Chapter 404: I Can’t Be Friends with Someone Like You
Xianyang.
When the First Emperor went on tour, he took many ministers with him. The Left Prime Minister Li Si, who had originally reviewed memorials with Lu Buwei, and the Right Prime Minister Feng Quji were among them.
Now Lu Buwei is the only one left in the Prime Minister's Mansion, and all matters, big and small, are decided by his single word.
It is not known whether the Queen Afang, who was in charge of the country, had received instructions from the First Emperor, but she fully trusted the Prime Minister of Qin and rarely rejected Lu Buwei's replies.
Since they really disagreed, Afang just said, "This is a serious matter. Please think about it more, Prime Minister."
With such great power over the government and the country, others might not be able to control the overall situation and might become arrogant.
Lu Buwei had neither of these two things. He had possessed such power more than ten years ago and was very familiar with it.
Xianyang after the First Emperor left was no different from when he was there. Memorials from all over the country were properly handled. Lu Buwei's strong ability to govern made all the court officials who did not know his true identity admire him.
Since the First Emperor's eastern tour, Lü Buwei moved to the Xiangbang Mansion to have more time to handle government affairs, and never left. It can be said that he was able to manage the affairs of all the people in the world from a small corner of the Xiangbang Mansion.
On this day, a memorial arrived from the northwest.
Lu Buwei picked it up and looked at it. He pondered for a long time, and for the first time in his life, he could not make up his mind.
"Come here, prepare the carriage for Xianyang Palace.
"Send someone to inform the Queen that Jiang Shang wants to see you for something important."
A minor official in the Prime Minister's Mansion stood at the bottom of the stairs, somewhat surprised and dazed for a moment.
[It is such an important matter that even the Prime Minister cannot make up his mind. ]
"only."
He responded immediately and hurried out to do his work.
Xianyang Palace, Zhangtai Palace.
After receiving the letter, Afang waited here specially. She was a little worried in her heart and had a trace of sadness on her face.
"What happened?"
She knows her own abilities.
With the blatant favoritism of the First Emperor, she was more than capable of managing a harem, but she believed she did not have the ability to manage the world.
Therefore, since he became regent, he has not sought merit, but only to avoid mistakes. Everything is determined by Prime Minister Lu Buwei, and he only hopes that the Qin Empire can be safe and stable before the return of the First Emperor.
"The queen has been brought here by Lu Buwei."
The palace maid was affected by the serious atmosphere and walked a little faster, speaking in a crisp voice.
"Xuan."
"only."
The gate of Zhangtai Palace opened and Lu Buwei quickly walked in.
"Meet the Queen."
"No need to be polite." Afang waved his hand and said decisively, "I wonder what important matter has come to you, Prime Minister?"
Lu Buwei placed the memorial on the table in front of Afang, who opened it without hesitation.
The memorial was quite long, and Afang read it a little slowly.
The more she looked, the uglier her expression became. She knew why Lu Buwei was so anxious.
If this memorial is not handled properly, an unprecedented civil strife may break out in the northwest of Qin!
This is a memorial from Ying Jianglu, the third prince of the Qin Dynasty, impeaching the border guard general Meng Tian!
The memorial briefly described the process of Meng Tian intercepting and killing the messengers sent by him three times, and said that Meng Tian had absolute power in the border counties and wanted to rebel, so he should be executed.
"How could this be?"
Afang whispered softly.
She still remembered the victory news from the northwest a few months ago, when Ying Jianglu appointed Meng Tian as his general and killed tens of thousands of Huns and won a great victory.
In the victory report, Ying Jianglu praised Meng Tian generously, saying that he was a master in commanding troops. Meng Tian also spoke highly of Ying Jianglu, saying that he was like a veteran soldier when he first entered the battlefield.
The two of them should have been getting along very well, so how come after just a few months, they became irreconcilable?
"If the Queen knows the reason behind this, please tell me everything. This matter cannot be delayed."
Lu Buwei said in a deep voice.
Border defense has always been a top priority for any country, and this was also true for the Qin State.
Especially after Yanmen and Jiuyuan were briefly breached, the Qin State's attention to the northwestern border counties facing the Hu people reached its peak.
The prince of Qin and the general guarding the border have an irreconcilable conflict, which must be resolved quickly. We must not delay it, which will lead to irreversible consequences.
Afang pondered for a while, then made up his mind and said in a deep voice:
"I only know that the army that defeated the Xiongnu was Jianglu's private army, not part of the Qin army."
"Where did the private army come from?"
"There are 50,000 in total, 30,000 is from Concubine Chu, and 20,000 is from uncle."
"Changan-kun?"
"Exactly."
Lu Buwei was not clear about the details of Ying Jianglu's expedition to the northwest.
The retainers in Chang'an Jun's mansion have different divisions of labor, and each has his own job. It is difficult to know about things that are not within the division of labor unless you are interested in knowing them.
【This matter has the shadow of Jiao'er. 】
Lu Buwei thought for a moment and said:
"Please ask the Queen to send someone to the Prime Minister's Mansion to bring here all the important matters concerning the Northwest since the Third Young Master left for the war.
"Ask Concubine Chu to come here and discuss this matter together!"
Lu Buwei needs more clues to dig out the truth behind it.
Afang's eyes swept across a eunuch.
"Go to the Prime Minister's residence and do as the Prime Minister says."
"only."
The eunuch took the order and left in a hurry.
Afang hesitated and said:
"Does this matter have to alarm Concubine Chu? Her temper is like a raging fire. If she knew about this, perhaps something different would happen."
Lu Buwei lowered his voice.
"Does the Queen think that if she is not called Concubine Chu, she will not know the consequences? Can the memorial be sent to the Prime Minister's Mansion, but not to Concubine Chu?"
A strange look flashed in Afang's eyes, and she first said in a low voice, "What the Prime Minister said is absolutely right", and then immediately sent a palace maid to invite Concubine Chu.
Lu Buwei tapped the memorial on the table with his fingertips.
"The Queen doesn't need to worry too much. The fact that the Prime Minister's Office received this memorial and that Meng Tian didn't impeach the Third Young Master shows that both sides have room to maneuver."
Afang smiled bitterly.
"The Prime Minister has a good heart."
The appearance of this memorial already caused serious problems.
Not long after, Concubine Chu, who was in the Xianyang Palace, arrived first.
After entering Zhangtai Palace, Concubine Chu saw a look of surprise on Lü Buwei's face, as if she was surprised that Lü Buwei was here. Then she performed a standard etiquette towards Afang and said:
"Meet the Queen."
Afang's smile became even more bitter.
Ever since the incident with Zhao Gao, she had felt grateful and guilty towards Concubine Chu, and the two of them had abandoned conventional etiquette in the palace and were calling each other sisters.
Now, Concubine Chu performed the greeting ceremony, which clearly showed that she had bad intentions.
He stood up quickly, pulled Concubine Chu to his side, and said straight to the point:
"Sister, if you have anything to say, please speak directly. His Majesty is on a tour to the east, and it's fine if you and I don't help him with his worries, but we can't become his worries."
He picked up the memorial and handed it to Concubine Chu.
"What is going on here?"
Lu Buwei sat as calm as a mountain, watching quietly, thinking that Queen A and Queen Mother Zhao were completely different kinds of people.
When Zhao Ji was the queen, she had many means at her disposal, but she had never expressed her feelings so directly.
"Meng Tian, you are bullying my son too much!"
Concubine Chu raised her eyebrows, this time she was really surprised.
In the past, it was always Afang who said she was reckless, but unexpectedly, it was Afang who was reckless today.
Seeing that the Queen Regent had made her point clear, the already impatient Concubine Chu no longer pretended, her dark eyebrows raised, she grabbed the memorial and slammed it on the table, gritting her teeth and said:
"You bastard Meng Tian! You are bullying my son too much!
"The throne of Qin is not given to my son, and he will not fight for it. However, the Xiongnu land was granted to my son by your majesty himself. It would be fine if Meng Tian did not go to the battle, but how dare you detain my son's troops in Jiuyuan!"
The bamboo slips memorial was broken into pieces and scattered all over the floor.
Lu Buwei blocked the bamboo slips that were about to hit him with his arm, feeling confused.
[The Xiongnu territory is not Qin territory, how can it be sealed? ]
The three of them stayed in Zhangtai Palace for half an hour, and the eunuch who went to the Prime Minister's Mansion to get the bamboo slips came back.
"No need, just send it back."
Lu Buwei waved his hand and the eunuch looked at the queen.
Afang nodded.
"Do as the Prime Minister says."
"only."
The eunuch responded respectfully, and as he left Zhangtai Palace, a look of bitterness appeared on his face.
Isn't this a hassle?
An hour later, Concubine Chu left Zhangtai Palace and went straight out of the palace to a mansion with carved beams and painted buildings. It was extremely grand and did not look like a Qin-style building.
In the lobby of the mansion, the owner Mi Sui dismissed his attendants and pointed at Concubine Chu who was sitting down on a chair very naturally, and said angrily:
"Why did you come straight here?"
There was a look of distress on his face. From childhood to adulthood, this youngest sister had been causing all kinds of trouble, big and small, but she just didn't repent and just kept doing what she wanted.
"Afang is open and honest, how can I, Mi Chu, hide my head and show my tail? I have lost my courage for no reason!"
Concubine Chu had a proud look on her face.
Then he told Mi Sui everything they had just talked about in Zhangtai Palace, no matter how big or small.
After hearing this, Mi Sui looked at Concubine Chu as if she was an idiot.
Concubine Chu slapped the handle of her chair and glared at him.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Mi Sui was so angry that he clapped his hands as well.
"Because you're stupid!
"Afang was able to lead the harem for more than ten years, and even Queen Dowager Zhao could not take away her power. Could she be someone who could not keep secrets?
"With just a little trick, I can expose your true colors and make you forget everything I told you! How many times have I told you to be cunning, but you just won't listen!
"Jiang Lu was a bit restrained in fashion, but after Jiang Lu left, you acted so arrogantly that you seemed to be not a concubine but a queen!"
Concubine Chu sneered.
"Mi Sui, you have calculated everything. You made Mi Qi and Mi Dian the left and right prime ministers, and granted them the titles of Changping and Changwen. Now..."
Halfway through her words, Concubine Chu's passion subsided a little, and she realized that she had said something wrong, so she immediately stopped talking.
After a moment of silence, he said:
"I'm sorry , Chu didn't mean to..."
Mi Sui's face was as cold as iron.
"Nothing, you've been outspoken for a long time. The fact that you've come this far really proves what Taotie said: fools have good fortunes."
After closing his eyes and thinking for a while, Mi Sui said:
"Fortunately, I didn't place my hopes on you. The official memorial has fallen into Lu Buwei's hands, which means it has caught the eye of His Majesty. Your Majesty's control over the Qin State is even stronger than that of Taotie back then. You and I just need to wait patiently."
"you!"
Concubine Chu suppressed her anger and said in a deep voice:
"Since the outcome of my discussion is not important, why do you need to give me instructions before turning forward?"
Mi Sui opened his eyes and smiled coldly.
"If I don't hide it from you, how can I hide it from Afang? Do you think everyone is as stupid as you? Even so, it is still unclear whether Afang can see it, but Lu Buwei must have seen it, otherwise he would not agree to so many of your rude requests.
"Sending an additional 30,000 Qin soldiers to help Jiang Lu attack the Xiongnu is something that His Majesty did not allow. What's the point of him agreeing to it? He also transferred Meng Tian away from Jiuyuan. Jiuyuan was Meng Tian's territory, so if he had to transfer, it would be Jiang Lu."
After hearing what Mi Sui said, Princess Chu thought about it carefully and her face suddenly turned unsightly.
The Meng family was so powerful in the Qin State that even if Lu Buwei was the prime minister, he could not command the Meng family without the order of the First Emperor.
"Your Majesty will punish Meng Tian if he finds out?"
"Of course not.
"Meng Tian has followed Your Majesty since he was young and is deeply trusted by Your Majesty. How could he be held accountable for such a trivial matter?
"In this world, all right and wrong depends on one's position. If you were His Majesty, would you punish a playmate who was devoted to serving the prince? Meng Tian was originally the general that His Majesty intended to leave for the prince."
Concubine Chu stood up angrily .
"Since the situation is difficult, what are we waiting for? Why don't we quickly summon my son to lead the troops back to Xianyang and let him suffer in Jiuyuan!"
Mi Sui stared coldly at her younger sister, whose temperament was almost exactly the same as hers when she was a child, for a while, then finally lowered her eyelids and sighed.
"Forget it. Maybe it's really like what Cheng Jiao said. You will only truly grow up when you are alone and can only rely on yourself.
"30,000 elite soldiers have been hidden and no one has known about it. Your Majesty can still turn a blind eye to Cheng Jiao's situation. Since they have gathered and left Xianyang, and headed northwest, they have come into the public eye. How can they come back?
"You are keeping 30,000 elite soldiers near Xianyang. What do you want to do? Rebellion? Even if you, Mi Chu, really become the queen, Your Majesty will eliminate the three clans of the queen.
"If Jiang Lu is allowed to come back, he will be the only one who can return to Xianyang. If Meng Tian had not seen this, how could he, who has always been kind to your Majesty's descendants, dare to treat Jiang Lu like this?
"The solution to this problem lies not in you and me, but in Cheng Jiao."
Mi Sui crossed his hands and placed them under his chin.
“I just don’t believe that he used up all the iron in Han that had been there for a hundred years to forge 50,000 sets of light armor and sent Jianglu to the northwest just to protect Fusu.
"I don't believe others who say they can pacify the Xiongnu, but I do believe Taotie when he says he can. He has had a big appetite since he was a child.
"Your Majesty, who trusts him much more than I do, certainly cannot watch Taotie, who can pacify the Xiongnu, wandering around leisurely and accompanying him on the Eastern Tour."
Upon hearing this, Concubine Chu's expression became much better.
From childhood to adulthood, she always called Mi Sui, who had the same surname as her, by his full name, but she called Ying Chengjiao, who had a different surname from her, "brother".
In addition to the many instructions given by the Queen Mother Huayang before her death, she also believed in Ying Chengjiao. This brother of a different surname never let her down except for the fact that he failed to persuade Lord Changping and Lord Changwen.
Sishui County, outside Xiang County.
“A-choo!”
Ying Chengjiao, who was sitting on a black tiger and experiencing the feeling of riding a tiger, suddenly sneezed, rubbed his nose, and talked to himself.
"Who misses me?"
The First Emperor's motorcade was huge, with as many as five thousand people.
The daily expenses for the population and horse fodder were not small, and needed to be supplemented by wealthy counties. Therefore, after entering Sishui County, they went straight to Xiang County, the county seat.
Xiang County is seventy miles away from Pei County in a straight line, which is very close.
Ying Chengjiao said hello to the First Emperor and took Zhao Gongming straight to Pei County, the two of them riding on a black tiger.
Zhao Gongming closed his eyes slightly, and a number of thoughts emerged in his mind. After a moment, he pointed to the west and said:
"The one who misses Lord Chang'an is here."
The black tiger was running at an extremely fast speed, and there was a constant whistling sound of wind in Ying Chengjiao's ears, but such a strong wind could not cover up Zhao Gongming's thundering voice.
Ying Chengjiao sighed softly.
"I can't be friends with someone like you."
Zhao Gongming: ???
[I'll help you figure it out, what's your attitude? ]
Zhao Gongming's confusion was exactly the same as when he woke up from a dream in the middle of the night a few days ago.
"No secrets."
The second half of Ying Chengjiao's words entered his ears.
【So it means that my calculations are accurate. 】
Zhao Gongming grinned widely.
"Hahaha."
The thunderous laughter echoed all the way, shaking off countless branches and leaves.
After half an hour, the black tiger stopped.
A thousand meters ahead is Pei County.
He cannot enter the county because he will scare children and adults alike.
“So fast.”
Ying Chengjiao's eyes were filled with shock, but he easily got off the tiger. With the help of Zhao Gongming, he did not feel like he was in a difficult situation at all.
Black Tiger lay on the ground, too lazy to pay attention to the uninvited guest.
If it hadn't been carrying the two burdens of Ying Chengjiao and Zhao Gongming, it would have reached this point long ago.
