Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 74, Section 73: The Stone People of the Nation
When Zhou Ju came to report, Ji Heng was having breakfast in Fang Palace.

He always gets up at dawn, practices archery and horsemanship in the drill ground for half an hour, then takes a bath, washes, and changes clothes. Now, after finishing his breakfast at the end of the morning, he will begin to discuss politics with the gentlemen.

Qin Shi's request to meet at this time was also a deliberate hint and arrangement by Zhou Ju.

Ji Heng paused in his movement of holding the spoon.

"Didn't we just meet last night? What important matter do you have to discuss now?"

Zhou Ju smiled and replied, "Your subject does not know."

Ji Heng glanced at the honey soy milk and roasted pork and wild scallion buns in front of him, then at the fresh and refreshing lotus seed soup beside him—

Although he didn't care about these culinary artisans' quirks, he had to admit that sitting at a table and chairs of just the right height, enjoying such pleasant and smooth food, did bring him a sense of joy.

Therefore, he was more tolerant of those who delayed important matters: "In that case, allow her to come to Zhangtai Palace to see me."

……

Not long after Ji Heng arrived at Zhangtai Palace, Qin Shi also came to pay his respects.

Today, because she was going to the Ironworks, where the furnaces were blazing and the place was not clean, she cherished resources and therefore specially chose a fine white linen robe newly made by the official in charge of official attire.

This type of cloth was slightly coarser than fine linen, but from the perspective of the Qin Dynasty, it was perfectly suitable for making summer outerwear.

Then, carrying a bottle adorned with emerald green lotus leaves and pink and white lotus flowers, he stepped into the hall. Before the King of Qin could even raise his head and put down his brush, Zhou Ju's eyes lit up!
Oh!

Indeed, there should be a queen in the palace!

Otherwise, even though His Majesty favors the color black every day, it still looks gloomy in the summer, far less pleasing to the eye than Qin Qing holding flowers, which is refreshing and beautiful!

Qin Shi, as expected, happily exclaimed, "Your Majesty!"

When Ji Heng looked up, she continued with a smile, "Thank you for the water chestnuts you gave me yesterday, Your Majesty. They are sweet, crisp and tender, and very refreshing. These are lotus flowers that bloomed in the Orchid Pond this morning. Your Majesty is busy with official duties, so it is good for your mind to look at some flowers and plants in your spare time."

Ji Heng didn't care about this.

But he was very good at seeing people's hearts from the subtlest details.

Qin Qing, with her young and sentimental nature, loves beauty and herself. Every day she either dresses in her finest clothes to seek compliments or is preoccupied with these trivial details.

So he continued to give a perfunctory reply: "Indeed, it's fresh."

Qin Shi naturally understood the perfunctory tone, but it was better for the king to be perfunctory than to be too lazy to say anything at all.

She personally handed the lotus flower to Zhou Ju, who had quickly walked down the steps. Seeing that he had already ordered his maid to place it on the high platform, she then guessed at the Qin King's seemingly good mood.

Then he said, "Your Majesty, I have come today to ask you something."

Ji Heng glanced at her indifferently: "Have you missed a single day, Qing?"

He saw her so frequently that it was almost as often as it was seen by high-ranking officials.

Qin Shi: ...

Although it seemed to be true, she remained composed and spoke of her own business: "Your Majesty, I wonder if there are any merchants in Qin with extensive connections these days? I would like to meet a few."

merchant?

Ji Heng raised his brows.

Being a businessman isn't easy these days.

In the past, Guan Zhong of the State of Qi proposed the "separation of the four classes of people into different professions," dividing the people into scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, and calling them the "stone people of the state."

However, the reforms of Shang Yang in the Qin Dynasty were severely suppressed because merchants were highly mobile and difficult to manage, and their wealth could be used to amass military power, posing a great threat.

At present, the Qin state is based on agriculture and warfare, with agriculture being the most important task. Merchants do not engage in production, and are similarly regarded as having a secondary occupation by Ji Heng.

To facilitate governance and management, merchants today are not only strictly managed and heavily taxed, but also required to perform corvée labor and guard the borders on a regular basis.

Although some powerful merchants with concentrated influence still had the ability to influence politics, in general, their role was still far less significant than that of the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers.

Qin Shi came to invite him early this morning, but he wanted a merchant instead, which really surprised Ji Heng.

He recalled some of the other person's unconventional words and deeds, and at this moment he was actually quite tolerant:
"If you have any needs, you may ask the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers. There is no need to force yourself to seek them from below."

Qin Shi was also quite helpless. If she could rally the three dukes and nine ministers to work for her with a single order, then she would naturally not let the other party off the hook.

But why would a mere woman residing in Lanchi rely on the King of Qin for everything, showing such trust and admiration for him, and even calling upon the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers?

Searching from low places is not only convenient but also safe.

Moreover, most of the high-ranking officials and ministers today are of noble birth. When it comes to understanding the various strange people, strange things, and trivial matters of the common people, they may not be as knowledgeable as merchants.

After all, those business people who can succeed in today's environment are all truly capable.

She then replied, "Your Majesty works tirelessly day and night for the Qin Dynasty, and I imagine the same is true for the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers."

"How could I possibly delay Your Majesty and affect the common people of the world with such a trivial matter?"

"Therefore, if Your Majesty permits, please find more merchants for me."

Zhou Ju smiled slightly on the high steps—every time Qin Qing did something important that made the King's emotions unclear, his heart would leap to the edge of a cliff.

However, once the other party pleased the king with a few words, he revived that audacious idea.

Now, despite the constant back and forth, my resolve only grows stronger over time.

Ji Heng indeed thought about it briefly, and then readily agreed.

"Approved—Zhou Ju is to handle this matter. If you have any requests, you can discuss them with him."

Qin Shi was also filled with joy!
Even if the King of Qin had a thousand flaws, his high efficiency was truly worthy of praise.

Whenever you mention it, you immediately receive a response.

Even with arrangements in place, the people below dared not slack off in the slightest.

This is so awesome! The feeling of having no one holding me back, and having everyone fully support me the moment I give an order...

Qin Shi fell deeply in love.

Without further ado, she got up and took her leave.

"In that case, I will not delay Your Majesty's business any longer."

Seeing that Ji Heng's expression had also relaxed, she added with a smile:
"To express my gratitude for Your Majesty's deep kindness, I will go to the Ironworks today and do my best to bring you good news."

Ji Heng paused, his hand still holding the ink, before finally removing the mask that concealed his true feelings, revealing a hint of helplessness:

"There's no need to come tonight."

Qin Shi almost burst out laughing!

But the smile that had been playing on her lips quickly vanished, and she immediately curtsied.

"Okay, Your Majesty."

"Understood, Your Majesty."

After leaving Zhangtai Palace, they waited quietly for a while before Zhou Ju also came out with a smile on his face.

Qin Shi then asked, "Is Your Majesty angry?"

Zhou Ju smiled and said, "His Majesty has always been tolerant and fond of Qin Qing, how could he get angry so easily?"

Then, with a meaningful tone, he added, "If you, Qin Qing, find it inconvenient to order around the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers, try a little harder to please the King, and it won't be a problem anymore."

Qin Shi nodded in understanding: Yes, if we make the King of Qin happy, we can get what we want. There is no need to order around ministers who don't know their place.

Zhou Ju looked at her expression and felt helpless.

At this moment, I can't help but wonder: she is clearly at the age when she is young, beautiful and full of romantic thoughts, but when she meets the king, why does she never think about matters of love and romance?
Damn!

The Prefect is extremely worried.

Coming!

[Guanzi: Guan Zhong. The four classes of people—scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants—are the pillars of the state.]