The younger brother of the First Emperor

Chapter 115: Zhao seizes the title of Lord Xinling and raises the hopes of Lord Changan
Sitting on a low chair, Xinling Jun held the armrest with his left hand and picked up the wine jug with his right hand.

In the air, he picked up the wine jug and slowly poured it out. The wine formed a line and flowed into his mouth with a "splash".

There are tables and desks below, two on the left and three on the right.

The five guests were either lying on chairs or on the table, snoring soundly.

The "crashing" sound stopped.

Wei Wuji poured two sips from the wine jug, and a few drops of slightly sour wine splashed on his face, mixed with the fishy smell of the roasted chicken on the table.

If you close your eyes, you might think it's blood.

Wei Wuji closed his eyes, gulped down the last mouthful of wine, and gently tossed the wine jug high.

The wine jug drew a parabola in the air and hit the ground, with the spout breaking first when it hit the ground.

There was only a slightly harsh "crack" sound.

This ceramic wine jug, with a smooth surface, carefully polished by a craftsman and worth one month's work salary of a farmer, was broken just like that.

The five guests were still breathing steadily, with no sign of waking up, they were sleeping soundly and sweetly.

Wei Wuji opened his eyes, gleaming with brilliance.

"Zhang Er!"

A young man wearing a fiery red brocade robe and with a calm expression walked in.

He stood still in the center of the room, clasped his hands, let his sleeves hang naturally, and lowered his head slightly.

"Lord."

Wei Wuji said "hmm".

"Please invite Lord Mao and Lord Xue to come here."

"only."

In less than half a minute, Zhang Er came with two drunken old men and bowed to take their leave.

"Wait." Wei Wuji pointed at the five sleeping people with a dejected look on his face and said, "They want to find someone more capable. You can put them to sleep. Leave fifty gold coins and a fast horse for each of them tomorrow."

"only."

Zhang Er ordered the guards to carry five people, and when he walked out, he happened to pass by Mao Gong and Xue Gong.

Mr. Xue's face was flushed and his eyes were sleepy. He kept shouting "Wine, wine, wine" and lowered his head to look for wine on the table. He didn't pay attention to the people passing by.

Mao Gong smelled of alcohol but he was not drunk, and his eyes were clear.

Seeing the master's expression and hearing his words, I was shocked.

"Is there anyone in the world more virtuous than my Lord?"

The old man hurriedly took a few steps and recognized Zhu Hai who was being held up at a glance, and was even more surprised.

Zhu Hai followed Lord Xinling from Zhao State. He killed Wei State's veteran general Jin Bi for Lord Xinling and betrayed his motherland, Wei State.

Even though he was living a life of luxury, he resolutely gave it all up and went to assassinate the prince of Qin, a mission that would ensure his death.

This is one of the people Xinling Jun trusts the most. Why would he go to rely on someone else?
Even if he and his old friend left, Zhu Hai would not leave.

Mao Gong crossed his arms in front of Zhang Er.

"Don't leave. Let me wake up Zhu Hai and talk to the master about this."

Zhang Er paused, and Wei Wuji's words rang out at the right time.

“No need to say more, Mr. Mao.

“Wuji’s disciples are free to come and go.

"The world is so big, and there are so many wise men. How dare Wuji be so arrogant? Let them be."

Zhang Er bowed slightly, said "Don't blame me, Mao Gong" to express his apology, then walked past Mao Gong and went out with the five people.

"Good wine, good wine." Xue Gong lay on the table, licking the wine flowing on his face and grinning foolishly.

He just held the wine jug and was about to pour it into his mouth.

He missed the target and it fell on his forehead, soaking every wrinkle on his face that looked like a ditch in a field.

Mao Gong pulled his friends together, and "piapia" means two big mouths.

Mr. Xue screamed twice, first he was confused, then he woke up.

He was so angry that he jumped up and was about to knock Mao Gong down.

Mao Gong, who was well prepared, dodged his old friend's first wave of attack and gave him a fierce look.

When his old friend stood there panting and gave him a vicious look that said "just wait", Mao Gong then approached Xinling Jun and shouted:
"My Lord, why is this happening? Didn't Zhu Hai go to assassinate Qin Prince Cheng Jiao? How could he betray you?"

"Betrayal...ha." Wei Wuji laughed bitterly: "Not really. You are Wuji's friends, not his slaves. We will gather together if we are compatible, and disperse if we are not."

Mr. Xue sighed after being slapped twice.

"Among all the nobles in the world, only the Lord is willing to consider lowly people like us as friends."

Wei Wuji bowed his hands in thanks and said, "Thank you, Mr. Xue, for your kind words." He then roughly repeated what Zhu Hai had said to the two old men.

Mr. Xue and Mr. Mao were both from Zhao County.

His reputation for being fair and just spread between the Zhao and Wei states, and he was worthy of being called a famous figure.

Hearing this, they looked at each other.

Mao Gong twirled his beard and pondered.

Mr. Xue picked up the wine jar and seemed to be playing with it in his hands, but in fact he was using this action to concentrate his attention. This was his habit for many years.

The only sound in the room was the "ton ton ton" of the lonely Xinlingjun who was drinking to drown his sorrows.

After an unknown amount of time, there was a "dang" sound and Mr. Xue put down the wine jar.

"My Lord, you cannot let Zhu Hai go. Once he leaves, your reputation will be ruined."

Handan, Zhao Wang Palace, Ruyi Palace.

Ruyi Palace was the sleeping palace of King Dan of Zhao.

On a bed that is nine feet nine inches long and seven feet three inches wide.

King Dan of Zhao rode on Guo Kai's back and galloped as he pleased.

His son, Prince Yan of Zhao, stood under the bed, reading with dry mouth the letter from the front-line general Le Cheng.

After hearing this, King Dan of Zhao violently grabbed Guo Kai's long hair.

"What a good Lord Xinling! I will give him the county of Hao as my fief and keep him in Zhao.

"It would be fine if he didn't appreciate the kindness, but he actually took revenge. This is really too much!"

Guo Kai felt a sharp pain in his head and felt his scalp being lifted up. He cried out in pain.

This aggravated Zhao Wangdan's violent mood, and he pulled even harder, like pulling the reins by a horse's mouth.

outside the palace.

Pingyang Jun Zhao Bao, who was old and could not bear to listen to decadent music, finally waited for the eunuch to call him in.

As soon as he entered, the low pressure in the palace made him frown.

[Disguised as a Yan person to assassinate, can't Le Cheng do such a simple thing?]
The old man took the bamboo slips from Zhao Yan's hand, unfolded it, and read it carefully.

His face was gloomy, his brows were furrowed, and he said angrily:

"Wei State did not send troops, but Wei Wuji still tried to stop us from asking Qin State for help. He is truly unfilial!"

In a rage, Zhao Wangdan was wearing only a loose robe, sitting on a chair, and taking a big gulp of wine.

His angry eyes swept across and fell on Gong Li's son Zhao Yan.

At the banquet to appoint a young man from the State of Qin as prime minister, this son caught his eye.

Being able to judge that Zhao Yu, the spy of Yan State, deserves to die is wisdom.

Believing in your own judgment and daring to do it yourself is courage.

The crown prince was held hostage in Qin. Although King Dan of Zhao had no intention of changing the crown prince, he wanted to keep a backup plan.

He wants to raise another son.

If the prince dies in Qin, Zhao will still have an heir.

Zhao Wangdan spoke in a deep voice.

"Yan'er."

Zhao Yan said respectfully:
"My son is here."

Zhao Wangdan walked barefoot to his son and looked down at him. "Do you have anything to say?"

Gongzi Yan's heart was beating like a drum, he felt both nervous and excited.

He knew that his father was testing him.

Wrong, the most likely possibility is that he will become an ordinary prince again, and will no longer have the opportunity to read memorials to his father in Ruyi Palace.

That’s right, he is one step closer to the position of crown prince!
When reading the memorial just now, Zhao Yan deliberately slowed down his pace.

While reciting, he was thinking about how he would answer if his father asked him questions.

The little boy from Qin State vomited wine all over him, apologized to him, and said at the banquet for him:

"Opportunities always come to those who are prepared."

He thought this sentence was wonderful.

Where are there so many Zhao Yus who can allow him to perform on the spot and win the position of crown prince and then become king?

However, the theory is known but the practice is difficult.

Zhao Yan gave his big head some time to think, but his small head disagreed.

Most of his mind now is about his father's concubine.

I always couldn't help but want to see Guo Kai lying on the bed, naked and without any cover.

His heart was beating fast when he read the memorial, it was so tender and beautiful.

He wanted to speak up and make a splash, letting his father know that he was no worse than his elder brother.

If Zhao Yi could become the crown prince and be granted a title of nobility, then Zhao Yan could do the same.

But he couldn't say it, he couldn't use two heads at the same time.

[Damn it! Why did my father have to respect ethics in front of me! Why was it Guo Kai who respected ethics!]
Zhao Wangdan's expression did not change.

However, Zhao Yan felt that his father's face was becoming more and more impatient.

In a hurry, he clenched his fist and said in a deep voice:
"Before leaving, my father appointed that bastard as a general, but today he received a memorial from Le Cheng. It shows that my father gave the order to Le Cheng alone, making that bastard a general in name only. My father is very wise."

These words reminded him of the conversation between him and the little boy from Qin at the banquet.

"I have to ask your father for a general before I leave."

"My lord, you are joking. You are already a prime minister, how can you be a general?"

"Su Qin wore the seals of the six kingdoms and led the troops of the six kingdoms to fight. If he could do it, why can't I?"

"… Su Qin is much older than you, and the chancellor and general can only hold the same position when they reach adulthood."

"Oh, I see... But I still want to be a general. It would be so impressive to be both a prime minister and a general. Go and tell your father that I don't want to lead an army, I just want the title of a general."

"...Okay, Yan Ding will speak for you, but you shouldn't hold out too much hope."

"Zhao Yan, you are so good to me, much better than Ying Zheng. He would bully me by relying on his age and even snatch my position as crown prince. You are my real brother!"

Zhao Yan agreed readily, but of course he didn't say it because he didn't want to offend his father.

When the little boy from Qin was about to leave, he went to see him off.

He specifically talked about how much he had said and how much effort he had put in to get his father to give him the position of general.

The little kid from Qin was so moved that he was completely overwhelmed.

If that cold beauty hadn't stopped me, I would have become his sworn brother on the spot.

Zhao Yan tried his best to control his eyes that wanted to glance at the bed and swallowed secretly.

[Will Father... be satisfied?]
Zhao Wangdan was very disappointed.

If his prince was standing in front of him, he would never say this.

His prince had thought of this as early as when he agreed to give it to that young general, without having to see Le Cheng's memorial.

He was about to tell Zhao Yan to get out when he heard his uncle's applause.

"It's good that you can see this." Zhao Bao clapped his hands and glanced at Zhao Wangdan: "If I had studied with the prince earlier, I believe I would have understood more."

Zhao Wangdan swallowed what he was about to say.

[I really didn’t take care of Yan’er…]
Gongzi Yan was delighted and looked at his great-grandfather with gratitude.

Seeing his great-great-grandfather smiling and nodding slightly to him, he was even happier and felt that the little boy from Qin was truly a blessed person.

He bent slightly.

When he turned his head to look at his great-grandfather, his eyes swept over the bed and hardened.

Zhao Wangdan kept his eyes on his son and noticed that his son was behaving strangely.

He narrowed his eyes slightly but didn't say anything.

He walked back to the bed barefoot and sat next to Guo Kai.

"Yan'er, come here and sit next to your father."

Zhao Yan's big head was worried, but his small head was ecstatic.

He responded with a "Yes".

He plucked his head and rubbed his way to his father, sitting down with the gun between his legs.

This time even the old man Zhao Bao noticed something was wrong and frowned.

After thinking for a moment, he let go and looked at his nephew.

"What does the king intend to do?"

Zhao Wangdan's face was as gloomy as water.

"If a young master Qin could ask me to become a prime minister or a general, I would have lost all my face long ago.

"What if the world-famous Lord Xinling steps on me again? It makes no difference.

"Taking action against Wei Wuji will only bring harm and no benefit. I will not give Wei an excuse to take advantage of the situation.

"Draft an imperial edict, asking Le Cheng to completely forget about Wei Wuji's assassination of Prince Qin! Don't mention it again!"

Zhao Bao stood up in awe, clasped his hands and said:

"In the past, Gou Jian slept on firewood and tasted gall, and with only 3,000 Yue soldiers he was able to conquer Wu.

"Now that our king is Zhao's forbearance, one day he will surpass the achievements of the King of Yue and achieve the goal of unifying the world!"

Zhao Wangdan sneered, his brows and eyes gloomy.

"Whether or not we will achieve hegemony will be discussed later. It is impolite not to return the favor. I will return the courtesy to Lord Xinling first."

Zhao Bao was stunned. Didn’t he just give a very clear analysis?
Seeing his uncle's expression, Zhao Wangdan comforted him and explained:

“Don’t worry, uncle.

"Zhu Hai is a man of great reputation in Zhao.

"I just want to compose a few folk songs and let the people of Zhao know them.

"This righteous man abandoned the world-famous Lord Xinling and joined the new prime minister of our Zhao State. Although the new prime minister of our Zhao State is a child, he is a gentleman who is more virtuous than Lord Xinling!
"With Zhu Hai's surrender and the spread of folk songs, even if that guy is just a pretend hypocrite, he is still a true gentleman in our Zhao State!"

Zhao Bao understood it immediately and was delighted.

“This plan is brilliant!
"Zhu Hai has been with Wei Wuji for more than ten years, and everyone knows that he is Wei Wuji's confidant.

"Zhu Hai abandoned Wei Wuji and defected to my Zhao State's Prime Minister because he believed that my Zhao State's Prime Minister was more virtuous than Wei Wuji.

"Use Lord Xinling of Wei to support Lord Chang'an of Qin and strengthen the prestige of Zhao. Very good! Very good!"

Zhao Wangdan was more certain of his idea after receiving his uncle's affirmation. He said coldly:
"Anyone in the court who dares to speak up or write to Wei Wuji about assassinating Prince Qin will be killed.

“As long as Wei Wuji is not suffering from madness, he will not speak out, and he will not let us break with the State of Wei because of him.

"He assassinated that guy because he was afraid that we would stand with the Qin State.

"The court has made its stance, and I, the people, can no longer control it. It's because the people of Zhao are so tough."

While Zhao Wangdan and Zhao Bao were talking, they were looking at Gongzi Yan out of the corner of their eyes.

The two of them explained the matter so thoroughly, just to feed Gongzi Yan.

But it seems... the effect is not great...

Gongzi Yan thought his movements were slight, as he saw that Guo Kai turned his head very slightly and glanced at him only seldom.

In fact, if King Dan of Zhao and Zhao Bao were the teachers in the classroom, then Gongzi Yan was the student who was making small moves.

Looking down from the podium, everything is clear.

(End of this chapter)