Han Xin mounted the stage and bowed to be appointed a general, stunning all the commanders.
At this very moment, in the grand hall of the Qin Dynasty, Li Si stood at the forefront among the officials and scholars.
The Qin Dynasty had not held a court meeting for nearly half a year.
At this moment, all the civil and military officials at the court also knew that this should be the last imperial assembly of the Great Qin.
After this court meeting, according to everyone's understanding of Shifu's character, either the entire Qin Empire would completely switch to a war state to counter Liu Bang and Xiang Yu.
Or disband the court, abandon the palace, and surrender.
However, it is highly likely that Zhao Gao would be acting on the latter decision.
If the decision made today in the court was the latter, then the officials had already discussed it in private.
Shifu might have already been assassinated by Zhao Gao, killing Zhao Gao to avenge Shifu and then leaving!
The last time, before Prime Minister Li went on a tour of the empire, he had exposed Zhao Gao's rebellion and delivered Zhao Gao into the hands of Emperor Qin Shi Huang.
However, for some reason, Qin Shi Huang did not execute Zhao Gao.
The officials in the court all said that it was because Emperor Qin Shi Huang was already old, no longer able to control the court, and unable to deal with Zhao Gao.
He has been marginalized!
Zhao Gao's reason for not taking over was simply that the world was not stable, and he needed a loyal subject like Li Si to help him stabilize the world.
At the court, Zhao Gao stood beside Emperor Qin Shi Huang, and his face no longer held flattery.
In contrast, he exuded a sense of dominance as if he were the true master of the country.
Zhao Gao looked at the Prime Minister Li before him and said with a smile, "It has been a long time since I saw Prime Minister Li."
"I never expected, Prime Minister Li, that you have such immense courage, actually daring to return to Xianyang."
In the court, the officials dared not speak.
Standing on the court, Prime Minister Li looked up and saw Zhao Gao. He sneered and said:
"Ah, isn't this the Zhao Eunuch?"
"Zhao Gao, the Grand Secretariat's supervisor, are you still alive?"
Zhao Gao's face darkened and said, "Prime Minister's return, what is there to do?"
Standing at the front of the court, Li Si bowed and reported to Emperor Qin Shi Huang:
"Your Majesty, during my tour of the territories, I have gained much wealth."
"Wherever I have traveled, I have opened the granaries and distributed food, bringing peace to the people of the world."
"The people of the empire, though still harbor resentment due to the makeshift hospitals, are already much more stable under my rule."
"We can dedicate our attention exclusively to dealing with the enemies in the eastern part of the Yanfu Pass."
In the court, there was an instantaneous roar.
In the court, Li Si's words were like a thunderbolt, shocking everyone present.
The civil and military officials looked at each other, their eyes filled with astonishment and confusion.
They never expected that Li Si would dare to publicly propose a resolution to fight to the death in front of Zhao Gao, the main proponent of surrender.
This is very surprising.
An official whispered, "Prime Minister Li, what are you doing? Are you not afraid of Zhao Gao's retaliation?"
Another official frowned and said, "Prime Minister Li has always been at odds with Zhao Gao. How can he dare to speak like this now? Does he have some sort of foundation?"
"He isn't the personal disciple of Marquis Zhao, is he? Could it be that Marquis Zhao has given him some kind of advice again?"
"Last time, when Li Si caught Zhao Gao's rebellion, did he not fear Zhao Gao's retaliation?"
The officials' hearts were filled with doubts and unease, but more than anything, they were impressed and revered by Li Si.
Standing beside Emperor Qin Shi Huang, Zhao Gao's face was as cold as iron, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
Zhao Gao tightly stared at Li Si, coldly saying, "Prime Minister Li, you really have some nerve."
Li Si showed no fear, stood upright, and continued, "Your Majesty, we must concentrate our strength to deal with the enemies in the eastern part of Yanfu Pass and defend the Great Qin's throne."
"Your Majesty, I heard that in the edict you issued two days ago, you mentioned retreating. Why should we retreat?"
"Although the world is no longer entirely under our control, Mongol generals and great commanders have surrendered. But should we just give up resistance?"
"After all these years of Great Qin's rule, is its destiny really to end in this way of surrender without a fight?"
In the court, some officials were touched.
These are the old officials who have been serving the Qin Dynasty since its establishment.
These officials, from time to time, would reminisce about the invincible Great Qin and the invincible emperor of that era.
At that time, the State of Qin had pride!
However, during the past six months, despite Zhao Gao's good treatment of the officials, they still had to be on their toes, worried that Zhao Gao might be angry and have them executed at any moment.
Li Si continued to say:
"Is this how we can honor the leaders of our Great Qin throughout the ages?"
"Is this how we can live up to the high expectations of Marquis Zhao?"
"Marquis Zhao has always hoped that you would lead the Great Qin to prosperity!"
"Since the reforms of Lord Shang, our Great Qin has remained strong. Despite the current situation of the world, it is very possible that the empire may not belong to us anymore."
"But we are the people of the Great Qin, Your Majesty. Our ancestors, who came from the horse-stable class, were able to conquer the world like you did, which is a great honor for our Great Qin!"
"Our Great Qin should die standing, not bowing to others. Even if we die on the battlefield, we cannot go back to a few hundred years ago and become like the slave people in those days!"
"I think that should not be the case."
A smile appeared behind Zhao Gao.
Indeed, Zhao Gao and Li Si are fundamentally different kinds of people.
"A eunuch is a eunuch, and a prime minister is a prime minister!"
Emperor Qin Shi Huang still cannot let go of the Great Qin and himself, unable to let go of his overwhelming power.
He wants to reclaim his empire!
He is the Emperor Qin Shi Huang who swept the world, the one who unified the six states!
"If he had died earlier, died in the events of the Battle of the Yellow Turban, he would not have said anything."
But the people of Qin had their own dignity, and the Great Qin had its own pride. They would never bow down to others.
Zhao Gao was taken aback, as he had already prepared to surrender.
In this way, he might even be able to achieve a prosperous and prestigious outcome.
But Your Majesty is determined to fight to the death?
Zhao Gao quickly said:
"Your Majesty, please do not do so."
"You must not believe the words of that treacherous Prime Minister. We still need to secure our position…"
Emperor Qin Shi Huang lightly laughed and said:
"Li Si is a treacherous minister?"
"At this point, what is there left to preserve?"
"Or do you mean to preserve the Great Qin so that you can negotiate with them?"
Zhao Gao's face immediately turned cold, "Your Majesty, you must not disrespect us."
"I hope you understand who is in charge now……"
"Don't do too many things that are beyond your authority."
"Understand?"
