59 Chapter 59
◎Years ago. ◎
After the trip to Yongcheng was set, Fusu no longer had to make any other plans for the New Year.
After studying, the princesses and princes in the academy have already understood the importance of sacrifice, but because Ying Zheng has always spared no effort to tell everyone that Fusu is the most special of all his children, not only the innocent children, but even the children's mothers do not have the slightest intention of usurping power.
It’s just that their reasons are different. The former likes Fusu, and the latter is afraid of Ying Zheng.
The children were reluctant to let their father take only their eldest brother to Yongcheng for the sacrifice. After all, this meant they would not be able to see their father and eldest brother during the New Year.
The children don’t remember much, but the rare scene of reuniting with their father during the Chinese New Year last year is deeply engraved in their minds.
In order to comfort the dejected children, Fusu ordered people to make some toys and distribute them to them, such as spinning tops, shuttlecocks, nine-linked rings, and rag dolls. There was no cotton at that time, and it was impossible for the palace to use hemp, so these rag dolls were very luxuriously made of silk.
After coaxing the children, Fusu went to ask his father to look at the cement.
Ying Zheng was discussing matters with several important ministers when he heard from the eunuch that Fusu was waiting in the side hall, so he asked someone to invite him over directly.
Fusu had no choice but to participate in the meeting. Fortunately, at the end, his father did not forget to ask him if there was anything wrong.
Fusu was very close to his father and whispered, "Father, the cement is ready. Please go and take a look."
Ying Zheng had known about the cement issue for a long time, but since it wasn't a big deal, he called out to his subordinates and said, "Let's go together."
The eyes of the left and right prime ministers, generals, court judges and others all lit up. Although they didn't know what the king wanted them to do, looking at the familiar prelude and the eldest son whispering to the king, there must be something new!
The king finally stopped hiding it from them, and they were finally able to get a sneak peek at his true appearance. The king really didn't treat them as outsiders!
Fusu didn't mind more people watching, but... who could tell him why they suddenly had tears in their eyes?
The important ministers followed the king and the eldest son, turning left and right, and came to an alley where few people passed by. Just when they were full of doubts and couldn't help but ask questions, a gray road appeared in front of them.
When they reached the cement road, Fusu stopped and said, "Please go first, father."
Ying Zheng held Fusu's hand, and the father and son stepped onto the dried cement road together.
The court officials behind followed one after another. They did not dare to move first, but stared at this unique road with wide eyes. They then looked at the king and the eldest son who were walking freely on it.
"Grand Duke... Your Majesty, what is this?" Wang Wan asked.
Ying Zheng looked at Fusu: "Young Master?"
Fusu then replied, "Prime Minister Wang, this is cement."
Wang Wan nodded: "Thank you, young master."
Fusu smiled and asked, "Prince, aren't you curious about how cement is made?"
This means that he doesn't mind their asking. The smart people immediately understood what the eldest master meant. The Right Prime Minister has already spoken, and the Left Prime Minister cannot lag behind.
Then, Wei Zhuang asked, "Excuse me, sir, how is cement made? How was this road built?"
But before the eldest son could answer, the king looked over with sharp eyes, and everyone quickly lowered their heads.
Fusu was short and couldn't see his father's expression, but he could see the expressions of the important officials. Seeing this, he looked up at his father and said, "Father?"
The father and son had already discussed the road construction privately when they were discussing cement. The formula of cement cannot be hidden, and there is no need to hide it. Could it be that his father changed his mind again today?
Of course, Ying Zheng didn't change his mind. He simply said calmly, "Since you have a request for the eldest prince, are you going to let him stand here and tell you?"
Important officials: "..."
They not only accepted the fact that the king was a doting father, but they were almost numb to it.
After everyone went back and sat down again, Fusu told them the raw materials and production of cement. The important ministers wrote furiously, all thinking about repairing the roads in their homes in the same way, so that they would not step on mud when it rained.
As important officials of the court, they certainly cannot only consider the future of their own families, but also have to consider national affairs.
When hearing people mention the suggestion of building a road, Ying Zheng said, "That's exactly what I was thinking."
Seeing that there was nothing left for him to do, Fusu was about to get up and leave, but as soon as he moved, he was held down by his father.
"It's your idea, don't be lazy." Ying Zheng said.
Fusu saluted solemnly: "As you wish, Your Majesty."
Winter was coming, and the construction of the cement road could not begin until next year when the weather got warmer, so they just made a plan first. By the time everything was ready, it was already dinner time, so Ying Zheng asked the court officials to stay for dinner.
After the meal, the court officials took their leave one by one, and Ying Zheng took Fusu back to his bedroom.
After dinner, Ying Zheng, who always liked to walk with big strides, also slowed down his pace, and the father and son took a leisurely walk.
Ying Zheng said, "I heard that you made some little toys to coax the little ones. They are so grown up, yet they are so spoiled. How can a man of the Great Qin be like this?"
Fusu laughed: "Father, they should be just a few years old. Besides, they are not spoiled. Father, don't you check on them every month? Could it be that they have disappointed you?"
"I'm not disappointed. I didn't expect anything from them in the first place," Ying Zheng said. "It's just that you're not that old, yet you always treat them like children... They have their own teachers and mothers, so you shouldn't worry too much."
Fusu held his father's hand and said with a smile, "After all, I am older than them. They say that an elder brother is like a father. I must take care of them."
Ying Zheng lowered his eyes and tapped his forehead, smiling and saying, "Your father is here."
"Father is too busy, I want to share your worries." Fusu said seriously.
Ying Zheng smiled and said, "You have done a lot to help your father. I will give you a reward today. You can mention it when you remember it."
"Wow." Fusu exclaimed, "Father is so kind! Thank you so much, Father!"
The father and son talked and laughed all the way under the bright moonlight, relieving their fatigue of the day.
…
In mid-September, Fusu's study companions began their annual vacation. They had long known that Fusu would go to Yongcheng this year. Unlike the children in the academy, they were all filled with joy.
I was simply happy that Fusu was valued by the king, and I was even happier when I thought about my own future. It was a combination of both.
Before leaving, Mi Qing was still worried that there might be problems with the saltpeter soil during this period, but Fusu refused his request to work overtime during the New Year on the grounds that the temple servants had already mastered it.
After seeing them off, Fusu arranged his own affairs before watching the palace servants pack their luggage for Yongcheng.
Sacrifice was a very serious matter in that era, and the process was extremely boring and tedious. After hearing about it, Li Ying repeatedly said that he did not want to go, and it would be better for him to stay in Xianyang and watch Liu Ju and Li Chengqian arguing in the group chat!
It's really amazing that these two people were clearly only playing Happy Match and Tetris, but they could actually start arguing over who had completed more levels.
As for Fusu's plan to accompany his father to offer sacrifices, two people who had served as crown princes for many years and had experience in offering sacrifices also shared some of their experiences with Fusu.
The weather was very good when we set out for Yongcheng. Even in early winter, we wouldn't feel hot riding in a bronze chariot. Fusu even got to ride in his father's chariot instead of riding in a separate carriage.
Fusu had no intention of hitchhiking at first, but when he was about to set off, he found out that it was Zhao Gao who was driving for his father today.
Although Zhao Gao was the Minister of the Imperial Chariots and was responsible for the management of the emperor's carriages and horses, his job certainly also included driving for the emperor. Especially at such a grand event as a sacrifice, Zhao Gao certainly would not give this opportunity to show off to others.
Zhao Gao was tall, good-looking, and had outstanding work ability, otherwise he would not have been valued by Ying Zheng for many years and became his confidant.
If Fusu had not known that Zhao Gao was a complete villain, he would probably have been deceived by his appearance.
Ying Zheng closed his eyes for a while, and when he opened his eyes, he saw his eldest son staring blankly ahead.
"Fusu, what are you looking at?" Ying Zheng asked.
Fusu suddenly came back to his senses and shook his head subconsciously, "Nothing... It's boring to sit here all the time. Father, let me tell you a story!"
Ying Zheng smiled and said, "It can't be that I heard it from Han Fei."
Fusu also smiled: "Don't worry, father, I won't fool you." After a pause, he continued, "Once upon a time, there was a country..."
After saying these words, Ying Zheng frowned and asked, "How long ago was it?"
"Oh!" Fusu held his father's hand, "Father, this is a story!"
"Okay, go on." Ying Zheng said.
"The Queen sat by an open window, and the winter snow pricked her finger like a needle, causing three drops of blood to fall on the snow and the ebony window frame. She admired the mingling of the three colors and said to herself, 'Oh, how I wish I had a daughter with skin as white as snow, lips as red as blood, and hair as black as the ebony window frame.'"
Ying Zheng commented: "This appearance... Fortunately, she is not my daughter."
Fusu was about to speak when Ying Zheng added, "Also, the snow pricked her finger? What kind of snow is this that's so sharp?"
Fusu said dryly, "Because her skin is so delicate that it can be blown away."
Ying Zheng showed an expression that he couldn't bear to look directly at it: "Go on."
This simple Western fairy tale, which Fusu used to kill time and appease his father, successfully piqued Ying Zheng's interest. He asked questions countless times during the story, and even after Fusu finished telling the story, he still had many questions and comments.
For example: "The magic mirror can tell Snow White's location. Can it see anyone?"
"The princess didn't swallow the poisoned apple. She may have just gotten stuck, but she wasn't actually poisoned to death."
Fusu felt a little regretful about telling this story, but for some reason, Ying Zheng was intrigued and asked him if he had any other stories.
Fusu hesitated and said, "Maybe..."
Ying Zheng supported his chin with his hand and said slowly, "Then tell me another one."
Fusu: “…”
【Author’s words】
Snow White: "The Queen sat by an open window, and the winter snow pricked her finger like a needle, causing three drops of blood to fall on the snow and the ebony window frame. She admired the mingling of the three colors and said to herself, 'Oh, how I wish I had a daughter with skin as white as snow, lips as red as blood, and hair as black as the ebony window frame.'"
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