The leisurely life of the Qin people

Chapter 293 The Young Master and Li Si
The front hall of Linguang Palace used to house many rare treasures, some of which even Fusu himself did not know their purpose. Now, many of these treasures have been sent to the imperial mausoleum.

These treasures were obtained from the royal palaces of the six kingdoms, or were presented by various extraordinary people and individuals afterward.

Wang Yu stood in the front hall, holding a scroll in both hands and bowing.

Fusu stepped forward, took the dossier from his hand, and said, "More than three hundred people, thank you for your trouble."

Wang Yu said, "I originally intended to come to pay my respects two months ago, but I was delayed."

"I know this is a difficult task, with over three hundred students. I know it will be challenging, especially since you will have to select them one by one."

Wang Yu said, "I have another matter to report."

"You said."

"Master Han visited Guanzhong once."

Fusu looked at the roster and nodded, indicating that he should speak if he wanted to.

Speaking of Master Han, seeing that the emperor was only looking at the list and did not seem to want to ask any further questions, Wang Yu said, "I asked Master Han if he was going to rebel against Qin, but he did not answer. He said that he was going to return to Shu to teach."

Fusu turned the page and continued looking at the names on the roster.

Wang Yu then said, "I wanted to persuade Master Han, but he was determined to leave and has now returned to Jiangyuan County to teach."

After a moment of silence, Wang Yu could still smell the earthy scent of the palace as he breathed.

Fusu replied, "Yes, I understand."

Wang Yu bowed again and said, "I will also send a letter to persuade Master Han. There are several students in Tongguan who were taught by Master Han. I can send them to persuade him."

Fusu asked, "How many of his students are on this list?"

Wang Yu replied, "With more than ten people, Master Han's achievements are already quite significant."

"You can decide the rest yourself."

"I accept your order."

Fusu said, "You go and make arrangements for the students who will enter the Prime Minister's residence."

Wang Yu then said, "Your subject takes his leave."

At this moment, Ying Zheng and Li Si sat on Mount Li, listening to the various national policies recently implemented under the new emperor's leadership.

Li Si said, "I have some concerns."

Ying Zheng asked in a low voice, "What are you worried about?"

"I have heard that the officials have not had a day off for two years. I am worried that there will be a lot of complaints from the court and the people."

Ying Zheng frowned and said nothing more. He knew that Fusu enjoyed governing the country, but he did not expect that he would lead his ministers without rest for two years.

As night fell, Young Master Li returned to Mount Li. This time, he came to Xianyang to retrieve clothes for the summer, as his clothes from last year no longer fit.

I brought back new clothes for this summer, as well as a lot of food and utensils.

Li changed into a new outfit, a gray robe that looked simple but revealed exquisite needlework upon closer inspection.

Since their marriage, Prince Fusu and his wife have always lived a frugal life, so their two sons have also become accustomed to living a frugal life.

Ying Zheng looked at Li, whose still-childish face resembled Fusu's back then.

To this day, Ying Zheng still remembers that when Fusu was this age, he would often stand at a distance, gazing intently with curiosity and contemplation in his eyes. When Empress Dowager Huayang was still alive, Fusu was often by her side.

Empress Dowager Huayang was so ill that she could not walk and could only lie in bed. It was Fusu who helped her into a wheelchair and pushed the wheelchair so that Lady Huayang could relax in the palace.

Ying Zheng knew that Empress Dowager Huayang had long been tired of the palace scenery. She only knew that Fusu wanted to see the palace properly, so she let him push his wheelchair around.

Recalling those past events, Ying Zheng couldn't help but feel a little lost. Now that Empress Dowager Huayang was gone and Wang Jian had also passed away, it seemed that only Li Si by his side remained of his old friends.

Others either killed themselves or were already dead.

Seeing that his grandfather didn't speak, Li felt that he had done something wrong, so he didn't dare to say anything more.

Silence returned to the surroundings, and the loud croaking of frogs echoed from the fields below the mountain. Ying Zheng asked, "I have heard that your father has kept his ministers without rest for two years."

Li ate a slice of melon, chewing as he said, "Yes, there is widespread discontent throughout the court and among the people."

Li Si asked, "Did you see it with your own eyes, or did you hear about it?"

Li replied, "I heard about it."

"Are there any court officials who have now suspended court sessions?"

"That's not true."

Then Li Si said, “I believe that since it is just hearsay, it is not true. Back then, Prince Fusu treated Zhang Cang well, and Cheng Miao and the people in the Prime Minister’s office also did so. Now that I think about it, if the new emperor were to act improperly, some of the court officials would surely come to Lishan to report it. Now it is just rumors in the court and among the people. I believe that the officials have no complaints and are even still loyally and dutifully helping the new emperor to manage state affairs.”

Ying Zheng said in a low voice, "According to you, the fact that they did not take a break for two years was voluntary."

Li Si replied, "They certainly didn't do it voluntarily."

"Hehe..." Ying Zheng suddenly laughed.

Li Si added, "But because of their duty, they had no choice but to volunteer."

After listening, Li looked up at Li Si. This prime minister had given a very good argument, which not only left his grandfather speechless, but also made his grandfather happy to admit the facts and speak well of the court officials.

When Grandpa went back to rest, he saw the Prime Minister still standing on the stone steps. Seeing the Prime Minister's clothes fluttering in the wind and his snow-white beard and hair rising and falling with the wind, he stepped forward and said, "Prime Minister."

"I am old and have already retired to the new emperor. I am no longer the prime minister. Young master, there is no need for such formalities."

"Father did not appoint another prime minister. In Father's heart, the person who can sit in the position of prime minister must be the most capable. I think the reason why Father has not appointed another prime minister for so long is because no one can compare with Grandpa Li."

The phrase "Grandpa Li" made Li Si laugh, and he replied, "If your father thinks that way, how should I conduct myself in the future?"

Li said, "Grandpa asked me about the rumors circulating in the court and among the people. I was flustered and spoke without thinking. Thank you for your help, Grandpa Li."

Li Si continued, "Whatever the young master says is correct."

"When Li was a child, he often heard about the deeds of the prime minister."

“S’s past is not worth mentioning; it’s all unpleasant stuff.”

"But I think the Prime Minister's past is more exciting than the lives of the princes. When I was a child, I often heard my father tell me about a story. Back then, the Prime Minister was worried about the border. Whenever the Xiongnu invaded the border, they would be plundered. The Prime Minister sent more troops to the border and relocated people to guard the border."

"The purpose is to ensure the stability of the border. The army needs too much food. To solve the most important problem of food for the soldiers guarding the border, the only way is to let the food grow on the land of the border so that the soldiers can have enough to eat and not go hungry. Because of this, the Prime Minister was criticized by the Qi Lu Doctors back then."

Li then said, "Father often says that in the future, we should not only continue the process of the prime minister, but also implement it more strictly."

The young master's words brought a smile to Li Si's face. He was well aware of the new emperor's recent national policies. The policy of garrisoning and farming was an improved version of the policy of relocating people to guard the border. With the improvement of the national policy, the Qin army was stationed at the border to cultivate the land, and the grain could be grown on the border.

(End of this chapter)