The Moon in the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 699 I will give you an army of !
Ying Zheng sat on the tall and majestic throne, watching with interest the scene below where Lu Buwei and Zhong Cang were confronting each other.

His eyes moved back and forth between the two of them, and his originally serious and rigid face was like ice gradually melting in spring, with a faint, imperceptible smile emerging from his face.

Lü Buwei also quickly stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I, Lü Buwei, also have something to report."

"Please speak, Prime Minister." Ying Zheng's gaze fell on Lu Buwei, his voice still calm.

Lu Buwei bowed and said righteously: "Your Majesty, you are entrusted with the mandate of heaven and you care about the people. Today, only the Qin and Chu countries exist in the world. Under your rule, the Qin has strict laws and is in good order. The upper and lower levels are well-organized, and the government orders are as easy to use as an arm. Punishments and rewards are clear, and the people obey the law and perform their duties. The people do not pick up things on the road and do not lock their doors at night."

"Your Majesty cares about the people's farming. Now agriculture and sericulture are thriving, water conservancy is developing, Dujiangyan and Zhengguo Canal are benefiting the people, and every year there is a good harvest, and the granaries are full. Merchants come and go from all over the world, and goods are transported all over the world. Xianyang is extremely prosperous and rich. The people all live and work in peace and contentment, and their families have enough food and clothing."

Lu Buwei first praised him, then changed the subject and criticized him sharply:

"In contrast, in the Chu State, the court was dominated by treacherous officials, and the incompetent officials were like ants clinging to meat, only knowing how to fight for power and enrich themselves. The old system of the Chu State was rotten, the fiefdoms were autonomous, the laws were difficult to enforce, the government's orders could not reach all corners of the country, the upper and lower levels were in collusion, and the people suffered from exploitation."

"Officials and nobles in the State of Chu have always only known how to form cliques and exploit the people, without caring about the lives of the people. Laws are like waste paper, and can be changed at will according to the preferences of the powerful. The powerful can spend money to get away with it, while innocent people are often wronged and wronged."

At this point, Lü Buwei frowned, his face full of indignation: "Taxes are heavy in various places, numerous and numerous. The people work hard for a year, but all their gains are taken away by heavy taxes. Not to mention being able to have enough food and clothing, it is difficult for them to avoid freezing and starvation. And many unscrupulous and powerful people have plundered the people's blood and sweat, but have not used it to improve people's livelihood, but have squandered it all on extravagance."

"Chu is a mountainous and water-rich land, but water conservancy projects are in disrepair everywhere, and farmland cannot be irrigated. When faced with floods and droughts, officials pass the buck to each other and never organize disaster relief. People are allowed to starve to death or freeze to death. The fields are filled with starving people and suffering. The land of Chu is devastated, and the people are displaced and living in misery." Lu Buwei described the miserable situation of Chu with an expression of compassion on his face.

"However, despite the suffering of the people, the incompetent and immoral nobles in Chu still do not save the people, but only know how to fool the people. They do not think about the teachings of the saints and sages, but instead worship witchcraft and absurd teachings, and wantonly delete and modify the works of the saints. They are really shameless and incompetent, and have no talent or morality at all."

"That's not all. The royal family of Chu is now at war with each other for several years. The common people are not only suffering from the exploitation of the upper and lower classes, but also have to endure the pain of civil strife and war."

Lü Buwei cried out in sorrow: "Your Majesty, you are a holy king. The people of Chu are innocent. Millions of them are suffering from hunger and cold, suffering from water and fire, and are displaced and miserable."

"Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven. All the people in the world, regardless of north or south, are your subjects. Now the people of Chu are sinking into darkness, oppressed and exploited by a few evil thieves. They are all like hungry babies. I only hope that Your Majesty will show us your grace. I beg Your Majesty to make a decision as soon as possible and march south. With the might of the Qin Dynasty, cleanse the muddy water of Chu, unify the world, and benefit the people!"

Lu Buwei spoke sincerely, and after he finished speaking, he bowed deeply and knocked his forehead heavily on the ground.

At this time, there were not many people who did not understand. Many ministers stood up one after another, shouting their support, asking Ying Zheng to send troops to save the people.

Ying Zheng looked at all this and sighed. The chaotic court suddenly became quiet. Ying Zheng said with a little melancholy and sadness:

"I have received the mandate of heaven and shouldered the responsibility of unifying the world and stabilizing the people. Today, only the people of Chu are still in dire straits. The people of the world are all my subjects. How can I not save them?"

"For the sake of eternal peace in the future, the unification of China is also the wish of heaven. I have no choice but to do it in accordance with heaven and the people."

"My lords, please rise. After the spring ploughing, we will send troops to the State of Chu to comfort the people and punish the criminals!"

Upon hearing what Ying Zheng said, all the ministers were overjoyed, and they all shouted "He is benevolent, virtuous and wise". Their voices were deafening and echoed in the hall for a long time.

Ying Zheng raised his hand to suppress it, glanced at his ministers, and asked: "Today's attack on Chu must be decided in one battle."

"My Lords, who wants to fight?"

With just this one order, all the generals jumped out. This was the last battle. If they didn't seize this last chance to make a contribution, they would probably never have another chance in the future.

Li Xin was the first to jump out and said, "Your Majesty, I, Li Xin, would like to fight."

Meng Wu was unwilling to fall behind, so he immediately asked for a fight.

Ying Zheng looked at the generals and said with a smile, "How many troops do you think are needed to completely pacify Chu?"

Li Xin said confidently: "Your Majesty, two hundred thousand troops are enough for me."

Meng Wu calmed down a bit, and after a moment's hesitation, he said, "Your Majesty, I think we need an army of 300,000 men."

Ying Zheng smiled but said nothing, looking at Wang Jian who was silent beside him. At this moment, Wang Jian stood there quietly, just like an ordinary old man.

Ying Zheng asked: "My dear king, why are you silent? Do you have no intention of attacking Chu?"

When Wang Jian heard Ying Zheng's question, he stood up calmly and said, "Your Majesty, it's not that I don't want to, but if you ask me to pacify the Chu area, I will need too many men and horses, so I am hesitant." His voice was low and calm, calm and cautious.

Ying Zheng laughed heartily and boldly, and asked, "I never neglect my duty because of words. If you have anything to say, please feel free to speak freely."

Wang Jian bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. In my opinion, without an army of 500,000, it is impossible to stabilize the Chu region." When Wang Jian said this, his tone was firm, revealing his unquestionable determination. As soon as Wang Jian said this, there was an uproar in the court.

Li Xin originally said that he needed an army of 200,000, but in the eyes of knowledgeable people, this was indeed not enough.

Meng Wu said that an army of 300,000 was needed, and many people agreed with this number.

With the current national strength of the Qin Dynasty, 300,000 troops are enough to deal with the internally divided Chu State, and it is a sure thing.

But the king seemed a little hesitant.

And the veteran general Wang Jian actually said that an army of 500,000 was needed. In any case, this number was too exaggerated.

Meng Wu on the side was stunned. He thought that he would be relatively stable with an army of 300,000, but he never expected that the veteran Wang Jian would actually want an army of 500,000.

Li Xin stepped forward, bowed to Wang Jian, and said, "General, you may be wrong. How could the current Chu land require the Qin army to send out 500,000 troops? Isn't this just killing a chicken with a butcher knife?"

"An army of 500,000 people would require a lot of food and supplies. This is really too much of a mobilization."

Wang Jian remained expressionless and insisted, "It must be 500,000." Wang Jian did not waver at all.

Several cabinet ministers remained silent. This number was roughly the one that Ying Zheng discussed with them yesterday.

Ying Zheng laughed loudly, his laughter full of heroism and confidence, then he turned with a meaningful smile and said decisively:
"Okay, I'll do as you wish!"

"I will give you an army of 600,000!" Ying Zheng raised his voice, his tone firm and powerful, revealing his domineering aura.

"Do you have a chance of winning this year by annihilating the Chu territory in one fell swoop?!"

When Wang Jian heard what Ying Zheng said, he bowed deeply and said in a swift and powerful voice: "I will not disgrace the king's order!"

At this moment, Wang Jian revealed the demeanor of a famous general of the time. He was domineering, confident, and his eyes were as sharp as a sword drawn from its sheath. He was murderous and extremely terrifying. He was completely different from the low-key and dull old man just now.

Ying Zheng said "Yes" in a deep voice, "My dear minister, you have worked hard and made great contributions. After the Chu is pacified, I will make a title of nobility in the Great Qin, and the position will be vacant for you."

"My dear minister, just focus on defeating the enemy. I will lead you all to assist me in everything else."

Ying Zheng made a promise to Wang Jian that in this life, they, as king and subject, would not need to test each other.

only need to.
Decide everything in one fell swoop!

Wang Jian kowtowed heavily, his forehead hitting the ground with a dull sound: "I thank the king for his great grace. I will definitely pacify the Chu area completely! I will never let the king down!"

Ying Zheng then said: "I will appoint Wang Jian as the general to attack Chu, Meng Wu, Li Xin and Gai Nie as deputy generals. After the spring plowing, we will raise an army of 600,000 and destroy Chu!"

Ying Zheng's voice was like a huge bell, echoing in the court, announcing that the war between Qin and Chu had officially begun.

"Everyone in the court must perform their duties and do their best to help the army defeat Chu in one battle."

Ying Zheng glanced at his ministers, his eyes revealing unquestionable majesty, and his meaning was very clear: whoever dared to drag his feet this time would definitely pay a price that person could not afford!
All the ministers responded in unison, their voices were uniform and loud, and no one dared to hesitate at this time.

Ying Zheng looked at Wei Liao and ordered, "This time, Wei Qing will recruit soldiers, and the ministers will assist."

"For soldiers attacking Chu, if they are willing to settle down in Chu with their families after pacifying Chu, their titles will be raised by one level. Those who are willing to settle down in Chu with their families will be given priority to join the army, and the amount of land and mansions they currently own will be doubled."

"Married women, prisoners, criminal officials, fugitives, slaves, and lowly servants who are willing to join the army to attack Chu and settle in Chu will all be restored to freedom and pardoned, regardless of whether they have made contributions or not. Their military merits will be the same as those of ordinary people, and will not be reduced or exempted."

"Also, call upon the Xiongnu and Donghu tribes to join forces in the battle."

Now everyone knows why Ying Zheng was willing to make such a big fuss. This time he wants to completely replace the blood of Chu.

Many of the Chu officials had turned pale, and Lord Changping's expression was extremely complicated, not ugly but not pretty either.

After the court was dismissed, all the officials began to get busy. One after another, the officials of the Chu clan, no matter how big or small, were summoned by their superiors.

(End of this chapter)