Upon hearing the words of the officials below, Chunyu Yue was very pleased. He believed that given Ying Zheng's suspicious nature, he would certainly adopt his opinion and focus on investigating this matter. However, he failed to notice that at this moment, Ying Zheng's face was filled with fury.
"Silence!!" A thunderous roar erupted from Ying Zheng's mouth, causing all the officials to tremble. This roar conveyed Ying Zheng's immense anger to everyone present. Those who were about to speak immediately fell silent.
Chunyu Yue was also stunned, looking at Ying Zheng in disbelief. He couldn't understand why Ying Zheng was roaring at the officials with him instead of investigating Lin Tian. But when he looked at Ying Zheng, he saw that Ying Zheng's eyes were fixed on him, filled with intense killing intent. This caused Chunyu Yue to instinctively take two steps back, fear creeping into his heart.
"Your, Your Majesty…!"
"How dare you question General Lin?"
"While General Lin fought on the battlefield, you lot hid in the rear like rats. What right do you have to question General Lin?"
"If it weren't for General Lin conquering Han and Zhao, and annihilating the Xiongnu, would you have such high positions now? Would you be able to sit here peacefully and enjoy all this?"
Ying Zheng had always valued his generals immensely, let alone when the target of their attack was Lin Tian. Such behavior enraged Ying Zheng. He even directly called them "硕鼠" (shuo shu), meaning rats.
*Shuo shu, shuo shu, yi wu shi wo shu.*
*Shuo shu, shuo shu, yi wu shi wo mai.*
*Shuo shu, shuo shu, yi wu shi wo miao.*
This poem about rats had already circulated in various states. It spoke of exploitation and greed, and served as a model for corrupt officials and incompetent individuals. For Ying Zheng to now describe Chunyu Yue and the others as rats was an immense humiliation. Especially for Chunyu Yue, a great scholar of Qin, who believed he had made significant contributions to learning. He also felt he served with integrity and taught effectively, for the benefit of the nation and its people. To be so humiliated under such circumstances, how could he accept it?
"Your Majesty, our Confucian scholars have also made great contributions to Qin and the realm. Why do you insult our school of thought so greatly?"
"Are you saying, Your Majesty, that you do not acknowledge our Confucian philosophy, nor the philosophies of all schools of thought in the realm?"
"It is *you* that I am insulting!!" Ying Zheng saw through Chunyu Yue's ulterior motives at a glance. He knew Chunyu Yue wanted to drag all the schools of thought and all scholars into this, to make them stand on his side. Unfortunately, such tactics were completely useless against Ying Zheng. It even intensified Ying Zheng's desire to kill him.
A powerful aura permeated the hall, and Chunyu Yue felt immense pressure. However, to have become a great scholar, he was not easily intimidated.
"Your Majesty, though my learning is shallow, I am a great scholar. Do you truly intend to humiliate a great scholar so profoundly?"
"If great scholars are all like you, then we have no need for them!"
"Your Majesty, you…!"
Ying Zheng's words completely caught Chunyu Yue off guard. He never expected Ying Zheng to trust Lin Tian so deeply, or to be so warlike. He was even willing to utter words that would offend their Confucian school to demonstrate his stance. This situation was entirely different from what Chunyu Yue had imagined. Feeling the humiliation, he also felt that his principles would be difficult to implement in Qin. Therefore, Chunyu Yue could no longer sit still.
"In that case, please forgive me, but I can no longer serve as an official of Qin, nor as a servant of the Qin people!"
"What I need is someone who truly adheres to our Confucian culture and respects our great scholars!"
"Only such a person is worthy of the assistance of our Confucian school!!" Having said this, Chunyu Yue flicked his sleeves, preparing to leave.
However, while he wished to leave, Ying Zheng did not intend to let him.
"You have slandered the reputation of the Great General, and you think you can just walk away? That is far too naive!"
"Guards, apprehend Chunyu Yue and all the officials who slandered the Great General just now!" Ying Zheng had murderous intent and would not let them go. He ordered Chunyu Yue's arrest, intending to find a time to deal with him.
Chunyu Yue did not beg for mercy at this moment, but someone else stepped forward to plead for him. This person was none other than the nominal eldest son of Qin, Fusu. Before the eyes of everyone, Fusu knelt down with a thud and implored:
"Father, I beg you to reconsider! Lord Chun is a great scholar of our time, and also my teacher. I implore you, Father, for my sake, to forgive Lord Chun!!"
"Forgive? From his demeanor, he intended to frame the Great General Lin, to alienate me from the Great General. Such a villain, how could I possibly forgive him!!"
"Father, Lord Chun is naturally kind and upright, he absolutely did not intend to slander General Lin Tian!"
"Lord Chun merely felt that the circumstances were too coincidental, and thus spoke to remind Your Father. After all, this matter does indeed seem too coincidental!"
"Hmm? You also think it's coincidental?"
"Yes, I also feel the coincidences are too numerous!!" Fusu's reply was firm. He hoped to use this method to help Chunyu Yue mitigate his guilt. However, as soon as these words left his mouth, Ying Zheng's expression turned completely cold.
"Guards, escort Prince Fusu away and confine him to his palace for one year, with no visitors allowed!!"
"Drag Chunyu Yue and the others out immediately and behead them!!"
"Yes!!"
As Ying Zheng issued his command, the palace guards sprang into action. This order left Fusu utterly bewildered. He never imagined that his plea would not only fail but would also lead to Chunyu Yue being executed on the spot. He was even more astonished that for saying a single sentence, he would be confined for a year. At this moment, Fusu couldn't help but wonder, was Lin Tian's position in Ying Zheng's heart so crucial that even his own son couldn't utter a single word against him?
Ying Zheng paid no mind to Fusu's thoughts. He coldly looked at the ministers in the court and asked:
"Is there anyone else who believes this matter is coincidental?"
Under Ying Zheng's scrutinizing gaze, all the ministers lowered their heads. They dared not meet Ying Zheng's eyes, let alone voice any dissenting opinions at this moment. The killing intent radiating from Ying Zheng terrified them too greatly. At the same time, many among them were now utterly convinced that Lin Tian was the future king of Qin, and his position was unshakeable. Even Prince Fusu was no match for Lin Tian.