Han Fei is a hot-tempered little stutterer and a famous angry young man in South Korea.
Li Si was recognized as a good man and a close friend of Han Fei.
Zhu Xiang and Ying Xiaozheng, who no longer regarded him as a throne, tilted their heads at the same time. Both uncle and nephew showed incomprehensible expressions.
Li Si was the right-hand man of the great Ying Zheng in the dream. Ying Zheng knew his character very well.
This is a lack of moral sense, and all his actions are for the sake of profit. Ying Xiaozheng is looking forward to Li Si's arrival.
Is there something wrong with Li Si now
Ying Xiaozheng was troubled for a while, and suddenly remembered that he was still young and there was no need to recruit Li Si now. So he put his troubles aside and ignored it.
Let's talk about it when he grows up. Anyway, he has many talents he can use, and he doesn't necessarily have to use Li Si.
Zhu Xiang would not ignore such an interesting thing. If he was not too busy, he would have asked Han Fei to bring his little friend Li Si to see the place in Han Fei's name.
Han Fei’s male mother Li Si is so weird. Looking at her again, she is still weird.
Looking at Zhu Xiang's kind expression, Han Fei hesitated to speak.
He wanted to remind Zhu Xiang many times that Duke Zhu Xiang seemed to be of the same age as me.
Even though he was a teacher, he should have treated Zhu Xiang like an elder. But Zhu Xiang treated him as a junior, not because he was a teacher, but as if he really treated himself as a child.
Han Fei repeatedly doubted that Zhu Xiang looked at him the same way he looked at Gongzi Zheng. Xunzi told him not to doubt it, it was just like that.
Han Fei refused to listen to Xunzi.
Now Zhu Xiang put on a kind face as an elder and asked about Han Fei's life and friends. He told Han Fei that he could bring his friends home and he would receive them well.
Zhu Xiang said: "I heard that he took care of you when you were sick, why didn't you take him home? You should thank him."
Han Fei: “…” No, I want to dig a hole and crawl into it.
Han Fei wanted to say that he and I were not from the same family, and that this was not his home. But he remembered Li Si's admiration for Zhu Xiang, and for the sake of friendship, he endured the embarrassment.
"Li Si, Li Si really wants to see Duke Xiang of Zhu. Does Duke Xiang of Zhu want to see him?" Han Fei asked. "Marquis Ying is ill. Wouldn't it be inappropriate to invite an outsider?"
Zhu Xiang said, "As long as you and Li Si don't publicize it, it will be fine. I still have time to help him solve his doubts."
Han Fei immediately said happily: "Thank you, Duke Zhu Xiang!"
"You took care of Xunzi for me, and it was just to introduce a friend. What is there to thank you for?" Zhu Xiang said kindly, "I believe your friend Han Fei must be a promising person."
Han Fei's face turned pink, and he felt a little embarrassed by Zhu Xiang's praise.
Except when Zhu Xiang first met him and said his comments were too childish, Zhu Xiang always liked to praise him afterwards. As long as he made a little progress, Zhu Xiang would praise him just like he was praising Gong Zi Zheng...
Uh, so in the eyes of Duke Zhu Xiang, I am indeed of the same generation as Prince Zheng, no, the same age, right? ! Han Fei once again discovered this terrible fact.
"I heard that you were in a bad mood recently. Are you feeling better now?" After Zhu Xiang and Han Fei watered the vegetable garden together, Zhu Xiang invited Han Fei to sit in a thatched pavilion nearby to rest.
There was a small stove in the pavilion. Zhu Xiang took out a few ceramic cups from the cabinet, filled the kettle with water, placed it on the small stove, and chatted while making a fire.
Han Fei sat at the table awkwardly: "Not bad."
Zhu Xiang said, "You don't have to worry too much about the King of Han. The King of Han knows that no matter which country unifies the world, Han will be the first country to be destroyed. So compared to face, what he hopes most is to let Han survive."
Han Fei lowered his head and said, "I know, but... but the posture is too ugly."
Zhu Xiang said: "This is the problem of the ministers who advise the King of Han. If you want to embarrass yourself, it should be the ministers who test it first. Why not push the King of Han out directly? Sigh."
Zhu Xiang recalled that Zhang Liang was bent on revenge for the Kingdom of Han because the Zhang family had served as prime ministers in the Kingdom of Han for generations.
Combined with Han Fei's criticism of the nobles in the court of Han as mediocre villains, and the fact that Han had indeed been ruled by several generations of kings and was clearly facing huge foreign threats, the court of Han still did not think about making progress, excluded talented people, and only cared about their own interests. Zhu Xiang's impression of Zhang Liang's family became a little complicated.
The ancestor of the Zhang family should be one of the mediocre people denounced by Han Fei.
If Han Fei could live to the moment when Zhang Liang grew up, when he saw Zhang Liang, he might raise the long sword he learned from his teacher Xunzi and chase after the descendant of this mediocre and treacherous minister of the Han Dynasty to beat him up.
Zhu Xiang's thoughts wandered for a while, and when he heard the sound of bubbles coming out of the kettle, he came back to his senses and continued, "It's useless for others to comfort you about the pain you've gone through. You can only figure it out yourself, so I won't persuade you to let it go. But you have to know one thing, after the demise of Han, although Qin will no longer enfeoff princes, the nobles who rule Qin will still exist."
Han Fei, who had been looking at the back of his hand holding the corner of his clothes, raised his head.
Zhu Xiang's expression at this moment was so cold that Han Fei felt a little strange: "The princes no longer exist, but the nobles still exist. If the royal family of Han still wants to live the life of the upper class in the past, someone needs to hold power in Qin. If you don't want the royal family of Han to fall to the level of common people, you should think carefully about what to do."
Han Fei said in a deep voice: "Nobles... common people..."
Although Zhu Xiang looked cold, there seemed to be a hint of smile in his tone. But this smile did not sound like a happy smile.
"The princes no longer exist, but the aristocratic families are still here, and this world is still an inverted triangle. The Han royal family was originally a noble family, and later became princes. It's nothing to return to being a noble family now. But if they become commoners, the gap in their hearts may be huge. By then, they may beg you to serve as an official, and rely on your good relationship with the Qin royal family to revive the family business. At that time, you are forced to serve as an official, and you have different initiative than if you take the initiative to serve as an official."
"But that was all after Korea was destroyed. You can become a pure scholar now, or you can return to Korea and try again. You don't have to make a decision so early." Zhu Xiang picked up the boiling kettle, washed the cup with boiling water, and then poured water on it. "Don't worry about things that haven't happened yet, and don't worry about things that will definitely happen."
Han Fei looked a little bewildered: "Duke Zhu Xiang, is it true that Han and Han cannot become vassal states of Qin?"
Zhu Xiang said: "No. Because Han was once powerful and is located in the strategic route of the Central Plains."
Han is a place where several countries intersect, in other words, a transportation hub. How could Qin give the transportation hub to others for autonomy
Han Fei pursed his lips and forced an ugly smile: "If I offer advice to the King of Qin, it is not allowed either."
Zhu Xiang pushed the cup of water in front of Han Fei and said, "If you really can't figure it out, think about the royal family of Jin."
Han Fei was almost so angry at Zhu Xiang's words that tears came out of his eyes. Sometimes Zhu Xianggong was really irritating!
Zhu Xiang laughed: "The royal descendants of Xia, Shang and Zhou all had commoners, princes, and ministers. You are not the King of Han, nor the Prime Minister of Han. The King of Han and the Prime Minister of Han have not considered so much, so it is useless for you to consider more. It is better to think about how to help the impoverished royal family of Han in the future."
Han Fei was so angry that he drank water, and the water scalded his lips and almost broke the cup.
Zhu Xiang was amused by Han Fei.
Han Fei covered his mouth and glared at Zhu Xiang with angry eyes.
Zhu Xiang laughed even louder.
Han Fei really wanted to leave in anger, but he forced himself to stay and ask the evil-minded Zhu Xianggong about the doubts that had accumulated over the years.
Zhu Xiang stopped teasing Han Fei and tried to help him solve his puzzles. He did not leave until Ying Xiaozheng came to look for him.
As Ying Xiaozheng and Zhu Xiang left together, he whispered to Zhu Xiang, "Uncle, did you bully Han Fei again? Han Fei is secretly glaring at you!"
Zhu Xiang asked, "How could that be? Am I, your uncle, such a person?"
Ying Xiaozheng said: "It seems that my uncle bullied Han Fei again."
Zhu Xiang coughed dryly and said, "I am just helping him solve his doubts and acting as his mentor in life."
Ying Xiaozheng rolled his eyes at his uncle.
A mentor in life? A guide on the wrong path
Although he would not sentence Han Fei to death as long as he did not rebel in the future, he was worried that Han Fei would run back to Han, go crazy before the King of Han with a sword in hand, and be sentenced to death by the King of Han if his uncle continued to provoke him.
Zhu Xiang said: "I'm not kidding. Han Fei really feels much better after I enlightened him."
Ying Xiaozheng: "Heh... Hey? Put me down!"
Zhu Xiang picked up Ying Xiaozheng, who dared to sneer at his uncle, and threw him up.
"I'm grown up now, don't abandon me!" Ying Xiaozheng, an almost nine-year-old elementary school student, became angry and embarrassed.
Zhu Xiang said, "While Zheng'er is still young, bully him a little more. Come on, fly another one!"
Qin Wangzhu heard the sound and came over, and saw Zhu Xiang bullying Ying Xiaozheng.
He said to Zichu behind him with emotion: "Zhu Xiang is so strong that he can even throw Zheng'er up. You can't even hold him up."
Zichu: “…” He really wanted to refute, but unfortunately he couldn’t.
Although Zhu Xiang did bully Han Fei, Han Fei's mood did become much better as Zhu Xiang said.
Zhu Xiang pointed out a possible path for Han Fei.
The destruction of Han was inevitable. With Zhu Xiang and many capable people assisting Prince Zheng, it was estimated that it would be difficult for the six kingdoms to have a chance to revive. What would he do then? Would he live in seclusion in the mountains
Zhu Xiang told him that even if Han Fei wanted to live in seclusion, the royal family of Han might not be able to bear the hardship of being a commoner or a poor scholar. Even if he didn't want to, his family would probably force him to serve in the government for a better future, and then rely on him to occupy a seat in the court of Qin. It would be better for him to serve in Qin, become a new nobleman of Qin, and then let the royal family of Han become the ministers of Qin.
Who would want to be a commoner when you can be a great noble
Many descendants of states had no choice. After being appreciated by Duke Xiang of Zhu, the royal family of Han had room for choice.
Zhu Xiang also said something that was unpleasant to hear, but the logic was sound.
The royal family of Han were originally nobles of Jin State, so they would not have felt particularly resistant to becoming nobles of Qin State later.
Han Fei became angrier the more he thought about it. He became angrier precisely because Zhu Xiang was right.
When Li Si saw Han Fei coming to him angrily, he felt a pang in his heart. He thought he had offended Han Fei in some way and Han Fei wanted to debate with him.
Although he was used to debating with Han Fei, just like a person who is used to running 800 meters every few days to lose weight, he would still feel a little nervous every time he was about to run.
"Duke Zhu Xiang is willing to see you." Han Fei said briefly, "Please prepare yourself. Duke Zhu Xiang is currently taking care of a sick elder, so you can't delay for too long."
Han Fei helped Li Si, who was bowing, to his feet and said, "It was not me who recommended you, but Duke Zhu Xiang who took the initiative to mention you."
He paused, a little embarrassed, and said, "Duke Zhu Xiang said he heard that you are my friend, so he wants to see you."
Li Si: “…” The enthusiasm in my heart suddenly cooled.
Although he knew that Han Fei was not showing off, Han Fei's words really made Li Si jealous and gritted his teeth.
Han Fei and Duke Zhu Xiang had a very good relationship. When Duke Zhu Xiang heard that Han Fei had a friend, he actually took the initiative to propose a meeting.
Even so, Han Fei was still hesitant and refused to serve in the State of Qin, always thinking about the King of Han who did not take him seriously at all.
After the King of Han came to Xianyang, Han Fei wanted to meet him, but the King did not give him a chance. The envoys of Han did not take Han Fei seriously either.
Seeing Han Fei not knowing how to appreciate what he has, Li Si's heart was almost twisted into a rope.
But no matter how jealous he was, he still had to smile warmly and say thank you to Han Fei.
Thank you so much.
"I see you're not in a good mood. Is there anyone who's trying to embarrass you again?" Li Si changed the subject. "Did someone abandon you and run away in the middle of the debate? I'll go find them."
Han Fei shook his head: "No."
He was a little hesitant about whether to tell Li Si about his embarrassing incident.
But he changed his mind and realized that Li Si was his best friend, just like Crown Prince Zichu, Duke Cai, Duke Lin and Duke Xiang of Zhu. He should trust his best friend.
If he can't even confide his depression to his best friends, who else can he confide in
Han Fei sat down and Li Si poured him a glass of cold water.
Han Fei drank it all in one gulp, and then said gloomily: "Duke Zhu Xiang, Duke Zhu Xiang is making fun of me again."
The twisting hemp rope in Li Si's heart suddenly stopped twisting.
His eyes lit up: "Duke Zhu Xiang is a humble man, how could he laugh at you?"
How did Duke Zhu Xiang laugh at you? Tell me now!
Han Fei said in frustration, "Duke Zhu Xiang mentioned the King of Jin again. If the King of Jin can become a commoner, why can't the King of Han, the King of Han?"
Li Si almost wanted to slap his thigh.
What Duke Zhu Xiang said makes so much sense! He is indeed the great sage Duke Zhu Xiang!
"Well, Duke Zhu Xiang just hopes that you won't be bound by the Kingdom of Han and lose the opportunity to display your talents." Li Si advised hypocritically.
Han Fei sighed: "I know."
He was silent for a while, and then said in a lower voice: "Duke Zhu Xiang asked me to think about how to make the royal family of Han become noble officials again after the destruction of Han. The royal family of Han was originally a noble official of Jin, and can also become a noble official of Qin."
Li Si was silent for a while, and began to feel sad again.
Duke Zhu Xiang treated Han Fei just like an elder giving earnest advice and caring to a younger generation who is about to go astray.
How come Han Fei is so lucky
Han Fei asked: "You, you think so too?"
Li Si moved the corners of his mouth, but found that he couldn't laugh, so he stopped laughing.
He said with a straight face: "I am not from the royal family, so I don't know what you insist on. But instead of watching your family fall apart and decline, you might as well try your best. If Han has no chance to become a vassal state after Qin conquers the six kingdoms, why can't it take a step back and become a minister? Those royal family members of Chu who serve as officials in Qin will probably not all die for Chu. The future queen mother of Qin is also from Chu, and she will be a good queen mother."
Li Si took the cup and drank the cold boiled water in one gulp to extinguish the jealousy in his heart.
"You seem to be the only talented person in the Han royal family. If you don't take up an official post, the Han royal family will probably really become commoners." Li Si finally raised the corner of his mouth and revealed a sneer, "Now they can enjoy wealth and honor because of their status. If they don't have that status, they can only rely on their talents to succeed. Do they have talent?"
Han Fei looked at Li Si's expression and raised one hand to cover his eyes.
He couldn't help but sneer: "You are right."
If Korea was destroyed, those idiots in his family would probably do nothing and might even starve to death.
Without the identity of being members of the Korean royal family or the Korean royal clan, their own talents are not even as good as those of ordinary clerks in the Qin State.
"Duke Zhu Xiang has pointed out a path for you to take. He has done his best for you." Li Si said, "Even if you don't take this path, don't make him too sad."
Han Fei nodded slightly.
Li Si said: "I am going to prepare an article to present to Duke Zhu Xiang. Can you help me take a look at it first?"
Han Fei forced a smile and said, "Okay."
A few days later, Li Si visited Zhu Xiang with trepidation.
Zhu Xiang was also quite nervous.
This is Li Si!
Although Ying Xiaozheng said that he didn't want to care about Li Si now, after hearing that Zhu Xiang wanted to see Li Si, he still found an excuse to skip class and accompany Zhu Xiang to observe this close minister of the great Ying Zheng in his dream.
Zhu Xiang took a deep breath and said, "Zheng'er, if your uncle can't answer well, you must help me."
Ying Xiaozheng: “Huh?” What is my uncle making a fuss about again? It’s just Li Si, how can he embarrass my uncle
Zhu Xiang rubbed Ying Xiaozheng's face to relieve his tension.
Ying Xiaozheng slapped his uncle's hand expressionlessly. He really wanted to grow up quickly so that the two soft cheeks on his face would become flatter quickly, so that his uncle would have no excuse to rub his face anymore.
When Li Si arrived, Zhu Xiang sat upright and stopped bullying his nephew.
From now on, his nephew will be Li Si's master, so he has to give his nephew some face.
Li Si was a middle-aged man. Zhu Xiang did not ask Li Si's age, but he could tell that Li Si looked older than himself.
However, when he saw Han Fei beside Li Si, Zhu Xiang reflexively showed his signature kind smile to the younger generation: "No need to be polite, just be casual. Please take a seat."
After Zhu Xiang asked Li Si to sit down, Han Fei saw that Zhu Xiang was going to pour tea for Li Si, so he quickly grabbed the teapot and acted as the person who added tea.
Duke Zhu Xiang did not care much about the difference in status, but Han Fei could not let Zhu Xiang lose face in front of his close friend, otherwise Xunzi would scold him as well after knowing about this.
Before meeting Zhu Xiang, Li Si prepared a lot of flattering words in his mind, but when he saw Zhu Xiang's snow-white hair, Li Si was speechless and could not say anything.
He was not moved by the origin of Zhu Xiang's white hair, but he was scared by the fact that Zhu Xiang did not look like a human.
Although Li Si had seen Zhu Xiang from afar, when he got closer and saw Zhu Xiang's appearance, he gave people a completely different feeling.
He even felt that there was mist around Zhu Xiang, as if he was about to ascend to heaven.
Zhu Xiang actually had smoke around him because he had lit two plates of mosquito coils under his feet.
Ying Xiaozheng was delicate and slightly plump, making him a favorite target for mosquitoes. When Zhu Xiang met Li Si in the outdoor pavilion, how could he not order an extra plate of mosquito coils for his poor nephew
He and Bian Que jointly researched this mosquito coil, which used a variety of insect repellent herbs and added some pleasant-smelling spices. Now the Xianyang Palace has also used this mosquito coil.
Seeing his friend stuttering due to nervousness, Han Fei immediately tried to smooth things over for Li Si: "Duke Zhu Xiang, Li Si is too nervous. Can you please read Li Si's article first?"
Li Si hurriedly handed over the article respectfully, his hands trembling.
Seeing Li Si trembling, Zhu Xiang stopped trembling.
It turned out that Li Si was more nervous than him, but he immediately stopped being nervous.
Zhu Xiang took Li Si's article with a smile and said, "Don't be nervous. You also studied under Xunzi, so I am also your senior brother."
Ying Xiaozheng immediately said, "Uncle, you can't say that. If you spread this, all the students in Xianyang Academy will call themselves your junior brothers."
Li Si also said repeatedly: "I dare not, I dare not."
Zhu Xiang smiled and sighed. This Li Si was really different from the Li Si he thought he was.
However, Han Fei's ideas were different from what he knew, so it was normal for Li Si to be different. Zhu Xiang did not think much about it, but unfolded Li Si's article and read it carefully.
If he doesn't respond now, Li Si's tension may be relieved.
After reading this, Zhu Xiang showed a look of surprise.
Zhu Xiang was very disappointed when he read Han Feizi's works before. The young Han Feizi was completely different from the Han Feizi he knew, and the young Han Feizi's thoughts were even completely different from the Han Feizi he knew.
The Han Fei he first knew was a member of the royal family who was completely focused on the survival of the Han royal family and did not have much thought about the world.
Zhu Xiang originally thought that Li Si would not give him too big of a surprise. Unexpectedly, Li Si's article was full of substance. I'm afraid that if he presents it to Qin Wangzhu now, Qin Wangzhu will even make him a guest official.
After careful consideration, Zhu Xiang understood the difference.
By now Li Si has been studying under Xunzi for several years, is friends with Han Fei, and has witnessed many changes in the Qin State, so he has become more mature.
Even compared to the Prime Minister Li Si in history, the current Li Si may have been exposed to more new knowledge. Li Si himself has talent, so it is normal for him to show such talent.
"With your talent, you can be a guest official of the Qin State." Zhu Xiang said with a smile.
(End of this chapter)