People in the Qin Dynasty sought good fortune and avoided misfortune.

Chapter 91, Liu Liuyi, is still an honest and kind person (Seeking first subscription! Seeking monthly votes)
Inside Xu Qing's residence in Xinzheng.

Liu Yi was invited into Xu Qing's home, and the two sat opposite each other in the reception room.

"I have come to visit the Imperial Physician today to express my gratitude."

Looking at Xu Qing sitting opposite him, Liu Yi was filled with emotion.

He had been seeking the position of Right Sima for several years, but Xu Qing had managed to get it done for him in just two or three days.

"Oh? His Majesty has decided to promote you to Right Sima?"

Xu Qing looked at Liu Yi with suspicion. This matter was somewhat different from what Chao Nu Yao had told him. Could something have gone wrong?
"Not yet, but there are rumors that His Majesty is interested, but he needs me to share His Majesty's burdens. I, Liu Yi, am just a rough man, though I may have some ability in leading troops into battle, as for understanding His Majesty's intentions..."

Liu Yi chuckled dryly. Having spent so many years in the imperial court, it would be impossible for him to be without some sense.

However, he was unwilling to lead troops to the front lines to fight against the Qin army, so he wanted to try to get help from Xu Qing through his connections.

Looking at Liu Yi pretending to be stupid, a cold glint flashed in Xu Qing's eyes. Did he really think he was a fool? How dare he show off such clumsy acting skills?

"I don't know whether Zuo Sima truly doesn't understand or is pretending not to, so I'll assume you really don't understand."

"As far as I know, the most worrying thing for Your Majesty right now is the Qin army's stockpiling of troops on the border, and the position of Right Sima happens to be one of the few positions besides the Grand General that can mobilize troops."

"Since His Majesty intends to appoint you as Right Sima, I don't need to tell you how to share the burden, do I?" Xu Qing said with a forced smile.

Looking at Xu Qing's smile, Liu Yi couldn't help but feel a little uneasy, but more than that, he felt disappointed.

"Imperial Physician, does Your Majesty have no other worries besides this matter? It's not that I'm unwilling to fight the Qin army for Your Majesty, but I lack the ability and fear that I might delay the affairs of state," Liu Yi said.

Looking at Liu Yi's face, filled with dejection and regret, Xu Qing tapped his fingers on the table and said...
"Since Zuo Sima feels inadequate, there's nothing I can do. However, I've heard Lady Hu mention that Prime Minister Zhang seems to be considering recommending his subordinate Yao Feng to lead troops against Qin."

"You should know Yao Feng. He is a virtuous official in the Prime Minister's Office in charge of military affairs. It is said that he has a unique ability to lead troops. He will surely be able to share the burden for the King."

The smile on Liu Yi's face vanished instantly, replaced by confusion and surprise.

Zhang Kaidi was Ji Wuye's political enemy and had always wanted to seize military power from Ji Wuye; this was common knowledge in the court.
If Zhang Kaidi really recommends Yao Feng, Ji Wuye, for the sake of his own reputation, will ultimately have no choice but to reluctantly accept it.

If Zhang Kaidi really gets the position of Right Sima, he can forget about ever getting promoted again in his lifetime.

"Imperial Physician, you must be joking," Liu Yi said.

"Do you think I would joke about something like this?" Xu Qing said in a deep voice.

Liu Yi's expression gradually became serious. He suddenly realized that he was in a dilemma.

He had already tried to pull strings with Xu Qing, and it was impossible to hide it from Ji Wuye. He understood the general's character; this behavior was already seen as betrayal by Ji Wuye.

If he hadn't just lost command of the Imperial Guards, Ji Wuye would have already sent someone to reprimand and punish him.

If he gives up the position of Right Sima and continues to serve as Left Sima, he will not only have no hope of becoming Right Sima in this lifetime, but he may not even be able to keep the position of Left Sima.

Leading troops to the front lines to resist Qin might temporarily secure him the position of Right Sima. However, once he returns defeated, Ji Wuye could easily demote him back to Left Sima, or even strip him of his entire position.

Of course, he had other options, such as turning to Han Yu or Zhang Kaidi. However, he knew how terrifying Ji Wuye was, and his fear prevented him from rashly turning against him, leaving him in a dilemma.

Seeing Liu Yi's hesitation, Xu Qing guessed his concerns. Liu Yi was like someone walking halfway down a cliff. Turning back was impossible, but continuing forward required some real courage and encouragement.

"I remember that your wife's surname is Hu, right, Zuo Sima?" Xu Qing said with a smile, intending to give Liu Yi some courage.

Liu Yi was taken aback at first, then looked at Xu Qing with suspicion. The leap from Right Sima to his wife was a bit hard for him to process.

"Ah? Oh, why is the Imperial Physician suddenly asking this?" "I've heard that your wife is gentle and kind, and loves watching plays, just like Consort Hu," Xu Qing continued.

"My wife is nothing but a woman of humble origins; how can she compare to a peerless beauty like Lady Hu?" Liu Yi said dismissively.

Seeing that Liu Yi didn't understand what she was saying, Xu Qing prepared to explain it more clearly.

"May I ask, Left Sima, how do you write the character 'Hu'?" Xu Qing's smile deepened, and he relaxed his posture.

"How else can you write the character 'Hu'? Isn't it just written like this?"

As Liu Yi spoke, he wrote the character "Hu" on the table.

"Is there another person in the world with the character 'Hu'?"

Liu Yi was taken aback upon hearing this, glanced at Xu Qing who was all smiles, and then a look of shock appeared on his face.

"Madam, you mean... my wife and Consort Hu are..."

Liu Yi was completely dumbfounded. He couldn't believe that his wife and Hu Meiren were sisters.

He quickly remembered that Lord Huoyu did indeed have two daughters, one was his wife, and the other was missing.
Back when he framed Li Kai in Baiyue and took Madam Hu for himself, he even helped Madam Hu find her lost sister.

At the time, the Baiyue region was in turmoil, and after searching for a while, he assumed the other person was dead. But to his surprise, she had transformed into Consort Hu, one of the two most favored concubines of the King of Han.

The sudden surprise left him somewhat dazed; before the joy and excitement in his heart could even surface, they were replaced by deep fear.

He was the mastermind behind the looting of Fire Rain Manor back then. If Hu Meiren knew the truth, his fate would probably be even worse.

Thinking of this, a hint of panic involuntarily appeared on Liu Yi's face, and his hands trembled slightly.

"Left Sima? I know this news is shocking, but you don't need to be so excited, do you?" Xu Qing joked.

Liu Yi snapped out of his daze, suppressed his fear, and forced a smile as he spoke.

"This news is simply unbelievable, Imperial Physician, are you joking?"

"Do you think I would joke about something like this? As for whether it's true or not, you'll find out in the next couple of days."

"This is a great joy! Consort Hu is the King's favorite concubine. With this connection, you will surely rise to great heights."

Looking at Xu Qing's serious expression, Liu Yi gradually came to believe the truth, and the fear in his heart gradually disappeared.

Xu Qing was Consort Hu's favorite courtier, so naturally he wouldn't joke about such a thing. He had been so shocked by the news that he had lost his composure for a moment.

He handled the events at Fire Rain Manor flawlessly, and he also killed all three wolves who had cut their hair during the attack. He handed over a portion of Fire Rain Lord's treasure, but kept the majority for himself.

Those who knew about this matter were either dead or would not speak out on their own initiative. Over the years, even his wife had trusted him completely. How could Hu Meiren possibly find out the truth?

Having thought all this through, a joyful smile gradually appeared on Liu Yi's face. If this news was confirmed, then he would have a powerful backer in the harem.

With Consort Hu around, he can indeed confidently take the position of Right Sima.

Even if he were to be defeated and purged by Ji Wuye, he could still use Hu Meiren as a connection to Han Yu, becoming a bridge between Han Yu and Hu Meiren and helping the two form an alliance.

As long as this relationship exists, Han Yu will do everything in his power to protect Hu Meiren in order to gain her help and to acquire military power.

"Well? Does Commander Zuo have any other questions in mind?" Xu Qing asked with a smile.

(End of this chapter)