Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

Zhou Wenqing didn't care much about the secret recipe; he thought it would be better to publish it.

He recalled the origin of this "garlic extract." It was because his wound was unbearably itchy and he couldn't scratch it that he had a sudden inspiration. He asked Li Yi to peel a lot of garlic cloves, crush them into a paste, let them sit to extract the juice, and then mix it with oil to apply to the affected area to see if he could extract the garlic extract. Unexpectedly, it actually worked.

Moreover, he had other plans in mind.

In this ancient world without water, electricity, internet, or entertainment, he couldn't stay for even a day.

He knew better than anyone else that although he was familiar with the course of history, he might not be as shrewd as those princes and ministers who were caught in the vortex of power.

If one relies on that bit of foresight to try and stir up trouble, one careless move could set off an uncontrollable butterfly effect, plunging history into an even darker abyss...

Wouldn't he then become a sinner who will be infamous for all eternity?

No, no, absolutely not!

Once his injuries had healed and he was able to move, he instructed Li Yi to present the recipe for "garlic extract" to the King of Qin. He believed that this merit would protect Li Yi from being implicated and would also repay the kindness he had shown him over the past few days.

With these thoughts in mind, he couldn't help but look up at Li Yi beside him.

From the moment this "garlic extract" was first made, he repeatedly tried to persuade the other party to let him present the method to the King of Qin on his own, but he was always flatly refused.

What an inflexible stubborn rock! Is it only when we escort this living person into Xianyang that we can consider our mission accomplished?

Zhou Wenqing thought about it and couldn't help but glare at him with a hint of resentment.

Li Yi felt a pang of guilt at that glance and instinctively looked away.

These repeated refusals were not what he wanted, but he had no other choice.

Firstly, he had already sensed that the prince harbored some reservations about meeting the King of Qin, which was definitely not a good sign. After spending these days together, he knew better than anyone what kind of talent this seemingly weak prince possessed. If he were to agree to the prince's request to present the treasure alone, the prince would have an even better reason to refuse to meet the King of Qin.

Secondly, the relationship between "garlic extract" and "garlic" is of great importance. How could he dare to conceal anything? He had already submitted a detailed report to Xianyang via urgent secret dispatch. Why would he need to go and present the treasure alone? Of course, he was only reporting first and had no intention of stealing the young master's credit.

Judging by the time, this secret report should already be on the King of Qin's desk by now.

------

Xianyang, Zhangtai Palace.

The King of Qin held the bamboo slip containing the secret report in one hand, while the knuckles of his other hand gently caressed the small pottery jar that had been delivered along with the report, lost in thought.

After a moment of silence, the King of Qin raised his gaze from the bamboo slips, sweeping over the eunuch standing beside him. His voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable air of authority:

"Announce Li Si."

"promise."

The eunuch bowed and accepted the order, then quietly withdrew to relay it.

Before long, a steady sound of footsteps approached from afar. Li Si, led by a palace attendant, entered the hall and respectfully bowed deeply before the emperor.

"Li Si pays his respects to Your Majesty."

No need for formalities.

Ying Zheng did not say much, but handed the bamboo slip in his hand to the eunuch standing to the side.

The eunuch bowed and silently presented it to Li Si.

"Take a look at this."

Li Si thanked him, stood up, and took the bamboo slips with both hands, unfolding them to read them carefully.

At first, he frowned slightly, but as his gaze shifted downwards, his expression gradually became serious, and his breathing became slightly rapid. He suddenly looked up, his eyes flashing with a sharp light:

"Your Majesty, has this substance... been verified? Does this 'allicin' truly possess such miraculous effects?"

"I have already ordered the Imperial Medical Bureau to secretly test it."

Ying Zheng's voice was as calm as a deep pool.

"We selected patients with severe carbuncles from three wounded soldiers' camps to try this treatment. The ulceration stopped immediately, the high fever gradually subsided, and within a few days, six or seven out of ten of them were saved from certain death."

He paused briefly, tapped the table lightly with his fingertips, and looked intently at Li Si:

"I wish to teach this prescription to all physicians in the land. What does Minister Li think?"

"Your Majesty is wise!" Li Si's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he immediately understood the deeper meaning in the King of Qin's words.

Li Si looked up and met Ying Zheng's gaze:

"Since this substance can save lives, we should issue an edict tomorrow to gather physicians, so that the whole world may know that this is the king's benevolence. This will not only win the hearts of the people, but also attract physicians and righteous people to come and serve us. It is a win-win situation."

"Just as Li Qing said."

The King of Qin nodded slightly; this was also what he had in mind.

Rather than keeping the prescription a secret, it's better to use it to demonstrate the magnanimity of the Qin Dynasty. Besides, it can save more people, who will eventually become Qin citizens anyway, so there's no harm in saving them.

Moreover, he could secretly order the purchase of garlic from various countries, seizing the initiative and making it impossible for other countries to supply large quantities to their armies.

"However..." the King of Qin changed the subject, "it is too early to issue the edict tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Li Si frowned slightly, then suddenly realized: "Is Your Majesty worried... that this will expose the identities of the secret guards planted beside Zhou Wenqing?"

"good."

Ying Zheng's gaze was deep. "Since this person can offer such a miraculous prescription, he must be knowledgeable in medicine. This is somewhat different from Zhou Wenqing in previous secret reports. We should not act rashly before we understand his background."

Li Si bowed and said, "Your Majesty is indeed very thoughtful. I just don't know how Zhou Wenqing's injuries are, and when we can wait for him to come to Xianyang to personally present this miraculous prescription."

He couldn't help but feel anxious. He had heard that the man was seriously injured, and if it dragged on for three to five years, the court couldn't wait that long.

"According to the report from the imperial physicians we sent," Ying Zheng said calmly, "Zhou Wenqing is seriously injured, but fortunately he is recovering very quickly. However, he has some lingering heart disease, and he will be able to travel again in at most three months."

"Three months?" Li Si couldn't hide his surprise. "So fast?"

He remembered that the secret report mentioned that this person had almost died, yet he was able to recover to the point where he could travel in such a short time.

The King of Qin did not answer immediately, but a faint glint flashed in his eyes. He secretly wondered if this amazing recovery speed was the result of the legendary "divine pill".

Unfortunately, in the past month, almost no clues have been found regarding the divine pill.

Perhaps, when Zhou Wenqing steps into this Xianyang Palace, he can ask him himself.

Two months passed in the blink of an eye. The production of "garlic extract" by the King of Qin was in full swing, while Zhou Wenqing's wounds had mostly healed, and he was able to go out for a stroll with crutches.

The small house he used to live in was drafty and extremely cramped; even the doctor couldn't find a place to stand. So, once he was a little better and able to move around, Li Yi rented a house in a nearby village and carried him there.

Li Yi is efficient in his work. The new place he found is not only comfortable to live in, but also has a nice environment. He always likes to stroll slowly along this dirt road.

A small river flowed quietly in the distance. Zhou Wenqing took a deep breath. The air in this era was indeed crisp and clear, with the scent of grass and trees wafting towards him, carrying the most primitive natural vitality.

So ever since she was able to get out of bed, Zhou Wenqing has been going out for walks from time to time to breathe some fresh air.

As he was walking, a woman carrying a wooden basin who had just finished washing clothes passed by. Upon seeing him, she gave him a simple and honest smile.

"Young Master Zhou, out and about again?"

Zhou Wenqing nodded with a smile: "Yes, after lying down for so long, it's time to get out and stretch our muscles."

"Oh dear, Young Master Zhou, you'd better be careful."

The woman put down the wooden basin, rubbed her hands, which were slightly red from the cold, and her eyes showed genuine concern.

"The weather is getting colder, and your injuries haven't healed yet. What if you catch a cold?"

Zhou Wenqing nodded: "Thank you for reminding me, sister-in-law. I understand. I'll go back in a little while."

"How can you really be so frugal!" The woman slapped her thigh, her expression becoming even more earnest. "Young people always take things for granted, but your health is the most important thing! Especially you, so frail, how can you withstand such strain? Here's what we'll do: my husband just happened to gather some extra firewood a few days ago, I'll have him deliver some to you in a bit. Winter is almost here, it'll be perfect to have some firewood to burn!"

Zhou Wenqing quickly refused, but the woman was extremely stubborn:

"It's just some firewood we found for free, what's it worth? Young Master Zhou has helped us a lot since he came here, if you don't accept it, we'll have no face to see you again!"

Seeing that she had gone this far, Zhou Wenqing could only smile wryly and agree. Only then did the woman smile and leave, satisfied, carrying the wooden basin. Her footsteps faded into the distance on the ridge of the field.