Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

It was too early. Zhou Wenqing shook his groggy head and sat up straight against the headboard to wake himself up.

He was afraid that if he lay down again, he would succumb to his addiction. So, with his last bit of willpower, he ruthlessly extinguished the temptation to "sleep for another quarter of an hour" and struggled to get up.

After getting dressed, washing up, changing clothes and tying her hair, she drank half a cup of warm water but still had no appetite. She only symbolically ate a small piece of pastry before she could no longer swallow it.

Filled with resentment and in a daze, he plunged headfirst into the carriage that was already waiting in the morning mist.

Before getting into the carriage, he subconsciously looked up. The moonlight was faint and the morning glow was quietly spreading, a kind of tranquil yet magnificent beauty. How many years had it been since he had seen such a scene?

Unfortunately, the new moon will eventually replace the old moon, and there will be no brighter moon over my hometown. This thought only flashed through my mind, and my heavy eyelids quickly crushed that little bit of poetic sentiment.

The carriage swayed gently, and Zhou Wenqing leaned against the side wall, his head bobbing up and down with the rhythm of the swaying...

"Tap, tap, tap."

He suddenly opened his eyes, his focus momentarily blurred before quickly sharpening.

Li Yi's lowered voice rang out at the opportune moment: "Young Master, we have arrived at the palace. His Majesty has specially sent a eunuch to guide us and wait outside the gate."

"We've arrived?" Zhou Wenqing rubbed his stiff neck and lifted the front curtain of the car.

"Greetings to Mr. Zhou. His Majesty has specially instructed that, knowing of your arduous journey, a palanquin has been prepared here. Please proceed directly to the side hall of Zhangtai Palace to rest for a while and await the court assembly."

Your Majesty is so thoughtful!

Zhou Wenqing nodded, bent down, lifted the carriage curtain, and got off the carriage.

Thank you for your trouble.

To welcome Zhou Wenqing, this "freshly minted" national hero, to court for the first time, Ying Zheng appeared exceptionally solemn today. He changed into a brand-new, crisp black robe and wore a twelve-tassel crown, sitting upright on the throne.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

As the attendant proclaimed his greetings, the assembled officials bowed in unison, and the court assembly officially began.

At the front of the civil officials' line, Lord Changping stepped forward first, cupped his hands, and said loudly, "Your Majesty, I have recently heard that Your Majesty has found a wise man in the countryside who has presented you with an object called the 'Curved Plow.' It has been selected for trial use in Xiaokan Village. It is said that this plow is light and labor-saving, turning the soil deeply and evenly. Not only is its efficiency far superior to the old plow, but it can also preserve soil fertility and is expected to increase the yield of the fields. I wonder... is this really true?"

That old fox has a sharp nose.

After Lü Buwei was dismissed from his post as prime minister, Lord Changping succeeded him as prime minister due to his merits in assisting in ruling and stabilizing the court. Now, he is highly trusted by Ying Zheng and can almost be called the head of the civil officials. He is at the height of his power.

Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng's lips curled slightly. "The Prime Minister's information network is indeed excellent." He then changed the subject, "However, the treasure that wise man offered to the state is far more than just a mere plowshare."

He paused briefly, then raised his voice, "Someone come here—"

The head eunuch standing beside the steps had already received instructions. Upon hearing this, he immediately bowed and stepped forward, steadily holding a seemingly simple but tightly sealed pottery jar in his hands, and presented it to the front of the hall.

"My lords," Ying Zheng gestured towards the pottery jar, "why not come forward and examine it one by one, and guess what treasure lies inside?"

The eunuch opened the salt jar and walked past the assembled officials one by one. When he brought it to Changping, he squinted and carefully examined the fine, snow-white powder. He picked up a tiny bit, brought it to his nose, and smelled it—it was colorless and odorless.

Seeing that the king did not stop him, a glint flashed in his eyes, and he simply brought his finger to his lips and pursed it lightly.

"hiss!"

Changping-kun's eyes widened instantly! He recoiled as if stung by something.

"This...this...this..."

Changping-kun's eyes widened instantly! He recoiled as if stung by something, his voice rising sharply and trembling.

"Your Majesty! This...this couldn't be...salt?!"

His exclamation caused an uproar in the entire court.

Salt? Salt that's so white, fine, and completely free of impurities...?! How is that possible?!

The best salt they had ever seen and used was nothing more than coarse salt or green salt that was slightly yellowish and somewhat bitter!

Ying Zheng took in the shock, doubt, and ecstasy of the crowd below, and couldn't help but feel satisfied and proud.

Look at you bunch of good-for-nothings! If you knew the cost of this salt, you'd probably be shocked to your core.

He waited until the buzzing discussion subsided before nodding slightly.

"The Prime Minister's guess is correct. This is indeed salt, a superior grade of salt—purer and without any bitterness than the imperial salt used in the palace!"

At this, the courtiers were in an uproar, craning their necks and staring intently at the seemingly ordinary pottery jar. Some who were far away even stood on tiptoe.

Lord Changping bowed deeply again, his voice booming, "Heaven blesses Great Qin! To have obtained such a divine salt-making technique! Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

"Hahahaha!" Ying Zheng finally laughed heartily, his laughter filled with joy and pride. "The Prime Minister is absolutely right! However, such auspicious omens and such great achievements all belong to one person—Minister Zhou, Zhou Wenqing!"

His eyes shone brightly as he recounted the story as if it were a treasure, his tone filled with undisguised admiration: "Minister Zhou is a man of extraordinary talent, with the nation at heart. What he has contributed is far more than just 'Snowflake Salt'."

"Furthermore, there are the curved-shaft plows, fertile soil, and the policy of crop rotation and intercropping. According to their estimates, if implemented properly, it could increase the yield of our Great Qin's fertile land by nearly 50%!"

"There is also the miraculous medicine 'garlic extract,' which, when used on wounded soldiers, immediately stops festering sores, gradually reduces high fever, and saves countless lives! Furthermore, it offers profound advice on the national policy of 'taking the law as the foundation and drawing on the strengths of all,' from which I have benefited immensely!"

As these events were recounted, even Ying Zheng himself felt a slight unease.

Unbeknownst to many, Minister Zhou had already accomplished so many "unparalleled feats" that were enough to affect the foundation of the nation!

This only includes what can be openly discussed; other valuables, such as saddles and horseshoes, which are not yet suitable for public display, are not included.

Ying Zheng's recitation was so detailed and profound, its sheer volume of information and its impact so powerful, it was like several boulders being thrown in succession, stirring up unprecedented and towering waves in the deep waters of Zhangtai Palace.

The entire court was in an uproar! The shock from the "snowflake salt" had not yet subsided, and now they were overwhelmed by the successive announcements of "a 50% increase in grain production" and "a life-saving medicine," leaving them dizzy and unable to contain their excitement.

Even the usually composed and dignified Imperial Censor Wei Zhuang, with his white hair and beard, was now flushed with excitement and stepped forward shakily.

"Your Majesty! If... if what Your Majesty says is true, Zhou Wenqing's offering of the plow to enrich agriculture, salt to benefit the people, medicine to save our soldiers, and strategies to stabilize the nation for the long term... these achievements are all beneficial for generations to come and meritorious for the country! This old minister believes that Your Majesty must reward such a person who has made great contributions to our Great Qin with great honor, so as to demonstrate Your Majesty's grace and encourage future generations!"

"Your Majesty, I second that suggestion," Lord Changping added.

General Wang Jian, who had been standing silently at the head of the ranks of military officers with his arms crossed, also stepped forward and proudly declared in a loud voice, "This old minister seconds the motion!"

"I second that opinion."

"We second that proposal!"

With these influential figures taking the lead, a chorus of voices in the hall immediately joined in. Whether they were genuinely impressed by Zhou Wenqing's talent and achievements or simply acting in accordance with the times, the court at this moment reached an unprecedented consensus on the matter of rewarding Zhou Wenqing handsomely.

The Minister of Justice, Wang Wan, also bowed and said, "Your Majesty, this Zhou Wenqing is indeed a man of great talent. Where is he now? Why not quickly invite him up?"

Seeing that the opinions of the senior ministers were so unified and the mood so high, Ying Zheng was satisfied and even felt a little proud. He raised his hand slightly.

"What you all say is very much in line with my thoughts." His voice was steady and powerful, suppressing the remaining noise in the hall, and every word echoed clearly.

"Such a national hero deserves to be treated with great honor, to demonstrate the virtue of our Great Qin in valuing talent. Guards, announce—"

This is one of the advantages he gained after assuming power by purging the court and the public, promoting capable officials, and intimidating both civil and military officials.

The high-ranking officials in the hall may each have their own factions and occasionally differing political views, but when it comes to the fundamental interests of Qin, and when faced with truly talented individuals and achievements that benefit the country, their goals are at least superficially aligned, and they are in accordance with Ying Zheng's wishes.

Everyone hoped that the Qin Dynasty would become stronger, the state more stable, and its territory expanded.

At least on the surface, at least for now...

In this fervent atmosphere, only behind the throne, in the slightly shadowed area where attendants stood—

Zhao Gao, the Chief of the Imperial Carriage Office, kept his head bowed deeply, making it impossible to see his exact expression. Only his hands, hanging in the wide sleeves of his robe, were clenched tightly, so tightly that his knuckles turned white and his nails dug deep into the soft flesh of his palms, almost drawing blood!