Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

Zhou Wenqing's sense of ease vanished instantly, replaced by a faint worry.

Both children have always been well-behaved, but they are both a bit clingy.

Little Ah-Zhu was at an age where his curiosity was boundless, always asking all sorts of questions. Even when he saw a hedgehog in the grass, he would squat down to take a closer look, only returning home with a pout after getting his finger pricked.

He was always a little shadow that Zhou Wenqing couldn't shake off. When Zhou Wenqing was sick, he was afraid that his teacher would be bored, so he would either sit by the bed with bright eyes and tell him things that he thought were interesting, or he would read the humanities and customs on the desk to him, stumbling but earnestly.

Fusu, on the other hand, was much more composed, always putting on airs like a little adult. He would say he was serving his teacher, and then he would silently accompany him as he read, occasionally bringing him tea or water, wiping his sweat or giving him medicine... Although the last thing was completely unnecessary, the child's composure would be revealed when listening to stories.

He wouldn't beg Mr. Zhou to tell him another story like Ah Zhu would, but after each story ended, his clear eyes would still gaze unblinkingly at Zhou Wenqing, a silent expectation that softened one's heart.

Logically speaking, since I've been sitting in the courtyard for so long, even if Ah Zhu went home early, Fu Su should have shown up by now.

Zhou Wenqing put down his slightly cool teacup and got up to walk towards the room where Fusu was staying.

Before even reaching the door, a clear, childlike voice reading aloud could be heard coming from under the door.

It was the voice of two children, one clear and steady, the other childish and earnest, taking turns reciting:

"...Be cautious with cunning schemes, and you will be victorious in every endeavor..."

"...good at reasoning, distinguishing between hard and white..."

The rhythm and intonation were quite engaging.

Oh?

Zhou Wenqing paused, his worries dissipating, replaced by a warm sense of relief.

It turns out that Fusu is teaching Azhu to read. The two children are huddled together, hahaha. Where can you find such well-behaved, diligent, and competitive children?

With a smile on his lips, he gently pushed the door open and entered, intending to offer a few words of praise, but the scene inside left him stunned.

Instead of sitting in the chairs he had specially prepared, which were more suitable for children to write in, the two children pushed the chairs aside.

They knelt upright on the cold, hard mat, their backs straight, their small faces turned toward the open bamboo slips, their expressions focused.

What are you doing?

Zhou Wenqing stood frozen at the door, a question mark popping into his mind.

It was Fusu who first noticed the commotion at the door. He looked up, saw that it was the teacher, immediately stopped reciting, gently patted Azhu, and the two of them got up together.

Fusu stepped forward first and bowed respectfully, saying, "Sir."

Ah Zhu quickly followed suit, trying his best to imitate Fu Su's posture: "Sir."

Looking at the two children in front of him, Zhou Wenqing vaguely understood something.

He entered the house and asked gently, "Qiaosong, what are you doing?"

Fusu raised his head, his gaze clear and his voice steady: "Reporting to you, sir, I am teaching Azhu some basic etiquette and manners, as well as literacy."

He paused, glanced at Ah Zhu beside him, and continued, "Since the master has accepted us as his disciples, Ah Zhu will eventually have to follow him. He is young, and I am afraid that he will be too hasty, so I thought I would help him lay some foundation first. In any case, it can't hurt."

As expected, Zhou Wenqing felt a mix of emotions. He nodded slowly, the movement somewhat difficult.

How so?

Fusu's keen awareness of Azhu's potential future situation and his initiative to lend a helping hand are commendable. This thoughtfulness and foresight, far beyond his years, is truly admirable. The child's kindness and sense of responsibility are already evident.

However... the first point of entry for this "make-up class" happens to be etiquette and rules.

If it were anyone else, he wouldn't have given it a second thought, but this child is Fusu!

Then there was the chair that had been neglected to the side. Zhou Wenqing glanced at it and finally couldn't help but ask, "Why are you kneeling like this to recite? Is the chair uncomfortable?"

Fusu replied earnestly, "Teacher, when I was taught by my teachers, I had to sit upright to show respect for them and not dare to be negligent. I believe that even when studying on my own, I should not be lax. Therefore, I have asked Ah Zhu and me to temporarily follow this method."

Okay, it's confirmed!

Those guys who taught Fusu... is it too late for him to apply to have them beaten up now?

Do you even realize how long it will take him to remove these invisible shackles from your child?!

This thought, filled with anger and heartache, flashed by and then turned into a sigh.

Zhou Wenqing thought for a moment, then gently patted Fu Su's head and said softly, "Good child, it's good that you have this thought and can think of these things."

Fusu's eyes shone even brighter, and his little chest unconsciously straightened up a bit.

Zhou Wenqing patted Azhu on the shoulder again, "Azhu, you've worked very hard, that's great. But since Brother Qiaosong has helped you so much, shouldn't you help Brother Qiaosong back too?"

"Me?" Ah-Zhu looked up, his dark, grape-like eyes flashing with confusion and panic. "But... what can I do to help Brother Qiao-Song? Brother Qiao-Song... is more learned than me."

"You can teach him how to farm," Zhou Wenqing offered with a smile.

"Grow...grow crops?" Ah-Zhu was completely surprised by this answer, his little mouth slightly agape.

Zhou Wenqing squatted down, looking the two children at eye level, and first asked Fusu, "Qiaosong, have you ever farmed? Do you know how seeds sprout from the soil and how seedlings grow ears?"

Fusu was slightly taken aback, then shook his head honestly, a hint of embarrassment on his face: "I have never done it myself. I have only read about 'spring plowing and autumn harvesting' in books. I know that farming is hard work, but I do not know the specifics."

Zhou Wenqing nodded, turned to Azhu, and pointed at Fusu with a smile: "Look, even Brother Qiaosong has things he doesn't know. Fieldwork is your area of ​​expertise. Why don't you teach him?"

Ah Zhu's eyes suddenly lit up, and his previous apprehension was replaced by a small sense of pride.

He glanced at Zhou Wenqing, then at Fusu who was looking at him gently, nodded vigorously, and said in a clear voice, "Okay! I can do it!"

Zhou Wenqing rubbed his head: "That's perfect. Talk is cheap. If the weather's nice tomorrow, Azhu, you can take Brother Qiaosong... and me, to the edge of the fields and take a good look, okay?"

Ah Zhu patted his chest: "Don't worry, sir! I've got it covered!"

Fusu immediately bowed respectfully: "I will definitely observe carefully tomorrow and ask Azhu for guidance."

"Alright, alright." Zhou Wenqing straightened up and said, "Since you have things to do tomorrow, you should all rest early tonight and get enough rest. Ah Zhu, it's getting late, you should go home so your family won't worry."

As soon as he finished speaking, Fusu stepped forward, turned to Azhu, and said gently, "Azhu, I'll take you back."

He then bowed to Zhou Wenqing and said, "Sir, I will be right back."

"Okay, be careful on the road and come back soon."

Zhou Wenqing stood under the corridor, watching them leave before turning his gaze away. The smile on his face faded, and he turned without hesitation, striding briskly towards the study.

The study door was ajar, and the low murmurs of Ying Zheng and Wang Jian discussing something could be heard through it.

Zhou Wenqing disregarded the formalities of entering and leaving, pushed open the door, and leaned halfway inside. His gaze precisely locked onto Ying Zheng, who was sitting opposite Wang Jian, and he launched into a rapid-fire barrage of questions, speaking quickly and urgently:

"Your Majesty! Regarding the curved plow, how is the prototype being made? Are all the craftsmen in place? Are the wood and iron parts ready? Are there any usable finished products at present?"

Ying Zheng looked up when he heard the voice, and when he saw it was him, he raised an eyebrow slightly.

Is Minister Zhou here to personally supervise the construction?

"What a coincidence," Ying Zheng said unhurriedly, setting down the pen he had been playing with. "The first prototype plow has been completed according to your design, and it was just tested during the day. It will arrive here first thing tomorrow morning. Would you like to inspect it yourself?"

"Yes!" Zhou Wenqing's face lit up with joy, and he answered decisively, "Young Master Fusu also wants him, and also..."

He then changed the subject, a hint of hesitation on his face. After a moment of contemplation, he finally spoke.

"Furthermore, Your Majesty, Wenqing wishes to take Prince Fusu somewhere tomorrow. To be on the safe side, I wonder if Your Majesty could... arrange for some capable men to secretly protect him?"

"That's easy, of course," Ying Zheng readily agreed, then a hint of curiosity flickered in his eyes. "But where does my beloved minister intend to take Fusu? May I accompany him and have a look?"

"Please make yourself at home, Your Majesty," Zhou Wenqing replied readily.

General Wang Jian blinked. He didn't even know what the curved plow was all about, but he still wanted to join in the fun: "Then I..."

"Please make yourself at home!" Zhou Wenqing nodded with a smile.

The main point is to take Fusu with us. As long as we are safe, it doesn't matter if we have one more or one less person.