Chapter 138: Duke Xiao's death left Shang Yang with hidden dangers

Ying Qian and Gan Long are almost representatives of the old aristocracy. Even if they are not in power, they still hold an important position.

The influence is huge.

At this juncture, the two people suddenly died mysteriously. It is impossible to say that there is no trick involved.

However, King Xiaogong went to pay his respects in person and examined the bodies of the two men, but found nothing unusual.

While Duke Xiao was planning all this and trying to clear the obstacles ahead for Ying Si and Shang Yang, Shang Yang suddenly received a fatal warning from the old nobles.

They sent the famous scholar Zhao Liang to lobby Shang Yang, telling him that all his achievements were due to the king's protection.

But now Duke Xiao's health is getting worse and worse. How long can he protect you?

You'd better hand over your fiefdom and find a place to farm and spend your retirement in peace.

Shang Yang did not take their threats seriously. He could see that Zhao Liang must have been sent by those old nobles. Not only was he not afraid, he also asked Zhao Liang to bring a message to them.

He said that they did not consider the progress that the rule of law had brought to the country, but only cared about their own gains and losses, and denounced his new law as a cruel and evil policy.

Such clichés have long been despised by the world.

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye it is the next year's spring plowing ceremony.

Everyone thought that after enduring the winter, when spring came and flowers bloomed, Qin Xiaogong's illness would be alleviated and his health would get better day by day.

But who knew that he would suddenly be in critical condition?

Even the ceremony of starting farming was presided over by Crown Prince Ying Si. That night, Duke Xiao of Qin took Shang Yang's hand and said that he would take him to Hangu Pass the next day. After that, he fell asleep.

Shang Yang knew that Duke Xiao had never been to Hangu Pass since he recovered Hexi, and this was his last wish.

Help him finish it no matter what.

So the next morning, the carriage carrying Duke Xiaogong and the cavalry left Xianyang in a mighty procession and headed for Hangu Pass.

Looking at the scenery along the way and the broad Wei River, Duke Xiao couldn't help but sigh.

The Qin people took four hundred years to travel from Yongcheng to Liyang and then to Xianyang.

When they reached Hangu Pass, Duke Xiao dragged his sick body and climbed up step by step.

When we went up, the sun was still hanging in the sky, the setting sun was blood-red, and the surging river stretched across the endless wilderness.

The world is vast and boundless.

Seeing this scene, Duke Xiao couldn't help but have tears in his eyes. He still had things to do and he didn't want to die yet.

One hundred thousand iron hooves stepped out of Hangu Pass, and wherever the black flags pointed, the army surged like a tide.

If he were given another twenty years, he would surely be able to lead the Qin cavalry to conquer the Central Plains, end the chaotic times, and bring peace to the people of the world.

Countless ambitions were not realized, and life came to an end quietly. How unfair is God?

Duke Xiao of Qin spat out a mouthful of blood and fell down.

Everyone rushed forward to surround him, and Duke Xiao grabbed Shang Yang's hand, regretting that he could not walk with him on the road to achieving hegemony.

He grabbed Ying Si's hand and handed it to Shang Yang, giving Shang Yang instructions.

The world is of great importance. If Ying Si can be supported, then support him. If not, then you should establish yourself as king.

Qin Sheng, who was buried in writing, suddenly raised his head from the desk after hearing this. He could no longer describe how shocked he was at the moment.

A drop of ink fell from the tip of the pen onto the paper, staining the written manuscript.

He didn't think that this was the king's trust in Shang Yang. He just felt that his heart was wrapped in ice, so cold that Qin Sheng felt as if the world was frozen.

Was this really Qin Xiaogong's last words because he was worried about the Qin Kingdom and its people, or did he leave this sentence intentionally to remind Ying Si to kill Shang Yang?

He felt confused.

Since the writing of the book "The Great Qin Empire", the affection between King Xiaogong and Shang Yang as his subject has been revealed everywhere.

They sympathized with each other, shared weal and woe, and worked together to develop and strengthen the Qin State.

But now he said this in front of Ying Si. Did he really think that Ying Si might not be capable of doing the job and was afraid that the foundation of Qin would be destroyed in Ying Si's hands?

For this, one would even hand over the country to outsiders?

If that was the case, why didn't he say this to Shang Yang in private? Why did he have to say it in front of Ying Si and all the ministers?

Could it be that he is really dying and his mind is no longer clear?

Qin Sheng gripped the pen harder and harder until a click sound was heard and the pen broke in two in his hand. He suddenly came to his senses and quickly took something to wipe the splashed ink.

Chu Yian wiped her face, and a drop of ink was rubbed everywhere, making her look like a tabby cat.

Qin Sheng pursed his lips, stood up, took a wet handkerchief and handed it to her: "Sorry."

Chu Yian shook his head, took it and wiped his face clean: "Actually, there's no need to be so shocked."

Qin Sheng took the handkerchief from her hand, put it away, and sat down again, with an emotion in his eyes that Chu Yian could not understand.

"I just didn't expect it."

Chu Yian raised his eyebrows and chuckled, "I didn't expect Duke Xiao to trust Shang Yang so much? And be willing to hand over the country to him?"

Qin Sheng: ...

This book carries some hope for Qin's victory, although after Duke Xiao's death, the new king may not tolerate Shang Yang.

A new emperor appoints new ministers; this is inevitable.

Some of these ministers who were highly valued during the reign of Duke Xiao may be demoted after his death, while others may be marginalized and forced to retire from important positions and be replaced by people he trusts.

However, Duke Xiao and Shang Yang had been sympathetic to each other for many years and had been in the same boat. Shang Yang also made the Qin State leap from a small country looked down upon by everyone into a new hegemonic power.

The contribution is indeed great.

Although he did offend many people in the process, and anyone could have been detrimental to Shang Yang, that person should not have been Qin Xiaogong.

But that person was Qin Xiaogong...it doesn't seem difficult to understand.

But Qin Sheng found this result somewhat difficult to accept.

Although this speculation is more in line with reality, given the class system, it was unlikely that Duke Xiao would really trust Shang Yang to this extent from the beginning.

Just like how the master of a wealthy family looks at his servants, if we change the perspective a little bit, aren’t the ministers also servants in the eyes of the king?

You can reward him, praise him, and give him power.

But he had never seen anyone give all his wealth to a servant.

Shang Yang was indeed talented, but to the emperor, he was just a servant who was more useful than others.

Qin Sheng couldn't describe his feelings. To him, this book might be a storybook, and perhaps to Chu Yian as well.

But this was created based on real historical events.

Certain modifications have been made to some parts, and it is common to glorify one's favorite historical figures.

Perhaps he should have looked at the book more seriously and objectively from the beginning, instead of treating it as a storybook where he could write everything to perfection.

The friendship between King Xiaogong and Shang Yang should not be as good as one would think. Since ancient times, which king did not guard against important ministers?

Although he had a lot of thoughts in his mind, Qin Sheng did not interrupt Chu Yian rashly.

He probably knew where to end tonight's story, so it wouldn't be too late to ask after he finished.

When Duke Xiao died, the whole country mourned.

Countless people spontaneously came to see Duke Xiao off, and their cries were heard all along the way.

This scene shocked the envoys from various countries in Shandong, as they had never seen such a funeral.

In the pouring rain, the people spontaneously carried the coffin for Duke Xiao. The genuine sorrow they expressed moved everyone who heard it to tears. It was unprecedented.