Although it is winter, Xianyang is not cold.
Inside the classical palace, Ying Zheng was reading in the study.
"Your Majesty." Zhao Gao bowed and walked in. "My servant has brought Li Si and is waiting outside the door."
"Let him come in." Ying Zheng put down the slip in his hand and straightened his body.
Zhao Gao went out in response.
The man standing outside the door is not short, and his body is quite strong. He has sharp eyes, thick black eyebrows, fair complexion, and his hair and clothes are very neat.
Zhao Gao invited the man into the study while he stood guard at the door. Because Ying Zheng had confessed that this matter should be carried out secretly, Zhao Gao was also quite cautious.
The man handed Zhao Gao a cloth bag and entered Ying Zheng's study.
"Li Si, a common man, pays homage to the King of Qin." Li Si bowed and said.
I saw that Li Si was dressed in plain clothes, but he was very decent and his voice was very clear.
"Sir, no courtesy." Ying Zheng stood up to greet him.
Li Si stood up, but did not raise his head.
"I heard that your husband studied under Xunzi and has very unique insights into governing the country. So I sent someone to invite you here to ask for advice." Ying Zheng said arrogantly.
Although Ying Zheng had just turned twenty, he tried his best to appear mature and calm. This was also a display of imperial authority to people who met him for the first time.
"You are not worthy of being a common man." Li Si raised his head. Although his clothes were simple, he had an extraordinary temperament between his brows and a well-proportioned figure. He did not look thin, and people could not tell that he was a scribe.
"Sir, please don't be modest." Ying Zheng still didn't like to be polite and said, "Sir, please sit down and talk."
Li Si cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, please come first."
Ying Zheng sat on the main seat, and Li Si sat opposite Ying Zheng.
Ying Zheng did not let Li Si sit in the back of the inner room, and it was clear that he wanted to test it out. Li Si pretended not to know and sat down in a polite manner.
Ying Zheng did not exchange greetings and asked directly, "I heard that Sir has traveled to the six countries and must have learned a lot. So I dare to ask Sir, how do you view the affairs of the world today?"
"The affairs of the world must be divided after a long time, and they must be reunited after a long time. And now, the separation has been long enough." Li Si also responded directly.
Ying Zheng was a little surprised: "Oh? Sir, do you mean that the world will be unified? I don't know which country has such strength."
"What the common people say is just to follow the weather. As for who will unify the world, it depends on the geographical location and the harmony of the people." Li Si's words were clear and he seemed very determined.
"The princes have been fighting against each other for hundreds of years. Why is it now that we are following the natural times? Which country can enjoy the geographical advantages, and which monarch can enjoy the peace and harmony?" Ying Zheng asked one after another.
"No one has a definite answer to the king's question. As the saying goes, benevolent people have different opinions, and a hundred schools of thought contend. Each has its own merits." Li Si's tone was quite gentle, "Why don't the king answer a few questions from ordinary people, and the possible answers It will be revealed on its own.”
"Haha, I originally wanted to ask Sir for advice, but Sir asked me about it instead." Ying Zheng smiled and said, "I think Sir must have some advice, please tell me."
"Your Majesty, does your Majesty know if the 'Chinese Nine Cauldrons' are there?" Li Si asked.
"The 'Chinese Jiuding' is the cornerstone of our Chinese civilization, a symbol of the land of Kyushu, and also represents the royal power of the emperor. It has been preserved in the Zhou royal family for generations, and everyone in the world knows it." Ying Zheng was a little strange, why did Li Si ask such a question? The problem.
"Yes, everyone knows the Nine Cauldrons. But where did the Nine Cauldrons come from, who made them, and what role they play. Why do these nine cauldrons become China's supreme treasures? Does your Majesty know these?" Li Si also continued to speak. Fan asked.
"This, it is said that it was created by Yu the Great. As for the others..." Ying Zheng read a lot of books, but there are no very precise relevant records.
"About the Nine Tripods, your Majesty may know more than anyone else in the future, and it is not convenient for me to say more. What the common people want to say is that the 'Chinese Nine Tripods', as a symbol of royal power, has been stored in the royal family of all dynasties. And as for More than a year ago, when Lu Xiangbang was on an expedition to the Wei Kingdom, he used a trick to bypass the capital of the Zhou Dynasty, destroyed the Great Zhou Dynasty, and had already robbed Jiuding back to Xianyang." Li Si said in a deep voice.
Lu Buwei's destruction of Zhou Dynasty is well known in the world, but very few people know that Lu Buwei brought Jiuding back to Xianyang, and even the royal family of Qin did not know.
Ying Zheng thought he heard wrongly and asked anxiously: "You mean, Jiuding is in Qin?"
"Yes, although Prime Minister Lu did not make any announcement about Qin's destruction of Zhou Jie Ding, he was probably afraid that other countries would use this matter to raise troops to attack Qin. But it seems that all countries are afraid of Qin's military force, and there is no conclusive evidence. In addition, the Zhou royal family has long existed in name only. , so no country dared to act rashly." Li Si spoke calmly, as if he was talking about a trivial matter.
"The news about Lu Xiangbang is so secretive that not even a few people know about it." Ying Zheng looked a little annoyed.
"The common people only heard about this when they were traveling among various countries and met a nobleman from the Zhou royal family." Li Si said.
Ying Zheng thought for a while and said, "I will ask Lu Xiangbang to verify this matter. However, what is the purpose of sir suddenly mentioning this matter?"
National affairs are relatively sensitive, and Ying Zheng seems to be wary.
Li Si said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, you know that 'when the nine tripods are moved, the world will change'."
Ying Zheng: "!!!"
"Jiuding has changed its owners, and the Great Zhou Dynasty has been destroyed. The monarchs of various countries are no longer princes or kings, but have become the true masters of a country. A new dynasty will inevitably appear in China to replace the Great Zhou Dynasty and establish a new dynasty. Dynasty, this is a historical necessity, and it is only a matter of time." List paused and said, "This is the right time."
Ying Zheng's doubts were greatly reduced immediately, and he felt like he could see the sun from the clouds, and he nodded repeatedly.
"And the Nine Cauldrons are now placed in the Qin State, which means that the general trend is in the Qin State. And the Qin State is also at a time when its troops and horses are strong, which is a geographical advantage." Li Si continued.
Ying Zheng nodded and listened attentively.
"If the monarch is enlightened and good at using people to decide things, talents will emerge in large numbers. If the top and bottom are of the same mind, everything will be disadvantageous. This is harmony." Although Li Si spoke slowly, he was very coherent.
After listening to Li Si's talk about the time, location, and harmony, Ying Zheng thought about something quickly.
He is so smart. It is not difficult to hear what Li Si means. He is saying that the unification of China by the Qin State is the general trend. It also occupies the right time and location. The only thing lacking is harmony, because Ying Zheng does not control the royal power now, and there is no one under his command. , and this is precisely what he should solve most but is currently difficult to solve.
Li Si pointed out the key points in an understatement, which shows that he has a thorough understanding of the world's situation.
"According to what Mr. Wang said, do I have the ability to be harmonious?" Ying Zheng asked the question he was most concerned about.
"This 'time, place, and people' is just the common people's foolish opinion, and they are afraid that they may mislead the king." Li Si raised his hand and said, "Why don't you, the king, please continue to answer the people's questions. Perhaps, the answer will be revealed naturally."
"Okay, sir." Ying Zheng said solemnly, seeming to have respect for Li Si.
"Your Majesty, can you have the ambition of the world?" Li Si asked carefully.
"Of course." Ying Zheng said with certainty without even thinking, "Since God has favored me to become the King of Qin, my ambition is to win the world, and winning the world is what I want in my life."
"Your Majesty, forgive the common people." Li Si said, "There are no monarchs of various countries, or even kings of all dynasties, who do not regard winning the world as their goal. Even generals with certain military power in their hands may have ambitious plans. The ambition of the world. Otherwise, how could the world be in constant war and the people living in dire straits?"
"That's right. What monarch doesn't want to expand his territory and increase his wealth." Ying Zheng said with a smile.
"Your Majesty, why don't you ask the common people in another way?" Li Si said.
Ying Zheng knew that what he just said was indeed a bit redundant, so he said: "Excuse me, sir."
"Why did the king win the world? If the king one day unified the world, what would he do?" Li Si asked.
"The previous kings of the Qin Dynasty all aimed to unify the world, but they failed to achieve their long-cherished wish. This has almost become the mission of the Ying family, and I will spare no effort to achieve this goal." Ying Zheng said firmly, "Besides, , countries have been constantly conquesting each other for years, just for the selfish interests of each monarch. The consumption of war has increased the burden on the people, resulting in fertile fields being barren, people having a hard time, many families and wives being separated, and innocent people bearing the consequences of the war. Only by unifying the world can we truly put an end to all this, save the people from the fire and water, and return the world to a peaceful and prosperous age."
"Hahaha..." Li Si suddenly burst into laughter, with a flash of divine light in his eyes, and said leisurely, "What the common people want to hear most is these words. The common people traveled to the six countries and talked about world affairs with the monarchs, but they didn't A monarch cares about the people of the world and wants to save the people from fire and water. As the saying goes, he who wins the hearts of the people wins the world. The King of Qin cares about the people of the world, and he really has the ambition of the world!"
"Oh? So it turns out that this is what Mr. Wang said about his ambition for the world." Ying Zheng smiled happily, as if he had finally found a like-minded person.
"The king has the ambition of the world and can be said to be a wise master, but what he lacks is only harmony." Li Si looked at Ying Zheng and said calmly, "But judging from the current situation of the king, there are not enough people available. , let alone to the level of human harmony.”
"Sir, you really hit the mark." Ying Zheng said with some embarrassment, "I have not yet held the crown ceremony, and I have no royal power. I am currently unable to appoint or promote wise men, and I don't have many contacts with the generals in the army. So I haven't had much contact with them yet. Before you can obtain royal power, there really aren’t many ways for you to employ people.”
Ying Zheng finally expressed his pain.
"There are tens of millions of geniuses in the world." Li Si looked at Ying Zheng and said with burning eyes, "What do you think of Li Si, Your Majesty?"
"Sir, is this another question?" Ying Zheng vaguely guessed what Li Si was thinking, and said with a smile, "Although I met you for the first time, your talent and strategy are really admirable. If It is a great blessing for the Qin Dynasty that you can stay in Qin and help others."
"Li Si thanked the King for his fancy." Li Si bowed down and paid Ying Zheng the courtesy of a monarch and a minister. He also changed his name to Ying Zheng, "Although ordinary people are not talented, they hope to serve the King and the country of Qin. The work of dogs and horses.”
"Sir, please get up quickly." Ying Zheng bent down and helped Li Si up, and said excitedly and loudly, "With your help, sir, I am like an extra pair of arms. I will definitely be able to achieve great ambitions and achieve hegemony."
"Since Li Si has decided to assist the king, he will definitely spare no effort." Li Si said sincerely, "The ordinary people have not learned much in their lives, and I hope the king will give you more advice."
"Sir, you are being too modest." Li Si's words made Ying Zheng feel comfortable listening to them today. "I hope you won't be offended by the name 'grassroots' for the time being. I will give you a title while I look for opportunities."
"Your Majesty, Li Si is not a person who is greedy for fame." Li Si said, "It is said that a scholar dies for a confidant, and the common people have regarded the king as a confidant."
"Haha." Ying Zheng said with a smile, "I would rather treat you as my elder brother."
"This... the common people are not worthy of it. I just hope that if the king has something to do, he will send you as much as you can." Li Si said with a smile.
"It's still early, why don't you sit down at the same table with me and have a long talk?" Ying Zheng really wanted to chat with Li Siduo.
"Your Majesty, please." Li Si did not hesitate.
"Sir, please." Seeing that Li Si did not show false politeness, Ying Zheng was very happy.
As if he had found a treasure, Ying Zheng took Li Si's hand and entered the inner room.
