Qin Shi: I only work eight hours

Chapter 367 Sima Shang's Death

Before long, Sima Shang arrived at the residence of Lord Chunping.

But after Chunping learned of this, he did not see him at all.

If it were more than ten years ago, Chunping Jun might have taken a gamble, but now he is old and only wants to enjoy his retirement.

He couldn't be bothered with the mess that was in the State of Zhao.

This left Sima Shang feeling quite helpless.

Neither Gongzi Jia nor Chunping Jun are suitable. What should we do?

……

at the same time.

King Zhao moved to the residence of the Queen.

Because Xu Lin had poisoned her with a Gu curse, she had a poor appetite and had lost a lot of weight in the past few days.

"Qian'er is here?"

A hint of surprise flashed in the Empress's eyes.

After Zhao Qian ascended the throne, he rarely visited her.

It wasn't that Zhao Qian was disobedient or unfilial, but rather that he was fond of wine and women and had no time for them.

After a moment's hesitation, the Empress had Zhao Qian taken to the study, where she quickly dressed and groomed herself.

"What brings you here to see Mother today, Qian'er?"

When the chief saw Zhao Qian holding a jar of crickets, she asked him with a slightly kind expression.

She only had one son, Zhao Qian, so she always doted on him.

"Your son greets Your Majesty."

"Your son has not seen Your Majesty for a long time. Today, I happened to finish my official duties quickly, so I came to see Your Majesty as soon as I was done."

"How has the Empress Dowager been lately?"

Zhao Qian lied.

He lied frequently from a very young age, so his lying skills were already incredibly advanced.

Why did Zhao Yan ultimately choose him?

It was not only related to the Empress Dowager, but also to him personally.

Because Zhao Yan was also a person who indulged in pleasures and was no better than Zhao Qian, and as the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together, so if Zhao Qian was not made crown prince, who would be made crown prince?

"The Empress Dowager is doing well lately."

"But Qian'er, you're so young, you should take care of your health."

"In this age of great strife, don't overwork yourself."

He then gave his instructions.

In her eyes, Zhao Qian will always be a child.

Therefore, she would not tell Zhao Qian about Xu Lin poisoning her.

After exchanging pleasantries, Zhao Qian dismissed his attendants and shifted the topic to Li Mu.

He wanted to know what his mother thought of Li Mu.

After listening to the speech, I felt a dull ache in my chest.

Although she was a woman, she was not someone who feared death, so despite being poisoned, she did not speak ill of Li Mu.

“In terms of military strategy alone, there are few people in the world who can rival Li Mu.”

"But loyalty is very important. Li Mu has always been dissatisfied with you, Qian'er."

"Therefore, we must take precautions."

Advocate the later way.

Zhao Qian nodded and returned to the palace.

Upon returning to the palace, Zhao Qian was about to choose a concubine when Guo Kai and Lord Chunping suddenly requested an audience.

"Did they come together?"

Zhao Qian frowned.

Then they had the eunuch bring the person in.

Seeking an audience so late at night, and with two people in tow, suggests something might have happened.

Upon meeting Zhao Qian, Guo Kai told Zhao Qian about Sima Shang's secret return to Handan, his private meeting with Prince Jia, and his request to see Lord Chunping.

Chunping Jun told Zhao Qian about his failure to meet Sima Shang and his speculation about the deeper meaning behind Sima Shang's actions.

"What is Sima Shang's intention in returning to Handan?"

Zhao Qian was furious.

Sima Shang was Li Mu's deputy general. Would he have returned to Handan without Li Mu's approval?

Is Li Mu truly disloyal?

"A general in the field may disobey the emperor's orders."

Chunping Jun said sarcastically.

He enjoys kicking someone when they're down.

If we can take this opportunity to bring down Li Mu and Sima Shang, won't he and Guo Kai be in charge of the Zhao state from now on?

Being a monarch is nowhere near as interesting as being a powerful minister.

"He dares!"

Zhao Qian was furious.

Then he gave the tiger tally to Lord Chunping, instructing him to immediately lead troops to the front lines and replace Li Mu and Sima Shang.

"promise!"

Lord Chunping immediately accepted the order.

But after receiving the tiger tally, he did not leave.

"Your Majesty."

"What should we do if Li Mu and Sima Shang refuse to fight?" Lord Chunping asked.

"You may simply behead him!"

"To see this sword is to see me, the emperor; to disobey the emperor's orders is tantamount to treason!"

Zhao Qian gave the long sword at his waist to Lord Chunping.

Although his father and Lord Chunping had some disagreements, he and Lord Chunping always had a good relationship.

Because he and the late-life Chunping Jun both indulged in sensual pleasures and were birds of a feather.

"promise!"

"Your subject will certainly not fail in your mission!"

Chunping Jun accepted the royal sword with both hands and went to the front line under the starry night.

……

Two days later.

Lord Chunping arrived at the front line wielding the royal sword.

Then he publicly announced that he would strip Li Mu and Sima Shang of their military power.

Li Mu was unwilling to relinquish military power, so he chose to feign illness.

Lord Chunping did not care about this matter after learning about it, because Li Mu's actions were exactly what he wanted.

He didn't come to the front lines alone.

That very night, Lord Chunping led a few trusted confidants to Li Mu's camp.

Outside the camp stood a forest of armored soldiers, demonstrating that even if Lord Chunping came with the king's sword, many soldiers would still follow Li Mu's lead.

Lord Chunping smiled at this and walked into the tent at a leisurely pace.

Li Mu was lying on a straw mat, coughing incessantly, as if he were about to die.

"Lord Wu'an, it's been a long time."

Chunping greeted him with a smile.

Then he dismissed the people around him.

The guards remained unmoved; they obeyed only Li Mu's commands.

Li Mu followed closely behind and waved as well.

He didn't believe that Lord Chunping would dare to suddenly attack him.

Moreover, does Chunping-jun really think he can hurt him with just these few people?

Lord Chunping wanted to take this opportunity to get rid of Li Mu, and Li Mu also wanted to take this opportunity to get rid of Lord Chunping.

"haven't seen you for a long time."

"Lord Chunping remains as charming as ever."

"Mu is getting old and frail. From now on, all the important military and national affairs of Zhao will depend on you, my lord."

Li Mu complimented.

He was waiting for Sima Shang to arrive with his troops.

Killing Chunping Jun is considered treason, but not killing him means it's not treason?

How did Bai Qi of Qin die?

Did he plot a rebellion?

When a monarch suspects you of treason, you'd better actually rebel.

Li Mu chatted with Lord Chunping for a long time, but Sima Shang did not bring any troops, which made Li Mu feel uneasy.

Has Sima Shang defected?

Shouldn't.

Having worked with Sima Shang for so many years, he knew Sima Shang well.

Sima Shang did not defect, but Zhao Cong threatened him with his family members, leaving Sima Shang with no choice but to refuse to help either side.

Sima Shang was a man who valued family ties very much, and he did not want all his clansmen to die because of him.

"Lord Wu'an".

"Don't wait anymore, Sima Shang won't be coming."

"If you do not die today, not only me, but even the King will be unable to eat or sleep in peace."

Upon hearing the sound of horses' hooves, Lord Chunping smiled broadly.

Then he entrusted the task of hunting down Li Mu to his confidants and Zhao Cong.

Although Li Mu's cultivation level was high, as the saying goes, two fists can't beat four legs. Li Mu was more skilled in using troops than in killing people with a sword.

Even so, Li Mu still managed to break through the encirclement.

Zhao Cong and his men gave chase, but in the end they only managed to seriously injure Li Mu.

Considering that pushing too hard might cause Li Mu to defect to the tyrannical Qin, Zhao Cong did not lead his men to pursue him relentlessly.

"Lord Wu'an".

Before making the next decision, I hope you can think about your people.

Zhao Cong shouted loudly.

After speaking, he led his men back to the military camp.

Li Mu smiled upon hearing this, and leaned on his Zhenyue Sword as he walked towards the riverbank.

If he really wanted to defect, would he care about the lives of his people?

He simply disliked King Qian of Zhao, but he remained loyal to the State of Zhao.

Therefore, he would not defect to the Qin state.

Upon learning that Li Mu was still alive, Lord Chunping was furious and ordered Sima Shang to be killed.

Did Sima Shang not plot a rebellion?

Whether he plots a rebellion or not is entirely up to me. (End of Chapter)