The Mohist School, one of the Hundred Schools of Thought, championed the ideals of chivalry and universal love. For years, Prince Yan Dan had maintained a public image of unparalleled righteousness, but the revelations in the leaflets utterly exposed the darkness within his heart.
In the face of such accusations, many within the Mohist ranks chose to believe Yan Dan, but an equal number began to doubt him. Inevitably, internal strife took hold of the Mohists.
At this moment, Wei Zhuang of the Flowing Sands faction remained calm, his expression unreadable. Behind him, Chi Lian and Bai Feng exchanged astonished glances at Yan Dan, their faces betraying their surprise and disgust.
"With tactics like this, our esteemed Qin National Advisor must be involved," Wei Zhuang remarked, his tone indifferent as he watched Yan Dan seethe with rage.
The use of leaflets and loudspeakers was a hallmark of Daniel Davis's strategy. This psychological warfare had already proven effective during the fall of Han, and the Qin's capability to amplify messages across enemy territories ensured its success. In an era devoid of modern advertising bombardment, such methods left a profound impact on both civilians and soldiers alike. While some truths might be ignored for the sake of so-called righteousness, the seed of doubt planted by these tactics would eventually take root.
For instance, Yan Dan's rise to the position of Mohist leader (Juzi) was only possible because of the Qin threat. Ordinarily, after the death of the Six-Fingered Black Hero, Yan Dan would never have been considered, especially since suspicions already surrounded him. However, desperation and fear of Qin forced the Mohists to accept him.
Much like Wei Zhuang's own journey in the original timeline, where he initially cooperated with Qin before turning against them, Yan Dan and others like him were driven by unwavering beliefs and ideals. Even with evidence laid bare before them, individuals like Yan Dan and Wei Zhuang would never abandon their deeply held convictions. Daniel Davis understood this, knowing that his propaganda was more about shaping the future than achieving immediate results.
For now, brute force remained the most effective method to subdue the Six States. Expecting to persuade such hardened individuals with words alone was as unrealistic as uniting the Great Ninja Villages in a single moment of peace.
---
"Traitors! To slander our leader like this is an unforgivable offense!"
Even among those who privately suspected the truth of the accusations, many within the Mohists declared the leaflets an insidious Qin plot to discredit their noble cause and undermine the Prince of Yan.
Chi Lian, standing within the Flowing Sands delegation, glanced at Yan Dan with disdain but said nothing. The former Princess Honglian had long since hardened her heart.
"This meeting is adjourned."
The sudden emergence of the scandal disrupted ongoing discussions between the Mohists and the Flowing Sands faction. The Mohist leaders scrambled to quell dissent and restore order among their disciples. However, while they busied themselves, Snow Maiden and Gao Jianli quietly exchanged glances and left the meeting altogether.
"What's going on with them?"
Dao Zhi frowned as he watched the pair leave, then turned to ask Master Ban and Xu Fuzi.
The two elder leaders shared a heavy sigh. Unlike Dao Zhi, they understood the gravity of the situation. Both Snow Maiden and Gao Jianli had joined the Mohists out of gratitude to the Six-Fingered Black Hero, who had once rescued them from encirclement by Yan forces.
While they had reluctantly accepted the initial narrative blaming Dongjun Yanfei (the Flame Queen) for the Six-Fingered Black Hero's death, the new revelations—that Yan Dan had orchestrated the murder and cynically scapegoated Yanfei—were unforgivable. Their disillusionment ran deeper than mere betrayal; it struck at the very ideals the Mohists stood for.
---
"Let's leave this place."
On a remote peak overlooking the Mohist base, Snow Maiden turned her gaze to the distant horizon and spoke softly.
For her, the Mohists had been a haven, a sanctuary after years of trauma and mistrust. Alongside Gao Jianli, they had been her only solace. Now, even the Mohists felt tainted by betrayal.
Yan Dan's actions were too repugnant for her to overlook. It wasn't merely the Six-Fingered Black Hero's murder that enraged her but the specific exploitation of Yanfei, a woman whose loyalty had been manipulated and discarded.
As a woman herself, Snow Maiden could not forgive such cruelty. In a society where women often occupied secondary roles, such solidarity and empathy were unshakeable. This, coupled with her own history of insecurity and vulnerability, made Yan Dan's actions particularly unforgivable.
---
Meanwhile, Yan Dan faced another challenge in the Yan royal court. At the palace gates, General Yan Yi, who had long resented the prince, blocked his path.
"What an impressive scheme, Your Highness," Yan Yi sneered, his sarcasm thinly veiled.
Though Yan Yi had been a sycophant to the royal family, his animosity toward Yan Dan was well known. The leaflets had given him the perfect opportunity to humiliate his rival. Even at a time when Yan's very survival was at stake, Yan Yi prioritized personal vendettas over national unity.
Yan Dan clenched his fists, suppressing the urge to retaliate. Coldly glaring at Yan Yi, he brushed past him and entered the palace.
---
The fallout of Daniel Davis's propaganda extended beyond Yan. In a secluded Mohist outpost, Dao Zhi, Jing Ke, and other leaders were stunned to discover that Snow Maiden and Gao Jianli had left, leaving behind a farewell letter.
"Even Miss Snow has left…" Dao Zhi muttered, his voice filled with disbelief.
In truth, Daniel Davis himself had not anticipated such a dramatic outcome. His intention had merely been to unsettle Yan Dan, not to cause fractures among the Mohists. Yet, the ripple effects of his actions, amplified by his own butterfly effect, led to far greater changes than expected.
For example, the bond between Gao Jianli and Jing Ke was notably weaker in this altered timeline. While the two were still allies, their connection lacked the deep camaraderie seen in the original story.
---
In another surprising development, prominent figures from the School of Medicine, such as Duanmu Rong and Nian Duan, had relocated to Xianyang under the protection of Gai Nie. Initially resistant to working with Qin, they gradually came around after witnessing the state's commitment to advancing medical practices.
Daniel Davis had outlined a vision of an empowered School of Medicine, supported by Qin's resources, to become an intellectual force on par with Confucianism, Daoism, and Agriculture. This vision resonated deeply with the medical practitioners, leading them to align with Qin's ambitions despite their initial reservations.
Under Ying Zheng's support, the School of Medicine thrived, particularly with the integration of medics into Qin's military structure. This innovation not only saved countless lives but also elevated the school's status within the intellectual hierarchy of the time.
---
Back on the Yan frontlines, Daniel Davis pondered the enigmatic Mechanical Azure Dragon, one of the Mohist's most powerful constructs. Unlike the other three sacred beasts, the Azure Dragon had yet to be deployed, raising questions about its readiness.
"Why hasn't Yan Dan used the Azure Dragon yet? Is it a matter of reluctance or inability?" Davis speculated. "Given his nature, he wouldn't hesitate to deploy it against Qin if he could. It must be a resource or energy issue…"
---
Meanwhile, Yan made a desperate move, sending an emissary to Qin with Prince Yan Dan's severed head and a map of Yan as a supposed gesture of surrender. Daniel Davis immediately headed to General Meng Wu's command tent upon hearing the news.
To his surprise, the envoy turned out to be Jing Ke himself, accompanied by Qin Wuyang. Recognizing the legendary assassin, Davis sighed, "So it's still him, after all."
While Meng Wu dismissed Yan Dan's severed head as a mere token, Davis fixated on Jing Ke's sword, Remnant Rainbow. Examining it closely, Davis confirmed its extraordinary craftsmanship, rumored to rival even Gai Nie's legendary swords.
Meng Wu, alarmed by Davis's revelations about the sword's origins, promptly ordered Jing Ke and Qin Wuyang detained. When the assassins attempted to resist, Davis swiftly incapacitated them using pressure-point techniques.
"Send them to Xianyang," Davis instructed. "Let His Majesty decide their fate."
---
In retaliation for Yan's assassination attempt, Meng Wu ordered an immediate advance across the Yi River. Yan's resistance was pitiful, with only 2,000 soldiers opposing a Qin vanguard of 10,000.
"This is nothing but suicide," Davis muttered, shaking his head. For now, Meng Tian used the opportunity to train his troops. Victory over Yan was inevitable; the real challenge lay ahead in the battle against Chu.
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