Chapter 15 The long years, the Qin master will become
"Your Majesty, this is the document collected from the Prime Minister's Mansion... from Lu Buwei's Mansion. It records many evidences of his interactions with people and his treason over the years!"
In the empty hall, Qin Wangzheng was sitting on the dragon chair. He listened to the reports from the courtiers in front of him. He was silent for a long time and then asked: "How is the others?"
Several people at the foot of the stairs looked at each other, and one of them came up and said: "He... was afraid of the majesty of the king, so he drank poison and committed suicide."
"Dead." Qin Wangzheng nodded, his expression did not change, but his eyes became darker.
Seeing this scene, several ministers felt an unspeakable pressure, as if even the thoughts in their hearts seemed to be much sluggish, they couldn't help but lower their heads and did not dare to say anything.
Since the king took office, his momentum has been growing. Not only is he powerful on the battlefield, and he has a vague tendency to annex the north, he also takes advantage of the Laodu Rebellion to purge the court and seize power. Even the highly prestigious
Prime Minister Lu Buwei ended up drinking a glass of poisonous wine.
As things stand now, the military and political power are all in the hands of his own people, and they should not be angry and self-defeating.
The hall fell into an eerie silence for an instant.
at this time.
"Is there anything noteworthy about the records he left behind?"
Immediately, someone came up with a stack of bamboo slips, and a minister beside him introduced: "Your Majesty, this is a catalogue, which we compiled overnight."
Qin Wangzheng still nodded, turned over the bamboo slips, and looked at them silently without saying a word.
Although the bamboo slip is a catalog, it is actually more like an outline. The things listed in it, large and small, are all briefly introduced. The content is mixed and involves forming parties for personal gain, recruiting disciples, winning over officials, recruiting generals, winning people's hearts, etc.
Each of them is not a problem, but is a common practice among today's nobles. However, when these things are put together and combined with the recent turmoil, it is inevitable that people will think about it.
After all, the Tian family's replacement of Qi is not far away.
But similarly, since Lu Buwei assisted the late king of Zuo and ascended the throne and gained the position of prime minister, his tentacles of authority have spread to all aspects of the Qin State. The people he has implicated in the Qin State are countless. Even these people in front of the King of Qin are actually involved.
After careful analysis, he couldn't run away. Naturally, he didn't dare to say anything at this time and could only wait quietly. The pressure in his heart became more and more intense.
Qin Wangzheng was flipping through the book when he suddenly stopped, raised his head and asked: "Why did Lu Buwei suddenly send people to Kongtong to search for the immortal relics a few years ago?"
"this……"
Several ministers looked at me and I looked at you, and in the end they all shook their heads and smiled bitterly, saying they didn't know.
The King of Qin ignored him and continued to ask: "Most of Lu Buwei's previous actions were military and political matters. In addition to seizing power, he was collecting money and gathering party members. Perhaps some of his thoughts were scattered on compiling miscellaneous family stories, but almost
I have never been involved in the affairs of the Yin-Yang family and the alchemists, so how come you suddenly asked people to inquire about them in Kongtong?"
The expressions of several ministers changed slightly, and one of them said bravely: "It has been a few years since the incident, and I am afraid it is difficult to find the person involved, but if we investigate carefully, we can still find some signs. Please give me a few days, your Majesty.
"
"It's okay, you go check it out." Qin Wangzheng waved his hand. Although his words seemed approachable, his tone was unquestionable. Then he continued to look at the bamboo slips in his hand. After a few breaths, he raised his head and looked at the ministers at the end.
One person said: "Li Qing, I remember that when you came to the west, you stayed in Chenggao for more than a year."
Li Si, who was at the bottom of the steps, immediately stepped forward and said respectfully: "Reporting to your Majesty, that's exactly what happened." He was thinking about why King Qin asked about this at this time.
To be honest, Li Si was quite uneasy at this moment. After all, when he came to Qin, he first surrendered to Lu Buwei's sect, and only then could he have the opportunity to seize the opportunity and get into the eyes of the King of Qin. Now Lu Buwei suddenly fell.
, as a related person, he had already made up his mind to keep a low profile for a few years, so after being recruited by the King of Qin along with others, he remained silent and did not say a word.
Now being called out suddenly, he was naturally a little frightened.
"You don't need to worry too much. Since I have called you all to discuss, it will not affect the princes. All the princes are the pillars of the Qin State, and I will have to rely on many people in the future." King Qin said calmly, looking at Li Si,
"Li Qing, I am asking you because it is recorded in this directory that Lu Buwei sent people to Chenggao twelve times to invite Chen Chenggao to assist the left. The latest time was three months ago, but they were all rejected.
So I specially asked you about this person."
As he spoke, he changed the topic: "I have heard a lot about Chen Chenggao. I heard that he was also a great scholar. He was knowledgeable about the past and present, and had disciples all over the world. However, I didn't know much about his so-called rise and fall theory.
I like it, so I didn’t invite him. But now, Lu Buwei’s perseverance has made me somewhat interested, and I intend to invite him over to fill the academy. What do you think?”
"This..." Li Si hesitated for a moment and then said: "I don't dare to deceive the king. The purpose of my coming to the west is to defect to the king. The reason why I stayed in Chenggao for a year is to see Mr. Chen's knowledge and stay here to learn from him."
, so it’s very rewarding.”
"So, he is not worthy of his name." Qin Wangzheng said, looking at Li Si, "But looking at Li Qing's expression, do you think I can't invite him?"
His eyes were as usual, but when his gaze fell on Li Si, the latter suddenly broke out in cold sweat. Wherever he dared to say no, he responded almost instinctively: "I would like to go and persuade him in person."
"Very good, Li Qing took the trouble." After Qin Wangzheng said this, he lowered his head again and looked at the bamboo slips in his hand.
He looked until the evening and never raised his head to ask. After finishing the last volume, Qin Wangzheng raised his head and said calmly: "It's not too early. Please go back first, and wait for me to finish this.
After reading through the list, I will seek help from the masters to clarify my doubts."
Everyone had their own thoughts and did not dare to respond, so they retreated one after another.
As soon as they left, King Qin pondered for a moment and said to the eunuch Zhao Gao beside him: "Go and find that alchemist for me."
Zhao Gao was clever and thought quickly, and immediately understood and said, "Your Majesty, do you want to see Xu Fu?" Seeing King Qin nodding, he quickly left.
Soon after, a tall man with an imposing manner followed him into the hall.
This man was none other than the alchemist Xu Fu. He had eyebrows on his temples, a long beard hanging down his chest, and an immortal spirit. When he saw the King of Qin, he bowed his hands and bowed, and then asked: "The king has told me that I am here. What do you mean?"
"You have told me before that there are two opportunities for immortality in the world, one is in Kongtong and the other is in Chenggao. What is the reason?"
Xu Fu didn't ask about the cause and effect, but just smiled and said: "Your Majesty finally believes in me." After saying that, he responded seriously, "The fate of immortality has always been mysterious, and the secret of heaven is unspeakable. Although your Majesty asked me, I can't speak frankly."
Qin Wangzheng narrowed his eyes and looked at the other party coldly. After a while, seeing that Xu Fu was unmoved, he asked: "Then Cheng Gao's opportunity for immortality lies with Chen?"