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

Chapter 1137 The Emperor Guards the Country

"Yu Fengxian, are you going to exile us to Xingyang?" Li Si exclaimed excitedly as he recovered from his shock.

Xiaoyu pointed to her beautiful, fair face and asked, "Don't you get tired of seeing my old face every day?"

—Is this your old face? My face is the old face!
You dislike me staying in Xianyang because it annoys you and bothers you, right?
Li Si was furious.

Xiaoyu sighed, "Rather than seeing each other every day and growing tired of each other, it's better to stay apart, wish each other well, and wish each other well."

I live a solitary life in Xianyang, guarding the dragon vein and the destiny of the Qin Dynasty.

You can continue your carefree life in the bustling Central Plains, just like before, partying every night.

In any case, power will only follow the emperor.

As long as you serve the Second Emperor, you will always be prime ministers, censors, and high-ranking officials.

When you leave Xianyang, you will surely take your beautiful wives and concubines, and your vast fortune with you.

There's no need to worry about the long distance or difficulties in relocation.

Take a boat directly from Xianyang Wharf, and with a smooth journey, you will arrive at the outskirts of Xingyang City.

Even when it truly comes to a point where it's 'too painful to speak of,' there's no need to worry about your life or property.

You have a way out. You can take a large ship, just like you went there, and return to Guanzhong within a few days. You will surely reach Xianyang within half a month.

Feng Quji glanced at the two capitals on the map and frowned, saying, "The two places are indeed not far apart, but just because they are not far apart, is it necessary to establish two capitals, East and West?"

Besides separating the power of the Grand Tutor from that of the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers, was there any other truly meaningful purpose?

Xiao Yu said, "It's two or three thousand miles (Pangu World is even larger), so it's only convenient to connect with Guanzhong, it's really not close."

The key is that once you leave the Guanzhong region, you can directly access the Central Plains world outside.

They are able to obtain firsthand information and deliver government orders to local authorities as quickly as possible.

I don't need to waste words, you all understand. In the next few years, the Central Plains will definitely be in great chaos.

If unrest were to occur in any of the counties and prefectures of the six kingdoms of Shandong, the imperial court in Xingyang, the eastern capital, would be able to react the fastest.

Xingyang can receive any news quickly and formulate countermeasures.

Actually, what I'm saying now is all nonsense.

You are all experts and veterans in this field, with more experience than anyone else, and you understand the importance of Xingyang better than anyone else.

After all, when they marched out of Yao Pass to conquer the six states, they spread out from Xingyang to various parts of the Central Plains.

As Xiaoyu spoke, several arrows appeared heading north, east, and south from Xingyang, pointing to places where rebellion might occur.

She also drew a circle around Luoyang, which is located next to Xingyang.

"And don't talk about exile. Xingyang is a famous city in the Central Plains, and Luoyang is right next to it."

Luoyang was the capital of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty in the past, and it will nurture several great dragons in the future.

The imperial aura was so strong that it far surpassed that of the southeastern region.

If you all put in a little more effort and managed things properly, the prosperity and political prospects of Dongdu will surpass those of Xianyang.

Even if we take a step back and assume you are mediocre and incompetent, at least you could hold onto Aocang, which is located near Xingyang, right?

With Ao Cang present, the Qin Dynasty stands firm.

Once Ao Cang falls into the hands of the rebels, there's nothing more to say; the Central Plains will be utterly doomed.

The rebels no longer lacked food, but the Qin Dynasty was powerless to conquer the Central Plains, and the former territories of the six states in Shandong would inevitably fall quickly.

Even if you stay in Xianyang by then, what's the point?
However, their entire clan was slaughtered by the rebels a few days later.

You might as well listen to me; the two capitals are now positioned across the Central Plains by iron chains.

With me holding down the fort in the rear, you can go all out and make a big splash in the Central Plains. Even if you fail, you'll have a way out.

In the future, during the Chu-Han Contention, Liu Bang led his army and stationed it in Xingyang, instead of staying in Xianyang in Guanzhong.

Intervening in the Central Plains from Xingyang was a simple and direct approach.

The journey from Xianyang out of Guanzhong and into the various prefectures of the Central Plains becomes much more complicated.

In fact, disregarding the strategic importance of the Hangu Pass, in terms of geopolitical advantages alone, any city in the Luoyang or Xingyang area would be better than Xianyang.

After defeating Xiang Yu and conquering the world, Liu Bang initially planned to establish his capital in Luoyang.

Many ministers also expressed their agreement, because Luoyang is indeed a good place!

Although Liu Bang was eventually dissuaded by Zhang Liang and Liu Jing, the reason given for their dissuasion remained the same: it was safer.

Its only advantage is "safety".

"If there is any change in the Central Plains, the rebel army will advance rapidly and may reach the city of Xingyang in a short period of time."

"Once the capital is besieged, the whole country will be shaken, and the people's hearts will be shaken too!" the Imperial Commander said slowly.

Xiao Yu said frankly, "That's right. Of the six kingdoms in Shandong, no matter which one rebels, as long as they gain momentum, they can quickly reach Xingyang."

Xingyang's governance of various counties is more direct and efficient.

Conversely, the rebel forces from various prefectures storming the capital and threatening the life of the Second Emperor was the most direct and simple tactic.

If someone else had been stationed in Xingyang, it might have been overwhelmed in a single wave.

Not only did they cross the river with iron chains, they also committed a cardinal sin in military strategy: dispersing their forces.

But the Second Emperor Huhai was different; as I said before, he was blessed with a divine mandate!
Emperor Huhai's mandate of heaven, coupled with the high walls and deep moats of Xingyang, made the city's defenses ten times stronger than those of Xianyang.

In addition, he received assistance from a number of experienced and wise veteran ministers who had followed the late emperor in conquering the country.

I can't even imagine which traitor could possibly shake Xingyang.

She wasn't entirely being sarcastic at the moment.

Xingyang was the most powerful city in the Central Plains at that time, and it was built up to be extremely strong and solid by the Qin Dynasty.

Because the Qin Dynasty had been operating this city for ten thousand years, it served as the headquarters for the Qin state's invasion of the six states east of the mountains.

"Father, what if I can't hold on?" Hu Hai said in a trembling voice.

Xiao Yu gently comforted him, "According to the predetermined destiny, you are destined to be emperor for three years."

If some bandits truly break this destiny, then don't blame our Great Qin for defying fate and changing destiny.

After all, they were the ones who defied fate first.

They first disrupted the Mandate of Heaven, and the subsequent Mandate of Heaven will be like this.

She slightly moved her mind again, and an animated demonstration of the Dominoes (Qi Shadow Technique) appeared in front of everyone.

"When the first domino falls, it will definitely lead to a series of changes. Once the fate of the world is in chaos, I will sit in the rear, reap the benefits, snatch chestnuts from the fire for the Great Qin, and perform the art of defying fate in Xianyang."

"Father, if the bandits break my 'three-year imperial mandate,' wouldn't that mean I'll lose my life prematurely?" Hu Hai said in a panic.

Xiaoyu sighed, "You said it yourself, it's just ahead of schedule. At most, it's three years ahead of schedule."

Hu Hai wanted to burst into tears again: But I've only been emperor for three years!
Xiao Yu softened her tone and comforted him, "Your Majesty, you cannot deny the fact that you lack talent and virtue."

Then what makes you so special that you surpass all the princes and command respect throughout the land?

There has to be a plausible achievement and a justifiable reason, right?
If you are killed by bandits within three years, it will be as if you have risked your life to disrupt the established destiny, creating an opportunity for me and for the Great Qin to snatch chestnuts from the fire.

Any benefit that the Qin Dynasty gains from this is thanks to you.

Years later, with such extraordinary achievements, you will be qualified to ascend the throne as emperor.

Of course, being killed within three years is breaking the mandate of heaven; surviving three years and extending the imperial mandate beyond three years is also breaking the mandate of heaven. As Grand Tutor and holding the title of Chancellor, I certainly won't be idle and leave you to fight alone at the front.

I will advise and guide you from behind, and try my best to extend your imperial life. Once you live to be three years old, you will also defy fate and achieve unparalleled merit.

If you survive a few years and achieve this feat, it will be the same reason why you stand out from the other princes at this time.

Look at you, you are destined for greatness and will have unparalleled achievements in the future.

Even the heavens would feel it's unfair if you didn't become emperor.

This is what true destiny truly means!

"But, but..." Hu Hai looked conflicted, wanting to argue, but his limited intelligence prevented him from grasping Grand Tutor Yu's logic of "future achievements, today's qualifications" for a long time.

I felt that what Grand Tutor Yu said made perfect sense and seemed to make a lot of sense.

That makes a lot of sense.

The intelligent princes beside him looked at Grand Tutor Yu with admiration, then glanced at him with complicated expressions, their eyes no longer filled with jealousy or resentment.

Grand Tutor Yu is right, although Hu Hai can only pretend now.

His character and scholarship are all fabricated personas, but Hu Hai will definitely achieve great things in the future!
As long as we follow Grand Tutor Yu's strategy, no other prince can replace Hu Hai's role.

So, if he doesn't become emperor, who will?
Li Si said, "Prince Huhai—"

Xiao Yu raised her hand to interrupt him, saying, "Now there is no longer a prince named Hu Hai, only the Great Emperor Hu Hai!"

Ordinary officials should not address the emperor by his real name.

Given Prime Minister Li's seniority, calling him "Huhai" is acceptable; he simply cannot be addressed as "Prince" anymore.

Then she beckoned to Hu Hai, who was standing below the steps, and said, "Your Majesty, please ascend the dragon throne."

Hu Hai's face lit up with joy, and he scurried up the steps, standing respectfully opposite Grand Tutor Yu.

Grand Tutor Yu first helped him remove the Heavenly Crown, then with a grab of his right hand, he used his Great Teleportation Technique to take the Emperor's Crown from the tray held by Zhao Gao and put it on Hu Hai's head. He then placed the Imperial Seal of the State in Hu Hai's arms.

This scene caused Zhao Gao's pupils to shrink and his liver and gallbladder to rupture.

The imperial robes and crown on the tray were one thing, but the Imperial Seal of the State was placed right next to his body!
The Imperial Seal of the State is a sacred artifact that protects the nation, impervious to all laws and warding off evil spirits.

Even if a deity were to come, it would be difficult to take it away using magical powers.

Only a human immortal could seize the Imperial Seal of the State through martial arts.

Immortals need the primordial energy and laws of heaven and earth to perform their immortal arts, but the Imperial Seal of the State forms its own "Imperial Domain," which would severely distort the laws of the divine way.

Yu Fengxian, however, quietly used a secret method to take the jade seal from his body.

It's an exaggeration that she wasn't affected by the "Imperial Domain," but considering she once wielded the Nine Cauldrons and rode a dragon into the sky, Zhao Gao could barely accept it.

But he couldn't accept her taking things from him; he offered no resistance and was completely unaware of it.

If she had taken his head instead of the imperial seal, Zhao Gao couldn't help but shudder.

—Damn it, Yu Fengxian is right, I never want to see her tender face again.

I really can't stay in Xianyang anymore, I should go to Xingyang, the eastern capital.

At least there are no phoenix flowers there.

"Your subject, Yu Fengxian, Grand Tutor and Prime Minister of Qin, respectfully informs Heaven and Earth and the ancestors of the Ying clan: Huhai, son of Emperor Ying Zheng, shall succeed to the throne as the Second Emperor of Qin, and shall be known as 'Emperor Huhai'."

Xiao Yu shouted, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!" Without any hesitation, the princes immediately bowed and shouted.

Zhao Gao and the eunuchs followed closely behind, chanting, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

The sound carried outside the palace, with shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" echoing from Zhangtai Palace all the way to the gate of Xianyang Palace.

The people on the streets outside the palace, seeing the guards kneeling and shouting "Long live the Emperor!", understood that the new emperor had finally ascended the throne.

They immediately faced the direction of Xianyang Palace and kowtowed, shouting "Long live the Second Emperor!"

Li Si, Feng Quji, Marquis Lieyang, and other high-ranking officials could not say that they did not want Huhai to become emperor. However, given the current situation, they had suddenly gone from being in control to being controlled, which caused them great psychological distress and made their feelings complex and difficult to describe.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!" But now, all they can do is kneel down and shout "Long live the Emperor!"

"Hahaha, I thank you, my father-in-law, and all my ministers. Well, all of you, rise."

Emperor Huhai laughed so hard his eyes disappeared from his grin.

Upon noticing the indifferent expression on Grand Tutor Yu's face beside him, he hurriedly shrank back onto the dragon throne and said softly, "Father, please continue!"

Grand Tutor Yu coughed twice and said, "Prime Minister Li, please continue."

Li Si felt utterly disgusted.
"Let's not talk about the Second Emperor's relocation to Xingyang, the eastern capital. Let's just talk about you, Grand Tutor. You are all-powerful and know the will of Heaven. Why did you stay in Xianyang and let Xingyang block your way?"

If you want to defy fate, you should be the one to guard the Central Plains.

Even strategizing and planning is better than staying in Xianyang, isn't it?

Xiaoyu sighed, "Your understanding is that of a mortal. Fate is the will of all living beings and cannot be forcibly reversed."

The more you try to force yourself to change your fate, the more likely you are to get mired in a quagmire.

Ultimately, you fail to change your fate; instead, you push destiny in a predetermined direction that you do not desire.
Forget it, you don't understand destiny. If I tell you this, you'll probably think I'm just fooling you.

I'll just ask you one fact: during the great calamity of the Investiture of the Gods, when the Western Zhou attacked the Shang, wasn't Grand Tutor Wen running around like a firefighter?

Has Grand Tutor Wen succeeded?
The mistakes of those who came before should serve as a warning to those who follow!

"But what can you do if you stay in Xianyang?" Li Si asked.

Xiaoyu said, "You can't understand what I can do."

If you wholeheartedly accept my identity as Grand Tutor and Chancellor, then do as I say obediently and don't ask any questions.

If you are outwardly convinced but inwardly not, you should work even harder to protect Xingyang and the Central Plains, and prove me wrong with facts.

"It prevented me from making a stunning entrance, turning the tide of battle, and demonstrating the importance of 'If Grand Tutor Yu doesn't intervene, we will all perish and our clan will be wiped out.'"

Li Si's expression twisted, and he wanted to shout at him sternly.

But firstly, he had been inexplicably attacked, and his life was now in the hands of others.

No matter how proud he is, he has to face reality.

Secondly, while Grand Tutor Yu's words were indeed arrogant and annoying, they were also true.

If you listen to her, do as she says; if you don't listen to her, do even better and show that even without her, they can create a situation where Qin can be great again, and slap her in the face.

This fact made him feel even more distressed.

Li Si served as prime minister for hundreds of years, and even the most powerful immortals would show him respect. The first emperor of all time relied on him and could not do without him.

Yu Fengxian, a mere barbarian from the desert, constantly humiliated him, leaving him breathless with her pressure.

Xiao Yu turned her head to look at Hu Hai and said, "Your Majesty, please draft the decree quickly!"

Hu Hai respectfully said, "I would like to trouble you, my esteemed father, to write out the imperial edict so that I may affix my seal."

"That's fine!"

Xiao Yu retrieved the imperial edict and the imperial brush, and in front of all the court officials, quickly wrote out an imperial edict.

Hu Hai didn't even look at it and immediately stamped the He Shi Bi jade on it.

Xiao Yu said, "Your Majesty would be better off reading it aloud in public."

Hu Hai gladly obeyed, holding the imperial edict in his hands and reading it aloud.

The ministers looked awkward, as if they wanted to say: This was the work of the Grand Eunuch Zhao Gao, and you are the Second Emperor, Your Majesty!

(End of this chapter)