If it weren't for Zhao Gao, Li Si might have done everything in his power to help Fu Su. However, under Zhao Gao's strategy, he changed his doctrine. In 210 BC, Qin Shi Huang was very ill during his eastern tour, so he ordered Zhao Gao to write an edict to Gongzi Fusu: "Hand over the army to Meng Tian and let him hurry to Xianyang to attend the funeral, and then bury him." "The letters were sealed, but before they could be handed over to the emissaries, Qin Shi Huang died.
The edict had already been written, and before it could be sent, Qin Shi Huang died. Since Qin Shi Huang did not make a prince when he died, Zhao Gao made up his mind. He first withheld the edict to consult with Hu Hai and wanted to pass the throne to Hu Hai, and after consulting with Hu Hai, Hu Hai thought that it would be difficult to succeed without the consent of the chancellor Li Si. So, Zhao Gao found Li Si. He told Li Si about the detention of the edict and Li Huhai. When Zhao Gao saw Li Si, he wanted to win him over, and told Li Si the truth: "The edict and the seal given by the emperor to the eldest son are in Hu Hai's hands, and who is to be crown prince is only a word from you and me. What do you think about this? Li Si listened to Zhao Gaohua, and at first he resigned, unwilling to do so, so he said, "How can you say such a subjugated word!" This is not what a human being should talk about! Zhao Gao came prepared and knew Li Si as a person, and said, "You estimate for yourself, compared with Meng Tian, who has the ability?" Who has more credit? Who is more ambitious and not mistaken? Who do the people of the world support more? Who has a better relationship with the eldest son, Fusu? ”
In fact, Li Si also knew that his talent was not as good as Mengtian, and replied: "In these five aspects, I am not as good as Mengtian, but why are you so harsh on me?" Zhao Gao's next remarks were extremely lethal, and it really spoke to Li Si's heart, and it can be said that he was right in his heart: "I entered the Qin Palace and managed affairs for more than twenty years, and I have never seen a hero who was deposed by the King of Qin, and there are knights that can be passed on to the next generation, and the results are all killed." The emperor had more than twenty sons, and that's all you know. The eldest son, Fu Su, is strong and brave, trusts people and is good at inspiring people, and after taking the throne, he must use Meng Tian as the prime minister, and it is obvious that you cannot retire from your post and return to your hometown with the seal of Tonghou in the end. Zhao Gao paused for a moment and then said, "Hu Hai is compassionate and benevolent, despises money, is clever but not good at words, and does his best to respect the magis with courtesy, among the sons of Qin Shi Huang, no one can catch up with him, and he can be established as an heir. ”
In fact, Zhao Gao's meaning is very clear. If Li Si supported Li Huhai as Qin II, Li Si's title could remain unchanged, he could continue to be his chancellor, and he could also pass the title to his descendants. If Fu Su is on the throne, then Li Si's position will not be guaranteed. And once Fu Su became Qin II, he would replace Li Si and appoint Meng Tian as the chancellor. Hearing Zhao Gao say this, Li Si changed his attention. If, Li Huhai himself can be reinstated as an official, supporting Fu Su's own position. Being in the imperial court was nothing more than wanting to be prosperous and rich, and since hu hai could continue to enjoy glory and wealth as emperor, Li Si changed his attention and plotted with Zhao Gao to tamper with the edict and establish Hu Hai as Qin II. In fact, Li Si is a literati, and Zhao Gao is a person who has made up power. Li Si is indeed smart, but in front of Zhao Gao, he is a little white. Lis failed because he was too smart and thought too much, so there is an old saying: "Smart is mistaken by cleverness." ”