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

He gradually stood up from the throne.

An ecstatic delight surged across his countenance, mixed with profound incredulity.

Moments later—

Ying Zheng erupted in thunderous laughter, flinging his arms apart.

"Ha ha ha."

"My lords."

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

"I have accomplished it."

His booming laughter filled the hall with regal power.

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

Civil and military officials throughout the court chorused 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." Deep in his soul, Ying Zheng felt profoundly stirred.

The dream of obliterating the rival states had been realized.

The grand unification of All Under Heaven stood achieved.

And now, he—

Had just entered his thirties!

In the full bloom of vigor, peak of his youthful prime.

"Efang."

"The day I longed for, at last, has come." Ying Zheng's heart brimmed even more with anticipation for this moment.

Before the assembled court, before everyone under the sky, to proclaim his wife and heirs.

With this in mind—

Ying Zheng looked down at the gathered officials.

"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 declared with solemn weight.

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

The full assembly of civil and military officials shouted fervently, brimming with zeal.

"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." His voice rang firm and decisive.

"Your servant obeys." Han Fei and Huai Zhuang responded at once.

Right then—

Wang Jian's chest swelled with eager hope.

"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."

Such thoughts—

Stirred uncontainable thrill in Wang Jian, drawing forth his laughter.

"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 intense elation at that instant.

Across the vast court,

Solely Wang Jian and Li Si grasped Zhao Feng's true identity, and Ying Zheng's hidden plans for tomorrow.

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

Mulling this—

Li Si's eyes shifted toward Wang Jian.

Sensing Li Si's stare, Wang Jian met it, faintly startled.

As eyes locked,

An peculiar look flickered 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, sensing something amiss.

"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 in his mind too.

Every official in this court was cunning like foxes.

Mere hints sufficed to illuminate truths in their thoughts.

Court adjourned,

Officials for governing Qi's lands were settled.

The officials filed out successively.

But just then—

Several attendants near Zhao Gao stealthily drew close to top ministers, whispering covert words.

Soon after—

Inside Zhangtai Palace!

Key ministers converged here.

Doors sealed tight.

Wang Jian and Huan Yi, the great generals, stood present.

Meng Wu stayed at the Northern Frontier; with Qi's vital conquest underway and border unrest a worry, he guarded there.

Besides Wang Jian and others,

Han Fei,

Yu Liao,

Zheng Guo,

Feng Quji, Feng Jie,

Li Si—

These lofty officials gathered as one.

Each wielded vast court influence, and all bore a key likeness.

None had backed any prince or joined the court's brutal feuds.

Likely,

This explained their call to Zhangtai Palace.

"Is everyone present?"

Ying Zheng scanned the hall's ministers, 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 deep, stern tones.

"Your servant obeys."

Zhao Gao saluted, exited politely, and barred the doors.

Next—

Ying Zheng eyed Yu Liao and the others, curving his lips slightly: "Do you know why I have summoned you, beloved ministers?"

"This—your servants know not."

All save Wang Jian and Li Si bowed sequentially.

Clearly—

Wang Jian and Li Si, beholding these vassals, grasped the purpose instantly.

"Have you not noticed a similarity among you?"

Ying Zheng smiled gently, then pressed on steadily.

His words landed,

Ministers glanced at each other across the hall.

In that instant—!

Yu Liao, surveying about, abruptly recalled something.

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

These words

Laid bare the truth at once.

Enlightenment dawned on the ministers.

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

They all possessed this quality.

Court factions divided: Fusu's backers, Hu Hai's allies.

Yet these stood apart, uninvolved with either camp.

Each commanded real might; absent their will, none could sway them.

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

"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 firmly: "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 drew a subtle nod from Ying Zheng, 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 intoned carefully.

Such pronouncements

Left all but Wang Jian and Li Si solemn-faced 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.

At these revelations,

Ministers traded shocked looks—

Undeniably earth-shaking news to them all.

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

"If that is so—"

"In my view, it cannot be."

Yu Liao cut in promptly.

"Why not?" Ying Zheng smiled subtly, amusement glinting.

"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 countered seriously.

...