The younger brother of the First Emperor

Chapter 66 Learning
The teacher of the first class was an acquaintance of Ying Chengjiao.

The Qin State's Grand Historian and the Western Historian were the book keepers.

Xi Shi Bingshu had a beard on his mouth and a rough appearance. His most notable feature was that he had no hair and his head was shiny.

He was kneeling on a straw mat, holding a scroll of bamboo slips in his hands, reading so intently that he did not notice the arrival of the two young masters.

The prince stepped forward and answered the question with Xi Shi Bingshu.

Young Master Cheng Jiao, who had not yet woken up, yawned, turned his head and looked around, examining the displays and furnishings in the hall.

Except for the temple door, there are large bookshelves on three sides.

The bamboo slips were stacked one on top of another, one next to the other, so full that Ying Chengjiao felt dizzy just by looking at them.

Look down.

My father was talking to the Grand Historian.

The Grand Historian was sitting on a straw mat, with a low table in front of him, on which were placed a brush, ink block, bamboo slips and an inkstone.

One meter in front of the Grand Historian were two small low tables, also holding the four-piece set.

Behind the small table are two small straw mats.

There are four high stools at the four corners of the hall, and candles as thick as an adult's arm are burning slowly, illuminating the hall with light.

And then it was gone, nothing.

The hall is large and empty.

Three walls of books, candles in four corners, and three tables and seats in the center - this is the entire Guanzheng Qinxue Hall.

Ying Chengjiao's defense was broken.

[What kind of harsh environment is this? Not even a set of tables and chairs?]
[Do you have to kneel down to attend class if you don't want to suffer?]
Qin Zichu and Lu Buwei really thought so.

Only those who endure the most hardships can become the best. The more difficult the environment, the more it can temper your will.

At the hour of Mao, Junior Attendant Ying Bai came inside to report the time.

The prince bowed deeply to Xi Shi Bingshu and said sincerely:

"I'm going to trouble the Grand Historian to take care of my two sons. These two boys are used to playing around, and the Grand Historian beats and scolds them at will, and I never ask about it."

Xi Shi Bingshu lowered his head and bowed slightly.

The candlelight above his head reflected in Qin Zichu's eyes, causing him to squint.

"Bingshu has decided to teach the two young masters the first lesson, so don't worry, Prince."

Qin Zichu walked out of the palace gate, went down three steps, and slowed down his pace.

After going down two more steps, he still felt uneasy, so he turned around and walked to the door of the Guanzheng Qinxue Hall.

Raise your hand and pretend to knock on the door.

Hanging in the air, not knocked down.

He beckoned his trusted young attendant to come closer and said in the smallest of voices:
"I'm standing here, can you see inside?"

Ying Bai blinked, a little surprised.

The night the prince accepted her as his subordinate, he saw her kill the eunuch with his own eyes, and said to her as she tried to escape:
"Don't fool yourself, you can't get away."

I didn't expect that the prince would make the same mistake today.

The Palace of Observation and Diligence in Learning.

It's not just about studying hard, but also about observing politics.

Of course one can vaguely see outside the hall from inside, otherwise how can one see the ministers coming in and out of the Council Hall?
The Junior Eunuch knew that the Crown Prince was worried, but was too embarrassed to go in and listen.

After thinking about it, I came up with a solution.

She walked up to the axe-bearing official who was guarding the side of the palace gate and asked him to temporarily go down the stone steps and go to the front courtyard of the Palace of Observation and Diligence in Learning.

Then he bowed to the prince without saying anything.

Qin Zichu's face lit up with joy, and he whispered a congratulatory word to Ying Bai.

He took the place of the axe-bearing official, leaned his back against the palace wall, and listened carefully to the sounds coming from the palace door next to him.

The Grand Historian ordered Xi Shi Bingshu to put down the bamboo slips and said loudly to the two princes not far in front of him:
"Observe the astronomy to find out the changes of time.

“The changes in celestial phenomena are of paramount importance.

“Observe the positions and changes of the sun, moon, and stars, and learn the laws to determine the four seasons, compile the calendar, and set the solar terms.

"I don't ask you two to be proficient in astronomy, that is my responsibility as the Grand Historian.

"As long as you two can avoid being deceived by the thieves using celestial phenomena, that will be enough." Class will begin now. If you have any questions, raise your hands.

A small hand was quickly raised. It was Ying Chengjiao.

Xi Shi Bingshu looked helpless when he wrote this.

He knew that with Master Chengjiao around, something strange would happen.

"explain."

Ying Chengyu said with a crisp voice:

“With the Grand Historian and his subordinates, I don’t think we need to learn astronomy.

"The thieves can't fool you, so it's useless for us to learn. If they can't fool you, they can't fool us either.

"If the thieves can cheat you, then there is no need for us to learn. If you were cheated, we will be cheated if we learn."

Ying Zheng, who was devoted to his studies, wanted his younger brother to stop messing around.

After listening, shut up silently.

He looked up at the Grand Historian, waiting for his doubts to be clarified.

He felt that what his brother said made sense.

Outside the palace, Crown Prince Qin Zichu was scratching the palace wall, his fingernails were covered in black ash, and he cursed in a low voice:

"This traitor!"

Xi Shi Bingshu looked at Master Chengjiao meaningfully.

Ever since Prince Chengjiao saw the king's fate when he was six years old and extended the king's life, he has been deeply impressed by this grandson.

"Observe the astronomy and understand human affairs.

"Some people are born with a talent for astronomy, like you. If you study astronomy with all your heart, your achievements in the future will be far greater than mine.

"Yesterday in the Council Hall, I wanted to be your mentor and teach you everything I have learned in my life, but unfortunately, the prince would not allow it."

Shaking his head with genuine regret, Xi Shi Bingshu sighed:

“Without knowledge of astronomy, thieves cannot fool me, but they may be able to fool you.

"If you are old, someone will claim to be the descendant of the great astronomical master Gander.

"It is said that in the book "Astronomy and Astrology" written by our ancestor Gan De, there is a record that there is an island inhabited by immortals overseas, and you can go there to get the elixir of immortality. Do you believe it? You definitely believe it.

“By then, you will give whatever this person asks for, whether it is people, money, or things.

"This will lower your prestige, waste the people's money and resources, unsettle the people in the court, and bring disaster upon you."

Ying Zheng felt that Taishiling's answer was a bit far-fetched. Who would believe in such a ridiculous elixir of immortality?
Ying Chengjiao turned his head and glanced at his brother who was not very convinced.

"Learn! We must learn astronomy! We must learn! Please teach me, Master!"

The Grand Historian Xishi Bingshu was greatly surprised, wondering why this troublesome Prince Chengjiao had changed so drastically.

But Prince Chengjiao had such a great interest in astronomy that it was a great thing for him, and he immediately became very interested.

In order not to dampen Prince Chengjiao's interest, the teaching method of directly teaching boring astronomical knowledge was changed. Instead, the lesson started from the five major palaces in Xianyang and the things around the two princes.

“The Qin King has five palaces, corresponding to the five palaces in heaven.

"The Central Palace is like the Tianji Palace complex of the Purple Star.

"The Xin Palace in the central palace resembles the Purple Star. The Zhangtai Palace, Xingle Palace, and Chengjiao Palace surrounding the Xin Palace correspond to the positions of the Purple Star Left and Right Walls.

"The Purple Star is located in the center of the northern sky. All the stars in the sky revolve around the Purple Star. This is where the Emperor of Heaven resides.

“The Wei River symbolizes the Milky Way, and the horizontal bridge over the Wei River is the Gedao Star that connects the two sides of the Milky Way.

"The Emperor of Heaven often crosses the Milky Way from Ziwei to Yingshi Star. This Yingshi Star is where the Emperor of Heaven governs. Do you know which palace this Yingshi Star is?"

Ying Zheng listened attentively and thought about what his teacher said.

[The seat of government, exiting from the Central Palace, passing the cross bridge over the Wei River...]
"Beigong, Xianyang Palace."

The Grand Historian nodded approvingly.

"Yes, it is the Beigong Xianyang Palace..."

The class was on track and Qin Zichu listened quietly from outside.

The prince left only when the Junior Attendant reminded him that the next teacher would arrive in a moment.

(End of this chapter)