"Father, is this the paper my husband invented? It's so white, just like snow in winter!"
Man Yin stroked the smooth white paper in her hand, clearly quite fond of it.
"Ahem, Manyin, please don't ruin this paper. It's quite expensive, costing a thousand coins. Your husband is so stingy; he only gave me fifty sheets. It really makes me quite upset!"
The First Emperor was quite fond of this blank sheet of paper.
Especially when he practiced calligraphy on this paper, the joy and relaxation he felt was incomparable to anything else.
"Father, this paper must be newly produced by my husband, and the output is probably not high. Otherwise, given his honest and simple nature, how could he not give you more?"
She couldn't help but chuckle softly, a sly glint in her eyes.
"You, all you do is defend your husband. But then again, I was too impulsive last time, making him rush to arrest those remnants of the six kingdoms, which led him to send you to the palace in this way to ensure your safety..."
“Father, it’s good that you know you’re wrong. My husband and I were newlyweds, getting to know each other better. But you’ve been forcing him to do this. Look, so many days have passed, and my husband still can’t do anything about Xiang Yu and Xiang Liang.”
She pouted, looking somewhat disgruntled, with a pair of resentful eyes.
His complaining tone left the First Emperor both amused and exasperated.
"Very well, I will keep that in mind in the future. However, since he is currently busy with the affairs of the Great Qin State Bank and dealing with Xiang Yu and his nephew, which are quite complicated, I will not let you go back for now. Also, let him finish dealing with your elder brother Fusu's affairs at this time!"
"All right!"
She was helpless; the First Emperor's attitude of admitting his mistake made her want to complain, but she couldn't continue speaking.
Just as she was about to take her leave.
Suddenly, a handsome young man walked in through the door.
He was as handsome and dashing as the First Emperor in his youth.
He was holding a bowl of steaming hot meat soup.
"Father, Father, I heard that General Wang Jian has passed away. I haven't had much of an appetite since last night until noon today, so I specially ordered the Imperial Kitchen to prepare a bowl of lean meat soup. Please drink some to nourish your body!"
"Ah, it's Hu Hai! You've grown quite a bit taller in the past six months!"
She recognized the voice immediately and quickly turned around to see that it was indeed Hu Hai.
"Madam Prime Minister, Hu Hai greets you!"
"Why are you being so distant from me, child?"
"Madam Prime Minister, this is a matter of etiquette. Please do not blame Hu Hai for being too unfamiliar with etiquette!"
Hu Hai, with impeccable manners, served the first emperor a bowl of fine meat soup.
After smelling the aroma of meat, the First Emperor felt a bit hungry. So, he had the eunuch serving him take a bite before he picked up his chopsticks and quickly finished the meat soup.
"Manyin, you may leave now. I'd like to have a chat with Hai'er!"
"promise!"
She was somewhat unhappy; Hu Hai treated her as if she were a stranger.
The two originally had a good relationship.
Later, after she supported her elder brother Fusu, Huhai deliberately kept his distance from her.
Even if you keep your distance, you still have to greet each other when you meet.
But nowadays...
They were complete strangers.
"Hai'er, where have you been all these past six months? Why haven't you come to pay your respects to me even once?"
"Father, I have been diligently studying Han Feizi for the past six months. I was supposed to come to pay my respects every day, but Han Feizi is just too dry and difficult to understand. Therefore, I have had to spend all my free time studying, which has caused me to miss my audience with you..."
As Hu Hai spoke, he looked somewhat dejected.
As for what he's been doing for the past six months...
In fact, only he knows the truth.
He broke his leg while playing outside, which is why he had to rest for more than half a year to recover.
However, this is how he responds right now.
This greatly pleased the First Emperor.
"Hai'er, the 'Han Feizi' is a book on the way of governing a country. It is profound and dry. Even I have not fully understood it, which is why I invited Han Fei to Qin. It is a pity that he died under mysterious circumstances. Otherwise, I would not be in such a state of doubt now, and I would not be unable to find many confidants to consult!"
"Father, I don't think Han Feizi is too profound. If there is anything you don't understand, you can ask me. I will try to think of a solution for you!"
"Oh? You can?"
The First Emperor's eyes lit up immediately, and he asked with a smile, "Since you say you can, then I ask you, in this world, should we govern the country with Confucianism, Legalism, or Taoism?"
"Father, do you really need to ask your son this question? Even a three-year-old scholar knows this principle. Han Fei mentioned his view in his book that a ruler should govern the country using 'law,' 'method,' and 'power.' As far as I know, each of these three has its advantages and disadvantages. Why does Father insist on using only one? If it is useful to me, I will use its strengths; if it is not useful to me, I will eliminate its weaknesses. In this way, by learning from all strengths, I can develop methods. Governing with methods, I can form a system of power, and then establish laws to govern. How can the world not be well-governed?"
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