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

Chapter 1134 The one who destroyed Qin was Hu Hai.

Marquis Lieyang's feelings at this moment were more complicated than the combined expressions of all the ministers.

In fact, the Grey Crane Immortal approached him that very day and recounted King Mu's promise: as long as he fully supported Grand Tutor Yu's absolute authority, the former King of Ying could acknowledge his status as a prince of the Ying clan.

He even harbored ambitions to become emperor, which the former king of Qin reluctantly accepted.

Upon hearing that King Mu had recognized his status as a prince, he was overwhelmed with excitement.

He couldn't calm down for a long time.

After all, this was the recognition he had longed for for many years but had never received.

But after he calmed down and carefully considered King Mu's request: Yu Fengxian must hold absolute power.

He was confused again.

It's a very simple principle: if Yu Fengxian holds absolute power, what's the point of him becoming the second emperor?
He then thought of another question: since the former kings of Qin all supported Yu Fengxian, was it really only Yu Fengxian who could save Qin?

He wanted to save the Qin Dynasty and preserve the legacy left by the late Emperor Ying Zheng.

If Yu Fengxian is truly the chosen one of the Great Qin Dynasty, it doesn't seem unreasonable to let her take the helm.

In any case, power will always exist, and it will eventually be handed over to someone else to exercise.

After agonizing for two days and two nights, Marquis Lieyang could only make one decision: he would not actively vie for the throne of the second emperor.

Now Yu Fengxian acknowledges that he is a prince of the Ying clan, but says that he lacks magnanimity. He was both happy and indignant to be the first to be eliminated, and he was also very dissatisfied.

I was delighted by her approval.

His dissatisfaction stemmed from his perceived lack of magnanimity in the reason Grand Tutor Yu had eliminated him.

He was filled with grief and indignation that he had always been the son of Ying Zheng, yet he had suffered unfair treatment.

He was eliminated before he even officially participated in the "Emperor Selection" for a ridiculous reason.

To say he lacked magnanimity is ridiculous. If Emperor Ying Zheng had directly issued an edict ten years ago to include him in the list of princes instead of "adopting him in the palace," he would have rebelled as early as the beginning of Empress Dowager Zhao's regency.

Even more tragically, after being eliminated by Yu Fengxian for the ridiculous reason of lacking magnanimity, the ministers did not consider pleading for him, but instead fundamentally denied his eligibility to participate in the competition.

"Yu Fengxian, you rode the Ancestral Dragon to conquer the Heavenly Court and your might shook the Three Realms. Based on this battle alone, you called yourself 'Grand Tutor of the Great Qin,' and none of us could refute you."

But even if you are a legitimate Grand Tutor, you have no right to determine the selection of the 'Second Emperor' solely based on your own preferences.

Although his emotions were running high, Marquis Lieyang was also circulating the "Heart-Clearing Technique," which allowed him to quickly regain his composure.

Because of the change in mindset, the words were not too intense.

Xiao Yu said, "Regent General and all ministers, rest assured, I will not recommend anyone to be the second emperor today."

I will only use my eyes, which see through destiny, to review each of your proposed candidates for the second emperor.

For example, General yourself.

I've already checked, you can't do it.

"Why can't I?"

Marquis Lieyang had originally intended to "put the overall situation first," but after she repeatedly said that she was not capable, he couldn't help himself anymore.

Even the "Qingxin Jue" (a traditional Chinese medicine formula) couldn't suppress the eruption of irritability.

Xiao Yu struck a pose like a fortune teller, looking him up and down while rapidly calculating with her slender fingers peeking out from her sleeve. She commented, "Those who aspire to great things fall into two categories: those who are brave and decisive, skilled at recognizing and managing people."

Another type is someone whose own talents are relatively mediocre, but who is fortunate enough to receive the assistance of an exceptionally wise minister. He can completely trust this wise minister and create a court environment that operates entirely according to the wise minister's will.

Even generals who command large armies dare not sit on the dragon throne.

However, he was also very concerned about the status of the Ying family prince. After I provoked him a couple of times, even the Heavenly Emperor's unique "Heart-Clearing Mantra" couldn't suppress his emotions.

You are not the first type of 'great emperor of all time' as heroic and decisive as the late emperor.

In a small, insignificant country, you might have become a wise ruler. But the Qin Dynasty now needs to defy fate and needs a monarch even more outstanding than the late Emperor Zheng.

Are you the second type of sage ruler, with a broad mind and the ability to accommodate outstanding ministers?
Nor is it.

Clearly, in this world, there are countless talented and extraordinary people, but only I am the 'greatest wise minister of all time' who can help the Great Qin change its fate.

Look at you, you immediately get agitated when I criticize you a couple of times.

When you see me, you won't even kneel down and call me 'Father'~~~

Now, not only Marquis Lieyang, but all the civil and military officials were affected, and the "Qingxin Jue" was broken without exception!

Their faces were contorted with rage, their hearts boiling with swear words like "you son of a bitch" and "you motherfucker."

“Master Yu, you openly call yourself the ‘father of the Second Emperor’. Is this something a virtuous minister should do?” Grand Censor Feng Jie said in a deep voice.

Xiaoyu sighed, "First of all, I have extraordinary talent, do you acknowledge that?"

She emphasized the word "shocking".

"Shocking" is not only an adjective, but also a true and undeniable fact.

"We are discussing virtue, not ability," said Dr. Shusun Tongdao.

Xiaoyu said, "Just say it's very 'shocking,' don't change the subject."

The Grand Commandant said, "Now that things have come to this, who can still doubt Grand Tutor Yu's talent and supernatural abilities?"

The ministers were speechless, for Grand Tutor Yu had truly shocked the world.

Xiaoyu said, "I am a recognized person with extraordinary talent."

Now, an empire whose destiny is nearing its end seeks the help of this capable person to defy fate and prolong its reign.

The former kings hoped to use the title of "Uncle" to bind this virtuous minister to the new emperor, so that the minister could better utilize his talents.

Was my willingness to take on the heavy responsibility of being a "father figure" a sign of vanity and rudeness, or of responsibility and commitment?

Guowei Liao immediately exclaimed, "Grand Tutor Yu has accepted the honorific title of 'Uncle,' just as King Wen finally persuaded Jiang Ziya back then."

In order to persuade Taigong to come out of seclusion, King Wen agreed to let him ride in the royal carriage and personally pull the carriage.

It was this sincerity that moved the old man.

But who would say now that Grand Duke Tai rode in the imperial carriage and made the king pull the cart like an ox or a horse, is it a great act of treason?
This will be a beautiful story in the annals of history!

Today, the Second Emperor has recognized Grand Tutor Yu as his adoptive father, and his name will surely be recorded in history, praised by future generations for ten thousand years.

Prince Jianglu stepped forward and said, "I can testify that the late king did indeed appear to us in a dream, more than once, telling us that we should respect Grand Tutor Yu as our uncle."

We are not qualified to call her 'Father-in-Law'. Only a 'Second Emperor' can enjoy this exclusive privilege.

—Damn it, is calling Yu Fengxian "Uncle" a privilege?
He had to become emperor, otherwise he wasn't qualified? What kind of eccentric ruler was this?
Many ministers felt uneasy.

But they couldn't find any rebuttal; the "dream of the late emperor" in this world was not an excuse, but a fact.

Li Si slowly opened his mouth and said, "Gentlemen, the theme of today's court assembly is to have the 'Second Emperor' ascend the throne and be crowned!"

Then, he took the initiative to change the subject and said, "We old ministers all know that when the late emperor was still alive, he liked the young prince Huhai the most."

The late emperor had even discussed with me the possibility of making Prince Huhai the crown prince.

Back then, Zhao Gao, who was in charge of the Imperial Carriage Office and also in charge of the Imperial Seals, wrote a will in accordance with the late emperor's order.

However, due to Meng Zhenjun's interference, the will was not made public.

But the imperial edict is gone, while we, the old ministers whom the late emperor relied on, are still here.

How dare this old minister disobey the late emperor's dying wish?

This statement was met with widespread agreement.

"Prime Minister Li is right. We have witnessed the late emperor's favor towards Prince Huhai."

"In any case, the Second Emperor should be established. Moreover, the Second Emperor must be a prince of the Ying clan who is registered in the royal register. Among all the princes, Prince Huhai is the most virtuous and capable."

"Hu Hai's mother, Lady Zhao, was the head of the harem. Although she did not have the title of empress, she had real power to manage the harem. If we say that a son's status depends on his mother, then it should be Hu Hai who ascends the throne as emperor."

"Prince Huhai was the popular choice! He led the Eastern Navy Marquis and civil and military officials, shouting 'Punish the traitors and secure the Ying clan,' and eliminated Lao Ai and his gang of rebels who attempted to usurp the Ying dynasty."

This is an unparalleled achievement that saved the people and the nation!

This achievement is comparable to that of Yao and Shun. If Prince Huhai had not become the second emperor, what would have become of the people?

"The fact that Prince Huhai wiped out the Lao Ai faction, which had been entrenched in the court for ten years, demonstrates his forbearance, magnanimity, shrewdness, decisiveness, political acumen, and wisdom!"

They praised Hu Hai from every angle, praising his noble cause, his noble lineage, his unparalleled achievements, and his personal talents.
Based on what they said, Hu Hai seemed to have become the master of the "southeast emperor's aura," and that his becoming emperor was ordained by heaven.

Today's court assembly is attended by all the princes and prominent members of the royal family, known as "young masters" (members of the Ying royal family, who cannot be called princes, but only "young masters").

They lined up alone, separated from the court officials, and looked at "Little Brother Huhai" with complicated expressions.

Hu Hai was the youngest son, their little brother. He usually kept a low profile, always quietly following behind his elder brothers. But today, Hu Hai became the protagonist, standing at the very front of all the princes.

Although he maintained his usual humility and respect, at this moment, his cheeks flushed, his fists clenched, and his eyes sparkled with excitement.

If nothing unexpected happens, today's court assembly will just be a formality. The moment that will truly determine who will inherit the throne was already decided long before Lao Ai was eliminated.

Therefore, the princes looked at their younger brother with mixed feelings, and none of them uttered a word of rebuttal.

The ministers praised Hu Hai for more than a quarter of an hour before finally stopping, satisfied.

However, they did not turn their expectant gaze toward the "Regent General," hoping that he would immediately welcome Prince Huhai to the throne.

Instead, they secretly glanced at Grand Tutor Yu out of the corner of their eyes. Everyone was staring at her nervously, including Li Si and Feng Quji.

Everyone knows that Grand Tutor Yu has reached the age of fifty.

Yang Li revealed part of the destiny: the streets were littered with the bones of high-ranking officials, and the gates were filled with the heads of powerful and wealthy people. Li Si even wanted to exterminate the entire clan. This was the normal destiny. And Hu Hai became the Second Emperor of Qin because there was no interference from Grand Tutor Yu. This was the normal development of the Qin Dynasty.

Clearly, they did not want their bones buried in the Heavenly Street, to be trampled upon at will.

Xiaoyu noticed their gazes and deliberately remained silent.

Marquis Lieyang was getting anxious and said, "Grand Tutor Yu, didn't you say that although you wouldn't recommend princes, you would review the princes recommended by the ministers? Why are you silent now?"

Xiao Yu scanned the assembled officials and said, "I'm observing to see who are treacherous officials, mediocre people, and who are virtuous officials."

"Grand Tutor Yu, why are you looking at me like that? I know you are very capable, understanding the will of Heaven and destiny. But let's stick to the facts. Was what I just said wrong?" said Minister Zhou Qingchen.

Xiaoyu said, "Don't be anxious. I'm not targeting you, I'm talking about all of you!"

The ministers were both shocked and furious.

Feng Quji advised, "Grand Tutor Yu, today is the second emperor's ascension to the throne, and everyone can express their opinions."

Of course, you can also raise questions.

"Yes, just tell me directly, what's wrong with Prince Huhai?"

Hu Hai stared nervously at Grand Tutor Yu, inwardly crying out: "Father, didn't we agree last night? You said I resembled the late emperor, and oh dear, Father, it seems you haven't explicitly expressed your support for him!"

Xiao Yu slowly said, "I ask you, have you ever heard of the prophecy 'The one who will destroy Qin is Hu'?"

The ministers were taken aback, somewhat puzzled.

Marquis Lieyang said, "Indeed, there is such a prophecy, and this prophecy has greatly influenced the Qin Dynasty's foreign policy over the past few decades. It has also greatly depleted the Qin Dynasty's national strength and hurt the hearts of the people of Shenzhou."

Now it seems that this prophecy must have been fabricated by some sorcerer to harm our Great Qin.

The greatest threat to the Qin Dynasty was not the Hu people.

Xiao Yu said, "The one who destroyed Qin was Hu, which is what the late emperor himself realized from the 'Illustrated Divine Book'."

However, you've misunderstood half of what this 'Hu' represents in the past.

'Hu' did indeed refer to the Hu people, but it was not the Hu people who marched south and destroyed the Qin Dynasty.

Rather, the Hu people were like a nightmare, a ghost, frightening the late emperor and you, causing you to waste a great deal of national strength and energy on guarding against them.

In this process, national strength was wasted, and the nation's destiny and fate were rapidly lost due to the frantic digging of dragon veins and the capture of hidden dragons.

The Qin Dynasty struggled for decades, failing to avert its fate and instead pushing itself towards the prophesied path of destruction.

If she had said these words before Grand Tutor Yu rode the dragon to conquer the heavens, negating the efforts of Ying Zheng and his ministers and generals over the past decades, they would have certainly been furious with her.

Even if they knew she was right, they still argued and refuted her, and even accused her of blasphemy against the late emperor and meddling in state affairs.

Now that she understands her destiny and knows what fate holds, she is the authority.

The assembled officials remained silent for a moment, their faces somber. Finally, Marquis Lieyang spoke, saying, "The past cannot be changed, so let's talk about today, about the present. What is the other half of the meaning of 'Hu' in the saying 'The one who destroyed Qin was Hu'?"
What is the connection between this and the ascension of the Second Emperor today?

Xiao Yu pointed at Hu Hai and said, "Look, this is the guy, Hu Hai, what a big 'Hu'!"
You're all blind to your own strength; you've been searching for decades, yet you've overlooked the 'beard' right under your noses.

Hu Hai was struck dumb, his face turned deathly pale, and he swayed unsteadily. "I...I...I'm not surnamed 'Hu'!"

“I didn’t say your surname was Hu, you are the ‘Hu’ in the prophecy!” Xiaoyu said.

(End of this chapter)