Heirs of the Seven Swords of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 1604: Abandoned
  Ying Zheng left all the matters related to the Spring Festival Ceremony to Fu Su.

This was originally absolutely good news for Fusu's succession to the throne, but now that there was such a big mess at the festival, the good news suddenly turned into devastating news.

What's even more terrible is the slogan the assassin shouted before he died - Zhaoxue for Changping Jun!
  With Fusu's status and status, if he just did things poorly, he would not be reprimanded. At the same time, the position of prince was temporarily over, but he had no competitors, and the position would still be his sooner or later.

But now that the late Lord Changping is involved, things are completely different.

Ying Zheng's life can be called a life of cheating. Whether he defeated his political enemies Wenxinhou and Changxinhou, or later wiped out the six kingdoms, it was basically smooth sailing and smooth progress all the way.

In this process, the only major failure occurred at the hands of the former right-hand man of Qin.

No one likes the feeling of betrayal, especially people like Ying Zheng, so the matter of Lord Changping is an absolute taboo.

The result has now been revealed again, coupled with the rumors that have been circulating during this period... Many people believe that Fusu may be innocent, but to the emperor, the facts may not be the most important thing.

What he thinks is the most important thing!
  What makes many officials of the eldest son's faction even more chilling is that after this incident, the two pillars of the eldest son's faction - the Imperial Prefect's Office and the Meng Family - did not move at all.

Their silence seems to have expressed their attitude.

Everything is irreversible.

………………

The day after the Spring Festival Ceremony.

Outside Xianyang City, Fusu's car is about to start again.

Ying Zheng was quick to issue punishments, and he made the decision after just one night:

The prince Fusu was sent to Shangjun to perform meritorious service, and he assisted General Meng Tian in guarding the border and destroying Beihu.

Without the emperor's order, he would never be allowed to return to the imperial capital again!
  This order is basically equivalent to announcing that Fusu has completely bid farewell to the position of crown prince.

No one thought that a prince who had completely stayed away from Xianyang could still become the crown prince and inherit the throne... unless the emperor had no other choice.

Because the emperor is the one who controls all the power in the world, and power will never appear or be left in a vacuum.

The Imperial Capital is the center of power of the empire. Staying away from here means staying away from power and the supreme throne of the emperor.

As a prince, it doesn't matter if Fusu is sent out to practice for a few years, but if he remains outside the center of power, he will be abandoned by power.

The transfer of power does not happen overnight. Even if an exiled prince finally succeeds to the throne, he will only be emptied out by powerful ministers and become a false emperor like Ying Zheng.

Therefore, as long as Ying Zheng still has a choice, he will not choose a successor who is destined to become a puppet... Even if this successor may be like him, he will take back his own power.

Of course, the so-called never returning to the capital was just a word from the emperor. As long as the emperor changed his mind, it was just a matter of a word to erase the matter.

However, not many people are willing to bet on whether the emperor will change his mind - it has always been a taboo to change orders overnight. This time Ying Zheng issued a serious edict and announced it to the people of the world.

Next to the carriage, Fusu's eyes were distracted, and he was speechless for a long time as he unconsciously recalled the contents of the imperial edict read out by the chamberlain in front of him not long ago.

Next to him stood Dian Qing, who looked like a bear. As Fusu's bodyguard, he theoretically had to follow him to the north.

After a while, Fusu came back to his senses. There was no joy or sorrow on his face, and he didn't seem to care about Ying Zheng's punishment.

"Mr. Dianqing, if I go to Shangjun this time, you don't have to follow me." Fusu looked at Dianqing aside and said softly.

"Your Highness, there is a war in the North. Your safety..." Dianqing obviously did not want to stay.

He enjoys the task of protecting Fusu very much - not because it is leisure, but because he really likes or respects Fusu.

Fusu shook his head, interrupted Dianqing's words, and explained:

"I don't want you to go with me, sir, because I want to ask you to do me a favor."

"I hope that my husband can protect the safety of the two of them for me...the teacher may also take care of them, but I think I should make the arrangements myself."

"After all..." Fusu was hesitant to say something, but then changed his subject and bowed to Dianqing, "Mr. Lao Dianqing has to deal with this matter. Thank you, Fusu!"

Jianqing was silent for a moment and then nodded and replied, "I understand, sir, please don't worry!"

Fusu stood up and continued, "I have arranged the manpower, and I will tell you all the information about those two people later."

"Fusu, let's say goodbye!"

After saying that, Fusu turned around and got into the car.

Soon, the carriage, escorted by a group of soldiers and horses, was galloping towards the north.

Dianqing's eyes penetrated the gauze and watched Fusu's car disappear. After a long time, he turned around and walked towards Xianyang.

………………

On the carriage, Fusu knelt down on the couch and closed his eyes to rest. Listening to the faint sound of wheels rolling in his ears, his thoughts gradually drifted back to last night - a private conversation between him and his father Ying Zheng.

"I knew that someone was going to assassinate me at the Spring Festival Ceremony, but I still asked you to preside over the ceremony. Do you know why?"

"My son, I really don't know."

"Just to confirm whether the rumor that you are going to rebel at the festival is true or false!"

"Father, do you have the answer?"

"The answer I want is already obvious... Fusu, you have disappointed me after all!"

"My son is... incompetent!"

Fusu didn't know exactly what Ying Zheng wanted to prove and what answer he got. But he could hear his father's tone - this time, he was indeed disappointed.

In the past twenty years of his life, what Fusu has always wanted to do is not to disappoint his father. Unfortunately, things backfired and he always seemed to disappoint Ying Zheng.

But this time it's different from before.

Fusu opened his eyes and looked sideways at the car window, looking at the rapidly receding scenery outside. His thoughts were in a trance again, and he went back to a few days ago, before he was about to leave Songhai.

There was also a private conversation between him and his teacher.

"Fusu, you know everything about the rumors in Xianyang, right?"

"The students have received the information."

"You should be able to guess that this is another conspiracy against you by Luo Wang... With the help of Lord Changping's old conspiracy, what do you think they will do next?"

"I'm afraid... it has something to do with the Spring Festival Ceremony."

"Yes, judging from the current intelligence, they should assassinate your father at the festival... in the name of Lord Changping. The assassination will definitely not be successful, but the hat will definitely be placed on Lord Changping."

"In other words, it will be on your head in the end!" "...This assassination must be stopped in advance and cannot be allowed to happen!"

"What if I say...I want you to let this happen?"

"...Why, teacher? Once the assassination happens and the incident in East County, my father..."

"I know, I am also very clear that once the whole plan of the snare is implemented smoothly, no matter what your father's thoughts are, your situation will inevitably become precarious."

"But Fusu, even if you resolve Luo Wang's conspiracy, what can you do?"

"The reason why Zhao Gao has been able to lead Luo Wang to make trouble for so many years is essentially related to your father's indulgence."

"And the reason why he indulges in the trap is to check and balance...To check and balance the quicksand, it is also to check and balance the eldest son like you!"

"The human heart is perhaps the most complex and elusive thing, so I can't guess what your father thinks when he makes certain decisions. He has been unwilling to establish a bank in the past few years, perhaps because he is still obsessed with immortality. Maybe it’s because he thinks you’re not qualified enough, maybe it’s because he just doesn’t like you, or maybe it’s some other reason.”

"Of course, the greater probability is that it is caused by the interweaving of multiple reasons."

"But one thing I am sure of - of all his sons, he has the greatest expectations for you, but he doesn't like you because you are really not like him."

"Over the years, you've been trying to imitate your father, trying to be like him, but you two are fundamentally different."

"For a person like your father, a son who doesn't look like him is absolutely intolerable (of course, not in terms of appearance)."

"Teacher, what do you mean..."

"Fusu, maybe you should try not to stay close to your father, but stay away from him, and use another way to inherit this country, or... change this country."

"Of course, this is just my suggestion. You can make your own decision on what to do. I will never interfere."

"...I will consider it carefully."

His thoughts returned to reality, Fusu looked at the somewhat desolate wild scenery and couldn't help but murmured:
  "Another way...Father, this time, I choose another way!"

Fusu finally chose the path recommended to him by Gu Xun.

The reason... is also very complicated, but in summary, it can be summarized as - he feels that his father has changed.

Since his father became the supreme emperor in the world, many things seemed to have changed.

Fusu couldn't understand many of his father's actions... As his teacher said, the human heart is the most difficult to fathom.

In the past, Fusu had been trying to understand and get close to his father, but... it was really too tiring and difficult.

He didn't want to distinguish right from wrong, he just wanted to continue on as Fusu, not Ying Zheng's eldest son.

He just hopes that he can be worthy of everyone.

………………

Somewhere on the western border of Jibei County.

Xiaomeng, who was wearing a green Taoist robe, was sitting on her knees under a tree, closing her eyes and meditating. There was a small polygonal box in front of her.

Behind her, on both sides, stood a female disciple of Tianzong, while a little further away there were numerous shadow guards patrolling.

However, under such tight defense, loopholes still appeared.

The two female disciples of the Tianzong seemed to have noticed some movement. They turned their heads and took a look, but found nothing. When they turned around again, they found that they had swords on their necks.

Life and death are just a matter of millimeters.

The people who restrained them - several people who were also dressed as Taoist disciples, but with their faces covered made a silent gesture towards them. The meaning was very clear, if they don't obey, they will die.

The two female disciples were surprised at first, then calmed down, and cooperated without making any sound.

There were five infiltrators in total. Seeing that they had controlled the female disciple, they separated into three of them. They carried their swords and walked quietly and slowly towards Xiao Meng.

But what's confusing is that they sneaked over and didn't catch Xiaomeng off guard.

After walking up to Xiaomeng, the leader glanced at the box on the ground, then pointed his sword at Xiaomeng and shouted:

"Witch! We finally found you!"

Xiaomeng slowly opened her eyes, but before she made any move, she startled the other party - it was obvious that they were very nervous.

After glancing at the items in front of him, Xiao Meng asked calmly:
  "Why don't the Renzong people... Xiaoyaozi come and send a few of you here to die?"

The leader heard the words and responded angrily, "You slaughter your fellow disciples, and all the Taoist disciples can kill you, so why does the leader need to take action!"

Xiaomeng had previously killed Mu Xuzi, the elder who rebelled against the Renzong, and the disciple of the Renzong who was chasing Mu Xuzi. It seemed reasonable for them to seek revenge.

After all, the relationship between the heavenly and human sects is different from that of the Yin and Yang family. There are contradictions and conflicts between the two sects, but real bloodshed rarely occurs, not to mention that it is the leader of one party who does it.

Xiaomeng is really not very particular about things.

But as for Tianzong, apart from Tao, there is no particularity in it.

Xiaomeng stood up slowly after hearing this, with a hint of smile in her gray-white eyes, and said softly:
  "you are lying!"

"You are the disciples of that traitor from the Renzong."

Then she raised her hand and took the box on the ground into her hand. At the same time, she revealed the other party's true purpose, "This is why I came here."

"Unfortunately... this is too difficult for you."

After finishing speaking, Xiaomeng lowered the hand holding the box, raised the other hand and volleyed towards the person speaking very casually. The invisible internal force emitted waves of fluctuations, and the other party had no ability to resist, as if being beaten by a chariot. The moment he hit it, he flew backwards and hit a tree behind him hard. He fell to the ground and collapsed in a heap, not knowing whether he was dead or alive.

The other four people's eyelids twitched when they saw this scene, and they did not dare to underestimate the young head of Tianzong.

One of them shouted, "Come together to avenge our uncle."

I don't know whether he stopped pretending and showed off that he was Mu Xuzi's man, or whether he was saying that the one who was shot to death just now was their uncle.

The four people - including the two female disciples who had restrained them just now - immediately hugged each other. The one who spoke stood on the spot, with the sword in his hand lying horizontally in front of him, and the gilded true energy turned into inscriptions flowing and fluttering in front of him. .

The other three imitated some magical country in later generations through time and space, and overlapped on the person who spoke - one stepped on the back, and the other two pulled the left and right arms to form a car logo.

Then, the four of them shouted loudly, and wrapped in layers of true energy, they rushed together in the form of four corners towards Xiao Meng, who had been watching their performance indifferently - they didn't know why they were stacked together just now since they were going to be separated.

Facing the menacing four weirdos, Xiaomeng still just raised one hand. The lavender infuriating energy flowed between his palms and stretched out in an instant, tightly binding the four weirdos.

Finally, Xiaomeng gently held her slightly open palm, and a series of twisted sounds of broken muscles and bones echoed in the forest.

(End of this chapter)