Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

After speaking, Ying Zheng did not make a move immediately. The burly figure that had been standing half a step behind him took a step forward and revealed himself completely in front of Zhou Wenqing.

This person moved swiftly yet without abruptly, clasped his hands in a salute, and spoke in a deep, resonant voice:

"Mongo, who guards Mr. Zhao, greets Young Master Zhou."

He only gave his name "Mongo" and referred to himself as a "guard." His attitude was respectful yet neither servile nor arrogant, befitting a loyal and taciturn guard.

But the surname "Meng," combined with his robust physique and the resolute and courageous spirit forged in the crucible of blood and fire between his brows...

Mongo?

Zhou Wenqing's eye twitched almost imperceptibly, and he nearly lost his composure.

He quickly lowered his eyes, using the gesture of returning the greeting with clasped hands to conceal the strange expression that had crossed his face for a moment, and spoke in a polite tone as usual: "Guard Meng."

In an instant, he realized that the name was exactly the same as Li Si's alias "Li Fa". Both were taken from the original surname and the given name was slightly changed. However, this General Meng was so perfunctory that he was almost frank.

Meng Wu, putting aside how prominent and rare the surname "Meng" was at this time, what is "Ge"? Isn't it just "Wu" with the bottom "Zhi" cut off?

This name seems a bit careless!

He inwardly complained, but showed no sign of it on his face. After bowing, he naturally turned slightly to the side, preparing to lead the guest inside, but his gaze seemed to casually sweep over Li Si to the side.

Sure enough, although Li Si still had his usual gentle smile on his face, the curve of the smile seemed a little stiff, and his eyelid twitched almost imperceptibly.

Li Si secretly thought to himself that things were not good. He had come in too fast and forgot to mention that Zhou Wenqing was very perceptive. He could only glare at Meng Wu with his eyes, trying to reconnect the tacit understanding between them.

Zhou Wenqing found it amusing. He composed himself, his warm smile unchanged, and gestured for them to enter: "The three of you have come from afar. Please come inside and have a chat."

Before turning around, his gaze inadvertently swept over the courtyard gate—it was eerily quiet there, not even the usual chirping of sparrows could be heard.

As soon as Li Yi closed the door, he immediately slipped away as fast as he could. He had no intention of getting involved with these "big shots" sharing a room, so he made his escape...

Zhou Wenqing, on the other hand, felt no psychological burden whatsoever, as if they were just three ordinary visitors, and sat down calmly at the table.

The three of them took their seats in turn. Zhou Wenqing rolled up his sleeves slightly, revealing his slender yet steady wrists, and began to scald the teacups, pour water, and brew tea again with unhurried movements.

He used only ordinary pottery teapots and cups, but his technique was skillful, his posture was composed, and he exuded a tranquil air.

The three people found it interesting and sat quietly watching without making a sound, only watching as the clear hot water was poured into the earthenware pot, steam rose, and a light tea aroma wafted up with the steam.

"You've all arrived at just the right time." Zhou Wenqing smiled and gently pushed the first cup of clear, pale yellow tea towards Li Si.

"These tea leaves were picked from a few wild tea trees that I stumbled upon a few days ago. I tried processing them myself. Brother Gu'an, please try them. Is my crudely made tea still palatable?"

Although he spoke modestly, he was secretly pleased with himself. He had practiced his "tea brewing" skills in private for a long time in his spare time, so that he could make them appear smooth and elegant. Today, he finally had the opportunity to show them off in front of others!

I installed a big one, it feels great!

Then, he pushed two cups of equally clear tea toward Ying Zheng and Meng Wu respectively: "Mr. Zhao, Guard Meng, please have some too. It's just something from the mountains, nothing special, just something to quench your thirst and moisten your throat, a small token of my hospitality."

At this moment, Ying Zheng, Li Si, and Meng Wu were all somewhat surprised as they looked at the clear liquid in the cup before them, with only a few unfurled emerald green tea leaves floating on the surface.

Because in this era, the "tea" we usually talk about is not consumed in this way.

At this time, "tea" should more accurately be called "tea soup" or "tea porridge". The method of drinking tea is to dry the tea leaves with branches and leaves in the sun, crush them, and put them into a pot with millet, beans, ginger, cinnamon, salt, and sometimes even vegetables or dried meat. Then, add water and simmer for a long time until it becomes a thick, salty or spicy soup.

Rather than "drinking tea," it is more accurate to call it "eating tea," as it is more like a warming soup or medicinal dish than the refreshing beverage of later generations.

Therefore, Zhou Wenqing's "tea," made by simply steeping tea leaves in hot water without adding any seasonings and being crystal clear, was truly novel to the three of them.

Meng Wu looked at the contents of the cup with some curiosity, then at Zhou Wenqing. He raised his thick eyebrows slightly, picked up the teacup, took a big gulp, savored the taste, and then his eyes lit up slightly before he drank it all in one go.

Ying Zheng had been quietly observing Zhou Wenqing's tea-serving manners. At this moment, he also picked up his teacup, his gaze lingering for a moment on the clear tea soup and the unfurled tea leaves, before calmly taking a sip.

It has a crisp taste with a slightly sweet and astringent aftertaste, making it much more refreshing than tea soup.

Li Si picked up the teacup, examined it for a while, first observing its color, then smelling its aroma, before carefully sipping a mouthful of the clear broth.

It has a slightly bitter taste at first, followed by a subtle sweetness and a refreshing aroma that lingers on the palate. The taste is indeed quite different from the thick and salty tea soup.

"It's refreshing and invigorating, with a unique flavor," Li Si commented with a smile. "Brother Zicheng's method of drinking tea is quite unique, seemingly quite different from the usual methods."

He pointed at Zhou Wenqing, half-jokingly teasing him, his tone familiar: "You, Zicheng, are so biased! I've been sitting with you all morning, but I haven't seen you put in the effort to brew such a pot of fine tea to entertain me."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Wenqing raised an eyebrow and chuckled, his relaxed expression revealing a casualness between old friends: "Brother Gu'an, that's not fair."

He tapped his fingers lightly on the table, as if doing some kind of accounting, "Who ate all that half-bag of roasted pine nuts I had this morning, each one plump and fragrant? And now you're arguing with me about a cup of tea for 'favoritism'?"

He spoke with a humorous tone, describing the bag of pine nuts as if it were some extraordinary treasure.

Li Si clapped his hands and laughed, shaking his head repeatedly: "Alright, alright, I'm the one who benefited and is now complaining. Brother Zicheng's pine nuts are roasted so fragrant and crisp, and the tea is brewed so elegantly, both are rare finds. I was just greedy, wanting to have both!"

"That's easy!" Zhou Wenqing said with a hearty smile, adding, "In a bit, we'll move to the tree in the courtyard, set out a table with pine nuts and tea, and have A-Yi find some seasonal wild fruits so everyone can enjoy something fresh—plenty to go!"

"Haha, that's excellent, but there's no rush."

Li Si smiled and waved his hand. Seeing that the atmosphere had become relaxed and harmonious, he subtly steered the conversation back on track. He then turned slightly serious and looked at Zhou Wenqing.

"Jokes aside, Brother Zicheng should know that the reason I hurriedly invited Brother Shengzhi here is because of those two useful farming tools that you mentioned during our chat this morning."

He turned slightly to Ying Zheng and nodded to show respect, then looked at Zhou Wenqing: "Brother Shengzhi is knowledgeable and well-versed in practical matters, and... his connections are extraordinary. I think that if Brother Zicheng wants to put these two ingenious ideas into practice, verify their effectiveness, and even benefit more people, he may need someone like Brother Shengzhi to consult and assist him."

He paused briefly, giving Zhou Wenqing time to think, before bowing and speaking with a serious and resolute tone: "The law can guarantee that Brother Shengzhi is a steady and prudent person, certainly not the kind of frivolous and reckless individual, or... or someone with ulterior motives. Brother Zicheng, trust me..."

Zhou Wenqing raised his hand, interrupting Li Si.

Immediately afterward, under Li Si's slightly nervous gaze, he walked back to his desk, took out a scroll of silk, and returned to the low table where the group was sitting. In front of everyone, he slowly unrolled the scroll and placed it steadily in the center.

"Please look, everyone. This is the design drawing of the curved plow."