Chapter 20 Everyone in the world may not understand me, but you must!

The next day, the morning glow illuminated the sky, the Xianyang Palace was magnificent, and all officials stood in silence, waiting for the emperor to arrive.

At three quarters past three in the morning, the First Emperor arrived slowly, his face showing a hint of fatigue, but his eyes were still as sharp as a knife, making everyone dare not neglect him.

"Tu Sui, have you read the thirty-six volumes of Poisonous Strategies and Marches carefully?" The First Emperor's voice was steady, yet there was a hint of expectation.

Tu Sui stepped out and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I have read it carefully."

Although he disdained the vicious plan in his heart, he did not dare to show it in front of His Majesty.

Ying Zheng nodded, seeming quite satisfied with Tu Sui's answer.

So he pondered for a moment, then smiled and said in a loud voice like a bell: "Now that the plan is complete, I will order you and Zhao Tuo to lead an army of 500,000 to set out in two days, divided into five routes! And order the craftsmen to dig canals to facilitate the transportation of grain. With this arrangement, my army will have no worries and will win the victory!"

As soon as this order was issued, the atmosphere in the court suddenly became solemn. All officials knew the importance of this expedition and the determination of His Majesty.

Tu Sui and Zhao Tuo accepted the order solemnly, knowing in their hearts the heavy responsibility on their shoulders!
Your Majesty's layout is meticulous. Each army has its importance. Any slight mistake may affect the entire battle situation.

There was also silence in the court.

All officials knew that this expedition was of great importance, but the First Emperor had made up his mind and no one dared to dissuade him.

Tu Sui and Zhao Tuo retreated to the court, each thinking about how to complete this southern expedition.

At this moment, Chunyu Yue and a group of Confucian scholars stood up.

They looked worried, and Chunyu Yue raised his voice and said, "Your Majesty, we believe that building the Great Wall is a waste of money and labor. Now that the army is about to go out, it will undoubtedly increase the burden on the people! We beg Your Majesty to suspend the construction of the Great Wall to help the people!"

The First Emperor frowned when he heard this. He glanced at Chunyu Yue and the others and said coldly, "You are wrong! The Great Wall is my great cause for generations to come. How can we abandon it halfway because of a temporary difficulty? Moreover, the army went out to protect the country and the people. How can we waste people's time and money?"

Li Si also stepped out and echoed: "Your Majesty is wise! The Great Wall campaign is a national priority. How can we change our course because of the opinions of a few people?"

He scolded: "Chun Yuyue and others do not understand the overall situation and ignore the overall situation. This is really a move that harms the country and the people!"

Chun Yuyue was furious when he heard this. He stepped forward and said, "I am loyal to the country and the people. How could I have ever done anything to harm the country and the people? It is you, Prime Minister Li, who only know how to flatter and do not care about the lives of the people. You are the real villains!!"

There was an uproar in the court!
All the officials were whispering and discussing, but no one dared to speak out to persuade.

Chunyu Yue disagreed. He stood in the court, his posture straight as a pine tree, his expression full of pride! !

He faced the wrath of the First Emperor without showing any fear. Instead, he held his head high and chest puffed out, as if a sense of righteousness was supporting him!
He firmly believed that everything he did and said was out of deep concern for the country and society, and that he was truly upholding justice!

"Your Majesty!" Chunyu Yue's voice was loud and resonant in the court. "The reason why I risked my life to give advice is not for my own selfish reasons, but for the sake of the people of the world!"

"The Great Wall Campaign cost the people a lot of money and labor, and the people suffered terribly! As an important official of the court, how can I watch the country fall into an irreparable situation and remain indifferent?"

"Everything I said and did was to maintain the peace of the empire and protect the well-being of the people. This is the righteous cause. How could I have done anything wrong?!"

Upon seeing this, all the Confucian scholars echoed Chunyu Yue, and for a moment there was a buzz in the court.

They either spoke passionately or whispered, all of them using Confucian morality as their excuse, claiming to be defenders of righteousness and virtue. "Mr. Chunyu is absolutely right!" one Confucian scholar said loudly, "As scholars, how can we just watch the country fall into danger and do nothing?"

"The Great Wall campaign is a waste of money and manpower, and is not a benevolent policy! We should plead for the people of the world and petition to stop the campaign to protect the country and the people."

"That's right!" Another Confucian scholar echoed, "We Confucian disciples have been reading the books of sages since childhood, and we are well aware of the principles of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom and trustworthiness."

"Now that the country is in trouble and the people are suffering, how can we sit back and do nothing? We must stand up and plead for the people, to show the righteousness and virtue of our dynasty!"

The Confucian scholars talked one after another, their emotions were excited, as if there was an invisible force pushing them forward.

Their words were filled with their persistent pursuit of benevolence and justice and their deep concern for the empire...

It seemed that at this moment, they represented the public opinion and morality of the world.

The voices of the Confucian scholars merged into a torrent, towering over the court.

Their emotions infected the ministers present, as if there was an invisible force driving the direction of the entire court.

Ying Zheng watched coldly, feeling increasingly chilled in his heart. He was furious and shouted to his attendants, "Bring me the sticks. I will personally punish this rebellious person!"

Fusu was shocked when he heard this. He hurriedly left the group, knelt on the ground, and kowtowed to beg: "Father, please calm down. I have something to say. Although Chunyu Yue's words were harsh and offended your majesty, his heart was for the country and his loyalty is known to the sun and the moon!"

"I also ask that Your Majesty, for the sake of his service to the country and the people, you should be lenient with him, so as to demonstrate Your Majesty's benevolence and magnanimity!"

After saying that, Fusu looked up at the emperor's bed, and saw that Ying Zheng's face was as gloomy as water, his eyes were blazing with anger, and his heart couldn't help but tighten!
He knew his father's temper and majesty, and knew that his plea at this moment might anger him, but thinking of Chunyu Yue's safety and the future of the country, he resolutely pleaded again: "Father, although Chunyu Yue has made mistakes, his talent, learning and character are all outstanding in the court."

"I am willing to guarantee with my life that he will be careful with his words and actions in the future and will not offend his superiors again! Please have mercy on him and forgive him this time!!"

Fusu's voice was full of anxiety and earnestness, and his eyes revealed his awe for the First Emperor and his concern for Chunyu Yue.

He knew that his request might make his father even angrier, but for the sake of justice in his heart and the interests of the country, he had to stand up and plead for Chunyu Yue.

His figure in the court appeared so lonely and determined, as if a clear stream was moving forward alone in the turbid court.

Seeing this, Ying Zheng was somewhat unbelievable and his body couldn't help but tremble slightly.

A trace of pain and disappointment flashed in his eyes. He stared at Fusu and said in a low and hoarse voice: "You, don't understand my heart to this extent!"

"I want to punish Chun Yuyue not only because he offended the majesty of heaven, but also because what he said and did was truly misleading to the country and the people!!"

"The Great Wall Campaign is a great undertaking for the Qin Dynasty. How can we abandon it halfway because of the dissent of a few people?"

"As my own son, you should understand my painstaking efforts and ambitions!!"

"But today, you are pleading for such a rebellious person. I am really... heartbroken!!"

(End of this chapter)