| Zhong and Li: |
Someone said: Li Si was completely loyal to the Qin, but in the end Emperor Huhai executed him. What's the point of loyalty?
Yangzi said: Li Si stayed in Qin as a guest of Lu Buwei and eventually became Prime Minister. Using the words of an alchemist to flatter the Emperor, he followed Qin Shi Huang on his tours of the four seas. Upon Qin Shi Huang's death, he let Zhao Gao's treacherous plan to replace the chosen successor stand, discarded the Emperor's official edict, assented to the idea and directed the orders. Where in this is loyalty?
The other said: What about Huo Guang.
Yangzi said: At the beginning of the Shiyuan era (86—80 B.C.), he acted as regent for the young Emperor Zhao, and destroyed Prince Yan and Shangguan's coup. After Zhao's untimely death, he stayed and played his part as regent, first deposing his first chosen successor and then installing Emperor Xuan. Appearing so courageous and august in his loyalty—but it's difficult! Because coming to the crimes of his wife Huo Xian, in the end, it wasn't so. |
