HCT – Chapter 50 Imperial Physician’s Calming Medicine

After leaving the Crown Prince’s residence, Lu Buwei finally loosened his tightly clenched fists, revealing a look of deep unwillingness.

He had believed that he already had full control over Yiren. But now it seemed that Yiren was merely using him.

Logically, he understood that they were using each other. But he had indeed placed himself in a higher, more dominant position. Yiren had always treated him with utmost respect, giving him all the dignity he desired.

Lu Buwei was a wealthy merchant of humble birth. Though his family was rich, his social status was not high. After helping Yiren, he believed he had the Qin prince wrapped around his finger—he felt intoxicated by the thought, as if drunk.

When Zhu Xiang entered Qin, he sensed something was wrong. But how things unfolded left him with no room to intervene. He could only watch helplessly as Yiren gradually escaped his control by relying on Zhu Xiang’s position in the Qin king’s heart.

Now, Yiren had moved into Zhu Xiang’s residence. This practically announced the failure of his entire plan—his status could no longer reach that level of being second only to one.

Lu Buwei had initially wanted to vent his anger on Zhu Xiang, but reason kept him calm. He did not do anything to harm him.

But Lady Huayang was too foolish—so foolish that others might start to suspect him. He had no choice but to immediately lower himself and go explain his innocence to the Crown Prince, then request a visit to Zhu Xiang’s house to see Yiren and beg him not to discard him after having used him.

“I was too arrogant.” Lu Buwei sat in the returning carriage, holding his forehead with a bitter smile. “Turns out Yiren is such a deeply scheming person. Perhaps Lady Huayang’s foolish actions were even instigated by him—deliberately meant to smear me and Lord Zixie. Even without Zhu Xiang…”

Even without Zhu Xiang, once Yiren ascended to the throne and solidified his rule, he could still easily move against Lu Buwei.

Lu Buwei recalled the Crown Prince’s expression. Had the Qin Crown Prince always seen through everything he did, never truly deceived by his facade of loyalty?

He had thought Yiren was shallow and incompetent, easy to control. He had thought the Crown Prince was slow-witted and weak, easy to fool. He had thought the King of Qin, high above in the temple halls, paid no attention to his small maneuvers…

“I truly danced on the edge of a cliff,” Lu Buwei sighed for a long while before suddenly breaking into hearty laughter.

As a merchant who had traveled far and wide, which of his large profits didn’t come with the risk of total ruin or even family destruction? To grow complacent before seeing any returns—that was unlike him. The taste of power and status was truly intoxicating.

He must remain cautious, advancing step by step.

“The money I invested in Yiren still has returns to yield. I’ll pull out at the right moment. As for the next ‘goods’ I’ll invest in…” Lu Buwei laughed, “Why should I oppose Lord Changping? He’s the next ‘rare commodity worth collecting.’”

How could a merchant let temporary emotion get in the way of profit? If someone else’s trade was making money, of course he should join in.

After Xue uttered those few warning words, Lady Huayang had no intention of entertaining her any longer—but she also dared not let her leave. Fortunately, the Crown Prince Zhu came over and saved her from the awkward situation.

“Lady Xueji,” the Crown Prince said, “Lord Zhu Xiang sensed something deeply unsettling. He dreamed of Lord Lin’s passing and was overcome with grief. You should return home quickly.”

Xue’s expression changed with alarm. She forgot all the etiquette she had learned and immediately followed the Crown Prince out.

By the time Xue returned home, Zhu Xiang had already awakened.

He stiffly blocked Ying Zheng from, under the physician’s instruction, pouring hot, steaming boy’s urine into his mouth, and firmly insisted he wasn’t sick when the physician claimed his yang energy was insufficient.

Urine doesn’t cure all diseases! Imperial Physicians of Qin, you’re hopeless!

“Not crying anymore?” The old King of Qin sat to the side, watching the scene unfold like a spectacle.

Zhu Xiang, hugging the sobbing Ying Zheng, replied awkwardly, “The physician tried to force me to drink urine, scared all the sadness right out of me.”

When the old King of Qin first heard about the death of Lin Xiangru, he had felt some sorrow and regret. But upon hearing Zhu Xiang’s comment, all his grief disappeared, and he almost burst out laughing.

“You…” the old King covered his forehead, “I thought you’d cry for a long time.”

Zhu Xiang shook his head. “If I wallow in grief, Lord Lin would scold me. Your Majesty—”

“I’ve already sent someone to investigate Lord Lin’s situation. Once we receive news, you can go pay your respects.” The King interrupted him. “For now, rest and take care of yourself. If you keep pushing through exhaustion and end up sick, you won’t give Lord Lin’s spirit any peace. He… he appeared in your dream? What did he say?”

Zhu Xiang recalled the dream. Normally, one forgets a dream after waking. But Lin Gong’s visit remained vividly etched in his mind—every detail was crystal clear.

“Lord Lin said… the King of Qin protects me, the Crown Prince respects me, and Zichu is still my Xia Tong.” Zhu Xiang clutched Ying Zheng tightly and couldn’t stop the tears from streaming again. “Zheng’er is bright, Xueji is resilient, and we have Minister Cai Ze assisting us. I also have the wariness needed to protect myself. So now, he can leave in peace.”

Zichu, who had been overwhelmed with sorrow, suddenly looked up—then lowered his head again, true grief washing over him.

So Lord Lin still remembered Xia Tong.

“That does sound like something he would say.” The King of Qin was silent for a moment, then unexpectedly felt a tinge of envy toward Zhu Xiang, who could be visited in dreams and given final words by a departed loved one.

He himself might never have a relative come to him in a dream, and after death, he might not appear in anyone’s either.

The physician brought over a calming medicine. Zhu Xiang’s expression froze again.

After experiencing the imperial physician trying to use boy’s urine as a medicinal primer, he was truly afraid this bowl might contain something strange too.

Following the principle of “if I don’t know, then it doesn’t exist,” he tricked himself and drank the oddly flavored medicine in one gulp—and started feeling drowsy again.

The physicians of Qin weren’t completely useless—this medicine really did calm the spirit.

When Xue returned home, Zhu Xiang hadn’t yet fallen asleep. He forced himself to say a few soothing words to her before the effects of the medicine forced his eyes closed.

Xue knelt by Zhu Xiang’s bed, holding his hand, not daring to make a sound for fear of disturbing his rest.

Ying Zheng had climbed into the bed again, clutching Zhu Xiang’s arm tightly, refusing to let go or leave.

The King of Qin left Xue and Ying Zheng behind to watch over Zhu Xiang, then took the others and departed.

“When Zhu Xiang entered Qin, he had already guessed that Lin and Lian Po were old and requested permission from me to visit them. I agreed,” the King of Qin sighed. “But I didn’t expect Lord Lin to pass so soon… I originally planned to have him take Zheng’er, but after all the travel and commotion, Zheng’er’s body might not withstand it. Zichu, you will go with Zhu Xiang. Minister Cai, do you wish to go as well?”

The King of Qin had originally instructed Zhu Xiang to take Ying Zheng away for the child’s benefit, ensuring Zhu Xiang would return to Qin. But now, realizing that Zhu Xiang and Zichu truly were close friends, there was no need to burden Zheng’er with the journey.

Zichu knelt and accepted the order.

Cai Ze said, “Xueji and Zheng’er need someone to look after them. I’ll offer a distant tribute to Lord Lin instead.”

He had already guessed the King would only allow Zhu Xiang to leave Qin. Even if other states tried to capture Zhu Xiang along the way, with Xueji and Ying Zheng still in Qin, Zhu Xiang would never serve another country.

He hadn’t expected the King of Qin would actually allow Zichu to accompany him. The old King’s closeness to Zhu Xiang was even greater than he had imagined—though whether the King himself realized it was another matter.

“I’ll take good care of Xueji and Zheng’er,” Crown Prince Zhu promised confidently, patting his chest. “Why not let them stay at my residence?”

Cai Ze shook his head. “Xueji will surely want to get the household in order before Zhu Xiang returns. She won’t go anywhere else.”

The Crown Prince smiled kindly. “Xueji truly is a perfect match for Zhu Xiang.”

When the King of Qin saw the Crown Prince’s expression, he suspected Xue had made quite an impression when she met Lady Huayang. He wondered what exactly Zhu Xiang had taught Xueji to say that moved Da Zhu to such emotion.

Zhu Xiang slept fitfully the entire day. By the time he awoke, it was already dusk the following day.

The King and Crown Prince had already left. Xue brought water to wipe his face.

“Xue, I’m going to pay respects to Lord Lin. The King will definitely keep you in Qin. You must take the excuse of mourning Lord Lin to shut your doors to visitors,” Zhu Xiang instructed. “Even in mourning, you must not stop eating meat—especially Zheng’er. He must not go a day without eggs, milk, or meat.”

Little Zheng’er, sprawled on Zhu Xiang’s lap, looked up and said, “I’m chubby. It’s fine if I don’t eat meat for a month.”

“It’s not fine!” Zhu Xiang tapped Ying Zheng’s head lightly. “You’re still growing. You can’t eat like a monk. Xue, you too—don’t neglect your health for the sake of mourning, or Lord Lin will be sad.”

Xue forced a smile. “You’re one to talk—look at your head full of white hair. Lord Lin would ache to see you like this.”

Zhu Xiang touched his hair. “Luckily, in the dream, Lord Lin saw the me who had just left Handan.”

After a full day’s rest, Zhu Xiang had eased out of his grief and began making preparations to leave Qin.

Fan Ju had thought Zhu Xiang was soft-hearted and would weep in sorrow for many days, too heartbroken to even get out of bed.

So when Zhu Xiang quickly pulled himself together—though his usual smile had faded a great deal, and he didn’t laugh every day anymore—he even began offering advice to the King and taking on real work. Fan Ju was stunned.

Bai Qi remembered how, at Changping, Zhu Xiang had fully prepared to die, yet still wore a bright smile as he led Zhao and Qin soldiers to till the fields—and even held a New Year’s celebration for the surrendered troops.

“He’s a grounded man,” Bai Qi said. “He feels deeply, but he knows how to quickly pull himself together and keep moving forward. The King didn’t overvalue Zhu Xiang by trading the city of Handan for him.”

Fan Ju sighed repeatedly.

When Zhu Xiang asked him to find craftsmen to improve paper production, not only did he agree, he also petitioned the King to gradually replace official documents with paper—to increase the speed of communication.

The King approved. First, he ordered scribes to transcribe stored classics onto paper and compile them into books. Then, gradually, paper would replace bamboo slips in government documents.

It couldn’t happen overnight. At least a year or two would be needed for a smooth transition. But because of paper’s convenience and low cost, its replacement of bamboo slips was already inevitable.

When news of this reached the other six states, their monarchs all beat their chests in regret, cursing themselves for not having gone after Zhu Xiang earlier.

Even the King of Zhao was full of sighs. The moment he saw Qin using paper, he realized its immense value.

With the paper reform, Zhu Xiang firmly established his reputation in Qin. The people of Qin no longer thought of him merely as the “legendary Lord Zhu Xiang.” He had produced concrete achievements.

With that foundation, Zhu Xiang next presented the King with a new lunisolar calendar system—a unified calendar he called the Qin Calendar. He argued that just as every dynasty had its own calendar, so should Qin.

In China’s long history, the calendar had always combined lunar and solar elements. As early as 2100 BCE, the Taosi observatory site had already been used to track the sun’s movements. The people of Qin knew the value of such knowledge. Once Zhu Xiang presented the new calendar, the King immediately ordered the Grand Astrologer to gather a team for field observation and confirmation.

Though the King did not immediately adopt the calendar, his response made it clear he was very pleased with the “Qin Calendar.” This earned Zhu Xiang yet another merit.

Then Zhu Xiang also guided improvements in sugar and salt production. Qin’s official salt works immediately began reforming their processes. Thanks to the King’s generosity, the sugar-making techniques were written on paper and distributed freely.

For a time, not only did the common people praise Zhu Xiang, but even the Qin nobility spoke highly of him.

Soon after, Zhu Xiang and Prince Zichu, under royal command, began touring the country to guide agriculture and sericulture. By then, it was only April.

Back when Zhu Xiang dreamed of Lin Xiangru’s death, the King of Qin had already appointed an escort captain to ensure their safety. But as Zhu Xiang and Prince Zichu left Xianyang, the King secretly replaced the unnamed officer with Meng Wu, son of the High Minister Meng Ao.

You may not recognize Meng Wu yet—but he had two young sons at the time, still children: Meng Yi and Meng Tian.

The King of Qin was so anxious, he grabbed Fan Ju’s hand and said, “I regret agreeing to let Zhu Xiang go pay respects to Lord Lin!”

Fan Ju gave a bitter smile. “Meng Wu is valiant and reliable. He will absolutely protect Zhu Xiang and Prince Zichu. Your Majesty need not worry.”

Off to the side, Bai Qi, who had been silent all this time, laughed to himself.

When Zhu Xiang was waiting for news about Lin Xiangru, he had said that it felt strange to come to Qin and then leave again without doing anything meaningful. Before leaving, he wanted to make sure his title as Lord of Changping was not just an empty one—that he hadn’t received a salary for nothing, and that his departure wasn’t seen as defecting to another country.

Then, in just one month, he delivered achievement after achievement, shocking the Seven States—so much so that even the King of Qin was too frightened to let him leave, for fear the Six States would band together and kidnap him.

This Zhu Xiang… was truly too interesting.