[Various] The Deposed Crown Prince's Survival Story

Lord Changwen and Lord Changping exchanged a glance before speaking to explain.

Just like the melodramatic "forced marriage" in romance novels, Han Fei was also particularly disobedient to Ying Zheng, showing a strong sense of "you have my body, but you can't have my heart."

On his first day in the palace, Ying Zheng held a grand banquet for his new love, inviting all the civil and military officials of the court to attend.

As everyone was enjoying themselves, clinking glasses and drinking, Han Fei spoke.

He said, "Your Majesty's advisors are all disloyal ministers."

Holy crap! That's a huge sweeping generalization!

The scene immediately descended into chaos. The courtiers were incredibly agitated, while the military generals remained relatively calm, since they weren't strategists. However, the strategists of Qin, such as Li Si and Yao Jia, looked at Han Fei with utter disbelief, their eyes turning red like a rabbit's. If Ying Zheng hadn't been there to defy them, the strategists would have devoured Han Fei on the spot.

In ancient times, strategists were generally quite skilled with words; otherwise, they would not have been able to persuade monarchs to accept their opinions.

Unable to resort to force, the strategists of Qin launched their most prized tactic: verbal attacks.

Huh? Talking big? Han Fei seems to have a stutter, right?

Thinking this to himself, Fusu voiced his doubts.

"It is true that Young Master Han Fei is a stutterer."

"But no one says that a stutterer can't be eloquent."

"It's just a bit difficult to listen to."

"And no one dares to interrupt him in front of the king."

Before Fusu, Lord Changping and Lord Changwen continued to recount the events of that day, one after the other.

On that day, Han Fei and the Qin strategists who were angered by him engaged in a well-organized debate, which was also mixed with personal attacks and self-serving remarks.

The first to emerge was Yao Jia, a representative figure of the strategists of the Qin state.

Although this person wasn't famous in later generations... well, people only know Li Si and Han Fei, and maybe Wei Liao at best, but he was actually very talented.

Yao Jia, a native of the State of Wei, studied the Department of Diplomacy in university. He was eloquent and sharp-tongued, earning him the nickname "the one who can talk people to death without suffering the consequences."

After graduating from university, this person worked in the State of Zhao. His main achievement during his work was uniting with the States of Chu, Han, and Wei to jointly attack Qin.

Following Qin's principle of "bribing those who can be bribed, and killing or removing those who cannot be bribed, so that the courts of other states are full of good-for-nothings," Yao Jia quickly lost his job and was expelled from Zhao.

But not long after, Yao Jia regained his high spirits—because he was won over by Ying Zheng and began to frequently travel as an envoy for Qin to other countries.

At that time, the Qin state was the most powerful. Although Ying Zheng thought he was the best in the world, he did not think he could withstand the attacks of so many small monsters at once. He was afraid that the small monsters would join forces to attack him after they regained consciousness.

In this situation, Yao Jia stepped forward and volunteered to go on a diplomatic mission to the four countries, allowing them to continue to be sleeping little monsters.

Ying Zheng was overjoyed and immediately sent him as an envoy. According to historical records, Ying Zheng provided him with "a hundred chariots, a thousand catties of gold, clothing and hats, and a sword dance."

Such treatment was rare during the Qin Dynasty.

Of course, Yao Jia was also quite capable. Through his skillful maneuvering, the four-nation coalition automatically dissolved, and each of them was willing to befriend Qin.

Yao Jia felt he had rendered great service to Qin, having risked his life for the state. But now... damn it, someone actually told the King of Qin that "all the advisors are disloyal."

This is a slap in the face! A very serious slap in the face!

Yao Jia immediately adopted his old style of verbally sparring with the four kingdoms' little monster, wanting to verbally spar with Han Fei.

Han Fei, a stuttering but eloquent debater, has extensive experience in dealing with enemies—he either doesn't speak at all, or when he does, he strikes at the enemy's most vulnerable spot, saving as much nonsense as possible.

So he spoke up, saying, "Yao Jia? You must know him, he's that... the gatekeeper of the imperial family, the great thief of Liang, and the banished official of Zhao."

That's right, if Yao Jia had any shortcomings, it would be his poor family background.

His father was a gatekeeper, and so was his grandfather; their family was practically a family of gatekeepers.

When Yao Jia himself fell on hard times, he did some unethical things. Scholars in that era were not like those of later generations who were "unable to carry anything on their shoulders or in their hands." The long sword at his waist was not for showing off; it was for protecting himself in danger and for pulling off a heist when he was short of money.

However, Yao Jia has now prospered and is deeply trusted by Ying Zheng, so no one dares to talk about these things in front of him.

But now, Han Fei, that stuttering idiot, has revealed all of Yao Jia's dark past. Yao Jia was so angry that he almost couldn't catch his breath and fainted on the spot.

Yao Jia was furious, but Han Fei had no intention of stopping. He continued, stammering, "I heard that you, Yao Jia, were once an envoy to four countries? And when you went on your mission, the king not only gave you a hundred chariots and a thousand catties of gold, but also made you wear the king's clothes and carry the king's sword?"

Hearing the other party mention his masterpiece, Yao Jia's expression improved, and he finally didn't faint. Instead, he replied, "Indeed! I, Yao Jia, am not talented, but I have won the favor of the King and volunteered to go on a mission to the four kingdoms. Although it took three years, I have fortunately fulfilled my mission and finally managed to get the four kingdoms to form an alliance with my Great Qin. I have not failed the King's trust."

It can only be said that Yao Jia was far too careless. How could he possibly treat someone like Han Fei with kindness? He should have been utterly crushed.

Sure enough, Han Fei abruptly flicked his sleeve, looked at Yao Jia with the disdainful gaze one might give a dog, and loudly proclaimed, "How dare you speak of such a despicable and immoral act? Shameless!"

How am I shameless? How am I shameless? What did I do that made me shameless?

Yao Jia was practically going crazy. If he hadn't been able to control himself, he would have wanted to find a white glove and throw it in Han Fei's face, demanding a duel with him.

Han Fei ignored Yao Jia and turned to look at Ying Zheng, who was seated above him. He cupped his hands and said loudly, "Your Majesty, Yao Jia traveled to four kingdoms for three years, carrying pearls and precious treasures. On the surface, the four kingdoms finally formed an alliance with Qin, but in reality, they could turn their backs at any time because they were not truly sincere in their alliance with Qin. If they do break the alliance, what will happen to the treasures that Qin has spent on this? Will they have been wasted by Yao Jia in vain?"

At this point, Han Fei angrily pointed at Yao Jia, as if the other party were some heinous villain.

"Although the Qin state suffered losses, Yao Jia himself did not, because the feudal lords he befriended with Qin's treasures recognized him, not Qin. In the end, the treasures were spent by the Qin state, but the benefits were gained by Yao Jia. Wouldn't that be a very worthwhile deal for Yao Jia?"

"Moreover, Yao Jia came from a poor background. He was merely the son of a gatekeeper in Daliang, the capital of Wei, and had even been a thief in Wei. Although he later served as an official in Zhao, he was expelled from the country. It is hardly a way to encourage the ministers to participate in important state affairs, given that he was the son of a gatekeeper, a thief in Wei, and an exiled official in Zhao."

Upon hearing this, Fusu suddenly slammed his hand on the long table and said, "Han Fei is truly absurd. So what if he is poor and humble? As long as one has knowledge and ability, what does it matter if one is poor and humble? In the past, Duke Mu redeemed Baili Xi with five hides, which enabled our Great Qin to rise for the first time and become the hegemon of the Spring and Autumn Period. Judging a person by his background, I think Han Fei is nothing special."

"What the eldest son says is absolutely right," Lord Changping said with a smile.

It's no wonder Lord Changping was pleased that Fusu, at such a young age, possessed such insight.

"Just some humble opinion." Fusu gave a shy smile. He hadn't read so many books for nothing. Although he didn't understand many of them, he did understand the more basic ones.

For example, the history of the Qin ancestors was memorized word by word by Ying Zheng, who grabbed his ear and made him memorize it. After memorizing it, he had to understand it, and after understanding it, he had to write a report.

Of course, Fusu's understanding of these historical events was also quite unique. For example, his grandfather, Zichu, was the neutron of Lord Anguo and a hostage in Zhao. This was the first time in human history that a neutron had been observed to decay into a hostage.

If you're bad at physics, shut up!

"I've also heard about Mr. Yao Jia. I've heard he's quite eloquent; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to persuade four states with just his words. Surely such a person wouldn't let Han Fei spout nonsense without refuting him?"

Yao Jia was certainly not a pushover who would remain silent after being scolded. When Ying Zheng asked him if this was true, he didn't even glance at Han Fei, but walked straight to Ying Zheng, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, it is indeed true. But... what Yao Jia did was not for himself, but for Your Majesty and for the Great Qin."

"Oh? What do you mean by that?" Ying Zheng asked.

“In the past, Zeng Shen was filial to his parents, and all the world wished to have such a son; Wu Zixu was loyal to his lord, and all the feudal lords were willing to serve him; the virtuous woman was skilled in needlework, and all the men in the world wished to have her as their wife. But I am loyal to Your Majesty, yet Your Majesty does not know that if I do not send treasures to those four countries, to whom else will they submit? Your Majesty should also consider: if I am not loyal to Your Majesty, why will the rulers of the four countries trust me? King Jie of Xia listened to slander and killed the good general Guan Longfeng; King Zhou of Shang listened to slander and killed the loyal minister Bigan, leading to their own deaths and the destruction of their kingdoms. Now, Your Majesty listens to slander, and there will be no more loyal ministers to serve the country.”

Ying Zheng was very satisfied with Yao Jia's answer, and he continued to ask, "Then is Mr. Yao Jia the son of the gatekeeper, a thief from Wei, and an exiled official from Zhao?"

"Jiang Taigong was a man from Qi who was driven out of his home by his wife. In Chaoge, he was a useless butcher who couldn't even sell meat. He was also a retainer expelled by Ziliang. In Jijin, he couldn't even find anyone to hire him for his labor. But King Wen had the insight to assist him, and eventually established his kingdom. Guan Zhong was just a merchant from the border of Qi. He was poor and destitute in Nanyang and was imprisoned in Lu. Duke Huan of Qi appointed him and established his hegemony. Baili Xi was just a beggar from Yu, worth only five sheepskins. But after Duke Mu of Qin appointed him as prime minister, he became invincible against the Western Rong. Furthermore, Duke Wen of Jin relied on bandits from Zhongshan, yet he was able to win the Battle of Chengpu." These people, all of humble origins, burdened with infamy, and even despised by others, were given important positions by wise rulers because they knew they could establish immortal merit for the country. If everyone were like Bian Sui, Wu Guang, and Shen Tu Di (ancient hermits), who would serve the country? Therefore, wise rulers do not dwell on the faults of their ministers, nor do they listen to slander; they only examine whether their ministers can be used by them. Thus, wise rulers who can bring peace and stability to the country do not listen to external defamation, nor do they reward those who have only a reputation for virtue but no real merit. In this way, all ministers will not dare to seek empty fame from their rulers.