Chapter 265: Do you still want to be a person like Shang Jun?
As a person who once served as prime minister, Cai Ze was famous enough that people dared to force him.
The most important thing is that it is unlikely that Cai Ze has any black material in Ying Chengjiao's hands.
When Ying Chengjiao was born, Cai Ze already knew his fate and was in a state of being unable to move even if he wanted to. How could he dare to move to Lou Tai? The threat posed by Lou Tai was meaningless to Cai Ze.
Moreover, even if Cai Ze had been to the tower after Ying Chengjiao had eavesdropped on it, Prime Minister Cai, who was well versed in the art of hiding, would not leave any evidence behind.
The noble families pushed Cai Ze to come forward just to serve as a target. Cai Ze agreed at the banquet, but stayed indoors after returning home, which made the noble families very angry.
Cai Ze closed the door, which meant that nothing had anything to do with him, Cai Ze.
Cai Ze did not move, and the other noble families did not dare to move either, for fear of being captured by Ying Chengjiao.
Originally, the noble families wanted to force Cai Ze with soft tactics and use some means in private.
Then Bao Bailingzhi died, and the noble families became anxious.
Although Bao Bailingzhi's status was not high among the crowd, he was still the head of a noble family. He was killed by that brat. If he didn't take action now, it would be too late.
Everything has two sides.
Bao Bailingzhi's death made the heads of the aristocratic families anxious and uneasy, and also made them a little frightened.
Ying Chengjiao used practical actions to tell these heads of aristocratic families that he really dared to kill people.
The heads of the noble families were eager to fight back, but were afraid of being the first to be attacked, so today they had to put Bao Bailingzhi in the front.
Everyone's laughing faces were filled with determination, as if to say, "If Gang Chengjun refuses again today, we will join forces to destroy him first."
"Listen to me, gentlemen. When the water is full, it overflows; when the moon is full, it wanes. We have already enjoyed all the glory and wealth. How about we just leave now?"
It’s the same old saying again: “When water is full, it overflows; when the moon is full, it wanes.” My father is tired of hearing it. Back off!
Cai Ze paused for a moment, and when he saw that no one on the scene agreed with him, he stomped his feet heavily.
"My Lord, why are you so slow to recognize the problem? This is not Chang'an Jun targeting us, but your Majesty wants to centralize power. You see, the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter change in a year, and each one automatically retreats after completing its mission.
"Every part of the human body is strong, the hands and feet are flexible, the ears can hear clearly, the eyes can see clearly, and the mind is intelligent. We should retreat while our bodies are intact. Isn't this what you all want? We can't stay in Qin anymore."
Xi Shu said righteously, "It's easy for Lord Gangcheng to say that. My Xi family has been a minister of Qin for generations. My ancestor Xi Qishu fought bloody battles for Qin, and Baili Xi laid the foundation for Qin Mugong's ambition. Just because of a threat from a brat, my Xi family has abandoned Qin. This is not what a minister should do!"
“That makes sense!”
"How can a minister be afraid of evil and avoid it?"
"Gang Chengjun is the prime minister and has received the grace of the late King Zhaoxiang. How can he abandon Qin and leave?"
All the family heads were righteous and spoke like loyal subjects. They no longer mentioned the young man who was going too far and expanded the fight with Ying Chengjiao to the level of fighting against evil forces.
Cai Ze looked around and said earnestly: "To take benevolence as the basis, uphold justice, promote the right path, show kindness and be willing to realize one's ambitions in the world, isn't this what a wise and eloquent person hopes for?
"He will be rich, noble, and glorious, and he will have his due. He will live a long life, and will not die young. The world will inherit the traditions of Qin, adhere to his Qin cause, and pass it on forever.
"The reputation is in perfect accordance with the reality, the grace extends thousands of miles away, the praises of generations will never cease, and it will last as long as the heaven and earth. Isn't this a good deed that promotes the right way and shows kindness?"
Cai Ze finished speaking in one breath.
The smiles on Meng Jiakun, Bai Fei and Xishu's faces became visibly awkward.
Especially Xishu, who had taken the lead with great righteousness just now, the fact that he could keep a smile on his face definitely shows his excellent psychological quality.
Afterwards, the faces of all the heads of the noble families were not normal, because after hearing Cai Ze's remarks, their previous righteous words sounded like the remarks of a clown.
What Ying Chengjiao wants to do is beneficial to the entire Qin State, and if they are truly loyal ministers, they should give up everything.
However, this was obviously not in the best interests of many family heads, so the scene was plunged into an awkward atmosphere for a while.
Cai Ze was very smart, and seeing that no one was responding, he continued, "I know that you are all loyal ministers of Qin, but to be a loyal minister you must also protect yourself. Shang Yang of Qin, Wu Qi of Chu, and Wen Zhong of Yue, their tragic endings are something you can envy?"
Although the three people listed by Cai Ze were all loyal ministers, they all acted on their own will and eventually died tragically. This sentence is to point out to everyone not to act on their own will and end up losing their lives.
The heads of the noble families were somewhat tempted.
What Cai Ze said about leaving the Qin State is definitely impossible, but he could try to surrender, give up some interests, and seek the protection of the First Emperor. At least he would not be killed like Bao Bailingzhi.
The heads of the three great families, Meng, Xi and Bai, noticed that the team behind them was not united, and they looked at each other and exchanged glances.
Meng Jiakun stepped forward and said loudly: "Why not? Gongsun Yang served Qin Xiaogong and never had two minds. He was devoted to the public and did not care about himself. He set up the knife and saw to prohibit treachery and evil, and rewarded and punished according to the actual situation to achieve peace in the country.
"I revealed my loyalty, showed my true feelings, endured resentment and accusations, deceived my old friends, captured Prince Ang of Wei, made Qin stable and benefited the people. Finally, I captured the enemy and defeated the enemy army for Qin, and opened up a thousand miles of territory. I want to be such a person."
Xishu followed closely and said loudly: "Why not? Wu Qi served King Dao of Chu, so that private individuals could not harm the public, and treacherous slanderers could not block loyal officials. He did not follow the crowd in his discussions, and did not do things in a perfunctory manner to protect himself.
"I will not change my actions because of danger, and I will not avoid disasters if I insist on justice. I will do this in order to achieve the monarch's hegemony and make the country strong. I will never avoid disasters and dangers. I want to be such a person."
Bai Fei took a final big step, and as a finisher he spoke particularly loudly, his voice sounding like a messenger in the Qin army.
"Why not? The minister Wen Zhong served the King of Yue. Even when Gou Jian was trapped and humiliated, he remained loyal and never slacked off. Even when facing the extinction of his heir and the destruction of his country, he still tried his best to save it and did not leave. Gou Jian succeeded in restoring his country but did not boast, and he did not indulge himself in wealth and honor.
"These three gentlemen are the standard of morality and the model of loyalty and integrity. Therefore, a gentleman would rather die for the sake of justice than live in disgrace and die gloriously. A loyal minister should have the ambition to sacrifice his life to achieve fame . As long as he lives for justice, there is no regret even if he dies!"
Cai Ze twitched his lips. He wanted to laugh at what Meng Xibai and the three heads of the aristocratic families said. He really wanted to spit on the faces of the three men.
I have said a few words against my conscience, and you really think of yourselves as loyal subjects, don't you?
When Shang Yang was carrying out the reform, you three clans put up many obstacles in every possible way. How many bodies of your clans were beheaded by Shang Jun on the river bank?
The river water, which was once crystal clear, turned red in three days, leaving not even an inch visible. Now, do you still want to be a person like Shang Jun?
Go back and say this in front of your ancestral tablets, and see if your ancestors will take you three unfilial descendants away in the middle of the night!
