66 Chapter 66
◎Zhang Liang. ◎
The Qin State had a very strict household registration system. It is said that when Shang Yang escaped, he was unable to stay in a hotel because he had no identification documents.
Therefore, Ying Zheng ordered his men to investigate and found out that while Zhang Liang was sending people on horseback to Xianyang to deliver a letter to Fusu, he himself was also on his way, and his destination was Xianyang.
"Zhang Liang..." Ying Zheng nodded. "Leaving aside other things, he's not a coward."
Without receiving a reply and knowing Fusu's attitude, he dared to run to Xianyang. Zhang Liang alone was more powerful than all the captured Han officials.
Fusu smiled and said, "Of course he is not, but unfortunately, he probably won't stay in Xianyang."
Ying Zheng didn't care: "Since you have no intention of being loyal to Qin, I never force anyone to do anything."
Fusu held his chin in his hand. This was because his father didn't yet know Zhang Liang's true abilities, otherwise he would have been reluctant to let him go. In his father's eyes, Zhang Liang was just a young man with some talent and courage, not irreplaceable.
"But..." Ying Zheng looked at Fusu, "You have obtained this favor from me on Zhang Liang's behalf, so you don't ask anything from him?"
Fusu held his chin in his hand and said seriously: "Father, we should be people who show kindness without expecting anything in return."
Ying Zheng tapped his forehead. "You released the two brothers from Xianyang. It was well-intentioned, and perhaps they will remember your kindness, but whether they will return in the future is uncertain. I see that you seem to like this man very much. If you want to keep him, it's not impossible... Let him be a guest official first?"
Fusu shook his head. "A forced melon is not sweet. Father, if Zhang Liang truly wanted to serve the Qin, then the whole world would be Qin."
What's more, Fusu helped Zhang Liang more to improve his favorability. Even if Zhang Liang did not serve Qin, at least he should stop thinking about assassinating his father.
Who knows how a butterfly's wings will flutter? Fusu felt that any factors that were detrimental to his father's safety should be nipped in the bud as much as possible.
Moreover, looking at Zhang Liang's attitude, it seems quite soft. They will be able to exchange letters in the future. Although Qin State has no shortage of talents, getting the assistance of a wise counselor has exceeded Fusu's expectations.
Ying Zheng, however, interpreted this sentence with another meaning: "Indeed, one day, there will be only the Great Qin under heaven. If Zhang Liang wants to join the government, he will probably have no choice."
Although Fusu had met Zhang Liang once, he only confirmed Sima Qian's description of his appearance. As for other aspects, he still knew very little. Judging from Sima Qian's records, Zhang Liang was not keen on fame, wealth and power, and he would not become an official for this reason.
But there was no point in discussing this now. Fusu was more concerned about something else. He said to his father seriously, "Father, I'm going to leave the palace to see Zhang Liang in a few days. You can't follow me."
Ying Zheng pinched his eldest son's face and said unhappily, "I'm very busy. How can I have the time to play with you?"
"That's good." Fusu patted his chest.
Ying Zheng was puzzled, "Why? Zhang Liang is so scary, so why do you want to go see him in person?"
Fearing that his father would not allow him to go out, Fusu hurriedly said, "It's not that Zhang Liang is scary, Father, I'm afraid you will scare Zhang Liang."
Ying Zheng raised his eyebrows and said coldly, "Oh, it turns out that I am the one who is frightened."
Fusu: “…”
"...My father's majesty is like that of a god, so naturally everyone respects him!" Fusu flattered.
Ying Zheng laughed and nodded at him, saying, "You've grown a year older, and your ability to coax people has also improved."
Fusu smiled brightly and said, "That means you've made progress again."
After the father and son exchanged a few words, Ying Zheng suddenly said, "There is one more thing you don't know yet."
Fusu hurriedly said seriously, "Father, what's the matter?"
Ying Zheng let out a sarcastic smile. "When the princes heard what happened to the Han royal family, some were terrified, fearing they would be the next to come to Xianyang to farm."
Fusu couldn't help but burst out laughing. He pressed his cheek and said slowly, "Well... why rush? They will definitely have the opportunity to farm. There is no shortage of wasteland outside Xianyang City."
"Teasing." Ying Zheng laughed.
Fusu asked, "Father, if they are so afraid, don't they want to do anything?"
Ying Zheng said disdainfully, "Of course they want to, but... they are powerless."
The Qin State didn't become powerful overnight, and the other vassal states didn't become weak overnight. Wanting to become stronger now? It's too late! The Qin State won't give them this opportunity, and the Qin State is still getting stronger day by day. They no longer have the chance to surpass the Qin State!
"Furthermore, some believe that while they aren't indestructible, they won't collapse in a single blow," Ying Zheng added. "As long as we can delay the Qin army, they won't have the chance to farm."
How many years can a person live? As long as I live and my country is not destroyed, the Qin people will not let me farm. - Fusu thought that the kings of Chu, Qi, and Yan might think so.
After all, Chu has a strong foundation, while Qi and Yan are far away.
But at this moment, Zhao and Wei can only feel the bitterness of the loss of their teeth.
Fusu shrugged and smiled, "They are quite optimistic then."
Ying Zheng also laughed: "Only these people are willing to resist, but some people may not want to resist."
"Hey?" Fusu paused, then asked immediately, "Is it the people of Qian?"
Ying Zheng nodded.
After the land of the Han people was divided, Ying Zheng deliberately let the caravans traveling around spread the news, striving to let the people of all the vassal states realize one thing: if they follow Qin, they will have land to farm and food to eat!
Fusu seemed to be lost in thought. The new Yingchuan County not only distributed land to the common people, but also gave them all the treatment that belonged to the common people of Qin. The minor officials taught them how to raise animals and hatch eggs artificially, and rented them iron farm tools, etc. These made their lives much better.
These things must be publicized so that the leaders of all countries can hear that the Qin State is not as terrible as they imagined, and being a Qin citizen is the best thing in the world.
…
When Zhang Liang arrived in Xianyang, it was already late September. Every household in Xianyang City was preparing for the New Year, and the rough faces of pedestrians on the street were filled with happy smiles.
South Korea...it is now Yingchuan County. Will they also celebrate the Qin New Year?
Zhang Liang was distracted for a while on the street, and only after being reminded by his followers did he run back to Han Fei's residence.
The next day, Zhang Liang met Fusu again at Han Fei's house.
"Thank you, young master." Zhang Liang bowed and thanked Fusu as soon as he saw him.
Fusu quickly raised his hand to hold the man back, saying with a smile, "It's just a small favor, no need to be so polite. Please stop being so polite."
Zhang Liang said, "My younger brother has already told me. It's all thanks to you, my eldest son, that we brothers would never be able to meet again."
Fusu said: "If that is the case, then it is I who caused your two brothers to lose their country and their homes."
Zhang Liang's eyes showed pain. He shook his head and said, "No, it's all... all the fault of our king and the ministers."
Fusu paused and said, "I heard from Mr. Han that Master Zhang has been traveling around the world since he left Xianyang last time. From what you said, it seems that he has quite touched me."
Zhang Liang's emotions had not yet calmed down, so Fusu asked him to sit down and the eunuchs who followed him served him tea and snacks.
After leaving Xianyang, Zhang Liang went to Wei State and then headed north to Zhao State. He then heard that the Qin army was attacking Han State and hurried to Han State. However, the next time he heard about Han State, he was already informed that the King of Han had surrendered.
But Zhang Liang eventually returned to Han. He heard that his brothers, who had never been officials and were still underage, had been captured by the Qin people. In addition, the hatred of the loss of his country had always lingered in his heart. At that time, Zhang Liang deeply hated every Qin person.
However, when the Qin policy was subsequently promulgated and Han Fei's letter was delivered to him, Zhang Liang felt a turmoil in his heart.
Zhang Liang went from Han to Qin, from Qin to Wei and Zhao, and then from Wei, Zhao and Han to Qin again.
He saw the conditions of various countries and what kind of lives the lowest-class people in each country were living.
When Zhang Liang passed through Han... Yingchuan County, the people there were in the autumn harvest. They were using iron farm tools and repairing water wheels and water mills along the river. They also planned to build kangs for the winter. Some people could raise a pig and sell the meat next year, and some could raise two chickens and sell eggs next year. For them, it was a huge income.
This is the day that King Han cannot give.
Perhaps it won’t be long before Koreans will only know the King of Qin and not the King of Han.
Zhang Liang laughed at himself. "There was no Han anymore, so where did the King of Han come from? There were no Koreans either. From now on, there would only be Yingchuan Commandery in Qin."
Zhang Liang looked at Fusu and asked, "My Lord, you were born noble, why do you look down upon the common people?"
This was the confusion Zhang Liang had after seeing Fusu last time. He walked past and saw him, but what about Fusu?
Fusu didn't expect to hear this question. He thought for a moment and replied, "Because... we are all human beings."
Zhang Liang glanced at his hands, then at Fusu, then at everyone in the hall. He murmured, "Yes, we are all human beings."
Fusu said with shame, "In fact, Master Zhang, we have not treated the people well. We have paid the same amount of labor service, military service, and taxes as before."
Zhang Liang asked, "Master, do you also advocate light taxes and levies?"
Fusu paused for a moment, then expressed his true thoughts: "I think it would be better not to collect taxes from the peasants who farm the land."
Zhang Liang's eyes widened for a moment, and he shook his head firmly: "Master, this is impossible."
Fusu smiled and said, "Maybe."
Zhang Liang said, "Is this what the eldest young master wants to achieve? Even a harmonious society is far from enough."
Fusu shook his head: "I can't do it, but someone will be able to do it in the future."
"Really..." Zhang Liang was a little dazed, "Then it must be...a fairyland in heaven."
Fusu just smiled again, then he changed the subject: "Master Zhang, what are your plans next?"
Zhang Liang came to his senses and said: "The world is so big, I haven't traveled all the way yet, I want to go see more."
"That sounds great." Fusu smiled, "I really envy you."
Zhang Liang's heart moved, and he looked at Fusu: "If you wish, I am willing to look at all the mountains and rivers in the world on your behalf, and also see the people of the world."
【Author’s words】
"Records of the Grand Historian: Biography of Shang Yang" When Shang Yang fled to the pass, he wanted to stay at a guesthouse. The guest, not knowing it was Shang Yang, said, "According to Shang Yang's rules, if you stay at a guesthouse without any proof, you will be punished."
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