Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

"special?"

Zhou Wenqing did not answer immediately, but gestured for everyone to sit down again. He then sat back down at the table and tapped his fingertips lightly on the edge of the table, as if weighing the weight of the two words.

In the past, he probably wouldn't have even blinked and would have replied without hesitation, "Why wouldn't I dare!"

To put it jokingly, it's not that he's afraid to use them; he's just afraid of overworking them and making them quit!

With genuine talent and the personal guarantee of Ba Qing, what is there to hesitate about?

No matter how special it is, just see if you're willing to use it to the extreme.

But things are different today.

Zhou Wenqing looked past the window and gazed in the direction of the Jixia Academy.

Although Jixia Academy is no longer as powerful as it once was, it is still a force to be reckoned with, and the foundation it has built up over a century remains undiminished.

This means that the victory in this battle is known to all, to all scholars, and can almost be considered a final verdict, with no further objections.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

He was determined to use this debate to shatter the stigma of "tyranny and rudeness" that the six states had placed on Qin, and to dispel the rumors and criticisms that had accumulated over the years.

Only by changing public opinion can we overcome fewer obstacles and achieve twice the result with half the effort in the future strategy of governing the six states in Shandong, winning over the hearts of the people, and implementing new policies.

Therefore, what he pursued was by no means a small victory, a clever victory, or a narrow victory.

What he wanted was a glorious, overwhelming victory, a clean and decisive triumph that would leave the scholars of the world with no room for criticism, leaving them convinced and unable to refute his claims.

With such profound calculations on his shoulders, he naturally couldn't make a hasty decision based on mere impulse.

After a moment of contemplation, Zhou Wenqing withdrew his gaze from the distance, looked up at Ba Qing, his eyes calm and cautious, and slowly said:

"I fear Wenqing cannot agree so readily. I urge Madam Qing to enlighten me: what exactly makes this person so special?"

Upon hearing this, Ba Qing lowered her eyes slightly, the hidden expectation in her eyes quietly vanished, and her expression dimmed slightly, but she was not too surprised.

Mr. Zhou is indeed not so easy to talk back to!

But upon further reflection, I felt relieved.

If Zhou Wenqing were to be swayed by a single provocative remark and rashly agree to such an important matter without considering the pros and cons, that would truly be disappointing.

So when she looked up again, the disappointment in her eyes had completely vanished, replaced by her usual calm and composure.

"The special qualities of this person... it would be difficult to describe them fully in just a few words."

After a moment's thought, she earnestly suggested, "How about this, I will bring this person here to meet you gentlemen."

Ba Qing smiled, his words humble yet without a trace of awkwardness or restraint, and spoke frankly and generously:

"I am but a woman, with limited talent and knowledge. Moreover, I have some personal ties with this person, so my judgment is inevitably biased. Therefore, I dare not make a hasty conclusion. It is best for you gentlemen to see this person's abilities for yourselves before making a decision."

"If you all find it unappealing, then there's no need to waste any more words. But if you are satisfied—" A glint flashed in her eyes as she gently circled the rim of the teacup with her fingertips: "Then, the reasons will be explained to you by him himself."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Wenqing raised an eyebrow slightly, rested his elbow on the table, and a hint of amusement appeared on his lips as he half-jokingly said:

"Judging from this statement, it seems that Madam Qing truly has complete confidence in this person."

It's not just that they're full of confidence; that statement about personal bias is probably entirely true as well.

Let everyone witness his abilities firsthand. Once the consequences are clear, they will naturally not let him off easily.

Even if there are any problems, we should reconsider them.