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

It can be said that the Qin state has used almost all of its surplus funds in recent years to build the Zheng Guo Canal.

Converted to gold coins, the total investment required each year is approximately 50,000 gold coins.

Increasing it by 30% means using an additional 15,000 gold coins.

Including Chengjiao's and officials' donations, the national treasury would have an additional 106,000 taels of gold.

In other words, if Li Erlang were to take one-tenth of the prize, even if he agreed, it would be difficult for the other officials to agree.

After all, Qin was not only building the Zheng Guo Canal; the Ling Canal was also on the agenda but had not yet begun construction. Fortifications in various places needed to be repaired, and the land and people from the six states that had been conquered in the past two years needed to be resettled as soon as possible.

Lord Changping's eyes flickered slightly as he stepped forward and said, "Li Erlang, the construction of the Zheng Guo Canal is not something that can be done overnight, so why rush it? We might as well postpone the construction for now and prioritize disaster relief, allowing the people and laborers in Guanzhong to rest and recuperate for a while. Let other important places use the money first."

Li Erlang only knew how to build water conservancy projects, but he didn't understand the intricacies of officialdom. Otherwise, he wouldn't have remained as the Assistant Director of Water Conservancy instead of the Chief Director of Water Conservancy many years later.

“Changping Jun, the flood season is approaching, and the construction of the irrigation canal has reached a critical stage. If construction is stopped now, the canal will not be able to drain water in time, and some areas may be flooded by surrounding mudslides. At that time, it will take at least half a year to deal with various mudslides and debris flows. The cost during that period will be more than double that of now.”

Lord Changping said, "You just said that Guanzhong is suffering from a severe drought, so why are you saying it will be flooded?"

Li Erlang said, "Drought and flood are not contradictory. The drought in Guanzhong is caused by the early arrival of high temperatures this year, resulting in two consecutive months without a drop of water. The Zheng Guo Canal must continue to be built and cannot be stopped."

Lord Changping pondered for a moment. Qin already had the Dujiangyan Irrigation System. If they could also acquire the Zheng Guo Canal... With its advantageous terrain, talented people, and abundant food, Qin would be difficult to destroy even if the six states joined forces.

He needs to delay the completion of the Zheng Guo Canal.

"I do not mean that the Zheng Guo Canal should not be built. Rather, I mean that it should be built slowly, carefully, and with proper conditions and preparation. It should be built by trustworthy people, and not arbitrarily."

All the officials in the court agreed.

If Zheng Guoqu alone took one-tenth of the gold coins, what would they eat and drink? The northwest wind?

Li Erlang was somewhat displeased and said, "Lord Changping, the canal construction is planned; it can be done sooner, but not later. Does Lord Changping not trust me?"

Lord Changping smiled kindly and said, "Dujiangyan was built by you and your son. I have no doubt about your abilities and loyalty to Qin. However, Zheng Guo, who was in charge of building the canal, was originally from Han. He was sent to Qin by Han. I think we must be wary of him."

Li Erlang couldn't help but argue with Changping Jun, but he was no match for the seasoned official Changping Jun.

Furthermore, many officials in the palace did not want to receive less money, so they all voiced their support for Lord Changping.

Li Erlang was so angry that he almost cursed on the spot.

Lu Buwei, who had been silent all along, spoke up at this moment: "The Zheng Guo Canal cannot be stopped. If the money is not enough, I will raise another five thousand gold coins to support it."

The moment these words were spoken, the court fell silent.

Everyone was shocked by Lü Buwei.

I had always heard that Lü Buwei was the richest man in the world, but I didn't have any concrete impression of him.

Before half the day had even passed, Lü Buwei unhesitatingly took out 91,000 gold coins.

Really...

Lü Buwei's expression remained indifferent.

He won't spend money for nothing.

The Dujiangyan Irrigation System relieved the Qin state of logistical worries and laid the foundation for the strongest state among the seven kingdoms.

Once the Zheng Guo Canal is completed, the Qin state's national strength will surely increase significantly.

It can be said to be an immense achievement.

He certainly wouldn't let go of a share of the profits.

Lord Changping did not expect Lü Buwei to interfere.

He said, “Prime Minister, instead of expanding the Zheng Guo Canal, I would like to add another five thousand gold pieces and start the Ling Canal project. If our Great Qin can possess three major canals, we can easily conquer the six states and bring them to peace.”

Lü Buwei immediately said, "No. The construction of the Zheng Guo Canal was already difficult enough. If the Ling Canal is opened as well, Qin will definitely be dragged down. Once the Zheng Guo Canal is completed, Qin, which possesses both the Zheng Guo Canal and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, will be invincible and the unification of the seven states will be just around the corner!"

Ying Zheng pondered for a moment, recalling Cao Ze's words: "You can't get fat in one bite." Whether it was unifying the seven kingdoms or building canals, the principle was the same: some things cannot be rushed.

He rarely acts on emotion and would never disregard everything just to deal with Lü Buwei.

With this thought in mind, he said, "The Prime Minister is right. The matter of repairing the canal shall be handled as the Prime Minister and the Director of Waterways have suggested."

Seeing that the King of Qin and the Prime Minister had agreed, the officials in the court stopped pressing the issue and began to submit memorials, each using their own methods and finding reasons to ask for money.

Zhao Gao was secretly puzzled when he saw that Ying Zheng and Lü Buwei were on friendly terms.

According to Cheng Di, the King of Qin and Lü Buwei should be at odds, or even hostile, so how come they are getting along so well?

Although he didn't understand, he didn't dare to make things up.

After listening to the court proceedings for more than an hour, he returned to Ganquan Palace with what he had seen and heard.

Before coming to Zhangtai Palace, he could tell that the Empress Dowager really wanted Cao Ze to lose so that she could take Cao Ze to Yong Palace for a short stay.

He thought to himself, "Cao Ze, it's not that I don't want to help you, but from what I've seen and heard, there is absolutely no story of the King of Qin and Prime Minister Lü vying for power."

However, when Zhao Gao returned to Ganquan Palace and saw the Empress Dowager and Cao Ze in a harmonious relationship, he was immediately bewildered.

Did he go to the wrong door?!

Chapter 390 Fat, White, Tall, Pockmarked, Demonic, Seductive

What exactly did Zhao Gao see?

Inside the hall, Zhao Ji held a tray of purple jade grapes, her face beaming with smiles.

Her slender, jade-like hands gently and gracefully fed a bright purple grape to Cao Ze.

Zhao Gao's heart skipped a beat. With his sharp eyesight, he could clearly see the dried tear stains on Zhao Ji's face.

What kind of bizarre scene is this?

Cao Ze, who was enjoying the Empress Dowager's service, noticed someone entering and looked over.

Following Cao Ze's gaze, Zhao Ji saw Zhao Gao standing at the palace gate and casually asked, "Zhao Gao, what are you doing here?"

Zhao Gao was speechless with emotion. "Didn't you tell me to go and listen to the proceedings and then tell you what happened...?"

Zhao Gao dared not complain and respectfully said, "Reporting to the Empress Dowager, this servant has inquired about today's grand court assembly. The King and the Prime Minister..."

He couldn't help but glance at Cao Ze beside Zhao Ji, hesitated slightly, and then truthfully said, "There was no struggle involved."

Zhao Gao briefly and concisely recounted the court discussions.

Zhao Ji chuckled coquettishly, as if flirting, and said to Cao Ze, "Sir, you've lost."

Cao Ze said solemnly, "Your Majesty did not lose. Your Majesty did not confront Lü Buwei in court because Your Majesty prioritized the overall situation."

"The big picture?" Zhao Ji narrowed her beautiful eyes. "Then what is your big picture, sir?"

Cao Ze said solemnly, "Naturally, it's the Empress Dowager."

Zhao Gao dared not look at the scene of Cao Ze and Zhao Ji seemingly "flirting" any longer, and quickly lowered his head, looking at the floor, lost in thought.

Cao Ze is too audacious. Isn't he afraid of being exposed and torn apart by five horses?

Even with the Empress Dowager's backing...

Hmm? Zhao Gao suddenly realized that the current Empress Dowager was no longer the powerless queen she was years ago. In particular, the relationship between the king and the Empress Dowager was very deep. If Zhao Ji were to protect Cao Ze to the death, even the king would be helpless.

Good heavens, Zhao Gao had to admire Cao Ze; he really dared to think and act on the Empress Dowager's ideas.

Zhao Ji disliked Zhao Gao for standing in the way at the palace gate, so she simply waved her sleeve, telling Zhao Gao to leave.

"Keep a close watch outside the door. No one may enter without my permission."

Zhao Gao immediately understood Zhao Ji's meaning; he knew, without needing to say, that "who" included the king.

"It is the Empress Dowager."

The hall was quiet again.

Zhao Ji became even more uninhibited. She sat on Cao Ze's lap with a smile, stroking his cheek with one hand, and said softly, "No matter what, you still lost, sir. Come with me to Yong Palace. Once we're there, you'll all be mine. You can do whatever you want, sir. I will do whatever it takes to satisfy you."

"Would you be willing to cut down Lao Ai?" Cao Ze muttered to himself.

Was he out of his mind to go to Yong Palace with Zhao Ji and have a contest with Lao Ai? How embarrassing!

It's not like Qin Shi Huang had to go to the Yong Palace to be crowned.

"Your Majesty, I have not lied to you. The King is indeed secretly fighting with Lü Buwei. Moreover..."

Zhao Ji said with a hint of dissatisfaction, "Besides what? What difficulties do you have? I'll solve them for you!"

Cao Ze looked at Zhao Ji, who was determined to sleep with him, and was somewhat speechless.

This woman is truly extraordinary. She claims not to care about her son, but upon hearing that Ying Zheng was in danger in Liyang, she didn't hesitate to lead her men to Liyang.

She says she cares about her son, but once she finds a man she likes, she doesn't care about anything else.

"What I mean is that Your Majesty will be coming of age and assuming personal rule next year, which is a crucial time. If I were to suddenly leave Xianyang with the Empress Dowager to go to Yong Palace, it might arouse Your Majesty's suspicion and doubt."

Zhao Ji suddenly smiled, a bright and radiant smile.

"I see. Since you don't want to go to Yong Palace, then we'll stay at Ganquan Palace. However, I have one request, and you must agree to it, otherwise..."

Zhao Ji revealed a possessive and alluring look in her eyes, and said, word by word, "Otherwise, I will order the Six Sword Slaves and Zhao Gao to tie you up and send you to Yong Palace."

Holy crap! Woman, you're a real dog!

Knowing he couldn't defeat the Six Sword Slaves plus Eunuch Zhao, Cao Ze could only say, "Please let the Empress Dowager speak."

Zhao Ji flicked her wide sleeves and stood up from Cao Ze's lap.

"I require you to be at my beck and call, and to do whatever I ask you to do, without any refusal."

Her speech was smooth and soft, her voice gentle and alluring, like a captivating and melodious serenade, melodious and enchanting.

However, the conditions that were presented sounded far too domineering to Cao Ze.

Even a beautiful female capitalist wouldn't dare offer him such a contract.

However, women are often saying one thing and doing another.

For example, those women who clamor for high dowries, refusing to let a man touch them unless they receive 388,000 yuan, and resolutely refusing to marry—who knows, the night before last, they were probably getting a quick three-way kiss in some handsome guy's bed.

This is the fearlessness of those who are favored.

He could see and feel that Zhao Ji had taken the bait and that he had entered her heart.

However, out of consideration for the Empress Dowager's reputation and self-esteem, they did not make it clear.