84 Chapter 84
◎Beautiful scenery.◎
Fusu agreed, "Rest and recuperation are indeed necessary. I have one more thing I would like to ask for your permission, Father."
Ying Zheng said, "You say."
Fusu said, "Father, Qi is close to the sea, and they often trade with people on the east side of the sea. I think this trade route must not be interrupted, and we can even expand it."
Ying Zheng shook his head and smiled, saying, "You're still thinking about lifting the glass restriction, right?"
Fusu smiled and said, "The glass restriction is a minor matter. Father, just think about it. The caravans that have sailed from Xianyang to all directions over the past few years have brought back countless gold for the national treasury. This is all for military expenses and fodder! And then there are those rare ancient books. A set of white porcelain tea sets can be used to copy two. Those self-proclaimed doctors in Qi and Lu are begging people to come to their homes to copy books!"
"And the Xiongnu. They've become accustomed to tea and exchanging food and goods with the people of the Central Plains. Their khans and princes even wear silk clothes."
Finally, Fusu concluded, "Father, we have the sharp swords and knives to deal with the Xiongnu, and we also have the soft knives. What else do we have to worry about?"
Ying Zheng nodded, thoughtfully: "Wei Liao's strategy... Daqin must be vigilant."
"You've been talking so much, you must have something in mind." Ying Zheng raised his hand and tapped Fusu's head. "Don't hide it. Tell me everything."
To put it bluntly, Fusu's plan is actually very simple. When doing business, the further you go, the better.
In addition to going north to the Xiongnu, they could also go further west. The country that was later called "Daqin" by the people of the Han Dynasty was still waiting for them to communicate!
——This time, there is only one real Great Qin.
Not to mention the sea. Today's navigation technology is not enough to support them to go further, but just wandering around, educating some local people, and leaving some marks, then in the future since ancient times... I can't imagine how much there will be.
Regardless of whether it is on land or sea, the imperial court must intervene in the exploration of both sides, so that the troops that are temporarily recuperating can be put to use and they can serve as guards.
Since they are only going out to do business, not to fight, the danger will be much lower, but it will definitely achieve the purpose of being out of worry.
——Of course, they had to first pin the Huns to the ground and beat them up, otherwise their business in the north and west would not be stable.
After careful consideration, Ying Zheng agreed to Fusu's caravan plan, and he also thought that the issue of fighting the Huns could be put on the agenda.
It just so happened that many so-called knowledgeable people had come to Xianyang City recently, so Ying Zheng threw out this question to see who could give him a satisfactory answer.
But before that, they had to conquer Qi first.
When it came to destroying Qi, Ying Zheng was very unhurried. He first stationed troops on the current Qin-Qi border, and then sent envoys to Qi to persuade King Jian of Qi to surrender.
As expected, the envoy did not receive a good reception, but the State of Qi did not dare to do anything to the Qin envoy and sent the gift out of the country with a sour face.
Ying Zheng was not surprised by this: "Dr. Qi Luduo, you still have to save face."
Fusu curled his lips: "I think they are very thick-skinned."
In his previous life, my father had great respect for these doctors, but this group of doctors took the shamelessness of being treated with disrespect to the extreme.
"Huh? You don't like them?" Ying Zheng was a little surprised. "Why is that?"
Fusu nodded firmly: "I really don't like it!" Then he thought for a moment and said, "Father, I think they are only good at writing. Talking on paper is useless. Governing a country still requires real skills."
Ying Zheng smiled and said, "I don't need them to govern the country. I just need them to express my attitude."
Fusu understood what his father meant. Since all the people in the world belonged to Qin, he would use them regardless of their origins. Only by using practical actions to tell everyone that the King of Qin was impartial could he slowly dissolve the divisions between people.
Only in this way can the world truly belong to Qin.
Fusu said, "Don't worry, father. I know what to do outside."
Ying Zheng had nothing to worry about. His eldest son had made a lot of progress in the past two years, and had never made any mistakes in all the outside affairs over the years, which made him, as a father, both relieved and proud.
However, soon, the eldest son who made Ying Zheng feel at ease began to worry him. While they were talking about serious matters, Fusu suddenly made a whimsical proposal that he wanted to go to the State of Chu.
Ying Zheng immediately said, "What are you going to Chu for? You are not allowed to go!"
Fusu said, "Father, didn't I tell you before that the climate in the south of Chu is hot and humid, so rice can be harvested twice a year. This would greatly increase annual grain production and make it easier to manage famines and disasters. Rice cultivation is different from crops in the north, and I want to learn more about it so you can have a better understanding."
"If you want to know, just send someone to investigate and report back to you. You don't have to go in person," Ying Zheng said with a frown. "The world is still unstable right now. Stay in Xianyang and don't keep thinking about running away."
Fusu advised, "Father, I know you're worried about me, but I'm naturally accompanied by guards when I go out. Who would dare to act rashly? Besides, the subordinates' opinions are theirs. Why did you set up an official assessment? Isn't it because you're afraid that the subordinates will deceive their superiors? For such an important matter as grain, it's only right that we personally inspect it. Isn't that right, Father?"
This was quite reasonable. After hearing it, Ying Zheng said, "Then there is no need for you to go. I will go, not only to Chu, but also to other places. Now that roads are gradually being repaired, it's time for me to tour the world."
Fusu hurriedly said, "Father is the ruler of a country. Qi has not yet submitted. You need to stay in Xianyang and do not act rashly!"
"The State of Qi is not worth mentioning. If I blink, it will no longer exist. Then I can leave the capital and travel around the world." The more Ying Zheng thought about it, the more he felt that his idea was a good one.
"Now that the world is united, Father, you'll have more things to do," Fusu reminded him. "It's better for me to go."
Ying Zheng had indeed already planned many things to do after unification. He pondered for a moment and was about to speak when Fusu added, "Besides, Father, I have never left your side to do anything on my own in my entire life. Now that I am the crown prince, it is natural for me to let people see my abilities. Otherwise, others will say that your crown prince is useless and can only rely on you to gain a foothold."
"Nonsense!" Ying Zheng scolded, "Who dares to speak ill of my prince?"
Fusu pursed his lips and said, "Now that all the kingdoms have been united, there are many people and many opinions. Father, anything can happen. Therefore, I want everyone to see my ability and prove that I have truly earned the throne of Crown Prince, so that you can be proud of me."
Ying Zheng's eyes softened, and he rubbed Fusu's head: "My son is stronger than anyone else in the world."
Fusu smiled and said, "Except father!"
Ying Zheng couldn't help laughing: "You come to flatter me again... If you really want to go to Chu, it's not impossible." Soon, he changed his tone.
Fusu's eyes lit up: "Father, do you agree?"
"I cannot ignore the opinions of others, but they are not the most important thing." Ying Zheng gently taught his eldest son, "Your own ability is the most important thing. Fusu, you are right about one thing. I should let go and let you walk the path ahead on your own."
At the end of the words, there was a hint of sigh in his tone.
This may be true for all parents. They are both happy and sad that their children are growing up - it's really too fast.
"Father..." Fusu held his father's fingers like he did when he was a child.
Ying Zheng smiled and said, "Father is watching you, Fusu. Go forward bravely."
…
Fusu's trip to Chu was scheduled after Qin officially unified the country. As the crown prince of Qin, he had to attend many subsequent ceremonies.
Of course, Ying Zheng had no intention of canceling his plan to tour the world, but this would require everything in Xianyang to be ready and Fusu to return to the capital.
Given that there was still a lot to do, Ying Zheng did not intend to waste time with King Jian of Qi. He directly ordered Wang Ben to lead the army to attack. Soon the Qin army entered Linzi and captured the royal family and ministers of Qi.
Qi had the Jixia Academy, so Qi not only had many scholars, but also even more books. After Wang Ben captured Linzi, he was given an urgent task by the king, which was to collect the books from hundreds of schools and transport them back to Xianyang properly.
Printing is still a top secret in Qin State, but with the continuous flow of books shipped out over the years, people have all kinds of speculations in their minds. However, even if more people have ideas, first of all, the king has already revealed the top secret of this plan, and secondly, the top Mohist disciples are all under the king's command, so no one dares to try it first.
Wang Ben carried out the king's task meticulously and escorted the book and the captives back to Xianyang City.
The princes fought against each other for hundreds of years. No matter who was strong or weak, no one could annex all the vassal states. In the minds of many people, the unification of all the countries was simply an impossible thing to achieve.
But now, Qin has done it.
Even during the successive wars, the Qin court officials fantasized about the arrival of this day, but when it really came, many people still found it incredible.
The Qin State really did it.
This is a great achievement unprecedented in history.
The King of Qin ordered celebrations to be held all over the country, with the grandest one being in Xianyang. The King of Qin even lifted the curfew that had lasted for three consecutive days.
Ying Zheng stood on the palace wall, looking at the candlelight near and far, and could vaguely see many figures gathering around. Just thinking about it, he knew how lively it was.
And all of this was brought about by me. Ying Zheng felt an unprecedented satisfaction.
The world is in his hands.
When Ying Zheng walked down, he unexpectedly saw a familiar figure.
"Why don't you come over?" Ying Zheng waved his hand and said with a smile.
Fusu jumped a few steps and said with a smile, "I think father would rather enjoy this beautiful scenery by himself."
Ying Zheng smiled and said, "It is indeed a beautiful sight, a sight I have never seen before, a sight no one has ever seen before."
【Author’s words】
The people of the Han Dynasty called the Roman Empire Daqin.
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