Chapter 585 Growing up happens in an instant

Ying Zheng had no objection to the policy proposal submitted by Fusu. However, after that, Zhang Liang and Meng Yi became extremely busy and were given special "importance." They were so busy that they barely had time to rest and had fewer opportunities to meet with Fusu.

"Isn't that my study companion?"

"You want more? I'll find you two more."

"No, no, I'm all grown up now."

Despite saying he's grown up, Fusu continues to thrive amidst his busy political affairs, appearing very busy, but only on the surface.

He passed through the thicket of government affairs without a single petal clinging to him.

If you're to say he didn't do anything, he was the one who came up with the idea for the Shaofu (a government office), he was the one who discovered the health exercises, he was the one who came up with the idea for the swordplay of the world to make the scene of the six kingdoms submitting look good, and he was the one who stirred up the nationwide competition...

Each and every one of these matters is significant; they are all crucial to the development of the Qin Dynasty.

But if you say he's busy, he certainly comes up with a lot of ideas, but the actual work is done by others. From top to bottom, from the old Qin people to the former subordinates of the six states, from the young to the old, everyone in the Qin Dynasty is spinning like a top. Only he has the mind to fish in troubled waters and fool around.

Of course, no one cared about Fusu's slacking off; everyone's attention was drawn to the nationwide competition that had been going on for several years.

Originally, it was a contest between the six states, but the people of Qin were not satisfied and wanted to participate, so it turned into a contest for all the people.

In terms of standardizing the written language, the State of Qi held a significant advantage due to its flourishing literary tradition. However, at the same time, Cheng Miao, a minor official in the State of Qin, distinguished himself and facilitated the further simplification of Qin seal script into clerical script.

Along the regional route, the former vassals of the six states drew lots, and coincidentally, Chu drew Zhao, and Zhao drew Chu.

Although there was a grudge-holding young master secretly manipulating things here, on the surface, everyone just treated it as a coincidence.

In response, both the original Chu and Zhao people exerted extraordinary efforts to supervise each other, and their standards and efficiency for road construction were frighteningly stringent.

Ultimately, the people of Chu and Zhao shared the "Sincere Construction Award," a result of the eldest son's idea and efforts to create chaos.

I don't know why, but when there were no awards, I didn't feel anything special. But when they received the gilded jade trophy, both the people of Zhao and Chu couldn't help but proudly puff out their chests.

Amidst the mutual torment, a bond of friendship was forged. Hand in hand, they marveled at the fact that they were all people of the Great Qin.

Then, the ceremony ended, and they suspected they had gone mad, and once again grew tired of each other.

But their playful bickering didn't change the fact that they had genuinely accepted their identity as Qin people.

In terms of etiquette and culture, we draw on the strengths of various schools of thought.

The shamanistic rituals of Chu, the eight gods of Qi, and the mountain and river sacrifices of Zhao and Wei stood out and were incorporated into the sacrificial rites of the Qin Dynasty. However, the most recognized sacrifice in the world was the position of Grand Preceptor of Qin, newly established by the First Emperor.

"No, it's a nominal position, so why does everyone trust it so much?"

Fusu was completely bewildered and couldn't understand it.

Ying Zheng patted his head: "You don't understand."

Fusu looked at him: "So?"

So, you disagree?

Fusu immediately shook his head, "Although it feels strange, since it's your idea, Father, then let it be. I don't know why, but I have a strange sense of identification with it..."

Listening to Fusu's murmurs, Ying Zheng, who felt recognized, inexplicably felt very uncomfortable. Who exactly was being recognized?

At the same time, in terms of court etiquette, the "bowing and kowtowing" etiquette of the Yan state was absorbed and combined with the "double bow" etiquette of the Qin state to form a standardized court etiquette.

Nobles from the former six states were also allowed to wear clothing appropriate to their rank during court assemblies, as long as they followed the Qin Dynasty's seating order and rules for presenting memorials. In short, there were no uniform requirements for going to work.

However, none of the people from the original six states who managed to stand out wore casual clothes to work. They worked hard in every aspect to fit in and become Qin citizens.

Of course, it's also possible that the new Qin Dynasty official robes designed by the eldest son were a bit too beautiful.

After all, even in Zhang Liang's complaints, Han Fei was able to ask him, "Who is more handsome, me or Li Si?" after putting on his new official robes.

Of course, the love of beauty is only a small part; Qin Dynasty etiquette placed greater emphasis on practicality.

Therefore, the adoption of nomadic clothing in Zhao and the implementation of the accounting system in Qi also stood out, bringing considerable benefits to the people of Zhao and Qi.

Of course, it was Li Mu who enabled the Zhao people, who had been almost completely wiped out, to launch a counterattack.

They took a different approach, not participating in the competition, but made great contributions while guarding the border. Working with Wang Jian and Meng Tian, ​​they completely conquered the nomadic peoples led by the Xiongnu in less than three years, while also deterring the western and southern tribes.

In the fourth year of Qin Shi Huang's reign, all tribes outside the Central Plains surrendered, and the world was unified under Qin!

Li Mu also became the first powerful figure among the former subordinates of the six states to be granted the title of "Marquis of Guannei".

Just like the story of Shang Yang moving a log to establish trust, Li Mu's success greatly boosted the confidence of the people of the former six states, and the people's hearts were more united.

...

In the fifth year of Qin Shi Huang's reign, the prefecture-county system completely replaced the enfeoffment system. The standardization of cart tracks and written language, which lasted for five years, united the hearts and minds of people in various regions.

From then on, no matter where they came from, they all belonged to the Qin people.

In that same year, the nationwide competition came to a complete end. The Qin Dynasty of today and the Qin Dynasty seen in the sky were already seven-tenths similar. Everyone was overjoyed, but it wasn't enough. They still had ten years to strive, to compete, to fight, and to run against their inescapable fate.

That same year, the eight-year-old eldest son, Fusu, faced a serious question: was he considered an adult?

This may seem like a false proposition, but first we must admit that His Majesty the First Emperor was very high-ranking; secondly, the eldest son has indeed been well taken care of in recent years.

"so?"

"So, whether from a genetic or developmental perspective, I am really tall."

Fusu looked Zhang Liang almost eye to eye, patted him on the shoulder and sighed, "Xiao Lou, go to bed earlier, or I'll surpass you in height."

Zhang Liang, who was 13 years old and 1.51 meters tall at the time: "..."

Thinking of Meng Yi, who was 4 years older than him and 1.9 meters tall, and the eldest son, who was 5 years younger than him and nearly 1.5 meters tall, Zhang Liang remained silent for a long time.

"Quick, measure me, let's see when I'll become an adult!"

Unaware of his friend's self-doubt, Fusu turned around and waved to him, asking Zhang Liang to help him measure his height.

Qin law set the standard for adulthood for men at a height of "six feet five inches (about 1.5 meters)," requiring them to be registered in the imperial register for service.

Fusu naturally didn't need to serve in the military, but he was eagerly watching his height and waiting to "come of age."

"Six feet four inches, one inch short."

Zhang Liang observed very carefully and reported nothing falsely. He even went so far as to "treasonously" press down on Fusu's shoulder, forbidding him from standing on tiptoe.

Fusu sighed regretfully, "Then I'll make it grow longer. I'll stretch it before going to bed tonight."

Seeing his righteous and stern demeanor, Zhang Liang was momentarily dazed. Was it real? Should he pull him along too?

...

Late at night, Han Fei, who had just finished his work and returned home, noticed that the light was still on in Zhang Liang's room, so he went in to take a look.

"Zifang, what are you doing?"

Zhang Liang calmly withdrew his hand from Han Fei's leg, looked at Han Fei, and said earnestly, "Sir, please call me Xiao Lou from now on."

"ah??"

——

My darlings, I've done the math, and to keep updating every day, I need at least 20,000 words of manuscript saved up (＿)

So, the "slow and steady wins the race" approach has backfired; I can't keep up with two updates a day anymore. Let's stick with it until the middle of the month.

(*′`*)