The leisurely life of the Qin people

Chapter 117 Xu Fu
Fusu then took out two more bamboo scrolls and handed them over, saying, "Prime Minister, these are the new appointments I have drafted."

Li Si took the bamboo slips, glanced at them, and whispered, "Zhang Cang will serve as the Vice Minister of the Imperial Household, and Cheng Miao as the Chief Clerk?"

Speaking of this, Fusu felt somewhat ashamed. Firstly, it was not good to poach the prime minister's men, as Zhang Cang was the prime minister's man and Cheng Miao was originally the right prime minister's man.

As the young master of Qin, I shouldn't offend both the Right Chancellor and the Prime Minister at the same time; they should readily agree to this matter.

Leaving a capable person by the young master's side is probably also the plan of the Prime Minister and the Right Prime Minister.

Since everyone had the same idea, Fusu thought it best to go along with it.

Li Si's expression clearly showed hesitation, but he hesitated only for a moment before replying, "Your subject will go and affix the seal immediately."

Fusu nodded in satisfaction.

Once the Prime Minister brought the stamped appointment document, Fusu took it and left the place, heading to the other end of the convoy.

While the caravan was resting, Wang Ben ordered squads of cavalry to guard the surrounding area.

Before the Fengshan ceremony, the First Emperor would stay at the foot of Mount Tai for a few days to prepare for it. Therefore, in addition to preparing for the food supply for the second half of the journey back to Xianyang, Zhang Cang also had to ensure the food supply to Mount Tai.

Fusu arrived outside Zhang Cang and Cheng Miao's carriage, wanting to hear about their grain and fodder deployment as the Minister of the Imperial Household.

Zhang Cang and Cheng Miao rode in the same carriage. The First Emperor was accompanied by many ministers and generals, and there were a total of eighty-one carriages.

The two men's car was filled with bamboo slips, leaving barely enough space for people to sit down, which shows that the workload of these two men in charge of logistics was quite heavy.

Upon seeing that it was Prince Fusu, Zhang Cang and Cheng Miao dismounted from the carriage.

Fusu said, "The prefect here has built a residence at the foot of Mount Tai, so we can stay here."

Zhang Cang looked up at Mount Tai without saying a word.

Cheng Miao spoke first: "We have already sent people to the south to procure grain and fodder. If all goes well, we should be able to gather the grain and fodder back in five days."

Before I knew it, it was already mid-October, autumn. After traveling all the way from Xianyang, I finally arrived at the foot of Mount Tai.

Zhang Cang began to explain the upcoming grain arrangements.

The First Emperor has indeed arrived at Mount Tai, but he most likely will not return via the same route. Therefore, these two must prepare more than three months' worth of provisions in addition to ensuring a basic food supply.

Zhang Cang said in a low voice, "The counties of Xue County have ample grain supplies, and I would like to allocate some."

Cheng Miao said, "I think so too."

Fusu handed the two bamboo scrolls to the two men respectively, saying, "These are your new appointments."

The two were not too surprised by the appointment.

Cheng Miao served as the Chief Secretary of the Imperial Household Department, whose power and responsibilities were similar to those of the Chief Secretary of the Prime Minister's Office, handling official documents and correspondence.

Zhang Cang was the Junior Chamberlain.

Both men held the same official rank, and their salaries and stipends were also the same.

Originally, Fusu wanted to recruit Wu Gong, who was close to the Prime Minister, but considering that he was from the same town as the Prime Minister and was also the Prime Minister's disciple, and that his official rank was too low and his shortcomings in ability were too obvious, he decided to continue to observe him for the time being.

With his own team in place, Fusu felt much more at ease. This team was quite small, consisting of only Zhang Cang and Cheng Miao, but it was enough for the time being.

In other words, this is the same as military strategy: subordinates... it's not about quantity, but quality.

He spoke a few more words to the two of them and then left.

Fusu walked back to the front of the carriage and came to the carriage of his wife and children. It was just the time for dinner.

Today, Tian An received a leg of lamb and was cutting the meat. The group from Gaoquan Palace was not large, but it was not small either. Apart from Granny Wang and her family of three, there were six palace maids and more than ten eunuchs.

After Tian An cut the lamb leg into pieces, he distributed it to everyone.

Then Tian An took out a large wooden board and began kneading and pulling noodles.

No matter where he is, Tian An always manages to handle the matter of eating very well.

Fusu used the extra flour to make dumplings and noodles.

Tian An especially liked steamed buns. He had a hard time tearing chunks of meat with his teeth, but he particularly liked the minced meat filling in steamed buns and dumplings.

The child needed to take a nap at noon, and Wang Tang'er took care of him inside the carriage.

The autumn wind blowing past this massive convoy also stirred up some dust on the road.

Tian An held a bowl of noodles and placed a hot steamed bun on top of the noodles, the soup soaking the bun.

Fusu and he sat by the carriage, with their backs to the east. From there, looking westward, they could see what everyone was doing behind the long procession.

Fusu had heard Zhang Cang say that Wang Benxi would eat and drink while watching beautiful women dance.

This was probably a legacy of extravagance left behind by the nobles of the six kingdoms.

Moreover, recently, Zhang Cang and Wang Ben have been getting quite close.

As Fusu ate his noodles and took a sip of soup made from mutton bones, he noticed that many armored soldiers had taken off their shoes and were resting.

Back then, in Pinyang County, Fusu had seen a military book given to him by Wang Jian. It was a military book written by Li Mu, written in the Jin script used by the Zhao people at that time. Its characters were very different from the small seal script used by the Qin people at that time.

That should be one of the many military books by Li Mu. The book describes the hardships of marching. If you die in battle, it may be a relief. But the most tiring part of fighting is not on the battlefield. The most difficult part of fighting is breaking camp and marching.

In his military treatise, Li Mu described the hardships of marching and how to exploit those hardships to keep the enemy constantly on the move.

Many generals from the various states at that time should have had a clear understanding of this.

Fusu looked further ahead and saw the prefect of Xue County waiting beside the prime minister. He asked, "What do you think of this prefect?"

Tian An glanced back and said, "Young master, this prefect is a former general who surrendered from Lu. He also presented many treasures to us."

Fusu said, "Have him arrange for more people to build houses so that all the soldiers have a clean place to live. Also, arrange for some doctors to examine the soldiers' feet and treat any calluses, cuts, or wounds."

Tian An beckoned to a eunuch and instructed him to give the order.

The prefect of Xue County, who was talking with Prime Minister Li Si, heard the eunuch's words. He looked in the direction where Prince Fusu was with a puzzled look, and then hurriedly left.

The following day, the prefect brought three thousand laborers to build houses and recruited more than twenty doctors to treat the soldiers.

The prefect can only bring so many doctors. If more doctors are needed, the prefect will have to find people from other places.

Many soldiers received treatment for their feet, and many in the army expressed their gratitude to Prince Fusu for his arrangements.

At the foot of Mount Tai, a residence was built, originally intended to be a temporary palace. This area used to be part of the territory of the State of Qi, and a temporary palace built by the ruler of Qi remains here, but it has been abandoned for many years.

The First Emperor did not stay at the old palace of the former Qi state, but instead lived in a newly built residence.

Today, Ying Zheng met with several scholars from Qi and Lu, listening to them share their knowledge.

Li Si stood outside the courtyard. He was unwilling for the First Emperor to meet with the Qi and Lu scholars again, but since they were in Qi, the First Emperor still hoped to give them a chance, a chance to truly serve the Qin Dynasty. This was probably... the last chance the First Emperor would give them.

After the other doctors left, Li Si found that only one doctor remained in the mansion, and this doctor was named Xu Shi.

This man was speaking at length to the First Emperor about his views.

Li Si remained standing outside the door, hoping that these scholars from Qi and Lu would indeed bring Kong Fu.

A palace attendant hurried over and asked, "Prime Minister, has the young master summoned a physician to treat the soldiers?" This had happened yesterday, and Li Si replied, "Indeed."

The eunuch then said, "Please come here, young master."

Li Si hurriedly left to invite the young master.

When Li Si found the young master, the young master was asking several physicians about medical skills and methods for treating injuries. The young master has been studious since childhood and is still so now.

After understanding the Prime Minister's purpose, Fusu hurriedly followed him to his father's residence.

There were many eunuchs moving around here. Fusu followed Li Si into the residence and came to his father's side.

However, when Fusu saw Xu Shi sitting there, the man was respectful, kneeling with his head bowed to the side.

Ying Zheng said in a deep voice, "Fusu, this is Xu Shi."

Fusu said, "Your subject has met him."

Xu Shi rose and respectfully bowed to the young master and the prime minister, then continued to kneel to the side.

Ying Zheng chuckled and said, "I have just heard Xu Shi's theory about the immortal mountains overseas."

Li Si stood aside without saying a word.

Fusu said, "Your subject has heard that this rumor is prevalent in Qi, especially in Langya."

Xu Shi said, "Young master, such rumors have existed for thousands of years. When I was young, I went to sea with others and saw sharks and giant turtles."

Not content with just stating what he knew, Xu Shi continued, "Both Zhuangzi and Liezi spoke of Penglai Island overseas, and the great Yin-Yang master Zou Yan offered a different interpretation."

There are rumors as mentioned by Xu Shi, as well as textual research by Zhuangzi and Liezi.

There is a recent legend about Zou Yan, a scholar of Yin-Yang philosophy.

Furthermore, there are also folk tales circulating throughout Qilangya.

It's a well-reasoned and compelling story, and it's also very interesting to listen to.

When he spoke of the immortal mountains and Penglai Island overseas, a majestic voice slowly asked, "Can you find the immortal mountains overseas?"

Xu Shi immediately knelt down and said loudly, "Your subject dares not seek it."

Fusu first glanced at his father, then looked at the scholar from Shandong in front of him.

Whether this person was connected to Dr. Qi Lu, or whether this was all a conspiracy, Fu Su was wary. Rather than letting things develop unchecked, he decided to actively participate.

"To be honest, I'd also like to see if there are any immortal mountains overseas, and if there are immortals living on those mountains."

Ying Zheng's eyes were filled with suspicion as he said, "I have seen the skeletons of Shangyan Mountain. If such a massive creature has died, won't the immortal mountains overseas perish as well?"

Xu Shi remained kneeling on the ground, even trembling slightly.

Fusu looked at the man with great interest, who had not yet asked for manpower, grain, or craftsmen.

Sometimes, Fusu suspected that he was there to rebel against Qin, but everyone rebelled in different ways. He did not send him to Shangjun like Lu Sheng and Hou Sheng did, because this man was quite learned. In the documents he had submitted in recent years, he had many insights into overseas navigation, tides and weather.

Fusu had read all these insights, and in this area of ​​knowledge, he had never seen anyone else who could describe the overseas climate, islands, and navigation experience in such detail.

This is something that other Shandong PhDs do not possess.

Therefore, when Hou Sheng and Lu Sheng were sent to Shangjun, Xu Shi was not among them.

Xu Shi said, "It is said that only the blessed can find the immortal mountains overseas."

Fusu then said, "Alright, why don't you change your name to Xu Fu from now on?"

Ying Zheng whispered, "Xu Fu..."

For some reason, Xu Shi did not feel such great pressure when facing the First Emperor, but felt immense pressure when facing Prince Fusu and the Prime Minister, especially the Prince's mocking gaze.

It was as if they could see right through me, and their words were guiding me to continue making things up.

It's like a con artist who knows you're a con artist.

But the other person is holding a knife; one wrong word could mean death.

The young master's sword was none other than Prime Minister Li Si.

With just a word from the young master, the prime minister would surely kill him.

Who was Prime Minister Li Si? He was the teacher of Prince Fusu.

"I dare not, I am not blessed..."

Fusu said, "Whether you're blessed or not is another matter. To give you a better name, how about you be called Xu Fu? What does the Prime Minister think?"

Xu was drenched in sweat.

Li Si said, "Why don't you thank the young master for bestowing a name upon you?"

"Thank you for bestowing this name upon me, young master. From now on, I will be called Xu Fu." He hurriedly agreed.

Ying Zheng asked, "I will ask you again, are there truly immortal mountains overseas?"

Xu Fu replied, "What I have said is all hearsay."

Hearing his words, which were neither affirmative nor uncertain, Fusu said, "Father, let me ask him more questions and then answer them for you."

Ying Zheng nodded and sighed, "I am also tired. Li Si, come and drink with me."

Upon hearing this, Li Si left with the First Emperor.

Inside the room, only Prince Fusu, Xu Fu, and two eunuchs remained, one of whom was Tian An.

Fusu looked down at Xu Fu, who was still kneeling on the ground, took two steps forward, and whispered, "What you said to Father Emperor, was it your own idea?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Fu, who was kneeling on the ground, kowtowed and opened his eyes to see footsteps approaching him.

He swallowed hard and said, "Young master, these are just rumors from Qi, nothing more..."

"Yes, it's a rumor, a rumor that everyone in Qi knows."

Hearing the young master say the same thing, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Fusu said to him in a low voice, "I saw your files back in the Prime Minister's residence. You have a lot of insight into ocean currents. Although I don't know how you know about the Kuroshio Current and how you can use it to travel by ship to that island in the East China Sea, this knowledge is not something you alone possess."

Xu Fu understood the unspoken meaning, and so did the learned young master Fusu.

“I don’t necessarily need to keep you alive. Your knowledge is excellent, but it’s not that essential to me or to the Great Qin. Rumors are just rumors. If you dare to make them true, killing a few Qi-Lu scholars is not a difficult task for me or the Prime Minister.”

The young master spoke in a low voice, but to him it was a matter of life and death.

Especially the pair of feet behind them; the owner of those feet must be holding a knife.

Fusu continued, "You and Father Emperor only told a rumored story, a story to fool people, it can't be true, right... Xu Fu."

A drop of sweat fell to the ground, turning into a small water stain. Xu Fu replied, "Yes."

(End of this chapter)