The younger brother of the First Emperor

Chapter 268: A Rage for the Beauty, the Chosen One

The Chu people called themselves barbarians, but in fact they regarded everyone else in the world as barbarians.

At that time, the Zhou emperor, with the so-called Central Plains orthodoxy, excluded the Chu people, believing that they had no common language.

The King of Chu responded: We Chu people really have no common language with you.

From the names of official titles to the way they worshipped gods and even their cultural customs, the Chu people were incompatible with the Central Plains.

It’s not that they can’t learn, but that they are too lazy to learn.

Their ancestor was Emperor Zhuanxu Gaoyang.

Gao Yang was the grandson of Huangdi and the son of Chang Yi.

They are the truly orthodox ones, and the countries in the Central Plains are the barbarians.

If anyone wants to learn, it should be the barbarians who learn the orthodox. How can the orthodox learn from the barbarians?
The Chu people are so proud.

From the king to the common people, everyone is full of pride in their bones and blood.

Mi Huang is also proud.

Ying Chengjiao also knew that Mi Huang was proud.

This little girl who always liked to hang around him never appeared once when he was with Princess Tian Yan of Qi, nor did she accompany him when he went to Bai Qi's Bai family.

The reason why Mi Huang could say those words was that they were considered shameless in the eyes of the Qin people who did not value etiquette.

It's not that I'm shameless, but that I'm too proud.

Even if the whole world thinks this is not right, only the people of Chu think this is right.

Wherever the Chu people go in the world, they will feel at ease doing what they think is the right thing to do, despite the undeserved condemnation from others.

Among all the countries in the world, the people of Chu are the most reluctant to leave their hometown.

The Chu people believed that except for Chu, everyone else was a barbarian.

Mi Huang gritted her teeth, her clear eyes fixed on the husband that her great-aunt had chosen for her since she was a child.

So many people, kneel down.

Pray loudly and ask for a beating.

This is vile!

The Central Plains considered it lowly.

The Chu State considered it lowly.

Mi Huang thought it was too despicable!
“Even prostitutes in brothels wouldn’t humiliate themselves like this.” The girl in fiery red as a flying phoenix had a murderous look on her face: “Ying Chengjiao, do you really want to humiliate me like this for a cheap merchant’s shop?!”

The girl called Ying Chengjiao by his name.

Her anger went straight to the top of her head, burning her whole body and making her tremble.

Ying Chengjiao pursed his lips into a straight line, appearing more ruthless than the sharpest blade in the world.

The anger from failing to win over Zhao Dashu burned away all the charm of the young man.

He knew it deep down.

If Mi Huang hadn't made such a fuss, the possibility of Zhao Dashu agreeing would have been extremely low.

But people cannot always remain in a clear and rational state.

At this moment, the young man was controlled by anger, and his usually smart mind went into a dead end. He only felt that the girl in front of him was a burden, a big burden.

"Ying Chengjiao, you are not my husband anymore!" the girl shouted.

She turned and ran away, her skirt fluttering, her eyes filled with water like a distant lake.

People are just mean sometimes.

The young man, who had been bothering Mi Huang by calling her "husband, husband", suddenly felt his heart skip a beat when the girl shouted "not my husband" in a swearing tone.

The girl's resolute back and her lotus-like ankles, which could not be covered by her skirt, flashed across the boy's sight from time to time.

The young man's heart suddenly felt empty and weightless.

It feels like I was riding a bungee jumping machine in my previous life, and my buttocks left the seat as I went straight down from the highest point.

Ying Chengjiao was unwilling to admit that he was lost, but he was lost.

"Not in the first place," the young man said coldly, watching the dazzling red figure disappear into the darkness.

The Qin people like black and dislike dirt.

Bai Ma smacked his lips with some regret and shook his head:

"It doesn't look good."

The white in Bai Ma is not the white of Bai Qi, but the white of Bai Yibing.

Bai Yibing's father was Jian Shu, who was as famous as Baili Xi during the reign of Duke Mu of Qin.

Among the Qin nobles, there are only two families that can be compared with the Bai family.

The Xi family, whose ancestor was Xi Qishu, was the son of Jian Shu, along with Bai Yibing.

The Meng family, whose ancestor is Meng Mingshi, was the son of Baili Xi.

The rest of the families.

None of those with a longer history than the other three have developed as well as the other three.

Those that have developed better than the other three do not have as long a history as the other three.

The three families of Meng, Xi and Bai were the benchmarks of the old Qin aristocracy and represented the most orthodox aristocratic forces in the Qin State.

There are old Qin nobles, but no new Qin nobles.

The Qin nobles used the time when Qin Xiaogong issued the edict to recruit talents as the dividing line. Those in the former considered themselves to be old Qin nobles, while those in the latter were called outsiders by the old Qin nobles.

The Qin nobles always believed that outsiders had taken away their official positions, land, and titles, so they were always hostile to outsiders.

The old Qin nobles privately complained about outsiders, and the most common phrase they said was:

"Qin still has to rely on us. We can't count on these outsiders, most of whom are not even Qin people."

The entire group of outsiders is larger than the old Qin nobles, but in terms of background, they are inferior.

From Shang Yang to Fan Ju, these outsiders rose quickly and fell quickly.

The outsiders themselves do not call themselves outsiders; they do not call themselves that.

Because the outsiders in the mouths of the old Qin nobles are a group of scattered sand and cannot take shape.

There are too many and too diverse sources of outsiders.

Shang Yang, the Lord of Shang who came from Wei to Qin, was an outsider; Meng Ao, the veteran general who came from Qi to Qin, was also an outsider; Bai Qi, the Lord of Wu'an, who was born and raised in Qin, was also an outsider!
That's right.

The old Qin nobles not only looked down on foreigners, they also looked down on the Qin people who rose from the common people because of their military merits.

The Chu people are proud.

The Mengxibai clan, who were the leaders of the old Qin nobles, were also proud.

then.

Bai Ma, the eldest son of the young generation of the Bai family, who had just scolded Mi Huang and regretted not seeing Mi Huang make a fool of herself, thought for a long time, then exhaled a breath of white air and took a step forward.

What his eyes were looking at and where his feet were facing was Chang'an Jun who had put down his arms.

Two young nobles, who were also members of the old Qin noble family like Bai Ma, followed leisurely, always a little behind Bai Ma.

This is less than half a step.

The two thought that this would both highlight that White Horse was the leader among the three, while not letting onlookers think that the two of them were White Horse's followers.

But judging from their expressions and attitudes, they are clearly followers.

"Greetings, Lord Chang'an." Bai Ma walked in front of Ying Chengjiao and nodded slightly.

Although he used the term "lowerman meets superior" to address his superior, his facial expression and body movements showed that he was treating his superior as an equal.

Ying Chengjiao's thoughts were a little confused, and he didn't notice this person until Bai Ma spoke.

Judging from the neatness of the white horse's appearance and the well-cut custom-made mountain black bear skin he was wearing, it was clear that the white horse must be from a noble family.

When the white horse pulled back, the two men raised their hands and clasped their fists, then said with a little respect, "Greetings, Lord Chang'an."

Ying Chengjiao was convinced that the white horse came from a top noble family.

Only the nobles could talk to him, and the nobles' followers were not qualified to talk to him.

The feeling of being able to bring two nobles out as followers... There are only a few such families in Xianyang.

Ying Chengjiao regained his composure, not understanding Ma's sudden approach. He nodded slightly as a gesture of return:
"Who is your Excellency?"

Bai Ma, who deliberately did not introduce himself, was waiting for this and smiled:
"White Horse." [So it's Meng Xibai's Bai... Why are you looking for me?] Ying Chengjiao located it accurately and was puzzled.

The Bai family he dealt with the most was Bai Qi's Bai, and he didn't have much in common with Meng Xibai's Bai family.

Grandfather is here.

No matter the old Qin nobles, outsiders, or the Xianyang prodigy, they all need not be paid any attention.

Grandfather is not here.

He was imprisoned and traveled around the countries after he was released. When he returned to Qin, he had already confronted his father. Not long after, he went to Qi again. When he came back for the second time, he heard the news of his father's death.

He is always busy and has something to do.

Among all these things, the Meng, Xibai and three families have not been involved yet.

Therefore, Ying Chengjiao had a general idea of ​​who Meng Xibai was, but he was not very clear about who he was. The environment where he had most contact with Qin nobles was the court.

In the Xianyang officialdom, most of the high positions in the court were occupied by outsiders, and there were not many Qin people who could quarrel and fight in the front hall of Xin Palace.

The power of the Qin aristocracy was not at the top of the country's top officials such as the Nine Ministers and the Prime Minister, who received an annual salary of 2,000 stones.

As for the next level, Qianshi - Qianshi officials, half of them were old Qin nobles.

And officials below the rank of Qianshi - the lower the official rank, the higher the proportion of old Qin nobles.

"So you are the descendant of Jian Shu. I'm sorry." Ying Chengjiao spoke politely while trying to figure out the purpose of Bai Ma's visit.

He had just met Zhao Dashu when Bai Ma showed up... Is the commander so quick?

The Meng, Xi and Bai families have not yet determined their positions.

However, most of the clan members worked in government offices and were actually under the control of Prime Minister Lu Buwei. To be obedient to them meant to be biased towards the Prime Minister.

"It's a shame that the younger generations are still known by relying on the names of their ancestors." Bai Ma laughed.

He spoke with shame, looked proud, and there was not even a trace of shame in his tone.

Glancing at the direction where Mi Huang left, Bai Ma said with a smile:

"Even if the Chu barbarians are accepted into the upper class, they are still barbarians. Lord Chang'an need not worry about it.

"I just lost face in front of this girl. I was scolded because of Shi Bai."

Using something equally embarrassing but more embarrassing to bring them closer, Bai Ma took a step back and said sincerely:
"Ma Simi has long admired Chang'an Jun, but has never had the chance to meet him.

"Today I have met Lord Chang'an. Although I did not send a visiting card as a last minute invitation, my heart is sincere.

"If Lord Chang'an has time, you can go to the doctor's office where we are on duty, or we can follow Lord Chang'an into the palace, or find a secluded place.

“All are fine.

“None of us three have ever been outside Qin, and we have long been curious about the affairs of other countries.

"I heard that Chang'an Jun traveled around the countries. I would like to ask Chang'an Jun to explain a few things."

The two nobles behind the white horse looked at each other, neither of them understood what the white horse was up to. Even if they knew what the white horse was up to, they would not have followed the white horse around as his followers.

It doesn’t matter if you don’t know, just follow it.

The two of them spoke in unison, repeating Bai Ma's last words like a tape recorder:

"I would like to ask Chang'an Jun to explain a little."

Bai Ma's remarks were much more respectful than when he first met Ying Chengjiao. It can be said that he was respectful at first and then polite.

Ying Chengjiao thought about it and laughed.

It turned out that the Bai Ma from the Bai family came to find out where he was.

Going to the Doctor's Office means being the Prime Minister, returning to the palace means being the King, and finding another secluded place means being neutral.

In front of Prime Minister Lu Buwei, Ying Chengjiao had already made it clear that he stood on the side of the king.

But in the eyes of others, even the three major clans of Meng Xibai, could not tell which side this young prince who became famous at a young age and was only thirteen years old was on.

She still did not move out of the palace and had a close relationship with the king, like one person.

He went to the Prime Minister's residence every few days to meet him, and they had long and short talks.

Bai Ma has heard of people who don't take sides and people who are fence-sitters, but he has never heard of people who stand on both sides openly and are respected by both sides... Bai Ma can't find the words to describe such people.

Teasing Mi Huang was out of lust, but seeking out Ying Chengjiao to talk to him was a well-thought-out decision.

It was true that Young Master Bai came to watch the fun, but he did not stay just to watch the fun.

Seeing Ying Chengjiao had a smile on his face but didn't say anything.

The White Horse Plan came to mind, and he tried to laugh:

"I heard that Ju Mang was demoted to the position of Shao Fu Jian, and I was truly worried and terrified for our country.

"Now that I have met Lord Chang'an, please allow me to do my best to help you."

The eldest son of Bai Ma glanced back and said in a tone that brooked no room for argument:
“Brother Baili, Brother Gan.

“Didn’t we agree to recover the ill-gotten gains from the untouchables on behalf of the country?
"Now that Lord Chang'an is here, why don't you return the gold you have recovered to Lord Chang'an?"

The two of them widened their eyes. When did they say that?
Bai Ma's eyebrows moved up, he just said that!

The two of them said "yes" unhappily and started taking things out from their arms.

Each one grabbed out three gold cakes.

One of them originally had five gold cakes in his hand, but when he saw that his good brother only took out three, he secretly left out two gold cakes, so there were still three gold cakes when he put his palm normal.

One gold cake is one gold, and three gold cakes are three golds.

Both of them began to feel pain in their flesh.

I have been plundering the untouchables these days, and finally I am a bit more generous...

Bai Ma took the golden cake from the two brothers with a smile, and held it in both hands before handing it to Ying Chengjiao:
"Meager strength."

At the end of the Warring States Period, there was no paper currency such as silver notes and Jiaozi.

Six gold cakes have a much greater visual impact than a piece of thin paper equivalent to six gold cakes.

Having two hundred thousand in cash in front of you is much more satisfying than having a balance of two hundred thousand.

Ying Chengjiao was unhappy.

Holding the white horse's hand, there was a dark red blood spot in the depression of the top golden cake.

That was blood, blood that seeped into the gold.

Ying Chengjiao forced himself not to be angry and told himself that it was no big deal.

To achieve great things, there are always sacrifices. This is a fact that has long been known.

For the sake of the overall situation, the teacher let these nobles go, just to use the nobles' craze for money to cover up the people's craze for studying.

He took the gold and even thanked the white horse.

What does this mean... The young man couldn't wrap his mind around it and couldn't figure it out for a moment.

Mi Huang, who had burned down the fur shop and committed a serious crime, refused to accept him as her husband and offered him a white horse worth human blood and gold.

From the moment he and Zhao Dashu separated, he was filled with negative emotions.

Seeing that Chang'an Jun accepted the gold, Bai Ma was satisfied.

He bowed to Chang'an Jun according to the proper etiquette, stopped when he was excited, and left when he was tired.

He had a feeling of being personally involved in major family and national affairs, a feeling that was different from the explanations and analyses given by his father and grandfather.

He controls the lives of the untouchables and the fate of the country.

His face flushed and he felt it was more pleasurable than shivering a few times on the beauty's body.

So exciting!
He was full of fighting spirit, like a victorious fighting cock, leaping along the aisle with his breast puffed out.

"Bang~!"

A golden cake hit his chicken head.

He was hit so hard that he saw stars. In a trance, he seemed to hear the voice of Chang'an Jun:

"How dare you call Mi Huang a barbarian! I will smash your head off!"

Zhao Dashu stood on the second floor of his fur shop, watching quietly as Chang'an Jun smashed a gold cake into a deformed blood cake.

He closed his eyes, listened to the not-so-loud "bang bang bang" sounds, and a look of intoxication gradually appeared on his face.

This was the most beautiful sound he had heard since he came to Qin.

"Zou Zi didn't use the Heaven's trick to deceive me this time." Zhao Dashu murmured to himself: "The chosen one for Heaven, the chosen one for Heaven."

(End of this chapter)