The 64th Li Si's Heart Demon

  In history, Hu Hai can be said to have been pushed onto the throne by Zhao Gao and Li Si. Of course, the contributions of Ya Jia, the chief of the nine ministers, Hu Wu Jing, the imperial secretary Zheng Guo, and the junior official Zhang Yan cannot be ignored.

  Of course, if Meng Yi, who was the Langzhongling and also served as the imperial historian at that time, was still in the army, and if the First Emperor did not allow Meng Yi to go to Langya "to offer sacrifices to the mountains and rivers", then with Meng Yi present, Hu Hai would absolutely not have become emperor.

  If it were Wang Jian or Wang Li in command of the Nine Armies at that time, they would have been able to persevere and support the country, bravely rising up to assist Fu Su in ascending to the throne. As a result, Hu Hai would not have become emperor. Unfortunately, Meng Tian, despite his benevolence, righteousness, integrity, and divine military prowess, had an undeniable flaw in his character; he was never like those two men.

  Of course history doesn't have so many ifs.

  History also proves that Zhao Gao is a thorough loser, and the reason why he supported Hu Hai was simply because Hu Hai followed him to learn Qin law from an early age, listened to his plans, and Hu Hai's succession could better achieve his goal of usurping the country.

  Li Si was different. He promoted Hu Hai's succession for two reasons: one, to control the power of the empire through his son-in-law; and two, because Hu Hai was his son-in-law.

  He naturally thought that Zhao Gao was just an inner servant, not worth worrying about, and Hu Hai could definitely restore the great Qin under his own supervision and create a great career that would last for generations, not only realizing his own governance idea but also being famous in history.

  Fu Su succeeded to the throne, then Fu Su and his associates, Mo Nie, who had won the hearts of the people, would certainly replace himself as the ruler of Qin. In that case, Li Si, who had been slandered since the beginning of the First Emperor's reign, would be far removed from the court and lose all his privileges, which was what Li Si feared most.

  Zhao Gao took advantage of Li Si's weakness and pretended to acknowledge him as the leader, successfully pulling Li Si onto his own pirate ship.

  But the fact is that Li Si was too naive, Zhao Gao was not someone he could control, and Hu Hai was not a good assistant. In the end, Li Si was framed by Zhao Gao, beheaded in the market by order of Hu Hai, and his family was exterminated.

  Huhai's eastern tour, like a flash of lightning, killed Zhao Gao and returned to Xianyang, taking control of the government. Li Si fell into deep anxiety, betraying Huhai and revealing the truth about his succession. Even without Huhai's warning, Li Si would not have dug his own grave by speaking out, because he was not Zhao Gao, and had not reached the point of death.

  However, Hu Hai's deep-seated vigilance and precautions also made Li Si uneasy. Originally, Zhang Han, who had been in close contact with him, was now one of Hu Hai's trusted confidants. Hu Hai's re-appointment of the Meng brothers and Wei Lü made Li Si feel that his position was about to be lost.

  So when Huhai enthusiastically proposed the matter of clearing land, Li Si remained silent. He was very clear that although the ministers in the court were loyal to Qin, they would not be willing to give up their family and personal interests just because of Huhai's three words.

  Even if one is willing to hand over land and let Hu Hai grant it to the people, a large family will always have someone who secretly opposes while outwardly complying.

  Li Si cleverly handed over all the excess land in his mansion, but secretly instigated the other ministers and noble families in the court to make a big fuss about it. He wanted to show Hu Hai how important he was through this matter, and prove his value in the great Qin dynasty.

  Acting on behalf of the ruler to handle state affairs, what was originally something he had exhausted his mind and thoughts for, day and night, even in his dreams, was today handed over to him by Hu Hai in such a casual manner.

  Happiness came too suddenly, Ren Li's decades-long career in the officialdom and his grasp of power were also lost in that instant.

  Wei Liao, who was sitting in the grand hall, was also stunned by Hu Hai's sudden words. He looked at Li Si, who had lost his spirit, and then at Hu Hai, who had a warm and gentle smile on his face. His mouth opened, but he ultimately didn't say anything.

  "Why doesn't the Prime Minister want to share worries with me?" Hu Hai looked at Li Si, who was lost in thought, and his smile faded.

  "No, no, I am willing." Li Si suddenly woke up and hurriedly said, then thought to himself if he was being too hasty, and hastily added: "No, I...". He stopped his mouth abruptly here, the thing he had been pursuing all his life was right in front of him, yet he couldn't say another word of refusal.

  At this time, Li Si had already reacted to his own loss of composure, and suddenly felt a burning sensation on his face. He couldn't help but let out a long sigh, and solemnly got up to kowtow on the ground, saying: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. This old minister has lost his composure."

  Hu Hai and Wei Lü did not expect that Li Si, who had always been as stable as a mountain, would lose his composure so much on this issue. Hu Hai's eyes flickered, and he looked deeply at Li Si, who was kneeling on the ground, before raising his hand and saying: "Chancellor, please rise, I understand your loyalty, and my heart is greatly comforted."

  Is this the demon in your heart that made you risk everything to get on the throne, even if it means plotting with a tiger? What about me then?

  Wei Lü had a deep relationship with Li Si. When Wei Lü first arrived in Xianyang, he hadn't yet been granted any official position and was staying at Li Si's residence. He had always understood Li Si's intentions, but seeing him lose his composure now, the corners of his mouth twitched, ultimately turning into a sigh of despair.

  It can be said that Wei Lü is now the most aware of Hu Hai's thoughts. If we consider the series of actions taken by Hu Hai when he first returned to Xianyang as ideal, then today's Hu Hai has gradually begun to face reality and look directly at the turbulent court of Qin.

  After the land survey, Hu Hai wisely gave up the idea of playing chess with the ministers in the court and handed over this burden to Li Si, but grasped the most basic thing, that is, the military power of Qin.

  When Hu Hai took power, he weakened Li Si's authority, which inevitably led to Li Si's backlash. The imperial edict could be issued, but Li Si could make it so that the edict was announced in court, yet not implemented locally.

  Li Si governs the country, then Hu Hai can do whatever he wants and directly orders Li Si, everything else will be handled by Li Si, whether it is the backlash of the ministers in the court or the scolding of the people, all will be faced by Li Si.

  Huhai can now prepare for the restoration of the Six States with an easy mind, without having to face the various thoughts of the officials in the court. Even if all the officials in the world come from the gate of Lisi, as long as all the troops in the world are in Huhai's hands, what Huhai gives today can be taken back tomorrow.

  Wei Lü's eyes were clear, and Hu Hai understood it too.

  Of course, if all of this wasn't personally experienced by Li Si himself, then he should be able to see things more clearly than Wei Liao. As the saying goes, "When you're in a situation, you're confused, but when you're observing from the outside, you're clear." Unfortunately, Li Si's heart demon had already caused him to lose his usual calm and composed state of mind.

  "Thank you, Your Majesty!" Li Si thanked and stood up.

  "I will entrust all matters of the great Qin Empire to you, Chancellor. All you need to do is report the results to me, and I will have someone affix my seal. However, I have one request, which I implore you to remember carefully." Hu Hai said, changing his tone.

  "Your humble servant obeys Your Majesty's decree!"

  "Governance should prioritize benevolence and virtue, with laws and regulations as secondary; letting the people of the world rest and rejuvenate should be primary, while achievements and accomplishments are secondary. Promote agriculture, open up industry and commerce. There is also the matter of exempting the people from excessive taxes and orders, if any officials dare to privately collect taxes, they will be punished by exterminating their nine clans! I have also entrusted you with the task of re-measuring land, counting population, livestock, and granting land."

  "My dear, you only need to report the results of each county to me. If there are officials who accept bribes and embezzle, I will exterminate their entire clan! I will personally lead the army to pacify the troubles of the six states, my dear, you should guard the foundation of our great Qin." Hu Hai said.

  "Your Majesty is wise! Your humble servant obeys your orders!" Li Si said respectfully, kneeling on the ground.

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