As Ying Zheng's voice fell, a figure approached from not far away.
Zhao Feng, still clad in his regal robe with a sword at his waist, walked steadily to Ying Zheng's side.
Seeing Zhao Feng return unscathed, many people were undoubtedly disappointed. Of course, alongside their disappointment came deep unease.
Those involved in the assassination attempt were especially anxious.
"Seeing that I have returned alive, are some of you feeling quite disappointed?"
Zhao Feng swept his gaze across the officials with a cold smile.
Many immediately lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes.
But Zhao Feng had no intention of wasting words.
"Ren Xiao."
Zhao Feng called out.
"I am here!"
Ren Xiao responded immediately.
"Whoever's name I call arrest them." Zhao Feng commanded coldly.
"As you command!"
Ren Xiao bowed deeply, then waved his hand.
Instantly, the imperial guards gathered information.
Many court officials looked on in confusion, but those involved in the assassination attempt were filled with terror.
"Kui Zhuang."
Zhao Feng's gaze locked onto Kui Zhuang.
Two imperial guards stepped forward immediately. Despite hearing Kui Zhuang's name, they did not hesitate in the slightest and moved to seize him.
The imperial guards served the emperor.
Now that Zhao Feng held authority over the military and state affairs, the imperial guards also fell under his command.
"Your Highness, what is the meaning of this?"
Even now, Kui Zhuang was still trying to put on a facade, looking at Zhao Feng as if he had been gravely wronged.
"If you had admitted to it outright, I might have had some respect for you." Zhao Feng replied coldly.
"I do not understand what Your Highness means."
At this moment, Kui Zhuang was still acting. He knew that his only chance to protect himself and his family was to deny everything.
"The Qin Empire is ruled by law."
"Even though I, as the Crown Prince, wield the power to govern the state, I cannot act against officials without evidence."
"In the past, I may have had disagreements with you, Kui Zhuang, but they were all for the greater good."
"If Your Highness acts against me without reason, I will not accept it."
"Nor will the court, nor the people of the empire."
Kui Zhuang spoke with a sharp tone, attempting to turn the situation around.
"Is that so?"
Zhao Feng chuckled, though his expression remained indifferent.
"Chen Lin."
"Kuai Zhi."
"Hu Wu."
"Wang Zhi."
...
One name after another left Zhao Feng's lips.
One by one, imperial guards appeared and arrested those named.
In the blink of an eye, more than thirty officials had been taken into custody.
Only after this did Zhao Feng pause.
However, those arrested were still resisting, shouting their innocence.
They believed that, even as Crown Prince, Zhao Feng could not arrest them without just cause.
Zhao Feng ignored their protests and spoke calmly:
"You all thought you were clever, that you left no evidence behind, that what you did was flawless."
"But you underestimated me."
"You should have known that my trip to Yongcheng was meant to lure you into action. After all, as long as I remained in Xianyang, you would never have had the chance to strike."
"This time, the bait was set, and many of you took it."
Zhao Feng sneered, sweeping his gaze over the thirty-plus officials.
"I do not understand Your Highness's accusations." Kui Zhuang was still trying to hold out, but his heart was already in turmoil.
Seeing how confident Zhao Feng was, he could no longer remain calm.
"Kui Zhuang."
"Do you still not understand?"
"The empire must be unified."
"I am not my father."
"He follows strict laws and regulations in his rule."
"But I am different I was raised in the military, and I am a straightforward person."
"Even without evidence, I would still execute you all."
Zhao Feng sneered, his tone laced with mockery.
Hearing this, Kui Zhuang and the others completely lost their composure.
"Does Your Highness not fear the people's discontent?" Kui Zhuang gritted his teeth.
"The people's discontent?"
"Do you think you represent the people?"
"However..."
"If you wish to die with clarity, I shall grant you that."
Zhao Feng chuckled, waving his hand.
From the other side, the sound of footsteps approached.
Zhang Ming led a group of several hundred personal guards, each pair of soldiers escorting prisoners.
The court officials turned their gazes toward them.
When they saw who had been captured, Kui Zhuang and the other accused officials turned deathly pale.
"Your Highness."
"All suspects have been brought forward." Zhang Ming reported respectfully.
"Kui Xiang."
"And all of you who claim to represent the people."
"Now, do you have anything to say?"
"You believed yourselves to be decisive, eliminating loose ends before my return to Xianyang. But I had already ordered people to watch you all closely."
"My only concern was that you might not take action, not that you would hide your tracks well."
Zhao Feng spoke with a faint smile.
At this moment, many officials could no longer hold their composure.
"Your Highness, please spare us!"
"This was all Kui Zhuang's doing it had nothing to do with us! We were coerced!"
"Please, Your Highness, show mercy!"
"Your Highness..."
More than a dozen officials fell to their knees, trembling as they pleaded for their lives.
"We've lost..."
Kui Zhuang let out a long sigh, his face devoid of hope.
"Let go of me!"
"Why am I being arrested?"
"How dare you!"
"Release me immediately!"
A furious voice rang out.
Two personal guards dragged Hu Hai forward.
Seeing Hu Hai, the court officials were stunned.
"Prince Hu Hai?"
"Could it be that he was involved in the assassination plot as well?"
"How could he be so reckless?"
"It seems he was unwilling to accept that the Crown Prince's position went to Zhao Feng, so he tried to change fate."
"But even if Zhao Feng hadn't returned, the position would not have gone to him."
"This time, Hu Hai is finished..."
The numerous ministers were shocked and completely taken aback by the unfolding events.
Even a prince of the royal family had been implicated in the conspiracy.
"He went through with it?"
Qin Shi Huang furrowed his brows as he looked at Hu Hai.
Earlier, Zhao Feng had mentioned that Hu Hai harbored murderous intentions toward his older brother, but Qin Shi Huang never imagined that his youngest son would be bold enough to act on them.
"Father!"
"These personal guards of my elder brother are too much! They barged into my residence and arrested me!"
"Please, Father, grant me justice!"
As soon as the two guards released him, Hu Hai immediately rushed to Qin Shi Huang, pleading his case.
Perhaps due to his foolishness, he had yet to grasp the gravity of the situation.
"Have all the suspects been apprehended?" Zhao Feng asked coldly, scanning the gathered officials.
"Reporting to Your Highness!"
"A total of thirty-eight individuals were involved in the assassination attempt, along with one royal prince, making a total of thirty-nine."
"In addition, our forces have raided the hideouts of the remnants of the Six Kingdoms within Xianyang and arrested over a hundred people." Zhang Ming promptly reported.
"Read the charges."
Zhao Feng ordered.
Zhang Ming stepped forward, holding a silk scroll, and announced in a loud voice:
"This time, His Highness the Crown Prince used the pretext of traveling to Yongcheng to escort Grand Dowager Huayang back to the capital, acting as bait to lure out the rebels in Xianyang. Before leaving the capital, he had already arranged for strict surveillance and defensive measures."
"Evidence has been gathered proving that Kuai Zhuang, Chen Lin, Hu Hai, and others mobilized assassins and colluded with the remnants of the Six Kingdoms."
"The evidence is irrefutable!"
Zhang Ming's voice echoed across the assembly hall.
"No wonder!"
"The Crown Prince only took five hundred personal guards to Yongcheng this was all part of a setup!"
"Even though it was an obvious trap, those who wanted the Crown Prince dead couldn't resist taking the bait."
"After all, if they missed this chance, they would never get another one."
"The Crown Prince has not only eradicated the traitors within the court but also purged the remnants of the Six Kingdoms in Xianyang. This was truly a masterstroke, achieving two goals in one move!"
…
Many officials looked at Zhao Feng with growing reverence and awe.
Meanwhile, Hu Hai was dumbfounded.
"It's been exposed?"
"How?!"
"Didn't I order them to take care of everything?"
His expression shifted to one of unease as he frantically scanned the captured individuals.
Among them were members of his mother's family and his trusted attendants from his residence.
Seeing this, Hu Hai's face turned ashen with fear.
"Father…"
"I… I…"
Hu Hai stammered in terror, looking desperately at Qin Shi Huang.
But Qin Shi Huang merely turned away, no longer paying him any attention.
It was clear that he had entrusted Zhao Feng with full authority over the matter.
"Tingwei (Minister of Justice)!"
Zhao Feng called out.
"Present!" Li Si stepped forward.
"What is the punishment for attempting to assassinate the Crown Prince of the empire?" Zhao Feng asked.
"Extermination of the entire clan, and the main perpetrator is to be executed by being drawn and quartered." Li Si answered immediately.
"I will hand over all evidence to you."
"And these criminals as well."
"Handle them according to the law."
Zhao Feng looked at Li Si.
"I shall not fail Your Highness!" Li Si responded firmly.
Turning to Kuai Zhuang and the other officials, Li Si's eyes gleamed with excitement.
"Wang Wan, Kuai Zhuang…"
"At last, you can reunite in the underworld."
"I never expected…"
"In the long-standing conflict between the old aristocracy and the new, I would be the victor."
Li Si was overwhelmed with emotion.
At this moment, he also felt immense relief.
He was grateful that he had never taken part in the struggle between the various princes.
And his son was soon to marry a princess the Crown Prince's own younger sister.
With such a connection, the Li family was bound to flourish in Qin for generations to come.
"As for Hu Hai…"
Zhao Feng's gaze shifted to the trembling prince.
"Brother, spare me!"
"I was wrong… Brother…"
Hu Hai fell to his knees, pleading desperately.
By now, he no longer dared to argue.
His mother's family had been captured.
His most trusted retainers had been captured.
Denying everything would be futile.
Begging for mercy was his only option.
"After sending assassins to kill me, after trying to take my life, you expect me to spare you?" Zhao Feng sneered at Hu Hai.
He had never liked him from the start.
With memories from his past life, Zhao Feng knew that Hu Hai had even killed his siblings.
Under his rule, Qin Shi Huang's bloodline had nearly been wiped out.
Such a person Zhao Feng wished he could tear him to pieces.
"Brother!"
"I… I am Father's son!"
"If you let me live, I will do whatever you ask!"
"Brother…"
Hu Hai knelt on the ground, trembling as he begged.
"Father."
"I leave his fate to you."
Zhao Feng sighed and looked at Qin Shi Huang.
Upon hearing this, Qin Shi Huang slowly turned, his gaze falling upon Hu Hai, filled with deep disappointment.
Under his father's gaze, Hu Hai lowered his head, unable to meet his eyes.
"If I were to spare him…"
"How could I face you, Feng'er?"
"He tried to take your life."
Qin Shi Huang sighed deeply.
Hu Hai was still his son.
Ordering his execution was not easy.
But if he did not punish him severely, how would Zhao Feng feel?
"Hu Hai."
"As my son."
"You ignored the bond of brotherhood and sent assassins after your elder brother this is betrayal."
"You disregarded your loyalty as a subject and attacked the Crown Prince this is treason."
"You even conspired with foreign enemies and colluded with the remnants of the Six Kingdoms to assassinate the heir to the throne this is collusion with the enemy."
"Such heinous crimes how could I possibly tolerate them?"
"I hereby decree"
"Hu Hai is to be executed."
"His mother, along with her entire family, shall be exterminated."
Qin Shi Huang, after a brief struggle, ultimately steeled himself and issued his decree in a cold voice.
As soon as his words fell, the entire court was stunned.
No one had expected Qin Shi Huang to order Hu Hai's execution.
After all, he was his son.
And once, he had been the most favored prince in the palace.
Yet now, Qin Shi Huang had condemned him to death.
"Father!"
"You… you're going to kill me?"
"But I am your son!"
"Are you going to kill me for Zhao Feng?"
At this moment, Hu Hai was completely dumbfounded. He never expected that his father would sentence him to death.
He raised his head, his face trembling uncontrollably.
"Father killed Hu Hai for my sake?"
Zhao Feng was also shocked as he looked at Ying Zheng.
Clearly
Even Zhao Feng hadn't anticipated that Ying Zheng would go so far as to order Hu Hai's execution and the extermination of his mother's entire clan.
Originally, Zhao Feng had assumed that, at most, Ying Zheng would strip Hu Hai of his royal status and place him under house arrest. In the worst-case scenario, Hu Hai might be exiled to the northern frontier. He never imagined that Ying Zheng would sentence him to death outright.
"Feng'er."
"I have already let you and your mother, your siblings, down too much."
"If I were to spare this unfilial son even after he tried to take your life, then I would truly be unworthy of being your father."
Deep in his heart, Ying Zheng was filled with turmoil.
Between Hu Hai and Zhao Feng
Ying Zheng chose his eldest son.
Seeing this, Zhao Feng sighed inwardly, thinking to himself:
"So be it. Since Father is willing to kill Hu Hai for me, then I should make sure he has no regrets."
With that thought, Zhao Feng slowly stepped forward.
"Father."
"Ministers of the court."
"Would you like to see what would have happened to Great Qin without me?"
Zhao Feng spoke calmly.
Hearing this, Ying Zheng looked puzzled.
The court officials were equally confused.
"Feng'er, what do you mean by this?" Ying Zheng asked.
"I can let Father see what would have happened to Great Qin if I had never existed."
"I can show you the history that was originally meant to unfold."
"This is also one of the reasons why I once chose to guard the Baiyue region."
Zhao Feng spoke solemnly.
"Your Highness."
"Do you mean to say that you can foresee the future?" Wei Liao asked in astonishment.
"Original history was this what was originally supposed to happen?"
"If this is true, then only gods or immortals could achieve such a feat."
"How could we possibly witness it?"
The ministers were all in utter shock.
Zhao Feng paid no mind to their reactions.
With a wave of his hand
A formation plate appeared in his palm.
This was not some kind of deadly trap but rather an illusionary formation.
To directly alter the reality of history on a large scale was beyond Zhao Feng's current abilities.
However, using an illusionary formation to simulate history, Zhao Feng could achieve. He could project the history of Qin as he remembered it, allowing everyone to witness the original course of events.
Especially regarding Hu Hai
Zhao Feng was certain that once they saw what Hu Hai had done as the second emperor of Qin,
Ying Zheng would have no regrets about sentencing him to death.
The entire court, too, would never again question Ying Zheng's decision, for in the original history, Hu Hai's actions would have angered even Qin Shi Huang to death.
He had slaughtered his kin.
He had persecuted the loyal and virtuous.
In truth
Most of the ministers standing in this court right now had been purged under Hu Hai's rule.
In the end, the mighty Qin Empire had become a land devoid of capable officials.
"Feng'er, what must be done?"
Ying Zheng, too, was filled with curiosity.
What was the original history?
He had complete faith in Zhao Feng's words.
After all
Ying Zheng had already witnessed Zhao Feng's extraordinary abilities.
Flying through the skies.
Commanding dragons.
These were powers akin to those of gods.
"It's simple."
Zhao Feng smiled.
With a wave of his hand
The formation plate emitted a radiant glow. Under Zhao Feng's immense infusion of true essence,
It soared into the air.
"This… This…"
The ministers and officials were utterly dumbfounded as they gazed at the scene before them.
They were so shocked that they were at a loss for words.
Yet, deep within their hearts, a massive storm was raging.
"How did the Crown Prince achieve this?"
"Is this an artifact of the immortals? It is floating in the air without any external support!"
"Does the Crown Prince possess the power of an immortal? How is he controlling this?"
"Inconceivable. Inconceivable."
"How is this possible?"
"The Crown Prince… is too mysterious…"
All the officials were in awe.
As the formation plate hovered in the air the grand plaza
Every single person was left in shock. Even though countless questions filled their minds, they could not even begin to voice them.
As for Ying Zheng, he remained calm as he observed everything.
"Zhao Feng…"
"Is he truly a god or spirit?"
"How does he wield such divine power?"
"Did we… make a mistake? Should we never have opposed Zhao Feng?"
Seeing this miraculous, otherworldly scene
The captured ministers, including Kui Zhuang, were all frozen in fear. The sheer impact of what they were witnessing was beyond their comprehension.
"Everyone, are you ready?"
Zhao Feng asked calmly.
His voice echoed across the plaza.
"Your Highness, Chen has already prepared himself."
"But what must we do?"
"Can we truly witness the original history of Great Qin?"
"If the Crown Prince exists in this era, how could there be an original history without him?"
"Your Highness, I cannot comprehend this matter at all."
The ministers spoke one after another.
They still had not grasped the deeper meaning behind Zhao Feng's words.
In reality
In the original timeline of the Qin Dynasty,
Zhao Feng never existed.
Or rather
Perhaps the legendary "Afang Lady" truly did exist, and perhaps Zhao Feng himself had once been born, but he never possessed such extraordinary martial prowess. He might have perished on the battlefield or remained forever in obscurity, never meeting Qin Shi Huang.
This was the dual nature of history.
The dual nature of Zhao Feng's absence from history.
"If you are ready"
"Then let me show you the original history of Great Qin."
Zhao Feng spoke in a deep voice.
With a single thought
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