After II ascended the throne, he engaged in beauty pageants in his youth. Among the many beauties, there was a concubine named Wang who stood out. She was the granddaughter of the former prime minister Wang Wan. This girl is as beautiful as a flower, and she is also wise and intelligent, and can understand the general situation very well. Recently, she saw some of the emperor's actions, and wanted to find an opportunity to enlighten and admonish him.
His illness never got better. One night, the princess saw him sighing alone on the dragon bed, so she asked affectionately: "Why is your majesty sighing?" The second replied: "When I was sick before, the late emperor came to visit me in person. , He really cared for me in every possible way. Now that I think about it, I am all alone, how can I not feel sad?" The princess said: "The late Emperor indeed cared about His Majesty very much. His kindness was like jade dew, which made everything feel him. Nourishing!" After hearing this, the Second Emperor asked the princess thoughtfully: "Why is the late emperor so admired by others?" The princess replied: "Because the late emperor unified the world and created the Qin Kingdom. In terms of his great achievements, naturally he is Benefit spreads all over the world." The second emperor asked again: "Why did the late emperor achieve such great achievements?" The princess said: "Because he gathered a large number of loyal ministers and wise men around him." The second emperor said: "But it is my turn to be the emperor, and besides Zhao Gao is such a loyal minister, and there is no other virtuous minister. Even my closest relatives have ulterior motives. Now they have all abandoned me. I am now carrying a sick body, but no one cares about me. It is really disturbing. What a disappointment!" The princess said: "Your Majesty, don't be disappointed, everything will be fine. You don't have anything to worry about?" The second son said, "I am also worried all day long, how can I say that I have nothing to worry about? What?" After hearing this, the princess sighed and said: "Your Majesty is now in your prime years, and there is no minor illness. Please don't think too much. You will live happily in the future." The second generation smiled and said: "I sometimes think about the life of ordinary people, where the whole family is happy together. How nice would that be?" After saying this, I shed tears sadly.
Seeing this, the princess said sincerely: "I know that Your Majesty misses his father, brothers and sisters. If they are still alive now, you must be very happy." The second generation said: "Being born in the emperor's family, ordinary people's I can’t even think about the days I live in!” The princess said: “Your Majesty, you are the emperor, why don’t you even dare to think about the days of ordinary people?” The Second Emperor murmured: “You don’t know something: those princes in the previous generation killed It is common for fathers and ministers to regicide, brothers to harm their brothers, and brothers to plot against their brothers. For example, in the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, Bao Shuya assisted the young master Xiaobai, and Guan Yiwu assisted the young master Jiu. The two were estranged because they were competing for the throne. They could not be regarded as brothers. Is there any enmity between us? I also know that the crimes of your brothers cannot be killed, but you have to kill them! Now that I have no brothers and sisters, and no one to talk to, I feel lonely!" The princess asked in surprise: " Your Majesty also knows about those things of the previous generation?" The Second Emperor replied: "These things were told to me by my teacher Zhao Gao. He said that my throne can only be stable if my brothers are dead, so he killed them. It is not Their sins are unforgivable." After saying this, the second generation cried sadly.
The princess was shocked and said: "I knew that Your Majesty was very kind and that you would not do anything that is harmful to nature, but the matter has reached this point. I hope you will be kinder to other ministers in the future, and you should listen to everyone's opinions on everything." I suggest that this is good for the country. I have heard that if the power is properly used, even a small country with a radius of a hundred miles can be independent and no one dares to infringe; if the power is not properly used, a country with a radius of 6,000 miles can be independent Even though we are huge monsters, they still work as slaves for us." After hearing this, the Second Emperor smiled bitterly and said: "My concubine is right, but I don't have any prestige at all. The people in the court are all the people of the late emperor, and no one of them is willing to listen to me. I remember that when my father was conquering the six kingdoms, he killed people so much that no one in the world dared to resist him. He was so majestic and majestic. Zhao Gao is right. If I don't use killings to show my prestige, the ministers will definitely object. I, this is also the truth." Seeing that the second son was full of contradictions and anxiety, the princess felt deep sympathy for him. After a while, she saw the second fell asleep in her arms like a child, and she couldn't help crying.
Unexpectedly, what happened that night was heard by Zhao Gao's spy, and the next day, the spy reported the matter to Zhao Gao. After hearing what the eyeliner said, Zhao Gao pondered for a moment and then said viciously: "Wang is ultimately a source of trouble, and we must get rid of her, otherwise we people will eventually die in her hands!" The eyeliner asked: "What should Master Zhao do? What about dealing with her?" Zhao Gao smiled evilly and said: "Hey, isn't it a piece of cake to deal with a little woman? I will just borrow someone else's hand now, hahaha!" Zhao Gao then summoned Wu Dan and gave him these instructions. After a while, he was rewarded with many gold, jewels and shells. Wu Dan was naturally very happy after taking advantage of the situation, so he resigned and left. Zhao Gao secretly ordered the palace doctor to put some poisonous substances into II's medicine, so that II's illness gradually worsened.
One day, Zhao Gao came to see the Second Emperor and said: "Your Majesty, the mage I invited heard that he had seen the immortal Chisongzi in Zhongnan Mountain. Not only does this man have boundless magical power, but he also has excellent medical skills. Why don't you call him in for a diagnosis?" How is your condition?" The second generation summoned Wu Dan. Wu Dan pretended to make a diagnosis, and then said: "Your Majesty, your illness is really serious. This is indeed a very rare and strange disease. If not treated in time, I am afraid it will... be life-threatening!" The second generation was frightened and asked him how he should be treated. Wu Dan said: "With all due respect, there are two things that can cure your illness." The second generation asked what those two things were. Wu Dan said: "Dragon liver and phoenix marrow, if you have the same thing, your disease can be cured." The second generation asked: "Dragon and phoenix are mysterious things, where can I find them?" Wu Dan smiled. Said: "Your Majesty is the real dragon emperor, that is, a dragon. The one who matches the dragon must be a phoenix. Isn't your beloved concubine a phoenix?" The second generation was shocked and said: "Are you talking about using the concubine's bone marrow?" Wu Dan said: "Exactly. If you use the concubine's bone marrow to make a bowl of soup, you will definitely be cured of this disease, otherwise you may be in danger of your life." The second generation cherished his own life, and finally agreed, saying: "My There are many concubines, who is the most suitable one to choose?" Wu Dan replied: "The princess is the royal concubine designated by the late emperor. She is a true phoenix! She is also very virtuous and is a standard candidate." The second generation said: "The princess was given by the late emperor. She is loyal to me and I respect her very much, how can I bear to hurt her?"
The mage glanced at Zhao Gao, and then said: "You are a person of ten thousand times. If you are good or bad, it is related to the foundation of the country. Wang is just a woman. Besides, Your Majesty has three palaces and six courtyards, and countless concubines. Wanji, once you love and protect a woman and ignore your own dragon body, I think it is very inappropriate. I heard that among the many concubines, only the princess loves your Majesty the most, and it is her duty to sacrifice her life for justice. Once she learns Phoenix marrow can cure His Majesty's illness, so she will donate it enthusiastically." The second generation did not agree. Zhao Gao took the opportunity to say: "What the Master said is very reasonable. Your Majesty is a wise king, and he will never abandon Qin's eternal foundation because of a woman. Besides, Your Majesty is in his youth. Once you have good intentions, Qin will The country has no heir." The second generation was silent for a long time and could only sigh: "Should we ask the princess first about this? If she doesn't agree, forget it." Zhao Gao said happily: "Yes, yes, You should ask her first." He immediately took people to ask the princess.
The princess was often worried about state affairs. Suddenly she heard that Zhao Gao was coming. She didn't know what was going on, so she ordered her to come in to talk. Zhao Gao met the princess and saluted first, and then said: "Mother, your majesty is critically ill. You are the person closest to him now. Do you have to think of a way?" When the princess heard this, she panicked and asked eagerly. "I'm just a woman, what can I do? What did the imperial doctor say?" Zhao Gaodao said, "The imperial doctor said that if you want to save your majesty, you must have something." The princess asked what it was. Zhao Gao then said sinisterly and viciously: "Only you have this thing, I'm afraid you won't donate it." The princess said: "As long as I can save your majesty, I can donate my life. Are you still stingy with this thing? Tell me what it is. Something?" Zhao Gao was waiting for her to say this, and then said: "I don't need to sacrifice your life, I only need your bone marrow?" The princess was shocked and said: "What did you say, Mr. Zhao?" Zhao Gao said: "Yours Bone marrow? Only your bone marrow can save His Majesty!" When the princess heard that her bone marrow was required, she was so shocked that she didn't know what to say. Zhao Gao said: "You just said that you can sacrifice your life, are you just joking?" The princess was at a loss. Zhao Gao couldn't help but ordered someone to tie up the princess. After the princess was tied up, she was pushed to the ground by the palace guards, and then her feet were immediately chopped off with a knife. The princess screamed and fainted. The palace attendants cut away the skin and flesh with knives and scraped the marrow from the exposed bones. It was horrific.
After a while, the bone marrow scraping was completed. Zhao Gao ordered him to make soup. He immediately came to the Second Emperor and said with a smile: "The princess heard that Your Majesty wanted the marrow. She was so happy that she cut off both feet herself and let the ministers scrape them off. Now the chef is already making soup!" The Second Emperor heard that the Princess wanted the marrow. I was very moved by her willingness to donate her marrow, and wanted to visit her. Zhao Gao said: "Although the princess is loyal, human pain is there. She has passed out. When she is in a coma, the human soul will burst out from the seven orifices. Your Majesty is also ill. It will not be beneficial to you to visit at this time." My dragon body!" After hearing this, the second generation burst into tears.
The second emperor's illness did not improve after taking Fengxui Decoction, so he asked Zhao Gao what was the reason. Zhao Gao said that he could call a mage and he would know after asking. He immediately sent someone to ask for Master Wu Dan. But the person who was sent came back and said: "The Master took the money and ran away, and has disappeared." Zhao Gao pretended to be angry and said: "Is he really a liar? He should be caught and killed to avenge the princess!" The Second Emperor was very angry and immediately sent people to kill Wu Dan. Zhao Gao laughed secretly, thinking that the princess was no longer in power, and Wu Dan silenced her again, to see who would say bad things about me again.
The princess became disabled, and the emperor was very sad and couldn't eat for several days. One night, as soon as he fell asleep, he saw a big mouth appearing in the sky, as if it was going to swallow him. After a while, I saw a big ear appearing in the eastern sky, and the sky became very dark. Suddenly a sharp flash flashed across the sky, followed by a loud thunder. The second generation woke up with a start. It turned out to be a nightmare, and he felt very uneasy. He didn't know whether the dream was good or bad. Therefore, he thought that since he had not been to court for a long time, he might as well go to court tomorrow and let the officials explain what happened in his dream.
Early the next morning, II endured the pain and went to court. When all the officials had arrived, he told the ministers what had happened in his dream. A doctor echoed: "Heaven is the king's elephant. Its vastness shows the king's great kindness. A mouth growing in the sky shows that your majesty can enjoy tributes from all directions. This is a symbol of surrender from all directions and health and longevity. The appearance of the East Having lost his ears means that your majesty can listen to all directions and has an insight into the affairs of the world, which is a good sign!" After hearing this explanation, the second generation felt happy.
Li Si said disapprovingly: "The dream is indeed auspicious, your Majesty does not need to think about it. But now the affairs of Qin are not in the court, but outside the court!" The second generation asked what happened outside the court. Li Sidao: "Your Majesty, there are some things you don't know yet: Xianyang has too many people now, and there are too many horses and livestock to count. They consume a lot of food and feed every day, which has caused a shortage of food on the construction site. Therefore, those hungry craftsmen want to flee. At present, the capital's food expenditure far exceeds the budget. If this continues, the people of Xianyang will also be short of food! This matter is of great importance. Please have your Majesty's attention." What did the Second Emperor think? When he heard that it was a major matter, he said, "You are the prime minister. Is there any good way you can solve it?" Li Si said, "I risk my life to ask your Majesty to release some of the disciples who built the Afang Palace. Then evacuate part of the population inside the pass to outside the pass, so as to reduce expenses." The second generation said displeased: "The construction of Afang Palace was the intention of the late emperor, and it is a top priority. How can we release the disciples? This is inappropriate, inappropriate Ah." The Second Emperor thought for a while and then said: "I have an idea that can solve the problem of food shortage: you immediately issue an edict to the whole country. From the day of receiving the edict, the transporters of grain and grass in each place Neither humans nor horses are allowed to consume rice within three hundred miles of Xianyang, and people and animals must pay for themselves! In addition, the collection of grain and taxes must be stepped up." The second generation wanted to make everyone realize their dreams, but Li Si was wordy. After saying these things, the Second Emperor felt very unhappy, so he hurriedly announced his withdrawal from the court. After hearing the second son's decision, Li Si could only obey it silently.
As a result, the officials acted in accordance with the edicts. They collected excessive amounts of food from the people and doubled the amount of food they collected from the people. The people all over the country either provide food or send guards. Even so, they still cannot meet all kinds of unexpected miscellaneous taxes and heavy corvee. The people of the world are already in unspeakable misery and have no way out. There is a poem from the Tang Dynasty describing the situation of Qin at this time:
My husband was guarding the Pengmao due to the chaos of the war, and his ramie skirt and temples were scorched.
The mulberry trees have been abandoned but they still pay taxes, and the fields are desolate and yet they still need to collect seedlings.
Sometimes you pick wild vegetables and roots and boil them, and spin the firewood with leaves to cook.
No matter how deep the mountain is, there should be no way to avoid the corvee.
