Volume One: The World’s Focus—New East Chapter 2: The Former Leader Who Vanquished Demons and Expelled Evil

“Perhaps every encounter is predestined from a past life.”
With this poetic, almost sentimental phrase drifting through his mind, Zhao Congjian felt perfectly justified in enjoying the meticulous service of the two maidservants. The resentment he had harbored for his recent workplace bullying faded away—after all, wasn't it fate from a previous life that allowed him to command them so smoothly now? Even relegated to washing his feet, they were delighted, taking pride in being close to a noble young master. The distinction between noble and humble did have its advantages.

Life was truly unpredictable—like sausage wrapped in intestine, Zhao Congjian’s arrogance surfaced unmistakably. He gazed at the two pretty maids and, unable to restrain himself, began to caress their youthful, supple skin and ticklish flesh, provoking laughter among the three.

Taking advantage of the moment, Zhao Congjian subtly probed and learned that the eunuch’s surname was Miao. As for his given name, the maids explained they had only recently been presented to the young master from a local prominent household, and, given their lowly status, dared not ask the eunuch’s full name.

Zhao Congjian knew well that in the Warring States period, surnames and given names were distinct, and, considering the ease with which poor households could fall into ruin in ancient times, he deduced that Eunuch Miao was likely one of the many descendants who prospered after Miao Xian—the eunuch who recommended Lin Xiangru to King Huiwen of Zhao—rose to prominence. Though their bloodline was distant, they shared a similar humble background in youth, and, influenced by Miao Xian, had chosen to risk castration and enter the palace, hoping to seek fortune.

Now that he understood the ambitions of the most influential person close to him, the power exchange—trading sugar for wine—could proceed as planned. At least, he wouldn’t face the dramatic upheaval that befell other reckless protagonists in time-travel novels.

If he ever returned to the modern world, perhaps he could write a massive opus in the “survivalist school” genre, providing future generations with a steady, aristocratic royal version of a time-traveler’s guide. Excited by this prospect, Zhao Congjian’s feet kicked about, finally envisioning a promising path for a young literary writer seeking both fame and fortune—though glistening droplets splashed everywhere, even onto the maids’ faces.

Just as Zhao Congjian realized his lapse in decorum, the two maids knelt again at his side, begging forgiveness for any inexplicable offense. Before he could clarify, Eunuch Miao entered with a young attendant carrying a tray and soup noodles—the palace in Dai still did not permit eunuchs who had castrated themselves. Eunuch Miao and his favored candidate for the throne, Young Master Jia, exchanged glances, both embarrassed by the ridiculous footbath scene.

From Zhao Congjian’s perspective, he had inadvertently emulated Liu Bang’s arrogance when he met Li Shiqi; Eunuch Miao must have been stunned by his own disrespect.

From Eunuch Miao’s perspective, Young Master Jia was soaking his feet in a golden basin! His earlier judgment had been off—this deposed crown prince had indeed been eccentric since childhood, which explained his removal. Betting on the new King of Zhao now required careful consideration: “Today he washes his feet in a golden basin; soon it will be a jade goblet, then ivory chopsticks, then he’ll build luxurious palaces and fill them with thousands of beauties! Yet the remnants of Zhao face imminent crisis. As a descendant of the renowned Miao Xian, how can I allow myself to sink into corruption?”

Whether or not poison would eventually be used against Young Master Jia, there was still no clear public justification for denouncing his debauchery. Only by provoking an incident and widely publicizing it could the blame for poisoning be shifted onto Qin spies, sparing himself from charges of negligence and execution by the aristocracy for failing to protect the young lord.

Ultimately, it was Eunuch Miao who broke the tension, speaking first: “Why does the young master bathe his feet in broad daylight, and with a golden basin?”

A golden basin? It was actually gold! From this day forth, his feet could be called ‘golden national feet.’ The pleasures of kingship were beyond his imagination.

Zhao Congjian, stunned, could hardly believe that he could use a golden basin under such circumstances. Realizing Eunuch Miao was questioning his extravagance, he quickly improvised: “I thought it was a polished copper basin. I considered melting it down for weapons and coins, so I wanted to bid it farewell. There’s no need for surprise, Chief Eunuch. We have let the people down for too long, overburdening them. It’s time to live frugally and endure hardship for a while.”

Hearing this, Eunuch Miao was nearly as ecstatic as if reborn below the navel, almost rolling on the floor with joy—after years of cautious service, he had at last been directly elevated to Chief Eunuch by the soon-to-be new ruler. His daring effort to smuggle Young Master Jia out of Qin surveillance had not been in vain! Whether this youngster would become a wise or foolish king, he would first secure the top eunuch’s post. Moreover, if the new ruler could adapt so quickly, he might heed advice from the aristocracy.

Praise the great lord! Whether wise or foolish, he’d cling to power!

Eunuch Miao prostrated himself, shaking the entire room, and answered through tears, “Your servant, Miao Fengnian, thanks the young master in advance for the promotion! May you swiftly ascend the throne and restore Great Zhao!”

Zhao Congjian thought this department head must be a reincarnated actor, expertly manipulating him. Now, taking advantage of his uncertain title, he had climbed straight to the position once held by the renowned Miao Xian—a formidable character. Still, considering he had already been castrated, if he could accomplish some pleasant tasks, it was not necessary to be overly concerned. For now, it was time to make use of him: “Fengnian, you are too modest. I have long admired high virtue and wish to recruit talent! If I’m not mistaken, you are of the same clan as Miao Xian, the confidant of King Huiwen of Zhao?”

Miao Fengnian was shocked—how could this youngster know so much? He really was fortunate to meet such a wise ruler, and hurried to Zhao Congjian’s side, promising: “Grateful to be recognized, young master! You understand my background—Miao Fengnian will devote himself wholly to serving Your Majesty, following the example of my forebear!”

Seeing this department head’s comical manner from a past life, Zhao Congjian stifled a laugh and instructed him to summon those among the waiting aristocrats in the side room who were to meet him—namely, the maternal relatives of Young Master Jia: his grandmother, uncles, and others. Given the era’s complex and shifting circumstances, without their support he would not survive the day. He needed to meet them first, lest he back the wrong person in the upcoming council meeting—a grave mistake.

Zhao Congjian lifted his feet, and the two maids promptly wiped them dry. “Chief Eunuch Miao, take this golden basin and melt it down; keep one-tenth for your own use, the rest will cover my personal expenses for the near future. Remember: ‘Keep everything simple,’ and do not disturb the people of Dai.”

Looking at the tray set down by the attendant, Zhao Congjian gave extra instructions to prepare more seats opposite him, for he was unsure how many of Young Master Jia’s maternal relatives had fled to Dai and who was qualified to attend the council. “Hungry? I am, a little. But today’s soup noodles would be better used to show closeness to the maternal family.” The sly Zhao Congjian paced the room, reflecting on the final fate of Zhao, now astonishingly held in the hands of a time-traveler. What, after all, was the mandate of Heaven?