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

After all, it concerned Lü Buwei's life and death, so no matter how carefree Ying Zheng was, he couldn't possibly sleep at night.

Cao Ze and Gai Nie arrived at Ying Zheng's study.

Zhang Han was reporting something.

Ying Zheng immediately told Zhang Han to stop reporting and said, "You may leave now."

Zhang Han replied, "Yes."

Before leaving, he glanced at Cao Ze, who seemed a little distracted.

He had some doubts in his heart, wondering if Cao Ze was behind the trouble at the Prime Minister's residence tonight.

After Zhang Han left, Ying Zheng could no longer contain himself and asked, "How is the situation?"

Gai Nie also looked at Cao Ze, feeling quite worried about Xiao Zhuang.

Cao Ze took a light breath and quickly organized his thoughts.

“When I killed Lü Buwei, people from the Three Jin states came and kidnapped him.”

Ying Zheng was slightly taken aback. "What do you mean?"

Cao Ze briefly recounted what had happened that night, omitting his personal matters.

Ying Zheng looked rather unwell.

No matter how much Lü Buwei troubled him, it was ultimately an internal affair of Qin, and the Three Jin states were really going too far.

"Since South Korea has broken the agreement..."

Ying Zheng coldly asked, "What do you think of this matter, sir?"

Cao Ze pondered for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, I believe this matter is not bad."

"What do you mean?" Ying Zheng sat down again.

Cao Ze said, "The purpose of the three Jin states in kidnapping Lü Buwei is nothing more than to turn Lü Buwei against them and to use Lü Buwei's escape to strike at the Qin state."

"In that case, we might as well turn the tables on him and tomorrow issue an arrest warrant for Lü Buwei on the grounds that he colluded with the three Jin states to flee out of fear of punishment, thus solidifying his crime of assassinating the king."

"This will both reduce Lü Buwei's prestige in Qin and keep the court from becoming chaotic, laying the foundation for the king's coming-of-age ceremony next year."

"Moreover, even if the three Jin states support Lü Buwei as a puppet to deal with Qin, the impact can be gradually reduced to a minimum."

Ying Zheng slowly said, "Alright."

His real need was not whether Lü Buwei lived or died, but whether Lü Buwei still held power and influence.

Whether Lü Buwei was dead or not in Qin, his goal had been achieved.

Cao Ze hesitated for a moment, but ultimately did not speak and chose to take his leave.

He had just conceived the idea of ​​using the pretext of killing Lü Buwei to infiltrate Zhao with Qin's experts and bring back Xue Nu Li Ji and the children.

But considering what Ya Fei said about Xue Nu and Li Ji being doing quite well, he feared that if he went there abruptly, it might cause unpredictable consequences.

Cao Ze left the study, and Gai Nie asked, "Sir, did Xiao Zhuang... say anything?"

He didn't say anything.

Cao Ze paused for a moment and then said, "Brother Gai Nie, may I ask you a question?"

Gai Nie was slightly surprised. "Please ask, sir."

Cao Ze asked, "Brother Gai Nie, whose world do you think this belongs to?"

Without a second thought, Gai Nie replied, "It belongs to everyone under heaven."

Cao Ze didn't ask any further questions, and left with a smile, leaving Gai Nie looking completely bewildered.

After an incense stick had burned, Cao Ze returned to his residence.

Only Jingni was waiting for him in the house.

Jing Ni stepped forward and calmly helped Cao Ze remove his sword.

"Yan Lingji and Li Wu have returned from the Black and White Sisters with Xiao Yan'er. I've already told them to go to sleep."

"Let's go to bed,"

Cao Ze was somewhat surprised.

Jingni has never been proactive in that matter; she prefers to be passive.

He was surprised, but didn't think too much about it.

All he wants to do now is sleep soundly with his sweet-smelling wife in his arms.

That night, Jing Ni cooperated fully with Cao Ze.

Cao Ze had initially refused without a second thought, but he got to experience it firsthand.

Cao Ze lay on the couch, embracing Jing Ni.

Jingni pressed her pretty face against Cao Ze's chest and whispered gently, "Don't worry, with Ya Fei here, Xue Nu and her child will be fine."

Cao Ze hummed in response, and then fell silent.

Jingni continued, "Now that Lü Buwei has died in Zhao, his hope of entering Qin is completely extinguished. We..."

Cao Ze looked down at Jing Ni, who seemed hesitant to speak, and asked curiously, "Just say what's on your mind."

Jingni's cheeks flushed and felt hot.

"Xiao Yan'er is over three years old, and she's a bit lonely all by herself. Didn't you say that we'd have another one after we dealt with Lü Buwei...?"

In the end, Jingni's voice was almost as faint as a mosquito's buzz.

But Cao Ze was neither deaf nor blind, so he naturally understood what Jing Ni meant.

"Have a second child?"

Jingni's eyes darted away, and she gave a soft "hmm".

Cao Ze chuckled and gently scratched Jing Ni's pretty nose.

"If you want to have a child, then have one."

She hesitated before saying, "Then don't get it outside."

Cao Ze understood immediately.

No wonder we haven't seen much reaction from Yan Lingji and Li Wu's bellies.

It turns out he's used to taking precautions.

This damn habit!

Come early!

……

Chapter 442 Moon Goddess, Respectfully Sending Off the Cult Leader to the West!

Three days later.

Zhangtai Palace, Grand Court Assembly.

Ying Zheng sat on the throne, with civil and military officials standing on both sides, heads bowed, all knowing that the bloody storm of the past three days was about to come to an end.

Zhao Yu stood on the high platform, holding the long imperial edict in both hands, and spoke with great force, his voice high-pitched and sharp.

In accordance with Heaven's will and the times, and having received this clear mandate, the Imperial Censor hereby issues an edict, which reads:

I have been entrusted by Heaven to rule over all lands, and I am diligent and conscientious day and night, with the sole purpose of benefiting all people and securing the stability of the nation.

However, there was a traitor named Lü Buwei, whose family had received the emperor's favor for generations and held a high position in the court. He should have been loyal to the emperor and devoted to the country, serving with utmost sincerity and integrity. Unexpectedly, he harbored treacherous intentions, secretly colluded with the three Jin states, plotted rebellion, coveted the imperial regalia, and attempted to assassinate me! His crimes reached the heavens, and both gods and men were outraged!

An examination of Lü Buwei's evil deeds reveals the following: First, he betrayed his lord and forgot his benefactor; second, he colluded with enemy states; third, he attempted to assassinate his monarch; and fourth, he plotted to usurp the throne.

Such heinous crimes, if not punished according to the law, how can we uphold discipline and deter others? How can we thank our ancestors and bring peace to the world? The relevant authorities are hereby ordered to investigate strictly according to the law, arrest accomplices, and punish them to the fullest extent of the law, leaving no one behind!

According to the Qin Law on Treason: Anyone who plots rebellion shall be subject to the five punishments and have their entire family exterminated!

The Chancellor, the Minister of Justice, and the Grand Censor are hereby ordered to jointly handle this case.

After reading the edict concerning Lü Buwei in one breath, Zhao Gao took out another edict and continued reading it.

"Cao Ze is a pillar of the nation and my trusted confidant. You uphold loyalty and integrity, and bear the worries of the country. When sudden changes occur and wolves lurk at your sides, you remain fearless in the face of danger and protect me with utmost safety."

"However, the depth of their treasonous plot extends far beyond mere open violence. You possess keen insight and far-sighted vision, unraveling the complexities of the situation to uncover its true source. Undeterred by hardship or danger, you ultimately brought the mastermind to justice, revealing their heinous crimes. Your wisdom and courage, your penetrating insight into the most subtle and hidden aspects, are truly a remarkable achievement!"

"Your first merit is to protect my safety, and your second merit is to eliminate the harm to the country. This is the greatest merit of protecting the emperor!"

"He is hereby appointed as a high minister, promoted to the rank of Grand Censor, and granted the title of Fifth Rank Official."

"I hope that you will inherit the new mandate, uphold the balance of power, regulate the balance of Yin and Yang, select the virtuous and capable, rectify the laws and regulations, assist me in making me a ruler like Yao and Shun, and restore peace."

"Proclamation shall be made to the whole world, so that all may know."

After Cao Ze's rewards were announced, the officials in the court began to discuss it.

The official rank is too high. The Grand Censor is the deputy to the Chancellor and the head of the Imperial Censors, responsible for supervising all officials. How can such a position be given so easily?

The title of "Fifth-Rank Official" is called "the most honorable of all officials," but it is only the ninth rank out of twenty ranks, which seems rather low in the face of such a great achievement.

One is higher than the other; anyone with eyes can see that this was done intentionally.

Changping Jun, who succeeded as prime minister, said loudly without saying a word: "May the Great Qin be blessed, may the King be blessed, Your Majesty is wise!"

The ministers looked at each other, then at Cao Ze who seemed completely unaffected, and then at the pile of heads outside the market. They didn't want to be labeled as Lü Buwei's cronies for no reason, and have their homes confiscated and beheaded.

"May the Great Qin be blessed, may the King be blessed, Your Majesty is wise!"

The shouts echoed through the heavens and resounded throughout the palace.

Ying Zheng smiled with relief. From this point on, his path to power was unobstructed, and he no longer needed to worry about a turbulent coronation next April.

Changping-kun also smiled.

Everything went so smoothly that he did nothing and replaced Lü Buwei as the prime minister of Qin.

Although he was not qualified to establish his own government, he could still arrange some important matters with ease.

God bless the Great Qin...