"Meet Princess Mi! Concubine Qi!"
Outside the study door, Meng Yi, who was wearing Qin's official uniform, stood at the door. When he saw Princess Mi and Concubine Qi approaching, he quickly saluted the two princesses.
"Is the king still inside?"
Princess Mi nodded when she saw Meng Yi. After returning the gift, she looked at the study and asked.
Concubine Qi also looked at the young Meng Yi, her eyes full of doubts. It was already late at night and the moon was full in the sky. Why did the king take so long to leave the study? The time he stayed in the study was actually much later than yesterday. .
"Back to Princess Mi, the king is in the study!"
Meng Yi saluted Princess Mi.
Ever since he saw the bamboo slips sent from Qi two days ago, Meng Yi saw that Ying Zheng was distracted all day long, as if he was thinking about something. Every time after handling the two-stone bamboo slips, he stayed alone in the study. Holding the bamboo slips, I thought.
"Um!"
When Princess Mi heard that Ying Zheng was inside, she looked at Concubine Qi and they walked towards the study.
Meng Yi, who stayed outside the door with the eunuch, looked at the back of Princess Mi as she entered the study room while greeting her, and inadvertently showed a special look.
Not to mention that he had been in the study for a long time, but even before he came to the study, he heard that it was because of Princess Mi's recommendation that he had the opportunity to go directly to the study from being a minister and become a regular to assist Ying Zheng in handling affairs.
Meng Yi had never seen Princess Mi before coming to the study.
After learning that it was Princess Mi who introduced him, he had been looking forward to meeting Princess Mi who recommended him since he came to the study. Then, when he saw Princess Mi for the first time, Meng Yi didn't know why, but he I can't forget the appearance of Princess Mi.
In front of the door.
Hiding that special emotion in his heart, Meng Yi turned his head and looked at the candlelight on the wall on the other side.
Meng Yi was also deeply curious about the bamboo slips sent by Qi State. He was curious about what content could make Ying Zheng so obsessed. Unfortunately, let alone him, it was Wei Liao, Li Si, Prime Minister Wei Zhuang and others. I have never seen the contents of the bamboo slips.
In the study room.
Ying Zheng looked at the bamboo slips. When he saw Princess Mi and Concubine Qi approaching, he sighed and slowly put away the bamboo slips.
"Kings!"
"Kings!!"
Princess Mi and Concubine Qi came to Ying Zheng and slowly prepared the ceremony.
"My two beloved concubines, why are you here late at night?"
Ying Zheng looked at Princess Mi and Concubine Qi curiously. At this moment, Ying Zheng only wanted to study the bamboo slips sent from Qi State in the past two days. He only thought that if nothing happened, the two beloved concubines in front of him should not disturb him.
"Your Majesty, the night is already dark, and I am worried about the King's health. Please ask the King to rest early!"
Princess Mi looked at Ying Zheng's appearance and said softly.
Princess Mi arrived at the palace earlier than Concubine Qi. She had not seen Ying Zheng like this for who knows how many years. The last time, it seemed that Ying Zheng saw Han Feizi's book "Gu Anger" and "Five Worms". At that time, Ying Zheng The same goes for politics, I can't put it down.
After Han Fei's death, Princess Mi thought that such a scene would never happen again, but she never thought that in the past two days, she would see Ying Zheng looking even worse than when he was reading Han Feizi's book.
"I'm not tired yet, my two beloved concubines should go and rest first!"
When Ying Zheng heard what Princess Mi said, his eyes softened, but he still didn't want to go to sleep.
As more and more bamboo slips arrived in the past two days, Ying Zheng also saw more and more bamboo slips. The more he looked at them, the more surprised he was. When he clearly saw the metaphors described in each story, The world.
Looking at the current situation of the Qin State, I recall the turmoil in Yingchuan, the intolerance of the Zhao people, and the corruption of officials.
Ying Zheng felt more and more that the old man must reveal his method to solve the current situation in Qin.
When I first saw the bamboo slips, I thought it was ridiculous.
However, after careful detoxification and understanding, Ying Zheng felt that it was not that the old man's words were ridiculous and fanciful, but that the world could not tolerate the old man's theory of governance.
The old gentleman's knowledge was far beyond theirs.
"Your Majesty is the king! You should put your body first!"
When Princess Mi heard Ying Zheng's words, she did not leave. Instead, after thinking for a while, she still advised softly and cautiously raised her head to look at Ying Zheng.
Concubine Qi lowered her head and did not dare to get up.
Ying Zheng, who was sitting on his knees behind the wooden table, frowned slightly when he saw this. But when he saw the scared looks of the two princesses, he thought about it, nodded, stood up, took the bamboo slips and left the wooden table.
However, just as Princess Mi and Concubine Qi breathed a sigh of relief and stood up to leave with Ying Zheng, a eunuch hurriedly came to the study.
"Your Majesty, Master Mao has returned to Xianyang and is waiting for summons outside the palace!"
The eunuch came to Ying Zheng and reported to Ying Zheng.
Hear the words.
Ying Zheng looked happy and looked directly at the eunuch, ignoring Princess Mi and Concubine Qi.
"I want to see Mao Jiao immediately!"
Ying Zheng said and asked the eunuch to quickly bring Mao Jiao to the study.
Two days ago, Ying Zheng ordered to summon Mao Jiao, but Mao Jiao, who was the Taifu at that time, was in Yongcheng with Fu Su. Now that he heard that Mao Jiao was back, Ying Zheng could no longer suppress his eagerness and wanted to immediately When he saw Mao Jiao, he asked Mao Jiao, who was from Qi, if he had ever heard of this old man riding a bull.
"Your Majesty~"
Seeing the eunuch ordered to retreat, Princess Mi and Concubine Qi wanted to say something, but looking at Ying Zheng's appearance and knowing Ying Zheng's character, they knew that they might be angered if they continued, so they had no choice but to give up.
"Your Majesty, I will leave first. Please take care of your health and rest early!"
Concubine Qi said and left first.
The same goes for Princess Mi on the side. She knew that Ying Zheng did not like to disturb him when he was dealing with important matters. However, before leaving, Princess Mi suddenly remembered Meng Yi outside the door and told Ying Zheng that Meng Yi was still outside the study.
"Meng Yi?"
Ying Zheng was a little surprised when he heard this. He thought Meng Yi had left long ago, but he almost forgot that he hadn't given the order yet.
As for Meng Yi, as they got along, Ying Zheng became more and more fond of this Mengshi child. Although Meng Yi was young, he was not only talented and knowledgeable, but also had considerable abilities and insights. The most important thing was that Meng Yi was born in Mengshi. , Ying Zheng could feel that Meng Yi and his brother Meng Tian were as loyal to Qin and to him as Ying Zheng.
"When my beloved concubine leaves, let her leave the palace first!"
Ying Zheng instructed.
Princess Mi nodded and then left with Concubine Qi.
Outside the study.
Meng Yi saw Princess Mi and Concubine Qi coming out of the study and quickly compiled the gifts.
"Your Majesty orders you to go back and rest first! Come back to the study tomorrow!"
After Princess Mi returned the courtesy to Meng Yi, she looked at Meng Yi and said.
Meng Yi was a little surprised when he heard this. Then he thought of something and looked at Princess Mi gratefully.
"promise!"
Meng Yi cupped his hands and said.
Upon seeing this, Princess Mi looked at the eunuch waiting on the side. The eunuch naturally knew what Princess Mi meant and nodded slowly. Then he walked in front of him respectfully, led two maids holding candles, and left with Meng Yi.
Princess Mi looked at Meng Yi's leaving figure.
Concubine Qi stood aside, looked at Meng Yi, and then noticed Princess Mi next to her.
Although Meng Yi's eyes were cryptic just now, others could not see any difference at all, but Concubine Qi was thoughtful and attentive, and she had already noticed something, but Concubine Qi would not choose to say it. After all, there was never any evidence for this kind of thing. It doesn't matter if there is evidence, as long as it doesn't cross the line, no one will say anything.
As for what happened to Zhao Ji, Concubine Qi, who was still in Qi State, had heard about it even though she had not come to Qin State. She had no way of knowing whether the rumors from the outside were true or not, but the only thing that was certain was that in fact, she was in the imperial court a few years ago. The Ying family clan headed by Tang was not Ying Kan, but Ying Xi. Then for some unknown reason, Ying Xi suddenly stopped interfering with the affairs of the court.
Ying Xi was the most valued heir of King Qin Xiaowen. If the Queen Mother Huayang had not succeeded to the throne, it would have been the son Ying Xi. Unfortunately, King Qin Xiaowen loved the Queen Mother Huayang very much at that time, so he appointed King Zhuangxiang of Qin as the crown prince.
It is rumored that Ying Xi has always hidden his love for Zhao Ji.
"What's wrong?"
After Princess Mi watched Meng Yi leave, she suddenly noticed Concubine Qi who was in a daze and asked softly.
Concubine Qi immediately came back to her senses when she heard Princess Mi's voice and shook her head to indicate that she was fine.
Late at night.
With the departure of Princess Mi and Concubine Qi, silence returned to the outside of the study. Only the eunuchs and maids who had been waiting outside the study door moved their bodies slightly from time to time to relieve the numbness of their hands and feet. The quiet atmosphere had passed for a long time before being slightly disturbed. Some rapid footsteps broke.
Mao Jiao, who was much older, entered the study under the leadership of a eunuch and saw Ying Zheng who was still staying in the study late at night.
"Wei Chen, pay homage to the king!!!"
Mao Jiao came to the study and bowed to Ying Zheng.
Although he didn't understand what happened to make Ying Zheng so anxious to see him, Mao Jiao couldn't help but sigh when he saw Ying Zheng still staying in the study late at night. Only such a king can be worthy of being the common man of the world. host.
Whether it was Qi State or the kings he met on his missions to other countries, Mao Jiao had never seen anyone who could compare with Ying Zheng, and he was not even half as diligent as Ying Zheng.
He never neglected the affairs of the court, and even after going to court, he had to review two stone bamboo slips every day before taking a rest, not to mention dealing with many frontline matters that could not be made public.
"Taifu Mao, there is no need to be polite!"
When Ying Zheng saw a lot of old Mao Jiao coming in a hurry, he felt a little guilty. However, when he thought about the bamboo slips, Ying Zheng knew better that there was no time to delay in finding the old man riding the bull.
After sitting on his knees behind the wooden table and raising his hand to return the gift to Mao Jiao, Ying Zheng looked at Mao Jiao.
"I have hurriedly summoned Taifu today. There is an urgent matter. Please come forward!"
Ying Zheng said and asked Mao Jiao to step forward.
When Mao Jiao came forward, he put the bamboo slips for the past two days on the wooden table and stretched out his hand to signal for Mao Jiao to take a look.
With doubts, Mao Jiao glanced at Ying Zheng. After saluting, he carefully picked up a roll of bamboo slips with both hands and looked at it cautiously under Ying Zheng's gaze.
At first, when Mao Jiao saw that it was a story, he looked at Ying Zheng very puzzledly. When he saw Ying Zheng indicating to continue reading, Mao Jiao just suppressed his curiosity and continued to read. From confusion to curiosity , when he discovered something, Mao Jiao's expression suddenly changed, his face became solemn, and his expression was full of panic.
After reading it, Mao Jiao suddenly raised his head and looked at Ying Zheng.
"Your Majesty, who forged this book?"
Mao Jiao asked in a serious tone.
Ying Zheng looked at Mao Jiao and felt a little disappointed. Obviously, Mao Jiao might not know the old man who wrote the book. However, Ying Zheng did not answer Mao Jiao's question in a hurry, but looked at Mao Jiao.
"What do you think of the person who wrote the book?"
Ying Zheng first asked Mao Jiao what he thought of the book and looked directly at Mao Jiao.
When Mao Jiao heard what Ying Zheng said, he looked at the bamboo slips in his hand, thought about it, and then said without hesitation.
"Great talent!"
Mao Jiao looked at Ying Zheng, as if he was worried that he couldn't tell the truth. After thinking about it, he added: "You can only learn from Mao Jiao, and Mao Jiao is ashamed of himself!"
When Mao Jiao said this, he looked at Ying Zheng without evading his gaze.
"How does it compare to Tian Jin?"
Ying Zheng asked again.
Mao Jiao couldn't think about it for more than two breaths and shook his head.
"The book is not complete, but from just a few words, one cannot see his talent and learning. I am afraid that even Tian Jin is not as good as him!"
Mao Jiao is not belittling Tian Jin, but Mao Jiao knows that compared to Tian Jin, the short contents revealed in the book are all things that he has never seen or heard from others.
Ying Zheng nodded, and then he stopped hiding from Mao Jiao and told Mao Jiao the news sent by Hou Sheng.
"An old man riding an old bull?"
After Mao Jiao patiently listened to Ying Zheng's words, he was completely confused. Looking at the bamboo slip in his hand, he couldn't imagine that it was actually written by an old man riding a bull.
"Your Majesty summoned Wei Chen back to Xianyang this time. Does he want Wei Chen to go to Qi?"
After Mao Jiao learned what had happened, he had no idea what Ying Zheng was planning. After looking at the bamboo slips, he calmly looked up at Ying Zheng.
Ying Zheng had no intention of hiding anything.
"I must get this person's help! If we can strengthen the Qin Dynasty, there must be a place for this person in the temple! I have ordered someone to notify Yao Shangqing to return from Chu. In the future, Taifu and Yao Shangqing will find this person for me!"
When Ying Zheng said this, he looked at Mao Jiao with a flash of fire.
He really wanted to get this person and wished he could see the old man riding the bull right away. As the King of Qin, he wanted to hear with his own ears the way of governing the world in the eyes of the old man, the methods of governing the world in the eyes of the old man, and all the talents and learning in the old man's heart.
"Wei Chen obeys your orders!"
Mao Jiao was not surprised when he saw Ying Zheng's appearance. After seeing the bamboo slips, not only Ying Zheng, but also him wanted to see the old man riding the bull in person. Who is this great scholar who actually lives in seclusion and is unknown and writes books? And Tibetology.
Who is such a great Confucian from among hundreds of families!
Could it be that this old bull rider had anticipated that the world would be unified a long time ago, so he just took up the book and wrote down his thoughts, keeping them in the world and giving them to the world.
While Mao Jiao was thinking.
Ying Zheng suddenly took out a roll of bamboo slips and handed it to Mao Jiao. Mao Jiao came back to his senses, took the bamboo slips, and opened it to look at it.
"Do you think there are real immortals in this world?"
After Ying Zheng waited for Mao Jiao to read the bamboo slips, he couldn't help but frown and asked with confusion.
Apart from the details that make people savor it carefully, the most worthy of Ying Zheng's attention is the immortals in the stories in the book.
"Back to the king, even the ministers don't know about it. I am afraid that only by finding this person can we solve the king's confusion!"
After Mao Jiao heard what Ying Zheng said, he thought for a while and returned to the road.
Looking at Ying Zheng in front of him, Mao Jiao knew what Ying Zheng was thinking, so he did not rush to tell the answer, but continued to talk the question to the old man.
There is no city of goodness.
Bai Yan, who knew nothing about Xianyang's affairs, was extremely busy with Yang Duanhe at the moment.
The reason for the busyness was not that something big happened in Yanmen, but that suddenly many acquaintances came to Yanmen. It seemed like they were visiting, but in fact, they were all pleading for Mi Jing.
Among the people who begged for mercy, they not only had status and status, but more importantly, they were all acquaintances of the two, or family friends of the two families. Not to mention having been in the military for half their lives, Mr. Yang, who was the pillar of the Yang family, did not dare to see them. Sloth means Bai Yan, who greets everyone who comes to ask for mercy respectfully.
Inside Mr. Yang’s mansion.
"Sheriff, this is the bamboo slip sent by someone from the Su family!"
Mr. Yang was accompanying Li Yun, Li Qi, and Li Xin to talk in the pavilion. A confidant hurriedly came to Mr. Yang and handed him a roll of bamboo slips.
"Su's family!"
Hearing the words of his confidants, Mr. Yang reached out to take the bamboo slips, and then gave a wry smile. He couldn't remember how many letters he had received asking for mercy during this period.
"Now that the Yan family has been sent, I believe that Mi Jing's matter can be completely clarified!"
Li Yun knelt down behind the wooden table and couldn't help laughing when he saw Mr. Yang's forced smile. After speaking, he looked towards the distant corridor where Chang Wenjun and Bai Yan were walking and talking.
"Yes! My mentor has brought Yan here today. I believe the matter will be clarified!"
Li Xin also nodded when he heard Shibo Li Yun's words.
At this time, as several maids poured the tea one by one, Li Qi and Li Yun looked at each other calmly. The two of them came here naturally because of Li Xin's request and because they thought of Lord Chang Wen in the Qin court. of prestige.
Due to the weather, my father Li Ji did not come because he was too old. Of course, this was what outsiders said. In fact, my father, like the two of them, had a vague feeling that this matter might not be that simple. Although there were Yan's confession was captured by Lord Changping.
Father also had a vague premonition, and just asked the two of them to come with Li Xin to take a look. It would be good if they could help Li Xin, who was a blood relative, and gain favors from Lord Changping and Lord Changwen, but if Bai Yan was in trouble, That would leave some room, and there would be no room for relaxation in the relationship between Li and Bai Yan because of this incident.
Not far outside the pavilion.
Bai Yan and Chang Wenjun walked side by side and came to the deserted corridor, looking at Mr. Yang and others in the pavilion in the distance.
"This time I made General Bai laugh, and I was not strict in my discipline. I really feel sorry for my king this time! Choose another day~! After I bring the traitor back to Xianyang, I will personally apologize to the king!"
Chang Wenjun said, and after finishing speaking, he looked at Bai Yan with a guilty expression.
"In the past, Bai Yan and Brother Zishen were very close friends. Bai Yan never expected that such a thing would happen. Speaking of which, he doesn't blame Brother Zishen. That golden beauty is really rare in the world. If it weren't for Your Majesty, Taking into account the dangers of the Yuezhi in the north, Bai Yan wants to bring them into the palace!"
Bai Yan turned to look at Chang Wenjun, smiled and shook his head.
Although he knew that Lord Changwen in front of him was the one who wanted to kill him, and was the one behind the outbreak of the Yuezhi War and the death of thousands of soldiers in Gao Nu, Bai Yan could not tell him at this time, let alone Falling out with Mr. Chang Ping.
Down the corridor.
Joking aside, when Bai Yan mentioned Mi Jing's matter, his expression still seemed to be a little frightened.
"During this period, Bai Yan was also afraid that Brother Zishen would be misled and go astray. Now he is lucky to have caught the murderer!"
Bai Yan looked at Chang Wenjun and said.
As Chang Wenjun and Bai Yan looked at each other, suddenly there was movement in the distance. When they looked, they saw a dirty Mi Jing walking from the courtyard to the pavilion, escorted by several Qin officials.
"Changping-kun, please!"
Bai Yan said to Chang Wenjun.
Chang Wenjun turned to look at Bai Yan, nodded after two breaths, and returned the favor.
"please!"
Chang Wenjun made a gesture of invitation to Bai Yan politely.
Inside the pavilion.
Mi Jing, who had been imprisoned for more than a month, when she saw Li Xin, her red eyes were full of shame and she had no face to speak of. Mi Jing didn't know why Li Xin appeared here and who was next to him. Those two uncles of Li Xin.
"Zi compensation!"
Li Xin looked at his friend with a very complicated expression.
Mi Jing glanced at Li Xin gratefully, then silently shed tears and knelt on the ground. After a while, Mi Jing, who was kneeling on the ground with his head lowered and heard footsteps, looked up and saw his father approaching.
"Father!"
When Mi Jing said these two words, his heart was full of regret. He knew that he ended up like this because of his greed. If he had listened to his uncle's instructions honestly, how could his father come all the way here.
Following Mi Jing's words.
In the eyes of Li Xin and others, Chang Wenjun, who had just arrived at the pavilion, stepped forward with an angry look and kicked Mi Jing hard. The huge force made Mi Jing fall to the ground, with a painful expression on his face. .
Mi Jing, who had had no worries about food and clothing since childhood, was locked up in the prison for more than a month. He was not used to eating rotten vegetable soup like the prisoners did. It was normal for Mi Jing, who was already weak, to be kicked by such a powerful force.
"Teacher!"
Seeing this, Li Xin quickly stood up and looked at Mi Jing with worry, and then looked at his mentor Chang Wenjun with flattery.
"Mr. Changwen, the matter is over! Don't be angry!"
Bai Yan looked at Mi Jing's appearance and stepped forward to dissuade him.
"The Yan family has been caught. Bai Yan will write down the matter of Yang Jin on the bamboo and send it to Xianyang and leave it to the king for decision!"
When Bai Yan said this, he turned to look at the Qin officials.
"The murder case in the past has been investigated. The person was not killed by the censor, but by the Yan family. Let him be released immediately!"
Bai Yan ordered.
As Bai Yan finished speaking, before Li Xin, Li Yun, and Li Qi could relax, they saw Chang Wenjun's angry voice.
"If we don't let him go, we'll take this traitor to Xianyang!"
When everyone heard the words and looked around, they saw Chang Wenjun's angry face and his eyes looking straight at Mi Jing.
Upon seeing this, several Qin officials looked at Bai Yan hesitantly.
"Go down first!"
Bai Yan did not embarrass several Qin officials and let several Qin officials leave first.
Inside the pavilion.
Yang Lao knelt down behind the wooden table. Although he didn't know what Bai Yan had just said to Chang Wenjun, he knew what Chang Ping Jun had done in the past, and now he was a little confused when he saw Bai Yan letting him go so easily.
Before the puzzled Mr. Yang could think clearly, he saw Li Yun's servant in the distance hurriedly holding a roll of bamboo slips.
