Longevity by Picking up Attributes in the Battlefield Chapter 712 - 291: Ying Zheng Summons His Ministers: Actually, I Have an Eldest Son Among the Commoners! (2)

From the royal throne, he gradually stood up.

Unbridled delight swept over his face, mixed with utter disbelief.

Moments later—

Ying Zheng erupted in booming laughter, throwing his arms open wide.

"Ha ha ha."

"My lords."

"The various states are vanquished; Qin unifies the world."

"I have accomplished it."

His laughter boomed through the hall, carrying majestic authority.

"Long live the Great King, may Qin endure for ten thousand generations."

Civil and military officials across the court shouted in unison, prostrating before Ying Zheng.

"Ancestors and sovereigns through the ages."

"Generations of Qin’s warriors who fought with their blood."

"I, Ying Zheng, have not let you down."

"The world is united; Qin holds the realm."

"From this day forth, the Huaxia People shall know no more war and chaos."

"From this day forth, upon the Land of the Divine Continent, the legacy of Qin shall endure forever." Ying Zheng felt profoundly stirred deep inside.

He had realized the dream of destroying the rival states.

He had brought about the grand unification of the world.

And now, he—

Was merely in his thirties!

In the peak of his vigor, during his prime years.

"Efang."

"The day I longed for has finally arrived." Ying Zheng's heart brimmed with even greater anticipation for this moment.

Before the full assembly of officials, before everyone under heaven, to proclaim his wife and his children.

With this in mind—

Ying Zheng looked down at the gathered court.

"The unification of Qin beneath the heavens."

"Is not the deed of I alone, nor solely by my strength."

"But by virtue of the civil and military ministers of Qin, and a million elite soldiers, thus the world was brought together, the chaos and division forged into unity."

"You all are the meritorious of Qin."

"Qin will never forget your merits, and neither will the histories."

Ying Zheng's words rang with solemn weight.

"Long live the Great King, may Qin last ten thousand generations."

The entire court of civil and military officials cried out with fervent passion.

"Transmit my edict."

"Since Qi has surrendered, let Lord Wu’an promptly seize the military command of Qi, reorganize their elite into the Qin ranks, station them at the Northern Border of Yan Territory."

"After reorganization, return swiftly to the capital."

"Apart from this—"

"Chancellor Han, Huai Xiang."

"Immediately draft capable officials to govern the Land of Qi." Ying Zheng's voice cut firm and distinct.

"Your servant obeys." Han Fei and Huai Zhuang responded without delay.

Right then—

Wang Jian's heart surged with eager expectation.

"The world is unified, Zhao Feng’s identity to be restored."

"Finally, this day I have long awaited has come."

"Once the identity is restored, Zhao Feng will become the Eldest Imperial Son of Qin, granted the title of Crown Prince."

"Yan’er will also become Crown Princess Consort."

"Our Wang Family will produce a Queen in days to come."

"Ha ha ha."

Thoughts like these—

Wang Jian could barely contain his inner thrill and let out a laugh.

"At last the world is unified."

"Lord Feng’s identity is soon to be restored as well."

"Not only Lord Feng, but also Princess Ying."

"Who would have thought that You’er could marry the lord, and she is a legitimate princess at that."

"Henceforth, our Li Family is fated to prosper." Li Si brimmed with immense excitement at that instant.

Across the whole court,

Only Wang Jian and Li Si knew Zhao Feng’s true identity, and grasped Ying Zheng’s hidden plans for the future.

"Reasonably speaking, Wang Jian should know Lord Feng’s identity, yes?"

Mulling this—

Li Si turned his gaze toward Wang Jian.

Sensing Li Si’s stare, Wang Jian glanced back, somewhat startled.

As their eyes met,

A peculiar look passed over Wang Jian’s face.

"What does Li Si mean by that look? Could it be he knows about Zhao Feng’s identity?" Wang Jian pondered silently, feeling uneasy.

"By the look of it, Wang Jian must have known already."

"Thinking back, Wang Jian, who was ever prudent and shrewd, suddenly tore up relations with Fusu, coming into sharp opposition."

"Did he know then?"

"It makes sense."

"After all, Wang Jian is Lord Feng’s father-in-law; his daughter has borne him sons and daughters, so he’s already one of our own."

"Naturally, the Great King would have told him long ago." Li Si reflected inwardly.

"Perhaps it was when Li Si and his son entered the palace to seek Princess Ying’s hand that the Great King told Wang Jian of Zhao Feng’s identity?" Wang Jian guessed to himself too.

All officials in this court were cunning like foxes.

A few clues sufficed to clarify everything in their minds.

As the court session concluded,

The appointees for governing the Land of Qi were settled.

The hundred officials departed one by one.

But just then—

Several attendants by Zhao Gao’s side discreetly neared some of the court’s top ministers and whispered a message.

Soon after—

In Zhangtai Palace!

Several high-ranking ministers had convened here.

The palace doors stood firmly closed.

Wang Jian and Huan Yi, the military leaders, were present.

Meng Wu stayed at the Northern Frontier. Because this campaign was crucial for conquering Qi, and border unrest was a worry, Meng Wu had been dispatched to manage it.

Besides Wang Jian and others,

Han Fei,

Yu Liao,

Zheng Guo,

Feng Quji, Feng Jie,

Li Si—

These prominent officials gathered as one.

Each wielded great influence in court, and they shared a key trait.

They had never backed any prince, nor joined the court’s bitter factional fights.

Perhaps,

This was why they were called to Zhangtai Palace.

"Is everyone present?"

Ying Zheng scanned the ministers in the hall, asking lightly.

"Your Majesty—"

"All are here." Zhao Gao answered deferentially.

"Stand guard outside the hall. Without my command, no one is to come near." Ying Zheng ordered in a deep, serious tone.

"Your servant obeys."

Zhao Gao bowed, retreated politely, and sealed the hall doors.

Then—

Ying Zheng turned to Yu Liao and the others, a faint smile on his lips: "Do you know why I have summoned you, beloved ministers?"

"This—your servants know not."

Aside from Wang Jian and Li Si, the others bowed sequentially.

It was clear—

Wang Jian and Li Si, seeing these gathered vassals, immediately grasped the purpose.

"Have you not noticed a similarity among you?"

Ying Zheng smiled gently, then proceeded slowly.

His words landed,

The group exchanged looks inside the hall.

At that instant—!

Yu Liao, surveying the room, abruptly realized something.

"Your Majesty means, your servants never involved themselves in factions?" Yu Liao exclaimed in astonishment.

These words

Clarified the situation at once.

The ministers all came to sudden understanding.

Be it Li Si, Han Fei, Feng Quji, or the others,

They all possessed this quality.

In court, factions existed: backers of Fusu, supporters of Hu Hai.

But these men backed none; they stayed clear of both sides.

And each commanded real power; no one could compel them against their will.

"Yu Qing truly is a worthy disciple of Guiguzi—most perceptive." Ying Zheng praised with a smile.

"Great King."

"We all know that authority is yours to grant; the future Crown Prince of Qin must also be decided by Your Majesty. We are loyal to Qin, not to any one man, nor shall we oppose our liege." Feng Quji stated deliberately.

Upon hearing this,

The rest nodded in agreement: "We are of the same mind."

"So long as no prince is yet established as successor, all are simply princes. We shall not be entangled with any. When Great King appoints his chosen Crown Prince, we shall serve unto death."

These declarations made,

Ying Zheng nodded faintly, his face growing ever more grave.

"Gathering you here today,

Firstly because you have not involved yourselves,"

Secondly for your loyalty to I."

"Therefore, today I have decided to share with you a matter."

"A matter concerning the Crown Prince of Qin—the very future of our realm." Ying Zheng declared steadily.

These statements

Left all but Wang Jian and Li Si looking solemn in the hall.

"In truth—"

"I have an eldest son who was raised among the common people."

"It was in the past, with my wife Lady Efang, that this son was born." Ying Zheng revealed gradually.

These revelations

Drew exchanged glances among the ministers—

This news struck all present as profoundly significant.

"Does Your Majesty intend to make this commoner son the heir apparent?" Han Fei’s face shifted slightly.

"If that is so—"

"In my view, it cannot be."

Yu Liao cut in promptly.

"Why not?" Ying Zheng smiled lightly, amusement flickering.

"A prince from among the commoners is untutored in royal ways, ignorant of governance and war,"

"If appointed Crown Prince, it will bring great harm to the state." Yu Liao responded solemnly.

...