It seems the seeds of discord I sowed before the King of Qin have really sprouted; even Hu Hai has begun attending court sessions. Wang Wan and the others must be even more anxious now.

Looking at Hu Hai standing opposite Fusu, Zhao Feng smiled, deeply satisfied. This was the grand gift he had sent Wang Wan and his cohort back then. As for whether they had figured out why the King of Qin suddenly allowed Hu Hai to attend court, that was no concern of Zhao Feng's. Besides, even if they guessed he was involved, what could they do?

Zhao Feng had long been aware of their schemes against him. In his book, there was no rule that said they could target him but he couldn't retaliate. This was simply returning the favor.

"The Great King attends court!" Zhao Gao announced loudly.

"We ministers welcome you, Great King!"

"May the Great King live for ten thousand years! May Qin last for ten thousand years!"

The entire assembly of civil and military officials raised their court tablets, their voices echoing in unison. The collective cry filled the court hall with an aura of solemn majesty.

Amid the thundering calls, Ying Zheng slowly walked into the great hall and took his seat on the throne.

"You may rise," Ying Zheng said, gesturing with his hand.

"Our thanks, Great King!" the ministers shouted in unison.

"Present your memorials or withdraw from the court!" Zhao Gao boomed.

"Reporting to the Great King," Yu Liao said, stepping forward at once. "I have a memorial to present."

"What do you have to report, Yu Qing?" Ying Zheng asked, his gaze drifting down.

"Great King, it has been half a year since the territory of the Zhao state was incorporated into Qin. While most affairs are settled, we face great resistance in confiscating the lands and wealth held by the Zhao nobility. The nobles of Zhao are defiant and refuse to submit."

"In Qin, land is granted only to decorated soldiers, and titles are bestowed only upon our officials," Ying Zheng replied coldly. "If they refuse to abide by the laws of our nation, what reason is there to let them live?"

"Relay my decree to Han Fei," Ying Zheng commanded. "If any Zhao nobles obstruct the state's confiscation of land, I grant him the authority to mobilize the Prefecture Soldiers and suppress them."

"I receive the decree," Yu Liao replied, immediately accepting the command before stepping back.

He already had his own opinion on the matter. However, the issue involved the entirety of the Zhao nobility and was too significant to proceed without the King of Qin's sacred judgment.

"Father-King," Fusu spoke up, "the influence of the Zhao nobility is substantial. I believe we should not seek to exterminate them. If we press too hard, our own Daqin Elite Soldiers will suffer losses. Perhaps we should temporarily ease the pressure, treat them with grace, and win their hearts."

"Eldest Brother, you are mistaken." Hu Hai immediately stepped forward and bowed to Ying Zheng before declaring loudly, "The nobility of Qin earned their status through military merit and achievements in governance. The nobles of Zhao are merely remnants of a fallen state. If they do not submit to Qin, we must deal with them with an iron fist. As Father-King said, those who are disloyal should be killed."

"Confiscating their lands and wealth will bolster our Daqin National Treasury and support our one million Daqin Elite Soldiers!"

Fusu frowned. "Eighteenth Brother, do you have any idea how many nobles there are in Zhao? Or how many private soldiers they command?"

"Although Qin has conquered the Zhao state, its nobility is deeply entrenched. The territory of Zhao is vast, incomparable to the remnants of the Han nobility in Yingchuan."

"If we use brute force and provoke all the Zhao nobles into rebellion, Qin will exhaust countless resources and drain its national strength."

Hearing this, Hu Hai refused to yield an inch. "So we should treat them with kindness and not take their land? Should we simply disregard the laws of Qin?"

"Our military merit system dictates that land is granted according to rank!" Hu Hai proclaimed. "To show leniency to the Zhao nobility is to betray the one million Daqin Elite Soldiers!"

Hearing this, many ministers in the court looked at Hu Hai, their eyes widening in surprise. They could hardly believe such words had come from his mouth.

Zhao Gao, serving by Ying Zheng's side, smiled to himself. Yu Liao presented his proposal on the Zhao nobility to the Great King long ago. It was indeed the right move to coach the young prince on what to say in advance. His performance today is sure to impress both the Great King and the court.

Just as Zhao Gao predicted, Hu Hai's words had indeed astonished many of the ministers.

Zhao Feng watched with a faint smile, enjoying the show. Hu Hai has never been so articulate. It seems Zhao Gao has been teaching him. Being close to the King of Qin, he would have known about Yu Liao's proposal beforehand. How interesting.

Watching his two sons contend, Ying Zheng's expression remained perfectly serene.

After their argument had gone on for some time, Ying Zheng glanced over at Zhao Feng, who was still watching the proceedings as if they were a play.

With just a single glance, Ying Zheng took in Zhao Feng's expression. This kid... He really looks like he's just watching a show. And it's a show about my sons.

From his high throne, his view was like that from a teacher's podium in a later era; he could see everyone and everything with perfect clarity.

As Fusu and Hu Hai continued to argue, their respective supporters among the ministers joined the fray. After this continued for a short while, Ying Zheng raised his hand, and the court instantly fell silent.

"Minister Zhao." Ying Zheng's gaze fell upon Zhao Feng. "What is your view regarding the nobility of the Zhao state?"

Hearing his name called, and feeling the eyes of the entire court fall upon him, Zhao Feng was momentarily stunned. How did I go from being a spectator to being part of the play?

Nevertheless, under the watchful eyes of all present, Zhao Feng stood and presented his court tablet. "Great King."

"I am a Military Official, not a civil one," he said. "The Great King asks the wrong person about handling the Zhao nobility. I only know how to kill our enemies on the battlefield; I do not understand the affairs of governance."

Clearly, Zhao Feng had no intention of elaborating.

"No matter," Ying Zheng said with a faint smile and a wave of his hand. "Speak your mind freely. Even if you are wrong, I will not hold it against you."

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