Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

Seeing that his father was lost in thought and had no intention of immediately stopping or rescuing him, Hu Hai saw that his father was silent and had no intention of immediately speaking up to stop or rescue him.

Then look at Mr. Zhou, who seems to be deep in thought and is clearly seriously considering the feasibility of the "Wang's Education Method".

Finally, feel the tangible deterrent effect brought by General Wang's words "solid and ruthless attack"...

Overwhelmed by immense fear and resentment.

"Wow--!!"

He could no longer hold on and collapsed to the ground, letting out a deafening wail that shook the heavens and earth. Tears and snot flew everywhere as he cried out in utter despair, as if he could already feel the excruciating pain of being beaten with military rods.

Don't think he doesn't know! The board that General Wang mentioned is a military rod!

Thicker than his arm! Even three of him stacked together wouldn't be as tall as a military baton! A solid, brutal beating... would he even survive?!

"Sigh~"

Li Si sighed, helplessly rubbing his forehead, looking at the rapidly deteriorating situation before him—

Hu Hai cried his heart out, General Wang Jian looked innocently as if to say, "I'm just telling the truth," Zhou Wenqing was still there as if he were meditating, and his own king... remained completely unmoved, not even raising an eyebrow!

His lips twitched slightly, and he glared at Zhou Wenqing quickly.

Know when to stop, Brother Zicheng! Why scare the young master like that? Didn't you see that the King has already tacitly approved of you establishing your authority? But you can't really frighten him into a state of mental illness. The King is still watching here. If he cries too hard and can't be controlled, will you be the one to comfort him or will I?!

Zhou Wenqing was jolted back to his senses by the earth-shattering cry and immediately met Li Si's gaze. He awkwardly touched his nose.

Ahem! Honestly, I really didn't mean to use a military rod! It was just a slip of the tongue; General Wang picked up the conversation too easily, and I hadn't even had a chance to explain. Who would have thought this kid would cry so easily, his tears coming faster than a summer downpour…

Hu Hai's cries were still loud and high-pitched, echoing in the courtyard. He cried with snot and tears streaming down his face, his sobs both intense and heartbreaking.

Yin Man leaned on Ying Zheng's shoulder, secretly watching her younger brother's disheveled appearance. She wanted to laugh but tried hard to hold it in, her little shoulders trembling.

"Alright, Zhao Hai, wipe your tears. What kind of man are you, crying like this?"

In the end, it was Ying Zheng, the father, who couldn't stand it anymore and spoke up. His voice wasn't loud, but it instantly drowned out Hu Hai's sobbing wails.

Hu Hai's crying stopped abruptly. He raised his little face, which was covered in tears and snot, and looked at his father with even more grievance, sobbing as he accused him:

"Father... Father doesn't want me anymore... Waaah... I know I was wrong, I really know I was wrong... Waaah... Don't be punished... I'll be beaten to death... Waaah~"

The final "woo-woo-woo~" sound was drawn out in a long, drawn-out manner, and coupled with his current disheveled and pitiful appearance, even though Ying Zheng's mind was made up, he felt a vein throb slightly on his forehead.

"Nonsense," Ying Zheng retorted, his tone slightly gentler than before, tinged with a hint of helplessness. "Who said I was going to kill you?"

He just wanted to take this opportunity to teach his spoiled and arrogant son a lesson and teach him to respect others, not to actually kill him.

This is his son, not Zhao Gao!

"What Mr. Wang said... a solid and ruthless attack..." Hu Hai muttered softly, glancing fearfully at Wang Jian, who was looking at the sky and the ground beside him, pretending not to exist.

Wang Jian: "..."

I was just saying it casually, and I was talking about my own child. It has nothing to do with me. Why are you looking at me like that?

"Alright," Ying Zheng said, his voice becoming stern as he had a headache. "Nobody said they were going to beat you to death. Stop acting up and crying. It's unbecoming. Shut up."

Hu Hai was so frightened that he hiccuped, and his wailing gradually turned into suppressed sobs, but tears still fell down his face. He was clearly still in shock and his grievances had not subsided.

Ying Zheng then raised his eyes, his gaze passing over his still sobbing young son, and looked at Zhou Wenqing. His eyes clearly said: You've kept the person under control. The rest is still in your hands.

Zhou Wenqing: "..."

The king is truly... good at recognizing and employing people, and he can be ruthless.

Alright, that puts him at ease. At least even with his most beloved youngest son, the king doesn't just spoil him; he also knows how to cooperate and delegate authority.

The current deterrent effect is clearly a bit too much, and things are quickly sliding into an uncontrollable "childhood trauma" direction. Zhou Wenqing sighed inwardly.

His original plan was to take this opportunity to plant a seed in the child's heart, so that he would know that he should have reverence for his teachers and elders and that his behavior should have boundaries.

Ideally, one should have a symbolic "ruler" in hand to demonstrate the strictness of the teacher's authority and facilitate future discipline.

Little did anyone know that General Wang's words would upgrade the "ruler" to a "wolf's tooth club," which terrified the child to the point of collapse.

It seems this child's mind is really not flexible at all; he can't understand the implied meaning and can't resist roundabout hints.

Enough already. Since the initial goal of deterrence has been inexplicably exceeded, let's just be frank.

Zhou Wenqing composed himself, deliberately concealing any expression that might be misinterpreted as serious consideration or ill intent. He tried his best to appear gentle and harmless, taking a small step forward, ready to speak clearly with Hu Hai.

Crying won't solve the problem.

Who would have thought that the moment he moved, the moment he took a step, the moment his clothes fluttered slightly—

"Waaah—"

Hu Hai, like a frightened rabbit seeing danger everywhere, suddenly shrank back, using both hands and feet to shuffle backward a short distance on the smooth stone slab, and looked up at him with tearful eyes in fear.

This Mr. Zhou is terrifying! First he wanted to rip out his heart, then he wanted to beat him with a board—how could he be so cruel?! He must be going to come and do it himself!

Zhou Wenqing: "..."

Crying won't solve the problem, but... it's really difficult!

His half-step froze in mid-air, unsure whether to go forward or backward, and the gentle smile he had been forcing onto his face almost burst open.

Li Si, watching from the side, almost sighed deeply and covered his face with his sleeve.

Well! Now we can't rely on anyone anymore.

What a disaster! He wailed inwardly. The ball had been kicked out, circled the field, and in the end, he had to scramble to retrieve it himself. If he had known this would happen, why had he said that extra word and steered the conversation toward General Wang?!

Li Si was inwardly groaning, but dared not show it on his face. The king was watching, and this mess had to be cleaned up.

He took a deep breath, put on his usual gentle smile, squatted down next to Hu Hai, and spoke in a soft and slow voice.

"Young master, don't be afraid, don't cry. Look, Mr. Zhou hasn't said anything yet. What Old Master Wang just said was his usual way of disciplining his sons, not something he intended to use on you. Mr. Zhou is very learned and reasonable; how could he be so heartless?"

As he spoke, he gestured to Zhou Wenqing with his eyes: Quick, respond! Come down the ladder!

Zhou Wenqing was in a difficult situation. This child had imagined something, as if he were a ferocious beast. Any words he uttered at this moment would likely be misinterpreted.

He opened his mouth, looking for a way to get the conversation back on track, but couldn't find the right words.

Just as this delicate stalemate was reaching its peak, a clear and calm voice rang out from the side:

"Zhao Hai".

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Fusu holding something in his hand, walking calmly through the morning light in the courtyard.

In his hand was a bamboo ruler, its edges polished smooth. He had found it in a hurry; it was just a decorative item in his study. Although it wasn't specially made and wasn't as handy as an ordinary ruler, its intricate carvings and somber color gave it an elegant and dignified weight.

Just now, when Fusu saw his younger brother's pitiful appearance of fear and helplessness, almost curling up into a ball, he felt a sense of helplessness, thinking "If only I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have done it in the first place," but he also felt a sense of responsibility as an older brother and a touch of reluctance.

No matter how unruly Hu Hai was, he was still his younger brother.

Of course, more importantly—he absolutely could not stand by and watch his master fall into such an awkward and difficult situation.

The teacher's original intention was to teach rules and regulations, but he found himself in a dilemma because of General Wang's bold statement and his younger brother's unusual ability to understand.

He saw the man's predicament and could not stand idly by.

In the blink of an eye, he quietly retreated and quickly walked towards the study where he was temporarily staying. A moment later, he returned with this.

Fusu held the ruler steadily in his palms with both hands and walked straight to Zhou Wenqing.

Under the spotlight, he stopped and bowed deeply to Zhou Wenqing.

He then turned to Hu Hai, who was still sobbing, his voice clear and calm, yet reaching everyone's ears with perfect clarity:

"Zhao Hai, a man should always keep his word and correct his mistakes. Crying and fearing will not solve the problem, nor is it a way to sincerely repent."

He paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over his younger brother's tear-streaked face, and his tone turned somber.

"Since you had a prior agreement with your husband, it is only natural for you to accept your mistakes and learn from them. Today, your fear and confusion, and your careless words, were already inappropriate. Now, you should calm down and face your mistakes squarely."

If you still don't understand—then look to your elder brother.

After speaking, Fusu faced Zhou Wenqing again, and extended the ruler in his hand forward a little further, his posture respectful and composed:

"Master, your disciple Fusu, as the elder brother, failed to promptly advise and guide his younger brother, resulting in his inappropriate words and actions first, and his subsequent fright and disrespect. This is due to my oversight and negligence. I wish to offer this ruler to you, firstly to apologize on behalf of my younger brother for his impolite behavior, and secondly to request to receive admonishment in order to make amends for my mistake."

He paused slightly, then looked at Zhou Wenqing with clear eyes: "I humbly request that you... use this ruler to correct my error."

The courtyard was utterly silent for a moment.

The only sounds were the soft rustling of the morning breeze through the treetops and Hu Hai's gradually fading, suppressed sobs.

Sunlight shone on Fusu's slender yet upright back and on the dark, ancient bamboo ruler, bathing him in a warm yet resolute glow.

He did not plead for his younger brother, but instead followed his teacher's possible intentions and offered up the symbol of "rules". He did not shirk his responsibility as an elder brother, but instead frankly admitted his mistakes and was willing to be taught by his brother. He not only preserved the dignity of the teacher-student relationship, but also protected the dignity of his siblings. Moreover, he set an example and demonstrated what it means to take responsibility.

With a perfect blend of reason and emotion, and exquisite sense of proportion; kindness and wisdom, responsibility and thoroughness, were all vividly displayed in this still somewhat frail young man at this moment.

What a fine young master Fusu!

Looking at the respectful and bright-eyed young man before him, Zhou Wenqing was deeply moved, and then a feeling of indescribable admiration and satisfaction welled up within him.

He reached out and steadily and solemnly accepted the bamboo ruler that still held the warmth of the boy's palm.