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墨書 Inktalez
The methods of transmitting intelligence like this are classified as highly confidential by the Qin State's intelligence department. No one would suspect that intelligence personnel would leave behind random markings along the way; even if someone were to discover these indecipherable symbols, they would never think of them as markers. If someone had to explain, it could be understood as something left casually by a passerby.
Such a strict transmission protocol ensures timely communication of intelligence. Not to mention that intelligence personnel would subsequently have secret followers, whose role is not to protect anyone but to ensure the effective transmission of information. Since there is a purpose unrelated to the safety of the transmitters, it is difficult for outsiders to decipher and discover.
However, the outcome was unexpected; not only did the intelligence officer responsible for delivering the message go missing without explanation, but even the secret followers failed to relay information in a timely manner. How can this be explained?
Since a serious problem has arisen, it is naturally not up to Chang Yu and Kong Liang to provide an explanation. Moreover, based on the detailed inquiries just conducted, both individuals acted according to protocol. There had been no errors during the process; after all, transmitting messages takes time.
The intelligence personnel responsible for transmission relied on horses and walking, and delays due to various reasons were inevitable. The situation in Shangdang was chaotic due to war, which could also lead to the intelligence officer being unable to return in time.
Faced with such an inconvenient method of foot-based transmission, it was already quite rare at that time. Generally speaking, not only do ordinary families not use horses for transportation, but they also need strong laborers to cultivate their own land.
Luzi let out a heavy sigh and chose not to discuss the issue of the transmission error any further. After all, what has happened has happened; the Qi State's army is currently gathering on a large scale. Bringing up past mistakes now would not resolve anything and might instead delay important matters due to frustration.
The urgent task is to find ways to remedy the situation; other issues can be addressed later. Analyzing the current situation, the only thing that could prevent the Qi State from mobilizing troops is the Queen Dowager!
By the time everything was sorted out, it was already late outside. Originally planning to enter the palace overnight to meet with the king, Luzi ultimately chose to give up that idea since this meeting involved not only King Qi but also the Queen Dowager.
In fact, he had heard some rumors from outside. Although they were not entirely true, some matters still required attention. Maintaining a good reputation is not easy; years of effort may not guarantee its solidity. It is very simple for a reputation to collapse completely; it could fall apart within just a few days.
Alas! It seems another sleepless night awaits!
With no final resolution in sight, no one can lift the heavy stone pressing down on their hearts. Luzi is still just a mortal; he simply had some food and even refrained from drinking alcohol during this time.
Without a relevant reception plan, there was naturally no lively entertainment. Fortunately, everyone knew the rules and took it in stride. Kong Liang instructed someone to change the tea and once again asked Big Shopkeeper if there were any orders before taking his leave.
Chang Yu, annoyed at not having personally delivered the message which led to the mistake, kept his head down and remained silent. Hearing Sun Thirteen and Li Xin chatting and laughing, he did not join in. He had already requested punishment in the afternoon, but Big Shopkeeper had not commented on it.
Luzi understood that this was his first day in the capital of Qi State, and there would likely be many matters to handle moving forward. Morale could only be encouraged; this was a well-known truth. Everything that needed to be said had been said, and now it was time to put in the effort.
"The development of Qi State in recent years has been impressive; it’s practically a legendary paradise. Outside, however, things are chaotic, and many people must have come seeking refuge in Qi State."
At this moment, there were only four people sitting in the hall. Aside from Chang Yu who had arrived early, the other three had just arrived today, so Big Shopkeeper's question was directed at Chang Yu rather than Sun Thirteen or Li Xin.
Just as Chang Yu was about to respond, he saw Luzi signal him not to. So he sat back down and replied, "Since the Queen of Qi took control of the government, the attitude of Qi State towards neighboring countries has changed significantly. Memorandums have been signed with Yan, Zhao, Chu, and several feudal states, and all disputed territories have been redefined. The results of this distribution are satisfactory; given the current situation, it seems likely to remain so. As a result, we have achieved a rare peace. The people of Qi can now live and work in peace without concern for worldly affairs. Counting it up, this prosperity brought by peace has lasted for five years."
Upon hearing someone speak about serious matters, Sun Thirteen and Li Xin shifted their attention to listen to Chang Yu's description of recent years in Qi State. The various benefits brought by peace were already well-known along the way. Even though Qin State had not been invaded for many years, such a peaceful scene was still unseen.
The atmosphere within Qi State conveyed a particularly comfortable feeling to everyone. How should I put it? Oh! Right! It felt like relaxing one's mind, creating a particularly lazy sense of ease. Moreover, this mood was contagious, making the Qin people who entered feel particularly apprehensive. They could only constantly remind themselves not to sink into it completely to maintain a clear mind.
Only true peace could allow one to truly experience this feeling; however, for the Qin people who were currently at war with the world, it was something they would inevitably resist. The Unified War was everyone's dream and the foundation of their beliefs. It was precisely because there were still dreams that they had to resist the current false peace.
Looking at the world at this moment, the Seven Warring States emerging from the Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn Period were all watching closely. To be realistic, the peace in Qi State at this time was merely temporary. As long as China had not achieved true unification, the shadow of war would always linger beyond its borders.
So should they indulge in a life of ease? Absolutely not!
This is the attitude of the Qin people born in remote areas; they stand in stark contrast to the Qi people who enjoy their temporary peace. In the eyes of the Qin people, only achieving true peace can be called peace. This is what is known as a sense of crisis that even compels them to sleep with weapons by their side every night.
If we do not maintain a sense of crisis, are we to expect the fall of our nation? The answer is correct! The reality is likely just that! Faced with foreign enemies lurking, the people are not striving for progress but are instead lost in indulgence. Who can the nation rely on, and who dares to hope for help!?
Watching Chang Yu express his sense of crisis with great agitation, Luzi smiled and shook his head. Some things can only be understood intuitively and cannot be articulated, as this is the strategy for the unification efforts of the Qin State. Sometimes, unification does not necessarily require war to achieve. Peaceful evolution is, in fact, also a means of warfare!
Creating numerous peaceful illusions for the citizens of hostile nations allows them to completely abandon their sense of crisis. Perhaps it will only take ten or twenty years; time is not what matters. At most, it could take thirty or forty years; the Qin State has plenty of time. But for now, it seems that five years will suffice!
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