Longevity by Picking up Attributes in the Battlefield

Chapter 367: Chapter 165: Court Assembly! The Establishment of the New Grand Camp! Zhao Feng the Onlooker!

Li Si walked slowly into the grand hall of Zhangtai Palace.

"Your servant pays his respects to the Great King," Li Si bowed deeply in homage.

"Now that Zhao Territory has just been conquered, Qin’s laws must be implemented there. Why has the Tingwei come here so suddenly?" Ying Zheng asked quite flatly, not even lifting his head.

When not facing Zhao Feng, Ying Zheng still maintained that imposing and unapproachable demeanor. No one could guess what was on his mind.

"Today, your servant has come here to earnestly request something of the Great King," Li Si said, bowing again very respectfully.

"A request?" Hearing these words, Ying Zheng’s brows moved slightly. He raised his head to look at Li Si with some astonishment. "It’s rare for the Tingwei to use such pleading words. Speak."

"Your servant’s eldest son, Li You, has served as the Prefectural Governor in the Northern Frontier for several years. Your servant wishes for the Great King to issue an edict to reassign him," Li Si said.

Ying Zheng calmly replied, "If I remember correctly, Li You has indeed served as the Prefectural Governor of Northern Territory County for four years. He has performed admirably, inheriting the Tingwei’s talent for governance. According to the law, he can indeed be reassigned back. You need not plead for such a matter."

Hearing Ying Zheng’s words, Li Si raised his head and replied respectfully, "Great King, your servant does not wish to have Li You reassigned to the Capital. Instead, I wish to have him transferred to the military."

"The Great King has already named Zhao Feng as Senior General, but the new army has yet to be formed. Therefore, your servant boldly requests an opportunity for Li You to serve under General Zhao Feng’s command," he explained, bowing deeply to Ying Zheng.

Hearing this, Ying Zheng immediately understood Li Si’s intentions.

"You wish to secure a position as a Main General for Li You?" Ying Zheng asked slowly. His tone was very even, revealing neither happiness nor anger.

"Your servant dares to make this one request," Li Si said with a respectful bow.

"In the past, you would not have asked for such a thing. Why now?" Ying Zheng inquired, gazing intently at Li Si.

Li Si faced Ying Zheng without any sign of fear and respectfully responded, "Your servant wishes to secure the preservation of my Li Family’s bloodline."

"Hmm?" Ying Zheng’s brow furrowed. "With me here, who would dare harm your Li Family?"

"With the Great King present, my family has no worries, but who can say what the future holds," Li Si said, his voice carrying a note of lamentation. "I may die, but my bloodline must not be extinguished. Therefore, I implore the Great King to grant this request."

Li Si was an extremely intelligent man; otherwise, he would not have made a name for himself in history.

Over the past month, the situation at court had changed due to an edict from Ying Zheng. It was no longer only Crown Prince Fusu presiding over the court, but now also the Eighteenth Prince, Hu Hai. To many, this signaled the King’s dissatisfaction with Fusu and his desire to groom a new Crown Prince. Consequently, many ministers who originally supported Fusu shifted their allegiance to Hu Hai. Others who had been on the fence also chose to back Hu Hai. Fueled by support from his maternal family, Hu Hai’s backing in the court was now considerable.

But Li Si saw things clearly. The edict allowing Hu Hai to attend court was not just meant to suppress Fusu; on a deeper level, it was a way to train him.

Although Fusu was nominally his son-in-law, they were like fire and water. When Fusu eventually ascended the throne, his benevolent nature might spare Li Si’s life, but Wang Wan and the others certainly would not.

This is the struggle for power. A fight to the death!

Observing Li Si, Ying Zheng sighed inwardly. He naturally understood what was in the man’s heart. He was still young now, and everything was under his control. But once he grew old and passed away, things would no longer go as he wished.

Moreover, Ying Zheng was clear that among his many sons, although Fusu was not quite what he had hoped for, he was indeed the most outstanding of his offspring. In the future, there might truly be no other choice.

"Very well," Ying Zheng said slowly. "As you wish. After tomorrow’s court session settles the matter of establishing the new army, Li You will join the military with Zhao Feng."

At those words, Li Si’s face lit up with excitement. He bowed to Ying Zheng and said, "Your servant thanks the Great King for his generous grace. Li Si vows to serve the Great King loyally unto death."

Ying Zheng nodded without another word, simply waving his hand at Li Si, who then slowly withdrew.

Compared to Yu Liao, Li Si truly has a strong attachment to his family, and he overthinks things, Ying Zheng contemplated as he watched the man leave. Is Fusu really so unbearable in his eyes?

...

「The next day!」

In the Morning Discussion Hall.

"Officials, enter the hall!"

As Zhao Gao’s voice echoed outside the Assembly Hall, the Hundred Officials waiting outside all followed protocol. They placed their swords on the racks outside before entering the grand hall in an orderly fashion according to their rank.

In the line of military officials, Wang Jian stood at the forefront, followed by Meng Wu, then Huan Yi, and finally Zhao Feng.

In the line of civil servants, Wang Wan led, followed by Huai Zhuang. Then Yu Liao, Li Si, and the other Nine Ministers walked in slowly.

Of course, after entering the hall, they would take their respective seats. The actual court session did not take place standing but seated, with a clear division between civil and military officials.

The only real court session Zhao Feng had participated in was the impromptu one upon his return from the conquest of Zhao. Today, however, was a formal court session.

But unlike that time, two figures stood in the space between the civil and military officials. One was Crown Prince Fusu, and the other was Hu Hai. Both were clad in princely attire as they stood in the court.

Compared to Fusu’s composure, Hu Hai appeared somewhat arrogant. Perhaps it was just as the saying goes: the dragon has nine sons, and each is different from the next.