The administrative efficiency of the Qin State has always been very high, and now that the emperor has ordered the commander-in-chief, Meng Yi, to carry it out personally, it is even higher.
Not long after, Meng Yi came here with three prisoners in ocher clothes.
Two of them had tattoos on their faces and had their noses cut off. They were the victims of tattoo-faced torture.
The other person was even worse. His right foot was chopped off and he was carried over by Lang Wei.
The punishment of beheading.
This toe is not a toe, but a foot, and only the part above the ankle is preserved. Except for those who have their waists cut off and their bodies broken, the toes are the most severe punishment.
The three people had been warned in advance. When they arrived, they immediately knelt on the ground and kowtowed to the First Emperor in fear.
This appearance made Ying Yinman's face change slightly. After all, she lived deep in the palace and had never seen such a terrifying appearance. However, she still held back and just stretched out her little hand to hold Zhao Tuo's palm.
"Your Majesty, these three people are all guilty of serious crimes."
Meng Yi briefly explained the crimes of the three people, but they could never be related to virtue.
The First Emperor nodded slightly, looked at Hou Sheng, and said, "These three people are all unscrupulous people. You can try it."
Hou Sheng's mouth twitched.
Before coming here, he had finally come up with an excuse that could be explained in theory. He thought he could fool the emperor by flattering him secretly.
Little did he know that the eldest princess and the First Emperor were serious about verifying his theory.
For a moment, Hou Sheng was in a dilemma. After all, it was just a reason for survival that he came up with in a critical moment. There were already many loopholes in it, so how could it be verified.
But he was also an old traveler. In this crisis of life and death, his head was spinning and he thought of another way out.
"Some of the medicines that were made before are very potent. These prisoners have worked for a long time and don't have much meat. They are weak and will definitely cause problems if they eat them. This can prove my words."
Thinking of this, Hou Sheng was overjoyed and nodded hurriedly: "I'll get the medicine first."
Just when he was about to choose from the medicines collected by Meng Yi, the eldest princess spoke.
"Wait a minute."
Ying Yinman said loudly: "Father, this alchemist must have made more than one kind of medicine. If he randomly found some to test, how would he be able to tell the difference clearly? Why don't my father get the remaining medicines in the palace, so that we can have some knowledge?" Compared."
Hou Sheng's face froze.
Especially when he heard the First Emperor nod his head in approval: "What you said makes sense, Meng Yi, let the officer of the CRRC go to the palace with my edict to get the medicine offered by Hou Sheng. He knows where it is."
"only."
Watching Meng Yi ask the lieutenant next to him to go outside and notify CRRC to get the medicine, Hou Sheng's face began to turn blue.
As for Zhao Tuo, he looked at Ying Yinman, whose pretty face was slightly raised next to him.
Husband and wife are connected.
He thought so too.
After a while, Zhao Gao fetched the box of medicine left in Qin Palace.
On the emperor's order, he opened the lid of the box.
Among the black silk, three glowing pill-shaped objects appeared in front of everyone.
There are six strange medicines in the entire lacquer box, which is exactly the number of water virtues in Da Qin.
These six pills were all presented in the same batch and came from the same cauldron. Therefore, they have the same medicinal properties and are suitable for testing.
The First Emperor gave Zhao Tuo two pills before, and he took one himself. Now there are three pills left, just one for each of the three prisoners.
"Give me medicine."
The First Emperor spoke calmly.
Zhao Gao agreed, walked to the three prisoners, and personally distributed the medicine in his hands. The middle man next to him even brought water.
The three prisoners were trembling, and each swallowed a pill with water under the watchful eyes of the guards.
Everyone, including the First Emperor, was silent, watching the three prisoners trembling in place after taking the pills.
After a while, the First Emperor asked: "How do you feel?"
Zhao Gao immediately shouted: "The emperor asked you, how do you feel after taking the medicine?"
The prisoner whose feet were cut off said tremblingly: "I feel a burning sensation in my belly, which is quite warm."
"Similarly, I feel warm in my stomach."
"The little man feels much more energetic than before, and his hands seem to have a little more strength."
The other two prisoners who had their noses cut off also started talking.
These words fell in Qin Shihuang's ears, making his face look even more ugly.
Because he felt the same way after taking medicine.
After swallowing the pills and water, you can feel the heat in your stomach after a while, and your mental and physical strength seems to be slightly enhanced, which feels very good.
This was also the reason why he chose to take the medicine offered by the alchemist. If it really had no effect, who would have nothing to eat?
It's just that now these three guilty and immoral prisoners feel exactly the same as the emperor after taking pills. What's the explanation?
Didn't Hou Sheng boast just now that he has the virtues of a king, so the medicinal properties are not harmful to him?
Could it be that these prisoners are on par with me?
The First Emperor looked at Hou Sheng with a cold face.
Hou Sheng understood in his heart, but still argued forcefully: "Your Majesty, what I said about the king's immorality is not due to personal morality, but because the king conquered the world and accumulated murderous aura in his chest. This is in conflict with the properties of the medicine. Although these three people are torturers, The situation of criminals is different from that of kings and princes, so they will not become violently ill. However, they do not have your majesty's saintliness to withstand the properties of the medicine, so they will probably fall ill sooner or later."
Looking at Hou Sheng, he reluctantly came around again.
The First Emperor said coldly: "Zhao Gao, see if She Zuogeng and others are still outside the house and let them in."
"only."
Zhao Gao took the order and walked out immediately.
Zhao Tuo and Ying Yinman were startled, and then they realized that the emperor must have met Shejian and the others on the way here.
Zhao Tuo has already thought of what the emperor will do next. It seems that the ruler of the empire has made up his mind today and must clarify this matter.
Hou Sheng said that Zhao Tuo became violently ill because he had murderous intentions during the expedition. After taking the pills, they conflicted with the properties of the medicine. Those prisoners who are not violent and murderous will not get violently ill, but can only suffer from minor illnesses.
This sounds like it can be explained with difficulty, but the prisoner's so-called minor problem is hard to see, and he doesn't know how long it will take. Therefore, the emperor planned to try again the effects of taking this medicine on his conquering generals.
If other generals take this medicine and have the same symptoms as Zhao Tuo, it will prove that Hou Sheng's theory is correct.
Zhao Tuo was a little worried, but after seeing that the three prisoners who had swallowed the medicine were okay, and then looking at the emperor who had taken the medicine for almost half a year, he felt a little more relaxed.
After all, it is a heavy metal chronic poison. If you take it once in a while, it should not be a big problem.
After a while, Shejian, Heihipu and others were really brought in by Zhao Gao.
Seeing the pale Zhao Tuo lying on the bed, Hei Butt and others immediately looked sad.
"Your Majesty."
Black Buttocks called softly, and Shejian, Zhongli Mei and others also had red eyes. They followed Zhao Tuo to fight in the north and south. Never had they ever seen Zhao Tuo look so weak.
Because the First Emperor was present, Zhao Tuo couldn't say much, so he nodded slightly to them and said with a smile: "It's nothing serious, so don't worry."
Seeing everyone coming in, the First Emperor turned his head and looked at Zhao Gao.
Zhao Gao understood immediately, pointed at Hou Sheng, and then said to Hei Butt and others: "This alchemist said that the reason why Wu Gong Hou became violently ill was because he had a murderous spirit in his chest due to long-term expeditions, and was violent and immoral, so it conflicted with the properties of the medicine. , but no one knows whether his words are true or false..."
Before Zhao Gao finished speaking, everyone already knew what he meant.
Hei Butt immediately shouted: "I, Hei Butt, accompanied the Lord to conquer the six countries. I fought dozens of battles in the north and south, and my men cut off countless heads. In terms of merit, I am not as good as the Lord. But in terms of cruelty and morality, I Black butt must do my part! Please give me the medicine for Black Butt, no matter what the result is, I, Black Butt, will do it willingly!"
Lieutenant Mansion Sima Heihu knelt on the ground and asked the First Emperor to test the medicine.
The rest of Shejian, Zhongli Mei, Lu Wan and even Li Shang all knelt down and begged.
Looking at this scene, the First Emperor frowned slightly, but he quickly calmed down.
He knew that the people in front of him all came from Zhao Tuo's subordinates. Among them, Zuo Geng Shejian and You Shu Zhang Heijeng were the same comrades of Zhao Tuo who were in the same Shiwuli when he conquered Yan.
After this kind of experience, it is normal for them to have such feelings. On the contrary, if they deliberately distance themselves, then people should pay attention to it.
For the First Emperor, the Qin State's system of deploying troops with tiger symbols was the greatest security guarantee. The martial arts prince Zhao Tuo and his old troops without military power would not pose any threat to the empire's center.
The First Emperor's face relaxed, and he agreed to Black Butt's request and asked him to test the medicine.
Xia Wuji immediately brought a medicine, which was the remaining one of the two pills the emperor gave Zhao Tuo yesterday.
After Xia Wuqie completed the diagnosis, he asked for the medicine to study it again. However, he was just a doctor, not an alchemist, so he couldn't see anything. Now, the remaining medicine is just for testing.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the medicine!"
Black Butt thanked the emperor, then glanced at Zhao Tuo again, grinned, reached out and stuffed the pill into his mouth, and swallowed it with water.
Zhao Tuo watched this scene silently.
Black Buttocks, the most impulsive and incompetent person under his command, has the most loyal heart.
As for the appearance of Zhongli Mei and others begging for medicine, Zhao Tuo was also very moved.
His previous efforts were rewarded. Human hearts are indeed made of flesh. Except for some ungrateful and heartless people, most people know how to be grateful. If you treat others well, they will treat you well.
After a while, Hei Butt patted his belly and said, "My belly feels warm. It feels pretty good."
As he said that, Hei Butt turned to glare at Hou Sheng and said: "You old alchemist, didn't you say that the properties of the medicine are incompatible with us generals on the battlefield? Why did Junhou have problems after taking it, but nothing happened to me, Hei Butt, after taking it? !”
Hou Sheng was sweating profusely.
He didn't know what was going on with Wugong Hou.
He just made up a set of nonsense metaphysical theories in desperation, hoping to fool the past and save his life.
As a result, the eldest princess and the First Emperor were serious about it, and they actually found them one by one to test them, which directly exposed his lies.
Now, of course, he could still use the excuse that Zhao Tuo got sick in the middle of the night, and it might take a while after Hei Butt ate it, but this was just delaying his death. If Hei Butt was fine tomorrow, his end would definitely be even worse.
Hou Sheng could naturally say that Hei Butt's situation was different from that of Zhao Tuo, and continue to extend his theory.
But seeing the indifference on the Emperor's face, the eldest princess' eyebrows raised, and the angry glares from everyone around him, Hou Sheng knew that if he continued to compile the story, it would be just to put out the fire, and the more he compiled, the harder it would be to end.
At this point, his fate can already be seen.
Hou Sheng's whole body was trembling. In order to survive, he decided to do nothing and stop doing anything. He directly tore off the theory he had just said, just to seek a chance of survival.
Hou Sheng knelt on the ground and said loudly to the First Emperor: "Your Majesty, what I just said is all my own speculation. Maybe the incident of Wugong Hou has nothing to do with the so-called virtue of conquest, but has another reason. But just now Black-hip Sima and the three prisoners took the medicine offered by the food minister, and none of them got seriously ill or had any accidents. This proves that the food offered by the minister was not harmful. Your Majesty also took it for half a year. Has there been any problem? The strange medicine presented by the minister. It’s harmless, the matter of the Martial Lord has nothing to do with me!”
Everyone was surprised.
Even Zhao Tuo stood up and stared at the old alchemist in front of him.
What a bachelor does. Seeing that the situation is getting more and more unfavorable, this old guy directly overturned his metaphysical theory just now and said it was just speculation.
Hou Sheng held on to the fact that the three prisoners and Hei Butt were fine after taking the medicine, and the emperor took the medicine for half a year without any problems, to show that there was nothing wrong with the strange medicine he had given. If something happened to Zhao Tuo, it was Zhao Tuo himself. The problem has nothing to do with his medicine.
Such a shameless operation is really shocking.
Zhao Tuo sneered in his heart, no matter how Hou Sheng explained, the emperor would never trust him again.
Not to mention, he, Zhao Tuo, has a trump card, and is ready to advise the emperor to investigate the alchemist's history of refining medicine.
Zhao Tuo believed that the medicine Hou Sheng dedicated to the First Emperor should have been mixed and proportioned many times to minimize the possibility of accidents with the medicine. There would be basically no sudden death, but chronic poisoning.
But before this relatively safe ratio appeared, they must have produced a lot of poisons during their experiments. Whether they were tested on livestock or humans, there would be casualties.
This is a certain thing. No one can figure out the safe ratio from the beginning. They can only rely on constant experimentation.
Therefore, we only need to torture these alchemists and use the method of "water torture" to torture out these criminal records from their mouths.
If the proportion of the medicine is unbalanced, if taken into the stomach, people may die suddenly or become violently ill.
With those records of people dying after taking medicine, everything that happened to Zhao Tuo can be explained. Maybe the medicine that Zhao Tuo took was just out of balance, and the one with the greatest potency among the six medicines.
If Zhao Tuo didn't eat it, then the First Emperor did.
To put it this way, Zhao Tuo was equivalent to blocking a disaster for the First Emperor and taking the poison that was supposed to be taken by the First Emperor.
In this way he would not only gain the gratitude of the First Emperor.
Moreover, the First Emperor, out of fear, would never spare these alchemists who refined medicine, and most of them would be put to death directly.
Zhao Tuo planned everything well.
But unfortunately, before he could speak, there was a sneer.
"It's good that there is nothing wrong with the medicine you donated, but the problem occurred after my monarch took this medicine. So if it's not your problem, could it be that the medicine was changed midway, or maybe it was poisoned?"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's expressions changed with fright.
Was he replaced midway?
Poison in the medicine?
Who dares to switch, who dares to poison, isn't this a hint to the emperor?
Hou Sheng was also frightened and shouted: "Princess, I don't have it, I'm not, this, this, this..."
His face was dripping with sweat and his teeth were trembling.
The First Emperor looked gloomy and turned to look at his eldest daughter.
This is where my favorite daughter spoke. If it had been anyone else, she would have been pulled down and chopped off.
But at this time, it was not good for him to yell, otherwise it would be like covering his mouth.
Ying Yinman had already stood up at this time. She stared at Hou Sheng and said coldly: "In the Qin Palace, my father is the most favored prince, so he will not have any thoughts of harm. So this poisonous medicine, Maybe he was exchanged by an adulterer or poisoned secretly!"
The First Emperor looked slightly relaxed.
The expressions of General Meng Yi, the lieutenant general, and the lieutenant generals, as well as Zhao Gao, the commander of the Zhongche Mansion, changed drastically.
Meng Yi is the Zhonglang General and is responsible for the palace guards. If someone can secretly change medicines and poison in the palace, he will not escape responsibility.
Zhao Gao was a close official of the emperor and often entered the palace as a guard, so he was naturally suspected of committing the crime.
Hearing what the eldest princess said, it was natural that the two of them could not be safe, and Lang Wei around them became nervous.
If something like this really happened, I'm afraid these people would have to be severely investigated.
Fortunately, Ying Yinman continued: "The palace is guarded by General Meng Zhonglang. It is heavily guarded. It is difficult for outsiders to enter the palace, and they have no chance to do anything, and they don't have the courage to do this. Therefore, the medicine cannot be in the palace. Something went wrong.”
Meng Yi and Zhao Gao both breathed a sigh of relief.
There was a hint of interest on the Emperor's face, feeling that there was something different about his daughter.
Zhao Tuo raised his head and looked at his wife in surprise.
Ying Yinman didn't care at all. She stared straight at the alchemist in front of her with her beautiful eyes and said sternly: "Since there is no possibility of problems with the medicine in the palace, then it can only be the problem of those of you who refine the medicine. The medicine you donated , there is a problem to begin with, right?”
"No...right...no..."
Even though Hou Sheng had been living outside for decades, he was almost driven crazy by the eldest princess's words.
Wugong Hou Zhao Tuo got sick after taking medicine, so there must be something wrong with the medicine.
If there was no problem when Hou Sheng presented the medicine, wouldn't it mean that someone in the palace did it?
Was he going to hint that the emperor was planning to assassinate Marquis Wu Gong?
Or is it that Meng Yi, Zhao Gao and other close officials in the palace secretly exchanged the medicine and poisoned it?
Looking at the expressionless face of the First Emperor, Meng Yi and Zhao Gao were full of anger, and the surrounding guards looked at each other angrily, how dare he, Hou Sheng, say anything.
When he spoke out, the First Emperor killed him directly.
But if there was a problem when he donated the medicine, wouldn't it mean that he had hidden evil intentions and deliberately harmed the First Emperor?
How could he admit it.
At this moment, Hou Sheng felt that his whole body was numb.
He neither dared to say that the medicine he donated was okay nor that there was something wrong with the medicine.
He has been completely trapped by this logic.
"I don't know, I don't know!"
Hou Sheng cried: "Your Majesty, I don't know! Your Majesty, I was wronged, and I still want to make the elixir for you!"
Hearing this, the First Emperor trembled. He turned his head and glanced at Zhao Tuo, who looked weak next to him.
Then he spoke coldly.
"All the alchemists who refine medicine, trap them!"
(End of chapter)
