Chapter 52: All the land has been divided, so what should we divide?
Xianyang Palace, Xianyang Hall, it is time for all the ministers to gather together again.
The First Emperor, Ying Zheng, sat high on a nine-foot-high throne.
Zhao Gao, wearing a black eunuch's uniform, is on the left, while Gai Nie, wearing a white robe, is on the right.
In the main hall, each and every minister sat in a dignified posture.
Perhaps it was because the First Emperor arrived early this time and watched from the high platform.
Except for a few old ministers who were so old that they were hunchbacked, all the other ministers kept their backs straight.
On the surface, this court meeting seemed no different from previous ones.
But in fact, all the top-notch officials in the court knew that this court meeting was very different.
…
Snoring
Snoring
A deafening snoring sound was heard in the Xianyang Palace, and all the ministers looked towards the source of the sound intentionally or unintentionally.
There was a person lying in the position where the eldest prince Ying Fusu should have been, a person who should not be present at this court meeting, Chang'an Jun Ying Chengjiao.
There were two layers of tiger skins on the ground, both of which were of the highest quality.
Ying Chengjiao lay on the tiger skin with the pillow he brought with him under his head and fell into a deep sleep.
The ministers looked at the animal skin under Ying Chengjiao and the pillow under his head, and their eyes twitched.
You know how to sleep in the morning, so you have gained some experience from sleeping, right?
I didn’t sleep well last time, so did you bring your bedding and pillow this time?
Not awake yet? Can't you sleep well at home?
This is the highest-level meeting in Qin State . Many people have fought tooth and nail to get in, but you insist on sleeping here!
But Ying Zheng on the nine-foot high platform did not say a word, just listened quietly, and none of the ministers spoke either.
Moreover, compared with the topics to be discussed at this court meeting, the ministers really did not want to focus their attention on Ying Chengjiao.
If the division of fiefdoms could be finalized today, more than half of the Qin officials present here would receive fiefdoms.
Five hundred years later, the one who can replace Qin and command the world will surely be the descendant of the Qin officials present today.
There is a burning flame in the eyes of each of them, and this flame is called ambition.
The difference is just that some are obvious and some are not.
"Gentlemen." Ying Zheng said suddenly without any warning.
These two words even seemed a little small under Ying Chengjiao's snoring.
But none of the Qin officials present looked surprised. Each of them was prepared and just waiting for Ying Zheng to speak.
They all lowered their heads spontaneously, and no one looked directly into Ying Zheng's eyes. But this time, there was no fear in their eyes as they lowered their heads.
The whole world is in turmoil, all for the sake of profit.
The world is in turmoil, all for the sake of profit.
When the benefits reach a certain level, then everything will be beneficial!
"At the last court meeting, you all talked about the feudal system. I went back and thought about it carefully for three days. I feel that what you said is indeed reasonable. Today I want to ask you, how should I divide the feudal system among my eighteen sons?"
The clear voice of the First Emperor, accompanied by Ying Chengjiao's snoring, resounded in the Xianyang Palace.
The Qin officials, who were originally excited and ready to talk about the advantages of the feudal system, were all stunned.
What does this... mean?
Your Majesty, do you mean to say that he agrees?
Then why are we still wasting our time here!
The Left Prime Minister Wei Zhuang and the Right Prime Minister Wang Wan looked at each other and saw the confusion in each other's eyes.
etc!
Your Majesty, what is this trick?
Wang Jian, the only Marquis of Wucheng in Qin State and the only one who owned the fiefdom of Wucheng, had been dozing with his head down and eyes closed.
Hearing Ying Zheng's words, his eyes opened instantly, and there was a flash of thunder in his eyes!
Your Majesty is going to divide the land? !
The eyes that had witnessed the destruction of various countries opened for just a moment and then slowly closed again, as if they were still indifferent to the matter.
Wang Ben, who was sitting next to Wang Jian, was delighted when he heard what Ying Zheng said.
Although the Wang family already had the fief of Wucheng, it was the fief of his father, Wang Jian, Marquis of Wucheng.
He is in contact with Wu Hou and Wang Ben, but he doesn't have his own fiefdom yet!
Before Wang Ben's face could show joy, he felt a sharp pain in his wrist under the table, and he broke out in cold sweat.
"Father?"
"Don't forget what I said last night."
"only."
Wang Ben responded.
Last night, Wang Jian only gave Wang Ben one sentence - everything is up to Your Majesty!
Fu Sheng was overjoyed when he heard what Ying Zheng said.
For him, being able to stick to his original intention, not betray Confucius, and not tamper with Confucianism is a very joyful thing.
Chunyu Yue, who was sitting next to Fusheng, showed no joy, and sadness was written all over his face.
How seriously ill is the eldest prince that he cannot even attend court meetings?
Or maybe the eldest prince is not sick at all, but has a problem!
Chunyu Yue didn't care whether to divide the fiefdoms or not, he saw the situation very clearly.
As long as Qin Shi Huang was in power, Confucianism would never become the mainstream doctrine.
He only cared about his favorite disciple Ying Fusu. As long as Ying Fusu was safe, Confucianism would be invincible.
All the ministers had their own ulterior motives and ideas, and for a moment no one answered Ying Zheng's question.
In the huge Xianyang Palace, only Ying Chengjiao's snoring could still be heard, making the scene not too deserted.
"You all seem to be so surprised by my choice of feudal system that no one has answered my question. Do you have a better plan?"
"The second young master is extremely intelligent. In my opinion, he can be granted the title of Marquis of Qi." The minister with an annual salary of 800 stones received a signal from Wang Wan, stood up straight, bowed and spoke.
Although Ying Zheng’s choice was not what Wang Wan expected, it left her stunned for a moment.
But after a moment, the right prime minister of Qin, who was in charge of internal affairs, immediately came up with a countermeasure.
When the enemy comes, we will fight them; when the water comes, we will block it with earth!
Follow His Majesty and see what His Majesty has to say!
"Can."
On the nine-foot high platform, Ying Zheng lightly dropped a word.
Wang Wan, Wei Zhuang, Feng Quji, Wei Liao, Li Xin, Yao Jia and others all had trembling eyes.
Can?
Your Majesty, do you really agree to the division of fiefdoms?
All the ministers were somewhat incredulous.
In their eyes, the First Emperor was an extremely opinionated emperor who would not easily change his decision once it was made. The eighteen Qin officials who died outside the palace for giving advice could prove this.
But after careful consideration, the ministers felt that although the First Emperor's choice was beyond their expectations, it was reasonable.
This time, standing against the First Emperor were the unprecedented entire Qin ministers. No one could fight against them, not the Six Kingdoms, and not the First Emperor.
Wei Zhuang understood clearly in his heart that the First Emperor must have chosen the feudal system due to pressure from his ministers.
But out of caution, he still glanced at the chief official under his jurisdiction.
You go and try it again.
The Chief Secretary understood and stood up to advise: "The Third Prince is skilled in archery and horsemanship, he can guard the land of Zhao! Resist the Hu people in the north and protect our rivers and mountains!"
The First Emperor nodded again.
"Can."
Now all the ministers were finally certain that Ying Zheng had completely chosen the feudal system.
Before their faces could fully reveal their joy, they heard the First Emperor, who was high above them and looking down at his ministers, say calmly: "Except for the land of Guanzhong, I want to divide it among my sons. How to divide it will be troublesome for you gentlemen."
The joy on the ministers' faces froze.
Your Majesty will definitely be in sole control of Guanzhong, and all areas outside the Guanzhong Pass will be divided among the princes.
The land has been divided up, so what are we going to divide up?
