Seeing nothing particularly special about it, Ying Zheng looked at Xu Chu and asked, "Have you noticed anything special about this thing?"
Faced with Ying Zheng's doubts, Xu Chu was quite embarrassed, "Your Majesty, I have examined it carefully, but I have not found anything special."
If it were before, if Ying Zheng had asked him to do something like this, he would definitely have felt it was a waste of time, and he might even have harbored some resentment.
But ever since he witnessed the power of the curved plow, Xu Chu realized how small his own perspective was, and how insignificant he was in front of this emperor.
Therefore, he dared not be careless when faced with this simple material. He personally supervised the process and carefully examined the material, but found nothing special about it.
Ying Zheng frowned and examined the paper more closely. "This thing is so mysterious that even you didn't see its wonders?"
Xu Chu was able to become the leader of the Heavenly Crafts Bureau because his research on machinery and various tools was superb, and he had an innate and extremely strong sensitivity.
But now even this simple thing is stumping me, which is truly baffling.
After thinking for a moment, Ying Zheng waved his hand, "Never mind, go and call Yu'er here!"
Xu Chu dared not ask any more questions, cupped his hands and withdrew, saying, "Yes!"
No sooner had Xu Chu left than Zhao Gao walked in, cupping his hands and saying, "Your Majesty, the person has arrived."
Ying Zheng's eyes turned serious, and he said, "Granted!"
Soon, an elderly man dressed in a blue Confucian robe, with a white beard but an air of otherworldly wisdom, entered the hall, cupped his hands, and said, "Kong Jia, the head of the Confucian school, greets Your Majesty!"
Although he was old, his eyes were bright and piercing, and although he was slender, he was not frail and exuded an aura of immortality.
Confucianism, which focuses on Confucianism and Taoism, relies on understanding the written characters of heaven and earth to establish a connection with them and thereby gain power.
Ying Zheng's eyes remained indifferent. "No need for formalities."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Kong Jia stood up, his gaze falling on Ying Zheng. "I have done as Your Majesty requested. Now, may you spare my disciple?"
Ying Zheng's eyes were indifferent. "After hearing my request, they will return safely."
Kong Jia's voice was slightly deep, "I have already done my best to come, Your Majesty, do you still want to push your luck?"
With numerous Confucian disciples, they have diligently studied Confucianism and Taoism for many years, and have long established a connection with the laws of heaven and earth through writing. The power they have acquired is no weaker than that of Taoism and Mohism, and they are among the top schools of thought in the Hundred Schools of Thought.
As the head of the Confucian school, Kong Jia not only had an extremely noble status, but also possessed great strength.
He wouldn't be here if his disciple hadn't been arrested.
Facing Kong Jia's extraordinary aura, Ying Zheng's eyes shone brightly, his imperial aura was unmistakable, and he was in no way inferior to Kong Jia. "They spread rumors everywhere that Qin is cruel and tyrannical, deliberately fabricating facts to smear Qin. They have committed a capital offense!"
"Do you think you can absolve them of their death sentences by simply making a trip?"
Kong Jia's eyes were firm. "Whether the Qin dynasty was tyrannical or not is a matter of public opinion. Why should Your Majesty care so much?"
Ying Zheng looked at him and said, "Since justice resides in the hearts of the people, then the world should be able to judge. Their deliberate slander and rumors suggest that they may be harboring doubts about the empire."
Kong Jia's eyes darkened slightly, and he was momentarily at a loss for words.
Having any doubts about the empire is treason, and once that label is attached, the consequences are severe, even affecting one's family.
After a moment of silence, Kong Jia relented, "What are your demands?"
Ying Zheng replied, "Let the Confucianists cooperate with the Qin Dynasty."
Kong Jia frowned. "Cooperation?"
Ying Zheng continued, "The Great Qin has unified the six kingdoms and is now the undisputed ruler of the world. The Confucianists have recently mastered the Fallen Heaven Technique and their strength has reached a new level. If we can form a powerful alliance, it will benefit both sides."
"At that time, as long as the Confucian school helps when needed, the Great Qin can provide all the cultivation resources that the Confucian school needs."
Upon hearing this, Kong Jia's eyes narrowed slightly. "Since the Qin Dynasty unified the six kingdoms, it has indeed acquired a great deal of resources. Its material and financial strength is far superior to that of other forces. A strong alliance is indeed a good suggestion."
But then his gaze turned slightly cold, "But this old man refuses."
Ying Zheng was somewhat surprised, "You also know that Qin's financial and material resources are firmly in first place, so why do you still refuse?"
Kong Jia's eyes were indifferent. "If we're talking about financial and material resources, then Great Qin is naturally the best choice. But as the head of Confucianism, I must consider not only the comfort of Confucian scholars' daily lives, but also the enhancement of Confucian strength."
"As the ruler who unified the six kingdoms, you should know better than I how miserable it is to be without strength. Although Qin can provide supplies, it does not have a substantial way to help Confucianism become stronger."
"Having this level of trump card alone is not enough to make the Confucianists risk their lives for the Qin Dynasty."
Kong Jia also understood that if he agreed to cooperate with Qin, it would not be as simple as Ying Zheng saying that he would help when needed.
As a behemoth that unified the six kingdoms, the Qin Dynasty undoubtedly faced extremely powerful enemies. Once the Confucian school agreed to help, the enemies they faced would naturally be top-tier powerhouses.
Ying Zheng looked at Kong Jia, his eyes slightly cold. "If I speak politely, it is cooperation; but if I speak bluntly, it is to make the Confucian school bow down and submit."
Kong Jia's expression remained calm. "If it were the previous Great Qin, I would not have hesitated and would have gladly agreed to Your Majesty's proposal. However, Great Qin suffered a great loss of strength in the process of unifying the six kingdoms. Not only did Zou Yan, the head of the Yin-Yang School who previously assisted Your Majesty, disappear, but even the Grand Master Xiaoyao's strength was greatly diminished."
"The foundation of the Great Qin is now far greater than before, and there are many forces watching from the outside. At this critical juncture, I believe it is not a wise choice to start a war with the Confucianism."
Previously, the strength of the Qin Dynasty was so great that it was feared by all, which is why it was able to unify the six kingdoms.
Besides the Grand Master who protects the nation, there is also Zou Yan, the head of the Yin-Yang School, who has mastered the Five Elements and Yin-Yang theory to the extreme and is a figure that makes people tremble with fear.
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