Chapter 9: Xiao He—This Young Master Is No Ordinary Man

“Imperial Edict of the First Emperor!”

At that moment, a hurried voice came from outside the main hall.

A shadow guard from the Black Ice Platform entered.

The assembled ministers immediately ceased their discussions, bowing deeply to await the imperial command.

The guard slowly unfolded the cotton scroll in his hands and read aloud:

“Zhang Liang’s assassination attempt on the sacred carriage is a crime punishable by death.”

“Yet, I consider his intelligence exceptional and killing him would be a waste. For now, imprison him in the death cell and await further orders!”

???

The ministers were utterly stunned.

Not to execute him?

Could this really be the First Emperor’s edict?

They all knew that previous assassins, once caught, never saw the dawn!

...

By then, the news had spread throughout the entire city of Xianyang.

Soon, the whole realm would know.

An assassination attempt on the First Emperor was a momentous event—enough for storytellers to rehash for years.

“Did you hear? The young noble once said not to kill Zhang Liang, and now the Emperor’s edict has arrived.”

“The edict doesn’t say not to kill him, just to imprison him and await judgment. I still think he’ll die.”

“The Emperor is so mighty. Zhang Liang dared to attempt assassination—he’s practically walking into a trap.”

“Indeed, the Emperor who conquered the six kingdoms and unified the nine provinces is no ordinary man.”

“By the way, the young noble didn’t attend court today; he just sent his steward Yu with a message. Isn’t that a bit frivolous?”

...

In a teahouse, the chatter was lively.

Assassinate the First Emperor?

Zhang Liang?

The young noble?

Listening to the conversations, a passing scholar sitting atop a donkey tapped his foot.

His Confucian robe was faded from many washes.

This was none other than Xiao He from Pei County.

To be honest, he felt as if he were dreaming.

He was just a minor official in Pei County, a mere village clerk, yet had been personally summoned by the First Emperor and assigned to serve in Xianyang.

Even if it were a dream, he wouldn’t dare to imagine such a thing!

“Though I harbor great ambitions, I have nowhere to fulfill them...”

“How did His Majesty come to know of me?”

Xiao He was filled with doubt.

A village clerk being singled out by a sovereign was beyond belief.

Lost in thought, he rode his donkey toward the reeds outside the city to fetch water.

“Hee-haw, hee-haw!”

Suddenly, a child’s soft voice sounded.

Xiao He looked up and saw a rosy-cheeked boy nearby, busily cutting reeds.

Though the boy wasn’t even as tall as the reeds, he worked with great effort.

This piqued Xiao He’s curiosity.

The boy was dressed richly—not of a poor family.

Reeds were usually harvested by the poor to feed livestock or for building with mud.

Why would a boy dressed so finely be doing such work?

“Ah, someone’s here.”

“Hmm... looks like a scholar? If you have time, come help me.”

Ying Ziji wiped the sweat from his brow.

The invention of papermaking first benefited scholars.

Asking him to do some work was not unreasonable.

“Uh... okay.”

Xiao He was taken aback; before he could react, a sickle was thrust into his hand.

He wanted to refuse but seeing Ying Ziji’s innocent face, he could only smile wryly and crouch down.

He asked out of curiosity, “Young noble, you are elegantly dressed and articulate—why come here to do this kind of work?”

“Which family’s son are you?”

“I’m from the Tian family,” Ying Ziji smiled, pointing toward the sky.

The Tian family?

This child was quite interesting...

“But sir, you asked about my background, yet should first introduce yourself.”

“Ah... excuse my rudeness.”

Xiao He bowed, “I am Xiao He from Pei County, merely a village clerk.”

Xiao He?

Ying Ziji was momentarily stunned, his expression strange.

Pei County... village clerk...

Could this be the Xiao He he knew?

“Are you really Xiao He from Pei County?”

Ying Ziji’s eyes brightened.

“To my knowledge, there is no second Xiao He in Pei County. That is indeed me.”

The expression on Ying Ziji’s face made Xiao He feel awkward.

Even with his wit, he was a little lost.

Not only did the First Emperor know him, but now even a child did?

He was not from a noble lineage.

Xiao He momentarily questioned his own life.

“All right, that’s enough for today. Let’s prepare to return.”

Ying Ziji found the situation peculiar.

He had thought to send the Imperial Guards after Xiao He, but now he had come knocking on his door himself.

Now Zhang Liang and Xiao He were both by his side.

Perhaps... they should summon Han Xin as well?

But Han Xin would only be about ten years old now.

“Wh-what is this...”

Xiao He suddenly noticed a group of strong, fierce-looking guards emerging one by one from the tall reeds nearby, freezing him in place.

It wasn’t that he was timid.

He was simply astonished by the child’s identity.

Who exactly was this boy?!

Ordinary noble sons wouldn’t come out to cut reeds, let alone be accompanied by hundreds of powerful guards.

Each man radiated a fierce aura—clearly not ordinary attendants.

“Mr. Xiao, I suppose you have yet to find lodging in Xianyang?”

“How about coming to my residence?”

Ying Ziji smiled and extended an invitation.

“I... was ordered to report to Xianyang but have yet to do so. I’m afraid...”

Looking into the unwavering gazes of the Imperial Guards, Xiao He swallowed hard.

In truth, he was inwardly cursing his fate.

What on earth was going on?

Unexpectedly, Ying Ziji seemed pleased.

“Perfect! Since you were ordered here to report, it’s only right you come to my residence.”

Xiao He blinked in confusion.

What did that mean?

So, you’re in charge of officials in Xianyang?

Wait...

Staring at the round, adorable face, Xiao He suddenly felt a chill.

Could this be the young noble currently acting as regent?

Looking at the little boy before him, even prepared Xiao He was stunned for a long time.

This young noble was no ordinary person!

“I am Xiao He, greetings, young noble.”

After a moment, he recovered and respectfully bowed to Ying Ziji.

To him, being able to serve as an official in Xianyang was already a great leap forward; naturally, he had few reservations.

This young noble, now acting as regent, was the most powerful person in Qin besides the First Emperor.

Though he could not understand why the wise and mighty First Emperor would entrust regency to a child...

“Good day, Mr. Xiao.”

Ying Ziji smiled in reply.

The Three Heroes of the Early Han: Zhang Liang, Xiao He, and Han Xin.

Zhang Liang led strategies, Xiao He managed logistics, and Han Xin commanded the army.

With careful nurturing, in time, even Li Si could not match his skill in logistics.

“I’m ashamed; I am unworthy of being called ‘sir’ by the young noble.”

Xiao He felt embarrassed.

Now, he was just a low-ranking official, barely above a commoner.

Opposite him was the most sought-after prince in Qin.

“Oh, sir, there’s no need for formalities. Come, to Ziji’s residence—I will personally host a welcome feast.”

Ying Ziji hopped into his carriage and beckoned to Xiao He.