The younger brother of the First Emperor

Chapter 339 Try and die
As soon as Wang Kuan finished speaking, many people looked at him with surprise, astonishment and delight.

When the crown prince set the first fire, no one knew whether it was real or fake. Wang Kuan was willing to test it with his own interests, and ended up bringing bad luck to himself, but it benefited everyone. What a good man!

"Is what Patriarch Wang said true? You are not just trying to please us gentlemen, right?" The old and frail Meng Hua smiled and praised Wang Kuan in a joking tone.

The old man guessed that there were only two reasons why Wang Kuan did this.

One is to make the Wang family go one step further, fill the vacancy left by the Bai family, and become the top clan among the old Qin nobles. This is what the heads of the Wang family in all generations wanted to do.

The Wang clan gambled with their own interests. If they could test and find out that the fire the crown prince was burning was fake, although the actual benefits would not be much greater than other clans, their reputation would definitely be known.

Second, Wang Kuan was impulsive and lost his mind. Even the wisest saints can be confused at times.

Meng Hua didn’t particularly care which the real reason was, as it would not affect the interests of the Meng family anyway.

Even if Chang'an Jun was bluffing, if the Wang family really gained momentum among the old Qin nobles, would the Wang family be able to rise to the top? Not necessarily.

The old man rubbed his staff and looked at Wang Kuan with a playful smile on his face. This was the view of the climber from the top of the mountain.

Another old man, the grumpy Xidi, had a cheerful look on his face and laughed heartily:

"Good boy! I like your personality! You, the Wang family, will be the vanguard! I, the Xi family, will follow behind!"

This was pressure from a former military general who seemed to be ignorant of politics.

However, if he really is ignorant of politics and only knows how to fight wars, why does this veteran general from Xidi have no influence in the circle of military generals, and how can he be the leader of the Xi family?
The veteran raised a bottle of wine, toasted Wang Kuan personally, and drank it all in one gulp without waiting for Wang Kuan to refuse.

Wipe your mouth with your sleeve, don't be fussy about details.

Before the banquet started, Xidi brought his son Xishan to the Meng family an hour in advance.

He had discussed with the Meng family, and the result of the discussion was that all officials of the old Qin nobles continued to be slack and return to their original state.

The old Qin nobles cannot back down just because of a crown prince, and cannot be frightened. Even if the crown prince really dismisses all officials regardless of the consequences, will the king allow it?

Yes, this will offend the crown prince.

But since they have offended even the king, why would they care about the crown prince?
The king is less than twenty years old. When he has a son, it is hard to say whether the crown prince can ascend to the throne.

This was the original plan.

Now that Wang is willing to step forward and test the quality of the crown prince, it would be even better.

Meng and Xi are representatives of the old Qin nobles. If the old Qin nobles continue to neglect their duties, the first to offend Chang'an Jun will be the Meng and Xi families.

If Wang is willing to take the blame, then let Wang take the blame.

The reason why the Xi and Meng families did not think of sending a clan out.

Firstly, they cannot send people up to die at will because doing so would cause them to lose their prestige.

The second reason is that the cost outweighs the gain. If it succeeds, it's fine, but if it fails, don't you still have to follow the original plan? Why bother?

Wang Kuan stood up hurriedly and responded to Xidi, the senior and high-ranking veteran.

When the head of the Wang family drank, many compliments and praises came in, and the heads of various clans raised their cups to toast him.

This posture made the clans that were on good terms with Wang Kuan sigh in their hearts. Unless Wang Kuan was shameless and said it was a joke, the Wang clan would have to fight this first battle with the crown prince.

Wang Kuan was very proud and agreed readily.

The singing and dancing started again, and the actors and actresses came again.

This banquet was a great success for both the guests and the hosts.

After the banquet, four or five of Wang Kuan's good friends whispered that he shouldn't be so impulsive, as this was a gamble.

Wang Kuan smiled bitterly, saying that he was impulsive and drank a few more sips of wine, so his mind was not clear. But things have come to this point, and now there is nothing else to do.

The head of the Meng family, Meng An, called Wang Kuan at the door and led Wang Kuan back to the Meng family to meet the old head of the family, Meng Hua.

Meng Hua leaned on his staff and patted Wang Kuan's arm:
"My dear boy, don't force yourself to do things, and don't be too hasty.

"I still have some dignity left in my old bones, so I will go and talk to them.

"What you just said was drunken talk, don't take it seriously.

"I used to be very close to your father."

"Thank you, Lord Meng... Uncle Meng." Wang Kuan struggled as he changed his address. He gritted his teeth and said, "Kuan is not young anymore. I have to be anxious."

Meng Hua sighed and shook his head:

"You still say you are not young, isn't this the nature of young people? Impulsive and fond of gambling.

"well.

"Since you have made up your mind, then go ahead.

"If we really fail, I will not sit idly by and watch. Noble Qin will not sit idly by and watch."

Wang Kuan was overjoyed and thanked him repeatedly.

Meng An saw Wang Kuan out.

A man came out from behind a very large screen in the room—the veteran Xidi.

The veteran narrowed his eyes. He was not irritable in private. His eyes, which were usually as wide as bull's eyes, narrowed into a slit:

"Hua, do you think this guy is sincere or fake? Is he trustworthy?"

Meng Hua looked towards the gate and pondered for a moment:
"His eldest son, Wang Wan, was the king's study companion and was very close to him. The king let Wang Wan manage all the money and grain of the state.

“In theory, he can completely surrender to the king.

"The king has no one under his control at the moment, so it is the right time for Wang Shi to seek refuge with him.

"He didn't do that, but still stood with us and led the charge for us..."

"What's the difference between you saying so much and not saying anything?" The old general didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "Just tell me whether you think Wang Kuan is trustworthy or not, and whether the Wang family is trustworthy or not."

"It's hard to say." Meng Hua tapped the ground with his staff and walked to the door.

Xidi waited for a long time but received no response from Meng Hua. He knew that this old friend who had been known for his steadiness since his youth had no further response.

He coughed lightly and said:
"In my opinion, he saw that his son Wang Wan was riding on the king's side, and it was not convenient for him to stand on our side, so he took the initiative to ask to be the vanguard to show that he had no ulterior motives.

“If he and his son were on opposite sides, they wouldn’t lose.

“Even if he shows up this time and his power is shattered by Chang’an Jun, the Wang family won’t be hurt.

"This price has kept the Wang family's position among us intact, so the Wang family hasn't lost much."

Meng Hua, who had thought so in his heart, nodded slowly and seriously, and said ambiguously:

"maybe.

"Let Wang scout the way ahead. I don't want to face Chang'an Jun head-on..."

Xidi was silent.

He knew that his old friend was timid because of Bai's matter, because he was the same.

Meng Xibai had been called Meng Xibai for more than 200 years, and suddenly he became Meng Xi. Shang Yang, the most hated villain by the Qin nobles, did not do such a thing.

"I now." The old general gave a bitter smile, "I kind of like the harshness and ingratitude of the royal family. At least, the profit-oriented king will not kill us."

The Chang'an Junhui, who advocates morality.

The two old men looked at each other in silence. Neither of them mentioned that Bai deserved the punishment for participating in the treason, and neither of them said how happy they were when Bai was in trouble.

In the next few days, Wang took action.

Wang mobilized his sons and daughters who worked in the Supreme Court and officials who relied on him.

The Supreme Court, which had been running smoothly, was once again slowed down by minor issues such as blank spaces on the bamboo slips, failure to affix seals in time, and inability to find professionals.

The old court judge Huayang Bufei fell ill in anger.

Ying Chengjiao came to visit and heard the old man mumbling a lot.

The old court official said that his sister was better than him in work and was also extremely beautiful. King Xiaowen fell in love with her at first sight. After his father, Lord Huayang, got into trouble, it was thanks to his sister that the Huayang family did not fall into decline. He said that he was also competitive when he was young, but now that he lives one day at a time, he realizes that many things are not that important. Being alive is the most important thing, both for individuals and for the family.

Sometimes giving in is not weakness. Why do you have to get angry and argue about the shortcoming? You are still young, and you still have a long way to go. If you keep walking slowly, you can kill them.

The old court judge said it would take half an hour, but suddenly he was startled, looked around, and said blankly:

"Where is this?"

The young man grabbed the old man's hand and said gently:

"Uncle, this is your home."

"this is my house?"

"Yes."

"Then who are you?"

"I am...I am your grandson."

"Is this your home?"

"It's your home."

"My house...are you home?"

"Yes, we are all home."

"I am going home."

"This is your home, uncle."

"my home?"

"Yes."

"What about my sister?"

"My eldest mother is working outside."

"..."

The young man walked out of the old court judge's house and stepped over the threshold of the gate.

He stood in front of the stone sculpture of Bi'an on the left side of the door, looking up at the mythical beast that was said to be able to distinguish between good and evil, his eyes faintly red in the sunlight.

"This is fucking ridiculous." The boy cursed in a low voice: "This is fucking disgusting!"

The spring breeze blew on his face, and the young man slapped his legs:

“Can’t you tell good from evil?

"I am standing before you, and you decide whether I am good or evil."

Bi'an said nothing, but raised his head and banged it against the sky.

"You are blind too." The young man pouted and cursed.

He took a long look at the old court judge's private residence, then quickly boarded the four-horse carriage that had been parked at the door for a long time.

There was already one person in the carriage.

Lis.

"My lord." It was not easy to stand up in the carriage, so Li Si half-stood and bowed slightly.

"Sit down. There's no need for all these formalities in private. Has your senior brother left?" The young man sat down and asked with a smile, his expression the same as always.

"Senior brother has already gone to Chu." Li Si replied.

"Okay." The young man nodded. "Those who should be dismissed should be dismissed, those who should be sentenced to labor service should be sentenced to labor service, and those who should be killed should be killed. Everything must be done according to Qin law."

A hint of excitement flashed in Li Si's eyes. He lowered his head and responded with a "Yes", his voice trembling slightly.

The opportunity he had been waiting for had arrived.

Sikong Qian, the secretary of the Supreme Court, was not of the Wang clan, but was a member of the Wang clan.

The master of the house gave orders to act according to what he had been told before, and he did so.

It wasn't just him who received the order, but all the people in the Wang family, so he was not afraid.

When his subordinates presented him with bamboo slips, he would deliberately point out mistakes and ask them to be redone. If he really couldn't find any mistakes, he would personally point out the mistakes and send them back.

The person in charge of the library of the cinnabar and ink in the Tingwei Mansion, like Sikong Qian, belonged to the Wang family. If the cinnabar and ink blocks were accidentally placed together and then accidentally poured water on them, it would be a small matter that needed to be cleaned up. However, until the cleaning was completed, the writing in the Tingwei Mansion might have to be suspended.

Little things like this happen all the time.

Some of them had worked in the Supreme Court for more than ten years, and some for only several years. The officials belonging to the Wang family were too familiar with the regulations of the office, and the offenses they committed were so minor that even their salaries would not be deducted.

Chang'an Jun said that we should act completely in accordance with Qin law, which is great.

Considering what they have done, Qin law will not impose any punishment.

When Sikong Qian was arrested from his desk, he panicked and shouted:
"Everyone makes mistakes! Your Excellency said to act according to Qin Law! According to Qin Law! I am innocent! I am innocent! Let me go! I want to find your Excellency!"

He was thrown into prison, locked up with his young, old and old friends. A total of more than ten officials belonging to the Wang family were also arrested.

They banged on the iron gate, shouting that they were innocent and wanted to see the king and the court judge.

The prince they were talking about did not come, and the chief judge they were talking about did not come either.

But they met a new sky in the Supreme Court - Supreme Court Justice Li Si.

In the absence of the old Chief Justice, Li Si had the final say in the Chief Justice's Office.

Compared to Huayang Bufei, Li Si is really very young.

This disciple of Xunzi, along with the left and right supervisors of the old Qin aristocratic faction, conducted a public trial of these officials of the Wang family in the Tingwei Prison under the watchful eyes of a group of officials from the Tingwei Office.

Facing Sikong Qian and his group who were crying out that they were innocent, Li Si explained in a serious and meticulous manner what they had done.

Li Si did not convict them according to the mistakes they made, but instead convicted them of deliberately delaying government actions and obstructing the operation of the country.

The Qin law does not convict people if one or two format errors or omissions are made, but the Qin law does convict people if one or two format errors are intentionally made.

Determined to catch a thief, Li Si had all the evidence, and he identified Sikong Qian as a spy and beheaded him three days later.

Sikong Qian turned pale, cried bitterly, threatened and cursed, but it was all in vain.

He is definitely not a spy.

But Li Si labeled him a spy based on his actions, so he was.

Although the Qin laws were all-encompassing and covered everything, no matter how perfect they were, they could not compare to the laws issued two thousand years later.

Even the laws of two thousand years later had many different interpretations for the same matter, and different interpretations would lead to completely different charges and punishments, let alone the Qin laws?
Chang'an Jun said that we must act in accordance with Qin law, so as long as Qin law can be explained reasonably, then it will be fine.

Li Si, who knew what Chang'an Jun wanted to do and what the king wanted, tried the case very quickly.

The court judge, who had witnesses and material evidence in hand, followed the Qin law and turned the officials who were once glamorous, at the top of society, and had no worries about food and drink and did not have to work hard, into slaves doing corvee labor, who would die in a few days.

In Li Si's writings, there were no officials who were dismissed simply.

Li Tonggu was punished severely and strictly in accordance with Qin law.

The Left and Right Chief Justices of the Court of Justice, as well as a group of old Qin nobles who witnessed all this, were all horrified and worried.

Soon, the old Qin nobles behind them also had the same expressions and mentality as them.

There was blood at the Caotan execution ground.

There are more people on the royal tomb.

Less than ten days after the incident, Wang's power in the Supreme Court suffered a devastating blow, and the Supreme Court was replaced by a group of new faces.

Since Chang'an Jun did not come forward, Li Si used Wang's fate to tell the old Qin nobles that if they tried, they would die.

(End of this chapter)