Xiang Shaolong returned to Wu Mansion surrounded by friends such as Li Si and others. When he saw each of the Tian sisters, he felt deeply excited and ecstatic.
Xiang Baoer had just turned six years old and was stronger than the average child. He pestered Xiang Shaolong with questions and kept talking, which made his father feel very happy.
Wu Yingyuan led his family to pay homage to their ancestors, and that night there was a big feast, with lanterns and colorful decorations, which was very lively.
When the wine was full of wine, Chang Wenjun, who was sitting across from him, smiled and said: "The invincible Cao Qiudao is no longer invincible. After the battle at the Jixia Academy Star Observation Deck, besides the sword master, there was a sword master named Shao Long. Let's see what the six eastern countries still have."
What can you use to suppress me, Great Qin?"
At this time, Ji Yanran, Qin Qing and others, together with the female family members, toasted to Xiang Shaolong, Teng Yi, Jing Jun and other generals who had returned from the expedition. Xiang Shaolong and others hurriedly returned the courtesy.
When Xiang Shaolong saw Zhou Wei, who was married to Wu Guo, he was reminded of his brother Zhou Liang's death in the line of duty with the Eagle King, and said sadly: "It's a pity, Brother Zhou Liang..."
Zhou Wei's expression darkened, she lowered her head and said softly: "Brother, my greatest ambition in life is to train an eagle king so that it can help the army fight for supremacy on the battlefield. Now that my wish has been fulfilled, I will die without regrets. Part 1
Don't worry about it, General, he won't regret it."
By the end of the sentence, Xiumei was already red.
Everyone knew that Xiang Shaolong attached great importance to emotions, so they hurriedly tried to change the subject. Lu Dan'er, who had become Jing Jun's wife and had a daughter, asked: "Will the General stay in Xianyang, or will he return to the pasture?"
Li Si joked: "Is Mrs. Jing too good at forgetting? Others may call Shaolong a general, but you have to call me third brother or third uncle."
While everyone was laughing, Lu Daner took out his anger on Jing Jun, glared at him fiercely, and cursed in a low voice: "It's all your fault."
These words naturally caused the whole room to burst into laughter, which greatly diluted the sad atmosphere.
After the banquet, everyone said goodbye and left, while the leaders of the Wu family gathered in the secret room to discuss.
When Ji Yanran was away from Xiang Shaolong, all external affairs of the Wu family were actually handled by her as the think tank. Therefore, she became the only female family member to participate.
Tao Fang said first: "We will feel relieved when Shaolong comes back. I have met Tu Xian many times and confirmed that Lu Buwei and Miao Du are pretending to be at odds on the surface, but in fact they are colluding secretly. With the support of the Queen Mother behind the scenes, their power has expanded."
He got there very quickly, but under Lu Buwei's instigation, Miao Du stayed in Yongdu for a long time. He lived in palaces and gardens, provided daily clothes, went out with carriages and horses, and compared the king's everywhere. All edicts that required the Queen Mother's seal were first approved by his pair.
It takes a thief’s eye to see it.”
Ji Yanran nodded and said: "Due to the Queen Mother's relationship, Yongdu has actually fallen into the hands of Miao Du. With Lu Buwei's acquiescence, he secretly organized buddies and recruited a large number of dead soldiers from various countries to prepare for the crown prince's coronation in July.
, this matter is really a headache.”
Xiang Shaolong said: "The prince has already placed a powerful chess piece like Mao Jiao in Miao Du's camp, so he is well aware of all the moves of Miao Du's traitor party. Now he has secretly summoned Wang Jian back to the capital to prepare for a decisive battle with Miao Du."
.”
Teng Yi was shocked and said: "Now that Shaolong is here, why call Wang Jian back?"
Xiang Shaolong was stunned for a moment. Thinking of this question for the first time, a chill filled his heart.
Everyone's eyes were focused on him.
Jing Jun said: "Since the prince is willing to tell the third brother about this personally, there should be no problem?"
Ji Yanran's beautiful eyes flashed over a complex expression, and she sighed quietly and said: "Whenever the power of the throne is involved, father, son and brothers have no humane feelings. My husband's biggest problem is to win the hearts of the people. Let's see how many people line up when my husband comes back today.
This is evident from the grand occasion of welcoming each other."
Wu Guo said angrily: "It can be said that my uncle earned and kept this world for the prince. How can he..."
Wu Yingyuan coughed dryly and interrupted him: "Stop talking such nonsense. Wu Guo, you are really unimproved. After experiencing Zhao Ren forgetting his roots, you still have such naive thoughts. Shaolong is now equal to another
Bai Qi, think about how Bai Qi ended up."
After a pause, he continued: "Fortunately, we made the decision many years ago to go beyond the Great Wall and establish our own kingdom. Now we have finally reached the final stage. After killing Lu Buwei, we will leave Qin immediately. This matter can be handled by Shaolong with full authority."
Tao Fang also coughed dryly and said: "I don't know who started the rumor recently, saying that the prince is not the son of the previous king, nor Lu Buwei, but the one Shaolong got back secretly. Hey, these words are so ridiculous." Ji Yanran was surprised.
He glanced at Xiang Shaolong, lowered his hat, and looked strange. Teng Yi was the one who knew the inside story, and he was shocked and said: "Do those who heard this rumor believe it?"
Tao Fangzhengzheng said: "Except for those with ulterior motives, everyone in the Qin State is convinced that the crown prince is the true king who inherits the destiny of heaven and accepts the virtue of water. Mere rumors will have no effect. The problem is that the crown prince will feel uncomfortable after hearing it."
Xiang Shaolong said decisively: "As my father-in-law said just now, the fate of our Wu family can no longer be determined by other people's likes and dislikes. Everything must be in our own hands." Then after studying the details of a comprehensive evacuation,
Everyone then went back to their rooms to rest.
Ji Yanran took Xiang Shaolong for a walk in the garden. The pretty and intelligent beauty said, "Husband, do you feel that the crown prince has changed a lot in the past two years?"
Xiang Shaolong was admiring the bright moon in the sky and sighed: "Who can remain unchanged after becoming a monarch?"
Ji Yanran said: "It is said that absolute power corrupts people absolutely. Isn't this your warning? The prince's authority is increasing day by day, and his character is becoming more gloomy and unpredictable. Alas, Li Si has also changed a lot, and he is no longer the same as before.
You are close to our Wu family, Shaolong, if you are as honest and honest as before, you will easily suffer a big loss."
When Xiang Shaolong was stunned for a moment, Ji Yanran lowered his head and said, "Tingfang told me."
Xiang Shaolong looked at her in astonishment.
Ji Yanran gave him an aggrieved look and said: "When I heard the news that you were defeated and missing, Tingfang was so anxious that he revealed the identity of the prince, saying that the prince would definitely try his best to save you because of this relationship, so you should not blame him for this.
Her. I can’t believe that you even hid it from me, your wife.”
Xiang Shaolong changed his expression and said, "Who else knows about this matter?"
Ji Yanran said: "Of course Zhizhi knows. But I have told her to keep the secret strictly. Shaolong, if there is no such fact, let his rumors spread all over the sky, it will not affect the relationship between you and the prince, but now of course it is another time
Something has happened, Shaolong must be on guard."
Xiang Shaolong nodded and said: "Thank you Yanran for the heads up. I already knew about this matter. Let's go back to the room to rest at night."
The next day, Xiang Shaolong, Teng Yi and Jing Jun got up before dawn and rushed to the morning court. When they arrived at the Yizheng Hall, they suddenly realized that not only Lu Buwei had arrived, but Miao Du had also arrived from Yongdu, and they immediately felt that something was wrong.
When the ministers saw Xiang Shaolong, they came over to say hello, but they all hesitated to speak and looked strange.
Miao Du squeezed next to Xiang Shaolong, pulled him to a corner and said, "Hearing that Shaolong was in danger, the Queen Mother and I were worried to death."
Of course Xiang Shaolong knew that what he said was not true, but he did not expose it and pretended to be grateful: "Brother Laomiu and the Queen Mother care."
Miao Du suddenly came close to his ear and lowered his voice: "I don't know who started the rumor. In the past few months, there have been rumors that the prince was not the son of the late king, but a trick played by Shaolong. So I asked him
The Queen Mother sought confirmation of this matter, and after discussion, she decided to invite the poor couple who had adopted the prince in Handan back to Xianyang to eliminate the confusion in the world."
Xiang Shaolong pretended to be nonchalant and replied: "What's the result?"
Miao Du's eyes flashed coldly, and he stared at him and said: "The result is that half a year ago, the Zhang Li couple and dozens of families in the neighborhood were all killed in a sudden fire. More than four hundred people were killed.
No one, no matter male or female, old or young, survived. This incident caused a stir in Handan and became a puzzling unsolved case."
Xiang Shaolong's hands and feet immediately became cold, and his mind went blank, at a loss.
Miao Du's voice sounded like it was far away: "I was talking to Father Zhong about this matter just now. Father Zhong said that Shaolong had told him that the Crown Prince had taken Zhang Li and his wife back to Xianyang to enjoy their happiness, but why was this actually the case?
?”
With Xiang Shaolong's quick wit, he had no words to answer for the moment. Fortunately, the clock rang and the ministers were busy returning to work. Xiang Shaolong replied, "This is indeed very strange" and took the opportunity to escape.
When Xiaopan sat high on the dragon throne and received the worship of the civil and military palaces, Xiang Shaolong was still distracted, thinking about the terrible news Miao Du had just revealed.
He also guessed that Xiaopan would kill Zhang Li and his wife to silence him, but he never imagined that not even his neighbors would be spared. It can be seen that Xiaopan would do anything to keep it secret. Maybe the person who went to do this for him to silence him would have been killed.
put to death.
Now in Xiaopan's heart, Xiang Shaolong and Wu Tingfang are the only ones who know the secret of his life experience. Will he disregard his kindness and silence him altogether so that he can have nothing to worry about?
After experiencing Linzi's experience of being betrayed by many of his friends, he gained a deeper understanding of human nature.
Small caps are indeed different.
Just look at him sitting on the dragon throne with an attitude of contempt for the world and praising him Xiang Shaolong for putting down the Puhu Rebellion.
As the opening remarks of the early court, we know that he has fully grasped the method of convincing people with his power as a monarch.
Then Lu Buwei gave a lengthy report on his trip to Linzi. Halfway through, Xiaopan interrupted his report with a wave of his hand, frowned and said: "What kind of person is Tian Jian? After he came to power, Tian Dan can still
To maintain his power?"
Lu Buwei's long speech was abruptly interrupted by Xiaopan, and a look of displeasure flashed across his face. He said in a deep voice: "Tian Jian and Tian Dan have nothing to worry about. The only thing to worry about is the alliance between Qi and Chu. This time Tian Jian can securely sit on the throne."
, the Chu people have put in a lot of effort behind the scenes, so the old minister..."
Xiaopan cut him off impatiently and said, "Is Tian Jian an ambitious person, or is he just a coward who just wants to live in peace?"
Xiang Shaolong felt awe-struck in his heart.
Xiaopan has indeed changed, and has become more practical and practical instead of empty words. Just watching these few words he asked gave people the feeling that he hit the target.
Lu Buwei was stunned for a long time, then frowned and said, "This matter remains to be seen."
Xiaopan's eyes fell on Xiang Shaolong, his tone changed to gentle and respectful, and he said softly: "General, can you help me solve this problem?"
Xiang Shaolong secretly sighed in his heart, as long as he spoke a few words, he could decide the fate of Qi people, including his beloved Shanrou and good friend Xie Ziyuan.
However, he had to answer, especially since his relationship with Xiaopan is so delicate now. After taking a deep breath, he calmly said: "Tian Jian is actually the monarch of Qi now, and he is in charge of all affairs. Naturally, he hopes that he can
He has made great achievements. Unfortunately, due to the influence of Qi State's consistent advocating for empty talk, he turned a blind eye to various pressing domestic problems, and even tried to make peace with me. He no longer had the previous ambition of 'unifying the nine princes and uniting the world.'"
Xiao Pan vigorously slapped the armrest of the dragon throne and sighed: "The general's words are enough. Where is the Taiwei?"
In response, Li Si took a step forward, held a scepter and kowtowed: "Your Majesty, please give me instructions."
Xiaopan said: "Immediately choose someone who can speak well for me, and then select a group of singers and dancers with excellent voices, looks, and skills, and send them to Linzi to Tian Jian to congratulate him on being crowned prince and give him my congratulations."
Li Si took the order and returned to his position.
Xiao Panchang smiled and said: "Since Duke Huan, the people of Qi have been competing with me, the Qin, for the short and long term, and the three Jin, Chu, Yan, etc. have either united with us to resist Qi, or they have united with Qi to attack us. Sooner or later, this will have to happen.
It’s over, but it’s time for us to pacify the Three Jins and the Chu people.”
Under the leadership of Wang Wan, all the ministers expressed their congratulations.
Lu Buwei and Miao Du's faces were as cold as ice and they remained silent.
Xiang Shaolong understood in his heart that Xiaopan was trying to show the officials who was really in power, and at the same time, he was deliberately trying to lose face to Lu Buwei. He also secretly wanted to force them to rebel.
At this time, Lu Buwei suddenly winked at Miao Du next to him. The latter secretly gestured to another doctor, Qian Zhi, who was more than ten people away.
Qian Zhi hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward and kowtowed: "I have something to report to the Crown Prince."
The hall immediately fell silent.
Lord Changping, who was sitting on Xiang Shaolong, leaned close to Xiang Shaolong's ear and whispered: "He is a member of Miao Du. He was promoted from the lower ranks to become a doctor by the Queen Mother's decree."
Xiaopan said calmly and calmly: "Qian Qing, please tell me if you have anything to say."
Qian Zhi's lips trembled slightly before he said with sincerity and fear: "Recently, there have been a lot of gossips and rumors in Xianyang, slandering the Crown Prince. After investigation, Wei Chen found that these rumors confuse the people and have a great impact... For this reason, Wei Chen, please ask the Crown Prince.
Appoint Wei Chen to mediate this matter..."
Xiaopan interrupted him coldly: "I don't know what rumors Doctor Qian heard."
The color on Qian Zhi's face immediately drained away, he fell to his knees, kowtowed heavily and said, "I don't dare to say that."
Xiaopan shouted angrily: "How can you help me deal with national affairs if you don't even dare to say a few words?"
Miao Du saw that the situation was not right and pushed Lu Buwei.
Lu Buwei was forced to have no choice but also hated the fact that Qian Zhi was useless. He coughed dryly and was about to speak when Xiaopan shouted: "No one is allowed to intercede on behalf of a fool. Please tell the truth to me."
Qian Zhi had knocked his head so hard that it bled, and said in a trembling voice: "It is rumored outside that the crown prince is not the one who belongs to the late king... The sin of a humble minister deserves death."
Xiaopan laughed and said, "So that's what happened."
Then Long Yan calmed down and said: "Rumors stop only the wise. The six eastern countries are timid and deliberately spread rumors to slander others. But Qian Zhi, you actually regard the rumors as facts. What else can you say about affecting people's hearts?"
Qian Zhi was so frightened that he peed his pants and cried out sadly: "Weichen did not mistakenly believe the rumors, Weichen..."
Xiaopan shouted violently: "I will push this slave out of the palace gate immediately and kill him. All the men in the clan will be sent to the border to serve as soldiers, and the women will be used as official prostitutes."
In the silence of all the ministers, Qian Zhi, who repeatedly appealed to the crown prince to show mercy, was dragged out by Lord Chang Wen's wolf-like guards, leaving only a pool of blood in the center of the palace where his head had been smashed.
The faces of Lu Buwei and Miao Du were as ugly as they were.
The sound of a needle dropping could be heard in the hall, and no one could not tremble at the unfathomable power of Xiao Pan.
Xiaopan will be officially crowned the king of Qin in a few months. Who dares to make any offensive remarks at such a moment?
Xiang Shaolong's entire spine felt cool and refreshing.
Small cap has become too scary.
Xiaopan replied calmly and said calmly: "Now that this nonsense rumor has finally reached the palace, what do you think Father Zhong should do?"
Lu Buwei also regained his composure and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty said it well, rumors stop with the wise. As long as we ignore them, they will stop."
Xiaopan shook his head slightly to express his disagreement, and then asked everyone: "Do you have any good ideas?"
Lord Changping said in Xiang Shaolong's ear: "It's time for me to appear."
Then he stepped forward and said: "I think this matter must be dealt with in a serious way. Please send an edict from the crown prince to inform all the people. No one is allowed to talk about this matter in private in the future. Anyone who violates this will be guilty of the whole clan and will be severely prosecuted."
If there is a reward, then the rumors will naturally be put to rest."
Xiang Shaolong suddenly realized that Xiao Panzao had a tacit understanding with Li Si, Chang Pingjun and other close relatives, and they wanted to use thunderous and high-pressure measures to calm down this turmoil.
Xiaopan said happily: "The words of the Qing family are very close to my heart. Now that I have ascended the throne, anyone who takes this matter lightly, no matter how big or small their official position is, is a person with ulterior motives and will be executed without mercy."
Then he shouted loudly: "Retreat from the court"
All the ministers knelt on the ground to send off the increasingly powerful prince.
After Xiaopan left, Xiang Shaolong was about to leave, so he asked Mr. Changping, "The prince wants to see you."