Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

Zhou Wenqing was completely unaware of the uproar and bloody fantasies that his question, "Are all ten clans in Qin territory?" had stirred up in the hearts of everyone.

He was still immersed in the surprise of unexpectedly acquiring a group of top technical talents, his eyes burning as if he could already see countless ingenious machines being born from the hands of the Gongshu family disciples in the future.

A whole group, not just one! And a mature team with a strong family tradition, organized and with a clear lineage! This efficiency is far superior to training someone on their own!

He couldn't help but ask for more details, as if checking a household registration, his tone even more patient and gentle than before:

"Your relatives and friends within these ten clans must be clearly identified, according to the most comprehensive method, tracing back to your great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather, extending down to your great-great-grandson and great-great-grandson, and including all in-laws, friends, and even your students..."

He asked, gently and obliviously, a question that sounded like the King of Hell demanding his life to Gongshu Yu:

"—Are they all settled and at peace within this Qin territory?"

"Buzz!"

Gongshu Yu felt the last thread of support in his mind snap completely, and all he saw was darkness and blood.

"Generations of descendants," "relatives by marriage," and "disciples who teach"—these phrases, strung together, instantly paint a picture of hell.

The great-great-uncle with his white hair, the great-nephew who was just learning to speak, the honest and simple apprentice he took in years ago who has now established his own business, and even the young man from the same village whom they had met a few times many years ago and who was respectfully called "Master Gongshu" by them...

All these faces and figures flashed before my eyes with perfect clarity, and then... they were all crushed into dust and mangled beyond recognition by the terrifying behemoth known as the "Ten Tribes of Yi"...

"puff--!"

He could no longer hold back the metallic taste, and it suddenly gushed out from his throat!

Gongshu Yu felt as if his spine had been removed, and he collapsed forward limply, his forehead hitting the ground heavily with a dull, desperate sound. His body curled up and trembled uncontrollably.

"Oh dear! What's going on?!" Zhou Wenqing was so shocked that he stood up from his seat, his face full of astonishment and panic.

He hadn't even started "exploiting" anyone yet, so how did he collapse?

"Quick, quick! Help this old man up! He's old, why is his spleen and stomach so weak and his internal heat so strong? You can't act like this just because you're angry! Where's my medicine? Where's my porcelain bottle?"

Zhou Wenqing was startled by the sight of Gongshu Yu suddenly vomiting blood. He thought the old man was angry and anxious because he thought his granddaughter had committed a serious crime and was about to face severe punishment.

He hurriedly searched his pockets and lapels, until he had felt all over his body, then suddenly stopped—oh right, he had gotten up before dawn to rush to the morning court session, and his head was still fuzzy. He had casually placed the medicine bottle on his pillow and completely forgotten about it when he left.

In a moment of desperation, he almost instinctively turned around and grabbed Ying Zheng's sleeve.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Do you still have any pills to treat my heart ailment? I'm about to die of anger! Quickly, give him one! Physician Lü said that medicine is most effective in calming the mind and soothing the nerves!"

He died of anger, wasn't he scared to death? It was bound to happen sooner or later, so why bother trying to save him?

Ying Zheng was taken aback, a rare look of bewilderment flashing across his eyes.

Seeing the anxiety and worry that almost overflowed on Zhou Wenqing's face, he subconsciously took out the small ceramic bottle from his sleeve, poured out a pill, and handed it to him.

Zhou Wenqing disregarded everything else, took the pills, squatted down, and was about to stuff them into Gongshuyu's mouth.

"Get out of my way! What are you doing?"

Gongshu Li, his eyes red with shock and anger, suddenly lunged forward, tightly embracing his limp grandfather. He glared defiantly at Zhou Wenqing and shouted:

"I caused this mess, I took the chair apart, I didn't break it, I can put it back for you, really! Still not enough... If you want to kill or torture me, come at me! Don't touch my grandfather!"

Zhou Wenqing was in a hurry to save the person. He flipped his wrist to block the girl's arm, his voice urgent, "Get out of the way! I need to save him! If we delay any longer, it will be too late!"

Seeing the pills in his hand, Gongshu Li hesitated for a moment, bit her lip, let go of his hand, took a half step back, but her eyes were fixed on Zhou Wenqing's movements.

Zhou Wenqing stuffed the pill into Gongshuyu's mouth and then gestured to the servant standing by to quickly bring warm water so that he could help Gongshuyu swallow it.

"Grandpa, Grandpa, how are you? Don't scare A-Li..." Gongshu Li knelt on the other side, calling out softly with a sob in her voice.

"Sigh, why didn't they do this sooner?" Wang Jian muttered upon seeing this scene.

Whether it was the effective medicine that worked quickly, or the old man's inner conviction that "he must not die now, at least he must fight for the survival of his family," kept him awake.

He struggled, using his last ounce of strength, and banged his head against the ground, his voice hoarse and broken, like a dying cry:

"Mr. Zhou... have mercy... have mercy!!! The blame lies entirely with me! It is my fault for failing to discipline my grandson properly, allowing him to commit such a heinous act, which has led to this calamity! I am willing to die to atone for my sins! I would accept being torn to pieces without complaint! I only beg... I only beg you, sir, Your Majesty... to show mercy beyond the law... to spare... to spare those... those relatives and disciples who knew nothing... they... they are innocent!"

He abruptly raised his head, his face full of pleading, and turned towards the throne, kowtowing repeatedly: "Your Majesty! Your Majesty! I know I deserve to die a thousand deaths, and I am willing to accept the most severe punishment. I only beg Your Majesty to consider... to consider that I once contributed my meager strength to the creation of Qin... to spare... to spare those who are unrelated!!!"

His voice was hoarse and strained, and those who heard it felt a pang of sympathy.

Zhou Wenqing was truly dumbfounded.

He looked at Gongshu Yu, who was weeping bitterly, acting like a madman, and repeatedly begging for death to spare others. Then he looked at his colleagues and the king around him, who were all looking at him with solemn expressions and complicated emotions. He then pondered the meaning behind Gongshu Yu's words...

and many more!

Could they have... misunderstood something?!

I asked him if the Ten Clans were located in Qin territory, in order to see if his family's foundation and technology inheritance system were complete, and whether there was any potential risk of technology being transferred out of the country...

Judging from Gongshu Yu's tone and everyone's reactions...

They thought I was going to... find out the truth and then... exterminate their entire clan?!

"No, wait a minute! Sir! Stop right there!" Zhou Wenqing's eyes widened, he almost jumped up, and his voice rose several decibels with urgency, "Who said I was going to raid your house and exterminate your clan?!"

"No...no confiscation of property and extermination of the clan?" Gongshu Yu stopped banging his head on the ground in bewilderment and surprise. He remained kneeling, his hands clutching the disheveled clothes at his chest, breathing heavily.

Well, any later and the old man would have collapsed. Zhou Wenqing quickly faced Ying Zheng, cupped his hands, and said:

"Your Majesty, Wenqing just pressed Gongshu Yu for details about his relatives and disciples. Was his intention not to exterminate them all, but something else?"

He steadied himself, his thoughts quickly became clear, and he began to present his arguments methodically:

"First of all, Gongshu Yu, as one of the craftsmen involved in the construction, failed to keep secrets, which allowed his granddaughter to learn about the secret passage in the mansion and break in at will. His negligence and lax management of his household are undeniable and cannot be forgiven."

"However," Zhou Wenqing changed the subject, "Judging from the Gongshu family's statement, this matter was most likely an accident. The girl is unruly, and Gongshu Yu would not dare to reveal the secret passage in my mansion to others. As for his granddaughter... we don't know."

"Absolutely not! Sir, you are wise! I swear on my life and in the name of all my ancestors, no one else knows this except this girl. I keep such important matters very secret, I wouldn't even dare to speak of them in my dreams!"

Gongshu Yu grasped at this lifeline and hurriedly swore an oath.

This was a point that many present believed to some extent. If the artisans involved in the secret construction of the imperial court, especially members of the Gongshu clan, could freely leak important information, then the artisan profession would probably have been wiped out long ago…

Those who can shoulder such heavy responsibilities should at least have a strong sense of confidentiality and professional ethics.

but……

"Your vow is no longer valid." Zhou Wenqing's gaze shifted to Gongshu Li. "Your granddaughter will have to say."

Gongshu Li suddenly raised her head, her eyes red-rimmed, and she almost screamed, "I didn't! Why would I tell anyone?"

She was bold and unrestrained, defying many of the rules of the world, but she would never speak recklessly, boast, or spread anything she wanted to conceal. Gongshu Li disdained it! Why should those who always wanted to see her fail and harm her listen?

Only her grandfather knew, so she only boasted to him. His praise was more valuable than all their insincere flattery.

But at this moment, seeing her grandfather slumped on the ground, blood stained at the corner of his mouth, the glaring red felt like a burning needle, piercing her eyes and heart.

Even though she was naive, she instantly understood—she had caused trouble again, a huge disaster that could cost her grandfather his life and destroy everything!

"I hate that kind of thing... betraying and snitching on others behind their backs!" Her small chest heaved violently as fear, self-blame, and anger tangled together, making her tremble all over.

When her gaze fell upon the glaring bloodstain on her grandfather's lips, the last vestige of stubbornness in her eyes shattered completely, transforming into a resolute ruthlessness.

Without the slightest hesitation, she suddenly raised her dust-covered right hand, opened her mouth, and bit down hard on the tender flesh below her thumb!

"Ugh—!"

With a suppressed groan, her teeth dug deep into her flesh, and the sudden, intense pain made her small body tremble violently. Blood dripped onto the blue bricks in front of her, not far from the pool of blood her grandfather had spat out, mingling together in a shocking sight.

She released her mouth, raised her blood-soaked hand, and held it up in front of her as if swearing an oath:

"If...if I told someone else about my grandfather's secret..."

"Call me... call me Gongshu Li, and may I be torn to pieces and die a horrible death! After death... may I never be reincarnated, and may my soul be scattered to the winds!"

Each word seemed to be forcibly pulled from a burning chest and smashed onto the blue bricks, carrying the stench of blood and the chill of resolute determination.

"Li'er..."

Gongshu Yu was filled with remorse, collapsed to the ground, and tears streamed down his face.

Ying Zheng watched coldly, his face showing little emotion. The child's vow carried too little weight for him.

Moreover, the child didn't even understand what she had done wrong; she had been spoiled too much by her elders at home.

He looked at Zhou Wenqing and slowly said, "Even so, my dear minister, are you perhaps going to release them because of this? You should know that this matter is no small thing."

He probably understood that Zhou Wenqing's question about "ten clans" was not originally intended to implicate relatives. Now he couldn't help but worry that Zhou Wenqing would soften his heart after seeing the current situation.

It should be noted that the secret passages beneath this mansion, the one behind the artificial hill, are not as simple as the escape routes left by ordinary mansions.

Zhou Aiqing is exceptionally talented and a worthy candidate for the nation, but he is physically weak and frail, practically unable to even kill a chicken. Given his current abilities and achievements, how could he not face open and covert attacks when he finds himself in the vortex of the court? Who knows if there isn't some audacious individual who would want to eliminate him as soon as possible?

Within Xianyang City, right under the emperor's nose, the secret passages in his residence were not something anyone could just have. They had to be personally authorized by him and designed and supervised by the most reliable person before they could be dug.

Therefore, one of the paths in this Zhou residence leads directly to a vital refuge.

This reflects the utmost importance placed on the safety of Zhou Wenqing, a "national hero," and also implies a deeper level of planning and silent protection.

He originally planned to visit the mansion in person today. Apart from matters of imperial honors, he also intended to personally guide Minister Zhou to inspect this secret passage to demonstrate his absolute trust in him—"I have long planned for your safety; this is your exclusive escape route and guarantee."

But now, this safeguard may have been exposed, and the security has been greatly compromised! How could he not be furious?

"No, Your Majesty." Zhou Wenqing immediately shook his head, composed himself, and his expression turned solemn.

"Wenqing is by no means the kind of person who condones evil or puts public interests aside for private reasons. It is precisely because this matter is of greater importance that it needs to be handled with caution."

He looked at Ying Zheng with a clear and upright gaze, and explained his thoughts in a logical and methodical manner: "First, since the secret passage has been exposed and its secrecy has been lost, it should be completely filled in and destroyed immediately. If needed in the future, another location, a different design, and different people should be selected, and the supervision should be even stricter."

"Secondly," Zhou Wenqing looked at Gongshu Yu, "the secret passage was exposed due to his negligence, and he cannot escape responsibility. However, filling the old passage and designing a new one both require skilled craftsmen. Rather than finding a new person and increasing the risk, it would be better to order Gongshu Yu to atone for his crime and perform meritorious service. The financial and material resources will be borne by the Gongshu family."

"He knows the structure best and can best ensure that no hidden dangers are left. Placing this heavy responsibility on him means that the lives of his entire clan are firmly bound to the new path. Under the pressure of strict surveillance and the need to 'atone for his crimes,' he will do his utmost to protect his clan and will not dare to have any disloyal thoughts. This is the effect of 'punishing the guilty with the guilty,' which can combine imprisonment and use."

This suggestion made Ying Zheng's eyes flash with a hint of thought, but it was only a remedy, not a punishment.

Zhou Wenqing understood, so he continued, "Of course, this alone is not enough to absolve him of his serious crime."

"Therefore, the third point, which Wenqing considers the most crucial, is that Gongshu Yu and his Gongshu clan, along with their main disciples, may be spared the death penalty, but they cannot escape punishment! They must pay the price for their own and their descendants' audacity."

His gaze swept over the crowd, finally settling on Ying Zheng, his voice clear and steady:

"Your Majesty, Wenqing often has some rudimentary ideas about agricultural tools and military equipment, which need to be put into practice by top craftsmen. However, since these involve improvements and even secrets, they must not be discovered by the six kingdoms of Kanto. At the same time, the production process must be isolated from the outside world, and the craftsmen involved must be absolutely reliable and single-minded. It would be best if they could be gathered in one place for easy management and cooperation."

He paused briefly, then his tone shifted to one of confident acceptance:

"Wenqing had previously intended to petition for the establishment of a 'Craftsmanship Bureau' dedicated to research and development, to recruit skilled craftsmen and provide them with preferential treatment, but it was necessary to isolate them from outside the bureau to ensure secrecy."

"The only concern is that although these conditions are generous, they are almost like confinement, and it may be difficult to find truly talented craftsmen who are willing to live here for a long time."

"Now," he pointed at Gongshu Yu and his granddaughter, a sharp glint in his eyes, "the Gongshu clan has walked right into this mess. Their granddaughter has trespassed on this important place and spied on their privacy, committing a grave offense against such confidential matters!"

"In that case, why not punish Gongshu Yu by forcing him to relocate his entire clan and core disciples to the Craftsmen's Palace! Confine them to a designated area, allowing them to study—but only allowing them to enter, not leave, and strictly forbidding them from contacting the outside world! They must remain anonymous within this confinement, erasing the Gongshu clan from history, and using their lifelong learning to forge new artifacts and refine craftsmanship for the Qin Dynasty, thus atoneing for their sins!"

"By punishing their mistakes and utilizing their strengths, we have firmly grasped a top-notch team of craftsmen, enabling them to specialize and refine their skills. This approach achieves multiple benefits, upholding the law and benefiting the nation."

He finally looked at Ying Zheng and added, "Of course, to show the Emperor's favor and to encourage them to serve wholeheartedly, it would be better to establish clear rules: those who enter this workshop will not be imprisoned for life. After ten years, if they make great contributions, after a rigorous evaluation to confirm their loyalty, they may be allowed to change their surname and leave. But this girl, and the grandfather who taught her..."

Zhou Wenqing pointed to the grandfather and grandson, and said with certainty:

"Only if all members of their clan are sent out can the two of them leave!"

A fleeting thought flickered in the depths of Ying Zheng's eyes.

He looked down at Gongshu Yu, who was slumped on the ground, his face ashen, and then swept his gaze over the little girl who had bitten her palm and sworn a blood oath.

Confinement?

Oh.

That's all the little girl is capable of. This Gongshu Yu, he has been immersed in this art for decades and his skills are superb, but because of his doting and indulgence, his granddaughter discovered the secret passage and betrayed the king's trust...

The death penalty can be waived, but punishment... how can it be so easily dismissed?

If Minister Zhou is willing to suffer injustice for my sake, and wishes to bestow favors and win my heart, I will certainly grant his request.

But I refuse!

Moreover, the majesty of the monarch and the strictness of Qin law should not be reduced to mere decorations.

Gongshu Yu, knowing full well that he had committed the crime, escaped death by a hair's breadth. How could he not have become complacent because of this "lenient treatment"? How could he not have become arrogant because of his skills, and cause trouble again in the future?

Zhou Aiqing drew a cage on the ground to trap this old horse that might still be useful, and then I... will put another invisible shackle on him.

Ying Zheng had already made up his mind.