When people were in Qin, they captured Zhao and questioned Qin.

Chapter 22 Young Master

"Indeed," Yan Dan said with a smile. "I met a wandering scholar the other day, and we had a very pleasant conversation. Before he left, he gave me this scroll, and I thought you might be interested in it."

Ying Zheng immediately lowered his head to read it, gently stroking the words on the slip of paper, his expression focused.

Zhao Heng watched quietly, but was slightly surprised.

The Mohist school.

Universal love, non-aggression, meritocracy, frugality, belief in ghosts, and rejection of fatalism...

Although this school of thought was not yet in the mainstream view a hundred years ago, it has now become a prominent school of thought alongside Confucianism and Taoism, standing out among the philosophers of the Warring States period.

The Mohist school is full of chivalrous individuals who frequently travel between states to stop wars and end conflicts. In this particular time and space, the Mohists, who have mastered the art of mechanical engineering, are not to be underestimated.

Had Yan Dan already come into contact with the Mohists at this time? Was it a chance encounter, or had the Mohists already begun to take notice of this Yan prince who was residing in Handan?

Zhao Heng had many thoughts in his mind, but he only smiled slightly, as if this was just an ordinary gift of books.

Yan Dan smiled as she looked at Ying Zheng's focused profile, but when she saw that Zhao Ji had not yet come from the kitchen, she suppressed her smile, turned to Zhao Heng, and became serious.

"Just now in the courtyard, the young master asked me, 'Won't I be looked down upon by Young Master Dan?' Dan didn't answer then. Now that there are no outsiders, Dan will speak frankly."

This statement, though somewhat abrupt, was also quite reasonable. Zhao Heng nodded slightly, awaiting what would follow.

Then Yan Dan shook his head.

"That's not the case," he said, lowering his voice. "If you hadn't come, I might have thought you were prudent and reasonable; now that you've come... I'll have to look down on you."

This was said very seriously, without a trace of joking.

Ying Zheng raised his head from the bamboo slips, his dark eyes looking at the two of them. However, he did not speak, but simply placed the bamboo slips gently on the table, sat up straight, and adopted a listening posture.

Zhao Heng met Yan Dan's sharp gaze and smiled slightly: "I'd like to hear the details."

"That day, when Dan spoke to the young master in front of the mansion, it was indeed out of consideration for Zheng." Yan Dan glanced at Ying Zheng first, then turned his gaze back to Zhao Heng. "However, it was not only for Zheng's sake, but also for your sake, young master. Therefore, every word was sincere and without a trace of falsehood."

"Let's talk about Zheng first." He turned to Ying Zheng, his tone softening. "Zheng is in a difficult situation in Handan. He's scorned by the common people and looked down upon by the nobles. Even without you, my lord, he wouldn't be much better off. Your association with him will certainly attract more attention, or even danger, like the incident where he fell into the water."

"but,"

Yan Dan emphasized, "Your status as the eldest grandson of the King of Zhao is also a layer of protection. On the surface, no one dares to truly kill the Qin hostage; in secret, considering your status, they will have to think twice before taking action. Therefore, from a political perspective, being on good terms with you is a mixed blessing, and it can even be said that... the benefits outweigh the drawbacks."

At this point, his gaze returned to Zhao Heng, and he changed the subject again: "However, it's completely different with you, young master..."

Yan Dan paused slightly here, as if considering how to make his point more clear. But before he could continue, Zhao Heng smiled faintly and took over the conversation.

"Brother Dan, are you saying that although I, Zhao Heng, am the grandson of the King of Zhao and the only son of Lord Chunping, seemingly of unparalleled nobility, my father is a hostage in Qin with no prospect of return; my mother is a woman from Han, and her family is not reliable; and I am young, and in this city of Handan, my foundation is as shallow as a duckweed in the wind, is that right?"

Yan Dan was taken aback.

Ying Zheng's eyes also flashed.

Zhao Heng counted his predicaments on his fingers one by one, then laughed:

"Given this situation, I should have been cautious in my words and actions, kept to myself, and waited for my father's return, or perhaps relied on the King of Zhao's mercy. But I have done the opposite, associating with my brother Zheng, which is already a grave offense of 'colluding with Qin'; and today I am sitting in the same room with my brother Yan Dan..."

He looked at Yan Dan:

"Although there is no major war between Yan and Zhao, they are by no means harmonious. In Handan, how many people in the court and the countryside regard Yan as a threat from the north? Therefore, both the crown prince of Yan and the hostage prince of Qin have grudges against Zhao. If I become too close to the two of you, my situation in Handan will become increasingly difficult. If this continues, I fear that not only will I be in danger, but I will also endanger my brother Zheng. Is this what you are thinking, Brother Dan?"

Ying Zheng pursed his lips, something darkening in his dark eyes.

Yan Dan clapped his hands, a look of admiration flashing in his eyes, but then became serious again: "Since you have been instructed and understand this principle, why... do you still insist on coming here? Isn't this knowingly going into danger? In my opinion, this is not courage, but rather... short-sightedness and ignorance of the consequences."

Ying Zheng clearly wanted to know the answer to this question as well. He stopped looking at the bamboo slips and quietly watched Zhao Heng, waiting for his reply.

Yan Dan simply leaned forward, looking directly at Zhao Heng, waiting for his explanation or rebuttal.

Zhao Heng suddenly chuckled.

He picked up the earthenware pot on the table, and without saying a word, simply added water to the earthenware cups in front of the three people one by one.

After finishing this, he raised his eyes, looked at Yan Dan, and smiled slightly: "If Hengruo says that this trip is for this hard-won friendship, does Gongzi Dan believe him?"

Yan Dan was taken aback, then chuckled and shook his head: "Young master, please don't joke."

He turned to look at Ying Zheng, hoping to find the same indifference on Ying Zheng's face.

Unexpectedly, Ying Zheng did not laugh. He merely glanced at Zhao Heng, then lowered his eyes, staring at the slightly swaying reflection in the water cup on the table, remaining silent and uttering no words.

Zhao Heng didn't argue, but looked at Ying Zheng: "Does Prince Zheng also think that my ignoring Brother Dan's advice that day and my hasty return today was a joke?"

Ying Zheng remained silent.

He looked down at the bamboo slips of Mozi in his hand, then looked up and stared at Zhao Heng for a moment.

The eye contact was brief, but enough for Yan Dan to sense a strange seriousness.

After a long pause, Ying Zheng slowly shook his head: "This is no joke." He hesitated for a moment, then added: "But... I don't think it's worth taking the risk for this."

Zhao Heng nodded, seemingly unsurprised by the answer. He then turned to Yan Dan: "Brother Zheng thinks it's 'not worth it,' what about Brother Dan?"

"It's not worth it," Yan Dan said without hesitation, somewhat surprised by Ying Zheng's answer.

"Why isn't it worth it?" Zhao Heng asked directly.

Both of them were taken aback.

This question is far too simplistic, so simplistic that they've never considered it in detail. Isn't it not worth it simply because it's dangerous, because the disadvantages outweigh the advantages, and because, after weighing the pros and cons, this path shouldn't be chosen?

But when Zhao Heng asked the question so calmly, they suddenly felt that those seemingly obvious reasons needed a more perfect explanation.

Before they could answer, Zhao Heng extended his finger, pointing it lightly at Ying Zheng, then turning it towards Yan Dan.

"My younger brother Zheng has lived in Handan for a long time, but his homeland is in Xianyang, and his father is in Xianyang; my elder brother Dan is here, but his homeland is in Jicheng, and his father is in Jicheng."

Finally, Zhao Heng pointed to his chest: "And I, though in this city, in this country, am also far from my father. Therefore, the three of us, though all of us are princes, are all far from our fathers, and are all in this Handan..."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "I once heard my teacher say that Qin and Zhao are sworn enemies, and Yan and Zhao are not on good terms. This is the general trend of the nation, like a surging torrent that cannot be stopped. Therefore, I think that such a situation is naturally beyond the control of our young age, nor can it be changed by our personal friendship."

"In this city of Handan, Prince Zheng is despised because of his status and faces difficulties at every turn; Prince Dan is far from his homeland and is like a drifting duckweed, with no branch to cling to. I also have my own unspeakable difficulties and feel like I am walking on thin ice."

The room was extremely quiet. The faint sound of Zhao Ji setting out bowls and chopsticks from the kitchen only accentuated the profound stillness.

"Given our circumstances and identities, the three of us were able to set aside national prejudices and set aside calculations of self-interest, and instead treat each other with sincerity and honesty."

Zhao Heng glanced at their stunned faces, his tone becoming serious, "Isn't this kind of friendship the most precious and rarest thing in this city of Handan?"

Yan Dan was momentarily moved, her lips slightly parted.

Ying Zheng then looked at Zhao Heng with renewed respect, as if this was the second time—no, the third time—that he had truly recognized the person before him. Something stirred and churned within those usually gloomy and calm black eyes.

But Zhao Heng kept talking.

The Book of Poetry says, "Nothing is without a beginning, but few things have an end." In this world, beginnings are easy, but maintaining them is difficult. The Book of Documents says, "It is like treading on a tiger's tail or wading through spring ice." This metaphorically describes a perilous situation, one that everyone knows to fear. However, the Book of Changes also says, "The superior man stands alone without fear, and withdraws from the world without resentment."

He paused slightly and looked at the two of them:

"The wise men of old acted when the opportunity presented itself, and did not shy away from danger. This was not out of a desire to show off their courage, but because they had something to uphold and something to adhere to in their hearts."

If one becomes overly cautious and hesitant because of uncertainty and numerous risks, and dares not treat others with sincerity, how is one different from those scheming and calculating individuals in the courts of the seven kingdoms? If one dares not act sincerely in youth, how can one possess the courage and decisiveness to shoulder responsibility and make resolute decisions when facing the fate of one's family, country, and the world as an adult?

Finally, a smile returned to his face, a clean and bright smile, as open and honest as the young Zhao Heng's unique frankness today:

"Therefore, when Brother Dan asked me why I risked my life to come here, my answer was—for this hard-won friendship."

"What's not worth it?" he asked softly.