[I'm currently out and haven't returned, and the phone update resulted in the wrong copy. Sorry!]
The scene returns to Xianyang City.
Inside Zhangtai Palace.
"Your Majesty, the commander-in-chief has asked me to convey a message to you, requesting that the officials and generals you have selected be dispatched to Wei as soon as possible to take charge of the administration." Tie Niu clasped his hands in a fist and relayed the words of the wicked husband to Ying Zheng.
Sitting on the high platform, Ying Zheng's smile faded, and he asked, "Is there anyone willing to go?"
"Your Majesty, I am willing to go to the State of Wei to lead the troops and take charge!" General Yang Duanhe spoke first, sliding directly to the center of the hall, afraid that if he was too late, someone else would take it.
Many military officers glared fiercely at Yang Duanhe, secretly regretting that this guy had beaten them to it.
"Alright, then we will draw 100,000 troops from across the country and send you to Wei to oversee the situation. You will also disperse the surrendered Wei soldiers and incorporate them into the army to prevent any further trouble."
"Your subject will certainly not fail in your mission!"
Yang Duanhe grinned and glanced smugly at the gritting-teeth generals behind him.
Ying Zheng then turned his gaze to the civil officials and asked with a smile, "The military commanders to guard the area have already been chosen, so why hasn't anyone expressed their opinion?"
The civil officials inwardly grumbled, thinking that the military generals went out to get away from Xianyang and live a free and unrestrained life, but what about them?
Whoever goes will likely be so busy they won't have a moment to rest, with endless trivial matters to deal with. It's better to stay in Xianyang and enjoy some peace and quiet.
Seeing that no one responded, Ying Zheng quickly realized what they were up to and simply pointed at Li Si, saying, "Minister of Justice, tell me... who is the most suitable person to be sent to govern?"
Li Si's face turned green upon hearing this. How did this task of offending people fall on his shoulders again?
"Your Majesty, this...this..."
Li Si, unsure of whom to recommend, turned his gaze to the group of civil officials.
The civil officials all lowered their heads and pretended to be stupid, not daring to meet his gaze at all.
Li Si was inwardly groaning, his face full of sorrow as if he had eaten a bitter melon. "What should I do? What should I do? Who should I choose to respond to the king without offending the civil officials?"
Suddenly, his eyes lit up as he thought of a very suitable candidate.
"Your Majesty, I recommend Lord Chang'an to be stationed in Wei. Not only can we rest assured, but we can also give Lord Chang'an a good opportunity to train him." Li Si smiled broadly, secretly praising his own cleverness and resourcefulness.
Ying Zheng's eyes lit up upon hearing this. Cheng Jiao wanted to hone his skills and begged him to allow him to stay by the side of the wicked husband. However, in Ying Zheng's eyes, his younger brother Cheng Jiao was not suitable to be a military general.
That frail little body doesn't look like a warrior who has fought on the battlefield. It would be better to cultivate his ability to govern so that he can assist me in the future.
Thinking of this, Ying Zheng nodded and smiled, "Cheng Jiao is indeed very suitable. Let him temporarily take over the administration of several counties in Wei!"
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Li Si breathed a sigh of relief, cupped his hands in a gesture of flattery, and the civil officials quickly followed suit.
"Hmm... Cheng Jiao is still young, and I am worried that he will not be able to handle government affairs well..." Ying Zheng pinched the bridge of his nose, his tone somewhat worried.
Now that the State of Wei has just been annexed, it is the time to vigorously appease and win over the hearts of the people. Cheng Jiao is young and inexperienced, and his methods and strategies are too immature. If he does not have a few trustworthy people to assist him, he really cannot put his mind at ease.
Li Si inwardly groaned, but when he met Ying Zheng's direct gaze, he dared not say anything more and could only say, "Your Majesty, please rest assured, I will do my best to assist Lord Chang'an."
"Yes, I trust you. Teach Chengjiao well."
Li Si had already resigned himself to his fate. He nodded solemnly and then said, "Your Majesty, I wish to take Granary Magistrate Meng with me."
"While we're at it, we can also take stock of Wei's population, arable land, and other matters, and promote our Qin laws and agricultural taxes."
Meng Can's body trembled, and he wished he could kick Li Si away. Why did he have to drag him along for no reason?
He's incredibly busy these days, not only implementing the land tax reform but also preparing for disasters. He's so busy that he doesn't even have time to go home and deal with his wife.
"Your Majesty, it's not that I don't want to go, but that I can't!" Meng Can quickly stepped forward, tearfully recounting his recent busyness and stress.
Unexpectedly, Ying Zheng replied, "It's nothing. You've been very busy lately, and I feel sorry for you. Why don't you go over there and rest for a few days?"
Meng Can's lips curled into a bitter smile. Seeing that Ying Zheng had already said so, he dared not refuse any longer and could only bite the bullet and agree.
"Then you may all step back now. Get ready quickly and set off!"
"We, your humble servants, shall take our leave now!"
Li Si and his two companions then took their leave, while Tie Niu looked anxious and wanted to return to Wei with them.
Ying Zheng caught a glimpse of his impatient expression and immediately burst out laughing, teasing, "Since when has my Zhangtai Palace become so unpopular?"
Just how attractive is that wicked husband of hers?
Tie Niu was immediately embarrassed and quickly bowed to apologize.
Ying Zheng waved his hand and laughed, "Go on, when your commander returns in triumph, I will personally reward him."
Overjoyed, Tie Niu bowed in farewell and strode away from Zhangtai Palace.
........
Four more days passed.
Inside the study.
Everyone gathered together.
The wicked man said in a deep voice, "Chengjiao, a letter came from Xianyang early this morning. The king has appointed you to temporarily take charge of the Wei state's affairs and has sent Li Si, Yang Duanhe, and Meng Can to assist you."
"You will stay in Daliang and oversee the situation. Once they arrive, I will lead the army to Korea."
Upon hearing this, Cheng Jiao frowned deeply. His elder brother had clearly promised him that he would study under the wicked man, so why had he suddenly changed his mind?
Seeing his sullen mood, the wicked man comforted him, saying, "You are weak and frail, and the battlefield is extremely dangerous. The king is worried that something might happen to you and feels sorry for you."
“I believe His Majesty’s decision is correct. You are not suited for the path of a military general; you are better suited to handling domestic affairs.”
"With proper training, they will surely become the backbone and pillar of our Qin state in the future!"
As he spoke, the wicked man patted Cheng Jiao's shoulder forcefully, "As the saying goes, the eldest brother is like a father, how can the king not worry about you?"
Li Balang chimed in from the side, "Indeed, Lord Chang'an is not yet of age. Even if he is fond of military matters, he will have plenty of opportunities to get involved in them in the future."
"It is said that emperors have no affection for their children, but Your Majesty's brotherly affection for Lord Chang'an is truly touching."
Cheng Jiao's unhappiness vanished instantly. After understanding Ying Zheng's good intentions, he patted his chest and said, "Your Majesty and the commander-in-chief are right. I am too thin to be a burden on the battlefield."
"It would be better to stay here and help my brother appease the people of Wei."
The wicked man smiled to himself, thinking to himself that Cheng Jiao was still just a young man with a youthful mindset; his anger came quickly but dissipated even faster.
"In that case, you should go and make preparations!"
"Once Li Si and the others arrive, we will immediately send troops to Han to join forces with General Wang Ben and destroy Han!"
Li Balang and the others nodded hurriedly, their faces beaming with joy. "We will obey the commander's orders!"
The feat of destroying a nation has come again!
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