Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Astonishment of Meng Yi

Fusu watched the departing imperial guards, his eyes filled with worry. Regardless of whether these servants were problematic, the current Fusu was no longer the Fusu of the past. If any of the servants were sharp-witted, they would easily discover the anomalies once they spent time around him.

Therefore, after much deliberation, Fusu decided to replace these maids and guards. He then transferred the entire contents of his mansion’s treasury into his spatial storage, along with a portion of his daily necessities. Better safe than sorry, he thought.

Returning to his bedroom, Fusu found several blank bamboo slips among a pile. He had practiced calligraphy in the past; while not exceptional, it was legible. He wrote down several names: Grand Marshal Wei Liao, Censor-in-Chief Feng Jie, Left Prime Minister Li Si, and Right Prime Minister Feng Quji.

The system of the Three Excellencies and Nine Ministers!

Fusu narrowed his eyes. Currently, Left Prime Minister Li Si held absolute power, controlling the court through the system of commanderies and counties. The emergence of the provincial system, however, had weakened the Prime Minister's authority. Establishing a Central Secretariat would increase the central government's authority and reduce the Emperor's administrative burden, but it would also effectively abolish the office of the Prime Minister. This move threatened Li Si’s interests, and he was undoubtedly eager to remove Fusu from the stage. Beside Li Si’s name, Fusu wrote the word "Enemy."

As for Grand Marshal Wei Liao, who controlled the movement of the empire’s military, Fusu had little contact with him and was unsure if he was friend or foe. Fusu drew a question mark.

Censor-in-Chief Feng Jie... Recalling his impression of the man and his performance at court today, Fusu felt he was likely an enemy. He wrote "Not a friend."

Finally, Fusu’s gaze fell upon Right Prime Minister Feng Quji. He frowned in thought. This was likely a breakthrough point. Since ancient times, the Left and Right Prime Ministers had been at odds; some even went to their graves without ever speaking to one another. Still, Fusu did not jump to a conclusion and instead wrote a question mark. He then wrote down the names of Zhou Qingchen, Wu Gong, and finally, Chunyu Yue.

Just as Fusu was pondering these matters, Meng Yi’s voice came from outside: "Is Your Highness present?"

"Come in!"

Meng Yi walked into the room and bowed to Fusu. "His Majesty sent me to ask if there is anything missing in the mansion."

Fusu thought for a moment, his eyes brightening. "Grain! I need ten thousand shi of grain."

Meng Yi stumbled, nearly falling to the ground. "Your Highness, what did you say? Ten thousand shi of grain?"

Fusu nodded, looking quite serious. Meng Yi, however, was having none of it and immediately shook his head. "Your Highness, there is no such quantity of grain available! Do you realize how much ten thousand shi is? It would cost tens of millions of ban-liang coins to purchase! Besides, grain is in short supply right now; it’s impossible to gather that much..."

Fusu paused, then laughed. "Then how much can be gathered?"

Meng Yi pondered. "One hundred shi at most, and even that requires consulting with His Majesty. But tell me, why do you need so much grain?"

Fusu scratched his head awkwardly. "I am to be exiled to the frontier soon, am I not? I was just thinking of saving up some food so I wouldn't go hungry."

Meng Yi could not fathom Fusu’s intentions. You’re going to take all that grain with you? Are you joking? Is this not pure nonsense?

Fusu waved his hand. "One hundred shi it is, then."

Meng Yi nodded, and just as he was about to leave to make arrangements, he noticed the bamboo slips on the table. "Your Highness, what are these symbols?"

Fusu hurried to hide the slips, but Meng Yi had already picked one up. "The strokes flow like clouds and water; there is quite a structure to this!"

Meng Yi was both a scholar and a warrior, having practiced the scripts of various states since childhood. He had even contributed significantly to the standardization of the Small Seal Script. Seeing this simplified calligraphy, he looked as if he had discovered something rare. Seeing that the slip in Meng Yi's hand only had the characters for "Nine Ministers," Fusu breathed a sigh of relief. This was nothing; he shouldn't be able to guess his true intentions.

"This is 'nine,' and the one below is 'minister,'" Fusu explained. "Together, it is 'Nine Ministers.'"

"Nine Ministers?" Meng Yi found it increasingly similar to the seal script version and exclaimed in wonder, "From which state does this writing style originate?"

"Just something I scribbled on my own, no particular source," Fusu said with little interest. "Just treat it as a curiosity, Senior Minister Meng, don't pay it too much mind."

As he spoke, Fusu suddenly remembered something and asked casually, "By the way, Senior Minister Meng, I was opposed by the ministers today and could not fathom why. I beg you to instruct me."

Upon hearing this, Meng Yi’s expression turned solemn. "The current situation at court is delicate and complex. A balance had been reached, but your recent words have been startling, even proposing ideas beyond imagination, stirring up a massive storm in that balanced court. Since ancient times, a lone tree cannot withstand the wind. If Your Highness wishes to have a seat at the court, you must win some people over and suppress others."

Fusu’s eyes brightened. "Senior Minister Meng, among the Three Excellencies and Nine Ministers, who would support me?"

Meng Yi looked at Fusu deeply and smiled bitterly. "Does Your Highness trust me?"

"Of course I do," Fusu replied without hesitation.

Meng Yi nodded. "Your Highness once said, 'As long as the Meng family does not fall, the Great Qin shall not perish.' If nothing else, based on those words alone, I, Meng Yi, will support you."

Fusu was stunned. That was something he had said when he first arrived in this body; he hadn't expected the other man to take it to heart.

Meng Yi continued, "The Three Excellencies and Nine Ministers are all His Majesty's men; their every action is intended to maintain the long-term stability of the Great Qin. However, over the years, everyone has developed their own agendas. Eliminating dissent to ensure one's own ideas are implemented has become the main reason for the undercurrents in the court. If Your Highness wishes to stand firm, you must gain the support of the civilian officials. Looking at it now, Right Prime Minister Feng Quji and Censor-in-Chief Feng Jie are the most promising to win over. You should put some effort into them."

Fusu nodded; this aligned with his own thoughts. With Meng Yi’s declaration, the Meng family would stand firmly by his side, and as for the Wang family, given the marriage arranged by the First Emperor, they would have to support Fusu even if they were unwilling. For now, these were the only families he could trust. As for the others, Fusu quickly sorted through his memories. Chunyu Yue should be on his side...

After much thought, Meng Yi reminded him, "Your Highness, the best strategy now is to maintain your relationship with the Wang family and complete the marriage as soon as possible. That is the highest priority. As for other matters, consider them after the wedding."

Meng Yi paused, then added, "Your Highness, sometimes holding too many cards is not necessarily a good thing. Everything requires balance."

With that, Meng Yi took the bamboo slips and withdrew. "I will prepare the one hundred shi of grain and have it sent to your mansion as soon as possible."

Fusu watched Meng Yi depart and sighed. The waters of this court were truly deep. Forget it, he thought. No more overthinking. Get married as soon as possible and go to the frontier to have some fun—that was the best choice. The court was not for him.