How to Cultivate a Ten-Thousand-Mile Empire for the Young Emperor Qin?

Chapter 32: Roasted chestnuts with sugar cane

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At lunch time, Ying Xiaozheng climbed into Zhu Xiang's arms and insisted that Zhu Xiang feed him. If Zhu Xiang didn't feed him, he wouldn't eat.

Ying Xiaozheng was rarely willful, so Zhu Xiang indulged him. He took two pairs of chopsticks, fed Ying Xiaozheng one bite and ate one bite himself.

Zhu Xiang was not afraid of the trouble of eating, but his legs were a little numb.

When Ying Xiaozheng heard his uncle say that his legs were numb, he swayed left and right to reduce the burden on Zhu Xiang, but he refused to get down.

Lin Xiangru, Lian Po and Xun Kuang, the three elders who were usually very strict with Zhu Xiang, all indulged Ying Xiaozheng in "punishing" Zhu Xiang. They watched Zhu Xiang make fun of himself with a smile on their faces. Lin Zhi and Cai Ze both gave Zhu Xiang a helpless look, and Zhu Xiang could only bear it.

Zhu Xiang lamented in his heart. I have made such a great contribution. If it were someone else, I would have been praised to the sky. Why should I be punished by Zheng'er

It’s time to help Zheng’er lose weight!

Zhu Xiang forgot that when he first met Ying Xiaozheng, he disliked Ying Xiaozheng's face because he had no flesh and felt uncomfortable when pinched. Now he disliked Ying Xiaozheng's flesh again.

After finally finishing the meal, Ying Xiaozheng finally got down from Zhu Xiang's lap, sat beside Zhu Xiang, hugged Zhu Xiang's arm, and dozed off against Zhu Xiang.

"Go to sleep if you're sleepy." Zhu Xiang tapped Ying Xiaozheng's little nose.

Ying Xiaozheng shook his head vigorously, then lay on Zhu Xiang's legs and closed his eyes.

Xue brought a quilt to cover Ying Xiaozheng and said, "Zheng'er missed you so much."

Zhu Xiang gently rubbed Ying Xiaozheng's head: "Yeah."

After Zhu Xiang rubbed Ying Xiaozheng's little head, he saw the shadow under Xue's eyes and said, "Xue, you should also take a nap. I see that you can hardly open your eyes."

After Xue took Ying Xiaozheng to Lian Po's territory, she slept restlessly every day. She would open her eyes several times in the middle of the night to see if Ying Xiaozheng was still in her arms. After Zhu Xiang came back, she finally relaxed. Now she feels sleepy after eating, and she really can't hold on.

"Yeah." Xue gently touched Ying Xiaozheng's face. Ying Xiaozheng pulled up the quilt and covered his face, leaving only his two nostrils exposed.

Zhu Xiang burst out laughing.

Xue also smiled and patted Ying Xiaozheng before leaving.

Ying Xiaozheng wrapped himself in the quilt and struggled until he found a more comfortable position before he went to sleep obediently.

"Tell me more about Changping's matter in detail." Lin Xiangru said after the red date tea was brewed and served.

Lian Po said, "Yes, especially about that bastard Zhao Kuo!"

Xun Kuang said, "Tell me more about the King of Qin."

Cai Ze pricked up his ears.

Lin Zhi grabbed a crisp date that he had just picked from the tree and said, "Tell me quickly."

Zhu Xiang glared at Lin Zhi. Are you listening to a story

Lin Zhi gave Zhu Xiang a look of contempt. If you have the guts, go and glare at your father, Uncle Lin, and Xunzi.

Lin Xiangru coughed dryly, interrupting the mutual contemptuous glances between Zhu Xiang and Lin Zhi.

Zhu Xiang immediately sat up straight and told the story of his trip to Changping.

Under the small quilt, Ying Xiaozheng opened his eyes and bit his lower lip.

Did my uncle originally want to use his death to exchange for those Zhao people? Did my great-grandfather agree

Ying Xiaozheng felt very aggrieved.

It was just as my aunt said. Although she and I were important in my uncle's heart, the importance of so many neighbors combined was more important than my uncle's own life.

He doesn't like this.

The people he cares about should live, and others don’t matter, but he will not allow his uncle to die.

Ying Xiaozheng sniffed quietly. Why did it take him so many years to grow up? After he became the King of Qin and the Emperor, he could order his uncle not to die.

"The King of Qin actually led the army himself?" Lian Po began to pull at his beard in frustration, "Or did he go to Yewang to recruit reinforcements?"

Lin Xiangru sighed deeply. If Zhu Xiang had not been restrained by himself, anyone would be more inclined to Qin Wang than Qin Wang. There is no comparison at all.

Lin Xiangru missed his benefactor King Huiwen of Zhao.

If his benefactor were still alive, Lin Xiangru would have no problem asking Zhu Xiang to stay and help the State of Zhao, but now...

"You don't want to attract the attention of King Zhao, but since King Qin wants to use your death, he will definitely use a strategy of alienation." Lin Xiangru said calmly, "Xianghe is a great man in Qin Mo. I will persuade Xianghe to write a letter to King Qin, promising that when King Qin comes to pick up Zheng'er, I will let you and Xue go back to Qin with Zheng'er."

The King of Qin already knew Zhu Xiang's talent. If he knew that Zhu Xiang would definitely enter Qin, he might give up his plan to sow discord between them.

Lian Po let down his beard and said, "Zhao Kuo's death is a hidden danger, but we can take advantage of it now while the King of Zhao doesn't know about it. Pingyuan Jun said that the King of Zhao already knew that the slander against me was spread in Handan at the beginning, which was a divisive plot by the King of Qin. The King of Zhao just suffered a loss once, and if the slander against Zhu Xiang suddenly spread in Handan now, he will definitely be very resistant."

Lin Xiangru nodded.

Xunzi gave Lian Po a look that said, "You actually know this kind of conspiracy." He said, "I will write to the Confucian disciples, asking them to spread Zhu Xiang's merits and virtues, and to point out the King of Qin's plot to use a strategy of alienation to make the King of Zhao repeat the mistakes of Duke Mu of Qin."

Lin Xiangru said, "I sent people to spread rumors that Zhu Xiang went to Changping and killed Zhao Kuo, intending to rebel."

Zhu Xiang: "... I'm really awesome. Did I go into the Zhao army alone and kill Zhao Kuo among hundreds of thousands of people?"

Lin Xiangru said seriously: "Just spread it like this. The more outrageous the better."

Zhu Xiang: “…” You are my elder, you have the final say.

Lian Po said, "Add some more outrageous rumors, saying that Zhu Xiang saved the people of Zhao in order to improve his reputation so that he could replace the Lord!"

Lin Xiangru was speechless: "Who do you think will believe these words?"

Lian Po smiled and said, "The less people believe it, the better. However, in the process of spreading the story, they will definitely add more stories to it, such as saying that Zhu Xiang was a spy sent by Qin and that the King of Qin asked him to do these things so that he could bring back hundreds of thousands of Zhao surrendered soldiers."

Xun Kuang said, "Add some words that belittle Zhu Xiang. Zhu Xiang was born in a humble family. How could he have successfully persuaded the King of Qin and Wu'an Jun?"

Lin Xiangru said, "Speaking of humble origins, then include me in the list. Say that I am also a spy for the King of Qin, so the King of Qin agreed to beat the drum for the previous king."

Everyone laughed.

Lian Po laughed and said, "The King of Qin made a great sacrifice to make the late King feel at ease to employ you as a spy."

Everyone laughed again.

Cai Ze said, "I would like to go to Wei to persuade Lord Xinling. Lord Xinling is related to Lord Pingyuan and he particularly respects scholars. Lord Xinling should have heard of Zhu Xiang's reputation. I will tell Lord Xinling that the King of Qin is trying to sow discord between the two and the King of Zhao is ready to kill Zhu Xiang. Please write a letter to Lord Pingyuan and the King of Zhao to let Zhu Xiang enter Wei."

Lin Zhi smiled and said, "Given Lord Xinling's character, perhaps he will come to Handan in person to welcome Zhu Xiang."

Xun Kuang said: "I still have old friends in Qi. I wrote a letter and asked them to persuade the King of Qi to use a large sum of money to exchange Zhu Xiang for the King of Zhao. Although the King of Qi does not like me, he still values talents who can earn more taxes for him so that he can enjoy himself."

Xun Kuang's tone was full of sarcasm.

Lin Xiangru stroked his beard and said, "When I led troops to fight against Qi, I wrote a letter to persuade the King of Qi to withdraw his troops. There should be some old ministers in Qi who still remember me, so I also wrote a letter to recommend Zhu Xiang to them."

Xun Kuang added: "I have correspondence with Chunshen Jun of Chu. Chunshen Jun should also be happy to let Zhu Xiang enter Chu."

Lian Po said depressedly: "You know so many foreigners. I have only fought many foreigners."

Lin Xiangru and Xun Kuang laughed in good faith.

Zhu Xiang was so shocked that he was speechless after listening to what his elders and Cai Ze said.

What are they trying to do! Are they promoting me as an idol of seven countries

Lian Po suddenly pounded his palm and said, "Le Yi has not been given a high position since he entered Zhao, but his nephew Le Cheng is my deputy general, and his son is still in Yan. I can ask Le Cheng to write a letter to Le Yi's son and ask them to recommend Zhu Xiang to the King of Yan! The King of Yan has always been eyeing Zhao, and he will definitely seize the opportunity of the King of Qin to alienate Zhu Xiang and the King of Zhao and take Zhao's talents into his arms!"

Zhu Xiang couldn't help it, he asked: "Is it too much?"

Lin Xiangru snorted coldly, "The King of Zhao has no opinion of his own. If his close ministers keep whispering slanderous words about you in his ears, he will really believe them later. We don't have many words in the court, so let the monarchs of other countries tell the King of Zhao that the person he wants to kill is a talent that other countries are vying for!"

Zhu Xiang said awkwardly: "Then, what if the King of Zhao really sends me out?"

The elders were silent for a long time.

Lin Xiangru sighed and said, "If the King of Zhao is really so stupid, you should say that you cannot leave Zheng'er. Unless you can take Zheng'er with you, you will not go to another country. After that, it depends on what the King of Qin does. He will definitely put pressure on you to go to Qin. And if the King of Zhao agrees to send you to another country, he will definitely agree to let you take Zheng'er back to Qin if the pressure from Qin is enough."

Lian Po stretched out his palm like a big fan and patted Zhu Xiang hard: "Zhao is now weaker than Qin. If Qin wants you by force, Zhao can do nothing. If we can use you to exchange for something from Qin, it will be worth it."

Zhu Xiang: "..." What do you mean by forcing? What do you mean by exchanging some things for something? Lord Lian, can you speak? Why do I feel like a good girl being trafficked

"The King of Qin must have a trick up his sleeve. We have to speed up." Lin Xiangru knew the King of Qin best and said with a straight face, "After so many years, I will fight him again to see who will win!"

Lian Po bared his teeth: "So many years have passed, the King of Qin has grown old, and so have you and I. Let's fight again. If we win, we will show off when we go to see the late king. By the way, we will also tell the late king that his son is a fool. Alas, it would be great if the crown prince was still alive."

Lin Xiangru's face looked gloomy.

The unexpected death of Crown Prince Li from an epidemic was a source of pain in the hearts of Zhao Huiwen's old ministers, such as Lian Po and Lin Xiangru.

Prince Li was intelligent and upright since childhood. He once paid a large sum of money to ask Zhuangzi to advise King Huiwen of Zhao.

King Huiwen of Zhao trusted Lian Po and Lin Xiangru deeply. Especially Lin Xiangru, although he was not a noble of Zhao, King Huiwen of Zhao gave him the tiger talisman, which gave him the power to mobilize troops. Lin Xiangru was once the teacher of Prince Li, and taught Prince Li carefully.

At the meeting at Mianchi, King Huiwen of Zhao was prepared for the worst, either dying at the meeting or being imprisoned by Qin. When he ordered Lian Po to guard against Qin, he made an agreement with Lian Po that if he could not return to Zhao, he would make Crown Prince Li the king and would never accept Qin's blackmail. When King Huiwen of Zhao went to Mianchi, Lian Po and Crown Prince Li guarded Zhao together.

Lian Po and Lin Xiangru both had deep feelings for Prince Li. Perhaps this was one of the reasons why they were not valued by King Zhao.

Lian Po was saying something extremely treasonous. Lin Xiangru would have tried to stop him, but now he remained silent and was too lazy to stop him.

It would be great if Prince Li were still alive.

He held Zheng'er's arms, whose eyes were wide open, and shook him left and right: "Mr. Lin, Mr. Lian, don't be sad. Come, Zheng'er, meow... woof, and make your Mr. Lin and Mr. Lian happy."

Why do you want me to bark like a dog? I, the first emperor, will never bark like a dog!

Ying Xiaozheng kicked back and hit Zhu Xiang in the nose.

"Ouch." Zhu Xiang put Ying Xiaozheng down, covering his nose and crying in pain.

"I'm not a puppy!" Ying Xiaozheng turned around and punched Zhu Xiang.

"You deserve it." Xun Kuang picked up the red date tea.

Lian Po laughed and asked Ying Xiaozheng to beat him harder.

Lin Xiangru took out a ruler from his sleeve. This Zhu Xiang deserves a beating!

Lin Zhi, who was almost dozing off, leaned over to Cai Ze and said, "When you go to Wei, remember to write back if you encounter anything interesting."

Cai Ze said indifferently: "No."

Zhu Xiang: "I was wrong, I was wrong, Zheng'er, please stop hitting me. It doesn't matter if it hurts me, but what if it hurts your little fist? Your uncle will be distressed!"

Ying Xiaozheng stopped waving his fists and snorted, "Humph, do you know how powerful Zheng'er is?"

Zhu Xiang picked up Ying Xiaozheng, stood up and turned around: "I don't know, hahahaha."

Ying Xiaozheng screamed.

Lin Xiangru raised his ruler and hit Zhu Xiang's head with a bang.

Lian Po continued to slap his thigh and laugh, and Xun Kuang also smiled.

Lin Zhi continued to pester Cai Ze, and Cai Ze continued to ignore Lin Zhi.

The farmers passing by the wall of Zhu Xiang's house smiled. They finally heard the happy laughter coming from Zhu Xiang's house again.

As long as they hear this voice, they feel that there is hope in life.

Duke Zhu Xiang is here!

Lin Xiangru was the top diplomat and monarch's think tank in the Warring States Period and was still in his prime. Soon, many strange rumors about Zhu Xiang spread in Handan.

The version that Zhu Xiang was a spy is outdated. The most widely circulated version now is that Zhu Xiang was the Qin hostage, the real prince of Qin. He deliberately conspired with the King of Qin to make great contributions, with the purpose of becoming a close minister of the King of Zhao, and then killing the King of Zhao and replacing him.

When King Zhao first heard the rumors about Zhu Xiang reported by his close ministers, he was skeptical. But when he heard this statement, he was stunned and quickly summoned Lin Xiangru into the palace.

Lin Xiangru was shocked by the rumor. The king of Zhao looked at Lin Xiangru's shocked expression and didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He rewarded Lin Xiangru with a lot of money to calm him down.

Lin Xiangru's shock was not fake, because he himself had never heard of this version of the rumor.

All we can say is that as the story spread, the public's imagination added too much fuel to the flame.

At the same time, Cai Ze secretly entered Wei, Xunzi wrote letters to Qi and Chu, and Lian Po asked his deputy general to write a letter to Yan. Everything went on in an orderly manner.

Zhu Xiang now happily inquires about what new rumors there are about himself every day, and then brags about them to Zheng'er.

"Zheng'er, do you know? I am actually your biological father! After I faked my death and escaped, I found a great Mohist master to change my face, then sneaked back to Zhao State and made great contributions, all in order to become a close minister of the King of Zhao, destroy the Qin State, and avenge the hostage!"

"Uncle, it's okay for you to scold yourself, but don't scold aunt."

"Oh, I didn't think about that. Xue, I'm sorry, bow, I'll peel the sugar-roasted chestnuts for you."

"Pfft! Good."

"I want to eat too!"

"Zheng'er peels it himself."

"No, uncle, peel it!"

"Uncle, don't do it, Zheng'er peel it!"

“No no!”

Zhu Xiang rubbed the ash and sugar from peeling sugar-roasted chestnuts on Ying Xiaozheng's face.

Ying Xiaozheng rubbed his dirty face in Zhu Xiang's arms.

Xue ate the sugar-roasted chestnuts that Zhu Xiang and Ying Xiaozheng peeled for her, and watched her lover and Zheng'er playing with a smile.

Although Handan is full of twists and turns, Zhu Xiang's family is harmonious and his life is very peaceful.

The nobles of Zhao were afraid of the rumors in Handan and stopped bothering Zhu Xiang. Zhu Xiang enjoyed a rare peace for several months.

By the time the King of Qin, who had not yet wandered around Shangdang, learned the news, Cai Ze had already succeeded in his lobbying. Xinling Jun excitedly packed his luggage and went to Zhao to "rob" people with the order from the King of Wei; Chunshen Jun had read Xunzi's letter and was persuading the King of Chu; the other countries were still waiting and watching.

The King of Qin was amused: "I'm afraid Zhu Xiang doesn't want to die."

Bai Qi said, "Lin Xiangru, Lian Po, and Xun Kuang are all very cunning. Zhu Xiang's ideas could not be hidden from them. I wonder how many times Zhu Xiang was punished by Lin Xiangru."

The King of Qin sighed, "That's right. Why hasn't Lin Xiangru died yet? If it weren't for Lin Xiangru, I would have destroyed Zhao long ago."

Bai Qi thought, although Lin Xiangru is powerful, Zhao State cannot destroy Zhao State without Lin Xiangru. But since the Lord said he can, then he should pretend to be able to do it.

"Lord Wu'an, how do you think I should respond?" asked the King of Qin.

Bai Qi showed an embarrassed expression: "Your Majesty, if you ask me about marching and fighting, I can tell you a lot. But to wrestle with Lin Xiangru, I'm afraid I can only let the Prime Minister do it."

The King of Qin sighed again and said, "Indeed. The only one in the world who can compete with that old man Lin Xiangru in terms of wisdom and strategy is you, sir."

Bai Qi thought to himself, Your Majesty’s evaluation of Lin Xiangru is really too high, I wonder if Prime Minister Fan will be angry.

Bai Qi changed the subject: "Your Majesty, do you want to return to Xianyang or write a letter to Prime Minister Fan? I will send someone to prepare it immediately."

While the King of Qin was hesitating, someone came to report that Lou Huan requested an audience.

The King of Qin immediately said, "Hurry up and let Lou Qing in. Why do you still need to report?"

As he spoke, he walked out to meet Lou Huan in person.

When Lou Huan saw King Qin coming, he knelt down quickly.

The King of Qin helped Lou Huan up before he knelt down and asked, "You have come from Handan, do you have any news to tell me? That old bastard Lin Xiangru is causing me so much trouble that I wish I could kill him myself!"

Lou Huan smiled and said, "Your Majesty, Lin Xiangru is a cunning old man, but the King of Zhao is just an ignorant child. The King of Qin does not need to worry about this matter."

The King of Qin showed a pleasant smile: "Lou Qing, have you found a solution? Come in and tell me slowly."

He pulled Lou Huan towards the main tent.

Bai Qi followed behind the King of Qin silently, and ordered someone to bring the cooked tea porridge, and poured tea for the King of Qin and Lou Huan.

"Lou Qing, please sit down. This is the Qin chair made by Zhu Xiang. It is more comfortable for your legs and feet to sit on." The King of Qin pulled Lou Huan to sit down. "Lou Qing, what do you think?"

Lou Huan glanced at the chair and thought, Zhu Xiang came to Changping, and the Hu chair and the Zhao chair became the Qin chair? He is worthy of being the King of Qin.

After Lou Huan sat down, he bowed to the King of Qin and said, "The King of Zhao is young and energetic, and he cares a lot about his reputation. Prime Minister Lin has this plan. Even if the King of Zhao knows that the Zhao soldiers killed Zhao Kuo for Zhu Xiang, he will not dare to kill Zhu Xiang."

The King of Qin sighed, "That's true. The rumors in Handan are getting more and more out of line with common sense, and some even say that Zhu Xiang is Zichu. No one with a little common sense would believe these rumors. So if there are rumors that Zhu Xiang killed Zhao Kuo, or that Zhao soldiers killed Zhao Kuo for Zhu Xiang, I'm afraid no one else would believe it. Even the King of Zhao wouldn't believe it."

Lou Huan laughed and said, "King Zhao is so arrogant that he can believe that Zhu Xiang killed Zhao Kuo, but he will not believe that the soldiers of Zhao killed Zhao Kuo for Zhu Xiang."

The King of Qin was silent for a while, then said, "If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed it."

Lou Huan said: "Because the King of Zhao will never believe this, so starting from this matter, we can break Lin Xiangru's plan. Lin Xiangru is still too soft-hearted and too arrogant. He refuses to believe how stupid the King of Zhao is, and he probably doesn't know how much the people of Zhao respect Zhu Xiang."

Lou Huan sighed and said, "If I hadn't investigated the Zhao soldiers and generals who surrendered and returned to Zhao, I wouldn't have believed it. Your Majesty, there are hundreds of thousands of people, but not a single one of them revealed their experiences in Changping, and not a single one of them told others the truth about Zhao Kuo's death. They all said that Zhao Kuo had food but didn't give them food, so they were killed by the rebels. Most of those rebels are already dead, and a small number have escaped."

King Qin looked puzzled: "Hundreds of thousands of people, not a single one revealed anything?!"

He believed that someone would definitely leak the fact that Zhao soldiers killed Zhao Kuo for Zhu Xiang, which made him certain that King Zhao would kill Zhu Xiang.

How could it be that no one disclosed the secrets of more than 100,000 people?! If they were surrendered generals, they might still have the pride of scholars, but do the common people really have such moral character?!

"No, maybe there will be some time later, but at least not now." Lou Huan said, "After the rumor about Zhu Xiang appeared in Handan, they went everywhere to clarify for Zhu Xiang, insisting that Zhao Kuo's death had nothing to do with Zhu Xiang. Some even swore by gods and ancestors."

The common people of this era believed in ghosts, gods and ancestors very much. However, they were willing to bear the "heavenly punishment" and lie for Zhu Xiang.

When Lou Huan found out about this, he couldn't calm down for a long time.

He originally thought that Zhu Xiang was willing to die for a group of ignorant and therefore ungrateful common people, which was noble but also stupid.

He now feels that he is very stupid.

The King of Qin pondered for a long time and said, "The people of Zhao value Zhu Xiang. The King of Zhao has lost the trust of the people of Zhao because of the Battle of Changping. Now there are rumors in Handan that the King of Zhao wants to kill Zhu Xiang. As long as the King of Zhao takes any action to hurt Zhu Xiang, even if the King of Zhao does not want to kill Zhu Xiang, the people of Zhao will be angry. The people of Qin can take this opportunity to go to Handan to take Zhu Xiang back."

Lou Huan bowed his hands: "Your Majesty is wise. That's exactly what I think. The King of Zhao is indecisive and weak-minded. He is also worried about the instability of his throne because of the defeat in the Battle of Changping. Many nobles hate and envy Zhu Xiang, many of whom are supporters of the King of Zhao who once suppressed Lian Po and Lin Xiangru. In order to appease them, the King of Zhao first imprisoned Zhu Xiang, and after a strict investigation, he pardoned Zhu Xiang and allowed Zhu Xiang to serve the State of Zhao..."

Lou Huan's smile gradually became brighter. "This will not only appease the close ministers who hate Zhu Xiang and support him, but also make Zhu Xiang grateful. It will also establish his image as being upright and not one who would kill loyal ministers by mistake because of slander. It's a win-win situation."

The King of Qin's smile gradually became brighter. He stroked his beard and said, "It really is a win-win situation."

(End of this chapter)