The dust clouds dimmed and the wind howled.
In Xianyang Palace, the doors and windows were closed, the stoves were burning, and the palace was filled with a pungent and dull smell. This smell made people frown unconsciously. I just want to escape quickly.
The eunuch who was kneeling on the ground calmly wiped the sweat from his head and reported in a trembling voice: "General Wei Zhang encountered the main force led by King Yiqu on the north bank of Jingshui River, and the two armies fought in Gong County ( Today's Jingchuan, Gansu), the weather is on my side and I will win. In this battle, we lost 7,000 Qin soldiers, 5,000 wounded, and 800 chariots. We beheaded 36,000 Yiqu troops, captured 9,000 alive, and captured 1,000 horses. Repeat The six counties of Yiqu...the king of Yiqu fled with five hundred people."
"Okay!" King Qin Yingsi, who was sitting on the king's couch, suddenly shouted with joy. However, before he could say the next words, he suddenly started coughing violently.
"Cough, cough, cough..."
"Your Majesty!" The ministers were immediately shocked.
"Kings……"
The palace servants waiting on both sides of the king's couch hurriedly stepped forward and handed over the decoction that had been prepared.
If you look at King Qin's face at this time, you will find that there is an obvious morbid look on his face.
Although it was already winter, it was unusually warm inside the hall, but his body was still shaking.
Seeing the king's appearance, His Highness's ministers could only stare anxiously below.
Fortunately, after drinking the decoction, King Qin's coughing stopped slightly, and the abnormality on his face faded a bit.
Ying Si took a few deep breaths, waved his hands downwards and said, "My body is fine, please don't worry too much."
Although Ying Si said this, the ministers were not blind. Combined with the number of times King Qin came to court in recent days, the ministers could keenly feel that there must be something wrong with the other party's body.
Ying Si took another two sips of the soup in the bowl, and when he stopped coughing, Ying Si continued: "After this battle, three of Yiqu's ten men have gone, and Yiqu is no longer a problem for our great Qin. We, the Qin Dynasty, are really lucky to have Wei Zhang. Without Wei Zhang, our Qin country would be in dire straits. When he returns to the capital, I will definitely be promoted!"
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!" "Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."
Ying Si stopped complimenting and continued: "What can Wei and Chu do?"
Gan Mao bowed his head and said: "Your Majesty, the State of Wei withdrew to Linjin three days ago. As for the State of Chu..."
Gan Mao paused.
"It doesn't matter if you say so." Ying Siweng said.
Zongchen Xungui Yingsheng took over the conversation first and said: "The Chu envoy should be still in the post house waiting for the Prime Minister's return letter of alliance."
As soon as Ying Sheng's words came out, he immediately ignited the crusade against Zhang Yi among the officials.
"Your Majesty, the Chu envoy has been waiting in the post house for nearly a month, but the prime minister still refuses to reply to Chu on the pretext of complaining of illness. I think that if this continues, our dignity in Qin will be ruined. The Prime Minister is completely lost."
"Your Majesty, the envoy of Chu has been staying in Qin for more than a month, and he is responsible for diplomatic relations with the state, but he has avoided seeing it. If this spreads out, our Qin State will become the laughing stock of other countries!"
Ying Si ignored these flattery words. Of course he knew the inside story. He also knew that Zhang Yi was pretending to be ill.
But isn't it for the benefit of Qin? However, in order to fight for power and gain, these ministers and clan members in the court did not care about justice, and now they dare to openly slander him in the court.
He really has no concern for the country at all. Do he really think that he, the King of Qin, is a coward?
Ying Si stared at Ying Sheng with cold eyes and said: "I have heard that Xiangbang complained of illness. Is there anything you can do to prevent Xiangbang from recovering?"
Ying Sheng didn't seem to notice the cannibalistic look in King Qin's eyes at all. Instead, he continued to speak aggressively: "I thought that the national policy proposed by the prime minister was wrong! It was even more wrong for him to propose to the king to cede territory this time. He is now His behavior has been wrong again and again. Since the Prime Minister has promised land to the Chu State, he refused to see the Chu envoys after returning to Qin. This move will make our Qin State lose its trust in the world!"
Ying Si's brows furrowed deeply: "What you said is that you are asking me to cede Shang Yu's two lands to Chu State as agreed?"
"No!" Ying Sheng said in a righteous and awe-inspiring tone: "I would never make such a bad move. How can there be any reason to cede the land of Qin? What I mean is that I hope that the king will hand over Zhang Yi to Chu!"
Ying Si laughed a little in anger: "You want me to hand over the prime minister of a country and an important minister of a country to another country to pay for my crimes... I really despise it."
Ying Sheng hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, there is no need to worry about yourself. I thought that other countries were already coveting Qin, but Zhang Yi's national policy failed to keep a low profile and bided his time. Instead, he advocated an expedition to the east. However, he was defeated in the war and repeatedly caused damage to our Qin country; As an important minister of the country, he cannot relieve the king's worries. On the contrary, he only adds to the chaos. I think that Zhang Yi is not an important minister of our Qin State, but a criminal minister. Such criminal ministers cannot be tolerated by the Qin State!"
As soon as Ying Sheng finished speaking, those who used to dislike Zhang Yi all echoed.
On weekdays, they might not be able to speak openly and harshly to each other when Zhang Yi was present. But at this time...he brought it on himself, but he couldn't blame them.
Ying Sheng thought this way.
"Hahahahaha!" King Qin suddenly laughed, laughing and coughing again.
"Kings!"
The palace man hurriedly stepped forward.
But Ying Si raised his hand to stop him.
"Ahem...I understand what you mean." Ying Si's tone turned a little weak.
The faces of Ying Sheng and others suddenly showed a smile of success.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!"
"Our Qin State does not tolerate Zhang Yi. Should we retain a... hero who shrinks when encountering difficulties, instigates trouble afterwards, and fights for power and gain?" Ying Si said with a puzzled face: "The Prime Minister plans for the country, and when the Chu State's army is in danger, I went to Chu alone and tried hard to retreat from the enemy. However, when I returned home, I still had to pay for my crime??"
There was a sudden silence in the main hall, and Ying Sheng and others, who were already showing signs of victory, looked even more hesitant.
"Could it be that the king agrees with Xiangbang's strategy and tolerates our Qin State's breach of trust in the world?"
"Breaking trust in the world...Breaking trust in the world!" Ying Si suddenly emphasized his tone: "Breaking trust in the world is nothing! Can the trustworthiness you keep saying in your mouth be able to preserve the accumulation of Qin for hundreds of generations without losing it? The so-called trustworthiness Can you make other countries retreat from their enemies and not invade our Qin territory? You wait, you wait..."
The bead on Ying Si's crown trembled violently because of his anger. He pointed at the ministers with trembling fingers, "Have you ever shared my worries for me? You only know intrigues, flattery, and criticism! I want you to be honest." Listen to what you say, Qin has long been dead!"
There was a long silence.
'Plop'
Ying Sheng knelt on the ground, bowed his head in obeisance, and said with a trembling tone: "I know that I am guilty. I am worried about the state of Qin before making this memorial. I have no other intentions towards the prime minister."
Ying Si closed his eyes and took a long breath, and then said to Ying Sheng: "Get up. I don't have any other meaning in my words. You have worked hard for the country. I know it well and I don't blame you. But the high priest made a divination the night before and told me what he said. , Yongdu needs important ministers of the country...you will share the worries for me, and set off immediately."
Ying Sheng knelt on the spot in a daze, and did not react for a long time.
Ying Si said, and nodded a few more people: "You and others are all important ministers of our country of Qin. You can go with Ying Sheng."
Several people who had just echoed the suggestion were suddenly shocked: "Your Majesty!" "Your Majesty..."
Ying Si ignored their noise and waved his hand to His Highness.
The eunuch on the side signaled and shouted: "Retreat from the court!"
... Returning to the palace, a look of pain suddenly appeared on Ying Si's face. He endured the pain and ordered to the palace attendants beside him: "Quickly notify the Prime Minister to enter the palace!"
…
The cold wind blows and there are dark shadows.
Xianyang City, Yuefu.
Lechi was sitting on his knees in the corner of the book house. The dancing fireworks reflected his uncertain face. Looking at the bamboo slips in his hand, he couldn't help but frown deeply.
After a while, he sighed deeply and threw all the pile of slips on the desk into the stove beside him.
At this time, a rhythmic knocking sound suddenly sounded outside the door.
"Come in." Lechi lowered his head and responded.
'Hoo, hoo, hoo. '
The cold wind made the flames sway. Le Liang closed the door tightly, bowed to his father, and knelt down behind him.
"Father, everything is ready." Leliang whispered.
The cold wind outside the house was biting, but Leliang's forehead was covered with sweat.
Lechi did not speak, but nodded with his back to his son. His hands were still busy.
There are more and more bamboo slips in the stove, and the fire becomes more and more intense.
After Leliang was silent for a moment, he asked, "Has father really decided?"
Just from his words, you can hear a hint of obvious nervousness.
Orchestra Chi still didn't answer.
It wasn't until the last letter was burned that Lechi slowly turned around.
He looked at his son who could not hide his anxious look and said with a smile: "Liang'er thinks it is necessary for us to stay in the Qin Kingdom?"
Although there was a chimney leading outside the house, a lot of smoke was still deposited in the house because a large amount of logs were burned. Stay for a long time.
"Liang, it's not because of this, but because I don't know why my father is so eager to leave Qin, and..." Leliang paused and did not continue.
"And so sneaky." Lechi said clearly.
The father and son were silent for a long time.
Lechi suddenly sighed: "The King of Qin is a great lord, and the King of Qin treats his father well. If the Qin State had not been able to protect itself, it would not be necessary for him to be a father. However, when we meet at court today, I see the look on King Qin's face... It has not lasted for a long time. Prime Minister, and the crown prince of Qin has not yet been decided, my father is afraid that after the death of King Qin, Qin may fall into a struggle for the throne."
After a pause, he looked at Leliang and said, "If we don't think about our options now, we won't be able to leave."
What Lechi said was not false. Although Ying Si had lost his position, he still allowed him to hold important positions in the army.
Leliang nodded and said, "Which country is your father going to?"
"Zhao Guo!" Lechi blurted out.
Zhao Guo... Leliang murmured at the corner of his mouth.
…
…
In Xianyang Prime Minister's Mansion, Zhang Yi rubbed his sore brows. As for the Chu State, he originally planned to delay it until the Qin State cleared up its foreign troubles. Until some time, the Chu State became impatient.
Then fight again!
From the beginning, Zhang Yi never thought about ceding Shang Yu, because even if he was willing, King Qin would definitely not be willing.
It was a scam from the start.
Not a very clever scam.
Sooner or later, there will be a battle between Qin and Chu. What's sad is that the King of Chu just can't understand. Since the King of Chu was fooled, he could only be led by the Qin State.
It can be said that one step is wrong and every step is wrong.
When he entered the palace just now, the king asked him to make it clear to the Chu envoy as soon as possible. The implication was that if he wanted to fight, he would fight. Anyway, now that Chu had broken its alliance with the three Jins, Qin was no longer afraid.
Just as Qu Yuan said, Qin was afraid of the alliance between Chu and the Three Jins, not a Chu state.
Although Qin was defeated by the Three Jins, its main force was not lost and could still fight. Now Chu and Wei and Han were at odds with each other. I heard that the King of Chu sent envoys to the palace in order to get Qin to cede land. Ye cursed the king of Wei to show his determination to make peace with Qin.
Zhang Yi shook his head and smiled bitterly. He couldn't imagine that a king could do such a thing. How naive!
The speed of Yiqu's defeat was a bit beyond Zhang Yi's imagination, but when he heard King Qin's promise to Wei Zhang, Zhang Yi's eyes still flashed.
Everyone in the Qin court knew that Wei Zhang was recommended by Zhang Yi.
"Xiangbang, the envoy of Chu wants to see you." The guard outside the palace informed.
The news just broke out, only half an hour ago.
It came quite quickly. Zhang Yi stood up and adjusted her crown: "Please!"
... Feng Hou Chou looked anxious at this time. Just now, a report came from the door, saying that Prime Minister Qin was seen entering the palace in person. Even if he rushed to Qin Xiangfu's office, he would like to see what other reasons Qin had for refusing this time.
Just as he arrived at the palace gate, Prime Minister Qin greeted him at the door. It seemed that his illness had recovered.
"Servant, pay homage to Prime Minister Qin." Fenghou Chou came forward and bowed respectfully.
Zhang Yi bowed back with a smile and said: "Just now I heard the doorman come to report that the doctor is still in Xianyang. I thought the doctor had already returned to Yingdu."
Fenghou Chou said with a serious face: "Qin Xiang was joking. Since I entered Xianyang with Qin Xiangyu ten months ago, I have never left. Ever since I heard that Qin Xiang was seriously ill, I have prayed for blessings every day... ...Is Mr. Qin’s condition getting better?”
"Hahahahahaha." Zhang Yi smiled awkwardly: "It's been delayed. It's really delayed the doctor. Please sit down, doctor." Zhang Yi turned to the maid and ordered: "Go and prepare drinks. I want to take care of the envoy of Chu."
"Here." The maid bowed.
"Don't bother, don't bother." Feng Hou Chou hurriedly stepped forward to stop him. He didn't come here just to have a nice drink.
"I have been living in Xianyang for more than a month. There is no need to disturb Prime Minister Qin any more. I also ask Prime Minister Qin to hand over the contract between the two places to me as soon as possible, so that I can return to Chu as soon as possible and return my orders to my king."
Zhang Yi pretended to be stunned and said: "Okay. I will take it to the doctor right now." Zhang Yi turned around and hurriedly walked towards the bookshelf, muttering as he walked: "I really kept the doctor waiting for a long time." "
After a while, Zhang Yi took a brief letter and handed it to Feng Hou Chou with both hands, "Doctor, please read it."
Fenghou Chou glanced at Zhang Yi calmly, looked at the bamboo slip in his hand, and swallowed involuntarily.
He immediately opened the letter in front of everyone.
Fenghou Chou was not stupid. Of course he knew that Qin was unwilling to cede territory, and Chu would not be willing to change it to Chu. However, he still felt that Qin would not openly regret it.
However, when he saw this brief letter, he truly felt the shamelessness of Qin!
