Volume 1: Entering Great Qin for the First Time Chapter 47: Black Guard, Salary

  As expected, Meng Tian's next sentence confirmed Hu Hai's speculation. Hu Hai did not expect that the Great Qin Empire really had such an organization, and it seemed that all the high-ranking officials of the Great Qin Empire in this hall knew about it.

  "Why didn't I know about this Black Ice Platform?"

  Legend has it that Qin State had China's first recorded intelligence and special operations department, the Black Ice Platform.

  Speaking of Hei Bingtai, it is necessary to mention the "Iron Eagle Swordsmen" of the Qin Dynasty. The "Iron Eagle Swordsmen" was a title for excellent martial artists in the state of Qin. As early as during the reign of Duke Xiao of Qin, the "Iron Eagle Swordsmen" had already made contributions on the battlefield! Even when the Qin state was at its weakest, the selection standards for the "Iron Eagle Swordsmen" were never lowered.

  During Zhang Yi's tenure as the Prime Minister of Qin, General Bai Shan of the Qin army organized over a thousand "Iron Eagle Swordsmen" to carry out special tasks within the military. Some of Bai Shan's combat methods back then are now known to us as assassination, infiltration, ambush, precise strike, psychological warfare and point-strike tactics!

  Later, the State of Qin sent special envoys carrying large amounts of gold, silver and jewels to bribe high-ranking officials of the six states in order to break their alliance. However, due to the incompetence of temporarily recruited bodyguards, Qin's spies were repeatedly assassinated.

  At this time, under the leadership of Zhang Yi's wife, Qin Xiao Gong's sister, Princess Huangu Yu, an organization was established based on the "Iron Eagle Swordsmen" to specialize in intelligence gathering and plotting against the six nations. This gave the special agents sent by Qin to the six nations a regular leadership and safe protection.

  This small institution was the prototype of the Daqin Black Ice Platform. Later, as this institution expanded, some smaller institutions were born, and the number of personnel gradually increased. The division of labor within the institution became clearer, and the internal officials of the Qin state were referred to as "Black Ice Platform".

  Hu Hai blurted out this sentence and regretted it afterwards. Just because he didn't know about the Black Ice Platform in later generations doesn't mean Hu Hai didn't know about it.

  "Your Majesty, spare his life!"

  Just as Hu Hai regretted his words, he heard an old and frail minister kneeling on the ground say.

  "Because previously Your Majesty... the First Emperor had a decree, that in later generations, emperors who were virtuous and able could wield the Black Ice Sceptre, therefore this matter of the Black Ice Sceptre, your humble servant has not informed Your Majesty."

  This thin old man, Hu Hai, didn't recognize or know what position he held, but the old man's abbreviated words, Hu Hai understood and was very clear about. Previously, you, Hu Hai, were muddle-headed and lawless, and with the Black Ice Platform having the imperial edict of the First Emperor, there was no need to tell you, of course.

  "Is it possible for the Black Ice Throne's deceased lord to be transferred? How many of the deceased are there now?"

  Hu Hai actually wanted to ask, shouldn't this Black Ice Platform be considered one of the most confidential matters of Great Qin? Why do all of you ministers know about it, while I, the Emperor, am not supposed to say anything? Later, thinking about the status of the ministers in the hall, he felt relieved.

  "Your Majesty, the elite dead soldiers in Hei Bing Tai are called 'Hei Wei'. The Hei Wei is led by the 16 Hei Bing Jun, and the organization's personnel are unknown to me. The 16 Hei Bing Jun only follow Your Majesty's orders, I have no right to mobilize them."

  The old minister and the Lord of the Court, Yao, are the only two who can mobilize the elite "Iron Eagle Swordsmen" outside the Black Ice Platform with a single seal. As for this Black Ice Platform, apart from the esteemed gentlemen present in the grand hall today, only Zhao Gao and General Li Xin of Longxi know about it in our great Qin.

  "The location of Hei Bing Tai is even more a top secret of our Great Qin, and now only this old minister knows where it is."

  Huhai heard the old man's words and thought to himself, "Indeed, this grand hall has basically gathered all of the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers of Great Qin. These top leaders of Great Qin also know that Hei Bingtai is not to be underestimated."

  Moreover, it seems that the edict of Qin Shi Huang was likely known to the high-ranking officials in this grand hall, which is why no one told him. If Hu Hai's previous life knew about Hei Bingtai's plan to kill Zhao Gao, it wouldn't be so easy.

  "Love, please rise. There is the imperial edict from my father, and I was indeed stubborn before. You should be like this. But now you tell me that Hei Bingtai is for what?" Hu Hai asked hypocritically.

  "Your Majesty, Your Majesty is now wise and brave beyond compare to the past, it is only right that you should once again wield the power of the Black Ice Throne, and let the great instrument of our Qin State reappear in the world. What do you gentlemen think?" Mozi looked around at the assembled ministers and said with a sigh.

  "It should be so. Please Your Majesty take back the Black Ice Throne!"

  Upon hearing Meng Tian's words, the other officials immediately chimed in unison.

  "All right. I'll go to the Black Ice Platform in a few days. At that time, I still hope that Old Love can take me there." Hu Hai said with joy, intimately to the thin and weak old man.

  "Your humble servant obeys your orders!"

  "This is excellent! Now, you are in charge of the military and civil affairs of Henan, Dongjun, Xuejun, and Langya, these four counties. As for Bazhou and Shujun, they are separated by high mountains and steep roads, so it's enough to station two good generals there. Hanzhong is where Wuguan is located, and the three rivers have the Hangu Pass. These two passes are the gates of our great Qin dynasty in Guanzhong, and we should also send good generals to guard them. This can be discussed later."

  "Now that Nanyang and Yingchuan are the most important places, which of you gentlemen thinks should be sent as a general to take charge of military and civil affairs?"

  Hu Hai pointed to the map and asked, these two counties of Nanyang and Yingchuan, he really couldn't think of a good general to command the troops stationed there. More importantly, these two counties are the gateway to Guanzhong, and cannot be lost at all costs. A capable and prestigious general must be found to lead them.

  Originally Zhang Han was fine, but now he must leave a confidant by his side. Plus the land survey is about to start and Zhang Han is needed for that, so it's definitely not possible to send him out.

  "Your Majesty, I think it would be better to have General Li Xin of Longxi govern the military and civil affairs of these two counties." said Wei Liao.

  Li Xin, the ancestor of Han Fei General Li Guang. He once led an army of 200,000 to attack Chu, but was defeated by Xiang Yan, a great general of Chu. Later, Wang Jian led an army of 600,000 to attack Chu again, and after more than a year, finally destroyed Chu.

  "Li Xin? Who is this man from Longxi leading troops?" Hu Hai pondered.

  "Your Majesty, Longxi can have a senior general like Tong Zhong to command the troops." Meng Tian said immediately.

  "What do you gentlemen think?"

  Li Si and others all agreed, anyway, Meng Tian had already taken charge of the military and civil affairs of the four counties. Now, even if Li Xin was added, it wouldn't make much difference. To take a step back, Li Xin, this defeated general, could not stir up many waves in Great Qin no matter what.

  "In that case, Li Xin was ordered to return to Xianyang, and Weng Zhong took over the leadership of the Longxi border army."

  "We obey your orders!"

  Finally having said all that needed to be said, Hu Hai completely disregarded the astonished gazes of his ministers and stretched himself in a most unregal manner.

  "I'm not sure what time it is now, but everything has been settled. Tomorrow, after I have punished them with a whip, I will issue an edict to handle the matter. You all have worked hard, go back and rest early."

  "Thank you, Your Majesty, we withdraw."

  Hu Hai did not know what time it was, but the ministers in the hall knew, because there was a sundial in the great hall. It was already the second watch of the night, and this group of senior officials in their sixties and seventies did not know how long they had been discussing matters so late at night. Although their spirits were high, physical fatigue could not be avoided.

  At this time, hearing that Hu Hai was driving people away, after thanking him, they all left in an instant, leaving only Zhang Cang, the poor Langzhongling.

  "Zhang Ai Qing, why don't you go to sleep? You don't need to accompany me anymore, I'm tired too." Hu Hai said, looking at Zhang Yan who was still standing in the main hall.

  "Your Majesty, I am duty-bound to protect you and dare not be remiss."

  "I am in the palace, is there anyone who dares to plot against me? Moreover, the palace is full of guards, do you want to stay here every day? I reckon if I don't die, you will be exhausted to death first. Alright, alright, go and rest."

  Huhai urged impatiently, Zhang Yan also tightly closed the door, and the door god was still addicted.

  "Your humble servant obeys your orders!"

  Hearing Hu Hai's impatience, Zhang Han immediately thought of what else the emperor had to do and secretly sighed that the emperor was indeed in good spirits, and hastily took his leave.

  Just as Zhang Han was about to enter the grand hall, Hu Hai suddenly remembered something and hastily said: "Chancellor Zhang!"

  Zhang Han walked to the gate of the grand hall and heard Hu Hai's summons. He hurried back, "Your Majesty, your subject is here."

  "Hmm, who is the old man who knows where Hei Bingtai is?" Hu Hai asked.

  Zhang Han heard Hu Hai call Dun Weak "old weakling", the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily a few times, guessing that if Dun Weak heard His Majesty calling him like this, he would probably faint on the spot.

  Ton Ruo, who was then one of the nine ministers in charge of foreign affairs for the Great Qin. When Emperor Shi Huang destroyed Zhao, Wang Jian led the army and was blocked by Li Mu, a great general of Zhao, at the Taihang Mountain Jinyong Pass. Later, Ton Ruo secretly went to Zhao as an envoy and bribed Guo Kai, a minister of Zhao, which led to the execution of General Li Mu by the King of Zhao, ultimately leading to Qin's destruction of Zhao in one move.

  "Your Majesty, that old...that old gentleman is Tian Ke Duan Ruo."

  "Oh, Dian Ke? What's he doing?"

  Hu Hai's words came out, and Zhang Han was furious. You say you're an emperor, no matter how muddle-headed you are, can't you even get the most basic official system of Qin right?

  Looking at Zhang Han's dull eyes, Hu Hai smiled awkwardly and said: "I was taught too many things by my father in my dream, but I forgot some of the things that were originally remembered. Chancellor Zhang, you must remind me from time to time, you are the one I trust most, so..."

  Zhang Han's face showed a look of sudden realization, no wonder Your Majesty still knows military strategy, it turns out to be like this. And Your Majesty actually said that he is the person he trusts most, what an honor it is for him?

  One sentence made Zhang Han suddenly understand the kindness of Hu Hai, who had been slightly dissatisfied with not being sent out to command troops. Keeping himself by his side was because he was the one Emperor most trusted.

  Zhang Han was so moved that he burst into tears and said: "Your Majesty, I am willing to die for you!"

  "My dear subject, please rise and tell me what duties the remaining five officials of the Nine Ministers, excluding the Minister of Works, the Commandant of Justice, the Director of the Granary, and the Chamberlain for Attendants, are in charge of?"

  Zhang Han immediately explained in detail the functions and names of the remaining five officials, Hu Hai secretly took note and nodded.

  "What did Premier Li ask about the matter of official salaries today? Do you know?"

  "Your Majesty, the reason why the officials in the imperial court today do not oppose your proposal to clearly measure and register the land is that all of their salaries are derived from their fiefs, and within these fiefs, the common people are all their household slaves."

  So that's how it is. Hu Hai finally understood why Li Si and others were so willing to hand over their fiefs, the abolition of fiefs didn't matter, as long as they didn't change their salaries, the household slaves within the fief still belonged to them, and giving the land to the common people was equivalent to giving it to these people.

  No wonder they all agreed so readily, making me think I owed them a huge favor, but it turns out to be just this. They've been fooling around in circles and ended up back where we started. These old bastards are really something else, a bunch of old idiots.

  "Alright, I understand. You may withdraw and rest, Minister." Hu Hai said with a calm face, still seething with anger.

  Zhang Han looked at Hu Hai with a worried expression after he finished speaking, but now that he saw Hu Hai's calm demeanor, he finally felt relieved and took his leave.

  Thank you to Mingyuehanyan and Mourning Wu Huaxia brothers for their rewards. Especially thanks to the suggestions of Mourning Wu Huaxia brothers, which allowed Jiuzhou to make the original plot design more rich and full. Thanks also to other brothers like Wangji Brother who gave Jiuzhou many good suggestions!

  Yesterday, there was only one chapter, but Jiuzhou's two chapters every day are all 3,000-word long chapters, which can be equivalent to three chapters of others. Today, this chapter is coded very hard, and a whole pack of cigarettes has been smoked. Originally, it could have been uploaded before 12 o'clock, but Jiuzhou modified and modified again. It wasn't until now that I felt slightly better.

  First post at dawn, coincidentally on the first day of a new month. Chapter one is uploaded today and I will make up for yesterday's owed chapters. Wishing for recommendations and collections in this new month!