"Your Excellency is right. I am but a scholar who only knows empty talk. How could I possibly know any strategies for governing the country? Let alone invent anything that could increase the power of the Qin Dynasty tenfold!"
At this point, Li Lin was already quite restless.
If the First Emperor were to speak again, he would truly be tormented by Li Si.
Now, can we let Li Si deliberately give him some tricky questions to torment him?
Definitely not!
but.
Things are never as simple as Li Lin thought.
Sometimes, the more you give in, the more arrogant they become, wanting to take advantage of you even more.
"Hahaha, Li Zhongcheng, you are too modest. I have been friends with you for a long time, despite the age difference. I was there when you used to be so eloquent and used sweet words to deceive my daughter. What? Now that I want you to show some real skills, you can't do it? You used to be so bold, why are you so afraid of being exposed now?"
After hearing what he said, Li Si sneered and strode up to him, launching into a long tirade of mockery.
At this time, Li Si was hardly the prime minister of the Qin Dynasty.
Where is he some wise man who is second only to the emperor?
He's clearly a petty person who won't let go of others once he's in power!
Zongzheng Yinglin's expression immediately turned displeased.
The expressions of some of the other ministers were also rather unpleasant.
In their eyes, you, Li Si, are in power now, but that's only temporary. Everyone else has already backed down, and you're still so arrogant. It's really too much like a petty person who has gained power.
They had no idea.
Li Si acted this way because he was furious.
Normally, he would never have dared to do this.
But seeing the people he once looked down upon now being so admired by the First Emperor, his mentality collapsed. Under this distorted mentality, it was difficult for him not to do something abnormal.
"Fine, Li Si, since you want to test me, then I'll let you test me. But you'd better think about the price. I, Li, am not someone to be trifled with. You've humiliated me time and time again, so don't blame me for being impolite!"
Li Lin, who had just been thinking of backing down, suddenly changed his entire aura.
[Alas, I knew His Majesty had used me! Your Majesty, Your Majesty, if you wanted to use me to exacerbate the conflicts among the meritorious officials, you could have just said so! Was there really such a need for this? I knew you liked to flatter me so much; it turns out you were using me, a pawn with a natural conflict with Li Si, to intensify those conflicts. Alas!]
Now he finally understands why the First Emperor has valued him so much during this period.
On the one hand, the First Emperor knew that he had some talent, which is why he treated him differently.
On the other hand, the First Emperor wanted to use him to exacerbate the conflict.
Originally, he intended to use Li Xin.
The extent of the poor relationship between Li Xin and Li Si was common knowledge in the Qin Dynasty.
But Li Xin was a rough man with a slow mind, and he would definitely be at a disadvantage if he fought against Li Si.
So he settled for second best and began to give Li Lin a more important position.
As time went on, he discovered that Li Lin was not only a talented person, but also had many imaginative ideas and boundless wisdom, so he wanted to promote him even more.
In this way, not only can we win over talented people, but we can also exacerbate conflicts, thus minimizing the harm caused by the meritorious class after the First Emperor fully implements reforms!
That really kills two birds with one stone!
Sitting on the dragon throne, Ying Zheng listened to Li Lin's analysis of his situation and immediately showed a hint of joy: This rascal, it seems that his understanding of human nature is not deep enough!
Isn't the reason I value your elder brother so much because of you?
You bastard, do you even think you're so great?
I admire you so much, you little rascal, have some self-confidence, will you?
Besides, with my power, do I need a pawn like you to get rid of the entire meritorious class?
That's not something I can resolve with just a word.
However, it's good that you think that way. Anyway, this way you'll never suspect that I can overhear your inner thoughts...
Li Lin never imagined that he had misunderstood.
However, it was precisely because he misunderstood that he felt he had the First Emperor backing him up, which made him act tough.
He openly and directly confronted Li Si.
Li Si's face turned cold, and he wanted to rebuke him.
But he was frightened by a single glance from the First Emperor.
"Li Si, as the Prime Minister of Qin, second only to the Emperor, where has your dignity and respect gone? How can you act so recklessly like a commoner? You have truly disgraced the Prime Minister of Qin! Guards, strip him of his official robes and detain him in the Prime Minister's residence for three months!"
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!"
Li Shi was immediately drenched in sweat. His eyes widened as he stared at the First Emperor and knelt down on the ground.
The courtiers were in uproar.
"Why hasn't His Majesty punished Li Lin for threatening Prime Minister Li like that?"
"Isn't this just too unfair?"
"What major fault has Prime Minister Li committed? He was a bit arrogant just now, but His Majesty shouldn't have treated him like this!"
Li Lin was dumbfounded.
What's going on? Why has His Majesty suddenly punished Li Si in this way? Does he intend to further escalate the conflict between me and the meritorious officials?
Just as he was lost in thought.
The angle at which the First Emperor's lips turned up became even higher.
Good lad, that's the right way to think. I'll make you think that way. Anyway, I plan to groom you to be the prime minister of Qin, to assist my son Fusu. If that's the case, Qin will definitely not perish after only two generations, right?
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