Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

However, the doctor in Jimo did not immediately take action.

After flexing his wrists, he raised his eyes and coldly swept them over the crowd. His gaze slowly moved through the crowd, and when it finally landed on Hou Sheng, he paused, his eyes filled with disdain and contempt.

Hou Sheng felt a chill run down his spine under that gaze. He was filled with anger and fear, and he cursed under his breath: This madman, this brute, this reckless madman who doesn't know his own death!

His mind raced, already planning how to deal with this colleague properly after court, but for now... he dared not be assertive in the slightest.

His back can't take any more strain!

Hou Sheng clutched his waist and quickly shrank back a few steps, still shaken.

Seeing this, several guards rushed forward and stood in front of him, staring at the doctor of Jimo as if facing a formidable enemy.

"Ha, you treacherous minister."

The doctor from Jimo raised his thick eyebrows and spat out a curse.

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly tensed. Everyone thought he was incorrigible and would rush forward to settle scores with Hou Sheng again, restarting the chaos. Even the guards in the hall were on high alert, ready to pounce.

Unexpectedly, he suddenly changed direction, his steps firm and swift, and he quickly approached Yao Jia, who was standing in the hall!

Zhou Wenqing's heart skipped a beat.

What are you doing?! He's not going to attack Yao Jia, is he?

Given this guy's straightforward and fiery temper, it's actually quite possible!

He cried out urgently, "Liu Bang, quickly go and protect them!"

Hmm? Are you calling me?

Liu Bang was stunned for a moment, but he didn't have time to think much. He quickly stepped forward, wanting to block Yao Jia.

But Yao Jia calmly raised his hand, steadily stopping his movement, his voice steady and composed:

"No need, you may step back, and everyone need not be nervous."

His gaze was calm as he met the approaching, menacing physician from Jimo, his tone resolute and composed:

"I have heard of the name of the magistrate of Jimo. I believe he is an upright and honest man. I only ask to reason with him in court and clear the name of my Great Qin. I believe he would not engage in a private fight or harm the envoy."

"Otherwise, wouldn't that just give others ammunition to criticize us and solidify our so-called reputation for tyranny?"

After saying this, Yao Jia's eyes flickered slightly, and he quietly gave Liu Bang a reassuring look, indicating that there was no need for such actions. At the same time, he took a step forward and faced the approaching men alone.

"Please rest assured, everyone. The doctor has come here simply to debate with me in court."

really?

Liu Bang turned around and gave him a look that said, "Are you sure?"

The scene of the doctor from Jimo charging in with his bare hands, sweeping away the guards, and overturning the palace is still vivid in my mind. How could he be the kind of person who would sit down and discuss philosophy with you?

Moreover, based on his feat of single-handedly wiping out all the guards at the banquet, with your small frame, you probably wouldn't be able to withstand it!

Yao Jia smiled calmly and nodded slightly to Liu Bang, indicating that it was alright.

Looking at his calm and composed demeanor, Liu Bang was secretly amazed.

In the past, I only thought that this Qin guest was good at social maneuvering and smooth in dealing with people. Who would have thought that at the critical moment, he would have such composure as to remain calm even if Mount Tai collapsed in front of him?

He was filled with admiration, and immediately nodded decisively, took half a step back, and stopped trying to stop them.

Yao Keqing, it's all up to you now!

Little did they know... that Yao Jia, though seemingly relaxed, was actually tense and stiff all over.

His eyes were fixed on the doctor from Jimo as he approached, his heavy footsteps echoing loudly.

Finally, it stood firmly in front of me.

The two stood facing each other at close range, their sharp gazes clashing in mid-air. One was calm, the other angry; one restrained, the other unrestrained. An invisible tension instantly enveloped the entire Zhanghua Palace.

Yao Jia felt a slight sense of relief and sighed inwardly—he had made the right bet.

Knowing that this person was hot-tempered and stubborn, acting on impulse without considering the consequences, and somewhat impulsive, he ultimately cared about the state of Qi and held onto hope. He would not let go of this opportunity to debate with the King of Qi, which might awaken him.

Otherwise, if he were to break free of his restraints and launch a direct attack on Hou Sheng, Yao Jia would really have no way to deal with him.

The physician from Jimo stared intently at the composed and dignified Qin envoy before him. After a long and intense struggle, his slightly rough and hoarse voice slowly rang out:

"You do have some guts."

He glanced sideways, a hint of sarcasm in his eyes, and said, "He's far superior to that treacherous minister who holds a high position but is timid and hesitant."

Hou Shengqi's face turned almost green with anger, and he wished he could pounce on this madman and tear him to pieces.

This madman! This brat! This troublemaker! After all this is over, he'll make sure they know how powerful he, the prime minister, really is!

Yao Jia lowered his eyes slightly after hearing this, without responding, waiting for the other party to continue.

He knew that the other person's praise was not meant to build rapport.

Sure enough, when Doctor Jimo withdrew his gaze and turned back to look at Yao Jia, the slight respite in his eyes vanished, leaving only a stern and solemn expression.

"I praise your courage; I praise your personal integrity."

"But it has absolutely nothing to do with what I just said, and they should not be confused."

He looked around, especially at the throne, and his voice gradually rose, each word ringing with power:

"The Qin Dynasty was militaristic and constantly waged war, imposing harsh laws and heavy corvée labor, exhausting the people's strength and disrupting the peace of the world!"

"This is what the nations have seen and what the people have felt; it is irrefutable evidence of the truth, built from the blood and tears of the land. Every word is based on the facts, without a trace of falsehood or slander."

He stared intently at Yao Jia, his fighting spirit palpable.

"You keep accusing me of defaming your Qin state and insist on refuting this in court. Well then, I'll play along to the end. Today, before the King of Qi, I'll clarify right and wrong in this world!"

"good!"

Yao Jia responded loudly, showing no weakness, and accepted the challenge.

His previous modesty and reserved demeanor vanished completely, and his gaze suddenly sharpened. He neither avoided nor flinched, and even took a steady step forward, unleashing his full aura as he faced the fierce Qi Chen directly.

"The doctor from Jimo is frank and upright, which I admire."

"However, your argument is entirely absurd, and I, Yao, cannot possibly agree with it!"

"Oh?"

Ji Mo also stepped forward, his eyebrows furrowed.

"Then I'd like to hear it! The Qin Dynasty waged war, the flames of war raged on, leading to the destruction of the State of Han. Such atrocities are still fresh in our minds. The facts are as they are, so how can it be considered absurd!"

Faced with the other party's sharp questioning, Yao Jia remained calm and composed, and said in a clear voice:

"The fall of Han was not due to Qin's unprovoked invasion, but rather Han's own self-destruction. They sent a treacherous arrow to steal our secret papermaking technique. Their crime was self-inflicted, and the whole world knows this. Why do you turn a blind eye and distort the truth, sir?"

Upon hearing this, not only Qi Tingwen and Wu Wu unconsciously averted their gazes for a moment.

Indeed, the fact that the Qin Dynasty's papermaking technology was stolen by the State of Qi was not only known throughout the world, but also... the whole world took it for its own use.

Yao Jia's gaze swept over all the ministers in the hall, and he continued:

"The papermaking technique of our Great Qin Dynasty was a masterpiece created by the young Master Zhou, a secret art that continues the lineage of literature and is a national treasure!"

"The cultural heritage of a nation is of paramount importance and cannot be violated. Yet, the state of Korea, driven by greed and despicable intent, disregards the proper etiquette of diplomatic relations between nations, secretly sending spies into Qin territory to steal this technique, coveting the very foundation of the Qin state. How is such behavior any different from stealing from a nation and coveting its ancestral temples?!"

"The Qin army's campaign against Han was to punish injustice and retaliate against traitors, to protect our national heritage and safeguard our state! It was a righteous and honorable army! How can it be described as warmongering, unjust, and atrocious?"