79 Chapter 79
◎Stars.◎
That day, after the father and son finished their official duties, Feng Yi arrived with a newly developed telescope. It was so large that it needed a stand to be placed in the corridor. He even kept it a secret: "Your Majesty, Your Highness, please wait a moment. This telescope is perfect for nighttime stargazing."
Ying Zheng was feeling tired, but upon hearing this, he smiled with interest: "Stargazing? In that case, I'll wait."
Feng Yi's telescope played a great role on the battlefield. Ying Zheng was happy to reward such a talent.
Feng Yi was also a person who cared about people's livelihood. He often used his free time to go to the fields, improve farm tools, and make things that would make life more convenient for the people.
When Ying Zheng first heard about it, he couldn't help but sigh. No wonder there are so many Mohist disciples in Xianyang now. Fusu admired Feng Yi the most because they had similarities.
It is clear that improving the Qin army's weapons will help the Qin army win battles and more easily win the favor of the King of Qin, but Feng Yi did not present anything else to Ying Zheng except the telescope, unlike the Mohist disciples who came later, who had improved the crossbow cart three times.
But even so, Ying Zheng prefers Feng Yi to other flatterers.
Upon hearing Feng Yi's words, Fusu immediately had a foreboding premonition. "No, buddy, you didn't invent an astronomical telescope before the Common Era, did you? If you let my father see the bumpy moon, I'm afraid it will scare him!"
Fortunately, Fusu's worries were soon dispelled. Feng Yi was not so advanced in his time. He had only created a telescope that could observe the stars more clearly, but it was not enough to see the details of the moon.
Fusu patted his chest and breathed a sigh of relief. But before he could say anything, Feng Yi said, "Your Highness, I've had a new idea recently. Since we can make a telescope, can we make a telescope? Just like a magnifying glass, I could make a smaller one, but it would allow me to see even smaller objects."
A microscope? Fusu tilted his head. Could one be made in this era? Even if we couldn't make a modern microscope, perhaps we could make a basic one?
Thinking of this, Fusu immediately encouraged him, "Of course... of course it can be done, Feng Qing. Since you have this idea, go for it! I have a hunch that if this thing can be made, it will definitely be as useful as a telescope!"
Although Fusu thought that his contribution to the telescope was insignificant, in Feng Yi's view, Fusu, who came up with this idea, was simply a genius. Therefore, after hearing his words, Feng Yi was greatly encouraged. He immediately bid farewell to Ying Zheng and Fusu and went back to do research.
Fusu reminded him: "Mr. Feng, it's getting late. You should go home, otherwise your family will be worried."
The lanterns in the corridor shone on Fusu's face, casting a vague red light on him.
Feng Yi slapped his forehead and said awkwardly, "I forgot. I'll take my leave now."
Ying Zheng was still looking at the stars. Hearing this, he was distracted and said, "I will send someone to take you back."
Seeing that his father was so busy, Fusu simply appointed someone to take Feng Yi home.
After Feng Yi walked away, Fusu tugged at his father's sleeve and said, "Father, I want to take another look too."
Ying Zheng reluctantly stepped aside: "You come."
Fusu looked up at his father without saying a word.
Ying Zheng looked down at his eldest son and couldn't help laughing: "Puchi... I forgot, you are too short to reach it."
Fusu was held in his father's arms and hummed, "I'm still growing, father. I will be taller in the future."
Ying Zheng suppressed a smile and said, "Well, you will grow taller."
Tonight is clear and cloudless, and there is little pollution in ancient times. With the help of a telescope, you can see the bright crescent moon and bright stars at the same time.
Fusu was instantly attracted and forgot to talk to his father. He couldn't help but exclaim: "How beautiful!"
Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng turned Fusu's head and asked, "Is this all you thought of?"
Fusu blinked in confusion: "Father?"
Ying Zheng said sternly, "You should read more of the Book of Songs."
Fusu blurted out: "The moon is bright, and the people are beautiful."
Ying Zheng: “…”
"Fusu," Ying Zheng said thoughtfully, "You are not young anymore. It's time to think about marriage."
Fusu shook his head and said innocently, "I'm still young, Father. I'm only ten years old. You can still hold me in your arms."
Ying Zheng freed one hand to tap his head and said with a smile: "In another ten years, I will be able to hold you in my arms."
"Oh, that's too embarrassing." Fusu gestured to his father to put him down. "Father, I'll be getting my wedding day by then. I'm not that shameless."
Ying Zheng pulled Fusu's ponytail and said with a smile, "Are you not embarrassed to let me hold you now? Tomorrow, ask the others in your palace. When they were this old, did they still beg their father to hold them?"
Fusu defended himself, "I have my reasons, Father. I want to see the stars!"
"Well, that's indeed a reason. Feng Yi's telescope is really well made. Move it to my palace." Ying Zheng smiled and said, "I'll have him make you a shorter one tomorrow."
Fusu said hurriedly: "No need, father, if it is too low, it will be useless. I can use it by stepping higher."
Because the telescope was still a military secret in the Qin State, no one else could experience this stargazing telescope except Ying Zheng and his son.
Of course, given how busy the Qin ministers are now, they don’t have the time for this.
At the end of August, the Qin army that defeated Yan returned to the capital, and the ceremony of presenting prisoners was followed by a celebration banquet.
Li Ying also came here with Fusu today. He mainly wanted to see General Wang Jian, who made the King of Qin act like a spoiled child.
As the hero who defeated Yan, Wang Jian was the chief among the ministers. Below him was another general, Xin Sheng, and then his son Wang Ben. The father defeated Yan, and the son won a victory in Chu. The Wang family had a double blessing.
Fusu is now the crown prince, and his seat is only below his father. He is very close to Wang Jian and Wang Ben, father and son. Looking at them, Fusu thought of Wang Li's recent energetic appearance and couldn't help laughing twice.
Wang Jian was mature and steady, not looking sideways. Wang Ben, not as patient as his father, and also having some friendship with Fusu, asked curiously, "Your Highness, why are you laughing?"
Fusu laughed even harder after hearing this. He waved his hands, trying to stop himself from laughing. "Well... I heard from Wang Li that the general's family is having a banquet soon. Fusu would also like to go and have a drink. I wonder if the two generals would welcome you?"
The Crown Prince's personal presence was such an honor, and the Crown Prince would surely be embarrassed not to bring his son along. Wang Ben was about to agree, but his father reacted much quicker than he did. "Your Highness, your kindness is deeply appreciated. However, with so many people outside, there's a risk of something going wrong. For the sake of your Highness's safety, Your Majesty, please forgive me for being rude. I'm afraid I can't invite Your Highness to my banquet at home."
Although Fusu had something to say in response to this flawless answer, he looked at his father first.
Ying Zheng stroked the white jade wine glass with his fingers, chuckled softly, and said, "The Crown Prince has always been steady. I think this happy event has brought out his childish and playful nature. I hope the old general will bear with me. I will send guards to accompany him. Also, don't reveal his identity when the time comes. Let him have fun for a while, and then return to the palace when he's satisfied."
Since the king had given the order, Wang Jian did not refuse and responded respectfully. However, when he sat back, he could not help but glance at Fusu from the corner of his eyes. The young boy seemed to have expected it and blinked at him. He looked so cute and innocent that Wang Jian was stunned.
The serious old general came back to his senses and looked down at the wine in the cup with full concentration. This bluish-white porcelain cup was also the prince's masterpiece. Whenever a caravan transported it out of Xianyang, the ministers and officials from the princes and countries would scramble to grab it and were willing to spend huge sums of money for it. They really loved it.
He also recalled his grandson's praise of the prince at home, and his son also had a good impression of the prince.
Wang Jian thought to himself, the prince is really likable.
The prince, who was muttering to himself by General Wang, was eager to try the wine, but was ruthlessly rejected by the king.
When the celebration banquet ended and Fusu followed his father back to the harem, he was still thinking about the wine he hadn't tasted: "Father, when can I drink again?"
The alcohol content of alcohol in those days was not high, and Ying Zheng had always been a moderate drinker. Even though today was a celebration banquet, he did not get drunk. Therefore, he answered Fusu's question very soberly: "Twelve years old. I started drinking at the age of twelve."
After hearing this, Fusu no longer cared about his own drinking problem. He held his father's hand and earnestly advised: "Father, drinking too early is bad for your health."
Although he hadn't drunk much and his alcohol tolerance was not bad, the alcohol had obviously affected Ying Zheng's thinking. Without thinking, he replied, "I didn't see you remind me at that time."
After saying this, both father and son were stunned.
Fusu whispered, "Father, I don't think I could have reminded you at that time."
Ying Zheng: “…”
Ying Zheng reached out and ruffled his son's neatly-knit hair into a mess. He couldn't help but smile, "It's alright. I don't blame you. Besides, even if you can't remind me, I can remind you."
Fusu had a bad premonition.
As expected, Ying Zheng then calmly said, "Since drinking too early is not good, let's wait until you are crowned."
Fusu: “…”
"But, father, what should I do if someone offers me a drink?" Fusu struggled.
Ying Zheng said, "I'll have someone replace it with water."
Fusu muttered, "I don't like drinking plain water."
Ying Zheng was very generous: "Then honey water."
Fusu blinked his eyes, and it suddenly occurred to him that he could drink secretly at the royal banquet when his father wasn't around.
After thinking about this, Fusu felt that he seemed to be becoming more and more childish after becoming the crown prince. This thought was like a naughty child. He was clearly no longer a child.
Seeing that his eldest son remained silent for a long time, Ying Zheng lowered his head and leaned over to see his expression. Then he tapped Fusu's forehead from behind and said, "I will tell Wang Jian and Wang Ben not to let you drink."
Fusu pursed his lips and said unhappily, "Okay, I won't drink secretly, but, Father, can the drinking age be relaxed a little?"
Ying Zheng smiled and said, "Who said drinking too early is bad for your health?"
Fusu couldn't help but follow his father's lead and speak out first. It was no wonder that he became more and more childish, because his father was also becoming more and more childish.
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