The leisurely life of the Qin people

Chapter 68 Golden Carriage
It's actually still early for autumn to arrive in this season, but Guanzhong has already welcomed the autumn rains, and Guanzhong has once again entered the flood season.

The autumn rain was falling. Gongzi Gao, wearing a straw hat, walked along the riverbank, gazing at the Tongguan Pass under construction.

"Teacher, why did General Xin Sheng only send them to move stones? Why are there so few people working on the construction within the city?"

Upon hearing Gongzi Gao's question, Shusun Tong explained, "If everyone is in the city, then the city will be in chaos."

Gongzi Gao then asked, "Why did you ask them to build a city here, brother?"

Shusun Tong continued, "This is the first city west of Hangu Pass. Only when this place prospers will Hangu Pass be more secure."

Gongzi Gao considered himself to have read quite a few books. Although the Tongguan city wall had not yet been built, the scale of the city could be seen from the wooden stakes and piled stones on the ground.

This was undoubtedly a large city. Gongzi Gao stood still, his gaze shifting to Huayin County further away. If Tongguan City was occupied by the enemy, Huayin County could also cut off the water flow, store water, and then flood Tongguan.

As for external affairs, Tongguan occupies a vital passage, and as long as the supply of provisions from the rear continues, Tongguan City can remain stable.

This place is like another Hangu Pass, the main entrance to Guanzhong. It occupies the main waterway and is a vital passage for merchants.

Gongzi Gao also saw the advantages of this place, but if his elder brother hadn't already built it here, would he still be able to see them?
"My lord, a letter from Xianyang."

Gongzi Gao took the cloth and glanced at it, then whispered, "Teacher, my brother is getting married."

Shusun Tong chuckled and said, "This is a good thing."

"My elder brother will have his coming-of-age ceremony on the last day of the year, and will get married next year."

Shusun Tongdao said, "Prince Fusu is a diligent student. He was too busy with state affairs in Qin to marry until he was twenty-one."

Gongzi Gao then said, "I've discovered that no matter how hard I try, I can't compare to my brother. His vision and foresight are truly remarkable."

Shusun Tongfu remained silent, just as Gongzi Gao had said, some people's talents are simply incomparable.

Prince Fusu's talent is unmatched by other children like Prince Gao.

Lou Jing and Mao Heng also arrived at Tongguan. As soon as they arrived, they were captured by General Xin Sheng, who then made them teach in Tongguan County.

Shusun Tong originally wanted these two men to teach in Jingye County, but since they were going to enter Guanzhong, they would definitely pass through Tongguan and fall into Xin Shengshang's hands.

Gongzi Gao then said, "I want to go back to my studies."

Shusun Tong snapped out of his thoughts and led Gongzi Gao towards Jingye County, which had now changed completely.

During this rain, a grove of mulberry trees was planted around Shangyan Mountain. In two years, it will become a mulberry forest. Celery and radishes were also planted on the mountain.

In another month, there will be more celery and radishes on the mountain than we can eat.

After returning to Jingye County, Gongzi Gao began his arduous studies.

This young master not only studied diligently himself, but also helped his younger siblings to study diligently together.

Fu Sheng lived in Jingye County and usually kept to himself. He made a living by reading, so he also liked children like Gongzi Gao.

At night, after Gongzi Gao had his younger siblings rest, he sat alone by the oil lamp and wrote a letter.

After finishing writing, Gongzi Gao put the letter into a bamboo tube, sealed it with wax, and then walked to the outside of the county government office.

Zhang Han was sitting under the eaves outside the county government office, handling official business.

Gongzi Gao said, "General Zhang Han, you may build another house here to preside over official business."

Zhang Han stood up and bowed, saying, "It's alright, but manpower is precious these days. Tongguan is under construction, Jingye Canal needs repair, and Dali County also needs construction. I can't spare any manpower to build this place."

As Gongzi Gao stepped out of the door, rainwater continued to fall on the eaves, forming a curtain of water in front of him.

He then asked, "Is the entire Weinan region this busy?"

Zhang Han nodded and said, "They are all very busy, and none of the counties can spare any manpower."

Prince Gao then asked, "General Zhang Han, what kind of person do you think my elder brother is?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Han frowned and hesitated for a moment. After thinking for a long time, he finally replied with a single sentence.

"This humble general dares not speculate."

“Gao often felt that his talents were shallow. His elder brother and father were always busy with state affairs. Because of state affairs, his elder brother and father were often busy until late at night. Whenever he thought of this, he felt guilty. How could he be so at ease enjoying the protection of his father and elder brother?”

"I want to learn more skills so that I can help my father and brother govern the country. This is my lofty ambition."

Listening to a child talk about his aspirations is a very inspiring thing. Zhang Han said respectfully, "Prince Fusu often said that one should be down-to-earth and realistic in one's actions."

“I know, thank you for reminding me, General Zhang Han.” Gongzi Gao took out a bamboo tube and said, “Please send someone to deliver this letter to my brother, General Zhang Han.”

After speaking, Gongzi Gao handed the bamboo tube containing the letter to Zhang Han, then returned to his room and continued reading his book.

Sometimes, Zhang Han felt sorry for this very sensible young master Gao. The child was just too sensible and very studious.

Zhang Han beckoned to a guard and asked him to deliver the letter to Xianyang.

The next day, just as dawn broke, an imperial edict was delivered to Jingye County: "The First Emperor issues an edict appointing Zhang Han as the Prefect of Weinan Commandery and Shusun Tong as the Assistant Prefect, to oversee affairs in Weinan."

Zhang Han stood there stunned when he heard the news.

Shusun Tong coughed forcefully to clear his throat.

Zhang Han stood there for a long time before he came to his senses and hurriedly bowed deeply in the direction of Xianyang.

Shusun Tong didn't see the tears in Zhang Han's eyes. It should be said that it had been more than four years since the place was built from nothing to its current prosperity, and Zhang Han had experienced it day by day.

Back then, Jingye County had nothing. It was Zhang Han who pulled the plow and reclaimed acre after acre of land from the wasteland.

This was within Shusun Tong's expectations, but he did not expect that Prince Fusu would repay Zhang Han so quickly, and the reward was quite substantial.

From then on, people will know that as long as they serve Prince Fusu, they will receive very generous rewards.

Shusun Tong looked at the people in front of him and saw that they were happy for Zhang Han. They knew how hard Zhang Han had worked. Whether it was digging canals or reclaiming wasteland, this general had never slacked off or complained.

Not only was this appointment made, but the army also dispatched another troop of soldiers, a small force of only six hundred men.

Shusun Tongdao: "Young Master has never mentioned building a county town."

Zhang Han held the wooden tray in both hands, on which lay the prefect's bronze seal, the appointment document, and his official robes. He said solemnly, "Hmm."

Shusun Tong advised, "Do not act on your own initiative."

One was the prefect, and the other was the assistant prefect, appointed by the First Emperor, but both understood that Prince Fusu's arrangements played a crucial role in their appointments.

From now on, the two of them will still have to obey Prince Fusu's orders.

Weinan is the culmination of the prince's efforts, as well as the efforts of Zhang Han and Shusun Tong.

Shusun Tong said in a low voice, "It won't be long before the young master entrusts us with many things."

The prefect was not only responsible for collecting taxes, but also for overseeing agricultural production. These were things that Zhang Han had originally been doing, and now he had been given a formal title.

In Xianyang, Prince Fusu wanted to build the Xianyang Bridge in three counties, but Prime Minister Li Si cleared away all obstacles for Prince Fusu, and it could be said that he eliminated them completely.

A saying is circulating in the Prime Minister's residence: "The young master said that anyone who hinders the development of Qin is an enemy of Qin."

In other words, they hold positions but fail to perform their duties. They hold positions but dare to shirk responsibility and delay the transmission of government orders.

Anyone who harbors selfish motives and seeks personal gain is an enemy of the Qin Dynasty.

In the hearts of the people of Xianyang today, Prince Fusu is a very strict person. This prince studied under Xunzi and also became a student of Li Si. Perhaps the Qin laws in the future will be even stricter.

Recently, Li Si has been in a good mood. He is at home staring blankly at a tree.

A servant in the house called out, "Prime Minister?"

Li Si continued to look up at the persimmons on the tree.

There are already persimmons on the tree, but they are not yet ripe.

"Prime Minister?"

Li Si withdrew his gaze and finally responded to the servant's call, asking in a deep voice, "What is it?"

"Someone from the Prime Minister's residence has arrived, saying that there are still many matters that require the Prime Minister's attention."

Where is Zhang Cang?

"Zhang Cang went to Xianyang Bridge."

Li Si looked at the gloomy sky again and said, "Why did the autumn rains come so early this year?"

The servant smiled awkwardly and nodded, "Yes."

Li Si stepped out of his house and saw that the gate of Lü Buwei's residence across the street was open. Somewhat puzzled, he stood there and looked around for a while.

Just as he was about to ask, he saw a person walk out of the mansion across the street. This person was Tian An.

Tian An and several eunuchs behind him were holding scrolls.

Upon seeing this, Li Si finally understood that they had come to fetch books for the young master.

Tian An bowed and said, "Prime Minister."

Li Si looked around, waved for the servants in his household to go back, and then followed Tian An.

As Tian An walked along, several eunuchs carrying books followed behind him. He then said to Li Si, who was walking beside him, "Young Master has discussed it with Wang Shaofu and said that Li You should return to Xianyang."

"When did you say that, young master?"

Tian An replied, "On the day of the banquet at Zhangtai Palace, the young master discussed it with Wang Shaofu."

Li Si sighed, “Li You is a talentless child. I originally wanted to send him to Shangjun to gain experience.”

Tian An hesitated for a moment, then said, “Prime Minister, there’s no need for that. The young master said that autumn has arrived in Guanzhong, and there are many mosquitoes in Shu at this time of year. Every year at this time, Li You always writes to complain about the mosquitoes in Shu. The young master is worried that he will stay in Shu to deal with the mosquitoes. Alas… Prime Minister, you don’t know this, but the young master often says that mosquitoes are an inevitable part of the environment and cannot be completely eradicated…”

After Li Si asked a couple more questions, Tian An started talking non-stop, chattering on and on the way.

After saying this, they walked to the palace gate. Tian An added, "Young Master also said that he would like the Prime Minister to accompany him on the day of his coming-of-age ceremony. The Prime Minister is Young Master's teacher, and the Prime Minister will lead Young Master to the ceremony."

According to etiquette, the person who leads the person undergoing the coming-of-age ceremony to the altar is usually a very important elder among the younger generation, and only the younger generation will request this.

"Please inform the young master that Li Si will definitely come."

Upon hearing the Prime Minister's affirmative reply, Tian An smiled and walked towards Gaoquan Palace.

In Gaoquan Palace, Fusu was looking at the three golden carriages in front of him. Wang Jian was making a grand gesture right away.

Fusu could even climb into the carriage and lie down, laughing, "Old General, you are indeed impressive."

The palace maids and eunuchs were dazzled by the golden carriage; they had never seen such an outrageous congratulatory gift in their lives.

Although it is not actually made of pure gold, it is painted all over, with a bronze frame and gold and silver components, making it extremely luxurious.

To the outside world, before Prince Fusu's coming-of-age ceremony, people only knew that the old general had sent three chariots, and they probably thought that the ones made of better materials were the ones sent.

Fusu sat on the shaft of the golden carriage, pondered for a moment, and came to the conclusion that this kind of carriage could definitely not be taken out and would most likely just gather dust in the palace.

Tian An returned with the books and bowed, saying, "Young Master, the Prime Minister has agreed."

Fusu instructed, "Bring these three carts into the warehouse."

Tian An looked at the three carriages with a solemn expression and said in a low voice, "Young Master, the storeroom can't hold them all."

"Then let's find someone to expand it."

After giving Tian An those words, Fusu walked back into the palace.

A map was still laid out inside the hall.

Whenever he had a spare moment, Fusu would use that time to cultivate his hobbies, one of which was map drawing.

Before long, several eunuchs stood outside the hall, recounting their measurements. They were afraid of making mistakes, and their voices trembled as they spoke.

Fusu said, "That's not right. How can it be 260 li from Xianyang Bridge to Qishan?"

Upon hearing this, the eunuch who had just answered knelt down with a thud, stammering, "Reporting to the young master, it really is two hundred and sixty li..."

Fusu shook his head again, remembering that maps from later generations wouldn't show such a distant location.

The measurement error occurred because the current road conditions are somewhat off, resulting in a deviation in the measured route.

Normally, it's about 230 li.

Fusu did not blame the eunuch who made the mistake.

Given the current limited resources, some errors are to be expected.

Furthermore, when it comes to measurement, no matter how sophisticated the instrument, it cannot avoid errors.

The drizzling autumn rain soaked Xianyang, and Tian An had three more warehouses built.

With gritted teeth, the group struggled to push the gold cart into the warehouse.

Tian An leaned against the door, breathing heavily, and asked, "How did they manage to get this golden carriage into the palace?"

"When they arrived, the entire cart was covered with a black cloth, pulled by oxen, and pushed by hundreds of servants."

Tian An slowly shook his head. He felt that the young master also understood that once the golden carriage was transported into the palace, it would only gather dust because it was impossible to move.

The autumn rain continued to fall. Tian An had the storeroom tidied up and then returned to the eaves in front of the palace. He saw the young master drinking hot water, and a piece of cloth was placed on the table beside him.

Tian An took the kettle and refilled the young master's water with hot water. He glanced at the roll of cloth and saw that the handwriting was written by the young master Gao.

Fusu said, "Gao has sent a letter. He says he will come to witness the coming-of-age ceremony."

Tian An's forehead was still damp with sweat. He said, "The three golden carriages are all in the warehouse."

“I remember that the Zhou emperor’s carriage was also made of gold. Isn’t this congratulatory gift from the old general overstepping the bounds?” At this point, Fusu calmly took a sip of hot water and said in a low voice, “The old general is ignorant of etiquette, well… no one will hold it against him.”

(End of this chapter)