Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 85, Section 84: Mandate of Heaven
Zhou Ju came to deliver the summons: "The King has ordered that Minister Qin be summoned to an audience."

Qin Shi slightly raised his head: The term "觐见" (jīnjiàn) is usually used when a subject is addressing his ruler.

Yesterday, Ji Heng was unusually tolerant and warm, but today he is a cold and indifferent ruler and his subjects, which shows that he is truly unhappy.

But fortune favors the bold!

She took a deep breath and then entered Zhangtai Palace.

The Zhangtai Palace was completely silent, the lingering heat of the mermaid oil that had been burning all night adding to the oppressive atmosphere that even ice couldn't dispel. The high officials and ministers had all withdrawn, and the sound of Qin Shi's footsteps slowly approached.

Ji Heng raised his head, looking at her with a cold expression:

What urgent matter do you have to discuss?

Qin Shi smiled slightly: "Your Majesty enjoys the world to the fullest, why are you not happy?"

Ji Heng snorted coldly: "A meteorite fell in Dongjun, bearing the inscription 'The King of Qin is dead and the land is divided.' Do you think I should be happy about that?"

Qin Shi remained calm: "They can't beat Your Majesty in a fight, and their civil administration is no match for Your Majesty's. They've tried to incite the people's hearts but have never succeeded. Besides resorting to these underhanded methods, those people have no other skills."

She said casually, "Your Majesty, it's nothing more than a cornered beast's struggle."

The problem is actually quite serious.

Because the Qin Dynasty unified the six kingdoms, the people of Qin did not receive the wealth and glory they had imagined. Now that there is no war, the social ladder for slaves and commoners is about to disappear...

Neither the interests of superiors nor subordinates were distributed.

Under such circumstances, the newly unified empire was teetering on the brink of collapse, a situation that Ji Heng must have felt all too clearly.

But when trying to cheer someone up, you can't keep stepping on their sore spots.

Therefore, she spoke as if it were no big deal, which made Ji Heng laugh in anger: "Could it be that I am making a mountain out of a molehill?"

Qin Shi smiled and said, "Your Majesty has achieved the feat of unifying the world for all time, so the essence of things you see is naturally far beyond that of ants and mayflies. Your Majesty's anger is not for marking words on a falling star, but for the will of the people and your ministers."

Ji Heng finally breathed a sigh of relief and then slowly leaned back in his chair.

He carelessly tossed the vermilion brush in his hand onto the table, the vermilion ink stains rolling down as if they were the innocent people who had died in this matter.

"Qin Qing truly understands my heart."

"If that's the case, what insightful opinion do you have?"

Qin Shi's gaze was fixed on the vermilion mark, and then he asked, "May I ask Your Majesty, how is the court currently handling this matter?"

Ji Heng slowly said, "The Grand Astrologer has pleaded guilty, and the Prefect of Dongjun has ordered his troops to conduct a thorough investigation. If no results are found within three days, the Prefect will be demoted for dereliction of duty, and within a five-mile radius of the fallen star, not a single person will be spared."

That's Dongjun.

In later generations, in Puyang, Henan, one could see a vast plain stretching out before them. This area, known as the Central Plains, was a crucial region for the struggle for power and also the granary of the nation!

The way of life on the plains is different from that in the mountains; people live in clusters, and a village may be concentrated in one place.

In this area, within a radius of five miles where the meteorite fell, how many families must have lived?
If a person serving as the governor of this granary in the land did not possess exceptional skills and loyalty, the King of Qin would never have appointed him to this position.

He mishandled the meteorite incident, but how difficult is it to cultivate talent now? How difficult is it for Ji Heng to trust someone?
Therefore, he was demoted far away...

As for the Grand Astrologer who failed to predict the meteorite's fall—at this time, their role far surpassed that of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau in later generations. They not only managed astronomy and the calendar, but also oversaw national sacrifices, court politics, and decision-making on major events.

The most important affairs of state are sacrifices and military affairs.

Qin Shi took a deep breath, then cupped his hands in greeting:

"Your Majesty, six states have rebelled and caused chaos in a certain region, which is why Heaven sent down a star as a warning. The death of the King of Qin and the division of the land foreshadows that once Your Majesty is gone, the world will be in turmoil and the people will suffer."

"As the monarch of all ages and the son of Heaven, Your Majesty should immediately send people to the site of the meteorite to gently comfort the affected people. Then, set up an altar at the meteorite site and order the Grand Astrologer to perform a sacrifice, with the Prefect and others kneeling in worship to ensure Your Majesty remembers Heaven's warning."

She raised her head, her words carrying a deeper meaning: "After the sacrifice is completed, a stone tablet will emerge from the earth, inscribed with—" Ji Heng had already slowly sat up straight.

Qin Shi spoke slowly and deliberately, each word distinct in his voice:

"If you receive orders from Heaven, you will live a long and prosperous life."

Ji Heng stood up instantly!

His tall figure stood on the steps, his face, half-lit and half-shadowed by the candlelight, pulsating with countless turbulent emotions.

Zhou Ju stood there, his face filled with shock. He didn't even bother to lower his head, revealing his emotions to everyone in a rare display.

After a long while, Ji Heng finally chuckled with a sigh, a hint of relief in his eyes as he looked at her.

"Qin Qing is truly talented, but he is a little too soft-hearted."

In today's world, where families and nations are interconnected, a soft heart will prevent one from achieving great things.

But coincidentally, this is also a very reassuring trait.

Dealing with evil people is extremely difficult, but dealing with good people is a million ways to control them.

Qin Shi didn't care, and just smiled as well, his mind and eyes full of the Qin King on the high platform: "In that case, will Your Majesty be pleased?"

How could Ji Heng not be overjoyed?!
The major issues that were troubling him were described in this way by Qin Shi, and the sentiment was completely different.

The remnants of the six kingdoms who wanted to restore their kingdoms were simply delusional.

And the Queen of Qin whom he hastily chose under the circumstances of time not waiting for anyone actually possessed such courage, insight, intelligence and wisdom!

Isn't this simply destiny?
Even if something unforeseen happens to him in the future, Qin Qing has no family, yet he is wise and capable of managing the court while waiting for the next emperor to come of age, which also puts him at ease!
The dragon-tiger seal—he wasn't wrong!

In a good mood, he recalled Qin Shijin's frequent inquiries about his clothes and appearance, so he continued to praise and compliment him: "Your appearance is beautiful, and you look especially refreshed today."

Qin Shi: ...

She only asked the question casually when thanking him for the reward, mainly to give him emotional feedback, and did not expect the king to bother with a perfunctory reply at such a time.

But since she had already been praised, she was also happy: "Thanks to Your Majesty's many rewards, I am glad to have Your Majesty's happiness today, and I have not failed Your Majesty's great kindness."

Zhou Ju slowly relaxed his tense body behind Ji Heng, and now looking at Qin Shi below the stage, his emotions became increasingly complicated.

He never expected that Qin Qing was truly so talented!
only……

On the higher platform, Ji Heng continued to ask, "Since we need to appease the people around the meteorite, should we also order scholars to spread the word throughout the world?"

"This is the king's benevolence; Confucian disciples should follow his lead."

Qin Shi decisively spoke up.

Even if you're not loyal, you should at least tone down your insults.

Ji Heng laughed again, then slowly sat down and asked once more, "After the sacrifice is completed, how will this stone tablet emerge?"

With his methods, there are naturally hundreds or thousands of ways.

You don't even need any special methods; just be simple and direct, have your own people surround the front, and get the job done.

The important thing is the inscription on the stone tablet. Most of the people in the world are foolish, so he only needs to control the mouthpiece.

But since Qin Shi had made this suggestion and possessed such great talent, he wanted to hear the other party's thoughts.

Qin Shi laughed and asked, "Is Your Majesty accustomed to the bean sprouts I presented today?"

How boundless is the power of life to burst forth and grow!
It's almost the end of the month, so let's ask for monthly tickets during the double reward period!