Upon hearing this, Kong Jia's brows furrowed immediately. "Hire?"
Employment and cooperation are two different concepts, especially in terms of status; the difference in status between these two relationships is significant.
If it's a collaboration, then both parties are basically on equal footing; it's not a matter of who is superior and who is inferior.
But if it's an employment arrangement, it's different; it's a relationship of getting paid to do something, and the one who pays the money is the boss.
If we apply this relationship to the relationship between the Qin Dynasty and Confucianism, then to some extent, Confucianism was also subservient to the Qin Dynasty.
Seeing Kong Jia's hesitation, Ying Zheng said, "I can fulfill the conditions you just mentioned, but as employees, the Confucian scholars must obey my command when battle is required."
Kong Jia's brows furrowed even more deeply, and for a moment he didn't know how to answer.
Even a degree of submission can negatively impact the reputation of Confucianism.
Moreover, as the head of Confucianism, Kong Jia has always disliked these powerful and wealthy people, and naturally disdained associating with them.
But he had also witnessed the power of that paper; once he missed such a treasure, he might never have the chance to encounter it again.
Just as he hesitated, Ying Zheng's voice rang out again, "If it's too difficult, don't be embarrassed. I can ask other great scholars. After all, there are many more than just Confucian scholars who want this kind of paper that can enhance power."
After speaking, Ying Zheng stood up and prepared to leave.
Seeing that Ying Zheng was really about to leave, Kong Jia became anxious and quickly stopped him, "Your Majesty, please wait!"
Ying Zheng stopped in his tracks, turned around and looked at him, "Is there anything else?"
Kong Jia gritted his teeth, cupped his hands, and said, "The Confucian school is willing to accept the employment!"
After a moment's thought, he made a decision: this piece of paper was priceless, and could not be compared to saving face.
Ying Zheng's gaze was indifferent. "A wise choice!"
After Ying Zheng left, Kong Jia's expression was quite complicated. "Is this really the right thing to do?"
He was well aware of the paper's value, but he wasn't sure if it was right to side with the Qin Dynasty, which had a bad reputation.
"That's enough!"
Knowing that pondering would yield no results, Kong Jia shook off those unnecessary thoughts and sat back down at his desk, preparing to continue comprehending the bamboo slips.
Just then, a scholar walked in carrying food, saying, "Today's dish is your favorite beggar's chicken."
Even before the lotus leaf wrapping the chicken was unfurled, a delicate fragrance wafted out, filling the entire room.
Despite the enticing aroma, Kong Jia found himself completely uninterested today.
His eyes were indifferent. "Put it aside and step back!"
"Yes!" The scholar didn't dare to ask any more questions, put down the beggar's chicken, and obediently withdrew.
Kong Jia glanced at the beggar's chicken. It used to be his favorite food, but now he had mixed feelings and no appetite at all.
He didn't intend to eat; instead, he sat down at the table and began to comprehend the bamboo slips.
As he closed his eyes, the aura around him began to surge again, with energy continuously flowing into the bamboo slip, seeking a response from it.
Within his sea of consciousness, Kong Jia stood before that wall once more, separated from the characters that contained the power of heaven and earth by a thin veil.
He channeled his energy towards the wall, trying to tear the thin gauze apart, but no matter how hard he tried, the gauze showed no sign of being pushed aside.
Even so, Kong Jia did not give up. Instead, he repeatedly urged his energy, trying to create a miracle.
"A mighty roc rises with the wind in a single day!"
"Just one more word, and I'll understand it all!"
He comprehended each word he had previously understood, establishing a connection with them to gain endless power from heaven and earth to continue the fight, but he was still unable to unveil the veil of power.
But no matter how hard I try, it always seems like I can't break through.
After an unknown amount of time, Kong Jia opened his eyes again. The aura around him immediately dissipated, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
He was breathing heavily, his face looking rather dejected. "Failed again?"
"That's enough!"
After letting out a sigh, Kong Jia stood up, preparing to eat something to replenish his energy.
The process of comprehension is not only extremely taxing on spiritual energy, but also puts a great strain on the physical body, requiring him to replenish it in a timely manner.
Sometimes he would choose to take pills because they were easy to carry and effective.
But lately he's been eating beggar's chicken.
Because I found this thing to be very delicious.
Kong Jia walked toward the beggar's chicken placed to the side, but before he had taken two steps, a chicken bone suddenly flew out and landed at his feet.
Kong Jia was taken aback. He looked up and saw a small figure sitting there, eating chicken.
Kong Jia frowned, staring at the figure with considerable displeasure. "Who are you?"
He desperately needed chicken, but a kid stole it, which naturally made him unhappy.
The little guy turned around, a chicken leg still stuffed in his mouth, and mumbled, "Huh? Shadow Rain."
Kong Jia stared at him, his expression changing slightly. He recognized him as the person he had seen in the palace that day.
At that time, Ying Zheng called him Yu'er, so he must have been a prince in the palace.
Having roughly guessed the little guy's identity, Kong Jia didn't react, saying, "This is my chicken. Who gave you permission to steal it?"
The little guy was taken aback, "Yours?"
Kong Jia looked at him, "Otherwise what?"
The little guy swallowed the chicken, frowned, and said, "When I asked if there was any chicken and no one answered, I thought no one wanted it."
Kong Jia was quite skeptical. "How did you ask that?"
The little guy opened his mouth and asked in an incredibly faint voice, almost inaudible to him, "Does this chicken have an owner?"
Kong Jia was speechless. "How could an old man like you hear me?"
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