"Your Highness, what opportunity are you referring to for assassinating King Ying Zheng of Qin?"
"Our Yan state plans to feign surrender, present our military deployment map, and then seize the opportunity to kill King Ying Zheng of Qin!"
"Hmm? Is a military deployment map enough?"
"Is that not sufficient?"
In the eyes of Crown Prince Dan of Yan, presenting the military deployment map was tantamount to their Yan state surrendering.
It was an extremely humiliating act, and Crown Prince Dan was already deeply ashamed after doing it.
Yet, he never expected that Jing Ke would still deem it insufficient.
This was something Crown Prince Dan had never anticipated.
"The military deployment map is, of course, very important. However, the state of Qin has already captured fifteen of our Yan cities. Our military deployment map holds little significance for them!"
"Its existence is more of an attitude!"
"If we present the military deployment map now, King Ying Zheng of Qin might not even grant us an audience. If he doesn't see us, we will have no opportunity to assassinate King Ying Zheng of Qin!"
"Hiss! Then what should we do?"
"Increase our offering, so that Ying Zheng will gladly grant us an audience!"
Upon hearing this, Crown Prince Dan found it very reasonable.
However, he truly couldn't think of anything more important than the military deployment map.
Thus, he stared blankly at Jing Ke, saying nothing, yet implying everything.
This also caused Jing Ke to sigh.
"Your Highness, I heard that among your retainers, there is a defected general from Qin, Fan Yuqi!"
"King Ying Zheng of Qin has offered a generous reward for his head. If Your Highness is willing to offer Fan Yuqi's head, King Ying Zheng of Qin will surely grant us an audience!"
Fan Yuqi's status was not simple. He was not only a former general of Qin whom Ying Zheng trusted,
but he was also the instigator of Prince Cheng Jiao's rebellion in Qin. It was because of him that Ying Zheng had to order the execution of Cheng Jiao,
burdening Ying Zheng with the accusations of fratricide and matricide.
This made Ying Zheng hate Fan Yuqi to the bone.
Although this matter was not widely circulated within Qin, both Crown Prince Dan and Jing Ke were well aware of it.
Therefore, after Jing Ke said this, Crown Prince Dan almost clapped his hands in delight.
However, Fan Yuqi was his retainer, and he couldn't appear too pleased on the surface.
In fact, he appeared very hesitant.
"General Fan sought refuge with me out of trust. How can I offer General Fan's head to gain Ying Zheng's trust? Wouldn't that put me in the wrong?"
"No, no, absolutely not!!"
At this moment, Crown Prince Dan repeatedly waved his hands, expressing his strong disapproval.
This reaction was within Jing Ke's expectations.
He knew that given Crown Prince Dan's benevolence, he would not do such a thing.
Therefore, Jing Ke already had his own plan in mind and did not reveal it.
That night, he continued to drink with Crown Prince Dan.
As they parted ways, Crown Prince Dan emphasized:
"Regarding General Fan, it's absolutely out of the question!"
"I will find another way to handle this matter, but we must not harm General Fan!"
After speaking, he stumbled away, his eyes glazed with drunkenness.
However, just a hundred paces after leaving Jing Ke, his eyes became clear again.
At this moment, he was not drunk at all.
"I hope this time, it will truly succeed!"
In Crown Prince Dan's heart, he yearned for success immensely.
However, some things could not be said by him, nor could they be done by someone of his status.
Otherwise, no one would believe his reputation for righteousness.
Meanwhile, Jing Ke's feigned drunkenness also vanished instantly.
He too had been pretending.
However, his pretense was for the sake of completing the assassination for Crown Prince Dan.
Therefore, he went to Fan Yuqi's residence late at night.
Fan Yuqi was treated very well in Yan, and Crown Prince Dan showered him with various rewards.
The reason for doing so was, naturally, to win hearts.
In this regard, he had indeed done a good job.
When Jing Ke arrived and explained the matter to Fan Yuqi, Fan Yuqi did not object.
On the contrary, he was very willing.
"Is my head all that is needed?"
"Yes, with the general's head and the military deployment map of Yan, King Ying Zheng of Qin will definitely grant me an audience, and then I will be able to kill King Ying Zheng of Qin!"
"Very well, I am willing to offer my head for this opportunity!"
"King Ying Zheng of Qin not only pursued me but also slaughtered my entire family! I and he, Ying Zheng, share an irreconcilable hatred!"
"How can I miss this chance for revenge!!"
Fan Yuqi harbored immense hatred for Ying Zheng.
He did not believe he had done wrong by instigating Cheng Jiao's rebellion, nor did he feel he had wronged Ying Zheng in any way.
Yet, Ying Zheng had hunted him down for it and killed his entire family.
This had made Fan Yuqi hate Ying Zheng to the core.
Furthermore, he was no longer young and had no chance to continue his lineage. Revenge had become his sole desire.
"Moreover, Crown Prince Dan has shown me immense kindness. How can I not repay such a debt?"
"Please, brave warrior, take my head and go kill that King Ying Zheng of Qin!!"
Fan Yuqi's words came from the bottom of his heart. The will to sacrifice himself for righteousness directly struck Jing Ke's soul.
This brought tears to Jing Ke's eyes, and he then bowed to Fan Yuqi.
"General, your righteousness is admirable! Jing Ke respects you!!"
Soon, Fan Yuqi's head was severed.
It was then preserved and kept carefully.
The next morning, Jing Ke brought Fan Yuqi's head and approached Crown Prince Dan.
"Crown Prince, General Fan heard of our plan to assassinate King Ying Zheng of Qin and voluntarily offered his head. Our plan can commence!"
"What? General Fan...?"
"General Fan said he did it for revenge and to repay kindness!"
"Ah! General Fan, I have wronged you!"
At this moment, Crown Prince Dan did not want to listen to anything Jing Ke had to say. He had already anticipated what Jing Ke was about to say.
Therefore, he only needed to cry loudly.
He cried for an entire day.
After crying, Crown Prince Dan immediately ordered preparations.
He ordered a supremely sharp dagger to be found. Though not famous, it was incredibly sharp, capable of slicing through metal.
Upon finding it, Crown Prince Dan immediately ordered it to be poisoned and then concealed within the map. Afterwards, he handed it over to Jing Ke.
A total of two days had passed.
"Brother Jing, we are all prepared. We can act now!"
"Not yet, I am still waiting for someone!"
"As soon as he arrives, I can guarantee King Ying Zheng of Qin's death!"
After deciding to assassinate Ying Zheng, Jing Ke had sent a message to his accomplice.
Once this person arrived, Jing Ke would have the confidence to kill Ying Zheng.
...