The leisurely life of the Qin people

Chapter 249 Returning to Xianyang

This is Chen Ping's fifth year living in the Northwest, and he has also lived in this small house at the foot of the snow-capped mountains for five years.

"Imperial Censor Chen, the General said that he needs to arrange many things in the Northwest before returning to Xianyang." After a pause, the clerk who had rushed over added, "The General also said that Imperial Censor Chen can return to Xianyang first."

"Load all the books in my house into the truck."

"Yes."

The books in the room represent Chen Ping's hard work over the past five years. In fact, there aren't many, only about ten volumes.

Of course, the most important effort was not written in books, but was in Chen Ping's heart.

General Zhang Han also had to return to Xianyang to report back, but as a general, he naturally had many things to explain before returning to Xianyang.

Chen Ping had no intention of seeing Lou Jing one last time before leaving, as he had already had a hangover with Lou Jing the night before.

After straightening his black official robes, Chen Ping decided to see Han Xin one last time before leaving the Hexi Corridor.

Chen Ping was very curious about Han Xin. This man, who had traveled from Helan Mountain to the Northwest and even pursued Modu Chan for two thousand miles, must have something else hidden in him.

Even more so, while others might perceive Han Xin as having a somewhat scholarly air, Chen Ping believed that Han Xin, serving as the Vice Minister of the Imperial Stud, would become a pivotal figure in the Hexi Corridor in the future.

In other words, at this time they did not realize how powerful Han Xin was. This Han Xin was in charge of the horse administration in the entire northwest, which meant he controlled the border army of the Qin Dynasty in the northwest.

However, Chen Ping also disliked Han Xin's low-key and unassuming manner; the man was simply too modest and honest.

That's right, he's an honest man. This is another assessment Chen Ping gave of Han Xin.

Chen Ping had a horse-drawn carriage driven by a troop of Qin soldiers, and arrived at a valley in the middle of the Hexi Corridor. There, at the foot of the snow-capped mountains, he met Han Xin, who was playing with a child.

Beside Han Xin were several Western Rong herdsmen and their children.

Chen Ping stepped forward with a smile, bowed, and said, "Captain Han."

Han Xin said, "Chen Ping, what brings you here?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Ping changed his words and said, "Now he is the Vice Minister of the Imperial Stud."

Han Xin placed his son in his wife's arms, then faced Chen Ping and bowed, saying, "I truly do not deserve the title of Grand Master of the Palace."

Chen Ping said, "But now that you have been appointed, you have responsibilities."

"I will definitely do my duty."

In the distance, herds of warhorses were leisurely grazing on grass still hidden under the snow. Chen Ping sighed, "Fighting must be exhausting."

Chen Ping is right. Besides being brutal, the most important thing about war is the exhaustion. You get so exhausted that you can't care about the brutality anymore. Han Xin nodded silently.

"I'm going to Xianyang. I don't know if I'll have the chance to come back. I have a small house at the foot of the snow mountain. Please take care of it."

Han Xin replied, "Okay."

Seeing his quick agreement, Chen Ping said, "There's something I've been keeping from you, and I'm going to tell you the truth now."

"what's up."

Speaking of this, Chen Ping frowned slightly. He said, "Actually, I didn't save that Xiongnu chieftain at all, nor was the Xiongnu chieftain bullied by the Yuezhi. In fact, the Yuezhi would run away whenever they saw the Xiongnu. They didn't dare to provoke the Xiongnu at all. I was just deceiving you."

Han Xin stood there, stunned, not yet having recovered his senses, when Chen Ping continued speaking.

“I did contact a Xiongnu tribal chief and promised him that as long as Modu died, he would be made the next Xiongnu Chanyu, but I had him killed yesterday.”

Han Xin swallowed hard.

“I, Chen Ping, will not allow an ambitious person to become the next Xiongnu king. Prince Fusu will not allow another figure like Modu to appear in the north. I used him, and I also killed him. I did not fulfill all my promises. I wrote all these things down in the document and sent it to Xianyang three days ago. The Prime Minister’s office replied. Prince Fusu did not blame me. Instead, he gave me the position of Imperial Censor.”

Han Xin's understanding of Chen Ping was refreshed once again; this man was wicked, and wicked in a frank way.

It seemed that Chen Ping didn't care at all how he viewed him; on the contrary, he even felt a sense of pride.

Han Xin was somewhat unwilling to listen to him, truly unsure which of his words were true and which were false.

Chen Ping has a pair of eyes that seem intent on harming people, making one wary of him... Han Xin thought to himself as he listened to Chen Ping continue his story.

Chen Ping then said, "On this trip to Xianyang, I will meet Prince Fusu. What kind of person is he in your heart?"

Han Xin said, "I have never even met you, young master."

Chen Ping sighed and raised his head, saying, "I have seen people look at me with disgust, and I have also seen people pity me. When I was in Sanchuan County, I was penniless. I thought I was talented, but I had seen too much of the coldness and warmth of the world. I once thought of making those who looked down on me regret it. I entered Guanzhong wanting a career in government, until I heard about the deeds of Prince Fusu."

At this point, Chen Ping looked at the snow-capped mountains and said, "I have seen more bad people than good people. Even after Qin unified the six kingdoms, many people still vowed to rebel against Qin. But even so, Prince Fusu still loved all the people of the world."

Han Xin ate the dried meat, pondering his words.

Chen Ping said in a low voice, "When I saw those teachers who went to teach in rural areas, even when faced with criticism from some people, they were still willing to continue teaching. Sometimes I wondered why so many people were willing to support Prince Fusu. Now I understand..."

Han Xin asked suspiciously, "What do you understand?"

Chen Ping took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, "Even though you know that this world is still in ruins, you still love it."

Han Xin didn't quite understand Chen Ping's words, so he asked, "Will you come back after you go to Xianyang?" Chen Ping stood up and said, "I will come back."

Afterwards, Chen Ping boarded a carriage bound for Xianyang.

Han Xin rose to see them off, and after their carriages had gone far away, he continued to look at the book in his hand, occasionally recalling Chen Ping's words.

Three days after Chen Ping left the Hexi Corridor, Han Xin was invited to the general's mansion by General Zhang Han. Inside the mansion, General Zhang Han gave him some instructions.

It seems the Grand General was about to return to Xianyang to report, and the affairs of the Hexi Corridor were entrusted to the Vice General She Jian, the Grand Master of the Palace Han Xin, the Commandant of the Guards Li You, and the County Magistrate Lou Jing.

The general was really going back to Xianyang, and Han Xin and the others saw him off outside Wuwei County.

In the winter of the thirty-ninth year of the First Emperor's reign, there was a heavy snowfall.

Upon learning that Chen Ping was returning, the elderly Zhang Fu personally came to Xianyang Bridge to welcome his son-in-law, Chen Ping.

The old man's shoulders and beard were still covered in snow. He leaned on his cane and saw the carriage in the distance. Then he leaned on his cane and went forward.

After the carriage stopped, Chen Ping quickly got off and went to help Zhang Fu.

Zhang Fu looked at Chen Ping and said, "You're back. It's good that you're back."

Chen Ping said, "Let's go to Xianyang first."

Zhang Fu nodded with emotion. He intended to drive the carriage for Chen Ping himself, but Chen Ping invited him into the carriage.

The Xianyang Bridge spans the West Wei River, and the banks of the river are especially lively, making it noticeably more bustling than ever before.

When people saw the Qin army escorting the carriages, they quickly made way for them.

Chen Ping had spent many years in the Hexi Corridor, mingling with the people of the Western Regions for a long time, and had accumulated some wealth. He first bought a house for Zhang Fu and his wife's family in Xianyang.

In front of his father-in-law, Chen Ping did not express his dissatisfaction with his wife. Firstly, he did not want to embarrass Zhang Fu, and secondly, even if Chen Ping was incompetent, he could not betray Zhang Fu's kindness in appreciating him.

After the family was settled, Chen Ping took his documents and went to the Prime Minister's residence.

This document contains his understanding of the Western Regions. Although it is only one volume, it is the culmination of his hard work.

Upon arriving at the palace gate, Chen Ping explained his purpose and was granted passage.

Led by a palace guard, Chen Ping walked through Xianyang Palace. Looking at the high palace walls, he felt increasingly uneasy and even panicked, unsure of what to do with his hands.

In his heart, Chen Ping repeatedly told himself that the only person who could allow him to realize his ambitions was Prince Fusu.

The closer one is to the Prime Minister's residence, the more officials come and go.

Finally, they arrived at the gate of the Prime Minister's residence. The guards first went to report before they were allowed to enter.

The process went smoothly, and Chen Ping followed into the Prime Minister's residence. At first glance, the place seemed bustling with activity; everyone was in a hurry, some were writing, and others were running and leaving quickly.

Seeing this scene, Chen Ping felt once again how insignificant he was in this place.

Led by the guards, Chen Ping arrived at the back of the Prime Minister's residence. The place was much quieter here. An old man was standing in front of a plum tree, and a man was reading a book.

And there was another old man dressed as a eunuch, smiling as he peeled walnuts.

The guard reported, "Young Master, Prime Minister, Imperial Censor Chen Ping has arrived."

Li Si raised his head slightly and saw the person bowing respectfully. He said, "Zhang Han has a good opinion of you. If he hadn't rewarded you back then, what would you have done?"

Chen Ping replied, "Prime Minister, even if I am not given any reward, I am still willing to serve Qin."

Li Si took a sip of tea and said, "The price of land in Xianyang is extremely high. You bought a house as soon as you arrived in Guanzhong. It seems that you are living a very wealthy life in the Hexi Corridor?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Ping felt a chill run down his spine and hurriedly replied, "I have already spent all my money bribing the Xiongnu, gathering information, and making dealings with the people of the Western Regions. My lord, Prime Minister... I built this residence to repay Zhang Fu's kindness back then. I have never dared to use a single penny of what I have gained in the Hexi Corridor for myself."

It's unclear whether Chen Ping acted this way out of quick wit or if this was his true intention.

These words are pleasant to hear.

Li Si had naturally seen all of Chen Ping's actions in the Hexi Corridor, and his behavior after entering Xianyang had already been reported to the Prime Minister's residence.

All these events have confirmed that Chen Ping used all his money to destroy the Xiongnu and to buy spies and information about the Western Regions.

This is indeed a talented person. Whether for public or private reasons, Li Si understands that this kind of person is determined to make a name for himself, but he finds it difficult to control him.

The fact that no evidence can be found against Chen Ping shows that he is a man of great foresight.

However, Li Si felt there was no need to worry about whether he could capture Chen Ping, as the man's wealth and glory depended entirely on a single word from Prince Fusu.

"Zhang Cang has been so busy reviewing tax accounts lately that he can't spare the time. I'll entrust the tax records of all the counties and prefectures in the Central Plains to you."

Chen Ping finally heard Prince Fusu's words, and he bowed and said, "Your subject obeys."

Fusu then said, "Starting tomorrow, we will hold court meetings every day at 7:00 AM before the winter solstice. Do not delay."

(End of this chapter)