People in the Qin Dynasty, entertained during the Warring States period

Zhao Ji was equally wretched, lying there like a white jelly.

"Sir, quickly, quickly carry me out."

The palace maids standing nearby were already filled with fear. If anything happened to the Empress Dowager, even if she just fell ill, they would suffer greatly.

Cao Ze was also extremely hot, so he wrapped Zhao Ji in clothes, picked her up, and carried her out of the hot spring.

Although it was June, the palace was not hot; on the contrary, it was very cool thanks to the mechanical devices and ice chest.

As the heat dissipated and a cool breeze blew, Zhao Ji couldn't help but shiver, feeling so comfortable that she almost groaned out loud.

"Put me down. Someone, help me change my clothes."

Cao Ze put Zhao Ji down, and a sensual morning passed, leaving him with a strange sense of enjoyment.

If it weren't for the fact that Lao Ai hadn't been exposed yet, he really wouldn't mind having a fierce positional battle with Zhao Ji in Ganquan Palace.

In the inner chamber behind the palace, Zhao Ji dressed herself with the help of palace maids.

It wasn't the phoenix crown and royal robes of before, but a red and black wavy robe.

The deep robe wrapped around her body perfectly showcased Zhao Ji's curvaceous figure.

Cao Ze stood behind the screen in the inner room, and Zhao Ji, while changing her clothes, didn't treat him like an outsider at all.

He was caught in a dilemma, unsure whether to look or not, and couldn't help but sigh, "It's really hard to be an honest person."

Zhao Ji dismissed the palace maids and said to Cao Ze with a smile, "Sir, there is wine in the room. Why don't you have a couple of drinks with me to pass the time?"

"Do you think everyone is as idle as you?" Cao Ze replied respectfully.

While drinking sake with Zhao Ji, he pondered how to escape and find Lao Ai and the two children in Ganquan Palace.

Before long, Zhao Ji said with slight anger, "Why are you so distracted, sir? Is there something you're unhappy about with me?"

Although she couldn't see anything wrong with Cao Ze, she sensed something was off, and that was it.

Cao Ze was a little speechless. Goodness, do you have such good eyesight?

He felt he had covered it up very well.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. I am worried about the King's affairs."

"Hmm?" Zhao Ji, her attention diverted by Cao Ze, asked, "What is it, Zheng'er?"

Cao Ze feigned a long sigh and said, "Your Majesty is in a bad situation now. There are powerful ministers like Lü Xiang inside, and six kingdoms are eyeing you covetously outside. Beset by internal and external troubles, I really have no mind to enjoy a leisurely drink with the Empress Dowager here."

Zhao Ji's expression softened slightly, moved by Cao Ze's words, but she still said, "You hold no official position, and the affairs of the state are none of your concern. Just drink with me, why bother with so much?"

Just as Cao Ze was about to agree, the voice of a palace maid rang out from outside.

"Your Majesty, the King and Lord Chang'an have arrived and wish to see you and Mr. Cao Ze."

Cao Ze secretly felt lucky that he hadn't whipped Zhao Ji, otherwise he would have been in deep trouble.

"Understood, I will go right away."

Zhao Ji gave a light snort, "Let's go, sir."

"Yes."

……

Chapter 384 Daily Improvement, If You Can Improve It One Day, You Can Improve It Again

On the bright sunny horizon, a dark cloud rolled in, instantly dimming the sunlight by three points.

Ganquan Palace, with its carved railings and jade steps, and its halls made of bluestone, is surrounded by heavily armored soldiers standing guard on its walls.

The hall was spacious, and the giant pillars, which required three people to encircle, were covered with silver powder and decorated with dragon and phoenix patterns in gold leaf.

Sitting to the side, Zhao Ji yawned listlessly, propped her chin on her hand, and occasionally glanced at Cao Ze, who was talking animatedly, with her captivating eyes.

After hearing Cheng Jiao's experience in the Prime Minister's mansion, Cao Ze analyzed it with Ying Zheng.

"Your Majesty, I anticipated this situation. Knowing that Lü Buwei would suffer a loss while enhancing our prestige, he would certainly not let us gain any advantage so easily."

"Therefore, I believe it would be better to have Brother Chengjiao present the document to the state in his own name, so that the state can then demand the debt from Lü Buwei. In this way, Brother Chengjiao can advance further in the court, and Your Majesty can also gain prestige and influence."

Ying Zheng clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Wonderful, truly wonderful!"

Although he did not rule personally, he was still quite knowledgeable about the court's structure.

If Cheng Jiao were to transfer this money to the Qin state treasury, it would attract the attention of various factions, each of whom would want a share.

With a little guidance, he could get these people to stand with him and force Lü Buwei to hand over the money.

As the one in charge of allocating this lucrative prize, he was able to take this opportunity to unite these middle forces and those dissatisfied with Lü Buwei's faction, and together they would suppress Lü Buwei.

Once he assumes full power, the political landscape will be easily reversed, preventing him from being too heavily constrained by Lü Buwei and allowing him to do what he wants.

At that time, Lü Buwei will be like a river flowing downhill, heading towards his end, while he will rise to power and seize sole control of the Qin state.

"Strike while the iron is hot, for the second wave will be weaker, and the third wave will be exhausted. When they are exhausted and we are still strong, we can defeat them."

Ying Zheng praised, "Mr. Cao Ze has truly inherited the essence of our ancestor Cao Gui."

Seeing her son praising Cao Ze so highly, Zhao Ji couldn't help but feel overjoyed. She frequently flirted with Cao Ze, her eyes full of smiles and charm.

Cao Ze remained expressionless, his eyes straight ahead, and he dared not change his expression or look sideways.

Zhao Ji is such a slut, is she trying to kill him?

If Ying Zheng and Cheng Jiao hadn't turned their backs to Zhao Ji, he would have been in a truly difficult position to clear his name. Damn it...

Cheng Jiao was excited. "In that case, we will do as Brother Cao says. Tomorrow I will announce throughout Xianyang that I don't want the money anymore and will send it all to the national treasury."

At his level, money wasn't important, not to mention he hated Lü Buwei to the core. He would gladly do anything to benefit Lü Buwei.

Cao Ze laughed and said, "Brother Chengjiao, don't be in a hurry. We need to play our part well. It's not too late to talk about this after you fail to collect your debt."

Cheng Jiao slapped his forehead. "That's right. In Brother Cao's words, this is called a self-inflicted injury strategy."

……

After having lunch at Ganquan Palace, Cao Ze, Ying Zheng, Cheng Jiao, and Zhao Ji ignored Zhao Ji's resentful gaze and ran away from Ganquan Palace with Ying Zheng and Cheng Jiao.

After leaving Ganquan Palace, he bid farewell to Ying Zheng and Cheng Jiao and went straight back to his residence.

To his surprise, Guo Kai was standing by the gate of his mansion, seemingly preoccupied with something.

"Prime Minister Guo".

Cao Ze called out from behind Guo Kai, his tone slightly teasing.

Guo Kai was startled and quickly turned around.

When he saw that it was Cao Ze, a smile spread across his face, making his big-mouthed, monkey-like face even more comical.

"I can't accept that, I can't accept that, Mr. Cao Ze, please don't flatter me. I am no longer the prime minister. If you don't mind, you can just call me Brother Guo."

Cao Ze couldn't help but think to himself, "No wonder he is a treacherous minister who will be remembered in history. Putting aside his morality, his ability to handle affairs is absolutely first-rate."

He was not much younger than Lü Buwei, and he was flexible and resilient, able to withstand insults and remain calm in the face of adversity. He was quite a character.

"Ha, how can that be? Why don't we treat each other as equals? What do you think, Brother Guo?"

Guo Kai smiled and said, "I am grateful for Brother Cao's kindness."

Cao Ze invited Guo Kai into his residence, but Guo Kai repeatedly said, "No need, no need. I've only come to deliver a message to Brother Cao."

Cao Ze asked with a soft "Huh?", "What did you say?"

Guo Kai solemnly said, "Lü Buwei is suspected of plotting against you, sir. He has secretly instructed his retainer Li Si to carry out the plan. I hope you will act with caution."

Looking at Guo Kai's honest and simple appearance, Cao Ze felt very strange, and his face also showed an unusual expression.

Seeing the suspicious look on Cao Ze's face, Guo Kai said in a low voice, "Brother Cao, I did indeed wrong you, sir, in Handan back then. After arriving in Xianyang, I have been thinking about it every time and I am filled with remorse. Therefore, I want to make amends to you, so I took the risk of coming here to inform you."

Cao Ze thought to himself, "They're all old foxes, what's the point of playing these ghost stories?"

As the saying goes, "It's easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature," he didn't believe Guo Kai had changed his nature. Could it be that Guo Kai was also a time traveler?

"Let bygones be bygones, Brother Guo, why bring it up again? Wouldn't it be better to part ways amicably?"

Guo Kai was moved and almost shed tears.

"Brother Cao is truly a saint. With Brother Cao as my friend, I have no regrets in this life."

“Brother Cao, I am now under the patronage of Prime Minister Lü Buwei. If there is anything I need, please just give the order.”

"It's getting late, Brother Cao, to avoid being seen by anyone with ulterior motives, I'll be leaving now."

After saying this, Guo Kai waved goodbye to Cao Ze.

Cao Ze returned to his residence alone, shaking his head in resignation.

One of the reasons he didn't want to enter officialdom or the imperial court was that he didn't want to deal with these hypocritical and cunning people; it was too mentally exhausting.

As Guo Kai left the street from Cao Ze's residence and turned the corner, he saw a young man with his hands behind his back. The smile on his face gradually faded, and he became expressionless.

"Lord Li Si, the mission is complete."

He was temporarily assigned by Lü Buwei to be Li Si's deputy, with the task of assisting Li Si in eliminating Cao Ze and Chang'an Jun Chengjiao.

His recent contact with Cao Ze was arranged by Li Si.

He naturally accepted it gladly.

Li Si employed him, and he certainly wanted to take this opportunity to reach a temporary reconciliation with Cao Ze, shifting Cao Ze's focus to Li Si and Lü Buwei, so as to prevent Cao Ze from striking first and secretly killing him and Zhao Qian to silence them.

Li Si turned around and looked at Guo Kai's humble appearance with great admiration.

Originally the prime minister of a state, he held a noble and extraordinary position, but unexpectedly, a palace coup led to his immediate transfer to the Qin state, where he became a commoner.

He looked slightly bewildered.

If I were to become prime minister in the future, would I end up in such a state?

Will he be like Qu Yuan of old, whose "speaking out in the morning and being dismissed in the evening"?

"You've done very well. Next, you will tell Cao Ze what I want him to know, and gain his trust. Is that clear?"

Guo Kailian replied, "Understood. I will do whatever Lord Li Si instructs."

Faced with Guo Kai's humble demeanor, Li Si found it both amusing and exasperating.