Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

Xiao He watched the hastily fleeing figures of the village chiefs, then looked at Liu Bang, who was speaking smugly, and couldn't help but shake his head slightly.

"Now that you have achieved your goal, why bother to deliberately provoke me and create more resentment?"

Liu Bang turned around, smiled ingratiatingly, then waved his hand dismissively, saying:

"Since we've already created a rift, one more word won't make a difference. I just can't let this go without giving them a jab!"

He walked straight to Xiao He's side and sat down, casually picked up a teacup, drank the tea in one gulp, then slammed it down on the table, a hint of resentment rising between his brows.

"Xiao Yuan has no idea; these old scoundrels are utterly despicable."

"I've always looked down on me because I'm young and inexperienced, and I'm constantly being ostracized and suppressed. I've already been given all the dirty work and chores, but I'll put up with it because this job was arranged for me by Xiao Yuan."

"But regarding today's meeting, you clearly ordered all the pavilions to gather, yet they deliberately withheld the information and did not inform me at all."

He grew increasingly angry as he spoke, and his voice rose several decibels:

"If Kuai hadn't overheard this news while selling meat outside the yamen and immediately informed me, rushing here all the way, I'm afraid I would have been completely kept in the dark about today's meeting!"

Liu Bang raised an eyebrow, his words laced with sarcasm: "If that's really the case, they probably won't be able to find a puppet to shirk responsibility. If you ask me, these people should thank me. What's wrong with me teasing them a bit? They'll all have to take it!"

Xiao He remained silent, listening quietly as he vented his anger. He then raised his hand to replace the teacup with a clean one, slowly refilled it with hot tea, took a small sip, and looked knowing.

Although Liu Bang had not sent a message beforehand, Xiao He had long anticipated these schemes and machinations.

After all, Liu Bang was neither from a local powerful family nor had any military achievements. He was able to take office entirely because of the recommendation of the chief clerk. Most of the other village chiefs were local veterans who had been entrenched in their villages for many years and had worked their way up to this position. How could they be satisfied with a young man who had "taken a shortcut"?

It was because he was distracted yesterday that he forgot to send a separate letter to Liu Bang, and instead just followed the old practice of having the county yamen runners send the message to each pavilion. Now that he thinks about it, the messenger probably didn't even reach Sishui Pavilion before he was intercepted by those old foxes, forced to go out for drinks, and got completely drunk.

Liu Bang vented all his grievances, and most of the anger that had been building up in his heart dissipated. But then he realized that his complaints sounded like he was blaming Xiao He—after all, it was Xiao He who had gone to great lengths to secure the position of Sishui Pavilion Chief for him.

He immediately suppressed his anger, scratched his head, and chuckled at Xiao He:

"But none of that matters. It's all because those old geezers are too wicked and cunning. It's Xiao Yuan who still cares about me as a brother. I'll remember that kindness in my heart."

As he spoke, Liu Bang patted his chest heavily, a hint of heroic spirit igniting in his eyes:

"Just you wait, this time I'm going all out to wipe out those bandits completely and achieve real merit! I don't take these cowardly bullies seriously!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao He's eyes flashed with approval. After Liu Ji finished speaking, he reminded him, "Liu Ji, it's good that you have this ambition, but suppressing bandits is not something to be done rashly. You also know that Mangdang Mountain is a dangerous place, and the bandits have been entrenched there for many years. They are no ordinary thieves. You must not act rashly."

"Don't worry, Xiao Yuan. Ji knows how formidable he is, but he's not someone to be trifled with. Besides, I have Fan Kuai to help me. He..."

Halfway through his sentence, Liu Bang suddenly stopped, slapping his forehead: "Oh dear! I was so busy catching up with Xiao Yuan that I forgot about Kuai and Lu Wan, they're still outside! I'll call them in right now!"

With that, Liu Bang hurriedly got up, strode towards the door, pushed it open, and called out as he went, "Kuai, Wan, where are you...?"

Xiao He watched his hurried figure disappear into the distance, shook his head helplessly, and sighed softly.

Although the first person he thought of when the order to suppress the bandits came down was Liu Bang, Liu Bang was still young and impetuous, so he needed someone to keep an eye on him and give him some pointers.

------

On the other side, Zhou Wenqing, who had been recuperating for nearly a month, had finally recovered from his injuries and, with the approval of Physician Lü, was finally able to set off again.

The large banner bearing the character "Zhou" that the delegation once carried has been removed, replaced by a solemn and eye-catching banner bearing the name of the eldest son, Fusu. Therefore, although the number of accompanying personnel has been reduced considerably and the size of the procession is no longer as grand as before, its imposing presence remains undiminished. Travelers and local officials and civilians along the way are filled with awe and keep their distance, not daring to look at it directly.

Since they had already wasted so much time and were planning to return after destroying Han, Zhou Wenqing was no longer in a hurry. The delegation traveled leisurely and slowed down considerably.

At this moment, their group stopped by the stream to regroup. Zhou Wenqing had Yao Jia standing to his left and Han Fei to his right, both looking helpless.

Whether it was the inertia of history or an incompatible aura, Han Fei had not yet publicly attacked Yao Jia in front of the King of Qin, and Yao Jia had never turned around and imprisoned Han Fei, but the two just couldn't stand each other.

Han Fei was aloof and cold-hearted, adhering to the strict principles of Legalism. He disapproved of Yao Jia's behavior of traveling among the states, being worldly-wise and adept at political maneuvering.

Yao Jia was well-versed in human nature and worldly wisdom, and he was adept at navigating power struggles. He also looked down on Han Fei's aloofness, taciturnity, inflexibility, and arrogance.

I wonder how they got along last time. It couldn't have been this kind of subtle, flirtatious interaction, could it?

Zhou Wenqing sighed and rubbed his forehead in exasperation.

It was actually a very small matter. Han Fei somehow learned from General Wang Jian that Zhou Wenqing was fond of wine and skilled at drinking.

Just then, Zhou Wenqing had been recuperating from his injuries for many days, and Han Fei, bored and restless in the county office, went out with Xia Wuqie to buy medicinal herbs to relax and brought back a pot of fine wine.

At this moment, a gentle breeze was blowing by the stream, the water was babbling, the sky was clear, and the scenery was serene. It was the perfect time to have a drink and relax. Han Fei took out his wine pot and invited Zhou Wenqing to drink with him.

Before Zhou Wenqing could speak, Yao Jia had already frowned.

"Han Zi, Zhou Neishi is still recovering from his injury and should not drink alcohol."

He paused slightly, his gaze carrying a hint of displeasure, and added, "Besides, even at the King's birthday banquet, Zhou Neishi was not prevented from drinking. Han Zi's actions are probably inappropriate."

After all, Han Fei was concerned about preserving the Han state and his stance was clear, which was known to everyone in the court and among the people. Yao Jia was already estranged from him, and he also remembered the old story of Han Fei secretly investigating Zhou Wenqing's background. It was understandable that he would subconsciously be biased towards him.

Han Fei frowned slightly upon hearing this. He did not look at Yao Jia, but kept his gaze on Zhou Wenqing. He spoke in a calm and unhurried tone: "This is a medicinal wine to regulate qi and blood. It is by no means a strong or turbid wine. Since I dared to invite Zicheng to drink it with me, I must have consulted Physician Lü beforehand. The medicinal effect is mild and has a warming effect. Zicheng can rest assured."

He paused, finally glancing at Yao Jia, a cold smile curving his lips, and said:

"There are always people in the world who are full of ulterior motives, judging others by their own selfish desires, and then assuming that everyone in the world is like them, completely lacking in honesty and integrity. How pathetic and laughable! What do you think, Zicheng?"

Zhou Wenqing: "..."

Why don't you two go outside and have a fight? Don't ask me!