Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

When Zhou Wenqing came out of the side hall, his heart was heavy, and his face no longer showed the heroic spirit he had displayed when confronting Ying Zheng in the main hall.

Fusu, the eldest son of the Great Qin!

We need to plan this trip much more carefully, as we can't afford any unexpected events.

In addition, he needs to properly hand over all the work he has on hand, otherwise things could go wrong and cause trouble.

As for the Imperial Grain Administration, the two Assistant Directors were always reliable. One was in charge of transporting grain and the other was in charge of spring plowing. He was at ease with them. The Revenue Department, Granary Department, Treasury Department, and Market Department each had their own duties, which he had already arranged. The group discussed things with each other, and even if he was not there, everything would be in good order and no mistakes would happen.

From this perspective, all he needs to do is pull out the deepest-hidden nail, and then there's nothing else for him to worry about.

The situation at the academy is also manageable; with Li Si and Doctor Kui there, they can't cause any major upheaval.

It's Li Si... another heavy responsibility on his shoulders. I hope he doesn't go bald from all the work. Zhou Wenqing stroked his chin, wondering if he should bring two catties of sesame seeds to visit him before leaving, as a token of his colleaguely courtesy.

As for Doctor Wei, he need not worry at all. The old gentleman is advanced in years, but he is in good health and has a vigorous spirit. He acts with integrity and decisiveness, and is also very stubborn. Once he has decided on something that benefits the country and the people, he will do his best to stick to it. He will never slow down the progress of the academy and the new policies just because he is away from the capital.

People can't stand being nagged.

As he was thinking, he saw Doctor Wei's figure in the distance. The old man was standing at the palace gate, looking up and gazing around. As soon as he saw him come out, he quickly walked a few steps to greet him.

"Zhou, has the departure date been set?"

"Ah, Dr. Wei, why are you still waiting here?" Zhou Wenqing quickly cupped his hands in greeting, a smile plastered on his face. "I'll only be here for a couple of days, I'll leave once I've made the arrangements."

"Hmm." Doctor Wei nodded, pondered for a moment, his gaze fell on Zhou Wenqing's face, his voice was not loud, but every word was firm and resolute: "The Grand Secretary need not worry. I am here. Although I cannot guarantee anything else, as long as it is a matter that benefits the country and the people, I will never allow anyone to interfere or cause trouble."

Zhou Wenqing was taken aback, and then a surge of warmth welled up in his heart.

He straightened his clothes and bowed solemnly: "In that case, I'll trouble you, Doctor Kui. Wenqing is much more at ease now."

The old man nodded in agreement and left without saying a single extra word, as if he had been waiting there for all this time just to say that one sentence.

Looking at his stiff back, Zhou Wenqing couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle, but he felt much more at ease.

When the carriage arrived at the Zhou residence, Zhou Wenqing was still thinking about how to settle Han Fei and A Zhu in the mansion. As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, he saw two people, one big and one small, sitting under the eaves.

Han Fei sat upright on the stone bench, with a small but tightly bound blue cloth wrapped around his lap.

Standing next to him was Ah Zhu, who also had a small, bulging bundle slung over his shoulder, as if it were stuffed with a lot of things.

Upon hearing the noise, the two of them simultaneously looked up at him.

Zhou Wenqing paused, his lips twitching.

"What are you doing here...?"

Han Fei stood up, nodded slightly, and spoke slowly, but with exceptional seriousness:

"I have heard that Minister Zhou will soon be going on a mission to the State of Qi. I have been troubling you at your residence for many days, and I have no way to repay you. The Jixia Academy in Qi is where I studied in my early years. I am familiar with the route, the local customs, and the old friends and talents there. I am willing to go with Minister Zhou and do my best to help you along the way."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Wenqing opened his mouth in surprise, momentarily at a loss for words.

Putting aside the dangers of this trip, why is everyone so eager to go? Do you even remember that you can't leave Xianyang?

Perhaps they've forgotten that someone almost became a hostage before!

Han Fei seemed to understand the expression on his face, lowered his eyes, and said calmly, "I will ask the King of Qin for instructions, and I promise to return. I think the King of Qin will agree."

"Sir," Zhou Wenqing couldn't help but say, "do you know that my trip was actually fraught with danger..."

"Since I do not know, please come along." Han Fei nodded firmly.

During these days, Han Fei stayed at the Zhou residence, watching Zhou Wenqing interact with Li Si, Wei Liao and others, watching Ying Zheng send people to deliver tea and medicine every few days, and watching Fusu respectfully perform the disciple's etiquette.

The more you see, the thinner the shell in your heart becomes.

He was no mediocre man; he knew Zhou Wenqing and the others' intentions—to make him stay willingly and serve Qin.

But he was originally a prince of the state of Han, and he would rather die than betray his country and surrender to Qin. He always had an unbreakable barrier in his heart.

However, this subtle and gradual process eroded his defenses. When he recalled the corruption and darkness of the Korean court, compared his own experiences with Zhou Wenqing in Korea, and then thought back to how exhilarating he felt on that day in the Qin court...

Han Fei was not of iron will; he feared that if too much time passed, his heart would inevitably be disturbed.

So when the news came that Zhou Wenqing was going to the State of Qi, he quickly packed his bags.

In the State of Qi, at the Jixia Academy, the place where he studied in his youth, he found familiar streets and alleys and old friends. He thought it would be a good opportunity to escape and, like a snail retreating into its shell, catch his breath.

Moreover, with someone as familiar with the State of Qi as his guide, given the King of Qin's high regard and respect for Zhou Wenqing, he would surely agree.

Of course, it's okay if you don't agree.

This proves that all those beliefs and values ​​were just deliberate tricks, which only strengthened his resolve.

Han Fei lowered his eyes, then raised them again, looking calmly at Zhou Wenqing, waiting for his reply.

Zhou Wenqing naturally understood what he meant.

This person looks refined and cultured, a gentleman of impeccable character, but deep down he's more stubborn than anyone else. Despite repeated attempts to persuade him, nothing can be done. What else can be done? Just let him be.

Anyway, bringing one is the same as bringing two, but three... won't do!

With Fusu, Han Fei, and himself, this team is already large enough; there can't be any more.

Zhou Wenqing turned his head and looked at Xiao Azhu, who was still holding his bundle and looking at him expectantly.

Hehe, if I can't handle Han Fei, surely I can handle you, you little brat still drinking milk?!

Zhou Wenqing bent down, waved to Azhu, and smiled gently, a smile as warm as a spring breeze. Azhu was taken aback, then subconsciously stepped forward and grinned as well.

The next second, the bundle in his hand was snatched away.

"Why--"

Before he could react, the back of his neck was grabbed. Zhou Wenqing half-lifted and half-pushed him with one hand, while carrying the package in the other, and strode towards the room with a blank expression.

"Stop fooling around, kid. Go back to your room and wait. Find a place for your master to stay in a bit, and don't cause any trouble!"

"Sir! Hair, hair, I found some hair! Sir, Ah-Zhu wants to go too, Ah-Zhu won't cause any trouble! Sir..."

Zhou Wenqing pretended not to hear, strode into the room, put Azhu on a chair, put the bundle aside, and began to pack his luggage, fold clothes, roll up books, and stuff the important items into the trunk without even raising his head.

Ah-Zhu refused to go back to his room. He sat on the chair, puffing out his cheeks like a little pufferfish, looking aggrieved and determined to fight back.

However, as Zhou Wenqing was packing, if there was anything he needed to take, he only needed to say one word, and the child would obediently go over, then obediently come back, and plop down back down angrily.

Zhou Wenqing found it amusing.

Silly child, it doesn't matter where you wait!

After everything was settled, and after lunch, Li Yi stuffed everyone into the carriage, and Zhou Wenqing set off again for the Li residence.

Besides settling Ah-zhu in, there is another crucial matter: finding a trustworthy and discerning person to entrust with the handover.

Back then, the king had given him a secret location—Sin Mountain—that no one could enter, with a wave of his hand.

There stood a towering blast furnace, still churning with molten iron like lava, conducting experiments day and night.