Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

After exchanging a few pleasantries with the father and son, Zhou Wenqing turned to Fusu and said, "Qiaosong, you are fortunate to have received guidance from Uncle Liu today. You should follow Ajiang and learn properly, and personally guide the plow along the ridges to truly understand the nature of farming."

Fusu's eyes lit up, and he bowed respectfully, saying, "Yes, sir."

At the edge of the field, an old-fashioned plow was already harnessed to oxen. There were two oxen and three people. A-Zhu's father was leading the oxen, while another farmer was holding the plow to control the direction. A-Jiang skillfully held the plow tip and gave Fu-Su a simple and honest smile: "I'll teach you: keep your hands steady, your waist firm, and your eyes on the front."

Zhou Wenqing lowered his voice and whispered to Ying Zheng, "Your Majesty, there's no rush to test the new plow. Before Tian Dian arrives, let Qiao Song have a good experience with it."

Ying Zheng nodded in approval: "Brother Zicheng, your teachings are excellent, demonstrating your wisdom through practice."

As the ox took a step, Fusu felt a sudden surge of force from the wooden handle in his hand, pulling him back two steps before he could barely keep up. The old-fashioned plow burrowed deep into the soil, turning up heavy clods of earth. Turning was especially difficult, requiring the ox to make a wide turn and almost all of a human's strength to pull it around.

In just a moment, Fusu's forehead was covered in sweat, his breathing became slightly rapid, and his palms were rubbed red from the rough wooden handle.

"Qiaosong, Azhu, that's enough, come back and rest!" Zhou Wenqing called out at the right moment, then walked over and asked Fusu, "How are you feeling?"

Fusu loosened the plowshare, let out a long sigh, and lightly shook his sore and numb arms: "So tired, sir."

He paused, looked out over the fields, and said calmly, "Only today do I truly understand the hardships of farming."

"If you can understand the hardship, then the attempt will not have been in vain." Zhou Wenqing nodded and turned to Ying Zheng, "Brother Shengzhi, now you can try the new plow."

Ying Zheng, who was already impatient, waved his hand in greeting.

Li Yi immediately led his men to carry the meticulously crafted curved plow to the edge of the field. He even invited the field clerk in charge of the fields. This time, the boys were not allowed to work in the fields. Instead, the strong craftsman who made the plow harnessed the oxen and got everything ready.

This commotion was quite significant, and farmers in the nearby fields stopped what they were doing and gathered around curiously, quickly filling the ridges of the fields with people.

"drive!"

Amidst shouts, the two plows moved forward side by side.

The old plow on the left was still clumsy, heavy for turning the soil, and slow to turn. It was still difficult for three people and two oxen to work together.

The new plow on the right side proved remarkably effective. It only required one person and one ox. The plow head entered the soil lightly yet deeply, turning up fine and even soil. When turning, one only needed to gently guide the plow along the curve of the shaft, and the plow head would draw a nimble arc. With a slight coordination from the ox, the plow could easily turn around, saving a great deal of effort.

"Amazing! Absolutely amazing!" Uncle Liu's voice trembled with excitement. "I've worked the land my whole life, worn out countless plows, and I've never seen such a clever and effortless tool!"

The field erupted in a frenzy, with uncontrollable exclamations, praises, and enthusiastic discussions.

Several young farmers couldn't contain themselves and squeezed to the front, surrounding the curved plow that had just stopped. They bent down to examine it closely, reaching out to touch the smooth shaft, marveling at it with their eyes shining with eager anticipation.

Wang Jian was equally excited. His eyes gleamed, and he strode forward, patting Zhou Wenqing on the shoulder: "Excellent! So this is the curved plow! It saves more than half the effort and achieves twice the result! This is truly a powerful tool for strengthening agriculture and consolidating the foundation of the nation! Mr. Zhou, your ingenuity is unparalleled. I admire you even more. You are truly a genius!"

"hiss--"

Zhou Wenqing stumbled as he was hit, and nearly fell headfirst into the freshly turned soil.

"Sir!" Ah-Zhu and Fu-Su quickly supported him from both sides.

"Why!"

Ying Zheng was initially thrilled by the new plow's outstanding performance, but when he saw Wang Jian's large, fan-like hand land solidly on Zhou Wenqing's thin shoulder, his heart tightened and he immediately became anxious.

Almost instinctively, he lunged forward, firmly taking Zhou Wenqing's arm and pulling him to his side, while turning his head to glare at Wang Jian with a mixture of helplessness and reproach: "Sir... be careful! What if you damage my brother Zicheng?!"

If the film turns out badly, where will he find another genius like this, who's one of a kind in the world?!

"Cough cough! I'm fine." Zhou Wenqing coughed lightly after being patted, raised his hand to rub his slightly sore and numb shoulder, looked up at Wang Jian, speechless and amused.

Wang Jian then realized he had gotten too excited, his face flushed, and he quickly withdrew his hand, rubbing it somewhat awkwardly. "Oh dear! It's my fault! I got carried away for a moment, but luckily I didn't use too much force. Mr. Zhou, please don't be offended. Are you... really alright?"

"Not bad, he's not dead yet," Zhou Wenqing waved his hand, responding with a hint of teasing.

"The old man's lack of effort is truly remarkable. Fortunately, Wenqing's bones are still strong enough that he hasn't reached the point where he needs to cough up blood to prove his resolve."

"Hehe, it's my fault." General Wang Yi scratched his head awkwardly.

Zhou Wenqing shook his head with a helpless smile, but then his expression turned serious as he turned to Ying Zheng: "Brother Shengzhi, judging from the current situation, it seems that you will need to stay here to oversee and coordinate the verification of the new plow and the subsequent arrangements. It will be difficult for you to leave for the time being. I originally intended to take Qiaosong there now..."

I almost forgot about that! Tsk! It's a pity I can't go with Minister Zhou to see how he plans to teach my son in that kind of place.

Ying Zheng felt a little regretful, but immediately understood. His gaze swept over Li Yi, who was standing not far away, and then casually swept over several seemingly ordinary but actually sharp-eyed and capable figures in the field. He nodded steadily to Zhou Wenqing.

"Brother Zicheng, please go without worry. I have already made arrangements. Someone will secretly accompany and protect you, so you will be safe."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Wenqing smiled slightly and nodded in response, "In that case, I can rest assured."

He said no more, turned around and nodded slightly to Li Yi, who was standing to the side, and then looked at Fusu.

"Qiaosong, are you still able to walk? The master would like to take you to see a place. If you can't walk anymore, we can rest for a while before we go."

"Qiaosong can walk!" Fusu's face was still covered in dust, but his eyes shone brightly, as if filled with starlight, his excitement overflowing.

He personally pushed the heavy, wobbly old plow, and witnessed firsthand how the new plow, ingeniously modified by the gentleman, broke through the soil with ease. At that moment, his respect for Zhou Wenqing had reached its peak!

Even if the teacher had only asked him if he could walk, the boy would feel full of energy and could run!

"Okay." Zhou Wenqing's smile deepened, then he looked at Azhu beside him, "Azhu, are you tired?"

Ah Zhu's gaze remained fixed on the edge of the field, watching his father's trembling hands and tearful eyes as he carefully stroked the new plow again and again. For some reason, he should have been happy, but at this moment his heart swelled up and his nose felt a little sore.

Hearing the man's question, he puffed out his chest and said loudly, "Sir, I'm not tired! I ate a big breakfast this morning!"

"That's good." Zhou Wenqing took out a plain handkerchief and carefully helped Su wipe the dust off her cheeks, then gently patted Azhu's head.

"Qiaosong, Azhu, let's go back to the courtyard to make some preparations first, and then the master will take you somewhere."

Fusu immediately responded obediently, naturally taking Ah Zhu's hand and following behind his master.

Back home, three neatly folded robes, made of high-quality materials and with exquisite workmanship, were already quietly displayed on the table.

This was exactly what Zhou Wenqing had specially instructed Li Yi to prepare yesterday. He had no other requirements, just one thing—it had to be prestigious.

He took his own robe, which was obviously too big, and handed the remaining two sets to Fusu.

"Qiaosong, take Azhu back to your room and change into these two sets of clothes."

"Yes, sir." Fusu took it with both hands, and felt its delicate and smooth texture.

He looked at Zhou Wenqing with some surprise, because since arriving here, he had been wearing coarse cloth clothes and hadn't worn fine clothes in a long time.

Seeing that the gentleman nodded slightly, she carried the two brocade robes and led Ah Zhu back to her room.

Not long after, the door was gently pushed open again.

Zhou Wenqing had changed his clothes and was standing in the hall. He wore an indigo brocade robe, a jade belt around his waist, and a silver crown. Tall and elegant, he exuded a refined and noble air, though he had lost some of his scholarly air.

As the door opened, Ah Zhu's rosy little face peeked in first. He was clearly a little flustered by his bright new clothes, his little hands nervously clutching the hem of his clothes.

He was dressed in a bright red brocade robe for a child, with dark patterns embroidered in gold thread on the cuffs and hem, which made his red lips and white teeth stand out, making him look exactly like a money-giving boy, except that there was still a hint of timid curiosity in his eyes.

Then, Fusu stepped out. He had changed into a dark black robe made of a subtle, shimmering silk, which made him appear even more upright and dignified, perfectly highlighting the natural composure between his brows.

Zhou Wenqing's eyes lit up as he looked at the two children in front of him, who seemed to have been "packaged" in an instant.

Wow, both kids are so handsome!

Zhou Wenqing stepped forward with satisfaction, first straightened Azhu's collar, put a small gold lock on him, and patted him on the shoulder.

"Clothes are meant to serve you, don't let them restrict you, Ah-Zhu. Just treat them like a sturdy piece of cloth. When you need to run or jump, just run and jump as usual, as long as you don't deliberately roll around in the mud."

Upon hearing this, Ah Zhu's tense shoulders visibly relaxed, he grinned, and nodded vigorously: "Yes! I'll listen to you, sir!"

He then turned to Fusu and helped him put a jade pendant on his waist: "Qiaosong is just fine like this. Clothing is part of one's appearance, but more importantly, it is the person beneath the clothes. Don't let external things overshadow your appearance, and don't lose your true self because of external things."

Fusu nodded thoughtfully.

"Li Yi," Zhou Wenqing called out.

"The carriages and horses are ready and are just outside the courtyard," Li Yi responded and appeared.

"Okay, let's go."

It was Ah Zhu's first time riding in a carriage, so he was inevitably a little curious. He secretly touched the smooth inner wall of the carriage with his little hand. Zhou Wenqing saw this and smiled as he gently pushed open a crack in the window on the side closest to him, allowing Ah Zhu to look at the moving scenery outside through the crack.

Ah Zhu immediately moved closer, his bright black eyes fixed on the receding village houses, trees, and fields. At first, he was full of excitement, but as the surrounding scenery became somewhat desolate, with withered grass and trees, he swallowed hard, turned his head, and looked at Zhou Wenqing with some unease, asking in a low voice, "Sir, where are we going?"

Zhou Wenqing was silent for a moment, his voice slightly heavy:

"Slave Market".