The younger brother of the First Emperor

Chapter 91: The Use of Tactics, Zichu Becomes King

Crown Prince Qin Zichu walked to the front of the coffin, took a breath of the mixed aroma of various fragrances, and turned to face the ministers.

On his left.

There were a group of Qin clan members headed by Qin Qi, as well as foreign relatives such as the Huayang clan and the Mi clan, as well as his two wives Ji Yaotiao and Ji Yaoyao, and his eldest son Ying Zheng.

On his right.

They were the civil officials headed by Prime Minister Wei Zhe, and the military generals headed by Duke Biao, Meng Ao, Wang Ling, and Wang He.

The first thing Qin Zichu looked at was Ji Yaoyao in the group of clan relatives and in-laws, and he met the gentle phoenix eyes of his wife.

His wife's motherland was too weak to provide much help.

Although his son Ying Chengjiao was known as a child prodigy, he was still just a child.

No important official would risk his life and property on a boy. Age is also a major factor in power.

Under such circumstances, his wife Ji Yaoyao was able to persuade Queen Huayang to be the first to stand up for her son.

If it stops here, then that’s fine.

He knew too well the thoughts of those people in the court, and knew that they would not do anything without benefits.

As long as no one stands up behind her son, Queen Huayang will never continue to force herself to take the lead, as this is not in the interests of the Mi and Huayang clans.

Then four veterans came together.

This is certainly a favor to be repaid, as most military generals are more temperamental than civil officials and have weaker political nerves.

But this favor can only be repaid once.

He was able to find the right time to visit the queen when she was observing whether there was any power behind her son, and the presence of this Korean lady was definitely indispensable.

He remembered that his wife had a very good relationship with Zhang Yu, the wife of Meng Wu. He used this clue to lead out Meng Ao, and then used Meng Ao to lead out the other three veteran generals?

Can't figure it out.

But it doesn't matter.

What’s more important is that his biological mother, Queen Huayang, saw the four veteran generals and mistook them for the forces behind her son. She used the excuse that she was “deeply saddened and afraid to follow the late king” and refused to attend.

Once Queen Huayang expresses her stance, the Queen's faction in the court will also express their stance.

With her weak body, she managed to gain the full support of Queen Huayang for her son with nothing.

The queen thought that the four veterans protected her son and she was just adding icing on the cake.

In fact, in the eyes of outsiders, the queen is the biggest piece of tapestry.

Koreans have reached the pinnacle in political politics, and Ji Yaoyao, who was born in the Korean royal family, is the most skilled in political politics among the Koreans.

[Is this what you deserve?]
Qin Zichu asked himself, Ji Yaoyao was the wife he chose.

The reason why he chose Ji Yaoyao as his wife was because he was impressed by Ji Yaoyao's ability to play power games.

It was just like when he pursued Ji Yaotiao in Zhao State in order to get the protection of Lin family.

He married two wives and didn't know what love was. He only knew how to do what was best for him.

Ji Yaoyao stared at Qin Zichu.

Without the queen, there is a lack of legal basis.

Weiyang Lord Qin Qi was watching covetously from the side, and did not dare to provoke them when they were on the verge of victory.

You've fallen into a well, and you don't even dare to throw a few stones?

This is not the position of the crown prince, but the throne!

The four veterans can only be used once, but can we just not give them any face this time?
The power of civil officials was not monolithic. Wei Zhe could only control one-third of it, and the remaining seven was divided among the crown prince, queen, Lord Weiyang and others.

What kind of waves can Wei Zhe and Lu Buwei create?

She didn't want much, just her son.

According to Ji Yaoyao's calculations, the best choice for the prince is to release her son, which is good for everyone.

It's not that her husband couldn't succeed to the throne by force, but that would break the rules.

Once the rules are broken, chaos is likely to occur.

Her husband is a wise man.

It is obvious that he can successfully inherit the throne by releasing a young man, so he will not choose to use force which may cause chaos.

This is a long story, but the two people's eyes met for only a moment.

Qin Zichu wiped his tears and cried to Lu Buwei who was kneeling in the middle:
"My father has passed away. I will observe mourning until the first day of the first lunar month of next year, when I will change the reign title and take the throne.

"Sir, you are saying this in front of our father's corpse, which is still cold. You are trying to frame Zichu as disloyal and unfilial!"

The Chief Justice Huayang Bufei stood up and spit at Lu Buwei.

"Businessmen are only interested in profit, how can they understand loyalty, filial piety, kindness and brotherhood!

"If Shang Jun were still alive, I would chop off your head right now and use your blood as a sacrifice to the king!"

He faced the prince, clasped his hands together, and bowed his head slightly.

"What the Crown Prince said is absolutely right. We should follow the ancestral system and wait until the mourning period is over before ascending the throne. Please let the clan leader announce it."

The old abbot looked at the prince and said nothing. He was delaying on purpose.

In less than four months, two kings died in Qin State. This had never happened before.

At this time, the people in the court were in turmoil, and if the news got out, other countries would also be ready to move. At this time, what Qin needed was a strong king, not a filial son.

Prime Minister Wei Zhe stood up with a frown on his face.

Huayang Bufei thought that Wei Zhe also wanted to persuade the prince to ascend the throne, so he was on high alert and watched Shi Cang, the internal historian, in charge of grain.

Shi Cang is the number one retainer of Weiyang Lord Qin Qi. He often makes things difficult for the prince, so he should be on his side at this time.

Shicang sat upright, head lowered, without responding.

Huayang Bufei was cursing in his heart when Wei Zhe opened his mouth.

"Why didn't Zong Zheng continue reading? Was he delaying on purpose?"

After these words were spoken, many people in the palace looked at the old prime minister.

That day in the front hall of Xin Palace, Wei Zhe lectured the prince and used all his power to deceive the queen, and his upright image that drove the queen away is still fresh in our minds. Why did he act like this today?
Huayang Bufei was stunned for a moment, then quickly added a message.

"What the Prime Minister said is absolutely right!"

He thought about the posthumous title of the previous king, and how Wei Zhe had insisted on not allowing just the word "Wen" to be used. He thought he understood Wei Zhe.

[This is also a stubborn one!]
Ji Yaoyao watched it quietly.

What Wei Zhe said was within her expectations, but it was beyond her imagination.

She was very hesitant at this moment. She hated anything that went beyond her plan, even if it seemed to be in her favor.

But soon, the concern for his son broke through this hesitation.

[Qin Zichu, even Wei Zhe won't help you, so why don't you let my son out?]
Lü Buwei turned back to look at Wei Zhe and said coldly:

"Why are you so anxious, Lord Xiangbang?
"Your Excellency the Prime Minister reads memorials worth ten stones every day, and you should understand that although the situation of our Qin State seems to be very good now, it is actually in a critical moment of survival.

"The prince is already grown up, and it is time for him to inherit the throne and bring peace to the people at home and shock the other nations abroad.

"Now that the Crown Prince is in mourning, could it be that the Prime Minister is planning to become a regent and serve the country, imitating the Three Families who divided Jin and the Tian family who replaced Qi?"

"Lü Buwei, you lowly merchant, stop spitting blood at me!" One man stood up and shouted, "Everyone knows that the prime minister is an upright man! What's wrong with the prime minister doing things according to the rules and regulations?"

His name was Mi Chen, and he was granted the title of Lord Yangquan. He served as Shangqing Dianke and received the highest annual salary in the country, at 2,000 dan.

The Dianke was in charge of diplomatic and ethnic affairs, dealing with various countries, and receiving foreign envoys, and had enormous power.

Before the death of King Zhu of Qin, the interests of the Crown Prince and the Queen were tied together, and Mi Chen and Lu Buwei had a very good relationship.

When the crown prince was still called Qin Yiren, he fled from Zhao to Qin, and the person who represented Qin to pick him up was Mi Chen.

"Okay." Lü Buwei gave his old friend a deep look, then turned to face the old Zongzheng, bowed and said respectfully: "May I ask Zongzheng, this ancestral rule cannot be changed even if Xianyang is destroyed and the Qin State is destroyed? Is there any way to make changes?"

The old patriarch sighed inwardly.

[Mi Buming, the queen, is not here, Qin Qi intends to take advantage of her, Zichu wants to ascend to the throne, but he has no choice but to fight his way out, and my Qin clan will kill each other again...]
His face was solemn and he slammed his cane heavily.

"If you all agree, and the queen personally observes it, and the clan members are convinced, then you can succeed to the throne."

"Good! That's exactly what I want to hear from the old Zongzheng!" Lu Buwei's voice shook the whole audience.

Afterwards, a senior official stood up and cursed.

Lü Buwei ignored him and strode out of Jingquan Palace. His footsteps circled outside the palace and returned in a moment.

We left as one person and came back as two.

Lü Buwei led an old woman in slowly and said loudly:
"Why doesn't the prince come to pick up his mother?"

Qin Zichu rubbed his eyes, looked incredulous, and ran down in a hurry.

It seemed that he was running too fast and almost fell down.

Everyone was a little confused for a moment.

Mother? Who is this old woman? This is not the queen either.

A few people, such as Ji Yaoyao, immediately turned cold on their faces and stared at the old woman with their phoenix eyes.

Queen Huayang Mi Bushing was the prince's recognized mother.

The prince also has a biological mother, Xia Ji, who is the old woman in front of him.

"Mother! I am an unfilial son! I have made you suffer!" The prince cried, supporting Xia Ji's arm and walking to the front.

Announced in front of clan members, relatives by marriage, civil officials, and military generals.

"My father passed away, and I have not yet fulfilled my filial duty. I feel regretful both physically and mentally.

"I want to honor my eldest mother as Empress Dowager Huayang, and my biological mother as Empress Dowager Xia! I am willing to serve them forever!
"Do you agree?"

There is only one queen, but who says there can only be one queen mother?
Just now, Prime Minister Wei Zhe, Court Justice Huayang Bufei, Dianke Mi Chen and others used the word "filial piety" to urge the ceremony to proceed faster.

To oppose at this time is to slap yourself in the face; the words you say are unreasonable and have no power.

Most people had grim expressions and were speechless.

The Mi and Huayang clans did not speak a word, and all the words spoken were praises of Lu Buwei and others.

Prime Minister Wei Zhe looked as serious as ever, as if he was really talking about the matter at hand.

He nodded and praised:

"The Crown Prince is kind and filial, and sets an example for Qin."

The old clan leader looked at the head of the clan, Lord Weiyang Qin Qi.

The clan members didn't say much, they were all waiting for the eldest brother's attitude.

Ji Yaoyao, Huayang Bufei, Mi Chen and others were all paying attention to Qin Qi, either looking straight ahead or sideways.

The only person in the field who has power and legitimate reasons to oppose.

King Zhu of Qin had always disliked Xia Ji during his lifetime. Xia Ji lived in seclusion for many years until she was taken in by Prince Cheng Jiao after Cheng Jiao Palace was built.

She was not the lady, but Xia Ji, the eighth son. It was reasonable for Qin Qi, as the son of the previous king, to strongly oppose her becoming the queen mother.

Everyone already knows about Xia Ji's existence, so as long as they can hold off this time and wait for the matter to be discussed and agreed upon later, the outcome may be unknown.

Qin Qi's face was serious, and his every move seemed to slow down in the eyes of everyone. Even a glance or a frown touched everyone's heart.

But Qin Qi himself could not feel it at all.

He stood up very naturally and bowed slightly to Xia Ji with a hint of humility.

"Meet the Queen Mother."

The Qin clan members followed closely behind, standing up and bending down.

"Meet the Queen Mother."

Wei Zhe and a group of civil officials paid their respects.

"Meet the Queen Mother."

The generals who were straightforward but not stupid followed the four veterans at the front and stood up, bowing and clasping their hands.

"Meet the Queen Mother."

As the trend of the times had prevailed, Huayang Bufei, Mi Chen, Ji Yaoyao and the others had no choice but to join the crowd in paying homage to the Queen Mother.

It doesn’t matter if the queen is not here, as long as the queen mother is here.

Queen Mother Xia witnessed with her own eyes that, despite repeated requests from his ministers, Crown Prince Qin Zichu repeatedly declined, but was forced to ascend the throne in front of the Qin King's coffin with tears in his eyes.

The first thing the prince announced upon his accession to the throne was to observe mourning, but because Qin was busy with affairs, he had to put it on hold for the time being.

But the reign title cannot be changed under any circumstances, and it must wait until the first day of October next year.

King Qin Zichu of Qin became the only king in the history of Qin State who continued to use the reign title of the previous king during his reign.

The first year of Qin Wangzhu’s reign, December, twenty-third day.

Jingquan Palace.

Crown Prince Qin Zichu succeeded to the throne and became King of Qin.

late at night.

Prince Chu of Qin was wearing mourning clothes and sitting alone in Jingquan Palace.

The day of the king's burial cannot be chosen at random. The Grand Historian must order the Western Historian to select an auspicious day and report it to the Prime Minister. After that, the Chief of the Imperial Clan, the King of Qin, and the Queen Mother will discuss and decide on it within three days.

Queen Mother Huayang has not arrived today, so Prince Chu of Qin insisted on waiting until tomorrow's court meeting to discuss the date of the king's burial with Queen Mother Huayang, and swore an oath with tears:

"As long as the late king is not buried, he will be in mourning for him for one day."

The palace gate opened, and Junior Attendant Ying Bai came in to report that someone wanted to see him.

Prince Chu of Qin nodded.

The footsteps came closer and stopped beside Qin Wang Zichu, level with him.

This is an act of usurpation and disrespect.

But neither of them cared.

The man shook off his mourning clothes, and the white clothes blocked Qin Wang Zichu's sight.

When he regained his vision, what was in front of him was no longer the coffin, but a face that should definitely not be there.

Lord Weiyang, Qin Qi.

The eldest son of the former king had a look of anger on his face.

He grabbed Qin Wang Zichu's chest, his eyes wide open with anger.

"Qin Zichu! Didn't you say that you wanted my father to be the master father?"

Qin Zichu had a dull expression, neither sad nor happy, as if there was no one in front of him.

His appearance completely infuriated Wei Yang Jun, and he punched him in the face.

"Shuzi!"

Qin Wang Zichu, who had not reacted at all, tilted his head back and dodged the punch.

A hand stretched out quickly and covered the eldest brother's fist.

"Don't hit me in the face." He said to Qin Qi, whose face was twisted with anger, indifferently: "I have to attend the court early tomorrow, and the injury on my face cannot be concealed."

Qin Qi, who had endured grief for two days, looked at Qin Wang Zichu, who was so calm that he seemed unlike a human. He broke free with his fist, grabbed Qin Wang Zichu's collar with both hands, and pushed Qin Wang Zichu to the ground.

"Inhuman!"

His face was ferocious, like a beast ready to devour people, and he swung his fist and hit Qin Zichu's stomach.

One, two, three...

Prince Chu of Qin did not resist and let his elder brother beat him, as if his body was not his own.

Qin Qi beat Qin Wang Zichu until he was hunched over like a shrimp. He beat Qin Wang Zichu until he vomited repeatedly, with filth all around his mouth.

With red eyes, he pointed at the coffin and angrily asked Prince Chu of Qin who was vomiting.

"How did my father die?"

Qin Wang Zichu held his stomach, vomited a mouthful of acid water, and replied clearly:
"Died of illness."

"Bullshit! Do you think I'm stupid?" Qin Qi roared, "What happened that day? You must give me an explanation today!"

"When King Huiwen died, Queen Dowager Xuan and King Yiqiu gave birth to two sons. Did they explain this to anyone?" Qin Prince Chu wiped the residue from his mouth and said, "King Zhaoxiang killed his brothers, his younger brother, and his mother. Did they explain this to anyone?"

　I guess some people will say that the author is illogical and forcefully strengthens Qin Zichu. Qin Zichu and Qin Qi can't be in the same group. Then you can look back at the conflict in the ancestral temple. Qin Qi called Qin Yiren, but in his heart he was talking about the prince and Qin Zichu. When the situation was disrupted by Ying Chengjiao, Qin Qi's inner monologue was puzzled, and his first reaction was to look at Qin Zichu, which was different from what was agreed.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)