In early July, the convoy arrived at the Jiaodong County Palace.
After changing my robes, I stood in the palace and was filled with emotion. This was the end point of Ying Zheng's final tour, and it was also the starting point for me to become the emperor.
"Meng He, do you still remember the time we came to Chengshan?"
Meng He's voice sounded from behind: "Of course I remember that the first time His Majesty was in danger was on the way to Chengshan. It has been six years now."
I sighed softly and thought of Xing Zhong. He escorted me to Chengshan six years ago and blocked the arrow for me in Xianyang. He saved my life twice. Without him, I might have died long ago.
Shaking his head to throw these emotions away, he ordered: "Let's go."
When we arrived at the main hall, Cheng Lin and all the ministers stood up to salute. I waved my hand and said, "Forgive me."
After everyone sat down, Cheng Lin briefly reported on the situation of salt production in Jiaodong County. Jiaodong County is the largest sea salt producer in Daqin. Although the output of well salt in Gudao Yanfu has increased, it mainly produces refined salt. The salt eaten by the people is mainly sea salt and lake salt. After the world was unified, there was no obstruction from other countries, a large amount of salt could be circulated, and Jiaodong County became one of the few wealthy counties.
There was no big problem. After the report was completed, I asked everyone to go out, leaving only Cheng Lin in the hall.
Cheng Lin was tall and had the majesty of a Shandong man. I stared at his rough face and said solemnly: "Cheng Lin, I have something to ask you. If you know it, answer it truthfully. I don't know if I will blame you." !”
Cheng Lin thought he had made a mistake, so he quickly stood up and said uneasily: "Your Majesty, please speak, I will tell you everything I know!"
I slowly expressed the doubts that had always existed in my heart: "What happened to Chengshan in the past thirty-seven years?"
Hu Hai has always been my biggest worry. I originally felt a little relieved after moving Princess Li out of Xianyang, but when I saw Ying Wu taking out Ying Zheng's edict, I became suspicious again.
What happened in Chengshan back then was too strange. With such tight guards, how did the false edict spread from the palace? Where did Li Fuling go? Why didn't Ying Zheng let me ask about the whole story? Could it be that Ying Zheng also left a legacy, such as... if Fu Su is no longer useful, can he support Hu Hai? If there really is such a legacy, whose hands would it be in?
This is why I have never done anything to Hu Hai. I have thought of killing him more than once, but that would attract criticism from the world, and the emperor is afraid of discussion! Moreover, if the edict is written in a general way, and if Hu Hai is killed, will the person holding the edict use the opportunity to call on the world to rebel against us?
So I want to get the answer from Cheng Lin, because the imperial edict will definitely not be in his hands, and as the governor of Jiaodong County, it is impossible for him to know nothing about what is happening in the territory!
Cheng Lin was shocked when he heard this, but he still maintained a respectful expression on his face. His many years of official career made him respond instantly: "Your Majesty, when the emperor was seriously ill, his courtiers were taken to the side hall outside the palace. I really don’t know what happened!”
I stared at him closely, hoping to find some clues on his face, but I was disappointed. Whether he didn't dare to say, didn't want to say, or didn't know, at least it looked like he wasn't lying from his expression.
Cheng Lin lowered his head, as if the day was like a year, and finally heard my voice: "It's okay, I'm just curious, and I asked casually, you go ahead."
Cheng Lin's face did not change, and he still said respectfully: "I'm leaving!"
Just as he was about to exit the palace gate, he heard my faint voice: "Since you don't know, don't mention this matter again in the future."
Cheng Lin hurriedly stopped, lowered his head and said: "I obey your order, I will retreat!"
Watching his leaving figure, I shook my head and called Meng He in: "We will leave for Linzi County tomorrow."
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It only took four days to reach Linzi along the Dongfang Road to the west. Ying Zheng rarely stayed here. He had no palace, so he commandeered the governor's mansion in the center of the city.
Linzi is the old capital of Qi State and the location of Jixia Academy. The new Linzi Academy follows its old site. This is why Yu He previously believed that the Qi people wanted to use Linzi Academy to restore Jixia Academy and then plot to restore the country.
But I don’t think you need to worry about this. Qi is also a country with a lot of misfortunes. The people of Qi have experienced three wars in which the country was subjugated or nearly subjugated by the Tian family, the Five Kingdoms conquered Qi, and the Great Qin destroyed Qi. It directly defeated Qi. Compared with Qin's destruction of Qi, the five kingdoms' attack on Qi would cause more harm to Qi. They may not be willing to let the other four countries unify the world.
Nowadays, several counties in the Jiaodong Peninsula have benefited from the development of sea salt and farming, and their lives are many times better than those in Old Qi. I don’t think they will miss Old Qi.
The most important thing when coming to Linzi is to see the development of Linzi Academy, so I took people to Linzi Academy the next day, and asked Linzi County Shoutian Xinze and other ministers to wait outside. I only brought Meng Hehe with me Twenty guards went in.
Three years of teaching ended last fall because I postponed the first scientific examination. Now everyone in the academy is reviewing and seriously preparing for this autumn's scientific examination.
Seeing everyone in the school studying hard, I nodded happily. Education can rejuvenate the country. The future of Great Qin still depends on them.
Through the window, the teacher in the school stood up and came out. When he saw the guard behind me, he quickly bowed and said: "I, Yuan Pingzi, may I ask your name? What are you doing here?"
It’s hard to call someone you don’t know by name, so after the academy was built, I changed it to doctor, doctor to be called, and sir, corresponding to the principal, director, and teacher. Seeing that he had the demeanor of a teacher, I politely said: " I am a doctor from Baijia Academy, just call me Yong Yue. Your Majesty is here for inspection, and due to various political affairs, you have specially ordered me to come and inspect the situation of Linzi Academy. Please forgive me for causing any inconvenience."
Ping Pingzi, who was about forty years old, his eyes lit up when he heard this, and he quickly saluted again: "I didn't know that Dr. Yong Yue came here, and it was my fault that he was not welcomed from afar!"
I smiled slightly and returned the greeting: "I see that the students are studying seriously, so I won't interrupt them any more."
Ping Pingzi bowed his head slightly and said sincerely: "Dr. Yong Yue comes from Xianyang, and his knowledge must be extraordinary. I would like to ask the doctor to impart some knowledge to the students. Is it possible?"
I thought for a moment, nodded and said, "It's okay."
Meng He and others were asked to wait outside the door, and I followed Ping Pingzi into the hall.
Ping Pingzi was a little excited when he entered the door, and said to the students who were looking at me curiously: "Everyone, this is Dr. Yong Yue from Xianyang, who will impart knowledge to you!"
Most of them had never been outside this county, let alone Xianyang. When they heard this, their faces were full of excitement. They stood up and said respectfully: "Students, please ask Dr. Yong Yue to clarify your doubts!"
I waved my hand, sat down first and said, "Everyone, please take a seat."
After everyone sat down safely, I glanced around and saw about a dozen people, all young people in their twenties and full of energy. But what was a little strange was that, except for a few people, everyone else's clothes were very clean. I just regarded them as scholars who took care of their bodies and didn't think much about it.
