SEAL OF EVIL

condolences. The state of Yan took this opportunity to send a
special messenger from Crown Prince Dan who paid his
respects to the King of Qin in secret and said that after the
funeral the state of Yan would send another special messenger
to present to him the map of Dukang and the head of General
Fan Yuki.
Although he was supposed to be in mourning for the death of
his mother the King of Qin was ecstatic that he would have
access to the map of Dukang and also have the satisfaction of
receiving the head of General Fan whom he despised.
So far so good for the conspirators. During the winter of
227/226 BC Prince Dan treated Jing Ke and General Fan as
highly honoured guests and showered them with all the
luxuries they desired. But as winter gave way to spring a
messenger arrived from the state of Qin and brought word that
the King of Qin wished to see the map of Dukang and Fan
Yuki’s head without delay and would seize them by force if
they were not forthcoming.
Prince Dan began to worry and hinted to Jing Ke that it was
time for him to go. But Jing Ke did not promise to go because
he had received no word from the man he wanted to
accompany him as his assistant messenger, his friend Tu
Gouzhe. At last the person who had gone to find Tu Gouzhe
came back and told Jing Ke his friend would join him in 3
days.
133