Chapter 3: The Poisonous Plan Succeeds

  "Zhao Ai Qi, Zhao Ai Qi, this matter has nothing to do with the tailor. I'm not saying that the clothes are poorly made, it's just that these clothes are inconvenient for me to get off the carriage and walk. That's all, so you shouldn't blame them too much." Hu Hai hastily interrupted, suppressing his anger.

  When Huhai heard this, Zhao Gao finally knew why he had hurried over and knelt down saying: "Your Majesty is a precious body, how can you easily appear in front of the multitudes. The matter of the First Emperor at Mount Li is still before our eyes, I beg Your Majesty to think thrice."

  Huhai saw that he had successfully diverted Zhao Gao's attention, and hastily waved his hand, saying: "You all retreat, today's events these people are completely blameless, do not flog them."

  After finishing, seeing Zhao Gao was about to interject, Hu Hai hastily preempted: "Zhao Ai, now I am in the midst of a large army, and the sky has darkened, no assassin can discover me. Moreover, I will wear the attire of a guard, so there is no need for a grand procession, it's just like making a covert private visit."

  Seeing the surrounding palace maids and guards had all retreated, Hu Hai lowered his voice and said: "Zhao Ai Chen, I'm tired of staying in this cage-like carriage every day. Have I ever not agreed to what you've told me? Can't you satisfy my small request?"

  Looking at Hu Hai's firm gaze, Zhao Gao's heart skipped a beat and he pretended to reluctantly agree.

  Soon, after changing into a black imperial guard uniform, Hu Hai again entrusted Zhao Gao to review the large number of memorials sent from all over the country on his behalf, successfully dispelling Zhao Gao's idea of going out with Hu Hai.

  Hu Hai smoothly blended into the rolling Great Qin army under the protection of more than twenty personal guards sent by Zhao Gao.

  The black tide was endless, and although most of the Qin soldiers were unable to conceal the fatigue on their faces due to the long journey, the entire army, except for the clashing of armor and weapons and the uniform footsteps, did not have anyone whispering to each other. The strict military discipline of the Great Qin Army can be seen from this.

  After Hu Hai had repeatedly tried to get information from over a dozen soldiers without success, he finally gave up the idea of learning about the invincible military forces of the Great Qin Empire through these soldiers and finding someone to help him.

  The guards following Hu Hai, although they did not understand his inexplicable behavior, saw the emperor repeatedly trying to make friends with no success and were somewhat displeased. They wanted to show off Hu Hai's identity and punish those soldiers who were disrespectful to Hu Hai, but were stopped by Hu Hai.

  Huhai didn't want his hard-won physical training plan to go down the drain, and if he revealed his identity, it would be difficult to come up with another one later.

  Moreover, the more these soldiers belonging to their own troops follow military discipline, the more they demonstrate the prosperity of the Great Qin Empire's army. After all, good military discipline is the foundation of a strong army.

  Hu Hai quietly followed the large group of people, walking very slowly but with a firm pace. Next to him were guards who saw Hu Hai stumble several times and advised him to return to the carriage to rest, but all were rejected by Hu Hai. He wanted to make this body strong as soon as possible.

  More and more soldiers passed by, over twenty people in a row, looking at Hu Hai's group with puzzled eyes, wondering why they had to abandon their horses and walk on foot when each of them had a fine horse.

  Huhai did not summon the generals of his entourage, for a simple reason: Zhao Gao had urged him to go on an eastern tour. Given Zhao Gao's character, it was impossible for him to appoint someone who was not his confidant as the commander-in-chief to follow him by his side. Huhai also did not think that he really possessed the aura of a king, and with just one shake of his body, those who were loyal to Zhao Gao would bow their heads in submission and sincerely obey him.

  On one hand, there is the powerless and isolated Emperor without any authority or influence; on the other hand, there is Zhao Gao who dominates the imperial court. The most likely outcome is that as soon as he reveals his intention to accept surrender, Zhao Gao will find out, either putting him under house arrest or ending his life abruptly.

  Nowadays, Hu Hai thought for a long time and decided to focus on exercising his body first. A good body is the most important capital for revolution. Eat well, drink well, sleep well, and exercise well.

  When Hu Hai's imperial chariot was about to arrive in Xianyang, Hu Hai's walking exercise had lasted for a whole month. From the initial less than an hour walk to the later continuous five or six hours of walking, compared to his body a month ago, Hu Hai was overjoyed with his now much more robust physique.

  A month of walking exercise, plus occasional running and horseback riding. If a month ago Hu Hai was a tender chicken in the greenhouse, then now Hu Hai is already a big rooster that can crow loudly.

  His originally pale complexion finally had a rosy glow, his fair skin gradually took on a slightly bronzed feel after a month of wind and rain, and his calloused hands made Hu Hai gradually find a strong feeling.

  Huhai knew this was the foundation of his survival in the turbulent Qin Empire.

  When the carriage arrived at the border of Xianyang, Hu Hai finally saw Zhao Gao again.

  For a whole month, Zhao Gao did not pay more attention to Hu Hai. Since childhood, Hu Hai had been taught by Zhao Gao, so Zhao Gao knew the character of this emperor better than anyone else. Therefore, when his confidants reported to him about Hu Hai's walking, running, horse riding and other situations, Zhao Gao just smiled slightly at his student's various whimsical ideas without taking them seriously.

  Zhao Gao had more important things to attend to, and the words that Hu Hai said when he thought of getting off last time were already clearly his own words. For this month, Zhao Gao has been preparing.

  Firstly, it is necessary to eliminate the Meng family led by Meng Tian and Meng Yi, which is a thorn in one's side. Then there are Hu Hai's many brothers and sisters. Only in this way can the roots of the Great Qin be severed.

  Now, after a month's time, everything has been fully arranged, and all that is left is to return to Xianyang before taking action.

  He came to see Hu Hai today just for the jade seal and the tiger tally in Hu Hai's hands.

  All the edicts of death for the Qin clan and the king's ministers had been drafted by Zhao Gao, awaiting only Hu Hai's jade seal to confirm them; while dealing with those royal family members and ministers who did not have much military power did not require much effort, the tiger tally was only needed to deal with the greatest threats, Meng Tian and Meng Yi.

  With the prestige of Meng Yi and Meng Tian in the Qin army, it would take an edict from Hu Hai to make a move. Zhao Gao knew that the Meng brothers were loyal and would never rebel. He took out the tiger tally only to exaggerate the threat of the Meng brothers to Hu Hai, and naturally, he also wanted to control the military power for himself.

  "Your Majesty. Official Zhao requests an audience." Hu Hai had just returned to the carriage and was washing his face under the attendance of palace maids when a eunuch's sharp voice came from outside the carriage.

  Huhai was changing his clothes with the attendance of two petite palace maids, and when they heard that Zhao Gao had come to see him, they were immediately frightened, which showed how deeply they feared Zhao Gao.

  The palace maidens, since the last time Hu Hai was rescued by Zhao Gao's plea, gradually stopped fearing Hu Hai over the past month, and finally let Hu Hai enjoy the pleasure of intimacy.

  These two women were personally selected by Hu Hai to serve him.

  Feeling the unnaturalness of the two women, Hu Hai lightly patted their slender hands and passed them a reassuring glance. As they felt Hu Hai's slightly rough large hand, the two women suddenly blushed with rosy cheeks, their hearts racing like deer, before calming down to continue helping Hu Hai change clothes.

  "Let Zhao Ai come in." Hu Hai said calmly.

  Before long, Zhao Gao pushed the door and entered, bowing down to the ground. Hu Hai looked at Zhao Gao warmly and said: "It's been a month since I saw you, my dear, I really miss you a bit, just about to let people go and summon Zhao, didn't expect you to come first. Haha, please sit."

  Zhao Gao saw Huhai's eyes narrow, and keenly discovered the changes in Huhai over the past twenty years in just one month. The physical changes were obvious to everyone, but what astonished Zhao Gao was the change in Huhai's spirit.

  Previously, Hu Hai, from imperial son to emperor, had never exuded such a youthful aura from the inside out like he did now, radiating an overbearing noble air as if he were a precious sword that had just been sharpened.

  Zhao Gao's eyes narrowed slightly, now he was really curious what Huhai had done in the past month to change so much.

  For a long time, Hu Hai's flattery had been in his mind. Although Hu Hai changed greatly, Zhao Gao did not regard this change as a qualitative change. The momentary vigilance was just a flash.

  Zhao Gao waved his hand, ordering the two palace maids to withdraw, and then said straightforwardly: "Your Majesty, I have already drafted all the imperial decrees. Your Majesty only needs to affix the jade seal, and when we return to Xianyang, I will send someone to deliver the edict. As long as these traitors are executed, Your Majesty can truly enjoy eternal peace and happiness."