Longevity by Picking up Attributes in the Battlefield Chapter 771 Chapter 315: Zhao Feng: If All of You Serve with Devotion, Even Longevity Is Not Impossible

Suddenly, Ying Zheng broke the silence.

Those words had barely landed.

Court ministers exchanged bewildered glances; someone so deeply esteemed by Ying Zheng, and once a vital pillar of Qin's administration—no one could guess who it was.

After all, those who left the court had either gone home in old age or met the same fate as Wang Wan and others.

'Zhong Fu.'

Ying Zheng proclaimed loudly.

Those two words echoed.

Nearly everyone in the grand court gasped in shock, composure shattered, as all eyes turned toward the hall's entrance.

Zhao Feng alone kept a steady face; evidently, he had known about this for some time.

To be called Zhong Fu by Ying Zheng.

To earn such reverence from Ying Zheng.

Beneath the heavens, only two men fit that description.

One was his father-in-law, Xia Wuqie.

The other was none other than his Zhong Fu, Lv Buwei.

Back then, when Ying Zheng first took the throne, powerful ministers surrounded the court, clans gripped the reins, Concubine Zhao dominated affairs, and Lv Buwei stood as Qin's unchallenged top minister. Yet despite his lofty status and immense influence, he never disrespected Ying Zheng. Instead, he poured every effort into strengthening Qin and fiercely protected the king's authority.

When Ying Zheng matured to rule personally, Lv Buwei retired after his great accomplishments.

However.

Outsiders remained ignorant of this truth.

In the world's view.

Once Lv Buwei was banished from Xianyang, he had supposedly received the death decree.

In reality.

Lv Buwei's departure from Xianyang back then was Ying Zheng shielding him; the subsequent 'granting of death' served as even deeper protection.

From the moment Lv Buwei stepped down as Chancellor, all the rival states plotted against him, hoping to exploit him against Qin. But Lv Buwei had devoted his whole life to Qin—betrayal was unthinkable.

To avoid troubling Ying Zheng or weakening Qin's core power, Lv Buwei had embraced thoughts of death. Ying Zheng uncovered this and issued a royal decree 'granting him death,' finally forcing the other states to abandon their schemes against Qin, right up to now.

Beneath the stares of the hundred officials.

A figure with flowing white hair stepped slowly into the Morning Audience Hall.

Though advanced in years, an intangible aura radiated from him, compelling instant respect at first sight.

Even after years away from court, his commanding presence remained undiminished, impossible to dismiss.

'It's really him.'

'Qin's former Chancellor, Lv Buwei.'

'Qin's supreme powerbroker in those days.'

'Wasn't he executed by imperial decree?'

'Who knew this titan still lived...'

Lv Buwei's arrival.

Sent the entire court into uproar.

All were stunned by Lv Buwei's presence.

Indeed, in the Great Qin's court of old, Lv Buwei had been the absolute powerholder.

Even Wang Wan and Huai Zhuang's influence hadn't reached a tenth of Lv Buwei's former might; one could fathom the staggering authority he once commanded.

'The fabled powerbroker Lv Buwei.'

'He's still alive.'

'My old man hid him well. But it makes sense—Father must be utterly worn out, desperate for help, or he wouldn't summon Lv Buwei from seclusion.'

Spotting Lv Buwei, Zhao Feng grinned to himself.

He clearly grasped why Ying Zheng called Lv Buwei back into service.

State matters piled endlessly.

The tasks from enacting national policies multiplied even more.

Zhao Feng devised the policies; their execution fell to the officials and Qin's bureaucracy, but oversight and decisions burdened Ying Zheng alone.

Zhao Feng had now perfected the art of idleness.

Yet.

Lv Buwei's return would greatly ease Ying Zheng's load.

'This old subject Lv Buwei greets Your Majesty.'

Lv Buwei entered the hall with a grave expression and bowed deeply to Ying Zheng.

With that bow.

Emotions surged across Lv Buwei's face.

Perhaps he never imagined returning to Xianyang after so many years; never dreamed that in his final years, he could stand proudly in this court again, especially now that Qin had conquered the world.

This sensation felt like an entire lifetime had slipped by for Lv Buwei.

From the corner of his eye, he glanced at the civil and military officials crowding the Court.

Most of their gazes carried deep awe.

The old ministers from those times had nearly all disappeared; now, they were all Qin's fresh talents, Qin's emerging nobility.

If not for Zhao Feng.

Lv Buwei might still have encountered men like Wang Wan; those figures naturally knew Lv Buwei well. Back in that period, Lv Buwei stood as the foremost among the Hundred Officials, even surpassing the Grand Commandant.

Now.

Everything had transformed.

Of course.

If not for Zhao Feng.

Lv Buwei might never have descended the mountain again, destined to be recorded in history as executed by King Zheng of Qin.

"Zhong Fu."

Ying Zheng stared at the man before him, a wave of reminiscence surging in his eyes.

When he had been held hostage in Zhao and finally returned to Qin.

Ying Zheng had constantly stayed by Lv Buwei's side, learning from his guidance. One could say Lv Buwei held the kindness of a mentor toward him, and after ascending the throne, without Lv Buwei's help, he might never have reunited with his Efang.

"Your Majesty has truly not let down the late King."

"The realm united under one rule, the world brought to unity."

"I never imagined this old minister would live to witness this moment." Lv Buwei stood tall, a smile on his face, his words brimming with approval for Ying Zheng.

Upon hearing this.

Ying Zheng felt profound emotion stir inside him.

"That Zhong Fu has descended from the mountain."

"I am immensely delighted."

Ying Zheng declared with a smile.

Next.

He surveyed the civil and military officials below and proclaimed loudly: "My lords."

"Today, my Zhong Fu has returned."

As these words rang out.

All the civil and military officials, with awe in their eyes, bowed toward Lv Buwei: "We pay respects to the Marquis of Changxin."

"I have met you, esteemed ministers."

Lv Buwei gave a light smile, cupped his hands, and returned the salute to the ministers lined on both sides.

"With national policies to enact."

"The state matters I must manage are complex and plentiful; I have called the Marquis of Changxin back to the capital today exactly to aid Me in handling these tangled affairs of state." Ying Zheng overlooked the Court, his voice firm and unyielding.