Longevity by Picking up Attributes in the Battlefield

Chapter 712  Chapter 291: Ying Zheng Summons His Ministers: Actually, I Have an Eldest Son Among the Commoners! (2)

He slowly rose from the royal seat.

A wild joy flashed across his face, an expression of disbelief.

After a moment—

Ying Zheng let out a loud laugh, spreading his arms wide.

”Ha ha ha.”

”My lords.”

”The various states are vanquished; Qin unifies the world.”

”I have accomplished it.”

Ying Zheng laughed loudly, his voice resounding with majesty.

”Long live the Great King, may Qin endure for ten thousand generations.”

The whole court of civil and military officials all called out together, bowing to Ying Zheng.

”Ancestors and sovereigns through the ages.”

”Generations of Qinʼs warriors who fought with their blood.”

”I, Ying Zheng, have not let you down.”

”The world is united; Qin holds the realm.”

”From this day forth, the Huaxia People shall know no more war and chaos.”

”From this day forth, upon the Land of the Divine Continent, the legacy of Qin shall endure forever.” Even deep within, Ying Zheng was beyond moved.

He had fulfilled the wish to destroy the various states.

He had achieved the great unification of the world.

Now, he—

Was but in his thirties!

In the prime of life, at the height of his Spring and Autumn days.

”Efang.”

”The day I longed for, at last, has come.” In his heart, Ying Zheng was even more expectant for this day.

Before the full court, before all under heaven, to declare his wife, to declare his children.

Thinking of this—

Ying Zheng gazed down upon the assembled court.

”The unification of Qin beneath the heavens.”

”Is not the deed of I alone, nor solely by my strength.”

”But by virtue of the civil and military ministers of Qin, and a million elite soldiers, thus the world was brought together, the chaos and division forged into unity.”

”You all are the meritorious of Qin.”

”Qin will never forget your merits, and neither will the histories.”

Ying Zheng spoke with grave authority.

”Long live the Great King, may Qin last ten thousand generations.”

The entire court of civil and military, all cried aloud with stirring excitement.

”Transmit my edict.”

”Since Qi has surrendered, let Lord Wuʼan promptly seize the military command of Qi, reorganize their elite into the Qin ranks, station them at the Northern Border of Yan Territory.”

”After reorganization, return swiftly to the capital.”

”Apart from this—”

”Chancellor Han, Huai Xiang.”

”Immediately draft capable officials to govern the Land of Qi.” Ying Zhengʼs voice was resolute and clear.

”Your servant obeys.” Han Fei and Huai Zhuang immediately replied.

At this moment—

Wang Jianʼs heart was full of anticipation.

”The world is unified, Zhao Fengʼs identity to be restored.”

”Finally, this day I have long awaited has come.”

”Once the identity is restored, Zhao Feng will become the Eldest Imperial Son of Qin, granted the title of Crown Prince.”

”Yanʼer will also become Crown Princess Consort.”

”Our Wang Family will produce a Queen in days to come.”

”Ha ha ha.”

Thinking this—

Wang Jian could hardly suppress the excitement within him, and laughed.

”At last the world is unified.”

”Lord Fengʼs identity is soon to be restored as well.”

”Not only Lord Feng, but also Princess Ying.”

”Who would have thought that Youʼer could marry the lord, and she is a legitimate princess at that.”

”Henceforth, our Li Family is fated to prosper.” At this moment, Li Si was also exceedingly thrilled.

Above the entirety of the court,

Only Wang Jian and Li Si knew of Zhao Fengʼs identity, knew also what Ying Zhengʼs secret intent for the future was.

”Reasonably speaking, Wang Jian should know Lord Fengʼs identity, yes?”

Thinking on this—

Li Siʼs gaze moved toward Wang Jian.

Feeling Li Siʼs eyes, Wang Jian looked back, slightly surprised.

When their gazes met,

A strange expression crossed Wang Jianʼs face.

”What does Li Si mean by that look? Could it be he knows about Zhao Fengʼs identity?” Wang Jian wondered inwardly, feeling odd.

”By the look of it, Wang Jian must have known already.”

”Thinking back, Wang Jian, who was ever prudent and shrewd, suddenly tore up relations with Fusu, coming into sharp opposition.”

”Did he know then?”

”It makes sense.”

”After all, Wang Jian is Lord Fengʼs father-in-law; his daughter has borne him sons and daughters, so heʼs already one of our own.”

”Naturally, the Great King would have told him long ago.” Li Si pondered secretly within.

”Perhaps it was when Li Si and his son entered the palace to seek Princess Yingʼs hand that the Great King told Wang Jian of Zhao Fengʼs identity?” Wang Jian speculated to himself as well.

All who hold official posts in this court are sly as foxes.

A few matters are enough for things to become clear in their minds.

As court session ended,

The candidates to govern the Land of Qi were decided.

The hundred officials dispersed one after another.

Yet at this time—

A few temple officials at Zhao Gaoʼs side quietly approached some of the courtʼs most powerful ministers, and secretly conveyed a message.

Not long after—

Within Zhangtai Palace!

A number of chief ministers had gathered here.

The palace doors were tightly shut.

There were Wang Jian and Huan Yi, both military commanders.

As for Meng Wu, he remained stationed at the Northern Frontier. Since this operation was key to the conquest of Qi, and there were concerns about disturbances at the border, Meng Wu had been sent there to oversee it.

Beyond Wang Jian and the other,

Han Fei,

Yu Liao,

Zheng Guo,

Feng Quji, Feng Jie,

Li Si—

These eminent court ministers assembled together.

Each one held high authority in court, and furthermore, they each shared something in common.

They had never participated in supporting any prince, nor taken part in the courtʼs fierce struggles.

Perhaps,

This was one of the reasons they had been summoned to Zhangtai Palace.

”Is everyone present?”

Ying Zheng swept a glance over the assembled ministers in the great hall, speaking casually.

”Your Majesty—”

”All are here.” Zhao Gao replied respectfully.

”Stand guard outside the hall. Without my command, no one is to come near.” Ying Zheng commanded in a low, grave voice.

”Your servant obeys.”

Zhao Gao bowed, withdrew respectfully and shut the doors of the hall.

Then—

Ying Zheng turned his gaze to Yu Liao and the rest, smiling faintly: ”Do you know why I have summoned you, beloved ministers?”

”This—your servants know not.”

Except for Wang Jian and Li Si, the rest all bowed in turn.

It was apparent—

Wang Jian and Li Si, upon seeing these assembled vassals, instantly thought of the reason.

”Have you not noticed a similarity among you?”

Ying Zheng gave a soft smile, then slowly continued.

As his words fell,

The crowd looked toward one another within the hall.

At that moment—!

Yu Liao, glancing around, suddenly thought of something.

”Your Majesty means, your servants never involved themselves in factions?” Yu Liao said in surprise.

With these words,

The matter was made plain immediately.

The ministers all suddenly realized.

Whether Li Si, or Han Fei, or Feng Quji and the rest,

They all shared a certain trait.

Within the court, there were party lines: those who backed Fusu, those who supported Hu Hai.

But these men supported neither; they had not involved themselves for either side.

And every one of them held significant power; unless by their own choice, none could force them otherwise.

”Yu Qing truly is a worthy disciple of Guiguzi—most perceptive.” Ying Zheng smiled.

”Great King.”

”We all know that authority is yours to grant; the future Crown Prince of Qin must also be decided by Your Majesty. We are loyal to Qin, not to any one man, nor shall we oppose our liege.” Feng Quji spoke slowly.

As this was said,

The others all nodded: ”We are of the same mind.”

”So long as no prince is yet established as successor, all are simply princes. We shall not be entangled with any. When Great King appoints his chosen Crown Prince, we shall serve unto death.”

Hearing these words,

Ying Zheng nodded slightly, and then his expression turned increasingly solemn.

”Gathering you here today,

Firstly because you have not involved yourselves,”

Secondly for your loyalty to I.”

”Therefore, today I have decided to share with you a matter.”

”A matter concerning the Crown Prince of Qin—the very future of our realm.” Ying Zheng spoke in measured tones.

At these words,

Except for Wang Jian and Li Si, the rest wore solemn expressions within the great hall.

”In truth—”

”I have an eldest son who was raised among the common people.”

”It was in the past, with my wife Lady Efang, that this son was born.” Ying Zheng spoke slowly.

With these words,

The ministers exchanged glances—

This, to all present, was without doubt a weighty revelation.

”Does Your Majesty intend to make this commoner son the heir apparent?” Han Feiʼs expression changed subtly.

”If that is so—”

”In my view, it cannot be.”

Yu Liao immediately interjected.

”Why not?” Ying Zheng smiled faintly, with a hint of amusement.

”A prince from among the commoners is untutored in royal ways, ignorant of governance and war,”

”If appointed Crown Prince, it will bring great harm to the state.” Yu Liao replied gravely.

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