Chapter 95: The peerless master of Changan Junfu!
"Now that we each serve our own masters, let's forget about this ritual."
Zhao Gao looked relaxed, and his face, which was always respectful, now looked noble.
Although he told Li Mu to forget Zhao Li's words, his body responded to Li Mu with Zhao Li.
"When Yan Ge wanted to find Guo Kai to be the teacher of his nephew Qian, I opposed it. Guo Kai is a man of bad conduct. His reputation in government affairs was all due to his cronies. I heard that his son went to the battlefield and came back two years later, only to find that his wife was pregnant. How can such a man with bad conduct, who even wants to have an affair with his son's wife, teach his nephew Qian well?"
"Yan Ge's words are clear. He just gave Guo Kai a title to win the hearts of the nobles in the court. Although I still felt it was inappropriate, I had no reason to object. Later, I entered the Qin State. Yan Ge died early, and his nephew took the throne. Guo Kai then controlled the government of Zhao."
"Guo Kai, this villain, saw that the world's power was in Qin, and he wanted to exchange Zhao for his wealth. My nephew Qian was taught by him since he was young, and he obeyed him in everything. He actually followed Guo Kai's wishes and broke his own spine, and issued a stupid order to assassinate Wu'an Jun! I often think that if I hadn't entered Qin, Wu'an Jun would not have died. I am sorry for Wu'an Jun."
After listening to Zhao Gao's heartfelt words, Li Mu shook his head and sighed, "Before the decree left Handan, the people of Handan had a folk song saying 'Li Mu's death means the end of Zhao'. This must have been done by Master Gao, right?"
Zhao Gao was silent for a while, then nodded slightly.
He himself was not in the Zhao government, so all he could do was to compose some folk songs and spread them among the people of Handan through the mouths of his followers, trying to influence King Zhao to move with the rhetoric of "it was God's will".
"After Qin conquered Zhao, the King of Qin appointed Guo Kai as the Prime Minister. He gave him a thousand gold coins, a hundred soldiers, ten pieces of jade, and a mansion to encourage the ministers of the remaining four countries to sell their country for fame and fortune. Within ten days, Guo Kai died in the tall mansion given by the King of Qin under the protection of a hundred Qin soldiers. The murderer has not been found so far."
"To be able to do this in Xianyang, a city with the most strict security in the world, the only person in the world who can do this and has the reason to do it is Master Gao."
Zhao Gao said bitterly: "I only regret that I was unable to kill this old dog in Handan!"
"Mr. Gao has done enough. As for Mu, as the Lord of Zhao Wu'an, you cannot use Wu'an to protect Zhao. You are ashamed!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Gao immediately stood up and performed the salute to Li Mu as a Zhao person would perform to the most important person.
"The fall of Zhao was not due to war! Wu Anjun did not let Zhao down, it was Zhao that let Wu Anjun down!"
Li Mu wanted to stop Zhao Gao, but due to his limited strength, he was unable to do so and could only respond with the same gift.
"Mu is too ashamed to accept this!"
"The State of Zhao has been destroyed. It is difficult to restore it. Even if it is restored, it will not be the original Zhao. It is a blessing for Wu'an Jun to be an idle person under Chang'an Jun. Today, I came to Chang'an Jun's mansion and had the honor of meeting Wu'an Jun. It is even more fortunate in the past ten years."
"Master Gao, do you really not want to restore Zhao? Mu is still strong!"
"The past is over, Wu'an Jun should not have any more fantasies. I will go back and report. I need to tell Wu'an Jun that I am now serving the First Emperor, and I cannot hide anything I have seen or heard. The fact that Wu'an Jun survived in Chang'an Jun's mansion will be reported to the First Emperor through Gao's mouth today."
"No problem."
The two men bowed to each other and said goodbye to Zhao Li.
Zhao Gao pushed open the gate and disappeared in a flash.
Li Mu waited for a long time after Zhao Gao left, then looked at the wide-open door and said softly, "The fall of Zhao is due to the sin of war..."
After a long time, Li Mu walked out of the room and came to a courtyard with a simple and elegant style and a pond.
By the quiet pond, there was an old man sitting with a fishing rod, fishing.
Li Mu walked behind the old man and said, "Mu will follow your words."
After saying this, he turned and left without any intention of staying.
The old man did not answer, but continued to bask in the sun leisurely and enjoy the joy of fishing.
After a long time, a servant brought lunch.
The old man then pulled up the fishing line, put away the fishing rod, placed the fishing gear by the pond, and went to eat.
The old man fishes here almost every day.
The sun shines on the mirror-smooth surface of the pond, and the ripples sparkle when the breeze blows.
Fat carps scurried around at the bottom of the pond, living comfortably in this water without any natural enemies. Each one was fat and big, with a perfect shape, and it was hard to find a single scar on its body.
The fishing gear on the shore was exposed to the non-glaring sunlight, and there was a metallic luster flashing. It was a needle.
The needle was hanging where the fishing hook should have been. It was extremely smooth and there was no sign of bait.
After a while, the old man finished his meal, returned to the pond, picked up the fishing rod, swung the fishing line, and sat down casually.
He didn't pay attention to the movement of the water surface. He closed his eyes contentedly and enjoyed the warm sunshine. He said comfortably: "Although I am not Jiang Taigong, I can also make people willing to take the bait."
The float on the pond was moving around, but the old man didn't even lift his fishing rod.
The fat carp in the pond angrily hit the silver needle. Couldn't you at least make a hook and put a needle to fool the fish?
There's nothing on the needle yet, so you can't dig out the earthworms. At least you can put some steamed millet flour on it!
Xianyang Palace.
Zhangtai Palace.
There were only three people in the palace: the First Emperor, Gai Nie and Zhao Gao.
The eunuchs, palace maids, and historians who followed the First Emperor and were responsible for recording his daily life were all expelled by him.
Zhao Gaogong stood in front of the First Emperor, reporting everything he had seen and heard in the Chang'an Palace.
After listening to this, Ying Zheng fell into deep thought.
How come I didn't know when this guy rescued Li Mu? He even kept it a secret from me?
I invited Li Mu three times but failed, but this guy was able to subdue Li Mu. What methods did he use?
The only way to save Li Mu was before the Battle of Handan. This guy actually harbored such an invincible general and kept him in his house for several years. It was such a waste of talent. Why didn't he recommend him to me?
When the First Emperor thought of this, he remembered that when Ying Chengjiao first entered the palace for Ying Fusu, he said that his retainers were unwilling to be officials.
He was so angry that he got off the couch and paced back and forth in Zhangtai Palace, muttering as he walked: "I unified the country, destroyed the six kingdoms, and achieved unprecedented achievements. Even the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors could not match me. How could anyone not accept my invitation and instead follow that brat?"
Zhao Gao stood there respectfully without saying a word.
As soon as he entered the Xianyang Palace, he changed from the noble Prince Gao of Zhao State back to the humble and respectful eunuch Zhao Gao.
Gai Nie was standing next to them, and he didn't say anything this time.
He didn't know how to describe his mood now. He felt like he was the one being attacked.
"At the beginning, I promised five thousand gold, a hundred beauties, and the title of Marquis to recruit Li Mu. Li Mu killed my envoy and said that I attacked Zhao and annexed Zhao's land. Every Zhao person should take it as their duty to kill me. Li Mu would rather die than accept Qin's salary."
"Why? I destroyed Zhao, so I am Li Mu's enemy. That boy is my brother, so he is not Li Mu's enemy? Isn't Ying Chengjiao's money supporting him using the salary I give him? Well, this doesn't seem to be the case."
The First Emperor kept mumbling to himself, treating the Zhangtai Palace, which was used to review memorials and was a symbol of Qin's power, as a room for grumbling.
Suddenly, the First Emperor heard footsteps and turned to look at Gai Nie who was standing upright, with a fierce light in his eyes.
In an instant, he went from being a complaining and resentful man to an emperor whose anger could make the whole world mourn.
"Gai Nie."
Gai Nie's brows twitched slightly.
The two words he heard were not loud, but they brought him pressure like a mountain.
This pressure was not created by force, but was purely due to the personal majesty of the First Emperor.
"I am here."
When Gai Nie answered, he released a little sword energy and instantly felt a lot more relaxed.
Zhao Gao: ...Gai Nie, what are you doing?
Ying Zheng's pretended anger suddenly died down.
He has the aura of an emperor, Gai Nie has the aura of a sword, but that’s actually nothing, Zhao Gao also has his own aura.
But the problem is that Gai Nie dared to use his sword energy to resist the First Emperor and relieve his own pressure. Zhao Gao had served the First Emperor for so long and had never done such a thing before.
Thunder, lightning, rain and dew are all grace from the Lord.
The emperor's pressure is the thunder of the king's grace. How can we resist it?
If Cheng Jiao hadn't told me that you must not go against your nature when entering the palace, I would have punished you with a stick. Hmm? Damn it! How could it be related to that brat again?
"Do you know that Li Mu is in Cheng Jiao's house?"
"I know." Gai Nie answered fluently.
I knew it was like this!
"Then why don't you tell me!" Ying Zheng thought he knew Gai Nie well enough and was fully aware of Gai Nie's character.
He guessed that Gai Nie would answer "Your Majesty did not ask", and he had already prepared his response, but he guessed wrong.
"Chang'an Jun was Nie's master, and Nie was Chang'an Jun's retainer. How could a retainer leak information about his master?" Gai Nie said seriously.
Ying Zheng: ...
"You mean, you're still loyal to Cheng Jiao?"
"I am loyal to Your Majesty."
"Then tell me who else is in Cheng Jiao's mansion."
"It is unspeakable."
"You still say you're not loyal to Cheng Jiao?"
"I am loyal to Your Majesty."
“…”
There's no more room for conversation here.
Ying Zheng turned around and angrily said to Zhao Gao: "Zhao Gao! I want to know who are the people in Chang'an Junfu! How many days can I do it!"
Zhao Gao: ...
"You're not even going to answer me now, are you?"
Zhao Gao knelt on the ground with his head bowed, and said, "The palace of Lord Chang'an is loose on the outside but tight on the inside. The servants and maids were all selected by Lord Chang'an himself. I really cannot plant any informants. If you want to fulfill your majesty's words, you can only surround Lord Chang'an's palace with absolute military force and arrest everyone ."
After a pause, Zhao Gao continued, "Chang'an Jun was involved in the construction of the underground waterway in Xianyang City. I don't know if there is a tunnel under Chang'an Jun's mansion. If we want to be absolutely sure, when we capture him, it is best to dig three feet deep with Chang'an Jun's mansion as the center."
Since the underground sewer system of Xianyang City was built several years ago, there has never been any accumulation of water in the city, no matter how much rain the Dragon King in the sky sends.
If you want to take Chang'an Junfu as the center, dig three feet deep.
With the area of Chang'an Jun Mansion, half of Xianyang City's underground sewer system would be paralyzed.
Although this method is feasible, the cost is too high.
Knowing that it would cost such a huge price to find out how many people Ying Chengjiao had hidden, Ying Zheng became even more angry.
"Go, I will go to Chang'an Jun Mansion in person to see who is hiding in his Chang'an Jun Mansion!"
"No." Gai Nie suddenly said, "When your majesty arrives, you can only see what Chang'an Jun wants your majesty to see."
"You are loyal to me at this moment."
"I have been loyal to Your Majesty since I entered the palace."
"Then tell me who else Cheng Jiao is hiding."
"It is unspeakable."
Let's get back to this point and there's no point in continuing the conversation.
"Zhao Gao!"
Zhao Gao sighed inwardly and said respectfully, "I am here."
"Why didn't you bring Cheng Jiao back!"
"…I am unable to forcibly take down Lord Chang'an after Lord Chang'an and Li Mu have joined forces. If your majesty wishes to fulfill your wish, I invite Mr. Gai to accompany you."
Ying Zheng turned around and said, "Gai Nie, you and Zhao Gao go to Chang'an Junfu again."
Gai Nie responded, "Yes."
When Ying Zheng saw that Gai Nie answered so happily, he laughed out loud, like a naughty boy who had taken advantage.
"Mr. Gai has been tricked out by me, right? You are willing to go with Zhao Gao, which means that in your mind, Cheng Jiao is in Chang'an Junfu, and it is not possible for you two to capture him. That means that in addition to Cheng Jiao and Li Mu, there are also forces in Chang'an Junfu that are capable of fighting against Mr. Gai, right?"
Gai Nie had a cold and expressionless face and said coldly, "I don't know."
The First Emperor didn't care at all at this time. He felt that he had already got the answer he wanted, and he smiled and ordered: "It doesn't matter if Mr. Gai doesn't answer. Please go to the Imperial Medical Bureau and call Xia Wuqi. The three of you will go to Chang'an Junfu together."
"Yes." Gai Nie responded decisively.
He turned around and walked to the Imperial Medical Bureau.
Three people can’t defeat Cheng Jiao?
Are there so many peerless masters in this world?
The First Emperor frowned and said, "Mr. Gai, go to the Xianyang prison and call Zhang Han back."
"only."
Gai Nie was almost out of Zhangtai Palace.
"stop!"
Gai Nie stopped and turned back to ask, "Your Majesty, do you have any other instructions?"
Ying Zheng walked up to Gai Nie, stared into the clear eyes that kept staring back at him, and said, "I order you to go to Chang'an Junfu now and take Ying Chengjiao to the Tingwei Prison."
"No."
Ying Zheng's face twitched.
I said before that I felt something was wrong. How could there be so many peerless masters in this world?
In order to confirm what he was thinking, Ying Zheng continued, "It was acceptable before, but not now. Why?"
"Your Majesty previously wanted me to go to the Chang'an Palace. Your Majesty now wants me to go to the Chang'an Palace to capture Ying Chengjiao."
With this comparison, the difference between the two sentences is very obvious.
You and I can go to Chang'an Palace and take a walk around.
But if you want me to capture Chang'an Jun, I won't go.
Ying Zheng was filled with anger.
It was indeed like this, playing word games. No one who could hang out with that brat was normal!
Zhao Gao, who was lying on the ground, thought to himself, it's my turn again. He counted silently in his heart, one, two...
"Zhao Gao!"
"…I am here."
"Get out and guard the door! If a fly flies in, I will hold you accountable!"
"only!"
Zhao Gao responded quickly and ran out of Zhangtai Palace in small steps, half his usual speed.
He waited outside the palace gate and breathed a sigh of relief - he finally came out.
No matter how much injustice he suffered when he served the First Emperor, he never felt like he did today.
He felt wronged.
As the door closed, the First Emperor sat down on the couch and waved for Gai Nie to come closer.
Gai Nie walked over as he was told.
He thought he would be severely criticized by the First Emperor.
Unexpectedly, the Emperor, who was furious just now, looked calm and thoughtful, "Are there any other guests with strong martial arts skills in Chengjiao's mansion?"
"I don't know."
"You can't be ignorant of this anymore." The First Emperor said in a deep voice, this time his face was extremely serious: "Li Mu is the Lord of Wu'an of Zhao, and Zhao Gao is the prince of Zhao. Cheng Jiao can't be unaware of the acquaintance of the two. Do you understand what I mean?"
Gai Nie was shocked!
"Let me ask you again, are there any other guests with strong martial arts skills in Chengjiao's mansion?"
"……have"
