Returning to the front courtyard
"Zhao Feng."
"This time, it's truly a double blessing."
"I didn't expect that the Yan princess would also give birth to a daughter for you." Xia Wuqie smiled.
"Having a daughter is good too."
Ying Zheng spoke in a deep voice and then turned to Zhao Feng with a tone of instruction:
"Zhao Feng, you have been a father for several years now, but there is one thing you must always remember."
"Please enlighten me, Your Majesty." Zhao Feng looked at Ying Zheng.
"The distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children."
"You must keep this in mind. If there is any imbalance, it will be the root of chaos in your household."
"No matter the family, even merchants, if they show excessive favoritism towards illegitimate children, disaster will surely follow." Ying Zheng's expression was serious.
Zhao Feng nodded in agreement. "I understand, Your Majesty."
"In large families, it all comes down to the issue of inheritance."
Seeing Zhao Feng nod, Ying Zheng felt slightly relieved. "It's good that you understand."
As the King of Qin, Ying Zheng naturally understood this principle better than anyone.
However
Before knowing Zhao Feng's true identity, Ying Zheng couldn't distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate children because his sons were born to concubines, not the official queen.
Thus, he originally had to focus on nurturing his eldest son, Fusu.
But Fusu's temperament and abilities had greatly disappointed Ying Zheng.
Now, however, the situation had changed.
Zhao Feng had appeared.
And he was the son of the woman Ying Zheng loved most the woman he had always considered his true queen.
That meant Zhao Feng was the legitimate heir. Now that he had a rightful eldest son, why would he still concern himself with the others born of concubines?
In noble families, the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children was crucial. In a royal family, it was even more so.
"The issue of inheritance among sons is ultimately a matter of unequal distribution of wealth."
"There can only be one head of a family, just as there can only be one emperor."
"But in my case, the future will be different."
"The world is vast my sons can all become kings."
Zhao Feng had already envisioned the future in his heart.
On the land of China
If chaos erupted one day and he was forced to conquer and rebuild a new dynasty, the ultimate ruler of China would surely be Zhao Qi, the legitimate heir and emperor of the land.
As for the vast territories beyond China, those could be conquered.
And who would govern them?
Naturally, his sons.
The world was vast there was enough to go around.
"One son, one daughter."
"You, kid, if nothing else, are truly blessed."
"Since it's such a joyous occasion, I've prepared some gifts for you." Ying Zheng clapped his hands.
Immediately, palace attendants arrived, carrying box after box into the mansion.
Each box contained high-grade spiritual medicines.
Seeing this, Zhao Feng could feel the sincerity in Ying Zheng's gesture.
He immediately bowed. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"These are for Yan'er, and also for that Yan princess." Ying Zheng waved his hand and said warmly, "Stay home and take care of Yan'er these days. No need to attend court."
Hearing this
Zhao Feng immediately nodded. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
This was exactly what he wanted.
Court affairs were tedious, and he had no desire to participate.
Compared to the freedom of the military, the court was stifling.
"All right."
"We won't disturb Zhao Feng any longer."
"He just returned let him rest." Ying Zheng smiled, knowing Zhao Feng's temperament well.
Wang Jian and Xia Wuqie also stood up to leave.
"Your Majesty."
Just then, Zhao Feng suddenly called out to Ying Zheng.
"What is it?" Ying Zheng turned back.
"You have been so kind to me, yet I have nothing to offer you in return."
"I can only give you these two bottles of spiritual pills."
Zhao Feng spoke sincerely, taking out two bottles of pills from his robe.
Upon hearing this
And seeing the two bottles of pills in Zhao Feng's hands
Ying Zheng's expression turned puzzled.
"Are you trying to poison me?" Ying Zheng said with irritation.
At that moment
His reaction was exactly like Zhao Feng's when he was first given "spiritual pills."
Spiritual pills?
Not even a dog would want them.
Wang Jian and Xia Wuqie's expressions also changed, looking at Zhao Feng in confusion.
Now that the entire court knew the so-called spiritual pills were poisonous, what was Zhao Feng doing?
"Your Majesty, do you think these are the same poisonous pills made by those alchemists?" Zhao Feng chuckled, knowing exactly what Ying Zheng was thinking.
"Aren't all spiritual pills just poison?"
"You were the one who told me that." Ying Zheng said with annoyance.
If it had been anyone else, he would have immediately ordered them dragged away and executed.
"These are not poisonous pills they are medicinal pills that I refined."
"One is a stimulant to restore energy, and the other is a detoxification pill." Zhao Feng pointed to the two bottles.
He then opened the stimulant pill bottle, took out one, and swallowed it in front of everyone.
"Are you serious?" Ying Zheng's suspicion lessened.
He understood Zhao Feng well.
There was no reason for Zhao Feng to harm him, and besides, Zhao Feng cherished his own life. If these were truly poisonous, he wouldn't have taken one himself.
"If Your Majesty does not want them, that's fine." Zhao Feng smiled and made to put the pills back into his robe.
These pills were personally refined using his inner energy as fire to temper medicinal herbs. They were not like the poisonous concoctions of those deceitful alchemists.
These were real spiritual pills.
"You've already brought them out, and now you want to take them back?" Ying Zheng scolded.
"Your Majesty, does that mean…" Zhao Feng grinned.
Without another word, Ying Zheng snatched the two bottles from Zhao Feng's hands.
"I might distrust others," Ying Zheng said, looking Zhao Feng in the eye.
"But I know you wouldn't harm me."
For one, Zhao Feng had no reason to do so.
And secondly, it was Zhao Feng who first exposed the poisonous nature of the fake spiritual pills. There was no reason for him to use poisoned pills now.
"Haha." Zhao Feng chuckled, saying nothing more.
"You gave them to the King won't you give any to your father-in-law?" Wang Jian said with feigned displeasure.
"Father-in-law."
"I will refine more in a few days and give them to you."
"These are real spiritual pills, not fake ones, and they're very rare." Zhao Feng immediately responded.
"Well, since your father-in-law wants one, I might as well ask for some too." Xia Wuqie laughed.
"There's enough for everyone." Zhao Feng nodded quickly.
In the Days That Followed
Zhao Feng enjoyed a rare period of peace.
There was no need to attend court or oversee military affairs.
Each day was spent accompanying Wang Yan and Wuyang.
Of course, news spread quickly.
Many court officials learned that Ying Zheng had personally visited Zhao's residence and had even bestowed names upon his two children. As a result, numerous ministers sent congratulatory gifts.
Zhao Feng accepted them all without hesitation.
Everything was calm and peaceful.
At the Imperial Court
"Minister Han Fei."
"I have returned to the capital as per Your Majesty's decree."
"I present the household registry of Zhao territory, the tax records, and the population census."
"May Your Majesty review them."
Standing in the grand hall, Han Fei held a box containing the official records he had compiled since returning from Wei territory.
With a wave of Ying Zheng's hand, Zhao Gao immediately stepped forward, respectfully took the box, and presented it to the king.
Ying Zheng opened the box, took out the top document, and examined it carefully. His serious expression made it clear that he was scrutinizing every detail.
After reading the first document, he continued flipping through the rest.
The court fell into a solemn silence.
Many ministers understood that if Han Fei successfully proved his competence in governing the Zhao territory, he might earn a position among the Nine Ministers.
After a long while, Ying Zheng closed the records.
"Minister Han's reputation as a brilliant administrator is known far and wide. In the past, when you were in Xianyang, I had yet to fully recognize your abilities."
"But now, you have managed to restore order to the war-torn Zhao territory, which has a population comparable to Qin's own, within just over a year."
"This achievement belongs to you, Minister Han."
Ying Zheng's words were full of praise.
These reports had pleased him greatly.
"Thank you for Your Majesty's praise."
"As a minister of Great Qin, I must serve." Han Fei replied humbly yet firmly.
"I have also heard that after stabilizing Zhao, you went to Daliang City and took charge of resettling tens of thousands of refugees?"
"You even oversaw the construction of a new city?" Ying Zheng inquired with a smile.
Without hesitation, Han Fei retrieved a silk scroll from his robe.
"Your Majesty, this is the household registry and population record for the new city." Han Fei held up the scroll and spoke loudly.
Zhao Gao swiftly stepped forward, received the scroll, and presented it to Ying Zheng.
Ying Zheng took it and examined its contents carefully.
The details of the new city's population and registration were now laid bare before him.
"Daliang originally had a population of over 500,000, but after the flood disaster, only 400,000 remained. Minister Han successfully resettled them all and even built a new city."
"This is no small achievement."
Ying Zheng's face was filled with satisfaction.
"The policy for constructing the city, as well as the implementation methods, were all devised by General Zhao Feng. Without his guidance, I would not have been able to accomplish this so easily."
"This merit largely belongs to General Zhao Feng I merely followed his plan." Han Fei reported truthfully.
It was evident that Han Fei did not wish to take full credit for the achievement, even though Zhao Feng had voluntarily ceded it to him.
What he did not realize, however, was that upon hearing that Zhao Feng had masterminded the entire city-building project and refugee resettlement, Ying Zheng's eyes lit up with excitement.
"Minister Han, are you saying that both the plan and its execution were arranged by Zhao Feng?" Ying Zheng asked.
"Yes, Your Majesty. The strategy and methodology were all devised by General Zhao Feng I merely carried out his directives." Han Fei confirmed.
"Who would have thought?"
"I never expected Zhao Feng to possess such expertise in governance." Ying Zheng mused with admiration.
"Your Majesty."
"General Zhao Feng is not only a brilliant military commander but also highly capable in state affairs. I hold great respect for him." Han Fei declared loudly.
"For you to speak so highly of him, it seems Zhao Feng truly has remarkable administrative skills." Ying Zheng nodded with a pleased expression.
Internally, he was overjoyed.
"Feng'er, it seems I have underestimated you."
"I never imagined you would excel in governance as well."
"Establishing a new city and resettling tens of thousands of refugees this is no minor feat."
"It appears that Feng'er is indeed the heir destined for me by the heavens."
Returning to the present, Ying Zheng focused his gaze on Han Fei once more and spoke loudly:
"For your achievements in stabilizing Zhao territory and establishing a new city to resettle refugees in Daliang, your contributions cannot be overlooked, Minister Han."
"It is my duty, Your Majesty." Han Fei bowed.
"Minister Han has rendered great service to the state and deserves recognition."
"Hear my decree."
"From this day forward."
"Han Fei shall be appointed as the Imperial Granary Minister and join the ranks of the Nine Ministers."
Ying Zheng announced with authority.
"I humbly accept Your Majesty's great favor."
Han Fei did not hesitate in the slightest.
Before any other officials could react, he immediately expressed his gratitude.
This was also a testament to Han Fei's shrewdness.
By accepting the appointment without delay, he solidified his position before anyone could object.
"Your Majesty's decision, I second."
"Given Minister Han's talents, he is well-qualified for this role." Li Si promptly voiced his support.
Even though it was a bit late, he still made his move.
This was also his way of extending goodwill to Han Fei.
After Li Si spoke, Wang Wan and several other ministers followed suit, expressing their approval.
Since the position of Imperial Granary Minister had been vacant due to a lack of suitable candidates, Han Fei's appointment seemed fitting.
"Minister Han's reputation is already known throughout the land, and his governance of Zhao territory has further proven his capabilities."
"I trust that you will not disappoint me." Ying Zheng smiled.
"I will devote myself to strengthening Qin and making it even more powerful." Han Fei declared.
From beginning to end, Han Fei never once professed loyalty to Qin's king his every word expressed loyalty to Great Qin itself.
Perhaps, in Han Fei's mind, this was his last shred of dignity.
He was loyal to Qin, but not necessarily to its ruler.
For Ying Zheng, however, the distinction was irrelevant.
For him, Qin was himself, and he was Qin.
Han Fei's form of loyalty was perfectly acceptable.
"Very well."
"Let us proceed with the court session."
Ying Zheng waved his hand.
"Your Majesty, I have a matter to report."
"It concerns the welfare of the people in Wei territory." Han Fei stepped forward.
"Speak." Ying Zheng commanded.
"Before Great Qin conquered Wei, the Wei kingdom imposed excessive taxes due to its constant wars."
"I propose lowering the tax rate in Wei territory to match that of Qin, as its people are now our citizens." Han Fei petitioned.
"The same policy was applied to Zhao and Han territories."
"Wei shall be no exception."
"Approved." Ying Zheng responded without hesitation.
"Your Majesty is wise."
"The taxes in Wei were indeed excessive. Lowering them to match Qin and Han's policies will earn the people's loyalty to Great Qin." Wei Liao immediately supported the decision.
Inside Zhangtai Palace
"Minister greets the Great King."
Han Fei bowed respectfully before Ying Zheng.
"Sit."
Ying Zheng gestured toward a cushion beside him.
"Thank you, Great King." Han Fei expressed his gratitude before sitting properly on the cushion.
"Han Fei."
"I understand your heart." Ying Zheng suddenly spoke.
"What does the Great King mean?" Han Fei was slightly stunned.
"You pledged your service to Great Qin, but your loyalty is not to me," Ying Zheng said slowly.
Han Fei's expression changed, and he immediately bowed. "Your minister is fearful."
But Ying Zheng simply raised his hand, showing he did not mind. "I understand. Your loyalty lies with the people of this land, with the countless citizens of Huaxia."
"For me," he continued, "it is the same."
"Because I am the King of Great Qin, and I will be the King of all under heaven. If you are loyal to the world, then you are loyal to me." Ying Zheng's voice carried an undeniable air of dominance.
Hearing this, Han Fei did not respond. He only felt an even deeper sense of the overwhelming presence and authority of the ruler before him.
"The position of a Nine Minister is one of great power and prestige," Ying Zheng continued.
"Normally, a surrendered minister would never have the chance to assume such a role."
"Do you know why I chose you for this position?" Ying Zheng asked with a slight smile.
Han Fei had already anticipated this question.
He clasped his hands together and answered, "It is because of the Great King's unmatched vision, a quality beyond the reach of ordinary rulers."
On this point, Han Fei held sincere admiration.
If it were any other king, they might have accepted his surrender, but they would never have entrusted him with great responsibilities.
After all, he was still a former minister of a defeated nation.
"What do you think of Zhao Feng?" Ying Zheng suddenly changed the topic.
"I dare not deceive the Great King. When Korea was destroyed, I had already resolved to die."
"It was only because Zhao Feng, the Supreme General, persuaded me that I ultimately joined Great Qin."
"As for Zhao Feng, I have always deeply respected him. Later, I witnessed his many military accomplishments for Great Qin, and my admiration for him only grew."
"Zhao Feng is a man of extraordinary talent, excelling in both civil and military affairs. I am no match for him."
"In all of the world, perhaps no one can compare to him," Han Fei said with genuine sincerity.
Listening to Han Fei's high praise of Zhao Feng, Ying Zheng's face revealed a pleased smile, like that of a proud father.
"The achievements with the refugees in Daliang was that truly a gift from Zhao Feng to you?" Ying Zheng asked with a smile.
"It was indeed," Han Fei answered truthfully.
"That boy," Ying Zheng chuckled.
"He doesn't even care about taking credit for his accomplishments."
"Zhao Feng once told me that he is a military man and has no interest in claiming merits for civil administration," Han Fei explained, now speaking more casually.
"He even refuses to take credit?" Ying Zheng seemed slightly exasperated.
Regaining his composure, Ying Zheng finally stopped beating around the bush. "The reason I appointed you as one of the Nine Ministers, specifically as the Interior Minister in charge of grain distribution, was because of Zhao Feng's recommendation."
"I trust him."
"And so, I trust you."
Upon hearing this, Han Fei immediately stood and bowed deeply. "Your minister thanks the Great King for your trust."
"Remember Zhao Feng's kindness."
"Remember how he has helped you."
"More importantly, remember that the reason you are still alive today is because of Zhao Feng."
"That is all."
"You may leave."
Ying Zheng waved his hand.
"Your minister takes his leave."
Han Fei bowed once more.
Yet, as he left, his thoughts were in turmoil.
"What was the Great King's intention today?"
"Was it just to subtly warn me?"
"But why did he repeatedly mention Zhao Feng?"
"Why did he stress that I should remember Zhao Feng's kindness and help?"
"Just what kind of regard does the Great King hold for Zhao Feng, that he would say such things?"
"He all but told me outright to form a political alliance with Zhao Feng!"
Han Fei was deeply unsettled.
As he stepped out of Zhangtai Palace, Ying Zheng watched his retreating figure.
A smirk curled at the corners of the king's lips.
"Feng'er…"
"Your judgment of people is sharp."
"Han Fei is a man of loyalty and integrity."
"I can see it no matter what happens, he will stand by you with his full strength."
"In the future, having such a great talent at your side will spare you many troubles."
"This is what I can do for you ensuring that Han Fei can support you without hesitation."
Ying Zheng smiled to himself.
No one else knew what was going through his mind at that moment.
Meanwhile, in his carriage leaving the palace, Han Fei suddenly seemed to realize something.
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