King Qin Zhao was fifty-three years old, Zhao Xiaocheng was king twelve years, and Ying Zheng and Zhao Gao were already five years old.

Over the years, Zhao Ji and her two young children have been living in the old village of the Lu family on the outskirts of Handan, and under the careful care of the housekeeper of the Lu Mansion, although life is not as luxurious as before, it can be regarded as worry-free. But the strange thing is that Zhao Guo knew about the existence of Zhao Ji's mother and son, but he always pretended to be deaf and dumb.

After Ying Yiren returned to the Qin State, he seemed to have forgotten the existence of their mother and son, and three full years passed, and it took almost half a year to get a letter from home, and the few words on the letter never mentioned the son. What made Zhao Ji even more unbearable was Lu Buwei, the man who once made him fall in love with them, and he also ignored their situation. Sometimes, she even hated herself, maybe she shouldn't have promised Lu Buwei to marry Yingyiren, and she shouldn't have fantasized about the ethereal dream of the queen.

Qin Zhao's sworn enemy, Xiao Yingzheng, who has the identity of the son of Qin State, was naturally isolated by children of the same age. From childhood to adulthood, except for Zhao Gao, who grew up together, he didn't have any playmates. People behind their backs said that this two-month-old child was Lu Buwei's wild seed, and the rumors that spread out made Zhao Ji's family talk about it wherever they went.

Zhao Ji, who was worried, had no choice but to consult with the housekeeper of the Lu Mansion, and both of them felt that the child was gradually sensible, and it was not a way to continue like this for a long time, so they should find a teacher for them anyway. After some inquiry, the housekeeper of the Lu Mansion took Yingzheng and Zhao Gao to the house of an old celebrity who lived in seclusion in Handan City.

When the old man with white hair saw the two children, he couldn't help but gasp, and he didn't squeak for a long time.

"How, sir? Close? When the housekeeper of the Lu Mansion saw the old man's appearance, he couldn't help but be a little worried.

"Wait, let's play first." The old man closed his eyes and pondered for a long time, then frowned and patted the two children's immature shoulders. Xiao Yingzheng was so panicked in the house that he was bored, and when he heard the old man say this, he was immediately relieved, and he pulled up Zhao Gao and ran out of the house.

Seeing the two children running away, the old man said leisurely: "Zhao Zhengzhi, rhinoplasty and long eyes, two eyebrows and sideburns, is the so-called emperor's appearance." However, this son can share weal and woe, not wealth and prosperity! In the future, he will be mean and unkind, and it will be difficult for King Goujian to reach one or two! The old man saw that the housekeeper of the Lu Mansion looked confused, and his brows furrowed again, "Zhao Gao is hard to say!" or for the good ministers of the world, or for the traitors of the country, all in his thoughts. ”

"Five-year-old boy, how can the gentleman see that?" The housekeeper of the Lu Mansion listened to the old man's words, and showed an expression of disbelief, "What does the gentleman mean?" ”

I didn't want the old man to laugh: "This kind of character is rare in a hundred years!" How could the old man miss it? Everything but it depends on providence! ”

From that day on, Ying Zheng and Zhao Gao officially entered the door of this old celebrity, and in addition to teaching their studies on weekdays, the old man also took care of the lives of the two. Ying Zheng was separated from father and son since he was a child, and Zhao Gaogen didn't even know who his biological father was, but over time, there was a little father-son affection between teachers and students. On weekdays, the three of them talk about everything and debate with each other, as if they have forgotten their friendships.

Three years have passed, and the two children are completely different from before in terms of knowledge and temperament. In order to allow Yingzheng to return to Qin as soon as possible, the housekeeper of the Lü Mansion sent people to spread rumors in Handan City according to Lü Buwei's secret instructions: Zi Chu had a son in Qi, and Qi Zheng wanted to send him back to Qin.

King Zhao, who did not know the truth, urgently summoned Pingyuanjun to discuss countermeasures, and Pingyuanjun replied noncommittally: "Regardless of whether the rumors are true or not, they should send their mother and son back to China." ”

"What do you mean by that?" King Zhao couldn't help but ask in surprise, "Isn't it a pity to be like this." ”

"Zhao Ji's mother and son stay in Zhao, it is useless, if they are allowed to return to China, it may help to disrupt Qin's plan." Pingyuanjun shook his head and said thoughtfully.

King Zhao pondered for a long time before he took the case: "According to Uncle Wang, I will immediately send Zhao Ji's mother and son back to Qin." ”

At this moment, an astonishing news came from the Qin State: the old Qin King is gone!

When Lü Buwei learned of the death of King Qin, it was late at night, and he hurried to An Guojun's mansion, only to see An Guojun leaning on the big pillow, panting constantly, and Gang Chengjun Cai Ze and Ying Yiren were already standing aside.

Seeing Lu Buwei's arrival, An Guojun sighed: "The first king died suddenly, and it was a year of great disaster, and the country was in chaos, but what should I do?" ”

"The crown prince is already the de facto king of Qin, and he should have a claim!" Lü Buwei changed his usual modesty and said with a straight face.

"Why doesn't the old man know?" An Guojun shook his head helplessly, "However, the body is heavy, and the heart is more than enough but the strength is insufficient!" ”

Hearing what his father said, Ying Yiren hurriedly spoke: "The national disaster is at the head, and Zichu is willing to share the worries of the monarch's father." ”

"Oh?" An Guojun raised his head, "What is my plan?" ”

"Father, son Chu thought that the state funeral should be postponed, and immediately opened a warehouse for disaster relief to reassure the people." Ying Yiren did not hesitate at all, and said angrily.

An Guojun smiled bitterly and shook his head: "The state funeral seems to be postponed, but blatant disaster relief violates the century-old Qin law, and this move will quench your thirst, and there will be endless troubles!" ”

The proposal of "An Guojun ......" to open a warehouse for disaster relief was originally discussed by Cai Ze and Ying Yiren in advance, but he didn't want to be vetoed by An Guojun, Cai Ze couldn't help but be very anxious.

An Guojun raised his hand to stop Cai Ze's words, and asked Lu Buwei, "Why didn't Lu Gong speak?" ”

"In the Prince's Mansion in the lower district, I dare not speak falsely about major national affairs." Lu Buwei excused himself.

"It doesn't hurt to talk about it." An Guojun was well aware of Lu Buwei's talent, and his earnest eyes were full of expectation.

Helpless, Lu Buwei had no choice but to speak: "Forgive Buwei for being blunt, you can't open a warehouse for disaster relief right now!" The Qin people have their own tradition of hoarding grain, so it is not a famine among the people, but a famine in the land, and now the chaos is in the court and not in the wilderness......"

"Lu Gong said how to do it." A glimmer of light flashed in An Guojun's dim eyes, and he sat up busily, interrupting Lu Buwei's words.

"The crown prince will be crowned king, and the government will manage the disaster and save the land, and he will be safe."

An Guojun frowned: "This matter is not appropriate!" The state funeral has not yet been completed, how can Yingzhu be king? ”

Ying Yiren persuaded: "Father, what Lu Gong said is extremely true, at an extraordinary time, you can't be bound by common sense, only by ascending the throne and becoming the king can you inspire the government and the opposition and calm down the chaos!" ”

An Guojun was silent for a long time, and then nodded slightly in agreement.

A few days later, Xianyang Palace held a grand ceremony for the enthronement of the new monarch, and An Guojun Yingzhu was officially called the king, known as King Qin Xiaowen in history.

But before people's mood calmed down for a few days, an even more shocking news came one after another: Yingzhu, who had only been on the throne for three days, actually relapsed from his old illness in the mourning hall and went with the old King Qin.

After a few days of mourning two kings, the Hehe Qin Kingdom suddenly fell into unprecedented chaos, and for a time rumors spread everywhere, the people in the country were panicked, and the six countries of Shandong were even more impatient......

During the years he came to Qin, Zhao Kuo took the opportunity of serving as a national lieutenant to conduct a detailed investigation of Qin's treasury and combat strength. The conclusion he came to made him gasp: the Qin State Treasury had sufficient grain and weapons, and it was difficult to match the combined forces of the six countries.

"The atmosphere of the Qin State has been completed! If you can't take this opportunity of the national mourning to completely disrupt the Qin State, and wait for its vitality to recover in the future, it will be even more difficult to mess with Qin again! But after all, he is just a small national lieutenant Cheng ......" Just when Zhao Kuo was worried, a little boy suddenly ran into the study.

"Xing'er?" Zhao Kuo came back to his senses and looked up to see that it was his son Zhao Xing, who was less than six years old. Zhao Kuo was just about to speak, but the nurse ran in in a panic and knelt on the ground in panic: "My lord, forgive me." ”

"You go down first." Is my Zhao Kuo so terrible? Zhao Kuo laughed at himself in his heart, and then got up and hugged Xiao Zhao Xing. When the nurse walked to the door, Zhao Kuo suddenly thought of something, turned his head and asked, "Can you see Mrs. today?" ”

The nurse stopped and replied cautiously, "Madame left the house early in the morning and has not yet returned." ”

"Got it, let's go down." Zhao Kuo stretched out his hand to tease his son, but there was an inexplicable irritability in his heart. After six years of marriage, the relationship with Ji Hua is becoming more and more indifferent, Zhao Kuo suddenly missed the days when the two brothers and sisters were commensurate, at least there would be nothing to say like today.

In fact, Ji Hua also understands that Zhao Kuo has still not been able to let go of Ji Xue in the past six years! But he has always been polite and respectful to himself, so what more can he ask for? Everything is fate!