Daqin: My weak and virtuous minister

Zhangtai Palace

"Your Majesty, Zheng Guo has returned."

Shi Yi walked in to report.

After Ying Zheng finished reviewing the memorial in his hand and put it away, he looked up and said, "Pass it on."

"promise."

"Meet the king."

"Get up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Zheng Guo looked up and looked at Ying Zheng. It had been ten years since he came to Qin, and he had long forgotten the reason for coming to Qin.

"The canal that the king ordered me to build is now complete, and I have come to report."

"Bring me the map."

Soon, Shi Yi brought people to carry the map of Qin and placed it in the hall.

"Come and see the state of Zheng, and show me the location of the canal."

"promise."

Zheng Guo stepped forward, carefully standing beside Ying Zheng, and pointed out: "Your Majesty, please look. The river channel you designated runs from here to here. Now that this canal is completed, the water supply problem in the Guanzhong area has been solved."

"Your Majesty, from now on, the people of Guanzhong will no longer suffer from reduced grain production due to drought."

"Hahaha."

Ying Zheng laughed, then looked at Zheng Guo and said, "Zheng Guo, you've worked hard."

He turned around, walked up to the throne and sat down. "It has been ten years since Zheng came to Qin, right?"

"Your Majesty, it's been ten years."

"I wonder if Zheng Guo is willing to stay in Qin now?"

Although Zheng Guo's purpose of coming to Qin was not pure, during the past ten years, Zheng Guo worked hard for Qin. Now that the canal has been completed, Zheng Guo should be credited with the greatest contribution. Ying Zheng was reluctant to let such a talented person leave Qin.

"Your Majesty, now that Han has become part of Qin, Zheng is naturally part of Qin. Zheng is willing to continue serving Your Majesty."

Ying Zheng nodded in satisfaction. "Alright, announce to the Qin State that the canal is complete. The hydraulic engineer Zheng Guo has made an indelible contribution. Therefore, the canal will be named Zheng Guo Canal."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

At this moment, all the ten years of hard work are worth it.

After leaving Zhangtai Palace, Zheng Guo returned to his residence in Xianyang.

This house was given to him by the King of Qin when he came to Qin ten years ago. Now, ten years have passed, and the house has not shown any signs of decay, which shows that it has been properly maintained on a daily basis.

The news of the completion of Zhengguo Canal naturally spread to where Zhang Yuanqing was.

"Sir, Zheng Guo is truly remarkable. He actually allowed my father to name the city after him."

In the study, Fusu read the letter from Xianyang and shook his head.

"This is what Zheng Guo deserves."

With the current manpower and material resources, it would be extremely difficult to build a canal in ten years.

It was not only the State of Zheng that suffered, the people also suffered.

But it's all worth it.

Fusu thought for a moment, blinked his eyes, and asked, "Sir, when the people of Han, whom you govern now, become prosperous, can we also call this place Yuanqing?"

Zhang Yuanqing looked at Fusu in horror, "How could you have such an idea, sir!"

This is horrible. Yuanqing? Yuanqing County? This is so embarrassing! I can't even think about it. I can't even think about it.

"Isn't that what you said, sir? Zheng State completed its canal in ten years, and your father named it the Zhengguo Canal. So, shouldn't the Han area under your rule be called Yuanqing?"

Fusu didn't quite understand why the gentleman was resisting like that. According to what the gentleman said, isn't this an honor?

"Stop. Stop thinking about this. Stop it."

Zhang Yuanqing was helpless. This child's thoughts were becoming more and more unconventional. Who did he learn this from?

"Aren't you supposed to go with Lu Sheng to see the plow today? Why haven't you gone yet?"

"Fusu will go now."

Fusu stood up, called Li Xin and left in a hurry.

In the fields, new plows have been distributed, and every family is lining up to use the new plows to sow seeds.

When Fusu and Li Xin arrived, there were already people working in the fields with plows.

There were many people standing on the road, looking at the plows in the fields, eager to try.

"Lu Sheng, this plow is so easy to use!" Fusu didn't know anything about farming before, but Zhang Yuanqing asked him to follow Lu Sheng every day during this period. He saw a lot and naturally knew it.

"Of course. This was the idea proposed by the Marquis, and we made it after several refinements."

Speaking of this, Lu Sheng was as proud as a peacock.

"During the winter, the Mo family began preparing these plows. Fortunately, we had enough time, otherwise the people here might not be able to use them this year."

Zhao Guo

Zhao Palace

King Yan of Zhao caught a cold ten days ago and has not fully recovered yet.

His condition worsened in the past two days, and the government affairs were directly handed over to Crown Prince Qian and Prime Minister Guo Kai.

"Prince, it took Qin only two months to conquer Han. Now that Qin is strong, our Zhao should immediately unite with Wei, Chu, Yan, and Qi to attack Qin."

"I second the proposal."

"Qin destroyed Han because Han provoked Qin first and then killed Qin's envoys. How could the King of Qin not be furious?"

"Yan has repeatedly provoked Zhao. How can we unite and attack Qin?"

"That's what the prince said."

Guo Kai looked at the minister who had made the suggestion and said, "Yan has been repeatedly provoking Zhao. A war is inevitable. If we were to unite the four nations to attack Qin, how can you guarantee that Yan wouldn't take advantage of the situation and attack Zhao?"

"Prime Minister, if we don't unite the four nations to attack Qin now, I'm afraid that in the future Qin will destroy Zhao first."

"Prince, please think twice."

When Prince Qian saw that the court officials were divided into two factions, he didn't know how to choose for a moment.

Before, he just followed his father to listen to the government affairs, but there was no real matter that required him to make decisions. Now that such a big country was suddenly handed over to him, Prince Qian was a little at a loss.

"This matter will be discussed later."

"Do you have anything else to report?"

The ministers were helpless and stopped talking.

"Retreat."

After the court session, the crown prince moved to the palace where King Zhao was resting.

"Father, are you feeling better?"

King Zhao was leaning on the bed, and the eunuch was holding the medicine. When King Zhao saw Prince Qian come in, he asked him to sit down first, then picked up the bowl of medicine and drank it in one gulp.

"Father is fine, he just needs a few days of rest."

"Qian'er, what are you doing here at this time?"

"Father, at this morning's court, the court officials submitted a petition suggesting that our State of Zhao should unite with the four other states to attack Qin. I am undecided, so I have come to consult you."

King Yan of Zhao looked at Zhao Qian and asked, "What does the Prime Minister say?"

"The Prime Minister said that Yan has been repeatedly provoking Zhao. If we were to join forces to attack Qin at this time, Yan would seize the opportunity to attack Zhao. Therefore, the Prime Minister does not agree to join forces to attack Qin."

King Yan of Zhao thought for a moment and waved his hand to let the eunuch go away.

"What the Prime Minister said makes sense, but we must also be on guard against the Qin State."

"So, let's wait a month and see how other countries react."

"promise."

After getting the answer, Prince Qian felt like he had thrown away a heavy burden and felt relieved.

"Father, the child has gone to deal with the memorials."

"Go ahead. If you have any questions, you can ask the Prime Minister."

"promise."

After the Crown Prince Qian left, King Zhao felt a little tired and closed his eyes to rest on the bed. At this time, the eunuch reported: "Your Majesty, the Queen wishes to see you."

"Let the queen in."

King Zhao doted on his queen very much. When he heard that she was coming, the fatigue on his face was lessened a little.

The queen was the mother of Crown Prince Qian. She was originally a prostitute, but was later favored by King Zhao and became his wife. Later, he made her queen despite the opposition of court officials.

The former Crown Prince Jia was tricked by Guo Kai into making a mistake. The King of Zhao was furious and abolished Zhao Jia's position as crown prince and re-appointed Prince Qian as crown prince.