Chapter 22: Strength to Uproot Mountains, A Gift of Divine Might

"Your martial prowess is unparalleled in this age, and your spirit is rare throughout history. To describe you as one who could lift mountains and whose might overshadows the world is no exaggeration. If I were to stoop to the petty tactics of a villain, let me be struck blind."

"I have come here under the orders of my young master to invite you to take up an official post in Xianyang. For this purpose, he specifically commanded me to bring General Meng along with me."

After finishing these words, Yu Huatian produced a letter and placed it on the table.

Xiang Yu looked at the letter but made no move to take it. Instead, a profound sense of bewilderment grew within him.

"One who could lift mountains and whose might overshadows the world"—hearing these words from another’s lips touched the very depths of Xiang Yu’s heart. He had heard of the young supervising prince, but given that they were currently, for all intents and purposes, enemies, the fact that the boy wished to recruit him was baffling.

Still, it was capricious—exactly the sort of thing an eight-year-old might do.

"Master Yu, the State of Chu was destroyed by Qin. That I have not detained you here today is already a testament to my benevolence; how could I possibly serve the Qin state?" Xiang Yu said. "Furthermore, as you know, I possess high ambitions; how could I ever submit to another?"

"Let us simply drink. I would much rather cross blades with General Meng."

"I suggest you read my young master's letter before making your decision. If you are still unwilling afterward, we shall say nothing more and take our leave immediately."

"A personal missive from the Seventeenth Prince?"

Xiang Yu picked up the letter. Although he did not take it seriously, the sender was, after all, a descendant of the First Emperor. Since the proper courtesies had been observed, he felt he ought to read it. Yet, he wondered, why would this young prince want to recruit him? He was surely not so famous that a royal scion would take notice of him. He was a man of high aspirations, not a fool—on the contrary, he was quite clever.

He unfolded the letter, and his eyes fell upon the writing. The moment he read the first line, even Xiang Yu was stunned.

"Young Master Xiang, I presume you harbor a heart of rebellion against Qin, and that there was a time you desired to replace my Imperial Father?"

*This...*

Xiang Yu’s pupils constricted. Ying Ziji was not wrong; these words struck true to his heart. Years ago, when the First Emperor toured Kuaiji Commandery and crossed the river on a grand vessel, Xiang Yu and his uncle, Xiang Liang, had been among the onlookers. The young Xiang Yu had pointed at the First Emperor, Ying Zheng, standing at the prow of the ship, and declared, "He can be replaced."

At the time, his uncle had frantically covered his mouth, terrified that someone else might hear. Had those words reached the First Emperor’s ears, it would have been a crime punishable by the extermination of his entire clan. How did the Seventeenth Prince know? Did the First Emperor...?

Seeming to notice the change in Xiang Yu’s expression, Yu Huatian smiled knowingly and said in a meaningful tone, "Rest assured, Young Master Xiang. No one who should not have seen this letter has seen it, and no one who should not know its contents has been told."

"Interesting."

A keen interest stirred within Xiang Yu, and he could not help but continue reading.

"If you possess such ambitions, it is not merely because Qin destroyed Chu, but because you hold great aspirations in your heart, believing a true man should be as such. If so, then you should serve under my banner even more."

"Do you know that the Central Plains are not the entirety of the world? They are not even one-tenth of it! What does it matter if you overthrow Qin? You would only be occupying a corner of the earth, closing your doors to become a petty tyrant in the mountains."

"Have you heard of Rome? Its territory is vast, far broader than that of Great Qin. Do you know that to the southwest of the Central Plains lies the Maurya Empire? Their cavalry does not ride horses—they ride elephants!"

"In the world today, there are several empires with the scale to rival Qin, and countless small nations like stars in the sky. If you are willing, enter Xianyang. On the day the world bows down, what would it matter if I granted you lands several times the size of the Central Plains?"

*The world is unimaginably vast?*

Xiang Yu looked at the words on the paper, feeling an inexplicable surge of passion. He had always taken the pursuit of the Central Plains as his goal. But today, someone told him he was thinking too small. His perspective was too narrow! Great Qin did not even constitute one-tenth of the world’s land. Fighting behind closed doors—how could that compare to expanding the frontiers and achieving immortal merit?

The contents of the letter seemed to possess a magical power, lingering in his ears.

"Is what is written here true?" Xiang Yu looked directly into Yu Huatian’s eyes. Even if the other man had shown the slightest sign of evasion, he would have grown suspicious.

But Yu Huatian merely shook his head and said, "I only know that every word my young master has spoken to this day has never been wrong. If you do not believe it, you will know once you reach Xianyang."

"Very well! It was I who lacked foresight. I shall accompany you to Xianyang." Xiang Yu slapped the letter onto the table.

The surrounding members of the Xiang clan were stunned. "Young Master, you are a noble of the former Chu! How can you enter Xianyang alone? That is the capital of the Qin state!"

"Young Master, this move is far too risky!"

Even Meng Yi wore a look of shock. What could possibly have been written in that letter to make Xiang Yu decide to risk his life?

"No need to persuade me further. My mind is made up." Xiang Yu grinned, revealing his white teeth. "Do not worry, I will be fine."

"Young Master, since you are going to the Qin state, you should have someone to look after you on the road. Let me accompany you." A young man of similar age to Xiang Yu stepped out from the crowd.

"That will do. Xiang Zhuang, go and pack the supplies. I shall spar with the General." Xiang Yu thought this was reasonable and had Xiang Zhuang prepare the carriage. He then turned his gaze toward Meng Yi, a flicker of fighting spirit in his eyes. Within the clan, everyone praised his courage, and most of his elders were no longer his match. He wondered how his martial prowess would fare against the world at large. Meng Yi was undoubtedly a top-tier general of the age, and this was an excellent opportunity to prove himself.

"I had the same intention. I, too, wish to see exactly how capable the man whom the young prince calls 'the bravest in the three armies' really is." Meng Yi had no reason to refuse.

"General Meng, please make haste. The young prince has given us orders," Yu Huatian said, his hand resting on his embroidered spring sword. Xiang Yu was only the first. There were still Xiao He, Han Xin, and Zhang Ao—all men specifically named by Ying Ziji—and he naturally wished to find them as soon as possible. With his keen insight, he already knew the outcome, and he was unwilling to waste time.

"Rest assured, we shall only compare combat on foot with blades; it will not take long."

Meng Yi and Xiang Yu walked out, each taking up their weapons. Meng Yi chose a long spear, while Xiang Yu wielded a heavy halberd, and they began to spar in the open space.

The surrounding clansmen gathered to watch. Before long, the deafening clash of metal rang out, accompanied by shouts of applause. One could tell without looking: Xiang Yu held the clear advantage.

"If General Meng does not underestimate his opponent and relies on his seasoned experience to handle him, the outcome remains uncertain. But if he tries to clash head-on with Xiang Yu..." Yu Huatian did not move, sitting at the table, sipping wine with narrowed eyes. His young master's assessment that he could lift mountains and overshadow the world was no empty boast. Earlier, when he entered the Xiang clan’s territory, he had seen deep indentations in the ground; they were clearly made by a tripod, and not an ordinary one at that.

Indeed, after holding out for a hundred rounds, *crack*—the long spear in Meng Yi's hands snapped, and he staggered back several paces. His eyes were filled with uncontrollable shock. Xiang Yu’s strength was nothing short of monstrous, and his techniques were filled with such murderous intent that he had been suppressed throughout the entire bout. Meng Yi was no amateur; he was a famous general of Great Qin, yet he had broken his weapon in under a hundred rounds!

"The Young Master of the Xiang clan is indeed divinely brave, just as the young prince described."

"General Meng is also worthy of his reputation..." Xiang Yu had just finished speaking when his brow furrowed. He noticed that the tip of the spear, which had just flown off, had been caught between Yu Huatian’s two fingers! The speed of the spearhead had been no less than that of an arrow, and the force behind it was even greater. That an official in charge of domestic affairs possessed such skill was far beyond Xiang Yu’s expectations.

"Master Yu, excellent skill!"

"You are too kind. As the hound of my young master, I must have some measure of capability." Yu Huatian placed the spearhead on the table and stood up.

*A hound?* With such skill, he was content to be the hound of a mere child? Xiang Yu’s assessment of Ying Ziji was no longer that of a coddled, pampered youth.

"I shall go to Xianyang and see for myself what kind of person this young prince of Great Qin truly is," Xiang Yu thought to himself as he watched Yu Huatian mount his horse.

...

In Xianyang:

[Congratulations to the host. You have caused Xiang Yu to extinguish a portion of his desire to rebel against Qin. The national fortune of Great Qin has increased. Reward: "Innate Divine Strength."]

Ying Ziji had been reading memorials in the back garden when the sudden notification caused the little boy to freeze. He immediately understood. The efficiency of Master Yu was high indeed. It seemed that although Xiang Yu had not yet formally surrendered, he had at least agreed to come to Xianyang. Anyone else might have feigned refusal while coming to Xianyang to spy, but Xiang Yu would not do such a thing; he would come openly and honorably.