Chapter 296 Something happened
Zhao Ji escorted the snake bones to the military prison in the northern suburbs of Xinzheng.

Snake Bone was imprisoned in a solitary cell in the deepest part of the prison, surrounded by iron bars and chains, and two teams of soldiers took turns guarding the door day and night.

Before locking him up, Zhao Ji stood outside the prison door and looked at the bound snake bones.

“Shi Yun, do you have anything else to say now?”

Snake Bone looked up at her, the sneer on his face had faded, replaced by a hint of mockery.

“Zhao Ji, what if you win?”

“My father died at the hands of Ji Wuye, and I live only for revenge.”

“Even if I die today, you won’t be able to rest in peace.”

Zhao Ji glanced at him.

“Your revenge is in the wrong direction.”

“Ji Wuye really deserves to die, but you chose to associate with him, which is stupid of you.”

She turned and ordered the soldiers, “Keep an eye on him and don’t let anyone get close.”

The soldiers responded in unison. Zhao Ji did not look back and left the military prison directly.

After returning to the military camp, Zhao Ji began to deal with post-war affairs.

Although the bandits in the north were defeated, there are still many remnants scattered around, harassing the people.

She mobilized troops to suppress bandits while pacifying the people in the north.

The deputy general came in with a report in his hand.

“General, this is a thank-you letter from the people of the North. They said that since you pacified the bandits, the village can finally live in peace.”

Zhao Ji took the letter, glanced at it and nodded.

“These people have suffered so much. What we can do is try to help them return to normal life.”

She put the letter down and looked at the deputy general.

“Send some food and medicine to the north, and try to help rebuild the affected villages.”

The deputy general nodded: “I understand.”

However, just as Zhao Ji was busy with affairs, a crisis suddenly occurred in Xinzheng City.

A merchant caravan from the State of Wei was found dead outside the city, and all their goods were looted.

When the news reached the ears of King Han, he was furious and immediately summoned all the officials to discuss the matter.

In the court, the King of Han slammed the table and roared: “A group of merchants died in our territory of Han. How will Wei look at us?”

“Doesn’t this give them an excuse to send troops?”

The ministers were in an uproar and discussed in low voices.

“Wei State was already dissatisfied with Han State, and this incident is likely to lead to war.”

“Yes, the death of this group of caravans was too strange. I wonder if someone deliberately instigated it.”

“If this is true, can General Zhao Ji solve this matter?”

King Han looked at Zhao Ji who was standing beside him.

“Zhao Ji, what do you think about this matter?”

Zhao Ji bowed slightly and said calmly, “Your Majesty.”

“This matter is indeed strange. The tragedy of the caravan is likely a conflict deliberately provoked by some forces.”

“Please rest assured, Your Majesty. I am willing to personally investigate this matter and will give you and the Kingdom of Wei an explanation.”

King Han nodded: “Okay.”

“I’ll leave this matter to you.”

“Zhao Ji, I believe in your ability, please don’t let me down.”

After leaving the palace, Zhao Ji immediately gathered people to conduct an investigation.

She led her soldiers along the caravan’s route, tracking down clues all the way, and finally found some clues in a deserted forest.

“General, there are traces of fighting here, as well as some goods from the Wei caravan.”

The deputy general squatted down to check the wheel marks on the ground: “It seems that these people were attacked by robbers.”

Zhao Ji frowned: “No.”

“If they were ordinary robbers, they wouldn’t be so cruel to the caravan.”

“I’m afraid these people came prepared.”

She stood up and looked around.

“Keep searching, we must find clues.”

However, just as Zhao Ji led people to investigate, a group of strangers suddenly appeared from the mountains and forests and surrounded her and the soldiers.

The man in the lead was tall and held a spear in his hand.

“General Zhao Ji, I have long admired you.”

The man sneered and said, “But today you will fall into our hands.”

Zhao Ji held the long knife at her waist and asked coldly, “Who are you?”

The man laughed: “It doesn’t matter who I am.”

“The important thing is, since you are here today, don’t even think about going back alive.”

After he finished speaking, he waved his hand and ordered his men: “Go!”

Zhao Ji acted decisively, drew her sword, and led her soldiers into battle.

Her movements were fierce, and wherever the sword flashed, the enemies fell to the ground.

But the enemy had a large number of people, and Zhao Ji’s troops gradually fell into a disadvantage.

Just then, a deafening sound of horse hooves came from a distance.

Zhao Ji looked up and saw a black mass of cavalry rushing out from the depths of the forest.

The leader was Shi Lie.

“Zhao Ji!”

Shi Lie shouted loudly: “You are such a lucky woman. You are still alive today.”

“However, since you saved the young master’s life, I will help you this time!”

Shi Lie led the fierce cavalry into the battlefield and instantly disrupted the enemy’s formation.

The other side never expected that a cavalry would appear, and their formation was thrown into chaos, and they were quickly defeated by the bandits.

Shi Lie rode his horse to Zhao Ji and grinned: “Zhao Ji, you owe me a favor.”

Zhao Ji looked at him and said coldly: “You saved me not to repay a favor, but for your own survival.”

Shi Lie laughed: “Whatever you say.”

“But you have to take the blame for this on yourself.”

“If the King of Han knew that I saved you, I’m afraid he wouldn’t be so confident in you being the general.”

Zhao Ji ignored him and turned around to tell the soldiers: “Clean up the battlefield and retreat.”

After returning to Xinzheng, Zhao Ji reported the matter to King Han.

However, she did not mention the occurrence of the stone crack, but took all the credit for herself.

After hearing this, the King of Han was very satisfied.

“Zhao Ji, the general really did not disappoint me.”

“This time, not only did it protect South Korea’s reputation, it also averted a crisis.”

“I really didn’t misjudge him.”

The ministers in the court were discussing the matter.

“General Zhao Ji is truly as brave as any man, she always manages to turn danger into safety!”

“Yes, with her here, our safety in Korea is indeed secure.”

“However, the stronger her ability is, the more fearful she seems to be…”

Han Fei stood aside and listened to everyone’s discussion.

He looked at Zhao Ji, but found that she had become increasingly cold towards him since she became the general.

Zhao Ji no longer lived in Han Fei’s house, and every time they met, they became more businesslike and no longer as casual as before.

After the court was dismissed, Han Fei caught up with Zhao Ji.

“Zhao Ji.”

Zhao Ji stopped, looked back at him, and said coldly: “What’s the matter?”

Han Fei was silent for a moment, then said, “Have you been… intentionally distancing yourself from me recently?”

Zhao Ji glanced at him and said, “Han Fei, I am now a general.”

“My duty is to protect South Korea, not to get entangled with you.”

Han Fei frowned: “We are colleagues, not opponents.”

“If you do this, it will only cause misunderstanding.”

Zhao Ji said coldly: “So what if it’s a misunderstanding? As long as I can complete the task, nothing else matters.”

After saying that, she turned and left without looking back.

Han Fei stood there, watching her disappear outside the palace gate, with mixed emotions in his heart. He looked at the clouds in the sky and whispered to himself, “Zhao Ji.”

“What on earth are you holding on to?”

Dark as ink.

Han Fei sat at the stone table in the yard, lost in thought, holding the wine jug in one hand and supporting his chin with the other.

The sky above his head was starless and moonless, as if blocking his thoughts.

Bai Jing sat opposite him, holding a piece of barbecue he had just picked up from the plate, and eating it with relish.

“Han Fei, what’s wrong with you lately? You always look like this, as if you’ve lost your soul.”

Han Fei said nothing, but raised the wine jug and filled the cup.

The wine spilled, but he didn’t notice it.

Bai Jing glanced at his absent-minded look, put down the barbecue in his hand, and knocked on the table with his hand.

“Hey, why don’t you say something? What’s going on?”

Han Fei came back to his senses and looked up at him.

“Bai Jing.”

“What kind of person do you think Zhao Ji is?”

Bai Jing was stunned for a moment, then smiled: “Hey, why are you suddenly asking about Zhao Ji?”

“Don’t you know what kind of person she is better than me?”

“She is now a great hero in our Korea. She is able to pacify the people with her literary skills and quell rebellions with her military skills. Even the King of Korea looks at her with a different eye.”

He deliberately teased: “What’s the matter, are you interested in her?”

Han Fei shook his head, picked up the wine glass and drank it all.

“do not mean that.”

“I’ve been feeling lately that Zhao Ji isn’t that simple.”

Bai Jing raised his eyebrows: “What do you mean?”

Han Fei put down his wine glass and looked at the candle on the table. The faint flame flickered in the wind.

“She has been cautious at every step since she first came to Korea.”

“She said she was running away from her enemies, but don’t you find that strange?”

“A woman, all alone, could come all the way to Korea from such a faraway place, and even successfully sneak into the court.”

“What’s even more bizarre is that she had no background, no one to rely on, but she climbed up step by step to the position of a general.”

Bai Jing listened and his brows gradually frowned.

“You mean… Zhao Ji came prepared?”

Han Fei nodded: “I don’t know what her purpose is, but she is definitely not an ordinary person.”

“She’s so smart and so patient.”

“Since she was named the general, her attitude towards me has suddenly become cold. Don’t you think this is abnormal?”

Bai Jing touched his chin and thought for a while.

“Well… now that you mention it, it does seem a little strange.”

“Zhao Ji may look cold, but she actually knows how to seize opportunities.”

“From the fact that she used the snake bone, it seems like she definitely didn’t get to the top simply by luck.”

He paused, and his tone was a little more tentative: “But… Han Fei, what is your purpose in suspecting her?”

Han Fei shook his head: “I don’t know.”

“She has now become the most trusted general of the King of Han, holding military power, and even the civil and military officials in the court praise her highly.”

“If she just wanted to get ahead, she’d have done it.”

“But if she has other intentions…”

When he said this, his voice suddenly lowered: “Then this plot is probably not a small matter.”

Bai Jing nodded: “Indeed.”

“If she really has a purpose, then her current position is enough to stir up a storm.”

“But…” He suddenly laughed, “Are you too sensitive? Maybe Zhao Ji just has a cold personality and is not as complicated as you think.”

Han Fei raised his head and looked at him straight.

“Bai Jing.”

“You and I have known each other for many years. When have I ever felt this way about someone?”

Bai Jing was stunned.

He knew that although Han Fei looked careless, he was actually very thoughtful.

The person who could make him have such doubts was definitely not an ordinary person.

Bai Jing sighed, reached for the wine jug and poured himself a glass.

“Okay, since you have doubts about Zhao Ji, what are you going to do?”

“Do you want to try to find out her bottom line?”

Han Fei shook his head: “No.”

“Zhao Ji is now the confidant of the King of Han. If I show any suspicion towards her, the King of Han will be the first one to not let me go.”

“What’s more, she now holds the military power, so I can’t act rashly.”

Bai Jing nodded: “So you plan to just watch?”

Han Fei was silent for a while, and then whispered, “I will continue to observe.”

“Zhao Ji will definitely reveal her flaws.”

“As long as we can grasp her true purpose, we will know whether she is a friend or an enemy.”

Bai Jing looked at him and suddenly smiled: “Han Fei, are you a little too cautious this time?”

“No matter how powerful Zhao Ji is, she can’t turn the world upside down.”

Han Fei raised his head: “Bai Jing.”

“You should know that the more invulnerable some people seem, the more dangerous they are.”

“Zhao Ji is such a person.”

“Every step she took was flawless.”

“It’s impossible for such a person to be without a purpose.”

Bai Jing curled his lips: “Okay, you have a point.”

“But I advise you not to get too hung up on this.”

“No matter how powerful Zhao Ji is, she is still a general of the Kingdom of Han.”

“If she really has a purpose, then every step she takes will leave traces.”

“When the time comes, she will reveal her true colors without you having to do anything.”

Han Fei glanced at him and smiled bitterly: “I hope so.”

The two chatted until late at night, and Han Fei drank all the wine on the table.

After Bai Jing left, he sat alone in the yard, looking up at the night sky.

“Zhao Ji…”

He whispered to himself, with a hint of mixed emotions in his voice.

“What do you want?”

At the same time, Zhao Ji was in the military camp.

She sat at the desk with a map spread out on it.

The map marked various important locations in South Korea, and she carefully circled each one.

She brushed her fingers lightly across the map, a sneer on her lips.

“Han Fei…”

She whispered, “You finally noticed it.”

“But it doesn’t matter. No matter how smart you are, you can’t guess my real purpose.”

She rolled up the map and hid it in the secret compartment behind the case.

Then she raised her head and looked at the moonlight outside the window, her eyes as deep as the sea.

“Han Fei, thank you for helping me get to where I am now.”

“But then, I don’t need you anymore.”

It was dark at night, and a dim candlelight was lit in Zhao Ji’s tent. She sat alone in front of the table, playing with a black jade pendant in her hand, but her eyes stayed on the map of Zhao State on the table.

Her fingers slowly slid across Handan, the capital of Zhao, on the map, and her eyes revealed a deep hatred.

“Zhao…” She murmured in a low voice, her voice so low that it seemed to be squeezed out from the depths of her chest, “You were ultimately destroyed by the iron hoof of Qin.”

She closed her eyes, the memories flashing through her mind.

The streets were filled with blood, the palaces were burning, the Qin army’s war drums were roaring, the sounds of swords and killing were endless… That year, she was still a young lady in the aristocratic family of Zhao State. Just because Zhao State was defeated and the Qin army invaded Handan, her entire family was slaughtered.

(End of this chapter)