The younger brother of the First Emperor

Chapter 189 The Queen Mother Wants to Marry Prince Chengjiao to Qin

Ying Chengjiao did what he thought and looked back.

Chunyu Yue scolded the King of Qi, and helped her husband to eliminate class differences.

The second son's behavior was so "bad", so what's wrong with him eating a melon? Isn't he much better than the second son?
Upon seeing this, the young man discovered that not only he was eating the melon, but all the other disciples were eating the melon.

Everyone looked like they were enjoying the conversation, and no one tried to stop them.

Chunyu Yue waved his hand and said:

"There's no need to go to so much trouble. We can just learn from history.

"I heard that Duke Huan of Qi tasted all the delicacies in the world and lost interest in any food.

"When the cook Yi Ya heard about this, he thought that Duke Huan of Qi had never eaten human flesh, so he steamed his own son and offered him to Duke Huan of Qi to eat.

"Isn't this what Mr. Xiangfu wants to do?
Duke Huan of Qi felt that Yi Ya was willing to sacrifice his own son just to save his own food, so he favored Yi Ya greatly from then on.

"After Guanzi died, Yi Ya came to power.

"Yi Ya, who held great power, only knew how to fight for power and profit, and he starved Duke Huan of Qi to death in the palace.

"When the great overlord Duke Huan of Qi was finally found, his body was covered with white maggots.

"Yi Ya, this is the person who follows Mr. Xiangfu's political views!"

Chunyu Yue spoke lightly and the scholars listened with a calm expression.

Only two people looked abnormal.

The husband is used to being angry:

"How dare you put me on the same level as the treacherous ministers!

"Yi Ya killed his son to serve Duke Huan of Qi! Is this loving people?
“No!
“This is harmful to people!”

Ying Chengjiao was terrified.

In the history of the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, there were two Duke Huan of Qi.

One from Jiang Qi and one from Tian Qi.

The Duke Huan of Qi mentioned by Chunyu Yue is the Duke Huan of Qi of Jiang Qi.

His surname was Jiang and his name was Xiaobai. He was the first of the Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn Period.

In other places, classics are quoted to say that Duke Huan of Qi of Jiang Qi was fine.

But in Qi, it shouldn’t be appropriate, right?

Now it is Tian Qi of Qi State...Tian Chen usurped Qi, and the one he usurped was Jiang Qi.

Ying Chengjiao glanced at Tian Dan out of the corner of his eye and found that Tian Dan showed no strange expression, as if he didn't notice anything wrong.

Chunyu Yue is still exerting his strength:
"Is there any difference between Yi Ya killing his son and offering him to Duke Huan of Qi and Mr. Xiangfu saving my parents instead of saving his own mother?"

"I was saving people! Yi Ya was killing people!" Xiangfu Xi shouted angrily: "Mr. Chunyu, can't you see the difference?"

Chun Yuyue shook his head:

“I really can’t see the difference.

“If you save my parents, it would be the same as killing your mother.

"How is this different from Yi Ya killing his son?"

There is fire in Xiangfuxi's eyes:
“If I don’t save your parents, they will die.

"If Yi Ya hadn't killed his son, his son wouldn't have died!
“I saved your parents instead of my own because I could save one more person.

"Yi Ya killed his son to serve Duke Huan of Qi. Would Duke Huan of Qi die if he didn't eat Yi Ya's son?"

Chun Yuyue nodded and said slowly:
“I won’t die, but I might be in a bad mood.

"If a king is in a bad mood, it may affect the livelihoods of thousands of people. Then it will not be just one or two people who will die, but tens of millions of people.

“So, Yi Ya killed his son and presented him to Duke Huan of Qi, saving countless lives.

“This is exactly what Mr. Xiangfu means.

"If Mr. Xiangfu still thinks it is inappropriate, then you should know that love without distinction will not govern a country, but will only cause chaos.

"At present, I believe that the great governance of Qi requires five things:

“First, govern with virtue.

“We should govern the country with virtue, reward the noble, despise the inferior, and improve the virtue of the people.

“Second, govern with benevolence.

"Mencius said that we should care about people's livelihood and put people first. As long as the people are stable, the country will be stable. I think this is correct.

“Third, govern with courtesy.

“Rites are the foundation of national stability.

"What kind of people should follow what kind of etiquette, make rules and give norms, and follow them for a long time, then you will become virtuous.

"As long as the people of Qi live according to etiquette, the prosperous times of Duke Zhou spitting out food to feed his guests and the people of the country being at peace will reappear."

“Fourth, govern with moderation.

“In governing a country, we must fully consider the pros and cons of each party and find a point that all parties can accept.

"If you favor one side, it will cause extreme thoughts on the other side, and if it goes on for a long time, chaos will definitely occur.

“Fifth, govern with integrity.

“The king should take the lead in following virtue, benevolence, propriety and moderation, starting with himself.

"How can anyone feel dissatisfied when the king sets an example?"

Chun Yuyue continued to talk non-stop. After finishing his story, he looked at the dazed boy and asked with a smile:

"Yingzi thinks, am I right?"

Ying Chengjiao exclaimed "Ah" and nodded repeatedly.

He glanced at Tian Dan, who nodded slightly as if to express his agreement.

The boy thought he could go a little beyond the norm and added:
“I think we can also add the rule of governing a country through education.

“Confucius said that there is no distinction between the classes in education.

"Isn't it a good thing that the people of Qi can learn etiquette and improve their morality during their education?"

After a moment's thought, the Confucian scholar Chunyu Yue nodded with a smile, looking at the young man with admiration:

"What Cheng Jiao said makes a lot of sense!"

Shen Zhi, a scholar from Jixia Academy, saw that the war between Confucianism and Mohism had come to an end, and he spoke out and put forward his own views:
“To govern the country by courtesy and virtue, isn’t that to completely put the country in the hands of one individual?

“How can this be possible?
“Human hearts are the most fickle, and rule by man is unacceptable.

“It’s hard to control one person’s mind.

"How can we control the hearts of the millions of people in Qi?

"Reward those with high moral character, punish those with low moral character, and control their behavior by the standard of propriety.

“This is not etiquette, it is law.

"To govern a country, one must follow the king's will and laws!
"The people are united in their loyalty to the ruler, and matters are decided by law!
“Common people and officials should obey the king’s orders completely.

“And the king’s orders and the exercise of power should be carried out in full accordance with the law.

“Officials must supervise the implementation of laws, defend their implementation with their lives, and uphold the law to the death.

“The people must accept the laws unconditionally, and all laws must be enforced.

“We are not talking about virtue or etiquette here.

"As long as there are laws, the people must be forced to obey them through forced labor.

"Legislation is in the hands of the king, and the king should make laws for the public, not for his own benefit.

“When enforcing laws in this way, the laws that are for the public good may not be understood by people for a while.

"But in the long run, fair and just laws will keep society free of disputes."

Shen Zhi glanced at Chun Yuyue and said leisurely:
“Rule of law is greater than rule of man.

“Even bad laws are better than rule by man.

“Because everyone obeys bad laws, it’s fair.

“Fairness is the root of national stability.

“Officials do not bend the law for personal gain, and laws do not take personal feelings into account.

“Wherever there is a law.

“Virtue and etiquette cannot be used as the basis for reward or punishment.

"Everything is subject to the law."

Shen Zhi also looked at Ying Chengjiao and said with a smile:
“Cheng Jiao should be the one who understands the benefits of the law the best.

“Isn’t it because Shangzi changed the law that the Qin State was able to dominate the world?
"Cheng Jiao, do you think Qi should reform its laws?"

Ying Chengjiao curled the corners of his mouth.

[Why the hell are you asking me this? Am I a fixed NPC? If you don’t talk to me after you finish talking, can’t you complete the quest?]
He complained in his heart, but said:
"What Shen Zhizi said is really reasonable. Laws and regulations can ensure long-term stability in the country.

"If everyone in Qi could learn to read and write, and learn the laws, then there would be no more disputes in Qi."

"That's right, that's right..." Shen Zhi nodded slightly.

The joy in his eyes and on his face were so intense that they could not be dispelled.

Shen Zhi was the grandson of Shen Dao and belonged to the Shenzi School of the Jixia Academy.

The Jixia Academy was located in Qi State, and Confucianism has always been flourishing in Qi and Lu, so there were many Confucian scholars in the Jixia Academy.

Compared with Confucianism, all other schools of thought have to stand slightly behind.

The Shenzi School is the one that stands the furthest back, which is slightly closer to the Gongsun School which does not engage in politics.

The contradiction between rule of law and rule of man is comparable to the contradiction between Mohism and Confucianism.

These two have been difficult to reconcile since their inception.

Shen Zhi had spoken about the rule of law seventeen times in the Mianci Palace, and this was the first time someone agreed with his idea.

Veteran general Tian Dan smacked his lips and looked at the young man meaningfully.

When the young boy noticed something was wrong and turned around to look at me.

The veteran's eyes had long since moved away and were on the other man, and he said with a smile:

"Just looking at Lu Zhonglian's strange expression, he must have something to say."

Jixia scholar Lu Zhonglian smiled and nodded:

"Since the Prime Minister has pointed this out to me, I will also say a few words. I think..."

More than two hours later.

Ying Chengjiao's legs were numb and he almost fell when he stood up.

This was the first time he had knelt for such a long time since he invented the chair.

[There is a chair but you don’t want to sit down.]
[Isn't this just asking for trouble?]
[It’s really torture!]
The young man complained in his heart, took one last look at the large screen depicting the Fire Bull Formation, and followed the disciples out of the Mianci Palace.

The State of Qi did respect the Jixia scholars.

Chunyu Yue did have a special status in the State of Qi.

Because the state of Qi at that time was practicing Confucianism.

With the help of Hu, the young man grabbed the armrest and entered the carriage.

When the curtain was lowered, he shook his head slightly and said to himself:

“I almost forgot.

"In this world, besides Lu, Qi is also a country that practices Confucianism.

"The land of Qi and Lu... no wonder..."

Face tattoo in the palace.

Tian Dan beat his legs which were almost losing feeling and walked behind the screen.

On a large bed covered with fiery red silk, an old woman, covered with a golden quilt, was lying on her back.

The old woman looked downcast.

He exhales more than he inhales, and his face still vaguely shows the beauty of his youth.

Queen Mother of Qi, Empress Dowager.

"Queen Dowager, we have finished discussing politics." Tian Dan leaned over and said softly.

The Queen Mother uttered a weak "hmm" and raised her hand with difficulty, wanting to call Tian Dan to come over.

Tian Dan walked over quickly without waiting for the Queen Mother to make a gesture.

He was so anxious that he forgot that he had been sitting for more than two hours and his legs had not yet recovered.

He fell to the ground, knees first.

In an instant, the severe pain from his knee made his forehead sweat and his face turned from rosy to pale.

Seeing this, a palace maid nearby hurried over to support Tian Dan and held his arm.

"Get lost!" Tian Dan swung his arms violently: "I'm not old enough to need help yet!"

The palace maid was thrown out, fell on her back, and quickly got up.

Ignoring the pain in his body, he stood back in his original position, not daring to be angry or say anything.

Tian Dan felt as if his legs were broken.

He gritted his teeth and walked closer to the Queen Mother.
"Queen Mother, Tian Dan is here."

The Empress Dowager was as thin as a gossamer thread:
"Come closer."

Tian Dan should say “Yes”.

He lowered his head and put his ear close to the Empress Dowager's mouth.

The Queen Mother said softly:
"What do you think of this boy?"

Tian Dan had already prepared a plan, and immediately said, "He has knowledge, but he is too smooth.

“The various scholars have different opinions, but as long as you ask this scholar, he will agree.

“I just suspect that this guy is pretending.

"His reputation as a gentleman and his behavior today cannot coexist.

"Considering that he is eight years old at the moment...please forgive me for speaking frankly.

“Whether he is pretending to be a gentleman or pretending to be smooth.

"To have reached this level at the age of eight is a sign of natural talent."

The Empress Dowager had a dull look in her eyes and stammered as she kept repeating the four words "natural talent".

After nearly ten times, he tilted his head slightly:
"Qin banished this boy and did not allow him to return to Qin.

“It’s like dropping a valuable treasure in a busy city.

"Guess what Qin wants to do?"

Tian Dan thought for a long time before he said with a wry smile:

"Based on his knowledge and talent, this boy should never be released.

"But judging from his behavior, this man united the five kingdoms and forced Qin to use Zheng to build a canal.

“I really can’t imagine that this is something that a young master Qin who can be a king would do.

“If I were the King of Qin, I wouldn’t talk about exile.

"Even if we kill this boy, we can do it.

"This boy came to Qi with an unclear purpose, so I don't know how to deal with him or where to place him.

“This is really a dilemma.

"I am stupid and can't figure out Qin's intentions, so I won't say anything to disturb the Queen Mother's thoughts."

The Queen Mother closed her eyes and said after a long while:

"Once upon a time, King Zhaoxiang of Qin sent me a pair of exquisite jade rings.

"He said that although the people of Qi are very smart, no one can solve this jade chain.

"The Qin envoy showed the jade chain to the ministers in the court, but no one knew how to untie it.

"The jade chain finally returned to me.

"In front of Qin Shi's satisfied face, the lonely messenger took a hammer and smashed the so-called extremely exquisite jade chain with one blow.

"Although I am dying, I still have enough strength to hold a hammer."

The Queen Mother opened her eyes and said in a deep voice:

"Choose a girl to marry him, and send the letter to Qin to see how it responds.

"If Qin has the intention to plot against our Qi State and sends this boy to disrupt the stability of our Great Qi State, I will strike him down a second time!"

When Tian Dan heard this, he wanted to say something but stopped.

The Queen Mother closed her eyes again, and her voice became weaker:
"I don't have much time to wake up now, so if you have anything to say, please say it quickly.

"If you keep hiding it, you'll be talking to my grave."

Tian Dan's nose felt sore and he said in a sad voice:

“My Queen Mother, you still have the strength to swing the hammer.

"But Qi State has no soldiers who can fight now.

"Even if Qin really has bad intentions, it can't kill this guy.

"Has the Queen Mother forgotten what happened to the Yan State when it imprisoned this child?"

The Queen Mother frowned slightly and was silent for a long time, as if she had fallen asleep.

The veteran waited in silence, the severe pain in his knee causing him to suffer great pain with every breath.

He said nothing.

How could his people be as important as the State of Qi?

After an unknown amount of time, the Queen Mother closed her eyes and said:

"I understand. Go and choose a girl first and get engaged to that boy.

"Then send an envoy to deliver the engagement document to Qin. I still want to see how the King of Qin handles it.

"Whether to swing the hammer or not will be up to me."

Tian Dan nodded, and the sweat generated by the pain dripped onto the Queen Mother's face.

The veteran didn't notice it and said in a deep voice:
"only."

After saying this, the veteran dragged his injured leg and was about to leave.

As soon as I turned around, I heard an urgent call from behind:

"Tian Dan!"

The veteran looked back.

The Queen Mother touched her face with her hand, opened her eyes, and looked at him.

The old general didn't know what else to say, and responded in confusion:

"The old minister is here."

The Queen Mother waved her hand, and she stood up with difficulty with the help of the palace maids.

He gasped for air and sat up under Tian Dan's worried gaze.

The Queen Mother looked at Tian Dan, who was standing unsteadily with his left leg shaking, and her voice trembled:
“I know you fell.

"But I didn't know that you were injured so badly after falling..."

Tian Dan smiled carefreely.

He had led a large army, driven out Yan and recovered Qi, and attacked Yan for Zhao.

There are also ups and downs.

After he restored Qi, his power grew greatly and he invited Prince Fa Zhang back to be king, who became King Xiang of Qi.

And he was the number one person under King Xiang of Qi.

But before he could enjoy it for long, the King of Zhao exchanged 57 cities for him and he went to Zhao State.

Helped Zhao attack Yan and capture two cities.

The King of Zhao saw that he was mediocre in his use of troops, and treated him coldly.

He was depressed and lived in Zhao until the death of King Xiang of Qi.

After King Xiang of Qi died, the Queen Mother came to power and invited Tian Dan to return to Qi.

Tian Dan gladly accepted the order, returned to his country and became prime minister, regaining power.

This time he not only practiced martial arts, he also took charge of literature and governed the country.

He's been through everything in his life.

Except for the State of Qi, he let go of everything, including himself.

"The Queen Mother should be thinking about national affairs, not trivial matters like the arms and legs of an old minister. These trivial matters are nothing, hahaha!" The old general laughed.

The Queen Mother stared at the old general's still trembling legs and wanted to laugh, but couldn't.

"Tian Dan." The Queen Mother stretched out her hand tremblingly.

Tian Dan reached out and grabbed it, nodding his head heavily:
"The old minister is here."

The Queen Mother used all the strength she could muster at the moment to hold the old general's hand tightly:

“You must take care of yourself.

"You must live longer than me. Longer.

"You have to keep an eye on Jian'er for me and don't let him make a big mistake.

"I have been focusing on state affairs for the past ten years and have forgotten to train Jian'er. As a result, I still can't close my eyes when I die."

The veteran couldn't laugh anymore. The sadness in his heart at the moment even completely suppressed the pain.

The body doesn't hurt anymore, but the heart hurts:
"This old minister will not die! The Queen Mother will not die either!"

"I don't want to die, but I have to die..." The Queen Mother murmured, "Life and death are not something I can decide... Tian Dan, I'm going to die... Can you go find my father and ask him to come and see me? I miss my father..."

Tian Dan's eyes were filled with tears.

This was the last wish of the Queen Mother who had given him a second chance at life, and he really wanted to agree to it right away.

But... he really can't do it...

"Old minister." Tian Dan said word by word: "Do your best!"

At this moment, the veteran felt that it was even more difficult than when he faced the Yan army.

Restore the State of Qi.

It's much easier than persuading the empress dowager's father to see the empress dowager for the last time.

The old general walked out of the Mianci Palace, forced himself to get on the carriage, and entered the Imperial Medical Bureau.

After making the diagnosis, Doctor Qi told the veteran:

"The Prime Minister's kneecap is fractured, so he should not walk for a while.

"I'll prescribe some medicine for you, sir. You just need to rest in bed for three to five months, and you'll be fine."

While speaking, the imperial physician was still touching the old man's knee, trying to confirm where the crack was.

The old general changed color, pushed the doctor away, and growled:

"I just fell down! How could my knee be broken?

"When I was stabbed by a gun on the battlefield, my bones didn't even break! How can my bones be so fragile!

"Quack! Fake doctor! My bones are very hard!"

On this day, all the doctors in the Imperial Medical Bureau were scolded as quacks by the old general.

The old general expelled all the doctors from the Imperial Medical Bureau and sat alone on a wooden chair, silently enduring the pain in his knees.

sunset.

The sunlight shone into the Imperial Medical Office. In the mottled light and shadow, the old general moved slightly.

He squinted his eyes and looked at the setting sun outside.

The sun is red with a hint of gold, just like the national color of Qi.

The sun was growing bigger, just like... him.

"Although my body is old, this is also the time when my spirit is the strongest." He murmured to himself and slowly stood up: "Tian Dan in the past, at any time, even when he restored Qi, did not know as much and have no experience as Tian Dan now. It's not that I can't do it, but I am better. What I couldn't do before, I can do now... starting from Taishi Qi!"

Taishi Jiao (pronounced thirdly) was the father of the Empress Dowager.

At that time, Yue Yi led the coalition forces of five countries to attack the State of Qi and captured more than 70 cities. Only two cities of Qi were left.

After King Min of Qi was killed, Crown Prince Tian Fazhang changed his name and fled to the house of Taishi Qi in Ju to become a servant.

Taishi Qi's daughter sensed Tian Fazhang's abnormality and often helped him.

Later, the Qi army defeated the Yan army and successfully restored the country. Tian Dan sent people to Ju to invite the prince to return to the country and ascend the throne.

Logically speaking, Taishi Qiu's family should have benefited from the tide.

But that is not the case.

Jucheng, the home of Taishi Qi.

Taishi Qiu, with his head full of white hair and beard, solemnly met with Tian Dan, the Prime Minister of Qi State, in the lobby.

Tian Dan had many important things to do, so he didn't bother to exchange pleasantries with Taishi Qiu. After he sat down, he spoke directly:

"The Queen Mother is critically ill. Please come to Linzi."

Tai Shiqiu, who had been very polite just now, turned pale and looked angry when he heard this.

He tapped his cane and shouted in a voice that could be heard by all the soldiers and servants standing outside the hall:
“I don’t have a daughter!

"The woman you are talking about married without a matchmaker and had an affair with a man!

"She is not worthy of being my daughter, she has tarnished the reputation of my ancestors!

"I will never see her again until I die!"

Tian Dan persuaded kindly:

"The person you are talking about is now the Queen Mother of Qi. How could she tarnish the reputation of your ancestors?"

Taishi Qi retorted angrily:

"As the Queen Mother, can she cover up the disrespectful things she did? Can she disregard her reputation and have an affair with someone?

"What's the difference between what they did and the barbarians of Chu and the tigers and wolves of Qin!
"If you're here for this, please leave my house!"

Tian Dan nodded silently.

He had known for a long time that he could not convince Tai Shi Qiu.

This is the culture of Qi State.

"I'm sorry." The old general bowed deeply to Taishi Qiu.

Walk out of the room and order:
"Someone, bring Taishi Qiu back to Linzi!"

It's said to be an invitation, but in fact it's just a forced pull.

Tai Shi Qi did not expect Tian Dan to dare to do such a rude thing, and he cursed him all the way.

Linzi, Jixia Academy.

After inquiring about the Empress Dowager's news, Ying Chengjiao, who had just finished catching up, had a strange look on his face.

Facing the eunuch sent by the Empress Dowager, he said in a somewhat strange tone:

"Engaged? To me?"

(End of this chapter)