Chapter 10: Cotton Seeds, the Sixth Set of Radio Exercises

Half an hour later, the party returned to the imperial bedchamber. The servants had already prepared a feast.

"Please, Master Xiao, have a seat."

"This... I dare not, Your Highness."

Xiao He, feeling thoroughly ill at ease, waved his hands repeatedly. One does not accept a reward without having earned it. Even though he had always been a man of self-confidence, the favor shown to him by this young prince left him feeling flattered and overwhelmed.

"You deserve it. With your talent, Master Xiao, how could you not? I shall have to rely on you in the days to come." Ying Ziji clasped his hands and bowed slightly.

Xiao He hurried forward to steady him, at a complete loss for what to do. From the young prince’s words, was he truly being recruited? Xiao He felt as though a pie had fallen from the heavens and landed perfectly in his lap. He felt quite dizzy. Only a few days ago, he had been a minor official in Pei County. Not only had he been summoned by the First Emperor himself, but today he was being treated with such courtesy by the young prince of Great Qin—and even offered a position? This was beyond the stuff of dreams.

"This... may I ask what the young prince wishes for me to do?" Xiao He asked, trembling with apprehension. The successive surprises made him feel unworthy.

"I am already aware of your talent for governance. During my time as regent, His Majesty asked me to select a few capable hands, and you, Master, are naturally the most suitable choice. I believe in you!" Ying Ziji picked up a morsel of food, his eyes curving into crescents with a smile.

It was the young prince... who had summoned him to Xianyang? And he knew of his talents? Looking at the child before him, Xiao He felt a complex surge of emotions. For years, he had harbored ambitions with no place to realize them—how many could understand that bitterness? This trust from the young prince left him not only stunned but filled with joy.

"What is your answer, Master Xiao?"

"One studies the arts of war and peace to sell them to the throne; today, I have finally encountered a wise master." Xiao He spoke with great solemnity, then bowed low. The rumors about this young prince must have been a great misunderstanding by the world! Given his words and demeanor, how could he be judged by conventional standards?

Ying Ziji clapped his chubby hands in excitement. "With your help, Master Xiao, I have even more confidence in the reforms to come. By the way, there is a very important matter at hand; I fear I must trouble you with it."

"The young prince need only speak!"

"I have recently invented something called paper..."

...

At dawn, the purple clouds gathered in the east.

[Ding! Influenced by you, Zhang Liang has been captured. Instability has decreased, national fortune has increased, and you have been rewarded with a movable type printing template.]

[Ding! You have successfully recruited Xiao He. Mutual growth achieved. You have been rewarded with one hundred catties of cotton seeds.]

Early in the morning, the system's notification chimed. Ying Ziji felt refreshed and invigorated. After washing up, he stepped into the courtyard.

*Heave—ho! Heave—ho!*

"Young Prince, what is it that you are doing?"

"This is called 'broadcasting gymnastics.' Would General Wang like to try? It can loosen your muscles and joints and stretch your body."

"Broadcasting... gymnastics?"

"Uh... it's a form of martial arts for strengthening the body."

Wang Jian had come specifically to check on the growth of the potatoes. Upon entering the courtyard, he saw Ying Ziji bouncing, jumping, and twisting under the morning sun. He understood every word the young prince said, but when combined, they made no sense.

"Martial arts? To loosen the muscles?"

"Is it truly so miraculous?" Wang Jian looked skeptical, but he began to mimic the movements anyway. He had no idea where the boy had learned such a set.

"Naturally! If you persist in doing this every morning, I guarantee you will live to be a hundred." Ying Ziji said, continuing his movements. "Watch closely, General, the next set is the chest-expansion exercise!"

Watching Ying Ziji shift into new movements, Wang Jian’s eyes burned with interest. "This set of martial arts may look simple, but it hides great skill; it is remarkably practical." He began to follow along with intensity.

"Fifth section, leg-kicking exercise!"

"Sixth section, torso-turning exercise!"

"Seventh section, full-body exercise!"

...

"Your Highness, this martial art of yours truly is effective." After completing the full set, Wang Jian’s face was flushed with vitality. The young prince was full of surprises, always producing the most unexpected things. Who would associate this adorable child with the prince who, on his first day as regent, had executed the all-powerful Zhao Gao?

"General, you came to my residence suddenly—is there something you needed?" Ying Ziji exhaled softly. Before he had become regent, Wang Jian had always kept to himself, maintaining a low profile and rarely inquiring about state affairs.

"Young Prince, you previously said that you did not kill Zhang Liang because you intended to use him?" Wang Jian’s expression turned serious as he broached the main topic. He had already guessed the young prince’s intentions but could not be certain, which was why he had come in person today. The Emperor had not killed Zhang Liang yet, but he had not said he wouldn't! If the young prince played the wrong move and angered His Majesty, then...

"Do not worry, General. I kept Zhang Liang for two reasons: firstly, he is indeed a talent, and secondly, I have a task that requires someone just like him."

Ying Ziji waved his small hand. Paper could now be produced, and he possessed movable type printing. His next step was to establish an academy, implement the imperial examination system, and scout for talent! This was the path to Great Qin’s prosperity; there could be no failures. It was also an extremely dangerous path. Breaking the monopoly on knowledge was undoubtedly stepping on the toes of the powerful; it was a path that invited death. The person carrying this out needed not only great ability but also a lack of fear of death. After much thought, Zhang Liang was the most suitable candidate.

"Sigh, you are truly..." Seeing the expression on Ying Ziji’s face, Wang Jian knew that the boy had likely set his sights on someone else again.

"Oh, right, General, there is one thing I would like to verify with you."

"Are there any materials such as bamboo or straw in the national treasury?" These were the most essential raw materials for papermaking.

"Bamboo... there is plenty outside of Xianyang, but within the city, there is only one place." Wang Jian thought for a moment and asked, "Young Prince, why do you need this?" Could it be that bamboo was some kind of crop?

"Forgive me, General, I have a great use for this bamboo, but it is not yet the time to reveal it." Seeing Wang Jian’s gaze, Ying Ziji scratched his head.

Wang Jian nodded without pressing further. "Young Prince, have you never been to the residence of the Eldest Prince? The followers of Confucianism love plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums. Prince Fusu is no exception, and he has planted a bamboo grove in his rear garden to cultivate his character."

Fusu has them? Ying Ziji nodded. He turned and instructed the Brocade Guards to prepare a carriage.

"Ziji, are you going to Eldest Brother's mansion? I want to go too!" Ying Yinman, having just woken up, said in a daze.

Ying Ziji didn't even look back. "I'm going to pluck Fusu’s bamboo clean. Come along if you aren't afraid of getting a scolding."

"I'm going!"

...

At Fusu’s residence.

"What? Little Seventeen is coming? And he’s bringing a hundred Brocade Guards??" Upon receiving word from Wang Jian, Fusu’s face showed shock. The messenger had not mentioned the bamboo. Fusu, hearing that those ruthless Brocade Guards were coming, immediately jumped to the wrong conclusion. After all, his younger brother had once told him that the Confucians were pedantic and would eventually be detrimental to Great Qin.

Could it be... that he wants to execute all the Confucian scholars around me?