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

Chapter 514, Winter Arrives, Meeting Lü Buwei Again
After leaving Feiyan's palace, Xu Qing walked along the corridor of Zhangtai Palace, unsure of where to go next.

The medical family is resting today, while Gongyang Ru is organizing his lectures from the past two weeks. The matters with the Gongshu family and Qin Mo are mostly settled. Although he has many ideas that require the help of both families to implement, he still needs to go back and compile them into a book.

"Where are you going? Home to rest?"

Xu Qing wandered aimlessly through the passageway, unsure of what to do next.

The Qin state has been unusually peaceful lately, and without the trouble caused by the treacherous Lao Ai, he has become somewhat bored.

Just as Xu Qing was thinking about what to do next, a snowflake fell in front of him.

"Snowing?"

Xu Qing looked up at the gray sky, where sparse snowflakes were slowly falling. When she stretched out her hand, the icy snowflakes melted instantly upon landing in her palm.

What do you do when it snows? Eat hot pot, of course!

Xu Qing immediately found what he needed to do today: go home and have hot pot with Yan Lingji, Jing Ni, and Tian Mi to enjoy the snow. After they were full, they would take advantage of the beautiful snow scenery to have a deep, easy-to-understand, exhilarating, and intense sparring match.

Thinking of this, Xu Qing quickened her pace, wanting to get home as soon as possible.

Braving the increasingly heavy snowflakes, Xu Qing had just stepped out of the gate of Zhangtai Palace and hadn't even gotten into the carriage when someone called out to her.

"Lord Zhaoming".

Xu Qing turned around and saw Li Si wearing an expensive cloak, looking somewhat anxious, walking quickly toward him.

"Tonggu, is there something you need from me?"

Xu Qing withdrew his hand from the carriage railing and looked at Li Si with a puzzled expression.

"Hoo~ There are some things to take care of, Lord Zhaoming, please let me catch my breath first."

Li Si was panting heavily, white breaths coming from his mouth as he wiped the sweat from his forehead from jogging.

Seeing Li Si's weak appearance, Xu Qing's lips curled up slightly, and he teased him with a smile.

"Tonggu, you seem a bit too weak. You've only walked a few steps and you're already this tired. I heard you recently took in two beautiful concubines. Are you using all your energy on them?"

Li Si blushed, immediately straightened his bent back, forcibly calmed his rapid breathing, and looked embarrassed.

"You jest, Lord Zhaoming. Don't you know my character? I've been busy with state affairs lately, working diligently on government matters at night, and haven't had a good rest," Li Si explained.

"Alright, alright, we're all men, you don't need to explain, I understand," Xu Qing said with a smile, hooking his arm around Li Si's shoulder.

"You've really misunderstood me. These two beautiful concubines aren't something I wanted to take. They were a gift from the King, and I had no choice but to accept them."

Li Si grew anxious and continued to defend himself, arguing that he was, after all, a scholar from Xiaoshengxianzhuang, how could he possibly be obsessed with women?
However, those two beautiful concubines were a gift from Ying Zheng, and he had no choice but to accept them. Since he had accepted them, he couldn't neglect them, lest they overthink things and do something rash.
He wasn't lustful at first sight; he was simply moved by compassion.

As for why Ying Zheng bestowed a concubine upon him, it was largely due to Xu Qing's recent busy schedule lecturing at the Imperial Academy, which allowed his value and role as a court attendant to become apparent.

While assisting Ying Zheng in handling government affairs, Li Si fully demonstrated his talents and successfully reversed the impression he had left on Ying Zheng in the state of Han.

In addition, his status as a retainer of Marquis Wenxin made him an intermediary for Ying Zheng and Lü Buwei to communicate and discuss matters privately.

In just half a month, Li Si became a trusted confidant of Ying Zheng. To show his appreciation for Li Si's contributions, Ying Zheng bestowed upon him a mansion and two beautiful concubines to take care of him.

Throughout history, rewards have always been money, power, status, beauty, and prestige. Power is something everyone desires, but beauty is often the most irresistible.

In order to maintain his image as a "weak ruler," Ying Zheng was not comfortable giving Li Si anything else, so he gave him two beautiful concubines instead.

"Hahaha, I understand, I understand. I have a prescription here. I had Lord Weiyang try it before, and now his wife and concubine are both pregnant," Xu Qing said in a low voice.

Upon hearing this, a glint of light flashed in Li Si's eyes, and he was somewhat tempted. Although beautiful concubines were desirable, he sometimes found himself unable to satisfy both of them.

"Then thank you very much, Lord Zhaoming," Li Si said without the slightest hesitation.

“I’ve already said that we can just call each other brothers in private, there’s no need to call me Lord Zhaoming,” Xu Qing said.

"The etiquette cannot be abolished."

Li Si shook his head. He was at a crucial moment in his career, and he had to be extra careful with every move he made, for fear of being caught out and losing everything.

"Oh, you, why are you in such a hurry to see me? Does the King have something to tell me?" Xu Qing didn't press Li Si, so he changed the subject and asked.

Li Si looked around warily, and Xu Qing, seeing this, told the coachman to take the carriage and wait ahead.

After the coachman left, and Li Si confirmed that no one else was around, he lowered his voice and said...

"It's not Your Majesty, it's Marquis Wenxin. Marquis Wenxin hopes you can come to his home, saying he has important matters to discuss."

"Marquis Wenxin? Something important?"

Xu Qing glanced at Li Si thoughtfully, and had some guesses in his mind.

“I don’t know the specifics, but today Marquis Wenxin secretly submitted a memorial to the King, and the King also ordered that you go to see Marquis Wenxin under the pretext of seeing a doctor, saying that the weather is extremely cold,” Li Si reminded him.

“Alright, I’ll go to the Marquis of Wenxin’s residence shortly. I’ll trouble you to pass on the message, Tonggu. I’ll send someone to deliver the prescription you requested to your home later,” Xu Qing nodded and said.

"Then I'll return to the palace first. His Majesty still needs my help with state affairs." "Take care."

Li Si bowed slightly to Xu Qing, and Xu Qing returned the bow.

Watching Li Si come and go in such a hurry, Xu Qing looked on with emotion. It was precisely because of Li Si that he was able to say that life was boring.

As the head of the Imperial Attendants and other high-ranking officials, Xu Qing would never help Ying Zheng with government affairs unless Ying Zheng personally sent someone to summon him.

The work that belonged to Xu Qing naturally fell to Li Si, the only other vice minister besides Xu Qing.

It's no wonder that Li Si, at the prime of his life, was almost completely exhausted by his two beautiful concubines. He must have been working day and night on government affairs or writing various memorials to Ying Zheng.

"Go back and prepare a recipe with added ingredients for Tonggu. We can't let such a chosen worker really collapse from exhaustion."

Xu Qing thought to himself, if Li Si got tired, all the political affairs would fall on his shoulders.

After a few words of reflection, Xu Qing walked towards the carriage, said something to the driver, and then got into the carriage.

The coachman drove the carriage at a leisurely pace toward the Marquis of Wenxin's residence.

. . . . . . . . . .

After passing through the streets and alleys of Xianyang, the carriage arrived at the residence of Marquis Wenxin. After being informed, Xu Qing, led by Lü Yi, went to Lü Buwei's study.

As soon as Xu Qing pushed open the study door, she felt a wave of heat rush towards her.

"Lord Zhaoming has arrived."

Wrapped in a fine fleece coat, Lü Buwei sat in front of the floor-to-ceiling window and greeted Xu Qing warmly.

"My lord, you certainly know how to enjoy life. It's freezing outside, but your room is warm and cozy. Listening to music and sipping tea, your leisurely life is truly enviable."

Xu Qing didn't stand on ceremony and went straight into the study, speaking as he went.

“Haha, when you reach my age, you’ll naturally be able to enjoy this too. Come, sit down and try this Thousand Island Pine Mist tea sent from Lingnan. It’s a rare find,” Lü Buwei said with a smile.

He has now entered a semi-retired life. In the two or three months since Ying Zheng returned to the country, he has handled government affairs and personnel transfers flawlessly, which has put Lu Buwei at ease.

He had also heard about the matter of the Imperial Decree and understood that even if Ying Zheng accidentally caused trouble, Xu Qing could help clean up the mess.

With the completion of the Lüshi Chunqiu, Lü Buwei had no more worries in his heart.

"Then I'll have to savor it properly."

Xu Qing took off his shoes, sat down opposite Lü Buwei, picked up the tea that had been prepared, and took a sip.

"It's a fine tea, refreshing yet with a hint of richness, leaving a lingering aftertaste."

After praising him, Xu Qing put down the tea and looked at Lü Buwei to continue asking.

"My lord, the tea has been enjoyed. What brings you here in all this trouble?"

"There are some things. Qin has been too peaceful lately, so peaceful that even this old man like me has noticed something is wrong," Lü Buwei said calmly, with a hint of emotion.

"The Qin Kingdom has been rather calm lately, a calm that makes one uneasy, but things should be going according to plan, so you don't need to worry."

Xu Qing's expression turned serious, and he said in a deep voice.

“I’m not worried about what trouble Lao Ai can cause. What I’m worried about is the six states of Shandong. According to the latest intelligence sent by Luo Wang, Li Mu sent a secret letter in the name of the King of Zhao to Han Fei, the ninth prince of Han, and the King of Wei, wanting to unite the three Jin states to cooperate with Lao Ai from the inside and outside to take Hangu Pass.”

As he spoke, Lü Buwei took out a rolled-up piece of plain silk from his bosom. The silk, as thin as a cicada's wing, was covered with densely packed small characters.

"What is this?" Xu Qing asked Su Juan curiously.

"These are the names of the ministers who gathered around Lao Ai during this period, as well as the people in the local areas who secretly colluded with him. Among them are civil officials, military generals, and some military meritorious nobles who have gradually become marginalized."

"I've had a thorough investigation. Twenty-six of them colluded with the six states of Shandong, thirteen were spies from other countries or were turned by others, and there are others..."

Lu Buwei looked at Xu Qing and spoke slowly and deliberately, his calm face showing a hint of emotion, and his tone becoming serious.

If Xu Qing hadn't devised this plan, Lü Buwei himself wouldn't have imagined that there were so many corrupt officials within the Qin state.

If Qin were to be left unprepared and allowed Lao Ai to lead his men in a rebellion, it would likely be one of the most serious crises in the history of the Qin state.

Even if Ying Zheng were to quell Lao Ai's rebellion, some deeply hidden corrupt officials would still affect the Qin state in the future, especially those military merits and nobles. The impact of their rebellion would be far more than just an internal strife.

The Qin state was able to reach its current state because of its military merit system. The military merit nobles produced by this system were the true allies who shared common interests with the King of Qin. These people were also the loyal supporters and cornerstones of the King of Qin in governing the Qin state and in governing the Qin state that would eventually unify the world.

If these people were to launch a rebellion, it would inevitably cause discord within this community of interests, and in the Qin state, there was no other group that could replace them.

If this continues, the final result will be extremely terrible. Without the assistance and help of a community of shared interests, a single King of Qin would be unable to govern the entire world, or even the Qin state itself.

Xu Qing took the silk scroll from Lü Buwei's hand, carefully opened it, and looked at the name inside intently.

(End of this chapter)