Qin Shi: I only work eight hours

Chapter 127 Is a prefecture-county system inferior to a feudal system?

"I have important matters to report to the Empress Dowager!"

Xu Lin shook his head, then said seriously.

Seeing Xu Lin's serious expression, Zhao Ji frowned slightly, then suppressed her smile and dismissed those around her.

"What happened?"

After the maids had gone far away, Zhao Ji blinked her phoenix eyes and asked.

"Some time ago, Lord Changwen and Mi Ling arranged for Chunyu Yue, a scholar from the State of Qi, to become the tutor of the eldest son, Fusu."

"I have just received news that Chunyu Yue is advising Fusu that granting fiefdoms is better than granting prefectures and counties."

"..."

Xu Lin said in a deep voice.

"What do you require of me?"

After listening, Zhao Ji asked.

"Your Majesty can do this first, then this, and then..."

Xu Lin stepped forward, leaned close to Zhao Ji's ear, and whispered his suggestion.

"it is good!"

Zhao Ji readily agreed.

Then they took a car to Mi Yu's residence.

Xu Lin did not go with Zhao Ji; it was not appropriate for him to be involved in this matter.

……

After half a stick of incense.

Zhao Ji arrived at Mi Yu's residence.

Mi Yu was sitting at the dressing table, picking out rouge and face powder.

Upon learning that Zhao Ji had arrived, Mi Yu immediately put down her rouge box and went out to greet her personally.

"Your Majesty, I have come to pay my respects!"

Mi Yu faced Zhao Ji and bowed.

"No gift."

Zhao Ji waved her sleeve.

"I wonder what brings the Empress Dowager here so suddenly?"

Mi Yu rolled up her sleeves and personally poured Zhao Ji a bowl of hot tea.

Although she disliked Zhao Ji, Zhao Ji was Ying Zheng's birth mother, so how could she dare to offend her?
"Can't I come if there's nothing wrong?"

Zhao Ji's voice was cold and clear.

She was a completely different person at this moment compared to when she was in front of Xu Lin!

"of course can."

"Your Majesty, I have misspoke. I hope you will not be angry."

Mi Yu hurriedly said.

Where is Fusu?

Zhao Ji looked around and asked without a smile.

She couldn't be bothered to waste words with Mi Yu.

"Fusu is in the study in the backyard. If Mother misses him, I will..."

Mi Yu feigned respect.

Before she could finish her words, she was interrupted by Zhao Ji.

"I will go to him myself."

"You stay here."

Zhao Ji said.

After speaking, she walked gracefully to the backyard.

Fusu was reading a book in his study at that moment, and he was engrossed in it.

Although he is not yet five years old, he loves reading.

"grandmother?"

"Grandson greets grandmother!"

Fusu looked in the direction of the sound and saw Zhao Ji dressed in a phoenix skirt. He then bowed respectfully.

Although he is not yet five years old, his voice is not very childish; it sounds like that of a child around ten years old!

"Get up quickly."

"You are my grandson, there is no need for such a grand ceremony!"

Zhao Ji waved her hand.

Then he dismissed the people around him.

After the maids had gone far away, Zhao Ji began to ask Fusu what Chunyu Yue had been teaching him recently.

After confirming with Fusu that Chunyu Yue had taught that the enfeoffment system was better than the prefecture-county system, Zhao Ji's phoenix eyes were filled with anger.

Then he fixed his gaze on the bamboo slips that Fusu had just been looking at.

"Do you think the feudal system or the prefecture-county system was better?"

Zhao Ji picked up the bamboo slips and asked questions as she read them.

The content on the bamboo slips has nothing to do with the feudal system or the prefecture-county system; it is about governing the country.

"I don't know."

“My grandson always thought the prefecture-county system was better, but a few hours ago his teacher said the feudal system was better.”

"My grandson feels that what the teacher said makes sense."

Fusu told her the truth. Zhao Ji breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this, and then took Fusu to Zhangtai Palace.

Fortunately, this matter was discovered early. If it had been discovered a few years later, Fusu would have been corrupted by that scoundrel Chunyu Yue!

……

After a stick of incense.

Zhao Ji arrived at Zhangtai Palace.

Upon learning of Zhao Ji's arrival, Ying Zheng immediately put down his brush and memorials and went out to greet her personally.

"Mother."

"How did you come?"

Ying Zheng asked in confusion.

"Since you ascended the throne, you've been so busy with state affairs that you haven't had time to visit me. And you won't even let me visit you?"

Zhao Ji complained.

If it weren't for Xu Lin, her 'best friend,' who kept her all alone in Ganquan Palace until last year, she would have died of loneliness!
"That's not what I meant."

"Please sit down, Your Majesty!"

Ying Zheng immediately denied it and invited Zhao Ji to take the seat of honor.

Then he dismissed his attendants and personally poured Zhao Ji a cup of fruit wine.

He knew that Zhao Ji liked fruit wine.

"A few months ago, Mr. Xu suggested that he tell Shandong Liuguo about the method of extracting artemisinin."

"Not many people know about this, so why did it spread so quickly?"

"I've heard that someone is using this to flatter Mr. Xu and ruin him?"

Zhao Ji knelt before the table, glanced at the memorial that Ying Zheng was halfway through reviewing, and asked.

"Seems to be."

"I heard about this from Zhang Han, the leader of the Shadow Guard, a few days ago. He is currently having Shadow Guard assassins thoroughly investigate this matter."

"Once we find the mastermind, I will not let them off easily!"

Ying Zheng was taken aback upon hearing this, and then replied.

Zhao Ji rarely left Ganquan Palace, so how did this matter reach her ears?
"I have come today for another matter."

"This matter is related to the eldest son of the Great Qin!"

Zhao Ji said coldly.

After saying this, she beckoned to Fusu, signaling him to come closer.

Fusu ran to the table and told Ying Zheng about Chunyu Yue's advice that granting fiefdoms was better than granting prefectures and counties.

"when did it happen?"

Ying Zheng was furious upon hearing this.

Ten years ago, the Qin Dynasty, with its prefecture-county system, destroyed the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, which had a feudal system. Now, Chunyu Yue is advising Fusu that the feudal system is better than the prefecture-county system. What is he trying to do?
"A few... a few hours ago."

Seeing Ying Zheng's furious expression, Fusu felt frightened, took two steps back, and answered in a low voice.

"Fusu."

"You go back first."

Seeing this, Zhao Ji spoke up.

Fusu nodded, bowed to Zhao Ji and Ying Zheng, and left Zhangtai Palace.

"Zheng'er."

"I have heard that this Chunyu Yue was recommended by Lord Changwen and Mi Ling."

"It seems that the matter of praising Mr. Xu to the point of ruin also involves these two people."

"What do you plan to do with them?"

After Fusu had walked away, Zhao Ji asked calmly.

Her hair was adorned with a gilded gold hairpin, and her phoenix skirt was embroidered with intricate patterns. She looked elegant and noble, completely different from how she looked a year ago!
"I will deal with them according to the law!"

Ying Zheng answered without hesitation.

"As a member of the harem, I should not speak too much."

"But as the Empress Dowager, I have no choice but to speak out."

Zhao Ji said coldly.

Changwenjun and Miling are dealing with her 'best friend' Xu Lin and her grandson Fusu, respectively. How could she sit idly by?
"Please speak, Your Majesty!"

Ying Zheng said.

"I believe that in times of chaos, severe punishments should be used."

"Moreover, this is not Mi Ling's first offense."

"Furthermore, both of them are from Chu, and our Great Qin will one day destroy Chu!"

Zhao Ji reminded her expressionlessly.

"I will remember this!"

Ying Zheng was startled upon hearing this, but immediately nodded.

This was the first time Zhao Ji had intervened in politics since he ascended the throne; she had previously shown no interest in such matters.

In Ying Zheng's view, this was not a bad thing, but a good thing!

If Zhao Ji continues as before, she will definitely seek out male lovers like Empress Dowager Xuan. If she becomes pregnant as a result a few years later, it will be very troublesome!

It's easier to handle if you have a daughter, but what if you have a son?
Paying more attention to politics and considering the interests of the Qin Dynasty will make Zhao Ji less bored!

Seeing that Ying Zheng was very obedient, Zhao Ji's phoenix eyes flashed with satisfaction before she left Zhangtai Palace.

After Zhao Ji disappeared from sight, Ying Zheng immediately ordered Zhao Gao to thoroughly investigate the matter.

(End of this chapter)