Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

Xianyang Zhangtai Palace —

Ying Zheng was alone in a side hall of Zhangtai Palace, reading with great interest the bamboo slips submitted from various places.

The above details the significant improvement in winter plowing efficiency brought about by the new "curved plow" after its pilot promotion in several counties.

A series of strikingly contrasting data points leap off the page: deeper cultivation, time savings, and projected spring planting gains... all far surpass the old equipment.

Looking at these solid results, Ying Zheng couldn't help but smile slightly, his eyes revealing deep satisfaction and joy.

Zhou Aiqing is indeed a man with the Midas touch, capable of turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. Such a man is already sincerely convinced and willing to serve me and the Great Qin.

How fortunate I am to have such a national hero!

Overwhelmed with pride and joy, I was about to pick up my pen when I resolved to further expand the reach of the curved-shaft plow…

"To Your Majesty."

A voice rang out at the palace gate, not loud, but enough to cut off his soaring thoughts.

Ying Zheng looked up and saw Zhao Gao bowing his head, his posture as humble and submissive as ever, but there seemed to be an urgency in his lowered eyes.

He was in a good mood, and although his reverie had been interrupted, he didn't get angry. He said calmly, "Speak."

"The Imperial Physician was just urgently summoned to the residence of Prefect Zhou."

Ying Zheng: "!!!"

Didn't someone send you a fur coat? How come you're still sick?!

His hand holding the pen paused, and his gaze suddenly sharpened: "When did this happen?"

"Just moments ago." Zhao Gao spoke quickly, but still clearly and logically.

"Upon learning of this, I feared it would delay the treatment, so I took it upon myself to order Physician Lü to go immediately without delay. At this moment... Physician Lü must have already arrived at the Zhou residence, without having informed Your Majesty first. I beg Your Majesty to punish me for making this decision on my own." As he spoke, his posture became even more humble.

Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng's stern expression softened slightly, and he casually put down his pen: "I forgive you, but matters concerning the safety of Minister Zhou must be reported to me immediately, without fail."

"I will remember this, and thank Your Majesty for your leniency." Zhao Gao then straightened up slightly, and a shrewd glint flashed across his lowered eyes.

It seems I guessed right. I should have reported it immediately. The King's regard for Zhou Wenqing is truly extraordinary. If I had delayed, I would have been punished.

His mind raced, but his expression grew even more respectful, as if he were genuinely concerned for Zhou Wenqing, and he added his suggestion:

"Your Majesty, Zhou, the Minister of State, has been working tirelessly for the country and has fallen slightly unwell, which is truly worrying. Should we... allocate some more top-quality medicinal herbs from the Imperial Treasury and send them to Zhou's residence to help him recuperate?"

Without the slightest hesitation, Ying Zheng abruptly rose from his throne, and as he walked around the desk to the outside, he rapidly issued his orders:

"Granted. Immediately open the Imperial Pharmacy and order the Imperial Physicians, who are proficient in the properties of medicinal herbs, to accompany the selection. Any herbs that are suitable for the symptoms or beneficial for recuperation may be taken freely, without regard to quantity. Also—"

He continued walking without stopping, his voice resolute: "Prepare the carriage, prepare the carriage at the Zhou residence, I wish to visit in person."

Zhao Gao was slightly startled.

He anticipated that the king would take it seriously, but he did not expect that the king would personally visit him before the affairs of state were finished.

This favor... is truly beyond expectations.

He quickly caught up, reminding him with concern, "Your Majesty, it's cold and windy outside, and a rain shower is about to start. Perhaps you should put on a fur coat...?"

Ying Zheng did not stop walking. He simply waved his hand, and a close attendant eunuch quickly stepped forward to serve him, carrying a black fur coat.

Zhao Gao rolled his eyes slightly and followed beside him, his tone filled with genuine emotion and worry: "Alas, it must have been really difficult for Zhou Neishi in court today... He is already frail and suffers from a fear of the cold, and he still had to force himself to attend court in this weather. No wonder he fell ill."

"Fortunately, under the King's rule, our Great Qin is now peaceful and prosperous, and the administration is relatively smooth. If we had to encounter such intense and exhausting court assemblies every now and then, or urgent matters suddenly arise at the border... Zhou Neishi's health is such that he would really have to endure a lot of hardship. It's really heartbreaking to see him like this, and I'm afraid he won't be able to handle it."

Ying Zheng was having his sash tied by a servant when he heard this, and his brows furrowed slightly.

Zhao Gao, with his lowered eyes, precisely caught the fleeting frown out of the corner of his eye, and was secretly delighted.

Sure enough, no matter how talented he is, if his health is too poor and he might neglect state affairs, the king is not indifferent...

However, Ying Zheng didn't even turn around; he merely turned his head and glanced at him indifferently.

"You," Ying Zheng said, his voice unreadable, "you need not accompany me."

The worry on Zhao Gao's face froze instantly, and he stopped in his tracks.

"Stay here and reflect on your actions." Ying Zheng's voice continued, still calm, yet each word like an ice pick, precisely piercing Zhao Gao's heart. "You know it in your heart."

After speaking, he withdrew his gaze, no longer looking at Zhao Gao even once, and strode out of the hall, with his attendants and guards quickly and silently following behind.

The hall suddenly fell silent.

The occasional crackling of the charcoal fire in the gilded basin made the empty space seem even more silent and cold.

Zhao Gao stood frozen in place, maintaining his bowed farewell posture, until Ying Zheng's figure disappeared around the corner of the outer corridor pillars.

He slowly straightened up, and all the submissiveness, concern, and even the slight stiffness on his face receded like the tide, leaving only a deep, gloomy expression.

Her hands, hidden in her sleeves, were already clenched into fists, her neatly trimmed nails digging deep into her palms, sending waves of pain through her, but this was nothing compared to the sudden surge of icy hatred and frustration in her heart.

------

Zhou Wenqing was actually fine; it was just a common cold with mild symptoms. He didn't even have a fever, just some nasal congestion, a dry and itchy throat, and some fatigue and dizziness.

However, Li Yi was really worried about him because he looked tired after returning from court all day and only ate a few bites of food. So he thought he would call the imperial physician to take a look and check his pulse, since it wouldn't be a big deal.

Before long, a young doctor, dressed in a plain linen robe and appearing to be in his early twenties, arrived carrying a medicine chest. He was the physician on duty at the manor that day.

This doctor was young, but he was extremely cautious in his actions.

He carefully took the pulse and examined the tongue coating. He concluded that this was just a common cold with mild symptoms. He prescribed a mild and dispersing formula, such as Jingfang Baidu San with slight modifications, which would be the safest course of action.

The ink was ground, the brush tip fully dipped, and the young doctor, wrist raised and elbow suspended, was about to write the first character of the prescription—

"Mr. Zhou's medication... requires extra caution..."

That day, as he passed by his master's room, the words he seemed to have muttered casually suddenly echoed in his mind, abruptly interrupting his smooth flow of thoughts.

Extra caution? Caution regarding what?

The young doctor frowned, his pen hovering on the paper, unable to fall.

He closed his eyes and concentrated, repeatedly pondering the pulse he had just diagnosed, and carefully recalled the booklet he had read that recorded Mr. Zhou's daily diet and old prescriptions.

The pulse is clearly a common external ailment. Although there are some deficiencies in the body, there are no special contraindications recorded. The medicines used in the past have not been particularly strong. What medicine might be causing the conflict? Which medicine should we pay "extra attention" to?

He racked his brains, his forehead almost beaded with sweat, but he still couldn't grasp the key point.

Naturally, it cannot be detected.

Because what his master meant by needing to "pay extra attention" was never some subtle taboos in the combination of medicinal herbs or any hidden imbalances in physical constitution.

Instead, we need to pay special attention to Mr. Zhou, to prevent him from finding the medicine too bitter or troublesome, or from thinking that it's not a big deal, and then quietly pouring, dumping, or using the decocted medicine to nourish his flowers!

Out of a physician's profound caution, the prefectural doctor dared not act on his own initiative and could only respectfully consult Zhou Wenqing, who was leaning against the couch, his words earnest:

"Sir, although your condition is mild, my skills are still lacking, and I fear the medications may react adversely. I may have overlooked some points. Would it be more prudent for me to invite my master to come and discuss this further with me?"

Zhou Wenqing was already feeling irritable from the annoying headache and stuffy nose, so he had no objection to the suggestion. He simply waved his hand and replied in a hoarse voice, "Alright, just go and come back quickly."

He thought that perhaps the doctor was practicing at a clinic somewhere in Xianyang, so it would be convenient to invite him.

However, when the "master" who had been hastily invited arrived, carrying a medicine box, and stepped steadily into the inner room, Zhou Wenqing's half-closed eyelids suddenly opened.

The newcomer had gray hair and beard, a gaunt face, and gentle, calm eyes; he was none other than the Imperial Physician, Physician Lü.

Their eyes met, and Zhou Wenqing paused for a moment, then understood, and said in a hoarse voice:

"Mr. Lü, this is... not very kind of you."

He slightly propped himself up: "You've quietly left a disciple in my little courtyard without even saying hello?"

Upon hearing this, Physician Lü was slightly taken aback, a look of surprise appearing on his face.

He didn't reply immediately, but instead took a few steps forward, sat down comfortably on the stool, and gestured for Zhou Wenqing to extend his wrist. He then carefully took Zhou's pulse with three fingers before raising his eyes and asking in a natural tone:

"Did Zhou, the Imperial Secretary, really not know about this?"

He stroked his beard, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes: "It's not just this one disciple. Eight of my disciples, who are of decent talent and just about to graduate, have all been sent to your residence, Prefect Zhou."

"The child who happens to be on duty today is named Xia Wuqie. Among the eight, he is the most thoughtful and has the best natural talent. With him by your side keeping an eye on things, I can feel a little more at ease at the Imperial Medical Bureau."

Zhou Wenqing: "!!!"

His previously groggy mind seemed to be suddenly pierced by those words, letting in a bright flash of light, and his eyes widened instantly!

Zhou Wenqing stared straight at Physician Lü's matter-of-fact face, then suddenly turned his head to look at the young "on-duty physician" in the outer room, whose face still had a childish look but whose demeanor was unusually calm.

So... those eight men, whose decoction techniques were as skillful as if they were conducting a chemistry experiment, who would occasionally mutter professional terms while looking at the herbal prescriptions, and who exuded a bitter herbal smell, made him want to avoid them at all costs, and who were mistaken by him as some kind of "multi-talented medical genius" that the king had found somewhere...

They're all your personal disciples, Physician Lü?!

No, is this reasonable?!

And what did you just say was the name of this young doctor?

Summer, nothing, and?!