Chapter 25 Your Qin royal family is playing a very new game of "father's status rises with son's"...^^...

Zhu Qing'ai flipped through the historical materials in the database but couldn't find this passage. However... there were no high-yield grain varieties in history, so this was just a minor deviation and not a big problem.

She put on the 'Qin' vest and started working...

****

Ying Zichu first made a few humble remarks, but then his attitude became extremely tough. He stated that his ascension to the throne was legitimate and that no one dared to oppose him as crown prince when the late king was alive. Yet now he was making such a scene in front of the late king's spirit tablet, relying on his status as a member of the imperial clan and showing no respect for the late king.

Such a commotion naturally attracted the attention of the Qin state itself. She did not appear directly inside the mourning hall, but walked slowly in from outside.

Those kneeling in front of the mourning hall unconsciously made way for her, and after she passed, they knelt back in their original positions, just as the sea was artificially parted and then naturally gathered back together.

Ying Zheng was pulled by Zhao Ji to kneel on the left, avoiding the area where he was being moved. In his eyes, the scene of many people crawling on their knees together was extremely strange, but they were completely unaware and did not notice the 'Qin' that had entered from the outside.

No one felt there was anything wrong with the scene; their attention was still on Empress Dowager Huayang in front of them, and perhaps also on the relative who jumped out to question the legitimacy of the new king's ascension to the throne.

When Qin passed by the troublemaking clansman, he glanced at him and suddenly felt a cold wind blow around him. He shivered, but since the weather was cold today, he thought it was just a weather problem.

Empress Dowager Huayang gave a wink to Prince Yangquan, who had stood up to pull the man away. Prince Yangquan, receiving his sister's signal, spoke quickly and rebuked, "The late king had already designated the Great King as the heir apparent before his death. How can he not be considered legitimate?"

"I think you've lost your mind. Someone take him away to calm down."

The man continued to struggle, and began to argue, "Prince Zichu is neither the eldest son of the late king nor the biological son of the Empress Dowager. Does he intend to follow the example of King Zhou...?"

Qin paused, took two steps back, and casually placed his hand on the relative's shoulder, turning his head to look at him: "You mean King You of Zhou? He attempted to eliminate the eldest son and install the youngest..."

I wonder which of Ying Zichu's brothers put this person out to oppose him; he's not very bright.

None of the previous Qin kings disliked her, so naturally she also disliked this person's unrestrained speech.

The person didn't realize that their voice had been muted, and the people around them didn't think much of it. They simply assumed that the person was using a hint instead of saying the name directly.

The brain automatically ignores those dangerous and strange things, and 'Qin' simply erased a word, which did not hinder their understanding of the world, so they naturally did not care about those strange things.

Only Ying Zheng saw the actions of his motherland and understood that this person had been forcibly silenced.

Empress Dowager Huayang understood the man's implication and was furious. If the late king was King You of Zhou, then what would she be?

Lord Yangquan, Mi Chen, was concerned for his sister's well-being. He quickly remembered that King Zhaoxiang had left behind an edict that specifically mentioned Prince Zichu, instructing him to retrieve the edict if he was ever confused about the situation.

Looking back now, that person was truly prescient, having foreseen what would happen today.

So Lord Yangquan spoke with absolute confidence: "Your words are all nonsense. Your Majesty is recognized and valued by the two late kings. The place you are in charge of is a confidential place. You have been commended many times. What's wrong with establishing a younger son as heir?"

Lord Yangquan became more and more excited as he spoke: "Your Majesty has been a hostage in Zhao for many years and has made great contributions to the state. What have you done for my Great Qin?"

Qin glanced at him. If she remembered correctly, this man was a nobleman from the State of Chu. Why did he call out "My Great Qin" so naturally?

"Moreover, the late king left behind an edict specifically addressed to Your Majesty. Since you are not convinced, we will take it out and see what it says, so that you will give up!"

Lord Yangquan thought his idea was brilliant. It had the approval of both the late king and King Zhaoxiang. What was this? It was what everyone wanted. It would surely shut these people up and prevent them from saying anything shameless!

He never considered whether the contents of the box were what he thought. In his view, it had already hinted at Prince Zichu, so the contents must either establish the grandson of the crown prince or the crown prince himself.

That was a double endorsement from the late king, and after that, no one could argue that the king was not the eldest son and had not been formally appointed crown prince.

Ying Zichu's feelings were rather complicated, because he could guess that the contents were not as Yangquan Jun had guessed. The contents were most likely to ask him to make Zheng'er the crown prince, which was related to him but not much.

However, the fact that this edict was presented could indeed serve as a legitimacy for his ascension to the throne.

The troublemakers had clearly forgotten about this incident. A year ago, when King Zhaoxiang passed away, a wooden box was indeed placed on the beam of the main hall where the council was held... He comforted himself, thinking that maybe it wasn't an imperial edict, and even if it was, it might not be related to Ying Zichu.

He glanced back furtively, trying to see what the young master meant, but he didn't see any movement from him.

After a pause, he said, "What Lord Yangquan said makes sense."

Qin chuckled and sighed, "How mischievous."

As one of the witnesses, she knew the entire contents of the edict, but it had nothing to do with establishing Zichu as the King of Qin.

The will was entirely Ying Ji's lament about how outstanding his great-grandson was, and his regret that there was no mention of a great-great-grandson. Otherwise, he would have certainly tried to establish a great-great-grandson. Unfortunately, he died too early and did not have the opportunity to do such a shrewd thing.

It's fortunate that Ying Zhu and Ying Zichu didn't know the contents of the edict, otherwise they would definitely have objected to the line lamenting that they had left too early.

Fortunately, Ying Zhu passed away early and did not see the edict. Ying Zichu still had to take out the edict to read it and endure the blow of love from his grandfather.

"In that case, let us all proceed to the Council Hall." Empress Dowager Huayang shared a similar view with her younger brother, Lord Yangquan. She also did not believe that King Zhaoxiang would leave something useless on the beam of the Council Hall. The edict in the wooden box would be the final word.

A group of imperial relatives and high-ranking officials followed Empress Dowager Huayang away.

Zhao Ji led Ying Zheng behind Empress Dowager Huayang and Ying Zichu. 'Qin' did not want to be squeezed in the crowd, so she walked at the front, since she was most familiar with Xianyang Palace.

Taishu Jiu hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should go with them.

He seems to only have a noble title but no official position... This kind of thing shouldn't concern him... right?

It was Yangquan Jun Mi Chen who casually helped him when he passed by. If it weren't for the rule against smiling in front of the late king's spirit tablet, Yangquan Jun would have at least smiled at this legendary Grand Chancellor to show his friendliness.

Even now, it's still a pity. Why did such a talented person go from Qi to Qin to farm? Why didn't he go to Chu?

You know, ever since the grain seeds started to be promoted from Xianyang outwards, he secretly... cough cough, took some back to Chu to try planting, but the yield was not as good as that in Qin. In the end, the farmers believed that it was due to environmental and climatic issues, causing the grain seeds to not be suitable for Chu.

They didn't even think about the issue of farm tools. After all, they could secretly take some seeds without being discovered. The new farm tools were kept by the government and rented to farmers at a low price when needed.

This has resulted in the fact that among the seven states, Qin's grain production still far surpasses that of the others, leaving them to lag behind and consume only the exhaust fumes and ashes.

Lord Yangquan intended to befriend Taishu Jiu, so he accompanied him when going to the Council Hall.

Knowing that Taishu Jiu did not go out often, he would occasionally introduce the palaces and halls in Xianyang Palace to Taishu Jiu.

Taishu Jiu noted down what Yangquan Jun said and matched the names with the palace buildings in front of him one by one. However, he wondered if he would really have a day when he frequently entered the palace.

After thinking it over, he realized that he still preferred farming outside the city. Seeing the two sides vying for power today, he felt that the imperial court was indeed terrifying and not suitable for someone like him who was just starting out.

****

The council hall is not usually open to the public, but everyone was coming, especially the Empress Dowager and the future new king. The guards standing in front of the hall quickly let them in.

Lord Yangquan whispered an apology to Taishu Jiu and hurried forward. He looked up at the roof beam and could still see the corners of the wooden box.

The attendants following behind, who had been waiting for this opportunity, brought out a small ladder. This thing had been kept in the side hall ever since it was used once a year ago, as if it had been waiting for this day.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Lord Yangquan personally went up, took down the wooden box, and carried it down the street, keeping the box in everyone's sight the whole time.

Finally, the box was placed on a wooden tray held by a servant. It was not a complicated box with a mechanism; it only had a thin seal on it, and the imprint of the monarch's jade seal could still be seen on the paper.

Taishu Jiu, with his sharp eyes, recognized it even from behind the crowd as the paper he had given to King Zhaoxiang.

His long-forgotten memories resurfaced. He remembered that he had been researching food all along and had completely forgotten about papermaking. Now he realized that he could put it back on track. Otherwise, he would have to make a new batch of paper every time he ran out, which was too troublesome. It would be more convenient to teach the craftsmen under him.

Lord Yangquan pointed to the seal and said, "This is clearly made by Taishu Da Liangzao. No one in the city can imitate it now."

The people in front all turned their heads to look back. The name of this Grand Master of Ceremonies had spread throughout Xianyang City, but this was the first time they had seen him in the Xianyang Palace.

This legendary Grand General was famously obsessed with farming and had no connection with the forces in the city. He rarely left his territory unless personally invited by the King of Qin.

Therefore, they also believe that no one has touched the box.

Taishu Jiu: "...Hmm, it should be the batch of paper I made a few years ago."

Yangquan Jun: "In that case, please let the Grand Master open this wooden box."

Taishu Jiu frowned upon suddenly having an extra task: "This is not good... I only have a title, and I do not hold any official position in the court."

He was only reminded by his system to attend Ying Zhu's 'mourning service', how did this suddenly fall on him?

Thanks for the invitation, but he doesn't want to get involved in their conflicts.

The troublemaking clansmen rolled their eyes and urged, "I'm not entirely comfortable with Lord Yangquan taking action. Everyone in the court knows that the Grand Chancellor has always kept to himself. If the Grand Chancellor were to open this box, it would be the most convincing way to convince the public."

Taishu Jiu, who had become much smarter, was speechless: I used to not associate with people. If I really agreed and read out the edict, wouldn't I be involved with you?

Empress Dowager Huayang also said, "Grand Master Taishu is indeed the most suitable candidate. Thank you for your trouble, sir."

Tai Shujiu looked up at the people around him and felt his scalp tingling from their gazes. He felt like he was about to develop intermittent social anxiety.

Seeing her host's expression, Zhu Qing'ai knew exactly what he was thinking, so she quickly sent him a private message.

[System 99 (Zhu Qing'ai): Go ahead and open it. The contents of the edict are completely different from what they expected. If you don't feel embarrassed about being publicly flattered, then it doesn't matter.]

Upon seeing these words, Taishu Jiu, trusting the Empress Dowager Huayang, bowed directly and said, "Yes."

After he finished bowing, he picked up the wooden box and, under everyone's watchful eyes, gently removed the seal affixed to the outside of the box.

When the wooden box was opened, a scroll of silk containing an imperial edict lay inside. Everyone who saw the edict tensed up.

The clansman who caused the disturbance felt some regret, but he forced himself to suppress his fear and silently comforted himself. He was a clansman and had not done anything to rebel. At most, he would be reprimanded and imprisoned for a few more days. Things wouldn't get any worse.

Taishu Jiu opened the scroll of silk and looked closely; it really wasn't written to Ying Zichu.

He glanced at Ying Zichu furtively, wondering if Ying Zichu himself knew about this...

Ying Zichu noticed Taishu Jiu's gaze and wanted to laugh self-deprecatingly, but he held it back because of the national mourning.

'Qin' had already stood beside Taishu Jiu to read the will. As Taishu Jiu's voice rang out, 'Qin' began to read in a slow and elegant tone: 'My great-grandson Zheng was intelligent from a young age...'

"..."

Empress Dowager Huayang: Huh?

Yangquan Jun: Huh?

Ying Zichu: I knew it all along...

Lord Yangquan really wanted to interrupt Taishu Jiu and ask if there was anything wrong with the edict. He felt that the edict was missing just one sentence about establishing the crown prince.

The group was forced to listen to King Zhaoxiang's thousand-word boast. By the end, they all wanted to say: "Alright, alright, we know you two have a good relationship, but there's no need to leave such a proclamation to show off."

However, someone quickly noticed a key point: Is it possible that... Prince Zheng returned to the country after King Zhaoxiang's death, so how did he know he was intelligent from a young age?

Before King Zhaoxiang died, Prince Zichu had just returned to the country and was not even the heir apparent of Lord Anguo. His son, who had been living in exile in the state of Zhao, was even less noticeable, and no one paid any attention to this young prince.

Today, for most people, it was the first time they had seen this young master. While listening to Taishu Jiu's long article praising him, they subconsciously looked at the young master being praised.

This young master Zheng is only about ten years old. Although he has tried his best to remain calm and composed, a slight blush can still be seen on his face.

Some people scoffed and scoffed, while others smiled knowingly, thinking, "He's still just a child."

Ying Zheng was not blushing because of what Taishu Jiu Nian had said. His great-grandfather's praise made him a little embarrassed, but not much.

More than anything, it was because he read 'Qin' aloud along with her. Although those around him couldn't hear her voice, he still felt the excitement of a young man.

As Taishu Jiu concluded with the final sentence, "He can be established as the crown prince," everyone breathed a sigh of relief after enduring the entire edict. "Your King of Qin, next time you could write a shorter edict, really!"

They have no problem with comprehension and can understand what they hear.

Upon receiving this edict, Empress Dowager Huayang could only be thankful that she hadn't offended anyone too severely before. Since she couldn't speak up herself, she still gave her younger brother meaningful glances.

Although Lord Yangquan was stunned when he heard the imperial edict, he quickly came to his senses. Since he didn't feel embarrassed, he shamelessly said, "Since the late king thought that Prince Zheng was suitable to be the crown prince, doesn't this prove that Prince Zichu should be the King of Qin?"

The ministers: ? What kind of grand scene is this where a father gains power through his son? Don't you want to listen to what you're saying? Is this how you deduce things from the opposite perspective?

This backward reasoning method is both reasonable and absurd, but... as we all know, when faced with the choice between tearing off the roof and opening a window, humans will definitely choose to open the window.

You're all dissatisfied with King Xiaowen's decision to appoint the youngest son as heir instead of the eldest, but King Zhaoxiang actually wanted to appoint an even younger great-grandson as heir.

Which king do you intend to listen to?

Empress Dowager Huayang spoke softly: "Now that you all know the last wishes of the two late kings, a country cannot be without a ruler for a day. What do you all say?"

Her meaning was clear: you definitely have to choose one, or are you planning a rebellion?

Between the so-called youngest son of King Xiaowen, who was in his thirties, and the youngest grandson of King Zhaoxiang, who was ten years old, they had to choose one.

Empress Dowager Huayang believed that no one would make the wrong choice between the two options, and that this farce could finally come to an end.

She glanced discreetly at the spot behind her where her husband's other sons were standing; she would deal with them one by one sooner or later.

The troublemaking member of the royal family could no longer continue speaking. He knew that the prestige of King Zhaoxiang and King Xiaowen in the country was worlds apart. If he continued to object, the surrounding ministers would not agree.

Although King Zhaoxiang has passed away, his power and influence remain!

The hall was quiet; everyone shut up and had no objections.

Qin covered her mouth and chuckled softly: "It seems that Ji'er is more effective."

She was certain that the combined prestige of Ying Zhu and Ying Zichu couldn't compare to that of Ying Ji, who had been dead for a year, and the fact that this matter was resolved so hastily showed this.

Ying Zichu did not appear embarrassed. He naturally expressed his gratitude for the trust of the two former kings and sincerely swore in the main hall that he would never betray their trust.

Ying Zheng subconsciously looked in the direction of his motherland, and she smiled slightly, as if to say that she had remembered it.

Only he knew that Qin had actually heard those words.

Objectively speaking, Ying Zheng believed that his father could do what he said. After all, he had lived in the Crown Prince's residence for nearly a year and had seen how busy his father was. He was busy with the smelting plant from morning till night.

He learned this news from his motherland on a daily basis, and even Qin praised his diligence, so he must be quite capable.

After the farce subsided, Empress Dowager Huayang whispered a few instructions to Lord Yangquan. The troublemaking member of the imperial clan was arrested by Lord Yangquan and his men as soon as he left the main hall.

Lord Yangquan didn't even give him a chance to shout. He stuffed a silk handkerchief into the man's mouth and ordered two guards to hold him down and make sure to cover his mouth.

He chuckled coldly: "How dare you compare the late king to King You of Zhou, yet lack the courage to lead troops into the palace?"

"What right do you have to question the decision of seniority? Qin is not Zhou, how dare you be so presumptuous! Drag him away and lock him in jail."

As Lord Yangquan watched the man being led away, he wondered to himself whose man this was, and which "leader" was dissatisfied and wanted to take a gamble before the new king ascended the throne.

He turned and went back to the mourning hall with a cold face. The same group of people were still kneeling in a row, and the sound of weeping was much better than making a scene in front of the coffin.

Yangquanjun breathed a sigh of relief; he had never heard such a beautiful cry before.

Everyone inside was dressed in mourning clothes. The only one who stood out was Qin. She was still dressed in black, but she was not wearing any decorations, and the embroidery and patterns on her clothes were gone.

Qin knelt beside Ying Zheng and said softly, "What do you think of that Grand Minister of Works?"

There were no other national consciousnesses here, and only Ying Zheng could see 'Qin'. He knew without thinking that his motherland was speaking to him.

Ying Zheng turned his head slightly to his left. Ever since the Grand Chancellor Taishu had read the imperial edict, he had been invited by Empress Dowager Huayang to a position on the left front, where Lord Yangquan was chatting with him enthusiastically.

He saw his mother wiping away tears with her sleeve, probably not paying attention to him, so he lowered his voice and replied in a whisper, "It is the great fortune of Qin to have such a talent that can govern the world."

"Moreover, the Grand Chancellor is fair and impartial, and he did not show any favoritism this time. Lord Yangquan's actions may have drawn him into the power struggle between the two sides."

Qin thought for a moment and said, "Not necessarily. Given his personality, he might not be able to gain anything from either side."

She knew that when the other person was being blunt, they could really shut you up.

Ying Ji felt a lump in his throat every time he heard him speak. These people... well, let's just say they're like that.

A gentle breeze wafted by, and 'Qin' clicked his tongue impatiently, saying, "Why must other countries send envoys to mourn the death of their ruler? What a waste of time."

She was about to receive the other six kingdoms again; the last time she saw them was after King Zhaoxiang passed away.

Chu didn't come that time, but Qi did come to comfort her, though he didn't say anything substantial, it was all just a routine.

'Yan'? Oh, so she's forgotten about the country and didn't care whether it came or not.

This time, all the countries came, perhaps because they felt that her feelings for King Xiaowen were not that strong, and that she wouldn't go crazy on the spot.

Qin calmly analyzed the situation. She hadn't shown any signs of going crazy a year ago, so why did they think this way about her?

Just because you're acting crazy doesn't mean she will either. Haha.

After complaining, 'Qin' did not forget to instruct Ying Zheng: "If you see a woman dressed in light blue, just pretend you don't see her and don't pay any attention to her. If you are interested in other countries, you can talk to them. Nothing will happen within Qin territory."

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Author's Note: Updates are usually at noon. Today is a Saturday, so any extra chapters will be randomly added, so don't wait. Noon is a fixed update time! (Unless I have to take a break.)

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