Chapter 315: Warning Zhao Gao, Aren’t You Afraid?!
“It’s nothing. What do you need from me?”
After taking a seat, Li Mo went straight to the point.
He stretched out his hand, signaling Zhao Gao to sit down and speak.
But Zhao Gao bowed again, expressing his thanks, “Thank you, National Advisor, but I won’t sit. I still have to hurry back to the officialdom after speaking with you.”
Li Mo didn’t insist.
Zhao Gao was indeed very busy now.
Previously, he was just responsible for running errands for Ying Zheng, but now he also had to handle some political affairs.
Zhao Gao didn’t dare to keep Li Mo in suspense.
He smiled and said, “The King asked me to come and inform you that General Wang has had a small victory in the battle against Chu, capturing the old capital of Chu, Chen, along with eleven cities including Ying. The King wants to ask for your opinion, whether it’s better to press on and continue the attack on Chu, or to rest for some time before proceeding?”
Ying Zheng’s question was quite tactful.
In other words, he wanted Zhao Gao to inquire about how the gunpowder production was progressing, and whether it was sufficient for large-scale warfare moving forward.
The Qin army’s small victory was not unexpected for Li Mo.
About half a month ago, the amount of explosives sent over wasn’t significant, but attacking a few cities was still no problem.
Moreover, in this battle, not only were Wang Jian and his son Li Xin present, but also Dian Qing, who had come to support with Wang Ben.
Li Mo calculated secretly for a moment, then shook his head and said, “Wait a bit, it won’t be that quick.”
The cost of producing explosives is daunting.
Even though he had only made a small profit, the financial situation of the Qin State had already begun to feel the strain.
If not, Ying Zheng wouldn’t have sent Zhao Gao to ask such questions.
The situation on the battlefield changes rapidly.
If a full-scale war breaks out with the Chu State, and there isn’t enough support for the explosives later on, it’s very likely they would be pushed back by the Chu State.
In that case, it wouldn’t be worth the loss.
“Understood, I will go inform the King immediately,”
Zhao Gao said, raising his hand in salute and preparing to take his leave.
However, Li Mo suddenly stood up and said, “Wait a moment, I will go to the palace with you. I will speak with the King myself.”
Li Mo waved his hand, and immediately a maid stepped forward holding his fur coat.
Zhao Gao hurriedly replied, “That would be perfect, National Advisor please.”
It was already the cold winter season.
The heavy snow was falling outside.
The snow had started falling since last night, and although it only lasted a few hours, it had already adorned the world in a silver coat.
Li Mo fastened the collar of his fur coat, blocking the biting cold wind and the icy snowflakes outside.
As he walked, he reached out and scooped up a handful of snow from the lantern outside.
After tossing it around in his hands a few times, he shaped it into a snowball.
“National Advisor, your skills are impressive,”
Zhao Gao praised, his flattery superb.
Li Mo managed to make just a snowball, and he was already being complimented.
Impressive indeed!
Li Mo truly admired Zhao Gao’s silver tongue.
No wonder he can turn a deer into a horse.
There are two types of people in this world that should never be underestimated.
One is someone like Li Si, who can bend and stretch.
The other is someone like Zhao Gao, who knows how to flatter and curry favor.
The former is a significant figure, while the latter is a petty person.
As the ancients say: Only women and petty people are difficult to nurture.
Better to offend a gentleman than a petty person.
Because once a petty person gains power, they will retaliate against you more fiercely.
“I heard that Lord Zhao has been getting quite close to Li Si recently?”
Li Mo did not respond to Zhao Gao’s words, but suddenly asked this question.
Zhao Gao, not thinking much of it, nodded and said, “Yes, yes, yes. Officer Li and I are of similar age and get along very well.”
He knew how Li Si, a member of the cabinet, came about.
To be blunt, Li Si was Li Mo’s person.
As Zhao Gao could not reach the high branch that was Li Mo, he could only settle for second best and build a good relationship with Li Si.
If Li Si were to be supported as the Prime Minister in the future, he would also become a strong ally for Zhao Gao.
Li Mo nodded nonchalantly and smiled, saying, “Li Si is a good person. Not only does he have ambition, but he is also willing to work hard; I appreciate such talents.”
“To be on top, one must have some real skills.”
“Just being good at flattery won’t do; after hearing too much flattery, it will only backfire and make others feel disgusted, don’t you think so, Lord Zhao?”
Zhao Gao’s face suddenly changed, his feet felt frozen to the ground, making it impossible for him to move even slightly.
In that instant, he felt the biting cold wind seemed to pierce through his clothes and drill into his body.
It made him feel as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, chilling him to the bone.
On this cold day, beads of sweat unexpectedly appeared densely on his forehead.
“I’m not talking about you; don’t take it to heart, Lord Zhao.”
Li Mo, clearly sensing Zhao Gao’s current state, also stopped, turned around, and spoke.
“Yes, yes, I understand, I understand,” Zhao Gao wiped the sweat off his forehead, responding meekly.
He knew perfectly well that Li Mo was indeed talking about him.
This was a warning not to use the same tactics he employed on others against Li Mo.
He wouldn’t fall for that!
“Um, as long as you know, let’s hurry up and not keep the King waiting.”
Li Mo casually threw the snowball he was holding onto the ground.
After hitting the ground, the snowball did not stop but continued to roll forward.
A snowball that was originally only the size of a fist seemed to have a suction force; wherever it rolled, the snow on the ground was drawn together.
The snowball rolled further and got bigger.
Before long, a clean path was cleared on the ground.
Zhao Gao looked at it in amazement.
Just as he was about to flatter, he suddenly recalled Li Mo’s warning from earlier.
He immediately swallowed back the words that were about to come out.
Li Mo didn’t actually mean to make things difficult for Zhao Gao.
He just wanted to remind him not to get carried away.
Surprisingly, Zhao Gao was scared to such an extent.
Two horse-drawn carriages came down the mountain, one after the other.
After entering the city, Li Mo noticed that the city was already beginning to be decorated.
After a quick calculation in his mind, he realized that today was the Lantern Festival.
It was also the day he first met Fei Yan.
Li Mo shook his head and smiled, wishing he had brought Fei Yan out to guess lantern riddles after leaving the palace.
When Li Mo arrived at Ying Zheng’s place, Ying Zheng immediately asked in surprise, “Why did you come, sir? Please, have a seat.”
Li Mo rarely entered the palace.
Except to see the Empress Dowager.
He also didn’t attend court meetings.
Matters in the palace were usually conveyed to him by people Ying Zheng sent, and he would have them relay his responses back.
After Li Mo took a seat, he directly said, “Let’s take some time to rest.”
This suggestion was exactly what Ying Zheng wanted.
Although the Qin State had achieved consecutive victories, the national treasury had been nearly depleted.
It was just right to stabilize Wei during this period of rest.
Li Mo then reminded, “Also, the cities of Chen Ying need to have the people’s hearts soothed.”
The citizens of Chu were known for their fierce nature, and the situation was still in its early stages.
Those citizens were very likely to resist governance, or even cause unrest.
Li Mo came primarily for this matter.
Ying Zheng agreed, “Of course, I am preparing to send someone to take over the governance there.”
Li Mo asked, “Does Your Majesty have someone in mind?”
Ying Zheng pondered for a moment: “It’s still in the selection process.”
Li Mo chuckled softly and said, “I happen to have a suitable candidate.”
Ying Zheng’s eyes lit up immediately: “Who?”
Li Mo maintained his smile and slowly said, “Lord Changping.”
