In the Dune Palace, there is a towering side hall, and Hu Hai is sleeping fragrantly at this time. Suddenly, a waiter in his forties walked into the main hall and reported to Childe: "Childe, Childe, Lord Zhao asks to see you." Hu Hai woke up, rubbed his eyes and said, "It's so late, what's the matter?" He sat up in his cloak as he spoke. At this time, Zhao Gao walked straight in. Hu Hai saw that Zhao Gao was a little flustered, and suddenly fell asleep, so he beckoned him to sit down and talk. Zhao Gao did not sit, but looked around, and ordered the waiter just now to go to the door to look at the wind, and told him that no one was allowed to come in. The waiter answered. Zhao Gao closed the door, then walked quickly to Hu Hai's couch, knelt on the ground and whispered eagerly: "Childe, the emperor has died!" When Hu Hai heard that his father had died, he was first shocked, and then he was about to cry. Zhao Gao hurriedly covered his mouth with his sleeve and said in a low voice: "Don't make a sound, otherwise you will die!" Hu Hai asked why.

Zhao Gao roughly explained what had happened, and then said: "The prime minister has an order, if anyone tells the story of tonight, they will be killed!" Hu Hai was shocked and asked why. Zhao Gao replied: "The emperor died outside, and if the crown prince was not decided in advance, your brothers would fight for the throne in the capital and kill each other, especially those generals who led troops outside, and they would definitely lead the soldiers and horses to the capital to attend the funeral." When the time comes, the heroes gather, each with different intentions, will inevitably support their own master to the throne, and the people of the six countries will also take the opportunity to rebel, and the world will be in chaos, so the prime minister ordered that no one should spread the news of the emperor's funeral. When we return to Xianyang, we will first establish a new monarch, and then announce the funeral, so that the country can be safe and sound. ”

Hu Hai was innocent and cute, he didn't have much heart, and after listening to Zhao Gao's words, he opened his eyes and praised Li Si directly: "The prime minister is thoughtful, and he is worthy of being a wise and resourceful man of the Qin State!" Then I have to wait until I return to Xianyang to guard the spirit of my father Dai Xiao? Hu Hai said, endured his grief, and wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes. Zhao Gao threw bricks and said: "However, the emperor did not agree on the crown prince during his lifetime, and who will inherit the throne has not yet been decided!" Hu Hai said without thinking: "Who will inherit the throne is not something we discuss, my father must have left an edict to the prime minister and ministers when he was dying, and who is the crown prince is clearly written." I know my father very well, he is very knowledgeable, we don't need to worry about this! Zhao Gao listened to Hu Hai's words, trembling nervously, and involuntarily knelt on the ground, coaxing: "That's not the case. Childe, before the emperor died, I was also by my side, he only asked the prime minister to write an edict, asking the eldest prince Fusu to rush back to the capital from Shangjun to attend the funeral, and did not say that he would inherit the throne! ”

Hu Hai said smartly: "That's right, I know that my father is never sloppy about this matter, and his meaning couldn't be clearer, that is, to let the eldest brother ascend the throne." Besides, the eldest brother is the eldest son, and the eldest son is naturally the heir, which has been a rule since ancient times! When Zhao Gao heard this, he was so anxious that he was sweating profusely, and said: "But why don't you think about it for yourself, to this day, you haven't got an inch of fiefdom, are you indifferent to the land?" Hu Hai said indifferently: "No, but that's because I'm young." I have heard that a wise king knows his servants best, and a wise father knows his sons best. As the saying goes, 'a minister is better than a king, and a son is better than a father.' Of course, the Father knows who should be ordained and who should not. Although I don't have a fiefdom, I have no complaints. Because my father loved me very much when he was alive! Zhao Gao's heart was shocked, and he became even more anxious, and continued: "You can't say that, now the power of the world is in the hands of you, me and the prime minister. Now please think about it: Is it better to be controlled by others? Or is it better to control others? Hu Hai said without thinking: "Of course it's good to control others!" Zhao Gao immediately asked: "Then why is Gongzi indifferent to the throne of the Son of Heaven?" ”

Hu Hai suddenly realized, seemed to understand what Zhao Gao meant, and said tremblingly: "Since ancient times, the abolition of the long and the young has been the root cause of the disaster. It is unjust not to inherit the throne and to usurp the throne; It is unfilial piety to not obey the edict of the emperor and want to establish an heir; It is disloyal to rely on the strength of others to conspire to usurp the throne if you have limited ability and are not competent. If you want to do unrighteous, unfilial, and unfaithful things, the world will laugh at you, so it's best not to be whimsical! Zhao Gao was very anxious, thinking that this plan was a big game, and the matter of being called the emperor was not trivial, since it had been said and not adopted, once the person on the throne knew in the future, he would lose his wealth and wealth, and he would end up in a catastrophe.

Zhao Gao was so anxious that the beads of sweat on his forehead flowed down like beads of broken threads. While wiping his sweat with his sleeve, he said with a heartfelt voice: "I heard that the king of Shang Tang and the king of Zhou Wu killed their king, and the people of the world did not accuse them of injustice, and they were all ministers to kill the king, and it is not disloyal; Wei Zhugong killed his father, and the people of the country supported him, and Confucius also wrote about it in the "Spring and Autumn Period", but did not say that it was unfilial. You see that the small people are busy with daily trivial matters all day long, and the emperors and generals are busy with national affairs. The nature of things is different, and you can't treat national affairs with the behavior of ordinary people, and you can't let people who do big things do small things, so whenever an opportunity comes, you can't firmly grasp it, it's simply stupid! ”

When Hu Hai saw the teacher accusing him like this, he asked in surprise: "Teacher, are you talking about me?" So what to do? Can you advise? Zhao Gao saw that Gongzi wanted him to advise, and his eyes suddenly lit up, so he said: "Gongzi, the edict written by the first emperor to Fusu is on me, you want to get a big position now, and there is nothing unsuccessful!" As long as Childe is brave and decisive! I'm here to help! Hu Hai's spirit was shocked and said: "Listen to the teacher, now is a rare opportunity?" Zhao Gao said excitedly: "The opportunity cannot be lost!" When Hu Hai heard this, his calm heart was not calm, but he was still worried.

Seeing this scene, Zhao Gao impatiently pulled out the edict from his arms, got up and approached the candlestick, sent the edict of Qin Shi Huang to the fire, burned the edict recklessly, and said coldly: "Now that the edict is destroyed, if the prime minister asks for the crime, you and I are guilty of rebellion!" Please make up your mind as soon as possible! Hu Hai stood up in shock, he didn't expect that Zhao Gao had already destroyed the edict, so he let out a long sigh and said: "However, the eldest brother is generous and benevolent, that is, he honors his father and the emperor, and loves all his younger brothers and sisters, I really can't bear to compete with him!" Besides, his father has just died, and his bones are not cold, how can he bear to discuss the usurpation of the throne with the prime minister? Besides, this matter is related to the safety of the country, if the prime minister does not agree, he will be despised by the eldest brother in the future, and I am afraid to die when I think of it! ”

Zhao Gao said boldly: "As long as the son has the ambition to soar to the sky, I can let go of it for you, and I will definitely be able to seek a big position." I know the prime minister best, he loves glory and wealth very much. Please rest assured that Childe will definitely agree to this. When Hu Hai heard this, he was still the six gods and had no master, and he felt numb all over, and his mind was blank, so he said casually: "I can't decide this matter, it's up to you, teacher!" Zhao Gao heard that Gongzi agreed, and his heart suddenly bloomed, but he did not show his voice, but bowed deeply, and got up to leave.

At this time, in Li Si's residence, the lights were still on, because Qin Shi Huang died too suddenly, and Li Si was also very scared, he was afraid that something would happen. Since leaving the main hall of Qin Shi Huang and returning to his residence, he has not been so nervous that he has not drowsed in the slightest, he has paced back and forth in the house, and his mind is full of how to rush back to Xianyang and welcome Fusu to the throne. However, he felt that things were too tricky, when would he be able to arrive after such a long journey? In history, when the old king died and the new king had not yet ascended the throne, there were countless precedents of fighting for the throne and killing each other, the most typical of which is the story of Gongzi and Xiaobai. Li Si thought to himself: The First Emperor is a great king of the world, how great his vigorous life is! What a glorious life he had! But why did it suddenly pass away? Besides, I'm still on my way out on patrol, so what can I do? What if the people of the Six Nations took the opportunity to rebel? This series of questions was placed in front of Li Si, and he was really a little overwhelmed.

At this time, he remembered his past and the scene when he first came to Qin, as well as the scene when the king of Qin issued an expulsion order to expel him. If he hadn't taken the initiative to write to the King of Qin that time, how could he stay in the Qin State? How could he establish a meritorious service for the Qin State in the years to come? Later, how could he be a supreme minister in the Qin State? All of this, in the final analysis, is because of the presence of the first emperor. A great and wise king, without him, how could I be today? Now that he has lost this wise king who knows people and is eloquent, how will the Qin State go in the future? Can the enthroned Fusu continue to work hard to build a strong Qin state like the previous emperor? Can I, Li Si, continue to be his servant and show my talents? When Li Si thought of this, he had no bottom in his heart. He thought of the deceased emperor again, and once again burst into tears. Suddenly, someone came in and reported: "CRRC ordered Lord Zhao to ask to see him." ”

When Li Si heard that Zhao Gao was coming, he hurriedly let the left and right retreat, and then wiped the tears on his face. After a while, Zhao Gao strode in, and when he saw that there was no one in the house, he said bluntly to Li Si: "Prime Minister, the emperor has many sons, and they are all very good, have you ever thought about who will inherit the throne?" When Li Si heard this, he was surprised and said: "Before the emperor died, didn't he ask me to write a testament to help Su rush back to the throne?" When is it, why are you still saying this? Zhao Gao pretended to be surprised and said: "Did you say that you would let Fusu come back to attend the funeral, but you didn't say that you would let him inherit the throne?" There are many sons of the first emperor, which one of them has no conditions? The little boy Hu Hai is also very virtuous, and he also wants to inherit the throne, isn't it? ”

The prime minister listened to Zhao Gao's words, and said in shock: "Since ancient times, the abolition of the long and the young has been the source of trouble, how can you say such words about the destruction of the country?" Although the crown prince has not been determined, the meaning of the first emperor has been very clear, that is, he wants the eldest prince to come back to the throne, is this wrong? This is not for us to discuss, you must stop talking nonsense! Zhao Gao was not discouraged, and continued: "Although the edict is clearly written, even if it is to help Su inherit the throne, but the edict is now in the little prince, he resolutely refuses to send it out, and I have no choice!" The prime minister was surprised and asked why the edict was in the little prince's place. Zhao Gao said: "I was about to send someone to see him off, but it happened that the little boy came, he had to see it, how could I not let him see it?" This look was detained by him! When Li Si heard about this, he held back his anger and said very angrily: "This is a national event, how can you treat it as a child's play?" ”

Zhao Gao said unhurriedly: "May I ask the prince, how are you and Meng Tianbi?" Li Si was stunned by this question, and he replied without thinking: "This still needs to be asked, how can I compare to him?!" Zhao Gao said confidently: "That's right, I have five questions for the prince to answer me." Do you think you and Meng Tian are more talented than whom? Which of you has contributed more to the country? Which of you is more popular with the people? Which of you has the closest relationship with Fusu? Who is more favored by Fusu? Li Si frowned and smiled bitterly: "I can't compare to him in these five aspects, why are you asking this?" ”

Zhao Gao talked eloquently: "Although I, Zhao Gao, am the same clan as the imperial family, I am now an insignificant slave, and I was lucky enough to understand the law to be reused by the first emperor, and it has been more than 20 years since I came step by step." I hold the important position of the CRRC government order, which is really beyond my duty! But in the past 20 years, I have seen with my own eyes that the heroes and generals of the Qin State did not end well, and they all died miserably! Even the middle father of the first emperor died of drinking, not to mention others! When the first emperor was alive, you monarchs and ministers got along very well, and you were also the most favored by the first emperor, but what about after Fusu ascended the throne? The relationship between him and Meng Tian must be to reuse Meng Tian instead of the prince, which is obvious. Why? Because Fusu opposed book burning and Confucianism in the past, he was expelled from Beijing, and these two things were the ideas of the prince. In this way, it is impossible for you to wear the seal of the Marquis of Che to return to your hometown to retire, so the consequences can be understood even by children, but why can't the scheming prime minister think of it? Moreover, Fusu was brave and decisive, jealous and hateful, and was very popular with courtiers and the people. With such a respected man as the Lord, do you still have a good life? Think about how much he resented the prince before, and if he resented the prince, he would depose the prince, and the prince would be in a catastrophe from now on! ”

When Li Si heard this, he seemed to be a slap in the face, and he immediately trembled involuntarily, but he still forced himself to calm down and said: "I treat state affairs with loyalty, and I can't be sorry for the first emperor because of interests, besides, the talent of Fusu is not comparable to that of the little prince Hu Hai!" Zhao Gao continued: "I have been accepting the edict of the first emperor to teach Hu Hai's studies for several years, and I know Xiao Gongzi very well: he is kind and kind, intelligent and kind, and he also values scholars very much. In this way, the son of Corporal Lixian ascends the throne, and he will definitely become the promising king of the Qin State and the master of the industry! I've been around him for so many years and I've never found anything wrong with him. If the prince can now change Hu Hai as the monarch and assist him with the talent of the prime minister, Hu Hai will definitely become a generation of Ming monarchs! And the status of the prince and the prince will also be as stable as Mount Tai! At that time, you will be a veteran who has served two generations of emperors, and you will be illustrious for the rest of your life! After thousands of generations, you will be as famous as Zhou Gongdan! These are all things I thought of for the prince, please think twice? ”

Li Si listened to Zhao Gao's words, and the shock in his heart was really too great, he was silent for a long time, and his heart was shaken, but because the stakes were so high, he couldn't just agree so quickly, because if he did so, it was a betrayal of the first emperor and an injustice to Fusu, maybe this matter would cause an uproar, and even cause chaos in the country. At that time, he may also become the target of public criticism, and he will be infamous for rebellion through the ages. Li Si thought about it carefully: Whether it is Fusu or Hu Hai, or another son, they are all the sons of the first emperor, any prince ascends the throne, the country is still the world of the Ying family, Qin Guo is naturally surnamed Ying, not surnamed Wang, surnamed Zhao, let alone surnamed Li, how much fault is he at? Besides, Fusu's political views really did not agree with him. When a king with political disagreements is in power, can he reuse a courtier he doesn't like to be his prime minister? The matter is clear, just like Zhao Gao said: if Fusu inherits the throne, he may have to be deposed. Even if Fusu is generous and doesn't dismiss me, I will be neglected and ignored like a concubine who is not favored by my husband. In short, the era of the previous emperor's obedience to me will be gone forever, and my Li Si's career as a eunuch may come to an end. Is Zhao Gao really for my good? But even if he is for my own good, I should not be charged with disobedience! I should now pretend to be at his mercy and let him do something of usurpation, and I will only be his accomplice. In this way, even if people know the truth of the matter, they will not regard me as the object of condemnation. After Li Si thought about it, he continued to babble quietly: "I, Li Si, follow the emperor's edict and never have selfish thoughts, please don't say it again, go back and do your own work!" ”

Zhao Gao listened to Li Si's words, but did not lose heart, and continued to say: "O prince, what does it have to do with me which prince ascends the throne? But it's different for the prime minister! If the Prime Minister does not listen to my advice today, not only will you lose your power in the future, but you will also bring disaster to your children and grandchildren! How can a person who does not know how to control his own destiny be considered a wise man? Li Siqiang said calmly: "I'm just an ordinary person in Shangcai, mixed up to today's position, already content, what else can I hope for?" Besides, when the first emperor was dying, he entrusted me with great things. Now that the bones of the first emperor are not cold, how dare I bear to rebel? I have heard that 'there is filial piety in the discord of the six relatives, and there are loyal ministers in the chaos of the country.' 'Please don't say any more, if you say it again, you will trap me Li Si in injustice!' ”

Zhao Gaohao did not slack off, continued to exert his eloquence ability, and also said in a threatening tone: "I have also heard that 'those who know the times are handsome, and those who change through the machine are heroic.'" 'A wise man should be flexible and grasp opportunities. It is not only the responsibility of the prime minister to respond to people! Now that the power of the world is in the hands of Hu Hai, I am just here to convey his meaning to the prime minister. Besides, Fusu is on the outside, and Hu Hai is on the inside; Hu Hai is the top, Fusu is the bottom; From the inside to the outside, from the top to the bottom, the big thing will be decided. Once you miss the opportunity and the situation inside and outside the upper and lower levels has changed, and then you want to deal with Fusu in reverse, you will be against the superiors and the ministers against the king. Therefore, it is the law of nature that plants bloom in spring and bear fruit in autumn, and the objective form determines people's subjective will and actions. Now that the opportunity has come and the prince is not good at controlling it, it is simply self-inflicted, you better think about it carefully! A person who puts the cart before the horse and doesn't know where to go in the face of the great right and wrong, I feel sad in private, what else can I plan for the prince? When Zhao Gao said that he was sad, he actually shed crocodile tears. Li Si didn't say a word, just listened silently.

The two were speechless and silent for a while. Li Si hesitated to walk to the window, opened a window, looked up at the night sky, and at this time the rooster was already crowing, and he couldn't help but sigh a few times, and said with tears: "I unfortunately grew up in this era of Dong chaos, since I can't repay the emperor with death, where do I want to place my future?" Now that I have encountered a conspiracy to usurp the throne, how can I bear to participate in the plot! Zhao Gao listened to Li Si's words, he looked at his words, pondered his thoughts, and felt that Li Si already had a plan to abolish the elder and younger, and had eighty percent certainty, so he said decisively: "As long as the prime minister and the little prince have the same thoughts, let me bear this eternal infamy." As long as you are loyal to the little prince, I will plan for you, the big things will be successful, and the prince's position will never be lost! Li Si just sighed and stopped talking. Zhao Gao felt a burst of ecstasy in his heart, but he only made a gesture to Li Si expressionlessly, and then turned around and went out.