The younger brother of the First Emperor

Chapter 166: Prince Chu of Qin

Shen Shi.

Xianyang, the Qin Palace, the Central Palace, and the Palace of Observation and Diligence in Learning.

There were only two people in the hall.

One is Prince Chu of Qin, and the other is Prince Zheng of Qin.

Wang Wan, the tutor of Prince Zheng of Qin, never attended the afternoon classes because the afternoon classes were almost all for the emperor.

Prince Chu of Qin sat in the teacher's position at the top, with his back straight and his buttocks resting on his calves.

He picked up a scroll of memorials and handed it to the prince, raising his head slightly, indicating that the prince should open it and read it himself.

Ying Zheng took it and looked at his father with some surprise.

His father seldom showed him memorials.

Ying Zheng held the bamboo slips in his right hand and placed them on the small table, then slowly spread out his left hand.

The pieces of bamboo came into close contact with the small table, making a series of pleasant "da da da" sounds.

Ying Zheng's eyes fell on the first word on the rightmost bamboo slip and he slid down to read.

The writing format of memorials in the pre-Qin period was usually from top to bottom and from right to left.

The same is true for reading.

There are two main reasons why this is very different from modern writing and reading.

One reason is that ancient books and memorials were all rolled up, and their materials were bamboo slips strung together with ropes, and bamboo slips were long and narrow.

Whether it is for writing or reading, it is more convenient to spread it out horizontally, so the bamboo slips are strung together vertically, and the murals are viewed when they are spread out vertically.

The ancients would write on a bamboo slip first, so they would write vertically, from top to bottom.

In this way, once a book is lost, the rope breaks, and the bamboo slips are scattered, each bamboo slip can still form a sentence and it may be possible to restore it.

If it was written horizontally, every bamboo slip would be equally soaked by rain and dew, and then the scattered pieces would basically be useless.

The second reason is that people’s dominant hand is the right hand, so they usually hold books with the right hand, while the left hand is responsible for unfolding the books.

When ancient people read books, some would spread out the entire scroll, but more often they would unfold the bamboo slips bit by bit, reading one bamboo piece at a time.

So when you unfold it with your left hand, you can only spread it to the left and cannot turn it to the right. This is from right to left.

From top to bottom, from right to left, it is all for the convenience of writing and reading.

Ying Zheng knew this when he was in Zhao State. It was his mother Ji Yaotiao who taught him.

When he first heard it, he thought the ancients were very wise.

Until a few days ago, he felt that his younger brother Ying Chengjiao was wiser because he could write and read more conveniently.

The king changed the format of Qin's memorials based on the invention of his younger brother Ying Chengjiao.

Take the memorial he was reading for example. The first bamboo slip from the right had only five words on it:
[Advising Zheng State on Flood Control]

This is the title.

Be concise and to the point, so that people can know the main content at first glance.

Starting from the second piece of bamboo slips, punctuation marks were added, and sentences were divided into two parts using punctuation marks such as "," and ".".

Distinguishing the meaning of each sentence makes it easier to understand the writer's thoughts.

After a long paragraph of sentences with similar meanings, blank space should be left, and the entire bamboo slip should not be written, which is called dividing the text into paragraphs.

Segmentation not only makes it easier to understand the meaning of sentences, but also helps to reduce reading stress and fatigue.

When Ying Zheng was studying, he would sometimes think of the books he had read months ago.

A volume of book consists of about twenty bamboo slips, which are densely covered with words from beginning to end.

Not only is it difficult to read, but even a quick glance makes me tired, as if a small stone is pressing on my chest.

Compared to now, studying was really tiring.

Just by changing the format of the memorial, learning can become an easy thing.

Qin Wang Zichu did not ask for changes to the book format.

Anyone who attached importance to their children's education, even a family of military generals, would spontaneously change the format of books.

Being a military general also requires reading military books.

"Remonstrating against the State of Zheng on Controlling Floods" is a memorial, not a book; its sentences are easy to understand, but not every word is a gem.

With the help of paragraphs and punctuation, Ying Zheng read very quickly and finished it in no time.

He frowned and thought for a moment, with a fierce light flashing in his eyes.

I feel that Huayang Bufei, who submitted this memorial, is really tired of living. He relies on being the empress dowager's brother and dares to remonstrate on anything!

Sikong had talked about the problem of water control in Zheng State when he was teaching him. Ying Zheng remembered that it was in the classes on controlling the two water veins and how to control water.

There was also a Grand Historian who taught him history, and he also mentioned the State of Zheng in the lesson about King Yu.

Prince Chu of Qin waited silently. He attached great importance to the education of Crown Prince Zheng.

It wasn't until Prince Zheng raised his head that he obviously had some idea.

Prince Chufang of Qin gave an encouraging smile and said:

"My son, what do you think the purpose of this memorial from the court official is?"

"The Queen Mother Huayang is testing my father." Ying Zheng said in a deep voice, "She wants to grab more power from my father."

Huayang Bufei is definitely not a fool, but he did something stupid. The meaning is not in the memorial, but outside the memorial.

This is the political strategy that Ji Yaoyao, who had already left Qin, taught Ying Zheng.

Not hearing the correct answer, Qin Wang Zichu nodded without commenting.

This cannot be blamed on Prince Zheng’s lack of intelligence.

Five days ago, at the grand court meeting where the descendants of the Bai family were introduced and Lu Buwei advised on flood control, Prince Chu of Qin deliberately did not bring Crown Prince Zheng to attend.

He wanted to see whether Lu Buwei would drag the prince into the water.

During these five days, Lu Buwei taught Crown Prince Zheng six lessons, and had plenty of opportunities to tell the crown prince about flood control.

Judging from Prince Zheng’s behavior, he is obviously unaware of the situation.

Prince Chu of Qin felt mixed emotions.

Because he didn't know, his confidant Lu Buwei didn't tell the prince about this and didn't compete for the prince's support.

It’s because he doesn’t want to drag the prince into trouble and wants to protect him.

Or maybe they didn't take the prince seriously at all, just thought he was a child and their support was unimportant.

Prince Chu of Qin sighed secretly. If he relied on himself to figure out the problem, he would definitely not be able to come up with any result.

He cleared his mind of all distractions, smiled and told Crown Prince Zheng that it was Lu Buwei who first proposed in the court to let Zheng State control the flood.

He observed Prince Zheng's expression, saw the astonishment he tried but failed to conceal, and nodded secretly.

[It seems that Lu Buwei really didn’t tell Zheng’er.]
A look of surprise flashed across Ying Zheng's face and he was shocked in his heart.

He couldn't understand why his teacher would make such a stupid remark.

In times of great contention, either you attack others or others attack you. Will the princes just sit and watch the Qin State grow stronger?
The State of Zheng controlled floods and built canals for irrigation, but this wasted the country's strength and weakened the country.

[Does the commander want the Qin State to perish?]
[I haven't said anything in class these days.]
[The commander's power is entirely in Qin's hands. What good will the fall of Qin bring to him?]
[Could it be that the nations offered him conditions? Did he act as a gofer?]
[Not likely.]
[He is the prime minister of Qin State, and is deeply trusted by his father. He will definitely be granted a title of nobility and fiefdom in the future. Which prince can offer more generous conditions than this?]
[It doesn’t make sense… None of it makes sense…]
The prince's mind was working at high speed at this moment, using all the knowledge he had learned, but he still couldn't figure out the reason:
"Why did the master do this?" He decided to ask his father directly.

Being sincere to his father was what his mother Ji Yaotiao taught him.

"Because." Qin Prince Chu's smile gradually faded, and he spoke word by word: "It is your brother's wish to let Zheng State control the flood."

Ying Zheng widened his eyes:

"Cheng Jiao?"

How could this be related to my brother?
Qin Wang Zichu nodded slowly and continued speaking in an extremely oppressive manner:
"Lü Buwei and the Queen Mother Huayang are both working hard for your brother.

"Your brother's idea is so absurd, and even though I have clearly expressed my opposition, it still continues to cause trouble."

He pointed to the ground:
"This is Daqin."

Referring to Qin Prince Zheng:
"You are the prince."

Prince Chu of Qin said expressionlessly: “I will hold a court meeting tomorrow, and it is up to you to settle this matter.

"They want to please Cheng Jiao, and you suppress them to build up your prestige."

Ying Zheng was in a daze.

Prince Chu of Qin waited for a moment and felt that it was enough time for Prince Zheng to digest the matter.

He called Prince Zheng twice in succession to wake him up and asked him to return the bamboo slips.

Ying Zheng rolled up the bamboo slips somewhat mechanically, his eyes unconsciously flashing across them.

He saw the white space and the punctuation.

He suddenly stopped moving.

"What's wrong?" asked Qin Wang Zichu.

Ying Zheng did not say anything at first, but continued to roll up the bamboo slips.

The rustling of the bamboo slips was like the sound of water flowing in his restless heart.

[You must be sincere to your father and stop supporting Cheng Jiao in the court...]
"Father." He handed over the memorial with both hands and said seriously, "Zheng believes that I have my reasons."

Qin Wang Zichu paused slightly and almost dropped the memorial to the ground.

He looked at Crown Prince Zheng blankly, thinking of the day when his second son was imprisoned.

Everyone was asking him to release his second son.

He felt so much the same way now as he did then that his voice sounded as hollow as it did that day:
"…What's the reason?"

Ying Zheng shook his head:
“Zheng doesn’t know.”

"...I don't know??? I don't know if what you said makes sense???" Qin Wang Zichu's voice rose slightly.

Ying Zheng pointed at the memorial and said seriously:

“Politics really doesn’t know, just like this punctuation mark.

“If father gave it to Zheng alone, Zheng would definitely not know what it would do.

“Only when you use it, you will know how useful it is.”

Qin Wangzichu felt that his liver was burning and his liver fire was raging:
“That’s you being stupid.

"When I see punctuation marks, I know their use, but I can't see the use of flood control!"

Ying Zheng said sincerely:

"I heard from the teacher that father saw the punctuation mark in the middle of a sentence, which doesn't count as seeing it alone."

Qin Wang Zichu: "..."

The king became annoyed with his confidant Lu Buwei.

[He doesn't talk about water control, but keeps talking nonsense!]
Before this thought disappeared, I heard the eldest son's serious words:
"Since that's what Cheng Jiao said, Father might as well give it a try."

Qin Wangzichu narrowed his eyes:

"Say it again."

“Your Majesty, it’s alright,” Prince Zheng of Qin did not finish his words.

Prince Chu of Qin arrived and slapped Crown Prince Zheng in the face.

There was a crisp "pop" sound, followed by a loud "clang" sound.

Prince Zheng knocked over a small table and fell heavily to the ground. His clothes were stained with black ink and he looked very embarrassed.

I don't know whether the unfinished words were hit in the stomach or fell back into the stomach.

He fell to the ground, somewhat bewildered.

He was used to being beaten, but he was not used to being beaten by his father, and such a severe beating at that.

Prince Chu of Qin stood up, walked to the side of Crown Prince Zheng, and looked down at him:
“As a prince, the country comes first, and love comes second.

"Let Zheng control the floods, and its national strength will decline. When other countries come to attack, will you be the one to resist their armies?
"You are ruining the country with personal feelings. You are not worthy of being the crown prince of the Great Qin! You are even less worthy of inheriting the Great Qin!
"I hope this is the last time, there will be a next time."

Prince Chu of Qin did not finish his words. He gave Prince Zheng a last look with extremely cold eyes and walked out of the palace. His voice was heard from afar:

“You don’t have to sit on the throne of the Crown Prince.

"You have to sit. This is your fate."

Ying Zheng sat on the ground, surrounded by scattered brushes, spilled ink, and an overturned inkstone...

Eunuchs and palace maids came in.

He first bowed and apologized, then wanted to take Ying Zheng out, bathe him, change his clothes, and clean up the mess.

"Everyone get out." Ying Zheng waved his hand.

The eunuchs and palace maids stood there, somewhat hesitant.

"I'll only say this once." Ying Zheng raised his head, half of his face red: "Everyone get out."

The eunuchs and palace maids looked at the prince with fear in their hearts.

Everyone said "yeah" in unison and backed away from the Guanzheng Qinxue Hall.

Ying Zheng picked up the inkstone, brush, bamboo slips, set up a small table... and cleaned up the mess himself.

He has to bear the consequences of what he has done.

Imperial Medical Office.

The imperial physician Zhang Ling was summoned by the King of Qin.

He was very happy, but he did not immediately take the carriage to the palace. Instead, he went to see the imperial physician Li Yue and said:
"My lord, the king has summoned me to the palace, and I want to take Wu Qie with me."

Don't offend your boss until you become independent.

There is a saying that the county magistrate is not as good as the current manager. The imperial physician is not only higher than the county magistrate, but also the person in charge of the current orders.

Zhang Ling first greeted Li Yue, and then took the initiative to offer to take Li Yue's disciples to treat the king, all of which were expressions of respect for Li Yue.

The imperial physician Li Yue said "hmm", and was very satisfied. He patted his apprentice Xia Wuqi's shoulder:

"Go study hard and don't talk nonsense."

The last time the young disciple spoke nonsense in front of the late king, Li Yue was really scared.

Although the result is good, it is not necessarily the case that the result will be good every time, and he does not want to gamble his life every time.

Xia Wuqie nodded obediently and followed Zhang Ling out of the Imperial Medical Bureau.

Li Yue shook his head and smiled, he really liked this disciple to the extreme.

He is clever and intelligent, and learns medical skills quickly. One year of hard work is equivalent to three years of hard work. He is truly a natural doctor.

"Sir, why didn't the king come to you for medical consultation?" asked an imperial physician who had a grudge against Zhang Ling.

Li Yue said solemnly:

"The king can summon anyone he wants to see, you are so talkative!"

The imperial physician bowed his head and nodded repeatedly, but finally said unwillingly:
“If you had summoned Master Yao or Master Sun, I wouldn’t have said anything.

But Zhang Ling, whether it's acupuncture, pulse diagnosis, or physiognomy... he's not as good as you in any of them."

Li Yue frowned and was about to scold him more harshly.

When the words were on the tip of his tongue, his expression suddenly changed and he rushed out in a flash.

In less than half a minute, Li Yue, sweating profusely, brought back the confused Xia Wuqie.

Xia Wuqie didn't understand why he was called back suddenly? Did he do something wrong?

Zhang Ling didn’t know either.

The imperial physician suddenly stopped the carriage and took Xia Wuqi away, which made Zhang Ling feel a little uneasy.

[How stingy! Isn't it just that the king didn't ask you for a consultation?]
He said in his heart.

When he entered the palace and met Prince Chu of Qin, his heart was still pounding.

　I will start updating tomorrow

　　
　
(End of this chapter)