Controlling mountains and rivers since the Warring States Period

Chapter 222 Han Fei
"Attack Han, no...no!"

When the strong wind blew out of Hangu Pass and blew towards the land of Shanxi,
Han Fei, who came from a royal family, couldn't help it.

Before this,

He had come to Qin to persuade Qin not to attack Han.

Among the Shandong princes, Han was the weakest.

Therefore, many people know:
Once the Qin State launched a war to unify the world, South Korea would inevitably be the first to bear the brunt!
The King of Han was also worried about it every day, and even took many measures in the hope of preserving the country.

The people of Han State did not dare to fight with Qin State, so they often treated it softly and ceded land and cities to Qin.

However, if we cede one city today and ten cities tomorrow, we will not be able to sleep peacefully for a single night.

The cities of Korea are not endless.

then,

South Korea sent the famous craftsman Zheng Guo to Qin to help Qin build water conservancy projects.

Rather than providing assistance, they intended to use this incident to consume Qin's energy and wealth and weaken it.

But South Korea never expected that

Although Zheng Guo accepted the appointment as a "spy", he was an honest and dutiful person.

He did not act recklessly in the development of water conservancy projects, but instead carefully investigated the water and soil of Qin State and finally built the Zhengguo Canal.

In the west, it draws water from the Jing River and flows into the eastward into the Luo River, spanning more than 300 miles. It fills the silted land with water and irrigates the marshland, making Guanzhong a fertile land and increasingly prosperous.

After ten years of hardship, the Qin State reaped ample rewards.

After Zheng Guo's identity was exposed, the King of Qin did not kill him, but continued to use him and put him in charge of Qin's water engineering affairs.

Zheng Guo was deeply moved by this and completely gave up his Han identity and integrated into the Qin State.

This made Han Fei feel very bad.

The pardon of Zheng Guo showed the King of Qin's magnanimity.

Han Fei concluded from this:
This is not a simple monarch.

He will definitely achieve more based on the foundation laid by his ancestors!

South Korea is in danger!

With the purpose of "saving his country", Han Fei went to Qin alone, hoping to divert Qin's target.

Attack Zhao or Wei, or even conquer the Chu State in the south, all of these are possible!
But it definitely can’t be South Korea!

However, Han Fei's actions were not smooth.

The King of Qin admired his talents very much, and his senior brother Li Si was also appreciated by the King of Qin and became a minister of Qin.

With such a relationship, Han Fei soon met the King of Qin and presented the article he had written long ago.

Han Fei's articulation was not clear.
He hoped to use words to explain to the King of Qin his view that "attacking Han would be disadvantageous" in a simple and clear manner.

But the King of Qin did not adopt it.

His goal has already been set, and not anyone can change it.

Even Han Fei can't do it!

He put down the document and discussed with Han Fei the various ways of governing the country that Han Fei mentioned in his own works.

Han Fei felt very disappointed, knowing that the King of Qin did not adopt his advice.

But that's okay,
He still has a chance!
As long as he becomes an important official trusted by the King of Qin and increases his influence on the King of Qin, he can use this position to reverse the decision of Qin!

Han Fei encouraged himself and wanted to keep trying.

He thought:
Before Xinzheng was captured, he must become the most influential minister to the King of Qin!
But Li Si was very dissatisfied with his goal.

The King of Qin summoned Han Fei many times to discuss ways of governing the country with him, and his favor for him exceeded that for Li Si.

It took Han Fei less than a month to go from an outsider to a guest of honor of the King of Qin.

But it took Li Si several years of hard work before he managed to attract the attention of the King of Qin and ascend to the throne of the Qin State with his "The Memorial on Repelling the Aliens".

Such a gap,
This made Li Si very jealous.

He knew from childhood that

There are huge differences between people.

Appearance, talent, wisdom... are all different.

But the most important thing is identity!
In this era of transition from the old to the new, common people have channels for upward mobility, but kings, princes, generals and ministers still have their own differences.

The State of Chu, where Li Si was born, was the place with the strongest remnants of the old era.

He considered himself to be very intelligent and talented, but in the State of Chu, he could only be a minor official guarding a warehouse.

Many mediocre or even stupid people can get above him and become his superiors simply by relying on their background.

This made Li Si very dissatisfied.

then,

In order to pursue a better future and step onto a bigger stage, Li Si gave up his official position and went to Lanling to study under Xunzi.

He thus got to know Han Fei.

This fellow student, who came to study just one step later than him, had a natural barrier in language.

If he were born in an ordinary family, he would not have the opportunity to study.

But his background allowed Han Fei to easily overcome this obstacle, and he also had access to wisdom that was difficult for ordinary people to obtain, and he had a broader vision than many people.

Xunzi often praised him, "Han Fei is the smartest student I have ever taught!"

Hearing this, Li Si couldn't help but think:
He is the best,

Then what am I?
Haven’t I shown enough respect and love for my teacher?
How much hardship he endured in order to study!
Why did Han Fei come?
Can you surpass him and become the "best"?
It’s because his family background is higher than mine!
If I had such conditions, I would have become a doctor or even a prime minister of a country long ago!
He will definitely achieve greater success than Han Fei!

Li Si was indignant in his heart, but he never showed it while he was studying.

Because he needed to win the favor of his teacher and had a spotless reputation as a stepping stone to an official position, he could not be a jealous disciple.

When Xunzi died,
The fellow disciples went their separate ways, and Li Si came to the State of Qin in pursuit of status.

But he didn't expect Han Fei would also come and repeat the story of his school days.

This is something Li Si absolutely cannot tolerate!
He couldn't let Han Fei outdo him anymore and let the latter become the "best" again!
The King of Qin was still young, not old and feeble like Xunzi.
If he recognized Han Fei, it would mean that he would be suppressed by this junior brother for many years to come and would be unable to move!

He must find a way to keep his position!
Li Si locked himself in a small room and thought in silence, with a look of murderous intent that was difficult to conceal.

……

Fengyi,

He Bo, who had just returned from Gaoyuanrun, was weaving bamboo and straw products with Liu Yan and his son.

Now is the slack season for farming.
But farmers can’t relax just yet.

They want to take advantage of this rare opportunity when they don't have to work in the fields to do some extra work and earn more money for their family.

"Look!"

Everyone lowered their heads and worked for a long time weaving bamboo ropes.

Liu Jiao suddenly shouted with joy, holding a pair of woven straw sandals and proudly handed them to his father.

Liu Yan took it, put the straw sandals on his feet, and stepped on the ground.

"Very good!"

Liu Yan felt the soles of his feet, then happily touched his young son's head.

He deliberately wore the straw sandals his son woven for him and ran around to show off to his neighbors.

After receiving a lot of praise and envy, Liu Yan put his hands behind his back, pretended to be calm and indifferent, sat down, and started weaving straw mats and bamboo baskets again.

He Bo said, "I think Liu Jiao is very smart. Have you ever thought about sending him to school?"

Liu Jiao has grown into a steady young man and is already old enough to go to school.

Li also hoped that her child would have a bright future, and not have to compete with his two brothers and a nephew for the family property left by Liu Yan.

If we only rely on the legacy of our ancestors without working hard on our own, our descendants will surely decline.

Liu Yan knew this truth, not to mention his grandfather Liu Qing, who relied on his ability to read to bring the Liu family to its glorious peak.

But he said, “No money!”

"And there aren't any prestigious bachelors around."

A few years ago,
Liu Yan had saved some money and was planning to send Liu Jiao to school.

Actually,
Liu Yan was willing to spend money on each of his sons.

The eldest brother, Uncle Liu, was educated and had good talent, but unfortunately he died early.

The second son, Liu Zhong, was also educated, but his brain was not good, so he could only farm for the rest of his life.

The third brother, Liu Ji, had an active mind and could learn many things quickly, but he was too noisy and could not sit still. He also liked fancy clothes, socializing and having fun with people from all walks of life, and he had no restraint in spending money.

When it was Liu Jiao's turn, although his family situation was not as good as before, Liu Yan had no intention of reducing his salary.

Just when everything was ready, Liu Yan fell down in the field due to exhaustion and had to spend money to recover from his injury.

The third brother, who was working as a ranger outside, also kept writing letters asking for money, emptying his father's purse. In a short time, all the money Liu had paid for his enlightenment was gone.

Wait two years,
Liu Yan saved some more money and found a teacher. As a result, there was a turmoil in the State of Chu, which affected Fengyi.

When the turmoil subsided and I went to look for someone to ask for my studies, they had already run away because of the turmoil.

After much procrastination, Liu Jiao can only learn a few words through the instruction of his old father and elder brother.

After all, the Liu family has been passed down for so long, and Liu Yan's father's generation could even be a county magistrate, so it would naturally be no problem for him to teach children to read.

But more advanced knowledge is difficult to learn without a proper teacher.

Liu Yan was also very depressed about this.

He Bo was shocked when he heard this. "So rough?"

Liu Yan sighed and didn't want to talk.

Seeing him like this, He Bo simply stood up, patted his chest and said, "In that case, what do you think of me?"

Liu Yan looked at He Bo's face at this moment:
Ordinary appearance,
Simple and clean dress,
But inexplicably, he has a calm and relaxed demeanor that is rare among people of this time.

Liu Yan actually knew that

There must be something wrong with He Bo's identity.

After all, the other party has come here to "visit relatives and friends" several times, but has never been to his relatives' home.

This time he was even more direct and went to his house to eat for free.

But since He Bo didn't say anything himself, Liu Yan was too lazy to worry about it.

He didn't think there was anything about him that was worthy of others' covetousness.

He just looked at He Bo, who was finally about to reveal his true face, and said:
"What are you doing?"

"Teach your son to read!"

He Bo stood with his hands behind his back, and he finally stopped hiding the aura of a master of knowledge!
snort!
After so many years,

He Bo is not just slacking off!

He studies poetry and books privately!
Liu Jiao, who had suffered from the difficulties and obstacles on the road to study, was impressed by the momentum and couldn't help but look forward to it.

For this,

What else can Liu Yan do?
He accepted He Bo's kindness and insisted on offering a gift of tuition.

Subsequently,

Liu Jiao then followed He Bo to study classics such as "The Book of Songs" and "The Spring and Autumn Annals".

When He Bo heard Liu Jiao's clear reading voice, he said with nostalgia, "I used to teach others to read, but that guy didn't have the determination and intelligence like you!"

Liu Jiao asked him in a disciple's manner, "Excuse me, Master, who is my senior brother?"

He Bo laughed, "Him?"

"Just a person from the past!"

"But since we've mentioned him, pack up your books and come with me to the river to read!"

He shook his head and said, "Reading by the river can increase one's wisdom!"

(End of this chapter)