Chapter Fifty-Five: Visiting the Zhou Family

“Whose estate is this?” Emperor Qin Shi Huang pointed toward the bustling manor, alive with the noise of people as lively as a capital city.

Zhao Gao, having already investigated, hurried forward to report, “Your Majesty, this is the Zhang family’s estate.”

“Their ancestors once held high office and made considerable contributions to our Great Qin,” the emperor said.

Hearing this, Qin Shi Huang, who had been about to angrily scold these people for running rampant in the countryside and preying on the common folk, suddenly held back the words on the tip of his tongue.

He pondered for a moment and said, “I recall Zhou Qingchen also comes from a noble lineage. Let us go see what his estate looks like.”

At these words, Zhao Gao’s face turned pale, but Wei Zhong quickly interjected, “Your Majesty, the Zhou family’s estate might be some distance from here.”

“Distance or not, we must go!” Qin Shi Huang gritted his teeth, restraining his fury as he spoke softly.

Thus, the group once again boarded their carriage and set off toward the Zhou family’s estate.

Along the way, Fusu had some porridge prepared and sent up to the carriage.

Qin Shi Huang looked at the large bowl of rice porridge before him but felt no appetite. “I cannot eat this,” he muttered, feeling unwell.

“Bring Li Si and Zhou Qingchen here at once!” he commanded sharply.

Zhao Gao trembled but immediately ordered the arrangements.

By now, the carriage had traveled most of the day’s journey.

As the sun dipped westward, the party finally arrived at the borders of Zhou Qingchen’s estate.

The farmers here resembled those seen along the way—busy and just managing to survive.

Those households without a male laborer fared worse, often uncertain if they would have a meal the next day.

Qin Shi Huang walked among the fields, observing these Great Qin people. Most were elderly, lacking the strength for labor, and thus remained at home to tend the fields.

Yet these old men had once fought on the battlefield, wielded weapons, and shed blood for Great Qin!

Now, they lived in conditions scarcely fit for human beings, while the scholar-officials who daily exploited the common folk, preaching benevolence and righteousness, lived as if they were above humanity.

Qin Shi Huang recalled Fusu’s words—that within five years, Great Qin would fall.

With a nation like this, how could it survive?

“Fusu!” he called.

Fusu promptly approached.

Qin Shi Huang spoke calmly, masking his frustration, “Look at that estate—how grand it is, with strong and capable guards coming and going.

Even the servants inside appear plump and well-fed.

Yet outside, these farmers are the very soldiers who bled for Great Qin, now old and living in such poverty—barely human.”

Fusu sighed, “Father, this is the way of the world.”

“This is the way of the world?” Qin Shi Huang lowered his voice, glaring at Fusu.

Fusu nodded, “What you see now is only the tip of the iceberg.

The problem is merely whether they get enough to eat, but have you ever seen places where people starve to death daily?

You have not.”

Qin Shi Huang fell silent.

In the past, during his inspections, the people he saw were enthusiastic and vigorous, showing no sign of hunger.

But today’s sight was different.

Fusu seemed to read his thoughts and smiled, “Father, each time you toured, officials had arranged everything in advance, presenting only what they wished you to see.

Now, this is the true face of Great Qin.”

“If an official does not serve the people, he might as well go home and sell sweet potatoes,” Fusu said, then immediately bowed with clasped hands.

Meng Yi and Feng Jie nearby were taken aback. To serve the people or sell sweet potatoes...

Qin Shi Huang looked at Fusu with a spark of admiration. “Well said!

I shall use this phrase to whip all the officials of Great Qin, so they understand their duties!”

Huayang watched her father and brother discussing not grand affairs of state but the simple matter of the people's welfare.

A warm smile appeared on her face.

No—that was wrong! The affairs of state were precisely about the people's livelihood...

She shook her head, contemplating thus.

Wang Ruonan, somewhat slow to grasp the situation, suddenly understood why Fusu had insisted on accompanying her to distribute porridge these days and claimed that practicing martial arts outside was good for the spirit.

Could it be that Fusu had been waiting for the emperor?

Impossible!

Fusu was not the type to harbor such deep schemes; this was mere coincidence.

As Wang Ruonan thought this, several people emerged from the Zhou estate, their cries filling the air.

At the Zhou estate’s gate, an old man knelt, clutching his granddaughter.

“Young Master Zhou, please have mercy!

Spare my little Qian. This old man will serve you like a beast of burden to repay you!”

Zhou Zhongliang, chewing roasted meat, held his head high, nostrils flared.

“What’s the matter?

You don’t want your granddaughter to be my concubine?

Do you know how many women would be eager to marry me, yet I do not want them!”

The old man knelt, bowing his head until it bled.

“Please, Young Master Zhou, do me this kindness—consider it a good deed!

My little Qian has had a hard life. I don’t expect her to live in wealth, only to be safe and sound.”

“Old fool, don’t insult me!” one of the Zhou family servants, with crossed eyes and a vicious glare, grabbed the old man’s hair fiercely.

Zhou Zhongliang patted the servant’s shoulder. “What are you doing?

This is my father-in-law; be gentle with him!”

“Bring Erbao here, let him perform for my father-in-law!” Zhou Zhongliang ordered.

He spat the meat onto the ground.

Immediately, a large black dog burst out, snapping up the meat.

The dog licked its lips and looked at the old man with greedy anticipation.

Terrified, the old man stepped back, while the girl behind him shouted, “Grandpa, let me go!

Qian can no longer care for you. You must take better care of yourself!”

She tried to rise, but the old man gripped her firmly.

“No, we won’t go! Even if we do, we won’t survive. Better for us both to die here!”

Zhou Zhongliang snorted coldly, “Old man Sun, I hear you were once a squad leader.

Today, I won’t make things hard for you.

If you can endure one minute in front of Erbao, I’ll take no interest in your granddaughter.

If not, she will come with me.”

Sun Lao looked at the plump black dog, despair in his eyes.

“Attack!”

Zhou Zhongliang kicked the black dog, which snarled excitedly and lunged at Sun Lao like a tiger.

Sun Lao rose quickly, reaching to grab the dog’s head.

Swish—

An arrow flew straight and struck the dog’s head.

The arrow pierced the dog’s neck with swift force.

Swish!

Another arrow shot through the dog’s head, penetrating completely.

A howl of agony rang out as the massive dog collapsed like a heap of mud before Sun Lao, blood soaking the ground.

This scene stunned not only Sun Lao but Zhou Zhongliang, who stared for several seconds before looking toward the arrow’s source, just in time to see Qin Shi Huang drawing his bow to release a third arrow.

Swish—

The arrow flew straight toward Zhou Zhongliang, who recoiled in fear and grabbed the cross-eyed servant, shielding himself with the man’s body.

Thwack!

The arrow pierced the servant’s body, the tip nearly entering Zhou Zhongliang’s eye.

Terrified, Zhou Zhongliang fled back toward the gate.

Qin Shi Huang commanded sternly, “Seize this man and beat him to death!”