Meng Yi.
The Internal History of the Nine Ministers was in charge of all affairs in Xianyang.
He was very young, only twenty-five years old, but he had completed a journey that others would find difficult to complete in their lifetime.
In front of his family members like Meng Tian, ​​Meng Wu, Meng Ao, Meng Yi still has some childishness.
In front of outsiders, he has always been a well-educated and calm official in the court, and is deeply trusted by the First Emperor.
The same was true for Meng Yi, who was waiting outside Zhangtai Palace today.
The night was dark and I could only vaguely see my fingers when I stretched out my hand.
But fortunately, this was outside the Zhangtai Palace, and the fire was burning all night long.
Fortunately, because Meng Ao broke into the palace, more than a dozen new fire sources were added.
The orange-yellow flames could not rise very high in the bronze device that was specially used to contain them.
But it did not prevent the light from the flame from spreading out, illuminating the area in front of Zhangtai Palace as bright as half a day.
The light illuminated Meng Yi who was sitting on a stone bench.
The three city defense soldiers standing behind Meng Yi could not see Meng Yi's expression, they could only see Meng Yi's straight spine and his young but not frail back, which was unshaven.
The officials standing opposite Meng Yi could clearly see that the young Nei Shi had an elegant, calm face and was neither anxious nor impatient.
He is worthy of being the grandson of Lord Meng. He is so young, but he has sat for such a long time without saying a word. He is really able to keep his composure.
The officials admired Meng Yi in their hearts.
If they knew that all this was pretended by Meng Yi, they would be shocked.
Meng Yi was very nervous, so nervous that he dared not move.
If he wasn't nervous, he wouldn't be here.
He accompanied his grandfather Meng Ao into the palace to meet the emperor. He was worried that Meng Ao's words might be wrong and he might point at the Emperor and call him a birdman.
The First Emperor requested to see Meng Ao alone and left him outside. Meng Yi was so anxious that he wanted to rush into the Zhangtai Palace to answer for his grandfather.
He waited impatiently and became anxious.
Finally, the gate of Zhangtai Palace was opened.
Meng Yi's heart was beating wildly, and he silently repeated to himself, "There's no use in being anxious, everything is already decided." At the same time, he naturally turned his head and raised his eyes to look towards the gate of Zhangtai Palace.
The person who came out was wearing armor that reflected light under the orange-red firelight, and he had a thin figure.
After stepping out of Zhangtai Palace, he turned around and closed the gate of Zhangtai Palace again.
Only one person came out.
Meng Yi moved his butt slightly off the stone bench and sat down again.
Zhang Han's armor is much more extravagant than his grandfather's armor.
Meng Yi couldn't tell whether he felt more disappointed or relieved, but his face was calm anyway.
Like a deep pool, you can't tell whether there is a dragon or fish or shrimp at the bottom of the pool.
Meng Yi did not take the initiative to look for Zhang Han. However, when Zhang Han saw Meng Yi sitting there quietly, his eyes changed and he took the initiative to rush over.
Before he reached Meng Yi, a low and sudden shout was heard.
"Do you, the Meng family, want to commit suicide?"
Zhang Han's first words made Meng Yi's heart sink, knowing that his grandfather must have done something out of line.
In the past, he was the Internal History and Zhang Han was the Palace Attendant.
Both of them were important officials among the Nine Ministers. Although they did not have much personal relationship, they were always able to get along well as long as there were opportunities to meet each other.
If nothing major had happened, Zhang Han would never have questioned him like this.
Zhang Han stopped and came to Meng Yi.
Meng Yi suppressed his emotions and wanted to make a puzzled expression and ask, "Brother Zhang, why do you say that?"
But when he glanced sideways and saw the murderous intent in Zhang Han's eyes, he felt a sudden chill in his heart.
There were only three people in Zhangtai Palace.
Your Majesty, Gai Nie, Grandfather .
What did my grandfather say that made Zhang Han want to kill him?
Along with his heart, Meng Yi's elegant face also turned cold.
The young internal historian spoke fiercely, emphasizing every word and refusing to give in.
"You, seek, death?"
If it was just a question, Meng Yi would still be willing to pretend to be nice to Zhang Han.
But Zhang Han wanted to kill Meng Ao, which was something that no one in the Meng family could tolerate.
Zhang Han was taught a lesson by Meng Ao in Zhangtai Palace, and after leaving Zhangtai Palace, he was taught a lesson by Meng Ao's grandson Meng Yi.
There was a burning murderous intent in his heart.
He touched the long sword and slightly pulled it out of the sheath.
There was a sudden clear friction sound.
"Do you know what Meng Ao said in the palace?"
Meng Yi was not wearing armor and did not carry any weapons.
But when facing Zhang Han, who was wearing hideous skull armor and had a long sword slightly drawn in his hand, there was no fear on his face.
He stood up slightly and stared into Zhang Han's eyes.
"You are worthy of calling me by my name, my great-grandfather?"
The index finger of my left hand slowly slid across his neck below his head.
"Draw this."
"Don't rush to die, Handan will find a way."
"I don't dare to draw your sword."
Meng Yi sneered and sat down again.
Although he appeared to be extremely strong, Meng Yi was actually very weak inside.
He is not afraid that his grandfather will offend Zhang Han.
What he was afraid of was that his grandfather would offend the First Emperor.
Zhang Han was the Imperial Palace Attendant and a close confidant of the First Emperor. He was shrewd and cunning, and was deeply trusted by the First Emperor.
The more obvious Zhang Han's murderous intention was, the more offensive Meng Ao was to the First Emperor.
Meng Yi was worried.
Not long after, in Zhangtai Palace, a sword force that reached the sky made Meng Yi's heart go into chaos.
The only one who could have such sword intention was Gai Nie, who was an outstanding swordsman.
In the Zhangtai Palace, besides Gai Nie, there were only three people left, the First Emperor and Meng Ao.
Gai Nie's sword intention could not be directed at the First Emperor, so it could only be directed at Meng Ao.
Zhang Han said coldly, "Han's sword is very fast, Lord Nei Shi will not suffer too much."
Meng Yi's expression was even colder than Zhang Han's, trying to conceal his inner panic.
Meng Yi didn't know what his grandfather had said to make Gai Nie, who always had a cold face, burst out with such shocking sword energy.
"Birdman!"
In this state of mind, Meng Yi had no intention of arguing with Zhang Han, he just wanted to curse him.
Inside Zhangtai Palace.
The sharp Qin sword was inserted into the table and easily penetrated the handle.
The friction between steel and wood was almost silent.
Even if there was, it was drowned out by the angry shouts of the veterans.
As soon as the old general finished speaking, a shocking sword energy shot up into the sky, as if it would break through the roof of Zhangtai Palace and break through the nine layers of clouds.
Gai Nie did not draw his sword, but he himself was the strongest sword in the world.
The sword master in white twitched his mouth, his eyes narrowed slightly, and every strand of his long hair was like a soft sword.
"Who did it?"
Not only did Gai Nie reveal his talent, he also sent inquiries to Meng Ao before the First Emperor.
This is clearly an overstepping of authority.
This presumption made Meng Ao, who was of a rude nature and immersed in anger, his eyelids twitch three times.
How dare you speak like this in front of His Majesty?
This sight made Meng Ao’s eyelids stop twitching.
The First Emperor did not stop it and did not say anything.
He sat there with his face covered, not moving, as if agreeing.
The veteran knew that he should answer Gai Nie's question.
The old general put on armor and held a sword, broke into the palace to see the emperor to show his determination.
He also told a long story about the secrets that he had promised Ying Chengjiao not to tell. Everything he did was a prelude to the answer he had now.
Take a heavy step forward.
The old general was leaning on the table, obviously answering Gai Nie's question, but he was staring at the First Emperor who had his hand on his forehead.
The two words spat out from between the old general's teeth, carrying with them his endless anger.
"Queen Mother!"
The Qin State had two queen dowagers.
One is Queen Dowager Han, Ying Chengjiao’s biological mother.
One is the Queen Mother Zhao, the biological mother of the First Emperor.
Although Meng Ao did not mention the empress dowager's surname in this answer.
But both Gai Nie and the First Emperor knew that the empress dowager the old general was referring to could only be Queen Dowager Zhao.
When Gai Nie heard the old general's words, the sword energy that had nowhere to vent did not slow down at all.
Turning his head, Gai Nie, like Meng Ao, stared at the First Emperor.
Inside Zhangtai Palace, the expressions and movements of the three people were all frozen, as if they were photos taken by a camera.
If it weren't for Meng Ao's heavy breathing, causing his chest to rise and fall, there would really be no sign of any change here.
Time seems to have lost its meaning at this moment.
The flame of a bright candle suddenly swelled up a little, making a soft "bi bo" sound.
"What does this mean?"
The First Emperor did not move his hands, but turned his head back.
On half of his calm face were a pair of eyes that showed no sadness or joy, facing Gai Nie's eyes that were filled with strong pressure.
"You are forcing me."
The sound had no ups and downs and did not sound like it was made by a human.
It was more like a signal from the Lord Haotian in the Lingxiao Palace, who had been immortal for several eons.
There is not much humanity in this voice, it is full of divinity.
Gai Nie, who had been with the First Emperor for a long time, felt that he understood him well.
Being stared at by those eyes that seemed to regard everything in the world as straw dogs, it was as if I had just woken up from a dream, and my understanding of the First Emperor returned to the time before he issued the seal and decree.
The First Emperor was an emperor who was unrivaled in history.
The Qin State revered him as a god.
The six nations feared him like a god.
In this world, the First Emperor is a living god.
Although Gai Nie's sword energy was still powerful and unparalleled, it had changed from disorder to order.
Gai Nie's body was still as straight as a sword, and his already cold and hard voice sounded even colder than before.
"What do you want to do, Your Majesty?"
"I want to talk to you."
Gai Nie narrowed his eyes slightly.
He is a very smart man, but in the past he was too lazy to think or ponder.
But today, he thought about it seriously, but still didn't know what the First Emperor was thinking.
"If you commit treason, you shall receive ten strokes of the cane."
Gai Nie was silent for a while and lowered his head slightly.
This bowing is different from the one Zhao Gao bowed his head.
When Zhao Gao lowered his head, it was facing the First Emperor, almost burying it in his chest, to show respect.
Gai Nie lowered his head very slightly, it would be more accurate to say that he adjusted his head rather than lowered it.
Because the First Emperor was sitting and he was standing, he was a bit taller than the First Emperor.
This adjustment made him look down on the First Emperor.
He did not even bow, but spoke proudly.
"only."
It seemed as if he was the one giving the orders as he strode towards the gate of Zhangtai Palace.
Didn't take two steps.
"Ten more sticks."
Gai Nie did not stop, and his voice remained proud, like a sword that could be broken but not bent.
"only."
The door is open.
The door is closed.
The wind from the door opening and closing blew several candle flames near the palace gate askew.
The flame flickered.
The room is dim and bright.
The First Emperor's face looked uncertain.
As the flames flickered, the voice of the First Emperor rang out at the right moment.
"I am tired."
Bang!
Meng Ao slammed the table with his hand, his eyes widened in anger, and his hair stood on end.
The veteran was not frightened by Gai Nie's fate and today he insisted on seeking an explanation for Ying Chengjiao.
"What on earth does your majesty want to do?"
"Tomorrow morning, I will go to visit Cheng Jiao."
"Changan Jun almost died!"
"That means he is not dead. It is not a big deal."
"His Majesty……"
Although Meng Ao is old.
The sound is still strong.
Meng Ao, who worked as a messenger in the army when he was young, had a voice so loud that few could match it.
The hatred expressed at this moment is even louder.
"Meng Gong."
The First Emperor's voice was not loud and his speech speed was not as fast as Meng Ao's.
But this slow and unhurried voice, without any expression of joy, anger, sorrow or happiness, abruptly interrupted Meng Ao.
All of Meng Ao's subsequent words were stillborn.
"How do you compare to Wu Anjun?"
Bai Qi, Marquis of Wu'an, was invincible in battle, but died under the sword of the King of Qin given by King Zhaoxiang of Qin.
Meng Ao and Meng Yi said that Bai Qi's death was not a crime of war, but a consolidation of royal power.
But why did killing Bai Qi consolidate the king's power? Because Bai Qi did not obey the order of King Zhaoxiang of Qin and did not attack Zhao.
It is the duty of a soldier to obey orders.
Although this sentence was coined in later times, it was still applicable in the Qin Dynasty.
Bai Qi was not a pure military general. He did not respect the king's orders and got involved in court disputes and the king's affairs.
It was this incident that made Meng Ao decide to just obey the king's orders and lead his troops into battle.
As long as he does not participate in court disputes, the Qin State will not be destroyed, and the Meng family's glory will not be destroyed.
And now, he, Meng Ao, is involved in the royal affairs and the family affairs of the First Emperor.
The old general's face changed drastically. Looking at the First Emperor in front of him, he seemed to see the first King of Qin he served - King Zhaoxiang of Qin.
The combination of the two kings' figures made Meng Ao's forehead sweat profusely and his already weak legs and feet became a little weak.
"Mr. Meng is old and tired."
"I am indeed exhausted, your Excellency."
"Then go back."
"only."
Meng Ao's face was pale and he bowed his head and walked towards the gate of Zhangtai Palace.
There are three steps in walking.
"Tell Xia Wuqie to go check on Cheng Jiao on my behalf."
Meng Ao stopped and wanted to say that Chang'an Jun was not injured and there was no need to trouble His Majesty to send the imperial physician.
He pursed his lips several times, but finally gave up.
A trace of miserable smile appeared on the old general's face as he turned his back to the First Emperor.
"only."
Before the old general could take a step, the voice of the First Emperor came again from behind him.
"Call Zhang Han and bring those soldiers in."
"only."
The old general paused for a moment, and without any further orders coming from behind him, he strode out.
Outside Zhangtai Palace.
Meng Yi's heart was beating wildly as he looked at Gai Nie, who was standing straight with his buttocks covered in blood.
Meng Ao had not entered the palace for a long time and did not know how favored Gai Nie was now, but Meng Yi knew.
Gai Nie's favor from the First Emperor had long surpassed that of Zhao Gao, who was the most favored.
When he saw Gai Nie being beaten with a stick just now, Meng Yi couldn't control his emotions and asked Gai Nie why he was beaten with a stick.
"It's disrespectful to His Majesty."
Upon hearing this answer, Meng Yi became even more panicked.
It's not often that you're disrespectful, so why did you get beaten today?
No matter how disrespectful you were in the past, could you be more disrespectful than my grandfather?
Your Majesty, this is done for my grandfather and for my Meng family to see!
Meng Yi couldn't even sit still. He was so upset that he turned around and around, anxiously waiting for his grandfather.
The officials outside looked in surprise at Gai Nie, whose robes were stained with blood on his buttocks, and at Meng Yi, who was spinning around in circles.
They didn't understand why Gai Nie, who had always been favored, was beaten, nor did they understand why the calm and collected Meng Yi could not keep his composure.
Zhang Han saw this, but did not add insult to injury.
The person who was beaten was not Meng Ao, which proves that the First Emperor had no intention of attacking Meng Ao.
His previous actions were enough to let the First Emperor know his loyalty, so there was no need to offend the Meng family, who would not be in any trouble for the time being.
Squeak
The gate of Zhangtai Palace opened.
Meng Ao seemed to be bent over by the heavy armor on his body. He walked unsteadily and almost fell down after taking a few steps.
Fortunately, Meng Yi rushed forward as soon as he saw Meng Ao and supported his grandfather at the right time.
The grandfather and grandson walked together without any words until they arrived in front of Zhang Han.
"His Majesty wants you to take these three people in."
Meng Ao pointed at the three city defense troops and spoke to Zhang Han in an old voice.
This time, he did not call Zhang Han a birdman.
"promise."
Zhang Han responded.
After taking a look at Meng Ao, who seemed to have aged twenty years in an instant, he re-entered the Zhangtai Palace with three city defense soldiers.
"Great Father..."
Meng Yi hesitated to speak.
"Go call Xia Wuqie and bring him to the Chang'an Palace to find me."
Meng Yi nodded heavily and appointed a few officials to go to the Imperial Medical Bureau to look for Xia Wuqie.
Several brave eunuchs supported Meng Ao and walked slowly out of the Xianyang Palace.
"Mr. Meng, the result is unknown."
Gai Nie's eyes sparkled as he looked at Meng Ao's old and thin back and said.
Meng Ao kept walking, as if he didn't hear anything and didn't seem to know what Gai Nie said.
Outside Zhangtai Palace.
Except for the officer on duty.
Only Gai Nie was left, standing alone, with sword energy radiating from his body and his eyes fixed on Zhangtai Palace.
The blood stains all below his buttocks did not detract from his image at all.
A stick of incense passed.
The gate of Zhangtai Palace opened again.
Zhang Han was the first to come out, followed by three city defense troops, and then the First Emperor.
When Gai Nie saw the First Emperor, he moved, but the pain in his hip did not slow him down much.
"Where are you going, Your Majesty?"
"You come to ask me again."
"My duty is to protect Your Majesty."
The First Emperor looked down at the blood-stained shirt on Gai Nie's lower body.
"No problem?"
"No problem."
"Then follow me to Ganquan Palace."
"only."
Gai Nie bowed his head.