Mrs. Qin Xiangguo

141

At the end of 237 B.C., the city of Daliang was broken, and the state of Wei was destroyed by Qin.

In the same year, Qin sent 20 troops to attack Chu.At that time, the son of the state of Chu was in charge of killing King Ai of Chu, seeking rebellion and self-reliance.

The Qin army easily invaded the country, captured the king of Chu, and established Jiujiang and Changsha counties in Chu.

Young Master Qi Wenfeng fled, and the Qin army was still searching in Chu.

It took only one year from sending troops to destroying the country.

At the same time, a large number of scholars from Chu State poured into Qin State before winter.

Now that Qin and Qi are completely bordering each other, Qi is still standing still, but anyone with a little foresight knows that the unification of Qin is the general trend.Not only Chu State, but also ministers, strategists, businessmen and swordsmen from all over the Central Plains, from nobles to nobles, all came to Xianyang one after another, hoping to take advantage of Qin's east wind.

And if you want to gain a firm foothold, you have to have a way.

Ordinary scholars can't get close to the steps of Zhangtai Palace, but they can knock on the door brick of Xiangguo's Mansion.

Worshiping the top of a mountain is not uncommon in various countries.

It's just that Zhao Weizhen didn't see her, and there were too many people who had the cheek to come, so she simply said she was sick and didn't go out, let alone go to restaurants.

So the rest of the people turned to Qin Xiangguo himself.

This situation naturally also affected the gentry and officials in Xianyang.

The next day when he went to court, some ministers stood up and said that there were too many diners in Xianyang in recent days, and proposed to expel the idlers and so on.

"I don't think so."

Li Si immediately objected: "In the past, Duke Xiao issued a decree for seeking talents, and the talents of all countries went to Qin, so that they can be strong today. Since Shang Jun, the capable ministers in the Qin court include both nobles from other countries and poor families in the Central Plains. They defected to Qin. The scholars here are not only looking for a way out, but also want to serve Qin. Wouldn’t it be Bai Baihan that the hearts of the people in the world are being expelled like this? If there are really virtuous and talented people, they will also be swept out together."

When these words fell to the ground, Qin Ting talked a lot.

"Although that is the case, we must not allow Xianyang to create chaos." A young man surnamed Ying stood up and objected: "The moment is at the critical moment of Qin State, so it is not a bad idea to expel them temporarily."

"If you have the ability to drive away, can you not restrain it?"

Li Si refuted without humility: "The laws and regulations of the Qin State are not placed on a high platform for display. Besides, compared with scholars, I think that everyone here should also be vigilant about their own behavior."

Young Master Ying frowned: "Li Si, what do you mean?"

Li Si folded his hands into his sleeves, with a calm expression: "As the young master said, Qin is at a critical moment. The situation in front of us is very different from the past. Now we have to recruit disciples, win over factions, and have the ambition to support scholars and employ scholars. Call it an ulterior motive."

As soon as this statement was made, there was a lot of discussion in the court.

Overtly and secretly, his gaze almost immediately turned to Qin Xiangguo, who was in the lead among the civil servants.

Lu Buwei turned his head suddenly: "Why did Li Qing say that?"

"It's not targeted," Li Si responded, "Xiangguo needn't panic."

"..."

Lu Buwei's dark eyes flickered.

Give Li Si three more guts, and he wouldn't rashly stand up and criticize Lu Buwei—it's not that he didn't dare, but it was unnecessary.

Whether it's whether he takes in the disciples or establishes the mansion to support the servants, what does it have to do with him, Li Si?

Li Si stood up today, it could only be...

Lu Buwei didn't show any anger, vigilance or guard. The man's gentle and humble face moved slightly, and his next reaction was to look forward.

King Qin on the throne remained motionless.

When the voice of discussion gradually became smaller and then disappeared, and the Qin court returned to silence, Qin Wangzheng said calmly like a stone statue without any emotion: "Do you have any opinions on the matter of attacking Qi?"

It was as if the discussion just now ceased to exist.

The ministers under the throne immediately understood, skipped this topic, and turned to Qi State.

It was difficult to discuss anything at the court meeting, and when the ministers and workers dispersed, Lu Buwei stayed.

He came to the side hall of Zhangtai Palace, waited for a while, and then a servant went out to greet him.

Qin Wangzheng has already taken off the crown, but has not changed the court clothes.

"Xiangguo." The young monarch turned around and said, "Let's go for a walk with the widow."

"Yes."

Lu Buwei replied without hesitation: "It's cold outside the palace, please put on a robe, Your Majesty."

It was deep winter, and it just snowed in Xianyang last night.The attendants of Zhangtai Palace were busy early in the morning, clearing the thick snow from the main road, but there was still thick snow on the eaves and open spaces.

Qin Wangzheng walked in front, touched the white sky and ground, and said with emotion: "The snow has benefited the fields, and the turn of spring will bring another bumper harvest."

"It's a good thing." Lu Buwei agreed.

The two monarchs and ministers stand in the cold wind, and the black court clothes are a clear landscape.

"What does Xiangguo think about attacking Qi?" Qin Wang asked: "At the court meeting today, there are many ministers and workers who have opinions. Listen, it seems that many ministers are advocating divorce and persuading surrender. This is Xiangguo's consistent position."

The implication is: Lu Buwei should also support the persuasion.

However, the parties were stunned.

"To tell the truth, Your Majesty," he said in a gentle voice with a slight smile, "at this time, whether it's good to fight or persuade, what's the difference?"

Advocating righteous warfare, not massacring cities, not beheading, and not hurting civilians, is to accumulate reputation and capital for Qin.

But now, there is only one Qi country left, and scholars from all over the world have voted for Qin instead of Qi, which is enough to prove that Lu Buwei's persistence is correct.

He started as a businessman, so he naturally understands the usage of human heart.Since the people's aspiration is victory, if the goal is achieved and the Qi State is conquered, the people all over the world will only applaud.

"Qi is not a problem."

Lu Buwei said calmly: "Your Majesty, I think the problem will be after conquering Qi."

Qin Wangzheng: "What is Xiangguo?"

Lu Buwei: "After the unification, how to reform the system, how to restrain the nobles of the six countries, and how to arrange the soldiers after no war are the problems."

"Ah."

Qin Wangzheng nodded approvingly: "Capable ministers from all over the world come to Qin for nothing more than fame and fortune. The time to unify the Central Plains is also to satisfy them."

"My lord," Lu Buwei said with a smile, "It's a businessman's opinion to seek profit."

"The ministers use strategies to work, and the king promises them with benefits. This is also the legalist's opinion." Qin Wangzheng repeated Han Fei's point of view, and said: "My wife said back then that it is only useful, who cares what he thinks?"

"The king said so."

"But--"

"Kings?"

Qin Wangzheng turned around.

He looked at Lu Buwei who was only three steps away from him.

Lu Buwei suddenly realized that the current king of Qin was a little taller than himself.

When did this happen?He couldn't even recall.

He hadn't stood face to face with him for too long, too long - as a king and a minister, he shouldn't have walked side by side.

Even Qin Wangzheng may not have called him "Zhongfu" for a long time.

"I have been thinking about it for a long time," Qin Wangzheng said calmly, "but I still can't figure out what else I can give to Xiangguo after unification."

Lu Buwei's body suddenly stopped.

"I'm afraid." He lowered his head slightly: "It's right to serve Qin. I have never thought about asking the king for anything."

"Is it?"

Qin Wangzheng looked away indifferently: "But Xiangguo didn't say that when he entered Qin in the past."

When Lu Buwei entered Qin Dynasty, Qin Wangzheng was still in Handan.But he immediately understood what the young monarch meant.

Back then, he was a businessman, and supported the former prince Chu to ascend the throne with a lot of money. He kept saying that the self-effacing businessman was short-sighted, and he would never do it if there was no benefit.

Now he said that he didn't want anything, who would believe it?

"I thought that I didn't give enough," Qin Wangzheng said coldly, "That's why Xiangguo wants to get benefits from scholars from other countries."

Lu Buwei was shocked when he heard this.

"Why does the king want to criticize his heart!" He suddenly raised his head: "But what did Buwei do to make the king unhappy?"

The four eyes met and the atmosphere was tense. Lu Buwei's clear eyes met the unpredictable phoenix eyes of the monarch. All he could find in Qin Wangzheng's eyes was indifference.

Like the white snow behind the young monarch, it is cold, clear, and clean.

Through such eyes, Lu Buwei fell into an ice cave.

It is neither the wind nor the words of the king that makes him feel cold.

The dignified Qin Xiangguo sat under this person for a long time, and when he suddenly looked back, he realized how far he had come.

What Lu Buwei saw from behind Yingzheng was another possibility: If Ying Zichu was standing in front of him today, would he still be able to get the king to speak like this?

If it wasn't Yingzheng but a different person, he would be more vigorous and capable of turning clouds and rains than he is now.

At that time, there will also be similar scenes, which will probably be more embarrassing than now.

He was kind to Yingzi Chu, so he was named Qin Wang Zhongfu.

But how is Lu Buwei related to Qin*?

Qin Wangzheng was not threatening or reprimanding, but just mentioned Li Si's attack in the court again in an indifferent tone.

He is reminding.

"Support the former king, enter Qin as a minister, and then sit on the position of prime minister. Step by step, what do you want?" —— Wei Zhen asked.

It's not that Lu Buwei has whatever he wants.

Qin Wangzheng made it clear and clear: he can't give more, and the road has come to an end here.

Going forward, it can only be——

"It's good for Xiangguo to think about it when he goes back."

Qin Wangzheng advised with ambiguous meaning: "There is still time."

Said the monarch took a step, passed by him, and walked towards Zhangtai Palace.

The snow began to fall again.

Lu Buwei raised his head, turned his back to the direction Qin Wangzheng was leaving, and went down the stairs step by step.

Snowflakes fell on the fur he was wearing, and soon the black clothes were covered with a thin layer of white.Lu Buwei stepped out of the palace gate and turned around suddenly.

The Qin Palace is majestic and majestic, with the towering walls extending to the end behind it, and the narrow road on both sides seems to be overwhelmed at any time.Seen from the outside of the palace, it looks like a giant beast that can swallow people, crawling in Xianyang City, which is both longing and frightening.

Among the white snow, Lu Buwei's black clothes were almost dazzling.

A winter snow falls until the end of the year.

In the spring of the next year, in 236 BC, King Qin ordered to attack Qi.