Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

"Silence!"

Zhou Wenqing's temple throbbed slightly, and he glared fiercely at Liu Bang beside him, his eyes filled with speechlessness and exhaustion.

In such a turbulent and treacherous situation, upon hearing this sentence, he was at a loss for words.

After returning to Xianyang, I'll make sure Liu Bang is sent to an academy for a refresher course, so he can at least learn when to sew his mouth shut!

"Go back and stay put." Zhou Wenqing lowered his voice, each word seemingly squeezed out from between his teeth: "If you say another word, believe me, I'll never take you out again."

"No!" Liu Bang shrank back. "I'm just afraid he'll ruin the reputation of my Great Qin. I'll go back right now."

As he spoke, he quickly retreated to his seat, only to find that his good brother Fan Kuai had also taken a half-step back without making a sound.

That half step, though small, was like an invisible chasm, clearly drawn between the two.

Liu Bang was taken aback and looked up at him.

No way, after all these years of being best friends, you actually think I'm a disgrace?!

Just because I don't understand doesn't mean you do!

Fan Kuai looked at him expressionlessly.

I didn't understand, but I didn't ask.

Liu Bang: "..."

That seems... to make sense.

Regardless, Liu Bang continued to stare at him with eyes full of hurt and accusation, like a lovelorn husband whose heart had been deeply broken by a faithless lover.

Fan Kuai, after all, wasn't as thick-skinned as him and eventually couldn't withstand the pressure, so he silently stood back down.

Liu Bang then withdrew his gaze with satisfaction, straightened his back, as if he had won a silent battle.

The situation in the hall had stabilized, and the awkward atmosphere gradually dissipated.

Yao Jia held his wine cup, his expression calm and refined. He was carefully considering his words, intending to offer a polite and humble thank you, thus smoothing over the impact of the recent turmoil.

Everyone was watching him, waiting for the storm to pass and the banquet to end.

But alas!

Beside the empty seat for the imperial clan member vacated by Tian Zhong, a steady, upright, and resolute middle-aged voice, with the hardness of metal and stone, suddenly pierced the deathly silence in the hall:

"Your Majesty, you mustn't!"

The room fell silent.

Everyone turned their heads at the same time, staring at them in astonishment.

No, you're coming again?!

Facing the shocked gazes of everyone, the middle-aged man stood firm and reiterated his remonstrance, his voice ringing out:

"Your Majesty! Lord Tian's words are not drunken ramblings, but rather loyal advice born of keen insight into the impending doom and a deep concern for the nation!"

"I have served as your subject in Jimo for many years, deeply cultivating the land and personally observing the current situation. I know the nature of the Qin people best. Since Shang Yang's reforms, Qin has been accustomed to using the illusion of appeasement to lull the other states into complacency, and then using ruthless means to gradually annex them! Today, our Great Qi is humbly offering its doors to the Qin envoy to the Jixia Academy to observe learning and discuss the Way. It seems to be a gesture of good neighborliness, but in reality, it is opening the door to thieves and revealing our true intentions!"

"Jixia Academy is the foundation of our Great Qi's cultural heritage, the source of our national policies, and the lifeblood of our scholars! The Qin people are using this guise of visiting the academy to probe our cultural and educational foundation, the strengths and weaknesses of our court and the sentiments of our scholars. Once they have a clear understanding of Qi's internal affairs and the true nature of our ruler and his ministers, they will surely launch an eastward invasion within a few years!"

"In the current state of the world, the tyrannical Qin Dynasty holds absolute power, and all other states are in grave danger. Only by uniting and forming a united front against Qin can Qi protect itself and grow stronger. If we blindly sacrifice ourselves to feed the tiger and grovel before Qin, we will abandon our defenses, conceal our strength, and wait for Qin to devour us. When their army invades our borders one day, we will have no chance to turn the tide!"

He launched his attack so suddenly that no one could stop him in time. They could only listen to him speak more and more earnestly, his voice growing deeper and more intense, as he bowed and clasped his hands, almost as if he were pleading with someone:

"Your Majesty, please reconsider! The Great Qi is already on the verge of collapse, hanging by a thread. You must not be obsessed with pleasure and allow the nation to crumble! Your Majesty, I implore you—"

"Shut up!"

In that instant, Hou Shengcai was jolted awake as if struck by lightning.

A bone-chilling cold rushed up his spine to the top of his head, causing him to break out in a cold sweat and leaving his back icy cold.

Damn it, from which nook and cranny did Tian Zhong dig up this absolute brute?!

He slammed his fist on the table in a fit of rage, his eyes wide open, and roared:

"Where are the guards? Quickly! Drag him away and gag him!"

We finally managed to get that old bastard down, but then an even more formidable one appeared!

That old bastard Tian Zhong was only provoking and mocking, but this guy actually cursed openly, how could this be allowed?

He glanced at the host and saw that Yao Jia's face was ashen, and Fusu had already stood up with a stern expression.

Hou Sheng's heart skipped a beat, and he knew something was wrong. He hurriedly ordered the guards to gag the man and drag him away.

But this middle-aged man was no ordinary official—he had been guarding the area for many years, and a few guards could hardly stop him.

With a sudden jerk of his arms, two guards were forced back half a step, while he remained unmoved, his gaze piercing as he stared directly at the throne, his voice booming:

"Your Majesty! Every word I have spoken today comes from the bottom of my heart! If Your Majesty finds me offensive, I am willing to accept any punishment, even death, to atone for my sins. But please, Your Majesty, listen to my words!"

"Within the four borders, Your Majesty is not a subject of the people; beyond the four borders, Your Majesty is unaware of the affairs of enemy states. How can the kingdom last long under such circumstances? Your Majesty is situated in a land of constant warfare, and the state is in peril. Even if you wish to remain inactive, how can you possibly achieve this?!"

"Your Majesty, please reflect on your actions. Do not seek temporary comfort at the expense of your dynasty's longevity and the destruction of your vast land!"

Rebuking the emperor in court? Liu Bang was shocked—this time he understood!

My goodness! Following this teacher really broadens my horizons. Where did this amazing person come from?

"presumptuous--!"

King Qi slammed his hand on the imperial desk, his fair face flushed red, his nonchalant expression completely replaced by rage, finally transforming from a lazy, white-fleshed dragon fruit into a red-fleshed one.

He has been on the throne for decades. Before, he was protected by the regent and lived a peaceful life. Afterwards, he was indulged and spoiled by the emperor's brother-in-law, Hou Sheng, and lived a life of debauchery. Never before has anyone dared to publicly point out his incompetence, negligence, and harm to the country and the people!

How dare this nobody, whom he had never even met, strip the king bare in court and denounce his failures!

This is absolutely outrageous!

"Guards! Seize this madman who dares to defy the emperor's authority, spread heresies, and curse the nation!"

As soon as the order was given, several more guards rushed forward, their iron arms like locks, gripping the man's shoulders and arms tightly.

When he heard that his heartfelt words were labeled as spreading rumors and misleading the public, how could that man be willing to be dragged down like this?

He struggled fiercely, and the two guards were actually forced back half a step.

One of them slipped and nearly knocked over the wine table next to him. A wine vessel flew into the air and clattered down under the Qi King's desk, which frightened the eunuchs nearby.

"Protect the Emperor! Quickly, protect the Emperor!"

The eunuch was immediately thrown into a panic, his shrill and urgent cries piercing through the palace.

At this, the guards standing outside the hall rushed forward, their armor clanging and clattering, their boots clattering and stomping, tables and desks overturning with a clatter, and wine splashing all over the floor.

Several slow-moving civil officials were in big trouble. One of them stepped on a pile of wine soup, slipped, and fell flat on his back. Amidst cries of surprise, they fell one after another.

What was supposed to be a grand and elegant state banquet, accompanied by music and ceremony, quickly turned into a chaotic mess in the kitchen, with chickens flying everywhere, dogs barking, and everyone shouting for help to catch the traitor.

The man looked at the face on the throne, which was filled with disgust and disdain, and then at Hou Sheng, who was giving orders to the guards in the hall. He suddenly smiled sadly.

Now that things have come to this, all the honest advice has been given, and my innocence has been tarnished; there is no going back!

He suddenly struggled, his arms trembling as he flung the two guards away, his robes billowing like flags.

"You treacherous minister Hou Sheng, you'd better give me your life!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he charged straight towards Hou Sheng to kill him.

Hou Sheng had long been accustomed to a life of luxury. Faced with this overwhelming killing intent, he forgot to draw the sword at his waist. He was instantly terrified, and his usual composed, elegant, and tactful demeanor as a prime minister was completely shattered.

Forget about appearances, he shrank back, frantically clawing at the crowd as if fleeing a natural disaster, scrambling and crawling into the group of officials while yelling at the top of his lungs:

"Stop him! Stop him! He's gone mad! This man has completely lost his mind!"

King Jian of Qi, seated on his throne, originally intended to adopt the airs of a monarch and slam his fist on the table in a show of force.

Seeing that the doctor from Jimo's eyes were red and that he was really willing to risk his life in court, I was so frightened that my legs turned to gold. I threw all my imperial dignity, face and style to the winds.

His face was filled with terror. Without saying a word, he awkwardly bent over and used both hands and feet to slip under the large imperial desk, perfectly hiding himself. He only dared to show half of his clothes and didn't dare to breathe.

The mighty King of Qi immediately activated his refuge mode under the table.

On the host's side, the moment the chaos broke out, Li Yi's eyes sharpened, and he immediately stepped forward, steadily protecting his teacher, the eldest son, Yao Jia, and several officials behind him.

Fan Kuai instantly switched to his battle form, his tiger-like eyes glaring, his body slashing horizontally, his burly frame blocking the way, exuding a murderous aura.

Liu Bang was already dumbfounded, speechless.

Good heavens! There are even more eye-opening things out there!

He used to think that banquets held by various states were always elegant occasions of polite courtesy and deference, at most involving verbal exchanges and philosophical debates. He even worried that he wouldn't be of much use, so...

Is it really this lively?

This is almost as good as the scene in the streets and alleys where he calls out to his three or five friends to "fight for justice." This suits him so well!

When credit is handed to us, how can we let it slip by?

Liu Ji was overjoyed; it turned out he was a diplomatic genius!

He immediately stopped thinking and grabbed a bronze wine pot from the table in each hand as a weapon. He turned his head eagerly and shouted:

"Young Master, don't panic. With me, Liu Ji, here, no one can harm you in the slightest."

His tone was firm and confident, displaying an attitude of self-assurance and defiance.

But... Fusu wasn't flustered at all.

He had seen far more dangerous scenes before, so why would he be intimidated by this small one? Besides, it was clear that this person was neither capable of nor dared to come towards him.

He simply stood up steadily and took a step back, giving Li Yi and the others room to maneuver, then glanced at his master with a hint of worry.

Zhou Wenqing stared intently at the reckless man.

He seemed to know who this person was.

Based on what this person just said, he is a righteous official from the borderlands who dares to fight to the death against traitors in the imperial palace and is unyielding.

This resolute spirit, this unwavering determination to defend the land, this courage to defy the corrupt court with one's own body...

The magistrate of Jimo, an important town in the eastern part of the State of Qi.