Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

Li Si was so anxious about Zhou Wenqing's eagerness to "give away" him in Chen County that he almost developed blisters in his mouth.

Why does everything involving him make him so terrified and restless? Could it be that I really owed this guy my life in my past life?

Li Si stared intently at Ying Zheng, waiting for his order to pursue them.

If he weren't so tied up, he would have loved to personally ride his horse at full speed and drag that reckless fool back!

Unexpectedly, Ying Zheng pondered for a moment, then stood up, walked to the window with his hands behind his back, and slowly spoke, his tone firm yet tinged with helplessness: "I'm afraid it's too late."

He knew his beloved minister Zhou's temperament all too well.

This matter has far-reaching implications and affects many innocent people. Zicheng has always been approachable, compassionate, soft-hearted, and sincere; he will never agree to entrust this case to others.

Local officialdom is deeply entrenched, and if the case is handed over to others for investigation, it is very easy for corrupt officials to deceive and bribe them, which will only tolerate evil and cause endless harm. Only by personally supervising the case can we thoroughly investigate it and eliminate the trouble.

But just as the ruler knows the minister's intentions, the minister is also well aware of the ruler's heart.

How could he not guess that I would not allow him to be in danger and would definitely send someone to stop him?

But he still wrote this letter.

Instead of acting first and reporting later, he specially wrote a letter, explaining the whole story and his determination to Xianyang, so frank...

Ah, wait a minute!

He wasn't necessarily completely honest, but at least... Zhou Qing did a good job as a teacher, he even stopped his disciple's letter!

How could Fusu not report such a momentous matter? He would write more, describe it more clearly, detail the dangers of Chenjun, and even petition his father to order the teacher to be stopped, while he volunteered to go alone.

But on his own desk, there was no such thicker, heavier letter...

Thinking of this, Ying Zheng felt a surge of anger rising in his heart and he snorted coldly to himself.

This debt will be noted down for now, and we'll settle it all when Zhou Qing returns safely!

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the anger and worry surging in his heart. He ground his fingertips hard against the cool wood grain of the windowsill, then turned around and walked steadily back to the imperial desk.

Li Si and Wei Liao in the hall were both anxious. They wanted to go forward, but they were afraid of disturbing his thoughts. They stood there, hesitant to speak, and looked at him expectantly.

Ying Zheng's gaze swept over the two men, and he said with certainty, "This is not an ordinary report, but a letter requesting assistance."

"Requesting reinforcements?" Upon hearing this, Wei Liao's brows furrowed sharply. He stepped forward, bowed, and spoke urgently and resolutely: "If that's the case, I will immediately muster my troops and rush to Chen County to provide assistance!"

"No." Ying Zheng raised his hand to stop him decisively, his expression cold and stern. "The preparation and marching of the army will take time. Given Zicheng's temperament, if he says he will go, he will probably set off for Chen County in just a few days. It will be too late for the army to travel."

Wei Liao was taken aback, then realized what was happening.

No wonder Zhou Wenqing repeatedly emphasized in his letter that he was "about to go to Chenjun and his mind was made up." It turns out that he had already calculated that the court's troop deployment would be slow and was waiting for them here.

Even someone as calm and good-tempered as Wei Liao was somewhat annoyed. He secretly made a mental note that he would teach Zi Cheng a lesson when he saw him again.

At this moment, Ying Zheng suddenly raised his voice and shouted, "Guards! Bring me the right tally of the Three Rivers Commandery!"

In a short while, a man dressed entirely in black eunuch robes, with his head bowed low and knees bent, entered the hall, holding a bronze tray high in both hands. On the brocade on the tray was a dark black lacquered box. He walked respectfully to the emperor's desk.

Ying Zheng reached out and opened the lacquer box, taking out a heavy tally, or rather, a tiger tally.

This tiger tally is cast entirely in bronze, with a faint, cold light emanating from its surface. It is split into two parts; this is the right tally. Only when the two are combined can the troops of Sanchuan County be mobilized. The left tally is kept by the governor of Sanchuan County.

Sanchuan Commandery was a key military stronghold for the Qin state in controlling the Guandong region. Therefore, the commandery governor held a left tally, which allowed him to immediately mobilize some of the commandery's troops to suppress any rebellion should there be any unrest in Guandong.

As for the neighboring prefectures, county soldiers are sufficient.

Of course, the power of the Left Seal must be subject to constraints.

According to the Qin system, the prefect of a prefecture held a left tally, and the military mobilization authority was limited to "suppressing rebellions" and "defending against enemies." Any military mobilization without an urgent report of military situation, or mobilization of more troops than the number limited by the tally, was considered a treasonous act of forging an imperial edict, which was punishable by death and implicated relatives.

Therefore, although the prefect was in charge of the left tally, he dared not act rashly. Without the king's order and the right tally in conjunction, he dared not send out a single soldier.

That is why the right seal in Ying Zheng's hand is the real key. Without the right seal, the governor of Sanchuan County can only guard that half-piece of copper and cannot make any progress.

At this moment, Ying Zheng solemnly handed the right talisman to Wei Liao.

"Wei Liao, I hereby command you to take this right tally and immediately set off for Luoyang. After verifying its authenticity with the left tally, take command of the troops of Sanchuan Commandery and rush to the aid of Zhou Wenqing and his party. You must ensure the safety of him and Fusu without fail!"

Wei Liao accepted the tiger tally with both hands. The heavy bronze block in his palms sent a chill down his spine, making him shudder and his expression become even more respectful and solemn.

He dared not show the slightest disrespect, immediately curtsied and knelt on one knee, his voice firm and resolute: "Your subject obeys! I will certainly not fail Your Majesty's trust, and I swear to protect the eldest prince and the Prefect of Zhou with my life!"

After speaking, he stood up and carefully put the tiger tally into his bosom. Knowing that the military situation was urgent and he dared not delay for a moment, he turned around and strode out of the hall to set off on horseback immediately.

"Wait a minute."

Ying Zheng's deep and majestic voice suddenly rang out, barely stopping Wei Liao, who was about to step out of the palace gate.

Wei Liao turned around and met Ying Zheng's deep, abyss-like eyes.

"Chen County is nothing but a bunch of corrupt and despicable scoundrels. They are not worthy of my beloved general's vow to fight to the death, let alone harm a single hair on my important ministers. Mr. Wei Liao, you may go forth and do as you please without any worries."

He paused, a cold glint flashing in his eyes, and his voice deepened:

"If there is resistance, regardless of rank, there is no need to escort them back to the capital; they can be executed on the spot."

"Your subject obeys!"

Seeing that Wei Liao had truly accepted the order and left, Li Si finally felt relieved.

He was too hasty and excited just now, otherwise he wouldn't have panicked for a moment and failed to realize the convoluted intention behind Zhou Wenqing's letter.

Wait... is this a roundabout way of saying it?

Given Zhou Wenqing's frank, impulsive, and outspoken nature, would he really be afraid of being suspected if he directly asked the King for the Tiger Tally?

Could this kid be deliberately waiting for them to figure it out themselves, so he can vent his anger and calm down beforehand, and avoid them getting too angry and unable to handle it when they meet him?

Probably!

Thinking of this, Li Si's lips curled into a sinister smile. He stepped forward, his voice carrying a hint of malice:

"Your Majesty, I believe that while one of the eldest son's letters may have been blocked, there may be hidden meanings in the other letters. I hope Your Majesty will examine them carefully." He paused, clasped his hands in a fist and bowed. "I take my leave."

After saying that, Li Si turned around and strode out of the hall to chase after Wei Liao. He was so fast that his robes stirred up a gust of wind, and the candlelight was blown about.

Hidden? You think you can hide?!

He knew these "disciples of Zhou" best. How could a disciple not follow the teacher's roundabout ways and secretly complain about him?

Zhou Wenqing, you just wait!

If I don't get Wei Liao all fired up today and give you a good beating, then I, Li Si, am utterly incompetent!