Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

Ying Zheng was quite satisfied to see that his youngest son was able to correct his mistakes and that his eldest son was able to shoulder great responsibilities, and that Zhou Wenqing had handled everything well.

"Now that things have been explained, everyone can disperse." He waved his hand, his gaze sweeping over Hu Hai's little face, which was a mess of tears and snot. His brows furrowed slightly. "Hai'er, go with your brother and wash your face. What kind of behavior is this, crying like this?"

I'm being unreasonable! I got slapped, and I'm still being unreasonable?!

Hu Hai's eyes widened instantly, his little mouth pursed, and his face was filled with shock and grievance, as if to say, "Father, you really don't love me anymore."

Fusu reacted swiftly, grabbing his younger brother before he could burst into a wail. He gently coaxed him, then took the hand of the quiet Azhu and, along with the sobbing Huhai and the other brothers, quickly evacuated the "accident scene."

The backyard finally quieted down, with only a few adults remaining.

Zhou Wenqing watched the departing figures, especially Hu Hai's pitiful yet determined expression as he tried to suppress his tantrum. He breathed a sigh of relief, finally managing to keep this little devil under control.

Ying Zheng had been watching him closely, and now he looked over, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Minister Zhou, why do you sigh?"

I sighed, "Finally, I have a legitimate reason to give your youngest son, this Qin Er Shi, a good beating, fulfilling my long-held wish." Of course, I could only think this in my heart.

Zhou Wenqing's eyes darted around, and a perfectly timed sigh appeared on his face. He cupped his hands and said, "Alas, Your Majesty's son and daughter both inherit the heroic spirit of the imperial family and resemble their father. Their future potential is immeasurable!"

Saying something nice at this time is always the right thing to do!

Seeing this, Li Si immediately judged that the time was right to speak, decisively ended his wooden stake state, and calmly continued the conversation.

"Your Majesty is exceptionally wise and intelligent, with the bearing of a dragon and the grace of a phoenix. Naturally, your sons and princesses are also naturally gifted and possess deep-rooted wisdom."

"Hahahaha!" Wang Jian clapped his hands and laughed loudly, his voice booming like a bell. He slapped Li Si firmly on the shoulder. "Today, I've truly seen something amazing, Mr. Zhou! With you disciplining the children so effectively, this is a rare sight indeed!"

Li Si was so shocked by the slap that he could only grimace and force a bitter smile.

Ying Zheng listened to these flattering words with a smile, but his gaze never left Zhou Wenqing. He clapped his hands and laughed, "What you and the others have said is very much in line with my thoughts, but... General Wang said it's a rare opportunity?"

He shook his head slightly, a meaningful glint in his eyes. "I'm afraid not?"

Ying Zheng took a small half-step forward, getting closer to Zhou Wenqing.

"When Zhou Aiqing was instructing Hai'er just now, he said, 'Only those who are upright in character, diligent in their studies, and respectful of their teachers are qualified to enter my school. As for Fusu, you have already promised him to keep the ruler and return it when he finishes his studies. This master-disciple relationship is now settled.'"

Zhou Wenqing's heart skipped a beat, and he vaguely felt that something was off about what was being said.

Sure enough, Ying Zheng changed the subject again: "As for Huhai... since you have already fulfilled my duty of discipline today, and you also have the 'discipline whip' that he offered to you, if he causes any more trouble in the future, you can use this whip to discipline him, which is perfectly legitimate. It seems that this child is also determined to rely on you."

Zhou Wenqing immediately sensed something was wrong—the king was too adept at taking advantage of the situation! Was he planning to let him seamlessly take over all the royal children and open a "royal childcare center"?

That won't do! Just thinking about being surrounded by a group of noble and diverse little masters in the future made Zhou Wenqing's scalp tingle.

He hurriedly spoke, trying to salvage the situation: "Your Majesty, I am physically weak and lazy, truly..."

"My dear minister, please don't be hasty." Ying Zheng seemed to have anticipated his reaction, raising his hand to stop him, his expression becoming even more considerate and understanding.

"Am I such an unreasonable ruler? If I were to cramm all my children into your household, causing you to toil and suffer... not to mention your hardship, the memorials from the censors and officials in Xianyang Palace would probably flood my desk."

He paused briefly, giving Zhou Wenqing some time to process this "thoughtfulness," before continuing his explanation in a clear and logical manner that left no room for argument:

"Fusu is the eldest son. In the future, his mentor will naturally need someone as talented as you, my dear minister, to teach him carefully so that I can be at ease. As for Huhai, he is unruly and his temperament is still unsettled. He also needs to be strictly disciplined and patiently guided. Now that you have taken over, I am most at ease."

"As for Jiang Lü, Gao, and that girl Yin Man," Ying Zheng's tone became lighter.

"They are still young and have only just begun their education. When they grow up, I will find them other good teachers. I will not trouble you, my dear minister."

"But you treat even the children in the countryside equally and teach them patiently. Are you going to turn away my few bright children? Let's arrange for them to go to school like the other children in the village, to hear some principles and learn a few characters. Surely you wouldn't have the heart to refuse them then?"

Zhou Wenqing: "..."

He stared at Ying Zheng's sincere face, which seemed to say, "I have already yielded so much, and I have considered everything so thoroughly. How dare you say no?" He was speechless for a moment.

Not wanting to? How could I! I could never bear it; I'd be heartbroken about the few peaceful days I have left!

However, since the king had spoken to this extent, all reason, logic, and escape routes had been considerately blocked by the other party...

He seemed, appeared to, and indeed... couldn't find any plausible reason to firmly refuse anymore.

Zhou Wenqing sighed inwardly, knowing he was doomed to fall into this trap. He had no choice but to bow and clasp his hands in resignation.

"Your Majesty is thoughtful and considerate of your subjects. Wenqing is deeply grateful and will obey Your Majesty's every command."

He paused, raised his head, and looked earnestly at Ying Zheng: "However, Your Majesty, Wenqing... has another request, which I hope Your Majesty will grant."

"Oh?" Ying Zheng raised an eyebrow slightly. "Please speak freely, my dear minister."

"Your Majesty, I humbly request that this apprenticeship ceremony be held in this rural courtyard where I am currently residing. Although this place lacks the grandeur of palaces, it witnessed the initial master-disciple relationship between me and you, and it is also the place where I taught these village children. It holds special significance for both of us."

He paused briefly before continuing, "I know that state rites should not be taken lightly. If we are concerned that this place is too simple and there are few witnesses, which is not enough to show the importance of the prince, then we can hold a grand ceremony after we return to Xianyang. My request at this time is actually for another personal reason."

"What are your ulterior motives?" Ying Zheng asked.

Zhou Wenqing looked towards the village houses and said in a gentle voice, "I am a guest here and have been fortunate to receive the care and support of my fellow villagers. I have no way to repay them but to use my limited knowledge to teach the children in the village to read and understand principles. Although the time has been short, we have already formed a bond."

"However, I will eventually have to leave. When that time comes, how many children in this rural area, busy making a living, will persist in studying the few scrolls of bamboo slips I leave behind? And how many families can truly afford to support a student? I fear that soon everything will return to the way it was before, which is truly regrettable."

"If the young master is formally accepted as a disciple here, and the village boy A-Zhu is allowed to join him, the villagers will eventually find out—"

"The impact of this is like a seed, making the children of the village feel that studying and making progress is not out of reach, and allowing them to hold onto a hope in their hearts. This is one aspect."

Seeing that Ying Zheng was focused and did not show any displeasure, Zhou Wenqing knew that the time was ripe to bring up the old matter again.

"Your Majesty," he looked up at Ying Zheng, his gaze becoming solemn, "this also concerns my humble opinion on the word 'education'."

"My dear minister, you have another insight?!"

Ying Zheng's eyes lit up, and his expression became slightly excited. He waved his hand and said, "My dear minister, please speak frankly. This time, there's no need to be reserved or beat around the bush. Just state your mind directly!"

He was so fond of this kind of loyal minister who provided him with a constant stream of national policies, and even brilliant ones, without needing any salary!

There's no need to beat around the bush anymore. He now holds enough weight in the King of Qin's heart. Zhou Wenqing smiled and said:

"In my opinion, governing a country is like cooking a small fish; it requires both a bright flame and a gentle simmer. While learning from officials can certainly help to regulate laws and regulations, I believe that in addition to regulation and uniformity, it is also necessary to ensure that the people have a clear understanding."

Seeing that Ying Zheng was listening intently, he continued, "This is not to make him knowledgeable about the past and present or to discuss state affairs, but to enable the common people to have basic literacy, to understand why the laws of the court are the way they are; to be able to do the most basic arithmetic, so that they are not easily cheated in market transactions and land measurement; to understand the most basic principles, so that they know that hard work can fill their stomachs, military achievements can bring glory, and obeying the law can avoid disaster."

"Such a people have three benefits." Zhou Wenqing held up three fingers. First, the administration is more efficient, the people understand the law, local lawsuits are reduced, the wicked are harder to deceive, and the resistance to the implementation of government orders is greatly reduced. In the past, Shang Yang moved a log to establish trust, precisely because the people "knew" that rewards would be kept.

Secondly, the source of soldiers is better. The soldiers can recognize the flags and drums and can command orders. On the battlefield, they are as sharp as an arm and a hand. The old general knew that a hundred men who could "understand" military orders could defeat a thousand men who were ignorant.

Thirdly, he looked at Ying Zheng, his tone calm and powerful, "This is a fundamental strategy. If the people have the hope of making a living through farming and studying, and changing their fate through military merit, they will spontaneously maintain this order. The will of the people is the most solid foundation of the country. Fooling the people is like piling up firewood, which can be suppressed temporarily, but it is easy to hide a fire. Guiding the people toward the light is like dredging a canal, which can both irrigate and release floods."

"What I mean by enlightening people is not to encourage them to argue, but to forge them into the means to live a secure life and uphold the king's rule. Only when people's wisdom is gradually enlightened and they are guided in the right way can they gradually move from 'being subdued' to 'being pleased'."

Seeing that Ying Zheng's expression was gradually softening, Zhou Wenqing delivered the final blow that had been aimed at his heart, and spoke with great passion:

"In that case, it's not impossible for the Qin Dynasty to last for ten thousand generations!"

Oh no! Why did Brother Zicheng rush in without even saying hello?!

Li Si, listening from the side, was deeply moved, thinking that although the proposal was brilliant, it concerned the fundamentals of national policy...

He was frantically trying to figure out how to subtly help out, or at least make the conversation flow more smoothly, when unexpectedly—

Hahahaha!

Ying Zheng's deep, hearty laughter suddenly rang out.

He raised his hand and pointed at Zhou Wenqing, his eyes gleaming: "Well done, Zhou Wenqing! I see you've figured out my desire to establish an everlasting dynasty, so every piece of advice you offer hits the nail on the head, leaving me speechless!"

Upon hearing this, not only did Li Si subconsciously hold his breath, but even the usually cheerful General Wang Jian subtly twitched his eyebrows—the weight of these words was truly significant.

However, Ying Zheng's laughter gradually subsided, and his face showed no displeasure. Instead, he looked deeply at Zhou Wenqing, his gaze filled with undisguised admiration and the joy of meeting a kindred spirit.

"Well said! If the Great Qin Dynasty wishes to last for ten thousand generations, how can it rely solely on strict laws and the power of weapons? Only when the hearts of the people are truly won over can it become an impregnable fortress, impervious to fire and water, and unbreakable by swords and spears! This suggestion is very much in line with my thoughts and should be adopted!"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

"This is a sound strategy for consolidating the foundation and strengthening the nation; we, your humble servants, are deeply impressed!"

Li Si and Wang Jian's reactions were remarkably well-trained. Almost the instant Ying Zheng uttered his last word, they stepped forward in unison, their robes fluttering, and knelt on one knee in a synchronized gesture of respect.

The speed and the arc were as if they had been measured with a ruler.

No, these two...have practiced in private?

Zhou Wenqing was still in the cupped-hands posture he had just used when he made his statement. He blinked, looking hesitant, at this sudden "standardized action".

Well... should I hurry up and join in too? Otherwise, I'll seem like a total loner!

The thought had barely crossed his mind when his knees twitched slightly, not yet bending completely—

One hand had already firmly supported his elbow, stopping his movement in an awkward "wanting to kneel but not quite" position.

Zhou Wenqing glanced at Li Si and the other man discreetly. They had already stood up nimbly, their hands at their sides, looking respectful as if we hadn't seen anything.

Well, I still couldn't keep up with the formation!

"My dear minister, there's no need for such formality." Ying Zheng's smile lingered, seemingly finding Zhou Wenqing's concern over these small details quite amusing. He deliberately asked vaguely:

"My dear minister, you just said that this is one thing and another. What exactly is it? I am very curious."

Secondly? What second? A look of confusion crossed Zhou Wenqing's face.

He assumed Ying Zheng hadn't heard the part about optimizing troop quality, and without thinking, he blurted out, following his previous train of thought: "Secondly, the quality of the soldiers is better; if the soldiers can understand the commands of flags and drums..."

"Eh—" Ying Zheng interrupted, his voice trailing off, his smile deepening and his teasing barely concealed.

"Why are you repeating yourself, Zhou Aiqing? What I'm asking about is the second part of your 'selfish motives'."

He leaned slightly forward, his tone playful, "I have already accepted your advice, but if you wish to discuss this further... I would be happy to oblige."

Zhou Wenqing: "!!!"

He has no desire to play along!

Zhou Wenqing immediately changed his expression and readily replied, "Your subject is foolish and dull; the second point is truly some trivial and mundane thought."

Zhou Wenqing's gaze shifted back to the village, and his voice softened.

"Aunt Liu and the others are ultimately rooted in this village. Those children have a master-disciple relationship with me. If they really encounter difficulties in the future, they may have more options and more courage because of this bond. And I... will never disown these 'nominal disciples'."

How could I not acknowledge it? This was a seed he planted long ago...

The seeds of enlightenment and civilization.

Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng's gaze lingered on Zhou Wenqing's open and honest face for a moment, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.

This Zhou Aiqing was a man who served the country without forgetting his humble origins, and who valued loyalty and cherished old friendships.

"Your thoughts are profound and your heart is kind." Ying Zheng nodded and readily agreed, "Then we will do as you say. The apprenticeship ceremony will be held here. All the children in the village who are studying can witness the ceremony. As for the ceremony in Xianyang, it can be held later."

………………

With the dust settled, the tense atmosphere finally relaxed.

Only then did Zhou Wenqing belatedly realize that his stomach felt empty.

After all that commotion early in the morning—following the rules of the Little Tyrant and discussing national policies with the Emperor—he was so tense that he completely forgot about eating, and his stomach started to protest.

He subconsciously raised his hand to press his aching abdomen, and secretly glanced at the composed Ying Zheng.

Your Majesty! Look at the time! Your subjects are starving while disciplining your children and devising national policies. This is outrageous! This is exploitation!

The king is mistreating his subjects!

He inexplicably understood the accusatory and resentful look in Zhou Wenqing's eyes as Ying Zheng spoke: "..."

Ying Zheng met his gaze, raised an eyebrow slightly, and said with a start, "My dear minister, are you... feeling unwell?"

He looked ashamed, shook his head and sighed softly, "It was indeed my oversight. Let me think, why did I gather everyone in this backyard during breakfast time, causing you to go hungry..."

He paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over Zhou Wenqing's increasingly stiff face, his tone becoming even gentler: "It seems that this morning, someone was seen moving 'lightly' and furtively heading towards the courtyard gate..."

Zhou Wenqing: "!!!"

"Your Majesty!" he interrupted urgently, a sincere smile plastered on his face, "Why bring up such a trivial matter? Brother Gu'an must be hungry too, so why not... why not have breakfast first?"

As he spoke, he grabbed Li Si's sleeve and hurriedly bowed to Ying Zheng: "Your subject will take his leave now!"

Before he finished speaking, he grabbed Li Si, who was still not fully recovered, and slipped out of the backyard with lightning speed.