However, after Wang Wan came forward, many officials began to criticize Li Shui.
Li Shui suddenly understood that it was not Wang Wan, a good old man, who wanted to jump out, but that they felt that what Li Shui did was indeed unreasonable.
If the vassal king does not obey the summons, he will not be allowed to enter Xianyang. This was the rule that was set when the parallel system of counties and states was first implemented.
Why do you, Huaiguzi, make your own decisions? Do you consider yourself an emperor?
These courtiers, standing on the commanding heights of righteousness, could finally criticize Li Shui.
When their criticism subsided a little, Li Shui said calmly: "Except for King Kuaiji, which vassal king has left Xianyang? The time limit set by Your Majesty has not yet come. It was just that King Kuaiji went out for a trip. Now I’m back. Isn’t it possible?”
The courtier was stunned: How could he have forgotten this? King Kuaiji went to Chu in advance.
This guy took the lead to arrive in Chu territory, and ended up catching up with Xiang Liang's rebellion. When the rebellion was put down, the other vassal kings had not yet left Xianyang. I have to say that this King of Kuaiji is really unlucky.
The courtiers thought for a while and felt that it would be more convenient to criticize Li Shui from a righteous perspective, so they focused their firepower on the transgression. Li Shui should not take his own initiative if he was killed. If the vassal king can leave Xianyang and enter Xianyang at will, it will inevitably lead to chaos.
Li Shui suddenly said aggrievedly: "This is what Dr. Chunyu taught me to do."
Chunyu Yue almost vomited blood and shouted loudly: "Exiled Immortal, please don't spit blood on others."
Li Shuigan laughed and said, "Dr. Chunyu, he talks about human ethics, filial piety, etiquette and justice all day long."
"After hearing this, I was deeply convinced and inspired. I felt that the King of Kuaiji was your Majesty's beloved son. For example, all the courtiers had a son who helped you guard the houses outside the city. Suddenly one day, robbers came outside the city and they The house was besieged for several days, but this guy fought hard and finally saved the house."
Li Shui looked at the courtiers: "Everyone, don't you plan to see your son? Are you so talkative about morality and human relations that you are so indifferent to this?"
The courtiers pondered for a while. Li Si smiled slightly and said, "Your Majesty is the Emperor. How can the Emperor's family affairs be equated with those of the world?"
Li Shui narrowed his eyes: "Does Lord Tingwei mean that the emperor should have no moral ethics and destroy humanity?"
Li Shui only said half of what he said when Li Si was frightened and shouted quickly: "Exiled Immortal, please don't spit on others."
Wang Wan sighed: "I can't argue with you about banishing an immortal, but the vassal king cannot enter Xianyang at will. If something happens, it may endanger the Qin Dynasty."
Li Shui asked curiously: "How could it endanger the Qin Dynasty?"
The courtiers were all silent. They obviously had something to say, but they refused to say it.
Li Shui said calmly: "I just think that princes from other places have different intentions and enter Xianyang casually. They will make friends with courtiers, collude with internal and external parties, and cause rebellion, right?"
The courtiers nodded. I thought: Since you said it yourself, it’s your business.
Li Shui chuckled: "So what you are saying is that some of your Majesty's sons want to cause trouble? There are some ministers in this court who want to make friends with the vassal king and plot evil?"
The courtiers turned pale and said in unison: "Exiled Immortal, please don't spit on others."
Li Shui looked aggrieved: "Isn't this what you said yourself?"
Ying Zheng watched the officials arguing and kept smiling.
At this time, Chun Yuyue had gradually come to his senses, and said in a serious voice: "Exiled Immortal, after all, the emperor's family affairs are related to the whole world. They are different from the common people. Naturally, there are human relations and kinship in the emperor's family. However, it is related to the world. Safety and the well-being of all people. Sometimes, the emperor has to sacrifice some family ties."
"Your Majesty's sons are naturally all talented men in both civil and military affairs, and the courtiers present are naturally loyal to our great Qin. However, who can guarantee that all the descendants of the vassal king will be like this? None of the courtiers who have served for decades and hundreds of years will be like this. Two traitors? Once this case is opened, it will definitely be impossible to stop it, and the disaster will be endless."
As soon as this was said, the courtiers nodded slightly. Dr. Chunyu's words are very sensible and reasonable. He is worthy of being a great scholar in the world.
Li Shui said nonchalantly: "These worries of the doctor can actually be easily solved. As long as the rules are set and followed, it is enough. For example, during the holidays, the vassal king can go to Xianyang to reunite with his family. For example, if there is a major event in the vassal country, You can also enter Xianyang City and report to His Majesty. But when the vassal king comes, he is not allowed to bring troops and horses, so naturally nothing will happen."
"I think that if the vassal states and the imperial court do not communicate with each other for a long time, they will gradually become alienated, which will easily breed rebellion. It is better to allow the vassal kings to enter Xianyang several times a year to worship their ancestors, so that they know whose descendants they are."
"As for how to prevent rebellion after the vassal king enters Xianyang, in fact, after a little discussion, all of you can come up with effective methods. Nowadays, it is just a lazy policy to ban all of them without even thinking about it."
The courtiers still wanted to argue, but Ying Zheng said calmly: "I will follow the proposal of banishing the immortal. After the ministers go back, they will think about it carefully and discuss it in detail at the next court meeting."
Ying Zheng expressed his attitude in one sentence, and the courtiers stopped saying anything and could only say yes.
Later, Ying Zheng asked Li Shui: "Where is the King of Kuaiji?"
Li Shui said: "King Kuaiji dare not enter the palace without being summoned. He is waiting outside the palace now."
Ying Zheng said: "Please come quickly."
Li Shui responded and went outside to call King Kuaiji himself.
The courtiers looked at Li Shui's back and cursed in their hearts: If you don't obey the call, wouldn't you also bring people back from Chu? What are you pretending to be now?
Li Shui left the political hall and saw Young Master Gao Zheng looking at him with gratitude. Obviously, he also heard some of the discussion in the court just now.
Li Shui patted Young Master Gao on the shoulder: "Uncle Yu went to great lengths to get you to go home, and he fought with all the scholars."
Young Master Gao burst into tears: "My nephew is very grateful. My uncle has treated me with great kindness. My nephew is willing to do the hard work of a dog and a horse and follow him all his life."
Li Shui patted his shoulder affectionately: "Okay. Uncle Yu is helping you because of family ties. Blood is thicker than water. How could he be coveting your reward? Okay, let's go in."
The guilty minister Jufu, who had been waiting tremblingly beside him, was at a loss after hearing this: "Blood is thicker than water? Is the banished immortal related to the King of Kuaiji?"
Li Shui ignored Ju Fu and led Young Master Gao into the government hall.
After entering, Young Master Gao saluted Ying Zheng. Suddenly he fell on the ground and cried endlessly.
Ying Zheng felt a little soft-hearted, stood up and walked to Gongzi Gao, saying warmly: "My son has suffered."
The young master stood up, wiped his tears, and said: "My son, I am not suffering. The people I cry for are the soldiers who died in the battle. In the battle of Yuewang Mountain, twenty-three of our Qin people died. These people are thousands of miles away from me. , went to the Chu land together. We got along day and night along the way, they were called masters and servants, but in fact they were relatives and friends."
"Now my son has returned to Xianyang alive. However, the bones of these soldiers are buried in a foreign land. I ask my father to allow these soldiers to be buried in their hometown."
After saying that, Young Master Gao shed tears again.
All civil and military officials in the dynasty sighed. Chunyu Yue even said: "King Kuaiji, he is truly a benevolent man."
Ying Zheng nodded, agreed to Gongzi Gao's request, and then said to the courtiers: "As for the vassal king entering Xianyang, one more thing is that in the future, if any vassal king dies, he will be allowed to be buried in Xianyang."
After giving these instructions, Ying Zheng looked at Young Master Gao with some admiration: "Chu Di and his party, my son is very different from before."
In fact, not only Ying Zheng felt this way, but also the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty felt the same way.
In the past, the young master was tall and had no sense of existence. He was just a mediocre young master. As a prince, he never thought that he would just eat and wait for death every day, have fun, and just want to enjoy this life in wealth.
But during this trip to Chu, everyone saw the bravery of King Kuaiji on Yuewang Mountain, the filial piety of returning to Xianyang thousands of miles away, and the benevolence and justice of the soldiers who died in battle. The King of Kuaiji is like a completely different person.
Young Master Gao said to Ying Zheng with a sincere look on his face: "My son is here today because he was taught by the banished immortal. All of this was taught by the banished immortal."
Li Shui humbly hugged his fists to the courtiers.
The courtiers were a little speechless: Why is it this guy again? How could such a shameless man teach the King of Kuaiji to be a benevolent and righteous man? Could it be that banishing immortals is a pool of dirty water? Dirty yourself and clean others?
Ying Zheng looked at Li Shui and smiled. He naturally knew that Young Master Gao had worshiped Li Shui as his uncle before leaving.
Ying Zheng was silent for a while, and then suddenly asked Young Master Gao: "Are you willing to stay in Xianyang?"
As soon as this statement came out, all the civil and military officials in the court were shocked. Of course they know what this means.
His Majesty divided his children among his descendants, and only three remained in Xianyang City: Fusu, Fuyao, and Huhai.
And these three people are all candidates for the crown prince. Now His Majesty wants Young Master Gao to stay in Xianyang. Obviously, he wants to use him as an alternative. It seems that the young master's feat on Yuewang Mountain has completely moved His Majesty.
Ying Zheng originally thought that Young Master Gao would be ecstatic after hearing this. Unexpectedly, he shook his head and said with great sincerity: "My son just wants to pay homage to my father and mother. After bidding farewell, I will return to the Chu land to guard the southern border for my father."
Ying Zheng was slightly surprised, thinking that Young Master Gao didn't understand, so he said to him clearly: "Do you know why I want you to stay?"
Young Master Gao said: "I understand. But...although my younger brother Fu Yao is young, he is ten times smarter than me. My son just received a word of advice from the banished immortal, and he was able to change his body. Fu Yao was in the banished immortal. If you stay by your side and receive instruction day and night, you will surely become the king of Yao, Shun, and Yu Tang in the future.”
Ying Zheng smiled: "I didn't expect you to have such high regard for Huaiguzi and Fu Yao."
The young master bowed high and said, "My son, I'm just telling the truth."
The courtiers looked at Young Master Gao and then at Li Shui, thinking: Did the banished immortal give the king of Kuaiji some ecstasy?
Young Master Gao insisted on returning to the Chu land, but Ying Zheng did not insist on keeping him. He just admired him very much, and then let him go to the harem to visit his mother.
After Young Master Gao left, Li Shui looked at Li Xin.
Li Xin's legs were sore from standing, and he thought: It's finally my turn.
He stood up and said: "The giant governor of Kuaiji County surrendered to the traitor Xiang Liang. I have captured him and taken him to Xianyang to await your Majesty's fate."
Ying Zheng was still immersed in the joy of meeting King Kuaiji, and smiled and said, "Bring him with you."
The giant man was led by the young eunuch into the political hall. He saluted seriously, and then carefully defended himself, saying that he had become a thief as a last resort, but in fact he still loved the court. If he had the chance, he would kill Xiang Liang and help the army put down the chaos.
The giant husband was very scared, and he had taken a cold shower in the early morning, so he was shivering all the time, and he looked extremely pitiful. Many courtiers in the court sympathized with this person.
Ying Zheng said calmly: "It is unforgivable for a giant to surrender to a thief."
When the giant man heard this, his legs weakened and he collapsed to the ground.
Immediately afterwards, Ying Zheng said again: "However, there are extenuating circumstances. I will be exempted from the title and be reduced to a commoner."
When the giant man heard this, he became ecstatic again.
Along the way, the giant man was uneasy and had already written a suicide note. He knew very well that today's emperor is resolute and decisive, and he once surrendered a thief, and this head may not be saved.
Unexpectedly, not only did he survive today, but his family property was not confiscated. Although I no longer have a title or official position, I can still become a rich man. Moreover, His Majesty did not prohibit his children from participating in the imperial examination. Perhaps in a few years, his son could come to Xianyang City to take the examination. In that case, his family would be a family of officials again.
The more the giant thought about it, the happier he became, and he smiled happily and thanked Ying Zheng for his magnanimity.
Ying Zheng was still immersed in the joy of seeing the King of Kuaiji. He ignored the giant man, just waved his hand and said, "Let's dismiss the court." Then he left with a smile on his face.
The courtiers walked slowly outside the Council Hall.
At this time, someone ran over cheeringly, and it was clearly Fu Yao.
Fu Yao first saluted Li Shui, and then said with a smile: "Master, I already know about your great defeat of the bandit army in Chu. Now, people inside and outside Xianyang City, even inside and outside the palace, are preaching that Master is the God of War." Woolen cloth."
Li Shui said solemnly: "You must be humble, how can you be so high-profile? Even if I am the God of War, I cannot shout in front of everyone. How can General Li Xin be embarrassed if he hears this?"
Li Xinxin cursed secretly.
Suddenly turning his head, he saw Chunyu Yue smiling beside him.
So Li Xin approached Chun Yuyue and said, "Sister-in-law, I want to pay homage to my sister tonight."
Chunyu Yue's smile suddenly froze on his face.
Li Xin smiled happily.
Suddenly, a young eunuch came over and said: "Master Banished Immortal, General Li, Master Prime Minister, Dr. Chunyu, Master Tingwei, Master Neishi, please stay. Your Majesty invites you."
The courtiers looked at these people and felt a little puzzled: "These people are important ministers of the court. What is your Majesty leaving them for? Is there something big going on?"
However, the court meeting was over. These courtiers did not accept the summons and did not dare to stay in the palace anymore. They all left in confusion.
Li Shui and others quickly walked towards Ying Zheng's study.
Halfway through the journey, a group of palace maids suddenly came over and bowed respectfully to Li Shui: "The master lives deep in the harem and cannot come here, so he asked his slaves to salute on his behalf. When he is free in the future, the master will express his gratitude in person."
Li Shui looked at them in confusion: "Who is this? What does this mean?"
Fu Yao explained on his behalf: "King Kuaiji has entered the harem just now. Now all the concubines in the harem have heard that the master opposed all opinions in the court and supported the vassal king to visit relatives in Xianyang every year."
"These concubines originally thought that after the lord left Xianyang, they would never see their sons in this life. Unexpectedly, there is a glimmer of hope now. Therefore, everyone is very grateful to the master. However, due to etiquette, they cannot come to the front hall in person. Thank you for sending these maids here."
Fu Yao said with a smile: "Now the master has a high prestige in the harem. Some people say that the master has always supported women to get out of the palace and broaden their horizons. Now he helps women reunite with their children. He is really the most benevolent and kind. Therefore, privately Call the Master a friend of women.”
Li Shui scratched his head and laughed dryly: "I understand this intention as a teacher. But why does this title always feel a bit awkward?"
