Chapter 25: A Dignified Monarch, Where Is Your Shame?

"Eastern scholars?"

Zhao Zheng raised his sword-like brows, a chill emanating from his gaze. "Have these Eastern scholars joined Gan Long in causing trouble?"

Ying Quliang shook his head, sighing helplessly, "Not exactly. They are all claiming we have shown them no courtesy and are currently gathering to stir up chaos."

He paused, his expression darkening, "As for Gan Long, that old man openly defied the proposal, spouting nonsense about 'striking while the iron is hot' and demanding I send troops to reclaim Hangu Pass."

Zhao Zheng found this impossible, so he asked, "Did you not tell him this was my suggestion?"

"Of course I did! That old man is incredibly arrogant; he specifically wanted to oppose your proposal," Ying Quliang replied with a wry smile.

Zhao Zheng slammed his hand onto the table. "That old coot Gan Long dares to defy my judgment?"

"That’s right, and Gan Long even said he was doing it specifically to slap your face," Meng Yun added.

What?!

A surge of pure rage rushed to Zhao Zheng's head. He had only missed court for a single day, and this old man already forgot who was in charge?

"Just wait. I’m going to find that old geezer."

Zhao Zheng pushed open the door and charged toward the Gan residence across the way. Ying Quliang and Meng Yun, once they recovered from their shock, could only catch a glimpse of Zhao Zheng’s murderous back as he stormed off. The two exchanged uneasy glances and hurriedly gave chase.

In front of the Gan residence, Zhao Zheng was seen with his sleeves rolled up, pointing at the main gate and cursing at the top of his lungs, his voice echoing halfway down the street.

"Gan Long, you old immortal, get out here!"

"I haven't provoked you in the last two days, have I? How dare you slap my face in the middle of the imperial court?"

"Come on, if you have the guts, come out! What kind of coward hides inside and barks? Come out and face me properly!"

Pedestrians on the street were stunned, frozen in place. Heavens, the Zuo Shuzhang (Left Chancellor) was blocking the Senior Grand Master's door, cursing him out?

Inside the residence, Gan Long was squinting his eyes, leisurely sipping tea and looking quite content.

His son, Gan Hua, looked on with curiosity. "Father, why are you in such high spirits today?"

Ever since that star of disaster, Zhao Zheng, entered the court, his father had been like a wilted vegetable. This was the first time he had seen him so genuinely happy.

"It is so comfortable when that little brat Zhao Zheng isn't in court!" Gan Long stroked his beard and smiled, unable to hide his triumph. "I rebuffed the King’s carefully considered plan right in the throne room. It has been so long since I felt this refreshed."

He spoke with an unprecedented sense of satisfaction. Gan Long functioned much like the censors of later dynasties, though his role was usually to oppose the monarch's decisions. To him, openly defying Ying Quliang was the ultimate pleasure. In a later age, he would have been a professional troll—someone who lived to argue with everyone and everything, finding joy in the friction.

"So, you rejected that policy?" Gan Hua asked, not particularly surprised. His father did this all the time.

"Rejected?" Gan Long shook his head, a glimmer of clarity in his eyes. "How could I? That policy is the only way forward for Qin; I wouldn't drag the state into the abyss..."

Just as he was speaking, a servant rushed in, panic-stricken.

"Senior Grand Master, it’s… it’s terrible!"

Gan Long’s face darkened. "What are you panicking about? The sky hasn't fallen!"

The servant stammered, "The… the Zuo Shuzhang is at the front gate, cursing at you, and the Sovereign and General Meng are with him!"

At the mention of the Zuo Shuzhang, Gan Long’s face paled. "You useless fool, why didn't you say so earlier?"

He leaped up and dashed toward the door. His mood vanished instantly. *Why is this living ancestor here? I haven't provoked him lately, have I? What has gotten into him?* Gan Long’s brain raced as he sprinted to the entrance.

As he peeked out, a torrent of filthy insults from Zhao Zheng slammed into him, nearly giving him a heart attack on the spot. Ying Quliang and Meng Yun were trying to pull Zhao Zheng away, but they couldn't budge him. If he had come out even half a moment later, he feared his ancestors’ graves would have been cursed until they smoked.

"Zhao Zheng, you brat, I haven't provoked you lately, have I?" Gan Long’s face turned bright red. Hearing such vile language, he nearly spat blood, but he stepped out of the residence to confront him.

Seeing Gan Long, Zhao Zheng’s cursing only intensified. "You old immortal, you finally crawled out? You were barking quite loudly in the court while I wasn't there, weren't you?"

Zhao Zheng thrust his neck forward. "You want to slap my face? Here it is, come on, do it!"

Gan Long was stunned. *When did I ever say I wanted to slap your face?*

"Zuo Shuzhang, when did I ever say that?"

Zhao Zheng rolled his eyes at him, annoyed. "Don't play dumb. The Sovereign said this was my proposal, and you dared to oppose it?"

"???"

Gan Long was completely bewildered. *Your proposal?*

When he looked at Ying Quliang and Meng Yun behind Zhao Zheng, seeing their faces twisted in excruciating embarrassment, he immediately understood what was happening. He had been given a hard time at court, so he brought others here to exact revenge?

"Right, Sovereign?"

Zhao Zheng moved to push his witnesses forward, but seeing their awkward expressions, he instantly realized the truth. *So, Ying Quliang was the one who got shut down, and he wanted to use me to get back at him?*

Ying Quliang’s gaze drifted away. He coughed twice and gave Meng Yun a shove.

"I am above such petty matters; it was this boy Meng Yun's idea." After saying this, he tactically retreated half a step.

"..."

Zhao Zheng’s eye twitched. *You are the King of Qin, where is your dignity?*

The incident concluded with Meng Yun looking utterly aggrieved as he offered a formal, reluctant apology.

Inside the residence, Gan Long personally served fresh tea. Zhao Zheng’s expression changed faster than a flipping book; he calmly lifted his cup and drained it in one gulp.

"Distant relatives are like close neighbors. Why would Senior Grand Master Gan ever curse me?"

*Hah!* When you were cursing me earlier, you didn't mention being "close neighbors." When you were insulting everything from my ancestors to my non-existent descendants, you weren't so polite!

The three men looked at Zhao Zheng with disdain.

"Returning to the matter at hand, what should be done about the Eastern scholars?" Ying Quliang looked at Zhao Zheng and Gan Long, pausing before continuing, "These scholars are causing chaos within our borders and even claim we do not respect them."

A cold light flashed in Gan Long’s eyes. "Sovereign, I propose that we expel these Eastern scholars from Qin."

If these scholars gained a foothold in Qin, it would not bode well for the influence of the old nobility. Qin’s resources were limited, and the old clans held the majority; if the scholars from the six states established themselves, it would naturally infringe upon the interests of the old nobility.

Ying Quliang frowned, knowing exactly what Gan Long was plotting. He looked toward Zhao Zheng, who was silently sipping his tea.

However, Zhao Zheng’s response left Ying Quliang in disbelief.

Zhao Zheng set down his teacup and said slowly, "I agree with Senior Grand Master Gan. Drive them out."

???

Ying Quliang stared at Zhao Zheng, stunned. The plan to bring in scholars from the six states was intended to recruit talent and weaken the old nobility. It was Zhao Zheng’s own idea—why was he suddenly siding with Gan Long?

Gan Long was equally shocked, having expected to spend a great deal of effort convincing Zhao Zheng. *Could it be that he intends to align with me? If so, he might be worth winning over...*

"Of course, while we are going to drive them out, we must treat them lavishly before they go."

"And, we must ensure they leave of their own free will."