The Qin Dynasty entered the game with love.

Since receiving news of Ying Ji's return, Ying Zheng had been unable to concentrate on reading the memorials. Upon hearing that his elder sister had returned to the palace, he immediately prepared to get up and greet her.

But Ying Ji arrived at Xianyang Palace first, ahead of him. Upon seeing the familiar young man, she put Fusu down and then hugged him.

Never before had she missed this loved one so much. Ying Ji hugged him tightly and said, "A-Zheng, your older sister missed you so much."

Ying Zheng was already blushing with embarrassment. He had never seen a relative express his longing so passionately since he grew up.

The boy could only stiffen his body, give her a quick hug, then push her away, clench his fist with one hand, and cough lightly as if to say, "Sister, Zheng is also very worried about you."

Ying Ji looked at the boy's bright red ear tips and smiled like Jerry who had stolen cheese: "I know I made A-Zheng worry. I will be more careful next time and try not to leave you so far away."

Even if Ying Ji hadn't said it, Ying Zheng still couldn't accept that she had gone out. Heaven knows that when he received the news that Ying Ji had been assassinated on the way and had disappeared without a trace, he really wanted to search for her at all costs.

Fortunately, Tuanzi secretly told Yuan Ge that Ying Ji's life was not in danger, and Yuan Ge relayed the information back, thus preventing a major conflict.

Ying Zheng pulled the woman into the tea room and poured out his longing. Ying Ji told him everything about her trip, and became somewhat embarrassed when she talked about Zhang Liang.

Ying Zheng didn't care: "He's just the son of the prime minister of a small state like Han. It's an honor for my sister to take a liking to him. Even if she has some ulterior motives, it doesn't matter. Han is already under the control of Qin. What's the big deal about him?"

Ying Ji coughed lightly, finally easing her embarrassment: "That's good. Actually, I quite like him, but I didn't know he was Zhang Liang before."

Ying Zheng smiled: "I understand, my sister was just lustful."

The woman blushed deeply and turned her head away somewhat awkwardly: "Stop it, it's just human nature!"

Ying Zheng didn't dare to continue, fearing that Ying Ji would be angered and retreat back to Yongning Palace: "It seems that this trip has been very fruitful. What's next, sister?"

Ying Ji immediately stood up: "Naturally, we should establish the Imperial Academy. Recently, scholars and teachers have been coming. I'm thinking about how to divide the subjects. How about we name them directly after Confucianism, Legalism, Mohism, Agriculture, and Military Affairs?"

Ying Zheng nodded: "The idea is good. It can also get all schools of thought to join in on their own. I don't believe anyone can resist the Imperial Academy promoting its own doctrines."

Ying Ji received the answer she had been looking for, and her confidence soared: "I knew it! It's already feasible. Once Elder Liu has researched potatoes and sweet potatoes, and another year has passed, our army will be strong and ready to attack the city."

As Ying Zheng watched the vibrant woman recount her long-cherished wish, his heart finally felt somewhat at ease: [Zhang Liang and Han Fei... it seems I should meet Han Fei. He'll have to suffer for plotting to make my sister fall for Zhang Liang.]

Poor little Fusu was forgotten on a plate, watching the adults chat and gossip. In the end, it was Madam Xia who carried him away.

The next morning, Ying Ji stayed in bed.

Yuan Ge coaxed his princess to get dressed: "Princess, it's almost time for court. If you don't hurry, you'll be late."

Being late, Ying Ji's work spirit suddenly kicked in. She stood up with her eyes closed, and Yuan Ge looked at the adorable princess with amusement, then had a maid help her change.

The people standing at the palace gate were only able to barely wake up when a cold wind blew into them.

Looking at the still pitch-black sky, Ying Ji just wanted to cry. [Ah Zheng, this is too much! It's only 5 o'clock, can we change it to 12 o'clock for work?!]

During the morning council meeting, Ying Ji closed her eyes to rest. After listening for a long time, all they talked about was the canal construction. Since it would be built sooner or later anyway, the noisy environment felt just like a class, and she couldn't help but doze off.

Suddenly everything quieted down, and Ying Ji's drowsiness vanished. When she opened her eyes, she saw the court officials staring at her.

Ying Ji's heart pounded: [What...what's going on? Can anyone explain this to me?]

Li Si suddenly had a flash of inspiration and quickly spoke up: "The construction of this canal is extremely costly. We are currently short of manpower, food, and money, which is a problem. However, if this canal is completed, it will surely bring blessings to Great Qin. It is understandable that the ministers are in a state of confusion and disorder. However, since Zheng Guo was recommended by the Lord of Danyang, he can also offer some solutions."

Ying Ji continued, "Recently, the common people of the six states have taken the initiative to go to various parts of Qin, especially Xianyang, which has accepted a lot of refugees. These people have no money and no land, and are most prone to riots."

If we recruit these people to work on the canal, providing each with two meals and 10 baht a month, and then providing them with free housing upon completion, I think some people will come.

The physician said, "No, building houses also requires timber and land. Xianyang City doesn't have enough. Are we going to cramm everyone into one place? That would be even more of a hidden danger."

Ying Ji: "Why settle people in Xianyang? The surrounding villages are fine. It will take at least 5 years to build the canal. In 5 years, a household registration and a house will be obtained. Why is there a hidden danger when there is a target?"

The physician said, "Then who will fund the construction of the houses? The national treasury is empty, and it is already difficult to stabilize the military supplies."

Ying Ji pondered for a moment: "The army has been stationed in the suburbs for many years, and the supply is indeed insufficient. Why not allocate half of the 100,000 soldiers each month to repair the canal? Because of the hard work, they can eat three meals a day. This way, we can save some of the funds for repairing the canal and also save some of the supplies."

General Wang Jian stepped forward: "No, Lord Danyang, you absolutely must not. Soldiers need to train year-round to be effective. If they are replaced all at once, how can we guarantee that they won't forget?"

Ying Ji: "Isn't this what training is all about? If you think you can forget life and death in a month, then you are underestimating the soldiers. Here's how we'll let the soldiers choose for themselves. They can take turns repairing the canals and doing manual labor every month. All the soldiers who help repair the canals can have their families come and receive the newly developed grain seeds for free. They can be harvested in three or four months, and the yield of 3000 grains per mu is more than enough."

"What? There are such superior breeds? We have never heard of them before."

"This can indeed solve the manpower problem and reduce some of the materials needed for canal construction. However, we still need to verify whether this improved variety is genuine."

"Yes, a yield of 3,000 per mu is nothing short of a miracle."

Ying Zheng shouted, "What kind of decorum is this, with all this noise and commotion at court? Zheng Guo, I hereby order you to take charge of the canal construction. If this canal is completed and becomes the Zheng Guo Canal, then as for the matter of the superior seeds, let all of you go together and see for yourselves."

Zheng Guo was so overwhelmed by this huge windfall that he repeatedly agreed.

The remaining court officials whispered among themselves, and finally bowed to each other, all requesting to go together.

Ying Zheng and Ying Ji, sitting on the throne, met each other's eyes and nodded. Yesterday, Liu Lao had sent someone to inform them that the potatoes were ripe, and the two of them had even eaten roasted potatoes. They had been looking for a good opportunity to bring them out, but they hadn't expected so many people to help them at the court meeting.

Now that it's the right time, giving it as a reward will surely make people overjoyed. If we force it to happen, it will definitely encounter all sorts of resistance.