Inside Zhangtai Palace.

"Your Majesty, this year's heavy snowfall promises a bountiful harvest next year..." Meng Can, the magistrate of Taicang, wanted to continue their previous flattery, finishing the conversation that had been interrupted by the messenger last time.

But unexpectedly.

This time it's another Muggle.

"The wicked general has arrived!"

The long shouts coming from outside the hall made Meng Can want to cry. Is it so hard to just flatter someone?

A series of heavy footsteps approached from afar, and everyone's eyes turned to the entrance of the main hall, which was illuminated by the sunlight.

"Your Majesty, I have returned and come to pay my respects."

A hoarse voice, tinged with a hint of coldness, reached everyone's ears, and a figure bathed in sunlight appeared in their sight.

Good morning, colleagues!

The wicked man strode into the hall, not forgetting to wave and greet the officials present with a smile.

"I wonder how many people this butcher has killed this time..." As he entered the hall, a slightly foul odor emanated from him, causing everyone to gasp in astonishment.

Sitting at the head of the table, Ying Zheng smiled and said, "It's good that you're back. Was the trip successful?"

Upon hearing this, the wicked man stretched out two fingers, pinched them together, and arrogantly said, "Just pinch it as you please."

"good!"

Ying Zheng nodded slightly, gesturing for his wicked husband to return to his rightful place.

The wicked man cupped his hands in greeting and walked straight to the ranks of military officers, standing behind Meng Ao and Wang Jian, with Huan Yi, Yang Duanhe, and other generals on his right.

Meng Can glanced at her wicked husband, her face turning red with embarrassment, unsure whether she should continue her unfinished flattery.

Li Si bowed slightly to the wicked man with a kind smile on his face, and the wicked man nodded slightly in response.

An unusual silence fell over the hall.

Many ministers felt like they were being scratched by a cat, their eyes darting back and forth between Ying Zheng and his wicked husband, wishing they could slap them both.

Everyone knows that the wicked husband went out to seek revenge, so why did neither of them ask when he returned, nor did the other say anything?

"Meng Qing, continue!" Ying Zheng's slightly childish voice rang out.

Meng Can immediately stepped forward, full of vigor, and said, "Your Majesty, as the saying goes, a timely snowfall promises a bumper harvest. This year's grain harvest is sure to be plentiful. And with His Majesty assuming personal rule, it is truly a blessed omen from Heaven!"

"I believe that after the autumn harvest, taxes can be increased by 10% to replenish the national treasury."

Although Ying Zheng was mature beyond his years and knew this was flattery, he still couldn't help but be pleased. Indeed, as Meng Can said, the harvests were poor and the grain was scarce before he assumed personal rule.

The moment I took power, I reaped a great harvest. It seems I am truly blessed by the heavens!

"With food... we can do some things." As Ying Zheng thought about it, his mind became more and more active. He glanced at the imposing generals and even felt a strong ambition to sweep across the six kingdoms.

Thinking of this, Ying Zheng said in a deep voice, "Very good. I will give you full authority as the Chief Administrator of Grain Supply. You can directly issue orders to the local areas to ensure a bumper harvest for our Qin state."

"Increase the smelting of agricultural tools and improve the farming efficiency of the people. I will reward you handsomely then."

All the officials, big and small, including the Governor of Chestnut, were excited and stepped forward to bow in greeting. Their power had increased dramatically.

Meng Can, as the top leader, was overjoyed. His position had risen rapidly, and his power among the Nine Ministers had increased even further.

Ying Zheng stood up, his gaze fixed intently on Meng Can, and said, word by word, "Grain is the foundation of Qin's eastward expansion. I hope you will take it very seriously!"

His tall figure was like a drawn sword, exuding a breathtaking aura. He surveyed the assembled court officials, his voice booming like a great bell, "A single character has more than a dozen ways of writing it, and they don't recognize each other. We are all Chinese, yet we speak our own language."

Isn't this a form of division?

The loud voice echoed in the empty hall, like a series of thunderclaps that lingered for a long time.

The meaning behind those words is so clear that even a fool could understand them!

The civil and military officials were shocked, all looking at Ying Zheng with astonishment as he exuded an imposing aura.

After their initial shock, the generals' eyes burned with fervor, their faces flushed, eager to immediately muster their troops and march eastward to conquer the six kingdoms.

Meng Can was no longer the smug man he had been. His lips twitched incessantly. How did his attempt to flatter Ying Zheng turn into such a compliment?

Why are they even going to attack those six countries?

They said there was a bumper harvest, but they didn't say that they would fill up all the granaries in the country!

"My mouth!!"

Feeling several sharp, dagger-like gazes fall upon him, Meng Can wished he could slap himself twice across the face.

Helpless, he could only bite the bullet and advise, "Your Majesty, a good harvest requires years of accumulation. I think it's best to wait a few more years before we launch our eastward expedition."

"Moreover... the strength of the six states should not be underestimated. Even with the current foundation of our Great Qin, it is difficult to support them."

Ying Zheng looked down at Meng Can, who was covered in cold sweat, and shouted, "What are the six states?"

"I will lead the Qin cavalry to conquer a vast territory!"

"With a unified written language and standardized cart tracks, the nine provinces were unified."

At this moment, Ying Zheng appeared somewhat deranged.

"Your subject seconds this proposal."

Li Xin stepped forward and said loudly, "Your Majesty is wise. My Qin state has a formidable army, why should we fear the six states? Why not devise a strategy now and march east to conquer the six states?"

There are always those who love to watch the drama unfold, and Li Xin is one of them.

Before the arrival of the wicked man, he was the youngest general in the court. But ever since the wicked man appeared, he has stolen all the limelight. As a fellow young man, how could he be willing to be subordinate to a mere upstart?

Once the Eastward Expedition begins, he is confident that he will be no weaker than anyone else, not even veterans like Wang Jian and Meng Ao.

"I second that proposal!"

"I think General Li's suggestion is feasible."

"......"

Immediately, the military officers in the court all spoke up in support.

Only veteran generals like Wang Jian, Meng Ao, and Huan Yi remained silent, their brows furrowed in worry, fearing that Ying Zheng might agree to Li Xin and the others' proposal.

Meng Ao was about to step forward to advise Ying Zheng when Wang Jian, who was standing beside him, subtly pulled him back and gave the wicked man a meaningful look.

Meng Ao immediately understood and stared intently at the wicked husband.

Li Si was a shrewd man. He did not agree with declaring war on the six states now, but seeing the generals' high spirits, how could he dare to stand up and stop them?

Who dares to stop us now?

Whoever cuts off someone's livelihood will inevitably be targeted by others.

He didn't want to be afraid to walk alone at night.

"Who is suitable to do this?"

As Li Si pondered, he turned his gaze to the two generals, and then followed their gaze to the wicked husband.

His eyes suddenly lit up. That was it! If anyone was suitable for this job, it would have to be the wicked husband.

He enjoys the trust of the First Emperor and now holds military power, his status is vaguely on par with that of the Supreme Generals, making him the best candidate.

To put it bluntly, he's the perfect scapegoat!