Li Si pushed the wine pot across the table toward Han Fei, then poured himself another cup of wine. The implication was already very clear.
"Brother Li is truly considerate," Han Fei said. "To have prepared poisoned wine for me." A faint smile appeared on his face. It carried a mocking quality, one that showed he saw right through Li Si.
Yet Li Si continued his act, completely oblivious to Han Fei’s expression.
"This is just my way of showing our old camaraderie from our school days," Li Si sighed.
"If the King of Qin found out you brought me poisoned wine, wouldn’t he blame you?" Han Fei suppressed the chill in his heart and played along.
"I am now the Tingwei of Qin. Even if the Great King becomes angry, he won’t punish me severely. If it can make Brother Han’s passing a little easier, then for me, it’s all worth it," Li Si said with a look of utmost sincerity.
It had to be said that Li Si was not only a capable minister but also a brilliant actor. If Han Fei hadn’t been mentored and forewarned by Zhao Feng, he might have actually fallen for this performance of "sincere camaraderie" and believed Li Si genuinely had his best interests at heart.
"It seems Brother Li truly does remember our old camaraderie," Han Fei remarked, also feigning a look of profound emotion.
Li Si maintained his facade of profound sincerity.
"To avoid making things difficult for Brother Li, I have decided to surrender to Qin and pledge my loyalty to the King of Qin. In any case, I will certainly not allow Brother Li to suffer on my account," Han Fei added quickly.
At these words, Li Si’s sorrowful expression turned to one of utter astonishment.
"Brother Han, you want to surrender to Qin?" Li Si asked in disbelief.
"Yes! After Brother Li has shown me such kindness, I certainly can’t allow you to be implicated. Furthermore, after so long in prison, I have had an epiphany. The only state with a real chance to unify the world is Qin. No other nation stands a chance."
"Perhaps my original choice was wrong. Now that I have this opportunity, with the King of Qin holding me in high regard and a former classmate like Brother Li at court, I’ve thought it over. I do not wish to betray the King of Qin’s high esteem, nor Brother Li’s kindness," Han Fei said with an air of melancholy, as if he had seen the light.
Listening to this, Li Si was completely stunned, his mind filled with bewildered disbelief. What is going on? How could Han Fei’s mindset have changed so drastically? Hasn’t he always prided himself on his loyalty, vowing to live and die with the state of Han? Why is he today? Could it be that my concern for him has made him unwilling to implicate me?
Han Fei’s words even made Li Si begin to doubt himself.
But at this moment, looking at Han Fei’s sincere expression and his firm resolve to surrender to Qin, Li Si fell silent for a long time. Finally, with a reluctant smile, he slowly said, "It is for the best that you have come to this realization, Brother Han. Qin is the great power destined to unify the world, and the Great King is the only sovereign worthy of your service—a monarch of immense talent and bold vision."
"However," he continued, "I am truly curious. Why the sudden change of heart, Brother Han? Weren’t you always talking about loyalty, about living and dying with your state?" Li Si asked, his expression one of confusion. One could only imagine the curses he was hurling in his heart.
But Han Fei’s expression remained sincere. He showed no hostility toward Li Si, instead speaking as if from a place of deep reflection. "After all, while I am a member of the Han Royal Family, I am only from a minor branch. My nephew, the so-called ’orthodox’ King of Han, has already surrendered. The Royal Capital has fallen. What is a mere subject like me supposed to be fighting for?"
These words, however, did not truly sound like Han Fei’s own. The tone and phrasing were unmistakably Zhao Feng’s. During the days they had spent together, Zhao Feng had constantly challenged Han Fei with such arguments, rendering the self-proclaimed loyalist speechless. Now, Han Fei was using those very same words to counter Li Si.
And it worked. After hearing Han Fei’s argument, Li Si seemed to have no retort. If a nation’s king has surrendered, on what grounds can a mere subject continue to resist?
"It seems my visit today was unnecessary."
"It is good that you have come to understand, Brother Han."
"In the future, Qin will have gained another great talent," Li Si said with a smile, feigning happiness for Han Fei, though internally he was cursing endlessly.
Han Fei’s sudden change of heart completely thwarted Li Si’s original plan. He had intended for Han Fei to drink the poison willingly, allowing Li Si to report that Han Fei had refused to submit and had taken his own life. In that scenario, not even the King of Qin could have done anything about it. After all, he was an important minister of Qin; the King would not punish him severely for the sake of Han Fei. Li Si was very confident about this.
But now, Han Fei’s reversal had left Li Si at a loss.
Do I have to poison him by force? A cold glint flickered in Li Si’s eyes.
Things had come to this. If Han Fei truly sided with Wang Wan and Fusu, it would be a disaster. Furthermore, even if he didn’t join Wang Wan’s faction, Li Si was deeply concerned about the prospect of serving alongside him in the same court.
Jealousy. Perhaps that was the original sin.
But at that moment, Han Fei said something else that left Li Si utterly powerless.
"A few days ago, a Senior Minister from Qin visited me in prison. He claimed to be a subordinate of the Eldest Imperial Son of Qin and was named Wang Wen. I wonder if Brother Li is acquainted with him? I have already expressed my willingness to surrender to Qin to him. I imagine it won’t be long before he informs the King of Qin of my intentions," Han Fei said with a smile.
Li Si froze upon hearing the name Wang Wen.