Early the next morning, Ying Zheng and Meng Tian went separate ways.
In order to create better opportunities for Meng Tian, Ying Zheng sent someone to make an appointment with Lao Ai to patrol around, and sent five ladies into the palace to pay respects to the Queen Mother.
When Lao Ai came to pick up Ying Zheng, Ying Zheng rewarded her in front of Lao Ai, and then sent Meng Tian to Lao Ai's house to deliver the rewarded porcelain and jewelry.
After everything went smoothly, Ying Zheng and Lao Ai checked the city defenses, looked at the market, enjoyed the scenery, and listened to a little song.
Before I knew it, another day passed.
Returning to the camp in the evening, I learned that the five ladies had returned a long time ago.
It turned out that the five ladies went to pay their respects to the Queen Mother early in the morning. Unexpectedly, the Queen Mother only met each other, said a few words and then went back to rest. The five ladies walked around the palace and felt bored, so they returned to the palace outside the city. Camp.
Sima Hong and Meng Yi are also back and are sorting out the various ores brought back from Sima's old house.
These ores are really colorful, colorful, round and flat, in all kinds of shapes.
The craftsmen who returned from Ying Zheng's order selected various stones, divided them into categories, took out a small piece of each type, and then ground them into powder with special equipment.
After placing all kinds of ore, Ying Zheng, Sima Hong and others returned to the big tent.
"Lord Sima, is this trip going smoothly?" Ying Zheng looked at Sima Hong and asked.
"Go back to the king." Sima Hong cupped his hands and said, "Everything went well. The minerals in Qishan were also abandoned without knowing what they were. After we mined some, we marked the route and hurried back. Yongcheng, arrived at the old house yesterday."
"That's right." Ying Zheng said with a smile, "In this case, the only thing left is to find out the details of Lao Ai."
"Spying on Lao Ai?" Meng Yi said in surprise.
"Not bad." Ying Zheng briefly told what happened yesterday when he and Lao Ai drank in Yongcheng and Meng Tian went to the Hou Mansion.
"It turns out that the king came to Yongcheng this time for such a big event." Sima Hong sighed.
"The so-called guarding against others is indispensable." Li Si said, "What's more, the Queen Mother's current state is indeed abnormal."
Yes, everyone would feel that it was abnormal to suddenly move away before their son's wedding and not come back before the wedding day.
Sima Hong nodded and said, "Yes, after hearing about this, there was quite a bit of criticism in the court."
Ying Zheng said calmly: "I know that this matter has gone beyond the scope of favoring a minister."
Everyone heard the hidden meaning of Ying Zheng's words, and no one spoke anymore.
Ying Zheng smiled bitterly and said: "Don't worry, no matter what the situation is, I will always put state affairs first, even if the final result is that the Queen Mother and Lao Ai conspire together."
Sima Hong was an elder after all, and said in a soothing tone: "It will be of great benefit to the country and the country if the king can be selfless, but in my opinion, even if the result is like this, there will definitely be a solution by then."
"I hope so." Ying Zheng sighed lightly.
This time, even Li Si had no idea how to deal with the relationship between the Queen Mother and Ying Zheng.
At this moment, Meng Tian came back.
"How is the matter?" Ying Zheng pulled Meng Tian and asked.
"Go back to the king." Meng Tian cupped his hands and said, "The Meng family's cronies have been successfully placed in the Army Recruitment Pavilion of Lao Aihou Mansion, and the two bachelors who were arranged to come to Yongcheng by their cousin have also been contacted. It's just that It's getting late, and Wei Chen has made an agreement with them that they will come to the camp at midnight tomorrow."
"Okay, let's first understand Lao Ai's details before making any calculations." Ying Zheng said.
Everyone stood up to say goodbye and went back to rest.
At midnight on the second day, two men dressed as scribes came to the Imperial Guard station and claimed to be looking for General Meng Tian.
Meng Tian went out to greet them, and then brought the two men into the Chinese army's tent.
The one in the green gown is Cao Liao, from the Wei State, and the one in the gray cloth is Chen Li, from the Qi State.
"Two gentlemen, this is the current King of Qin." Meng Tian introduced him with cupped hands.
"The common people pay homage to the King of Qin." The two scribes bowed in unison and bowed their hands.
"Please sit down, both of you." Ying Zheng made a gesture of invitation.
"The King of Qin invites you." The two scribes sat opposite Ying Zheng.
Ying Zheng smiled and said straight to the point: "Before you two came, Sima Jie must have mentioned that I asked him to arrange a few reliable people to sneak into Yongcheng. But this time I came in a hurry and did not bring him with me. Relevant letters from Sima Jie.”
Cao Liao cupped his hands and said, "We are entrusted by brother Sima Xian. How can we not trust the king? What's more, Mr. Meng is by our side."
The issue of trust was resolved, and Ying Zheng got down to business: "I invited the two gentlemen to meet here this time because I want to know how they are doing at Lao Ai and whether they have made any unusual discoveries."
Chen Li said: "When we first arrived in Yongcheng, we joined Lao Ai's sect. Because the Changxin Marquis Mansion was just established, we also recruited talented people."
"As for the unusual place, maybe Lao Ai thinks she conceals it very well." Cao Liao said, "But she can't hide it from us."
"So, you have discovered something?" Ying Zheng said.
Cao Liao nodded and said: "Since arriving in Yongcheng, Lao Ai has begun to recruit followers, recruit soldiers, and even privately manufacture ordnance in the name of the Queen Mother."
Chen Li added from the side: "In just a few months, the number of scribes in the Hou Mansion has reached nearly 800, and the number of new troops recruited has exceeded 10,000."
Ying Zheng's brows narrowed slightly and he said, "It's already happening at such a rate before it's fully disclosed."
"There is no need to worry, Your Majesty." Cao Liao explained, "Both the scribes and the soldiers, they all come in the name of the Queen Mother. Who knows what Lao Ai's selfish motives are."
"You also see Lao Ai's selfish motives?" Ying Zheng asked in surprise, "What selfish motives are they?"
Chen Li cupped his hands and said: "Back to the king, after Lao Ai was granted the title of Marquis, the recruitment of disciples was actually an illusion. It was just an act to deceive others. The core people in his palace were not selected from among the scribes. They seemed to have been recruited early. He had a very close relationship with Lao Ai, so he entered the palace directly. Lao Ai often drank and talked with these people until late at night, and even brought his family members into the Marquis's mansion."
Li Si analyzed: "It seems that this move is Lao Ai's way of controlling these people. This is enough to show that what they are planning is extraordinary."
"Yes, we both think so too." Cao Liao said, "As for the soldiers, the officers and nobles above centurion used by Lao Ai are not from the Chinese tribe. Most of them are from the Xirong and Yiqu tribes, and they train soldiers very well. Strict. This is absolutely unusual.”
Meng Tian said: "Lao Ai once said at the banquet that he is from Yiqu."
"No wonder the name is so weird." Meng Yi said, "But it's not his fault that he trusts Yiqu people."
"No." Li Si squinted his eyes and said, "If there are no different intentions, nothing will happen. And if he raises his troops to rebel, and all the centurions and thousands captains in his army are his confidants, then there will be something wrong with him. The absolute control of this team can be mobilized at will even if it does not use military symbols. What's more, there are no military symbols in the first place."
After hearing this, the Meng brothers and Sima Hong also frowned like Ying Zheng.
"However, Lao Ai's move may not be without benefits for the king." Cao Liao said softly.
Ying Zheng looked at Cao Liao, smiled, and said, "I heard that Mr. Guiguzi is a descendant of Guiguzi's family, and I would like to hear the details."
"The life experience of the ordinary people is not worth mentioning." Cao Liao cupped his hands and said, "The reason why the ordinary people said this is to analyze it from the perspective of the king. The king's current situation can be said to be controlled by others. He needs other forces to balance the political power, and more importantly, he needs to respond accordingly. I’ll take the opportunity to get back the royal power, right?”
Why does Cao Liao have the same temper as Li Si and always asks questions.
Ying Zheng nodded slightly, and the look he looked at Cao Liao was different from the first.
Cao Liao continued: "As expected, the king has obviously regarded Lao Ai as an opportunity to change the situation, but this opportunity must be controlled within a reasonable range. The only variable is the Queen Mother."
Cao Liao's few simple sentences hit the point.
Ying Zheng's brows widened, he smiled and said, "I never expected that Mr. Sir has such a keen eye. Yes, my problem is how to protect the Queen Mother and prevent chaos in the country."
"Actually, it's not difficult." Cao Liao said slowly.
"Please give me some advice, sir." Ying Zheng said with his hands in hand.
Sima Hong and others also stared at Cao Liao.
Cao Liao sorted out his thoughts and then said: "If you want to dismantle this situation, you can start from the aspects of time, location, and people."
These words sounded very familiar.
"The so-called Heavenly Man, Lao Ai's wings are not full now, and he himself must be careful at all times. If the king attacks him now, it will inevitably lead to a situation of death and destruction, and then the Queen Mother will also become a hostage. So I would like to suggest, The best time is to wait until his wings are full, his confidence expands, and he relaxes his guard."
"And this opportunity is when the king is performing the crowning ceremony. If the king takes back the royal power, he can reorganize the military system and rectify the military affairs of the Qin Dynasty. However, Lao Ai is afraid of losing the military power in his hands, so he will definitely stage a rebellion. At that time, , the king does not need to take into account the queen mother, and justifiably
It is the time of heaven to destroy them. "
Ying Zheng's eyes lit up and his ears perked up.
Cao Liao continued: "The so-called geographical advantage means that the location of the king's crown ceremony is particularly important. If the king can set the location of the crown ceremony in Yongcheng, then the king's imperial guards can be used to come. To protect the Queen Mother, if Lao Ai conspires to rebel, he will definitely not start an uprising in Yongcheng, but no matter where he starts an uprising, he will lose the foundation of Yongcheng and become a field army."
"This is a good location."
Ying Zheng's eyes were full of surprise, and Sima Hong kept nodding.
Cao Liao paused and continued: "There is still harmony, and this step is also the most difficult. Because the most beneficial way for the king is to use Lu Xiangbang's power to fight against Lao Ai's power. In the end, Wang Shangjing The advantage lies in waiting for you. Among them, Lu Xiangbang's military power is a variable and the most critical part of the overall situation. Therefore, I suggest that the king must develop his power more quickly during the period when Lao Ai is full of wings. "
After Cao Liao finished speaking, there was silence in the tent.
After a while, Ying Zheng laughed loudly: "Hahaha, sir, I am really lucky to have such insight."
Li Si also nodded: "In this way, the king should have nothing to worry about."
Previously, Li Si only reminded Ying Zheng that Lao Ai might have different intentions, but did not propose a solution.
"Sir, you are really talented!" Meng Tian praised.
Cao Liao said solemnly: "However, I just said that there are several variables that are the key to the overall situation, but these variables are still unresolved."
Ying Zheng smiled and said: "It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter, as long as the safety of the Queen Mother can be ensured. If Lao Ai really rebels, even Zhongfu will stand still with the mentality of reaping the benefits, and I will have my own way to deal with it. "
What Ying Zheng was referring to was the Western Chu army of Lord Changping.
"Not bad." Meng Tian sat up straight and said.
Meng Tian was talking about the powerful Meng family army.
Naturally, there are also new weapons such as flying crossbows and "my weapons" that can be relied on.
Thinking of "my weapon", Ying Zheng couldn't help but look at Cao Liao: "Sir, when he showed his knowledge, everyone was shocked. I don't know what he has to say about military affairs."
Since he is a disciple of Guiguzi, he must be a master in military affairs.
Cao Liao cupped his hands and said, "Although I have a preliminary understanding of military affairs and tactics, I do have a book on it. It's a pity that I'm not in Yongcheng. I can't present it to the king until I return to Xianyang."
"Then let's make an agreement," Ying Zheng said, "but I would like to know what your suggestion is for letting me develop my own strength as you just mentioned."
Cao Liao raised his hands again and said, "I heard that the king discovered a magical weapon called 'My Weapon'. It is said that it is invincible among all weapons."
Recently, Ying Zheng has specially stepped up the promotion of "my weapon".
"Yes, there is such a thing." Ying Zheng said.
Cao Liao said with a smile: "While I congratulate the king, I also want to remind the king that this magical weapon is indeed overbearing, but it is limited to individual combat. As for whether it can exert its true power after being used on the battlefield. The power is still uncertain, but if used improperly, it may be a double-edged sword."
This was the first time Ying Zheng heard the negative voice of "my weapon", but he felt that there was some truth in it, so he asked: "Why?"
"When fighting a large army, most of them focus on the transformation of a formation and the ability to adapt to changes." Cao Liao said, "If this 'my weapon' is only suitable for individual combat and cannot be integrated into the formation, it will lose its own advantages. It even becomes a burden.”
It is true that the sword is very powerful in a single combat, but among the various branches of the army, almost no one uses it.
"Sir, what you mean is that the space for this 'my weapon' to be used is very limited?" Ying Zheng asked.
"That's not the case," Cao Liao said, "I believe that the king should formulate an exclusive formation for the army that uses 'my weapon', so that its full power can be unleashed."
"Well said!" Ying Zheng said with a smile, "Sir, do you know the formations?"
"I've been interested in it since I was a child, and I learned it from my family, so I naturally know a little bit about it." Cao Liao.
How humble is it that you only know the basics after studying it since you were young?
"Haha, good!" Ying Zheng said with a smile, "When Sir has achieved great success in the Lao Ai incident, he will return to Xianyang to work with me on great things. How about that?"
Cao Liao cupped his hands and said, "I can't get what I ask for."
Ying Zheng's laughter sounded in the tent again.
In Ying Zheng's mind, there seemed to be a suitable candidate for the long-vacant position of Guowei.
