Chapter 91 Zulong asks for a poisonous plan!

Although the First Emperor's tone was calm, the majesty in his words was unquestionable.

The clan members exchanged glances with each other. Although they were reluctant in their hearts, under the pressure of the First Emperor, no one dared to speak out against it.

For a moment, the hall was silent, with only the First Emperor's eyes slowly sweeping over the clan members.

Suddenly, Li Si walked out of the court steadily, holding a roll of account book in his hand. He really couldn't bear to see it, so he came out of the court in person to respond to the matter.

He respectfully presented the account book to the Emperor and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, this is the support promised by each clan. Please take a look at it."

The First Emperor raised his eyebrows slightly, took the account book and slowly unfolded it.

However, as his eyes moved across the account book, his face gradually darkened, and an uncontrollable anger rose from his eyes! !

The so-called "strong support" recorded in the account books is nothing more than a trivial perfunctory gesture!
For example, the Gan family only supported fifteen strings of money.

This is just a drop in the bucket compared to the huge military expenditure needed for the expedition.

For example, the Du family promised to support several stones of grain.

However, how can this little bit of food be enough to support thousands of troops?

The Emperor's hands trembled slightly, and the handwriting on the account book became particularly glaring in his eyes! !

There is also Zhao, who claims that she is willing to donate several precious treasures from her home collection!
But this cannot be converted into practical supplies for the army going on the expedition.

And Han promised to provide a few horses...

What's worse, some people, like the Chen family, were only willing to send a few elderly elders to join the army, claiming that they had no extra money or property at home.

This is undoubtedly a great disregard for the army going out to fight! !
The so-called old men are all old and frail, walking unsteadily, how can they serve the country? !
With every page he turned, the Emperor's rage grew.

These clans usually enjoyed great power in the imperial court, enjoying various privileges and generous treatment. However, when the country needed them, they all made excuses and did things perfunctorily.

Their behavior not only chilled the First Emperor, but also destroyed the prestige of the imperial court!

He suddenly raised his head and his eyes shot like knives at the clan members standing in the hall.

Those clan members who usually boasted of their loyalty lowered their heads and did not dare to look him in the eye.

Their silence is undoubtedly a great provocation to the authority of the First Emperor! !

"Is this your support?" The Emperor's voice was cold and majestic, echoing in the hall. "When the country is in danger, you are so stingy and make excuses. What is the meaning of this?!"

Everyone in the clan looked at each other, and no one dared to answer.

They knew that any excuses would be pale in the face of this matter.

The atmosphere in the hall was so oppressive that it made people breathless, and only the anger of the First Emperor continued to rise.

"Good! Very good!" The First Emperor slammed the account book on the table and glanced coldly at the clansmen standing in front of him. "You are truly my good subjects and the pillars of the country! In this time of crisis, you are so evasive and disregard the country's major plans! Do you really think that I will tolerate your shameless behavior?!"

The clan members were intimidated by the power of the First Emperor. They lowered their heads and remained silent.

Li Si stood aside and sighed inwardly.

He was well aware of the deep-rooted power of the clans, and also understood His Majesty's fear and dissatisfaction with the clans.

This expedition to discuss the issue was nothing more than a concentrated outbreak of conflicts between the two sides.

The First Emperor pressed the issue again and again, his voice revealing an uncontrollable anger: "Why are you so stingy? Don't you know that the country needs your help in times of crisis?!"

Everyone in the clan looked at each other, their bitterness was evident in their words. But more than that, they felt deep disdain from the bottom of their hearts!!
Finally, someone mustered up the courage to step out and say, "Your Majesty, please calm down. It's not that we are unwilling to do our best, but our clan's financial resources are limited. This support is the result of our hard work. I hope Your Majesty will understand!"

When the First Emperor heard this, he became even more furious.

His eyes were as sharp as torches and he was burning with rage, as if he wanted to engulf the entire hall in flames!
However, just when all the officials were trembling with fear, thinking they were about to suffer the wrath of thunder, the First Emperor suddenly restrained his anger.

He stood up suddenly, left the court without saying a word.

His steps were steady and powerful, but they left an indescribable sense of oppression in the air.

The robes on the emperor's couch behind him were like the abandoned imperial power, left there alone...

The eunuchs around him saw it clearly, and were startled. They then announced loudly: "Dismiss the court————!!!"

The voice echoed in the empty hall, and the lingering sound was like a death knell, sending a chill down the spine of all officials!
Hearing this sound, all the officials woke up as if from a dream and retreated like the tide.

Their footsteps were hurried and their sleeves fluttered, as if they were escaping from some invisible shackles.

When the court was adjourned, they talked to each other in low voices, and their words revealed their awe for the First Emperor and their gloating over the clan's perfunctory treatment.

Everyone in the clan breathed a sigh of relief, but their clothes were already soaked with cold sweat.

They looked at each other, with an indescribable relief in their eyes, but they also knew that this temporary escape did not mean they could rest easy.

The hall returned to peace again, with only the sound of the breeze blowing through the hall door remaining.

However, the air seemed to still be filled with the afterglow of Qin Shi Huang's anger, which was heart-wrenching.

The sunlight shines through the window lattices onto the bluestone floor, casting a mottled shadow, just like the complex and ever-changing power struggles in the court, which are difficult to grasp.

……

Inside Zhangtai Palace, the atmosphere was as heavy as lead.

Ying Zheng put his hands behind his back, his brows full of rage.
His gaze was like a sharp sword, and he shouted sternly: "They claim to be loyal and good people on weekdays, but now when the country is in danger, they are making excuses and perfunctory decisions! I am extremely disappointed in them!!!"

Li Si stood aside. Although he was also dissatisfied with the clan's actions, he had to come forward to comfort them at this moment.

He stepped forward lightly, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, calm down and take care of yourself."

"The clan may indeed be in trouble. Why not give them some more time to gather supplies? I'm sure things will improve!"

However, what puzzled Li Si was that Ye Chi was also in the court today, but he did not say a word from beginning to end.

You know, Ye Chi has always been known for his wisdom and cunning schemes. His silence today is really not in line with his character...

Ying Zheng actually noticed Ye Chi's strangeness. He frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, "Li Si, why didn't Ye Chi say a word today? Could it be that even he is helpless?"

Li Si was silent and shook his head: "This...I don't know either."

At this moment, Ying Zheng suddenly ordered: "Let's go! Go to Ye Chi's mansion!"

He believed that Ye Chi must have his considerations, and perhaps in his house, they could find a solution to their current predicament.

Following Ying Zheng's order, action took place.

Li Si quickly followed His Majesty's steps, secretly guessing Ye Chi's intentions.

(End of this chapter)