The leisurely life of the Qin people

Chapter 163 Awakening
Zhang Cang felt he should have realized this from the beginning. Once this matter reached the Prime Minister's ears, it would definitely become a part of the Prime Minister's governance of the country and the completion of centralized rule.

Li Si was a political savvy man. Once the ideas of teaching in rural areas and taking exams reached the ears of the prime minister, they became another means for him to control the people of the country.

Zhang Cang stood before the Prime Minister with his head down, saying nothing.

He didn't dare to say much. The young master had only said a few words briefly, so how could he dare to make wild guesses? He would just tell the truth, and the young master wouldn't blame him.

Don't talk nonsense if you don't know, to avoid causing trouble.

Li Si frowned in thought.

Seeing that the Prime Minister remained silent for a long time, while the rain outside grew heavier, Zhang Cang said, "Prime Minister, Grand Commandant Wang has asked me..."

Li Si nodded, indicating that he could leave.

After bowing, Zhang Cang walked to the eaves of the main hall, picked up the umbrella in front of the house, and stepped into the rain.

When the people waiting outside the mansion saw Zhang Cang come out, they stepped forward and said, "This way, Prefect Zhang."

Wang Ben's residence was not far from the Prime Minister's residence, but Wang Ben usually kept a low profile, so his residence was not as spacious as the Prime Minister's residence, and appeared rather small.

Zhang Cang walked into the residence of Grand Commandant Wang with familiarity with the place.

In fact, back in Weibei, Wang Ben often visited Zhang Cang.

This time, Zhang Cang returned to Xianyang City, and naturally he wanted to visit Grand Commandant Wang.

"Hahaha!" Wang Ben laughed loudly when he saw Zhang Cang, "Prefect Zhang, you don't have to stand in the sun in Weibei anymore."

Zhang Cang laughed and said, "It's autumn now, so it's not so sunny anymore."

Wang Ben pulled him into the house and asked, "What does the Prime Minister want with you?"

Zhang Cang sat down and said, "It was when you saw me earlier, and the Prime Minister asked me a few more questions."

Wang Ben said, "The Prime Minister has sent Dong Yi to Shangjun."

Zhang Cang took a sip of tea but did not speak immediately.

Wang Ben added, “Wu Gong returned to Guanzhong because Prince Fusu hoped he would come back. The Prime Minister also sent Dong Yi to Shangjun, which inevitably shows his suspicion of Meng Tian.”

Zhang Cang continued drinking his tea.

Wang Ben added, "Prefect Zhang has made great contributions to the construction of the Bai Canal. In the future, the position of Junior Steward will most likely be yours."

Zhang Cang remained calm; what Grand Commandant Wang said was certainly a good thing.

Regardless of whether he becomes the Junior Minister of the Imperial Household Department or not, Zhang Cang only feels that he will be busier. He has no opinion on the position of the Nine Ministers. He is already overwhelmed by the pile of numerological problems left by the young master.

Wang Ben smiled broadly, took a sip of wine, and said, "I saw it long ago that Meng Tian and Li Si were not on good terms."

Zhang Cang nodded slightly, he thought so too, but he said in a low voice, "Actually, the Prime Minister is overthinking it."

Wang Ben said, "I think so too. The Meng family has been so loyal to Qin for three generations. How could Meng Tian betray Qin?"

Zhang Cang shook his head and said, "Grand Commandant Wang, don't forget that there is a general named Zhang Han in the Northwest."

"Zhang Han?"

Zhang Cang said, "That's right."

Wang Ben naturally knew Zhang Han. Back when Jingye County had not yet been built, he was the one who handed Zhang Han over to the prince, and that's how Zhang Han came to help the prince build Weinan.

However, Zhang Han did not seem to achieve anything significant in military affairs.

This cannot be entirely blamed on Zhang Han. Back then, Zhang Han missed the southern expedition and the northern expedition. Even when he went to the northwest, he only encountered a small group of Xiongnu people. Even when facing the Western Rong people, Zhang Han took over the Hexi Corridor without losing a single soldier.

Therefore, in Wang Ben's mind, Zhang Han should not be a general skilled in warfare.

Zhang Cang read Zhang Han's military insights written in Weinan and thought the man was quite good.

The next day, Fusu learned that Zhang Cang had met with Prime Minister Li Si and Grand Commandant Wang Ben overnight.

It was early morning, and the autumn rain had not yet stopped. Fusu, who was having breakfast, noticed that Granny Wang and his wife were talking in hushed tones. After saying a few more words, Granny Wang came over.

Every morning, Fusu would eat breakfast while reading, and his son would be scooping food into his mouth with a wooden spoon.

Even now, when this child eats, he still makes a mess of the table in front of him, as if his mouth is leaking.

Granny Wang saw through the young master's thoughts. She leaned on her cane and said, "Young master, children need to be taught slowly. He will get better in the future. In fact, the young master learns everything very quickly."

Fusu nodded, then looked at his wife who was still sitting in the backyard.

Granny Wang lowered her voice and said, "Young master, your wife is pregnant again."

Fusu put down his chopsticks and bowl.

Granny Wang said, "Young master and madam are still young. Now is the perfect time to have another child."

Fusu walked over to his wife and saw that she was still somewhat uneasy.

Fusu held her hand, but before he could speak, Wang Tang'er said, "This is a good thing. I like children."

Fusu gently patted the back of her hand, and the couple sat together in silence for a long while.

It wasn't until the appointed time was almost up that Fusu left Gaoquan Palace to attend today's court meeting at Zhangtai Palace.

At this moment, Zhangtai Palace was filled with court officials. When Fusu arrived, everyone who was supposed to be there was already there. The floor of Zhangtai Palace had been cleaned. Fusu noticed that Prime Minister Li Si looked a little haggard.

With a loud shout from the eunuch, the emperor entered the main hall, and today's court meeting began.

In fact, the court still calculated according to the old Qin laws and solar terms of previous years. Only the officials in various counties of Guanzhong would occasionally refer to the old and new solar terms when they were farming.

Fusu stepped forward to report on the distribution of salaries for officials at all levels this year.

National development requires taxes, and taxes are the foundation of a country. Therefore, in his repeated choices of presiding over national affairs, or in the process of relocating people, or even in land reclamation, Fusu would not easily exempt people from taxes in the current year.

Officials at all levels need salaries, and border troops need food; these are crucial for supporting national construction. Fusu was extremely annoyed by those who suggested exempting taxes.

If people think that simply exempting taxes can appease the public when disasters strike, it is an extremely irresponsible act. The country is far from being able to exempt taxes.

In the future, Fusu also did not feel that taxes should be exempted.

The beneficiaries of tax exemption are not necessarily ordinary people, but they are always the wealthy local families. History has repeatedly proven how failed this national policy was.

After reporting on this year's salary distribution, the Censorate will next report on this year's oversight.

Unsurprisingly, this year saw the most evidence against Wang Ben, including assault, running up debts, price gouging on alcohol, coercing officials to drink with him, and dereliction of duty.

During the emperor's autumn hunt, Wang Ben, who was guarding Xianyang, once again abandoned his post and went to Weibei several times to drink with Zhang Cang.

Ying Zheng looked at the assembled officials without uttering a word, his majestic face bearing a hint of anger.

Wang Ben drank too much again last night and didn't attend today's court meeting. What a coincidence...

Zhang Cang, however, was present. He stepped forward from the court and said, "I can testify that Grand Commandant Wang did indeed leave his post without permission to drink with me."

The entire court was in uproar. As expected, Zhang Cang betrayed Grand Commandant Wang without hesitation.

Fusu said, "Father, I am willing to go to the Grand Commandant's residence to persuade him."

Grand Commandant Wang was Prince Fusu's father-in-law, so it would be ideal for the prince to persuade the Grand Commandant to change his ways.

However, upon hearing this, Li Si objected. He stepped forward and said, "Let the people from the Grand Commandant's office go. I have important matters to discuss with you, my lord."

Finally, after discussion among the group, it was decided that the Minister of Justice, Feng Jie, would represent the emperor in reprimanding Wang Ben.

When the court meeting ended, Feng Jie left the main hall looking very unwell.

After everyone had left, only the First Emperor, Chancellor Li Si, Feng Quji, and Prince Fusu remained in the main hall.

After the court meeting concluded, it was lunchtime, and dishes and wine were served.

Ying Zheng said, "This autumn, I ordered a ban on killing deer, and now all these deer have remained at Mount Li."

Fusu said, “All living things have a place to live. Ever since Heng was born, he seems to have been close to deer. Even now, there are deer in the palace to watch over Heng. Your son thanks you, Father.”

There is a legend in Xianyang Palace that when Prince Fusu's wife was pregnant, those deer guarded Gaoquan Palace.

Legend has it that auspicious omens are sure to appear in the mountains where deer roam, and when the lady is pregnant, the deer in the palace seem to be guarding this auspicious omen.

When the food was served, everyone ate quietly.

It wasn't until Li Si spoke that he said, "Yesterday I met Zhang Cang and heard you, my lord, talk to him about the examination."

Feng Quji, who was chewing on mutton, looked at the young master.

"What exam?"

Fusu rose and said, "Your Majesty desires that all students in the country who have received education in rural areas be able to take exams."

Ying Zheng took a sip of wine, his brows furrowed as if he were deep in thought.

Tian An sat outside the hall and could vaguely hear the conversation inside. In fact, the young master had learned last night that the prime minister's men had taken Zhang Cang away.

After Zhang Cang meets with the Prime Minister, he will surely tell the truth.

The young master never intended to hide anything, and it would be even better if the prime minister could help him.

Tian An gazed at the sky where the autumn rain was still falling. He smiled and let out a long breath. In fact, very few Qin kings throughout history succeeded to the throne as the eldest son of the legitimate wife. This included Duke Xiao of Qin, or the Qin kings of the following generations. Which one of them who became Qin king did not rely on power to ascend to the throne? The offspring of the Qin kings throughout history were never good people. Qin was a land of tigers and wolves after all... The environment in which the Qin kings grew up was not smooth sailing either, including the current emperor.

After the bloodline of the Chu people entered the Qin court, and probably after the reign of Empress Dowager Xuan, the power struggles within the Qin court became increasingly brutal, with each change of the throne accompanied by a large number of deaths.

Therefore, Prince Fusu knew that some things had to be fought for. One cannot wait for rewards and do nothing. In fact, he understood best that only what he had in his own hands truly belonged to him.

Therefore, the conversation in the hall now is exactly what the young master has been hoping for. The young master wants power, and he is willing to do anything to become the next Qin emperor through power.

The young master is a kind person who loves all people, but he also knows the cruelty of power and how to do what he wants in the Qin court. He is too clear-headed.

(End of this chapter)