Cheng Qiao's group had to accept the reality. They lost everything in just one day. If King Qinzhuang hadn't announced that Ying Zheng would succeed the crown prince yesterday morning, he would still have a chance to fight, but now, there is no chance at all. .
Ying Zheng stood up and said, "I think it is very appropriate for my father's funeral to be left to Lu Xiangguo. What do you think?"
Zhao Ji's identity changed from King Qin's wife to King Qin's mother. She also publicly expressed her support for Lu Buwei. When Yingzheng ascended to power, he needed someone to assist him. One was the Prime Minister and the other was the Queen Mother. Both of them were important enough.
The ministers were accustomed to acting according to the prevailing situation, so they all expressed their support for Lu Buwei and recommended him as an auxiliary minister.
"Thank you so much for your love from all my colleagues!" Lu Buwei said arrogantly with an expression as if he belongs to me: "In this case, I will not refuse! The king is buried, and the whole country is mourning, but the country cannot live without a king for a day. The Prince is very smart and can succeed to the throne. I suggest that the Prince ascend the throne tomorrow, and then the new king will lead the ministers to hold a funeral for the king!"
"I agree!" Zhao Ji once again expressed that she was on Lu Buwei's side.
"We all agree!" the ministers shouted, but Cheng Qiao, Yang Quanjun and a few others remained silent.
…
Ji Jie waited in Lu Mansion for a long time, and it was not until midnight that Lu Buwei came back from the palace.
"Haha, Mr. Zhaowen has been waiting for a long time!" Lu Buwei smiled when he saw Ji Jie.
"It's nothing. Now is the time when the Prime Minister is busy, I understand!" Ji Jie's smile contained many other elements, and he said straight to the point: "The Qin clan will be escorted to Xianyang City soon. Should the Prime Minister give the order? Let’s release them. I’m afraid it will be difficult to deal with them once we enter the city and take them into prison!”
Lu Buwei frowned. To be honest, things developed too fast today and went more smoothly than expected. He had been immersed in joy and had forgotten all about what he had promised Ji Jie.
This is really a bit difficult to handle!
In fact, Lu Buwei agreed to this matter for two reasons. First, it came from threats; second, it came from temptation!
In general, the temptation was greater than the threat, so he agreed. He thought that he would make plans after Ying Zheng took the position of crown prince, and used various methods to delay it. He did not expect that Ji Jie would come to him so soon.
When he was in the palace just now, Lu Buwei felt that although the ministers seemed to obey him on the surface, many people were actually disgusted with him giving orders. If he continued to make private decisions regarding the Qin family, he might be impeached by the ministers!
After all, Lu Buwei was not a native of Qin. Although he had been operating here for several years, his foundation was not as good as that of Yang Quanjun and others. He had to be cautious in doing things.
"Well, I'm afraid it's not easy!" Lu Buwei found a reason and said: "The new king's enthronement, the funeral of the previous king, these are extremely complicated things! There is also the arrest of the Qin family, which was ordered by the previous king. He just What will everyone think if I let him go if he dies? Mr. Zhaowen, how about you give me some time to deal with the matter at hand first and talk about it later?"
"Haha, it's not good for the Prime Minister to do this!" Ji Jie sneered twice and said, "If you do this, what's the difference between crossing the river and burning the bridge?"
Lu Buwei blushed and said, "But now I really can't order his release! If I do, Yang Quanjun and Cheng Qiao will definitely take the opportunity to make a big fuss, and the prince has not yet established a firm foothold!"
Ji Jie knew, of course, what Lu Buwei was thinking, and continuing to force him was not an option, but since he came, there had to be a result, and he couldn't go back empty-handed.
"The Prime Minister's words make sense to a certain extent, but my affairs are also very important!" Ji Jie stood up and said, "Well, I'll give you five days and release the person I want within five days, okay?"
"It's so stressful, three months!" Lu Buwei held out three fingers.
"Ten days!" Ji Jie made a concession and at the same time made a bold statement: "It's only ten days, there is no room for bargaining! The prime minister should know my ability, Ji Jie, and I can help you promote Ying Zheng. You can also make him fall down. You'd better keep my affairs in mind at all times. Otherwise, when we fall out, it won't look good on you or me. What do you think?"
"That is, that is, I will try my best to do it!" Lu Buwei said with a smile.
"Farewell!" Ji Jie clasped his fists, turned around and walked out.
After Ji Jie left, Lu Buwei grabbed the teacup on the table and threw it on the ground, yelling: "Who do you think you are? How dare you threaten me? This is Qin, not you, Zhou!"
…
The next day, a vigorous coronation ceremony for the new king began. Ying Zheng was wearing a dragon robe and sitting on a dragon chair. Lu Buwei stood aside. The old eunuch unfolded the imperial edict and read in a high voice: King Zhuang will be buried in heaven, and Prince Ying Zheng will ascend the throne. , respect the prime minister Lu Buwei as the father of the prime minister, and all ministers must assist him attentively...
From then on, Ying Zheng officially became the King of Qin, and Lu Buwei became the real power, firmly controlling the country's military and political power.
The old eunuch unfolded another imperial edict and read: Prince Cheng Qiao, although he has a naughty character, considering his identity as a prince, he was named the governor of Dongjun. He will take office after the king's funeral. There must be no mistake!
Dongjun was the most chaotic place in the Qin State. Civil uprisings broke out several times a year, and the government was attacked several times. The previous three county guards all died in the civil uprisings, and the military suppression was of no use at all.
Cheng Qiao curled his lips, and Yang Quanjun poked him with his finger and winked.
Cheng Qiao then knelt on the ground calmly and shouted in a sinister tone: "Thank you, Your Majesty for your grace!"
Then there were some adjustments to the ministers. Those who followed Lu Buwei were rewarded. Ten out of ten of the Chengqiao faction were demoted, and some were simply wiped out.
The palace music is playing in unison, and the officials are shouting long live.
On a high mountain not far outside Xianyang City, Ji Jie used a telescope to look at the scene of Ying Zheng enthroning in the city. He smiled and said to Qin Qing beside him: "Lu Buwei is really in power now. Although this kid Ying Zheng Very smart, but it will take at least ten years to regain military and political power from Lu Buwei!"
"What good will it do to you if Lu Buwei is in power?" Qin Qing asked.
"Of course!" Ji Jie said: "When Lu Buwei comes to power, it will shrink the pace of Qin's expansion. Won't we, the Great Zhou Dynasty, have a chance?"
Although Ying Zheng was Lu Buwei's son, no other person in Qin knew about it except him and Zhao Ji, and he did not dare to let the third person know, so Ying Zheng was destined to bear the title of the son of King Qin Zhuang. The throne is secure.
In order to consolidate his foundation, Lu Buwei will focus on the country instead of abroad. Anyway, the credit for opening up and expanding the territory will go to the king sooner or later, so why should he worry about it.
After a while, a long team appeared on the official road in the distance. The cavalry opened the way, followed by infantry and dozens of prison cars.
"Here we come!" Ji Jie handed the telescope to Qin Qing. This was their main purpose today.