The actions of Qin were closely watched by all the other states.
Whether it was the confiscation of wealth from old nobles or the implementation of the imperial examination system, people from other countries studied these developments.
After their research, they all found it incredible.
"What is Qin trying to do? Are they trying to offend all the nobles?"
"I can't understand. The imperial examination system they are holding seems to target their own nobles, yet not entirely, as they haven't prohibited noble descendants from holding office!"
"Regardless, they have impacted the interests of Qin's nobles, who are bound to be dissatisfied. The confiscation of wealth from the old nobles of the three states last time likely caused considerable discontent as well!"
"Indeed. It is said that many people in Qin already harbor considerable resentment towards Lin Tian. Once they find a flaw in him, they will undoubtedly do their utmost to suppress him, leaving him no chance to recover!"
"A flaw?"
Upon hearing this, many fell into deep thought.
If someone were truly willing to act against Lin Tian, they wouldn't mind lending a hand.
After all, Lin Tian's military command capabilities were evident for all to see.
The destruction of the three states was directly linked to Lin Tian.
If Lin Tian could be eliminated, it would undoubtedly be a tremendous benefit to these states.
Therefore, many began to ponder how Lin Tian, this troublesome figure, could be dealt with.
However, before they could devise a solution, Lin Tian made his move.
He led his army out of Xianyang City, heading straight for the state of Wei.
This time, he commanded an even larger force, totaling one hundred and fifty thousand men.
The mobilization of these one hundred and fifty thousand troops sent the entire state of Wei into a panic.
"What, what does Lin Tian of Qin mean by this? Are they planning to attack us, Wei?"
"No, that can't be right. We, Wei, haven't provoked Qin. We haven't provoked anyone!"
"This is no longer a matter of provocation. It's that Qin intends to move against us, and their army is approaching. What should we do?"
Lin Tian's power was undeniable.
The downfall of the three states was a recent memory.
The arrival of Lin Tian with a larger army in Wei this time seemed to be a death sentence for their state.
After all, Wei was not only inferior to Zhao but even to Yan.
Even the powerful states of Zhao and Yan had fallen to Lin Tian.
How long could Wei hold out against him?
No one answered this question, but the ministers of Wei were filled with dread.
"No, we cannot sit idly by and await our doom. We must seek help!"
"Seek help? Who can help Wei at this juncture?"
"Chu! Only Chu can help us!"
"I don't think Chu will mobilize their troops. Remember, they lost over a hundred thousand soldiers last time. While not completely crippled, they suffered heavy losses. Under such circumstances, how could they possibly send troops to assist Wei?"
"Moreover, Lin Tian of Qin is leading the army this time. Even if Chu were to send troops, do they have the confidence to defeat Lin Tian?"
Lin Tian's existence was like a towering ceiling, casting a shadow over everyone.
Although the generals of Wei had never faced Lin Tian in battle, they were filled with apprehension towards him.
At this moment, if anyone were to ask who had the confidence to defeat Lin Tian, not a single person would dare to step forward.
They were capable of fighting bravely on the battlefield, but commanding an army was not that simple.
It wasn't just about charging forward with a surge of courage to annihilate the enemy.
Therefore, they would rather engage in a life-or-death struggle than face Lin Tian's army.
Lin Tian's army's combat methods were too unpredictable; they had no confidence in dealing with them.
Yet, they were faced with a pressing issue: who would lead the defense against Lin Tian's army?
"My lords, who is willing to lead the resistance against Lin Tian's army? I am willing to mobilize the full might of our nation, thirty thousand troops, for his command!"
Thirty thousand troops represented the maximum military strength Wei could muster.
In fact, they had depleted all their resources.
These thirty thousand troops were significantly more numerous than Lin Tian's fifteen thousand.
In normal times, countless generals would have vied for the command of such an army.
A victory would have brought them immense military achievements.
But this time, after the King of Wei uttered these words, no one responded.
The court officials were as silent as statues, their mouths sealed.
The ministers at the front even lowered their heads deeply, performing a masterful act of feigned ignorance, terrified of drawing the King's attention.
This observation further fueled the King's rage.
He never imagined that after nurturing so many officials, not a single one would be useful in this critical moment.
He roared in exasperation:
"Does Wei have no generals willing to lead an army?"
"If that is the case, perhaps Wei should simply surrender to Qin, saving our soldiers from death!"
"As for you ministers, you nobles of Wei, you will be like the nobles of the other three states – your lands and wealth confiscated, and you will live as commoners!"
At these words, all the ministers' faces changed.
The life-or-death struggle of Wei did not concern them greatly.
After all, Qin was too powerful, and none of them wished to be the first to charge into the fray and perish.
However, the confiscation of their lands and wealth by Qin was something they absolutely could not tolerate.
The vast majority of them had lived lives of luxury since childhood, spending lavishly, and none had ever tilled the soil.
Once their lands and wealth were confiscated, they would truly be unable to survive.
To relegate their esteemed selves to farming a few acres of land each year would be more agonizing than death.
Therefore, they hastily cried out:
"Your Majesty, this cannot be! How can Wei simply surrender to Qin? Would this not be a betrayal of our ancestral legacy?"
"Indeed! Your Majesty, the tyrannical Qin is bloodthirsty by nature. If we surrender to Qin, our soldiers and citizens will undoubtedly face massacre by the tyrannical Qin. We cannot abandon our soldiers and citizens!"
"Your Majesty, Wei has generals who die in battle, but none who beg for survival on their knees. We are willing to fight Qin!"
Although fighting Lin Tian's army might lead to their deaths,
they felt that without their wealth and status, their fate would be more terrifying than death.
Thus, they were willing to take a gamble.