Ying Zheng had lunch at Madam Xia's place, and the food was delicious because it was cooked by Madam Xia herself.
Back in the study, although Ying Zheng felt much more at ease, he was not interested in checking the words in the "Agricultural and Food Scripture". He simply took out the map given by the old man in white and looked at it carefully.
After looking at the general location of Chengjiao's garrison, Ying Zheng drew a possible route if he sent a large army to attack.
Zhao Gao walked into the study, cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, Lord Changping is back."
"Oh?" Ying Zheng was slightly surprised, then said, "He knows what's going on and didn't rebel with Cheng Jiao. Let him in."
Zhao Gao went out to summon Lord Changping.
As soon as Lord Changping entered the door, he fell to the ground, kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty, Cheng Jiao has rebelled."
"Get up." Ying Zheng said coldly.
Lord Changping stood up, with a layer of sweat still covering his forehead. It was obvious that he had just run into the palace.
"I already know this, let's take a look at this." Ying Zheng handed the message to Lord Changping.
Lord Changping read the memorandum quickly, shaking his head as he read.
"He actually did it so well." Lord Changping sighed.
"Why, since you are Cheng Jiao's uncle and the supervisor of the expedition against Wei, you don't know what he did?" Ying Zheng asked, staring at Changping Jun.
Lord Changping cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, it is true that Wei Chen is the supervisor of the army, but after Wei Chen learned the news and verified it, he rushed back to Xianyang to report the news without daring to delay for a moment; Wei Chen is Cheng Jiao’s uncle is true, but the king is also Cheng Jiao’s only biological brother. If he wants to rebel, wouldn’t he do the same thing?”
Yingzheng could not refute this sentence.
Ying Zheng sighed, shook his head, softened his tone, and said, "Sit down and tell me what's going on."
Mr. Changping sat down, wiped his sweat, and took another sip of water.
After calming down, Lord Changping said: "After the expedition, Wei Chen followed the army to supervise the army. When they arrived at Tunliu, the army suddenly stopped. Wei Chen thought there was an attack by the Wei army, so he sent out three waves. People went to inquire about it. Unexpectedly, the news came back that Cheng Jiao actually wanted to rebel. "
"Why did he suddenly rebel?" Ying Zheng asked.
"Weichen was also curious about this, so he sent someone to inquire." Changping Jun said, "There are Weichen's old troops in the former army, so we learned the general situation."
"What's the reason?" Ying Zheng asked.
"It's because of Fan Yuqi." Changping Jun said in a deep voice.
"Is it him?" Ying Zheng frowned.
"Yes, this man is Cheng Jiao's master. This time he became the deputy general because of Cheng Jiao's recommendation, so what he said has considerable weight for Cheng Jiao. It is said that after the army went out for the expedition, Fan Yuqi began to spread rumors. , said that the king's biological father was not the previous king, Cheng Jiao didn't believe it at first, but Fan Yuqi knew Cheng Jiao too well, and Cheng Jiao was still young and easily deceived, so he believed Fan Yuqi's words. Then he raised his troops and rebelled."
"That's it." Ying Zheng nodded and said.
"After Wei Chen learned about this, he was really heartbroken." Changping Jun continued, "Wei Chen wanted to go to comfort him in person, but he was afraid that Fan Yuqi would be around and control Wei Chen. No one would report the news to the king. This Only then did we travel day and night to rush back to Xianyang."
"It seems that I have misunderstood Lord Changping." Ying Zheng said softly.
"It's nothing. It's just that the minister was in such a hurry, but he was still a step late, which caused the whole city to be upset with this message." Lord Changping looked ashamed, "I think Fan Yuqi had been prepared for it a long time ago, and it was not a temporary idea. Look, This person is really difficult to deal with."
"What is his purpose for doing this?" Ying Zheng asked solemnly.
"Wei Chen has not yet investigated the specific purpose, but it will be found out soon," Lord Changping said. "According to Wei Chen's analysis, generally those who can do rebellious things either have a deep hatred for me or the king, or are greedy for profit. , just trying to gain power."
"The former is not necessarily true," Ying Zheng said, "but the latter is very possible."
Lord Changping nodded and said, "Wei Chen thinks the same way. If Cheng Jiao becomes the king, then the position of Prime Minister will be none other than Fan Yuqi."
A glimmer of coldness flashed in Ying Zheng's stern eyes.
For the sake of his own selfish desires, the brotherhood between Ying Zheng and Cheng Jiao was ruined. How could Ying Zheng endure such a thing.
"In this case, Mr. Changping should continue to inquire about the situation ahead and make a decision at tomorrow's court meeting." Ying Zheng said.
Chang Pingjun stood up to say goodbye, and Zhao Gao walked to the palace gate.
As soon as Lord Changping came out of the gate, he met Meng Wu face to face. After a few words, Lord Changping left the palace.
Meng Wu came to Ying Zheng's study and paid homage.
"How is the situation in the city?" Ying Zheng asked first.
"I have captured some people who deliberately spread rumors in Wenleiju, as well as in various markets and inns." Meng Wu said, "After interrogation, several of them are indeed elaborate."
"Where is the detailed work?" Ying Zheng asked.
"They are the craftsmen sent to the city by Fan Yuqi, but they are not from Qin." Meng Wu said.
"Not from Qin?" Ying Zheng was a little surprised, "Which country are they from?"
"Most of them are from Zhao and Wei." Meng Wu replied.
"Zhao and Wei?" Ying Zheng was thinking quickly, "Did he collude with Zhao and Wei?"
Meng Wu analyzed: "If there had been collusion, I am afraid that Cheng Jiao's request for a fight this time was also premeditated by Fan Yuqi."
"If that's true, then this person's secrets are really deep." Ying Zheng couldn't help but feel a little scared.
"Your Majesty, how to resolve the criticism in the market?" Meng Wu asked.
"Since Lord Changping has come back to confirm this matter, Cheng Yu's mutiny has been confirmed." Ying Zheng said with a hint of regret, "Immediately tell the world that Cheng Yu slandered me and Lu Xiangbang, and then collaborated with the enemy to treason, in order to plot against the King of Qin As for the position, we will immediately send troops to conquer it after the court meeting."
At this time, Meng Yi came in from outside carrying a bucket.
"Your Majesty, Zhao Gao sent someone to bring back a bucket of water." Meng Yi said, "It is said to be spring water in the mountain."
"Sent back?" Ying Zheng said slightly excitedly, "Wait for me for a moment."
Ying Zheng quickly walked into the inner room of the study and took out the red pill given to him by the old man in white and the dagger that was as sharp as clay from the secret compartment.
When they returned to the outer room, they saw Meng Wu and Meng Yi standing there stunned, looking straight at the two maps on the table.
Ying Zheng coughed, and the father and son finally recovered.
"Your Majesty, where did this map come from that is so exquisite and clear?" Meng Wu asked.
"I found it by chance in a cave while hunting in Qishan Mountain." Ying Zheng said, "I thought it might be the location of an ancient tomb."
Meng Wu and Meng Yi did not know about the kidnapping plan at that time. Only Meng Tian knew about it, and Ying Zheng had told Meng Tian not to tell anyone, including the Meng family.
"What a great map!" Meng Yi was not as obsessed with the origin of the map as Meng Wu was. "If it were on the battlefield, this map would be of great use."
Ying Zheng nodded and said, "If you lead troops on an expedition in the future, please bring this picture with you."
"That's great." Meng Yi said happily, "Then I will definitely take Chengjiao with me on this expedition."
"We have no plans to send the Meng family to fight against Cheng Jiao's rebellion this time." Ying Zheng said unhurriedly.
"Why?" The father and son asked at the same time.
"Firstly, the Meng family values filial piety and should not see bloodshed." Ying Zheng said. "Secondly, the Meng family members have not returned yet, and they still need to be sorted out after they return. Therefore, let others do the work for Chengjiao this time. .”
What Ying Zheng said was not unreasonable. It would indeed be inappropriate for the Meng family to go to war immediately, and the father and son did not insist on it.
"General Meng Wu, go and call Li Si." Ying Zheng said to Meng Wu.
Meng Wu bowed his hands and went out to find Li Si.
"Meng Yi, go and heat this bucket of spring water before bringing it back." Ying Zheng said to Meng Yi, "And ask someone to bring some vinegar over."
Meng Yi also responded and went out with a bucket.
Ying Zheng collected the two exquisite maps and put them back into the secret grid.
Sitting at the desk, Ying Zheng placed the box containing the red pills and the dagger on the table.
Taking one out and placing it on the table, Ying Zheng pulled out his dagger and cut it from the middle.
It would be too wasteful to use one pill at a time for the blood test, so Ying Zheng wanted to cut the pills into several pieces and use them sparingly.
The pill split into two pieces, and the structure inside was revealed.
The inside of the pill is the same as the outside, and does not contain any special powder or juice. It seems that it is just a red ball.
The cut surface is very smooth, delicate, without impurities, and has no smell.
Ying Zheng continued to cut with the dagger, and finally cut it into about ten pieces the size of rice grains.
Not long after, Meng Wu took Li Si through the door, and Meng Yi came back with a bucket.
"Sir, everything is ready and you can start testing." Ying Zheng said to Li Si.
"Test?" Meng Wu and Meng Yi asked at the same time.
"Yes, it's a simple experiment." Li Si said before Ying Zheng could speak.
Then Li Si told Meng Wu and Meng Tian briefly about the matter of blood recognition.
Meng Wu pointed to the small red pills on the table and said, "Is this the adjuvant for recognizing relatives by dripping blood?"
"Exactly." Li Si nodded and said, "This is a secret family recipe passed down by one of Cao Min's mentors. It can fuse two drops of blood from a close relative."
"That's it." Meng Wu said in surprise.
Ying Zheng ordered people to take several pottery bowls and pairs of bamboo chopsticks, and then pour warm spring water into them.
In each bowl, he put a red pill and added some vinegar.
After stirring with bamboo chopsticks, the red medicine particles quickly dissolved and the spring water turned light red.
"When the water temperature cools down and the color becomes lighter, the blood can be dripped," Li Si said.
"Whose blood should be used for the test?" Ying Zheng asked.
"Let's verify it on the four of us first." Li Si said, "After that, the king can go to Mrs. Xia to verify the king's identity in advance."
"Okay." Ying Zheng nodded, pointed at the first bowl and said, "General Meng Wu, Meng Yi, you two, father and son, drop your blood into the first bowl."
Meng Wu and Meng Yi nodded.
"Li Si and I dropped the blood into the second bowl." Ying Zheng continued, "General Meng Wu and I dropped the blood into the third bowl. And Li Si and Meng Yi dropped into the fourth bowl."
Ying Zheng paused and said, "This is the last bowl. Let's put some blood into it together."
After a while, the water temperature cooled down and the color of the water turned light pink.
"Okay." Li Si said calmly, then picked up the dagger, pricked his fingertip, and dripped the blood into the bowl designated by Ying Zheng.
Several people prick their fingertips accordingly and drip the blood into the designated bowl.
The two drops of blood in the first bowl were seen swimming around the bowl clockwise while maintaining a certain distance, as if they were observing each other, then gradually became closer, and finally came close to each other. After two breaths, the two drops of blood intertwined and merged into one drop of blood.
In this bowl is the blood of Meng Wu and Meng Yi.
Meng Wu suddenly breathed a sigh of relief. Whether it was because of Meng Yi or Ying Zheng was unknown.
Looking at the other bowls, a few drops of blood were still and unchanged.
The four drops of blood in the last bowl, Ying Zheng's blood and Li Si's blood, were not moving, but Meng Wu's blood and Meng Yi's blood were gradually getting closer, and finally merged into one place just like the first bowl.
"Haha..." Ying Zheng smiled happily, "It really works."
"In this way, as long as the king's blood and Mrs. Xia's blood merge together, it can prove the king's royal bloodline." Meng Wu also seemed very happy.
"Then I will go find my grandmother now." Ying Zheng picked up the box of red pills and the dagger and put them in his arms.
Meng Wu put the remaining red pills into the bag and said, "I will find a few more people to try it to make sure everything is safe."
Ying Zheng nodded, turned around and walked towards Mrs. Xia's bedroom.
