Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

"Local officials in charge of accounting?"

Hou Sheng lowered his voice to a very low hue, his teeth revealing a cold ruthlessness, and his fingertips fiercely ground across the texture of the table.

"Good, very good. That old scoundrel Tian Zhong has even learned to play this kind of feint attack trick."

He paused, his gaze falling heavily on the figure sitting upright beside Tian Zhongxi.

His face was resolute, his clothes were simple, but his posture was as straight as a pine tree. He exuded a sharp and unyielding spirit, completely different from the old man's former confidants.

"They should be different," Hou Sheng thought with a cold laugh.

He had already sorted through the so-called "pure stream" of Tian Zhong's faction countless times—most of those who truly stood out had already been expelled, demoted, transferred, or killed. What remained were either incompetent fools with only a head of courage, or useless people who talked about benevolence and righteousness but only knew how to hide behind Tian Zhong to avoid trouble.

The fact that this person was protected by that old scoundrel in such a way shows that he has some ability and that the old man has high hopes for him.

Thinking of this, Hou Sheng's face darkened, and he sternly ordered:

"Send someone to investigate immediately. Find out this person's place of origin, work experience, and past background as quickly as possible, and report back to me immediately!"

"Yes, sir!"

The confidant, feeling as if granted a pardon, immediately responded, bowed, and retreated, quietly disappearing into the shadows of the pillars outside the hall. He wiped the cold sweat from his brow and then hurried off to gather information.

My uncle's temper has become increasingly unbearable lately; he can fly into a rage over the slightest mistake. Luckily, he was quick-witted and pinned all the blame on Tian Zhong, otherwise...

The trusted aide shook his head with lingering fear and quickened his pace.

Just then, the music inside the hall took a turn, and the sound of bells pierced through the entire hall.

A servant bowed and stepped forward, standing at the foot of the high steps. He then began to chant in a long, orderly voice, which resounded throughout the entire hall:

"His Majesty has arrived!"

The whispers inside the hall ceased abruptly. All the civil and military officials of Qi rose, straightened their clothes, and bowed respectfully towards the throne directly in front of them.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

Fusu led the delegation to their feet, bowed respectfully, and appeared dignified and composed.

Zhou Wenqing lowered his eyes and slowly stood up as well, cupping his hands and bowing respectfully, but his gaze subtly looked up.

This was the first time "he" had ever seen a Warring States ruler other than the Great King, so he couldn't help but be curious.

Historical records describe King Jian of Qi as indulging in pleasure and neglecting state affairs, a weak and incompetent ruler addicted to wine and women. However, the King Jian I have seen in person is quite different from the decadent and listless "dull-witted ruler" I had imagined, whose body had been hollowed out by wine and women.

The king of Qi was dressed in a dark red crown robe, with intricate cloud patterns embroidered on the hem. He was slightly plump with fair skin. His eyes and brows did not show much of the sharpness and majesty of a monarch, but rather a relaxed air that came from being pampered and not having been involved in politics for a long time.

Recalling the imposing and decisive aura of the King of Qin in the main hall of Xianyang, Zhou Wenqing clicked his tongue inwardly.

As expected, they are far inferior to their own king; there is almost no comparison.

Isn't this just a large white-fleshed dragon fruit with embroidered flowers on it?

After the King of Qi took his seat and everyone had paid their respects, he slowly raised his hand in a gesture of support, his voice slightly soft and gentle:

"Please rise and take your seats."

At a command, the court officials returned to their seats one by one, and the eunuchs immediately filed in, filling jugs with clear, sweet wine. Various gilded lacquer plates were neatly arranged on the table, with roasted meats, fresh seafood, honeyed treats, and fresh fruits layered on top of each other. The bronze cauldron gently warmed the meats, and a rich aroma rose from it.

At the right moment, the music of string and wind instruments began to play on the side of the hall. The melody was gentle and beautiful, typical of the music style of the Qi region, which made the whole side hall exude an atmosphere of luxury and tranquility.

Zhou Wenqing knew that he would inevitably have to engage in some empty pleasantries and formalities, but he had no interest in them. He knelt down again and, in the cramped room, with Fusu and Yao Jia in front of him as cover, silently scanned the people at the table and observed their expressions.

Talented people, truly talented people! The lecturers from Jixia Academy should also be present at the banquet, right? Where have they been arranged?

I want to finish this task as soon as possible and get away. Suddenly, I miss the scenery of Xianyang.

King Qi was clearly not very enthusiastic about these formalities. He lazily shifted his position on his throne, his gaze falling on the person in the eastern seat, his tone as if he were completing a routine task:

"The prince of Qin has come from afar. I have prepared some simple wine for you. Please do not stand on ceremony and enjoy it to your heart's content."

With a gentle and appropriate smile, Fusu calmly returned the greeting, saying, "I am grateful for the King of Qi's kind hospitality. I wish Qi and Qin to be good neighbors and have a long and stable diplomatic relationship."

King Jian of Qi nodded casually in response, as if he had completed the necessary procedures. His gaze relaxed, and he immediately turned to look at Hou Sheng beside him, clearly entrusting all subsequent dealings to the Prime Minister.

Hou Sheng was clearly already familiar with this procedure. He quickly picked up his wine cup, stood up, and faced Fusu, who was seated on the east side. His words were smooth and considerate:

"Your Excellency has traveled a thousand miles to Qi and facilitated peace between the two countries. This is a blessing for all the people of Qi and Qin. I offer you a toast, wishing that our two countries will live in harmony and never have any disputes again."

As soon as he finished speaking, Hou Sheng raised his hand and raised his glass, gesturing towards the view.

Fusu smiled and raised his cup, bringing it to his lips, touching them lightly, before gently putting it back down.

Although the common perception is that a young person's ability to drink strong liquor early and not be afraid of its harshness is a sign of physical strength, but—

The master said that children who drink alcohol will become stupid. The master must be right. He will listen to the master!

After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly lively, with the melodious sounds of string and wind instruments filling the air and the clinking of cups echoing throughout. Seeing that the time was right, Yao Jia put down his wine cup, stood up, and spoke with a smile:

"Today, I am deeply honored to be hosted by the King of Qi. I have long heard that Qi is a land of abundant resources and people, a land of treasures and natural wonders, and a place of flourishing culture. The Jixia Academy has gathered scholars from all walks of life and nurtured talents from all corners of the world, its fame resounding throughout the land. Today, I have come to Linzi in person and witnessed the orderly and harmonious rites and music of the Qi court, and the stability of the court and the country. Only now do I realize that the rumors are not unfounded. The profound heritage of the State of Qi is truly admirable."

He began with a string of praises, flattering everyone in Qiting and making them feel incredibly proud, before abruptly changing the subject and getting to the main point:

"We are here on a mission to the capital of Qi, not only to establish a friendly alliance between Qin and Qi, but also to visit the academy, observe the intellectual atmosphere of the Hundred Schools of Thought, and admire the legacy of the ancient sages. We hope to exchange ideas through literature and courtesy, adding another chapter to the story of our diplomatic relations. What does Your Majesty think?"

On the throne, King Jian of Qi was already intoxicated, his face flushed. He leaned back on the throne, his eyes glazed over, his mind wandering elsewhere.

After hearing Yao Jia's request, he casually waved his hand and replied, "Alright, alright, granted. It is entirely up to the Prime Minister to handle."

After saying that, he lazily glanced at Hou Sheng beside him, completely abandoning his responsibilities as a manager.

If the Qin envoy hadn't been there, he probably would have already abandoned the banquet, retreated to the harem, and indulged in revelry with his concubines and beauties.

Without the gentle whispers of my beloved by my side, even the sweet wine in my cup tastes bland. Oh, my beauty…

He picked up his wine cup, then put it down again, looking like a spectator who had been forcibly seated at the table.

The civil and military officials of the Qi Dynasty seemed accustomed to this and unsurprised. Hou Sheng rose with a beaming smile, bowed slightly to the King of Qi, and immediately said:

"Your Majesty, rest assured. Since the young master and the Qin envoy have expressed their desire to exchange ideas, I have already given prior instructions that the academy's chief minister will personally accompany them on their tour. You are all welcome to freely discuss the Dao and learn about the legacy of various schools of thought."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a heavy, cold snort came from the royal family seats.

Everyone turned to look, only to see Tian Zhong, his face ashen and his beard trembling.

He had been holding back his anger for a long time. The Qin envoy's visit came at a critical moment when Han was about to be destroyed. How important and sensitive it was! But what about his own king?

From beginning to end, he displayed a perfunctory attitude of "being lazy and indolent, just getting by," with a vacant gaze and a wandering mind. He only knew how to drink and have fun, and his mind was not on important matters at all. He left the political affairs to Hou Sheng. Is this acceptable?

Tian Zhong was deeply grieved. How could the Qi royal family have produced such an unambitious and muddle-headed king!

That's fine then, after all, he's a king, so he can't say much.

But look at Hou Sheng again, with that obsequious and servile face, fawning and begging for mercy from the Qin envoy, he has no shame at all, ugh!

Anyone who didn't know better would think that this prime minister, like the king's eunuchs, was a bit thin, which explains why he was so favored by the king.

That's utterly shameless!

He tried to hold back, and the people around him pressed him down again and again, but when Hou Sheng casually said, "The chief priest will personally accompany you on the tour," Tian Zhong finally couldn't hold back any longer.

He abruptly stood up, strode forward, his face ashen, bowed deeply to the King of Qi, and said sternly:

"Your Majesty, I believe this action is inappropriate!"

King Qi was pondering which palace to rest in after the banquet.

The Prime Minister recently sent over a beautiful woman with a waist as slender as a willow branch. Her synchronized dance made his heart flutter, and he longed to return immediately to hold her in his arms and cherish her dearly...

Just as he was savoring the moment, his heart was filled with tender feelings, and a foolish smile even appeared on his lips, when suddenly a sharp shout rang out, shattering his beautiful dream in an instant, and all the tender thoughts in his heart vanished like smoke.

He reluctantly raised his head, slowly lifted his eyelids, glanced at Tian Zhong, and spoke with a hint of impatience at being interrupted from his reverie:

"Um?"

"Your Majesty!"

Tian Zhong stood upright, his face tense, and spoke earnestly and passionately.

"The Jixia Academy is the foundation of our Great Qi's century-old cultural heritage and the source of the philosophies of all schools of thought. The Chancellor oversees the academy's teachings and presides over debates among the various schools of thought. He bears the heavy responsibility of transmitting sacred learning and cultivating virtuous talents. His position is of paramount importance. How can he be treated like an ordinary attendant, casually accompanying foreign envoys on sightseeing and entertainment?"

"Isn't the Prime Minister's arrangement disrespectful to the academy and unjust to scholars? It's far too hasty!"

Upon hearing this, Hou Sheng's expression stiffened slightly. He gritted his teeth inwardly and cursed the old scoundrel countless times, but he was hesitant to openly lash out. He could only suppress his anger and force a smile to smooth things over.

"Lord Tian, ​​you flatter me. It is a good thing that Qin and Qi have established friendly relations and exchanged cultural and diplomatic exchanges. The prince and envoy from Qin are guests from afar. The Chief Minister's courtesy in treating them is merely fulfilling the duties of our host country, Qi. How can this be considered disrespectful?"

As he spoke, he glanced quickly behind him, repeatedly gesturing to his trusted courtiers, eager for someone to step in and deflect the conversation, steer Tian Zhong back to his seat, and shut up that nitpicking mouth of his.

Immediately, a sensible person stood up, raised a wine glass, and approached with a smile:

"Master Tian, ​​Master Tian, ​​come, come! Master Tian's righteousness is admirable. I'd like to offer you a toast..."

The moment the wine glass was raised halfway, Tian Zhong gave him a cold glance, showing no mercy and his eyes filled with disgust as sharp as a blade.

The man's smile froze instantly, his face filled with embarrassment. He could only awkwardly withdraw his steps, retreat to his original position, and dare not utter another word.

After dismissing the bystander who had come to mediate, Tian Zhong suddenly let out a cold laugh.

"etiquette?"

He swirled the tongue around on his tongue, repeated it softly, and then slowly shifted his gaze from Hou Sheng's face to Dong Xi:

"If the two countries are truly committed to cultural exchanges and friendly neighborly relations, I will do my utmost to facilitate it without any objection."

He paused, his tone stating a fact, yet with a hidden meaning:

"However, Qin has only just pacified Han, the war has barely ended, and the bloodlust of conquest has not yet been washed away. Suddenly stepping into the land of Qi, which values ​​literature and harmony, to discuss scholarship and knowledge, with customs and orientations so different, I imagine you all... will inevitably experience some culture shock, won't you?"

His gaze suddenly swept over Yao Jia and the group of Qin officials, his tone slightly lowered, as if he were considering their best interests, but his sarcasm was obvious:

"However, for a state like Qin... that focuses on 'practical matters' and neglects 'literary affairs,' it is a good thing that it now wishes to look up to the elegance of Jixia Academy and seek its moral and ethical education. I can naturally understand this desire to learn."

"It's a pity that I, the Chief Minister of Jixia Academy, am too busy with affairs to accompany the Qin envoy on his excursions."

"If the Qin envoy truly wishes to witness the cultural heritage and spirit of Qi, I can personally select several scholars from the academy to guide and accompany you, leading you on a stroll through the academy's gardens, to see the fish in the pond, to appreciate the inscriptions on the stone tablets, and to quietly experience the refined and elegant atmosphere of Qi. This would also allow you to distance yourselves from the violence and bloodshed, and to cultivate your minds and character in peace. It would be the perfect match."

"you--!"

Upon hearing this, Hou Sheng felt his blood boil, and the forced polite smile on his face instantly shattered. He abruptly raised his finger and pointed at Tian Zhong, his fingertip trembling slightly, his eyes wide with anger, almost to the point of rage:

"Are you senile? What nonsense are you spouting?!"

What can be understood, personally recommended...

This is clearly a veiled criticism of the Qin people, suggesting they were crude and barbaric, only skilled in martial arts and lacking in knowledge, at best only able to superficially appreciate scenery and learn characters, and unworthy of discussing philosophy with the academy's chief minister.

This old scoundrel is about to ruin everything!

The atmosphere at the table suddenly became tense.

Even the King of Qi, seated on his throne, slightly changed his expression, a hint of panic flickering between his brows, inwardly cursing—

That old bastard is causing me trouble again!

He didn't care about the situation between Qin and Qi, and he was too lazy to get involved in the factional struggles in the court. He just wanted to enjoy himself peacefully and not be bothered by state affairs.

But he also knew that provoking the powerful Qin was by no means a wise move. When the former queen was alive, she repeatedly instructed him to be cautious and prudent in dealing with Qin.

Although King Jian of Qi did not have a good memory, he remembered this sentence.

Now that the Qin state has just conquered the Han state and its military might is at its peak, if a few complaints from an old minister cause any trouble, his banquet, his beautiful women, and his comfortable life will probably all be ruined.

Thinking of this, he impatiently raised his hand:

"Master Tian is drunk. Someone, help Master Tian down to rest."

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Sorry everyone, I said I'd add an extra chapter today, but I've been affected by the recent data fluctuations and haven't been feeling well. I'll make it up later.