Volume 1: Entering Great Qin for the First Time Chapter 11: Inside the Tent

  The Great Qin was unlike later dynasties; for ministers and sons to dine with the emperor was like a great honor.

  In the contemporary China, which had just passed through the Warring States period, it was common for monarchs to drink and make merry with their ministers, discussing state affairs over meals. Therefore, Zhang Han and others did not show excessive surprise, but the excitement and thrill in their hearts could not be expressed in words.

  Huhai's chariot canopy was originally spacious enough for these generals, but it had been burned down by Huhai in a fit of rage. Now, naturally, the eunuchs, palace maids and guards had set up a large black silk tent with gold trim for Huhai to use temporarily.

  When Huhai led Zhang Yan and other generals into the account, he saw Cui Niang and Lü Zhu, who were directing a large number of palace maids and eunuchs to arrange fruit, wine and vegetables. Now that Huhai had eliminated Zhao Gao with lightning speed and regained power, Cui Niang and Lü Zhu, who had always followed Huhai's side and were deeply trusted by him, naturally rose with the tide.

  Although the two of them do not have a clear position at present, the eunuchs and palace maids who hold power in the palace are naturally all-rounders. Everyone can see that Hu Hai is fond of both of them. Even if they cannot become the emperor's master in the future, they will at least be imperial concubines. At this time, it would be unwise not to curry favor with them.

  Huhai waved his hand to stop the eunuchs and palace maids who were about to cheer and pay their respects, smiling as he looked at Lü Zhu and Cui Niang.

  Lu Zhu was clearly unaccustomed to her new status, and the attentiveness of the eunuchs and palace maids made her somewhat flustered, her small face flushing bright red; Cui Niang's face wore a calm smile, and she handled everything with ease.

  At this time, the two women turned around and found that Hu Hai and his entourage had entered the tent. Lu Zhu's eyes lit up, as if she saw a savior, and took a step forward to rush towards Hu Hai. Cui Niang's face changed, and she quickly pulled Lu Zhu back, then gently knelt down on the ground and said: "Your humble servant greets Your Majesty."

  The eunuchs and palace maids around her also hastily knelt down to the ground. Green Pearl saw that everyone around her was kowtowing, so she reluctantly followed suit, muttering under her breath as she did so.

  Huhai looked at Lü Zhu's reluctant appearance, smiled and waved his hand: "Get up. Lü Zhu and Cui Niang stay to serve, the rest of you can withdraw."

  Many eunuchs and palace maids looked at Cui Niang and Lü Zhu with admiring eyes, then retreated with a bow.

  Huhai stepped up to the throne in the middle of the grand tent and raised his hand, signaling Zhang Han and the other generals to take their seats. Lüzhu and Cuiniang stood quietly on either side of Huhai, attending to him.

  In the spacious tent, countless oil lamps were lit, and the whole tent was as bright as daylight.

  After sitting down, Hu Hai only discovered that Zhang Han, who he thought should be the highest-ranking among these generals, was actually seated below him on his right hand. Meanwhile, a middle-aged man with a pale face, broad forehead, wide face, and thick eyebrows under which shone piercing eyes sat below him on his left hand. Clearly this person's rank was higher than Zhang Han's. Since ancient times, the left side has been considered more honorable, and Hu Hai knew this much.

  When Huhai looked back, he found that the man wearing a long gown with a flat mouth and pointed shoes, with a purple official hat on his head with two small birds on top, an orange official belt tied in an eight-character knot, and a long sword at his waist, was staring at him with piercing eyes. His scorching gaze made Huhai's heart flutter more and more as he looked at him, wondering if this guy had some gay tendencies, looking at him so deeply.

  The generals in the big account had always kept their eyes on Hu Hai, and at this time they saw that he was originally still deeply gazing at Wang Yi, with a look of monarch and minister getting along, but suddenly Hu Hai's expression became strange, his face was awkward, and even had an unpleasant color, everyone felt inexplicable, secretly sighing that the heavenly will is difficult to measure.

  At this time, Wang Li, who was sitting on the left side of Hu Hai, also noticed Hu Hai's change and felt his displeasure. He thought to himself that he didn't know what he had done to offend the emperor, and quickly got up and knelt down on the ground, saying: "Your humble subject Wang Li, today I heard Your Majesty's grand plan and magnificent ambition, it is difficult for me to express myself. Our great Qin is fortunate indeed! The First Emperor is wise and sage, may Your Majesty live forever!"

  In the end, Wang Li was already kneeling on the ground with tears streaming down his face, wailing loudly.

  The generals in the account were originally also strongly suppressing the excitement and fervor in their hearts, and when they heard Wang Li's cry, they knelt down on the ground and shouted loudly: "Emperor Qin Shi Huang is wise and sacred, long live Your Majesty."

  Huhai only realized why Wang Yi was staring at him with such deep emotions when he heard his wailing. It turned out that it was better not to have a tendency to be overly attached. At the same time, he was also fed up with the people of Qin in this era who would kneel down and shout "Long live" at every turn, and said in a hoarse voice: "I deeply regret what I did before, fortunately, my father's dream pointed out my mistakes. You all love your country and your people, I also know that you are loyal to our great Qin, please get up quickly."

  When King Hu Hai and the other generals returned to their seats, Hu Hai raised his wine vessel and said: "In the future, I will rely heavily on all of you. I hope that all of you will trust me and together protect our great Qin empire, establishing a foundation for eternity." After finishing speaking, Hu Hai closed his eyes, tilted his head back, and downed the entire vessel of wine, which was about half a jin in size.

  The wine went down his throat, not as spicy as Hu Hai had thought before. The taste was bland with a hint of sweetness, completely unlike the white wine of later generations that was hard to swallow. It was more like rice wine. Hu Hai secretly rejoiced, fortunately at this time strong liquor had not yet appeared, after all grain was the most scarce thing in this era, and wine was just a luxury item, it wouldn't use too much grain to brew extravagantly.

  Wang Li and others shouted "I am willing to die for Your Majesty" and also finished a big jar of wine.

  After Huhai and Wang Li sat down again, they looked at him with eager eyes, obviously waiting for the emperor's words. This scene made Huhai secretly bitter in his heart. As for Wang Li, Huhai had only heard of his name and knew that there was such a person in the Qin Dynasty, but he didn't remember anything else useful.

  This was still due to Wang Li being a celebrity, the remaining dozen or so generals were all people they knew Hu Hai, but Hu Hai didn't know any of them at all. This made it difficult for him to start speaking.

  Hu Hai did not speak, and Wang Li and others looked at Hu Hai with eager eyes. The atmosphere in the big account suddenly became a bit dull.

  This won't do, I've wasted a lot of effort to get my first batch of loyal little brothers, and now you're going to let it all go cold. Hu Hai's mouth was agape, and he finally gritted his teeth in embarrassment, saying: "Uh... Wang Ai Qing, could you... introduce me to the generals? Ah, this... that... I previously..."

  Huhai stuttered and couldn't continue, now he just wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl into. As an emperor, not even recognizing his own imperial guard generals, let alone one of them. For the first time, Huhai felt immense resentment towards his predecessor, this was completely slapping the face of his wise and powerful majesty! And it was himself who was humiliating himself!

  Big brother, you have a bit of impression, even if it's just a tiny bit, you can think of a way to muddle through, tens of thousands of imperial guards, the dozen or so people sitting in this big tent are definitely not some tomcats and stray dogs, they're all high-ranking generals of the imperial guard, but that damned Hu Hai doesn't have even a hint of impression. Hu Hai is scolding himself fiercely in his heart.