Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 70, Section 69: Unparalleled in the World
Qin Shi was genuinely happy about the table and chairs.

Otherwise, even though she had access to tables and chairs, she would still often have to kneel to show respect when interacting with others.

If it can be popularized and promoted, that would be wonderful.

Therefore, with sparkling eyes, I sincerely thanked you:

"The promotion of the tables and chairs is all thanks to Your Majesty, thank you Your Majesty."

Ji Heng glanced at him, completely disregarding the craftsman's matter, but could guess why the other was so happy.

He couldn't help but chuckle to himself: his mind was indeed as pure as a child's; laughter, anger, and scolding were all trivial matters.

But then Qin Shi reported, "Your Majesty, Princess Wenling and Prince Qian came to Lanchi Palace to apologize to me and presented me with two hundred gold coins, which I have accepted."

"Your Majesty has truly raised your son well. The prince is devout and responsible, loves his sisters, and is kind-hearted. I like him very much."

"Judging from the prince's pained expression, those two hundred gold coins must have emptied his private coffers. As a father, Your Majesty will have to replenish your child's coffers."

She said this in a casual, conversational tone, and Zhou Ju raised an eyebrow, almost bursting out with joy!

What is this? They've already started praising the king's child!

Ji Heng frowned and said, "Since the siblings have acted improperly, let these two hundred gold coins teach them a lesson."

Qin Shi: ...Your Majesty! I'll say it again! Suppressing education is unacceptable!

The three children fear the king like a tiger. Does Your Majesty think you bear no responsibility at all?
Perhaps because the expression on her face was too indescribable, Ji Heng raised his eyebrows and said, "Speak freely."

Qin Shi took a deep breath: "The King told me to speak frankly, so I will speak frankly."

"Although I only met three princes and princesses, they were not as useless as Your Majesty said; on the contrary, they each had their own merits."

"If the king neither teaches, asks, nor praises, but only scolds and blames, even a high-ranking official like Fu Ran will shrink back and become just another ordinary person."

Shangqing Fu Ran was exceptionally intelligent. He was the grandson of the prime minister during the reign of the late king. After the prime minister was buried with him, he assisted Ji Heng in his mission to six states. Without losing a single soldier, he conquered more than ten cities and offered them to Ji Heng.

Therefore, he was appointed as a high-ranking official.

But fate is cruel; at the age of twenty-eight, he caught a cold and fell ill with a chronic condition that proved incurable…

Speaking of this person, Ji Heng felt another pang of pain in his heart.

The Qin cavalry conquered the six states, but the ministers and generals he knew who had made great contributions were all declining and dying one by one.

His fate was so unpredictable that it made him even more eager to seek immortality.

Now that Qin Shi had boldly brought up this person again, he was both shocked and furious, and with a "crack," he snapped the writing brush in his hand.

Such a sound suddenly broke the silence of the hall, and Qin Shi couldn't help but tremble slightly.

Zhou Ju was extremely anxious by the side of the King of Qin. He felt that every time he had a little expectation for Qin Qing, she would pull him back by five points!
Ji Heng was furious, and Qin Shi was also a little scared.

But the more afraid she is, the more stubborn she becomes—anyone who has ever fought with someone knows that once you show fear, the other side will swarm you.

Therefore, she still held her head high and said:

“Prince Chenghu is only seven years old, yet he can read and recite the Zhuangzi, the Book of Changes, and the Analects. Doesn’t this deserve Your Majesty’s praise?”

"Even if he is physically weak, that is not his fault. It is one thing for the king to be picky about him, but why did he have to hurt him like this?"

"Although Prince Qian is naive and lacks guile, he is sincere, innocent, and willing to take responsibility. With proper nurturing, he could very well become a pillar of our Great Qin. Why doesn't Your Majesty even ask him?"

"Princess Wen's actions are tactful, but every advantage has its disadvantage. Since Your Majesty has asked about the Analects, have you not heard of 'Zigong asking about beautiful jade'?"

Their words and actions are tactful, which aligns with the universal values ​​of this era.

It simply doesn't conform to the King of Qin's wishes.

Moreover, they merely do not meet the requirements of a ruler, not that they are not excellent. Yet, as a father, isn't the King of Qin afraid that by suppressing them so drastically, his children will become reckless and self-destructive in the future?

The destructive power of a ruler's arbitrary actions can be more devastating than that of a rebel army.

Since arriving here, Qin Shi has been cautious and respectful in everything he does, even speaking as if he were in the workplace.

Although there was genuine sincerity among them, overall, the status was still unequal.

Now, she had spoken so many harsh words in a moment of stubbornness, and even questioned Ji Heng one by one... Now, after calming down, she was slightly out of breath, and a layer of cold sweat seeped out from her back.

But that's just her personality.

If you're here, you're here; if you're going to live, you're going to live. What hope is there if you live a life of misery and humiliation?
My mind raced with conflicting thoughts, sometimes righteous and resolute, sometimes regretting that I should have been more tactful.

But she's someone who's almost died before, so it's good that she's alive...

Then he quickly slid to his knees again:
"Your Majesty's children are so outstanding, why aren't you happy? Surely you don't want them to surpass you, or to be as heroic and powerful as you are, do you?"

She raised her head slightly, looked up at the King of Qin, and said sincerely, "Your Majesty, an emperor like you—I have said it before, is unparalleled in the world."

Zhangtai Palace was silent.

The maids and servants remained as if they were invisible, never making a sound that shouldn't have been made. Zhou Ju's heart, which had been pounding with anxiety, finally settled down, and he breathed a sigh of relief, his back soaked with sweat.

Looking down at Qin Qing, who was still innocent and carefree, he guessed: the other person was not as worried as he was.

After a long while, Ji Heng slowly leaned back in his chair, then raised his hand and threw the broken pen down the steps:
"I have not uttered a single word, yet I imagine you have already expressed your true feelings?"

His voice was neither angry nor happy, and his expression was hidden on the high platform, making it impossible to see clearly.

Wei Zhuozhuo's gaze was fixed on Qin Shi, making her feel as if thorns were sprouting all over her body, but in an instant, after hearing Ji Heng speak, she melted into a gentle spring breeze—

Judging from this tone, she's probably not angry anymore, right?

Ji Heng was not only not angry, but even a little happy.

Although Qin Qing's words were rude, some of them made a lot of sense.

For example, my child, being of my blood, is naturally so outstanding. Any other shortcomings must be due to the inferiority of his mother's bloodline, which holds him back.

For example, a monarch like myself is unparalleled in the world, and that is indeed the case.

Unprecedented and unparalleled, nothing can compare.

Looking at Qin Shi again, she had already lowered her head again: "Your Majesty, I was too talkative."

Ji Heng shook his head: "What you say makes sense, but Qin Qing is rather narrow-minded. Why do you have such insights into the education of children? Have you already given birth to children?"

Zhou Ju was overjoyed again!
If she has given birth before, wouldn't the risks of childbirth be lower for her? And wouldn't she be strong and healthy!

Ah! From the Zhou Dynasty to the present day, everyone has always admired widows who have given birth!
However, Qin Shi shook his head: "Never."

Parenting is a hot topic, and it's unavoidable on all social media platforms. As a result, people of all ages can offer their own opinions and arguments.

Then she added, "Perhaps it's because I'm a woman, and my mind is more delicate and tender?"

Zhou Ju's face immediately went expressionless.

[This is not meant to belittle other women!! It's just the King's character! [Important]]

Zigong asked about beautiful jade: Zigong said, “If there is a beautiful jade here, should I keep it hidden in a box or seek a good merchant to sell it?” Confucius said, “Sell it! Sell it! I am waiting for a good merchant.”

Zigong used the analogy of fine jade to subtly inquire whether Confucius would be willing to take up a post. Confucius, in turn, replied tactfully, expressing his intention to wait for the right time and opportunity.

[Shangqing Furan: The prototype is Prime Minister Gan Luo. Gan Luo was the grandson of Gan Mao, the Prime Minister of Qin. He later served under Lü Buwei, becoming a junior official. He made great contributions in the unification of the six states and was appointed as Shangqing. Everyone has heard the story of "Gan Luo becoming Prime Minister 12 times," right? But there are no further records.]

Fortunately, some have surpassed their predecessors: Xunzi (from the Warring States period)