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

Chapter 373, Xu Qing: My sword has never been inferior!
Upon hearing Xu Qing's words, all the civil and military officials in the court were astonished, and their gazes toward Xu Qing were filled with shock.

Xiong Qi, Meng Ao, members of the imperial clan, and members of Lü Buwei's faction stared wide-eyed, somewhat doubting what they were hearing. Could these words really be said?
Lao Ai's wicked intentions were common knowledge, but knowing it in one's heart and saying it out loud are two different things. Saying it out loud would mean completely breaking ties with Lao Ai.

Lao Ai had Zhao Ji backing him up, and the Qin King's seal was still in Zhao Ji's hands, which meant that Zhao Ji was the true Qin King.

Is Xu Qing courting death? Even with Ying Zheng's backing and his status as a physician, he shouldn't be so straightforward, right?
"Grand Marshal, how dare you slander me! I am utterly loyal to the King. The person I recommended, though a trusted confidant, is extremely talented. How could there be any talk of planting confidants, having secret cliques, or plotting a rebellion!"

Lao Ai's face was gloomy, and his eyes flashed with a cold light as he looked at Xu Qing and said in a cold voice.

He had expected Xu Qing to be a fly, someone who would interrupt his happiest moment and spoil his fun. But he never imagined she would be a wasp, daring to expose his thoughts in public.

For a moment, Lao Ai was both annoyed and guilty, which turned into rage.

"Slander!? Ha! The laws of Qin state that recommended talents must first be examined by the King and his ministers before they can be appointed to office. Since the time of Duke Xiao of Qin, famous ministers and wise ministers such as Shang Yang, Zhang Zi, and Fan Sui have all followed this rule."

"And what are you recommending? How dare you openly defy the ancestral rules of my Great Qin! Do you consider yourself a descendant of past rulers? Or do you believe that the person you recommend is far more capable than Shang Yang and Zhang Ziyi?!"

Xu Qing was not afraid of Lao Ai's gaze at all. She looked up and stared directly at Lao Ai, her eyes full of contempt, as if to say, "Lao Ai, you are just a despicable scoundrel. What gives you the right to swagger around here?!"

When Lao Ai sensed Xu Qing's contempt for him, he couldn't help but think of the days when he was humiliated in the marketplace and at the Wenxin Marquis's mansion. He was extremely angry and his face showed anger.

"This matter was ordered by the Empress Dowager. The King of Qin has not yet assumed personal rule, and the Empress Dowager holds the reins of the state. The affairs of Qin are in the hands of the Empress Dowager. She ordered me to make the recommendation, and I will do it now. How dare you disobey?!"

Since becoming the Marquis of Changxin, Lao Ai had never been provoked like this before. His remaining rationality was immediately consumed by anger, and he shouted angrily at Xu Qing.

Xu Qing's lips curled into a disdainful sneer. He turned sideways and glanced at Lao Ai, then cupped his hands in greeting to Ying Zheng and spoke in a melodious voice.
"The affairs of Qin depend on the King and your loyal ministers. You were first a petty commoner, a cunning and incompetent wandering knight, and later a palace eunuch, a crippled and opportunistic villain."

"He was granted a position in the court by the king's grace, but instead of making progress and sharing the burdens of the Queen Mother, he intended to interfere in politics."

"And what are you going to do now!?"

Xu Qing's voice was loud and clear, like thunder, which resounded in the ears of the assembled officials. Everyone looked at Xu Qing with incredulous eyes, as if they were looking at a monster.
How can this person be so brave?
Moreover, he speaks logically and righteously, leaving no room for criticism.

At the same time, the ministers couldn't help but feel ashamed and embarrassed. Loyal ministers? Could they really be considered loyal ministers?
A subject should die for his sovereign. The King of Qin was despised and humiliated by eunuchs like Lao Ai, yet they remained unmoved, thinking only of their own personal interests. Did they deserve the title of loyal ministers?
The ministers looked at Xu Qing, who was in the center of the hall and truly lived up to the standard of "a subject dies for his ruler when his ruler is disgraced" in the "Discourses of the States: Discourses of Yue, Part II". They thought that only such a person could be called a loyal minister, and their eyes showed admiration.

Although they and Xu Qing held different positions, even the most despicable person would sincerely admire a loyal and upright person.

If we set aside our stances, they would definitely be willing to be friends with someone like Xu Qing. After all, someone who goes to such lengths for a monarch would be even more devoted to his friends.

"A great reputation is never undeserved; no wonder Xu Qing was able to gain the approval of the physician Nian Duan," the ministers thought to themselves.

At this moment, Xu Qing was the embodiment of the standard of a Confucian minister in their eyes. The last person to do something similar was Lin Xiangru, who threatened King Zhaoxiang of Qin with a sword at the Mianchi meeting.

After their initial surprise, the members of the imperial clan looked at Xu Qing with excited eyes, their gazes filled with admiration. They dared to stand up and refute Lao Ai's recommendation, but they didn't dare to humiliate him like this, after all, Lao Ai was powerful and had Empress Dowager Zhao Ji behind him.

However, Xu Qing said everything they wanted to say but dared not say, severely humiliating Lao Ai and also bringing up the matter of Weiyang Jun being injured, thus venting the anger of the royal family!
"He's so brave! I'd love to be his dog!"

Some members of the royal family couldn't help but think.

Ying Zheng looked at Xu Qing with surprise. Although he knew that Xu Qing was going to stand up, he did not expect Xu Qing to be so bold. He was filled with excitement.

These words swept away all the humiliation he had suffered because of Lao Ai.

What is a loyal minister? It is someone who dares to stand up for their king when he is humiliated and speak out for him. Xu Qing's current state reminded Ying Zheng of someone: Lin Xiangru.

For a ruler, a subject will die for his lord's honor; for a friend, a subject will go to great lengths for him.

"I was right to go to Xinzheng. Sir, you are my only friend in this life, and the person I trust the most!" Ying Zheng thought to himself.

Standing in the shadow of the pillar, Gai Nie stared at Xu Qing in astonishment. His originally calm heart was stirred by Xu Qing's actions and words, and he fixed his gaze on Lao Ai with hostility.

Zhao Ji's mouth gaped open in surprise, her slender hand gently covering her rosy lips. She looked at Xu Qing with surprise in her eyes, which gleamed with a sharp light.

She had never met a man as responsible and dependable as Xu Qing, and she couldn't help but swallow hard.

Looking at Xu Qing, who exuded righteousness, with his handsome face, resolute determination, and awe-inspiring presence, Zhao Ji's gaze softened as if she were looking at a ginseng fruit.

They even forgot that Xu Qing was cursing Lao Ai.

When Lao Ai saw his past and shameful past exposed, his face turned pale with anger, and the rage in his eyes seemed to materialize, as if he wanted to set Xu Qing on fire.

He is none other than Marquis Changxin, Lao Ai, a man who would beat even the virtuous elder of the imperial clan, Lord Weiyang, without hesitation. How could he possibly be humiliated by Xu Qing?

Driven by rage, Lao Ai had completely lost his mind. He gripped his sword, drew it sharply, and pointed it at Xu Qing, shouting angrily...
"Do you wish to test the sharpness of my sword?!"

"My sword has never been at a disadvantage!!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Xu Qing swiftly drew his Lingxu Sword, its sharp blade gleaming coldly as it pointed at Lao Ai.

The eighteen swords, each bearing the red light of the North Sea's loyal heart, illuminated Xu Qing's face, their clear, bright blades emitting a series of sword cries.

(End of this chapter)