Chapter 58 Cheng Jiao's Rebellion: "Even Ying Zheng chased after his own father with a sword..."
The queen's painting was of questionable quality, but the King of Qin ordered it to be specially framed and hung in their bedroom alongside his own painting.
After hanging it up, the couple admired it together.
Regarding the question of whether a painting will become valuable in later generations.
"My painting should be more valuable." Ying Zheng agreed wholeheartedly, but he was more confident in his own painting skills.
The queen, however, remained enigmatic, saying, "Your Majesty does not understand."
Whether it's valuable or not has absolutely nothing to do with how well it's painted!! Heh heh, cousin, you're a complete newbie when it comes to marketing and public opinion in the future!
On the other side.
The Qin soldiers set off along the official road and spent several days arriving at Hangu Pass, where they first set up camp to rest.
A young boy, clad in armor and wearing a hat, joined the other Qin soldiers in eating wine and bread. Those around them either discussed the situation of the upcoming attack on Zhao or chatted about their families.
After chatting for a while, the older man patted the boy on the shoulder and said, "Why haven't you said anything? Didn't you come here voluntarily?" As he spoke, he looked the boy up and down and said, "You look young, with a youthful face, but you have a rather imposing build."
The young man next to him asked suspiciously, "Judging from your appearance, you're not of pure Qin blood, are you?"
The people of Qin had prominent facial features, typically with thin faces, high noses and high brows, strong and tall bodies, and yellow skin. Further west, some people even had blue eyes.
The boy, however, had a fair complexion, a delicate and beautiful appearance, and fair, tender skin.
The boy took two bites at a time, stuffing the remaining wine-soaked cakes into his mouth and chewing haphazardly. "My mother is from Yan and married my father. I grew up in Qin, so how can I not have Qin blood?"
"I'm seventeen this year, not young anymore. I just look a bit young. I look like a woman, all effeminate and annoying!" As he spoke, the boy haphazardly wiped his face with mud from under his buttocks, his tone extremely depressed.
Upon hearing this, a small circle of people around chuckled. "You're quite handsome, young man. It must mean your mother is very beautiful. Marrying a Qin man is a good thing. Every man in our Great Qin is a hero."
The boy smiled and said, "Of course, my sister married a man from Qin, and my brother-in-law is amazing!"
Those whose hearts are with Qin are Qin people.
The Qin soldiers welcomed all who came and soon began playing and frolicking with the boy.
"Let's rest for a while. After the generals in the camp have discussed the attack strategy, we will set off again. Fighting Zhao will not be easy; it will definitely be a tough battle."
"Yes, yes, Zhao is the strongest of the other six states and should not be underestimated."
The boy rubbed his round belly and said, "I'm going to pee. I'm too full, so I'll take a walk."
"Go on, go on, but don't wander off, kid."
"Okay." The boy waved without turning around and walked into the woods beside him, pulling up his pants as he went.
As soon as he left the crowd, the boy wiped his face clean. He cherished his face; it was beautiful and handsome. He had said "girly" on purpose, since he wasn't seventeen but was about to turn twelve. However, he was tall, so saying he was seventeen wasn't obvious.
He didn't urinate, but instead followed another path around to the back of the camp. This place was backed by a valley and was unguarded. The camp was covered by a thin layer of cloth, and if you got close enough, you could hear the people inside talking.
"What I'm saying is all for your sake, Lord Chang'an. Please listen carefully!"
Upon hearing the sound, the boy gently lifted the curtain of the tent, revealing a crack. He had been pondering this angle for quite some time, and sure enough, it was an excellent spot.
A flash of light revealed Fan Yuqi's face; opposite him stood Chang'an Jun Chengjiao.
"So what if you listened?" Chang'an Jun Chengjiao said in a deep voice, "And whose side are you on, and what are your plans?"
"I am no one's man!" Fan Yuqi's face was filled with anxiety. "To tell you the truth, Lord Chang'an, my whole family are soldiers. My father and grandfather followed General Meng Ao in battle all their lives, fighting for our Great Qin. I am the same. But Ying Zheng is not a legitimate member of the Ying clan. Why should I, Fan Yuqi, risk my life for him!"
"He is the son of Chancellor Lü Buwei. If we allow him to ascend to the throne, wouldn't that mean the Qin dynasty would change its surname? Lord Chang'an, you are the only heir of King Zhuangxiang! You are the rightful heir of the Ying surname!"
Fan Yuqi was furious at his son's lack of ambition; his face flushed red, and he was so anxious he wanted to jump up and down.
The young man outside the tent chuckled silently, his gaze fixed intently on Chang'an Jun opposite him.
Chang'an Jun's face turned pale and then dark, then pale again. He paced back and forth in the tent, his steps hesitant and uncertain. He was being urged by Fan Yuqi to make a decision as soon as possible, and he was already flustered and had no idea what to do.
“Brother Wang has treated me well.” He muttered to himself, “He has also treated my mother well, and has never done anything to suppress her since he came to power.”
Fan Yuqi questioned, "What about Mi Chen?"
"That's his own fault," Lord Chang'an sighed, rubbing his forehead. "If he hadn't wanted a palace coup, how could he have ended up like that?"
Fan Yuqi sneered, his disappointment slowly turning into resentment. "Chang'an Jun is soft-hearted and hesitant, little does he know that he will harm himself."
"What do you mean?" Lord Chang'an asked, looking puzzled.
Fan Yuqi pointed outside and said, "Lord Chang'an, you are indeed the commander-in-chief in this attack on Zhao. Have you ever thought about why someone like you, who has never led troops before, was put in the position of commander-in-chief?"
“It is something I have been asking my brother for many years,” Lord Chang’an frowned and said with dissatisfaction, “explain yourself clearly.”
"The King of Qin refused before, but now he's suddenly relented. Don't you find that suspicious?" Before Chang'an Jun could speak, Fan Yuqi blurted out urgently, "He wants to kill you!"
Chang'an Jun's pupils contracted, and he abruptly took half a step back. "What nonsense are you spouting!"
"Get out of here!"
Fan Yuqi didn't press the matter further, simply saying "okay" twice before adding, "The King of Qin has decreed that in any indecisive matter, Marquis Changxin can make the decision alone. You know better than I who Marquis Changxin is; he is the Queen Dowager's henchman, and the Queen Dowager has always been of one mind with the King of Qin."
"Is the fiefdom he mentioned truly intended for Lord Chang'an? You should think about it carefully."
"With so many powerful figures supporting you, Lord Chang'an, doesn't the King of Qin fear you? Who has been encouraging you to lead the army into battle? It's the Prime Minister, who is the King of Qin's uncle. The two of them are in cahoots. You've been tricked!"
After saying that, Fan Yuqi turned around, lifted the curtain, and strode out, his back view filled with anger and lament.
Chang'an Jun suddenly lost his strength and staggered back several steps, knocking over several scrolls of books on the table with a thud.
His face was deathly pale, his expression was terrified, and his forehead was covered in a layer of cold sweat.
The boy thoughtfully lowered the curtain.
My brother-in-law said that Fan Yuqi was the Prime Minister's man, so why would Fan Yuqi take the initiative to implicate the Prime Minister?
He understood what the Prime Minister was trying to do: he wanted to force Chang'an Jun Chengjiao to rebel... and then what? He would have his own people quell the rebellion and gain his brother-in-law's trust.
Why did he reveal himself? What if Lord Chang'an hadn't died? Wouldn't he have been exposed? What is he trying to do? It's so confusing!
Suddenly, a faint sound came from the side and behind.
The boy suddenly turned around, immediately pulled out the dagger hidden behind his back, and paused for a moment when he saw who it was.
“It’s you.”
"Shh." Li You made a gesture.
Inside Xianyang City.
These past two days, Ying Zheng has been spending time with Prince Ji Dan of Yan, either playing chess or drinking tea, as if they have endless things to talk about.
In half a year, the two Pixiu grew much bigger. They were so big that they were heavy to hold. Banban could only hold one and not the second. Xuanxi was very attached to her. As soon as she saw her, she would frantically thrash over and hug her legs tightly, trying to climb all over her.
Usually at this time, Xuanjiao will bite its butt and pull it down.
Upon seeing this, Ji Dan remarked, "The Pixiu is said to be a ferocious beast, but the two little Pixiu that the Queen keeps are adorable and lively."
Banban had the tea set down and said with a smile, "Yes, but if they were a little bigger, they would fit the description of the ferocious beasts the Crown Prince mentioned. They are only half a year old now, not even six months old."
"They must be at a lively and active age."
"Indeed, I had the carpenter build them a wooden frame to make it easier for them to climb. I planted some low trees, flowers and grass in the yard, but within a few days, Xuanxi had chewed them all up. It's so naughty; it not only chews its own things, but it also chews up my sister's toys."
"Am I talking about you?" Banban gently tapped Xuanxi's nose. It poked its head out and licked her finger, then sat up and hugged her legs, making "Mmm!" "Mmm!" "Mmm!" sounds.
"It actually admitted it." Banban couldn't help but tease it in a cute voice, patting and kissing it, and rubbing its round cheek fur.
Ying Zheng propped his temples up with one hand and rolled his eyes imperceptibly as he turned his head.
Was that an eye roll? Ji Dan thought she was seeing things, because this was not the kind of action the King of Qin would do. When was he not steady and gentle? Even when he was angry, he just didn't like to talk.
Not knowing what to say, he asked the Queen about the origin of the names of the two Pixiu.
She didn't hide anything and explained it clearly.
Ji Dan was slightly startled, then, as if remembering something, burst into laughter, "Actually, the King of Qin really did look exactly like Xuan Xi when he was young."
Banban: "Huh?"
Her ears suddenly perked up, and she glanced at her cousin.
Ying Zheng was quite well-behaved in the Ji family when he was young. Apart from studying, he did not do anything extra. The two little ones often held hands and played together. He was very considerate and thoughtful. How could he have such a naughty scene like Xuan Xi?
Ji Dan was unaware of the Queen's thoughts; otherwise, she would have shouted, "Your filter is way too thick!"
"May I ask?" Ji Dan asked Ying Zheng with a smile.
I'm really looking forward to it.
"..." The words of refusal were swallowed back down his throat. Ying Zheng's face remained tense. "Whatever."
Utterly boring.
"Your Majesty always has many novel ideas and puts them into practice," Ji Dan said with a smile. "Back then, it wasn't just Your Majesty and I who were held hostage in Zhao; there were also the princes of Wei and Qi."
“The prince of Wei was sharp-tongued. The king took advantage of his unpreparedness, hung him upside down from a tree, took a ladle of water and poured it into his mouth, ordering him to drink it. He said he would not let him down if he did not drink it.”
"This is called water flowing uphill. Who says water can't flow uphill? It's flowing here, isn't it? This is enough to prove that you, sir, are of mediocre talent and haven't yet grasped the truth of this world."
In just a few words, the arrogance and contempt of the young Ying Zheng are fully revealed. On that day, the prince of Wei was hung from a tree for a long time and almost lost his life. It was this incident that made people realize that Ying Zheng was of Qin blood and that this was how the Qin people were.
"What truth does this behavior reveal?" Banban was stunned.
So, when she was little, her cousin who would whine and tell her stories about "it was my fault" whenever she was wronged was notorious?
That makes sense, though. The people of Zhao ostracized him, and if he wasn't ruthless and tough, he would only be bullied.
Banban completely believed that when he returned injured years ago, she asked him who bullied him, and he said he was simply outmatched. At the time, she thought he was lying to avoid worrying his family, but it turned out to be true...
"Where there's a will, there's a way; man can conquer nature." Ying Zheng interrupted in a gentle voice, "As long as you have the will, there's nothing in this world that you can't do. If there is, it's because the person doing it isn't ruthless enough."
You see, as long as you're ruthless and tough enough, water can flow uphill.
This is where Ji Dan and Ying Zheng disagreed. However, their statuses are different now, and he can no longer persuade Ying Zheng as he did when they were children.
He looked up and saw the Queen, like an innocent young girl, cupping her face and giving Ying Zheng a bright, sweet smile.
That smile contained a natural adoration and joy.
Such a stunning beauty, as juicy and peach-like as she is, could fall head over heels for a cruel and unkind monarch, unable to extricate herself from her infatuation.
This is something Ji Dan cannot understand.
Could it be because of his appearance?
The King of Qin was indeed exceptionally handsome; his face was not as gentle and mild as that of the people of the Central Plains, but rather like a sharp blade.
Or perhaps it was his exclusive favor?
Admittedly, very few powerful men in this world can remain faithful in body and soul, especially monarchs who need to consolidate their rule through marriage; it is even more difficult to persuade such men not to take two women...
Thinking about this, Ji Dan suddenly realized something: could this be what women seek?
Well then, once Yan and Qin unite to besiege Zhao, he can return to Yan. Leaving the hostage in Qin was precisely to ensure that the alliance to jointly attack Zhao could continue.
After Ji Dan left, Ying Zheng calmly said, "If Ji Dan comes again in the future, do not come over."
"?" Banban was peeling bamboo shoots for Xuanjiao. "Why?"
"There's no reason why." Ying Zheng squatted down and fiddled with the bamboo shoot skins on the ground. "You spoil these two Pixiu too much. They can peel them themselves."
"Their paws are so big and thick, they probably wouldn't be good at delicate tasks like skinning." As Banban spoke, she flipped open the panda's paw and was surprised to find that its paws were soft and flexible, and its teeth were even more so.
After talking for a while, she gave a pitiful look, "But I've been worried about Geng'er lately, so I want to stay with my cousin."
Am I a tool for you to relieve your emotions?
"...No."
Banban fussed and wanted him to hold her, hooking her arms around his neck and refusing to let go.
Ying Zheng had no choice but to pick her up. She snuggled into his arms and affectionately rubbed her head against his neck.
“I asked Li You to protect him, he will be fine. Besides Li You, Meng Wu and Wang Jian also know his identity.” He gently stroked his wife’s cheek with his large hand, his fingertips brushing against her delicate face with exceptionally light pressure.
"What exactly did you tell him to do?" Banban asked quietly, holding his hand.
"Let him..." Ying Zheng paused slightly, then lowered his voice and leaned close to his wife's ear, "to nip it in the bud."
Banban opened her eyes wide, wanting to ask if Geng'er, who was still young, could do it.
"If you give him such a task, what if he can't complete it? Wouldn't that ruin your important plans?"
"Of course we have two plans. We'll test his abilities first." Ying Zheng smiled. "Don't underestimate your brother. Although he's only twelve, his reaction speed and martial prowess are not to be underestimated. I ascended the throne at thirteen, and he's going to make his mark too."
As soon as Geng'er could walk, he loved to chase people with a wooden sword. Banban and Yangjiang even said that he was hated by everyone. Later, when he got his own iron sword, he became even more arrogant. No one dared to be chased by him because they all valued their lives. So he chased after Ji Xiu, scaring Ji Xiu so much that he covered his buttocks and ran away.
Surprisingly, he could predict the direction people would run away from when he was very young. Could this be considered understanding people's hearts? As a result, none of the servants in his household could escape the fate of being whipped until their buttocks were bruised and bleeding by him.
As he grew older, following his cousin's advice, he joined the army for training. His natural talent for encirclement and interception was fully demonstrated. In one-on-one combat, he was second to none, and even Banban was sometimes amazed by his reaction speed.
"Why do you trust Geng'er so much, cousin? Could it be that you also chased after the late king with the Qin King's sword?"
It's really puzzling.
"..." Ying Zheng touched his nose, his gaze fixed on the void, as if he were reminiscing.
“There really was such a thing!” Banban exclaimed. “Even the late king didn’t seem to possess the Qin King’s Sword.”
"No, I am not like your brother." How could Ying Zheng possibly admit that?
Years ago, when he had just returned from Handan, he was filled with resentment towards Prince Zhuangxiang, Zichu. In addition, the Qin King's sword had been given to him by Yue, and he knew that he would become the crown prince and then the King of Qin.
Every Qin king who took the Qin sword... would practice it first!
That makes perfect sense, doesn't it? This is a weapon you'll be using for the rest of your life.
Zichu offered to spar with him, and Yingzheng was more than happy to oblige. He did indeed chase after Zichu and slash at him without restraint, but he would pretend that he was just playing around. After all, what could a nine-year-old child know?
At most, they'll be scolded for being naughty.
This terrified Ji Changyue and Lü Buwei, who helped Zichu run away.
During that year, he did many naughty things to vent his dissatisfaction. The following year, he immediately pretended to be sensible, forgave his father, and reconciled with Zichu.
In reality, Ying Zheng didn't hate him at all, but he didn't like him either.
Because they didn't even have much of a father-son relationship.
The truest feelings he had in his life, besides his mother, were for his cousin.
Six clinics were opened one after another near Xianyang, gradually spreading to the whole of Qin. Seven or eight more days passed in this atmosphere.
An urgent report has arrived from the front lines.
Banban stood at the side gate of Xianyang Palace and overheard everything. These days, she would come back in the mornings when she had nothing to do and listen to some gossip about the previous dynasty. If she didn't hear anything interesting, she would leave.
I never expected this urgent report to be so explosive.
"The general attacked Zhao, but rebelled at Tunliu!"
The entire court erupted in uproar. Members of the imperial clan turned pale with disbelief. Lord Changping kicked one of them to the ground, his face turning ashen: "What are you saying, you lowly soldier?!"
"The Lord of Chang'an has rebelled?" Wang Wan looked bewildered.
As a guest minister, Li Si was considered the leader of the many retainers from other countries. He was merely a symbol of a foreign guest. Upon hearing this shocking news, his expression changed slightly, and he raised his eyebrows to look at the prime minister below the throne.
"Insolence!" King Qin roared in fury.
The officials looked at each other, their faces grim.
The Prime Minister was greatly alarmed and hurriedly asked, "What is the situation now? Tell me quickly!"
The Qin soldiers knelt in the main hall, heads bowed, and reported, "General, you led 200,000 troops to surround General Shang and General Meng, attempting to cut off all of Qin's fighting force outside Hangu Pass, and then launch an attack on Qin from within, capturing Xianyang and seizing the throne. It is said... it is said, it is said—"
He trembled like a leaf, too afraid to utter the rest of his words.
"Say what?" The King of Qin's gaze pierced him like a sharp sword.
“It is said that… we want to establish the Ying surname bloodline.”
Upon hearing this, a cold, sharp rebuke rang out: "Absurd!" The bamboo slip was suddenly thrown from its high position, rolled rapidly down the steps several times, and slowly came to a stop in front of the officials. The bamboo slip struck the empty floor tiles, making a crisp sound, like an arrow piercing the heart.
Almost simultaneously, all the officials knelt down, including Lü Buwei, who had just been questioning the Qin soldiers.
The hall was deathly silent.
Many people trembled, their black and red crowns shaking, and they bowed their heads and cried out, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger."
The morning sunlight streamed into the Xianyang Palace from outside the gate, reflecting the gold on the King of Qin's black court robes with dazzling brilliance. His left hand rested lightly on the hilt of the King of Qin's sword as he coldly surveyed the officials below the high platform.
"Over the years, the doubts about my lineage have never ceased. What is your opinion, Prime Minister?"
Banban coldly watched Lü Buwei kneeling at the feet of the King of Qin, "This is utter nonsense!"
From this angle, she could only see the man, who was about to come of age, bowing his head in greeting. With a 'whoosh' sound, the sharp blade of his sword pressed against Lü Buwei's shoulder.
The King of Qin's sword has been drawn!
The civil and military officials were in a panic, kneeling down and shouting that the king must not do this.
Lü Buwei's back stiffened, his face contorted, and the sharp blade reflected his face. He stared back at himself on the sword, which in turn projected the posture of the King of Qin.
Never before had he realized so clearly that the young King of Qin had grown up; his cold eyes were like those of a tiger that had been lying on the ground finally opening its beastly pupils.
He was indeed deeply angry, but that anger didn't reach his eyes; through that thin layer, there was an added stare and hostility.
Lu Buwei breathed a deep sigh of relief, as if he were about to die, "If killing me can clear the king's name, I will have no objection."
"To kill the Prime Minister for a useless innocence would be utterly wrong." The King of Qin closed the distance between them, his tone suddenly devoid of the anger he had just displayed. "I treated the Prime Minister well in the past, and I will treat him even better in the future."
That's not the truth.
Lü Buwei understood, and he remained prostrate on the ground.
These words were never spoken to him, but to all the officials and to the people of the world.
He realized that the King of Qin was ready to assume personal rule.
If he were still young, the King of Qin's sword would have already severed his head, instead of now smiling gently and saying he would treat him kindly.
That laugh was a deadly talisman laced with poison.
"Dismiss the court." The King of Qin sheathed his sword and calmly departed.
He also dragged the queen, who was trying to run over and kick the prime minister, away by tucking her under his arm.
This was originally part of Lü Buwei's plan; no matter what the King of Qin wanted, he would not die in the court today.
Lord Changping walked over and said, “The Prime Minister has suffered an undeserved calamity today. Fortunately, His Majesty is reasonable and stopped at the last moment.” He sighed with emotion, “His Majesty has grown up.”
Upon hearing this, others echoed his sentiments.
Chengzhang Hall.
The Qin soldier knelt down and recounted what happened next: "The Supreme General raised an army to quell the rebellion, and Lord Chang'an fled in Tunliu and was taken in by the Zhao soldiers."
Perhaps it was because their own son had betrayed the country and defected to the enemy, a shameful act, that the Qin soldier's face turned red and his neck thickened.
Ying Zheng showed no surprise whatsoever, remaining perfectly calm. "And then?"
Qin Bing hesitated for a moment, glancing at the queen beside him.
"What are you looking at? Speak!" Ying Zheng suddenly flew into a rage, and the brush holder was smashed onto his forehead, causing blood to gush out.
The Qin soldiers composed themselves, having gained a new understanding of the Queen's status. "The Zhao army opened the gates to welcome Chang'an Jun in, having heard that the King of Zhao intends to grant him Rao as his fiefdom."
Banban's cheeks suddenly turned red; she was angry.
"But for some reason, Lord Chang'an died suddenly in the Zhao camp that very night. It is said that he was stabbed three times in the neck with a dagger, and the Zhao soldiers did not catch the murderer."
Ying Zheng's expression softened instantly, even revealing a hint of mocking disdain.
How could Zhao Jun be so well aware of Chang'an Jun's betrayal, and even open the door to welcome Cheng Jiao the moment he fled?
Stabbed three times with a dagger
Banban hesitated, glancing at his cousin's expression. Could it be that Chengjiao was killed by Geng'er, and that he deliberately chose Geng'er, who had the appearance of a Zhao person, for this day?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
