In the palace, Bai Yan and the officials walked up the hundred steps together. After entering the main hall, he separated from Mr. Hu. He turned around and followed Mr. Yang, Bai Yu and Yang Yan to the ranks of the generals.
In the empty hall, at first glance, there were all people wearing Qin official uniforms.
The last time Bai Yan went to court, it was just during spring plowing, and now he is here again, and winter is about to begin.
Bai Yan came to his cushion and slowly knelt down on the cushion like other officials. When he saw Ying Zheng appear in the hall and waited for Ying Zheng to sit down, Bai Yan just knelt down on the cushion and bowed.
"Greetings to the king!"
"Meet the King!!"
Bai Yan knelt on the cushion, like the officials, and bowed to Ying Zheng.
After hearing Ying Zheng's return greeting, Bai Yan stood up.
Looking at Ying Zheng who had just finished the ceremony above the main hall, Bai Yan couldn't help but think in his mind that the world has not yet been unified, and all the princes are competing for talents and attaching importance to reputation.
Thousands of years later, the king's ceremony will no longer be seen.
There is no longer a king who always pays homage to his ministers.
While thinking.
Bai Yan listened to the officials' voices announcing the court meeting, and then watched the officials begin to write letters to discuss the matter.
I haven’t been to the Qin court for more than half a year. At a glance, I can see that the main hall is still the same as before. The important ministers of Qin are still the same people I have seen before, but among the civil and military officials, there are already many missing ones. people, and many new faces have been added.
Although Bai Yan is not in Xianyang, he has some understanding of this.
With the fall of Korea, and now after Qin annexed Zhao, the number of officials it needs is increasing day by day. In other words, Qin's demand for people who are good at being officials and people from the 'scholar' class is increasing.
Compared with other vassal states in the Central Plains, the number of scholars in Qin was already small. Now that it has annexed more and more territories from other countries, this problem has become more and more obvious.
If the Qin State lacks top advisers to serve as prime minister, it can still hire virtuous ministers and talents from other countries, such as Qin Xiaogong, Qin Huiwen King, Qin Zhaoxiang King and others.
However, there is a lack of middle-level officials.
Either let the local officials continue to be appointed, or you can only transfer the original Qin team to Han and Zhao for appointments, and the vacant positions will be filled by others.
From letting the convicted officials be transferred to Yingchuan County to make up for their mistakes, to more than half of the Zhao officials remaining in their original positions, behind all this, Mr. Wei once specifically talked about this issue.
In the past, the six countries of the Central Plains were "scholars" and were unwilling to serve the Qin State.
In other words, the nobles of the six Central Plains countries are all against Qin!
This is the most fatal problem of Qin State today, and it is also the unsolvable situation that Mr. Wei once said. Qin State destroyed Han and Zhao one after another, but it was unable to digest the newly captured territory.
In fact, in Bai Yan's mind, there is a solution to this problem. However, he has been leading troops to fight abroad and has no time to write the "paper" in his memory.
"Scholars" come from the gentry clan, which almost monopolizes the gentry class. Ordinary people cannot read at all, are not literate at all, and have no chance to learn. The children of ordinary people are destined to participate in wars or seek benefits for their families from the time they reach adulthood. livelihood.
For these practical problems, if we want to break this dilemma, we not only need to unify the world and stop the war, but also need to make huge changes in Qin's laws again, and then wait for several years, even ten years.
This way.
Everyone in the world has books to read, and everyone in the world can read.
The unsolvable situation in the eyes of Mr. Wei, all officials in the Qin court, and even Ying Zheng can be gradually resolved.
However, Bai Yan also knew that this was a reform that was no weaker than a reform and would take a long time. Once implemented, it would be enough to shock the entire world and leave a mark in history.
If you fail, it will be like Shang Yang's chariot breaking apart, or even worse!
Bai Yan doesn't know if he has a chance. When that day comes, whether he will do it again.
In the main hall.
Ying Zheng listened to the reports and discussions of the civil and military officials one by one. After a long time, he accidentally looked at the generals of Qin.
When he inadvertently saw a young boy in the official uniform of the Qin State with a thoughtful expression on his face, as if he was thinking about something, Ying Zheng's eyebrows moved slightly, and a hint of curiosity appeared in his eyes.
For that boy.
Ying Zheng attaches great importance to him, and the young man has never betrayed his trust.
Therefore, Ying Zheng was very curious about what could make that young man look thoughtful in this hall, sometimes frowning and sighing.
But curiosity is curiosity. Now, unlike when he was in the study before, he could ask questions at will. There were many things to be dealt with in the hall, and a trace of curiosity was fleeting. The next moment, Ying Zheng focused on the reports of other officials. .
Your Highness.
Bai Yan didn't notice Ying Zheng's gaze. After returning to his thoughts, he didn't know how much time had passed. He looked at the court and after dealing with other things in the court, he had already begun to talk about going out to Handan.
Watching officials from various departments report one by one, there are countless matters, placements, trivial matters, etc., but every matter must be handled properly.
It was the first time for Bai Yan, who came from a commoner family, to see such a grand trip.
"Bai Yan!"
Suddenly I heard a voice coming from the main hall, calling myself.
When Bai Yan heard this, he turned around and saw Ying Zheng looking at him in the main hall, so he quickly stood up and walked out of the ranks of generals.
Under the watchful eyes of the civil and military officials, Bai Yan came to the middle of the hall.
"Wei Chen is here!"
Bai Yan bowed his hands and bowed to Ying Zheng in the main hall.
Before Bai Yan, who was organizing the ceremony, heard the response, he heard Ying Zheng calling out another person in the main hall.
"Win Kan!"
After Bai Yan listened to Ying Zheng's words, he made no move and continued to bow. However, the sound of slight footsteps soon came to his ears. The footsteps came from the front of the civil servant, further ahead than him.
"Wei Chen is here!"
After Bai Yan heard the man's answer, he held his breath and paid careful attention to the next words.
Sure enough, Ying Zheng's order came from the main hall.
"I have asked you two to be responsible for the security of this trip! From now on, you will leave the palace and make arrangements. Don't miss the deadline."
Ying Zheng's words made all the civil and military officials in the hall look at Bai Yan and Ying Kan.
There is basically no dispute among the civil and military officials that these two people are responsible for the safety of Handan during this trip.
Yingkan is a royal family member of Yueyang. As a member of the royal family, he is able to lead the imperial army in Xianyang and the guards of the palace. Both his status and status are more than enough.
As for the other Bai Yan, although he was young, even the civil and military officials who resented Bai Yan for the Yanmen incident could not find any reason to refute and let Ying Zheng take back his life.
The achievements of Bai's cavalry attracted worldwide attention. After each battle, Bai's cavalry was brave and good at fighting, and no one in the Qin State knew about it.
Its leader, Bai Yan, was born as a "Xianden". This was a fact that all the generals of Qin couldn't help but admire when mentioned.
When it comes to strategy, among the generals of the Qin State, there is no one who is not very capable.
But when I went to Handan on this trip, among all the Qin generals, I really couldn't find anyone more suitable than Bai Yan, who was born in Xian Deng.
In the main hall.
Bai Yu and Yang Yan looked at Bai Yan and couldn't help but feel envious.
After the Yanmen incident, the reason why other officials did not refute was that it was crucial to register their origins first. When some officials objected, Mr. Hu also used this reason to refute, leaving them speechless.
Regarding this matter, Bai Yu and Yang Yan really envied Bai Yan.
Climbing first is dangerous, but when someone like Bai Yan reaches this point, the effect of climbing first is unimaginable.
Under the gaze of all the civil and military officials, with goodwill and dissatisfaction in their eyes, Bai Yan heard Ying Zheng's words and accepted the order.
"promise!"
After Bai Yan received the order, he saw Ying Kan in front of him who was wearing the official uniform of the Qin State. He bowed to Ying Zheng and bowed. Bai Yan also bowed again.
"Wei Chen resigns!"
After Bai Yan finished the ceremony, he glanced at Ying Zheng in the main hall.
Looking at Ying Zheng's eyes, since the conversation yesterday, Bai Yan felt that the eyes Ying Zheng was looking at him now seemed to be expecting.
Bai Yan didn't know if it was his imagination.
Anyway, he decided to live up to Ying Zheng. As long as Ying Zheng didn't doubt it, Bai Yan had nothing to worry about.
Seeing Ying Kan turn around, Bai Yan also walked towards the outside of the palace with Ying Kan.
But the moment he turned around, Bai Yan noticed Lord Changping, who was at the front of the civil and military officials, standing with Li Si, Wei Zhuang and other Qin ministers.
Seeing the kind eyes on Mr. Changping's face, Bai Yan felt a sense of vigilance in his heart.
If there are any safety risks on the way to Handan, he will be held accountable, especially after dealing with the affairs of the Yanmen lineage, even the concubine Mengshi Mengjia already has a grudge against him.
Thinking about returning.
Seeing Lord Changping's appearance, Bai Yan still showed a slight smile.
Then he turned around and left.
Outside the main hall.
Bai Yan just walked out of the main hall and walked more than twenty steps to reach the hundred-step staircase. Bai Yan stopped and turned around when he saw Ying Kan in front of him.
"Master Yingkan!"
Bai Yan naturally knew that he was preparing to say hello, so he took the lead in greeting Ying Kanji.
Bai Yan had never seen Ying Kan, but based on Ying's surname and his official position, he guessed that he was probably from the royal family.
In particular, Ying Zheng asked Ying Kan to work with him to ensure the safety of the trip.
"General Bai Yan!"
Ying Kan, who was nearly thirty years old and was wearing the official uniform of the Qin State, saw Bai Yan's greeting and quickly returned the greeting.
Looking at the young Bai Yan at this moment, although Ying Kan has no achievements, he does not feel jealous or flattery. After all, in Ying Kan's eyes, in the Qin State, in the final analysis, no matter how powerful Bai Yan is, he only has He is a capable and talented foreign minister, and as a clan member, even without the official uniform, he is still a member of the king's clan.
He is a descendant of Ying Zheng, a person related by blood.
This is something Bai Yan can't compare to in any case.
Therefore, he will not please Bai Yan just because of how many achievements he has made before. The blood relationship between him and the king has not faded to that point. Now, with his status, if he wants to please, unless Bai Qi, Lord Wu'an, is still alive, he can't. qualifications.
"How many cavalry soldiers can General Bai Yan bring with him this time?"
Ying Kan glanced at the main hall, then pointed to Bai Yan and said while walking.
Bai Yan nodded, and then informed Ying Kan of the number of cavalry soldiers.
Looking at the hundred steps of stairs in front of him, he remembered that when he came just now, he came with all the civil and military officials. Now all the officials are still in the palace, and only he and Ying Kan left early.
This feeling of leaving early is really comfortable.
But thinking of the Changping Lord he had just met, Bai Yan couldn't help but frown slightly.
Judging from the current situation, Ying Zheng's death will not be of any benefit to Lord Changping, but there is no guarantee that Lord Changping will not have the intention to deal with him.
"General Bai Yan, since the king has ordered you and me to take care of the safety of this trip, then Ying Kan will go and prepare first. General Bai Yan can go to the Queen Mother to report first!"
Ying Kan said to Bai Yan.
Ying Kan's words brought Bai Yan out of his thoughts, turned to look at Ying Kan, and nodded.
"good!"
Bai Yan nodded and said, since he wanted to protect her, he must go to see the Queen Mother.
Bai Yan was also very curious about the Queen Mother, who did not have a very good reputation. After all, the incident about Lao Ai was not only an uproar in the Qin Kingdom, but also in the entire world.
Moreover, the mutiny in Qinian Palace was also a turning point for Ying Zheng to take power.
Bai Yan would be lying if he said he wasn't curious about the past and the reason behind it.
"Master Yingkan, Bai Yan will leave first!"
Because Ying Kan needed to mobilize the Imperial Army, Bai Yan and Ying Kan were not on the same road. After stopping, Bai Yan said goodbye to Ying Kan.
"please!"
Ying Kan returned the gesture to Bai Yan.
The two then told each other their addresses so that they could contact each other if there was anything urgent during this period.
After Bai Yan watched Ying Kan leave, he turned around and left the palace.
Arrive outside the palace gate.
The cronies and grooms who had been waiting outside the palace saw Bai Yan and quickly led the carriage forward.
"General!"
"General!!"
The cronies and others were very surprised to see Bai Yan. After all, none of the other ministers or generals left the palace.
It was not surprising to see his general walking out of the palace alone.
Looking at his cronies, Bai Yan nodded.
"Go to the palace where the Queen Mother is!"
After Bai Yan waited for the carriage to stop, he watched the coachman lift the curtain, whispered instructions, and then got into the carriage.
In the carriage, after Bai Yan sat down, he looked thoughtful as the carriage started to move.
At this moment, Bai Yan was trying to recall some things about the Queen Mother. After all, he would see the Queen Mother Zhao later.
Apart from what he had heard from others, the first thing Bai Yan thought of was that Duke Jin once told him that the Empress Dowager Zhao of the Qin State, Zheng's biological mother, was born in Handan City of the former Zhao State, and was a member of Zhujiaxiang. A powerful family.
No one knew the reason later. Queen Mother Zhao met Lu Buwei in a restaurant, and it was Lu Buwei who helped her redeem her life.
What happened next is what the world knows.
What Bai Yan is most puzzled about is that after the Changping War, the Zhao people wanted to vent their anger to the Queen Mother Zhao. It is said that the Queen Mother Zhao escaped by hiding in her home in Zhujiaxiang.
"Zhujiaxiang, a powerful family!"
Bai Yan sat in the carriage and murmured these two words. Unfortunately, when he went to Handan City in disguise last time, he did not expect the Queen Mother Zhao, and she did not know that the Queen Mother Zhao would also go to Handan City after the fall of the Zhao Kingdom.
If he had known about it at that time, Bai Yan would definitely find an opportunity to go to Zhujiaxiang to find out more.
Because Bai Yan felt that things might not be that simple.
But think about it.
Bai Yan also felt that maybe even if he went there, he wouldn't be able to find anything.
unless
For some reason, Zhao Qiu's figure appeared in Bai Yan's mind. In terms of news, Bai Yan did not dare to say anything else, but for Zhao State's Handan, Bai Yan knew how well-informed Zhao Qiu's news was.
And as the princess of Zhao Kingdom, Zhao Qiu must know about Zhujiaxiang and the Queen Mother Zhao.
"Forget it! It's too late to write a letter now, and if Zhao Qiu knew in advance that he was not going to Handan, but returning to Xianyang, he might have some thoughts, so he might as well wait until the next opportunity to ask."
Bai Yan sighed in his heart.
Looking back on his thoughts, Bai Yan continued to think about things about Queen Mother Zhao.
Legend has it that the Queen Mother Zhao was so beautiful that when King Qin Zhuangxiang met him, he couldn't help but ask Lu Buwei to give him Princess Zhao, and finally made the Queen Mother Zhao his queen.
If the Queen Mother Zhao was not beautiful enough, she would never let King Qin Zhuangxiang do this. Especially after returning to Qin, King Qin Zhuangxiang had no shortage of women at all. Countless nobles would rush to give their daughters to King Qin Zhuangxiang.
"No, if you calculate your age, Queen Mother Zhao is already fifty!"
Bai Yan suddenly thought of something.
Then, a look of shock appeared in Bai Yan's eyes.
Because Bai Yan suddenly recalled that in the vague memory, it seemed that the fifty-year-old Queen Mother Zhao of Qin State would pass away in the year after the first day of the New Year!
Thinking of this, Bai Yan frowned.
this! Queen Mother Zhao doesn't have much time left! Less than a year to go. He will die in less than half a year!
(End of chapter)
