Chapter Sixteen: Guarding the Frontier

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After reading the bamboo slips handed to him by Tian An, Fusu left Gaoquan Palace. The palaces in Xianyang were countless, but fortunately, there were several libraries here dedicated to storing the classics collected by the Qin state, including texts on agriculture, sericulture, and water conservancy. Whether it was the Zhengguo Canal or the Dujiangyan irrigation system, their construction processes were meticulously documented. Successive Qin kings preserved these records in Xianyang Palace, making them invaluable treasures of knowledge. Fusu felt it was extremely rare to witness such precious records in this era.

Whether digging the Longshou Canal or building bridges over the Western Wei River, knowledge of hydraulic engineering was essential. The library’s shelves were neatly arranged. Fusu picked up a volume of bamboo slips, his hands covered in dust. Sunlight streamed through the windows, revealing dust particles floating in the air. It wasn’t until Tian An opened all the windows that the air improved noticeably.

As Fusu studied the scroll, a eunuch hurried over and whispered something into Tian An’s ear. Afterward, the eunuch, seeing the young lord engrossed in reading, dared not disturb him further and respectfully took his leave. Fusu asked in confusion, “What’s the matter?”

Tian An replied, “Today, His Majesty hosted a banquet for many notable scholars from Qi and Lu. Scholars led by Chunyu Yue submitted remonstrations, urging the emperor to follow the Zhou rites. Upon hearing this, the Chancellor was furious.”

Fusu said, “Teacher has been in a bad mood lately.”

Tian An nodded. The conflict between Chunyu Yue and the teacher had lasted a long time, primarily because the teacher, Qin’s young lord’s mentor, had faced repeated remonstrations from Chunyu Yue. On political matters, Chunyu Yue believed that the Qin prince should associate more with the renowned scholars of various schools. Governing a nation was never easy, and such debates would likely continue for a long time.

“Has the letter to Meng Tian been sent?”

“Yes, my lord. It was sent early this morning by swift horse to the north.”

People must always learn more; fifteen or sixteen is the prime age for study, though learning is lifelong. When they spoke of the Zhou rites, they hoped the First Emperor would be the ruler they envisioned, one who followed those ancient rituals. To the teacher, adhering to the old rites meant returning to the feudal system.

Thus, the teacher and Chunyu Yue’s faction were essentially clashing over the feudal system versus the commandery system. Their quarrels seemed endless.

Fusu looked at the scroll in his hand. Near noon, he had all the water conservancy books packed into boxes and sent back to Gaoquan Palace. At midday, he fried a fish and then simmered the head and bones into soup. Tian An had prepared a special lunchbox with a bronze lower compartment that could hold burning charcoal, keeping the food warm en route.

“My lord, I have inquired. His Majesty is at Zhangtai Palace.”

Fusu tidied himself and hurried from Gaoquan Palace toward Zhangtai Palace. The cold was biting; even with the charcoal heating the lunchbox, the fish and soup risked cooling in the icy wind. He quickened his pace. Snow began to fall again. Perhaps, in future records, the story of Lord Fusu braving the snow to bring warm fish soup to the First Emperor would become a famed tale of filial piety.

Before Zhangtai Palace stood armored guards and eunuchs dressed in black. After announcing his arrival, Fusu carried the fish soup inside. The warmth inside was a stark contrast to the cold outside. Looking up, he saw his father, the emperor, writing responses on bamboo slips, his long beard nearly touching the desk.

“Bring it over,” the emperor said.

Fusu opened the lunchbox and placed a bowl of fried fish and a bowl of fish soup before his father. Ying Zheng took a bite of the fish, stroked his beard contentedly, and said, “Very good.” Fusu then handed over the warm soup. The emperor sipped it carefully.

In the cozy Zhangtai Palace, father and son sat facing each other. Fusu served the emperor with bowls and spoons. The surrounding eunuchs and guards were solemn and silent. Perhaps this was the finest example of filial love in the world.

Though the emperor’s expression remained serious and his words few, having such a son was enviable. After finishing the soup and fish, Fusu sat quietly to clear away the dishes. Ying Zheng’s gaze first fell on the documents before him, then on his son tidying up. His eyes rested on Fusu’s headpiece.

“I should have someone make you a better headpiece,” he murmured.

Fusu nodded in acknowledgment. The emperor picked up a brush and continued reading the documents.

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The quiet palace smelled faintly of incense, and the warm stove crackled. Ying Zheng asked, “How is the repair of the Luoshui river canal progressing?”

“Your Majesty, it has only been a year. I believe it will be completed in no more than three years,” Fusu replied.

“Three years…” Ying Zheng frowned. “When do you plan to build the bridge over the Western Wei River?”

Tian An stood nearby. The emperor’s tone was devoid of reproach, filled instead with concern. For some reason, Tian An felt a sudden sting in his nose, his eyes moist. Indeed, despite the former nobles of the Six States rebelling against the emperor, and the scholars of Qi and Lu criticizing him, the presence of Prince Fusu by his side—a son who understood and supported him—was a blessing.

Fusu answered, “I am not sure how to begin. There are countless details, and I don’t know where to start.”

Ying Zheng said, “I remember when Zhengguo dug the canal, some men stayed behind. I will have them assist you.”

Fusu nodded then added, “I heard Teacher was very angry today, quarrelling again with those scholars from Qi and Lu.”

“Heh heh,” Ying Zheng chuckled. “They say I should follow the Zhou rites. Li Si couldn’t stand it and retorted.”

Not knowing why Fusu brought up the matter, the emperor studied his son. Soon to be sixteen, he realized the boy wished to learn governance. Indeed, it was the right age. With a knowing smile, he whispered, “From now on, you shall attend court sessions and participate in governance.”

“Thank you, Father.”

The Six States had all been conquered by Qin, and the realm was at a pivotal stage of reconstruction. Naturally, many hoped the world would remain as before. How? Could they find another “King Wuling of Zhao” to oppose Qin? How many such figures could there be?

Seeing his father’s calm, Fusu said no more and stood to leave. As he stepped out of Zhangtai Palace, a cold wind blew in his face. Upon returning to Gaoquan Palace, he heard that the fifty thousand troops recently returned to Guanzhong had been dispatched north to build the Great Wall against the Xiongnu, led by Meng Tian. The Xiongnu leader, Maodun, would likely become a northern threat.

The letter repeatedly warned of this; he wondered how Meng Tian would feel upon reading it. The weather was bitterly cold, and after the snow, the ground was coated with thin ice.

Today marked an important day: the prince’s first participation in court affairs, symbolizing his involvement in state matters. After all, to speak a word or two before the emperor at Zhangtai Palace was participation.

Fusu dressed warmly and walked through the morning chill. Few people were about in Xianyang Palace at dawn. Only near Zhangtai Palace did he see small groups of ministers, discussing as they made their way to the main hall.

Fusu walked quietly behind them. Those around noticed the young man among the officials. Not everyone recognized Qin’s prince, but upon realizing it was Fusu, many hurriedly bowed in fear.

Many came to attend the court session. At the gate of Zhangtai Palace, seeing people ready to salute him, Fusu returned their bows with a polite nod. After a short while, he feared that if more people arrived, he might tire simply from the many salutes.

Soon, he saw his teacher Li Si and an elderly man with gray hair. Li Si stepped forward briskly and bowed. “My lord.”

“Teacher.”

Li Si introduced, “This is General Meng.”

“Oh, General Meng Wu.”

Meng Wu laughed, “Haha, I have met the young lord before, when you were just a child.”

Fusu smiled awkwardly.

As more officials arrived, Chunyu Yue appeared, dressed in dark blue official robes, followed by over ten men in similar attire. The steps before the great hall of Zhangtai Palace were high and numerous; some elderly had to help each other ascend.

As the officials gathered, a eunuch called out loudly, “Enter the hall!”

Everyone removed their shoes and entered. Inside, a chill lingered. Fusu followed Li Si to a seat near the front. After another brief wait, a eunuch shouted, and the First Emperor entered the hall dressed in black, his expression grave.

All bowed deeply. Once the emperor sat, the officials relaxed. Li Si took the lead, presenting the matters for today’s court session.

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Fusu stood attentively in his place, eager to learn from the session. Most matters proceeded smoothly; as long as Chancellor Li Si and Deputy Prime Minister Feng Guoji presented political affairs, the assembly passed their proposals. The First Emperor sat silently throughout.

Fusu considered whether to invite his teacher to visit Shangyan Mountain, when a single matter ignited heated discussion among all present. Zhangtai Palace was vast and lofty; even with over two hundred ministers inside, it felt spacious. The murmurs echoed continuously, like countless mosquitoes buzzing low. The noise was irritating and grew louder over time.

By now, Chancellor Li Si’s face was particularly grim. The issue was the construction of the northern Great Wall, which required relocating peasants from five commanderies to the frontier. This population transfer provoked intense debate, with increasing opposition.

A man stood and spoke. It was Chunyu Yue, the scholar from Qi and Lu.

“May I ask, Chancellor, how many households will be relocated?”

Li Si’s eyes locked on him. In a deep voice, he said, “Three thousand households.”

This announcement sparked uproar in the hall.

Chunyu Yue continued, “Is this relocation for the Great Wall’s construction?”

Li Si replied, “To defend against the northern Xiongnu.”

“Then why have I heard that the Xiongnu recently presented tens of thousands of sheep to the Qin?”

Li Si took a deep breath to steady himself. “When Meng Tian reached the north, he drove the Xiongnu from within and beyond the Yan-Zhao Great Wall. The Xiongnu’s gifts were bribes, which Meng Tian rejected, instead seizing their flocks.”

Chunyu Yue pressed on, “Such relocation leaves the northern commanderies desolate. Who will till the fields?”

“There are lands south of the Great Wall for them to cultivate,” Li Si answered.

“How will they live in peace?”

“With the army guarding the border, they can live securely,” Li Si responded.

Another civil official stood and asked, “Chancellor, do you not fear the people of the former Six States might rebel?”

Fusu noticed that Li Si was momentarily at a loss for words. He swallowed hard, glaring at each scholar who questioned him.

Now Fusu understood the scene: it was a confrontation between the Qi-Lu scholars and the Legalists. What angered Li Si most was the accusation that Qin’s relocation was motivated by fear of rebellion among the old Six States rather than defense against the Xiongnu.

How could this not enrage him? Li Si’s policy aimed solely to protect the north from the Xiongnu threat. Yet some twisted it as cowardice, fearing internal rebellion.

Breathing heavily, Li Si stood tall and shouted, “You should all go north and see with your own eyes what it is like! When the north falls, do you realize how much of the Central Plains will suffer from the Xiongnu’s wrath?”

His voice grew louder, tinged with fury: “If we do not hold the north, the Xiongnu will come south, seizing our grain, our lands, and our wives and children!”

After his outburst, the hall fell silent. His words echoed like a roar. Only the sound of heavy breaths and the chancellor’s angry gaze remained, fixed on each challenger.

Fusu admired his teacher’s passionate dedication. Was life always this intense for him?

Ying Zheng said, “The relocation must not be delayed. Li Si and Meng Wu shall oversee this. You may disperse.”

The emperor’s voice was weary. He rose and left the hall. The officials bowed and departed. Once most had gone, Fusu noticed Li Si still instructing a few men. He stood nearby.

Then a eunuch hurried over, bowed, and said, “His Majesty commands the young lord and the chancellor to remain for a meal.”

After finishing his orders, Li Si turned and bowed to Fusu, “My lord.”

Fusu stood and returned the bow. “Teacher, you did not yield even an inch when questioned by dozens. I admire that greatly.”

“Matters concerning the north’s security cannot tolerate compromise,” Li Si said firmly.

The eunuch gestured, “This way, my lord, Chancellor.”

Fusu followed the eunuch and his teacher toward the rear chamber of Zhangtai Palace.