Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 86, Section 85: The Nobleman Qin Jun
Qin Shi's sudden mention of bean sprouts puzzled Ji Heng.

In his midday rage, he hadn't even tasted a bite of food, let alone bean sprouts. Now he asked, "What do you mean?"

Qin Shi didn't keep anyone in suspense: "Your Majesty, I once visited the Imperial Household Department and learned a great deal there. I learned that most people are now living in poverty, and they have to cherish even a single earthenware bowl in their daily lives."

"Therefore, menders emerged among the common people."

Such craftsmen will become pot menders, porcelain repairmen, and other similar artisans in the future... and eventually, with the development of the times, they will be gradually submerged in time along with thousands of years of history.

Nowadays, the craftsmanship of mending metal is relatively simple, but the craftsman has learned to use tools. One of the most important tools is soybeans.

This knowledge was truly beyond Ji Heng's comprehension, after all, he probably had never seen a repaired pottery in his life.

Although it was a minor path, Qin Qing always paid special attention to minor paths, so he was quite patient at this moment and listened quietly.

Qin did not yet have porcelain, so pottery was the most commonly used material throughout the country.

Pottery and porcelain share some characteristics: once there is an internal crack, it is not visible from the outside, but water will continue to seep in, and the pottery will no longer retain its integrity.

And later on, it will break into pieces if you exert even a little force.

Given the extremely limited resources available to ordinary people, the art of mending metal was a product of that era.

Qin Shi explained, "If a pottery jar is leaking water, but no matter how you look at it, you can't figure out what's wrong, ordinary people wouldn't be willing to throw it away."

"Therefore, a mender would be called to come to the house. The mender would fill the earthenware pot with soybeans and then add water. After sitting overnight, the soybeans would swell, and the combined force of thousands of soybeans would press in all directions, causing the earthenware pot to crack open from the hidden cracks."

"Then, the mender will begin the repairs."

There are many ways to repair it, so this doesn't really test Ji Heng's patience.

Qin Shi simply smiled and asked, "Your Majesty, if beans have such powerful properties just from being soaked, what if they sprout again?"

But Ji Heng already understood.

Although he had never met a mender, he knew how hard farming was.

The seeds, scattered on the ground, sprout tender shoots that would break at the slightest touch of a finger can still emerge from the soil.

With thousands upon thousands of such tender shoots working together, how can we worry that the stone tablet cannot rise from the soil?

Even if it can't be done, he can still send some people to loosen and cover up the top layer of soil, and it will still be able to be lifted up.

However, the palace staff still need to carefully examine the actual effects to ensure that nothing goes wrong.

But that doesn't matter, because setting up an altar at the meteorite's location can buy us a few more days.

Having figured all this out, Ji Heng finally felt completely at ease.

His tense shoulders slumped back, and without turning his head, he stared intently at Qin Shi, saying, "Zhou Ju, do you understand?"

Zhou Ju immediately bowed: "Your subject is aware."

He shrewdly said, "I will go and find the Grand Historian and send a letter to Xin Wan, the Prefect of Dongjun and the Minister of Justice. Your Majesty will need to issue an edict to change the previous order."

Ji Heng nodded: "Summon Imperial Censor Wang Xueyuan and Court Minister Xin Wan to an audience."

He didn't mention asking Qin Shi to step down, and since Qin Shi wanted to fight for his rights, he naturally wouldn't take the initiative to leave. Instead, he happily said:

"Does Your Majesty deem me worthy to stay? Do you believe I am capable of discussing politics with you?"

Ji Heng glanced at her: "I have never forbidden you from participating in politics—in the Qin court, as long as you have the ability, you are entitled to any official position and reward." If only he had said that earlier!
But now that his identity and stance were set, Qin Shi did not feel discouraged. He simply bowed in thanks and then quietly stepped aside.

……

Although the three dukes and nine ministers had stepped down, they did not leave Zhangtai Palace.

After all, such a major event has occurred, and the king is silently furious in the palace. If they were to withdraw early, wouldn't they be living a life that is too long?

Therefore, when the eunuch came to report that it was a noblewoman from Lanchi Palace who had coaxed the king with just a few words, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

After relaxing, one's mind and eyes are filled with curiosity and gossip:
Just what kind of abilities does this noble lady from Lanchi Palace possess?
Among these people, the only prime minister, Wang Fu, who had contact with Qin Shi, was secretly regretting his actions.

He had personally tested the medicine for the king when he donated it, and although he was rewarded, he had been busy with state affairs lately and had forgotten about this important person!
Oh!

Now that the other party has such talent, how wonderful it would be if I could recommend him to the imperial court!

Now that a cunning fox like Zhou Ju, the Prefect of the Imperial Carriage Office, exists, he probably won't have another chance to recommend someone.

Wang Xueyuan, the Imperial Censor standing to the side, was also filled with apprehension.

The secret that the king wanted to establish a queen was hidden in his heart, something he longed to reveal at any moment. He tossed and turned for several hours last night, and felt weak and groggy when he woke up this morning.

And then this major event happened...

And this noble lady must indeed be the future Queen of Qin that the King spoke of.

I wonder... what kind of person he is?
The officials returned to Zhangtai Palace with mixed feelings of relief and unease.

The main hall was no different from before, except that a table had been added below the high steps, where the three dukes and nine ministers would be.

There was a noble lady kneeling there, wearing a golden crown on her head, with an upright back and a composed demeanor.

When she heard the voice, she looked over and saw a beautiful face that was round, full, and radiant with vitality!
The ministers remained silent, but Qin Shi was actually quite nervous.

This was her first time experiencing such a large scene, and her palms were already sweating.

However, he couldn't show any weakness in front of everyone, so he acted even more composed and dignified. After noticing the scrutinizing gazes of the crowd, he smiled and nodded slightly.

Such behavior is somewhat rude.

But the other side was sitting opposite the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers, so what could the rest of them, as subjects, say?
I only hope that I can keep my life here with Your Majesty today. What does it matter if I am a noble person or not? A good noble person is one who can save my life!
Seeing the King of Qin pick up a scroll of memorial once more, everyone on their seats tensed up, waiting for the next cry of royal wrath before scrambling out to confess their sins...

Everyone was on high alert.

To everyone's surprise, Ji Heng calmly unfolded the memorial in his hand, quickly read through its contents, and then continued to discuss this important matter of the country with the prime minister.

There was not a single word he said about the inscription on the meteorite, and his emotions even became calm, which seemed somewhat beautiful.

Everyone:...

For some reason, I found it hard to believe.

But looking at the King of Qin again, his brows were slightly furrowed, clearly indicating his dissatisfaction with the contents of the memorial, but this displeasure was completely different from before.

Everyone's attention naturally turned to Qin Shi again.

No wonder the King granted him residence at Lanchi—he quelled the King of Qin's anger with just a few words, and also solved this thorny problem with just a few words!

You truly deserve the title of esteemed Lord Qin!
Here it comes! Still asking for monthly votes!