Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

For some reason, even though he knew that his teacher was the most gentle and reasonable person, Li Yi still felt a moment of panic upon hearing this.

He subconsciously rewound his mind at lightning speed, going through his recent words and deeds, and the things he had handled one by one—there had been no oversights in patrolling and guarding, no slackening in the defense of the mansion, and all the tasks assigned by his master had been completed...it seemed that he had not done anything out of line.

But the more he couldn't think of anything, the more uncertain and panicked he became.

So, he subconsciously followed Zhou Wenqing's suggestion, carefully moving to the small stool opposite him, sitting only about a third of the stool, his back ramrod straight, his hands neatly placed on his knees, eyes downcast, looking like a student awaiting admonishment, and cautiously began to speak:

"Sir...what would you like to ask?"

"Don't be nervous." Zhou Wenqing found his tense and amusing expression both helpless and amusing.

He gently pushed another teacup, already filled and at the perfect temperature, towards him.

"Have some tea first to warm yourself up. I was just asking casually—that child mentioned there are many more doctors in Xianyang lately, causing medicinal herbs to become scarce and expensive. Have you heard about this? Is it... related to me?"

So that's what it was about!

Li Yi breathed a sigh of relief and pondered before replying, "There is indeed a connection. His Majesty has been concerned about your heart ailment, and to ensure its completeness, he previously issued an edict to summon physicians from all over the country who are skilled in treating this disease to Xianyang to discuss treatment methods specifically for you. Because the rewards in the edict are generous, it has attracted many physicians to come."

it is as expected.

Zhou Wenqing was unsure whether to be grateful or helpless.

My health is so poor, it's really a great trouble for the King to go to such lengths.

Unexpectedly, this large-scale mobilization unexpectedly boosted the business of pharmacies in Xianyang, giving poor people like the brother and sister a glimmer of hope to make a living.

He composed himself and continued, "The child said that these doctors seem to be gradually leaving lately. What's going on?"

"this……"

Li paused, a hint of apology on his face.

He wasn't quite clear on the specific details of the matter, since when the king was widely recruiting physicians in Xianyang, he was far away in the countryside guarding his teacher and hadn't personally witnessed it.

What I know now is nothing more than fragmented information I gleaned from conversations with colleagues later on, making it difficult to grasp the full picture.

"This matter...I may know a little about it."

Seeing this, Fusu cautiously took over the conversation.

Zhou Wenqing turned his gaze to him, signaling him to continue.

After a moment's thought, Fusu replied clearly, "Recently, many physicians from various regions have indeed gathered in the palace. However, the field of medicine is vast, and each physician has their own specialty. What Father is concerned about is the treatment of the root cause and the protection of the heart meridian. The rewards bestowed upon them are also exceptionally generous."

As he spoke, he sighed like a little adult, his brows furrowing slightly: "But many of them are clearly experts in bone setting and wound treatment, or masters specializing in treating women's and children's ailments. Asking them to spend all day figuring out remedies for heart disease is really putting them in a difficult position."

"These old gentlemen often valued their reputation and integrity highly. After lingering in Xianyang for some time, they felt that there was little room for them to realize their ambitions, so one after another they took their leave."

"I see." Zhou Wenqing gently stroked the warm rim of the cup with his fingertips, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly drank the tea that was no longer too hot to drink, a warm feeling flowing into his stomach.

The King's kindness to him was so profound that he secretly pondered: if he couldn't help the King and his group of medical talents stay, wouldn't he be letting down the King's painstaking efforts and wasting this rare medical resource?

No, we have to find a way to keep all these masters with their unique skills, not a single one of them can be lost!

However, how to leave behind a group of doctors... well... it seems I'll have to talk to Physician Lü about it.

Tsk! Another task has been added to the list of tasks that urgently need to be completed. This half-day of leisure has come at a high price; I'll be busy again!

As Zhou Wenqing was secretly making plans, he heard Fusu's hesitant voice beside him.

"Sir, those two children just now, I..."

He turned around and saw that Fusu was not as upright as usual. Instead, he lowered his head slightly, clasped his hands tightly in front of him, his knuckles turned slightly white from the force, and his lips were pursed into a stubborn line.

"What's wrong?"

Zhou Wenqing's heart stirred slightly. He assumed the child was still saddened by the plight of the brother and sister, so he gently comforted him and patted his still thin shoulder.

"Still thinking about that brother and sister? Don't worry too much. I've already asked Ah Yi to make proper arrangements. They won't lack food or medicine. If you're still worried, you can have someone go check on them again and take good care of them."

Fusu shook his head vigorously, looked at Zhou Wenqing, and spoke in a low voice, but with a stubbornness that was trying hard to remain calm:

"Sir, it's not that I'm only worried about those two."

He took a deep breath of the biting air, the icy sting actually clearing his turbulent thoughts: "Seeing this in the snow today, I understand even more deeply the weight of what you often say about 'the people's livelihood being full of hardships'."

"A winter coat and a few doses of medicine may seem as light as a feather to us, but to them... it is a means of survival that they would not even be able to buy by selling their children."

His gaze fell upon the majestic outline of the city walls beneath the distant snow curtain, his tone a mixture of shock and bewilderment.

"It is not that I am unaware of the suffering in the world. I have also witnessed the tragedies in the slave market with you, but none of them are like what I am experiencing today... so close yet so cold to the touch."

"This is Xianyang!" Fusu's voice suddenly rose. "The capital city is located in the heart of the world! How can children in the suburbs risk their lives, even nearly being separated from their loved ones forever, just for a dose of medicine?"

The boy clenched his fist tightly, his fingertips almost digging into his palm, as if only in this way could he suppress the unfamiliar turmoil in his chest.

"Now that winter has just begun, with snow and wind raging, outside Xianyang, across the Guanzhong Plain, and indeed throughout the entire Qin Dynasty... at this very moment, how many families in the shadows are tossing and turning, unable to sleep, worrying about a hot meal from the previous day or a tattered coat to keep out the wind?"

He paused, his voice lowering, tinged with a tremor of fear he dared not even contemplate: "Even... even at this very moment, while your disciples are peacefully drinking tea and enjoying the snow, perhaps someone is freezing and starving in some corner..."

At this point, the boy suddenly stood up.

He faced Zhou Wenqing, and the deep remorse and bewilderment in his eyes had now settled into an exceptionally clear and resolute light.

Fusu straightened his robes, then bowed deeply to Zhou Wenqing, his posture extremely solemn.

"Sir, I am the eldest son of the Qin Dynasty, residing in the palace and enjoying a life of luxury. Yet, I witness the plight of countless common people, facing imminent starvation and freezing cold, and I am utterly helpless... Every time I think of this, I feel as if I are sitting on pins and needles, and my conscience is filled with shame!"

He maintained his bowed posture, slowly raised his head, and looked intently at Zhou Wenqing. His previous confusion and wavering had been replaced by a completely devout and earnest quest.

"Fusu is well aware of your abilities, sir, and your profound compassion." The young man's clear voice rang out distinctly in the snow. "Please teach me, sir, is there any way in this world... to lessen the suffering of the people of my Great Qin from this harsh winter?"

He paused, as if weighing his most earnest request, before continuing, word by word, "Even if... even if it's just that most people's houses have one more pot of firewood to keep warm; that they have one more garment to keep out the cold wind... as long as it can make them a little warmer and help them get through this harsh winter—"

The boy bowed even deeper, his voice filled with unwavering solemnity and determination: "Whatever Fusu is required to do, Fusu is willing to learn and do it. Please, Master... teach me!"

Snowflakes fell silently on his still-thin shoulders and on the top of his drooping hair.

This bow and this question seemed to draw away all the sounds of the wind and the chill of the surroundings, leaving only the sincere and burning heartbeat in the boy's chest, clearly audible on the desolate snowfield.

Zhou Wenqing looked at the disciple in front of him, who seemed to have shed the last trace of childishness in an instant and had resolutely shouldered an invisible weight. He remained silent for a moment before reaching out and firmly supporting Fusu's arm, which was trembling slightly due to his emotional excitement.

"stand up."

His voice was gentler than the soft sound of falling snow, yet it carried a strange, calming power.

"The fact that you can ask this question, see the coldness beneath the snow, and hear the silent weeping... means that three-tenths of the matter has already been accomplished."

As early as when the first snow of the year fell and the chill gradually became biting, Zhou Wenqing knew that this would be a difficult winter.

He hadn't thought much about it earlier, not because he had no ideas, but on the contrary, a much longer-term vision had already taken shape in his mind. He just needed to solidify the foundation of the Department of All Things and straighten out everything before he could slowly work out his plans.

This is one of the reasons why he has been busy with paperwork and planning for days on end.

However, at this moment, looking at Fusu before him, his eyes burning with determination, bowing deeply and pleading for a good solution—

Even in its initial polishing, the raw jade already reveals its brilliance.

Perhaps, he didn't need to do everything himself. Once everything was ready, the young man before him, this rough gem that he had personally brushed away the dust from and carefully guided, had already quietly exceeded his expectations in terms of the speed of his growth and the brilliance of his inner self.

He could very well try to take on the responsibility, to gain experience, and to transform that compassion and fervent hope into a spark that truly illuminates a cold winter...