Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

"You're talking nonsense!" Zhang Han's heart pounded, but he forced a defiant expression. "Abducting someone is a violation of the law! You'd better release me immediately, or when your servants come after you, you won't get the better of them, they'll make you pay!"

Zhou Wenqing raised an eyebrow slightly, his gaze sweeping over the empty space at Zhang Han's waist, where a money pouch or jade ornament should have been hanging.

"Really?"

"You previously said that you went out to visit a friend and rushed here after receiving the letter. Judging from your appearance, you haven't changed your clothes and are in a hurry. I'm afraid you rode out of the city immediately after receiving the news and didn't even have time to prepare enough money."

"In the marketplace, you struggled to even raise double the price to redeem Uncle Zhang, and you're not a stingy person; you'd even be willing to pay ten times the price temporarily. If a large number of servants were following closely behind with money, you could have just waited patiently. Why get entangled with that person like this?"

Zhang Han's expression changed slightly. He opened his mouth, wanting to refute, but Zhou Wenqing's next words shut him up.

"The person who tipped you off must be an old servant who cherishes old friendships and knows your bond with Uncle Zhang."

As if he had witnessed it himself, Zhou Wenqing recounted the story in detail: "He risked his life to send you a message because he knew you would not stand idly by. And you, after receiving the message, your first reaction would definitely be to save people, but you must also be well aware of your family's attitude, especially your father's dislike for Uncle Zhang."

"So, before you left, you must have repeatedly told that old servant not to immediately inform your family that you had learned the news and gone to rescue people alone, because you knew that once your family found out, they would definitely stop you, and might even preemptively deal with Uncle Zhang, leaving you empty-handed. You were betting on that time difference, weren't you?"

"Taking advantage of your family's belief that you're still visiting friends, you rescued them first, then planned your next move, isn't that right?"

The color drained from Zhang Han's face, and cold sweat seeped from his back. Every word the man in front of him spoke hit the mark precisely.

"In that case," Zhou Wenqing concluded with certainty.

"From the time you left home to visit friends, until the old servant became suspicious due to your prolonged absence and eventually had to reveal the truth to his master, there was at least a gap of several days. Right now, I'm afraid no one in your household knows that you have ventured into danger alone. Those servants you mentioned who will arrive soon and 'make me look bad'..."

He shook his head slightly, looking at Zhang Han with clear eyes: "At this moment, I'm afraid they still know nothing about your whereabouts, right?"

"hiss--"

Zhang Han's pupils contracted sharply, and he gasped.

Not only did the other party see through his actions, but they also thoroughly exposed his deepest hopes and calculations! This feeling of being completely exposed was even more chilling than a direct threat of force.

"What exactly do you want?!"

In a fit of shock and rage, he almost roared, his fists clenched tightly, and his feet unconsciously assumed a defensive, forward-charging stance, as if he were about to pounce on the enemy at any moment!

Oh no, I overanalyzed it and scared the kid half to death! Zhou Wenqing's heart skipped a beat.

"Stop, stop, stop! Put your hands down, don't get agitated!" He immediately raised both hands and spoke faster.

"I'm saying all this to tell you that if I really wanted to do something to you, I wouldn't hesitate at all. Why would I need to waste so much breath on you? And even go so far as to arrange medical treatment for you and Uncle Zhang? Where were you all this time!"

Seeing that Zhang Han's momentum was slightly halted by these words, Zhou Wenqing retreated to the doorway.

"It is fate that we met. Although inviting you here may be offensive, my intention was by no means malicious, quite the opposite."

Before he finished speaking, he had already pushed the slightly ajar door open with a "whoosh"!

"I'm here to grant you a destiny that you might never achieve even if you waste half your life... a meteoric rise to power!"

Sunlight streamed in, illuminating two figures outside the door.

Li Si stepped in first, a warm smile on his face, and said gently, "Don't be surprised, Lord Zhang. Brother Zicheng may be a bit too direct in his actions, but he has no ill intentions. We are just appreciating his talent. Lord Zhang, please be patient. Once Uncle Zhang's injuries have stabilized, whether you stay or leave is entirely up to you. We will not force you."

As he said this, his eyes secretly drifted to Ying Zheng, who was standing quietly behind him, and he chuckled inwardly.

Heh, not to mention that, as far as he knew, the Zhang family had been loyal to the Qin state for generations, just looking at this child's ambition and family learning, he was already prepared to serve the Qin state.

Now that I've had the chance to meet the King by sheer luck, this is an opportunity to rise to the top in one fell swoop. How could I possibly leave or stay as I please? I'm afraid that later…

Ying Zheng finally spoke, his voice steady and carrying an invisible pressure: "You young man, you have some courage. Minister Zhou praised you as having the qualities of a general, and I have observed that you remain calm in the face of change and your questioning is well-founded. You do have some qualities."

My dear minister? Or is it I, the ruler?

Zhang Han was struck as if by a silent thunderbolt, his eyes widening in shock, almost thinking he had misheard.

"You, you, you..." His tongue seemed to be tied in knots, and his fingertips were trembling. He managed to squeeze out broken words with great difficulty.

"What did you just call yourself?! Who are you people?! How dare you, how dare you make such a presumptuous claim—this is a heinous crime! Believe me, believe me, I'll report you to the authorities and make sure you..."

He wanted to utter a harsh word, but the words lingered on his tongue. Looking at the imposing presence of the people before him, especially the man in black who called himself "I, the Lonely One," his mere presence alone was enough to make him feel suffocated.

This doesn't seem like the kind of fraudster who needs him to popularize Qin law on sentencing.

The words that were on the tip of his tongue were swallowed back, and his momentum unconsciously weakened.

...Could it be true?

The idea was so absurd it made his scalp tingle.

But if it were the King of Qin, why would they need to kidnap him?!

Zhang Han, struggling to process what felt like a knot in his brain, pressed on with a fierce but ultimately weak voice, "What...what token do you have? Don't underestimate my youth and inexperience! I...I've seen the official seals and inscriptions in my father's study!"

After saying that, he puffed out his chest, trying to appear knowledgeable.

Zhou Wenqing, who was watching the scene unfold, almost burst out laughing.

If we don't save the child soon, his brain might be burned to mush!

He turned his head and quickly gave Li Si a look.

Brother Gu'an, it's your turn to make your appearance! Quickly take out your seal!

Li Si received the signal and shook his head helplessly.

So you finally remembered me now? Brother Zicheng is truly... "pragmatic"!

Despite his inner mockery, he maintained his gentle and composed demeanor, taking a step forward unhurriedly.

"Since Lord Zhang is well-versed in the law, he must also recognize this object."

Li Si spoke slowly and deliberately, reaching into the sleeve pocket of his blue robe, his fingertips touching a slightly cool, hard object.

He took it out and held it in his palm—it was a bronze seal about an inch in size, with a dark color and a simple, unadorned knob, adorned with a black ribbon.

Although the seal is small, it is engraved with the four characters "Seal of Guest Minister" in the rigorous Qin seal script, with neat and dignified strokes.

Zhang Han's gaze was fixed on the guest minister's seal, his pupils trembling.

It's true!

"Well, Lord Zhang? Should we... also verify whether the silk fabric was made by the Imperial Household Department?"

Of course not. Other things might be lies or bluffing, but he really recognizes this seal!

Although he wished he didn't recognize him at that moment.

The seal of the guest minister is here... Who is this person who commands such respectful service from the guest minister, who refers to himself as "I, the sovereign"...?

"Clang!"

Zhang Han's brain completely shut down. He instinctively wanted to kneel, but his long-term tension and shock made his body stiff. His movements were a beat too slow, and he only staggered slightly before falling back onto the stool behind him, the stool legs making a crisp thud on the ground.

Li Si gracefully withdrew the bronze seal, as if it were merely an ordinary object, and said in a gentle voice, "Now is it believable?"

Zhou Wenqing offered a timely reminder, his eyes carrying a hint of good-natured teasing: "So, Mr. Zhang, are you still going to... report it to the authorities?"

Zhang Han: "..."

His face flushed bright red instantly, and he wished he could disappear into a crack in the ground.

Ying Zheng took in the boy's transformation from forced composure to shock and then to utter bewilderment. Far from being offended, a hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.

He slightly raised his hand, stopping Li Si and Zhou Wenqing from continuing their conversation, and calmly looked at Zhang Han:

"Well, are you willing to believe me now? My encounter with such a talented person during this inspection was truly unexpected. Although Minister Zhou's actions are somewhat unusual, his love for talent is no different from mine. Would you be willing to stay for the time being, so that I and General Wang can see just how much of Minister Zhou's claim of military talent is genuine?"

"...This humble subject, Zhang Han, pays his respects to Your Majesty. I will obey Your Majesty's commands." Zhang Han knelt down without hesitation.

Zhou Wenqing and Li Si exchanged a smile.

It became.

Ying Zheng nodded slightly: "Get up. Since you wish to stay, take good care of your old servant. Once he is well, I will make arrangements."

"Oh, Your Majesty!" Zhou Wenqing interjected with a smile, "We still need to send a message home for this child. Running away from home, even if there are extenuating circumstances, is still not a good habit and only causes unnecessary worry for the elders."

He turned to Zhang Han, who was still dazed and hadn't gotten up from the ground yet, blinked, and said kindly, "Write it well, write it truthfully. Just say that you met a benefactor on the road and were appreciated, and that you are now temporarily staying with... well, temporarily staying with Mr. Zhou to learn and gain experience. Everything is fine, don't worry. Most importantly—"

He deliberately dragged out his tone and subtly raised his chin in Ying Zheng's direction.

"This time you've really risen to the top! Write down the King's appreciation clearly so your father knows. Why would he still be angry? He'd be overjoyed."

As Zhang Han listened, his eyes gradually brightened, and the bewilderment and embarrassment on his face were slowly replaced by an unbelievable surprise.

He scrambled to his feet, not even bothering to brush off the dust, and bowed deeply to Zhou Wenqing, his voice trembling with excitement: "Thank you so much for your guidance, sir! I...I know how to write it now!"

Ying Zheng watched as Zhou Wenqing defused the potential blame from the young man's family with just a few words, his considerations so thorough, and his admiration deepened.

He nodded, making the decision, and said to Zhang Han, "We will do as Minister Zhou says. You can focus on writing the letter and taking good care of the patient. Don't worry about anything else. We will examine him again when General Wang Jian returns tomorrow."

"Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, sir! Thank you, Lord Li!"

Zhang Han bowed repeatedly, feeling as if the day had passed in a dream, his feet were trembling, but a burning flame ignited in his heart.

Ying Zheng said no more and turned to leave the room.

Li Si gave Zhou Wenqing a look that said, "Brother Zicheng, please take care of the aftermath," and followed with a smile.

Zhou Wenqing was the last to arrive. He walked up to Zhang Han, who was still a little dizzy, and patted his rather thin shoulder.

"Keep a good job." He smiled. "I underestimated you. You've got a bright future ahead of you."

"Yes! Thank you for your appreciation, sir!" Zhang Han quickly straightened his back, clasped his hands in a fist, and his voice was slightly tense with excitement.

He paused, the dazed look on his face finally fading a little. He tried to hold back, but couldn't help himself and looked up.

Despite her young age, she possessed the straightforwardness and honesty typical of youth, and her voice, a mixture of gratitude and slight grievance, murmured softly:

"Sir... In fact, if you had made it clear earlier and shown your seal, Han would have had no objections and would have willingly followed you."

Why was he so terrified just now? One second he thought he had fallen into a den of thieves, and the next he felt like he was on cloud nine. He even pinched his thigh twice, wondering if he was still dreaming of something ridiculous.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Wenqing's lips twitched involuntarily.