Mrs. Qin Xiangguo

052

The news of Mr. Pingyuan's death left Handan, wandered for a month, and finally arrived in Xianyang.

After hearing this news, until the next day, Zhao Weizhen still felt a little dazed, and she felt an absurd sense of separation.

For one thing, Mr. Pingyuan, as his own elder, Zhao Weizhen definitely didn't want him to leave.

Second, from the future, she knows that people's lifespan has a limit, and these historical figures are always going to die.

Complex emotions intertwined, making Zhao Weizhen both sad and emotional.

Moreover, she had to appease her father's emotions.

Zhao Liang and Mr. Pingyuan have known each other since they were young, and they were later called the servants of Mr. Pingyuan's house.Maybe Zhao Liang didn't make any achievements, but his friendship with Mr. Pingyuan is really deep.

Hearing the news, the father cried like a child who couldn't control himself.

"lady."

Wei Xing swiftly moved a jar of steamed wine and wine vessels: "Here are the things."

Zhao Weizhen nodded lightly: "Give it to me."

She poured two glasses of wine and handed one to her father.Zhao Liang was crying until he was dazed, and he was still in a daze when he took the wine.Zhao Weizhen held his father's palm and said in relief, "Father, if it weren't for Lord Pingyuan's assistance, you and I would have been killed if we stayed in Handan."

As she spoke, she raised her hand to indicate the direction of Handan.

"When a person dies, the land of Zhao State and the land of Qin State are one huge piece of land after all. Let us replace the people with soil, and have a few drinks with Mr. Pingyuan." Zhao Weizhen tried his best to maintain a calm face. , Open your mouth.

Zhao Liang's heart was broken with grief, but when he saw the tears in his daughter's eyes, his heart was tense, and he was more or less infected.

He wiped away his tears: "OK."

Zhao Weizhen smiled slightly, and raised the wine vessel in the direction of Handan.

"The first cup of respect is my father's friendship with Mr. Pingyuan." She said frankly: "We met when we were young, and we have been with each other for many years. It is not as good as Boya's childhood. He has also achieved no regrets in life."

A glass of wine was spilled on the ground, Wei Xing immediately stepped forward to pour the wine, and drank the second glass in one gulp.

In this way, it can also be regarded as a toast to Mr. Pingyuan.

"For the second cup, I will respect you and send you and me to leave Handan."

Zhao Liang choked up and continued his daughter's words: "After all, you have protected me and Weizhen thoroughly."

Another toast.Zhao Weizhen pinched his father's palm reassuringly, and the latter waved his hand to show that his emotions had calmed down.

Zhao Weizhen secretly let out a long sigh of relief.

She knew her father was sad, but she didn't want him to hurt his body because of excessive sadness.Zhao Weizhen took the third glass of wine from Wei Xing: "For the third glass, I respect your majesty to work hard for the country of Zhao, break the siege of Handan, and have made great contributions to Zhao. You have nothing to be ashamed of, and you will leave your name in history."

After Zhao Weizhen spoke, Zhao Liang finally stopped crying.

Following Zhao Weizhen, he toasted Mr. Pingyuan with a last glass of good wine.

After his father calmed down and Wei Xing took away the wine jar and wine vessel, Zhao Weizhen continued, "Father, do you regret coming to Xianyang with Weizhen, and didn't see Mr. Pingyuan for the last time?"

Zhao Liang sat down with Zhao Weizhen's support and sighed.

"So what if I saw him for the last time?" Zhao Liang said, "I'm not a doctor, nor a god. I can't save people who are seriously ill. Wouldn't it be more sad to see a friend die. People always have to die , Your Majesty is like this, so am I, and all the officials and common people in the world are like this."

Hearing what his father said, Zhao Weizhen was completely relieved.

The father and daughter comforted each other a few more words, until Wei Xing, who had left, hurried forward again.

"Ma'am!" Wei Xing said, "Master Zi Chu has come and said that the King of Qin invited Madam to come to the palace for an interview."

Zhao Liang was taken aback by this, he couldn't even care about his grief, and stood up directly: "Want Weizhen to enter the palace?"

"Father, don't panic." She comforted her gently, "It's not that King Qin is making trouble, it's a good thing."

"This……"

Zhao Liang turned his head in confusion: "How did Weizhen know?"

Zhao Weizhen: "Weizhen just knows."

She knew that after making the hydraulic machine, King Qin would definitely do something.

But the old King Qin's illness has not recovered yet, Zhao Weizhen didn't expect him to be so soon.

Rather impatient.

Although there was an invitation, Zhao Weizhen was not in a hurry, she went back to her room, took out the dark colored clothes that she seldom wore, and tidied them up neatly.

When he came to the front yard, Ying Zichu had been waiting for a long time.

Ying Zichu saluted Zhao Weizhen politely: "Congratulations, madam."

Zhao Weizhen calmed down his sadness, and asked nonchalantly, "I don't know what your master is congratulating me for?"

Ying Zichu raised his head and looked at Zhao Weizhen for a moment.

The two smiled tacitly.

…………

……

At the same time, inside Zhangtai Palace.

Lu Buwei stood among the officials, lowered his eyebrows, and tried his best to reduce his sense of existence.

At the top of the Qin court, King Qin slowly took his seat.

Even if he was sick and summoned a group of ministers, it would not necessarily mean that King Qin would show any weakness.He was still dignified and dignified, with the crown covering his face, he looked the same as usual.

This even made many courtiers murmur: Is the king really sick, or is he lazy for a while when he is old?

After the old king of Qin sat down firmly, he went straight to the point: "The reason why I summoned you today is because the crown prince wrote a letter in person, and I want everyone to listen to the crown prince's intentions."

After speaking, he looked at the crown prince An Guojun in the front row on the left.

"Prince." Qin Wang said: "Please tell me what you mean."

"Yes, Father."

Prince An Guojun is also in his fifties this year, and his hair and beard are also gray.

He stepped forward, saluted first, and then opened his mouth.

"In the past, offering the Duke, suffering from the weakness of the Qin State, issued a decree to seek talents from all over the world." An Guojun spoke eloquently: "Offering the Duke, those who can strengthen Qin, come to Qin to offer advice, and offering the Duke is willing to respect officials and divide the land. The kings of Qin in the past dynasties, follow the example of offering the Duke. A virtuous man, employing people never looks at his background or character, but only at his knowledge and talent. Because of this, sages from all over the world came to Qin State one after another to do things for Qin State, and our Qin State was able to be strong."

After the statement, An Guojun looked up at King Qin.

"Father." He said solemnly: "Mrs. Meng Wei has been in Qin for a year. She has made great achievements many times, but she has not received matching rewards. The reasons are contradictory. Therefore, I implore my father to give Mrs. Meng Kai a reward that matches her achievements."

After Prince An Guojun finished his statement, the officials immediately began to discuss in a low voice.

Lu Buwei was in the middle of it, feeling countless eyes projected on him in the open and in the dark.

There is no lack of jealousy, envy, and teasing, but Lu Buwei's eyes did not move, so he pretended not to see it.

The king of Qin on the seat gave a soft "hmm" when he heard the words.

"The prince thinks, what kind of reward is worthy of merit?" King Qin asked.

"Recently Mrs. Meng Kui and Mohist Juzi jointly made hydraulic machinery, and I have seen it in person." An Guojun answered the question: "The water girder, water reel and water drainage can be operated by themselves without manpower. Such a wonder , this is the first time I've seen you."

The King of Qin was interested and said: "It can run on its own, wouldn't that save a lot of energy?"

The prince smiled and said: "Return to father, that's exactly the case. Juzi said that wherever there is water, water wheels can be installed. If the whole country promotes the use, one will increase the speed of grain processing, and two will free up more manpower. .”

Qin Wang: "It is also something that benefits the country and the people."

The crown prince nodded: "That's true. But now, the Mohist giant has received the reward he deserves for his research, but Mrs. Meng Wei's reward has not yet been decided."

"It's still undecided because it's still under discussion."

Among the ministers, a responsible official came forward to report: "After the discussion is over, I will write to the king at the meeting to ask for a reward for Mrs. Meng Wei."

The prince turned around: "Does this still need to be discussed?"

He asked indifferently, making the minister who spoke out startled.

"Your Majesty, Mrs. Meng Wei has made great contributions in both war and farming by presenting blueprints three times. In addition, she escorted the proton back to Qin. This kind of merit is in our Qin State." An Guojun paused every word, and said loudly: "We should be named king. !"

"Absolutely not!"

When the prince's words fell to the ground, there was another bustling discussion.

During the discussion, someone stood up without thinking: "Your Majesty, absolutely not, how can a woman become a king? There has never been such a precedent in all dynasties!"

Lu Buwei slightly raised his eyelids, and saw that the one who stood up was a young man surnamed Ying.

This is the old-school aristocrat representing the state of Qin, who came out to refute.After all, if Weizhen gains power, they will suffer the most.

You dare to come out to find trouble, do you think Qin Wangji is not biased enough in looking at you?Lu Buwei secretly laughed in his heart.

There was no need for him to come forward to argue, Yangquan Jun stood up first.

"That's what you say." Lord Yangquan said, "But in all dynasties, no woman has made such a contribution."

"Mr. Yangquan is from Chu, so he doesn't understand the history of the Central Plains."

The son surnamed Ying sneered and said: "Dare to ask Emperor Yao's wife, Ehuang and Nvying, aren't they wise enough? Even they have never been crowned kings, why should Mrs. Meng Wei be crowned kings?"

"Your Majesty is right, isn't it?"

On the side of the generals, Wang Yan took the lead: "Ehuang and Nvying are ancient things. Whether there are these two people is still to be discussed. You said that there is no precedent for a woman to be a king, but the queen of Shang Wuding is good, and she has repeatedly led the way. The army fought all over the world, not only was there a reward when alive, but also a temple name after death. Such deeds, even a rough person like me knows."

Wang He threw out a rebuttal, and the ministers who held different opinions immediately began to twitter and argue.

King Qin was not in a hurry either.

He waited for the people in the audience to make a lot of noise. At the end of the quarrel, he almost ran out of words, so he raised his hand again.

Upon seeing this, Crown Prince An Guojun immediately concluded: "Since the establishment of the Qin Kingdom, there has been no precedent for a woman to be a king. But I feel that if there is a precedent, I have to give Mrs. Meng Wei an explanation. If you have other suitable opinions , even if you bring it up."

He looked at the officials, but no one dared to speak.

If there is a way, why are they still arguing here?

Seeing that no one answered, An Guojun said again: "Although there is no precedent, the reason why our Qin State is strong is because we know how to adapt and set precedents repeatedly? Only Shangjun's reforms in the past have broken so many so-called 'traditional precedents', so In the state of Qin, my ministers think it is unreasonable to block it on the grounds that there is no precedent in the ancestors."

The young master surnamed Ying who retorted, knew that he couldn't say anything, and he also knew that the prince's words must have got the tacit approval of King Qin.

But he also didn't want to watch the woman with a foreign surname seek benefits and harm the interests of the clan.So the young master surnamed Ying still insisted: "Your Majesty, please think twice!"

"This matter must be done with caution." Qin Wang said, and then he moved his eyes slightly, and found Lu Buwei's shadow among the ministers: "Mrs. Meng Wei is the wife of Mr. Buwei, so you are not going to say anything?"

King Qin named Lu Buwei's name, and he walked out slowly.

Qing Junjun, although his attitude was respectful, he only said humbly: "Doing things for Qin is not the duty of Wei Wei and his wife, and it is all under the king's arrangement."

"Oh?"

King Qin asked: "Sir, do you really have no idea at all?"

Lu Buwei just raised his head, pretending to be distressed: "Buwei doesn't care about Madam's matter."

King Qin smiled when he heard the words, and then teased: "Sir, I'm really afraid of my wife."

As soon as the words fell to the ground, everyone laughed without malice, and the tense atmosphere just now was swept away.

Lu Buwei was not angry either.

Of course he has something to say, but the words must not come out through his tongue.

In Lu Buwei's view, this political relationship is no different from doing business: if a businessman praises the expensive and luxurious treasures in his hands one after another, not only will it not make people think that the treasures are really good, but it will arouse the vigilance of the buyers, thinking that he must be doing it for himself. Sweet talk for profit.

Weizhen is his wife, if he speaks out in person, in the eyes of outsiders, it is tantamount to Lu Buwei seeking benefits for himself.

Therefore, Lu Buwei told Prince An Guojun everything he wanted to say before entering the Qin court.What the crown prince said just now was Lu Buwei's suggestion to say so, to refute like this, and to be so firm in his words not to waver.

With the prince talking endlessly, there will be no question of position.

When he raised this matter, no one would think that he was biased in name, only that he was making a statement for Qin.

Not only that, Lu Buwei also pretended to dissuade her: "Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance. Although Meng Kai is Buwei's wife, Buwei feels that you should think twice whether you are rewarded or not."

Talking about some beautiful scenes can be regarded as giving King Qin the next step.

Of course the old king of Qin on the seat understood what Lu Buwei meant.

He didn't expose it either, he just waved his hand, and then the eunuch behind him came over, leaned in front of King Qin and whispered a few words.

King Qin nodded repeatedly.

"well."

He said loudly: "You are making irresponsible remarks here, as if setting a reward for Mrs. Meng Wei can poke the sky. Then ask Mrs. Meng Wei what she thinks."

After finishing speaking, the King of Qin turned his head, and the eunuch immediately led the order out of the palace and led the people in.

Although Qin Ting had no precedent of meeting women in Zhangtai Palace, Qin Ting had women come and go.Therefore, only Mrs. Meng Wei was called into the palace, but no one commented.

It's just that you young masters surnamed Ying don't look very good-looking.

King Qin's arrangement was clearly designed with the prince long ago, and he just waited for a cutscene today.

The discussing officials fell silent, and within a short time, Ying Zichu received the order and personally led them into the main hall.

And for Zhao Weizhen——

The moment before stepping into the main hall, Zhao Weizhen thought he would be nervous.

Before meeting King Qin in Xianyang Palace, she was a little nervous.But when it came time to actually enter the court and face the King of Qin and his officials, she didn't seem so embarrassed.

Zhao Weizhen sighed secretly.

Don't be nervous either.

She had prepared for so long for this moment.

Even if the result given by King Qin is not satisfactory, Zhao Weizhen must come and leave with dignity.

Therefore, she put out 100% of her energy, according to the memory of the original body, she stepped forward generously, and saluted generously.

"I have seen the king." Zhao Weizhen said steadily.

The King of Qin looked her up and down, and saw that today Zhao Weizhen was wearing a formal Chinese dress, with an elegant demeanor. Although he looked young and a little thin, his dignified face was as firm and clear as ever.

The old king of Qin nodded in satisfaction: "Meng Wei knows what the ministers were talking about just now?"

Zhao Weizhen tilted his head pretending to be puzzled: "How can the concubine know about the communication between the ministers and workers? Your Majesty is deliberately embarrassing the concubine."

The King of Qin laughed out loud: "They are discussing whether or not to make you a king."

Zhao Weizhen's eyes lit up when he heard the words: "The king really wants to send a concubine to the city?"

King Qin: "You little lady, you are not welcome. I didn't say that. It was the crown prince who proposed to give you a feudal title, but some ministers disagreed."

"disagree?"

Zhao Weizhen looked around and looked at the left and right ministers.

"Which minister disagrees?" she asked.

Such a statement should be held accountable.It was so straightforward that the son surnamed Ying, who had been eloquently raising objections before, was taken aback for a moment and didn't dare to argue.

The King of Qin couldn't help laughing: "It's fine if you are aggressive at home, but give the widow a little peace in court."

"Humph."

Zhao Weizhen had no choice but to look away.

In terms of words, it doesn't look like the King of Qin and an ordinary woman at all, but it seems like the grandson and grandson of an ordinary family are arguing.

"Someone disagrees, concubine is not rare." Zhao Weizhen said: "What's the use of concubine wanting to be feudal?"

When her crisp words fell to the ground, all the officials were startled, and began to discuss in low voices again.

But Zhao Weizhen was telling the truth.

As a modern person herself, she has no interest in such things as feudal titles.Why do you want to be knighted?Because in this way, you can enjoy life without worrying about food or drink.But Zhao Weizhen is rich enough now, it can be said that she has nothing but money.

What Zhao Weizhen wants is real power.

To be an official is to have the power to participate in and discuss state affairs!

She really doesn't care about titles or not.

Furthermore, even if it was given, after Xiao Yingzheng unified the six countries and directly established the county system, the current slavery nobles in the Manchu Dynasty would not lose this land.

"Oh?"

King Qin put on a surprised look.

Although Zhao Weizhen had made it clear to King Qin long ago, he still asked knowingly: "Really don't want it?"

Zhao Weizhen didn't hesitate to think: "No. But you guys are working so hard for a piece of land, it's very boring."

"look at you."

King Qin reprimanded again with a smile: "Mr. Buwei is such a gentle and polite person, why did he marry such a crazy woman like you?"

After finishing speaking, he restrained his smile.

"The widow said a long time ago that if I want to give a reward, you have to take it if you don't want it." The old King Qin was also angry.

An old man and a young man sang double reeds in the court, which disturbed the atmosphere of the whole court, and there was no such tension between the two factions of ministers and workers.

The prince smiled and said: "Father, a reward is a reward, but Meng Kai doesn't want it, so the sons and ministers will no longer argue about it. Why don't you reward something else?"

King Qin: "Do you have a plan?"

The prince thought about it, and after a while, he said: "Mrs. Meng Wei is a great talent. She has a lot of experience in farming and animal husbandry. She has also left a reputation in Jixia Academy. She also has the ability to govern the world and debate. Qin Ting Keqing, Tourists come and go, good and bad, bad and not bad, it is not easy to distinguish. Why don't you let Mrs. Meng Kai listen in from the court in the future, and mention me as the guard of Qin."

As soon as they heard that they would no longer be knighted, many ministers who held opposing opinions immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

The reason why it was half-spoken was because the crown prince left room: Isn't this still allowing Mrs. Meng Kai to enter the court in the future?

It is said to be an observer, but after she listens, she can know about political affairs, and she can express her opinions when she is present.

King Qin nodded in agreement: "The prince's words are fine. What do you think?"