Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

Wang Jian's army has already marched eastward. Zhou Wenqing is well aware that this expedition is not for the purpose of destroying the country, but for a clean and efficient local battle.

The State of Zhao is deeply rooted and flourishing, like a centipede with a hundred legs; it cannot be swallowed whole. Only by seizing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, launching a swift and decisive battle, clearing the area south of the Zhang River, and inflicting a deep, bone-revealing wound on this behemoth of the north, can we truly live up to this plan.

The situation looks very promising right now. Scouts' hooves are constantly moving back and forth along the Hangu Pass, bringing news from the front lines to Xianyang in waves.

In just over a month, Wang Jian marched out of Jingxing and attacked Eyu; Huan Yi crossed the Zhang River and besieged Ye City. The two armies advanced simultaneously, capturing four cities in succession. The Zhao army retreated steadily, while the Zhao court remained in chaos.

Guo Kai is busy vying for power, the Empress is busy interfering in politics, and the new emperor is busy... afraid?

In short, all the officials in the court had their own agendas. Some were busy choosing sides, some were busy protecting themselves, and some were busy moving their family property to the countryside. No one was busy fighting the war.

Furthermore, because Qin was using the pretext of "rescuing Yan," the entire Zhao court thought it was just another bluff, and they were caught off guard. Their military intelligence fell far behind, and they didn't even realize they had been captured before they could react.

It wasn't until news of the city's loss arrived like snowflakes that they finally woke up from their dream, but what good was that?

The pro-war and pro-peace factions were arguing fiercely in the court. The new emperor sat on his throne, pale-faced, unable to even speak properly. There was no one in the court who could convince the public to make a decision.

Perhaps those few gifts had some effect. If things continued this way, the Qin state might have conquered the nine cities and taken the south bank of the Zhang River even faster than in history. By the time the Zhao state finally reached a consensus and recalled Li Mu to defend the city, the people of those nine cities would have willingly changed their surname to Qin.

However, Zhou Wenqing was always plagued by a vague unease.

Not concerning national affairs, but only concerning oneself.

Even a short time ago, someone played a dirty trick, spreading the extremely subtle rumor that "the Zhou Inner Historian's words were so persuasive that he was punished by Heaven and is now bedridden, and all his advocacy is beyond reproach." This trick was completely suppressed by Ying Zheng with a single finger, and there was no further ripple.

Even those corrupt scholars in the imperial court who wouldn't let go of him quieted down.

But it felt like... the calm before the storm.

Not right.

Something's not right!

He plunged into the office of the Director of Grain Administration, checked the grain transport routes again, counted the number of weapons and armor again, and reviewed the conscription of laborers from various counties. He made sure everything was absolutely correct and that even without his supervision, the process would proceed smoothly without any mistakes. Only then did he catch his breath and lean back in his chair.

At least, if his political enemies suddenly launch an attack and give him a major blow, he won't be bogged down and unable to spare any attention, thus preventing losses in the war effort.

As it turned out, his hunch was accurate.

At the morning court session, a censor was the first to launch an attack.

"At present, the army is marching east to attack Zhao and rescue Yan. This is the most important matter for our Great Qin. The strength of the whole country should be devoted to this." He paused, glanced at Zhou Wenqing, and his voice suddenly rose.

"In my opinion, the matter of establishing academies is extremely costly and will inevitably deplete the national treasury. It should be temporarily shelved, and all efforts should be focused on preparing for war! We can discuss this again after the war has subsided!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Wenqing's eyes turned cold.

It's not too late to discuss it again. Ha, if we put it aside, I'm afraid it will just fizzle out and never be discussed again.

"I cannot agree with what the doctor has said."

Zhou Wenqing stepped forward, looking directly at him with a gaze as sharp as a knife:

"May I ask, Doctor, how much money does the academy spend? And how do you know that the national treasury is strained and unable to support it?"

"Are you implying that I'm blurring the lines between internal and external affairs, and misappropriating military funds for domestic matters?!"

The official, forced back half a step by the question, his face turning pale and then red, his lips trembling as he stammered, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I was only worried about state affairs, not..."

"Worried about national affairs?" Zhou Wenqing took another step closer, interrupting him.

"Doctor, you're worried about national affairs, yet you don't look at the accounts, ask about the numbers, or check the income and expenditure. You're just going to abandon the school that's already mostly built, based solely on your words? Wenqing dares to ask, what kind of national affairs are you worried about, doctor?"

The official was forced to take another half step back, his eyes instinctively glancing to the side.

Zhou Wenqing ignored him. He withdrew his gaze, turned and bowed towards the throne, his voice becoming calmer:

"Your Majesty, the funds for the academy come from the Department of All Things, donations from wealthy households, and only then from the national treasury. Not a single penny of the military expenses allocated from the national treasury to the army has been misappropriated. All officials of the Department of Grain Administration have devoted themselves wholeheartedly to the preparations for this war, and have been extremely careful with the provisions and military supplies, daring not to slack off in the slightest."

As soon as he finished speaking, a number of officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs stepped forward one after another.

"Your Majesty, I can testify that the Zhou Inner Historian repeatedly emphasized that we must prioritize military affairs and not make any mistakes..."

"That's right, Your Majesty. Please, Your Majesty, do not believe the words of this villain. He has wronged Zhou Neishi, and he has also wronged us..."

"We, your humble servants, are willing to bear witness for the Zhou Dynasty's Grand Historian..."

Zhou Wenqing stood in front, listening to the familiar voices behind him, and the corners of his lips curved slightly.

Knowing you guys were going to cause trouble, how could I not prepare in advance?

He lowered his eyes, concealing the fleeting smile in them, and when he raised his head again, his face had returned to its composed expression as he looked at the pale-faced official.

"If the doctor claims the academy has squandered the national treasury's military funds without even looking at the accounts, then Wenqing has no choice but to ask, where did the doctor hear this information from?"

The official stammered, his hands trembling.

"This, this, this..."

"Why must Zhou Neishi be so aggressive?"

A middle-aged official stepped forward from the queue to stand in for the censor, bowed slightly towards the throne, and spoke in a gentle tone, but his words carried a hidden barb:

"We are only acting for the sake of the reputation of our Great Qin."

"Oh?" Zhou Wenqing turned his head and looked at him.

"Even if the national treasury is full and there is no shortage of money and food, what about manpower? Now that the army has marched east, the entire nation's strength has been poured into the front lines. Craftsmen have been conscripted and laborers have been requisitioned. How many people will be left at the academies? If the academies of our Great Qin are too sloppy, wouldn't we become a laughingstock and a disgrace to the world?"

"No need for Doctor Fu to trouble himself." Zhou Wenqing's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable certainty. "The academy is nearing completion, and with the conscription of slaves, just one glance at it would surely dissuade him from making such claims. Doctor Fu hasn't even seen it, yet he speaks nonsense—what is his true intention?"

"You!" The official's face stiffened, and another person stepped forward from the queue to continue the conversation for him.

"In my humble opinion, the human resources that Doctor Fu mentioned are not slaves who build schools, but teachers who deliver the lessons!"

"Currently, the important officials in the court are all busy with their own duties, and the front lines are the priority. Each department and bureau is short-handed. The academies have been built, and law schools have been established, but who will teach? We can't just let the students stare blankly at their books, can we?"

This is a tricky question. The lack of people, or rather, the lack of talent, is an inherent problem in the Qin state, not something that arose because of the establishment of academies. However, the fact that he brought it up as a sophistry at this time makes it somewhat reasonable.

"No need for you to trouble yourself, Your Excellency," Zhou Wenqing said calmly. "The instructors have already been arranged. Besides, the academy is newly established and everything needs to be rebuilt. The students still need to learn to read and understand principles, and the teachers are sufficient to teach them. There's no need to rush the matter of the great sage."

"Wouldn't that be far inferior to the Jixia Academy in Qi?"

Immediately, someone else stepped forward, their voice shrill, as if they had caught something incriminating.

"How can such a hasty approach be worthy of the name 'Great Qin Academy'? It will likely be ridiculed by the six states!"

A buzzing sound filled the hall. One person went down, and another came up to take their place, as if they had been lined up in advance.

Zhou Wenqing knew perfectly well that this group of people was well-prepared and specifically looking for trouble with him. From money and supplies to manpower, from manpower to teachers, and from teachers to the Jixia Academy, each step was linked to the next, pressing him relentlessly. This was not a whim, but a long-planned scheme!

It seems they've finally found an opportunity to settle the score for the insults they inflicted on half the court back then.

Li Si couldn't bear to see Zhou Wen fighting alone, so he quickly stepped forward.

"That is incorrect. The academy of our Great Qin has a different positioning from the Jixia Academy of Qi, so how could it be..."

"Wait, the Chief Justice's words are absurd!"

Someone immediately stood up and interrupted him sharply.

"The Minister of Justice's words are utterly absurd! When the establishment of the legal system was discussed, the Minister of Justice repeatedly mentioned the Jixia Academy, citing numerous classical texts and speaking with great enthusiasm. Now he says it's different? Isn't that a contradiction? If it really is different, then the legal system should be abolished!"

"You, I used to..."

"What? Didn't the Court of Justice mention the Jixia Academy before?"

One person after another arrived, knowing how formidable Li Si was, and they didn't let him finish speaking at all. This infuriated him, and for the first time, he experienced what Han Fei felt like. He was practically steaming with rage!

The hall was in complete chaos, with everyone arguing and refuting each other's points.

"That's enough!"

On his throne, Ying Zheng finally spoke, his gaze falling on a person who had remained silent and head bowed, yet was absolutely crucial.

"What does the Prime Minister think should be done about this matter?"

"Your Majesty."

Changping-kun pondered for a moment, seemingly after deep consideration, before slowly speaking.

"In my opinion, all of my colleagues' points are valid. Why not... find a compromise?"