Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

Ying Zheng's fingers unconsciously caressed the two silk scrolls that were carefully tucked away at his chest.

In fact, he wished he could immediately deliver them to a trustworthy person and quickly create physical prototypes for verification, but... at this moment, it seemed there was no such rush.

Watching Zhou Wenqing sit at the table, tidying up the scattered bamboo slips for enlightenment, he didn't say anything, but simply pulled over a stool and naturally sat down on the other side of the table.

Zhou Wenqing paused in his movements and looked up.

Ying Zheng's gaze fell on the bamboo slips that had not yet been strung together, then he looked up at him and said, "Brother Zicheng, would you like to join me?"

"sure!"

Zhou Wenqing immediately understood and quickly pushed over several bamboo strips that had been arranged in order.

Ying Zheng nodded, examining the unfinished characters on the bamboo slips as he casually helped him string them together, clearly indicating that he had no intention of leaving anytime soon.

Zhou Wenqing watched this unfold and sped up his work, quickly arranging all the pictures neatly in order. He was overjoyed.

This is the small shock brought about by the "people-centered" theory. How about it? Intrigued?

Not only was he tempted, but he also took action himself!

Thus, in the quiet afternoon study, a rather strange scene unfolded: the future First Emperor, dressed in coarse brown clothes, was intently strung together bamboo slips filled with children's words, one by one, by hand.

His movements were initially a little clumsy, but extremely serious, as if the bamboo strips in his hands were not ordinary bamboo strips, but something that needed to be treated with utmost care.

Ying Zheng had already moved his position, so the others naturally followed suit.

Li Si's eyes burned with desire. He immediately moved closer to the table, his gaze lingering on the strung bamboo slips. In the end, he couldn't resist reaching out his devilish hand.

"I haven't read anything these past two days, and I feel my mind is elsewhere. This is exactly what 'learning should never cease' means. I hope you won't mind if I borrow your books, Brother Zicheng?"

"Whether you mind or not, you've already gotten the hang of it, haven't you?"

Zhou Wenqing was pushed aside, shaking his head slightly speechlessly. "Looking for a book without looking at the bookshelves, you come and search my desk. That's not very honest, it's ungentlemanly!"

"Hehe!" Li Si grinned, but his hands moved even faster as he flipped through the pages.

"I just wanted to see what books Brother Zicheng usually reads to produce such brilliant insights. I am sincerely eager to learn and will definitely study them carefully."

"Then you're probably going to be disappointed." Zhou Wenqing rolled his eyes at him. "Besides the bamboo slips I've been using for calligraphy practice, my desk is filled with strange tales and miscellaneous stories I've collected from the countryside. I'm afraid there's nothing of serious scholarship that would meet Brother Gu'an's standards."

Li Si clearly didn't believe it; he now had a strange obsession with Zhou Wenqing's crimes.

However, Zhou Wenqing's bookshelf...

His mind raced, and he straightened up, subtly nudging Meng Wu beside him with his elbow.

"Guardian Meng, I remember you enjoy reading quite a bit. Why don't you go and find a couple of books to read? Young Master Zhou must have a rich collection of books."

He subtly gestured with his eyes towards the bookshelf.

Meng Wu understood immediately. He strode towards the bookshelf that wasn't filled with bamboo slips, his voice booming as if he truly craved knowledge: "Haha, Young Master Li is right! I... I also admire literature. Today I'll borrow some from Young Master Zhou to study. Please don't mind, Young Master."

Watching the two of them sing in unison, Zhou Wenqing sighed and pointed at Meng Wu, jokingly saying in a pained tone, "Guard Meng! How could you imitate that thick-skinned fellow! It's all over, it's all over, you've really been corrupted by your surroundings!"

"Brother Zicheng, how could you speak of me like that!" Li Si immediately clutched his chest, feigning deep hurt and on the verge of tears. "My sincere desire to learn is as clear as day!"

Seeing his expression made Zhou Wenqing and Meng Wu burst into laughter.

Seeing that the three of them had each "found something to do," Zhou Wenqing simply let them be, since they couldn't cause any trouble anyway. He sat back down by the low table, slowly and methodically scalding the cups and adding water, preparing to brew another pot of tea.

Ying Zheng sat at the table, sorting and connecting the bamboo slips one by one. His movements were unhurried, but his gaze lingered on the words and phrases.

This seemingly simple primer is ingeniously conceived and profoundly thoughtful, far surpassing the ordinary. It even subtly incorporates the core ideas of various schools of thought from ancient China. Such talent, such skill, and such vision are beyond the reach of ordinary people.

As the last bamboo slip was carefully threaded through the rope, the thoughts in his heart began to sprout like spring grass.

He raised his eyes, his gaze fixed intently on Zhou Wenqing, who was drinking tea. "Speaking of which, I haven't yet asked Brother Zicheng which esteemed master you studied under?"

He actually considered sending Fusu, Jianglu, and Gao over together to be taught by Zhou Wenqing.

Oh ho~ They're starting to ask about my background.

Zhou Wenqing understood immediately. His mind raced, and he reacted quickly. He put down the teapot, and the relaxed and carefree expression on his face vanished instantly.

Zhou Wenqing stood up, not facing Ying Zheng, but turning to the window and solemnly bowing to the void. When he turned back, a faint sadness and remembrance were etched between his brows.

"I dare not lie to you, Brother Shengzhi," he said in a low, slightly sorrowful voice, "our late master... passed away several years ago."

He paused briefly, as if to calm his mind, before continuing, his tone becoming increasingly calm and slow: "My late master was a man of simple tastes, regarding fame and fortune as fleeting clouds. He lived in seclusion in the mountains for many years, detached from worldly affairs. When I was young, I was fortunate enough to enter his school and serve by his side, gaining a glimpse into the path of learning. When I left the mountain, he repeatedly instructed me: 'If the meager skills you have learned can be put to practical use and benefit others, that is meritorious; you must never use the name of your master to gain even a shred of false reputation.'"

He raised his eyes, somewhat apologetic, but still insisted, "A teacher's instructions are as weighty as a mountain, every word etched in my bones, hence the taboo of my teacher's name. Please forgive Wenqing... It is truly difficult to tell you."

After speaking, he bowed slightly again in the direction of Ying Zheng, Li Si, and Meng Wu, his posture respectful, yet with a resolute determination to keep his promise.

The study fell silent for a moment.

"Brother Zicheng...please accept my condolences." Li Si stepped forward, gently patted Zhou Wenqing's shoulder, and comforted him in a low voice, "Brother Zicheng has such talent and learning, and he is able to abide by his teacher's instructions and respect his teacher. If his teacher knew this in the afterlife, he would surely be gratified."

Zhou Wenqing nodded silently, his eyes dim, and said in a low voice, "I hope so... I only hope that I have not failed my teacher's teachings."

He seemed to catch his breath for a moment, and some light returned to his eyes. "I was momentarily flustered, please forgive me."

Ying Zheng looked at him calmly and slowly said, "You possess extraordinary talent, a kind heart, and a deep respect for your teacher. If your teacher knew this in the afterlife, he would surely be proud of you."

He paused slightly, then continued naturally, "Now that Zicheng has accepted the task of initiating education for the children in the village and will soon become a teacher, he will likely be giving lessons soon. At that time, may we trouble you to sit in on a few of his classes?"

This means parents are required to sit in on the trial class. Zhou Wenqing understood. At this point, he was not far from successfully purchasing the course!

He was secretly delighted, but showed it on his face. He simply cupped his hands and said, "I am truly grateful for your kindness. If Brother Shengzhi and the others are willing to condescend to visit me, I, Wenqing, would certainly welcome you with open arms."

The slightly somber atmosphere in the study, which had been heavy with reminiscence of the late teacher, quietly eased with this readily agreed gesture.

"Whether Guard Meng comes or not, Fa will definitely come," Li Si laughed. "He must come and hear how Brother Zicheng 'uses fun as a boat,' Fa is really looking forward to it!"

Meng Wu glared at Li Si, giving him a sharp look, before turning to Zhou Wenqing, "Ge will also be there, to listen in. I hope Young Master Zhou won't find me foolish!"

Zhou Wenqing chuckled: "Then Wenqing will have to prepare well. I must not lose face in front of everyone. If the children are naughty, I hope you will all be lenient."

"Haha, I certainly won't make things difficult for Brother Zicheng!" Li Si replied with a smile.

Ying Zheng smiled and waved his hand, "Since Zicheng has undertaken this virtuous act of educating the local people, there is no need to worry about any expenses. I will cover the cost of the children's writing materials."

"Wow!" Zhou Wenqing's eyes lit up, and almost instinctively he gave Ying Zheng a thumbs up. "Brother Shengzhi, you're so generous!"

The gesture was crisp and clear, and its meaning was immediately apparent.

Ying Zheng's gaze sharpened slightly as it fell on Zhou Wenqing's raised hand. He was clearly taken aback for a moment, then surprisingly followed suit, giving a thumbs-up with great interest: "Zicheng, you're straightforward!"

"Haha! Alright! Then it's settled!" Zhou Wenqing laughed and withdrew his hand, then clasped his hands in a fist salute. "With Brother Sheng's generous donation, the children's early education supplies are no longer a worry. Wenqing thanks you on behalf of the village children!"

Anyway, you're the one paying, Zhou Wenqing thought to himself.

He was not polite at all.