The younger brother of the First Emperor

Chapter 165: Kindness Has a Price
Zhao Yong stayed in Korea for more than half a year and finally waited for Prince Cheng Jiao to come.

One of his eyes was gouged out because he did not recognize Master Chengjiao, but he did not hate Master Chengjiao at all. Instead, he was full of gratitude towards him.

He was blind at first.

Prince Chengjiao did not hold a grudge against him and not only pardoned his sins, but also exempted him from corvée labor and allowed him to resume his post in the Imperial Medical Bureau.

He also gave him a large amount of gold, silver and jewelry, bought him real estate in a prosperous area of ​​Xianyang, and solved his family problems.

After he revealed the doubts about the cause of death of the previous king, Prince Chengjiao, who was extremely sad at the time, immediately arranged for him to leave the State of Qin.

Where can we find such a young man in Qin?
Therefore, he was willing to sacrifice his life for Master Chengjiao, as he had done this once.

Zhao Yong sat in the carriage, touching the handwriting of Master Cheng Jiao in his arms, his one eye flashing with determination.

He is mortal.

But the young master's business must be done.

Outside the carriage were more than fifty people from the Lu Chamber of Commerce. They were going to the State of Yan to do business.

Within five days from Xinzheng, a total of five Lu family caravans set out, heading towards Yan, Zhao, Wei, Chu and Qi respectively.

Xianyang, Central Royal Palace, Jingquan Palace, front hall.

The Queen Mother Huayang sat on a chair, leaning back and closing her eyes to rest.

It was only about half a year since the late king's death, but the wrinkles on her face had become deeper, as if she had aged three years.

After King Xiaowen passed away, Queen Dowager Huayang almost stopped wearing makeup.

She opened her eyes, a gleam of light flashed in her eyes, and she ordered calmly:

"Let Lu Buwei come in."

After a while, Lu Buwei came in from outside and bowed respectfully to the Queen Mother Huayang:
"Meet the Queen Mother."

The Queen Mother Huayang forced a smile and stretched out her hand for Lu Buwei to sit down and talk.

Lu Buwei bowed and thanked him, then took a seat.

The Queen Mother Huayang looked at Lu Buwei's face.

Even though she had seen it several times, she couldn't help but take another look every time she saw it.

She was from Chu, believed in Dong Huang, and practiced witchcraft.

Witchcraft is profound and includes the art of physiognomy, which Queen Dowager Huayang knows a little about.

It is said that one's face reflects his heart, and this is applicable in witchcraft.

A highly skilled sorcerer (xi, second tone) can easily judge a person's character by looking at his face.

The Queen Mother Huayang was not proficient in witchcraft and could not make an accurate identification, so she could only give a rough idea.

[The appearance of being heartless.]
Queen Mother Huayang was secretly shocked, but she looked calm and said in a relaxed manner:

"I'm afraid the Prime Minister will return home disappointed after coming here."

She knew why Lu Buwei came, otherwise she would not have closed her eyes and thought for so long before meeting him.

It is okay to control water and build canals.

She disagreed with asking Zheng Guo to control water and build canals.

Although she was a Chu person, her noble status was given by the Qin State, and she was the queen mother only in the Qin State.

She knew very well that she could only radiate glory if she relied on the Qin State.

She can make some adjustments to some small things, such as Yexiang, which will not have a substantial impact on the national strength of Qin.

But asking Zheng State to control water and build canals, ah, it's impossible.

Lu Buwei curled up the corners of his mouth, but his smile was not very beautiful.

But considering Lu Buwei's status and power, this smile was more beautiful in the eyes of Queen Dowager Huayang than that of handsome men like Song Yu and Guo Kai.

Lu Buwei's power surpassed that of the Chu clique, but he still had to welcome her with a smile. This is the beauty of power.

"It's been a long time since I last met the Queen Mother." Lü Buwei apologized, "This is my fault."

Queen Mother Huayang smiled and waved her hand, looking as if she didn't care.

When Prince Chu of Qin was still a hostage in Zhao State, whenever Lu Buwei came to Xianyang, he would visit Mi Buming, who was then Lady Huayang.

Thanks to Mi Bushing's help, Lu Buwei was able to meet the former king, who was then the Lord of An Guo.

At that time, Lü Buwei could only stand in front of Mi Buming and was not qualified to sit. Mi Buming glanced at the chair where Lü Buwei was sitting and said in a gentle voice:
"It happened so many years ago, why bring it up?

"Mi Chen has told me, I know what you are thinking.

“Water control is possible.

"I don't agree to let Zheng Guo govern.

"If that's the case, don't waste your breath on it."

Lü Buwei lowered his eyebrows and did not look directly at the Queen Mother Huayang, to show his respect:

"Do you think it will be possible to have Zheng State control the flood?"

"No." Queen Dowager Huayang shook her head without hesitation.

"What is the reason?"

"Didn't Mi Chen tell you? What's the matter?" Queen Mother Huayang asked with a smile, "Want to drag me into this? I won't support you."

Lu Buwei said in a deep voice:

"Since Your Majesty thinks this question is difficult to answer, I will change it."

He put his fingers upside down and tapped the table lightly and rhythmically, adding to the tense atmosphere, and continued:

"If the Queen Mother agrees with Bu Wei's suggestion and lets Zheng State control the flood, will this be possible?"

"No." Queen Dowager Huayang still did not hesitate.

The biggest obstacle to this matter has always been Prince Chu of Qin. The Chu faction is not the main force, and the military force that seems to have the greatest momentum is not the main force either.

"What impact will it have on the incident whether the Queen Mother agrees or not?" Lu Buwei said with a smile.

Queen Mother Huayang looked displeased.

Doesn't this imply that she is no longer capable and her opinions are not enough to influence the overall situation?

Lü Buwei seemed to have seen nothing, and seemed not to have noticed, still smiling:
"Buwei heard that Queen Mother Huayang had received a promise from Prince Chengjiao, a promise to keep the Chu clan safe.

"Your Majesty, ask yourself, after receiving this promise, do you feel at ease?"

Are you at peace... Queen Dowager Huayang asked herself in her heart.

Looking at Mi Huang who was standing aside, blinking her big eyes, and looked like an elf.

If she felt at ease, she wouldn't be in a hurry to marry Huang'er.

Lü Buwei observed the Queen Mother Huayang's expression, but he did not pause for a moment:
"In the process of getting Prince Chengjiao out of prison, the Queen Mother made great efforts.

“But Prince Chengjiao’s escape from prison was entirely his own doing, and had little to do with the Queen Mother.

"Does the Queen Mother admit it?"

Queen Dowager Huayang nodded reluctantly.

Although she didn't want to admit it, she was lucky to be able to protect herself at that time, and she didn't dare to contribute. The release of Master Chengjiao from prison really had little to do with the Chu faction.

Amid the clanging sounds of knocks on the table, Lü Buwei's voice was deep and powerful:

“The Second Young Master is a man who values ​​friendship.

"The Queen Mother has made efforts, so the Second Young Master should accept the Queen Mother's kindness.

“But this kindness has a price.

"Bu Wei is a businessman. In Bu Wei's view, everything in the world has its price.

"The Queen Mother must be thinking the same thing, which is why she is feeling uneasy.

“A drop of kindness should be repaid with a spring, not with a poster.

“Queen, now is the time to add another drop of water.

“Whether the Queen Mother agrees or not, Zheng’s plan to control the flood will not succeed.

“Then why doesn’t the Queen Mother agree to do the Second Young Master another favor?

"Then the king might be annoyed with the queen mother, but at most, he will just be annoyed, that's all."

Queen Mother Huayang's expression suddenly straightened, and it was as if a thunderbolt exploded in her mind, and a flash of lightning flashed...

　Time is running out, I'll post one chapter first

　　
　
(End of this chapter)