HCT – Chapter 227 Qin, Chu, and Han Contend

What Zhang Liang was thinking was exactly what every insightful scholar across the Seven States was thinking as well. Han now had only one lonely city left—Xinzheng. If the King of Han no longer had the confidence to join with Chu to reclaim their lost territory, then surrendering wasn’t an unacceptable choice.

But the way the Han king surrendered was far too disgraceful—so disgraceful that even ordinary Han commoners couldn’t lift their heads after hearing how their king capitulated.

When King Zichu of Qin heard about it, he covered his forehead. “It’s not that I wanted to stop him from surrendering,” he said. “But he could’ve at least surrendered with some dignity. Now I don’t even know how to deal with him.”

Lin Zhi replied, “Your Majesty, when you say that, could you try not to let the corners of your mouth rise so high?”

King Zichu cleared his throat and laughed. “I simply find it amusing that all the Han guest ministers at court immediately shut their doors and refused visitors.”

Although Zichu was officially recorded under Lady Huayang’s name, his birth mother, Lady Xia, was also respected as the Empress Dowager.

Foreign relatives were among the most important power blocs in every court. Once Lady Xia became the Empress Dowager, the Han faction within Qin’s court gradually grew.

And King Zichu deliberately encouraged this.

Presently, Qin’s court housed several major forces:
— the native Qin aristocracy led by the royal clan;
— the deeply rooted Chu-in-law faction;
— and the group of Zichu’s friends he had brought from Zhao—not a Zhao faction, but what was known as the “sovereign’s faction,” backed by the Xianyang Academy.

The “sovereign’s faction” merely needed time to grow. Watching the tug-of-war between the native Qin nobles and the Chu in-law faction, Zichu felt the structure was still not stable enough—so he began supporting the Han in-law faction.

A three-way balance was the most stable configuration.

However, some individuals in the Han faction were overly greedy and repeatedly encouraged Empress Dowager Xia to interfere in matters concerning Zhao Ji and Zheng’er, even going so far as to slander Zhu Xiang.

Even giving Prince Chengjiao to Lady Huayang to raise hadn’t curbed their ambitions.

Lady Xia never agreed with their schemes. She rarely interacted emotionally with Chengjiao and nearly fell for their suggestion to “reconcile the Crown Prince and the Queen to uphold filial piety.”

She had no intention of harming young Ying Zheng. She simply believed that repairing the relationship between mother and child was a good thing, and that the Crown Prince would be grateful afterward.

When Zhu Xiang came to court for the first time to depose the queen, Lady Xia was so frightened she fell ill.

She feared that Zhu Xiang’s words were ridiculing her—accusing her of failing to raise Zichu properly and of meddling in the affairs between the Crown Prince and Zhao Ji while calling herself Zichu’s mother.

Lady Huayang, once the administrator of King Renwen of Qin’s inner palace, understood little about front-court politics but was well-versed in soothing women’s hearts. She immediately defended Zhu Xiang:

How could they claim Lady Xia had no merit in raising Zichu, when she had raised him for more than ten years? And although Zichu was later re-registered under Lady Huayang, Lady Xia had continued to show him affection—how could they call that lacking in motherly kindness?

Zhao Ji had abandoned Zheng’er at the age of one, yet he still provided her with years of comfortable living. She repaid him with scolding and beatings. What normal woman would sympathize with such a mother?

This was not merely an unqualified mother—she wasn’t even a normal person. Lady Xia must not compare herself to her; that would only demean herself.

Among the local specialties Zhu Xiang sent to King Zichu, Lady Xia’s share had never been forgotten. Knowing this, Lady Xia finally realized Zhu Xiang bore no resentment toward her, and her heart settled.

So when the Han faction once again urged Lady Xia to fight Lady Huayang for custody of Chengjiao, Lady Xia finally learned her lesson: as soon as they left, she went straight to Zichu.

Only then did King Zichu begin considering allowing Zhu Xiang and his wife to raise Chengjiao.

Lady Huayang had long suggested that Zhu Xiang should take over Chengjiao’s education after his early schooling. She knew she had done enough by raising him to this age. If Chengjiao wanted a promising future, he would need a good teacher.

And who under heaven was a better teacher than Zhu Xiang?

Zichu, however, originally disagreed.

He knew how deeply young Ying Zheng cared for Zhu Xiang and his wife. Giving Chengjiao to them would split a portion of that parental affection, and Zichu feared Zheng’er might resent it.

But the Han faction’s attempt to push Empress Dowager Xia into seizing Chengjiao made Zichu waver.

Just then, Ying Zheng had returned to Xianyang with Xueji and voluntarily helped her teach Chengjiao.

Zichu observed them for a while and discovered that Zheng’er was genuinely fond of Chengjiao.  After thinking it over, he suddenly ordered the Crown Prince to raise Chengjiao.

And that settled everything—didn’t it?

Zichu felt he was truly brilliant.

The matter was indeed resolved. According to Zhu Xiang’s letters, Zheng’er and Chengjiao got along extremely well—though Zheng’er was driven mad daily by Chengjiao’s lazy temperament.

But the Qin royal family’s hereditary pettiness ensured that Zichu didn’t forget the Han faction’s earlier meddling.

Han’s surrender wouldn’t normally stir emotions among the Han-origin officials serving in Qin.  They were Qin people now, Qin officials; they naturally welcomed Qin’s conquest of Han.

But the king of Han had embarrassed himself so utterly that every person with Han heritage felt their own dignity tarnished. Their expressions were grim.

To avoid hearing things like, “Hey, speaking of the Han king… oh, don’t leave!” many thin-skinned Han-origin ministers simply claimed illness and refused to attend court.

Even Empress Dowager Xia fell ill with anger, and King Zichu personally tended to her for two days.

The entire city of Xianyang was buzzing with gossip like “Since the King of Han behaves like this, what can you expect from scholars born in Han?” Without the King of Qin’s tacit approval, such talk could never have spread so widely.

The one carrying it out was, of course, Lin Zhi.

Cai Ze had still been touring Qin at the time, inspecting local officials during the autumn harvest. By the time he returned and tried to stop it, it was already too late.

Though this matter didn’t harm Qin or its king, it didn’t benefit them either. Had Cai Ze been in Xianyang, he would never have allowed the foolish King Zichu and the treacherous Lin Zhi to collude in wasting manpower and resources on something so stupid—something done purely for the sake of ridicule.

Now, hearing the muddle-headed King Zichu and the sly Lin Zhi laughing again at the ministers, Cai Ze shot the two of them a scathing look and said, “Those losing face in the court aren’t only the Han royal in-laws, but also the guest officials from Han, and even Qin natives whose ancestors merely originated from Han generations ago. Your Majesty, do not chill their hearts.”

The muddle-headed King Zichu immediately defended himself. “It was the King of Han who chilled their hearts. What does it have to do with Me?”

The treacherous Lin Zhi quickly echoed, “Exactly, exactly. Chancellor, how can you wrong His Majesty like this? This is not the conduct of a proper minister.”

Cai Ze cupped his hands. “This minister requests to resign from the position of Chancellor.”

“Denied,” King Zichu said. “Enough, I won’t laugh. Lin Qing, you stop laughing too.”

Lin Zhi forced a stiff face. “I’m not laughing.”

King Zichu said, “Cai Qing, look, Lin Qing isn’t laughing anymore.”

Damn the former kings! Cai Ze cursed in his heart!

“Let’s continue discussing how to deal with the King of Han.” Seeing the two scoundrels colluding like this, Cai Ze realized he was outnumbered and reluctantly shifted the topic.

King Zichu said, “I originally planned to exile the King of Han to the remote lands of Bashu. But he has worked so diligently—he could serve as a model for the other five kings. I’m hesitating now. Should I treat him generously instead?”

After Qin unifies the realm, King Zichu had initially worried about potential restoration attempts by the six fallen states. He had been prepared to confine their kings to remote regions or secretly eliminate them.

But the King of Han’s pathetic display wavered his resolve.

He felt the other kings couldn’t be any less incompetent. If the King of Han was this ridiculous, the rulers of the other five states would hardly have the strength to stand back up after their nations fell.

Perhaps lifting them high, letting the scholars of the six former states witness what useless rulers they once served, would better dispel any thought of restoration.

Now that the academy recommendation system was established, even with no wars to fight, there was a stable path for scholars of the former states to seek official posts in Qin.

Faced with such eye-sore remnants of their fallen kings, talented scholars would be even more inclined to choose the practical path—protecting their families and futures—over making futile attempts at restoration.

Lin Zhi smiled. “Qin gained the world through benevolence. Naturally, it should treat surrendered kings generously. I propose Your Majesty confer the title ‘Marquis of Shun’ upon the King of Han, grant him good fields and a fine residence, and let him enjoy his old age in Xianyang.”

Cai Ze thought for a while and said, “I second this. After conferring him as Marquis of Shun, Your Majesty may converse warmly with him at a banquet. The King of Han will then recommend Han Fei to serve in Qin. Once Your Majesty learns of Han Fei’s talents, you will be delighted and appoint him as Shangqing. You may also permit him to move his deceased father’s spirit tablet into the ancestral hall to continue its worship.”

King Zichu said, “Make Han Fei the head of the Han clan? I’m not sure whether he can shoulder such a responsibility.”

Lin Zhi said, “If he can, then under his leadership the Han clan will integrate smoothly into Qin. If he cannot, the Han clan will decline. Either way, it benefits Your Majesty.”

Cai Ze added, “Han Fei was taught by Xunzi and Zhu Xiang; he is talented and virtuous. After appointing him as Shangqing, Your Majesty may further appoint him as Chancellor.”

King Zichu pretended not to hear. “I shall simply issue a decree making him Shangqing and add the title of Crown Prince Steward, allowing him to continue assisting the Crown Prince in Nanjun.”

Lin Zhi ignored Cai Ze as well. “Han Fei and Li Si have long served as the Crown Prince’s right-hand men. Their friendship is close. If Han Fei doesn’t take office, Li Si won’t seek promotion either, and just stays in Nanjun with Han Fei holding minor posts for the Crown Prince. Now Li Si can be appointed Deputy Steward.”

King Zichu nodded. “Indeed. Han Fei and Li Si have already been fulfilling the duties of Steward and Deputy Steward.”

The Steward was the head official of the Crown Prince’s household, while the Deputy Steward assisted him—both managing all major and minor affairs around the Crown Prince. This post existed since pre-Qin times.

After finalizing the Steward and Deputy Steward positions, King Zichu formally appointed Meng Tian as Zhongshuzi (Close Attendant to the Crown Prince). Then he issued another decree to Lord Changping, Zhu Xiang: the Crown Prince was far away, so for officials such as the Close Attendant and other Eastern Palace posts, Zhu Xiang could directly make appointments.

Lin Zhi remarked jokingly, “Zheng’er has been Crown Prince for so many years, yet only now is Your Majesty assigning him his Eastern Palace staff. If this spreads to the six former states, they might think Your Majesty doesn’t value him at all. Right, Cai Ze?”

Cai Ze snapped, “I’m resigning and going home! Let Han Fei do it, or Li Si, or Zhu Xiang, or Li Mu—anyone! I’m done!”

King Zichu coughed. “Chancellor, Han Fei and Li Si are too young, Zhu Xiang and Li Mu too blunt, Lin Zhi is unscrupulous and unfit to hold power… Other than you, I trust no one!”

“Yes, yes, exactly,” Lin Zhi said self-mockingly. “I’m a crafty villain. How could you ever trust me with full authority, Cai Ze?”

The palace attendants wanted to cover their ears.

Here we go again… They absolutely could not listen to words like these.

…

“Han Fei! The King of Han has been granted the title Marquis of Shun along with good fields and a fine residence. He will live in Xianyang.” Zhu Xiang had someone force open the door that Han Fei had long abandoned using. He handed the decree to the emaciated Han Fei and said, “Xiatong just made this decision. The King of Han hasn’t even arrived in Xianyang yet, but he sent a letter ahead and had it rushed day and night across river and land to reassure you. Pull yourself together—don’t disappoint Xiatong.”

Skin and bones, Han Fei burst into sobs. “Teacher…”

Zhu Xiang pulled the filthy, foul-smelling Han Fei into his arms and patted his back as though comforting a child. “All right, all right, it’s over now. Time to pull yourself together… Wait—who’s your teacher? Forget it, if you say so, then so be it. Stop crying.”

Zhang Liang stood by the door with his head bowed.

The Qin king’s regard for Han Fei because of Lord Zhu Xiang’s affection had warmed his heart at first. But after hearing Zhu Xiang’s dismissive “Who’s your teacher?” he twitched at the corner of his mouth—the warmth gone.

He felt truly sorry for his teacher. After following Zhu Xiang for so long, Zhu Xiang still refused to recognize him as a disciple.

As Han Fei’s disciple, Zhang Liang sighed. He felt he should also pull himself together.

First, he needed a small goal: to help his teacher get accepted as Zhu Xiang’s disciple.

Ying Zheng stroked his chin. “If Han Fei becomes my uncle’s disciple, won’t you drop a whole generation behind me? Shouldn’t you call me Senior Uncle?”

Zhang Liang’s face collapsed. “Don’t even think about it.”

Li Si, who had waited so long to finally gain a post near Han Fei, had been deeply moved by his long-awaited reward.

But after hearing Zhang Liang’s words, he could no longer feel happy.

The Crown Prince himself wants to call you Senior Uncle, and you dislike it? What kind of person are you!?

Thinking about how hard he had worked for years around Zhu Xiang and the Crown Prince, only to receive the small post of Deputy Steward, Li Si felt sour and indignant.

These Han really were unbearable. No wonder the King of Han had trampled the reputation of the entire nation!

From that day onward, Li Si of Chu began disliking all Han equally.