Chapter 208

Chapter 208: Why Do the Empress Dowager’s Words Sound So Ironic? Arguing with the Empress Dowager in Front of Ying Zheng!

Ying Zheng recalled for a moment, then said: “A beautiful young lady at twenty-eight, graceful and charming.”

Bam!

Suddenly, Zhao Ji heavily placed the tea cup back on the table.

There was a cold glint in her beautiful eyes.

She snorted coldly: “Hmph, no wonder you didn’t want to use her to trade for a city!”

Ying Zheng was taken aback.

Puzzled, he said: “What does this have to do with the National Advisor not wanting to use her to trade for a city?”

Zhao Ji narrowed her eyes as if she had seen through everything.

With an air of certainty, she said: “Of course it matters.”

“A young, beautiful, and noble princess—how many men in this world would be willing to trade her?”

No wonder that rebel flatly rejected Lord Changping’s proposal in court.

So this was the reason!

No wonder he immediately took her to his place after bringing her back.

He’s planning to lock her up as a concubine!

Ying Zheng frowned and said seriously: “I would trade her.”

Just a woman, how could she compare to a city and land?

Mother, your vision is too narrow.

Zhao Ji raised an eyebrow and glanced at him.

She actually couldn’t refute it.

In his heart, women were just dispensable.

If he had to choose between a woman and a city, he’d choose the latter without hesitation.

“That’s you, not him.”

Zhao Ji withdrew her gaze, replying irritably.

“That Princess Hongliang is young and beautiful; our National Advisor wouldn’t willingly send her back.”

The more she thought about it, the more convinced she was of her guess.

Normally, Hongliang and Bai Xianwu should be strictly guarded in Xianyang.

But he took them straight home.

Why?

For convenience, of course!

What a considerate rebel!

Ying Zheng suddenly sniffed.

He turned his head and scrutinized Gai Nie.

Gai Nie was baffled by his stare.

“Your Majesty?”

Ying Zheng asked seriously: “How many days has it been since you bathed?”

Gai Nie was stunned.

“Just bathed yesterday…”

Ying Zheng frowned and sniffed again.

Then he wondered, “That’s odd, why do I smell something sour then?”

Gai Nie pursed his lips.

“I think I smell it too.”

A faint vinegar smell.

Zhao Ji’s face suddenly stiffened at their murmuring.

She glared at them sideways.

“Do you two have nothing better to do?”

Gai Nie shrank back, not daring to retort.

Ying Zheng said calmly: “We’re waiting for the National Advisor to arrive.”

Zhao Ji glared at him coldly.

“Just because you’re waiting for him, does that mean you shouldn’t work?”

“Have you finished reviewing the memorials?”

“Have you responded to the ministers’ proposals?”

“If he doesn’t come, are you just going to wait?”

“Can’t you work while waiting?”

“If he doesn’t come for a day, will you wait for a day?”

Ying Zheng’s temple twitched; how did you come up with such a sharp angle to criticize?

He pointed at her seat helplessly.

“Mother, you are sitting in my chair; the memorials are right there.”

Zhao Ji grabbed a few memorials from the table and threw them at him.

“Take them to the side and review, don’t bother this palace.”

When Li Mo entered the study, he paused.

A charming mature woman sat at the large desk.

She raised her proud chin, glancing at the door with a condescending look.

On the other side of the study.

Ying Zheng sat on a small stool, bent over a low table, reviewing memorials.

His tall frame was nearly bent at ninety degrees.

Just looking at it felt uncomfortable.

Li Mo’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

Yo, what did he do wrong this time?

Ying Zheng looked up at the sound at the door.

There was a hint of grievance in his eyes.

“Greetings to the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty.”

Zhao Ji’s expression clearly showed her bad mood.
It’s normal for a menopausal woman to have a bad temper.

“The National Advisor has arrived?”

Ying Zheng straightened up, as if he had found salvation.

Zhao Ji gave Li Mo a cold, haughty look.

“I thought the National Advisor had gotten lost in the palace.”

Li Mo smiled and said, “My body wasn’t feeling well, so my steps were slow. I have kept the Empress Dowager and the Emperor waiting.”

Zhao Ji’s expression changed immediately.

She asked anxiously, “Were you injured in Han?”

Ying Zheng also looked worried upon hearing this.

Li Mo replied seriously, “That’s not it. I just didn’t rest well yesterday after coming back.”

He indeed hadn’t rested well.

He had been up all night!

Jing Ni was probably still catching up on sleep at home.

Zhao Ji’s cold face softened a bit.

She had been so angry that she forgot he had rushed back non-stop from Han.

There had been so many pursuers in Han.

He must have been exhausted.

Her heart softened immediately, and she instructed a palace maid, “Set up a seat for the National Advisor.”

A fleeting smile appeared at the corner of Li’s mouth.

This Empress Dowager was quite interesting.

She stayed by Zhao Ji’s side every day and could sense some things.

After Li Mo sat down, Ying Zheng also put down his pen.

He asked with concern, “Did you encounter any danger on your way back, National Advisor?”

Even he hadn’t expected that Li Mo could return to Qin from under Han’s blockade.

Emperor of Han hadn’t been able to capture him even with the entire nation’s effort.

This had really brought great honor to Qin!

Zhao Ji looked at Li Mo intently, waiting for his response.

Li Mo said calmly, “It was thrilling but not dangerous. Thanks to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor for pressuring the Emperor of Han.”

Ying Zheng shook his head and said truthfully, “I heard that when the National Advisor left Han, the Emperor of Han hadn’t made a decision yet.”

“Even without the 400,000 troops, the National Advisor could have left Han.”

The Emperor of Han said he would take three days to consider.

Not only did he not relax the hunt during those three days, but it also intensified.

Zhao Ji gently bit her red lips.

If she hadn’t initially refused to assign Li Mo a guard, perhaps this wouldn’t have happened.

“Now that you’re back, what are your plans, National Advisor?”

Revenge or not, just one word.

The 400,000 troops were waiting.

Ready to go to war at any moment!

She had asked Li Mo over to find out his plans.

The civil and military officials were waiting, as were the 400,000 troops.

The matter couldn’t be dragged on forever.

Li Mo pondered but didn’t speak.

Ying Zheng instantly understood.

He glanced at the palace maids and eunuchs in the study.

“All of you, leave.”

As soon as he spoke, even Gai Nie left.

Li looked at Zhao Ji.

After Zhao Ji nodded slightly, she too followed and left.

Soon, only three people were left in the study.

Zhao Ji looked at Li Mo and said indifferently, “National Advisor, I don’t understand why you want to exchange Bai Xianwu for a Hann city.”

“Han’s internal politics are unstable, and military morale is low.”

“Why don’t we take this opportunity to invade Han and take it in one go?”

This would be the best time to send troops.

The army had already gathered.

Led personally by Wang Jian and Wang Ben.

They had both troops and able commanders.

In contrast, Han couldn’t even care for itself, let alone find a commander.

Li Mo said methodically, “It is indeed a good opportunity.”

“But I believe that a strong attack is not suitable.”

Zhao Ji raised her eyebrows.

“Why? Do you think our Qin’s 400,000 troops can’t take Han?”

After asking, she suddenly changed her tone.

“Or are you worried that Princess Hongliang will hold a grudge against you?”

Li Mo was stunned.

What did this have to do with Honglian?

She had nothing to do with this, alright?

National affairs couldn’t be affected by an individual.

“Han’s internal politics are indeed unstable, but Qin’s situation is not much better.”

“To conquer outside, one must first settle inside. Before we attack Han, we need to unite the Qin court.”

Qin could indeed take Han, but breaking through Hangu Pass wouldn’t be easy.

Different voices existed in the court now.
At that time, if there were too many casualties among the soldiers, the voices of opposition would inevitably grow louder.

Ying Zheng pondered and said, “Indeed.”

Zhao Ji sat upright, her fair little hands folded over her lower abdomen.

She retorted, “Casualties in war are unavoidable. As long as we take down Han, those voices of opposition will naturally subside.”

Li Mo did not agree with her.

“The key issue is not post-war, but during the war.”

Zhao Ji narrowed her phoenix eyes, her gaze towards him already showing some displeasure.

“Then what does the national advisor suggest?”

Li Mo replied leisurely, “Two points.”

“First, we solve our internal issues.”

“Second, we release Bai Xianwu and use her to exchange for Nanyang.”

Ying Zheng suddenly lifted his head.

“Nanyang?”

Han’s terrain is long and narrow, and Nanyang is located in the north.

If we could obtain Nanyang, we could directly attack Xinzhen.

But the problem is that Nanyang cannot deploy that many troops.

Moreover, it backs onto the state of Zhao.

If we can’t take Xinzhen quickly and Han reacts, we would find ourselves in a dilemma.

“I thought the national advisor would have a better idea.”

Zhao Ji sneered mercilessly.

“Using Bai Xianwu to exchange for Nanyang, and then amassing our troops in Nanyang to attack Han, only for her to join forces against us?”

“We might as well directly assault Hangu Pass, at least we could attack and defend.”

Ying Zheng also felt this plan was rather imprudent.

Nanyang still backs onto the state of Zhao.

If we get into a prolonged conflict with Han and fail to take it down, a backstab from Zhao would only worsen the situation.

Zhao Ji continued, “In my opinion, it’s more worthwhile to exchange Princess Hongliang and Bai Xianwu for a few more cities.”

“National advisor, what do you think?”

She bit down on the name “Honglian” and stared straight at Li Mo.

Li Mo lightly shook his head.

“Bai Xianwu can be exchanged, but not Hongliang.”

Zhao Ji’s face turned cold, her voice raised a few notches.

“Why not?”

“She is the legitimate daughter of the Emperor of Han, a princess of Han, isn’t she more noble than Bai Xianwu?”

Li Mo still shook his head, “Yes, she is more noble than Bai Xianwu, but in the Emperor of Han’s eyes, she is not as important.”

Zhao Ji was also uncompromising.

“But she can still get us a few cities.”

Li Mo didn’t back down an inch, “No.”

Zhao Ji gritted her teeth, “What if I insist?”

Li Mo said calmly, “I do not agree.”

Zhao Ji slammed her palm on the table, “How dare you! I am the Empress Dowager!”

Li Mo nodded casually, “But the person is brought back by me.”

Zhao Ji was so angry she trembled.

She suddenly stood up, almost wanting to kick the table.

Her face was full of anger, pointing at him, unable to speak clearly.

“You, you, you!”

“Rebellious! I shall have your head!”

Ying Zheng was startled, thinking Zhao Ji might really chop him.

He hurriedly persuaded, “Mother, calm down, we must not act hastily!”

Then he advised Li Mo, “National advisor, please say less.”

It was his first time seeing someone dare to confront the Empress Dowager so directly.

The two were not just having a disagreement, they were outright opposed to each other!

Guarding the door, Li heard the commotion inside.

He pouted speechlessly.

How long had it been since they last met?

They were fine just now, what happened to make them quarrel again?

Gai Nie’s expression turned weird.

Hesitating whether to go in and check.

Would they start a fight?

Li glanced at him nonchalantly, “No need to worry, you’ll get used to it.”

Gai Nie opened his mouth, “Get used to it?”

From the sound of it, this wasn’t their first argument?

Zhao Ji, utterly speechless from anger, gave up.

She sat down sideways, back to Li Mo, not wanting to see him.

She had never encountered someone she found so utterly repulsive!

The atmosphere in the study became suffocating.

Ying Zheng had no choice but to mediate, “Since this matter is contested, let’s discuss it another time.”

If they kept talking about Hongliang, his study might get blown up.

He also couldn’t understand why Zhao Ji was so insistent on using Hongliang to exchange for cities.

If it was just for Nanyang to use for military deployment later, Bai Xianwu alone would suffice.

“The National Advisor just mentioned calming external troubles. What is the method for calming internal ones?”

Ying Zheng diverted the topic away from Hongliang.

Li Mo didn’t bring it up again and asked in return, “Who is handling the governmental affairs now?”

Ying Zheng glanced at the fuming Zhao Ji.

“I review the memorials, and they take effect with the Empress Dowager’s seal.”

Li Mo nodded.

That meant the governmental affairs were in the hands of this old hag.

Ying Zheng explained, “The position of the Prime Minister has been vacant for a long time, so the Empress Dowager has to make decisions on both major and minor matters.”

At this point, Zhao Ji coldly interjected, “It’s about time to appoint a new Prime Minister.”

Her hand was sore from sealing documents all day, and no one was there to massage it for her.

Li Mo hummed in agreement, “Indeed.”

Ying Zheng asked, “Does the National Advisor have anyone in mind?”

Zhao Ji glanced sideways at Li Mo, “I think Lord Changping is suitable; his identity and status are appropriate.”

Lord Changping was Ying Zheng’s brother-in-law and also from the Chu royal family.

His reputation and ability were indeed acceptable.

It was not uncommon for foreign royals to serve in another country; it was not a rare occurrence.

Li Mo raised an eyebrow, “I don’t think that’s suitable.”

Zhao Ji was truly annoyed!

Furrowing her brows, she said angrily, “Are you deliberately opposing me?”

Right now, aside from Lord Changping, no one else had the required status or ability.

She had considered this long ago.

But now, Li Mo’s outright rejection infuriated her.

Ying Zheng also looked at him in puzzlement.

Li Mo calmly stated, “It’s not that Lord Changping is unqualified to be Prime Minister, but I think the position of Prime Minister can be abolished.”

Mother and son were both stunned.

Zhao Ji even doubted if she heard correctly.

“What did you say? Abolish the position of Prime Minister?”

“Do you even listen to what you’re saying?”

Ying Zheng frowned, “The position of Prime Minister is crucial; who will assist with governance then?”

Li Mo replied, “Whoever holds royal power should handle governance.”

Zhao Ji glared at him, teeth clenched.

Now that she controlled the governmental affairs, did he want to exhaust her to death?

Li Mo knew they would react this way.

He had already prepared his arguments in his mind.

“Lu Buwei can be so difficult to remove because his power is too great.”

“I suggest that the Emperor should reclaim all power to prevent ministers from causing trouble.”

Ying Zheng rubbed his fingers, his expression serious.

Li Mo’s words strongly tempted him.

Only with power can one truly rule.

The existence of a Prime Minister greatly threatened royal power.

Zhao Ji snorted, “Does the National Advisor know how many memorials the civil and military officials submit every day?”

“Do you know how much time it takes to review them?”

“Without a Prime Minister, if you handle everything personally, there won’t be time for anything else. You’ll be busy stamping documents all day!”

Li Mo ignored Zhao Ji’s sarcasm.

He remained calm and explained, “We can establish a Cabinet to assist the ruler in handling affairs.”

This new term left Zhao Ji somewhat confused.

“Cabinet? What is that?”

Ying Zheng seemed to understand something, his eyes brightening.

Li Mo explained, “The Prime Minister can wield enormous power because of his substantial authority.”

“We can replace the Prime Minister with a Cabinet, selecting suitable individuals to join it and assist in governance.”

“The Cabinet would only have advisory power; their drafted policies need the ruler’s approval and seal to take effect.”

“This would not only greatly reduce the workload but also firmly control royal power.”