People in the Qin Dynasty sought good fortune and avoided misfortune.

Chapter 284, Desiring to Prescribe a Powerful Remedy for the World!
"Therefore I chose the State of Qin, and I chose Your Majesty. The rulers of the other six states were incompetent and lacked ambition. Powerful ministers held sway, and their countries were in decline. Only the State of Qin remained steadfast in its ambition to expand eastward and unify the world. That is why I chose the State of Qin."

Xu Qing took two steps closer to Ying Zheng, and seeing the somewhat confused look in his eyes, he felt a surge of anger for some reason. His gaze sharpened, becoming like a sword, and he spoke in a firm and resolute voice.

“I once discussed medicine with my teacher, and he asked me what I considered medicine. I said there are three kinds of medicine, and there are also three kinds of medicine!”

"The way of the sacred medicine lies in its unblocking. It takes the four seas as its meridians and the five sacred mountains as its channels; it regulates with yin and yang, and discusses the ascending and descending; it opens up the exterior and interior, and sustains with qi and blood."

"This medicine is not made of metal, stone, or plant; rather, it is the pivot of the flow of life. When used, the meridians flow like rivers without hindrance, and the qi and blood spread like clouds and rain throughout the four directions. Even the most stubborn and chronic diseases will be cleared away by this medicine, and the whole body will return to its proper order, just as when the emperor holds court, the whole world submits to him."

"The key to good medicine lies in its formulation. The principal herb is the sharp edge, the assistant herb is the hilt, the adjuvant herb is the spine, the guiding herb is the twig, and the herb that aligns with the meridian is the flank."

"This medicine can relieve obstruction as if avenging an enemy, and cleanse stagnation as if the world were clear. When used, pathogenic factors will be dispersed like a defeated army, and righteous qi will be restored as if spring were in full bloom. The internal organs will be at peace, and the limbs will be nourished, just as a prince holding a ceremonial staff brings peace to the land."

"The key to medicinal herbs lies in their ability to cut and prune. For headaches, use Notopterygium root as a blade; for swollen feet, use Alisma rhizome as an arrowhead; for fever, add gypsum to cool and suppress it; for cold, use Aconitum root to attack it with fire."

"This medicine is only effective for a short time, providing temporary relief and quick results. It does not address the root cause or the critical points of health. Although it can temporarily stop groans, it actually severs the flow of qi and blood and damages the foundation. Using it is like a commoner engaging in a violent fight in the marketplace. Although blood may be spilled five steps away, it is not a long-term solution to save lives and the world. Instead, it causes disharmony in the internal organs and depletes vital energy."

"Therefore, I wish to prescribe a potent medicine for the world, using a sacred medicine as its foundation, to quell the chaos and bring peace to the hearts of the people."

"And the Qin state is the main ingredient in this potent medicine, while the King of Qin is the catalyst!"

Upon hearing Xu Qing's words, Ying Zheng's heart began to pound. Xu Qing's lofty ambitions stirred his blood, but the cold reality brought him back to his senses.

"Then why did you choose me, sir? Although I am the King of Qin, I am only twenty-one years old, but I have not yet come of age. Although I rule in person, I have no real power."

Ying Zheng chuckled self-deprecatingly, a look of confusion and desolation flashing in his eyes.

Sometimes he felt that he, the King of Qin, was a joke, even inferior to the incompetent and powerless rulers of the six states east of the Yellow River.

Although the rulers of the six kingdoms were effectively sidelined, they were still able to exercise royal power within the palace. But what about him?
Even within the Qin King's palace, his mother's orders could suppress the Qin King's edicts at any time.

In the imperial court, Lü Buwei, the regent, controlled the government, his mother controlled the harem, and there was also the recently emerged Lao Ai.

Under pressure from Lü Buwei and his mother, he was forced to appoint a eunuch with no military merit as a marquis, for which he felt ashamed.

He was just a puppet, controlled at every turn, let alone able to show his true abilities.

Gai Nie was the only person around him. Other famous scholars, once they came to Qin, would immediately seek refuge with Lü Buwei.

So he didn't know why Xu Qing chose him, or why she dared to choose him.
"Because Qin is still Qin of the old Qin people, and the King is still the King of Qin, a King of Qin who is in his prime, ambitious, and whose will is unyielding!" Xu Qing said in a deep voice.

The evaluation of Ying Zheng by later generations is somewhat complicated, especially his actions after unifying the world, but his abilities should not be underestimated because of this.

Although it benefited from the legacy of previous rulers and the opportune timing of the chaos in various states, the Qin state was able to unify the world.

However, Ying Zheng's own abilities were also extremely formidable. It can be said that his existence cleared the final obstacle for the Qin state to unify the world.

While the Qin state is indeed powerful, its internal turmoil surpasses that of the other six states, with infighting among figures such as Lü Buwei, Zhao Ji, Lao Ai, relatives of the Han, Zhao, and Chu states, members of the royal family, and scholars from the other six states.
It can be said that the Qin state at present is a hodgepodge, and if it is not careful, the Qin war chariot will be destroyed and people will die.

But Ying Zheng stabilized the situation, and not only stabilized it, he also suppressed them all.

Later, he unified the six kingdoms and ruled the world. Anyone without some ability or poor judgment could not have reached this point, not to mention the many powerful ministers and generals within the Qin state.

The relationship between ruler and minister is one of mutual support. Without a competent ruler, ministers will turn against you, especially the more capable civil and military officials.

As Ying Zheng listened to Xu Qing's resolute words, the confusion in his eyes gradually disappeared, because Xu Qing's words had awakened him.

He was still young, he was still the King of Qin, and his mother and Lü Buwei could keep him from coming of age for two years, but they could not keep him from coming of age until he was twenty-three.

The Qin state was ultimately the Qin state of the old Qin people, the Qin state of the Ying clan.

"Thank you for enlightening me, sir. I am willing to be the catalyst for this potent medicine, and I am also willing to make the Qin state the main medicine, to work with you to quell the chaos and save the world."

Ying Zheng rose and bowed respectfully to Xu Qing. A gentle breeze blew, causing his cloak to billow behind him, making him appear even more spirited.

"Let us strive together, and let us not fail each other as ruler and subject." Xu Qing smiled slightly and returned the greeting to Ying Zheng.

Having passed Ying Zheng's test, Xu Qing was somewhat dazed as he recalled what he had just said. What he had said was not what he originally intended to say.

"Could it be that I also harbor the thought of bringing peace to the world and saving the common people?" Xu Qing wondered to himself.

Perhaps he didn't know why he suddenly brought the topic to such a high level, but after saying it, he felt much lighter, as if he had poured out everything that had been stuck in his heart.

"I have benefited greatly from this visit to see you, sir. This trip has been worthwhile," Ying Zheng said with emotion.

He risked coming to South Korea for the sake of Xu Qing and Han Fei, but compared to Han Fei, he didn't have high expectations for Xu Qing.

After all, Xu Qing only had a reputation; he had no idea how much real talent and learning he possessed. Han Fei, on the other hand, was different; the latter had written books and established doctrines, and Han Fei's Legalist ideas had greatly benefited him.

But his opinion of Xu Qing has changed. Although it was just a simple conversation, Xu Qing's speech was extraordinary, especially his talk about medicine, which contained profound insights into the way of governing a country.

It further clarified his inner thoughts and strengthened his resolve to achieve his goals.

With such a wise and capable advisor as his assistant, he believed he could definitely become the medicinal ingredient that Xu Qing spoke of.

"Speaking of coming to Korea, Your Majesty should know that this trip is dangerous, right?" Xu Qing asked with a hint of doubt, as if he had thought of something.

He was actually quite curious about this question; in the original story, Ying Zheng came for Han Fei.

But even though Han Fei was talented, could he really persuade Ying Zheng to disregard his own safety and the Qin state, and come to the Han state alone with Gai Nie?

Upon hearing Xu Qing mention this matter, Ying Zheng became somewhat embarrassed and sighed softly.

"I'm not afraid to admit it, but I came to Korea because I felt a bit inferior. I felt too repressed back home, so I thought I'd come out and relax."

"However, after meeting you, I felt enlightened and all my depression vanished."

(End of this chapter)