Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

Inside the carriage, Xiao Huhai was still immersed in the grievances he had just suffered. The pain from the two slaps on his buttocks had not completely subsided, and he felt even more aggrieved.

He didn't want to sit alone on the cushioned seat, so he instinctively reached out his little hand to that familiar figure: "Hug."

In the past, Zhao Gao would always step forward immediately, but this time, before his arm was fully extended, a figure had already blocked the way between him and Zhao Gao.

It was Li Si.

He smiled, bent down slightly, and said in a gentle voice, "Young master, let me protect you. The king ordered me to take good care of you, and it is my duty to ensure your safety."

As he spoke, he naturally stretched out his arm, making a loose encirclement around Hu Hai's side as if to protect him, but his gaze turned to Zhao Gao beside him, and his smile deepened.

"Zhao Zhongche, although I am not skilled in driving a carriage, I have to trouble you. But for now, please leave the task of looking after the young master to me."

Zhao Gao paused almost imperceptibly.

His gentle and humble smile remained unchanged, and he even bowed more deeply: "Guest Li, you flatter me. This is my duty, how can it be a trouble? Since you are taking care of the young master, I will do my best to drive the carriage and ensure a smooth journey."

Zhao Gao silently retreated to his position next to the charioteer, only to find that Meng Wu was not leading the charge, but was riding alongside him.

Beneath his sleeves, Zhao Gao's fingers suddenly tightened, his nails digging deep into his palms, leaving bloody marks. Only the excruciating pain managed to suppress his surging shock and anger.

Zicheng!

This word was like a poisonous thorn, and Zhao Gao gritted his teeth in hatred. Who exactly was this person, and when and where had he offended him?

Today's series of unexpected setbacks are all because of this person.

He took a deep breath, quickly suppressed all his emotions, and told himself to calm down.

Such a sudden turn of events should make us even more composed. The flaws revealed today were truly regrettable. I only hope that the King has not noticed them. Fortunately, the King still needs him. He is well-versed in the law and capable in his work. Temporary changes cannot shake the foundation.

As for Zhou Wenqing... no matter how favored he is, he is still just an outsider. The palace is deep and complex; there's a long road ahead...

------

Zhou Wenqing slept soundly, and when he woke up, the sky outside the window was already almost dusky.

He got up, tidied himself up, and walked out of the room. He saw Li Yi setting out the food on the table in the front hall, one dish at a time, with steam rising from it.

Ying Zheng and Wang Jian were sitting opposite each other, and both turned to look when they heard the sound.

"Brother Zicheng is awake? Perfect timing, we've been waiting for you." Ying Zheng greeted him with a smile, pointing to the empty seat beside him.

They eat as soon as they wake up... This lifestyle is almost like that of a pig waiting to be fed during the Lunar New Year.

A hint of absurd amusement crossed Zhou Wenqing's mind, but his face remained calm and composed. He first bowed respectfully to Wang Jian, saying, "General Wang is here. I was too tired to pay my respects properly earlier, and I am truly ashamed."

Wang Jian was taken aback at first, then looked at Ying Zheng and saw that the other party nodded slightly, and then he realized.

Well, you two have even dismantled the stage. I spent ages on the way here trying to come up with a pseudonym that's a million times better than that old bastard Meng Wu's "Meng Ge".

I think "Wang Yi" is much better; it's so imposing and much more majestic than his "Ge"!

The slight regret of not having finished naming the child flashed through his mind, and he immediately laughed and helped Zhou Wenqing up: "Mr. Zhou, you're too kind! I've never liked such formalities. You should take care of yourself, please sit down, the food is getting cold!"

His attitude was cheerful and forthright, showing no sign of being surprised or offended.

He has a straightforward personality, Zhou Wenqing thought to himself, feeling a little relieved, and sat down accordingly.

At first, Wang Jian thought it was just ordinary country food, but after a few bites, he paused while picking up his chopsticks and raised his thick eyebrows.

He tasted the side dish again, savoring it carefully. His eyes lit up, and he exclaimed to Li Yihong, "Good lad! Your skills are truly excellent! This dish is crisp, fresh, and flavorful! You deserve a reward!"

"Hahaha! That old general has probably given the reward to the wrong person!"

Ying Zheng was itching to get to this moment.

He put down his chopsticks, the smile on his lips barely concealed, his eyes gleaming with an almost triumphant light, his gaze fixed on Zhou Wenqing, full of admiration and smugness.

Ha! He finally got his chance! Heaven knows how much he was suffering because he had such a genius today, but was in the countryside and had to hide his identity. He had nowhere to express his excitement.

Facing his old friend Wang Jian, he simply couldn't suppress his desire to show off.

"General, you don't know, the secret to this meal lies not in the kitchen," he deliberately dragged out his words to whet everyone's appetite before gesturing to Li Yi, "but in the salt."

Li Yi hurriedly brought over the simple earthenware jar and gently placed it on the table.

Ying Zheng pushed it in front of Wang Jian, raised an eyebrow, and said, "General, take a look. This is the refined salt made by Zicheng."

Wang Jian looked at the jar with suspicion, only to find that it contained not the usual coarse yellow salt blocks or salt grains mixed with impurities, but a fine powder as smooth as quicksand and as white as fresh snow.

He stretched out his rough finger, dipped it in, and put it in his mouth. The pure and strong salty taste melted instantly, but there was no bitterness or other unpleasant aftertaste, only a refreshing salty and savory flavor.

The old general's eyes widened in surprise.

He had spent his entire life on the battlefield, and he had never seen salt of this quality or taste before!

"This, this salt..."

He stared at the jar, his eyes darting around, and suddenly, with a swiftness that seemed completely out of place with his full head of white hair, he snapped the lid shut, then swept the jar firmly into his arms, his movements as fluid as if they were tactical maneuvers practiced a thousand times.

His old face, etched with a dried orange peel smile, grinned and said to Zhou Wenqing with an air of self-righteousness:

"Mr. Zhou, you are truly a man of great talent! I am but a rough man and have never seen such a wondrous object. How about I accept this treasure to broaden my horizons and gain some knowledge?"

After saying that, he subconsciously covered the thing in his arms with his sleeve, as if afraid that it would be snatched back.

Zhou Wenqing: "..." Huh?

Zhou Wenqing was stunned for a moment by the old general's smooth and ruthless seizure, and then almost burst out laughing.

Well, this renowned old general can be so shameless... it's completely natural.

Far from being annoyed, he grew even more fond of this straightforward and unpretentious nature. Dealing with such a person was a pleasure!

"General, you jest," Zhou Wenqing said slowly, his eyes smiling and a hint of amusement in his voice.

"A mere jar of salt, if the general likes it, take it. But..." He drawled, a sly glint in his eyes.

"Wenqing originally had another item that he felt might be more to the General's liking. He originally intended to let the General appreciate and instruct him first, as an apology for today's neglect, but—"

He paused deliberately, drawing out his words, his gaze sweeping over Wang Jian's salt jar, which he instinctively half-covered with his robe sleeve and clutched tightly, with a half-smile. The curve of his lips deepened.

"Since the general has already chosen the gifts himself, then... let's pretend Wenqing didn't say anything."

"..."

The smug smile on Wang Jian's face, born of acquiring the treasure, instantly froze, solidifying into a rather comical expression.

Those tiger-like eyes, usually sharp enough to see a thousand miles on the battlefield, were wide open at this moment. The light in them changed from the joy of returning with a full load to the astonishment and bewilderment that the fat meat that was about to be eaten might fly away.

He subconsciously looked down at the precious salt jar he had tucked away tightly in his arms, as if it had become one with him, then suddenly looked up, his gaze fixed intently on Zhou Wenqing's smiling face.

This kid is really something. Not only does the king praise him, but he can even make this kind of salt. If he says it's something that suits his taste... then he's really starting to crave it.

He looked down at the jar, then at Zhou Wenqing, looking like someone who had just caught a gold ingot but suddenly heard that there was a mountain of gold hidden deep in the alley. He was filled with a deep dilemma of "how can one have both fish and bear's paw".

...Can't we have both?!

The thought flashed through the old general's mind, but was immediately caught by his weathered yet "unyielding" face.

Why not! He steeled his resolve, pulled his elbow in even further to hide the salt jar more securely, and made up his mind—as long as this old man doesn't let go, how could this fair-skinned and polite young man possibly have the nerve to snatch something from an old man like him?

"Ahem! Um, Mr. Zhou..."

Wang Jian cleared his throat, rubbed his hands unconsciously, and tried to squint his eyes to make himself look more sincere and earnest: "This salt... I naturally, extremely like it! However, regarding the other thing you just mentioned..."

Ying Zheng almost burst out laughing, and quickly picked up his water cup to cover the corners of his mouth.

In this world, there is probably no one else who could make General Wang show such a heart-wrenching, yet reluctant-to-let-go expression.

Zhou Aiqing was in high spirits.

He glanced at Zhou Wenqing, who was calm and collected, clearly enjoying the playful process, and his admiration deepened.

These people are not only capable of devising national policies, but they also possess the ability to make people laugh and cry with such ease and humor.

However... this kind of situation is only interesting when it's someone else; please, please don't let it happen to me one day.

He could almost imagine that if Zhou Aiqing were to slowly whet his appetite like this one day, throwing out an incredibly tempting topic but then stopping himself from saying it... that feeling would be like being scratched by a hundred claws, even more unbearable than being scratched by a cat!

That... shouldn't be the case, right?

He is the King! Minister Zhou has said that he will do his utmost to serve him, and will be his future pillar of support!

Naturally, one should speak freely and without reservation. If there are good strategies or unusual objects, why would one hide them? One should be eager to present them all to the emperor for his consideration.

My beloved minister Zhou can only list a bunch of good things and good strategies that benefit the country and the people, making me dizzy with choices. How could he have the mind to tease me?

Ying Zheng thought with considerable confidence, and even envisioned in his mind the wonderful scene of his future desk piled high with the books and silk scrolls presented by Zhou Wenqing, which he would review and admire as he read them.

The thought of a future where the ruler and his ministers could get along well and speak freely made him feel increasingly comfortable.

As expected of my beloved minister!

Seeing General Wang's eager expression, Ying Zheng was secretly delighted.