Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

Seal? Where is he supposed to conjure up a seal? He himself is still a commoner who doesn't even know which way the main gate of Xianyang Palace faces!

Feeling helpless, Zhou Wenqing slapped Zhang Han's shoulder hard again, though he was annoyed.

Who told you to be such a stubborn kid? I tried everything, from the nicest to the harshest, I practically wore myself out, but you wouldn't listen. You were so wary, like you couldn't fool me. Now that you're scared, who can you blame but yourself?

"Enough with the small talk, hurry up and write the letter!"

He left those words behind, no longer looking at Zhang Han's aggrieved and bewildered expression, which clearly said, "Actually, I'm very easy to talk to and very receptive to advice." He turned around and left with a righteous air.

Stepping out of the room, Zhou Wenqing felt the afternoon sun shining on him and let out a soft sigh of relief.

Finally, we managed to calm this stubborn guy down and also resolved his family problems, but...

He gazed in the direction where Ying Zheng and Li Si had just left, his steps slowing as his mind began to wander.

Once we return to Xianyang with the King, we should have the official seal, right?

To be honest, Zhou Wenqing didn't really care what official title or noble rank he was given. It was just an empty title. The key was that it made things easier. But being an official... meant having to attend court, right?

What time is the Qin state holding court now?

It seems like... they went to court before dawn?

As dawn broke, around five o'clock, which translates to four or five in the morning, officials had to stand guard outside the palace gates. They also had to have their identities verified and their appearance tidied at places like the Langshu (a government office). Once the palace gates opened around six o'clock, they would file in one after another to begin the formal court meeting.

If you live far from the palace... wouldn't you have to get out of your warm bed at three or four in the morning?!

"hiss--"

Zhou Wenqing felt a sudden darkness before his eyes, as if he could already see countless miserable mornings in the future, when he would be trudging through the dark streets of Xianyang under the stars and moon.

We'll see the sun at four in the morning again!

He had only escaped the dreaded "5 AM to 10 PM" high school schedule that would haunt him for a few years, how could he have gone back to square one?!

Zhou Wenqing stood in the courtyard, gazing at the blue sky and white clouds, his eyes vacant.

Is it too late to regret it now?

Thus, under the inquiring and puzzled gazes of Ying Zheng and Li Si, Zhou Wenqing remained unusually listless for most of the day, absent-minded, like a cabbage that had been over-sunned, its leaves drooping.

When Li Si saw this, he suspected that it was Zhang Han, that hothead, complaining about something.

It's just a matter of tying him up. Brother Zicheng clearly has a heart that cherishes talent. How come this kid doesn't know how to be grateful?

He glanced at Ying Zheng, who also looked displeased, frowned, and prepared to give the young man some pointers.

Zhou Wenqing was stunned for a moment, then quickly stopped Li Si by saying that he was just "tired from traveling and feeling emotionally unstable."

The child is innocent, but if you ask him to be honest, I'm mourning countless future mornings when I won't be able to sleep in...

That reason... cough! It's really not very convincing.

"Well," he sighed inwardly. "These leisurely days are probably numbered. I'll just have to cherish these last moments of peace and quiet."

Zhou Wenqing sank deeper into the rocking chair, creaking and swaying, too lazy to even move to watch the excitement of General Wang Jian's return and his eagerness to test Zhang Han.

Just across the courtyard wall, one could vaguely hear General Wang's energetic cheers and comments, interspersed with the clear yet restrained responses of the young people, and occasionally the sharp sound of weapons cutting through the wind. It seemed that the scene was quite lively, and the result should have satisfied the old general.

As the commotion gradually subsided, Ying Zheng strolled back and chatted idly with him...

"Hahaha! Mr. Zhou, where is Mr. Zhou? I must thank you properly today! Come and taste my treasured wine!"

That voice was like a thunderclap in a dry land!

General Wang Jian strode into the courtyard with a powerful stride, his face glowing. Most strikingly, he was carrying two enormous earthenware wine jars in each hand.

Each of those jars looked like it could hold ten or so pounds of wine, but when he carried it, it felt as light as nothing. It swayed with his steps, like he was carrying two fat geese waiting to be slaughtered.

Li Si, who was whispering instructions to his servants under the eaves, looked up when he heard the sound. His eyes fell on the two jars of wine, and his expression changed slightly. He quickly stepped forward and opened his arms.

"General Wang! No, absolutely not! If you wish to drink, I will keep you company! Brother Zicheng's health... I'm afraid it will be difficult for you to enjoy yourself to the fullest!"

These two large jars of wine, let alone Brother Zicheng, would surely cause serious harm to even a healthy person if they drank them down.

Wang Jian was in high spirits and didn't care about any of that.

With a wave of his hand, he nearly knocked Li Si, who had come closer, off balance.

"Please don't stop me, Mr. Li! I'm indulging myself today! Mr. Zhou has found me such a talented young man, and that Zhang family lad is truly a gem that can be honed into something great! I'll remember this favor, and I'm just bringing some of my best wine to thank him. What's wrong with that? Isn't it only natural?"

Wine?! Or a rare, vintage wine?

Zhou Wenqing's curiosity was piqued. He had been here for so long, but he had never tasted this ancient pure grain liquor.

He propped himself up from the rocking chair, his eyes slightly brightening, and called out in response:

"Brother Gu'an, don't stop me! How could I, a man of stature, not be able to drink? Today, it's a rare occasion that General Wang has taken on such a fine disciple, and Your Majesty has gained a promising general. It's a double celebration, and we should drink to our hearts' content!"

As he spoke, he actually took the initiative to walk towards the two oversized "weapons".

Ying Zheng, who was about to speak up to dissuade Wang Jian from his reckless behavior, swallowed his words when he saw Zhou Wenqing's unusually enthusiastic and even expectant expression.

He hesitated for a moment, then simply shook his head slightly at Li Si.

Very well, Zhou Aiqing has been listless all day for some reason, it's rare for him to be in such high spirits. It's just a little wine, let him be.

At worst... we can just have the imperial physician prepare more hangover soup later.

Ying Zheng's brief hesitation and eventual silent indulgence removed the last line of defense.

Seeing this, General Wang Jian felt even more heroic. He carried the two huge wine jars into the center of the courtyard and slammed them heavily onto the stone table.

"Hahaha, Brother Zicheng is truly generous!" He waved his hand, "Someone, bring a big bowl! Today we're going to drink to our hearts' content!"

Li Si stood aside, looking at the two heavy wine jars, then glanced at Zhou Wenqing, who was already standing by the table with a face full of curiosity and eagerness, and then at his own king's indifferent expression... He was torn between his own thoughts and his own.

Brother Zicheng's health is still quite worrying!

"Fine," he gritted his teeth, stamped his foot, and, determined to keep them company, stepped forward and said, "General Wang is right. Such a joyous occasion certainly deserves celebration. Although my alcohol tolerance is shallow, I am willing to have a few drinks with you, General and Brother Zicheng, to share in this grand occasion!"

Instead of watching anxiously, why not join in yourself!

At least being able to watch from the sidelines, step in at crucial moments, offer advice, and control the situation is better than it being completely out of control!

Besides... with His Majesty here, he probably won't really let them get completely drunk.

The servants had already quickly set out the ceramic bowls, along with some side dishes, and the four of them sat around the table.

Wang Jian personally broke the mud seal, picked up the huge wine jar, and poured the clear wine, which contained obvious suspended matter and had a slightly yellow color, into the bowl with a "splashing" sound.

The aroma of the liquor immediately became even stronger, carrying the unique, slightly sweet and sour, and somewhat pungent scent of fermented grains.

"Come, come, come!" Wang Jian picked up the large bowl in front of him. "In my life, I've rolled around on the battlefield and stood tall in the imperial court, and there aren't many people I admire! But you are definitely one of them!"

He paused, a look of amusement and exasperation on his face: "You wouldn't believe it, I was ordered to guard your gate today, and good heavens! Those villagers were so enthusiastic, like a floodgate had been opened! I brought a few of my men, and we almost collapsed the door frame!"

"Those eggs, vegetables, newly harvested millet... good heavens, they've piled up the entire yard! There's almost no room to step!"

"This is not just a formality, it's a real achievement. For this alone, I'll toast you with a bowl!" With that, he raised his wrist and brought the rim of the bowl to his lips.

Zhou Wenqing quickly picked up the heavy, slightly cloudy bowl of wine in front of him and said sincerely, "General Wang, you flatter me. It is the villagers who have shown me too much kindness. What I have done is really insignificant, and I am unworthy of it."

"Hey! Don't try to fool me with those empty words!"

Wang Jian wiped the wine stains from his lips, his tiger-like eyes gleaming. "That curved plow, I practically broke it apart and examined it closely, the more I looked, the more wonderful it became! To be able to figure out such a treasure, what else could it be but a great skill? This one item alone is worth ten bowls of wine! Come, drink!"

After saying that, he tilted his head back and took a big gulp, displaying great bravado.

Zhou Wenqing smiled and agreed, then brought the bowl to her lips and carefully took a bite.

Upon tasting the liquor, the burning sensation is not strong; it even has a faint sweetness and rice aroma. However, the texture is indeed cloudy with a slight grainy feel. After swallowing, a warm sensation spreads from the throat to the stomach, followed by a subtle, light, and intoxicating feeling.

This wine... it seems alright? Zhou Wenqing's eyes lit up slightly, and his previous caution dissipated considerably.

With the beer and wine tolerance I developed from staying up all night to finish my thesis, dealing with this should be a piece of cake.

Encouraged by his courage, he imitated Wang Jian, picked up the bowl, and gulped down the entire bowl of turbid wine in a few gulps.