Daqin: My weak and virtuous minister

After the court session, the news that Zhang Yuanqing was conferred the title of Dashangzao and ranked among the Nine Ministers had spread throughout Xianyang. At the same time, the news that the king personally confirmed that Dashangzao's land fertilization method had resulted in an output of four stones per mu also spread like wildfire.

The people of Xianyang cried with joy on the spot.

Zhang Yuanqing, who was stirring up trouble, was being watched by Ada as he drank medicine.

"Ada, I'm really fine now. I don't need this medicine. We have pills, right? I'll just take that."

What child in a flower-growing family could remain calm when seeing that black soup with a strange taste?

Zhang Yuanqing is still making his final struggle.

However, A-da, who had taken care of him for more than two years and was extremely familiar with him, had become immune to it.

"Master, this is what the doctor ordered. You'd better drink it quickly."

"Ada, you know my body condition. Drinking it will be useless. Let's just forget it."

"Master," Ah Da was unwilling to do so, but he was tongue-tied and could not say anything. In the end, he could only utter four words, "Please drink quickly."

Helplessly, with such a stubborn subordinate, Zhang Yuanqing ultimately could not escape the bitter pill.

"Hahahaha, I didn't expect that the gentleman would be afraid of this bowl of medicine."

Ying Zheng walked in laughing, and laughed heartily at the man who was frowning and drinking the medicine as if he was dying heroically.

"Your Majesty."

The servants in the palace quickly saluted.

"I'm afraid of bitterness." Zhang Yuanqing put down the bowl very casually and pinched a honey fruit that Ada had prepared long ago.

He ate two or three in a row, and only spoke after the bitterness in his mouth completely dissipated.

Listen to the tone, how natural it is.

Ying Zheng smiled. Ever since he became the king, no one could be so casual in front of him. Everyone was afraid of him. But now he felt a little more at ease in front of the gentleman.

"Sir, today in the court, I have appointed you as the Grand Master, ranking among the Nine Ministers."

Ying Zheng knelt on the couch, and Zhang Yuanqing stood up to express his gratitude: "Thank you, Your Majesty. Since Your Majesty values ​​me so highly, I will do my best."

What I want is your words.

Ying Zheng stood up and helped Zhang Yuanqing to his feet. "Quickly stand up, my lord. There's no need for such formalities between you and me, the ruler and his subject."

"Yes, Your Majesty, please take a seat."

"Your Majesty, this is the method I have developed to fertilize the soil. Your Majesty may assign capable individuals to take charge of this task. By next year's harvest, hunger will no longer exist in our Qin."

Zhang Yuanqing sorted out a thick stack of papers from the table and handed it to Ying Zheng.

"this,"

Ying Zheng looked at the thin piece of paper in his hand, which was covered with black characters, and was shocked. "Sir, this..."

"Your Majesty, this is paper I made myself. It's very cheap, less than one-tenth the cost of bamboo slips. It's also easy to use and can be produced in large quantities."

"Sir, are you willing to make this paper for the Qin State?" In a moment, Ying Zheng had already thought of the wonderful uses of this material and looked at Zhang Yuanqing excitedly. A genius, a genius. Li Si has made a great contribution this time.

"Your Majesty, please do not be anxious. Since I have taken it out, it is natural that I will use it for the Qin State. However, how to use it still requires careful planning. Your Majesty, please read the contents above first."

Zhang Yuanqing understood Ying Zheng's excitement, but nothing could be rushed. Moreover, if this paper was used well, it would bring huge benefits to the Qin State.

After hearing what Zhang Yuanqing said, Ying Zheng calmed down and began to look at ways to gain weight. The more he looked, the brighter his eyes became. He immediately left to discuss the matter with his ministers.

Zhang Yuanqing naturally wouldn't care about these things, and he didn't have the energy.

Zhangtai Palace

"Go and summon the two prime ministers, Wang Wan, Feng Jie, and Li Si."

"promise."

The summoned people had just sat at home for a while when they were called to Zhangtai Palace again. They looked at each other and walked into the palace.

Ying Zheng had already started processing memorials at this time. When he saw several people coming, he asked them to look at the stack of papers given by Zhang Yuanqing first.

It is written in great detail, including what kind of soil and its characteristics, how to improve it, how to add fertilizer, and the expected yield.

After passing it around and reading it, several people were delighted. However, what made them even more curious was the thin object in their hands that could carry words.

Changping Jun spoke first: "Your Majesty, the method of increasing fertilizer in Dashangzao is detailed and clear. Now that the plowing has just been completed, we need to quickly send people to improve the land."

"I second your suggestion. If we can improve the land of Qin this year, what a bountiful harvest we will have next year." Wei Zhuang was also very anxious. Time was running out, and he had to be anxious.

"That's what I'm thinking. Who do you think is capable of doing this?"

"Your Majesty, I recommend myself." Wang Wan stepped forward. He was in his thirties and full of vigor and vitality.

"Approved. This matter will be handed over to the Royal Minister, assisted by the Minister of Agriculture. Anyone who obstructs the improvement of the land will be executed."

The cold and majestic voice sent a chill down the spines of the people in the hall.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will complete it before next year's sowing."

The matter was settled, and several people looked at each other, not leaving. Finally, Wei Zhuang stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, what is this?"

"Hahahaha!" Ying Zheng laughed out loud as he looked at the curious people. As expected, no scholar in the world could resist the temptation of this thing.

"This is a piece of paper. It can be written on. It's much more convenient than bamboo slips. It was made by Da Shang Zao."

"Da Shang Zao!"

In just one day, the king's newly appointed Grand Master really shocked them.

"Your Majesty, I wonder how much this paper costs?" Li Si stepped forward and asked.

"Less than one-tenth the cost of the bamboo slips."

"!"

Shock.

"Okay, let's discuss this later."

Li Si and others could only leave silently.

Within a few days, word spread throughout the Qin court that the Great Lord had created a magical object, thin as a wing, inexpensive, and capable of carrying characters, making it much more convenient than bamboo slips. Those who had seen it spoke fondly of it, its longingly deep color intensifying their curiosity. However, the Great Lord was already in the palace, temporarily out of their reach. As for the King, they dared not ask, and could only discuss it privately.

In just five days, Zhang Yuanqing was in great health and no longer looked like he would die at any moment.

Zhang Yuanqing offered his leave to Ying Zheng, who graciously granted it. Meanwhile, Zhang Yuanqing's residence had already been prepared, with servants appointed by Ying Zheng himself. Its location near the Xianyang Palace made many people jealous. However, no one was jealous, as the residence was once the residence of Bai Qi, the Marquis of Wu'an.

"I have met the Great Master."

As soon as Zhang Yuanqing left the palace, Li Si came to congratulate him.

"Old Li, don't tease me."

"Ada, go prepare some tea."

"promise."

"Hahaha, Brother Zhang's tea has been missed by Si for a long time."

Seeing that Zhang Yuanqing was still easy-going, Li Si was secretly happy and sat down opposite Zhang Yuanqing with a big laugh.

"If you like, ask Ada to get you some later."

"Thank you very much, Brother Zhang."

"You're welcome."

"Alas, it's inconvenient to sit on this saw. I'll have to ask Ada and Aer to find someone to make some chairs someday."

If I were to say what's not good about coming to Xianyang, I would have to mention sitting here.

There's nothing I can do. I can't afford to hurt my legs.