Chapter 369 Wang Sheren, you didnt tell me the truth
[On patrol? Is Lord Chang'an going to supervise the country? No wonder His Majesty is making such a fuss today.]
The courtiers looked at me and I looked at you. Their eyes were full of question marks. They were caught off guard by the news.
The Prime Minister on the right, Wang Wan, looked at Li Si and saw that Li Si had finally arrived, with a complex expression on his face.
He served Ying Zheng as a political prince and became the king, and then the first emperor. He also became the right prime minister of the Qin Dynasty from a layman.
The young man who originally came back from Zhao and would consult with him on everything he did, once again failed to consult with him when making important decisions.
Wang Wan, who rose from Prime Minister to Old Prime Minister during Ying Zheng's reign, could not remember the last time Ying Zheng took the initiative to invite him into the palace.
The old prime minister glanced at his side and slowly sat down. Feng Quji, his old friend who had disobeyed the First Emperor but was safe and sound. This imperial censor, who was originally somewhat disdainful, was now as confused as his superior Majesty.
It seems that everyone is changing, but he is staying the same...
Feng Quji, who had just sat down, could not remain stable for a moment. Under Wang Wan's gaze, he suddenly stood up and lowered his head and said:
"This is a great good thing! Yao, Shun, Yu, and Tang all patrolled the world, and their holy power spread far and wide. After that, the barbarians surrendered, and the government was wise and wise. This is in accordance with the destiny and tradition. Your Majesty is wise!"
In the ancient times of Yao, Shun, and Yu, top-down inspections appeared, forming the prototype of the later inspection system.
Yao ordered Shun to supervise the administration of the emperor, and Shun immediately began to patrol the southeast, northwest, and northwest, and established the system of "hunting every five years".
"Shang Shu Shun Dian" records Shun's inspections in all directions - in the second month of the year, he patrolled in the east, and as for Daizong, Chai.
After that, Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties all followed this system, but the hunting patrol times were different.
In the Western Zhou Dynasty, there was a supervisory censor, but they were only the officials around the emperor who were responsible for drafting records and keeping classic books. At that time, there were officials called "Fang Bo" to supervise the princes with different surnames who paid tribute to the ministers and the princes with the same surname who were enfeoffed.
During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, inspections were still mainly conducted by the monarch. The monarch had a "system of county inspections". The monarch, prime minister, and county guards could all inspect local areas, and the supervisory censor also began to exercise supervisory functions.
Guan Zhong, the Prime Minister of Qi, believed that the supervisory censor had the initiative in the monarch's rule - the first was Changmu, the second was Feier, and the third was Shuming.
"Your Majesty's majesty should have spread thousands of miles long ago. All the remaining people from all over the world are eager for your Majesty to come. Your Majesty does not care about fatigue, travels and works hard, and cares about the people. There are not many saint kings in ancient times!"
The first person in favor was Feng Quji. Dr. Zhou Qingchen was afraid that he would not be able to catch up with the second person, so he jumped up and said loudly as if competing with others.
Dancing and dancing, singing and expressing emotions.
After that, the supporters came in a steady stream like crucian carp crossing the river, and the hall was filled with His Majesty’s sage voice.
The First Emperor's previous words were "for all the kings to know" and not "for all the kings to discuss". This was a notice rather than an inquiry, and only need to be followed without any other opinions.
No smart person would follow suit when he didn't know why Feng Quji opposed the First Emperor's decision and was fine - Yao Jia had just been dismissed from the position of Shangqing.
"Wait until March, when I will start my tour, I will respond to matters in Xianyang..."
The First Emperor looked at Ying Chengyu tentatively, and Ying Chengyu responded with eager eyes.
Just now he wanted to be granted the title of Marquis, so he held his nose and stood up without refusing.
He didn't want to supervise the country. As long as Ying Zheng dared to say so, he would say no on the spot.
"No matter how big or small, everything is decided by the queen."
The First Emperor looked away, he was not competing with Shuzi, he was so childish!
The ministers looked at each other in surprise.
There is a saying in the Qin State that if there is no harem, one cannot get involved in politics. The tradition of the Qin State is that whoever has the right will get the upper hand, and women can do it. This is true for Mi Bazi, the Empress Dowager Huayang, and the Empress Dowager Zhao.
What surprised the ministers was that the person overseeing the country was not Ying Chengyu.
The First Emperor personally created such a huge momentum today, but the thunder was loud and the rain was light.
Although it was unexpected, it was common practice for the queen to supervise the country, and there were very few opponents. The ministers bowed again and said that they "must listen to the queen's orders" and "serve the queen with the attitude of serving your majesty" and "this is a great good thing."
The two major events were completed and the merits were fulfilled. The First Emperor happily listened to the rainbow fart for a while, clapped his hands and said with a smile:
"Everything is done, retreat..."
"His Majesty!"
Before the word "Chao" could be shouted out, an old man stood up in the front row and interrupted the First Emperor's words.
"Your Majesty, Wang Wan, please resign."
The old prime minister lowered his head and said respectfully.
Ying Chengyu looked away in surprise, Li Si looked in surprise, Feng Quji looked in surprise, and all the courtiers looked away in surprise.
The First Emperor sat back down on his just-raised buttocks, and the joy on his face slowly faded away.
"Why."
"I have reached an advanced age. Your Majesty, please see that I have not slackened off my hard work for ten years and will allow you to return to my field."
The First Emperor looked at Wang Wan for a long time. The white-haired figure with his head lowered under the high platform looked very lonely and a little desolate standing among the crowd.
"Can."
The First Emperor said softly.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Wang Wan felt relieved and smiled for the first time today.
"Feng Quji."
The First Emperor rubbed his eyebrows.
"I'm here!"
Feng Quji stood up for the third time and responded in a deep voice.
"You would like to be your prime minister."
Feng Quji was stunned, and all the officials were stunned.
This is different from the transformation of Zuo Prime Minister's position.
During the final debate on the enfeoffment system and the county system, Li Si said more than once that he wanted the position of prime minister, and blatantly challenged the two prime ministers.
Kuei's violation of unspoken rules kicked off the process, and he lost to Li Si in the end. The political struggle failed. Everyone knew that Li Si would take over as Prime Minister Zuo.
But this time, the old prime minister Wang Wan and the imperial censor Feng Quji were from the same camp. They were not competitors, and they did not start a political fight.
Out of nowhere, Feng Quji changed his mind, out of nowhere Wang Wan resigned, and out of nowhere, Feng Quji was arranged by His Majesty to take over as the Right Prime Minister.
Everything that happened today, including the championship of Meng Ao and his sudden announcement of a tour, was all inexplicable.
Before other people's brains could react, Feng Quji, who was considered half of the main character in today's court meeting, said in a deep voice:
"I will live up to your majesty's trust! I will live up to your majesty's trust!"
"Then it's up to you."
The First Emperor put his four fingers together and waved them outward twice.
"Retired from the court."
After the court meeting dispersed, various government offices began to get busy.
Wang Xingxing is not just for ordinary people to go out. There are too many things that need to be prepared.
The ceremonial carriage must not only ensure the safety of the First Emperor, but also raise the First Emperor's authority to the highest level. It is best for all the witnesses in the world to see it and regard it as a god.
The Shaofu prepares weapons, the Prime Minister's office plans the route, the Governor's Office prepares money and food...
The First Emperor's words caused the people below to run away and break their legs, and everyone began to get busy.
…………
"When did you join Lord Chang'an?"
In the Xiangbang Mansion, in a room used to store completed memorials, Wang Wan sat on a hardwood chair with a relaxed expression and said softly.
Apart from him, there was only one person in the room - Feng Quji, who came to hand over the position of right prime minister to him.
The minor officials were all called out by Wang Wan, and Lu Buwei and Li Si, who were qualified to come here, also gave the old prime minister a dignity before leaving and did not come to disturb the situation.
This is not the first time Feng Quji has come to this place, but this time as the chief official, he has a completely different experience.
The bamboo slips piled up on the bookshelves in all directions, the ink stains on the desk that had been painted over the years and could not be washed away, and the mixed aroma of bamboo and ink floating in the air all gave Feng Quji the feeling of knowing him for the first time.
"If you don't want to say it, don't say it."
Wang Wan stood up and hunched over his back, so that he could feel more comfortable.
"This is yours."
He walked toward the door, his steps brisk and accelerating.
It was as if the place he was in was not the Prime Minister's Mansion that everyone wanted to occupy, but a dragon's pond and a tiger's den!
"Right Prime Minister!"
The patter of footsteps woke up Feng Quji, who woke up as if from a dream.
"Now that you are the right prime minister, Wan is just a white body."
As Wang Wan said this, his steps slowed down. He left, and he wanted to leave clearly.
When did Feng Quji, who had always been on the same side as him, and the second-in-command in his camp, the imperial censor, sway to his side?
"When did you have contact with Lord Chang'an? Was it when Meng Xibai's family was exterminated, or during the wax sacrifice, or when the new manager of the building was changed?"
Wang Wan said in a deep voice.
He didn't know the reason for what Feng Quji did today, but judging from the result that Ying Chengyu was the biggest profiteer, he came to the conclusion that Feng Quji was working for Ying Chengyu.
Without the new right prime minister in the room today, Ying Chengyu would not be so awed by the court, and the voice of Qin II could be faintly heard.
Feng Quji shook his head and chuckled.
"Quji is not one of Chang'an Lord's people."
"Do you think I will believe you if you say this?"
"To remove diseases, we are the imperial censor. What we did today was just fulfilling the duties of the censor."
Feng Quji said sincerely.
Wang Wan thought for a moment, then became unstable and suddenly slapped his hand on the table to steady himself, knocking over the inkstone and causing the ink in the inkstone to flow all over his hands.
"I understand, that's how it is..."
His last doubts were gone.
…………
"Feng Quji underestimated him."
Li Si was slightly dissatisfied.
In the back hall of Xiangbang's Mansion, only Lu Buwei and Li Si were present.
Lu Buwei shook his head when he heard this and smiled.
"Are you dissatisfied because Feng Quji suddenly became above you in official position?"
"exactly."
Li Si readily admitted.
The Great Qin respected the right. Although he, the left prime minister, was nominally on the same level as the right prime minister, he was actually half a level lower in the eyes of the ministers.
"Take a long-term view, whether you are the Prime Minister on the left or the Prime Minister on the right, you will still be the Prime Minister after all.
"You were dissatisfied with me as prime minister at the beginning, and you should continue to be dissatisfied with me in the future."
Lu Buwei looked through the recent renovations of Chidao.
"But it's not just you, Feng Quji. I was also blinded. I didn't expect that this wallflower would actually wake up. I thought he would be taken down by His Majesty soon, but I didn't expect that he would go one step further."
The responsibilities of the Censor are, firstly, to handle political affairs as the Prime Minister's deputy, so he is sometimes called the Deputy Prime Minister in private. Secondly, as the head of the Censorship Office, a supervisory organization, he is responsible for supervising all officials.
The promotion method is generally that if there is a vacancy in the position of prime minister, the imperial censor who has been accompanying the prime minister in handling affairs can take over.
"So many people have not figured out His Majesty's temperament, but he actually guessed it. He is not as lucky as you. Your Majesty reminded you. When it comes to judging the situation, Feng Quji is better than you and me."
Li Si nodded depressedly.
"I don't know how this idiot knew that His Majesty was willing to fulfill his duties. Today's actions are completely in line with the imperial censor. He is neither humble nor arrogant. He does not agree with the control of the king and does not compromise. It is in line with His Majesty's wishes."
Lu Buwei pointed out:
"Your Majesty once said that accompanying a king is like accompanying a tiger, and one must figure out what is above. But His Majesty's intention is that he does not want his ministers to figure out what is above them. What Your Majesty wants is for all courtiers to do their jobs well and not to think wildly.
"You suffered this loss in the first place. If you think about it carefully, did your Majesty give you clear instructions even if you wanted to kill Han Fei? Our Majesty doesn't like conspiracies and tricks.
"Don't worry about any clues in the court, who was summoned by His Majesty, or who suddenly became favored. As long as you always be your prime minister, you will take over when I get down."
The hand turning over the bamboo slips suddenly stopped. Lu Buwei raised his head and said:
"No, there is hope for Feng Quji now."
…………
"His Majesty Xuan Wang Wan enters the palace to pay homage."
At the gate of Xiangbang's Mansion, the Si Ma King's chariot was parked here, and a eunuch came in to announce.
Wang Wan had a complicated expression.
His Majesty finally summoned him, but only after he lost his position as Right Prime Minister.
The old man followed the eunuch and boarded the royal carriage on a familiar road.
"Come sit down and eat with me."
The First Emperor sat in front of a table of exquisite dishes and patted the chair next to him to greet Wang Wan.
Wang Wan was in a daze.
Many years ago, the stubborn young man who came back from the Kingdom of Zhao did not have gold, silver, wealth or a high official and was well paid. He only knew how to show his sincerity and could not win over anyone at all.
Those old foxes who have become evil only care about benefits and completely ignore these false etiquette.
Only he, a humble official, shed tears of gratitude for being able to eat side by side with the political master and share the same meal in this era of shared meals.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Wang Wan was not polite and started eating as soon as he sat down, even though the First Emperor had not moved his chopsticks.
The First Emperor straightened his chopsticks, picked up a piece of venison and put it into Wang Wan's bowl.
"Cheng Xi said that the elderly should eat less meat to live longer. I have always scoffed at it. Lian Po is a hundred years old. It is not a problem to eat two kilograms of meat. Only by eating can you be healthy. As you get older, you should also eat more meat."
"only."
Wang Wan ate the meat in the bowl.
The two of them ate in silence for a while, after dropping their chopsticks on the plate a dozen times.
"Why do you want to resign suddenly?"
The First Emperor said suddenly, just as suddenly as Wang Wan resigned.
"I can't do it anymore."
Wang Wan kept using chopsticks and talking while eating.
"When you get old, it's time to make way for young people. If you continue to occupy the position of prime minister, you will be hated by others."
"Wang Sheren, you didn't tell me the truth."
Wang Wan used her chopsticks for a meal and continued to eat.
When he first joined the service of the First Emperor, his official position was given to others.
"The Wang Wan I know is a madman who dares to ask me to wish for the throne despite being in a position of sacrificing others."
"Your Majesty, I am getting old, and I am no longer so energetic. The Wan family is prosperous, with a young master and eight concubines, who gave birth to six sons and three daughters to Wan. Wan is no longer alone..."
"You eat, I'm full."
The First Emperor put down his chopsticks lightly and left the table disappointed.
Wang Wan ate in silence, taking one mouthful after another with utmost seriousness. This was the last meal Mr. Zheng invited him to have.