Could she possibly want to become a sage?
From ancient times to the present, only that Confucian pioneer Confucius could be called a sage.
But Ying Zheng studied Legalist methods and did not accept Confucius’ philosophy of governing with virtue—”If the ruler is upright, his orders will be carried out without being given; if he is not upright, even given orders will not be obeyed.”
If subordinates used virtue to restrain the monarch, how could his commands be implemented? When would Great Qin be able to unify the world?
In his view, governing with virtue was nothing but empty talk. If everyone could abide by Zhou rituals, the Zhou Dynasty would not have been destroyed, and there would not be constant warfare among the various states now.
So-called sages were merely people living in their own utopian ideals, unable to see reality clearly!
Ying Zheng also found Zhao Yuanxi’s ideas naive and ridiculous. Did she really think she alone could provide for all the people under heaven?
If such a method truly existed, why would Qin State have to postpone its campaigns against the Six Kingdoms due to the unbearable costs of continuous warfare?
If there were sufficient grain, his Great Qin could raise more soldiers. Not just the Six Kingdoms—he could conquer the entire world.
“The Queen Dowager’s ideas can only remain in dreams,” Ying Zheng ruthlessly shattered everyone’s illusions.
“That’s not true!” Ziying wrapped his arms around his Da Mu’s neck and retorted in his childish voice, “Da Mu knows how to grow delicious food and make all kinds of tasty dishes! She taught others to make delicious tofu and refreshing soybean milk! Da Mu said when the corn is harvested, they’ll have plenty of food and won’t go hungry anymore!”
Even if it’s only the Chu Family for now, that still counts as taking the first step.
The child’s innocent words made Ying Zheng’s expression darken.
Zhao Yuanxi, however, was delighted. This was indeed the child she had raised—always taking her side. She really wanted to kiss him right then.
And she did exactly that, planting a loud kiss on Ziying’s little forehead.
“Well said, Ziying! You’re truly Da Mu’s good grandson!”
Ziying’s face flushed bright red. Covering his face with his small hands, he buried his head, looking utterly adorable.
But to Ying Zheng, this scene was extremely irritating, and his expression grew even more sour!
Zhao Yuanxi was extremely dissatisfied with his expression and spoke sharply, “Are you so certain that day will never come?”
Just because it couldn’t be done now didn’t mean she couldn’t achieve it in the future.
She had the system, and she possessed knowledge accumulated over millennia. Anything was possible.
Ying Zheng sneered, “Does the Queen Dowager believe those hundred acres of weeds you planted can feed millions of people in Great Qin?”
Weeds? He actually called what she planted weeds?
Zhao Yuanxi fumed, “Who said those are weeds!”
“Wait—how do you know what I planted? Did you go see it? Or did you have someone touch my seedlings?” She instantly bristled.
If he dared touch her seedlings, he was done for!
Ying Zheng inexplicably shivered. He had indeed ordered a few saplings to be pulled and sent to Xianyang.
They were just a few unknown weeds. He had agricultural experts examine them—while they resembled sorghum, they weren’t the same plant. Even if they were another type of sorghum, they could only be used for famine relief and supplemental planting. Their yield wouldn’t be much higher than the beans, wheat, and millet currently grown in Qin State.
“Speak up! You had the nerve to pull my seedlings but not the courage to admit it?”
Zhao Yuanxi wished she could find something to beat him with right then.
“It’s just a few seedlings. I’ll compensate you for whatever they’re worth.” Ying Zheng pursed his lips, not thinking he had done anything wrong. The entire Qin State belonged to him—what was the issue with having a few plants pulled out?
Zhao Yuanxi clenched her fists. “Can this be measured in money? Each of my corn plants can grow more than two cobs. Each cob contains five hundred seeds. Ten plants can yield one dan of grain. If I save these seeds, next year I can harvest a thousand times more! How do you plan to compensate for that?”
……
The corner of Ying Zheng’s mouth twitched. According to her calculations, pulling out a few of her seedlings would require him to compensate with the entire national treasury of Qin.
“Nothing like that exists in this world. Do I look easy to fool?”
Zhao Yuanxi crossed her arms. “You don’t believe me?”
Of course he didn’t. If such a miraculous thing truly existed, he wouldn’t just give her gold and silver treasures—he’d even acknowledge her as his mother!
Delighted by how uninformed people here were, Zhao Yuanxi’s eyes sparkled with an idea. “Then let’s make a bet. If my seedlings can produce a thousand seeds, you’ll give me a hundred mu of fertile land. How about that?”
“If the yield is truly as you say, what would be the harm in giving you a thousand mu?”
What a wealthy patron!
Zhao Yuanxi’s eyes gleamed with greed, and her view of Ying Zheng shifted from seeing him as a spendthrift to seeing him as a veritable golden pig—one that reliably produced gold coins!
“You’re too generous!” Zhao Yuanxi grinned from ear to ear.
Ying Zheng’s lips curled slightly, amused by her sudden change in attitude. “What if you lose?”
“How could I possibly lose?” Zhao Yuanxi retorted without hesitation. Meeting Ying Zheng’s half-smiling gaze, she pouted and said, “Fine! What do you want?”
“If you lose, your papermaking workshop and papermaking technique will belong to me!”
Zhao Yuanxi clicked her tongue. This kid had been setting her up all along.
No wonder her cheap son had sent his eldest nephew to visit her out of the blue—he had his eyes on the paper in her possession.
Leaving aside the fact that she wouldn’t lose, Zhao Yuanxi had originally planned to wait until the paper produced in Yongcheng spread throughout Xianyang City, expecting someone from the King of Qin to approach her for collaboration.
Although her eldest nephew’s move was a bit greedy, it was clear that cooperation could still proceed as planned, and the timeline had been moved up by months.
A glint shone in Zhao Yuanxi’s eyes. To recognize the value of paper so quickly, this eldest nephew didn’t seem foolish after all—at the very least, he had excellent judgment.
“Deal!” Zhao Yuanxi nodded.
She then patted Ziying on the head. “Ziying, be good and go play with Physician Yu. Da Mu has matters to discuss with your Uncle Mi. I’ll make you fresh milk and red bean buns tonight, alright?”
Ziying mumbled in response, “Mm, but Da Mu, be careful not to be tricked by him.”
“Don’t worry! Who could possibly trick me?”
Physician Yu stepped forward, took Ziying’s hand, and led him away to play with the little rabbits.
Zhao Yuanxi walked up to Ying Zheng. “Regarding the seedlings, I can let the matter slide. But since you know about the papermaking workshop, you should be aware that I intend to sell paper in Xianyang and even promote it throughout the entire Qin State. So, what do you think? Are you interested in getting involved?”
“You can back me in Xianyang. No matter how much we sell, I’ll give you a ten percent cut.”
Selling paper was indeed a profitable business.
“Only ten percent?”
Zhao Yuanxi was displeased. “I’m not asking for your manpower or resources—just borrowing the reputation of you, Lord Changping. How much more do you want?”
Ying Zheng raised an eyebrow. “Wouldn’t the reputation of the Queen Dowager be more useful than mine?”
“You’re asking what you already know! At most fifteen percent, not a penny more!” Zhao Yuanxi felt a pang of heartache.
She was inwardly miserable! If Empress Dowager Zhao’s reputation held sway in Xianyang City, Zhao Yuanxi wouldn’t have needed to send Gao Sheng with the paintings to visit the dignitaries and nobles of Xianyang.
……
Ying Zheng then recalled that due to his decree, no one in Xianyang City even dared discuss matters related to Empress Dowager Zhao. If they tried to use her name to sell goods, not only would they fail to make sales—they might even be driven out.
He cleared his throat lightly, “Who do you plan to put in charge?”
“So you agree?”