Chapter 37: The Child Who Does Not Fear the Night

Shusun Tong was stationed in Jingye County, where he was responsible for overall planning. Although he was a scholar from the Qi and Lu regions who had joined the Qin service, managing a single county should have been more than enough for him, especially with Zhang Han there to keep things in line.

If any trouble truly arose, Zhang Han was someone who would genuinely kill; it was not as if he hadn't beaten people to death before. Fusu did not even need to doubt this—if such a situation were to happen again, Zhang Han would certainly execute a few more. Shusun Tong had managed to keep Jingye County in perfect order, and it was possible that people outside were already saying he had made significant contributions on behalf of Prince Fusu.

Fusu set down the scroll he was holding, took a sip of tea, and left the room. Tian An followed closely, giving instructions to the attendants behind them as they walked.

After leaving Zhangtai Palace, Fusu made his way to the city of Xianyang, specifically to the area directly opposite the residence of Prime Minister Li Si. There, standing opposite the Prime Minister's home, was a massive mansion. It appeared to be without an owner, lacking a plaque or a doorkeeper to signal the status of the household. Occasionally, a few people might walk by, but generally, no one was seen entering.

Today, however, people noticed a group of guards hurrying toward the place. They pushed open the doors and stood watch, as if expecting someone of great importance. Soon after, people saw a young man enter the residence under the protection of the guards. That young man was Fusu.

To Fusu, the former residence of Lü Buwei was like a vast treasure trove, housing an enormous library. Today, Fusu had intended to take some books, but outside the main hall of one of the rooms, he discovered half a scroll of bamboo slips that had been burned. Fusu stood there in suspicion, looking at the heap of ashes left behind on the floor.

Tian An looked toward the people behind him, and someone hurriedly stepped forward to report, "The Prime Minister was here last night; these were burned by the Prime Minister."

Upon hearing this, Fusu stepped forward and picked up the unburned portion of the bamboo slips. On the fragments that had survived the fire, Fusu saw a name: Sikong Ma.

Fusu held the half-burned scroll and asked, "Does the Prime Minister come here often?"

"Replying to the Prince, the Prime Minister does not come here often. I do not know why, but he suddenly arrived here last night."

Fusu looked at the burned scroll while walking toward the library, pondering the name Sikong Ma and the fragmented phrases on the slips. Upon reaching the library, Fusu pushed the door open and stepped inside. Tian An had already had people clean the place, so it appeared much tidier.

Fusu said, "Find someone to renovate the windows here. Make them larger and wider to let in more light."

Tian An also felt that the library had a cold, gloomy atmosphere. "We shall have the windows opened up immediately."

Once the order was given, several guards left, and soon over a dozen craftsmen arrived to begin modifying the library windows. Amidst the sound of craftsmen chiseling the walls, Prince Fusu remained remarkably focused on his reading; such concentration was truly rare.

Among the rows of bookshelves, Fusu found the name Sikong Ma and discovered the scrolls he had written. He was able to glimpse some of the past: Sikong Ma had originally been one of Lü Buwei's retainers, serving as a strategist. When Lü Buwei fell from power years ago, Sikong Ma did not remain in Qin like Li Si, who had stayed due to the "Petition Against the Expulsion of Guest Officials." As a retainer of Lü Buwei, Sikong Ma had been expelled from the Qin state.

At that time, Sikong Ma, like Li Si, was perhaps at an age filled with hot-blooded ambition. However, after Lü Buwei's downfall, the destinies of the two men diverged sharply. Li Si went on to be heavily relied upon in the Qin state, while Sikong Ma went to the state of Zhao, just as Zhao and Qin were entering a period of war.

Fusu felt that the bamboo slips Li Si had burned were actually a letter—a letter addressed to his late friend Sikong Ma. Li Si had been searching for this man, perhaps out of nostalgia for the days they had worked together under Lü Buwei. He also saw what Li Si had written in the letter: it was a pity that the ruler of Zhao at the time had not listened to Sikong Ma's advice.

Fusu took a few more scrolls from the room, intending to take them back to study. Before leaving, he returned to the spot where the fire had been and lit a flame to burn the remaining portion of the document.

In late autumn, most people wore smiles. It was the harvest season, and people brought their agricultural produce to Xianyang to exchange for winter essentials; most brought grain to trade for winter clothing or more refined food. It was the off-season for farming, and many came to Xianyang to exchange their labor for winter supplies. This was an era so rustic it was almost entirely natural.

Seeing the Prince stop, Tian An stopped as well, and the guards and attendants behind them halted in succession. Upon returning to the palace, Fusu personally cooked a pot of noodles and carried them to Zhangtai Palace.

***

Tian An watched as the Prince entered the main hall of Zhangtai Palace, then stood outside. As night began to fall, Tian An suddenly thought about how the Prince had not visited Jingye County for a long time, and how the Prince had also overseen the completion of the Xianyang Bridge.

Tian An continued to reflect: he had heard that there were many merchants and farmers crossing the Xianyang Bridge now, and that the bridge was bustling every day. Once the Xianyang Bridge was built, it saved people on the west bank of the Wei River a long journey to reach Xianyang. If the Prince were to see the grandeur and activity on the bridge—the merchants lining the sides, the pedestrians crossing, and the smiles on people's faces—the Prince would surely love such a scene. Just as the Prince loved to watch the busy people in Xianyang, he would certainly love the people on the Xianyang Bridge.

Just then, his robe was tugged. Looking down, he saw a small figure. It was Prince Gao. Tian An leaned down with a smile.

"Are the Imperial Brother and the Emperor in the main hall?"

Tian An replied, "The Prince has just entered."

Prince Gao looked into the hall and said, "I must not disturb Father and Imperial Brother in their governance. I shall return to rest." As he turned to leave, Prince Gao looked back and asked, "Are you going to wait here for Imperial Brother the whole time?"

Tian An nodded slowly. Prince Gao thought for a moment and then departed. Tian An felt that the young prince was becoming increasingly sensible.

Inside the main hall of Zhangtai Palace, Fusu and his father finished a small pot of noodles. Seeing his son sitting to the side, tidying up the bowls and chopsticks, Ying Zheng asked, "Do you often review documents at the Censor's Office?"

"Replying to Father, I do so often."

Ying Zheng stopped writing, still holding his brush, and said in a low voice, "Li Si says you wish to approve documents. You may also look at the documents I have here and provide your own comments."

"Thank you, Father."

Fusu finished tidying the bowls and chopsticks, placed them in a basin to the side, and instructed the attendant, "Give these to Tian An outside." The attendant nodded. Afterward, Fusu took several scrolls from the chest in front of his father and began to examine them carefully.

As the night grew deeper, Ying Zheng, who had been reading for an unknown amount of time, felt a bit weary. He looked up; the Zhangtai Palace in the night was cold and dark. The light from the candle stands could not illuminate the entire hall, leaving many dark corners. This reminded Ying Zheng of his vast empire, and he felt a sense of worry. Looking at Fusu, he saw the boy was focused intently on the documents. Ying Zheng suddenly remembered that when the child was young, he rarely cried; he was born without fear of the dark.

Feeling exhaustion wash over him, Ying Zheng rested a hand on his temple and closed his eyes, intending to nap for a moment before dealing with the documents again. Occasionally, a night breeze blew into the hall. When Ying Zheng awoke in a haze, he found a hand warmer placed beside him and a heavy cloak draped over his shoulders.

The night was deep outside, and the hall remained as quiet as before. Ying Zheng slowly turned his head and saw that the seat beside him was empty. Fusu, who should have been there, was gone.

"When did Fusu leave?"

"The Prince said he had finished reviewing these documents and left an hour ago." An attendant hurried over and served a bowl of hot water, saying, "The Prince said to let Your Majesty drink a sip of hot water to ward off the cold upon waking."

The tea in the bowl was still steaming. Ying Zheng took the clay bowl and gazed out at the darkness beyond the hall. The palace remained silent, save for the sound of the Emperor's occasional heavy breathing and the swallowing of the hot water. He suddenly remembered the documents; Ying Zheng set down the bowl, intending to continue his work, but saw that the inkstone was no longer in front of him, but placed on another table. It was only then that he recalled the attendant saying Fusu had finished reviewing them.

"Your Majesty, the Prince also said you should rest early."

Ying Zheng supported his forehead, feeling a bit dazed after his short nap. He sat for a moment before saying in a low voice, "Bring me the documents Fusu reviewed."

Examining the documents carefully, he could find no fault; his son had reviewed them quite well. Ying Zheng flipped through several scrolls, took another sip of the hot water, and, feeling refreshed, continued to read.

The next day, at Zhangtai Palace, Fusu arrived early as usual. However, he encountered Prince Gao, who was sitting on the steps in front of the main hall, eating a flatbread, with his two young sisters behind him.

"Brother!" Prince Gao bowed politely.

Fusu said, "In the future, you may come to Gaoquan Palace for breakfast."

"Brother makes his own meals; I must learn to do so as well."

Seeing more people arriving for the morning court session, Gao led his two sisters away. As he walked, he said, "Brother! I am going to find Master Shusun Tong to study."

Fusu stood and watched the three siblings walk down from Zhangtai Palace, drawing smiles from several old officials along the way. Seeing his teacher Zhang Cang approach, Fusu turned back and walked into the hall with him.

Everyone removed their shoes and entered. After walking a few steps, Zhang Cang whispered, "Prince, I hear that Zhang Han and the others have planted a lot of beans."

Fusu said, "The wheat was harvested early this year, so we planted many beans in the summer. As the season turns toward winter, we have indeed harvested some, though beans harvested in winter are not as good as those from the summer." He added, "But it is better than nothing."

At this point, Zhang Cang's face grew somber. "If the Prince's canal continues to be dug, it will reach other villages and counties."

Fusu said, "From the initial design, it was intended to be dug beneath the Shangyan Mountain range, connecting all the way to the lower reaches of the Luo River, and merging at the confluence of the Luo and Wei Rivers."

According to the Prince's description, Zhang Cang realized it would pass through a county called Linjin, an old Qin county that had existed for over two hundred years since its establishment.

Fusu said, "I will have Shusun Tong arrange these matters."

Zhang Cang nodded slightly. "Persuading a county is not an easy task."

With a loud shout from the attendant, the court session began, and Fusu hurried to his place to bow with the other officials. During the session, everyone reported on current affairs, especially Prime Minister Li Si, who spoke at length about the situation in the north.

During this time, Chunyu Yue asked when the scholars sent to the north would be allowed to return. Li Si replied, "People like Zhou Qingchen are doing very well in the north."

"Living next to the Xiongnu, and doing very well?" Chunyu Yue lowered his voice, almost using a rhetorical tone. Especially when he saw Li Si's smiling face, he felt an urge to go up and tear it off.

Though Chunyu Yue thought this, he noticed that Li Si's smile only widened. Li Si added, "Do you all wish to go to the north to see for yourselves?"

The Prime Minister's words were pointed. The scholars from Qi and Lu stood straight, eyes fixed ahead, and no one dared to answer; they were as obedient as could be. Chunyu Yue looked back in surprise at the scholars from Qi and Lu who shared his front, only to find that not a single one stood up.

The arguments in the court continued. Fusu was still thinking about his teacher Zhang Cang's words. His teacher's face was always calm, yet that calmness held a trace of sorrow; he seemed to want to say something but did not know how to express it, as if he had prepared his thoughts but remained silent.

After the court session ended, Fusu was about to leave.

"Prince, please stay."

Hearing the voice, Fusu looked at the attendant who had called him.

The attendant added, "Prime Minister, please stay as well."

Li Si stopped, adjusted his robes, and said with a beaming smile, "Is it the Emperor calling for us?"

The attendant, as aged as Tian An but much shorter, chuckled and said, "The Emperor is calling. Prince, Prime Minister, this way please."

Li Si followed the attendant, took a mandarin orange from his sleeve, and handed it over, saying, "Prince, this was sent by Li You from Shu."

Fusu accepted the bright yellow orange and asked, "How is Li You doing in Shu?"

Li Si, while eating an orange and tucking the peel into his wide sleeve, replied, "That boy is drilling his troops in Shu. He is close to Baiyue, and I hear that when spring and summer come, there are lychees to eat. There are endless fruits, and even as winter approaches, the mandarin oranges are endless; he doesn't even have to worry about military rations..."

Fusu held the orange, a smile on his face.

"And also, there are rhinoceroses there, herds and herds of rhinoceroses..."

As they walked, listening to Prime Minister Li Si speak, Fusu felt the Prime Minister sounded just like someone coaxing a child. Fusu could only respond with a smile.

As they reached a hall, they could hear the Emperor's voice.

"Fusu has not been afraid of the dark since he was a child."