Zhao Gao remained calm, clasped his hands in a gesture of farewell.
Escorted by two armored soldiers, Zhao Gao slowly withdrew from the Jique Palace.
He was granted a bolt of three-foot-long white silk.
This is how nobles die with dignity, preserving their bodies intact while also announcing that they died of illness, barely managing to retain a shred of face.
Surprisingly, Zhao Gao, a mere eunuch, also enjoyed the treatment befitting a nobleman.
Of course, this can be considered Ying Zheng's final act of mercy.
That concludes the discussion.
The eunuch Zhao Gao, who would later wreak havoc on the Qin Empire, met his end before he even had a chance to cause any trouble.
The second item on the blacklist: execution!
Ying Zheng sat high on his throne and announced in a loud voice, "The court session is over. Li Si, stay. The rest of you may leave."
"promise."
After bowing, the many ministers in the court slowly withdrew from the Jique Hall.
With the successive killings of Chief Alchemist Xu Fu and Imperial Chariot Officer Zhao Gao, coupled with the emergence of the Immortal Food Sweet Potato, they have quite a few things to deal with.
The Qin soldiers responsible for guarding the palace were also driven out to wait outside the palace by Ying Zheng.
In the vast Jique Palace, only Ying Zheng and Li Si remain now.
Prime Minister Li Si clasped his hands in a gesture of respect and asked, puzzled, "Your Majesty, what business do you have with me?"
Ying Zheng stood up from the black dragon throne, looking down at the talented prime minister, and remained silent for a long time.
The atmosphere in the room became strange.
At this moment, Li Si seemed to realize something. The fact that he could become the prime minister, receive the emperor's orders, and assist the emperor in managing the administration of the country showed that Li Si was by no means a fool.
Li Si tentatively asked, "Your Majesty, does this mean... I too will rebel in the future?"
Ying Zheng's gaze gradually sharpened, and he said calmly, "It seems you've guessed what your future self did."
Upon hearing Ying Zheng's words, Li Shi broke out in a cold sweat and immediately bowed, saying, "Your humble servant deserves to die ten thousand times over."
Rebellion is a heinous crime that can lead to the extermination of nine generations of one's family!
Li Si had only asked tentatively, but unexpectedly, it was actually true, leaving him in a difficult position.
Having learned from the example of Zhao Gao, the Chief of the Imperial Carriage Office, Li Si had a pretty good idea of his fate. However, for some reason, the First Emperor did not execute him directly in the court.
Then Ying Zheng shook his head and sighed, "Li Si, Li Si, I thought you were a smart man, why would you do such a foolish thing? Given your talent and the great contributions you have made to the Qin Dynasty."
"Even if it was your poisoning of Han Fei, I turned a blind eye and did not hold you accountable!"
"Is this how you repay me?"
Ying Zheng's voice, filled with disappointment and frustration, struck Li Si's heart with a heavy blow.
Since the adoption of the centralized system of prefectures and counties, almost all government affairs across the country have been concentrated in the hands of the First Emperor, Ying Zheng.
The workload was incredibly heavy; Ying Zheng would review memorials by lamplight almost every day, and the bamboo slips he reviewed each day required oxen to pull them.
However, as the emperor's deputy and holding the position of prime minister, Li Si relieved Ying Zheng of much of his workload.
Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, Ying Zheng did not want to kill Li Si.
However, Li Si knew that any further explanation would be futile, so he offered no explanation.
"Your Majesty, I know I deserve to die a thousand deaths. I beg Your Majesty to show mercy and spare my entire family."
Now, his only wish is that His Majesty the First Emperor will spare his entire family and spare them from being executed.
"When did I ever say I wanted to kill you?"
But Ying Zheng waved his hand and said, "The immortal has already explained to me very clearly your future collaboration with Zhao Gao in rebellion."
He continued, "However, the reason I did not have you arrested and beheaded in the court is precisely because I consider your past merits."
Hearing Ying Zheng's words, Li Si breathed a sigh of relief; it could be said that his life was saved.
"This guilty subject is ashamed! I beg Your Majesty's punishment!"
Li Si immediately lowered his head and sincerely confessed his guilt.
As for what punishment I will receive, I'll leave that to fate.
Compared to death and the extermination of one's clan, other punishments are insignificant and negligible.
Ying Zheng stepped down from his throne, stood with his hands behind his back, and walked down the high platform. He stared at Li Si without saying a word, as if he wanted to see right through him. His deep gaze was chilling.
This is suppression based on hierarchy!
Tick-tock! Whisper!
The atmosphere was somber and oppressive.
Large beads of sweat appeared on his forehead and dripped down to the ground, but Li Si remained bowed, not daring to move an inch.
After an unknown amount of time, Ying Zheng slowly and deliberately spoke: "Li Si!"