76 Chapter 76
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The concubines' hearts sank upon hearing the king's reaction. Didn't this mean that no matter how the eldest son planned to torture the child in the future, the king would turn a blind eye? Even if the king favored his eldest son, to this extent was too... too heartless.
Fusu continued, "I punished them by making them copy books and write large characters, as well as do horse stance and archery."
Apart from the make-up classes, the rest were indeed punishments, and Fusu did not intend to hide it.
Ying Zheng nodded again, and this time he added one more word: "Not bad."
The concubines were all heartbroken. They felt that their future was bleak, and there was no chance of a good outcome for their children.
Fusu turned around and saw everyone's despairing expressions. He thought for a moment and didn't think he had said anything wrong.
Unable to fathom their thoughts, Fusu simply followed his own plan and continued, "Father, I have something to say to the ladies."
"Yes." Ying Zheng agreed immediately.
Fusu stood up and bowed, then said, "I know the ladies may not understand the way I teach my children. It's really hard for me to explain the reasoning, so I will just tell you the results."
"The Qin State can support idlers, but it cannot support evildoers who endanger the country and its people," Fusu said. "I hold them to such high standards because I hope that even if they cannot become pillars of Qin and contribute to its well-being, they will not become immoral individuals who, relying on their status as royal descendants, oppress the common people and tarnish the reputation of our royal family."
Finally, Fusu said in a resounding voice, "I can put it more bluntly. If they grow up like the ladies have been asking, Qin will not be able to accommodate them."
After hearing these words, the concubines were silent for a long time. They all lowered their heads and pondered every word Fusu said.
The king did not refute, obviously agreeing with the eldest young master's words, so they had to think clearly about the meaning of every word of the eldest young master.
After a full quarter of an hour, Fusu estimated that they should have thought it through, so he spoke again: "Madam, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Fusu will answer them all."
There was a moment of silence. The leading woman stood up, bowed, and asked, "Excuse me, Master, as long as the children are capable in the future, we can allow them to enter the government, right?"
Fusu smiled and said, "Of course. Madam, do you know our advisor Yan Junji? He comes from a royal family and is a man of great talent. He served as a general during the reign of King Huiwen, and as prime minister during the reigns of King Wu and King Zhaoxiang. As long as one has the ability, entering the government is not a big deal; being granted a title and becoming a prime minister is also possible."
With someone taking the lead, others began to gain confidence. Someone then asked, "Then... may I ask, Master, since the princesses don't seek official positions in the future, why do they receive the same education as the young masters?"
Fusu smiled and said, "Ba Qing, ladies, you should have heard of her name and deeds, right? My daughters of the royal family will certainly not be confined to the inner chambers in the future. They will naturally have their own world, perhaps even as good as their brothers."
These two sentences were more effective than Fusu's previous words. After hearing them, everyone changed their dejected expressions and smiled, as if they had already seen their children wearing hairpins on their heads and golden seals hanging around their waists.
As for the option of living a quiet and idle life, they all think that this is the choice of other people's children, definitely not their own, and their own children must be a hundred times better.
The concubines came with tears in their eyes and left with smiles on their faces. They no longer raised any objections to the eldest son's educational methods. Instead, they became strict mothers who urged their children to study hard so that they could have a bright future.
With what happened today in mind, given the king's attitude and the eldest son's unbreakable position, they dare not dream of that position. But if their children can achieve great things in the future, such as being granted a title and becoming a prime minister, they, as mothers, will also be able to enjoy the blessing!
For the women in the harem, there are too few things to go around. If they finally get this one, they will of course hold on to it tightly and never let go easily.
In the end, Fusu, whom the concubines dared not offend, became the children's last safe haven. After all, Fusu's requirements for them included the option of lying down and letting things go badly, which was much more relaxed than their mother.
They left happily, but Ying Zheng pulled Fusu's ear unhappily and said unhappily, "You're thinking about them. Does anyone miss you at all?"
Fusu smiled and said, "Father, I do all these things for the Qin State, not to make anyone remember my kindness."
Ying Zheng rubbed his head and said, "They don't remember, but father remembers your kindness, yet he speaks of you in such a pitiful way."
"I didn't..." Fusu rubbed his face and said aggrievedly, "Father, am I pretending to be pitiful?"
Ying Zheng couldn't help but laugh: "Silly boy... you look quite pitiful. How about this, if you are worried about the academy, I will order Meng Yi to look after it."
Fusu hurriedly said, "Father, please let Meng Qing go. He has been very busy lately and has no time to care about such a small matter."
Since the conquest of Han, the printing of books collected by the upper class nobles of the two countries was entrusted to Meng Yi by Ying Zheng. Qin had established libraries in various schools, and Meng Yi's job was to increase the collections of these libraries.
Woodblock printing is a job that requires great care and meticulousness, and it was kept secret in the Qin State. Meng Yi was a loyal and dedicated person, and fearing that there would be any mistakes, he always kept a close eye on it. Therefore, although the amount of work he did not do was too much, it was really tiring.
Ying Zheng patted his head and said, "No need for Meng Yi. Then you can choose someone else to do it. At least you can worry less about the academy. Let's not talk about whether they can remember your kindness. Don't raise some ungrateful people."
The ungrateful people naturally did not refer to the children, but the concubines who had just come to complain.
His eldest son, these women actually dared to point fingers at him! How audacious, how ignorant!
Fusu certainly understood what his father meant, but fearing that his father would be angry, he tried to appease him: "Father, the ladies and I just have different educational philosophies. It's not a big deal. For the sake of the children, let's make a big thing small and a small thing nothing."
"Moreover, I know that my father's will will not be changed by anyone's words." Fusu looked up at his father, his eyes full of clear trust.
In his father's heart, Fusu was his only heir from beginning to end. Even after they had so many unpleasant things in their previous life, and even though he seemed to favor other children more, this did not change.
Ying Zheng let his eldest son's small hand hold his big hand and chuckled, "You are smart."
The reason he is so worried is that brothers may quarrel with each other in the future. If Fusu does not trust his superiors and only cares about their brotherhood, he will probably suffer.
The children are young, but these women's hearts may not be small. One of them might be bold enough to gossip about him, just like today.
Ying Zheng certainly had confidence in himself. He was not the kind of person who would let a woman talk nonsense to him, but Fusu was still young and had a sincere heart towards his brothers. As a father, he was still afraid that he would be let down.
Now that he knew Fusu had an idea in mind, Ying Zheng was very relieved.
However, thinking about his eldest son's words, Ying Zheng said, "You said they were children, but aren't you also a child?"
"Yes, yes, Father, I am also a child!" Fusu held his chin and smiled, "So I am always lazy."
Ying Zheng was stunned, and suddenly recalled that Fusu had been either in the academy or in his own palace in recent days, and he had indeed not called him over to read memorials or handle government affairs.
He has been doing trivial things that don't take much time, and he is definitely being lazy.
"You..." His Majesty the King of Qin was rarely at a loss for words. He nodded at Fusu and couldn't help laughing, "You little bastard, you're trying to trick your father!"
Fusu said confidently, "Father just said that. I'm just a child! Children are lazy!"
Ying Zheng chuckled and said, "You've had enough fun these past few days, right? I have something I want to entrust to you."
"Ah." Fusu replied unhappily, "Please give your instructions, Father."
Ying Zheng grabbed his eldest son's ear and said, "You are the one who caused all this trouble. How dare you act like this?"
Fusu looked confused: "Father, what have I done wrong?"
Fusu felt very wronged. He had done nothing in the past few days!
"Did you have someone make the bicycle?" Ying Zheng asked.
Fusu touched his head and nodded, "Yes, but...wasn't that what happened two years ago? Bicycles are quite popular among the counties. We saw some on the road when we came back from Handan this time."
Ying Zheng said, "It is true that it has become much more convenient for minor officials to travel, but that is not what I want to say."
Fusu was even more confused: "What else?"
"Someone asked me for a bicycle. He didn't want the kind you see outside, he wanted one for kids," Ying Zheng said angrily. "I rewarded him with titles, land, and gold and silver, but in the end, he's not as good as a piece of wood like you!"
Fusu weakly defended himself: "Father, I am not made of wood, but bicycles are indeed made of wood."
Ying Zheng looked at Fusu expressionlessly.
Fusu scratched his nose and asked tentatively, "Is it some general who returned from the campaign against Zhao asking his father for a bicycle for his child?"
Ying Zheng nodded slightly.
"It's been over a year, and I haven't seen any children like bicycles." Fusu wondered, "Could it be that they're just now discovering the fun of bicycles?"
Ying Zheng had no intention of exploring the interesting aspects of the bicycle. He simply said, "I leave this matter entirely to you. You must handle it properly."
Fusu smiled and said, "Don't worry, father. Just leave it to me." After making this promise, he asked, "Father, which general asked you for the bicycle?"
Ying Zheng's answer made Fusu raise his eyebrows in surprise: "Qiang leukemia."
When in Handan, Fusu went to see Li Mu. Qiang Wei had protected Fusu on the king's orders, so Fusu had some friendship with him.
Fusu said, "Given General Qiang's age, the one who wants the bicycle is probably not his son, but his grandson. Don't worry, father. I will take care of it tomorrow!"
【Author’s words】
Yan Junji: This refers to Chu Li Ji, also known as Ying Ji. "Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of Chu Li Zi and Gan Mao" states: Chu Li Zi, also known as Ji, was the younger brother of King Hui of Qin, but he had a different mother. His mother was a woman from Han. Chu Li Zi was humorous and intelligent, and the people of Qin nicknamed him "brain trust."
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