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

Chapter 370, A Third-Rank Opportunity, Destroying the Grand Plan
Upon hearing Xu Qing's words, Ying Zheng's expression darkened, and the cold glint in his eyes became undisguised.

"I had anticipated he would become even more arrogant and domineering, but I never imagined he would be so foolish as to be completely oblivious to his own shortcomings. If I were to agree to this, I would truly be throwing the dignity of the royal family to the ground," Ying Zheng said coldly.

If he waits a few days until the public outcry over Lao Ai's injury to Lord Weiyang subsides somewhat, and then Lao Ai demands those three official positions again, he will reluctantly agree.

But Lao Ai wants it now? Does he think he's made of clay? Does he really think he has no temper?
Seeing the anger flashing in Ying Zheng's eyes, Xu Qing guessed what the other party had summoned him to discuss, and so he spoke.

"So Your Majesty doesn't want to grant the Empress Dowager's request and wants to refuse to give these three positions to Lao Ai?"

“That’s right, the matter of Lord Weiyang has already made me lose face, but that was for the sake of the bigger picture, and I don’t care. But Lao Ai can’t really treat me like a foolish puppet, and I will never swallow this insult.”

Although Ying Zheng tried his best to suppress his anger, the vulgarity in his words still revealed the extent of his anger.

No one wants to be openly treated as a fool or a puppet. Even a clay figure has some temper, let alone Ying Zheng, the King of Qin.
"However, for the sake of the overall situation, I must hand over these three positions to Lao Ai, but I cannot swallow this insult, so I would like to ask if you have any ideas?"

Ying Zheng looked at Xu Qing with some expectation. If Xu Qing had no way to resolve the situation, no matter how angry he was, he would find a way to swallow his anger, all for the sake of the overall situation of Qin.

Xu Qing looked down at the floor, lost in thought. Lao Ai's arrogance and stupidity were truly beyond his imagination, but this also proved that he was indeed spoiled.

It's estimated that it won't be long before Lao Ai brings about his own downfall.

Xu Qing understood Ying Zheng's thoughts and concerns, and he also had to come up with a solution.

If Lao Ai were to so easily place the Commandant of the Guards, the Left Attendant, and the Inner Historian into his own ranks, then the little authority that King Ying Zheng had just gained in the court would completely vanish, and it would also cause a tremor in the court.

Their aim was to lure out those with ulterior motives, thus giving Ying Zheng an opportunity to clean up the court, rather than pushing everyone to Lao Ai's side.

As his thoughts raced, Xu Qing touched the cloth hidden under his clothes, a glint of brilliance flashing in his eyes. Suddenly, he had come up with a good idea.

"Your Majesty, I have come up with a plan, but I need Your Majesty's cooperation," Xu Qing said with a smile.

"What's your plan, sir?" Ying Zheng asked curiously, leaning forward.

"Our goal is not to prevent Lao Ai from obtaining the official position, but to prevent him from getting it easily. So all we need is for someone to object in court and deflect the Empress Dowager's words."

"In this way, we can not only maintain Your Majesty's dignity, but also reveal Your Majesty's attitude, let the court officials know your true thoughts, and also give Lao Ai a good spur."

Xu Qing said with a light laugh.

It wouldn't be difficult to give an official position to someone associated with Lao Ai, but to make things difficult for him and let the court know Ying Zheng's attitude.

"Find someone to oppose us, and that person must have such status, position, and even the power of their voice that the Empress Dowager has no grounds for objection."

Ying Zheng murmured, his mind racing as he searched for the person Xu Qing had mentioned, and then he looked up at Xu Qing.

If there is anyone who has the courage to oppose Zhao Ji's demands, leaving Zhao Ji and Lao Ai speechless, and who can also represent her attitude, then Xu Qing seems to be the most suitable candidate.

"No, sir. If you openly confront Lao Ai's mother in court, it will surely arouse their hostility. Lao Ai is arrogant and will definitely secretly mobilize the Luo Wang (a secret network) to assassinate you."

"Your safety is of utmost importance. I would rather suffer humiliation myself than allow you to be threatened."

Ying Zheng's expression was solemn, and he said in a deep voice,
Xu Qing was his mentor and friend, and the person who supported him when he had nothing and helped him plan his path to power. Therefore, he could not let Xu Qing take any risks.

“Your Majesty, I understand your love and care for me. But now, I am the only one in the court who is most suitable to speak out, and only I can refute the Empress Dowager’s words.”

Xu Qing was somewhat touched by Ying Zheng's concern for him, but his insistence was not only because he was the most suitable, but also because it would help him increase his reputation.

In South Korea, Xu Qing experienced the benefits of a good reputation and high prestige, so how could he let go of such an opportunity to enhance his reputation?

Although there are risks, the greater the risk, the greater the potential reward.

"Besides you, there is another person, Li Si, who will be able to return to Xianyang this afternoon. He is a retainer of Zhongfu and has Zhongfu's backing. Although he is not as good as you, sir, he is enough to refute the Empress Dowager's proposal."

Ying Zheng quickly found someone who could shield Xu Qing from harm: Li Si, who was also highly talented and shared similar ambitions and ideas.

But wasn't Li Si, as a subject, there to relieve his worries at crucial moments?

Xu Qing felt sympathy for Li Si. Just as he was about to say something more, the ball of light in his mind lit up again, and three fortune sticks flew out from it.

[Loyalty and trustworthiness serve as armor, propriety and righteousness as shield and shield; act with benevolence, and dwell with righteousness.]

[A moderately auspicious sign. The ruler treats his ministers with courtesy, and the ministers serve the ruler with loyalty. Tomorrow, speaking out in defense of others at court may incur the wrath of petty people, burying hidden dangers. A perilous journey awaits, but a third-rank opportunity may be obtained. Minor good fortune.]

[A moderately auspicious sign: Remain detached, observe the changing circumstances, gain nothing and lose nothing; neutral.] [A moderately inauspicious sign: Allow Li Si to intervene, disrupting the grand plan, causing criticism and suspicion, hidden dangers and potential loss of life; inauspicious.]

Looking at the three fortune sticks in his mind, Xu Qing became even more determined to step forward and protect Ying Zheng.

The person with the "medium to high fortune" sign is a petty vengeful individual who could cause trouble. Even a fool would know it's Lao Ai. The only danger he could bring is an assassination attempt by the Luo Wang organization, or at most, by Hei Bai Xuan Jian.

But compared to a third-grade opportunity, this risk is nothing.

If Li Si were to intervene in a less favorable draw, it would likely be interpreted as a sign that the relationship between Ying Zheng and Lü Buwei had improved; otherwise, Li Si would not have defended Ying Zheng.

Lu Buwei is currently lying low, trying to minimize his presence, and it's impossible for him to be dragged out at this time.

After organizing his thoughts, Xu Qing revealed a confident expression, as if everything was under control, and said to Ying Zheng.
“Your Majesty, Li Si is still a retainer of Marquis Wenxin, and publicly he is still Marquis Wenxin’s man. Wouldn’t his appearance expose the news of your reconciliation with Marquis Wenxin? This might alert the enemy.”

"As for Lao Ai's revenge, you don't need to worry, I am not afraid of him."

Ying Zheng looked at Xu Qing with a thoughtful expression. After a struggle within himself, he finally chose to believe Xu Qing.

Xu Qing's repeated insistence indicated that he was absolutely certain of success. If possible, he also didn't want to involve Lü Buwei, as that would only complicate the situation further.

"Since you insist, then I will no longer object. The Empress Dowager has proposed that a court assembly be held tomorrow. At the assembly tomorrow, the Zhao family's relatives will make their proposals, and then it will be up to you, sir."

Ying Zheng spoke to Xu Qing with a serious expression.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will not let you down," Xu Qing said with a light laugh.

"I have always believed in you, sir."

Ying Zheng nodded solemnly. The only people he could trust now were Xu Qing and Gai Nie, with Xu Qing being the more important to him.

“Your Majesty, there is one more thing. Last night, my senior brother, Qing Xiaozi, one of the eight elders of the Taoist Heavenly Sect, came to deliver an invitation to the Qin Kingdom for the Covenant between Heaven and Man.”

As Xu Qing spoke, he took out the invitation and handed the cloth to Ying Zheng on the table in front of him.

"The Heavenly Pact between the Heavenly Sect and the Human Sect? Has another five years passed? I vaguely remember the scene five years ago when Master Chisongzi, the leader of the Heavenly Sect, defeated the leader of the Human Sect."

Ying Zheng looked at the cloth, a hint of reminiscence in his eyes, and sighed.

"Did Your Majesty go to witness the Covenant between Heaven and Man?" Xu Qing asked in surprise.

"Yes, five years ago I had no real power. The court was completely controlled by my uncle and mother. My teacher was not by my side at that time either."

"I was so bored staying in the palace that I told my mother that Cheng Jiao and I had changed our names and mingled with the procession to go to Mount Taiyi to relax," Ying Zheng said slowly.

When recalling the past, Ying Zheng was filled with emotion. Five years ago, his mother was still the loving mother he knew, and Lü Buwei was the strict but never antagonistic father.

Cheng Jiao was also a good younger brother. Knowing that he was bored in the palace, she often went to the palace to chat with him and practice swordsmanship.

In just five short years, everything had changed, giving him a sense of being in another world.

His mother favored Lao Ai, valuing him more than him and the Qin state; she was no longer the mother he remembered. Lü Buwei also became increasingly conflicted, but fortunately, with Xu Qing's help, the two didn't go to extremes.

As for Cheng Jiao, for some reason she went from being a good younger brother to an ambitious man, and eventually rebelled during the attack on Zhao last year. She was defeated and killed in Tunliu.

This also led to the departure of Fan Yuqi, a general who had been close to him, to the state of Yan, where he became Qin's most wanted criminal.

"I see. Does Your Majesty have someone in mind to attend the ceremony?" Xu Qing asked.

"Sir, you are a disciple of the Heavenly Sect and also the Grand Minister of Works of Qin. Wouldn't it be most appropriate for you to represent Qin at the ceremony? Why is there such a question?" Ying Zheng frowned slightly and asked with a puzzled expression.

"To tell you the truth, Your Majesty, I am actually the one sent by the Heavenly Sect to the Observation Platform. My opponent is the disciple of the Human Sect's leader, who will also be the next Human Sect leader, Xiaoyaozi."

Xu Qing sighed softly and recounted how she became a candidate for the Covenant between Heaven and Man.

Ying Zheng was both amused and exasperated upon hearing this. He hadn't expected that Xu Qing would be paired with Xiaoyaozi as an opponent as soon as he started learning martial arts.

"I'm really putting you in a difficult position, sir. Master He Guanzi is indeed extraordinary; his way of doing things is hard to judge by ordinary standards," Ying Zheng said with a smile.

(End of this chapter)