Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 277, Section 276: Capable People
Dan and Fei Qing didn't care what the book was called!
They simply couldn't believe it:

"Queen, are we also capable of writing books and biographies?"

They were just lowly palace maids in Xianyang Palace, who were first given to the King of Chu and then to the King of Qin. They spent more than ten years in the palace, and all their children died young.

But this has always been the case in the palace.

If they are lucky enough to pass away peacefully decades later, without illness or disaster, it would be a fortunate thing.

But now the King of Qin has a queen.

They were promoted in rank and then entrusted with important tasks—although many people in the palace secretly laughed at them for being noble ladies-in-waiting, yet spending their days with dirty, smelly chickens and ducks, doing the kind of rough work that only lowly servants would do.

But only those who have spent their lives in the palace know how fortunate it is to have something to do during those long years.

Moreover, they came from a poor family and only entered the palace because their families couldn't afford food. Now that the chickens and ducks are getting plump and healthy, the two of them would only be happy to see them, so how could they possibly dislike them?
But unexpectedly, this good fortune came like waves, one after another. A tsunami of "writing books and creating biographies" swept in, overwhelming and chaotic!

The swirling sensation made their hearts tremble, and for a moment they felt as if they were in a dream.

But the queen on the high throne still smiled serenely, her expression one of utmost certainty and composure.

It's as if what she said is becoming history:
"If you two succeed in raising chickens and ducks, and write books and biographies in the future, you will not only be remembered in history, but thousands of years later, even if war breaks out and the earth shakes, your works will still be passed down in every village and town."

“Every piece of knowledge you impart will be taught by men to their sons and by women to their daughters, and will become their means of livelihood.”

"Dan, Fei Qing".

"Can you do it well?"

"To be able to write such a simple and straightforward guide to raising livestock, so that even poor families can understand how to do it after hearing someone read it just once..."

"can!"

Dan and Fei Qing clenched their hands tightly beneath their sleeves.

Her once long and shapely nails, worn down to short and rounded from raising chickens and ducks, were now still digging tightly into her palms.

The slight stinging sensation constantly spurred their confidence and courage; they had never felt so resolute in their lives.

"Your Majesty, I can."

……

The Minister of the Imperial Household had been waiting for a long time, and finally he was able to meet the Queen.

At this moment, all his worries vanished, and he bowed respectfully before presenting the printed paper in his hand:

"Your Majesty, this is the result of woodblock printing. Movable type printing is still in progress as the typesetting process takes time."

The Red Maiden had already found out what had happened and was now relaying the information from below. She then glanced at the Minister of the Imperial Household:
Instead of immediately reporting the Queen's instructions, he would rush to see the King.

Although she dared not inquire about what had happened inside Zhangtai Palace, she could tell from the other person's sweat-soaked clothes and cautious demeanor that he must not have come to a good end.

Should!
The King loves the Queen so much that she personally gives instructions on all matters...

Chi Nu didn't understand the concept of "reporting to a higher level," but her dissatisfaction with the Minister of the Imperial Household clearly stemmed from this.

The ironworks obtaining the divine weapon was a matter of great importance, so it was understandable that they reported it to both the King and the Queen. However, the entire process of obtaining this document was orchestrated by the Queen herself…

She looked at the Queen, whose expression showed only joy and contemplation, as if what she had just reported had no significance.

For Qin Shi, it really didn't mean anything.

She is the Queen of Qin, and her orders are the only ones that matter. What else is there to care about?
No matter what the Minister of the Imperial Household says to Ji Heng, as long as he has a family, a sect, his own faction, and powerful nobles behind him...

In Ji Heng's eyes, he would always be a replaceable subordinate and a political enemy.

Moreover, once the paper is produced, it will better protect Ji Heng's interests, but on the other hand, she, as the queen, will also have to begin to face attacks from court officials.

He who bears the nation's disgrace is called the master of the state; he who bears the nation's misfortune is called the king of the world.

Having enjoyed the power of a queen, she would naturally be willing to shoulder the responsibilities that come with it.

After all, throughout history, who among those who have spoken out for the people has not been attacked?

Therefore, she carefully felt the thickness of the paper, estimated the cost, checked whether the printed text was blurry, and inquired about the efficiency... After clarifying all the details, she instructed: "Now that everything is in order, the Ministry of Works should do its best to produce paper, both expensive and cheap, the more the better."

"In addition, anyone who can further improve the cost and process of pulp production will still be rewarded."

She raised her eyes, and despite her young age, the cold, mocking expression on her lips as she looked down from the high platform vaguely resembled two parts of Ji Heng:
"Minister of the Imperial Household, you are one of the Nine Ministers, surely you can handle such a small matter?"

The Minister of the Imperial Household remained silent for a long time, then sighed and bowed:

"I dare not disobey even unto death!"

……

After the Minister of the Imperial Household Department left, Chi Nu was somewhat worried:
"Your Majesty, will he put his heart into it?"

Qin Shi, who was compiling the materials he wanted to use, smiled slightly upon hearing this: "He will."

"But I see that since he reported back to Your Majesty first, and did not seem pleased, I'm afraid he might be thinking..."

"That's nothing."

Qin Shi looked at Chi Nu and said softly, "I have one thing in common with the King: we only use those who are capable."

"There are countless talented people in the world, and while there are many capable people, there are few discerning judges of character."

"If he's not willing to put in the effort, then find someone else."

Even the weakest emperor would only use the court officials he could command, let alone Ji Heng, who held absolute power and would not tolerate any dissent.

“Red Maiden, in this world, whether people are slaves, servants, officials, or ministers, in the eyes of those in power, there is only the word ‘useful’.”

She, the queen, was the same.

The woman's heart suddenly tightened.

Looking at the Queen, who was busy with state affairs with her eyes lowered, she seemed to have grasped some of the key to her advancement.

It was as if the path she was about to take was even colder and more arduous than serving the Queen.

After finishing her shift, she handed over her duties to the uniform attendant, who noticed that she seemed distracted and became curious:

"What's wrong? You look a little scared."

The Red Maiden paused for a moment, then relayed the Queen's words, only to see Fu Cai ask blankly, "Isn't that how the rules are?"

“I make clothes for the Queen. If any of my subordinates are not diligent in their work, they will certainly be replaced.”

"Although the Minister of the Imperial Household is one of the Nine Ministers, he is still a subordinate of the King and Queen. If he is not willing to do his job diligently, there are countless people in the world who want to be the Minister of the Imperial Household."

"Red Woman, what are you afraid of?"

The woman was stunned.

Finally, she murmured, "I'm afraid that if I become useless one day, the Queen will abandon me like this."

Fu Cai smiled and said, "We only have the Queen in our hearts, so naturally we will act in the Queen's favor."

"Even if you're a little slow, we can always come back and continue serving you—are you so afraid because you're afraid of being demoted from the position of Junior Minister of the Imperial Household to a maid?"

Chi Nu was speechless for a moment.

After a moment she laughed: "What nonsense are you talking about? How could I possibly become the Minister of the Imperial Household?"

In ancient times, women referred to themselves as "concubine" as a humble way of referring to themselves.

At that time, women, as family members of criminals or the criminals themselves, were often punished by becoming servants, thus standing there to serve others; they were called concubines.

Men also have humble terms. These include "鄙人" (bǐrén), "仆" (pú), and "小人" (xiǎorén).

As society evolved, new meanings gradually emerged and were incorporated into it.

"He who brings misfortune to the nation is the king of the world": This comes from the *Tao Te Ching*.

Only those who can bear the humiliation of their nation can become its ruler; only those who can bear the calamities of their nation can become the king of the world.