Chapter 23: Ying Ziji: Who is in favor, and who is against?

"Heh, now that they've arrived, recruiting them will be much easier."

*Snap.*

Ying Ziji clenched his small fist, and the writing brush in his hand let out a sharp crack. It broke into two pieces.

"Little Ziji, did you hurt your hand?"

Gongshu Youlan, who had been resting her chin in her hands nearby, immediately grabbed his small hand and examined it with concern. Seeing that his soft, tender skin had not been pricked by the bamboo splinters, she breathed a sigh of relief.

"It's fine, it's fine. It doesn't hurt at all."

Ying Ziji said this, but he didn't pull his hand back. *Sister Youlan's hand is so smooth and soft; it feels quite nice...*

*Ahem,* that is not the point. The point is, how much strength does this innate divine power granted by the system actually provide? Ying Ziji decided he would find something heavy to test it with when he had the chance.

"Honestly, the quality of these bamboo brushes is just terrible."

Gongshu Youlan pouted, hesitated for a moment, and then pulled a jade-carved brush from her robe. It looked quite precious and extraordinary. This brush was a gift from her father; she had carried it with her since childhood and was quite reluctant to part with it.

"I'll give this brush to you as a thank-you for treating me to a meal last time, Ziji."

"Thank you, Sister Youlan. Wait, look at this."

Ying Ziji tapped his small head, then grabbed some paper and began to sketch the lines of a curved-shaft plow. The curved-shaft plow could be considered the pinnacle of agricultural technology, not replaced until the era of mechanization! If it could be popularized, it would represent a massive leap in productivity for the entire nation. The one he made last time was far too crude; it certainly couldn't compare to the craftsmanship of the Gongshu family!

*Hm?*

Gongshu Youlan also forgot about the jade brush and leaned in close. She watched as line after line appeared rapidly, with Ying Ziji even thoughtfully adding annotations. What were these? She had become quite familiar with him over the past few days, and the more she knew him, the more she felt his little head was filled with endless, ingenious ideas.

She couldn't help but pat his head again.

"Take this design for the curved-shaft plow. Please, Sister Youlan, I'm counting on you to build the finished product as soon as possible."

Ying Ziji handed the drawing to her. Gongshu Youlan nodded, just about to say something, when an Imperial Guard hurried into the room. Seeing that there were others present besides the young master, he stood to the side, remaining silent.

Gongshu Youlan was an intelligent and perceptive woman; she understood immediately that there was an important matter to report. Since she also needed to take the design back, she waved at Ying Ziji.

"You go ahead and work, Ziji. I'll head back now."

"Take care, Sister Youlan."

Ying Ziji watched her leave, then turned his head. "Speak. Is it news regarding the Emperor?"

He had sent a few Imperial Guards to gather information—not exactly spying, but merely serving as his eyes and ears where the First Emperor was staying.

"Reporting to the Young Master: news has just arrived that mountain ranges have indeed appeared above the East Sea. It is truly miraculous. The First Emperor has received Xu Fu and is setting out with him into the East Sea to search for the Immortal Mountain."

"Sigh, Father has gone out to sea after all."

Ying Ziji’s small face showed a hint of resignation. However, he could understand; this was a feudal dynasty, after all—how could it be feudal without a bit of superstition? Some things, if you don't try them yourself and suffer a disappointment, you simply won't be satisfied!

Ying Ziji pondered for a moment and said, "Order the officials to gather at the Qilin Hall for an audience."

"Understood!"

Once the Emperor returned from his tour of the East Sea, it would be his turn to act. Some matters needed to be accelerated.

...

The Imperial Guards spread out through Xianyang, and soon the officials, both high and low, were notified. Ying Ziji stepped down from his carriage in front of the Zhangtai Palace and entered the Qilin Hall. Before long, the civil and military officials had gathered. The news of the Emperor going out to sea could not be hidden; many ministers had already heard.

"Many have witnessed the immortal mountains overseas with their own eyes! If he can find the Elixir of Life, it will be a blessing from Heaven for our Great Qin!"

"There should be no problem! That alchemist Xu Fu seems to have returned from the Immortal Mountain himself. He is a man of extraordinary talent; with him, His Majesty will surely reach the mountain."

"In that case, I fear His Majesty will return to Xianyang with the elixir before long."

The courtiers discussed it, their expressions varied. As they spoke, they gathered their gazes on Ying Ziji, who was sitting at a small table. They all felt a shared sense of relief. Finally, the Emperor's tour was coming to an end! If the elixir was found, there would be no need for further tours of the realm!

These days, the officials had suffered. The little prince's methods were chaotic and unpredictable, and they were helpless—they couldn't beat him, nor could they reprimand him. If they angered the boy and he had them dragged out and beheaded, it would be a death for nothing.

"Yes, I also hope Father can find the Elixir of Life," Ying Ziji said, nodding his small head.

He wasn't talking about that charlatan Xu Fu, but rather wondering if, one day, the system might reward him with a treasure that could extend life? It was quite possible! Therefore, for the sake of the Emperor's elixir and his own safety, he had to work harder to boost the national fortune of Great Qin!

"The reason I called everyone here today is to discuss a matter. Since Father has allowed me to recruit my own staff, I intend to grant Zhang Liang and Xiao He official positions."

As soon as these words were spoken, the ministers from the noble clans raised their heads.

Appointing Xiao He? First there was Yu Huatian, then Zhang Liang, and now Xiao He? In the short time the Emperor had been away, the little prince had been constantly inserting his own people into the court. This was simply lawless and reckless.

The power in the court was limited. Everyone had been performing their duties in peace, but by inserting new people, it meant power would be taken from their own hands.

"Reporting to the Young Master, I have already selected outstanding scholars from several great clans. They are virtuous and talented; they would surely handle affairs much more efficiently than a mere clerk," Feng Quji said in a deep voice, producing a list from his robes.

The thoughts of the nobility were an open secret among the courtiers. Li Si frowned. Feng Quji was going too far. Instead of advising the young prince, he was drafting his own list, hoping to use the prince's hand to place his own people into the court?

The list was handed to a nearby Imperial Guard and presented to the small table.

"Hm... I have heard of these people." Ying Ziji narrowed his round eyes but did not agree immediately.

Seeing Ying Ziji's eyes darting around with a mischievous glint, the nobles had a very bad premonition. Was the little prince going to act up again?

"Young Master, if you are not satisfied with these men, I can select a few more," Feng Quji said again.

Ying Ziji lifted his head and the corners of his mouth curled up. "Oh, I'm not dissatisfied with these people. But when Father left, he said I could find my own people, so I have scouted a few even more outstanding candidates. Besides Zhang Liang, Xiao He, and Chief Yu, there are three others."

*Could anyone from the noble families compare to Xiao He and Zhang Liang in civil matters, or Han Xin and Xiang Yu in military matters? Not a chance.*

*!!!*

The childish voice fell, and the atmosphere in the court stalled.

*His Majesty told you to find your own staff, not to appoint and dismiss court officials!*

As expected, the little prince was acting up again! And this time, it was even more excessive! Ying Ziji closed the list that had been submitted. Silence fell upon the court.

"Young Master, you have found your own people?" Feng Quji was stunned. If Fusu had said this, he would have believed it, as the Crown Prince kept many talented retainers. But the little prince was only eight years old—how could he have talented people flocking to him? And without a family clan to support him, he had no talent to use at all.

"Hm... let Xiao He be the Minister of Agriculture, give Xiang Yu the position of Palace Commander, and Han Xin... he wanted to be a General..."

Ying Ziji casually distributed the official posts. But name after name tumbled from his lips, and none of them were famous figures the officials had ever heard of. Who was Xiao He? Who was Zhang Ao? And who was this Han Xin?

And Xiang Yu... a surname of Xiang... wasn't that the surname of the old Chu nobility? Was the little prince actually finding someone from the Xiang clan to be a Qin official?

"Young Master, may I ask where these men are from? Who were their teachers? Do they have any experience serving as officials?"

"Han Xin is from a humble background, a roving knight. Xiao He was a clerk in Pei County, and Xiang Yu is the young master of the Xiang clan," Ying Ziji said, counting on his fingers.

The officials were speechless.

*A roving knight? That’s just an idle, jobless man—if his character is poor, he’s a common thug. A clerk? That’s a bottom-tier, ninth-grade sesame official who just records documents in a county. What right do such mud-legged peasants have to stand in the court of Great Qin?*

The most ridiculous was Xiang Yu. It was one thing to make the former Han noble Zhang Liang an academy head—that wasn't an official post. But the Xiang clan were anti-Qin rebels! Letting their young master hold a key position in Great Qin? This was madness!

This time, it was truly too much. If His Majesty found out, he would surely be furious.

"Who agrees? Who objects?" Ying Ziji asked, lifting his head.

*We would love to object! But our heads are at stake!*

The ministers remained silent.