People in the Qin Dynasty sought good fortune and avoided misfortune.

Chapter 353, Zheng Bo Ke Duan Yu Yan, Jing Ni's Little Thoughts (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)

"Sir, please speak."

Ying Zheng looked up at Xu Qing, a look of anticipation flashing in his eyes, ready to wait for Xu Qing's best strategy.

If there were a way that could satisfy both, that would be ideal.

Under Ying Zheng's gaze, Xu Qing's expression turned serious. Instead of directly revealing his solution, he asked...

"Does Your Majesty know that you are truly an enemy in the court?"

"The real enemy?"

Ying Zheng frowned slightly, looking at Xu Qing with some doubt. The identity of an enemy is not easy to define, but for him now, whoever hinders his personal rule is an enemy, with Lao Ai as the leader.

“They are the ones who are preventing me from ruling personally,” Ying Zheng pondered.

“Not entirely. These people are only temporary. Your Majesty’s real enemies are those who stand in the way of Qin’s unification of the world,” Xu Qing said, shaking his head.

"Anyone who tries to stop the Qin Dynasty from unifying the world?"

A thoughtful look flashed in Ying Zheng's eyes as he repeated Xu Qing's words, beginning to ponder their meaning.

However, after pondering for a long time, a glint flashed in Ying Zheng's eyes, and he looked at Xu Qing and spoke.

"It is a complex web of factions within the court. Some ministers are loyal to Qin, while others have their own ulterior motives. They do not care about Qin's ambition to expand eastward for six generations; all they care about is their desire for power."

"These people are indifferent to the great cause of Qin for the sake of their own interests. As long as there are enough benefits, they may become the mouthpiece of the six states, secretly stirring up trouble for Qin and hindering Qin's unification of the world."

Upon hearing Ying Zheng's reply, Xu Qing nodded and continued.
"Your Majesty is right. If Qin wants to unify the world, the first thing it must do is to pacify its internal affairs, and the key to pacifying the internal affairs lies in unifying the mind. At present, there are many factions in the court, and there are quite a few people who are colluding with the six states."

"Those who hinder Your Majesty from ruling personally may be among them, but there are many more hiding in the shadows who may betray Qin at some point."

Although there is no way to eliminate Xiong Qi now, it does not prevent him from planting the seeds of suspicion in Ying Zheng's mind. When Xiong Qi reveals his true colors, Ying Zheng will be able to act swiftly and decisively without hesitation because of his identity and status.

Ying Zheng nodded seriously, keeping Xu Qing's words firmly in mind. Although Xu Qing did not say it explicitly, he knew who these people were.

These were nothing more than the powerful relatives of the emperor who filled the court, many of whom had private connections with the six states.

He hadn't noticed this before, but with Xu Qing's reminder, the first thing he should do after assuming power is to eliminate these people, suppress the various factions within Qin, unite the power of the court, and wholeheartedly prepare for the great cause of unifying the world.

"Sir, I understand, but what does their discussion have to do with what we are discussing?" Ying Zheng asked in confusion.

"Of course there is a connection. Lao Ai can be killed now, but I think the best way is to keep him alive, indulge him according to the Empress Dowager's wishes, let him run rampant, and thus draw out those in the court who harbor treacherous intentions."

Xu Qing looked at Ying Zheng and spoke slowly.

Gai Nie glanced at Xu Qing, somewhat surprised, clearly not expecting Xu Qing's proposed method to be like this.

However, given Xu Qing's previous groundwork, Gai Nie also felt that using Lao Ai to fish was a good idea.

Most importantly, regardless of whether those people will join Lao Ai as a result, once Lao Ai is dealt with, the pretext of secretly colluding with Lao Ai can be used to investigate and deal with these people.

"Lao Ai is arrogant and has the protection of the Empress Dowager. If he is forcibly punished, it will surely cause discord between the King and the Empress Dowager, and may even cause turmoil in the court."

“Even if Your Majesty doesn’t mind these things, killing just one Lao Ai is not enough to solve the problem. The crime of injuring Lord Weiyang is enough for Your Majesty to eliminate the ministers who colluded with Lao Ai in one fell swoop. Therefore, the best reform is to spoil him, let him become more and more lawless, do things that anger heaven and people, and alienate him from the rest of the court.”

“When Your Majesty assumes full power, execute Lao Ai. This will both establish your authority and eliminate any disloyal ministers.”

Xu Qing looked at Ying Zheng and Gai Nie and continued to express his thoughts. As the saying goes, "Pulling out a radish brings out the mud." Lao Ai, that big guy, is in trouble. How can those who are involved with him get away with it?
In history, after the Qinian Palace Incident, Ying Zheng used the rebellion of Lao Ai to purge the court. Lao Ai and Zhao Ji's relatives from Zhao, Lü Buwei's officials from the six states, and many others were all eliminated, thus completing the initial centralization of power in Qin.

Ying Zheng listened to Xu Qing's words, lowered his head and pondered, weighing the gains and losses of this matter in his mind, but soon he came to a conclusion.

After all, there's no need to think about this kind of thing; the examples from our predecessors are right there, and they're even the most prominent ones in history books.

"Zheng Bo defeated Duan at Yan!" Ying Zheng said thoughtfully.

Xu Qing smiled without saying a word. It wouldn't be wrong to say that this plan was the same as the method Zheng Bo used to get rid of Duan.

Since killing the other party would have many negative consequences, we should set a trap to make everyone feel that they had no choice but to take action. This would not only eliminate the negative consequences but also test the loyalty of those in the court.

Moreover, they did not force Lao Ai to rebel. Lao Ai had always harbored rebellious intentions; they were simply trying to make him reveal them.

“Good idea, but the first problem we need to solve is how to explain this to the royal family. If we can’t appease them, it might cause trouble,” Gai Nie said in a deep voice.

When the imperial family was mentioned, Ying Zheng paused for a moment, then his eyes filled with determination before he spoke.

"This concerns the great cause of the Qin state. If the royal family misunderstands me because of this and becomes disloyal, it is alright. I will apologize to them personally afterward."

"Moreover, the members of the royal family are loyal to the Qin state, and they will surely forgive me after they learn the truth."

His relationship with the royal family was never good; this relationship had been delicate since his father's time.

At the time, the Qin king in the hearts of the royal family was the current Lord Weiyang, who was also his uncle. However, due to Lü Buwei's various manipulations, it was ultimately his father who succeeded to the throne.

Later, the people of the royal family supported Cheng Jiao, not his eldest son, because he was too close to Lü Buwei. If Lü Buwei and other scholars from the six states continued to hold power in the court, the royal family would have less and less influence in the court.

It was precisely because of these complex reasons that his relationship with the royal family was not very good after he ascended the throne. However, for the sake of the legitimacy of the Qin state, the royal family still chose to support him wholeheartedly.

Since things are already pretty bad, and the royal family can only support him, it doesn't matter if the misunderstanding deepens a bit more, since the royal family will eventually forgive him anyway.

"Although this is tantamount to bullying honest people, for the sake of the Qin state's great cause, we can only let the royal family suffer some injustices," Ying Zheng thought to himself.

Seeing that both Ying Zheng and Gai Nie had the idea of ​​wronging the royal family, Xu Qing was somewhat surprised, but could only remain silent.

These grievances can only be attributed to the Ying clan members themselves, since they chose the wrong side back then, supporting Cheng Jiao instead of Ying Zheng. Consider this grievance as the price to pay. However, Ying Zheng cannot truly abandon the royal family. Among his envisioned allies are the Qin royal family. Although there aren't many talented individuals among the Qin royal family, they can still be used as laborers when necessary.

"Ahem, Your Majesty, this plan could actually bring in the royal family. After all, these people share the same blood as you, and they might be of great use at crucial moments," Xu Qing said in a deep voice.

He wanted to use Lao Ai to boost his prestige, achievements, and Ying Zheng's favor. Only in this way could he win over all sides and also stabilize the royal family after Lao Ai's rebellion to prevent the issuance of an expulsion order.

"This matter will affect the prestige of the royal family. Will they cooperate? Moreover, since it's a secret, it's hard to guarantee that it won't be leaked if too many people know about it," Ying Zheng said with some concern.

"I believe Your Majesty can try to trust Lord Weiyang. His loyalty to Qin and Your Majesty is beyond question. There's no need for too many people to know; just let Lord Weiyang know. This way, Your Majesty can better win back the hearts of the royal family afterward," Xu Qing said.

Historically, Ying Zheng did not include the royal family in his plans, partly because he and the royal family were suspicious of each other, and partly because he did not have a suitable person around him to persuade Lord Weiyang.

Gai Nie is good at fighting and protecting people, but if he's going to persuade someone, his cold face makes it more accurate to say he's going to kill someone.

However, his arrival naturally changed the situation, especially since he had a legitimate reason to visit Lord Weiyang.

Ying Zheng looked at Xu Qing, hesitated for a moment, then sighed helplessly and said...

"Since you believe in Lord Weiyang, I will order you to examine him tomorrow. You can then see what he thinks and decide whether to tell him the truth."

Ying Zheng's delicate relationship with the royal family wasn't entirely due to outsiders. Ying Zheng himself harbored resentment towards the royal family for supporting Cheng Jiao, but out of respect for Xu Qing, he decided to give them a chance.

Ying Zheng was not a petty person. If Lord Weiyang seized this opportunity, then the previous events would be completely over.

In court intrigue, one must cultivate as many friends as possible and as few enemies as possible. Moreover, the imperial family members are related to him by blood, and they can be of great use in crucial moments.

"Your Majesty, I obey your command. However, I will trouble Your Majesty with the Empress Dowager's affairs," Xu Qing said, bowing.

"It's nothing, just a matter of face. For the sake of the Qin state's great cause, these things are nothing," Ying Zheng said nonchalantly.

Although indulging Lao Ai might temporarily humiliate him, compared to other methods, the strategy of indulging him is more sustainable and brings more benefits, and he won't have to bear the infamy.

So losing face temporarily is not important at all.

"As for Brother Gai Nie, I'll also trouble you to keep a close eye on the situation in the palace during this time, and see how many people are actually spies for others," Xu Qing said to Gai Nie.

Xianyang Palace and Zhangtai Palace are now like the exhaust pipes in Third Brother's house; anyone can come in or go out as they please.

“Alright, leave this to me,” Gai Nie nodded and said.

Because he needed to protect Ying Zheng's safety, he couldn't leave, nor could he persuade the ministers like Xu Qing did. However, investigating how many spies were in the palace wasn't difficult for him.

After the matter of Lao Ai was discussed, Ying Zheng remembered Xu Qing's suggestion to train military doctors during the court meeting the previous day, so he took out an imperial edict.

"Sir, yesterday you said in court that your medical book could reduce the number of soldiers killed or wounded by illness by 30%. So I wrote an edict ordering you to gather the army doctors and teach them. At the same time, I issued a decree throughout the land to seek talented doctors to come to Qin and receive training together, so as to increase the number of army doctors."

Ying Zheng placed the imperial edict in his hand in front of Xu Qing and said.

Changing the situation of Qin's lack of good doctors was something Ying Zheng had always wanted to do. This move would not only benefit the country and its people but also enhance his prestige. Now that the time, place, and people were all in place, with Xu Qing's medical skills and reputation, he believed that he would be able to attract a large number of doctors to Qin.

Xu Qing glanced at Ying Zheng, then took the imperial edict and said...

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will also write to Mr. Nian Duan and ask him to recommend a suitable physician."

Xu Qing had originally planned to use the training of military doctors as an opportunity to formally establish a medical training academy in Qin, but after careful consideration, he gave up on the idea.

Take things one step at a time; if you take too big a step, you might accidentally hurt yourself.

Moreover, Qin currently has too few excellent doctors to support a medical school. It will be better to ask for money and resources to build a good medical school once the military medical training has yielded results.

Anyway, he has plenty of time and can plan things out slowly.

"Thank you very much, sir," Ying Zheng said, bowing with his hands clasped.

"This is what I should do," Xu Qing said, returning the imperial edict.

After confirming the specific details of the plan with Ying Zheng and Gai Nie, Xu Qing had a casual meal with Ying Zheng before leaving Zhangtai Palace and returning home.

In Xu Qing's small courtyard in Xianyang.

Upon returning home, Xu Qing saw Jing Ni reading a book in the courtyard.

Jing Ni was still wearing that purple and white metallic combat suit, her black hair was half loose behind her, her exquisite little face was extremely serious, her beautiful eyes were looking at the bamboo scroll in her hand, and her red lips were slightly parted.

The skin beneath the scales on his right shoulder was as white and smooth as the first snow of winter, shimmering with a captivating glow in the sunlight.

The form-fitting combat suit perfectly showcased her graceful figure, and her ample breasts were protected by two purple scales, outlining an exaggerated teardrop shape.

Her full, rounded buttocks sat on the railing of the pavilion, creating a slight cleavage.

Her long, shapely legs, encased in metallic stockings, were partially hidden beneath the skirt of her combat suit, making them exceptionally alluring. She wore a pair of black pointed high heels.

The cool autumn breeze stirred Jingni's hair and clothes. Jingni reached out her slender hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. Although Jingni remained aloof, the scene gave her the air of a gentle and graceful woman from Jiangnan.

In the sorrowful season when everything withers, Jingni's gentleness and beauty are like blooming peach blossoms, drawing people in without them even realizing it.

"She does seem to have changed. She's even interested in reading now, especially books about Taoism," Xu Qing said with a smile, looking at Jing Ni.

Jingni put down the book in her hand, a sense of urgency flashing through her mind, and placed the bamboo slips beside her.

"I feel safe here, and reading helps me pass the time."

(End of this chapter)