noveltune Chapter 18 exposes the Sand Dune Incident. Zhao Gao: "Young Master, you don't want to lose
Chapter 18 exposes the Sand Dune Incident. Zhao Gao: "Young Master, you don't want to lose
Inside the inner palace, Ying Zheng lay on a simple bed, his former domineering presence, which had swept across the land, long gone.
His face was as pale as paper, his eyes were closed, and he was no longer breathing. The First Emperor, after all, died of illness during his eastern tour.
The body was laid out simply, without any of the funeral rites or regulations expected of an emperor. Only the cold air spoke of the desolation of an emperor's demise.
On either side of the bed stood two people with different expressions—Zhao Gao, the Chief of the Imperial Carriage Office, and Hu Hai, the Eighteenth Prince!
At this time, Li Si was still on duty outside the palace.
Hu Hai rushed over upon hearing that Ying Zheng was critically ill. As soon as he entered the inner palace, he saw the lifeless emperor on his bed.
His expression immediately changed drastically, but he suppressed his shock, bowed and stood guard to one side, not daring to make a sound.
The one who launched the first attack was Zhao Gao, who had always served by Ying Zheng's side.
He slowly walked to Hu Hai's side, first pretending to look at Ying Zheng on the bed, and then forcing a sorrowful expression on his face.
But deep in his eyes lay an undisguised ruthlessness and cunning, the greed and cruelty that had been lying dormant for years, finally waiting for the opportunity.
After confirming that no one was outside the hall, Zhao Ya lowered his voice and leaned close to Hu Hai's ear.
Speaking slowly in a voice only the two of them could hear, his first words were like a thunderclap, sending a shiver down Hu Hai's spine:
"Your Highness, the Emperor has been dead for many days."
Hu Hai, who was originally anxious because his father was seriously ill, widened his eyes instantly upon hearing this.
His face was filled with disbelief, and he instinctively wanted to scream, but Zhao Gao covered his mouth tightly.
He looked at the lifeless Ying Zheng on the bed and trembled uncontrollably.
His eyes were filled with panic and fear. He had never imagined that his beloved father would actually pass away.
Seeing this, Zhao Gao's eyes flashed with disdain, but he still kept his voice down and continued to incite:
"Please calm down, young master. His Majesty's passing has not yet been announced to the public, and the imperial edict is still in my possession and has not been issued."
As he spoke, Zhao Gao took out a bright yellow bamboo scroll from his bosom, which was the edict of succession written by Ying Zheng before his death.
He gently shook the bamboo slip and said in a sinister tone, "This will states that the throne will be passed to the eldest son, Fusu, and that Fusu will immediately relinquish his military power at the Great Wall, return to Xianyang to preside over the funeral, and inherit the throne."
Upon hearing this, Hu Hai's eyes dimmed. Although he felt grief, he also felt that this was the only right thing to do.
After all, Fusu was the eldest son, kind and virtuous, and was the crown prince favored by his father.
Inheriting the throne was a matter of course, and he never had any improper thoughts.
But Zhao Gao's next words completely stirred up the greed hidden deep in his heart.
"My lord, now is a golden opportunity! We can place you on the throne without anyone noticing!"
Zhao Gao's voice was extremely seductive, and the calculation in his eyes grew even stronger.
"Once Fusu ascends the throne, where will you have a place to stand?"
Now that His Majesty has passed away, no one in the world knows. If we can alter the imperial edict and make you emperor, that will be our solution.
If you agree, we will immediately alter the imperial edict, order the deaths of Fusu and Meng Tian, and rightfully establish you as emperor!
This vast empire of Qin will henceforth be yours to possess!
These words struck Hu Hai like a thunderbolt.
Hu Hai was so frightened by his father's sudden death that he was completely trembling, lost his composure, and his face turned ashen. He stood there shivering, filled with helplessness and fear.
Upon hearing Zhao Gao's treasonous remarks, he was suddenly jolted.
She stumbled and nearly fell to the ground, her round eyes widening in surprise.
He stared intently at Zhao Gao, his eyes filled with panic, fear, and undisguised hesitation.
She subconsciously took half a step back, waving her hands frantically, desperately trying to refuse.
He was pampered by Ying Zheng in the deep palace from a young age. He was unruly and only knew how to play and have fun all day long. He was ignorant of politics and strategy.
Despite appearing carefree, they were instilled with the most basic principles of the relationship between ruler and subject, father and son from a young age.
He knew better than anyone that altering the late emperor's will and plotting to seize the crown prince's position was a heinous crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of his family, and an evil deed that betrayed his father's nurturing grace and his brother's affection.
Even if he had a hundred times the courage, he wouldn't dare to cross that red line easily.
But human relationships can never compare to the real throne!
People will eventually be swayed by self-interest and abandon their original feelings!
Seeing Hu Hai's retreating appearance, Zhao Gao's eyes flashed with impatience, but he showed no intention of giving up and instead pressed on step by step.
He stared intently into Hu Hai's eyes, his tone low and seductive, constantly striking at the softest spot in his heart.
It repeatedly recounted the supreme allure of the throne, while also sharply pointing out his future predicament:
"Young master, wake up! That supreme dragon throne can control the life and death of the world, and be worshipped by all the civil and military officials and the people. What glory is that?"
For so many years, you have lived in the shadow of Fusu. Everyone only knows that the Great Qin has the benevolent and wise eldest prince Fusu. Who has truly taken you, the eighteenth prince, seriously?
"Once Fusu successfully ascends the throne, you will only be a powerless and idle young master for the rest of your life!"
Being constantly held back by others, spending your entire life at their mercy, with no hope of ever getting ahead! Are you really content with such a life?
These words precisely struck at the deep-seated resentment that Hu Hai had harbored for many years.
From childhood to adulthood, he was always the most useless youngest son in his father's eyes.
Everyone only valued Fusu, and everyone thought that he only knew how to have fun and was not good enough to be of great use.
He was fed up with this kind of life, fed up with living in his brother's shadow.
He also longed to sit on that supreme dragon throne, to have the power to control everything, and to have everyone bow down to him!
This obsession had already taken root in his heart, and with Zhao Gao's manipulation, it burst forth instantly, completely devouring his conscience.
His gaze, following Zhao Gao's words, gradually shifted from initial panic and fear to intense struggle.
His brows furrowed tightly, his lips trembled, and he wanted to speak in rebuttal, but the greed that was quietly growing in his heart blocked all his words.
The image of the magnificent dragon throne in the main hall of Xianyang Palace involuntarily came to mind.
The image of himself sitting on the throne, with all the officials kneeling and bowing in submission, came to mind.
That thirst for power, that obsession with escaping Fusu's shadow, began to surge wildly in his heart, gradually consuming his remaining rationality and concerns.
Hu Hai's eyes still held a hint of confusion and timidity, his fingers gripping the hem of his clothes tightly.
His knuckles turned white, and he hesitated before looking at Zhao Gao, his voice trembling with unease as he asked:
"But... Brother Fusu is the crown prince personally and carefully cultivated by our father, and he is trusted and supported by the people throughout the court and the country."
"I...I'm just a naughty and unruly child, how dare I do such a rebellious thing..."
"What's there to be afraid of?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Gao's lips curled into a sinister smile, and his tone became increasingly resolute and ruthless.
This directly cut off Hu Hai's last remaining concerns; the voice was cold and confident.
"Fusu was kind and benevolent, but he did not understand political strategy. He was indecisive and lacked the ruthless methods of an emperor!"
This vast palace is a place where people fight and vie for power. As long as we act according to plan!
They handled this matter flawlessly, keeping the death a complete secret. Who could possibly know the truth? And who would dare to question it?