Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

Something felt off. Liu Bang's eyes darted around slightly, a strange sense of unease settling over him.

He sensed that the other person's gaze had been fixed on him the whole time.

Maybe it's just my imagination?

He shook his head for a moment, then quickly shook his head to reassure himself that he must be overthinking things.

The person in front of me is most likely, almost certainly...that one!

Liu Ji didn't even have two copper coins on him, so why would anyone covet him?

With that thought, he put that awkwardness out of his mind.

With a raised eyebrow, Liu Bang immediately slapped the edge of the table and sat up straight, eager to boast about the glorious deeds of his group, starting from Mangdang Mountain and ending in Chen County.

"That's a long story, sir..."

But before he could even begin his opening remarks, Xiao He reached out and pressed him back down, abruptly cutting him off.

"This matter is complicated and indeed a long story. Ji Yanyu is always unrestrained and casual, so it is more appropriate for me to tell the story on his behalf."

Liu Bang: "???"

He looked bewildered, turning his head to look at Xiao He in shock and a sense of frustration.

No, if you want to say something, just say it directly. Why do you have to criticize me before you can even speak?

Despite secretly grumbling to himself, Liu Bang eventually shut his mouth in frustration.

Alright, alright, he's loyal and generous! Let him have it!

He simply crossed his arms, glanced at Xiao He with a detached look, and adopted a magnanimous posture that seemed to say, "I'll see how you behave."

Xiao He kept his eyes straight ahead, completely ignoring his petty emotions.

Just kidding, if Liu Bang were to say it, he might make it sound like a storyteller, all flowery and exaggerated, leaving Zhou Neishi with a pretentious first impression...

Absolutely not!

His expression turned solemn and serious. He looked up at Zhou Wenqing and recounted the whole story of how he cleared the bandits in Mangdang, investigated the origins of people in the mass grave, discovered the corruption in Chen County, decided to rush to the aid, and met Magistrate Hu.

Zhou Wenqing leaned against the table and listened quietly, his fingertips occasionally tapping the surface. His expression changed constantly as the story was told; his face became solemn when he heard about the people's tragic suffering, and moved when he learned that everyone had risked their lives to help them.

Once Xiao He finished speaking, the room fell silent instantly.

Han Fei sat upright as usual, his face cold and indifferent, revealing no emotion whatsoever. But in his heart, he had already gritted his teeth and silently crushed and rubbed Song Yun's greasy and bloated face a hundred and eighty times.

Between Pei County and Chen County, there is still the Pengcheng region in between. The treacherous Song Yun was not satisfied with poisoning Luoyang and Yangdi, so he wanted to spread his influence to this area.

How many innocent children and how many complete families have been torn apart!

Recalling the moments he spent with the children, Han Fei silently reviewed the "interrogation" he had experienced in prison that day. The more he thought about it, the lighter his hands seemed, and the more uncomfortable he felt.

The previous approach was ultimately too hasty and careless. Song Yun was also a complete waste, unable to withstand any "interrogation." Simply rubbing off his fat was far too lenient on that beast!

Once Physician Lü has some free time and his patients are less busy, he will definitely "treat" Song Yun and the others well, including things like grooming and playing the pipa.

No, ten times! A hundred times!

In the stillness, Zhou Wenqing had composed himself, slowly rose, and solemnly addressed the people before him:

"Even though you live far away from home, you are able to see the big picture from small details, perceive the chaos, and rush to the aid of the people when you hear of their suffering. You would never stand idly by or shirk your responsibilities."

He raised his hand to straighten his clothes, his posture upright like a pine tree, and bowed deeply to Xiao He, Liu Bang, and the others, giving a solemn and earnest salute, his tone deep and sincere:

"I sincerely admire your sincere heart and noble spirit of helping the world. On behalf of the thousands of people in Chen County and the surrounding areas who are suffering and displaced, I thank you all for your righteous help."

Han Fei also suppressed his inner rage, his expression solemn and dignified. He followed closely behind, bowing deeply with his hands clasped.

Upon seeing this, Xiao He's heart skipped a beat. He took a step back and dodged to the side. Almost instinctively, he bypassed Han Fei, who was closer to him, and hurriedly supported Zhou Wenqing with both hands.

"Sir, there's absolutely no need for that!"

His tone was earnest and humble, and his words were frank: "We are merely following our conscience and doing our duty. How can we talk about saving the world with lofty ideals? Your respectful manner is truly too much for us."

"Exactly!"

Cao Shen, unable to rise from his bed, still quickly raised his hands in a respectful gesture, his tone sincere and ashamed.

"Compared to what you have done, we are really nothing. Moreover, we were almost trapped in a sea of ​​fire, and it was only thanks to you that you rushed to our aid and did your best to save us that we were able to escape death. We feel ashamed and dare not take credit for it."

Fan Kuai, still wrapped in the bandages Li Yi had just applied around his waist, sat upright by the couch, slowly clasping his hands and bowing his head in greeting.

Supported by Xiao He, Zhou Wenqing had no choice but to straighten up, but he shook his head and said, "You two are mistaken. Staying true to oneself and doing one's duty sounds easy, but how many people in the world can truly do these two things?"

His gaze slowly swept over the crowd, his eyes revealing clear respect:

"Your righteous deeds deserve the highest honors."

Cao Shen wanted to decline again, but Zhou Wenqing raised his hand and gently stopped him.

"Gentlemen, you must not refuse any longer. If it weren't for your courageous actions during the chaos in Chenjun, Song Yun's calamity would have spread even further, endangering more innocent lives. When I return to Xianyang, I will personally report to the King and request that you be rewarded."

He paused slightly when he said the word "face to face"—

Perhaps there's no need for a face-to-face meeting. I'm afraid Mr. Wei Liao has already informed Xianyang of everything that happened here, and the King is fully aware of it. Before rewarding these people, I'm afraid I'll be reprimanded.

Ugh!

Xiao He opened his mouth, about to say something, when Liu Bang suddenly slapped his thigh with a crisp "smack," stood up, and spoke with great vigor.

"Alas, Brother Xiao, Brother Cao, you two are all good in every way, but you're just too unpleasant!"

He stood tall with a righteous and awe-inspiring "heroic look"—if he hadn't raised his round left hand and patted his chest.

"Since you are all indifferent to fame and fortune and embarrassed to take credit, how about this, sir, you can attribute all their credit to me and let me, Liu Ji, take the blame alone."

"Anyway, I, Liu Ji, am thick-skinned, not afraid of heavy loads, and I absolutely don't think I'll have too much!"

After saying that, he mischievously patted Xiao He's shoulder, winked, and put on a generous look that said, "I'm just trying to help you out," and said in a serious tone:

"Brother Xiao, don't worry. I'm incredibly grateful for your help all this time. So many people have been credited to me, but now it's finally my turn to look after you!"

Lu Wan burst out laughing from behind, clutching her shoulder with her right hand, her body trembling, which aggravated her wound. She hissed and gasped, but couldn't suppress the laughter.

"Hahahaha, Brother Ji, that's a great idea! I understand."

"Sir, I, Lu Wan, am shameless enough. Just let me follow behind Brother Ji and benefit from his success. With Kuai added to the mix, the three of us will protect Brother Cao as well!"

Upon hearing this, Fan Kuai's not-so-fair face flushed red.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but not knowing how to respond, so he simply raised his eyes, looked at the roof beam, and pretended that it didn't exist.