandong responded. The only reason why the southern region hasn't received the news yet is because it's located in a remote area. If you don't believe me, Lord, you can send someone to verify it."

  Yin Xu's words were convincing, and Wu Rui felt a chill in her heart, greatly surprised. Ying Bu suddenly realized that he had previously thought it was Li You who rebelled, but later felt it was unlikely, and wondered what had happened after all? It was just that Yin Xu didn't say much, and he couldn't ask more questions either, until this matter became clear. He only wondered in his heart, how did Fan Qing and others get the news so quickly?

  Wu Chen's eyes widened and he asked: "Is what Yin Zhuang Shi said true?"

  "Not bad!" Yin Xu nodded and turned to Wu Rui, saying: "The fall of the Qin state is only a matter of time. Doesn't Mr. Wu worry about the future of Fan Yi?"

  Wu Rui sighed and said: "Plan? What plan? How to plan?"

  Yin Xu said in a deep voice, "Mr. Wu has always had great ambitions, and under your governance, the county is peaceful and harmonious. In the past, Qin Ting appointed you as the ruler of this county, and it was governed by you alone. But what about now? First, they sent a group of officials, seemingly suspicious of you, and the taxes and labor services have become increasingly heavy. Not long ago, the Qin army invaded our borders without any courtesy. Mr. Wu, is this your wish?"

  Wu Rui couldn't help but be moved, and Yin Xu continued: "This place was once the land of Chu State, and many people still have a strong sense of loyalty to the old Chu. As Nan Gong said in the past: 'Even if Chu has only three households left, it will surely rise again to overthrow Qin.' Why doesn't Master Wu take advantage of this momentum to rise up?"

  Wu Chen said beside him, "That's what you say, but if what you say is not true, my father will easily raise troops, isn't that dangerous? You should know that there are still 30,000 Qin soldiers north of Fan County."

  Yin Xu said: "I suppose this is also Mr. Wu's concern? Is what I, Yin, say true or not? Mr. Wu can send someone to verify first and then make a decision. As for the 30,000 Qin troops being insufficient, An Tong was a defeated general, how can he be considered brave? Zhou Kang's 30,000 soldiers came from Kuaiji, if the news is transmitted, that side will also be unstable, will he still have the mind to suppress bandits in Pengze?"

  Wu Rui, who had been silent for half a day, finally spoke up: "What Yin Zhuang said is nothing but wanting to make Fan Yi start an uprising against Qin. But what if Wu certain person doesn't want to?"

  "I'm afraid you won't be able to choose, Mr. Wu, please take a look at this." Yin Xu said, taking out a silk book from his bosom and handing it over.

  Wu Rui took a look and was shocked, with beads of sweat on his forehead in an instant. Yin Xu bowed and said: "It's also my fault for dragging Mr. Wu into this, I apologize! Fortunately, Chen Kui's letter was intercepted by me, so the disaster was temporarily avoided, but since the messenger didn't return in time, he must have had doubts, and whether there will be other measures is unknown. Please make a decision as soon as possible, Mr. Wu, for one second of delay can lead to many troubles."

  Yin Xujing quietly waited, at this time Wu Rui had no choice. If you want to keep the matter of Tong Wei from leaking out, you can only kill Chen Kui and others. However, the county magistrate sent by the imperial court suddenly died, which would also leak out the news. The only and best choice was to start a rebellion against Qin, and Wu Rui did not have this heart either.

  After a moment of contemplation, Wu Rui wiped the sweat from his forehead and sighed: "I'm afraid it's already too late, my wife and daughter are still at Chen Kui's residence."

  "What?"

  Wu Chenye had already read the letter and upon hearing his father's words, exclaimed: "Didn't mother and sister come back with you?"

  "Wu Rui said in a low voice: 'It's just that your mother and sister have gone out. Your father is just feeling a bit stuffy, so he went out for a walk.'"

  Yin Xu was also shocked, seeing Wu Rui return and thinking that nothing was wrong, but unexpectedly there was another development. Zhang Gongcao, who had been sent to deliver the message, had not returned, so Chen Kui must have become vigilant and invited them to dinner mainly as a test. But unfortunately, Wu Rui did not arrive, and it's hard to say what Chen Kui would think, but one thing was certain: Mrs. Wu and her daughter were in a precarious situation.

  Wu Rui and his son were both worried, thinking about how they could safely reunite with their wife and daughter.

  "Mr. Wu, if you don't mind, my brother and I are willing to do our best to rescue your wife and daughter as a token of apology. As for other matters, we can discuss them later." Yin Xu was very clear that whether they could safely rescue the mother and daughter of the Wu family had already become a prerequisite for cooperation.