The court was in chaos. Dragons only appeared when it was for disaster or blessing and no one knew what that dragon had brought. Well, the emperor had a vague intuition, hidden in the great general's house, but he didn't intend to share that fact with anyone else. Meanwhile the ministers argued and the point of debate was the prince born at the moment of the appearance of the dragon.
- This is certainly a divine sign! – Spoke a chubby minister from the first councilor's faction – This child was born to be the crown prince.
- Stop talking nonsense! - Rebutted a brute commander of the second adviser's faction - In the order of succession, the eldest prince is always prioritized, do you want to mess up the balance of the kingdom with an internal fight?
- What are you talking about, the emperor is not the eldest son either! - At the sound of these words the entire court was immediately silent. The minister who had opened his mouth immediately ate his words and silently looked at the calm features of the emperor.
It goes without saying that the fight for the Dragon Throne is cruel and bloodstained, no person who reaches that rank can be considered a good Samaritan. And this applies to our saying whose emperor Qin shihuang.
Well it's not like he was a bloodthirsty madman, quite the contrary, he had a good personality, was respectful of women and the elderly, hated what he had to hate as a normal person and did his job diligently. However, there was one fact that he did not tolerate and that concerned his birth. He wasn't crown prince at any point, but neither did he conspire against his brothers.
The truth was quite simple, be the fox who sees the tigers kill each other and take the mountain for yourself. Like I said he's not a good Samaritan, but he's not bad. Over his eight-year reign, only three families were executed, two nobles were imprisoned, and half the corrupt court died in the battle for the throne.
He didn't have blood on his hands and he hated it when they questioned his legitimacy using the fact that he wasn't the eldest. It wasn't his fault that his eldest brother fell into the third prince's trap and was killed; nor was it his fault that his other brothers had caused chaos in the capital and killed each other.
"I was quietly studying at that time, why does everyone care about that?" - That's what he thought as he smiled at the minister. He wasn't like his friend general who killed people without blinking, he'd rather have them kill themselves.
- In fact I'm not the eldest - Qin Shi said smiling - But traditions are traditions and the fact is that the empress's son is the eldest and soon he will be the crown prince. Besides, I would like you guys to stop killing me too soon.
With the last sentence the emperor laughed and made a cold sweat trickle down the backs of all the ministers and advisers present in the place. With that the morning court ended. And a poor man signed his own death warrant.
In the emperor's office the great general and the prime minister were this time properly dressed and looking at the man who read and signed documents after documents. Despite the three being childhood friends, since they grew up and took over their positions they have remained clear in their roles.
- So - The emperor began slowly without looking at them - Who is she?
- That's what we'll find out as soon as we all go to his house – said the relaxed prime minister, pointing to the general.
Did I say they had their posts clear?
Well, that was just when they weren't alone. Together the three looked like kids who liked to play tricks behind adults' backs, the difference being that there was no one to punish them if they were caught.
- I can't leave the palace today – The emperor said sighing – Those old men are keeping an eye on me. You really didn't find out anything about her?
- Well, her name is Mulan – Said the prime minister.
- Mulan? – The emperor questioned incredulously – The one from the legend?
- If you want to know, she doesn't seem to me like a powerful warrior who would face an army to save her father - The general gave his opinion - She seems to me just a normal girl.
- Well, I have to meet her today! - Said Quin Shi decided - Find a way to bring her to the palace.
- Actually – Qin Shao manifested – We both already managed.
Half an hour later a female carriage from the general's mansion approached the gates of the imperial palace.