"I recommend Han Fei to serve as the Left Supervisor of the Court of Justice. He is a disciple of Xunzi and has a profound understanding of the Legalist school of thought. He will be of great use in perfecting the laws of the Qin Dynasty and the state!"
The following morning at the court session, the wicked man openly recommended Han Fei in front of Li Si and all the officials.
"They're after Li Si?!"
Everyone present was shrewd. The two had just been at loggerheads yesterday, and today you, wicked husband, directly recommended Han Fei?
Isn't this like slapping Li Si across the face in front of him?
Meng Can smiled bitterly, thinking to himself: "You dare to say that people are narrow-minded? If the narrow-mindedness of all people in the world were divided into ten measures, you, my wicked husband, would have twelve measures, and Li Si would owe you two measures."
At this moment, the wicked man's somewhat mocking voice rang out again in the hall, "Your Excellency, I wonder if you are satisfied with my recommendation?"
"This is my senior brother from the same school. I believe that with the two of you working together, the laws of our Qin state will be even more sound!"
Upon hearing this, Li Si's face turned even more ashen, but seeing the icy look in his husband's eyes, he could only soften and say, "Grand Commandant, your move is brilliant!"
The wicked man nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Ying Zheng, awaiting his decision.
"I agree. We shall proceed according to the Grand Commandant's suggestion!" Ying Zheng nodded slightly and said in a deep voice, "Draft an edict, effective immediately, appointing Han Fei as the Left Supervisor of the Court of Justice, to assist the Court of Justice in improving the laws and regulations, so as to rectify the foundation of the state."
Han Fei, who was waiting outside the palace, hurriedly entered the palace. "Your subject Han Fei thanks Your Majesty for your trust!"
Li Si glanced at his senior brother Han Fei with a sinister look, and when he saw the latter looking at him, he quickly forced a warm smile.
"Report—!"
Suddenly, thunderous roars echoed from outside the palace, and imperial guards rushed into Zhangtai Palace like a whirlwind.
"Your Majesty, I must report this!"
"Lord Chang'an sent a messenger to deliver a message that the Wei River is about to breach its banks, causing panic among the people of Hedong County. Some with ulterior motives are taking advantage of the situation to stir up trouble, and attempts to appease them have failed. Lord Chang'an requests Your Majesty's instructions on what to do..."
The atmosphere inside the hall suddenly became tense, as if you could hear everyone's heartbeat.
"Hedong Commandery? Someone dares to take advantage of the chaos to cause trouble?" Ying Zheng frowned, his hawk-like gaze sweeping over the assembled officials, and asked in a deep voice, "Gentlemen, what are your thoughts?"
Seeing the opportunity, Li Si immediately stepped forward, his words carrying a hint of something unfathomable: "Your Majesty, Longxi and Neishi are located on the upper reaches of the Wei River, and their crises are equally severe, yet we see no trouble from the people of Qin, but instead, it is Han and Wei, who are under less pressure, who are causing trouble first!"
"Those who belong to my Qin state shall abide by the laws of my Qin state. I am willing to go and suppress them, and uphold the majesty of the laws of my Great Qin!"
To incite a mutiny is a grave taboo, something a monarch cannot tolerate!
Anyone with eyes can see that the Legalists rule the country according to law but are ruthless. If he were to go there, there would surely be rivers of blood and countless heads being chopped off.
Pan Ning and the others immediately looked anxious. This matter had come at just the right time. Wasn't it just giving Li Si a reason to make trouble?
The wicked man, however, raised the corners of his mouth and sneered, retorting, "The Minister of Justice is greatly mistaken. Wei and Han have just submitted, and the people are in a state of panic. They are like frightened birds, afraid that Qin will abandon them and worried about their own lives."
"If we take advantage of their misfortune now, the only way to ensure the peace and tranquility of the people of these two countries in the future will be to exterminate them all."
"On the contrary, if we can soothe people's hearts, we can naturally eliminate their restlessness and bring their hearts under our control!"
Han Fei hurriedly stepped forward and said righteously, "Although the law is merciless, people are compassionate. As the saying goes, punishment should not be spared for high officials, and rewards should not be overlooked for commoners. The matter before us is just as the Grand Commandant said, and there is a reason for it."
"How can one make hasty judgments and commit cruel and tyrannical acts without first inquiring into the facts and distinguishing right from wrong? Such actions would be contrary to the law!"
A sharp glint flashed in Li Si's eyes. This was the first time Han Fei had directly confronted Li Si. In their past studies, when had Han Fei never been refuted by Li Si until he was speechless?
Ying Zheng naturally trusted the wicked man unconditionally and without hesitation. "Since that's the case, who is willing to go? Who can establish the capital and appease the hearts of the people of both countries?"
As soon as she finished speaking, everyone's eyes turned to the wicked husband.
"Your Majesty, both the states of Han and Wei have been destroyed by the Grand Commandant. His character and methods are well known to the people of both states. I believe the Grand Commandant is the only suitable candidate!" Feng Jie suppressed a laugh as he recommended the wicked man.
"Old man!"
The wicked man glanced at him sideways and silently cursed him.
"Your subject agrees!"
"Excellent! If the Grand Commandant goes, there will be no danger!"
Upon hearing Feng Jie's suggestion, many people immediately stood up to support it, indeed there was no other candidate besides the wicked husband.
Sending military generals there will only result in bloodshed and violence.
Sending a civil official would likely be ineffective in maintaining order.
Only the wicked husband can be killed or subdued!
Seeing the officials' enthusiastic support, Ying Zheng's mocking gaze fell on his wicked husband. "Grand Commandant, what do you think?"
"Alas..." The wicked husband's face turned bitter, and he said helplessly, "I thank Your Majesty and my colleagues for your kindness. How could I disappoint Your Majesty and my colleagues and betray your trust?"
"Haha, very good!" Ying Zheng laughed heartily upon hearing this, praising, "Grand Commandant, you are truly a pillar of our Qin state, thank you for your hard work... Let's set off now!"
These words almost choked the wicked husband to death. He knows it's hard work, yet he wants me to leave right now?
"Your Majesty is right, Grand Commandant, you'd better leave quickly, or who knows how much more trouble you might cause!" Feng Jie winked at the wicked husband, his face full of satisfaction.
Still want to slack off in Xianyang?
I told you not to slack off?!
As long as I, Feng Jie, am around, you will be like an ox plowing the field, never able to stop!
Just then, a young voice suddenly rang out in the hall, "Your Majesty, I believe that the Grand Commandant went to appease the people for one reason only."
"However, natural disasters are calamities sent by Heaven. Perhaps the recent attacks and bloody battles have angered Heaven. We should hold a grand sacrificial ceremony to pray that Heaven will appease its anger and protect the Qin state and the newly annexed Han and Wei states."
Everyone turned to look at the source of the voice and saw a fair-skinned, frail young man dressed in simple Confucian robes, who was none other than the Grand Historian Ran Zang.
This person was not old, only in his early twenties, but he was a disciple of Zou Yan, the sage of the Yin-Yang School, and was his last disciple.
Zou Yan's theory of the Five Elements established that the Qin Dynasty belonged to the Water element, hence the preference for black clothing, which also led to Qin Shi Huang being the only emperor to wear a black dragon robe.
Ying Zheng nodded slightly, pondered for a moment, then glanced at the assembled officials before finally fixing his gaze on Ran Zang. "Ran Zang is quite right. I hereby order that the Grand Diviner preside over the sacrificial ceremony to pray for Heaven's protection."
Upon hearing Ying Zheng's decision, the wicked man's face suddenly turned cold and stern, and his icy gaze fell upon Ran Zang.
Putting aside the merits and demerits of the First Emperor, he was unwavering in his belief in metaphysics and superstition. It's just a pity that the Jiajing Emperor wasn't born at that time; otherwise, the two would definitely have become Daoist friends.
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