Qin Wangzhu's body continued to weaken, and many people knew that he was about to collapse. He and those around him were mentally prepared.
Zhu Xiang was also mentally prepared.
But no one expected that before Zhu Xiang sent away Qin Wangzhu, he first sent away another elder - Fan Ju.
Fan Ju was already quite old. After King Zhaoxiang of Qin passed away, his spirit suddenly became weak, as if part of his life had died with King Zhaoxiang of Qin.
Fan Ju returned to his fiefdom, but the careful care of his descendants did not help him recover.
When King Zhu of Qin summoned him back to Xianyang, Fan Ju's descendants originally hoped that Fan Ju would refuse.
But Fan Ju disagreed.
He forced himself to return to Xianyang with his weak body to respond to Qin Wangzhu's request.
Fan Ju had a house in Xianyang. He did not take it back when he returned to his fief. His descendants were worried about his health and came to Xianyang with him.
When Zhu Xiang came back, Fan Ju sent his descendants to visit him; after Zhu Xiang recovered from his illness, he also went to visit Fan Ju, whose legs and feet were no longer convenient.
At that time, Fan Ju was still in good spirits.
After Fan Ju returned to Xianyang, he felt much better. Others thought that Fan Ju would get better.
The day before Fan Ju passed away, he seemed to be in good health and even had a bowl of porridge before going to bed.
But the next day, when his descendants helped Fan Ju to get up, he had already passed away.
It was so peaceful, almost unbelievably peaceful.
Qin Wangzhu refused to believe that Fan Ju had died. He thought someone had murdered Fan Ju, so he asked Zichu to investigate the matter.
But after much investigation, both the imperial physician and famous folk doctors took turns to examine him, and the final conclusion was that Yinghou Fan Ju had indeed fallen asleep naturally.
Fell asleep forever.
Considering Fan Ju's age, he died without pain in his sleep, which should be a happy funeral.
But King Qin Zhu could not accept this at all.
He was helped by Zhu Xiang to Fan Ju's mourning hall. He stared at Fan Ju's coffin for a long time and kept asking Zhu Xiang, "Why did Yingjun fall asleep?"
Zhu Xiang didn't know how to answer.
He hasn't come to terms with it yet either.
The relationship between Fan Ju and Zhu Xiang has become distant in recent years, but when Zhu Xiang first arrived in Qin, Fan Ju and Bai Qi lived in Zhu Xiang's home, and the feelings they established at that time would not fade so easily.
When Zhu Xiang first arrived in this unfamiliar place, he relied entirely on Fan Ju and Bai Qi for protection.
Fan Ju and Bai Qi taught Zhu Xiang the Qin laws and some unspoken rules of Qin officialdom. They were the guides of Zhu Xiang and Ying Xiaozheng.
When King Zhaoxiang of Qin was alive, the two treated Zhu Xiang like Duke Lin and Duke Lian.
Of course, the relationship between Fan Ju and Bai Qi and Zhu Xiang was mixed with many complicated interests, and was not as pure as that between Lin Gong and Lian Gong. But their kindness to Zhu Xiang was real.
When Zhu Xiang visited Fan Ju a few days ago, Fan Ju said that when he felt better and his legs and feet were more flexible, he would stay at Zhu Xiang's farm for a while and have a good rest.
He is still in charge of the defense of the Qin Palace, and there are many things to do, so he has no time to rest. Regardless of whether Qin Wangzhu has passed away or not, Zichu and Zhu Xiang have returned to Xianyang, and it is time for him, an old man, to return his position to the young people and no longer need to serve as the last insurance. At that time, he will stay in Zhu Xiang's house for a while before returning to his fiefdom.
Zhu Xiang even had people clean up the courtyard where Fan Ju originally lived, ready for Fan Ju to move in at any time.
No one expected that Fan Ju would leave like this.
Bai Qi, who was already very old, stood in front of Fan Ju's coffin for a long time without saying a word.
Bai Qi said: "When the First Lord passed away, Ying Jun became very old. At that time, he seemed ready to follow the First Lord at any time."
Bai Qi added: "He seems to be in better spirits now, but he is really gone."
When everyone thought Fan Ju would die soon, Fan Ju did not leave; when everyone thought Fan Ju would live a few more years, Fan Ju left quietly.
Why are things in this world so unexpected
Fan Ju passed away so suddenly that his descendants all looked dazed when they were setting up the mourning hall for him, and they couldn't even cry for a while.
Ying Xiaozheng put aside the government affairs in his hands, performed the etiquette of a junior, and helped Fan Ju close the coffin with his own hands.
His expression was also dull.
Ying Xiaozheng recalled that he lived with Fan Ju when he was young. Fan Ju had a small appetite, and he was too greedy and was forbidden by his uncle and aunt to eat too many snacks, so he often sneaked food from Fan Ju's place.
Fan Ju ordered a delicious roast chicken and only ate the wings, neck and a chicken leg himself, while the rest of the parts belonged to Ying Xiaozheng.
There were also pastries, preserved fruits, and dried meats. Whenever Ying Xiaozheng came to Fan Ju's place, there were always endless snacks to eat.
Among all the elders, Fan Ju had the least bottom line towards Ying Xiaozheng.
Even Bai Qi knew how to teach Ying Xiaozheng, but Fan Ju only knew how to feed Ying Xiaozheng.
Zhu Xiang once complained to King Zhaoxiang of Qin that if Ying Xiaozheng remained a fool when he grew up, Fan Gong would have an unshirkable responsibility.
Ying Xiaozheng has grown up. He is no longer a ball, but has a straight and upright figure, like a pine tree.
When Fan Ju saw Ying Xiaozheng who had returned from Southern Qin, he smiled and said to Ying Xiaozheng, "The first lord did not get to see such a Zheng'er, but I have seen it. When we meet again, I will tell you, and you will definitely be very happy."
Ying Xiaozheng replied at the time, "Mr. Fan should praise Zheng'er more in front of Mr. Zeng."
But he did not expect that Fan Ju would go to his great-grandfather to praise him so soon.
Ying Xiaozheng said to Zhu Xiang: "Uncle, Zheng'er feels a little uncomfortable."
Zhu Xiang came back to his senses from his trance and said, "It's the same with my uncle."
He looked at the coffin, then looked down at the yellow paper in his hand.
Did Mr. Fan really die
He thought Mr. Fan could live for several more years, so he did not disturb him too much.
If he knew, if he knew...
What if he knew
Zhu Xiang was a little confused.
Fan Ju's sudden death also caused a great sensation in Xianyang City.
Some people spread rumors that Fan Ju was murdered. Although Qin Wangzhu finally announced that Fan Ju really died of no illness and was a happy death, some people still secretly complained about it, and some attributed the incident to spies from the six countries.
Qin Wangzhu should have used this incident to do something, but he suddenly lost interest.
After Fan Ju's body was kept in Xianyang for seven days, it was carried back to his hometown by his descendants. Qin Wang Zhu specially allowed Fan Ju's son to inherit Fan Ju's fiefdom for one more generation.
Before the coffin was returned home, King Zhu of Qin instructed them to carry the coffin to the tomb of King Zhaoxiang of Qin to pay homage.
When Fan Ju was alive, he once requested this matter from King Zhu of Qin, hoping that his coffin could stay in front of King Zhaoxiang of Qin for a while, so that he might be able to catch up with the footsteps of the former lord.
Qin Wangzhu did not allow it at the time, thinking it violated the etiquette, but now he agreed.
After Fan Ju left, King Zhu of Qin ordered Bai Qi to immediately relieve himself of his duties and have a good rest.
Bai Qi moved into Zhu Xiang's manor and taught Ying Xiaozheng and Zhu Xiang martial arts and military books every day. He seemed to be in good spirits.
But Fan Ju was in good spirits the day before his death. Zhu Xiang was very nervous, fearing that Bai Qi would also get into trouble.
Nothing happened to Bai Qi.
What happened next was just as they had prepared for. Qin Wangzhu gradually failed as the weather got colder.
Things in the world are still so unpredictable.
Bad things won't happen when you are mentally prepared, but once you relax, bad things will happen.
Qin Wangzhu suddenly lost consciousness and remained in a coma for several days.
When he woke up, he was unable to get up and even his speech was unclear.
At this time, Qin Wangzhu, who had always acted indifferent to life and death, suddenly became weak.
He grabbed Zhu Xiang's hand and cried, "Am I going to die? I don't want to die."
Qin Wangzhu kept crying like a child. He was very scared. He was too scared to close his eyes for fear that he would never be able to open them again.
He asked Zhu Xiang: "Zhu Xiang, are you a god? Do you know what the world after death is like? I am really scared."
Zhu Xiang could only make up some short stories about the underworld for Qin Wangzhu, telling him that the world after death was beautiful and that he would not suffer.
He became afraid of the dark and had to keep a candle lit all night long, not daring to be alone.
The imperial physician was very frightened.
The King of Qin was already very weak, and he refused to rest properly, which made his health deteriorate even faster.
Zichu, Zhu Xiang and Ying Xiaozheng kept persuading the King of Qin to take a nap and they would stay with him all the time.
Qin Wangzhu kept sobbing, looking helpless and pitiful, and finally he couldn't control his sleepiness and fell into a deep sleep. When he woke up, he was terrified again, afraid of darkness and death.
This went on for a few days, and Qin Wangzhu finally got his emotions under control.
He drove away Zichu and Ying Xiaozheng, leaving only Zhu Xiang.
Qin Wangzhu said with shame: "I am so ugly. If my father sees me, he will be disappointed in me again."
Zhu Xiang said: "This is human nature, the first lord will not be disappointed."
Qin Wangzhu sighed, "He will definitely be disappointed. He is often disappointed in me."
Qin Wangzhu complained about King Zhaoxiang of Qin for a while, and then asked Zhu Xiang: "Am I a good King of Qin?"
Zhu Xiang replied: "Yes."
Qin Wangzhu said: "When you left, I promised you that I would make Qin even stronger. Have I fulfilled my promise to you?"
Zhu Xiang said: "It has been accomplished."
Although Qin did not capture much territory during the reign of Qin Wangzhu, its grain production and population size increased greatly, and Southern Qin was completely loyal to Qin.
Qin Wangzhu made use of Xunzi, expanded the enrollment scope of Xianyang Academy, made the selection of Xianyang Academy a custom, and various places began to prepare to build the next level of academies;
Xunzi re-established the etiquette of the Qin State, which could be directly used until the Qin State unified the world;
Xue Ji led the Mo family and craftsmen to invent a new cotton yarn and cotton cloth loom, which enabled Qin to efficiently produce cotton cloth, and the common people of Qin were one step closer to not freezing to death;
Zhu Xiang used Qin's cotton cloth to launch a trade war against Chu, and now the civil unrest in Chu has begun to take shape;
Lin Zhi formulated the New Land Law. After being piloted in the three counties of Southern Qin, the New Land Law had a very good effect and has been gradually promoted throughout the Qin State...
In addition to these, Qin Wangzhu has many other things to do.
The imperial edict system that Xunzi formulated for women has not been perfected yet, and is still being argued with other officials; after the Lu Confucian scholars fled to Qin, Qin Wangzhu asked them to compile books, and now they have collected many rare copies, and they are making preliminary preparations...
King Zhu of Qin may not be a particularly prominent king in the entire history of the Qin State, but he eased the conflicts caused by the excessive expansion of King Zhaoxiang of Qin, made the cohesion of the Qin State stronger, and allowed subsequent Qin kings to restart the war of unification with confidence.
It is crucial to connect the past and the future.
Zhu Xiang commented on Qin Wangzhu's actions one by one, without any awareness of committing an offense.
King Zhu of Qin had no intention of rebelling against Zhu Xiang, and listened to Zhu Xiang's comments very carefully.
Then, he breathed a sigh of relief and said, "When I see my father, I should be able to hold my chest high."
He was silent for a while, and then said: "When I see my brother, I will not be ashamed of taking over his position as the crown prince and the king of Qin. I am doing a good job as the king of Qin, right?"
Zhu Xiang said: "Yes, Your Majesty is a wise ruler."
Qin Wangzhu smiled and said, "I feel relieved with what Zhu Xiang said. Zhu Xiang, I am sleepy and need to sleep for a while. Please tell me more legends about the underworld and reincarnation."
Zhu Xiang tucked the corner of the quilt for Qin Wangzhu and continued to tell him those untrue legends as if he was coaxing a child.
Qin Wangzhu closed his eyes and his expression became somewhat panic-stricken again.
But he still closed his eyes and let the sleepiness overwhelm him.
Zhu Xiang looked at Qin Wangzhu's slightly trembling hands and placed his hands on the back of Qin Wangzhu's dry hands.
Qin Wangzhu held Zhu Xiang's hand tightly with such force that it hurt Zhu Xiang a little.
A quarter of an hour, half an hour... maybe even longer.
Zhu Xiang sat quietly at the head of Qin Wangzhu's bed, racking his brains to tell a story.
He couldn't remember any more stories, so he made up some.
Zichu knocked on the door and walked in when there was no response.
He saw Zhu Xiang holding one of Qin Wangzhu's hands, crying and telling a story that was incoherent and incomprehensible.
Qin Wangzhu's hands were slightly open and his posture was very relaxed.
Zichu walked closer and saw that Qin Wangzhu also looked very relaxed.
The panic on the old King Qin's face finally disappeared.
Zichu always believed that his feelings for his king and father were not very deep.
But at this moment, his legs went weak and he fell down at the head of Qin Wangzhu's bed, gasping for breath as if he couldn't breathe.
He put Qin Wangzhu's hand back into the quilt and tucked the corner of the quilt for Qin Wangzhu.
"Xia Tong, the king has gone upstairs." Zhu Xiang said.
Zichu grabbed the cloth on his chest with both hands, closed his eyes, and after a long while he squeezed out three words: "I know."
Zhu Xiang and Zichu didn't say anything else.
Zhu Xiang was crying quietly, while Zichu was still gasping for breath.
"Are you okay?" After a while, Zhu Xiang wiped away her tears and patted Zichu's back to help him calm down.
Zichu finally caught his breath and said in a hoarse voice, "Not good, not good at all."
He got up from the ground, supported himself on the edge of the bed with his hands, and stared at the sleeping Qin Wangzhu.
"Zhu Xiang, I actually care about him a lot."
"Um."
The two were silent for a long time again.
Zichu slowly stood up and straightened his clothes.
The distorted expression on his face gradually subsided and turned into a very natural expression of sadness.
"Stay with your father for a while, I'm going to..."
"You stay with the Lord, I'll go and inform him." Zhu Xiang held Zichu's shoulders and said, "Be Xia Tong for a while, you don't have much time left to be Xia Tong."
Zichu lowered his head, and then his sad expression disappeared, and his expression became wooden: "Okay."
Zhu Xiang turned and left. Ying Xiaozheng was waiting outside the door.
He looked up at the tear marks on his uncle's face and asked, "Is Grandfather gone?"
Zhu Xiang rubbed Ying Xiaozheng's head and said, "Go and accompany the Lord."
Ying Xiaozheng clenched his hands and said in a suppressed voice, "Okay."
He walked into the house and closed the door.
Zhu Xiang walked a few steps further and saw the Qin ministers headed by Cai Ze.
They all knelt in the courtyard, waiting for news from the King of Qin.
Waiting for the news of King Qin's death.
"Your Majesty has returned to heaven."
Zhu Xiang told them the news they wanted to know, and then sad cries were heard.
Zhu Xiang glanced at the ministers who were crying bitterly, but he was not saddened by them.
"Lord Changping, where is the crown prince?" a member of the royal family asked, "The crown prince should be in charge of the situation now."
Zhu Xiang said, "The Crown Prince and Prince Zheng are seeing the Lord off. Give them some time. The Lord is not only the King of Qin, but also the Crown Prince's father and Prince Zheng's great-grandfather. Please understand."
The tearful member of the royal family froze and quickly shut his mouth, not daring to speak any more.
However, Master Qin, who was kneeling further behind, looked very ugly and even a little angry.
Zhu Xiang ignored the Qin princes and walked to Queen Huayang, saying, "Queen, please bring the young prince with you to see the king off together."
Queen Huayang, who had a dazed expression and no tears on her face, finally came to her senses.
She stumbled to her feet and rushed inside without paying any attention to Master Cheng Jiao beside her.
While running, the pearl hairpin on Queen Huayang's head fell to the ground, and she stepped on the hem of her skirt and almost fell.
But she loved beauty so much that she couldn't take care of it, just like she couldn't take care of her beloved grandson.
Queen Huayang never cried out loudly, nor did she wail like the other concubines.
She rushed into the inner room eagerly but very quietly, as if she showed no sadness.
Probably because you can't see sadness.
Cheng Jiao stood there at a loss as to what to do.
Zhu Xiang picked up Cheng Jiao and said, "Go with your uncle."
Cheng Jiao reflexively hugged the neck of this stranger but familiar person.
When Zhu Xiang turned and left, Cheng Jiao's biological mother showed a relieved expression.
Changping Jun called himself "uncle" to Cheng Jiao, and even if Queen Huayang lost power in the future, his son should have a good future.
If something happens to the crown prince, his son will definitely become the new crown prince.
Zhu Xiang knew that the kneeling people had different thoughts in their minds, but he was no longer in the mood to care about these things.
These matters are not his business.
This is something Zichu and Zheng'er need to worry about after they finish mourning.
He simply brought the few people that Qin Wangzhu cared about to Qin Wangzhu's bedside and asked them to say goodbye to Qin Wangzhu.
After that, everyone said goodbye to the former King of Qin.
"Uncle?" Cheng Jiao asked, "Are you Cheng Jiao's uncle?"
Zhu Xiang said: "I am the prince's uncle, and also your uncle."
Cheng Jiao asked, "Are you and your aunt a family?"
Zhu Xiang said: "Yes, the aunt who has been taking care of you is my beloved."
Only then did Cheng Jiao feel relieved and put his head on Zhu Xiang's shoulder.
He asked again, "What happened to Grandfather? What do you mean he's gone?"
Zhu Xiang said: "Once you go there, then..."
He paused, not knowing how to explain death to such an ignorant child.
Cheng Jiao didn't have the chance to ask any more questions.
Zhu Xiang walked into the house and put Cheng Jiao on the ground.
Ying Xiaozheng came over, took Cheng Jiao's hand, and brought Cheng Jiao to Qin Wangzhu's bedside to kowtow.
Because Cheng Jiao was raised by Queen Huayang, King Qin Zhu and Cheng Jiao were also very close.
When Cheng Jiao saw Qin Wangzhu sleeping, he seemed to understand something and started crying with his mouth wide open.
Ying Xiaozheng closed his eyes and tears flowed again.
Zhu Xiang stood at the door, with his back to the light, mourning quietly.
He sent away another King of Qin, an elder.
Following the old custom of King Zhaoxiang of Qin's death, King Zhu of Qin's funeral was conducted in an orderly manner.
Crown Prince Zichu succeeded to the throne naturally and without any setbacks, and then began the era of Prince Chu of Qin.
Like King Zhu of Qin, Prince Chu of Qin also observed a year of mourning; the common people used days instead of years to avoid disturbing the people.
Zichu's Qin king's clothing had been made long ago and it fit him perfectly.
When putting on the crown of the King of Qin, Zichu felt as if his soul was floating, which was very unreal.
After the succession ceremony, he sat alone on the throne, stunned for a while until Zhu Xiang walked in.
"Hey, King Qin Xia Tong, how do you feel?" Zhu Xiang said.
Zichu came back to his senses and said, "It's a bit strange."
Zhu Xiang sat on the steps at Zichu's feet: "What's so strange?"
Zichu said, "They seem to be very far away from me all of a sudden."
Zhu Xiang said, "Maybe you are sitting too high. If you think it's too far, you can sit back on the cushion."
Zichu raised his leg and kicked Zhu Xiang: "Get lost."
Zhu Xiang said disdainfully: "I was following your words, and you still told me to get out?"
Zichu kicked Zhu Xiang lightly again, then felt uncomfortable and slid down from the throne and sat on the steps.
"Where are Lin Li and Cai Ze?" he asked. "Are they busy?"
Zhu Xiang said: "I know you just became the King of Qin and you need to talk to someone about your feelings, but except for me, probably no one will talk to you privately in the future."
Zhu Xiang patted Zichu on the shoulder and said, "My condolences."
Zichu cursed, "Get lost."
Then he sighed and said, "I've already told you, from now on, treat me as the King of Qin, why are you still calling me Xia Tong?"
Zhu Xiang said: "My head is harder than iron. Come, drink some."
He took out a gourd from his waist.
Zichu squinted and said, "I am in mourning."
Zhu Xiang was speechless: "Do you think I'm looking for you to drink?"
Zichu then took the gourd from Zhu Xiang, which contained sweet juice.
Zhu Xiang asked, "Are you okay? I see you are listless. Are you still sad?"
Zichu said: "Yes."
In front of Zhu Xiang, he didn't need to hide his emotions.
Although he felt somewhat ashamed, he was indeed still grieving over the passing of his father.
He has said many times that he doesn't care about his father, but now he finds it difficult to get over the sadness of his father's departure. This is really embarrassing.
Every time Zichu thought of what he had said before, he felt his face burning and he became angry and embarrassed.
Zhu Xiang did not comfort Zichu, but picked up another gourd and drank the sweet juice with Zichu.
After they finished drinking a gourd of juice, Zichu sighed deeply and said, "Walk with me."
Zhu Xiang stood up and extended his hand to Zichu.
Zichu, who had not eaten for a day and whose legs were a little weak, grabbed Zhu Xiang's hand and was pulled up by Zhu Xiang.
Zhu Xiang took out a shortbread from his arms and said, "Eat while you walk."
Zichu took the pastry and left the spacious palace with Zhu Xiang.
"Zhu Xiang, stay with me for a few more days before going to Nanqin."
"I will accompany you to complete the mourning period."
"good."
Zichu held the biscuit in both hands and quickly finished it.
Zhu Xiang handed Zichu a bag of spiced dried tofu: "It's not meat."
Zichu took the dried tofu and took a bite: "It's a bit salty."
Zhu Xiang said: "You cried too much, you need to replenish salt."
Zichu almost choked on the dried tofu: "I didn't cry too much."
"Oh." Zhu Xiang took out a bag of dried shrimp from his sleeve. "Shrimp are worms, not meat. Do you want to eat them?"
Zichu: “…”
He laughed for the first time since his father's death.
"Go away, bugs are meat too, I won't eat them."
(End of this chapter)