Ying Zheng's words silenced Lü Buwei.

He viewed it from the perspective of a prime minister of a state, but Ying Zheng viewed it from the perspective of the King of Qin.

The two people have different perspectives and considerations, which leads to different philosophies.

However, he forgot one thing: Ying Zheng was the king, and he was the subject. If he couldn't persuade the monarch, what he had to do was to help the monarch accomplish the task as much as possible, rather than simply preventing it.

"Zheng'er...you've grown up."

After a long silence, Lü Buwei finally spoke these words, his eyes already brimming with tears.

"Prime Minister, you are getting old, it's time for you to rest."

Upon hearing this, Lü Buwei felt as if his heart was being torn apart. Even though he now approved of Ying Zheng's policies, he still had to leave.

Because Ying Zheng wanted to rule personally and seize power, Lü Buwei's downfall was inevitable.

"Okay, okay. I should take a break too."

After saying this, Lü Buwei sat down again, picked up his pen, and continued writing his Lüshi Chunqiu.

His hunched body stirred a pang of heartache in Ying Zheng's heart, but he had no choice but to do so!

"Prime Minister, please take good care of yourself. I'm leaving now."

As Ying Zheng reached the door, Lü Buwei raised his head, wanting to speak but ultimately swallowing his words back.

Ying Zheng turned around and exchanged a glance with Lü Buwei. Lü Buwei smiled slightly, and Ying Zheng turned away as two lines of tears streamed down his cheeks.

"Let's go back to the palace!"

.................

The next day, Ying Xi and others began to accuse Lü Buwei of colluding with Lao Ai, claiming that Lü Buwei was inextricably linked to Lao Ai's rebellion.

Subsequently, Ying Zheng issued an edict to dismiss Lü Buwei from his position as prime minister. Anyone with eyes could see that Ying Zheng was about to seize power.

However, Lü Buwei did not resist; instead, he accepted the king's decree. His retainers, however, were not happy and clamored to go to Xianyang Palace to demand an explanation from Ying Zheng.

When Lü Buwei learned of this, he immediately stopped them from causing trouble.

He then began packing his valuables, including his copy of Lüshi Chunqiu, which filled an entire cart.

"Let's go, let's leave Xianyang and go back to Luoyang."

Lü Buwei was enfeoffed as Marquis Wenxin, with his fief in Luoyang. He relinquished his position as prime minister, but retained his marquisate.

Along the way, all the ministers of Qin came to see him off, and even the people of Xianyang lined the streets to see him off. Ying Zheng stood on the city wall of Xianyang Palace, watching Lü Buwei's departing figure, and couldn't help but feel bitter.

"Prime Minister, we will miss you!"

"Prime Minister, please don't leave! We'll go find the King right now and demand an explanation for you!"

A group of military officers blocked Lü Buwei's way, preventing him from leaving. They had all been Lü Buwei's retainers, and it was because of Lü Buwei that they had joined the Qin army.

Lü Buwei replied, “No! You are all ambitious and talented individuals. After I leave, you must serve the Qin Dynasty diligently and be loyal to the King!”

If they cause trouble, not only will they not be given important positions, but even Lü Buwei will suffer along with them.

At this moment, Lu Li also appeared in front of Lü Buwei.

Lu Buwei looked at Lu Li with mixed feelings. Although he had not met Lu Li many times, he admired Lu Li's talent.

"Mr. Lu, please continue to assist the King after I leave!"

Without saying much, he knew that he and Lu Li were on different paths and could not work together.

Lu Li smiled, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "I will keep it in mind. Respectfully seeing off the Prime Minister!"

Lu Buwei's carriage left Xianyang and slowly headed towards Luoyang. Ying Zheng did not come to see him off until his figure disappeared.

But he knew that Lu Li represented Ying Zheng. Once upon a time, Ying Zheng trusted him as much as he trusted Lu Li, but that trust was gone forever.

Looking back on his life, he started out as a merchant in Yangdi and accumulated a fortune of thousands of gold pieces. At that time, Ying Zichu was the unfavored son of Lord Anguo and was sent to Handan, Zhao, as a hostage.

After arriving in Handan, Lü Buwei met Zichu and exclaimed, "Zichu is like a rare commodity; he can be sold at a high price."

This is also the origin of the saying "a rare commodity is worth hoarding," so Lü Buwei decided to help Ying Zichu become the ruler.

After their discussion, Lü Buwei left 500 gold pieces for Ying Zichu to use, while he himself went to the Qin state to persuade the sister and brother of Lady Huayang, who was favored by Lord Anguo, and praised Ying Zichu after meeting Lady Huayang.

Lady Huayang then asked Lord Anguo to adopt Ying Zichu as her son and to have Lü Buwei tutor him, which successfully established her reputation.

Afterwards, Ying Zichu returned to the country and pleased Lady Huayang. He was made crown prince and became King Zhuangxiang of Qin, while Lü Buwei became prime minister.

King Zhuangxiang of Qin died three years after his ascension to the throne. After his death, Ying Zheng ascended the throne and honored Lü Buwei as "Uncle Zhongfu".

However, Ying Zheng never called him "Zhongfu" again after that.

His life can indeed be described as legendary.

Two days later, the day arrived for Lao Ai to be beheaded.

Ying Xi was in charge of overseeing the execution; he had waited far too long for this day.

At this point, Lao Ai's head and limbs were tied with ropes, and the other end of the ropes was tied to five horses.

During the execution, grooms would whip the horses' rumps, causing them to run in different directions, which would tear the person apart. This is the origin of the story of being torn apart by five horses.

Lao Ai began to tremble all over. It would be a lie to say he wasn't afraid. No matter how stubborn he was, he was filled with fear at the moment of his death.

Ying Xi coldly observed everything, waiting for the appointed time to arrive.

Waiting for death is the easiest thing to break you down.

Lao Ai could no longer contain himself and roared loudly.

"Ying Zheng! I'll haunt you even as a ghost!"

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