Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 91, Section 90: A Spirit of Enterprise
This demand sounds too much like a delaying tactic.

But Ji Heng's cold expression had softened, and he slowly leaned back: "What Qin Qing has obtained is truly worth my waiting?"

Qin Shi solemnly said, "If you want to do your job well, you must first have the right tools."

“I know Your Majesty’s ambition to unify the world, which is also my wish.”

She finished speaking and then laughed again, saying in the most natural way:

"Now, even with the addition of the Baiyue, the territory of my Qin state is only a mere 45 million hectares."

Because the Xiongnu territory and the Baiyue region had not yet been conquered, the actual land area was less than 340 million square kilometers. At that time, the concept of a square kilometer did not exist, so the Qin dynasty deliberately converted it to approximately three million.

Compared to the 960 million figure from later generations, Qin Shi genuinely felt it was nothing.

Putting aside other factors, the Yuan Dynasty's largest territory was 1300 million square kilometers. If the four Khanates are included, it could even reach 3500 million square kilometers.

Tang, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties—which one didn't have many?
Let's not use too much, half of 650 should be fine, right?
If all else fails, 340 million will be enough, given the inconvenient transportation and the difficulty in implementing central government directives.

Today, it is undoubtedly a world-class power.

In short, Qin Shi's words were very earnest:
"Your Majesty, please take care of your health and avoid being hasty or impatient... In the future, the territory of our Great Qin will be worthy of Your Majesty's unparalleled achievements."

The Grand Astrologer Yuan Xin was truly about to collapse.

Be enterprising! Be enterprising!
Unexpectedly, it was the Queen who was even more ambitious!
Aren't these just delaying tactics? Is it really true?!

What kind of divine kingdom could possess such a vast territory? How could their Queen of Qin be like this?!

The Grand Historian was in anguish, with a thousand words on his mind, but before he could speak, Ji Heng glanced at him and he retreated in anguish.

That’s all!

He lived through three reigns, and he wasn't even buried with the previous king, all because he knelt down quickly and ran far away...

That's settled then!

……

After the Grand Astrologer left, Ji Heng asked again, "What size of ironworks does Minister Qin want?"

Qin Shi laughed. With no court officials present, her smile was especially radiant: "Your Majesty, you've had a busy day. Are you tired? Why don't you have some food first?"

Anyway, she's dying of thirst right now.

After talking so much, racking my brains, and being on tenterhooks, I feel empty inside and my mouth is dry.

Ji Heng sneered: "For these corrupt officials in the court, and the rebellion of the six states, I am already full of anger! What else is there to eat?"

People need food to survive.

He only scolded others, without taking his anger out on himself; he's already a good leader.

Qin Shi still spoke softly, "Your Majesty, I'm hungry."

"Moreover, with regular meals and a healthy diet, Your Majesty can live a long and healthy life!"

"If we consider a lifespan of one hundred years, Your Majesty still has sixty years to live as emperor. Now, let's slow down a bit, maintain a proper balance, and there's no need to rush."

These words, though simple, struck a chord with Ji Heng.

He even thought: Even if I fail to attain immortality, I can still live to seventy-five like my great-grandfather, which would still give me another thirty or forty years!
Even if we settle for less, only sixty years, there are still more than twenty years left.

In twenty years, we've conquered all six kingdoms several times. Are we still afraid of not being able to defeat the Xiongnu and Baiyue?!

Looking at Qin Shi again, his eyes were like water, and he was looking at him with a slightly pitiful expression.

After a pause, he instructed, "Bring in some tea and have the palace kitchen prepare some food."

Seeing the other party kneeling quietly below the steps, he thought to himself that his judgment was indeed unique, so Qin Qing's words of advice became even softer and more pleasant to hear!

Sweet words are not enough; I am not so shallow. I should be more cautious in the future.

But as thoughts raced through his mind, he said aloud, "Bring some more honey water to Qin Qing."

Zhou Juhuan happily agreed.

His stomach was empty, so he couldn't afford to marvel at Qin Qing's miraculous abilities any longer. The king was robust and had immense stamina; despite not having eaten or drunk anything, he still had the energy to slaughter countless enemies.

But his own group was in the same boat, having been busy running errands and relaying orders, and were already starving.

Now I finally have some free time to go and have a bite to eat.

Qin Shi looked up at Ji Heng and silently sensed something was different.

In the past, if he had said he was hungry, Ji Heng might have ordered food to be prepared, but he would never have gone so far as to order honey water. But now…

Was it because my words were particularly pleasing to the ear today, or did His Majesty already have a distinction in his heart between his subjects and his queen?

As a centralized ruler who was unwilling to even grant fiefdoms, everyone under his rule was, in fact, an enemy of his autocratic power.

The Queen was, and so was the Prime Minister.

But now, even just a change in concealing one's identity has resulted in different treatment in the details.

Oh.

Qin Shi smiled.

Although His Majesty is domineering and autocratic, he is likely a highly intelligent person who values ​​order and rules and has his own circle of protection for his rights!
He has the trust to temporarily delegate authority to anyone he assigns to his circle!
According to her observations, among all officials in the court, only General Yan had received this honor.

And now...

The maid carefully served the honey water, which Wu Zi took and handed over.

A slightly warm, sweet aroma, reminiscent of honey, lingered on the lips and teeth. Qin Shi speculated—

What I have gained today is certainly much more than what she just asked for.

However, highly perceptive individuals possess exceptionally keen and subtle observational skills. Taking advantage of the moment to drink water, Qin Shi calmed himself and quickly cleared his mind of the jumbled thoughts.

She knew nothing, yet she still relied entirely on the king!
Sure enough, after finishing a cup of honey water, Ji Heng hesitated briefly before quickly giving her what she wanted—

Although Qin Shi did not answer his earlier question about the scale of the Ironworks, it did not affect his arrangements.

"Your request has been granted."

"Only the official ironworks in Xianyang City are clearly divided into zones; there are no such large-scale and reputable craftsmen within the city itself. Therefore—"

"Someone is coming."

He ordered, "Grant Qin Qing permission to reside in the Xianyang Palace."

The Xianyang Palace complex is vast and is also located on the banks of the Wei River, but it is not in the same location as the Ironworks.

The nearest small palace is only a quarter of an hour away from the ironworks by fast horse, and a little over half an hour by carriage.

Although the location is small and remote, Qin Qing was able to stay at Lanchi and other places after finishing this matter, so it did not affect her.

He paused, remembering that it had only been a day since he had instructed the dragon-tiger seal to be made, and even if he went back overnight to make it, he probably wouldn't be able to finish carving it today.

Therefore, it was also said:
"I hereby bestow upon you a seal of authority, and all those working at the ironworks along the Wei River shall obey your secret commands."

His expression was stern, but his eyes held a hint of anticipation and fervor: "This matter concerns ironwork, and is of great importance. Only the ironworks in the Wei River area can operate in secret."

It connected to the Wei River, was closest to the Xianyang Palace, and was heavily guarded by soldiers on all sides. The residents of the ward were also subject to collective punishment; if one person broke the law, ten people would be executed.

Only in this way can we be absolutely certain of success.

He looked at Qin Shi and said seriously:

"With this seal, you shall obey any command."

"Anyone who disobeys will be executed immediately."

I fell asleep halfway through writing this afternoon, but got up and continued writing. The Zhao Tuo I mentioned yesterday—his grandson, Zhao Mei, the King of Nanyue—made himself a dragon-tiger seal, which was considered usurpation.

Because, apart from the empress of the Western Han Dynasty, this was reserved for the emperor's exclusive use.

*【1 square kilometer = 100 hectares = 15 qing. At this time, the Qin state had not yet expanded, and had not yet conquered the Baiyue and Xiongnu territories. Its actual land area was less than 300 million square kilometers, but for ease of calculation, we will use the round number.】

King Zhaoxiang of Qin, Ying Ji, was the longest-reigning emperor of the Qin state, reigning for 56 years and dying at the age of 75. He was the great-grandfather of Qin Shi Huang.