Chapter 2: Zi Ji Governs the Kingdom, Rewarding Potatoes
“Your Majesty, this goes against protocol…”
“On your previous excursions, the Crown Prince Fusu has always served as regent.”
“The Crown Prince Fusu is benevolent and experienced in governance. With him overseeing the state, there would be no trouble. But the Seventeenth Prince…”
“The Seventeenth Prince is only eight years old. How can he act as regent?”
“We earnestly implore Your Majesty to rescind this imperial edict!”
Several Confucian officials among the ministers spoke up to offer counsel.
Fusu revered Confucianism and had always governed according to its principles, earning him great respect among Confucian scholars. For the First Emperor to suddenly replace him with another to oversee the state was a most ominous sign.
“Protocol? This realm belongs to me alone. Who dares lecture me on protocol?” Ying Zheng’s cold eyes swept across the ministers, an invisible pressure radiating from him. “A ruler does not speak frivolously. Do any of you have further objections?”
His tone was indifferent, yet the meaning was unmistakably clear.
“We dare not.”
Terrified, the ministers immediately dropped to their knees, prostrating themselves and holding their breath.
Only three ministers—Li Si, Meng Tian, and Wang Jian—remained silent.
They were clever men.
Once the Emperor had made his decision, opposing it was tantamount to courting death.
“Hmm?”
Ying Zheng’s gaze swept across the assembly and settled on a single figure who had not bowed.
It was none other than the Seventeenth Prince, Ying Ziji, whom he had long favored.
This young boy seemed truly enlightened—facing such immense power, he was neither nervous nor elated, but calm and composed.
Such maturity was extraordinary.
“This little Seventeen… truly worthy to be the Great Qin’s Taizong!” Ying Zheng felt a surge of pride rise within him.
“Xiang Tuo became Confucius’s disciple at seven, Gan Luo was appointed Chancellor at twelve. My son, an eight-year-old regent—what’s not possible?”
He beckoned the boy with a smile. “Little Seventeen, I entrust the Great Qin to your care. Do you have the confidence?”
Ying Ziji was momentarily stunned but then nodded earnestly.
He was bound to the destiny of Great Qin; as Qin grew strong, so would he—an inseparable fate.
He would never watch the Great Qin perish under a second generation!
“Your son will not disappoint Your Majesty’s expectations.”
Clenching his fist, Ying Ziji’s dark pupils gleamed brightly as he said, “But Father, I have two conditions, and I ask that Father consent.”
“Oh?” Ying Zheng’s interest was piqued. “Speak.”
The civil and military officials perked up their ears.
The Seventeenth Prince had conditions?
“My years are few, and my experience insufficient. Should I err, I ask Father not to hold it against me or punish me harshly in hindsight.”
The boy’s clear voice echoed in the great hall, innocent as a child afraid of his father’s reprimand.
“Hahaha, that condition I grant.”
Ying Zheng laughed heartily.
What great harm could an eight-year-old cause?
The ministers thought alike.
They were no empty vessels; if the Seventeenth Prince did anything disloyal or unlawful, they would surely intervene.
A smile appeared on Ying Ziji’s face. “It pleases me that Father agrees. Also, Brother Fusu has Confucian advisers; I too will need assistance in governance!”
This was straightforward.
He intended to build his own faction.
Power was not an empty title—it depended on control from top to bottom, and the bottom were those who could execute orders.
Without helpers, all decrees were mere words.
Of course, Ying Ziji’s condition had another layer of meaning.
He needed to grant Yu Huatian and the 300 Embroidered Uniform Guards a legitimate status!
“I grant that as well!”
Upon hearing this, Ying Ziji beamed.
[Notification: Congratulations to the host for taking a decisive step in altering the fate of Great Qin. Based on the magnitude of the influence, the host is rewarded with one thousand jin of potatoes.]
“Potatoes!”
“Potatoes, of all things!”
Ying Ziji rejoiced inwardly; now, the grain shortage could be resolved.
“Thank you, Father. I have no further questions.”
He looked like a child with his favorite toy, hopping joyfully back among the ministers.
“Still just a child,” Ying Zheng smiled unconsciously.
It was hard to imagine that this boy would one day become Emperor Taizong, the Heavenly Khan.
Yet at eight years old, it was unrealistic to expect him to master the arts of rulership immediately.
“All matters are settled. You shall obey Prince Ziji’s commands. I shall depart on my eastern tour tomorrow.”
“Dismissed!”
…
Time passed swiftly.
The next day.
Outside Xianyang, ministers and commoners lined the streets to bid farewell to the First Emperor.
“Farewell, Your Majesty!”
The ministers knelt respectfully, and amidst the crowd a youthful voice rang out.
It was the Seventeenth Prince, Ying Ziji.
“Father, please travel safely!”
Historically, the First Emperor’s eastern tour was marked by an assassination attempt.
That assassin was Zhang Liang.
Though the attempt failed, who could be certain that no further dangers awaited?
If the Emperor were to perish, Ying Ziji’s fate would be sealed as well.
Hearing his words, Ying Zheng chuckled merrily within his carriage.
Each time he traveled, he was accompanied by tens of thousands of the finest Qin troops. Who in the world would dare snatch a tiger’s tooth?
Yet among all those who came to see him off, only the young prince showed concern for his safety.
Watching the procession gradually disappear, Ying Ziji, sword at his waist nearly as tall as he, wore a somewhat comical expression.
The Deer Lu Sword was the traditional weapon of Qin kings, symbolizing supreme status.
“Everyone may return. I shall attend court punctually tomorrow.”
With that, Ying Ziji returned to the Zhangtai Palace.
The ministers breathed sighs of relief—not because of anything the prince said, but because with the Emperor absent, they could finally rest.
Ying Zheng’s pressure was immense, even under Regent Fusu.
Fusu was rigid, methodical, and unforgiving of deviation.
Now, with an eight-year-old child as regent, the ministers felt no pressure at all.
…
Back in the sleeping chamber, Ying Ziji laid the Deer Lu Sword aside.
“Father’s eastern tour will last only a few months. During this time, I must root out the unstable elements threatening Great Qin!”
“Of course, I cannot do this alone.”
With this in mind, Ying Ziji summoned the system.
[Notification: Reward claimed. Appropriate identities have been assigned to the host.]
[Notification: Director of the Western Depot, Yu Huatian, summoned successfully.]
“Assigning them legitimate status saves a great deal of trouble.”
Ying Ziji was delighted.
Stepping outside the chamber, he saw the guards surrounding the palace, each armed with embroidered spring knives and emanating a chilling aura.
Clearly, they were elite, well-trained troops.
Yu Huatian stood vigilantly outside the hall. Upon seeing Ying Ziji, he immediately knelt on one knee.
“Chief Guard Yu Huatian reporting, Your Highness.”
“Hm. Today, I give you your first task—kill a man!”
A murderous gleam flashed across Ying Ziji’s brow.
To secure the borders, one must first pacify the court.
“Father, you did promise not to hold grudges. Killing a few people should not be excessive.”
…
Inside the First Emperor’s carriage during the eastern tour.
Ying Zheng sat upright, pondering before speaking aloud:
“Deploy the Black Ice Platform to secretly monitor the court. If any disturbances arise, report immediately!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Meng Yi, in charge of security, acknowledged the order.
“Bolangsha… is there truly an assassin?”
Ying Zheng took a deep breath.
Though only a dream, the vision had left him with seventy percent certainty.
Bolangsha would be a test.
If an assassin appeared, it would confirm the dream’s truth.
If not…
“Meng Yi, arrange for another carriage for me upon reaching Bolangsha.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
…