44 Chapter 44
◎Visitors from South Korea.◎
Zhang Liang.
He is Zhang Liang.
Why did he come to Qin?
Just to visit Han Fei?
The shadow of the assassination attempt on Qin Shi Huang at Bolingsha lingered in Fusu's mind. He looked quietly at the young man before him and said, "My name is Fusu, the Prince of Qin. May I ask your name?"
"Zhang Liang, Zhang Zifang."
Zhang Liang at this moment was not yet the great strategist he would be in the future, and he could not conceal his inquiring eyes.
Fusu pretended not to see and smiled faintly, saying, "So it's you, the Prime Minister of Han. I've heard of your great name for a long time."
This was obviously a flattery. Zhang Liang's father had passed away, and Zhang Liang had never entered the officialdom. How could the eldest son of the Qin State who lived in the deep palace know Zhang Liang's name?
Zhang Liang looked at the child before him and smiled, saying, "The eldest young master's miraculous abilities have spread throughout the Kingdom of Han. I have long admired your great name."
Fusu thought to himself that the Kingdom of Han was only a small place, so it would be very easy to spread the message throughout the country. The King of Han didn't even need a messenger to send a message to the border. He just needed to shout loudly and the whole country of Han would hear it.
But these words were too hateful and ungraceful, so Fusu just muttered them to himself.
——Zhang Liang had already assassinated his father, so what’s wrong with him saying a few words?
Fusu remained polite and courteous as he replied, "Most things in this world are just rumors and should not be taken seriously."
"Is that so?" Zhang Liang said with a smile. "As I've traveled along, I've noticed quite a few new things about your country, things I haven't seen anywhere else. It really seems like something truly miraculous."
"Really?" Fusu laughed. "But in my humble opinion, sometimes what we consider miraculous is simply because we've never seen it before. For example, when King Wu of Zhou conquered the Shang Dynasty, he could only use bronze swords, but people today can use sharper iron swords. If King Wu had seen today's swords, he might have thought they were miraculous too."
Zhang Liang was stunned. He looked at Han Fei, but only got a wry smile in return.
The Qin Dynasty had supernatural powers, which meant that the Qin Dynasty had the help of heaven; the Qin Dynasty had no supernatural powers, which meant that the Qin Dynasty had great talents that were unparalleled in the world.
It seems that no matter what, Qin has been blessed with advantages.
Zhang Liang lowered his eyes, concealing his true emotions, and said lightly: "Yes."
Fusu did not know Zhang Liang well, but from the few words he had read in history books, he could tell that Zhang Liang was determined to serve as prime minister of Han and that this could not be easily changed.
Fortunately, Fusu did not want to challenge his determination.
Seeing that Zhang Liang had no intention of speaking anymore, Fusu looked at Han Fei and said, "Sir, you don't look well. I'll ask my father to send another doctor to examine you after we return to the palace."
Han Fei shook his head and said, "Thank you, Young Master, but... it's not necessary."
Seeing that he looked like he had lost all hope in life, Fusu couldn't help but wonder if he wanted to die early so as not to witness the demise of the Kingdom of Han.
If Han Fei really had this idea, Fusu could understand him very well. This was not an escape. The reality was that there was no way to change the situation, and this was all he could do.
Fusu could only sigh and stop persuading him.
Even if he wanted to keep Han Fei alive to prove that he could change history, Han Fei was a living person with his own joys, sorrows, anger and happiness. Fusu could not be so cruel as to treat him as just a symbol.
If living brings only pain to Han Fei, then choosing death may indeed be a good option.
"Okay..." Fusu said, "Sir, if there's anything else you need me to do, just send someone to tell me, and I'll definitely get it done for you."
Hearing these words, Han Fei looked at Fusu with dim eyes. Since he fell ill, there has never been a shortage of doctors and medicines in the mansion. This is naturally not the kindness of the King of Qin.
Fusu seemed to want to cure him very much. Not only did he send a doctor, but it was also said that he would personally consult the doctor.
When Han Fei felt that life and death didn't matter, there was someone who insisted on pulling him back.
So when this person suddenly decided to obey Han Fei's wishes, Han Fei, who had been calm, felt a little surprised.
To be honest, if Fusu was not the eldest son of Qin, he would actually be a very good student.
Even though he was the eldest son of the Qin State and his words were as sharp as knives from time to time, Han Fei had to admit that Fusu was a pretty good student.
So, is the teacher-student friendship of these days enough to make Fusu care so much about Han Fei?
On the other hand, what made Fusu willing to obey Han Fei's wishes after meeting him?
Han Fei asked, "Master, why did you want to keep Han Fei, and why did you not want to keep Han Fei anymore?"
As a dying man, Han Fei did not intend to leave himself with unsolved doubts.
Fusu blinked and met Han Fei's lifeless eyes.
It seems... Han Fei doesn't really want to live that much?
Fusu said, "There is one thing you will definitely dislike, sir: it is better to live a miserable life than to die a good death."
Sure enough, Han Fei sneered immediately after hearing this, and Zhang Liang beside him also showed a disdainful expression.
Fusu smiled and said, "If a person does not harm others and is just greedy for life, I don't think it's a big deal. But you are not that kind of person, so I respect you."
Han Fei didn't notice the last part, perhaps because he was used to being Fusu's teacher. He frowned and said, "It's no big deal. Master, do you think such a person is capable of great use?"
Fusu said: "It's not a matter of whether it's of great use or not, but the lives of the people are already difficult, so this is the only way to comfort myself."
"The people of Guizhou?" Han Fei was stunned, then said, "Young Master, you are talking about the people of Guizhou. There is nothing worth mentioning about them."
As a master of Legalism recognized by later generations, Han Fei adhered to the Legalists' consistent view in dealing with the common people - the common people only needed to be ruled.
Zhang Liang showed an expression of disapproval, but he did not say anything.
Fusu said: "This is one of the few times I disagree with your opinion. I think this statement is wrong. Qian Shou must raise it. It must be raised."
Han Fei sat up straighter. "Wrong? Why?"
Fusu said: "Because only when the common people exist, the royal power and aristocracy have meaning. The king does not need to care about the common people, but they will care about the survival of their own power."
Han Fei said, "But the people of Qian don't know."
As long as the people don't know, they won't have the idea of resisting, and then the king's rule will naturally continue.
"But they will know." Fusu said, "Sir, they will always know whether a person has enough food and clothing, and whether he looks forward to tomorrow."
The Five Arts of Governing the People had already solved these problems. Han Fei had no intention of saying more, and simply said, "My Lord, you should have read The Book of Lord Shang."
Fusu had certainly read "The Book of Lord Shang", but he also knew about the Dazexiang Uprising. He knew that "kings, princes, generals, and ministers are all born of different species", and he knew that the common people had power beyond their imagination.
Fusu knew that if he wanted to stabilize his regime, he had to see the people of Qian.
"Sir," Fusu said, "would you like to take a look?"
Han Fei turned back and said with a dull look, "The people of Guizhou? No need."
Fusu nodded, then stood up and said, "Sir, I will have someone send you a book in a few days. After the New Year, my father plans to promote it among the people."
Han Fei nodded perfunctorily.
Zhang Liang was very interested. "Master, I will be staying in Xianyang for a few days. Could you allow me to read this book?"
Fusu said generously, "I'll give Master Zhang a copy."
Zhang Liang bowed and said, "Thank you, young master."
Fusu returned the greeting and said, "Goodbye."
Although Zhang Liang was a guest, he was the one who saw Fusu off when he left.
When he came back, Zhang Liang found that Han Fei had gotten off the bed and was writing furiously at his desk. He went over to take a look.
As expected, he really cared about Fusu's words.
Zhang Liang asked, "Why don't you tell the eldest master in person?"
Han Fei kept writing as he said, "Fusu is a very stubborn man. He won't be persuaded so easily."
Zhang Liang smiled and said, "In this respect alone, he and you are quite similar."
Han Fei paused his pen, then smiled bitterly and said, "For someone like me...it doesn't sound like a good thing."
Zhang Liang was silent.
He had few interactions with Han Fei, and this time he just took the opportunity to travel around Qin under the pretext of visiting him, but he knew Han Fei's situation.
Han Fei suddenly asked, "What do you think of Fusu?"
Zhang Liang was stunned for a moment, then slowly said, "If he...if he is not the son of the King of Qin, I must make friends with him."
Han Fei fell silent.
…
After Fusu returned to the palace, he changed his clothes and was about to report to his father. However, Li Ying kept on talking to him, saying, "Zhang Liang, what Sima Qian wrote is absolutely correct. His face is real. So, my dear, is it possible that he could be used by the Qin State?"
Fusu thought about the logic behind this and said, "Could it be that the standard for hiring people in our Great Qin is based on appearance?"
Li Ying asked back: "Don't you consider appearance when hiring people?"
That’s true, ancient China was a society that valued appearance. Even the imperial examinations had to have a third place winner. One had to be good at studying as well as looking good.
Fusu asked, "Let's put the face aside. Zhang Liang, do you know what his biggest dream in life is?"
Li Ying immediately replied, "Sang Han."
"So..." Fusu shrugged, his meaning was very clear.
Li Yingdao: "But he changed later!"
Fusu pushed the door open and walked out: "Then wait until he changes and comes to me on his own initiative."
This attitude... means that he doesn't want to recruit Zhang Liang for his own use at all. Why?
Li Ying stayed there and pondered for a while before he suddenly realized that Fusu was prejudiced against Zhang Liang!
But Fusu had already arrived at his father's palace, and Li Ying had no chance to talk to him.
People who are used to being busy are not used to having nothing to do, so Ying Zheng started to deal with his government affairs again.
As soon as Fusu came over and hadn't even begun to greet him, Ying Zheng said, "I permit you to visit Han Fei, but I don't permit you to give him gifts at will."
After Fusu finished his ceremony, he ran to sit beside his father and said, "Father, I have already promised to go out. If I break my promise, people will say that I, the eldest son of Qin, am untrustworthy. Wouldn't that bring shame on you, too?"
Ying Zheng put down his pen, tapped Fusu's forehead with his finger, and said with a smile: "How dare you casually associate me with me? You are truly lawless."
Fusu laughed fearlessly and said, "That's because my father spoiled me."
Ying Zheng pinched Fusu's cheek and said with a smile, "I will not indulge you anymore. Come here and punish me by making you read the memorial."
Fusu: “Ah?”
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