Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

Ah Zhu met Li Si's bloodshot, earnest eyes, pursed his lips, and unconsciously clenched the hem of his clothes, his heart filled with conflicting emotions.

Rather than asking him if he was willing to take the job, it was more accurate to ask him if he dared to take it and whether he could shoulder such a heavy burden.

Ah-Zhu had no doubt that if he nodded, Mr. Li would definitely push him to take that position, but it was precisely because he knew how heavy the responsibility was that he dared not agree easily.

Although he was young, he was not unaware of the gravity of the situation—the person sitting on that platform was a teacher; the task of imparting knowledge was to nurture people, and could not be taken lightly in the slightest.

The words of advice that the master gave before leaving the capital still echoed in my ears: to focus on his studies and avoid trivial matters; he also specifically instructed Li Si that he was still young and should prioritize self-cultivation, reading and understanding principles, and not to overwork him or ruin his health with trivial matters.

He knew his husband felt sorry for him.

But he also saw Mr. Li's difficulties.

These past few days, while staying at the Li residence, everyone in the household has been extremely busy. Mr. Li, in particular, has been buried in his files day and night, never having a moment's rest. Sometimes, when Ah Zhu wakes up in the middle of the night, he can always see the light still on in the study across the way through the window.

Therefore, Ah-Zhu never shirked any task within his power, including those documents that would quietly appear in the corner of his desk at some unknown time.

Li Si even secretly brought him into his study, ostensibly to "learn by his side," but he knew the real purpose and cooperated. Whenever others couldn't take care of something and he could, he would take the initiative to take over, checking numbers, organizing documents, classifying and categorizing them, doing everything properly and thoroughly.

At best, when Li Si, all smiles, stuffs a batch of files into his hands, he might, like a master, mutter to his face, "Mr. Li is acting like a monster again!"

Before Li Si could react, he grabbed the document, turned and ran back to his desk to continue working diligently.

As a result, his ability to handle routine affairs has recently improved dramatically.

But this ability, this "limitation of power," ultimately has its boundaries.

At this moment, Ah Zhu's expression was serious, his little face was tense, and his brain was working rapidly as he carefully considered and asked himself whether he was worthy of this position.

Before he could even seriously consider it, Li Si had a gut feeling that there was a chance, and he couldn't wait to speak.

He spoke faster than usual, and with more ease, guiding the conversation step by step:

"Ah Zhu, actually, when the academy was first established, it would mostly enroll children from commoner families and poor families. It's not a bad thing for them to take you as their teacher, since they hardly have any academic foundation. Most of them will enter the art and medicine departments, but only the law department..."

He paused, his gaze darkening slightly. "There are indeed quite a few people who come because of my name, Li Si, and the reputation of the Great Qin Academy, but there's no need to worry. After a selection process, the law department will probably be the one with the fewest people."

"Therefore, what these students need is not those learned scholars who can speak fluently and eloquently, but a patient and responsible lecturer who can teach them from the beginning, stroke by stroke, word by word."

Li Si's gaze fell on A Zhu's face, and he lowered his voice, speaking slowly and almost seductively: "Just like your teacher, who taught you... and your group of children back then."

Upon hearing this, Ah Zhu loosened his grip on the hem of his clothes slightly, let out a long sigh, and his tense expression relaxed a little.

Seeing this, Li Si pressed his advantage, moving forward another half inch, looking every bit like a cunning old fox: "A-Zhu, do you know Gan Luo?"

Ah Zhu was taken aback: "Gan Luo? The Gan Luo who went on a diplomatic mission to the State of Zhao at the age of twelve and recaptured more than a dozen cities for the State of Qin without firing a single shot?"

"Exactly."

A glint flashed in Li Si's eyes, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, as if he had finally waited for these words.

He sat up abruptly, his voice rising sharply, as if the talented young man were standing before the hall, tall and elegant, engaging in a battle of wits with the assembled heroes.

"Gan Luo was sent as an envoy to the State of Zhao at the age of twelve. He met the king with neither arrogance nor servility, and with a few words, he determined the borders. Without losing a single soldier, he expanded Qin's territory by a thousand miles. On the day he returned to the court, he was appointed as a high-ranking minister. At such a young age, he was among the ministers and sat at the same table as important officials. What glory and what spirit he had!"

"And you—" Liu Lang asked, "didn't you ever aspire to be like him, or even dream of achieving something great as a young man?"

Ah Zhu felt a surge of warmth in his heart at his words, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he instinctively puffed out his chest, blurting out, "I want to!"

Li Si could barely contain his urges; he coughed lightly and immediately followed suit:

Great! Right now, such a golden opportunity is right in front of you!

He stood up, his speech becoming faster and more impassioned:

"Gan Luo, a young man of great ambition, used his talent for diplomacy to travel among the states, winning territory for the Qin Dynasty and earning a lasting reputation as a young man—an unparalleled achievement! And you, too, possess the talent for education, ascending the podium of academies to impart knowledge, resolve doubts, enlighten and nurture, thus laying a solid foundation for the Qin Dynasty's education!"

He took a step forward, his voice lowering slightly, but his eyes remained fixed intently on Ah Zhu:

"He has rendered meritorious service to the nation, and you have cultivated virtue in educating people; both are acts of responsibility for young people, and both are worthy of being remembered by the world! You don't even need to travel to dangerous places to fulfill your aspirations and resolve your current predicament—so what is there for you to hesitate about?!"

After Li Si finished speaking, he stared at A Zhu expectantly, waiting for him to get carried away and agree.

He had already ordered a carriage to be prepared, and in the next second he could go straight to the palace, meet the king, and settle the matter once and for all.

Thankfully, Zicheng wasn't there. Otherwise, with his words of seduction, manipulation, and encouragement of a little kid, especially one under his tutelage, who knows how badly he would have been berated.

But now...

Hehe! Zicheng, you ran off without consulting me! Look, your good disciple is about to be kidnapped by me!

Li Si eagerly watched Ah Zhu's lips move, waiting for him to speak—

"I……"

Li Si had already walked around the desk, all smiles, and reached out his hand to Ah Zhu, ready to pull him away.

"—Wait a little longer."

"Okay, then let's do it right away—what?!"

Li Si's hand froze in mid-air, as if he had been frozen in place. The smile on his face hadn't even faded before the second half of the sentence nailed him to the spot.

He stared wide-eyed at the tiny figure before him, his face filled with disbelief.

He's shameless enough to not even try, and he still hasn't succeeded?!

Meeting his astonished gaze, Ah Zhu said earnestly, "Mr. Li, Gan Luo is twelve years old, and I am only seven. There is a full five-year age difference. He is a young man, and I am still a child. I am not in a hurry to become famous at a young age."

Li Si opened his mouth, but before he could utter a sound, A-Zhu added another sentence, his tone becoming even clearer:

"Moreover, Gan Luo's grandfather, Gan Mao, was the Left Chancellor of Qin, a descendant of a renowned minister. From a young age, he was immersed in the arts of diplomacy and the ways of the emperor. He was sent on a diplomatic mission at the age of twelve. He had the backing of the entire Gan family, which is something I cannot compare to. Why don't you mention these things?"

Li Si: "..."

The smile on his lips froze completely on his face, like a fish mercilessly slapped ashore by the waves—a few slaps to the face with cold water, then violently thrown into the scorching sun, about to become stiff and lifeless.

He and Ah Zhu stared at each other, wide-eyed and speechless.

Ah Zhu just blinked innocently, his expression clearly asking: Is there something wrong with what I said?

Alright, Zicheng, you win. Your disciple is a good teacher!

Li Si gritted his teeth, thinking bitterly, but could only helplessly rub his throbbing temples, knowing that he couldn't coax the child.

He slumped down, waved his hand, and, racking his brains for a way to get someone to help him, sighed, "Fine, then you..."

"I am willing to take on the role of lecturer."

"Um?!"

Li Si suddenly jumped up from his seat, his face filled with shock, wondering if he had misheard.

No, do all of you from the Zhou Clan love to do things so unexpectedly and casually challenge people's hearts?

Believe it or not, I'll bend over and show you!

Ah Zhu watched his fluctuating expression, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes, a fleeting glint of cunning that reminded him of someone else.

Hmph! Who told Li Tingwei to always try to fool me by saying I'm small?

He composed himself, spoke earnestly, and enunciated each word clearly and firmly:

"Mr. Li, Gan Luo's grandfather was a famous minister, but I, Liu Lang, can say the same."

He straightened his back, his eyes clear and bright, without flinching or hesitating, like a shallow pool illuminated by moonlight.

"My husband is Zhou Wenqing, the Junior Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Grain Management of the Great Qin Dynasty."

"Gan Luo inherited his grandfather's learning and continued the family's glory. He became prime minister at the age of twelve."

Ah Zhu straightened his small chest, his voice clear and bright, proud yet not arrogant, shining like a star that had been polished in the night sky.

"And I, Liu Lang, ask, inheriting your learning, sir, and carrying on your ambition as the Imperial Secretary, what's wrong with becoming a lecturer at the age of seven?"

He paused, his gaze growing even more resolute.

"It's not for any youthful glory, but I, Liu Langwen, believe that I have benefited greatly from your teaching for a year. Now that you are away, I will temporarily take over as lecturer and keep up with your legacy. I may not be able to teach exceptionally well, but at least—I will not bring shame to you!"

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