The younger brother of the First Emperor

Chapter 86: Prince Chengjiao dreams of Qin Wangzhu at night, and the old Qin Wang dies for Qin

The four veterans' hearts all skipped a beat, and panic immediately appeared on their faces.

The prince's easy-going and sentimental nature made them forget the prince's ruthless destruction of the Eastern Zhou Kingdom and why the four of them were in Jingquan Palace.

The cold invaded the bodies of the four veterans, and they felt it was colder than fighting in the wind and snow in winter.

The person standing in front of them was not a junior who listened to their nagging and chattering but dared not talk back, but the most powerful person in the world.

The Crown Prince of Qin, Qin Zichu, is more powerful than any other prince.

Meng Ao was the first to speak in defense, and kowtowed heavily to the ground.

With his hands on the ground and his gray head tilted up, he looked into the prince's eyes, tears streaming down his face.

“I, an old minister, come from the east and am from Qi.

"The former King Zhaoxiang did not discriminate against an old minister because of his motherland, and entrusted him with important tasks.

"The late King Xiaowen did not look down on his old ministers because of their age, but trusted them.

“I, Meng Ao, was able to become a senior minister because of my military experience, but more importantly, it was because of the trust of the two former kings!

"Prince...you misunderstood that I had a rebellious heart, and I cannot gain your trust. This matter made Meng Ao more uncomfortable than not being able to protect the only child who spoke for Wu Anjun.

"Please give me the sword of the King of Qin, so that I can die for you and your son with my innocence intact!

"If you want me to die, I have to die!"

Jun means king, and it is also a respectful title for you.

It is inappropriate for the crown prince to be king before he succeeds to the throne.

Meng Ao addressed Qin Zichu with the ambiguous word "Jun", which not only expressed his willingness to respect Qin Zichu as king, but also did not overstep the line and give others room for criticism. This is the political wisdom of the veteran general.

Among the four veteran generals, only Meng Ao's son Meng Wu became a military general who could attend court and was stationed at Hangu Pass.

After Meng Ao finished speaking, he kowtowed heavily to the ground once again, making a dull "dong" sound.

He pressed his head against the cold ground, closed his eyes, and waited for his fate.

The prince listened quietly without saying anything. He shifted his gaze and looked at the veteran general Wang He.

Among these four veterans, the relationships are also close and distant.

The two veteran generals, Meng Ao and Wang He, fought together. They were both deputy generals of Bai Qi, the Marquis of Wu'an. They fought side by side for more than dozens of times and had a very good relationship.

After Meng Ao finished speaking, it was Wang He's turn to continue.

Veteran Wang He met the prince's warm eyes and looked at his old partner who had been kneeling beside him for decades.

He opened and closed his mouth twice, but nothing came out.

He had a hidden illness which was not a disease, but a psychological barrier left over from the Battle of Changping.

When he heard that Bai Qi, the Marquis of Wu'an, had issued the order to massacre everyone, he was so frightened that he lost his mind and was scared out of his wits.

By the time Huihun wanted to persuade the enemy, the people had already gone outside and conveyed the military order issued by Wu'an Jun.

The Zhao army's cursing and wailing all over the mountains made him unable to sleep or eat for several days and nights.

He blames himself.

If he had not lost his mind at the beginning and had spoken out to give advice, would the tragedy before his eyes have not happened?

Since then, he has suffered from this disease.

The more critical the moment, the harder it is to express everything that is on my mind, and I am speechless.

At this moment, Wang He knew very well that he had to try hard to explain himself, otherwise he might die here today if he couldn't speak.

The body of Qin Wangzhu was lying in the coffin. The prince's methods had been demonstrated to the fullest extent. No one would think that the current prince did not dare to kill people.

He was getting more and more anxious.

But the more anxious he became, the less he could say it.

The less I can say, the more anxious I become.

This forms a closed loop.

[Ah! If I die, I die!]
He was so exhausted that he decided to break the jar and clenched his fists, saying loudly:

"Same with the tuna!"

He kowtowed heavily, with his forehead touching the ground, just like his old partner.

The difference is that the "bang" sound when his head hits the ground is louder than that of his old partner, as if this can show that his determination is greater than that of his old partner.

The corners of Qin Zichu's mouth twitched a few times, and he looked at the veteran general Bie Gong in the order in which the four people had spoken just now.

The hot-tempered old general stiffened his neck.

"This old minister has no intention of assassinating the king! This old minister just wants to protect Master Cheng Jiao, the Crown Prince... You have misunderstood me!

"I have fought for the Qin State all my life, and this is just a small request. I have no other intentions.

"I am not a talkative person, so I have finished what I want to say."

He kowtowed heavily and fell to the ground, and the sound of his kowtow was even louder than Wang He's.

Without waiting for the Crown Prince to look at him, Wang Ling, the only commoner without an official position among the four, smiled bitterly and said:
"It is indeed the negligence of the common people to force themselves to meet the emperor before receiving the imperial edict.

“This is a grave sin, and the common people acknowledge it.

"If you want to kill a person, you must cut him into five pieces, and the common people will accept it.

"But the common people dare not and cannot have the power to assassinate the king.

"Your reputation is known throughout the court and the people. Even the common people in the market know that you are the great king bestowed by Heaven on our Qin State.

"If someone wants to harm you, then that would be harmful to our Qin State!
"Although I, Wang Ling, am a commoner, I am the first one to disagree!

"All Qin people should rise up and attack them!"

After Wang Ling finished speaking, he held his breath, and put all his strength into knocking his head, thinking that even if he broke his forehead, he would make a sound louder than that of Bie Gong's kowtow.

Qin Zichu's hands arrived first.

He stood in front of Wang Ling, holding Wang Ling's shoulders, and said in a gentle voice:

“The prince is no longer in the position of a senior minister, but he still seeks to govern the country. This has been hard work for many years.

"The unfavorable situation in the battle back then should not be blamed entirely on you, Your Excellency. It was mostly because of the wrong decision made by the previous King Zhaoxiang that you, Your Excellency, suffered."

These words touched Wang Ling's heart.

Although the old man kept saying that if he lost a battle he should be willing to be punished, he had other thoughts in his heart.

Before the Battle of Handan started, Bai Qi, the Marquis of Wu'an, said that they could not win, but it was King Zhaoxiang of Qin and Fan Ju who insisted on fighting, which pointed to Wang Ling's head.

Since Wu'an Jun was fighting in the front, Wang Ling had no choice but to fight.

If he dared not to fight, the generals would collectively disobey the imperial edict and embarrass King Zhaoxiang of Qin. Would he still want to keep Wang Ling's head?
Given King Zhaoxiang of Qin's temperament, Lord Wu'an might not have died, but he, Wang Ling, would definitely have died.

Wang Ling remembered that when Fan Ju was prime minister, he always had one sentence on his lips.

"You military commanders should only lead the troops to fight, and not worry about government decisions.

"It is the job of me, Fan Ju, and other ministers to come up with strategies and coordinate the overall situation.

"Just obey the imperial edict and resolutely carry out the king's orders."

Wang Ling didn't like to hear it.

"Bullshit! Military generals don't participate in politics, so let you civil officials come up with a bullshit plan to attack Handan!"

When he received Wang Ling, he cursed in private for half an hour.

Attacking Handan is a battle that is bound to be lost!

To fight would mean taking hundreds of thousands of Qin men to the underworld, and there is a high probability that they would die after the defeat.

If you don't fight, you will die immediately.

How to choose?
How to choose!
Wang Ling understood the sadness of Wu'an Jun, but who else understood his helplessness?

The prince understood.

The old veteran, who had been in the opposition for many years, burst into tears, crying out all the grievances that had been suppressed in his heart for so many years, and he couldn't utter a word.

Wang Ling had long felt that the king should give up the throne!
The only one who could revive the Qin State was Crown Prince Zichu. Wang Ling was right!
Young Attendant Ying Bai, who had been watching this drama from the side, smiled knowingly, his worries for the Crown Prince were put to rest, and he was deeply impressed by the Crown Prince's methods.

Use a point to break the surface.

With just one sentence, Wang Ling, the only veteran general in the opposition, was separated from the small group of the Four Lords.

No one has the same experience, and there is no such thing as empathy in this world.

Meng Ao, Wang He and Bie Gong knew that Wang Ling had been wronged, but no matter how much they sympathized with Wang Ling, they could not understand the bitterness and helplessness in Wang Ling's heart.

How many days and nights.

I dreamed of 400,000 good men of the Qin State lying in Handan, their blood and mud mixed together, their heads and bodies separated. I woke up in tears and couldn't go back to sleep. I could only drown my sorrows in alcohol, gritting my teeth in pain.

It is the royal tomb.

There is only the royal tomb.

Qin Zichu, who intended to subdue Wang Ling first, wiped away Wang Ling's tears, and then helped the remaining three old men up one by one with a smile on his face.

"I and Si Gong were just joking.

"Before he could obey the imperial edict, he forced himself to appear before the emperor and stabbed the king to death.

"Haha, you are exaggerating, you are exaggerating."

He shook his head, waved his hands, paced back and forth, and laughed, as if he really found these three words very funny.

The white mourning clothes fluttered as he walked, and the breeze he brought blew into the hearts of the four veterans, slightly dispelling their fear.

"How can it be such a big crime?" Qin Zichu slowly stopped, his eyes wandering around the faces of the four veterans, his smile gradually faded, and he lightly touched his upper and lower lips: "The four gentlemen are just, forcing, the palace, that's all."

The four veteran generals were suddenly frightened and said in unison, "We dare not," and knelt down again.

Qin Zichu covered his forehead, sighed, and looked helpless.

“The four dukes are all old ministers from the time of King Zhaoxiang, and they have worked hard and made great contributions.

"Don't kneel all the time. There is no kneeling etiquette in Qin. If others knew about this, they would think I was disrespectful to the elderly.

"I am young and cannot bear it."

The four veterans and Wu Anjun debuted at almost the same time.

With the example of Wu'an Jun, even the dumbest Qin generals knew that they should understand some politics.

They have been fighting on the battlefield and in the court for decades, and have survived to this day, so they can naturally understand the warning in the prince's words.

Don't rely on your seniority and achievements to tell me what to do!

The four veterans had different thoughts.

Meng Ao felt that the prince acted very similarly to King Zhaoxiang, so he was extra cautious.

Wang He thought about whether he had been ill-considered in coming here this time and felt very regretful.

Bie Gong thought that he had worked hard and made great contributions, so even if his actions today were wrong, it didn't matter.

Wang Ling was thinking that the prince had just rehabilitated him, and it seemed that he had a chance to serve as an official in the court again and enjoy a second spring in life. At this time, whatever the prince said was right.

Qin Zichu only gave them time to think, but not time to react.

After a brief pause and a breath, he smiled and said:

“Fortunately, the Fourth Lord found me in Jingquan Palace instead of in the front hall of Xin Palace.

"Otherwise, if others see you doing this, I will have no choice but to punish you."

When these words were spoken, the four veterans felt a chill in their hearts, but also breathed a sigh of relief.

At least this time, they got away with it.

Qin Zichu once again helped the four veterans up one by one. While helping them up, he looked into their eyes and said sincerely:

"The four gentlemen risked their lives for the sake of that rebellious son, and Zichu was extremely grateful.

"Zi Chu swears here that he will not take the life of that rebellious son.

“Although the crime committed by that rebellious son is serious, as long as the four public officials can be reassured, even the biggest crime can be forgiven.

"Zi Chu hopes that the four dukes will focus on state affairs in the future, rather than focusing on the gains and losses of one person.

“What happened today is just this once, and it won’t happen again.

"The four dukes are all the backbone of our Great Qin. Zichu has always regarded the four dukes as his relatives. They are his great fathers, not his subjects.

"The four gentlemen should share Zichu's worries, not add to his troubles."

At this point, Meng Ao, Wang He and Bie Gong had already been helped up.

Qin Zichu put his hand in the hand of the last veteran, Wang Ling.

"Your Majesty is very old, can you still eat?"

Wang Ling was overjoyed, sensing that this was his chance to return to the court, and he replied loudly and excitedly:
"Eat four meals a day, and each meal contains ten kilograms of meat!"

"Since this is the case, Zichu is willing to make you a high minister."

"Thank you, Prince!"

Personally saw off the four veterans.

The moment the gate of Jingquan Palace closed, Qin Zichu's body shook and was about to fall.

Grabbing the door handle, I slammed my head against the door frame. It took a long time for me to get over the dizziness.

Looking up, he saw Junior Attendant Ying Bai, waiting beside him with a worried look on his face.

The prince smiled to show that he was fine and stretched out an arm.

Junior Eunuch Ying Bai used his forearms as pads to bear most of the prince's weight, and supported him as he walked.

As he walked, Qin Zichu said:

"Did that slap yesterday hurt you?"

Junior Attendant Ying Bai shook his head.

"The prince is right. The eunuch shouldn't interrupt."

"If you have any complaints, just speak them out. Don't keep them in your heart. There's no one here in private. You can scold me or slap me to vent your anger. No one will blame you."

Ying Bai suddenly lowered his head, his voice full of panic and hint of excitement.

"Please don't say such things again, Your Highness. I am terrified to hear them."

Qin Zichu stepped towards his father's coffin and said with a wry smile:

"You are terrified, and I am terrified too.

"When Zheng and Song were at war, Song appointed Hua Yuan as its general.

"Before the two armies engaged in battle, Hua Yuan killed sheep to reward all the soldiers in order to boost morale, but he did not give any to his driver Yang Zhen.

"On the second day of the battle between Zheng and Song, Yang Zhen said to Hua Yuan: 'You have the final say on the distribution of mutton, but I have the final say on driving the chariot today.' (Note 1)
"After saying this, Yang Zhen deliberately drove the chariot to the center of Zheng's position.

"The great general of Song, Hua Yuan, was captured alive by the Zheng army so easily. The Song army lost its general and was defeated.

"Bai, you're not holding a grudge against me and planning to treat me like Yang Qin, are you?

"Yang Zhen is only Huayuan's driver, but you are my most trusted confidant.

"If you want to kill me, I can kill ten of you.

"I beg you to tell me before you kill me, so that I can choose a way to die without pain, and I can let you go."

Ying Bai raised her head, her pretty face full of tears.

She was born in a humble family and suffered a lot of bullying after entering the palace. She could no longer bear it and killed the Zhong Changshi. Not only did she not die, but she also became the respected Shao Changshi.

This is all the prince’s gift.

The prince’s kindness to her was too great.

Once, she just took a second look at the black jade dragon ornament in the prince's bedroom, and the next day an eunuch delivered it to her palace.

She will never meet another person who values ​​her and treats her so well in her entire life.

How could she not be willing to die for such a prince?
"I have nothing to offer you in return, except my life."

Her voice was very soft.

Her tone was firm.

"Why do I need your life? You have died once before, so you should cherish this life and live well."

"only."

As the two were talking, they had already walked in front of the coffin and both smelled a mixed aroma.

Qin Wangzhu's body remained overnight, but there was no smell of rotting or stink.

In addition to the embalming done by the undertaker, the cloves, musk (she fourth tone) and sandalwood (tan second tone) placed in the coffin also contributed.

Qin Zichu pressed his hands on the edge of the coffin.

"Bai, I'm going to take a rest for a while, you go out and help me guard the palace gate.

“Someone comes to see you, so do what’s best for you.

"If you think you should come in and report, if not, let him wait outside until I have rested.

"Remember, don't let anyone in. I only trust you."

Ying Bai said "Yes" in a very serious manner as if he was signing a military order, and walked out of Jingquan Palace.

The candle flame is quiet and burns slowly.

When he heard the sound of the Jingquan Palace gate closing, in less than three breaths, Qin Zichu's shoulders and back collapsed and he fell on the coffin.

He was breathing heavily and sweat was beading on his forehead.

I haven't felt much pain physically yet, but the pressure in my heart is enormous.

He thought that his second son's words last night were the biggest blow.

I didn't expect that today, when I was sent to Xianyang Prison, would be the real test.

He looked at his father's smiling face in the coffin and laughed too.

“This is the fate of the King of Qin.

“Father, don’t worry.

“Only the two of us, father and son, were in the palace that day. I killed all the beauties, the seventh and eighth sons that you favored later and sent them down to accompany you. I left only a moment later than you.

“No one knows the cause of your death except me.

"Since I, Qin Zichu, can be the king, I will accept this fate!"

He panted, turned over and sat down next to the coffin.

Inadvertently, I saw a pool of dried blood on the ground.

"Where did the blood in Jingquan Palace come from?"

He closed his eyes and thought about it, then he remembered that he had kicked his second son last night, causing him to vomit blood.

He tapped his head in frustration.

“Although what that boy said was a bit irritating, why couldn’t he hold back?
"Alas, I don't know if that brat is awake now and knows that he has caused me so much trouble."

He turned around and knocked gently on the coffin, as if he wanted his father to listen to him.

Dong dong dong~!

"Father, if that boy was born ordinary, it would be fine. I will do as you wish and let him enjoy himself to his heart's content.

"But he is really a child prodigy. So I can't follow your last wish."

Xianyang Prison is one of the three major prisons in Xianyang.

There were not many cells, and those who were held were all important officials of the court. Merchants, common people, clerks, and some minor officials were not worthy of being held here.

Few people know that Xianyang Prison had more than one floor above ground.

Even fewer people know that there are three underground floors in Xianyang Prison.

There is only one cell on the third underground floor, and the area of ​​this cell is extremely large, as big as the entire floor of Xianyang Prison on the ground.

Last night, Prince Chengjiao, who was suffering from sleep paralysis and was treated by the imperial physician Li Yue with advanced acupuncture techniques, was sent to a prison cell on the third floor underground after being treated by several imperial physicians.

It is called a prison cell, but it would be more appropriate to call it a mansion.

Crown Prince Qin Zichu personally sent his second son here. After greeting the prisoners here, he placed his second son in the left school next to the mansion.

Ying Chengjiao was lying on the bed in Zuoju, sleeping soundly.

"Great Father..." he whispered softly.

A light breeze blew into the Xianyang Prison, which was three feet underground.

The sleeping Ying Chengjiao suddenly let out a scream.

"Big father!"

He didn't expect to get a response, but he heard an answer that was all too familiar.

"Here I am."

The voice was right next to him.

He was struck by lightning.

Trembling, he sat up and looked carefully, but his vision became increasingly blurry.

Ever since hearing the news of my grandfather's death, my eyes, which had never shed a tear, were quickly filled with tears.

Ying Chengjiao wiped away his tears with his sleeves and finally saw the face of the person in front of him clearly.

His face looked old, with age spots and wrinkles all over it. It was none other than his grandfather, Qin Wangzhu, who had slept with him in Li Yi Palace the night before.

He threw himself into Qin Wangzhu's arms with tears in his eyes, sobbing continuously and unable to speak for a while.

Qin Wangzhu gently stroked his grandson's head, his eyes full of kindness and pride.

“A gentleman can be reserved but not cowardly, and when he encounters injustice he can stand up and speak out.

"Among the civil and military officials in the court, as well as the royal family and relatives, no one except Jiao'er spoke up for me.

"My son, Jiao'er, is a true gentleman, while those others are not!"

After praising him, Qin Zhu picked up his grandson, sat on the couch, and said with a smile:
"Although you are speaking for me, I still want to say a few words to you.

"If your father really led the army to kill me and seize the throne, wouldn't your life be gone?
"You are so smart, why don't you think about taking it step by step? At worst, don't you know how to protect yourself?
"Why do I ask you not to speak for me, and no one else will speak for me? Am I really that pitiful?

"Haven't I told you long ago that you should just mind your own business and don't worry about me.

"If you can be happy all your life, I will be happier than if you say a hundred, a thousand, or ten thousand words to me..."

Qin Zhu's nagging manner is exactly the same as before he died.

Ying Chengjiao cried bitterly and didn't say anything for a long time, just nodding his head.

Qin Wangzhu stopped talking and looked at his grandson carefully, as if he wanted to engrave the appearance of Ying Chengjiao deeply in his heart.

"Don't be sad, don't cry, this is the fate of the Qin family. If you are not of the Qin family, I would have thought you were not good enough to inherit the throne.

"Now... very good.

"I have ruled Qin for decades and cannot afford to lose it.

"In this life of mine.

“I have tasted all the delicious food in the world, and I have also tasted stir-fried dishes that my ancestors have never tasted.

"I have drunk the finest wines of all nations and played with the most beautiful women.

"I have spent my whole life eating, drinking and having fun, enjoying the blessings of my ancestors, and have never done anything for the Qin State.

"In the end, I only have this one life left, which can still be of some use to the Qin State. I have no choice but to dedicate this life to the Qin State so that I can meet my ancestors.

“Don’t blame your father or be his enemy. Things are not what you think.

"In the daytime, your father led his troops to surround the Xianyang Palace, broke into the front hall wearing armor and holding a sword, saying that he wanted to control the Qin army..."

Xianyang Palace, front hall.

The old King of Qin sat on the throne.

The prince was wearing armor and holding a sword, standing in the center of the hall.

"Father, you are old and too incompetent." The prince turned his sword and said loudly: Qin will only decline in your hands! Please abdicate for the sake of Qin!"

The prince's voice had never been so loud, and it almost collapsed the front hall of the Xianyang Palace.

The old King of Qin laughed angrily and pointed at the sword in his son's hand.

"The Qin Sword is in your hand! What do you want to do? Do you need my permission?"

The throne made a "crackling" sound when it was hit.

"If you want this seat, come up and take it yourself!"

"Okay." The prince agreed simply.

Amid the expectation hidden in the deepest part of the old King Qin's eyes, the young prince sheathed his sword.

Qin Zichu raised his head and looked at his elderly father with high spirits.

"Does the king like the name of Lord Father?"

"Lord Father?" Qin Wangzhu wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, held the armrest of the throne, and slowly stood up: "Are you talking about the Lord Father of King Wuling of Zhao?"

"That's right!" The prince smiled and stretched out his hand to probe: "If father doesn't like the name of Lord Father, you can change it to another one, such as Royal Father or Supreme King."

Qin Wangzhu walked down the stairs slowly, one step at a time.

"Are you saying that you won't kill me, but you'll make me a master who only enjoys himself and does nothing?"

Qin Zichu calmly faced his father who was getting closer.

“The son never thought of killing his father, that is what beasts do.

“If my father had not forced me again and again, always saying that he would abolish my position as the crown prince and send me to be the Lord of Weiyang, I would not have done such a rebellious act.

"Since my father likes to have fun, then just focus on having fun and leave Qin to me, just like now.

"I promise that nothing will change except that my father will no longer be the king. All supply and demand will be met."

Qin Wangzhu nodded silently, a smile on his face.

"So you thought so, how thoughtful.

"I have misunderstood your filial son.

"This arrangement is very good, very good..."

Qin Zichu also smiled.

It didn't matter whether the smile on his father's face and the nice words he said were genuine or fake.

His smile was genuine, and that was enough.

The military power fell into his hands.

From then on, no one could hold him back.

No matter how angry my father is after losing his military power, he will only be as helpless and furious as I was before today.

He waited for his father to come over.

With the situation so clear, the father should pat him on the shoulder and give him encouragement.

Or give him a hug and say a few polite words in his ear like "The Qin State is handed over to you."

Qin Wangzhu walked up to him with a smile.

When he got closer, he realized that his father was really old.

The age spots on his face are almost connected into one, and he won’t live many years.

He had a smile on his face and sighed with some regret in his heart.

If his father had not been causing trouble for him and wanted to remove him from the position of crown prince after he became regent, he really would not have wanted to abdicate.

He is the crown prince, and the king is about to die. Wouldn't it be better for him to just wait patiently for the throne?
He has always been very patient.

His father stood in front of him without saying anything, just watching with a smile.

[Oh, I can't lose face in front of my son.]
As he thought about it, his smile became more sincere and he was the first to open his arms in a hugging gesture.

"Father." He called sincerely.

Qin Wangzhu opened his arm and slapped him in the face.

There was a "pop" sound, extremely crisp and loud.

"Waste!" The old King Qin's voice was equally clear and loud.

Qin Zichu's smile froze and his anger rose.

The slap hurt, but not that much.

At least, without his heartache.

The old King Qin's call of "waste" made him feel extremely heartbroken.

It was obvious that he was the most outstanding one among the old Qin King's children. He had already taken over the defense of Xianyang Palace with his troops and forced the old Qin King to leave the palace wearing armor and holding a sword.

It is not wrong to say that he is unfilial, rebellious, and has evil ambitions.

But why do you say he is a waste!
His eyes began to become bloodshot as he glared at his father.

The old King of Qin was very short-skinned and was half a head shorter than his son.

He tilted his head back, revealing a neck that was as loose as a piece of rotten wood.

"Very angry? Very furious?" The old King of Qin slapped his son's face and continued with the sound of "Pa Pa", "Then come and kill me."

He stared at his father, staring at him intently, feeling unwilling, angry, and wanting to kill him once and for all.

His right hand grasped and unclenched, loosened and grasped again, but never placed it on the hilt of the sword.

He took a long breath, his nose full of his father's old smell, and said coldly:
“If I don’t kill you, you won’t live long.

"If you don't have a title you like, I'll choose 'Lord Father' for you."

The prince took two steps back, looked deeply at his foolish father, turned around, and wanted to stride away.

"Stop!" the old King Qin shouted.

Hearing his father's voice calling from behind, the prince, who was completely disappointed with his father, did not stop.

He took big steps forward amid the rustling sound of his armor.

"Qin Zichu, you are not worthy of being a king!"

The young prince stopped suddenly.

He slowly turned around in armor, pointed at his nose, and questioned his father:
"I do not deserve?"

He pointed the hand that had just been pointing at himself at his elderly father.

"Then you deserve it!"

He walked back quickly, his roar shaking the earth.

"You only think about women! You've played so much that your body is exhausted! You're almost dying from playing!
“I’m only thinking about what to eat, drink, and play tomorrow!
“It just keeps causing me trouble!

“Dujiangyan is short of people, let me go find them.

"The Jing River has flooded, and the grain production in Guanzhong has dropped significantly. You asked me to deal with it.

"You also gave the Hangu Tiger Tally to Cheng Jiao, allowing a seven-year-old boy to use it to mobilize troops in Hangu! And you didn't even let him say it was you who did it!

"Tell me, these are what a king should do!"

Standing in front of the old King of Qin, the prince patted his armor on his chest.

"I, Qin Zichu, shed blood and sweat for the Qin State, stayed up day and night to handle the affairs!"

He pointed at his father's chest in a treasonous manner.

“Not you!

"Father, I want to ask you a question today.

"What have you done for the Qin State in your life? What contributions have you made?"

The old King Qin gently pushed his son's hand away and said calmly:

"I am willing to die for the Qin State."

The word "death" helped the irritable Qin Zichu regain some rationality.

He looked at his father and uttered a word with mockery.

"Oh?"

He felt that his father was just pretending, playing tricks, and struggling in chaos and disorganization after losing power.

The old King Qin coughed, and this time he did not take out the black handkerchief, but covered his mouth with his hand and coughed.

After coughing, his palms were full of blood, and he rubbed them on his body.

"How did King Wuling of Zhao die?"

Qin Zichu held me in his arms and thought, "Let's see what else you can say." He continued in a very cooperative manner:

"Starved to death in Dune Palace."

"Do you also want to starve me to death?"

"That's not necessary. How long can you live?"

"When King Wuling of Zhao died, it was not that he had no one around him, but the soldiers who supported him were killed first. So as long as I am still alive, ahem, there will be people in Qin who will stand by me and want to eliminate you, the rebellious son who usurped the throne, for me. Do you agree?"

Qin Zichu was silent for a moment. Although he was unwilling, he still nodded.

This is inevitable.

No matter how well it is whitewashed, usurpation of the throne is still usurpation of the throne.

As long as his father is alive, there will always be loyal ministers or opportunists who will join him.

Qin Wangzhu sneered:

"By then, will you and I fight again and find another dune palace?"

"Impossible." Qin Zichu said firmly: "I can suppress it! I won't give them the chance to mutiny!"

Qin Wangzhu nodded.

"I will just assume that you can control it. Let me ask you, can you control people and their hearts?"

"..."

"Can't you suppress it? People's hearts are unsettled. Can Qin be safe?"

"..."

"Zhao and Wei are trying to contact Qin's ministers in the name of restoring my throne. Is there anyone who is interested in doing this?"

"..."

"It is easy to dodge an open attack, but it is hard to guard against an arrow from the dark. I will not even talk about the dangers you might encounter. I will just say that you focus on these dirty things every day. Do you have the energy to strengthen Qin?"

"..."

The king asked the four princes, but they all remained silent.

The father and son just stood there, and no one spoke for a long time.

It was not until the old King of Qin started coughing again that the prince said with difficulty:

"Is there no other way?"

The old King Qin wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

"No, as long as I am alive, you can only be the crown prince."

Qin Wangzhu took two steps back and looked his son's outfit up and down.

"Don't you realize that your plan is going too smoothly?"

The prince clenched his fists.

The old King Qin raised the corner of his mouth.

“No matter how stupid I am, could I be so stupid as to not know the day of your return and the 50,000-man army marching into Xianyang?
"Your mutiny was really rough!"

The prince's palms were sweaty and he licked the corners of his mouth.

"How do I know this isn't what my father said to save his reputation?"

The old King Qin smiled coldly.

"Today I will let you live a clear life.

"Lest you ascend the throne without knowing what's going on, think too highly of yourself, and bring disaster to our Great Qin."

He patted the blood stains on his crown and said sarcastically:
"The late king passed the throne to me, and I immediately appointed you as the crown prince.

"After I have observed mourning, I still do not govern the country and still let you supervise the country.

"You know clearly that I don't like your mother, nor do I like you, so why do I still do this?

"I really don't want to take care of state affairs and I'm asking for trouble.

"But I can directly appoint Qin Qi as the crown prince, right?"

Qin Zichu wanted to say "because of Cheng Jiao", but reason stopped him from saying it. He remained silent and continued to listen to his father's story.

"Because you are better than Qin Qi in doing things, you are more suitable to be the king.

"I have been waiting for you to launch a mutiny since the first day you became the Crown Prince and Regent.

"I watched you place your men in important positions in the court one by one and issue decrees one by one. This is my biggest game.

"Do you need me to tell you the order in which you will place the people?"

Sweat soaked Qin Zichu's underwear.

He shook his head and asked dryly:
"why?"

The old King Qin sighed to the sky.

"Because I won't live much longer, because the previous king reigned for too long.

"One king, one minister, one policy.

"I succeeded to the throne, reorganized the government, and replaced a group of people.

"Two years later, I will pass away, and you will succeed me. You will then reorganize the government and replace the people.

"Three kings in two years, people's hearts are divided.

"With such a huge turmoil, the six eastern countries are eyeing us covetously and will not let us go. Our Qin State cannot stand any more turmoil.

"The ruler is young, the country is in doubt, the ministers are not loyal, and the people do not trust him.

"What is even more dangerous is that if the ruler changes frequently, the country will no longer exist.

“Every change of the throne is a challenge to the country and an opportunity to foreign countries.

"Only by placing you first from the beginning can I reduce my prestige as a king to the lowest level.

"Only by changing the king but not changing the people and not changing the government can the Qin State be stable!"

　【Note 1: This is the origin of the idiom "each doing his own thing". 】

　　
　
(End of this chapter)