Chapter 1 The Early Years of Government

  Leaving the old man's courtyard, Fu Su felt that he should report his studies to King Qin. Moreover, with the war of unification about to begin, if he missed this great opportunity, it would be a lifelong regret!

  In the Yanyuan Palace, in the Council Chamber, King Ying Zheng of Qin had just issued a decree summoning all his ministers to come and discuss matters. Just then, an eunuch hastily came forward to report: "Your Majesty, Prince Fusu requests an audience!" The king looked somewhat surprised, for Fusu rarely came to request an audience with him in person. After all, he was still just a child, and had nothing of any importance to say. King Zheng thought for a moment, seeing that the ministers had not yet arrived, nodded his head and said: "Summon Fusu to come in!"

  He happily accepted the order and hastily went out, arriving at the palace gate where he fawned on Fu Su, saying: "Young Master, the King has summoned you for an audience!" "Hm!" Fu Su nodded in satisfaction, casually pulling out a small exquisite jade pendant from his sleeve and smiling: "A reward for you. In the future, be more efficient with your tasks and I won't treat you unfairly!"

  Xi was overjoyed and said: "Thank you, young master, for the reward. How dare I accept it?" Fu Su was a cunning person and had done such bribery many times before, so he understood Xi's intention and forced the gift into his arms, saying with a smile: "Take it, I never take back what I give to my subordinates. If you have any important news in the future, just let me know and that will be enough. From now on, I will also attend the imperial court meetings!" Xi replied with a loyal face: "I will remember this and serve the young master diligently from now on."

  Fu Su smiled slightly and stepped inside. In her heart, she was secretly pleased that in order to make fewer mistakes in front of the King of Qin's father, she had to get closer to the officials and maids by his side. This was also a good way to save the country through indirect means, which many people in history had tried and proven effective!

  "The Crown Prince Fu Su has arrived!" A sharp, high-pitched voice rang out as Fu Su stepped into the council hall. He looked up to see his father, the King of Qin, sitting majestically on the throne and hastily bowed down: "Your son Fu Su pays respects to Your Majesty, wishing you eternal blessings, longevity rivaling that of Heaven!" No matter what, Fu Su knew his father loved hearing about long life, so flattery was always a safe bet!

  Indeed, the King of Qin was overjoyed and said: "Fusu, you didn't go to your father's place to study, what brings you to see me?" Fusu respectfully replied: "I report to Your Majesty, my grandfather has just told me that I have already graduated from my studies, so he asked me to come and pay respects to Your Majesty, in order for Your Majesty to further arrange my education!"

  "Oh! You've already completed your studies?!" Ying Zheng was taken aback: The foundation education and nurturing education lasted for ten years, but Fu Su finished all his studies in just six years, which was really beyond Ying Zheng's expectations. However, it also shows that Ying Zheng is not very competent as a father, he doesn't even know what stage his son's studies have reached!

  "Hmm, how to arrange you!" King Qin was somewhat hesitant. According to convention, a prince of the Qin clan, except for the eldest son and heir, would typically leave the palace after completing their basic education and upbringing to establish their own residence, symbolizing independence. The eldest son or heir would also live independently in the palace after completing their basic education and upbringing, with officials such as the Taifu, Taishi, and Taibao assigned to assist them with daily life, etiquette, and transportation. But was eleven-year-old Fusu too young to be living on his own? Even the wise King Qin was momentarily at a loss.

  "Hmm, Fusu, what do you think the King has planned for your new studies?" The King of Qin was indeed unpredictable, and with a flick of his foot, he kicked the ball back. Fusu blinked his eyes and said: "I've heard that Your Majesty is about to embark on the great undertaking of conquering the six states, so I wish to accompany you as soon as possible to witness your majesty's heroic sweep across the six directions. Therefore, I humbly request to establish my own palace and attend court meetings!" The exceptional eloquence he had honed in his past life as a businessman was not just empty talk!

  "Ah?!" King Qin was apparently surprised, couldn't help but feel that Fu Su's young age belied his broad-mindedness! King Qin had always placed high hopes on Fu Su and couldn't help but feel extremely delighted, yet also a little worried: "Hmm, Fu Su, have you thought this through carefully? Your father is very pleased with your ambition. However, you're still too young, your father worries that you won't be able to take care of yourself!"

  Fu Su felt dizzy in his heart: he was almost forty years old, including his past life, older than his father, and still couldn't take care of himself?! But on the surface, he respectfully said: "Your Majesty, Gan Luo became a prime minister at the age of twelve, and I opened my own court at eleven. What's wrong with that?! Is your eldest son not as good as Gan Luo?!"

  Finally, there was a tone of dissatisfaction in this sentence. Qin Wang He and others who were intelligent could hear it, but Fu Su, who understood Qin Wang's competitive personality, asked the right question that fit Qin Wang's heart, making him feel happy: "That's right, I want to be an emperor for thousands of years, surpassing any emperor in history. My eldest son can't be measured by ordinary standards!" He happily said: "Alright, Fu Su, your father will allow you to set up your own palace and attend court meetings. When you miss your mother, you can often go back to the Jian Zhang Palace!"

  Fu Su knew that once he built his own palace, he wouldn't be able to spend every day with his mother, Empress Zheng. Going to pay his respects every morning was already a luxury, and he couldn't help but feel a mix of sadness and excitement as he said, "Your son obeys!"

  At this moment, Ji Ru entered the room and reported: "Report to Your Majesty, all the officials in the court are waiting outside the palace for an audience!" "Oh, quick announcement!" He looked at Fu Su again, smiled and said: "Fu Su, you stay here, don't speak, just watch, listen and think more, it's good for you!" "Yes, father king!" Fu Su was overjoyed in his heart, walked to the side of Qin Wang Lao, and Zhao Gao quickly took out a rush cushion to let Fu Su kneel down. Although Fu Su was unwilling in his heart, he still saluted Zhao Gao with gratitude, and after sitting down, Fu Su felt like he had eaten dozens of flies, feeling very nauseous!

  Before long, dozens of high-ranking officials from the court came in one after another to pay their respects to the King of Qin. After the ceremony was over and all the officials had taken their seats, they suddenly saw Fusu sitting beside the King of Qin, which shocked them greatly for a moment.

  The King of Qin saw that the faces of the many court officials were different, and he couldn't help but feel very pleased in his heart. He smiled and said: "Fusu has already completed his basic education and upbringing, and I have allowed him to build a separate palace and hold an official position, and participate in court meetings. From now on, you gentlemen should teach him even more!"

  Although many courtiers were shocked by the words, they soon calmed down as they knew that King Qin was wise and decisive, and Fu Su was intelligent. Li Si, who was good at flattering, stepped forward and said: "Prince Fu Su has completed his studies in six years, a rare talent for the royal family in hundreds of years! It can be seen that Your Majesty's teachings are effective, and heaven blesses our great Qin to last forever!"

  The King of Qin smiled slightly and said, "Li Si's words are too flattering!" Although the King of Qin did not speak out loud, his face was filled with a smile, clearly showing that he was extremely pleased. Fusu couldn't help but sneer in his heart: "Li Si, you little kid, you're good at bootlicking, just wait and see how I'll slowly deal with you later!"

  After Li Si withdrew, the King of Qin thought for a moment and said: "Today, I summoned you all to discuss two matters. The first matter is that, except for the Prime Minister Wang Wan still holding his old position, I intend to appoint Li Si as the Imperial Censor based on the newly established three-power separation system, and Wei Liao as the State Censor. What do you think, my dear officials?" (The State Censor commands the national army, the Imperial Censor is in charge of national law enforcement, and the Prime Minister is responsible for national administration, which are the three powers separated!)

  As soon as this was said, the faces of all the courtiers were filled with surprise and they started whispering to each other! The King of Qin appointed Li Si as the first Minister of Justice, and none of the other ministers dared to say anything. After all, Li Si was very familiar with the penal code, and had been an official in Qin for many years, showing great talent. If you wanted to oppose him, you couldn't come up with a decent reason, so it's better not to mention it. But as for Wei Liao, he was a nobody, never heard of before. How can this person hold a high position? What about the face of our native ministers in Qin?

  Many officials looked at the old prime minister Wang Wan, who had always been timid and afraid of trouble. As the prime minister, he often echoed the words of the Qin king, but now that it concerned the dignity and interests of the group of ministers from the Qin state, he could not help but stand up and express his opinion: "Your Majesty, appointing Li Si as the Minister of Justice is considered appropriate by some, and Li's abilities and actions are beyond reproach in the eyes of the court and the people. However, the position of Minister of Justice controls the military power of the entire nation, and its authority is extremely significant. To lightly entrust it to an unknown person would be detrimental to the world! I implore Your Majesty to reconsider!" Wang Wan expressed his opposing opinion in a straightforward and elegant manner, truly worthy of being a seasoned politician.

  Fu Su listened attentively on the side, without making a sound, waiting to see how King Qin would resolve the opposition from his own ministers! This was a great opportunity to learn!

  King Ying Zheng of Qin knew that although many talents were selected from the six nations in Guandong, many local officials in Qin were still quite xenophobic. After all, these so-called "outsiders" occupied a considerable number of prominent positions in the Qin court. Now, two out of three major official positions in Qin are to be held by outsiders, and the native courtiers can't help but feel anxious!

  "Lord Mu, since Wei Liao entered Qin, he has been close to you and has the most say in his words. Introduce him!" The First Emperor remained completely expressionless. "Yes, Your Majesty!" Meng Wu, who had served as a senior minister of Qin for generations (equivalent to vice-premier), stood up.

  As one of the native ministers of Qin, Meng Wu introduced and recommended Wei Liao. Those native courtiers must have had no excuse to oppose him, at least it can play a role in dividing and disintegrating. The political skills of King Ying Zheng of Qin were indeed extremely high.