The Great Qin Empire---Qin Li

Heifu got up very early today. He left his residence by car before the cockcrowed.

Today was his first day as the Zhonglang Huling. He would go to the palace to meet his superiors, colleagues, and subordinates. He might even be received by the King of Qin. He could not be late.

On both sides of the streets, the night watchmen were doing the final cleaning. The doorkeepers yawned and opened the doors. Candles were constantly being lit.

When the first cockcrow sounded, Heifu had arrived outside the Zhangtai Palace.

The height of the Zhangtai Palace was not only because of the walls that were several feet high, but also because the location it occupied was a flat terrace south of the Wei River, which the locals called "Longshouyuan".

Heifu had heard Zhang Cang tell him that it was said that during the time of Qin Wengong, after nightfall one day, a black dragon came from the Zhongnan Mountains in the south and drank water in the Wei River in the north. The place where it passed changed color and the land rose, forming a terrace that stretched for dozens of miles. The highest point is 20 zhang, and the lowest point is 5 or 6 zhang, so the locals call it Longshou Mountain.

In Guanzhong, the vast and flat terraces above the ground are generally called "Yuan", such as Fengqiyuan in the southern suburbs and Bailuyuan in the eastern suburbs, so Longshou Mountain is also called Longshouyuan.

"Some people also say that Qin Wengong hunted and caught this black dragon, and buried it at the highest point of Longshou Mountain. So when King Zhao built a palace in Weinan, he set the location of the palace at the highest point of Longshouyuan."

This is the legend and "feng shui" of Zhangtai Palace. Today, Heifu walked from Zhangtai Street, where the dragon body is located, to the dragon head. The higher he went, the higher he went. After arriving at Zhangtai Gate, he showed his appointment letter and official seal to the subordinates of the "Langzhongjiang" guarding the palace gate in the light of the torch.

Qin Shihuang's "Da Nei Guards" were divided into three categories: Zhonglang, Langzhong, and Wailang. Among them, Zhonglang always accompanied the emperor and stayed in the imperial palace. They went wherever the emperor went, and they had the closest relationship. Langzhong was responsible for guarding Xianyang Palace and Zhangtai Palace, and occasionally accompanied the emperor. Wailang only served in Lingguang Palace and other palaces, and had the most distant relationship with the emperor.

So even if they were the same official positions, Wailang and Langzhong were automatically half a level lower than Zhonglang. For example, Langzhong Huling, who guarded Zhangtai Gate, smiled in a friendly manner after checking Heifu's appointment letter.

"So you are the newly appointed Zhonglang Huling. From now on, we are colleagues!"

Heifu was not arrogant, and bowed his hands and said, "How dare I, Heifu is new here, I hope you can give me more advice."

The cockcrow had passed, and it was time to open the door. The heavy palace door slowly opened for Heifu. Langzhong Huling sent a few guards to lead Heifu in. The political center of the Qin Dynasty was clearly revealed in front of him.

The inner court was still in a deep sleep. Except for the patrolling guards, there was no sound everywhere.

After entering and turning into the north-south avenue, Hei Fu finally understood why the kings of Qin, starting from King Zhao of Qin, had always preferred this palace as a place for office and receiving envoys.

As the sun was rising, the hundreds of steps rising up the dragon-headed platform made the magnificent palace unattainable. Looking up from below, it seemed to be as high as the sky!

Arriving here, they officially entered the "Forbidden" area.

"Is this the new Zhonglang Huling? How do you feel about meeting the high-ranking officials of the palace for the first time?"

A voice came from the side and back. Heifu turned around and saw a young general with no hair on his mouth. He was about the same height as him, wearing a plate crown, looking heroic, holding a sword in his hand, and followed by a team of Langwei wearing fine armor and holding halberds, looking majestic...

"Wang Qiling." The Langzhong guards who led Heifu in hurriedly saluted the young general, and Heifu immediately guessed his identity.

The Sima in front of Zhonglang Huling Palace, Wang Li!

The grandson of Wucheng Marquis Wang Jian, and the son of Tongwu Marquis Wang Ben!

This is a second-generation general who was born with a golden key in his mouth. No, it should be a third-generation general. When Heifu was in Nanchang, he had discussed with Zhang Han that there were two marquises in the Wang family. Whose marquisate will this son inherit?

Moreover, Wang Li entered the palace as a palace official at the age of 17. Now, three years later, he was promoted to Zhonglangqiling. What Heifu had worked so hard to get, Wang Li got easily.

Heifu was once Wang Jian's old subordinate, and Wang Li would be his colleague in the future. He dared not neglect him. Although he was a modern man and was no longer surprised by tall buildings, he still pretended to wipe his sweat while looking at the palace and said:

"It is indeed magnificent and amazing! I just don't know what the Xianyang Palace in Weibei is like, which can scare Qin Wuyang, the assassin of Yan State, so much that he can't move his steps..."

"He is a barbarian from the border, of course it is so." Wang Li said this to the guards behind him, causing everyone to laugh.

This sentence seemed to have a hidden meaning, but Heifu pretended not to understand.

Wang Li did not continue to make trouble for himself. Although he despised Heifu's background, this man had relied on military merit to get to this point bit by bit. Although he had a little luck in discussing the title, it was speechless.

He said: "The General of the Central Army knows that you will report after cockcrow, so I should pay more attention when I patrol. Since you meet me, follow me to pay respect to the General of the Central Army!"

The General of the Central Army is Meng Yi...

Heifu knew that at present, Qin had two major military families, Wang and Meng. The Wang family had two marquises in one family, and their status was unmatched. Meng Wu was only a senior minister, and Meng Tian had just been re-employed to guard Dai County and Yanmen, which could not be compared with the Wang family.

"But as the saying goes, things will turn around when they reach their extremes, and they will decline when they reach their peak. The Wang family has already reached the highest position among the ministers. General Wang Jian has been recalled to Xianyang and has been idle for a year. Although Wang Ben was ordered to guard Qi, he may not be able to last long. The Wang family can't make any further progress..."

While thinking secretly, Hei Fu looked at the young and proud general Wang Ben in front of him. He was so young that he got to this point, which was more due to Qin Shihuang's tolerance rather than trust.

On the contrary, the Meng brothers may be cultivated by Qin Shihuang as a bargaining chip to check and balance the Wang family, and there will be great room for improvement in the future.

Moreover, Wang Jian's grandson happened to be Meng Yi's subordinate. This personnel appointment by Qin Shihuang was really interesting.

On the way there, while talking with Wang Li, Hei Fu also learned that the number of Zhonglang Langwei who guarded the Forbidden City was no more than 600, and they were divided into three branches: chariots, cavalry, and households.

"So I, the Zhonglang Huling, actually only have 200 people under my command?" Heifu thought to himself.

However, these 200 people should not be underestimated. They are basically selected from the sons of Guanzhong nobles. Among them, the Langguan are at least the title of Gongdafu or Gongcheng. The general Langwei also starts from Dafu.

Moreover, the Langguan are replaced very quickly. Generally, they stay at the king's side for a few years and then are sent out as officials. Once sent out, they are at least county lieutenants. Huling and Qiling like Heifu and Wang Li can be county chief officials. The former Zhonglang Huling was sent to Shanggu County as a county lieutenant...

Moreover, the three Zhonglang Lings are often assigned some tasks temporarily, such as sending envoys to foreign countries, praying for mountains and rivers on behalf of the king, and accompanying the censors to investigate major cases. They are simply all-rounders.

Wang Li said, "A few days ago, Zhonglang Cheling followed the king's order and went to Yongdi with Fengchang to pray to Duke Mu's temple on behalf of the king for Qin to rule the world and become the emperor."

He said with a fake smile, "So, I have been looking forward to Zhonglang Huling taking office soon and sharing some of the duties of the night guard with me."

This was a polite remark, but Heifu did not hear any sincerity. Compared with his father and grandfather, Wang Li was still too young.

While talking, they arrived at the official office, which was actually the three rows of houses in front of the Zhangtai Hall. In the middle was the residence of Zhonglang Jiang. The daily night guard duties of Huling, Qiling and Cheling were announced here after the cockcrow.

After entering the house and the hall, Heifu saw a burly man sitting upright in the main seat of the hall. This man was about 30 years old, with a beard on his lips, and his appearance was somewhat similar to Meng Wu. Judging from his clothes and the tiger talisman in his hand, it must be Meng Yi.

However, Meng Yi had a stern face at the moment, and there were two guards kneeling in the hall. It was unclear whether he was giving a lecture or issuing orders.

"Report to the Lieutenant General, I have brought the Lieutenant General's household order."

Wang Li bowed in the hall, and Hei Fu also went up to greet Meng Yi, but unexpectedly, Meng Yi just glanced at the two of them, nodded slightly, and extended his hand to let them wait. He then frowned and said to the two guards in the hall: "Do you two know your crime!?"

It seemed that Meng Yi was busy and had no time to deal with them. Hei Fu was fine, but Wang Li raised his eyebrows and showed a hint of anger in his eyes...