"Zhao Gao, is your Majesty really dead?"
After watching Yao Jia leave, Li Si asked Zhao Gao calmly and indifferently.
It was obvious that he did not believe Zhao Gao.
However, Zhao Gao did not panic at all. Instead, he told him everything: "Before I left, your Majesty was being besieged by the rebels. I don't know whether he is alive or dead."
"In other words, His Majesty was in danger and you escaped?"
"Tingwei thinks Zhao Gao has second thoughts?"
"If not, why did you abandon His Majesty and return to Xianyang alone?" Li Si looked at Zhao Gao majestically.
Zhao Gao said with earnest eyes: "Before answering Tingwei, Zhao Gao would like to know, what does Tingwei think of Zhao Gao?"
"You and I share the favor of Your Majesty, so we can be regarded as people working together!"
"this"
Zhao Gao was speechless, and then said with sincerity and fear: "Wei Ting and Your Majesty have created great achievements together, how can Zhao Gao compare with them?"
"The time for the small court meeting is approaching, and I would like to meet with the ministers to read out His Majesty's last edict."
Li Si got to the point.
Senior Zhao Gao bowed and said, "Don't be anxious, Lieutenant Ting. I have a few words to explain to Lieutenant Ting."
"Just tell me."
"In my opinion, Tingwei should read the imperial edict first and then attend the small court meeting."
"Um?"
Li Si narrowed his eyes and couldn't help but asked in a deep voice: "Your Excellency, you are saying this to trap me into wrongdoing?"
"Forgive me, Lieutenant Ting!"
Zhao Gao bowed deeply again, and then carefully explained:
"In the incident in the South China Sea, although I was not sure about His Majesty's life or death, I brought His Majesty's edict back to Xianyang. Tingwei could have sought verification from many sources, but he still believed me. This shows that Tingwei thought deeply about his country's plans;
I will discuss the matter based on the facts. His Majesty’s final edict has not been completed. It is not an exaggeration to say that it is a fragmented edict. Since it is a incomplete edict, the words are unclear and full of ambiguities.
If the law is read out in public in accordance with the law, there will definitely be chaos in the court and the public. For this reason, please think twice! "
"Well, what you said makes sense."
Li Si nodded lightly, unable to tell what he was thinking.
Zhao Gao said in a sincere tone: "Now that the South China Sea has been pacified by Zhao Hao, and there are many members of Zhao Hao's party in the court, Tingwei shoulders the great responsibility of establishing the country, so it is better not to alert the enemy!"
"Yes, but it's according to the orders of the CRRC."
After thinking for a moment, Li Si was persuaded by Zhao Gao.
"Wei Ting has made a clear decision!"
Zhao Gao wiped away his tears, knelt on the ground with a plop, and kowtowed: "Your Majesty's life or death is unknown, and I will have to rely on the Tingwei from now on!"
Hearing this, Liston felt dignified and relieved.
When Ying Zheng was there, although Zhao Gao's official position was not high, he was respected by everyone as an order of the Zhao family.
For these ministers who govern the country, they are also neither hypocritical nor arrogant. Only in front of Ying Zheng did Zhao Gao accept himself as a slave.
No matter how Yingzheng reacted, Zhao Gao remained the same. As for kneeling down and kowtowing to ministers, he was unique.
As far as the current situation is concerned, Li Si does not care whether Zhao Gao respects him, but he cannot care whether Zhao Gao obeys him.
If Zhao Gao wants to handle official business and make Ying Zheng's edict known to the public, no one has the right to interfere.
If this is the case, Li Si will not help him hide his identity and hide in his Tingwei Mansion, nor will he have any idea of mediating.
Even if Ying Zheng's edict is disadvantageous to him, he can only resign himself to fate.
However, if Zhao Gao obeys his orders, then things will be promising.
At least before the edict is made public, we can arrange the escape route as much as possible to prevent ourselves from falling into danger.
If the First Emperor really dies, the new emperor will be the key to his further progress.
Fortunately, Zhao Gao's respect for him exceeded his expectations. When he returned to Xianyang, he didn't look for Wang Wan, the prime minister who oversees the country, or Meng Yi, the lieutenant, but he looked for himself, a court lieutenant with whom he didn't have many interactions. .
This shows that his status in the Great Qin Court is quite recognized.
In this moment, Li Si had completely entered his own world, and his sensitivity to danger was greatly reduced.
Although Zhao Gao sealed the posthumous edict and did not issue it, and was suspected of seeking personal promotion, which showed his treacherous heart, Zhao Gao Dun asked himself to read the posthumous edict first, but he had the intention of submitting to him wholeheartedly.
Li Si thought in his heart that this was Zhao Gao's real purpose.
He clearly weighed the axis of power of the Qin Dynasty.
For this reason, Li Si no longer needs to make any moral judgment on Zhao Gao. Only when the ultimate goal is the highest can it be true morality.
The morality that Li Si upholds is self-centeredness.
In this regard, he is similar to the First Emperor. As long as it is in line with Qin's political principles, there is no need to care about its legitimacy.
After clearing his own spiritual path and Zhao Gao's behavioral path, Li Si stretched out his hand to help Zhao Gaoxu up and said calmly: "Take out the edict!"
"Old slave, I obey."
Zhao Gao fully showed his respect for Li Si, and even used the title of "First Emperor" on Li Si.
I saw him carefully taking out a white silk book from his arms and solemnly holding it in his hand: "Ting Wei issued an edict!"
Li Si knew the key and was not ambiguous at all. He bowed to the edict and shouted in a low voice: "Your Majesty, Li Si, issues an edict!"
After shouting, he took the edict with both hands and slowly unfolded it: The First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty issued an edict: Since I came to the throne, I have adopted the good etiquette of the six countries, followed the ancients, updated them brilliantly, and established a standard for my country, myself, and all other civilizations. All of them are implemented in order to enable the empire to succeed and to represent the people of the world. I am here to establish
"this"
Li Si broke out in a cold sweat, but didn't say a word. As soon as he took a few steps, Zhao Gao handed over the hot towel.
Li Si took the hot towel, wiped it on his face several times, threw the hot towel into the copper basin, and said with a straight face: "Why did Zhao Fuling teach Li Si? Tell me!"
"Tingwei misunderstood! It turns out that the old slave wanted to ask Tingwei to teach him. There is no reason for an old slave to teach Tingwei. The old slave only followed Tingwei's lead!"
Zhao Gao looked pleading.
Li Si was silent for a moment, and after a while he sighed: "To tell you the truth, this is difficult!"
"I dare to ask Tingwei, where is the difficulty?"
"The language of the imperial edict is unclear, and it does not involve any major political issues."
Li Si said in a leisurely and authentic tone: "Besides, this edict was obviously written by His Majesty on the spur of the moment. It only stated that he wanted to establish a crown prince, but not who he would establish. I have been with Your Majesty for several years and am familiar with His Majesty's practice of drafting edicts.
Ordinary edicts only write down the most important things at the moment, and then give them to me to add or fill in the omissions, and then they are made into a complete edict, and then they are stamped with a jade seal and sent out;
Speaking of this, I couldn't help but let out a long sigh again and said: "The purpose of such an imperial edict is unclear, and it is also a incomplete edict. Even the person receiving the edict does not know it clearly."
"Ting Wei means that this edict should not be made public?"
Zhao Gao asked cautiously.
Li Si glanced at him lightly and said coldly: "Ling Zhao has overestimated. I didn't mean this."
"oh?"
Zhao Gao rolled his eyes and said with a smile: "Since the edict can be made public, I have some foolish opinions!"
"Appreciate further details!"
Li Si was very indifferent.
Zhao Gao's eyes were bright and he said meaningfully: "Although this edict is a fragment, we can present it in full in front of everyone."
"After all, His Majesty has never issued a remnant edict, and no one knows about this remnant edict."
"So, I think that the emperor's edict should be decided in the hands of Tingwei and Zhao Gao. What do Tingwei think?"
"Be bold!"
Li Si's face suddenly changed, and he couldn't help shouting: "Zhao Gaoan dares to act so boldly, does he want to be punished by the Yi tribe?"
"How ridiculous are Tingwei's words?"
"As a minister who governs the country, I am dedicated to the country. What's so ridiculous about it?"
"Since Tingwei is a minister who plans the country, he should be the pillar of the country. In such a crisis, why not prevent the building from falling? If Zhao Hao raises his troops to go north, will Tingwei have to watch the Qin Dynasty fall into his hands? If he had known this, , Why did Zhao Gao risk his own life to come to Xianyang to ask Tingwei to promote His Majesty's great rule, and why did he have to bear the heavy sins of the Yi tribe?"
"Zhao Gao! Do you want to share the same crime with me?" Li Si was stunned.
"Tingwei is too arrogant and abiding by the rules and does not accept Zhao Gao's good advice. Zhao Gao can only make his own plans and has nothing to do with Tingwei!"
Zhao Gao said expressionlessly.
Li Si took a deep look at him, thought for a long time, and finally nodded: "You tell me your thoughts first, and I will think about it later!"
"Wang Wan proposed the system of three provinces and six ministries with a very obvious intention, that is, to divide the power of the empire. From now on, Ting Wei will no longer have the opportunity to develop his ambitions. Zhao Gao wants to work together with Ting Wei to maintain the original appearance of the empire, and use Ting Wei to Power will be given to both the government and the public, and the country will be stabilized!"
"How to control the government and the opposition? How to stabilize the country? Is there any strategy?"
"Ting Wei is aware of it!"
Zhao Gao bowed his hands and said, "I don't know whether your majesty is alive or dead, so it's not appropriate to start a big fight for the time being. However, Wang Wan supervises the country, but we can't let him go again, otherwise Zhao Hao and him will cooperate internally and externally, and the country will be in danger!"
"Well, that's good. You can continue."
"If His Majesty dies, it is natural to establish a second son. If His Majesty does not die, he must adhere to the rule of law and promote the rule of law. Anyone who has doubts about the rule of law or disrespects His Majesty will not be able to become the crown prince!"
"In this way, no matter what we do, there will be a way forward and a way out!"
"How can a servant of Zhao Mansion have such an opinion?"
Li Si looked at Zhao Gao in surprise.
Zhao Gao smiled coldly: "Could it be that the Tingwei has forgotten that Zhao Gao is also a person who is proficient in the laws of Qin? Otherwise, why would your Majesty reuse me, and why would you allow the young prince to worship me as his teacher?"
The bottom line is that Zhao Gao has followed His Majesty for more than thirty years, going through life and death, and has repeatedly saved His Majesty from danger. To be fair, if Your Majesty had not intentionally suppressed his ministers, my achievements would not necessarily be inferior to yours! "
These words had the meaning of feeling proud after being suppressed, which Li Si quite recognized.
"I have never had any objection to Zhao Fu Ling's talents."
"If Tingwei can look at him squarely, Zhao Gao will die without regrets!"
"Okay, no more nonsense, let's talk about the business first."
Li Si waved his hand indifferently.
Zhao Gao quickly responded: "Actually, my purpose is very simple. The South China Sea is not clear yet. It is useless for us to make the edict public. It is better to seize Wang Wan's power first and then adapt accordingly!"
"How to seize power?"
"When Zhao Hao was in Xianyang, he had banquets with Wang Wan many times. Although Zhao Hao promoted Zhao Tuo and Ren Xiao as traitors, the evidence of his imprisoning His Majesty is conclusive. We might as well say that Zhao Hao does not respect Qin law. , implicating Wang Wan and asking him to voluntarily withdraw from the list of ministers overseeing the country!"
"good idea!"
After a moment of silence, Li Si nodded.
"The power of the country to be supervised falls into the hands of Tingwei. Tingwei can send an envoy to the South China Sea and ask Zhao Hao to escort His Majesty back to Xianyang. If Zhao Hao can safely send His Majesty back to Xianyang, it means that Zhao Tuo and Ren Xiao did not succeed;
If Zhao Hao cannot send His Majesty back to Xianyang, it means that Zhao Tuo and Ren Xiao have succeeded! "
"But if His Majesty is still alive but unable to return to Xianyang, what should we do?"
"A country cannot live without a king for a day!"
"Zhao Gao! Do you know what you are talking about?"
Li Si looked at Zhao Gao with a face full of surprise, and sighed: "Since ancient times, those who change the crown prince have always done so because the country is in danger and the ancestral temple has failed to act. Even if Li Si has selfish motives, he is not a minister who messes with life. How can Li Si make such an idea? promise?"
"What Tingwei said is wrong!"
Zhao Gao also shook his head and sighed: "Da Qin is tied to your Majesty. Even at the last moment of his life, Your Majesty will not give up on this world. Therefore, Your Majesty cannot return to Xianyang. For Da Qin, it is a time of national crisis!"
"At this time, if we don't establish a new king and rescue His Majesty, how long will it take?"
Hearing this, Li Si suddenly understood and said forcefully: "If Zhao Fu Ling has anything to say, why don't you just say it directly? Who do you want me to support?"
"Young Prince Hu Hai is the best choice for the new king!"
"What!?"
Li Si suddenly stood up from his seat, stunned: "You, you said to let Hu Hai do it, Qin II?"
"The Tingwei knows about Fusu and Zhao Hao, but he doesn't know about Hu Hai!"
Zhao Gao said seriously;
"Although the young prince was once loved by your majesty, I understand that Tingwei is very indifferent to the young prince. The fundamental reason is that Zhao Hao is too dazzling, and even Fusu cannot compare with him;
However, when I discuss matters, compared with Zhao Hao who is bold and pedantic, and Fu Su who is extremely pedantic, the young prince is kind and honest, attaches great importance to love and justice, has outstanding eloquence, and respects the virtuous and respectful scholars;
Your Majesty, except for Zhao Hao and Fusu, no one can match Hu Hai. Therefore, Hu Hai can be the prince and succeed to the throne. Please make a clear decision! "
After saying that, he fell to the ground again and kowtowed repeatedly.
"absurd!"
Li Si was furious: "How can I decide? I only follow the imperial edict!"
"The remaining imperial edict is in the hands of Tingwei, and the jade seal is in the hands of Zhao Gao. It's not up to us to decide who will be the emperor?"
"The words of a traitor and a traitor!"
Li Si sighed, his face blurred by tears:
"I think back then, I, Li Si, was just a commoner. I was lucky enough to enter the Qin Dynasty. Thanks to His Majesty's respect, I became a very popular minister, managed the country, and was named a Tonghou. My descendants were also high-ranking officials and well-paid. In any case, Li Si does not agree with your words. I hope you won’t say anything else, otherwise, Li Si will turn his back and deny it!”
"Tingwei, just imagine, with Hu Hai's character, if he inherits the throne, he dares not to listen to Tingwei's advice? What ambitions can Tingwei have that he can't fulfill? How was Lu Buwei back then? If he had a monarch like Hu Hai who obeyed his advice, what would happen to him? That end? You are a hundred times luckier than Lu Buwei!"
"Why--!"
Li Si sighed sadly and burst into tears: "I hope your majesty is safe and sound, otherwise I will have to accept my fate."
"Wei Ting has made a clear decision!"
Zhao Gao choked with sobs and fell to the ground.
He knew that Li Si's heart had been shaken, and as long as the time was right, Li Si would definitely be used by him.
So, why did he have to find Li Si?
Because the edict written by the First Emperor himself had been returned to the First Emperor by him.
The edict in Li Si's hand was written in imitation of the First Emperor's notes.
Although it can be fake and real, there are still flaws.
Only Li Si, the minister of state affairs who drafted the edict on behalf of the First Emperor, personally tampered with the edict, which would not arouse the suspicion of the ministers.
In addition, and the most important point is that he knew Li Si better than the First Emperor.
At this moment, a voice came from outside the door: "Master, the time for the small court meeting is coming soon."
Hearing this, Li Si immediately raised his hand to wipe away his tears and responded coldly: "I know, prepare the car!"
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(End of chapter)
