HCT – Chapter 266 Fusu, Just Like Zheng’er

When Zhu Xiang returned to Xianyang, Ying Zheng was, as always, waiting for him early at the city gates.

The moment he saw his uncle and aunt, Ying Zheng’s face immediately drooped to the ground.

He and Zhu Xiang had agreed long ago that every New Year, his uncle and aunt would go to the Hanzhong palace to spend the holiday with him and celebrate his birthday. But this year, because of the severe winter disaster, Zhu Xiang and Xueji failed to keep the promise.

Ying Zheng of course understood that disaster relief was more important than family reunion.  But while he could remain rational in front of others, in front of his uncle and aunt, he inevitably became emotional.

Naturally, Zhu Xiang and Xueji didn’t say things like “Qin is more important” or “disaster relief comes first.” They simply coaxed this child they had been coaxing since he was small, all gentle voices and soft words, and promised to make it up to him.

Zhu Xiang would cook lavish meals and write new storybooks for him; Xueji had already sewn him a set of new clothes. Only then did Ying Zheng “reluctantly” forgive them for breaking their promise.

This time Ying Zheng came out of the city to greet his uncle and aunt, accompanied of course by Lin Zhi and Cai Ze, but he also brought Meng Yi and Zhang Liang.

As for Li Erlang—he had already been sent out to serve as a commandery governor.

After studying under Li Bing in Shu for so many years, learning how to be a local administrator, Li Erlang preferred applying what he learned directly to benefit the people rather than staying in the court.

Zhang Liang had long grown accustomed to Ying Zheng’s childish behavior in front of Zhu Xiang Gong and Lady Wu of Wu, and deeply despised it.

Meng Yi, on the other hand, was struck once again.

The perfect image of the Qin King in his heart… had cracked yet another line.

“Fusu, what books have you been reading?” Ying Zheng skipped all greetings. The moment he saw his son, he went straight into testing mode.

But little Fusu didn’t even recognize his own father anymore. He turned away and ignored Ying Zheng.

Ying Zheng plucked the toddler off Zhu Xiang’s lap and set him beside himself. “Your king and father is speaking to you. Why aren’t you answering?”

Little Fusu widened his eyes and asked in confusion, “Ah… so you’re the king-father?”

Ying Zheng: “…”

He knocked on the child’s head incredulously. “Did your brain get muddled?”

Once he had watched enough of the scene, Zhu Xiang held back his laughter and said, “It’s been a long time since he’s seen you. He simply forgot your face. Fusu, he is your king-father.”

Little Fusu stared intently at Ying Zheng for a long time before hesitantly asking, “Really?”

A vein popped on Ying Zheng’s forehead. “How could it be fake?!”

But little Fusu’s face was full of suspicion. “Granduncle said king-father is the smartest in the world. I’ll test you. If you can’t answer, then you’re not king-father.”

Ying Zheng: “?!”

He turned to Zhu Xiang. “Uncle… what exactly have you been teaching him?!”

How did my son turn into this?!

Zhu Xiang replied, “That you’ll have to ask your aunt.”

Xueji, cheeks reddened, said, “Fusu is still little. I only play with him—I haven’t taught him anything. But Zheng’er, you were just like this when you were small. Fusu takes after you.”

Ying Zheng: “??!” Aunt, are you serious?!

Little Fusu muttered, “Hmph, I knew Granduncle tricked me again. I won’t fall for it!”

Ying Zheng: “Hmm?”

He sensed something was wrong and glared sharply at Zhu Xiang.

Zhu Xiang coughed lightly. “It wasn’t me.”

Xueji hid her laugh behind her hand. “If it wasn’t you, who would it be? You teased him the entire way back.”

Ying Zheng recalled all the teasing jokes his uncle used to play on him. His head hurt. “Uncle, not everyone can tell real from fake the way I could back then.”

Zhu Xiang immediately said, crisp and clean, “I was wrong!”

Ying Zheng was speechless.

His uncle always admitted mistakes without caring about face, even in front of juniors or subordinates. But he admitted it so fast that Ying Zheng couldn’t shake the feeling he was really saying: “I admit it, but I’m not changing.”

Meanwhile, little Fusu was still adding fuel to the fire:

“If you’re really king-father, then what is nine times nine? Hmph!”

Triumph glowed on his face—he had memorized the multiplication table!

Ying Zheng replied wearily, “Eighty-one.”

Little Fusu’s eyes widened again. “You actually know?! Then what about eight divided by eight?”

Ying Zheng’s mouth twitched. “One.”

Little Fusu sucked in a breath. He cautiously continued, “Seven minus five? Three plus six?”

Ying Zheng: “Two. And nine.”

Little Fusu immediately sprang off Ying Zheng’s lap. Despite the carriage swaying, he straightened his back and respectfully raised his tiny hands in a ritual bow. “King-father above, your son pays his respects!”

Ying Zheng: “…What kind of ridiculous etiquette is this? Uncle!”

Zhu Xiang: “Hahahahahaha!”

Xueji covered her mouth again. “He’s like you when you were young—mixing up stories about heroes with reality. Fusu and Zheng’er truly are alike.”

Alike my foot! Ying Zheng inhaled sharply. His eyes rolled upward. In his mind, curses exploded violently.

Little Fusu lifted his head sweetly. “King-father is amazing! Granduncle said king-father is the smartest in the world, and it’s true!”

Fusu was now two and a half years old. Children his age usually couldn’t even speak clearly yet. But he spoke fluently, logically, already deserving of being called a prodigy.

At least, Cheng Jiao certainly hadn’t reached this level at that age.

Ying Zheng should have been delighted—but he wasn’t.

Even with his son calling him the smartest man alive, he wasn’t happy at all.

He was supposed to test his son—why had the situation reversed?

And memorizing the multiplication table was enough to make one the “smartest in the world”? That title felt absurdly cheap.

He took a deep breath. Getting angry felt wrong. Not being angry felt even more suffocating. In the end, he could only rub Fusu’s little head fiercely to restore his dignity, then began rigorously testing him.

Once Fusu acknowledged Ying Zheng as his father, he stopped being shy at all. He immediately climbed back onto his father’s lap, boldly holding onto his arms as if his father’s embrace were merely a chair.

Ying Zheng felt slightly displeased with the child’s arrogance. Zhu Xiang and Xueji again sighed at how much Fusu resembled Zheng’er.

Ying Zheng: “…”

He was seriously beginning to wonder whether entrusting Fusu to his uncle and aunt had been a wise decision.

Yes, he himself had been arrogant. But if Fusu grew up to be just as arrogant—he would not be happy at all.

He used to tug at his great-grandfather’s and grandfather’s beards, used to make his own father chase him around in rage. If Fusu grew up like that—he would definitely send the boy to build the Great Wall!

Only now did Ying Zheng start reflecting on whether he had been… a bit too wild as a child.

Zhu Xiang recognized the look of self-reflection on Ying Zheng’s face and inwardly laughed till he wanted to roll on the floor.

Indeed—people only understand how unbearable they were as children after raising children of their own.

But in Zhu Xiang and Xueji’s eyes, Fusu was much more well-behaved than Ying Zheng.

Fusu acted arrogant toward outsiders, but once he recognized someone as “family,” he became extremely obedient and considerate. Even Li Si and Han Fei could pinch his chubby cheeks and poke him like a wobbling toy, and Fusu never grew angry.

If it had been Zheng’er, his iron head would’ve been smashing into people—especially Zhu Xiang, who had suffered numerous headbutts from Zheng’er.

Zhu Xiang also understood why Xueji could never bring herself to be strict with Fusu. Who could be harsh to a sweet baby who hugged your neck and called out, “Granduncle, Grandaunt, you’ve worked so hard”?

Zheng’er, from childhood to adulthood, excelled only in wild unruliness. Seeing him act sweet was extremely rare—only after long separations would he show it for a fleeting moment.

Fusu looked very similar to Zheng’er when they were young. Watching Fusu act cute made Zhu Xiang and Xueji feel as if they had returned to the past—seeing little Zheng’er hugging their necks, smiling sweetly.

In another carriage, Cheng Jiao, who refused to ride in the Qin King’s carriage, told Lin Zhi and Cai Ze something similar:

“Uncle and Aunt keep saying Fusu looks just like big brother when he was young. Seeing Fusu is like seeing a smaller version of big brother! Hahaha! So when Fusu acts cute toward me, it’s like a smaller version of big brother acting cute toward me!”

Cai Ze looked nostalgic. “Fusu truly resembles His Majesty when he was young.”

Lin Zhi shook his head. “No—only their features are similar. Zheng’er was fatter. And his expressions were…”

His expression suddenly turned sharp. “More domineering. More arrogant.”

Li Mu, who had been drinking water: “Pff! Cough cough cough!”

Lin Zhi then returned to his lazy, careless demeanor. “Zheng’er was more fun as a child. Obedient children are boring.”

Cai Ze gave him a sidelong glance. “If one day His Majesty can’t stand you anymore and decides to exile you, I will certainly support him.”

Lin Zhi grinned. “Perfect. I’ve been wanting an excuse to wander the mountains and rivers anyway. Li Mu, you’ve been doing well in Chu. Want to come back and be Chanceller?”

Li Mu answered without hesitation, “No. Nanyue is not yet subdued.”

Cai Ze said, “Campaigning against Nanyue can wait. The empire’s household registries still aren’t fully organized, and banditry hasn’t been cleaned up.”

Li Mu replied, “Then I’ll go suppress the bandits.”

Lin Zhi laughed. “Leave that to the young men. You and Wang Jian have already contributed enough. It’s time to nurture the next generation of commanders. Speaking of which—where’s Meng Tian?”

Meng Yi perked up his ears.

Li Mu said, “Southern Qin needs someone to guard it.”

Meng Yi’s face fell again. He wouldn’t be seeing his brother this time. Sigh.

Lin Zhi added, “Meng Wu has returned this time, but unfortunately he won’t get to see Meng Tian.”

Li Mu said, “When Meng Tian was stationed in Southern Qin, he often met with Meng Wu. He didn’t return this time, but he sent many gifts for you.”

Meng Yi immediately said, “Thank you, General Wucheng.”

Li Si and Han Fei hadn’t joined their conversation—they were busy taking turns testing Zhang Liang on his studies. Zhang Liang answered everything fluently.

Originally Zhang Liang had been Han Fei’s sole student, but whenever Han Fei encountered difficulties teaching, he would turn to Li Si for help. Over time, Zhang Liang ended up with two teachers.

Li Si had originally intended to focus on raising his own son. But after spending so much time with Zhang Liang, the more he looked at his own son… the more displeased he became.

How could he be this stupid, this stupid, this stupid?! How could he ever compare his brain to Zhang Liang’s?!

…Forget it. Better to focus on cultivating Zhang Liang well and leave Zhang Liang with some personal sentiment toward their family, so he’d be willing to look after that stupid son of his in the future. Li Si thought with utter pragmatism.

The carriage Ying Zheng used to welcome Zhu Xiang was built to the standards of a sovereign, but with so many people squeezed into a single carriage, it was still a bit cramped.
But they were all happily chatting, so no one cared.

The guards outside, hearing the laughter inside the carriage, couldn’t help but relax their usually stern expressions.

……

Zhu Xiang and Xue Ji first took little Fusu and Chengjiao to pay respects to the two Dowager Queens.

A few years ago, Dowager Xia had fallen gravely ill. Fortunately, the newly appointed Bian Que happened to be in the Imperial Medical Bureau studying under several court physicians, and by risking an emergency treatment, he managed to pull her back from death. Dowager Huayang had cried her eyes out upon hearing this, begging Dowager Xia to take care of herself and not leave her behind.

Back when they were in King Renwen of Qin’s rear palace, Dowager Huayang had been lofty and aloof, rarely speaking to Dowager Xia. But after King Renwen died, the two dowagers supported each other and gradually became as close as sisters.

As the people of their own generation passed away one after another, the elderly cherished every remaining companion all the more.

After hearing Dowager Huayang cry like that, Dowager Xia forced herself to hold on. Though she had grown thinner now, her spirits were good, and she could hold little Fusu and chat for a long time.

Chengjiao was already grown, but Ying Zheng still had him and little Fusu stay in the dowagers’ palace for now.

Zhu Xiang and Xue Ji also stayed in the Xianyang Palace to help Ying Zheng prepare for the enthronement ceremony.

When Xunzi saw Zhu Xiang return, he let out a sigh of relief and immediately handed over the majority of tedious affairs to him. Though he had many great scholars under him, he didn’t trust anyone else with Zheng’er’s enthronement.

Zhu Xiang then brought Xunzi into the palace so he could be cared for directly.

Ying Zheng had wanted to bring Xunzi into the palace earlier, but Xunzi refused. Now that Zhu Xiang invited him personally, he agreed.

Though Ying Zheng was Xunzi’s junior, Xunzi adhered strictly to the hierarchy between ruler and minister, setting an example so no scholar would dare overstep.

Scholars of this era all had the bones of “rebels.” In their eyes, they could be teachers to kings—and if the king was incompetent, they could treat him as an enemy.

Xunzi himself believed such thinking was valid, yet there were things that—even knowing they were unreasonable—had to be done.

For instance, establishing a strict hierarchical order between ruler and subject.

The realm had only just been unified; the nobles had yet to fully accept the new dynasty. Stability was more important than anything. Thus the sovereign of a unified realm needed supreme and unquestionable authority.

A series of chains—superior versus inferior, ruler versus minister—were all for the stability of this newly founded empire.

Many scholars were displeased with what they saw as Xunzi’s “flattery” toward the king, believing he lacked integrity. But Confucians valued seniority, and Xunzi’s knowledge and debating skills far surpassed theirs. Even if they were dissatisfied, losing to him left them with nothing to argue.

Xunzi knew many scholars hated him to the bone and wished for his death.

“When I die, you must hold the line,” Xunzi said earnestly. “I know you aren’t a Confucian…but you can be one.”

Zhu Xiang replied, “Whatever Qin needs me to be, I will be—whether Confucian, Legalist, Daoist, Mohist, or anything else.”

Xunzi smiled approvingly. “Good.”

This time, he didn’t scold Zhu Xiang. At last, he expressed genuine praise and expectation.

Zhu Xiang cared for Xunzi a few days before Ying Zheng threw Fusu back at him—keeping only Chengjiao to assist the dowagers.

Ying Zheng said darkly, “The dowagers spoil Fusu too much. Elder Xun, you must discipline him properly!”

Xunzi laughed. “Compared to how spoiled you were as a child, Fusu doesn’t even count.”

Ying Zheng: “…”

Why did every elder say ‘when you were young’ whenever he scolded Fusu?!

What about when he was young?! He was…

…He was indeed more pampered than Fusu.

Once again, Ying Zheng was rendered speechless by his elders.

Little Fusu peeked at his father’s dark expression. Ah, the King had no comeback again. So the King wasn’t that impressive after all!

His tiny chest puffed up proudly. Father is nothing special.

Ying Zheng caught sight of his son’s increasingly cocky little expression and firmly pushed his head down.

He suddenly missed the dream-fusu who had perfect manners from childhood. He had a feeling this one would give him far more headaches.

A few days later, Lian Po, Li Bing, and Meng Wu all returned.

Zhang Ruo had also been invited, though not yet qualified to enter Xianyang Palace.

“Long time no see.” Zhu Xiang gave Li Bing and Meng Wu a fierce hug.

Li Bing laughed. “Truly a long time. Any later and my hair would turn white like yours.”

Meng Wu touched his own hair. “Unlikely. Why is Zhu Xiang’s white hair so beautiful, like silver threads, while mine is just a dull gray?”

Zhu Xiang joked, “Oh? You’re vain now? Li Bing, now that you’re back, don’t return to Shu commandery. The Central Plains and Jianghuai need you—and the Yellow River needs you even more.”

Li Bing teased, “Seems I’ll spend my whole life dealing with canals and embankments.”

Zhu Xiang replied, “Zheng Guo’s project is almost done. When he finishes, I’ll have him assist you. The two of you together—no one in the realm could match you.”

Li Bing burst out laughing.

Meng Wu asked with a grin, “And what about me?”

Zhu Xiang said, “You’ll guard Southern Qin for life. Southern Qin needs you.”

Meng Wu: “Pah!”

The three of them roared with laughter again.

Li Mu, Lin Zhi, and Cai Ze arrived late. After greeting everyone, they all gathered by the stove to brew tea and chat endlessly.

Though Li Bing wasn’t very familiar with Lin Zhi and Cai Ze, they chatted as if they had always been close friends.

Lian Po didn’t join the younger men. He carried a jug of wine to find Xunzi. Xunzi refused to drink with him, scolding him for being on the path to drinking himself to death and trying to make Lian Po join him in healthy living.

The two old men bickered just like in the old days.

“It’s a pity Lin Xiangru isn’t here,” Lian Po said, tapping the wine jar and sighing.

Xunzi said, “Who knows, perhaps he is here—we just can’t see him.”

Lian Po laughed. “It’s better if he isn’t. Better to cut worldly ties early and move on to rebirth than linger here for ten extra years. We wouldn’t want him worrying about us.”

Xunzi nodded. “True. He was probably more free-spirited than we imagined.”

They spoke of the current state of Zhao, unsure whether to call it self-praise or lament. They had once been capable statesmen, after all.

Xunzi listened seriously as they reminisced about the past, discussing their old friends’ descendants—then sighing and shaking their heads at those entirely inferior junior generations.

“Lin Zhi used to be the most useless child in the Lin family, and now he’s the most capable.” Lian Po sighed. “All of Lin Xiangru’s other sons were just ordinary men, not fit for great responsibility.”

Xunzi said, “Naturally, the child a father loves most is the most exceptional.”

Lian Po laughed. “Lin Xiangru loved Zhu Xiang and Zheng’er most. And indeed, they are the most exceptional.”

Xunzi couldn’t help chuckling. “That’s true.”

As they spoke, Ying Zheng’s voice suddenly rang out from a distance: “Fusu! What are you doing?!”

Lian Po and Xunzi exchanged a glance and hurried outside to see what Zheng’er was roaring about this time.

Fusu stood in the courtyard, somehow covered head to toe in mud.

Ying Zheng’s face was red with fury.

Lian Po asked curiously, “What happened? Why is Fusu so dirty?”

Seeing Lian Po and Xunzi arrive, little Fusu instantly puffed out his chest, his chubby hands on his hips: “Fusu picked vegetables to cook for Father, Elder Xun, and Elder Lian! And Father yelled at Fusu! Hmph!”

Lian Po immediately ignored the mud and scooped the boy up. “Oh my, Fusu is such a good child!”

Xunzi soothed, “He’s being filial. Didn’t you also get filthy as a child? A wash will do.”

Ying Zheng was so angry he could barely breathe.

He decided he must raise Fusu himself from now on. The elders would spoil him rotten!

Fusu secretly stuck his tongue out at his father. Hmph! Father was like this too when he was little, so what right did he have to scold him? His little head lifted proudly again. Father is nothing special!

“What happened with Fusu this time?”

Zhu Xiang and the others came out and burst into laughter when they heard the story.

“All right, go wash up. Filial or not, you shouldn’t let yourself get too dirty—you’ll fall sick,” Zhu Xiang said. “Zheng’er, calm down. He’s still young. He’ll grow out of it. When he’s older, he won’t stand being covered in mud.”

Ying Zheng: “Hmph.”

Later, Zhu Xiang quietly advised the elders and peers not to constantly bring up Zheng’er’s childhood when teaching Fusu—it lowered the king’s authority in his son’s eyes.

But he also advised Zheng’er not to be too strict. Many things Fusu did were normal for his age. Expecting a child to behave like an adult would only make Fusu mediocre.

“Things like getting dirty while picking vegetables for elders, or hopping while walking, or laughing loudly when he’s happy—none of these need correction,” Zhu Xiang said. “One day he’ll be king like you. A king doesn’t need to be rigid. Instead of focusing on little details, teach him knowledge and character.”

He added, “No one is perfect. And what the world calls perfect—are they truly perfect?”

Ying Zheng pondered this.

“Most kings may not show their emotions, but they weren’t like that when they were little, nor are they like that in front of everyone. And if a king is truly capable, why shouldn’t he show his emotions? Why can’t a ruler who laughs and rages freely still be a great king?”

Ying Zheng muttered, “Yes, uncle.”

Zhu Xiang smiled. “Parents always want their children to be the best. I understand your impatience—besides, your memories of your past life make you dissatisfied with the Fusu before.”

Though Ying Zheng was already grown and about to become First Emperor, Zhu Xiang still patted his shoulder.

“Don’t be anxious. Fusu is very much like you were. He won’t disappoint you. And besides—you have me, your aunt, and many elders watching over him.”

Ying Zheng finally smiled. “Mm.”

Zhu Xiang joked, “He won’t disappoint you, but he’ll probably give you headaches. After all, he’s like you. If Xia Tong were here, he’d laugh at you—payback! Retribution comes late, not never. See? Your karma has arrived.”

Ying Zheng glared at him, then couldn’t help laughing. “My father would never.”

Zhu Xiang said, “He absolutely would. And loudly.”

Remembering his father, Ying Zheng had to admit it was true.

“Fusu will trouble you in the future as well,” Ying Zheng said, bowing to Zhu Xiang.

Zhu Xiang replied, “When you act so polite, I feel like you’re plotting something.”

Ying Zheng: “…”

Zhu Xiang sighed dramatically, “When Zheng’er is quiet, he must be scheming.”

Ying Zheng snapped, “Uncle!”

Zhu Xiang burst out laughing. “Hahahaha!”

Ying Zheng, about to storm off, was grabbed by his sleeve and dragged along to fetch Fusu from the dowagers.

Though Fusu had been left in Xunzi and Lian Po’s care, the two dowagers adored their great-grandson, so he visited daily—to act as their little dress-up doll.

When Ying Zheng saw the utterly lifeless expression on Fusu’s face, he had to admit—

Indeed, Fusu was just like he once was.

He, too, had been tormented like this. Tsk.