After bestowing rewards upon Li Si, Ying Zheng spoke once more.
"Do you ministers truly believe that General Lin should be recalled and severely punished?"
This question, seemingly casual, struck the nobles who had already understood the situation like thunderbolts.
Such words, though seemingly light, might be Ying Zheng's final inquiry into their stance.
Ying Zheng had already declared his choice; now he was forcing his subordinates to declare their allegiance.
Given Ying Zheng's nature, after this question, he would likely act.
And when he acted, it would be with deadly force.
The most probable outcome was that those who wished to punish Lin Tian severely would end up like the old nobles of the Three Kingdoms.
They might spare their lives, but their lands and wealth would likely be confiscated.
This was still the best-case scenario; perhaps, they would be exiled by Ying Zheng directly.
At this thought, the nobles who had understood the situation shuddered.
"No, Your Majesty, I did not mean that! I did not mean that!"
"Your Majesty, we should not punish General Lin severely. General Lin has defeated the Wei army; we should reward him!"
"Your Majesty, General Lin has attacked Wei, employing many ingenious strategies and completely encircling the Wei territory. This humble servant believes we should commend General Lin!"
Some nobles who had grasped the situation quickly changed their tune. They believed Lin Tian should be rewarded, not punished.
However, a large portion of the other noble officials had not yet caught on. They continued with their original plan, demanding Lin Tian's recall and severe punishment.
Thus, two conflicting voices emerged in the imperial court.
These two opposing voices left the officials who still demanded severe punishment for Lin Tian utterly stunned.
They had not expected anyone among them to speak against them.
Even more surprisingly, among those who had spoken against them were individuals who had previously instigated them to target Lin Tian.
This left these officials bewildered.
They stared blankly at the officials who had changed their stance, unsure of what to do.
However, while they were bewildered, Ying Zheng was not.
Seeing so many officials remaining ignorant, he immediately issued an order.
"Guards!!"
"Your Majesty!!"
"All officials who spoke of severely punishing General Lin shall be thrown into prison. Investigate each of them for any violation of Qin law. For any who have violated Qin law, their households shall be confiscated! For those whose crimes are severe, their clans shall be exiled!"
"For those who have not violated Qin law, they must forfeit half of their family's wealth as a warning!"
As Ying Zheng spoke these words, he specifically looked at those nobles who had temporarily changed their tune.
Though he said nothing, his gaze conveyed everything to them.
Even though these individuals had changed their stance, they would still have to surrender half of their family's wealth for this matter to be put to rest.
Otherwise, this would not be the end of it.
This leniency was only because too many officials were involved, and Ying Zheng intended to weed them out slowly, leaving them a path to survival.
Otherwise, Ying Zheng would not have given them a chance to retract their words.
Of course, he did not explicitly state this to those who had changed their minds. If they could comprehend Ying Zheng's intentions, they would naturally survive.
If they could not, they would face the same fate as those who had not changed their stance.
The soldiers, unaware that Ying Zheng's words were also directed at others, immediately obeyed his command.
"Yes!"
Without regard for the officials' protests or shouts, they were dragged away.
This swift action of being dragged away simply stunned the officials who had changed their tune into silence.
They had never imagined that Ying Zheng would issue such an order.
This left them with lingering fear.
If they had been even slightly slower to react, their fate would have been identical to those who had not changed their stance.
Looking at Li Si, who stood calmly with a pleased expression, many of them understood.
"Your Majesty's regard for Lin Tian far exceeds our imagination, and he is not comparable to ordinary subjects!"
"Your Majesty can make Li Si Prime Minister and imprison the court ministers for the sake of Lin Tian. Even General Wang Jian could not achieve this!"
"That's right, Prince Fu Su being confined is also related to Lin Tian!!"
"Thinking about it now, Your Majesty's favor towards Lin Tian has already far surpassed that for any ordinary subject!"
"Could it be that Lin Tian is His Majesty's illegitimate son??"
This thought sent chills down many spines; it was unthinkable.
Yet, they found this explanation to be extremely plausible.
Especially when many recalled Ying Zheng's past special treatment of Lin Tian, they became even more convinced that Lin Tian was Ying Zheng's illegitimate son.
Only an illegitimate son whom Ying Zheng valued highly would be treated so specially.
This meant that Lin Tian might even become the Crown Prince of Great Qin, or even the King of Great Qin?
At this thought, many felt a pang of regret.
They realized they should not have provoked Lin Tian, that they had directly clashed with Ying Zheng's might.
At the same time, they felt fortunate that they had been astute enough to realize this in time.
Otherwise, if they had incurred further conflict with Lin Tian, they might have had no chance to salvage the situation.
They should now, while Lin Tian had not yet fully grown, seek to ally with him.
Only then would their future positions be more secure.
With this thought, they became happy again.
"Hmph! The fact that Lin Tian is a Prince of Great Qin is likely unknown to many in the court, especially those in the army. Although they often work with General Lin Tian, they surely do not know Prince Lin Tian's identity. We have an advantage in this regard!"
Thinking of the advantage they held, these officials were naturally pleased.
However, what they did not know was that when Handan was captured, Ying Zheng had already wiped the Tai'e sword for Lin Tian, indirectly announcing Lin Tian's identity.
Therefore, compared to the court ministers, the generals outside were more aware of Lin Tian's identity.
They had already allied with Lin Tian and were willing to obey Lin Tian's commands in all matters.
Even General Meng Tian, though he had not met Lin Tian, cooperated with Lin Tian without hesitation when necessary.
This was because his brother, Meng Yi, had informed him of Lin Tian's identity previously.
Thus, the only ones truly unaware of Lin Tian's identity were the people in the court.
After Ying Zheng's actions, only a very small number remained unaware of Lin Tian's identity.
Ying Zheng intended to use this method to pave the way for Lin Tian, indirectly announcing his status.
Once Lin Tian had pacified the six states, he could openly and legitimately announce Lin Tian's identity and simultaneously confer upon him the title of Crown Prince of Great Qin.
At that time, no minister would dare to oppose Lin Tian becoming the Crown Prince of Great Qin.
...