If you don't give up, I'd like to be your adoptive father.

Chapter 1087 Zhao Gao
Zhangtai Palace, evening.

Li Si strode into the side hall and, before Zhao Gao and Prince Huhai could even pay their respects, asked in a loud and impatient voice, "Why are you in such a hurry to call me here at a time like this?"
Tomorrow morning at court, in front of civil and military officials and the current nobles, Prince Huhai will be elected as 'Qin Er Shi'.

At this time, many ministers and members of the royal family expressed their stance by remaining silent.

A banquet is being held at the Prime Minister's residence tonight, and I still need to persuade them one by one.

Hu Hai bowed deeply, performing a grand salute, and said with a look of reverence and flattery, "Thank you for your trouble, Prime Minister."

Zhao Gao also stepped forward and bowed, laughing, "Whether Prince Huhai can successfully ascend the throne depends entirely on the Prime Minister!"

However, the reason for urgently summoning the Prime Minister at this time is indeed that there is an important matter to discuss.

He first helped Li Si into the room and seated him in the main seat before asking in a low voice, "Prime Minister, are you aware that Yu Fengxian has returned to Xianyang?"

Li Si said, "What's the big deal? Zhao Ji is dead, and Prince Huhai has been crowned the Second Emperor. It's a done deal, and no one can change it."

Yu Fengxian had absolutely no say in this matter.

Hu Hai was overjoyed, his face beaming with smiles.

Zhao Gao said in a deep voice: "At 1:30 pm, Yu Fengxian appeared at the 'Huangtu' (mass grave) in Jinghe River."

After arguing with the Third Holy Mother of Mount Hua, he immediately returned to the Imperial Observatory.

She disappeared for a long time after that, and there's still no trace of her.

Li Si said calmly, "I know that she went to the blessed land of Yongcheng and met with the former King Ying."

Zhao Gao said in surprise, "I just learned about this myself. I was worried that something might happen when Prince Huhai was crowned emperor at the morning court tomorrow, so I hurriedly called the prime minister here to discuss it."

"The Prime Minister seems to have known all along that she went to Yongcheng, yet he still seems so confident?"

Li Si smiled faintly and said, "I don't need to keep an eye on her."

Lu Jin Gong and Zhong Yuan Gong were already at the Imperial Observatory, waiting for Yu Feng Xian to return.

Even if the late King Ying insisted on supporting her as Grand Tutor, Yu Fengxian probably wouldn't have had the chance to request a fiefdom.

"The selection of the Grand Tutor is a minor matter and has nothing to do with His Highness Huhai. His Highness's smooth ascension to the throne is the important thing. I'm worried that Yu Fengxian will ruin things," Zhao Gao sighed.

Li Si looked at Hu Hai and asked, "What does Your Highness think?"

Hu Hai glanced at Zhao Gao and hesitated before saying, "I once followed my teacher's orders and took advantage of the time when Master Yu returned to the Grand Tutor's mansion to go to her house to wish her a Happy New Year."

At the time, Xiao Wang treated her with the utmost respect, and afterwards, the teacher praised me, saying I had nailed it.

Zhao Gao said irritably, "Times have changed. The court assembly had just ended, and during the assembly, Zhao Ji and Lao Ai foolishly distanced themselves from Yu Fengxian."

They also need to select a new Grand Tutor to oppose her.

That's why I made the decision immediately, telling you to seize the opportunity and become the first prince, besides Prince Gao, to show her affection.

You are far superior to the prince, and you have shown her respect and humility.

Judging from her reaction at the time, she at least didn't have any ill feelings towards you.

You showed humility, but Zhao Ji distanced herself from her. When we rise up, Yu Fengxian will most likely remain unmoved and tacitly allow you to overthrow Zhao Ji and ascend the throne.

The plan was well-thought-out at the time, but when we actually started the uprising, she wasn't in Xianyang and didn't contribute to your important cause.

In order to leverage the power of the Eastern Navy Marquis, you made many promises to them.

This includes the position of Grand Tutor, the True Form Diagram, the Nine Tripods, the Treasury, and the Human Emperor's Treasury.

These are all interests that Yu Fengxian would never give up.

Hu Hai hesitated and said, "Let's stick to the previous agreement and hold a public selection for the Grand Tutor. If the Qi cultivators from the East Sea are strong enough, they will naturally convince Master Yu."

"What if Yu Fengxian gains the support of the late Emperor Ying and immediately requests a fiefdom, directly assuming the power of Grand Tutor, and refuses to fight the challenger?"

Although Zhao Gao was questioning Hu Hai, his gaze was fixed on Li Si.

Hu Hai also looked at Li Si, bowed and said, "This humble king is ignorant and begs for guidance from the Prime Minister."

Li Si hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Have you looked for Marquis Lieyang?"

Zhao Gao shook his head and said, "Upon discovering that Yu Fengxian had returned, His Highness and I immediately thought of finding the Prime Minister."

As for whether or not to consult with Marquis Lieyang, I would like to ask the Prime Minister to make the decision.

After all, the Prime Minister is our pillar of strength, the pillar that holds up the Qin Dynasty!

Li Si smiled with satisfaction and said, "Zhao Gao, go and summon Marquis Lieyang immediately!"

"Yes, sir!" Zhao Gao bowed respectfully and quickly walked out.

Li Si picked up his teacup, glanced at Hu Hai who was still standing there dumbfounded, and said indifferently, "What are you still standing for, Your Highness? Please sit down!"

"Yes, yes, yes," Hu Hai sat to his left and spoke to him with a fawning expression.

They chatted awkwardly for about half an hour before Marquis Lieyang led five hundred Fire Crow soldiers from the military camp outside the city into Zhangtai Palace.

On the way here, Zhao Gao had already told Yu Yu about Yu Fengxian's return.

Yu Yu's appearance and temperament are much more mature than they were ten years ago.

His personality hasn't changed; he still has that aloof, unapproachable look.

Zhao Gao talked on and on, while Yu Yu, apart from a fleeting look of reminiscence in the depths of his eyes and a few furrowed brows, showed almost no obvious expression.

"Since there was an agreement made with the civil and military officials in court, let's abide by that agreement. If she has the ability to subdue everyone, let her continue to serve as Grand Tutor."

If she can't do it, let someone more capable take her place.

After entering Zhangtai Palace, Yu Yu calmly expressed his thoughts.

Li Si probed, "The Marquis of Hunhai, the Marquis of Huanghai, and the Marquis of Aolai all want to recommend one of their own people, a Qi cultivator from the East Sea who is also familiar with General Yu, to serve as the Grand Tutor of Qin."

Yu Yu said calmly, "It's not like we're not giving them a chance. Now that the Great Qin has lost its Mandate of Heaven and the states of Shandong are about to rebel, we are even more determined to recognize the virtuous rather than our relatives."

I haven't seen Yu Fengxian for many years, but recently when I returned to Guanzhong, I often heard about her.

I don't know if she lives up to her reputation.

If we could have a contest of wits and demonstrate our talents, it would earn the respect and admiration of me and all the other military commanders.

If she's not good enough, get out; if she's exceptional, let her do it.

Today, the most important thing is to prevent the Qin Dynasty from falling.

Let's not say anything polite like we've failed the late emperor.

Once the Qin Dynasty truly falls, no matter how much power or glory you have gained today, it will all be nothing but a mirage, a fleeting illusion.

Li Si paused for a moment, then fell into deep thought.

Considering the precarious situation of the Qin Dynasty and the disastrous impact of the Xianyang Incident.

And the recent changes in the Qinling Mountains' dragon vein.

He finally suppressed his disgust and resentment and sighed, "Then let's stick to the agreement and let them fight fairly."

Zhao Gao's eyes flickered slightly, and he said in a low voice, "General Yu, Prime Minister Li, and Yu Fengxian's 'Grand Tutor' are no ordinary Grand Tutors."

Many ministers, including the Grand Commandant, supported her as someone who would rise above the Three Dukes, commanding all the armies of the realm, and thus be a Grand Tutor of ancient times.

Li Si and Yu Yu's expressions changed slightly at the same time.

“Grand Commandant, you’re getting old and senile,” Yu Yu said in a muffled voice. Zhao Gao said, “After the Xianyang Incident, Grand Commandant stated that there was no problem with deposing the Empress Dowager, but when electing a new emperor, he would definitely ask Grand Tutor Yu to perform a divination ceremony.”

Prime Minister, General, you see, even who becomes emperor has to be decided by Grand Tutor Yu.

What military and political event in the court could be more important than choosing a second emperor?
"It's quite obvious; the Grand Commandant hasn't changed his mind yet."

Li Si's expression was serious as he resolutely declared, "The existing system of the court is the foundation upon which the Great Qin can dominate the world."

At this time, Qin lost its Mandate of Heaven, not because there was a problem with the Qin system itself.

By allowing the people to rest and suppressing rebellions, a two-pronged approach will surely bring peace to the world.

I have confidence and experience.

At this time, drastically changing the established laws of the previous emperor and distorting the mature and sound imperial system completely runs counter to the goal of saving the Qin Dynasty.

Absolutely unacceptable!

Yu Yu nodded slightly and said, "The loss of the Mandate of Heaven by the Great Qin must be due to some problem, and we must acknowledge that."

However, the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers system of the Qin Dynasty allowed civil and military officials to perform their respective duties and check and balance each other. While not perfect, it was certainly not the main cause of the Qin Dynasty's collapse.

To save the Qin Dynasty, we must treat the root cause; we cannot treat a leg ailment by performing craniotomy.

Zhao Gao asked, "Could the Marquis persuade the Grand Commandant?"

Yu Yu hesitated, not very confident.

He said, "I heard that Yu Fengxian herself does not want to become the 'Grand Tutor Gu'."

After all, there was the precedent of "Grand Tutor Wen".

She's already eaten the giant peach of immortality and become an immortal; the blessing of eternal life is within her grasp. Why bother with such thankless tasks?

Zhao Gao hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice, "That's not the case. Yu Fengxian actually has the ambition to become the 'Grand Tutor Gu,' and the Grand Commandant is aware of her ambition."

After the court assembly concluded that day, the Grand Commandant and Yu Fengxian had a private conversation outside Zhangtai Palace.

Yu Fengxian bluntly stated that she looked down on the 'Grand Tutor Gu' who was hampered by the ministers, and that she wanted to be the 'Prime Minister' instead.

During the time of Western Shu, for example, they even surpassed the emperor.

She wasn't celibate; she was laying low, waiting for her chance, waiting for her ministers to make mistakes and fall from grace.

Upon hearing this, Hu Hai, Yu Yu, and Li Si all changed color simultaneously.

"Is this true?" Li Si's eyes sharpened as he stared intently at Zhao Gao.

This eunuch had never revealed Yu Fengxian's "ambition to become prime minister" to him before.

Zhao Gao shook his head and said, "I dare not be completely certain. A young eunuch was watching from afar and deduced the words from the lip movements, but there may be errors. However, this matter is of great importance, and I dare not fail to report it to the Prime Minister and the Marquis."

Yu Yu whispered, "Eyes that can see a thousand miles, ears that can hear the wind."

The voice was deep, yet it carried far beyond the Zhangtai Palace.

Outside Zhangtai Palace, five hundred Fire Crow soldiers stood in neat formation by the Jinshui Bridge, their backs straight, without even a whisper.

Upon hearing the call from Marquis Lieyang, Gao Xianjue and Gao Tianming immediately stepped forward and quickly entered the "Human Emperor's Living Room" in the rear hall of Zhangtai Palace.

"Find Yu Fengxian and keep an eye on her from now on!" After giving the order, Yu Yu looked at Li Si and said, "Prime Minister Li, let's go see the Grand Commandant together."

Let's speak frankly and openly.

If Yu Fengxian truly harbors treacherous ambitions, she cannot remain in the Imperial Observatory; she should be expelled from Xianyang immediately!

Just as Li Si was about to speak, Gao Xianjue, who had excellent hearing, changed his expression slightly and said, "My lord, we have found Yu Fengxian. She has returned to the Imperial Observatory."

She added, "The other civil and military officials are merely subjects of the new emperor, but I am the 'adopted father' of the Ying imperial family."

Gao Tianming, whose eyes were originally radiating a three-foot-long divine light and scanning Yongcheng and the Wei River, immediately turned to the Imperial Observatory upon hearing this.

"Father, and the entire royal family? Does she even deserve it?" Yu Yu said coldly.

Gao Xianjue said, "Judging from Yu Fengxian's words, she met with the former King of the Ying clan, and they all recognized her as the successor—"

"Ah~~~" Gao Tianming, who was next to him, suddenly cried out in surprise.

The immortal's eyes radiate a bright, ethereal light, with a faint glow flashing across their surface before quickly disappearing into the depths of their eyes.

Thousand-Mile Eyes Gao Tianming staggered back two steps, his expression a mixture of confusion and terror. He rubbed his eyes incessantly, crying out, "Yu Fengxian spotted me! She... she even glanced at me, and her eyes were terrifying!"

Gao Xianjue's expression also changed, and he said, "My lord, Yu Fengxian has also discovered me. I can't hear her, and I can't find her location anymore."

Yu Yu was somewhat surprised and said, "It seems that her ability to make such a great name for herself is not entirely due to luck."

"Return to your camp immediately, activate the 'Fire Crow Heavenly Gang Formation,' and upgrade your superhuman hearing and far-seeing abilities to great supernatural powers. Give it another try."

The Fire Crow Heavenly Gang Formation is the Great Sun Golden Crow Small Heavenly Circuit Formation.

Yu Yu did not want others to associate his military strategy and formations with the Ancient Demon Court.

Even his own fundamental cultivation method, "Emperor Jun's Golden Crow Transforming into the Sun Great Method," was renamed the low-class "Fire Crow Strength."

However, his "Fire Crow Strength" is completely different from the basic fire-based martial arts of the Five Elements that Emperor Zheng popularized throughout the Nine Provinces.

Zhao Gao said, "Yu Fengxian has already noticed. If we try to monitor her again, we might anger her."

Li Si roared, "I am furious! Father, how dare you! How ambitious you are!"

Zhao Gao looked worried, but inwardly he whistled with delight.

After the powerful figures denounced Yu Fengxian a few more times, Li Si and Marquis Lieyang prepared to take their leave.

Li Si planned to return to the Prime Minister's residence to continue the banquet and to continue helping Hu Hai to win over and persuade the civil and military officials.

Marquis Lieyang planned to visit the State Commandant's residence to persuade his "State Commandant teacher" to turn back from the wrong path.

But before they could leave, a servant came in and reported, "Your Majesty the Emperor, Your Excellency the Prime Minister, Your Lordship, and the Imperial Astronomical Bureau Master Guan requests an audience."

Several people were stunned for a moment.

Zhao Gao asked, "Whom does Master Guan wish to see? Is it His Majesty, the Prime Minister, or me?"

"He came to see His Majesty. Upon learning that the Prime Minister and the Marquis were both present, he said there was no need for secrecy," the eunuch said.

Marquis Lieyang sat back down in his chair and said coldly, "Let him in. I happen to have something to ask him."

The eunuch secretly glanced at Zhao Gao out of the corner of his eye. Seeing Zhao Gao nod almost imperceptibly, he quickly withdrew and led Guan Zhenren in.

After Guan Zhenren entered, he didn't waste any words with them and went straight to the point, conveying Grand Tutor Yu's instructions.

"Lord Lieyang, Prime Minister Li, and Your Highness the Prince, although you are not Qi cultivators participating in the battle, you supported the outside Qi cultivators in their struggle for the throne against Master Yu. You must go to the scene to witness this."

"Must? Did Yu Fengxian say that?" Yu Yu said with a gloomy face.

"What she said is what I also think. Not only you, Marquis, but every single commander of your Eastern Navy Legion must go, they absolutely must go!"
"If you don't go, don't blame us for kicking out the Qi cultivator you recommended."

Master Guan remained calm but firm in his attitude, saying, "The Imperial Observatory is not a place where just anyone can enter."

The title of 'Grand Tutor of Qin' is not one that anyone can simply choose to hold.

Without your appearance, pledging your titles and reputations, they wouldn't even be qualified to enter the Imperial Observatory or apply to become ordinary Celestial Masters, let alone challenge Grand Tutor Yu, who holds 'Heavenly Authority'."

(End of this chapter)