Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

Zhou Wenqing felt a complex mix of emotions, but outwardly he clapped his hands and smiled, realizing that his knowledge of history had given him an advantage, allowing him to gain the respect of someone as discerning as Wei Liao.

"Excellent! Sir, you truly possess remarkable spirit. Wenqing admires you and feels utterly inadequate!"

Wei Liao glanced at him and shook his head helplessly: "Zhou Jun became humble in the blink of an eye, but just now he even admitted to being 'arrogant.' How can anyone believe him?"

"Arrogance or humility are merely pretexts." Zhou Wenqing's eyes held a faint smile, yet seemed to see right through people. "What matters is that your inclination, sir, is already clear, isn't it?"

He said no more, only gently turning his gaze in the direction of Ying Zheng, his chin slightly raised.

Yes, the inclination was already clear, and now even the last remaining concerns have been eliminated. This young man is truly extraordinary!

Wei Liao gave Zhou Wenqing a deep look, then looked in Ying Zheng's direction.

A monarch who shares his interests and possesses a rare breadth of vision and spirit, and who allows him to fully utilize all his life's learning... If he were to pass by him and retreat into the world, how could Wei Liao be willing to do so?

That would not only betray the sincerity of a monarch, but also betray the answer that he had been searching for all his life!

He said no more, straightened his clothes, turned to face Ying Zheng, and walked forward steadily. He stood before the king, then solemnly and deeply bowed, his voice clear and firm, without the slightest hesitation:

"Liao, I am willing to follow Your Majesty's lead and return to Xianyang together. I offer my body and wisdom to Your Majesty, and I am willing to do my utmost to assist the wise ruler, sweep away the chaos of the world, and help Your Majesty achieve this unprecedented unification!"

Ying Zheng's tightly furrowed brows finally relaxed. He looked at Wei Liao, who was bowing deeply and unable to rise, then glanced at Zhou Wenqing, whose face was even paler from standing in the cold for so long, but whose eyes remained clear and bright. Finally, he took a step forward, reached out his hand, and steadily helped Wei Liao up. He solemnly spoke:

"I am greatly pleased to hear your words, sir. Your willingness to stay today is not only a blessing for me, but also a blessing for the Qin state and for the future unification of the world."

His deep eyes appeared even more profound at that moment. He did not deliberately raise his voice, but the solemnity and recognition contained in his words carried more weight than any impassioned vow.

"From this day forward, I am willing to work alongside you, sir, and all of you, to purify the world and achieve lasting merit. Once this ambition is established, it will remain as immovable as mountains and rivers. My words will stand firm and be witnessed by heaven and earth."

"Liao, you are at Your Majesty's command!"

Wang Jian, who had been standing to the side, finally stroked his beard and laughed loudly, "That's right, that's great! Let's go, let's go, back to Xianyang!"

He waved his hand, as if he could already see the banners atop Xianyang city walls, then suddenly remembered something. His tiger-like eyes glared, and he pointed at Wei Liao with feigned ferocity, "You old codger, you said it yourself, and I heard you clearly. If you try to escape again, before the King even gives the word, I'll bring my personal guards to tie you up and drag you back. Hurry up, get on your horse! Don't dawdle, I can't wait any longer!"

Before he finished speaking, his gaze involuntarily swept over Zhou Wenqing's still pale and weary face, and his voice immediately dropped involuntarily as he quickly added a sentence.

"...Well, Mr. Zhou is different. Rest and recuperation are paramount. Rest and recuperation are paramount. This old man...this old man isn't actually in such a hurry, haha, taking it easy is paramount, taking it easy is paramount!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Wenqing could only offer a helpless, bitter smile.

At this moment, he was in the most uncomfortable state after exhaustion. His muscles felt as if they were filled with lead, or as if they were frozen stiff and sluggish. The slightest movement caused waves of soreness, numbness, and tingling pain to spread along his tendons and veins, causing cold sweat to seep out from his forehead.

Let alone riding a horse again, even just taking a few steps back to the makeshift fur coat seat made me feel weak in the legs and unsteady on my feet.

It seems that before you can even mount the horse, you'll have to "set off" first.

When they were chasing after the light cavalry earlier, in order to speed up, the carriages were unloaded and left behind. If they were to wait for it to catch up now, it would take at least an hour or two. The group could not set off immediately and had to rest in place and wait for the carriage.

Wang Jian, however, was a man who couldn't stay idle. Once the dust had settled, he pulled Wei Liao, who had just returned to the ranks, and walked a short distance away to talk and inspect the area.

Supported by Ying Zheng, Zhou Wenqing moved almost inch by inch back to the large stone covered with thick fur coats. When he sat down again, he almost collapsed onto the stone.

His face was deathly pale, even his lips had lost their color. He looked up at Ying Zheng, seemingly wanting to reach out and unfasten the wide robe on his shoulder, but as soon as he moved his arm slightly, a sharp, stinging pain shot through him. In the end, he couldn't even muster the strength to lift his fingertips, so he had to give up.

"What happened today...was Wenqing's behavior too inappropriate. Your Majesty, please retrieve this robe...the wind is fierce in the wilderness, do not...do not catch a cold."

"What you have done, my dear minister, is entirely in accordance with my wishes. What crime have you committed?" Ying Zheng's voice rang out above him, gentle and resolute, with a smile: "I should be delighted by this perfect understanding between us."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Wenqing's pale lips curved slightly.

It was indeed a tacit agreement, and even more so, a tacit understanding to go with the flow.

After that in-depth conversation, Ying Zheng rarely addressed him as "Brother Zicheng" in front of important ministers such as Wang Jian and Li Si, but instead called him "Minister Zhou" or "Minister Zhou" to show his high regard for him.

Today, right before Wei Liao's eyes, Ying Zheng called out "Brother Zicheng" with exceptional clarity, just as he was helping Wei Liao to sit down and saying, "I will follow your advice."

Besides genuine affection, how could Zhou Wenqing not understand the underlying intentions?

Isn't this a way of subtly showing off to Wei Liao, who is watching quietly from the sidelines, while using the special courtesy and closeness shown to Zhou Wenqing?

Sir, look at me. This is how I treat truly insightful people: I can befriend them wholeheartedly, gladly accept their advice, and show them great consideration and affection. My sincerity towards talented people has always been like this. Do you think that after the world is unified, I will discard all those who have been treated with courtesy and worked together for great cause as if they were worn-out shoes?

Zhou Wenqing was perfectly clear-headed, so he was already seven or eight parts certain that Ying Zheng would cooperate perfectly and make this play a complete success, even though it seemed particularly "impolite" or even "overstepping" in asking for clothes today.

As expected... the king showed not the slightest surprise, responding naturally and smoothly, as if it were all perfectly natural and right.

Such actions are more persuasive than any words, quietly shaking the high wall of doubt and fear that had been built in Wei Liao's heart.

Ying Zheng did not retrieve the robe; instead, he reached out and pulled the collar of the robe even tighter to keep out the increasingly biting cold wind.

"Just put it on, my dear. My body is stronger than yours. It's windy now, and you're all sweaty. Don't refuse anymore."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the robe Zhou Wenqing wore while riding a horse, the one with hidden patterns in the style of a monarch, and his tone became increasingly indifferent: "Besides... it's just a piece of clothing, why make such a fuss?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he did not turn around. He simply raised his hand slightly, and the head of the guards standing not far away immediately understood. He quickly stepped forward and respectfully presented a thick, warm, brand-new fur coat. Ying Zheng took it casually and draped it over his shoulders.

Zhou Wenqing was still marveling at the tacit understanding between the two, unaware that there was a monarch who did not rely solely on tacit understanding... and truly did not care at all about his so-called "transgression".

Seeing Ying Zheng put on the fur coat, Zhou Wenqing stopped refusing, as he really didn't have the energy for further pleasantries.

The intense dizziness and the feeling of weakness and exhaustion spreading through his limbs were assaulting his mind. He let out a very soft breath and slowly closed his eyes to resist the discomfort surging from deep within his body, trying to gather a little strength.

Otherwise, if he gets into the carriage later and is still in such poor condition, or even worse, and has to be carried in unconscious on his first trip to Xianyang, that would be quite a mess.

He remained silent, while Ying Zheng stood silently to the side, his gaze fixed on his slightly furrowed brows and bloodless lips. After a moment, he suddenly spoke.

"I have not heard the details of how you persuaded Wei Liao today, but I can roughly guess a thing or two."

He paused briefly, as if carefully considering his words.

"The sentiments, aspirations, and promises that I have expressed to Wei Liao today are the same for you, my dear minister, and even... surpass them."

He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice even further, yet each word was clearly uttered into Zhou Wenqing's ears:

"Therefore, Zicheng, you have acted so recklessly today... Please do not do it again in the future. As your brother, I really cannot bear to do it."

He uttered the words "as elder brother" lightly and steadily, and in the biting wind of the wilderness, they carried a warmth more comforting than any solemn promise.

Ying Zheng cherished Zhou Wenqing's unparalleled talent, but he was also troubled by Zhou's tendency to overexert himself and always push his limits.

Despite having been given someone to look after him today, he still managed to get himself into this state. Ying Zheng felt helpless and had no other choice but to speak to him with these solemn words, hoping that he would take them to heart and learn from them.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Wenqing's eyelashes, which had been slightly closed due to weakness, suddenly lifted, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, which then transformed into a complex emotion.

I never imagined that I, who spend all my time thinking about how to educate, persuade, and even scheme against others, would be persuaded by the King in such a straightforward way, yet more effective than any of his elaborate schemes. This is truly...

He looked at Ying Zheng, and a slightly mocking smile suddenly curved his pale lips:

"Isn't it enough that Your Majesty has already impressed General Wei Liao today? Must you also make Wen Qing 'wholeheartedly submit'?"

"If this continues, Wenqing will likely become arrogant and even more unrestrained in the future."

"So what?" Ying Zheng waved his hand, asking indifferently, his tone extremely calm.

"I grant you permission to be unrestrained."