Qin Gong

Chapter 697: Saving Young Master Sheng

Chapter 697: Saving Young Master Sheng

It was cloudy and the weather in Linzi city changed suddenly. The scorching sun hid in the sky in a blink of an eye. On the ground, the breeze blew the willows and the leaves swayed.

Under the pavilion, Bai Yan was kneeling beside the wooden table, talking with Shi Cheng, Shi Yan and Shen Lao. At this time, Xiao He suddenly came in a hurry.

"General, General! The nobles of Qi in Linzi City have already handed over their population and household registration!"

Xiao He came to the wooden table with an excited look on his face, bowed, and then handed a scroll of bamboo slips to Bai Yan.

Looking at the corpse yard and corpse dam on the side, Xiao He quickly turned around and bowed to the two of them.

"Master Xiao!"

When Shi Cheng and Shi Yan, the grandfather and grandson, saw Xiao He saluting, they hurriedly bowed to return the salute.

Although Xiao He was once just a descendant of a side branch of the Xiao family, when the Wei Kingdom still existed, not to mention a small figure like Xiao He, even the entire Xiao family was not in the eyes of the Shi family, but now, things are very different.

It had been rumored before that the Qin general Bai Yan highly valued a man named Xiao He. Later, the news of the Qin-Chu War spread throughout the world. Just when everyone thought that Bai Yan would be besieged in the east of Chu and the Qin army would be destroyed by Chu because of food and grass.

A captain named Xiao He delivered a steady supply of food and fodder to the Qin army in the east of Chu. This delivery lasted for several months.

By this time, all the scholars in the world knew the name of Xiao He.

At this moment, seeing Xiao He handing the bamboo slips to Bai Yan with excitement, and reporting to Bai Yan that the Qi gentry had already handed over all their population and household registration, Shi Cheng and Shi Yan both felt a little emotional. Now, Bai Yan had so many capable people helping him, and any force that wanted to deal with Bai Yan no longer needed to deal with Bai Yan alone as before.

"The King of Qi is not fighting. This is a blessing for Qin and Qi! It is also a blessing for all the people!"

Bai Yan looked at the bamboo slips with his eyes full of amazement, and also somewhat fortunate that King Jian of Qi was finally willing to surrender to the Qin State instead of leading his troops to fight to the death.

In the bamboo slips, the population size of Linzi city alone shocked Bai Yan. Ten years ago, the capital of Qi State alone had 70,000 households in Linzi, which were registered. As for the unregistered, there were many more. Because of the household registration and land tax reasons, local people would secretly rely on the homes of the gentry and the wealthy, and many of the gentry would hide the true population. This kind of thing was no exception for Qi State, not to mention Qin State.

Ten years ago, there were seven vassal states in the world, but now, with the other five vassal states perishing one after another, the population of Linzi, Qi State is really scary.

The number of households registered has quietly exceeded 100,000! As for how many households are not registered, even the nobles of Qi State probably don't know.

The only thing that is certain is: the city rent is a thousand gold!

"Yes! General, according to the household registration conventions of various places, each household can provide three men. Linzi alone can have 300,000 people. There are four other cities similar to Linzi in Qi!"

When Xiao He heard Bai Yan's sigh, he turned around and nodded to Bai Yan, his expression full of approval.

The population of Qi was really beyond expectations, and the population and commerce of the entire Qi State were even more shocking. No wonder Yan Zi, who was a missionary to Chu hundreds of years ago, said to the King of Chu: There are three hundred neighborhoods in Linzi of Qi, where people spread their sleeves to form a shade, sweat like rain, and are shoulder to shoulder.

If a war had really broken out between Qin and Qi before, the entire Qi area would probably have been filled with corpses, and no one knows how many people would have died.

"Is Young Master Sheng in the city?"

Bai Yan returned the bamboo slips to Xiao He, turned to look at Shi Yan and asked, "As the most promising descendant of the Shi family and the future heir of the Shi family, after Shi Yan came to Linzi, Master Shengding had contact with Shi Yan and drank together."

"In the city!"

When Shi Yan saw Bai Yan's gaze, he looked at his grandfather, then looked at Bai Yan with some worry.

"After King Jian of Qi surrendered, there were many nobles in the city who were resentful, and the clan members were even more resentful. As a prince of Qi, Tian Sheng's reputation among the clan members was no longer what it used to be. Now, he spends all day drinking and getting drunk... and occasionally complains!"

Shi Yan thought about the last sentence and said it to Bai Yan. Realizing that Bai Yan wanted to meet Gongzi Sheng, Shi Yan also wanted Bai Yan to be prepared.

"It doesn't matter!"

Bai Yan didn't care when he heard Shi Yan's words.

He called a servant to prepare the carriage, and then Bai Yan explained some things in the city to Xiao He, then he got up and left the mansion with Shi Cheng and Shi Yan.

Half an hour later.

In a small courtyard, there are only a few wooden houses and an empty yard. A man is drinking at a wooden table.

As the sound of dense footsteps came, soon a dozen Qin soldiers were seen walking in from outside, and then each of them held the hilt of the sword at their waist and stood in front of the wooden doors.

In front of a simple wooden table, a man in pleated silk clothes was drinking alone. Seeing this scene, he sneered and then ignored it. It seemed that he was not afraid of the Qin soldiers at all. Instead, several servants in the yard retreated in fear and leaned in the corner of the small courtyard, not daring to move.

Bai Yan, who was wearing the official uniform of the Qin State, entered the courtyard with Shi Yan and saw Gongzi Sheng at a glance.

However, the appearance of Young Master Sheng at this moment made people sigh, and when Shi Yan saw him, there was a hint of sympathy and sadness in his eyes.

In Shi Yan's eyes, the demise of Qi was caused by King Jian of Qi and many of Qi's ministers. From the beginning to the end, Tian Sheng, the eldest son of Qi, had been trying to save Qi and resist Qin. He was very humble and courteous to others, and often even humbled himself.

How could Shi Yan not have a good impression of such a young man?

"Qi has a population of several million, and its reign lasted for eight hundred years!"

Bai Yan took a pot of wine and came to the wooden table. This time Bai Yan did not bow. He just opened the wine and said something to himself.

Tian Sheng, who was originally drunk and had a drunken look in his eyes, trembled all over when he heard these words. His breathing became slightly faster. He raised his head and looked at Bai Yan with red eyes.

In these eyes, there is past admiration for Bai Yan, memories between him and Bai Yan, but more importantly, there is resentment and anger towards Bai Yan.

Perhaps deep in Tian Sheng's heart, what he least wanted, and what he was most unwilling to accept, was that Bai Yan, a native of Qi, personally led the Qin army and destroyed Qi.

"The tomb of our mentor Tian Jin has been dug. It is located five miles north of Tianqiyuan!"

Bai Yan looked at the wooden table which was filled with messy wine jugs, without even a container to hold wine. However, there was a wine cup on the muddy ground nearby, but it had been abandoned on the ground for many days and was already covered with mud.

In this state, ordinary people would not use it to drink alcohol, let alone water.

However, in front of Shi Yan, all the Qin soldiers, and even the servants, Bai Yan picked up a wine cup from the mud and poured himself some wine.

The aroma of wine spread, and the wine, which should have been clear, was poured into the wine jug, but it was mixed with a lot of dirt.

"My former mentor told Yan that this land is his lifelong love! It is rich and prosperous, and the culture and all the people of Qi have passed it down from generation to generation. There is Yan in the north, Wei in the west, Chu in the south, and the sea in the north..."

Bai Yan picked up the wine cup and drank the wine in one gulp under the surprised and astonished gazes of Shi Yan and the servants.

Tian Sheng also stared at Bai Yan's actions in amazement, watching Bai Yan, now the Great Minister of Qin, drinking the wine covered in mud from the wine cup that he had used and even discarded.

At this moment, Tian Sheng seemed to have an indescribable feeling in his chest, and he didn't know how to express it.

"But my dear teacher, he died in Qi State, died in the decree of the King of Qi! Now he can only be buried on this land! Even the descendants, no one can go to offer sacrifices to him."

Bai Yan put down the wine cup and felt a few particles in his mouth and throat. Bai Yan did not spit them out, but looked straight at Tian Sheng.

"Sir, when you met Bai Yan in the past, Bai Yan had a thought. Sir, can you save Qi?"

Bai Yan said this and, under the gaze of Shi Yan, turned his head to look at the small courtyard beside him and said no more.

In the small courtyard.

When talking about the past, the atmosphere became quiet and no one spoke.

After a long time, Tian Sheng lowered his head, looked decadent, and took another big gulp of wine.

"Why are you here? What do you want me to do?"

Tian Sheng asked Bai Yan the purpose of coming here. It seemed that in Tian Sheng's eyes, Bai Yan, who was now leading the troops to destroy Qi, had a lot of important matters to deal with, so how could he have the free time to come here to see him.

"Bai Yan wants to ask you, sir, who is involved in the murder of the former Qi Xiang Hou Sheng clan!"

Bai Yan looked at Tian Sheng and asked.

"I heard that you have many old acquaintances with the three tribes of Chu, Wei and Yan!"

Bai Yan picked up the wine jug and poured himself another glass. Then he looked at Tian Sheng, raised the wine cup with both hands, and saluted slowly.

"They are not the noble families of Chu, Wei and Yan! The Housheng family was killed, this is very strange!"

When Tian Sheng heard Bai Yan mention Hou Sheng, he hesitated and spoke softly.

However, no matter how casual his tone was, when he mentioned Hou Sheng, Tian Sheng still looked a little dazed, with a hint of doubt in his eyes.

"Why are you so sure that it was not done by the nobles of Chu, Wei and Yan? Why wasn't it someone else who deceived you and did it in secret, supporting you to succeed to the throne of Qi?"

Bai Yan looked at Tian Sheng and saw that he had no intention of drinking with him, but he didn't care and instead questioned him.

"No way!"

Tian Sheng sneered and shook his head quickly.

However, Shi Yan, who was standing by, could hear the uncertainty in Tian Sheng's words. After experiencing what happened to Tian Dan and Tian Heng, Tian Sheng obviously knew that those noble families were capable of doing anything.

"Since you are silent, Bai Yan will not ask any more questions!"

When Bai Yan heard Gongzi Sheng's answer, he looked a little disappointed, but fortunately he didn't say much. He just poured another glass of wine and toasted Gongzi Sheng.

In the small courtyard, hours passed one after another.

In the quiet atmosphere, Bai Yan didn't say anything else, but picked up the wine cup and drank with Tian Sheng.

Perhaps when they were in Chudong, Tian Sheng traveled thousands of miles and took the risk to find Bai Yan. At that time, Bai Yan had to face the Chu army and had no chance to drink with Tian Sheng or talk to him. He also clearly rejected Tian Sheng's kindness.

But deep down, Bai Yan was still grateful for Tian Sheng's appreciation.

The world is inherently cold and indifferent. Bai Yan, who was born in a humble family, has been accustomed to the warmth and coldness of the world since childhood. Facing Tian Sheng, the eldest son of Qi State, who once valued him so much that he even traveled thousands of miles to see him, Bai Yan is not a plant or a tree and it is impossible for him to remain indifferent.

But Bai Yan knew history, and he also knew that compared to Qi, Qin had the power to unify the country. What future generations needed was also Qin, even if it was...

The Qin Dynasty perished in the second generation!

In the small courtyard.

Bai Yan drank and looked at Tian Sheng who was drinking and having fun all day long. As he drank sips of wine, he finally fell on the wooden table, unconscious, and seemed to be mumbling something.

After sighing, Bai Yan slowly stood up, took one last look at Tian Sheng, and then left the courtyard with the corpse.

In Linzi City.

On the way back to the mansion, the streets were congested, and Shi Yan, who was kneeling in the carriage, looked at Bai Yan with some confusion.

"Why didn't you mention the affairs of the noble families in Qi and the noble families in the three regions to Gongzi Sheng today?"

Shi Yan couldn't help but ask.

Before coming, he saw that after Bai Yan received the news sent by Xiao He, he wanted to see Gongzi Sheng. Shi Yan always thought that Bai Yan wanted to see Gongzi Sheng to talk about the gentry in Qi and the gentry in Chu, Wei and Yan, and wanted Gongzi Sheng to lead the gentry in Qi and drive away the gentry in Chu, Wei and Yan.

However, what Shi Yan did not expect was that from beginning to end, Bai Yan did not mention a word about the gentry.

"Tian Sheng has many connections with the old families of Chu, Wei and Yan! Even if he is threatened or bribed, Master Sheng will definitely not be willing to do it!"

Bai Yan explained to Shi Yan.

Looking at the wooden door in front of the carriage and listening to the bustling voices of the people outside the carriage, Bai Yan knew Shi Yan's doubts and roughly guessed what Shi Yan was thinking.

"The nobles of Qi have sent their household registrations, so Yan has nothing to worry about! The reason I came here is just to let the old families of Chu, Wei and Yan know that I came here today to meet Master Sheng. In this way, if something happens in the future, everyone will guess that it is related to Master Sheng!"

Bai Yan said, then turned to look at Shi Yan with a serious look.

"Prince Sheng is the son of the King of Qi. Even if he occasionally complains, he is not guilty of death, not to mention that this is Qi! However, if Prince Sheng has a close relationship with the old clans of the three places and complains to Qin, one day, Prince Sheng's life will be in danger!"

Bai Yan explained the reason for coming to see Gongzi Sheng this time. After Xiao He obtained most of the household registrations in Linzi City, the rest were minor problems. As for the Qi nobles in the city, Bai Yan would not be really unkind and would not insist on digging into the matter. It would be fine as long as they kept their agreement.

But think back to later generations, and the death of Tian Sheng!

Bai Yan finally couldn't bear it and didn't want to see Tian Sheng being killed by other Qin officials because he became a threat to the Qin State.

"Let Tian Sheng distance himself from the old families of Chu, Wei and Yan, so that the Qin court can feel at ease! The clansmen and nobles of Qi are dissatisfied with the King of Qi and have tried to distance themselves from Prince Sheng. Now the nobles of Qi in the city have grievances with the old families of Chu, Wei and Yan. Prince Sheng can only be accepted by the nobles of Qi if he helps Qi! If he encounters trouble in the future, the nobles of Qi will all lend a helping hand! In this way, Prince Sheng will have a good end!"

After Bai Yan finished speaking, he no longer looked at the corpse pit.

Just like what my grandmother taught me when I was a child: People must always be true to their conscience!

It is also because of this sentence that Bai Yan is not only grateful to the Bai family who helped him, but also to people like Wu Gao and Shi Yan in the past.

Bai Yan still remembers Gongzi Sheng. When he was standing on the city wall in the cold wind, he turned around and looked at the man wearing Qi silk clothes and walking hurriedly towards him. The man looked at him with such longing in his eyes.

"I see……"

After hearing Bai Yan's words, Shi Yan looked at Bai Yan in a daze, his expression full of surprise.

However, for some reason, until this moment, Shi Yan clearly felt that the person kneeling beside him was not the powerful Wu Lie Jun of Qin State, the Great Liangzao of Qin State, but...

The Xu Zixiao he met in Zhao!

Inside the quiet carriage.

After a long time, Shi Yan finally smiled, looking somewhat relaxed. This was the first time that Shi Yan felt a familiar feeling in his heart when facing Bai Yan.

...............

In Linzi City.

"Bai Yan went to see Gongzi Sheng?"

Not to mention the nobles in Chu, Wei and Yan who got the news, even the nobles in Qi looked at each other in bewilderment after getting the news, wondering why Bai Yan went to see Gongzi Sheng.

Inside the Jixia Academy, Master Pei and a few others stood under the eaves looking at the flowers, plants and walkways in the small courtyard of the mansion. It seemed that the countless students coming and going in the past were right before their eyes.

Several old men were a little sad. The State of Qi was destroyed, and the Jixia Academy relied on the State of Qi for its existence. Now that the State of Qi was destroyed, they would probably have to leave this place in the future, either to serve the Qin Dynasty, or to retire from society, or to become guests under the gentry. Without the Jixia Academy, it would probably be a long time before they could get together like this again, or even never have the chance again in this lifetime.

"Master! Master! It's bad! The Huang family, the Qu family, and Elder Wei have all been arrested!"

A student in his thirties hurriedly ran to Master Pei and his companions to report.

Upon hearing this, Master Pei and the others' faces changed drastically and they looked at each other.

impossible!

how can that be!

The Huang family is the descendant of a famous general of the State of Chu, and Wei Zhao and Wei Lao were the most trusted aides of the former Lord Changping. These people were hiding in the city of Linzi and few people knew about them, so how could they all be arrested?

Unless someone tells Bai Yan about this!

Suddenly, a figure emerged in the minds of Master Pei and several old men.

Young Master Tian Sheng!

(End of this chapter)