In Xianyang City, it was dawn.
The city gate guards pushed open the creaking city gate, and then heard the sound of horse hooves and loud shouts in the distance.
"Get out of the way quickly!"
The people who were preparing to come in at the city gate also stepped aside when they heard the sound, for fear of being stepped on by the horses' hooves.
The guard rubbed his eyes, and when the sound of horse hooves got closer, he saw that it was the war horse delivering the military report.
"Get out of the way, the messenger is entering the city!"
Hearing this, the people also knew that this was another good news and hurriedly avoided it.
Watching the fast-moving war horses passing by, splashing up bursts of dust, no one complained, everyone was discussing: "Where is the good news?"
"I don't know."
"I heard that General Wang went to Chu..."
While he was talking, the messenger had already arrived at the palace gate on horseback.
He got off his horse, held up a bamboo slip, and ran towards Xianyang Palace.
"Report——"
"Battle Report of Kuaiji County——"
Ying Zheng had already gotten up and was preparing to handle political affairs in Xianyang Palace when he heard the eunuch's announcement from outside.
"Your Majesty, a messenger has arrived."
News came a few days ago that Yin Tong has recruited everyone.
Now that the messenger has arrived, Ying Zheng knows that it is definitely good news.
He beamed with joy, waved his hand and said, "Pass it on!"
"The messenger enters the palace."
Immediately, a man wearing military uniform knelt in the middle of the hall and said loudly: "Your Majesty, General Wang has annihilated all the Xiang clan!"
As he spoke, he raised the bamboo slip in his hand high, with a very proud look on his face.
Seeing this, Zhao Gao stepped down quickly, took the bamboo slips with both hands, and quickly placed them on Ying Zheng's desk.
After Ying Zheng read it, he laughed "hahaha" with joy on his face, and then said three good words in a row.
"Good, good! Reward!"
At this moment, another eunuch came to report.
"Your Majesty, Prime Minister Li Si, Marquis of Wucheng Wang Jian, Yushi Wang Wan, Wei Liao and others would like to see you."
Ying Zheng was not surprised at all. These people must have known about it when the news of the victory came back.
Entering the palace at this time must be for this reason.
"Xuan."
A group of people headed by Li Si and Wang Jian walked in in a mighty manner, stood up and knelt in the main hall, and loudly said: "See your majesty."
The smile on Ying Zheng's face had not yet disappeared, and he said with a smile: "Get up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Only then did everyone stand up.
Ying Zheng couldn't hide the joy on his face at this moment. He looked at the ministers and said with a smile: "I have just received good news. The rebellion in Chu has been put down, and the Xiang family has been wiped out."
After everyone heard this, they raised their hands and said in unison: "Congratulations, Your Majesty!"
After saying that, everyone saw the messenger take out another bamboo slip from his arms, raised it above his head, and said loudly: "Your Majesty, General Wang went to Kuaiji County this time and found that Yin Tong, the governor of this place, had an affair with Chu. The land, the old and the nobles collude."
"That's why people in Chu region have rebelled year after year, and it's all because of this person."
"Now the thief, Xiang Liang and others are on their way back to Xianyang."
"Your Majesty, please make your decision!"
Hearing this, Ying Zheng frowned. He glanced at the ministers in the audience and asked, "How do you think this person should be dealt with?"
Li Si's face showed deep disdain, as well as hatred for the rebellious officials and traitors.
Hearing this, he stepped forward and bowed and said: "Your Majesty, I believe that such traitors should be cut into pieces to serve as a warning to others!"
"After I unified Da Qin, I spent a lot of troops, horses, and food to deal with the rebellion in Chu. If it weren't for these people, Chu would have surrendered to Da Qin long ago. Why do we send troops to suppress it every year?"
"That's why I feel that not killing him will not satisfy the people's anger!"
Wang Wan and Wang Jian bowed and said, "I second my opinion."
Ying Zheng nodded, agreeing with his thoughts.
He said in a deep voice: "Yes!"
"After entering Xianyang, he will be executed immediately!"
"Li Qing, it is up to you to carry out this matter without delay!"
Li Si immediately bowed and said: "Here!"
After giving the instructions, Ying Zheng continued: "Wang Ben was indispensable for this battle in Chu. He was rewarded with ten thousand taels of gold and food for five thousand households."
After hearing this, Wang Jian immediately knelt on the ground and said loudly: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Ying Zheng smiled and waved his hand to Wang Jian, "Get up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Just as Wang Jian stood up, he saw the messenger beside him kneeling down again.
This kneeling made everyone stunned, and everyone's eyes focused on him.
Just then, the messenger took out another bamboo slip from his arms and said loudly: "Your Majesty, when General Wang and his ministers meet with Your Majesty, I want to ask a favor for him."
As soon as these words came out, Wang Jian's face became very ugly, and he asked why Wang Ben asked his deputy general Zhao Lei to be the messenger.
Although Zhao Lei has a lot of skills, he has a very shaky personality and is very bold. Even ten bulls can't get him back from the things he believes in!
If not, he would never be a general with his ability.
Thinking of this, he suddenly felt a bad premonition in his heart.
Ying Zheng was a little surprised. He said calmly: "What's the matter?"
"General Wang is willing to use this military achievement in exchange for His Majesty's pardon of Ran Fang's crime in prison."
"The general has already inquired. That Ran Fang did not commit any serious crime, but was just implicated by a Confucian scholar."
"This time the general was able to destroy the Xiang clan so quickly because of the method of defeating the miasma taught by Ran Fang and Yin Tong's collaboration with the enemy."
"So, the general feels that the biggest contributor to this battle is Ran Fang."
Sure enough...
Wang Jian's face turned pale. He didn't expect that his son would do this for Ran Fang.
He knew that his son was evil, but he didn't expect that he would be so evil and so stupid. If Na Ran could be released, he would have been released by His Majesty long ago. Can he still wait until he comes to pick him up?
He immediately knelt on the ground and pleaded for Wang Ben: "Your Majesty, Wang Ben was just confused for a moment. Please atone for his sins."
After saying this, he did not dare to say more, for fear that his majesty would recall Wang Ben and arrest him in anger.
Ying Zheng looked at Wang Jian and Zhao Lei on the ground and sighed.
I actually admire Ran Fang in my heart for being recognized by so many people with just a few words. Everyone who came out of Xianyang Prison was full of praise for Ran Fang. How many people in this world can do that?
"Gong is merit, and fault is fault. They cannot be confused. If this is the case, then what use is Da Qin's law?"
"If Ran Fang has meritorious service, I will reward him. Don't mention anything else!"
Zhao Lei wanted to say something more, but was stopped by Wang Jian beside him.
He shook his head at Zhao Lei, who reluctantly swallowed his words. Moreover, Wang Benjiao had finished speaking, and he didn't know what to say.
Seeing that Zhao Lei stopped talking, Wang Jian pulled him and kowtowed together and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The minister who did not understand why Wang Ben openly resisted His Majesty for the sake of a prisoner.
They also couldn't understand that he was not only a prisoner, but also a Confucian scholar. So what if he was released?
But no one dared to ask, they just stood there with their heads lowered, not saying a word.
At this moment, the expression on Ying Zheng's face was unpredictable. He sat on the high platform and pondered for a moment before saying, "Everyone, please step aside."
"I'll take my leave."
After leaving Xianyang Palace, a minister quickly walked up to Li Si and asked in a low voice: "Prime Minister, who is this Ran Fang?"
The other people also pricked up their ears, they also wanted to know.
"Who is it? The red man in front of His Majesty."
