The dark night sky was dotted with stars, and outside Xianyang City, a fast horse galloped over, galloped through the streets of Xianyang City, and came to the palace gate, and the messenger dismounted and handed over a sealed cylinder to the palace guards.

The guards were sent to the attendants on duty, and the attendants did not dare to slack off, holding the cylinder respectfully with both hands, and went to Xianyang Palace as quickly as possible.

It was already the fifth watch, and the lights in the study of Xianyang Palace were still bright, Zheng He went out to take the bamboo tube, returned to the study, and respectfully handed it to Yingzheng.

Ying Zheng picked up the bamboo tube, took out the parchment roll inside, spread it out and read it, his face changed, he put down the parchment roll, and said lightly: "The 300,000 troops of the coalition army were all slaughtered by Bai Qi." ”

Zheng He was stunned, his eyes dilated, but he didn't say a word.

Ying Zheng said to himself again: "Gu didn't think that he would be so decisive, my Qin State's 250,000 army, for his decision, there are only 100,000 left, and the losses are heavy, which also makes my Qin State hurt." The news spread all over the world, and even the people of Qin State would complain about him constantly, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that he was angry and complained. ”

Zheng He didn't say anything, and stood behind him respectfully with his head down.

"What's wrong with Lotus Guard?" Ying Zheng suddenly asked.

Zheng He said respectfully: "Sanbao selected 200 people, 100 people from the third-rate realm, 70 people from the second-rate realm, 20 people from the first-class early stage, 8 people from the middle stage, and 2 people from the late stage. ”

Ying Zheng looked at Zheng He in disbelief, there were thirty first-class masters, in his opinion, there would be no more than twenty first-class masters in the whole world, it had only been more than a year, Zheng He had cultivated thirty people, if he didn't know that Zheng He couldn't lie to himself, he felt a little fantastical.

"How can there be so many?" asked Ying Zheng anyway.

Zheng He was surprised when he saw Ying Zheng, and he was overjoyed, mainly in his heart, no matter how big things Ying Zheng encountered, he always looked calm. can make Yingzheng so surprised, he still has a sense of accomplishment.

He replied: "Sanbao once said to the king that the "Sunflower Treasure Book" has been revised by Sanbao, and it is more suitable for people with incomplete bodies like us to practice. ”

Ying Zheng said: "Lone still thought that Zhao Gao's ability to reach the first-class realm so quickly was due to his extraordinary talent, and now it seems that it is also because of the exercises." ”

Regarding Zhao Gao's construction progress, Zheng He was clear and replied: "Among their group of people, the best fit of the "Sunflower Treasure Book" is Xiao Gaozi, he is now also a first-class late stage, and the speed is so fast, the three guarantees are embarrassed. ”

Ying Zheng was silent, bowed his head and thought, since there were so many masters in the Lotus Guard, he was relieved, and said: "You send ten first-class masters to the camp outside the gate to secretly protect Bai Qi, this world is not so simple." ”

"No. ”

Ying Zheng returned to his domineering demeanor and said: "Order the cabinet, draft an edict: The people of the Qin State, those who dare to criticize Bai Qi, will be punished as the crime of the people of the six countries." ”

"Your ......" Zheng He looked at the little boy in front of him, he knew very well that this edict of Ying Zheng transferred the dissatisfaction of the people of Qin to Bai Qi to himself.

"Do as Gu says. Ying Zheng said unquestionably.

"No. Zheng He finally did not persuade again.

"He is a minister, lonely is a king, the minister is at fault, and the king will resist. Ying Zheng's voice sounded in the study, I don't know if he said it to Zheng He or to himself.

"Bai Qi, it is your eternal blessing that you can meet such a king, and it is also the luck of my life. ”

Zheng He thought in his heart.

After a while, news came again, it turned out to be a note sent by Wang Qi to report to Ying Zheng about the victory in Wuguan.

After reading Yingzheng, the big stone in his heart was finally put down, and the Six Kingdoms attacked Qin, he was not in a hurry on the surface, but in fact, he kept it in mind from time to time.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have slept on the fifth watch.

Ying Zheng stepped out of the study, looked up at the starry sky, saw that in the starry sky, the stars were shining, and said to Zheng He: "Do you think this starry sky is beautiful?"

Zheng He raised his head, his eyes became solemn, and before he could answer Ying Zheng's words, Ying Zheng continued: "However, who would have thought that such a beautiful starry sky would cover the endless abyss. ”

After speaking, he turned around and walked towards the dormitory.

At this time, several carriages suddenly appeared on the streets of Xianyang City shuttling in the dark night, a few of which drove into the Shangjun's Mansion, and a few of them entered the Suihou Mansion.

On the official road north of Xianyang City, a horse-drawn carriage is coming.

The flame swaying with the carriage in the car emitted a dim light, illuminating the bamboo slip in Zhuge Liang's hand.

Zhuge Liang seemed to think of something, put down the bamboo slip, and sighed.

Two days later, the Qin State was in the early dynasty.

Zhangtai Palace, Chaotian Palace.

After the monarch and ministers saw the ceremony, Shang Ying took the lead in reporting some things, and the ministers discussed and decided.

When everything is done, the ministers are silent.

Wei Ran, the pavilion master of the Military Machinery Pavilion, arched his hand and said loudly: "King Qiqi, five days ago, the 300,000 troops of the six countries outside Hangu Pass were all wiped out, Wu Qi was captured, and our army won a great victory. Chu's 150,000-strong army at Wuguan surrendered, and its commander Huang Xie killed himself. At this point, the six countries attacked Qin, and finally it was destroyed by our Qin State, and the Qin State won a great victory. ”

The officials below the fourth rank of the Qin State had not yet received the news, and when they heard Wei Ran say this, they were surprised and happy at the same time.

Shang Ying, Zhang Yi, Lao Tingwei and others are also full of red faces, in a happy mood, Qin State has won a great victory, there is no news more shocking than this, it is worth rejoicing.

The people of the Military Aircraft Pavilion such as Zhu Li and Meng Yu were also very happy, this time the Qin State won a great victory, and their Military Aircraft Pavilion made great contributions, and they used this victory to prove the ability of a few people in their Military Aircraft Pavilion, and they were qualified to coordinate the overall war and layout.

Wei Ran retreated, and said with a salute: "In this great battle, the six countries dispatched a total of 950,000 troops, destroyed 750,000 enemies, captured 200,000 prisoners, captured 1 million soldiers, 2 million stones, and captured 800,000 people. ”

After a pause here, he said in a low voice: "Our army died 200,000 soldiers. ”

The ministers were both happy and shocked at first, and most of them were saddened to hear what was behind them.

At this time, Ying Zheng said: "The compensation for the families of the soldiers who died in the war is indispensable, and the cabinet is responsible for this matter, with the assistance of the household department and the military department. If there is the slightest difference, I believe that someone can take your place. ”

"The ministers obey the king's commands. Shang Ying, Fan Li, and Sima Terrier responded.

Ying Zheng nodded with satisfaction, and continued: "What do you think should be done with the 200,000 surrendered troops and the 800,000 people's support?"

"Your Majesty, in the opinion of the ministers, in order to deter the people of the six countries, they should all be killed. A minister came out and said.

Ying Zheng heard that his scalp was numb, this is nearly a million people.

Ying Zheng was silent.

"Your Majesty, the minister thinks that the 200,000 surrendered troops and 800,000 people should be sent back to China to demonstrate the benevolence and righteousness of our Qin State. Another minister came out of the ranks.

Ying Zheng's little face suddenly darkened, he didn't expect that there would be such a strange minister in the court of the Qin State.

It took so many soldiers and soldiers to capture 200,000 troops and 800,000 people of the enemy. You actually opened your mouth and said, "Let it go", if it wasn't for the court, if he wasn't the king of Qin, he really wanted to take off his shoes and slap this minister twice in the face, I'll let you "let go".

Shang Ying and other cabinet personnel also frowned when they heard this, and Wei Ran's eyes were even more ruthless, and his face was full of displeasure.

"In the opinion of the minister, 200,000 soldiers should be killed, and as for the people, the people can let the six countries send their sons to our Qin country as hostages, and then let them return to the country. ”

"Your Majesty, my Qin State is going to destroy the Six Kingdoms, unify the world, and create peace for all eternity. The tiger must not be let go back to the mountain. Otherwise, they will become the new soldiers of the Six Kingdoms, the enemies of the Qin State, in order to prevent future troubles, kill them. Sima Terrier stepped out.

Yingzheng is a bit big-headed, and the civil and military ministers of the Manchu Dynasty have different opinions. The military general, on the other hand, thinks that killing a catastrophe is unacceptable to him, and in his concept, surrender should be done without death.

But the ministers were right, in this Warring States period, under the productivity of the whole country, an adult man could support a family, and if these million people were killed, the agricultural production of the six countries would definitely be paralyzed by one-twentieth. Don't underestimate this twentieth tenth, it will starve many people to death in the six countries, reduce national tax revenues, and cause frequent unrest, thus creating a vicious circle.

Ying Zheng suddenly felt how cute the minister who just said that he had released 200,000 troops and 800,000 people.

This is what Ying Zheng doesn't know, killing enemy prisoners in ancient times is a fairly common behavior, and Xiang Yu in history also killed 200,000 soldiers of the Qin State in Xinxingcheng pit, and these columns are countless.

Ying Zheng looked at Shang Ying and asked, "What does Shang Jun think?"

Shang Ying said: "The minister thinks that he will be reduced to a slave or exchanged for money with the Six Kingdoms. ”

Shang Ying's answer was more pertinent, the Seven Kingdoms were basically dealt with in this way, the Qin State and the Six Kingdoms all had slaves, and slaves were divided into official slaves and private slaves. The source of slaves was generally the demotion of criminal civilians and ministers and their families, as well as the demotion of captured enemy soldiers. It's just that relatively speaking, compared with the slaves of the slave society, the status of the slaves of the Qin State has improved.

The practice of reducing people to slaves is deeply hated by Yingzheng, after all, he once lived in a peaceful era, and in his opinion, this kind of behavior is a distortion of human nature.

It is acceptable to use the captives in exchange for money and food with the Six Nations, but it is not very satisfied with this method of treatment.

"Your Majesty: Killing prisoners will make the people of the Six Kingdoms hate me and Qin to the core, and the heavens will be angry and resentful. According to the opinion of the ministers, if they want to destroy the six countries, they must first destroy their ministers. ”

Zhuge Liang, who had been silent, stood up and said to Ying Zheng.

Yingzheng, who was originally upset, heard Zhuge Liang's words, and suddenly came to his senses, and finally came to a person who did not kill the prisoners.

Shang Ying and the others also looked at Zhuge Liang in the center of the hall in surprise, not knowing what he meant by this.

Ying Zheng nodded at Zhuge Liang, Zhuge Liang turned to Shang Ying and saluted: "Dare to ask Shang Jun, what kind of person is the one who rejuvenates the country?"

Shang Ying replied without thinking about it: "Shang Xian, the foundation of politics." ”

Zhuge Liang saluted, and then said to Wei Ranli: "Dare to ask the wait, what kind of person is the leader of the troops?"

Wei Ran said: "The Art of War: Those who can lead the troops are called generals, and those who can be generals are called handsome." ”

Zhuge Liang thanked him again, and said respectfully to Yingzheng: "Those who are strong are virtuous ministers, and those who lead the troops are also handsome." If there are no virtuous ministers in the six countries, no handsome talents, and millions of captives, the people of Qin will also. ”

Ying Zheng understood, Shang Ying, Wei Ran and others also heard it, Zhuge Liang is going to exchange a million prisoners for a capable minister and a handsome talent of the Six Kingdoms. By that time, the Qin State was getting stronger and stronger, and the Six Kingdoms were getting weaker and weaker.

As for whether the Six Kingdoms will agree, this is a conspiracy, they have to agree, if the kings of the Six Kingdoms do not agree, the people of the Six Nations will make their thrones uneasy.

Ying Zheng looked at Zhuge Liang below, the more he looked at it, the more satisfied he became, it was really a blessing to have him as a minister.

Ying Zheng glanced at a circle of His Royal Highness's ministers, and said majestically: "Today, Lone has decided to set up a government and three departments. The first government is the Tiance Mansion, and the Tiance Mansion is the think tank of the Qin State, which can participate in the military, assist in government affairs, and make suggestions for the development of the Qin State. Zhuge Kongming, during the Western Expedition, exterminated more than 100,000 Huns in one plan; later sent an envoy to the Yueshi clan to promote the Qin-Yue Alliance; and made a plan for Sima to attack the Qiang people; and set a plan with Bai Qi to lure the enemy into depth; and to this day, the strategy of strengthening Qin and weakening the six kingdoms; one by one, it is enough to prove that he is qualified and meritorious to serve as the head of the Tiance Mansion. ”

After Ying Zheng finished speaking, the courtiers were shocked, they didn't expect that Zhuge Liang had made so many great contributions without an official and a half-position, looking at his eyes, it was like looking at a living god of wisdom.

Shang Ying also looked at Zhuge Liang who was light and breezy, Ying Zheng said this, some he had heard, some had never heard, he knew that Zhuge Liang had a mysterious origin, and he was deeply valued by Ying Zheng, thinking that his ability should be extraordinary, but he didn't expect it to be too underestimated, this is extraordinary, obviously extraordinary.

"Ladies and gentlemen, who is against it?" Ying Zheng said lightly.

"The ministers have no objections. Qunchen said.

"Minister, oppose. ”

An abrupt voice appeared, and it was the minister who had just said that he had released a million people.

Ying Zheng asked calmly, "What is Dr. Li's objection?"

Dr. Li is a middle-aged man, wearing a four-grade official uniform, Yingzheng asked questions, unhurried, and said respectfully: "There is no precedent for the establishment of Tiance Mansion, so the ministers oppose it." ”

Ying Zheng said majestically and undoubtedly: "Lonely's words are a precedent." ”

Doctor Li saluted again and said, "The minister has no objections." ”

After finishing speaking, he retreated, and the ministers were stunned, is this a tiger's tail?

Only Shang Ying and Zhuge Liang kept this person in mind, and Ying Zheng also looked at him twice before saying:

Zhuge Liang listened to the seal. ”

"The minister is here. Zhuge Liang bowed and said.

"Feng Zhuge Liang is the head of Tiance Mansion, the official residence is the second grade, and the monthly salary is 300 stones. The advisors of the Tiance Mansion are divided into nine to one grade based on their merits. In addition, Lonely, you are specially allowed to go to the court without wearing official clothes or hats, you can wear gossip clothes and hold a feather fan to the court. "Ying Zhengdao.

Zhuge Liang saluted respectfully, a little moved, he didn't expect Ying Zheng to say such absurd words for him that he could go to the court without wearing official clothes and hats. At this moment, he realized that although Yingzheng was small, his open-mindedness and undoubting attitude were better than Uncle Liu Huang.

The minister's eyes looking at Zhuge Liang were meaningful.