Ying Zheng stared at the Black Iron Compass and asked, "Sir, is this method of determination accurate?"
Of course, Ying Zheng would not doubt Xuan Tieluo's accuracy. He said this because he wanted to ask others.
"Don't worry, Your Majesty, Wei Chen will ensure that this method is absolutely accurate." Li Si said firmly, "Moreover, as long as the ore is ground into powder, its main categories can be determined."
Meng Yi blinked and asked: "Sir, are you saying that as long as the black iron compass recognizes a certain mineral, it can generate a certain memory like the human brain, and then it can be used to find this mineral?"
"The black iron snail can find objects and is absolutely reliable. I have used it many times." Ying Zheng said without any doubt.
"Then, as long as we get some samples and let the black iron compass verify it, and then follow the compass's guidance, won't we be able to find the minerals we need, and also determine what type they are." Meng Yi added.
Ying Zheng smiled and tapped Meng Yi with his hand, and said: "You kid, you are not very courageous, and you have a lot of evil ideas. However, this idea is really good."
Li Si also laughed, but poured a small basin of cold water on it: "The method is good, but the black iron snail needs to be used within a certain range, so you still have to have a goal in advance."
"That's better than bumping around. After all, not every time you know the exact location like this time." Meng Yi said with a smile.
"In this case, did Master Sima keep any samples of rare minerals?" Ying Zheng looked at Sima Hong and asked.
Sima Hong thought for a while and said: "Not to mention, there are really many strange and weird stones, all kinds of stones. Some of them are obtained from the mines, and some of them are bought because they look good."
"Where to store it?" Ying Zheng asked.
"It's not in Xianyang." Sima Hong said, "Wei Chen remembers that most of them should be stored in the old house in Yongcheng. When I moved to Xianyang, I felt it was heavy, so I didn't take them with me."
"Yongcheng?" Ying Zheng said happily, "What a coincidence. This place is less than a hundred miles away from Yongcheng, and I am also going there to visit my mother."
"Yes, I happened to get them all back this time." Sima Hong said with a smile.
"Uncle, where is the other mineral deposit in Qishan?" Meng Tian asked.
"It's in the heart of the mountain ten miles east." Sima Hong replied.
"It's not far away," Meng Yi said.
Ying Zheng thought for a moment and said, "In that case, why don't we divide our troops into two groups?"
Sima Hong cupped his hands and said, "Please make it clear, Your Majesty."
"On the surface, I still took several ladies to Yongcheng on the pretext of traveling to visit the Queen Mother, and were escorted by Meng Tian." Ying Zheng said, "And Mr. Sima, you take Meng Yi and the craftsmen to find the other party. Once a mineral is found, don’t mine it easily, just retrieve the samples, then go to the old residence in Yongcheng to retrieve the stone samples, and finally gather at the Imperial Guard station outside the city.”
"I obey the king's orders." Sima Hong and Meng Tian said in unison.
"It's getting late, let's all go back and rest. We'll split up tomorrow morning." Ying Zheng waved his hand and said.
Everyone bowed and left.
Early on the next morning, Sima Hong took Meng Yi and the craftsmen and set out to find another mineral in the middle of the mountain.
Ying Zheng accompanied several ladies to Yongcheng.
Although the five ladies knew that Ying Zheng had gone to visit the grave again last night, they did not ask anything about it. They continued to sing and laugh happily along the way.
Another day passed and we finally arrived outside Yongcheng.
I don't know whether it's because the Queen Mother's presence here has boosted the economy here, or it's because of the summer, but there are a lot more people coming and going here than when Ying Zheng came last time.
Looking at the word "Yongcheng" on the city gate, the five ladies all became nervous to varying degrees.
They have not met their mother-in-law for so long after coming to Qin State, and they don't know if the Queen Mother and her mother-in-law are easy to get along with.
You must know that the most difficult thing in the palace is the fight between women.
Fortunately, they are not in the same palace.
Ying Zheng had already seen the concerns of the ladies, and comforted him: "Don't worry, don't be nervous, the queen is not that difficult to get along with."
"Well, I'm not nervous." Hu Yu smiled and said.
She didn't seem to be very nervous at all.
The other four people did not speak.
Ying Zheng smiled bitterly and shook his head, turned around and asked, "Zhao Gao, bring over the gift for the Queen Mother."
"Yes, Your Majesty.
. "Zhao Gao agreed, turned around and walked back.
Not long after, several carriages were brought over, each carrying several wooden boxes.
Ying Zheng walked to the carriage, patted the box, and said, "These are all gifts prepared by me. If you want to give the Queen Mother, just open the box and pick it out at will, and then load it into your own carriage."
The five princesses all smiled and said: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"Also." Ying Zheng added, "Don't fight for it."
Zhao Gao ordered people to open all the big wooden boxes, and the five women began to pick them.
I have to say that exquisite porcelain is very eye-catching.
Especially for women.
Especially for women who have never seen porcelain.
I think the Queen Mother will be satisfied.
Fortunately, Hu Yu did not choose a sword, because there was no sword here.
Not long after, all the ladies had selected their favorite gifts, put them back into their respective boxes, and placed them on their exclusive carriages.
Ying Zheng gathered the remaining items from the five ladies and placed them all on his limo.
Meng Tian sent official orders and letters and returned to the army to resume his duties.
"Your Majesty, the official letter has been handed over. According to the rules, Marquis Changxin should leave the city to pick him up." Meng Tian cupped his hands and said.
Ying Zheng looked at the city gate and whispered, "Do you think he will come?"
Meng Tian glared and said, "If he dares to be disrespectful to the king, I will lead my men to kill him in the city!"
"Don't be reckless." Ying Zheng said, "If Lao Ai doesn't come, we can go directly to Qinian Palace."
"Is this too accommodating?" Meng Tian still said angrily.
Ying Zheng looked around, waved to Li Si, and then pulled Meng Tian into the Chinese army tent.
Meng Tian knew that Ying Zheng had something to say to him, so he followed him into the account.
After the three of them sat down, Ying Zheng whispered to Meng Tian: "In fact, I have long been dissatisfied with Lao Ai's airy appearance, but my husband once advised me to think long term, because Lao Ai will most likely have different intentions, and he It may also be the stepping stone for me to regain the kingship."
"That's right." Li Si also said cooperatively, "Currently, we need someone to contain Lu Buwei, and Lao Ai is the best candidate."
Meng Tian's brows moved and he said: "So that's what it is... What does the king need me to do?"
Ying Zheng leaned forward and said, "Actually, in addition to meeting our mother, our other purpose in coming to Yongcheng this time is to find out the details about Lao Ai."
"Why didn't the king tell you earlier so that I could make some preparations?" Meng Tian said.
"It's not appropriate for too many people to know about this matter." Ying Zheng said, "Besides, what can you prepare?"
"Wei Chen..." Meng Tian didn't think about what to prepare.
Are you preparing war horses or bows and arrows?
Li Si finally said, "Actually, what you have to do is very simple, Meng Tian."
"Sir, please speak." Meng Tian said.
"There are always your cronies in the army, right?" Li Si asked.
"Of course, for this trip, the Meng family army will escort you. I have chosen all my close friends." Meng Tian said.
"Very good." Li Si smiled and said, "You only need to select a few cronies and sneak into Lao Ai's house."
"Sir, do you mean to insert some spies?" Meng Tian understood Li Si's intention.
"Not bad." Li Si said, "Currently, I heard that Lao Ai is recruiting soldiers in the name of protecting the Queen Mother. It must not be difficult to sneak in."
"Recruiting soldiers?" Meng Tian asked doubtfully, "This is against Qin law."
"Haha." Li Si smiled, "Presumably, when the time comes, the Queen Mother will ask Lu Xiangbang for some military pay and tiger charms. This will be in line with Qin law."
"That's right." Meng Tian murmured.
"Let's pick some people." Ying Zheng said, "It's best to infiltrate into various positions in his house, not just in the army."
"Okay, this matter is indeed not difficult." Meng Tian said, "I'll do it right away."
Meng Tian held his hands and walked out the door.
Not long after, a group of people came out of the east gate of Yongcheng and headed towards King Qin's camp.
The leader was well-dressed, full of energy, and majestic. Even the horse on his crotch was taller than the others.
This person is none other than Changxin Hou Lao Ai.
The people on the roadside moved to both sides to give way.
Near the camp
At that moment, Lao Ai was stopped by the guard sergeant. Lao Ai showed his token and official letter, and the guard quickly came to the Chinese army account to report.
In fact, Ying Zheng already knew that Lao Ai was coming, but after changing into his royal robe, he deliberately waited and did not go out first.
Lao Ai ordered his followers to wait outside the camp, then dismounted and went straight to the Zhongjun tent.
The moment Ying Zheng walked out of the military tent, his aura was completely different. He was heroic, high-spirited, and had the potential to dominate the world.
Lao Ai knelt on one knee and bowed, cupped his hands and said, "I believe that Marquis Lao Ai is here to receive you."
"No need to be polite." Ying Zheng only raised his hand slightly, and did not step forward to help him out of habit.
Lao Ai stood up and said, "I am responsible for guarding the Queen Mother. I failed to greet the King and the ladies in advance. I hope that the King will forgive me."
Ying Zheng had never been used to such hypocrisy, but he said politely: "It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. I brought several ladies to visit the Queen Mother this time. I wonder if the Queen Mother already knows about it."
"The Queen Mother is waiting for the King in the palace. She also asks the King to move to Qinian Palace." Lao Ai said.
"Okay, let's go." Ying Zheng waved his hand.
Zhao Gao had already prepared his carriages and horses, and Ying Zheng, along with several wives and a group of entourage, followed Lao Ai to Qinian Palace.
The changes in Qinian Palace are not small. It seems to have been renovated, and there are still craftsmen working in some places.
As soon as he arrived at the door of the meeting hall, Ying Zheng saw the Queen Mother sitting on the royal chair. He couldn't help but feel hot in his eyes and hurried forward.
Zhao Ji was wearing loose court clothes and had a solemn expression. The moment she saw Ying Zheng, a trace of warmth flashed in her eyes, but it disappeared immediately.
"My son, I pay my respects to my mother." Ying Zheng knelt down and kowtowed.
"My son is flat." Although Zhao Ji's tone didn't feel cold, there was no warmth either.
Ying Zheng stood up and said, "Mother, how are you doing lately?"
"It's not bad. I've recovered somewhat. Although I'm still a little weak, there's no need to worry, Your Majesty. There's nothing serious anymore." Zhao Ji said calmly.
"It's fine that it's nothing serious. During this period, I have been worried." Ying Zheng's concern was palpable.
"Worrying the king, the queen mother is really much better." Zhao Ji said.
Ying Zheng cupped his hands again and said: "Mother, when I come here this time, I have brought five ladies to pay homage to my mother."
As soon as Ying Zheng finished speaking, the five ladies came to Ying Zheng's side, knelt down and paid their respects to Zhao Ji.
Zhao Ji finally had a smile on her face: "Get down quickly."
"Each of them prepared generous gifts for their mother." After saying that, Ying Zheng waved his hand.
Several followers carried in two large boxes, placed them on the ground, and then opened them.
Ying Zheng stepped forward, reached out and took out two porcelain vases, and said, "This is a gift prepared by me for my mother, please see it."
Two maids stepped forward to take the porcelain bottle and brought it to Zhao Ji.
The moment the porcelain bottle came into view, Zhao Ji was stunned.
"What is this?" Zhao Ji asked.
"This is called porcelain, and it can be made into various shapes." Ying Zheng said.
"Not bad, not bad." Zhao Ji stared at the porcelain bottle and said.
"I have some good news," Ying Zheng said with a smile. "Mrs. Nan Su and Hu Yu are pregnant one after another, and the queen will soon be a grandmother."
"Really?" Zhao Ji was about to stand up in surprise, but immediately calmed down and sat back down.
Ying Zheng said nothing, observing Zhao Ji's reaction.
"Congratulations to the Queen Mother!" Lao Ai cupped her hands on one side and congratulated her.
"Congratulations to the Queen Mother! Congratulations to the King!" There was a sound of congratulations in the palace.
Zhao Ji looked at Lao Ai with a smile and said, "Marquis Changxin, please give me a heavy reward for my five daughters-in-law."
"Thank you, Queen Mother." The five ladies bowed in unison.
"Since I have received the reward, I still don't offer tea." Ying Zheng said.
Several maids came forward, and the five ladies poured tea respectively, and then walked to Zhao Jide's side.
"Queen Mother, please have tea." Nan Su was the first to offer tea.
"Don't give birth, call me mother-in-law." Zhao Ji said with a smile.
"Mother, please drink tea." Nansu smiled softly and handed the tea to Zhao Ji.
"Okay." Zhao Ji took the tea.
The five ladies served tea one after another, and Zhao Jixiao was elated.
Zhao Ji was not so cold at this moment, which made Ying Zheng feel relieved, but also a little confused.
