Qin Gong

Chapter 710 An Unintentional Word During the Conversation

Chapter 710 An unintentional remark during the conversation

"Counties and fiefdoms have their pros and cons. I am a humble minister with limited talent and knowledge. If it were not for the king's trust and promotion, Bai Yan would not be where he is today. Bai Yan is only good at leading troops to fight wars. Counties and fiefdoms are important matters in governing a country, which will affect generations to come. It is so important that Bai Yan dare not speak rashly. I will leave it to the king!"

Bai Yan said to Ying Zheng.

No matter how Ying Zheng asked, Bai Yan would not take a stand. After all, no matter which side he stood on, he would either offend Ying Zheng or offend countless people, and the outcome would not be good.

"Lack of knowledge?"

"I am not very knowledgeable! ..."

After hearing Bai Yan's answer, not only did Ying Zheng look strange, but even Wei Liao, Feng Quji and others were stunned, and looked at each other with surprise and strange expressions.

People with little talent and knowledge often say insulting and contemptuous words to others. This is the first time they have seen someone use these words to describe himself, and this person is the Qin State's Great Minister, Bai Yan!

"Today's conversation is a private discussion, not a court discussion. You can speak your mind freely!"

Bai Yan wanted to get away with it, but Ying Zheng would not let Bai Yan off so easily.

After all, Bai Yan was the Great Minister of Qin State. If he kept silent on important matters, Bai Yan would be too comfortable. Especially after learning of Bai Yan's position, Ying Zheng, who had already made up his mind, naturally no longer worried about Bai Yan's answer.

In the study room.

Seeing that Ying Zheng insisted on making Bai Yan take sides, not to mention Wang Wan, even Li Si, Feng Quji and others could not help but be alert and looked at Bai Yan.

"Yes, this is not a court discussion, Lord Wu Lie is speaking frankly!"

Li Si sighed deeply, then immediately put on a relaxed and indifferent look, looked at Bai Yan and spoke.

In Li Si's eyes, since Ying Zheng insisted on letting Bai Yan express his position, Li Si could only accept it. After all, looking at Bai Yan's answer to Ying Zheng just now and what he said in Xingyang in the past, the possibility of Bai Yan taking the initiative to write a letter in the court was not great.

"promise!"

Bai Yan bowed to Ying Zheng with a bitter smile in his heart. Looking at Ying Zheng who was forcing him to express his position, Bai Yan couldn't just say that he supported the counties.

That would undoubtedly offend all the relatives, old clans, all the young masters of Qin, and even the forces behind the young masters of Ying Kan and Wang Wan.

But if we talk about division...

When Bai Yan saw the look in Ying Zheng's eyes, he knew clearly in his heart that Ying Zheng would make an unhesitating decision in the future.

And deep down in Bai Yan's heart, he didn't want to see Ying Zheng show disappointment in him one day, or right now.

"Your Majesty, in my opinion..."

Bai Yan pondered, then bowed and looked at Ying Zheng under the worried gazes of many ministers around him, as well as Feng Quji, Ying Kan, and Wang Wan.

"Why not continue to establish counties in Guanzhong and Shu, and include the areas east to Linzi, south to Chenjun and Sishui, and north to Guangyang, and implement enfeoffment in more remote and cold places where bandits gather! Let the princes lead the clans to suppress them!"

Bai Yan sighed, but finally gritted his teeth and gave Ying Zheng his advice.

Bai Yan deliberately played a little trick here. After he finished speaking, seeing Ying Zheng's surprised expression and distracted face, he glanced at Master Lu and Li Si standing beside him without leaving a trace.

Just to avoid Ying Zheng's gaze, Bai Yan's actions naturally could not be hidden from others.

Almost at the moment Bai Yan finished speaking, Li Si looked thoughtful, and Master Lu, who had a proud face, felt provoked when he saw Bai Yan's actions and couldn't help laughing.

"After all, doesn't Lord Wu Lie still agree with the division of fiefdoms?"

It seemed that Master Lu was anxious to confirm Bai Yan's position, and he did not notice at all that his words made Li Si, who was standing beside him, frown.

"Since the Grand Master can talk about the prefectures and counties, may I ask the Grand Master why Lord Wu Lie cannot talk about the fiefdoms?"

Ying Kan frowned and looked at Master Lu with an unfriendly expression. Then, in front of everyone, he questioned Master Lu: "Besides, what's wrong with the enfeoffment mentioned by Lord Wu Lie?"

Others pampered Tutor Lu, but Ying Kan did not. Wang Wan might be afraid that Ying Zheng valued Tutor Lu, but Ying Kan was not afraid. With the support of clan members and the countless forces behind the princes, Ying Kan was not afraid of Tutor Lu.

Just now, Ying Kan clearly saw that after Bai Yan finished speaking, he bowed his head and saluted. The moment he looked up, he instinctively glanced at Li Si and Lu Taifu.

This glance was full of profound meaning. At least in Ying Kan's opinion, it was the aggressive words of Master Lu just now that caused Bai Yan to have reservations. Obviously, Bai Yan also agreed with the enfeoffment.

"The feudal system is the beginning of the Zhou Dynasty!"

Master Lu also realized that he had said the wrong thing, so he snorted coldly and stopped looking at Ying Kan.

"In the past, the Zhou Dynasty divided the world into two parts, which led to chaos. Now, Lord Wu Lie is just giving advice and enfeoffment to the cold and bitter borderland. In addition, there are the iron cavalry led by Lord Wu Lie in the north and the garrison troops in the south to conquer the Baiyue. How can there be chaos?"

Wang Wan also spoke up to refute at this time.

Wang Wan also realized that if Bai Yan was really asked to express his opinion, he would definitely agree to the enfeoffment. This made Wang Wan breathe a sigh of relief. As long as Bai Yan, the Great Liangzao, stood on his side, he would not need to worry too much about Wang's delay in expressing his opinion.

Now, Wang Wan wanted to see whether Master Lu dared to take advantage of Ying Zheng's respect and love to bluntly say that Bai Yan and Wang Jian would have thoughts of rebellion.

"Your Majesty, I am just a military man. All matters concerning state governance are decided by Your Majesty! Regardless of whether it is the division of fiefdoms or counties, Bai Yan will obey Your Majesty's orders!"

Bai Yan ignored the arguments of Wang Wan and others, but when Ying Zheng looked at him, he knelt down and bowed to show his loyalty to Ying Zheng.

It’s no wonder that Bai Yan is so cautious. After all, no one knows whether it is because of this sentence that Ying Zheng will feel dissatisfied or even alienated and suspicious.

According to later records, Ying Zheng was not a king who killed his meritorious officials and was afraid of his generals. After all, whether it was Meng Tian leading an army of 300,000 to garrison the northern border, or Tu Sui leading an army of 500,000 to fight against the Baiyue, Ying Zheng's magnanimity could be seen clearly.

However, since it involves safety and survival, Bai Yan dare not be careless.

"No need to be polite. I have already said that we are only discussing this in private today!"

Ying Zheng spoke.

Looking at Bai Yan's cautious appearance, Ying Zheng could naturally see the worry behind Bai Yan's actions.

This made Ying Zheng very helpless, but he couldn't say anything at the moment. He could only find an opportunity in the future to make Bai Yan feel at ease.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Bai Yan looked up and saw that Ying Zheng did not show any dissatisfaction. He breathed a sigh of relief and finally realized the feeling of walking on thin ice in the court outside the battlefield.

Seeing that Ying Zheng seemed not to want to hear any more arguments from Ying Kan, Li Si and others, he turned the topic to Qi and asked how to govern after the wealthy merchants and gentry in Qi moved to Guanzhong.

"Your Majesty, I still advise you to move the great families of the world to Guanzhong. It is like moving all the troubles of the world to the heart of Qin. It seems that it can quell the chaos in various places, but quelling it for a while will definitely lay the foundation for the future Qin and cause great disasters!"

Wei Liao bowed to Ying Zheng and said, as usual, he opposed Ying Zheng's plan to relocate the world's major clans to Guanzhong and Xianyang.

Especially right now, there is still conflict within the Qin State!

Thinking of this, Wei Liao looked at Ying Kan, Li Si and others with some concern.

"But if we don't move, the old tribes in various places will be left without anyone to govern them. The corrupt Qin officials will deprive the people of their livelihoods. The people will become restless and blame Qin. The nobles will grow stronger and become a problem, which will also cause the worry of a major chaos..."

Since it did not involve counties and fiefdoms, Feng Quji had no worries and finally started to discuss important matters.

At this time, Bai Yan came to Ying Kan's side and listened silently to the two big guys, Wei Liao and Feng Quji, discussing the matter of relocating the gentry.

Seeing Ying Kan's kind eyes, Bai Yan nodded in return without any expression.

During the following discussion, Bai Yan did not speak again. He kept silent if possible and stood aside if possible to remain inconspicuous.

It was unknown how long they stood there, discussing the migration of the gentry, but they still could not come up with the most appropriate solution. It was not right not to migrate, and it was not right to migrate either. In Bai Yan's eyes, Ying Zheng could only put it aside for the time being and instead ordered the matter of ancestor worship.

"Jun Chongquan and Jun Wulie are in charge of the matter of going to Yongqi to worship the ancestors and touring. Jun Chongquan will discuss the clan affairs with Fengchang, and Jun Wulie will be responsible for mobilizing the palace guards and the Central Chariot Guards!"

Ying Zheng frowned, knelt behind the wooden table, and made appointments one by one. He even instructed Meng Yi to get the transfer seal and give it to Bai Yan.

Upon hearing Ying Zheng's words, all the ministers present were stunned. Even the elderly Feng Quji showed a look of surprise, and then looked at Ying Kan and Bai Yan.

"Your Majesty, I think there may be something wrong!"

There were subtle changes on Li Si's face, which was in his fifties. He didn't care about anything else and just bowed and looked at Ying Zheng.

Everyone knows that Ying Kan is the head of the clan in the court, and Bai Yan is even more favored by Ying Zheng. It is not the first time that Ying Kan and Bai Yan have been responsible together for travel escort.

But right now, there is a dispute in the court over counties and fiefdoms. Even if Li Si trusts Bai Yan as a person and believes that Bai Yan has no second thoughts about Ying Zheng, he can't help but worry.

Sacrifices and parades involve safety and every aspect. It is unwise for Ying Zheng to rashly hand over all power, and even his own safety, to those who support the enfeoffment...

"I have made up my mind, the Tingwei has no need to say more!"

When Ying Zheng saw Li Si's hurried rebuttal, he seemed to not want to see Ying Kan and Li Si arguing anymore, so he directly told Li Si to stop talking.

Wei Liao originally wanted to speak, but after hearing what Ying Zheng said, he frowned and finally held back.

"promise!"

"promise!!"

Li Si looked at Ying Zheng, and finally sighed helplessly and bowed.

Ying Kan and Bai Yan also spoke together with Li Si. They both bowed to Bai Yan and accepted the order. After the ceremony, Ying Kan looked at Li Si with a smug look in his eyes.

There is no other reason. Ying Zheng's unsuspecting behavior towards his clan members is not only a great trust to Ying Kan personally, but also has a different meaning in the eyes of all clan members. It is also a statement to the clan members.

Ying Kan knew that when his clan members learned about this, they would be greatly excited and happy.

After a while.

It was getting late, and as the ministers took their leave, they turned away one after another. Bai Yan also lowered his head, followed closely beside Ying Kan, and mixed in with the ministers, wanting to leave the study.

"Stop, Lord Wu Lie!"

Ying Zheng's voice was heard again. Wei Liao, Wang Wan, Feng Quji and others stopped and turned to look at Bai Yan in the crowd.

Bai Yan's heart skipped a beat. He turned around nervously and returned to the place not far from the wooden table, standing where he was just now.

"Your Majesty, is there anything else you need me to do?"

Bai Yan asked softly, his expression a little stiff as he bowed.

Looking at Meng Yi in the study, Bai Yan couldn't help but look at Ying Zheng. If it weren't for Ying Zheng's appointment just now, which made Bai Yan realize that there was no danger, he would have been really worried when he saw Ying Zheng leaving him alone.

Li Si and Wei Liao looked at Bai Yan's back, glanced at each other, and then walked out of the study. Wang Wan and Ying Kan did the same, but unlike Li Si's expression, they were both smiling. Today's conversation in the study, whether it was Bai Yan's words or Ying Zheng's appointment, was great news for them.

Feng Quji frowned slightly, and finally sighed, shook his head slightly and left. If you look closely, you can actually see that there is a hint of disappointment in Feng Quji's eyes towards Bai Yan.

In the study room.

As the faint footsteps disappeared, in the quiet study, the only people left were Ying Zheng, who was kneeling behind the wooden table and looking at the bamboo slips, and Meng Yi, who was standing beside the wooden shelf with a curious look on his face. The only one left was Bai Yan, who was standing.

"I have destroyed all the countries, unified the world, and become the common ruler of the world. I have lived up to the dream given by the heavens. I want to ask Lord Wu Lie, does the heaven still give dreams?"

Ying Zheng was silent for a long time before he put down the bamboo slips and looked up at Bai Yan.

As for the rumors about the miraculous alchemists and sorcerers that were passed down from ancient times and known to the world, Ying Zheng believed in them, but he also retained a trace of doubt.

However, Ying Zheng was the only one who trusted Bai Yan without reservation.

After all, when Bai Yan was in the dream, the Qin State had not yet gained control of the world, and it was not even completely sure that it could destroy the Chu State in one go. The Jiuzhou Ding had been buried deep underground for decades with no news. Even the deep roots of the giant trees had changed their appearance because of the Jiuzhou Ding.

"Your Majesty, after the Jiuzhou Ding, I, your servant, will no longer have dreams granted by heaven!"

When Bai Yan heard Ying Zheng's question and looked at his curious eyes, he was completely relieved.

I was so nervous, I wondered what the reason was! It turned out to be this!

At this moment, Bai Yan looked at Ying Zheng's somewhat disappointed expression and couldn't help but smile bitterly in his heart. No wonder Ying Zheng in later generations would be obsessed with the art of immortality and was constantly deceived by alchemists and sorcerers.

It seems that Ying Zheng is still very obsessed with metaphysics!

"Did you ever have any dreams about the Qin Kingdom in the past?"

Ying Zheng sighed and asked casually.

Looking at Bai Yan, Ying Zheng did not blame him and soon felt relieved. Indeed, the dream granted by heaven was a miracle, which was admired by countless people in the world. Countless unbelievers finally sought verification and were all impressed. This kind of thing is rare and only appears when the world is about to undergo a major change, or like the birth of a sage.

Bai Yan was able to receive a dream from heaven, which was extremely rare, and he could also request that everything would be granted by heaven.

"Your Majesty! This... is indeed true!"

While Bai Yan was hesitating, he still looked at Ying Zheng, thought for a while, and whispered to Ying Zheng in his surprised look about his dream that in the future, the northern nomadic tribes would go south to invade the Central Plains.

According to Bai Yan's narration, at that time, the Central Plains was a land of corpses. The dynasties in the Central Plains could only kowtow and marry women, and live in disgrace. Some kings were captured and their heads were used by the leaders of the northern tribes to drink. All the women of the kings were humiliated by the northern nomadic tribes...

"Oh!"

The sound of a fist hitting the wooden table startled Bai Yan, and even Meng Yi.

And when he saw Ying Zheng's gloomy face and scary look in his eyes, Bai Yan quickly knelt on the ground.

"Your Majesty, please calm down. This is just a dream. Dreams are imaginary and should not be taken seriously!"

Bai Yan really didn't expect that Ying Zheng's reaction would be so big. After all, the north is not really a big threat now.

The Xiongnu and Yuezhi were enemies for generations, and with countless casualties in recent years, their reproduction was hindered. The Yuezhi, who were supported by Qin, were unable to deal with the Xiongnu. In the north, only the Donghu could pose some threat to Qin.

The reason why Bai Yan took the opportunity to say that the North was a great threat to the Central Plains was that, after seeing with his own eyes that Ying Zheng had no hostility towards him, he wanted to find an opportunity to return to Yanmen early to deal with some hidden dangers, and then together with Wu Gao, he would take action against the scholars in the Central Plains and let the Yunzhong Academy come out earlier. In order to deal with the gentry in various places who monopolized the scholars, Bai Yan had already prepared for many years.

Secondly, Bai Yan also reminded Ying Zheng that he should always be wary of the northern nomads. No matter what happens to the Qin State and the entire Central Plains in the future, the north will always be a hidden danger to the Central Plains. This is something Bai Yan is very sure of as he looks at future generations.

Bai Yan didn't expect that Ying Zheng would react so violently after hearing it.

However, at this time, Bai Yan did react. Perhaps in Ying Zheng's eyes, the Qin State was to be passed down for thousands of years, so the things he just said naturally happened to the king of Qin.

Ying Zheng, who had just gained the entire world and became the common ruler of the world, naturally could not accept such a great humiliation happening to the Qin State.

Behind the wooden table.

Ying Zheng was breathing rapidly, but fortunately after calming down, he looked at Bai Yan and realized that everything was just Bai Yan's dream, so he put away his captivating gaze.

"Get up!"

Ying Zheng frowned and looked at Bai Yan and said.

It was only Bai Yan. If it was anyone else, Ying Zheng would probably have been dissatisfied. After all, the scenes described by Bai Yan were something Ying Zheng dared not even to think about. Looking back at the previous kings, none of them had ever suffered such humiliation. Ying Zheng didn't believe it. Could it be that when it came to him, Ying Zheng, the nomadic tribes in the north dared to bully him?

(End of this chapter)