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

Chapter 376, A virtuous person is born in a small country; it is not the virtuous person's fault.
When Xiong Qi was suddenly called out, he looked up at Ying Zheng, hesitated for a moment, and then stepped forward.

"Your subject obeys," Xiong Qi said, cupping his hands in greeting.

The situation in Xianyang is becoming increasingly unpredictable. As the saying goes, those involved are often confused, while bystanders see things clearly. Perhaps by leaving Xianyang and standing from the perspective of an outsider, he might be able to see through the fog shrouding the city.

Seeing that Xiong Qi had agreed, a smile appeared on Ying Zheng's face.

Empress Dowager Huayang was the only elder who supported him from beginning to end. She even helped him marry Xiong Qi's sister, which earned him the support of the Chu state's foreign relatives.

Although the help from Chu's foreign relatives was limited due to the situation, they were still his supporters. Therefore, Ying Zheng had a very good impression of Chu's foreign relatives, Xiong Qi, and Lord Changwen.

"Great Minister, are you willing to go to Mount Taiyi as an envoy for the Qin state?" Ying Zheng asked Xu Qing.

"Your subject is willing."

Xu Qing stepped forward again, cupped his hands in greeting to Ying Zheng, and said...

Although he was puzzled as to why Ying Zheng had appointed Xiong Qi as his deputy, the most important thing at the moment was for him to leave Xianyang in a legitimate way. As for his doubts, he could ask Ying Zheng about them later.

If possible, Xu Qing hoped that Ying Zheng could replace him with someone else.

Xiong Qi, that cunning old fox, is in Qin but his heart is in Chu; moreover, they've had their eyes on him for a long time. Now that he's in Qin supporting Ying Zheng, there's no guarantee they won't secretly plot against him.

Xu Qing was unwilling to associate with such a dangerous person.

When Lao Ai saw Xu Qing agree, a glint of shrewdness flashed in his eyes, and he sneered inwardly.

"I didn't expect to gain anything unexpected. Right Chancellor Xiong Qi is a relative of the Chu state and the brother-in-law of the King of Qin. I can get rid of you along with him," Lao Ai thought to himself.

Although the Chu state's foreign relatives did not explicitly support Ying Zheng, Xiong Qi's marriage of his sister to Ying Zheng, and the fact that she was already pregnant, meant that the Chu state's foreign relatives were firmly supportive of Ying Zheng.

To Lao Ai, everyone who supported Ying Zheng was an enemy and had to be eliminated.

"Now that the envoy has been confirmed, this matter is over. Lü Yi, go back and tell Zhongfu to take good care of himself and not to worry about state affairs," Ying Zheng said to Lü Yi.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will certainly convey Your Majesty's words to my father."

After bowing to Ying Zheng, Lü Yi turned and left the main hall.

After the brief incident involving the covenant between heaven and man, the atmosphere in the hall became tense again. Zhao Ji coldly looked at the members of the royal family, while Lao Ai knelt beside her with his head down and remained silent. The officials all kept quiet and dared not speak.

Looking at the silent hall, Ying Zheng lost the will to continue and spoke.

"Today's court meeting was convened to discuss the selection of the Commandant of the Guards, the Grand Historian, and the Left Guard. Although the candidates recommended by the Marquis of Changxin are good, the Grand Chancellor feels they are not suitable, so this matter will be temporarily put to rest."

"The three official positions will be temporarily filled by the deputies. If any of you ministers have suitable candidates to recommend, you may submit them to me."

"After discussing with the Empress Dowager, we will convene a court meeting to decide who will succeed the three of them in their positions."

Zhao Ji glanced at Ying Zheng, noticing that he was deliberately ignoring the conflict between Lao Ai and Xu Qing, as well as the offenses committed by members of the royal family against him. She pursed her lips slightly and nodded.

"Then let's do as Your Majesty says. I'm tired, so I'll take Marquis Changxin back first."

After saying this, Zhao Ji got up from her seat, placed her hands in front of her lower abdomen, glanced at Lao Ai, and then walked towards the back, preparing to return to Xianyang Palace.

"Your Majesty, I shall take my leave now!"

"Go, and serve your mother well," Ying Zheng said, waving his hand.

"promise."

After bowing to Ying Zheng, Lao Ai picked up his fallen sword and, supporting his numb legs from kneeling, followed Zhao Ji. "Respectfully seeing off the Empress Dowager!"

Watching Zhao Ji and Lao Ai's departing figures, the ministers' eyes flickered. Although today's court meeting was full of ups and downs, it had also revealed a lot of information to them.

Ying Zheng was unwilling to be suppressed by Zhao Ji and was also very dissatisfied with Lao Ai's arrogance. Otherwise, Xu Qing, as a confidant of the King of Qin, would not have confronted Lao Ai so fiercely and torn off their relationship.

However, no matter how unwilling Ying Zheng was, he had no choice but to submit to Zhao Ji, since he had not yet assumed personal rule and the power of the Qin state was nominally still in Zhao Ji's hands.

After Zhao Ji left, the physician shouted loudly.

"The court meeting continues!"

The tense atmosphere eased slightly after Zhao Ji left, and the rest of the court meeting proceeded without incident. Those with matters to report presented their cases, while those without listened. The meeting ended in less than half an hour.

After Ying Zheng left, the courtiers prepared to disperse, but no one moved. Instead, they all looked at Xu Qing, who was positioned in the center of the civil officials.

A military officer tried to turn and leave, but was stopped by someone behind him, who gestured for him to wait for Meng Ao's instructions.

Seeing that everyone's eyes were on him, Xu Qing, holding a tablet in one hand and the hilt of Lingxu's sword in the other, turned and walked out of the hall.

Seeing Xu Qing set off, everyone else followed suit and headed outside.

Although Xu Qing was granted the significant title of Grand Master of Works, Ying Zheng had no real power, so Xu Qing's title was merely a nominal one. Among the eunuchs and imperial physicians, only the imperial physician had any real authority to perform.

But things were different after today's court meeting. Xu Qing proved with his actions what it means to be a model subject and what it means to be a loyal minister.

Even though Xu Qing was not appointed to a position with real power, his loyalty and the image he had in the eyes of the people were no different from that of a Grand Master of Ceremonies with real power.

You could say that Xu Qing is now a smaller version of the uncrowned Lü Buwei.

He was able to control half the court and instill fear in those with ulterior motives simply by relying on his integrity and loyalty as a subject.

The Analects, Yao Yue: "A gentleman straightens his clothes and hat, and respects his appearance, so that people look up to him with awe. Is this not dignified without being fierce?"

"Only today do I understand why a virtuous person can inspire awe and fear."

Xiong Qi looked at Xu Qing, who was walking out of the main hall ahead of the other officials, with a hint of regret in his eyes, and sighed softly.

“Brother, you are right. This Grand Chancellor is indeed no ordinary person. Although he is young, his majesty and demeanor are truly awe-inspiring.”

Upon hearing Xiong Qi's lament, Chang Wenjun smiled slightly and said softly.

Xu Qing is a staunch supporter of the King of Qin, and their Chu relatives also support Ying Zheng, which means that they are currently allies with Xu Qing. As long as they develop a good relationship in the future, it will be entirely beneficial to them.

"Yes, it is a great blessing to meet and befriend such a person in my life."

As Xiong Qi watched the departing figures of his ministers, he was filled with mixed emotions. If he had known that Xu Qing was such a person, he should have acted sooner and brought him to the State of Chu.

Now look what's happened; they've let them into Qin, inadvertently providing financial assistance to the Qin state.

"I wonder how the state of Korea and its general Ji Wuye will conduct themselves after today's court discussion gets out?" Changwenjun said with interest.

"It is not the fault of the virtuous man to be born in a small country. It is not the merit of the small country to produce virtuous men!"

Xiong Qi was taken aback, then chuckled and walked outside.

(End of this chapter)