Chapter 103: Returning to Zhaoge

The reason Zhao Yang was saved for last was a deliberate decision by Meng Di. He wanted to see whether Zhao Yang was a man of broad mind. Upon arriving at the Zhao residence and presenting his gifts, it wasn’t long before a young man came out to greet him.

With thick eyebrows and large eyes, the man looked dignified from afar, his sturdy and robust frame exuding a heroic aura. Noticing his attire, Meng Di immediately recognized him as Zhao Yang, one of the Six Ministers of the Jin State’s military command. He quickly bowed deeply in respect.

Zhao Yang was very warm and welcoming. Before Meng Di could even speak, he smiled and said, “Look who’s here—the renowned Meng Zi. I’ve been waiting for you for several days. Why have you arrived so late?”

Surprised by Zhao Yang’s attitude, Meng Di felt much more at ease and smiled in response. “Before coming to Jin, I had already heard of Lord Zhao Jian. I understand he has a virtuous reputation within his territory, so I waited until I finished my other affairs to come see him, hoping to gain something from this meeting.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yang took Meng Di’s hand, his tone tinged with a bit of dissatisfaction. “That sounds rather insincere. I have been thinking of you often. Come with me inside; I want you to properly tell me how you managed to win the battle against Qi this time.”

Meng Di inwardly admired Zhao Yang. Of all the Six Ministers he had met, Zhao Yang left the best impression—his manners were like a refreshing spring breeze, and his straightforward manner conveyed a sense of trustworthiness.

Their conversation flowed joyfully. Zhao Yang valued Meng Di greatly and was genuinely interested in the details of the recent conflict between Qi and Lu, asking carefully about every aspect.

As evening fell, Zhao Yang still showed no sign of ending the discussion and invited Meng Di to stay overnight at his residence.

The next day, Zhao Yang finally asked Meng Di about the purpose of his visit.

“Meng Zi, I heard you came to Jin to buy horses. Fortunately, I have many available. Take them with you. Although Jin and Lu are allies, Jin’s current situation is not very stable. If trouble arises, you will have to rely on yourself.”

There was an unspoken meaning behind Zhao Yang’s words, but it was also the truth. Since the gathering at Zhaoling, Jin’s influence had waned considerably. Under such circumstances, Jin was rife with dangers, and many smaller states had already shifted their allegiance to Qi.

Hearing this, Meng Di was deeply moved. Zhao Yang’s words were sincere, and his impression of him grew even stronger. From the current situation, it was clear Zhao Yang was destined to lead Jin in the future. Meng Di then said, “Zhao Jian’s sincerity touches me deeply. However, Qi’s recent military action against Lu seems like a test. If Jin cannot maintain its dominance in this situation, Qi may rise to power in due time.”

Zhao Yang fell silent after hearing this. After a long pause, he sighed deeply. “The Fan family is in power now, and other states no longer fear Jin as they once did. If this continues, it will spell disaster. But under current circumstances, I am powerless. All I can do is endure.”

Though his words carried a tone of desolation, Meng Di did not sense resignation in him. Instead, he felt a strong unwillingness to accept his fate, which stirred a passionate resolve within him.

“Plum blossoms’ subtle fragrance comes from enduring bitter cold; a sharp sword gains its edge through grinding. Zhao Jian is in the prime of his strength. With time, he will surely astonish the world. It only requires patience.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yang’s eyes brightened. He looked at Meng Di with profound meaning. Though their acquaintance was brief, it was clear Meng Di was a man of great ambition. He then said, “In these turbulent times, I hope Meng Zi and I can encourage each other. Let us shine brightly in this world—let no gem be covered in dust, no sword remain hidden. Together, we will achieve great deeds. When that day comes, our alliance will surely dominate.”

Of course, Zhao Yang spoke of Jin’s hegemonic ambitions, but Meng Di’s thoughts turned to the possibility that by then, the world might be entering a new round of reform and competition.

Afterward, Meng Di paid homage to the Marquis of Jin, expressing a desire for friendly relations. Jin Ding Gong, the ruler, was a man of little presence; the ceremony was brief and perfunctory.

Meng Di then departed Jin with tens of thousands of horses, at least half of which went unpaid. This was partly because funds were limited, but more so because no one doubted Meng Di’s integrity. Among the contributors, Zhao Yang provided the most, followed by Zhi Lu.

As he passed through Chaoge, dreading the impending meeting with Nan Zi, Meng Di felt a headache coming on. He considered taking a detour, but the time cost was too great. In the end, he gritted his teeth and decided to return the same way.

He had thought he could simply pass through, but upon entering Chaoge, his horses were confiscated for inspection—which dragged on for several days.

Meng Di knew exactly what was happening and felt frustrated. He reluctantly sought an audience with Zhu Tao, a man he knew in the Wei State. But Zhu Tao dodged the matter, offering no concrete answers.

When Meng Di returned to the inn, he saw a splendid carriage waiting. He sighed deeply, knowing without asking who it was from.

He greeted Su’er briefly before boarding the carriage. Meng Di understood this was unavoidable: beneath the roof one must bow. If he wanted to succeed in taking the horses out of Wei, he had no choice but to meet Nan Zi.

From afar, Su’er watched the carriage depart, her heart heavy with worry. She clenched her fists tightly.

This time, the meeting place was different from before. The servants merely gestured for him to enter. Meng Di felt a foreboding sense but stepped inside nonetheless.

It was silent—no sound stirred. Meng Di did not rush in but stood quietly at the entrance.

“Since you’ve come, why not come inside?” Nan Zi’s voice drifted softly. “I’ve been thinking of you constantly, to the point of losing weight. I just want to ask—have you thought of me during this time?”

Meng Di’s eyes widened as a woman in simple clothing stepped out slowly. She was as stunning as ever, yet his heart sank deeply.