Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 253, Section 252: Unruly Talent
I looked at all the gifts from the ladies. Most of them were handicrafts that were easy to make or unique items that I had brought back from various countries.

Of course, these are now all categorized as local characteristics of the Qin state.

However, during the Lunar New Year, Qin Shi did not hurt their feelings.

In the new year, the ladies of the harem will need to strive for their own goals and adjust to the existing order. Even more crucial are the princes and princesses.

Princess Wen, the oldest among them, is now 15 years old.

At the age when seventeen-year-old boys are about to go to war, fifteen-year-olds are already old enough to be responsible for their families and should no longer be treated as children.

Qin Shi took stock of the tasks at hand and decided to give her some more responsibility as well.

Next comes Xinming.

After the ladies withdrew, the Red Maid helped Qin Shi go for a walk outside the palace, while the maids quickly opened the windows to ventilate the room and then slowly burned the incense in the burner.

Once the palace was warm and cozy again and the smell was clean, the queen was invited to return.

After all this, Xinming felt no discomfort upon entering the hall. Instead, he let out a very slight sigh of relief after sitting down.

Although she was young, she possessed a serene demeanor, and Qin Shi, looking at her, could hardly muster any maternal tenderness.

Therefore, he asked in a purely businesslike manner, "I heard that your asthma has improved somewhat?"

"Yes." Xinming's face was pale, and he spoke softly: "Thanks to the Queen's care, things are a little better than in previous years."

In previous years, I would cough on seven or eight out of ten days.

Nowadays, ten days only lasts for three to five days.

It's hard to say whether it's due to increased age or the Queen's effective physician care. While practicing those strange and unusual methods of strengthening the body daily might be somewhat unseemly, but…

The palace servants all secretly believed that this was a secret technique from Kunlun, but because their mortal bodies could not withstand it, they could not see any miraculous effects for the time being.

Nowadays, there are quite a few people secretly practicing this method in the Xianyang Palace.

Xinming lowered his head slightly, thinking of how he and his frail body were out of place in the magnificent and vast Xianyang Palace, and he decided to persevere.

Qin Shi nodded: "In that case, after New Year's Day, you will also participate in the political consultation at Zhangtai Palace—are you willing?"

Xin Ming was stunned.

This was something she had never imagined.

Given her physical condition and being a woman, her mother's greatest worry was that she would die before reaching adulthood...

If there are no offspring to offer sacrifices, and no offerings are made, one day one will enter the land of the dead, still lonely and suffering in the cold.

How can someone whose body causes his mother so much worry and sorrow be expected to participate in politics?

"Why not?"

Qin Shi was somewhat annoyed.

In her view, although the Qin state imposed restrictions on women, there were few dynasties as open as this one in the ancient history she was familiar with.

Princess Wen can participate in politics, and Prince Cheng Hu can too, so why can't Xin Ming?

Xinming's breathing became rapid.

He whispered, "Princess Wen is the eldest sister, and Chenghu is also a prince..."

And what about her?
She was merely the sickly and frail daughter of an unfavored concubine in the Qin King's harem.

Qin Shi sighed inwardly.

Although she didn't understand medical theory, she knew that the medical technology in Qin was quite backward at the time.

Not to mention the precious Chinese medicine classics that have been passed down to future generations, which have led to island nations seizing various secret recipes, even the methods of treating diseases still predominantly rely on shamanism as the main approach and herbal medicine as a supplement.

Traditional Chinese medicine has some systems today, but it is still not systematic enough.

Against this backdrop, although Xinming and Chenghu have physical ailments, it is not necessarily true that their conditions cannot be treated.

However, Xinming was often constrained by his own poor health and weak constitution, and had a similarly melancholic mother like Qi Ba Zi. He was often sick and thoughtful, which made him increasingly insecure.

It seems we'll have to give Qi Bazi more responsibilities next year.

She wouldn't separate the mother and daughter, but it's normal that she's too busy to take care of them, right?

The important medical books she ordered Hei Mu to record, such as the Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases, would be taken to the Imperial Medical Academy by Yi Ming after they were compiled into books. From top to bottom, skilled people would be selected through examinations and assessments by the people.

Even if it's not ten days or half a month, there should be some significant progress within three to five years, right?
How old will Xinming and Chenghu be in three to five years?
There's plenty of time to take care of it!

But it wouldn't be good to give people hope too soon, so she smiled and said, "Living in the palace for too long will inevitably make you depressed. Besides, I will be giving your mother an important position next year. If you stay in the palace all the time, she will worry about you and may not be able to concentrate on doing things for me."

"In that case, it would be beneficial for you to go to Zhangtai Palace to listen and learn more. Even if you feel unwell and cough, the distance between the main hall and the side hall is not a problem. If you really feel unwell, you can rest; there's no need to force yourself..."

She didn't need to finish speaking; Xinming quickly and enthusiastically replied, "My daughter is willing!"

That's what she wanted!
He wanted to prove that the books he had read were not useless, and he wanted his father to see them!
or……

Sometimes she also wanted to be separated from her mother for a while.

But this thought was truly unfilial, and at this moment she lowered her head deeply, not daring to reveal it.

……

There's no need to elaborate on Prince Qian's story.

Although he was reckless and thoughtless, he still managed to get what he was told to do done.

Now, the single-celled organism is only preoccupied with presenting the treasure to its father tonight, wishing it could be held tightly in its arms. Qin Shi's inquiries are nothing more than about its health and well-being...

Before the question of work and studies even came up, he puffed out his chest and declared with high spirits, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I am just like my father, spending countless hours every day in the training grounds!"

As he spoke, a smile played on his lips, and he couldn't help but say, "Although I originally intended to present it to my father first, since the Queen has taken charge of this task, this simple signal mirror isn't out of the question—"

Qin Shi: "...You may leave now."

It's already incredible that she's still working during the Lunar New Year; who would want to see her working any other job?

Don’t look at it.

Prince Qian was slightly disappointed, but mostly relieved: Alas! The Queen valued him so much, entrusting him with such a secret military weapon, yet he couldn't present it to her immediately…

It's fine if you don't watch it.

This is something the Queen herself doesn't read!
Next, the prince rides a tiger.

After some time apart, he had indeed gained some weight, and his face looked healthier and more radiant.

Qin Shi didn't say much, but comforted him, "You'll only be 8 years old after New Year's Day. Taking care of your health isn't something that can be done overnight, so you shouldn't be reckless."

"But with your intelligence and talent, you should not waste them. Once your health improves, I have important matters here that require your personal supervision."

"Chenghu, get some rest."

Eight-year-old Chenghu had a fair complexion and thin hair, but his eyes were exceptionally bright: "Yes, thank you, Queen, for bestowing upon me the Kunlun Secret Method and the medical decree."

His mother was reluctant to say, but he remembered.

If one day I could be as healthy as my elder brother, but my mind—no, no, I still won't.

He can't be as foolish as his older brother!

……

To be honest, receiving the imperial harem is an extremely solemn matter, but Ji Heng's palace only has a handful of people, and even his remaining offspring are only Princess Peng and Princess Chan.

As for Prince Qian and Cheng Hu? They are only 5 and 3 years old respectively, calculated according to the rule that they are one year older on New Year's Day.

After the palace servants left, Ganquan Palace became quiet again.

But this does not mean that Qin Shi's work is finished.

She then summoned the palace chefs and servants to give instructions and inspected the finished products.

When they returned, they had already started changing clothes again.

Next was the night banquet at Zhangtai Palace.

All the women of the royal family will be attending this trip, and she, as the Queen, will sit on the high seat alongside the King, attracting the attention of the courtiers who will pay homage and offer their congratulations.

This was also the first time she had appeared in such a political setting with this political image and identity.

……

Winter nights come exceptionally quickly.

It's only a little past five o'clock, but lanterns are already lit throughout the palace, bonfires are blazing outside the halls, palace maids and servants are coming and going, and ministers have already taken their seats and are chatting and laughing...

It's wonderful not having to talk about work today!
Among them, the most popular was the virtuous scholar Wen Xun.

Although it is somewhat strange that the other party does not serve as an official in the court but instead chooses to be a guest minister under the Queen, he is famous throughout the land, and all of you want to make his acquaintance with him.

Wen Xun also intended to communicate with them.

The Queen's earlier statement made sense. He was far removed from the court, and the freedom he gained was only a little freedom of movement, but all his life's learning had been wasted.

If this continues, even the late Master Xunzi will become nothing more than words in old books, and no one will believe in his doctrines anymore.

Now is the perfect time to test everyone's thoughts.

The first person he visited was Prime Minister Wang Fu.

This renowned prime minister of Qin was unremarkable in appearance and unassuming in manner. His words were mostly lamenting his old age, or simply "Yes, yes, yes, good, good..."

He watched from the sidelines, and even when local minor officials came to pay their respects and boasted a little about their political achievements, Wang Fu would gently echo them and give them the same praise.

He lacked both the majesty of a prime minister and the keen insight of a superior.

Judging from his character and his words and actions, if he behaved this way even when facing a minor official, he would naturally agree with whatever the King of Qin said.

Then look at that young Imperial Censor. He has experienced several demotions and setbacks this year, yet he shows no restraint here in the palace—

The world laments the tyranny of the Qin Dynasty, but judging from the attitudes of the officials in the palace, it seems that the Qin king's cruelty did not extend to his subordinates.

He breathed a slight sigh of relief and was about to step forward for a deeper conversation when he saw the other person staring at a glass fairy scattering flowers lantern in the corner, praising it highly and wishing he could take it home.

His vanity and love of enjoyment were already beginning to show.

In the past, Wen Xun would have been prejudiced against such a person's love of luxury and material possessions.

But during his conversation with the Queen at Gan Quan Palace, he was surprisingly tolerant.

He stepped forward to pay his respects, intending to ask more questions, but Wang Xueyuan simply pulled him aside and earnestly invited him, saying that her family also possessed a precious glass tree bestowed by the Queen, and invited her friends to admire it together...

Wen Xun: ...

That's it!

Looking at the scholars of classics, the Minister of Justice, and many other officials, one need not delve into the details; just by observing their surprise and bewilderment at his arrival, it is clear that the Qin state does not truly revere Confucianism.

He thought to himself: Just as I thought.

Yet he couldn't help feeling somewhat dejected. The hall was warm and inviting, but he just couldn't muster any energy and went outside.

It wasn't completely dark outside the hall.

Bonfires were lit everywhere, and now the vast Xianyang Palace was filled with orange-red flames.

But instead of firewood, it was burning large, oddly shaped honeycomb briquettes—

It is said that the Queen was reluctant to see those fine trees cut down and burned, so she advised the King that future generations would also need towering trees, which could not be obtained in less than several hundred years.

Now that we have coal, let it grow for a few more years, so that we can leave more good things for the Qin state in the future.

After taking a few more steps, the biting chill gradually filled his lungs, and thinking back to his previous dealings with the Queen, Wen Xun felt a surge of excitement.

However, at that moment, they saw a middle-aged man and woman in front of them, dressed in brocade robes—not official attire.

Although her hair was adorned with decorations, the only gold ornament was a single hairpin, which gleamed brightly in the firelight.

This is not a government official.

The two even looked a little nervous and uneasy, pacing back and forth repeatedly while muttering to themselves.

Despite the cold weather, a light sheen of sweat appeared on my forehead.

Wen Xun couldn't help but ask curiously, "May I ask why you two don't go inside the hall?"

He was also not wearing official robes. The two men looked at him carefully before bowing and saying:
"We are not officials, but merchants. It is thanks to the Queen's magnanimity that we are qualified to enter the palace to offer our congratulations today..."

Wu Shang wiped the sweat from his forehead and sighed, "I was really afraid that I would be too timid and disappoint the Queen, so I came out to rehearse a few more lines of my blessing."

Given their status, they were naturally not qualified to offer congratulations to the dynasty individually, but the queen had already sent word that she would be summoned together with the king before the banquet.

That's the King of Qin!
Wu You and Madam Ba were instantly trembling with fear. The heat inside the hall made it hard to breathe, and their hands and feet were shaking. They quickly came out to get some fresh air and clear their heads.

Wen Xun was very curious: Could this be the two people mentioned before who promoted coal in the Qin state?

He had originally thought that the Queen would directly order the two of them to cooperate in supervising the work, but he never expected that she would invite them to the palace on New Year's Day!

With such an honor, it's no wonder these two businessmen were trembling with fear and trepidation.

Wen Xun pondered silently for a while, and suddenly felt that the Queen's actions were like a gazelle hanging its horns, truly without any restraint.

It is puzzling how the Qin state, with its harsh laws and strict governance, and the autocratic King Heng of Qin, could be so tolerant of each other.
Just then, a eunuch hurriedly arrived:

"Lord Wen, the King has heard that you are a guest advisor to the Queen and has come to summon you."

Wen Xun was not surprised. It wasn't that he was boasting, but rather that, according to his usual approach to recruiting, the king would eventually have to summon him.

However, just as he was about to take a step, the eunuch before him respectfully said, "The Queen said from the side, 'Empty talk is ineffective. Given your character and conduct, rather than summoning someone alone, it would be better to invite you to sit in the hall for a while and listen to what Lady Ba and the Wu merchant are doing.'"

"And consider whether she, the Queen of Qin, is worthy of Lord Wen's utmost loyalty."

Huangmen smiled, making no mention of the king's displeasure at those words—

Since he agreed to enter Ganquan Palace, he should naturally serve the Queen wholeheartedly.

What good is a reputation for virtue if not for the Queen's support? He cannot pay taxes, defend against foreign enemies, nor has anyone ever heard of him helping the people of Qin.

Now that he's been summoned to the palace, the other party still needs to weigh the pros and cons before deciding how much effort they should put in...

In the rear hall of Zhangtai Palace, Ji Heng's expression was cold and stern: "The Queen is too indecisive. Such a talented person is unruly. Either discard her or punish her with caning. Let her be tempted by profit."

"These two principles, punishment and virtue, are applicable to all laws."

　I'm back! I've been lying in bed for a few days (taking medication during my period), and yesterday I was invited to visit a temple.

　　I truly feel that I'm getting older, and my passion isn't what it used to be. But I still want to write good stories.

　　It's been updated!!!
　　Thank you for your understanding.

　　(End of this chapter)