Lord Changping saw Wang Jian lower his head and ignore him, so he turned to Minister of Justice Li Si.
Ying Zheng also looked toward Minister of Justice Li Si. "What is your opinion, Minister of Justice?"
The Minister of Justice was one of the Nine Ministers.
After Lu Buwei was dismissed, Li Si had earned Ying Zheng's trust and favor. He oversaw the drafting of Qin Law, institutionalizing the Legalist School principle of "harsh punishment for minor offenses."
At the same time, he used the principle that "punishment for crimes spares no high ministers, and rewards for good deeds overlook no commoners" to counterbalance the Chu-affiliated consort clan represented by Chancellor Xiong Qi, Lord Changping.
Moreover, he had used legal means to secure supplies for the front lines and provide a legal basis for awarding noble ranks for military merit. This had brought him close working relationships with generals such as Meng Wu and Wang Jian, along with the military's support. His standing was now no less than that of Chancellor Lord Changping.
It was worth noting that when military merits reached Xianyang, the Minister of Justice responsible for the final review was Li Si.
Li Si bowed to Ying Zheng and spoke unhurriedly, his words firm and decisive.
"Your Majesty, I am confident that the laws and procedures for verifying military merit are sufficiently thorough. Under Great Qin's laws and Your Majesty's divine might, no one dares—or is able—to claim military merit that is not his."
"Zhao Cheng is a brave and resourceful man! He entered the city as a Death Spy and fought in every direction within a city guarded by a formidable army, moving as if no one stood in his way. That is courage!"
"He disguised himself as a hunter and used a ruse to