Qin Gong

Chapter 709: Meeting Ying Zheng!!!

Chapter 709: Meeting Ying Zheng!!!

"Father-in-law!"

Bai Yan bowed to Tian Ding. They met again. Looking at his father-in-law's meaningful eyes, Bai Yan was prepared, but he still felt guilty and couldn't look him in the eye.

"Wu Liejun!"

"Greetings to Lord Wu Lie!"

Wei Gaoyi, Yan Zhang and others saluted Bai Yan at this time.

Bai Yan watched Tian Ding return the greeting, so he turned sideways and raised his hand to return the greeting to Wei Gaoyi, Yan Zhang and the other three. After the greeting, he watched Tian Ding gesture to enter the mansion, nodded, and followed Tian Feiyan into the mansion.

Bai Yan did not know the two Qin officials. Through conversation, he learned that they were both officials in the counties of Qin in the past. They were transferred back to Xianyang to take up their posts within the year.

One of them was named Kuang Jing, a native of Qi; the other was named Shen Zhong, a former native of Wei.

"Sir! Lu Qi requests to see you."

Bai Yan had just followed Tian Ding to the study. Before he sat down, he saw a servant running towards him in a hurry.

Lu Qi?

Bai Yan was surprised. He didn't expect that just after he arrived at his father-in-law's place, Lu Qi came to ask for a meeting.

"He has been talking about you for a long time. If someone doesn't know, they would think that you two are having an affair..."

Tian Feiyan looked at Bai Yan, then turned and left the study to visit her brother and sister-in-law.

In the past, when Qi surrendered to Qin, his brothers Tian Cong and Tian Sui left Linzi and went to the ancestral temple to avoid suspicion, but their sisters-in-law and female relatives were all sent to Xianyang. One reason was to reassure Ying Zheng, and the other was to guard against some ambitious nobles in Qi.

The nobles in Qi did not dare to provoke the brothers Tian Cong and Tian Sui because of their connections and reputation, but it was precisely because of this that the two brothers were the most concerned.

Just like Wei Gaoyi, Yan Zhang and others, as well as the Qin State's Ying clan...

"Long Yang?"

Bai Yan watched Tian Feiyan leave. When he heard Tian Feiyan's words, Lu Qi's appearance instinctively emerged in his mind. Thinking of Lu Qi's fat appearance, Bai Yan felt sick!

Sigh.

Bai Yan no longer paid attention to Tian Feiyan who had left. He knelt behind the wooden table with Wei Gaoyi and others and started a polite conversation.

Not long after, accompanied by the sound of hurried footsteps and a little rapid breathing, Bai Yan turned his head and saw Lu Qi's fat figure running out of the door.

“Brother Yan! Brother Yan! Brother Yan…”

When Lu Qi saw Bai Yan, his eyes were so excited, and his chubby cheeks made him look as if he was about to cry.

"strange……"

Bai Yan stood up with a smile and was about to bow when he suddenly saw the conspicuous crown on Lu Qi's head dangling, and was surprised.

卿？

Is Lu Qi... a guest official?

When Lu Qi saw Bai Yan's surprised look, he seemed to know what Bai Yan was thinking. He raised the corners of his mouth wildly and raised his fat hand to touch the crown on his head.

"I was awarded a title, and now I am also a guest official!"

Lu Qi was a little shy when he said this, and then he looked at Bai Yan. Deep in his eyes, there was a unique gratitude that was only for Bai Yan.

Born into the Lu family, whose resources, connections, and industries were all inherited by his brothers, Lu Qi, who had been looked down upon by his elders and cousins ​​since childhood, knew better than anyone the hardships they had gone through. Shang had a low position in Qin, and Lu Qi had followed his father and grandfather since childhood, and had given gifts to countless nobles and officials with a stern face or a smile.

The only thing I have always been thankful for is that when I first went to Yangcheng, I met the young man who changed my life.

Lu Qi will never forget the scene of seeing Bai Yan on that street, Bai Yan's appearance, and the shops along the street...

"Brother Yan!"

Lu Qi looked at Bai Yan, raised his hands seriously, and bowed to Bai Yan. Although his fat hands, face, and body made him look particularly funny, his expression and behavior were meticulous.

"For such a happy event, Yan will prepare wine at the mansion tonight!"

Bai Yan bowed in return, looked at Lu Qi's gaze, gave Lu Qi a 'raised eyebrow' look, and then put his hand down when Lu Qi laughed and nodded repeatedly.

Soon, after Lu Qi, Tian Ding and others finished their greetings, everyone knelt down and continued their conversation.

"Lord Wu Lie! When Lord Yunyang went to Qi, did you two meet and talk in private?"

After Wei Gaoyi saw Lu Qi coming, he talked nonstop with Bai Yan, so Yan Zhang looked at each other, and seeing that the time was right, he changed the topic and led the topic to Yunyang Jun Yingdan.

When Lu Qi heard Wei Gaoyi's words, he immediately stopped talking and looked at Bai Yan curiously. Having returned to Xianyang for many days, Lu Qi naturally knew what had happened secretly in Xianyang.

Nowadays, not to mention the streets and alleys of Xianyang City, countless scholars and merchants are talking about when Ying Zheng will implement the feudal system. Even some young nobles and clan members who are visiting officials in Xianyang City have come to see Lu Qi privately.

Therefore, Lu Qi also knew that countless people were expecting Bai Yan to speak.

"We did meet!"

Lu Qi nodded to Wei Gaoyi, and then told Wei Gaoyi the conversation between Qi Di and Ying Dan.

"That……"

After listening to Bai Yan's story, Wei Gaoyi frowned, then looked at Bai Yan and asked, "Did Lord Wu Lie meet... Li Si on his way back?"

Tian Ding knelt behind the wooden table in the main seat of the study, listening to the conversation between Bai Yan and Wei Gaoyi without saying a word. When Bai Yan said he wanted to retire, Tian Ding frowned slightly at first, but then he thought of Old Wei and others, and immediately relaxed his brows, looking at Bai Yan who was talking with Wei Gaoyi with a very determined look.

Regardless of whether Bai Yan really intended to retire, as long as Wei Lao and others were around, there would be no question of "retreating" for Bai Yan, because the day Bai Yan retreated would be the day when Wei Lao and others would be in trouble.

Hearing Bai Yan mention Li Si, it was just like rejecting Ying Dan. Rejecting Li Si, and thinking of Bai Yan's action of secretly submitting a letter to Ying Zheng, Tian Ding was also a little confused. What was Bai Yan's position?

"The worries of counties and prefectures are the danger of overthrowing the country. The counties and the country coexist, and the grace is extended to all generations! The people are safe and live, and the suffering people are easy to die..."

Tian Ding recalled what Tian Xian had said in the past, looked at Bai Yan, and couldn't help but look thoughtful.

Counties and prefectures run parallel...

These two sentences are not difficult to understand! But why did Bai Yan advocate the coexistence of counties and kingdoms, but did not dare to present himself to Ying Zheng? What was he afraid of? And what is "extending favor"?

"In private, Lord Wu Lie risked his life to protect the King of Qin when the envoy of Yan tried to assassinate him. In public, he led the army to pacify the five kingdoms. When Qin granted fiefs, Lord Wu Lie's descendants were all honored! Why was Lord Wu Lie..."

Yan Zhang frowned and asked Bai Yan in confusion, looking at Tian Ding in doubt. It seemed that because Tian Feiyan was Bai Yan's wife and this matter was also related to Tian Ding, he wanted Tian Ding to persuade Bai Yan.

Wei Gaoyi, Kuang Jing, and Shen Zhong all looked confused and frowned at Bai Yan.

In everyone's eyes, if they were Bai Yan, who not only blocked the knife for Ying Zheng but also led the army to destroy the five countries, they would want Ying Zheng to implement the feudal system more than anyone else.

They didn't understand what Bai Yan was thinking!

"Lord Yan is wrong. When Jing Ke attempted to assassinate Bai Yan, I was a minister of Qin. I was paid by the king. It is only natural for me to protect the king. Leading troops to attack other countries is the trust of our king. I am lucky to receive your love, not my own achievement. How dare I speak nonsense? How dare I make irresponsible comments! In the future, all major events in the world will be decided by the king. Bai Yan can only follow your orders."

Bai Yan shook his head seriously and looked at Yan Zhang. Not only was he unwilling to mention his past achievements, he also did not dare to be proud of them.

Even now, there are only seven people in the study.

Bai Yan looked at Wei Gaoyi and the others who were sighing helplessly, and didn't want to talk about these things anymore, so he turned to look at his father-in-law Tian Ding and told him about wanting to make up for the six rituals.

Seeing Tian Ding nod, Bai Yan had not yet had the time to explain the specific matters and his family in Qi, when suddenly a servant came into the study and reported to Tian Ding.

"Sir! A messenger came outside the palace and said that the King of Qin summoned Wu Liejun to the palace to meet him!"

The servant knelt on the ground and said.

After hearing the servant's words, Wei Gaoyi, Yan Zhang and others all looked at Bai Yan with anxious and longing eyes, hoping that Bai Yan could change his mind at any time. In their opinion, Bai Yan was too loyal, even... stupid!

"Enter the palace immediately?"

Bai Yan frowned slightly, but when he thought of the poison prepared by Master Xu, he felt a little more confident.

"Father-in-law! Yan should go to the palace first!"

Bai Yan bowed to Tian Ding and said.

Tian Ding actually didn't understand why Ying Zheng urgently summoned Bai Yan back to Xianyang. Looking at Bai Yan, he could only nod his head. He had a lot to say and countless doubts, so he could only wait until Bai Yan left the palace before asking him any more questions.

"Yan'er will stay in the mansion first!"

Tian Ding looked at Bai Yan, signaling that Bai Yan didn't need to worry about Tian Feiyan. If anything happened, Bai Yan just needed to adapt to the situation and take care of himself.

Bai Yan nodded, then looked at Lu Qi, and they both stood up.

..............................

On the streets of Xianyang City, a carriage escorted by the royal palace was moving slowly. Pedestrians coming and going all moved to the sides of the street. Even the carriages of some prominent families' mansions moved aside.

"Brother Yan! You have changed a lot!"

Inside the carriage, Lu Qi looked at Bai Yan with emotion. There were always endless things to talk about when meeting again after a long separation, and as a close friend, Lu Qi naturally noticed the changes in Bai Yan.

Whether it is Bai Yan's words, behavior, or the choices he makes for others, they are no longer the same as before.

"Ok!"

Bai Yan showed a bitter smile. Not to mention Lu Qi, even Bai Yan could feel the changes in himself. All the differences could perhaps be attributed to the word "hesitation". The root cause might be that there were more choices.

It's like leaving Qi, with nothing left, and the only way is to go to Qin, so there is no need to think too much.

Just like killing enemies and gaining merit on the battlefield, there is no need to think too much. The battlefield is a matter of life and death, so just focus on killing enemies and gaining merit.

Just like the only person who has done Bai Yan a favor is Tian Feiyan...

"Brother Yan, we're here. I won't leave until I'm drunk tonight!"

As the carriage slowly stopped, Lu Qi looked at Bai Yan and smiled a smile that only men could understand.

Bai Yan nodded, and looked at Lu Qi getting off the carriage with a smile on his face. If Tian Feiyan saw this smile, Lu Qi would be played a prank on him.

After a long time, the carriage drove all the way to the Xianyang Palace.

Bai Yan got off the carriage and entered the palace following the eunuchs and maids who had been waiting outside the palace gate.

All the way to the palace study.

Bai Yan stood outside the study door. Before he entered, he heard an argument inside the study. It was obvious from the voices that it was between Wang Wan and Li Si.

"Lord Wu Lie! Please come in. The king has been waiting for a long time!"

When Han Yezhe saw Bai Yan coming, he looked into the study, looked a little hesitant, and urged softly.

Bai Yan nodded, took off his shoes, and stepped into the study.

After a few breaths.

Bai Yan came to the study and saw Wang Wan and Li Si arguing. Both of them seemed to want to convince the other, so they refused to give in.

Without hesitation, Bai Yan walked step by step to a place not far from Ying Zheng's wooden table under the gaze of Wei Liao, Feng Quji and others, and then stopped.

"Your Majesty, I am Bai Yan! I pay my respects to you, Your Majesty!"

Bai Yan bowed his head and saluted Ying Zheng.

"No gift!"

Only after hearing Ying Zheng's words did Bai Yan look up and carefully glanced at Ying Zheng behind the wooden table.

Perhaps it was the argument between Wang Wan and Li Si just now, or maybe it was something else that caused Ying Zheng to frown and look a little gloomy. However, when Bai Yan confirmed that Ying Zheng's gaze did not look fierce or furious, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Kings!"

Bai Yan looked at Ying Zheng, somewhat puzzled, wondering why Ying Zheng was so anxious to see him.

"I have wanted to see the Grand Tutor before, and fortunately Lord Wu Lie invited the Grand Tutor to Xianyang!"

Ying Zheng saw Bai Yan and said softly.

Upon hearing this, Bai Yan looked at the fake old man among the ministers, the current Grand Tutor of Qin State, Grand Tutor Lu!

After looking at each other, Bai Yan nodded to the tutor, but what he didn't expect was that when the fake old man saw Bai Yan taking the initiative to show goodwill, he not only did not return the greeting politely, but instead looked at Bai Yan with arrogance, stood with his hands behind his back, and just nodded.

Seeing this, Feng Quji, Wang Wan, Wei Liao and others all frowned, but fortunately it was not the first time they had seen it, so everyone was used to it.

Relying on the fact that he presented a memorial to Ying Zheng, Master Lu was highly valued and trusted by Ying Zheng. He had never taken anyone seriously. Even when facing Ying Zheng, he would argue with him and even speak in a arrogant tone.

Fortunately, Ying Zheng was eager to seek talents, otherwise, if it were other vassal states in the past, this Taifu would not have enough lives to kill!

Whenever they thought of this, they finally understood why Master Lu, who was obviously a man of great talent, chose to live in seclusion.

"The king sees the intention of the Grand Tutor, and everyone in the court knows it. The Grand Tutor feels the same way. Bai Yan is just doing his duty as a minister and offering his humble contribution to the king!"

Bai Yan didn't care about Master Lu's attitude and spoke modestly to Ying Zheng. While speaking, he looked at the master again.

When these words fell into the ears of everyone, whether it was Feng Quji or Wei Liao and others, they could not help but nod their heads. Among them, the expression on Ying Kan's face when he looked at Bai Yan could not be more satisfied. On the other hand, when he looked at Master Lu, Ying Kan's eyes were full of anger.

"Do you know what the Left Prime Minister and the Court Judge were arguing about just now?"

Ying Zheng looked at Bai Yan, and when he saw Bai Yan coming to him, his heart finally settled down. Ying Zheng always had a different feeling towards the young Bai Yan, and he didn't even know when it started.

Perhaps it was when Bai Yan handled everything properly and resolved hidden dangers on the way to Handan after the fall of Zhao State; or it was the word-for-word instructions given by his mother before she passed away; or it was the knife that Bai Yan pushed away and blocked when the assassin sent by Yan State was about to assassinate him in the hall...

It is also possible that he found out that the talented person who governs the world that he most longs to meet is Bai Yan who has been hiding by his side!

In short, seeing Bai Yan, Ying Zheng felt much more at ease.

Thinking that Bai Yan had been hiding his incompetence and concealing it from him, the King of Qin, and now, seeing Bai Yan being treated rudely by the fake old man in front of so many ministers, Ying Zheng felt a sense of relief in his heart.

"But the dispute over counties and fiefdoms?"

When Bai Yan heard Ying Zheng asking him this question, his eyelids twitched and his heart tightened. This question was too sensitive, especially considering his current title and the power he held.

In the study room.

Bai Yan was about to answer, but before he could open his mouth, a voice sounded from the side.

This also attracted everyone's attention.

"If the king asks Wu Liejun, he will not dare to tell the truth. Wu Liejun's contribution to Qin is beyond the reach of many Qin princes, and beyond the reach of ministers in the court and the country! If the king asks Wu Liejun, I am afraid that what he says will not be true!"

The old man, dressed in the clothes of Qin's tutor, shook his head and spoke softly in front of everyone.

"What do you mean, Grand Tutor? Lord Wu Lie never mentioned you, so why are you so anxious? Grand Tutor only mentioned the troubles in the counties, but you didn't hear that there are civil unrests in various places today."

Ying Kan stepped forward and retorted angrily, his words full of dissatisfaction with the Grand Tutor, then raised a hand towards Bai Yan.

"How can Lord Wu Lie dare to say what the Grand Tutor said? If he says it to the counties, it will be untrue. If he advises the king to divide the fiefs, it will be selfish! May I ask the Grand Tutor, how should Lord Wu Lie report to the king so that the Grand Tutor's wish can be fulfilled?"

Ying Kan turned his head and looked straight at the tutor.

When facing Ying Kan, Master Lu was not afraid but laughed.

"The feudal system is based on personal gain. I have only told the king the truth. How can the king sever the ties with me when I have said this? I..."

After the Taifu finished speaking, he seemed to be too disdainful to pay any more attention to Ying Kan.

Seeing that Ying Kan was about to get angry again, Wang Wan and Li Siding would argue again, and all the ministers looked at Ying Zheng who was already showing dissatisfaction.

Ying Kan, Wang Wan and Li Si then realized something, looked at Ying Zheng, and kept silent.

Bai Yan, who had been standing, realized through observation that Wang Wan and Ying Kan were in one faction, while Li Si and Taifu Nalu were in another faction.

Unlike what he had promised Ying Dan and others in Qi before, Taifu Lu suddenly changed his mind after returning to Xianyang, and even advised Ying Dan and others against their actions in front of Ying Zheng. This was the reason why Ying Kan was so angry.

However, Bai Yan had never expected that the impostor he sent to escort back to Xianyang would actually treat him like this when they met for the first time in Xianyang, in the study of the palace in front of Ying Zheng and other ministers.

"Lord Wu Lie is the Great Minister of War. I want to know what Lord Wu Lie thinks."

Ying Zheng looked at the ministers who had quieted down in the study, sighed, and suppressed his dissatisfaction. Although he agreed with Li Si's actions, he was still unhappy with the rude and arrogant behavior of Master Lu.

If Ying Zheng had not realized the purpose of Master Lu, he would have ordered his men to drag the master down and behead him.

However, when Ying Zheng noticed Bai Yan's fleeting expression and saw Bai Yan's aggrieved and helpless look, he felt better. After all, the person was sent by Bai Yan. The more uncomfortable Bai Yan felt, the happier Ying Zheng felt.

"Return to the King!"

When Bai Yan heard Ying Zheng's voice, he withdrew his gaze, looked at Ying Zheng, and raised his hand to salute.

(End of this chapter)