Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

Zhou Wenqing hadn't gone far when he heard hurried footsteps behind him.

Li Yi caught up, panting, and quickly draped a thick coat over his shoulders.

"Young Master!" Li Yi said with a hint of helplessness, "Didn't we agree that I would accompany you when you go out? I just turned around to start a fire and cook, and you've already gone far away again. Your injuries haven't healed yet; what if you encounter some danger again?"

Zhou Wenqing obediently reached out and put on his coat, smiling helplessly, "It's just a casual stroll. The people in this countryside are so kind and honest, what danger could there be? Stop nagging me, my ears are getting calluses!"

He didn't know why, perhaps because he was still young, tall and thin with fair skin, and had a scholarly air about him. In addition, his injuries had not yet healed, making him appear particularly vulnerable to others.

Everyone who met him would offer a few words of advice with concern, and only after receiving his response would they leave satisfied. Zhou Wenqing found this both amusing and exasperating.

Li Yi really didn't want to nag, but he had no choice. Not long ago, this good guy had a huge hole in his chest, one in the front and one in the back, and now he was wandering around wrapped in bandages.

Even though the doctor repeatedly marveled at the miracle of life and how quickly the wound healed, it still made people uneasy.

Moreover, Zhou Wenqing showed no intention of taking care of himself at all, so what else could he do but nag him?

Li Yi took a deep breath and managed a forced smile: "If you don't want me to nag, please take good care of yourself. The weather is so cold, yet you go out wearing only this little. You really don't cherish yourself."

Zhou Wenqing looked down at his clothes, which were wrapped up tightly, even his neck was completely covered, and was speechless for a moment.

This is probably what they mean by "there's a kind of coldness that only your bodyguards feel."

Perhaps Zhou Wenqing's accusing gaze was too obvious, Li Yi felt unusually guilty and coughed lightly: "Ahem, um... the meal is ready, young master, you should go back and have your meal first."

"Okay." Zhou Wenqing rubbed his stomach; he was also a little hungry.

On the way back, he met many villagers who greeted him warmly, and Zhou Wenqing responded with a smile to each one.

He increasingly felt that the people in this small village were simple and kind, and that he had not actually done anything, yet he had received such sincere treatment.

Just a few days ago, he drew some blueprints and asked Li Yi to hire a carpenter to make some furniture such as tables, chairs and wooden beds. At that time, he was still unable to run around, so he leisurely lay on the rocking chair, basking in the sun with his legs up.

The village children watched with curiosity, peeking out and looking around. Seeing that he was kind and friendly, and would even wave to them, a few of the bolder ones gathered around, asking him all sorts of questions.

It was the busy farming season, and the older children had all gone to the fields to help. Only the little ones, who were really no help, were left. In front of a "benefactor" like Zhou Wenqing, they became sensible and restrained their mischievous nature.

The children, having put away their "bearish" nature, were indeed adorable. Zhou Wenqing then asked a carpenter to make some bamboo dragonflies, small wooden horses, and nine-linked rings as toys. Watching them frolic and play in the yard, he felt a bit more lively and energetic himself.

With nothing else to do and unable to move and without a phone to relieve his boredom, Zhou Wenqing, extremely bored, began telling stories to the children.

Seeing them sitting in a row, their eyes wide with excitement and their exclamations at the exciting parts, showing their enthusiastic support, his mood unconsciously lightened considerably.

From then on, the villagers who were originally afraid to bother him became bolder because they saw that he had a good temper and was willing to play with the children.

He never refused when asked to read a letter or write a word, and his relationship with the villagers gradually became harmonious.

Now everyone in the village knows that there is a handsome young man living at the east end of the village. He is not only well-educated but also very kind. However, he is not in good health and was injured by that hateful villain. He has to call a doctor every few days. Fortunately, his health is recovering day by day, but he still looks a bit thin.

Zhou Wenqing sat at the table, gazing at the meal before him: a bowl of mushy meat porridge, a plate of steamed bean rice, a lone boiled egg, and a plate of dark, unidentifiable stuff. Everything was so bland that he could barely taste anything. He held his chopsticks for a while before finally speaking:

"Ah-Yi, look, my injury has really healed quite a bit... How about I cook next time?"

Li Yi was setting out the dishes when he heard this and waved his hands repeatedly: "How can this be! Young master, I've already added half a spoonful of salt to today's porridge. Your injuries haven't healed yet, and the doctor has repeatedly warned you not to eat anything too salty."

As he spoke, he pushed the bowl of porridge a little closer to Zhou Wenqing, his tone gentle yet authoritative: "Please bear with it for a few more days. Once you've recovered, I'll make whatever you want to eat."

Zhou Wenqing picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks; it was probably boiled bean leaves or something similar, and it was cooked until it was a bit dark. He chewed it slowly, but apart from a lingering astringent taste, he couldn't taste any saltiness at all. He couldn't help but look up:

"Ah-yi, this taste... did they really put salt in it?"

"Of course I put it in." Li Yi pushed the bowl of minced meat porridge forward again, his eyes earnest. "Young master, please try this porridge. It has been simmered over low heat for half a day, until the rice is soft and the meat is tender. It is the most nourishing and gentle porridge."

Zhou Wenqing scooped up a spoonful with skepticism and put it in his mouth. Instead of tasting the so-called freshness, he felt a faint bitterness spreading in his throat. He immediately put down the wooden spoon, lost all appetite, and frowned, refusing to eat any more.

Li Yi was somewhat used to it, and was secretly pleased to think that the young master was quite accommodating today, eating a bite of vegetables and a mouthful of porridge without any prompting, which was much better than the past few days.

He stood up skillfully, his tone softening slightly. He handed Zhou Wenqing a piece of dried fruit, the kind of fruit he couldn't identify, and said in a coaxing tone, "Young master, please bear with it a little longer. Once you're fully recovered, not only will you enjoy roasted meat and fine wine, but you can also find all the delicacies of Xianyang for yourself."

Zhou Wenqing held the dried fruit in his mouth, the sweet and sour taste melting on his tongue, finally suppressing the lingering bitterness in his throat.

Looking at Li Yi's helpless yet earnest expression, he could only sigh softly, pick up his spoon, and eat a few more bites.

He smiled bitterly to himself. It wasn't that he was being picky; it was just that he had gotten used to spicy and flavorful food, and would have hot pot and milk tea all the time. Now, after eating such bland and tasteless food for months, his taste buds had long been crying out in discontent.

Moreover, he knew perfectly well that even if he cooked himself, in this era of scarce seasonings, he would probably find it difficult to cook without rice.

At this moment, even the so-called "sugar" carries a bitter taste from impurities that haven't been completely removed. What kind of tricks can it be made into?

Perhaps we should try to produce refined salt?

The moment the thought crossed his mind, Zhou Wenqing shook his head repeatedly, rejecting it himself.

The furniture was made for convenience, and even if I leave in the future, I can just burn it down. I don't think it will cause any trouble.

But salt is completely different; it is a matter of national importance and people's livelihood, and a single hair on it can affect the whole situation.

For Li Yi, he has already sacrificed the groundbreaking "garlic extract." If he were to rashly reveal the even more crucial salt-making method...

Zhou Wenqing even wondered if he might suddenly turn into a wisp of smoke during a meal, erasing all traces of his existence from this world.

Oh my god, that's terrifying.

"Young master, you can also make refined salt?"

Zhou Wenqing was startled by the sudden question and looked up abruptly—could Li Yi read minds?

Li Yi, with his usual honest smile, explained, "Young master, my hearing is better than most people's. I accidentally overheard you talking to yourself just now."

His tone remained normal, but his gaze subtly became more focused. "Young master... do you know how to make salt?"

Zhou Wenqing's heart tightened, but he forced a calm expression and waved his hand with a relaxed smile, saying, "It was just a momentary reverie. How could I possibly understand the intricacies of salt production?"

"Yeah?"

"Of course!" Zhou Wenqing said decisively.

Li Yi didn't believe it, but since the young master was unwilling to talk about it, he lowered his head slightly and continued to serve the young master the dishes.

Zhou Wenqing felt uneasy, and at this moment, he stopped being picky about the taste of the food, even eating much more than usual before finally putting down his chopsticks.

"I'm full and a little tired, so I'm going back to my room to rest for a while."

"Okay, I'll help you over there."

"No need," Zhou Wenqing waved his hand, picked up the bamboo cane leaning against the table, "Your legs are fine, you can use this. You can go about your business."

After saying that, without waiting for Li Yi's response, he turned and walked into the inner room, his steps carrying a hint of imperceptible haste.

Li Yi watched his departing figure, his eyes gleaming as he pondered how to get the young master to reveal the salt-making method.

He recalled the matter of the tables and chairs. At first, the young master had also made the same excuse, claiming it was "just idle speculation." However, he changed his mind within a few days. Those new pieces of furniture were indeed convenient to use, showing that the young master truly had a grand vision. Only the salt-making method remained a mystery...

Li Yi frowned slightly. Salt and iron were matters of national importance and could not be compared with ordinary objects.

Judging from the young master's expression just now, he probably won't give in easily. He needs to think of a safe way to get the young master to willingly offer up the method without appearing too eager.

Thinking of this, Li Yi couldn't help but shake his head inwardly. Who wouldn't want to offer up such an amazing plan and claim credit?

But this young master of his family kept such a precious artifact hidden in his heart, treating it as an ordinary thing, and being extremely cautious, which made him anxious and he had to find a way to persuade him.

Why does someone as talented as you always hide your abilities?

Could it be that he developed such a cautious and timid personality because he was used to seeing jealous and envious people in South Korea?

Li Yi couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache, and secretly clenched his fists.

South Korea really deserves to be destroyed!