allendalepharm Chapter 196 Rare Goods for Hoarding
Chapter 196 Rare Goods for Hoarding
He felt a lump in his throat and muttered to himself, "This is truly an eye-opener! All the insults I've received in my entire life don't amount to the time it takes for an incense stick to burn today! What's even more incredible is that—not a single 'dirty' word was uttered, yet it stung even more than a street rant."
The King of Qin, Ying Zheng, was far from the ruthless emperor who would later burn books and bury scholars alive. Since the Spring and Autumn Period, scholars from various schools of thought had always been highly sought-after guests by the various states, enjoying a prestigious and renowned status. In this scene, the imperial guards at the gates of Xianyang Palace remained completely still, not even bothering to shout or drive them away—there hadn't been any such order from above.
Another crucial point is that most of these passionate students came from the five states of Shandong. The founders of the Hundred Schools of Thought were mostly based in Qi, Chu, Zhao, Wei, and Han, and their disciples were naturally mostly from these five states.
They've traveled all the way to Xianyang, cloaked in the guise of "worrying about what Qin worries about and plotting what Qin plots," appearing to be utterly devoted to the country. You can't just turn your back on them and chop off their heads, can you? Lin Tian didn't need to think too much to know that deep within the palace, his adopted student—the young Ying Zheng—was probably clutching the jade tablet, restless and uneasy.
"The King's mentor? Our Qin people's national advisor? He's not even a true disciple of any school or lineage, so what gives him the right to stand in this supreme position?"
"Indeed! The King must have been deceived, mistaking a fish eye for a pearl!"
……
"The people of Qin have never been good at empty talk! We won't just shout here; we'll submit a petition signed by ten thousand people—just like Shang Yang's reforms back then, every word dripping with blood and every sentence carrying immense weight!"
"Yes! I wholeheartedly agree with what you said, brother!"
Since the rise of the Qin state, it has had strict laws and a clean government, and has vigorously promoted education and enlightenment. In particular, in the imperial capital of Xianyang, there are many literate people who are insightful, knowledgeable, and resilient.
Lin Tian sat calmly at a street corner stall, slowly sipping a mouthful of matcha—a bittersweet flavor made by grinding spring tea buds into fine powder and adding boiling water, which added a touch of soberness to this early spring of the Warring States period.
Despite the clamor of the crowd around him, his brows furrowed slightly, and a tension quietly tightened in his heart. He was not afraid of those scholars at all; even if Lü Buwei tried to rally the entire court to attack him, he would accept it all without yielding an inch.
……
But as the crowd's emotions were quietly ignited, and as the discussion shifted from "questioning" to "public opinion," Lin Tian suddenly realized that what Lü Buwei and Li Si truly wanted was never a war of words, but rather to use the voices of the people and the power of the masses to nail him to the pillar of shame for "losing the Way and finding little support."
Ying Zheng was a rare and brilliant ruler, young and ambitious, with a profound understanding of the world—a fact everyone could see. But even the sharpest sword, if the hand wielding it is swayed by the will of the people, will find it difficult to unleash a thunderous strike. The support or opposition of the old Qin people was this young king's deepest weakness—just as Shang Yang, whose achievements overshadowed his ruler, ultimately met a tragic end, torn apart by chariots.
The world changes, but the tricks of power remain as cold and sinister as ever, even after a century.
Lin Tian's eyes narrowed, and his divine sense swept across the long street like the wind, instantly scanning the inside and outside of the palace gates.
Amidst a throng of officials, before the Vermilion Bird Gate of the Xianyang Palace, Lü Buwei and Li Si stood side by side, their faces beaming with smiles that almost overflowed from their eyes.
Looking at the surging crowd before him, Lü Buwei was probably even more comfortable than when Ying Zheng ascended the throne and personally addressed him as "Uncle." Every wrinkle on his face seemed to be laughing for him.
With his divine sense, Li Si leaned closer and whispered, "Prime Minister, your strategic planning is truly remarkable. This old plan, repeated, is even more effective than before."
Lü Buwei stroked his long beard, his gaze sweeping over the indignant students and the surging crowd, before calmly asking, "Has the Empress Dowager been informed?"
"Marquis Changxin, Miao Du, has already rushed to the palace to report that the Empress Dowager is currently summoning Your Majesty to the Ganquan Hall," Li Si replied, bowing his head.
"Very well! The Empress Dowager has personally intervened, and the King's birth mother has come to court—I'd like to see if an outsider, the 'Imperial Advisor,' can still outweigh his own mother, with whom he shares his bloodline, in the King's heart!" A cold glint flashed in Lü Buwei's eyes. "Yesterday's humiliation will be washed away completely today!"
Lin Tian heard it clearly, a slight smile playing on his lips, followed by a cold laugh. Such petty tricks, dared they use them against him? Utterly overestimating themselves.
The only unexpected thing was that he didn't expect Lü Buwei to actually bring Zhao Ji into the public eye—the birth mother of Ying Zheng and the Queen Dowager of Qin.
What made his gaze darken even more was the name Li Si spoke of: Miao Du.
This person must die.
Zhao Ji was originally a favored concubine in Lü Buwei's household, later presented to Prince Yiren of Qin—who later became King Zhuangxiang of Qin. After giving birth to Ying Zheng, she rose in status due to her son, and her favor increased daily. When Ying Zheng ascended the throne as a child, she became the Queen Mother, holding the Phoenix Seal.
However, as early as when King Zhuangxiang was alive, she had been secretly having an affair with Lü Buwei, and their illicit relationship continued. It wasn't until Ying Zheng grew older that Lü Buwei decisively withdrew, severing ties to protect his career and ensure a peaceful old age.
He was indeed Lü Buwei—a seasoned veteran who had navigated the business world for half his life, knowing when to advance and retreat, how to maintain boundaries, and how to make choices.
Otherwise, Lü Buwei would not have become famous throughout the states and courts for his four words, "a rare commodity worth hoarding."
However, half of his power was truly supported by Zhao Ji. Fearing that the Empress Dowager would gradually distance herself from him, he secretly plotted to plant a poisonous seed in her.
Miao Dusheng was handsome with a face like jade and a body like a gnarled pine tree, and he was also a master of seduction. Lü Buwei had bribed the eunuch in charge of punishment to make his castration a mere shell, and then, under the guise of a fake eunuch, he brazenly took Zhao Ji's place and stayed by her side.
As soon as Miao Du stepped into Ganquan Palace, Zhao Ji's eyes lit up. Within three days, she had made him her most precious treasure, spoiling him so much that she would only look at him with affection.
For Zhao Ji, Miao Du was not a servant, but a confidante, a pillow fire, and the only vibrant life she could grasp while sitting alone in the deep palace.
Thus, the power dynamics quietly shifted within and outside the palace walls: Miao Du amassed favor within the palace, while Lü Buwei held sway over the court outside. The two, one open and one covert, silently removed the foundation stones beneath Ying Zheng's feet.
Lin Tian closed his eyes and focused his mind, carefully sorting out the intricate game of chess. When he withdrew his consciousness, he gently lifted his eyelids.
Just then, a tall, slender figure strolled to his side. Lin Tian's lips curled into a slight smile: "Oh? My cheap disciple sent you to invite someone?"
The newcomer was none other than Gai Nie. He bowed, holding his sword, and said, "Young master, please enter the palace—I just had a public falling out with the Empress Dowager."
"Okay, lead the way."
During Gai Nie's visit, Lin Tian had already grasped Ying Zheng's current predicament: a sword hung over his head, yet he could not draw it first; he held the royal seal, yet he could not control his closest relatives. The key to breaking the deadlock lay not outside but within, not in others, but within himself.
Gai Nie led Lin Tian quietly through the west side gate of Xianyang Palace.
Upon entering the main hall, one sees Ying Zheng sitting upright on the dragon throne, Han Fei standing quietly with a bamboo slip in hand, Zhang Liang lost in thought with his hands at his sides, and even the usually cold and taciturn Wei Zhuang standing below the steps with his hand on his sword.
Upon seeing Lin Tian appear, Ying Zheng abruptly stood up, quickly descended the steps to greet him, and went straight to Lin Tian's side.
His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, his voice low yet fervent: "Sir! I broke my promise first, and now you have been humiliated and wronged..."
There were no questions, no pleas, and the first words were filled with remorse—this attitude warmed Lin Tian's heart, and he thought to himself: This young man was indeed the right choice.
Regardless of the survival of Zilan Pavilion or the rise and fall of Liusha, just the fact that he never changed his address of "Master" and that he always performed the same etiquette as before, made Lin Tian realize that he had long regarded his empire as his own responsibility.