Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

Fusu spoke first, then stepped aside.

Behind him, Ba Qing walked slowly and deliberately into the room.

She was still dressed in a simple, elegant robe, without any elaborate jewelry. Even in a room filled with dazzling lights and jewels, her graceful demeanor and elegance, honed by the passage of time, could not be concealed.

The lamplight falls on his eyebrows and eyes, warm and steady, like a beautiful jade polished by years of flowing water, calm and reserved, yet possessing immense weight.

Beside her stood the guide, Miss Aruo, who had taken her leave after entering the border of Qi.

He still had a dashing and spirited look, and walked with a brisk pace. He held a small wooden box steadily in his arms and stood quietly to the side.

Yao Jia turned around, his eyes widened in shock, and he blurted out in astonishment:

"Mrs. Qing, is that you?"

He guessed at countless people: the Qin's secret agents left in Qi, Zhou Wenqing's old friends, Qin students in Qi—but he never expected that the person who came would be Ba Qing.

Ba Qing looked up at him, curtsied slightly, and said in a calm tone, "Guest Yao, it is indeed Qing. It has been a long time. I hope you have been well."

With an elegant and upright posture, every gesture and movement was composed and graceful. He stood quietly in the hall, completely unaffected by Yao Jia's astonishment.

Yao Jia was infected by her tranquility. Coming to his senses, he hastily returned the greeting with a cupped-hand salute and a nod of apology before looking at Zhou Wenqing.

This is the backup plan you left behind, the person who can cover up this oversight?

Merchants are not fit to enter the Jixia Academy!

I know, I know.

Zhou Wenqing gave him a reassuring look.

He certainly did not intend for Ba Qing to personally ascend the Jixia Academy platform and debate with the other Confucian scholars.

Even though Ba Qing has exceptional insight, he may not necessarily be at a disadvantage, but to take the stage for a debate—one must first be able to take the stage, right?

How easy is it to change the deep-rooted prejudices of a group of old-timers in just three days?

Even if we take another step back and manage to ascend the altar, so what?

Even if one feels regretful, one has to admit that a woman taking the stage, especially a merchant woman—even if she wins, there's no guarantee that some kind of trouble won't arise. If another uproar ensues, it won't be a good thing.

The Qin Dynasty had long suffered the stigma of "tyranny" and needed a brilliant and blameless turnaround, allowing no room for error.

As for the others, it's not impossible, but we have to take it slowly; haste makes waste.

Zhou Wenqing sighed inwardly, then turned to look at Ba Qing.

His original intention in inviting Madam Qing here today was not to help her win the competition—after all, when he instructed Wang Ben and the others to pick her up, he was unaware of this misunderstanding.

But the significance of Madam Qing's appearance goes far beyond simply taking action herself.

Don't underestimate a businessman's connections.

And don't underestimate the connections of a legendary businessman like Ba Qing!

After parting ways in Luoyang, Ba Qing provided clues about Chen County. However, the caravan's delivery schedule was tight, and it was inconvenient to stay for long. So they had to head to Qi first, leaving only A'Ruo to accompany them and take care of them.

Even so, the Baqing merchant group's support was indispensable in providing food, medicine, and manpower for the mission, escorting the crippled child, and settling the wounded.

Most importantly, before Ba Qing set off, he entrusted her with the task of finding talented people in Qi and recruiting those who were loyal to Qin and capable of great use—this was the ultimate goal of his mission.

Counting the days, the search has been going on for more than three months.

With Ba Qing's ability to judge people and his extensive network of connections, how could he possibly fail to fulfill this small request?

Three days later, at the Jiwen Conference, will there still be a shortage of capable people?!

Oh my... isn't that a coincidence?

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him a master strategist and a prophet, would it?

A hint of smugness quietly rose in Zhou Wenqing's heart, but he didn't show it on his face at all. Instead, he appeared even more composed and profound.

Looking at Yao Jia's gaze, his expression shifted from shock, confusion, and bewilderment to realization, admiration, and finally, almost mirrored that of Fusu—

This is the feeling, awesome!

Zhou Wenqing was secretly delighted and was about to calmly get up and lead Madam Baqing and Miss Aruo to their seats when he suddenly realized... something seemed wrong.

What's wrong?

Zhou Wenqing pondered for a moment, and just then his eyes met those of the smiling girl, A'ruo.

Ah, wait a minute!

How did Madam Qing address Yao Jia just now?

—Yao Keqing!

Shouldn't she think that she is Yao Jia, and Yao Jia is the retainer Zhao Zhen?

So, when exactly did he lose his horse?!

Zhou Wenqing maintained a calm and inscrutable expression for a long time, but finally, at this moment, his expression cracked.

Seeing this, Aruo couldn't help but secretly cover her mouth and smile.

Is it only now that Mr. Zhou has realized this?

Zhou Wenqing racked his brains, but still couldn't figure out when or where he had slipped up. He felt embarrassed and awkward, as if he had been caught red-handed after deceiving others, and for a moment he didn't know how to start the conversation.

Fortunately, Ba Qing was perceptive and noticed his embarrassment. She calmly stepped forward and spoke up to defuse the situation: "Mr. Zhou's disguise was not too flawed. It's just that I usually enjoy reading medical books in my spare time. When I first met you, I smelled a faint medicinal fragrance around you, and I had some suspicions about you."

"I was afraid that my words might disturb you and ruin your plans, so I kept quiet until yesterday when I met you at the pavilion and heard your servants report that they described the appearance of the deputy envoy, Yao Keqing. Only then did I feel certain that I had not told you this before. If I have been impolite or presumptuous, I hope you will not blame me."

After speaking, she bowed slightly and apologized.

It must be said that Ba Qing's words were already very subtle, not mentioning at all that he had confidently removed the ever-burning lamp when they first met. But—among those present, how many were not shrewd and cunning?

So, was his true identity revealed at their very first meeting?

He thought he had gotten off the act perfectly!

Thinking back to all the times I'd put on airs in front of those two...

Zhou Wenqing felt his ears suddenly burn, and his mind seemed to be being pounded by an iron pestle, making a buzzing sound.

I might as well dig a hole and bury myself right here, it's too embarrassing!

But no.

He took a deep breath, suppressing his embarrassment along with his breath, before managing to steady himself. He stood up and gestured for Ba Qing to get up quickly.

"Madam Qing, you are too kind. It was Wenqing's carelessness after all, so how can you blame anyone else? If we start arguing, then Wenqing should be blamed for deceiving you first... Alas!"

He stopped speaking abruptly, his voice trailing off, and in frustration, he slapped his forehead, abruptly halting his words.

His dignity and reputation were shattered, and the image of a strategist he had just established had completely collapsed. It was too painful to even mention such a dead-end story, and he simply couldn't bear to continue the conversation.

Zhou Wenqing simply waved his hand and quickly changed the subject:

"Enough, enough, let's not dwell on the past. Madam Qing, Miss A'Ruo, you must be tired from your journey. Please sit down and let's talk."

He spoke quickly and urgently, as if afraid of being caught out, and also glared at Yao Jia across from him, whose shoulders were trembling.

Ba Qing noticed his eagerness to hide his embarrassment, turned her head and exchanged a quiet glance with A Ruo beside her. A more genuine and bright smile quietly spread across her gentle and smiling eyes.

Zhou Neishi is quite a lively and interesting person.

Without pointing out the other party's embarrassment, Ba Qing took a seat and, without waiting for Zhou Wenqing to speak, went straight to the point, gesturing for A'Ruo to present the wooden box.

"The matter entrusted to me by Mr. Zhou was already being handled as soon as Qingyi set foot in Qi."

"The file on the left side of the box contains the list of virtuous and capable men in the capital of Qi who are willing to serve Qin, which I have personally investigated and selected so far. Their talents and connections are all marked in detail. I would appreciate it if Mr. Zhou could take a look at it himself."

"As for the scroll on the right, it records the most famous lecturers of Jixia Academy, the representatives of famous schools of thought, and the academic preferences, life and temperament of their disciples. I don't know if Mr. Zhou needs it, but I have taken the liberty of compiling it together and bringing it with me."

"We need it, we desperately need it, we couldn't ask for more!"

Yao Jia's eyes lit up instantly, his voice rose eight octaves, he braced himself on the edge of the table, and leaned forward abruptly, managing to snatch the wooden box from A'Ruo's hands before Zhou Wenqing could get there—his movements were so urgent that he seemed afraid someone else would take it away if he was even a step too late.

Caught off guard, A'Ruo paused slightly, looking at him with a puzzled expression and a hint of confusion in her eyes.

"Yao, Guest Elder Yao?"

It's only been two days since I last saw Yao Keqing. When did he change his behavior like this?

Yao Jia was startled by the questioning call and realized his lapse in composure.

He looked slightly embarrassed, gave A'Ruo an apologetic smile, and lingered on the box for a couple of seconds before handing it to Zhou Wenqing.

After Zhou Wenqing caught it steadily, Yao Jia straightened his clothes, rectified his posture, and solemnly bowed deeply to Ba Qing:

"Madam Qing's consideration is thorough. This box of files is like timely rain after a long drought, truly saving me from dire straits. I, Jia, sincerely thank you!"

Upon seeing this, Ba Qing quickly stood up and stepped aside, refusing to accept his full courtesy. He gently declined, saying, "You flatter me, Guest Elder Yao. I have only done a small favor, nothing more. I really do not deserve such a grand gesture from you."

After saying that, she turned her head and gestured for A'Ruo beside her to come forward and help her.

"Come on, come on! I..."

Yao Jia was about to speak again when, unexpectedly, A'Ruo stepped forward steadily, supporting his arm with one hand and "gently" pulling him up.

Yao Jia straightened up instantly, as if he heard a crisp "crack" from his back—he had almost strained his old back.

Aruo simply bowed politely to him with a normal expression, completely unaware of the force she had exerted. Then, with light and steady steps, she quietly retreated to stand beside Baqing.

Yao Jia: "..."

Even after two days apart, Miss Aruo is still as dashing and capable as ever!

Since everyone around him had already stood up, he stopped insisting and gestured for Ba Qing to sit down again. He then quietly rubbed his lower back and sat back down as well.

After everyone had taken their seats, Li served tea to each person, and the atmosphere eased again. Yao Jia then sighed and slowly began to speak:

"Madam Qing, you may not know this, but it is not that I am exaggerating. It was just that I was careless today and almost caused a disaster. If it weren't for Madam sending this, I would have had to atone with my death."

"Oh, what happened that's so serious?"

Upon hearing this, Ba Qing's gentle smile vanished instantly, his brows furrowed, and his expression immediately turned serious.

"I……"

The thought of publicly revealing the foolish thing he had done on his own initiative made Yao Jia feel his face burning with embarrassment, and he found it extremely difficult to speak.

He quickly turned his head and gave Zhou Wenqing a pleading look, hoping that the other party could help him out of this predicament.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Wenqing seemed completely oblivious, calmly turning to the side, picking up the teapot, and pouring tea for Fusu, who looked bewildered and hesitant, appearing every bit the gentle and considerate teacher.

Hmph, I've already lost all face, and you can't escape it either. If we're going to lose face, we'll lose face together, that's the only fair way!

Yao Jia caught a glimpse of the barely concealed schadenfreude in him, and his eyelids twitched uncontrollably twice.

You little brat, Zicheng, I'll remember this. You better not let me catch you in the act again!

There was an undercurrent of tension between the two, and only Fusu, caught in the middle and innocently suffering the consequences, nervously pressed his hands against the cup in front of him, his cheeks flushed red, and his heart filled with panic.

Oh no, oh no! I've troubled you to pour me tea. If my father finds out, I'm afraid I'll be dragged to Zhangtai Palace and forced to copy the Qin law a hundred times!

His face was drooping; just imagining the scene made his right hand ache.

Why are you two adults even more childish than me, a little kid?!

Fusu could no longer hold back and stood up abruptly. The movement was so sudden that even Zhou Wenqing's hand, which was adding tea, froze, and the spout of the teapot hovered in mid-air for a moment.

"Fusu?"

"Sir, I... let me answer Madam Qing's questions."

Before anyone could answer, Fusu succinctly and clearly explained the cause and course of events in just a few words, emphasizing that Yao Jia and Meng Jijiu had agreed on the topic of their discussion at the altar three days later, as well as their current difficulties.

Ba Qingjing listened to the whole story, her brows furrowing slightly, and sighed softly, "So that's how it is. I never imagined that such a grand event would have so many twists and turns."

Upon hearing this, Yao Jia and Zhou Wenqing were both slightly embarrassed, their faces turning ashamed.

Yao Jia blamed himself for his negligence, while Zhou Wenqing blamed himself for his unexpected ability to reason.

Fortunately, Ba Qing did not delve into the rights and wrongs of the past; all her attention was focused on how to break the deadlock quickly.

She pondered for a moment, tapped her fingertips lightly on the edge of the table, and slowly spoke: "'What is tyranny'—this topic, at first glance, seems to be unfavorable to the Qin state, but in fact it is not."

"The term 'politics' refers to governance, the management of the affairs of all people. Tyranny is not defined by the severity of its laws or the strength of its forces, but by whether the people under its rule can live in peace, enjoy their work, and fully utilize their talents."

"If the people have stable property, the scholars have stable minds, and the merchants have stable principles, then even if the laws are strict, they cannot be simply described as 'violent'."

His words were dissected layer by layer, each word clear and insightful, directly addressing the core of the debate topic.

Yao Jia couldn't help but nod slightly and clap his hands in praise:

"Excellent! Excellent! Madam Qing's words resonate perfectly with me!"

He looked at Madam Qing with slight surprise and said sincerely, "I never imagined that Madam Qing would not only be so good at business, but also have such extraordinary and unique insights into governing the country. I was ignorant and underestimated Madam Qing. I hope Madam Qing will forgive me."