Chapter 150: Stalemate with Ying Zou

  .

  Compared with previous days, there were still piles of documents on his desk that he had not finished reading in the first half of the month.

  "Your Majesty, Shi Song Huaijin has arrived under the pillar." The eunuch reported in a soft voice.

  He quickly flipped through the documents and said without looking up, "Ask him to come in."

  Nei Shi went out for a moment, and Ying Ju heard the footsteps again. He opened his mouth and said, "You're just in time, come over and help me pick out the memorials discussing the abolition of the legal system."

  At the beginning of the Song Dynasty, Fang wanted to ask about the ritual, but swallowed his words and replied with a "yes". He then knelt down beside the desk and began to examine the memorials discussing the laws of Shang Yang. As he examined them, he clicked his tongue in amazement at how smooth and even the bamboo slips were, neither too thick nor too thin. It took a whole day's work for one person to make such a volume of bamboo slips, from splitting the bamboo, grinding the pieces, to threading them together into a slip. It was no wonder that they were so expensive! These old aristocratic families had spent hundreds and thousands of volumes just to persuade the emperor to abolish the new laws, truly throwing money around like dirt!

  "It's really not easy for you to be on top." Song Chu said.

  "Inside attendant Wu Shan Dao said, 'The pillar historian doesn't know, but in the warehouse next door, three large boxes are already piled up full!'"

  "Go and summon Jing Jian." Ying Xi ordered Wu Shan.

  "Yes."

  Wu Shan left, and Ying Ju picked up his tea cup and took a few sips before asking, "What's going on?"

  Song Chu put down his bamboo tablet and stood up straight, saying, "Your Majesty, I wish to request permission to go on a trip to Bashu."

  "Impossible." Weng Xi thought for a moment and then firmly refused. From the perspective of "The Theory of National Destruction", Song Chu was not good at diplomacy, but rather assisting the general in commanding the army in the government, how could he allow the talents of Great Qin to be wasted?

  "Your Highness..."

  Wang Yuzhi interrupted Song ChuYi's words, "Never had a recall."

  Song Chu bit her teeth, "Why is he so handsome but not good at understanding people?" She adjusted her mood and said, "I don't have to go, but although the young master has great talent, handling diplomatic affairs is a bit forced on him. Therefore, I recommend someone else."

  "Who is it?" The cold, hard gaze of You Ruo slightly softened.

  "Zhang Yi!" Song Chu said.

  He paused for a moment, "Never heard of it."

  "This man is a disciple of Guiguzi, studying the art of vertical and horizontal alliances, extremely skilled in diplomatic affairs. If he were to go to Bashu, this matter would be without worry." Song Chu initially thought that even if it were himself going, he might not necessarily do better than Zhang Yi.

  Because of past conflicts with Shang Yang, he was hesitant to use talents from other states. If it weren't for Song Shi's sudden presentation of the "Annihilation of States" theory, he wouldn't have used her.

  Considering this is an extraordinary period, Qin is facing internal worries and external troubles, but it's also a great opportunity to expand outward. Ying Ji put down the knot in his heart and asked, "Where is this person now?"

  "Half a year ago, I met him in Wei. At that time, I heard his words and felt that he had the intention of entering Qin. The king can send someone to find him in Qin first." Song said.

  "Good." Won the first place.

  Song Chuanyi said solemnly, "This matter is of great importance to you. The land of Bashu is not ordinary for the Qin state, I believe that in your heart, it is clearer than anyone else. If Zhangzi cannot be found, please allow me to enter Bashu. For Qin, even if several Song Huaiyin are used to exchange for the land of Bashu, it is worth it!"

  His eyebrows slightly furrowed. He had just said that spoken words were like spilled water, impossible to take back, yet Song ChuYi brought it up again. Although he knew it wasn't intentional provocation, it was still unpleasant.

  Four eyes met, and both people could see the persistence in each other's eyes, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense.

  After an unknown period of time, Wu Shan's voice broke the deadlock, "Your Highness, Jing Jian has arrived."

  He withdrew his gaze and said calmly, "Let him in."

  Song Chuanyi also composed himself and continued to play the zither.

  "I've seen you before." A gentle and courteous voice came over.

  Jing Jian was a close attendant of the previous ruler, and had gained his trust. He had also served as an envoy to other countries on behalf of Qin. Although he no longer managed affairs now, Ying Ji trusted him just like the previous ruler did. Moreover, it was said that in the past, Jing Jian repeatedly recommended Shang Yang to the previous ruler, which allowed Qin to acquire this talent without missing out.

  At the beginning of the Song Dynasty, one pair was particularly interested in Jing Jian, so he raised his head and looked over.

  Jing Jian wore a black robe with wide sleeves, his face was pale and beardless. Although he was nearly fifty years old, he still looked very young, quite different from the rough and rugged image of Qin people.

  "You're welcome." Weng Ju had originally called him over to help sort out the memorials, but now he changed his mind on a whim. "Sit down."

  "Ah." Jing Jian saw Song Chu look over and gave her a slight smile.

  Song Chuanyi also responded with a smile, considering it as a greeting.

  "Let's talk about Zhang Yi." said Yingzi.

  At the beginning of the Song Dynasty, one will understand. Winning the carriage is thinking of letting Jing Jian go find Zhang Yi, so he turns to him and says, "Zhang Yi is a disciple of Guiguzi, a strategist, about 26 or 27 years old. As for his appearance, I can draw a portrait later."

  Although the level of drawing is general, adding some rhetorical flourishes makes it more concrete than just talking dryly.

  Jing nodded and turned to Ying Ju, "Sir is looking for this person?"

  "Hmm. Give me news within five days." said Ying Zou.

  Under his command, it's easy, but I don't know how many more people will be unable to sleep for five days and nights.

  "Ah." Jing Jian's response was also forthright. He still held a vast network of information in his hands, "I will go and take care of it now."

  "Go." said Weng Yu.

  Song Chu Yi immediately said, "I have finished reporting on the matters below me, I beg to be excused."

  He originally wanted to punish her, but looking at that smiling face, he couldn't help but feel a headache, thinking that simply using the categorized punishment was too cheap for her, so he waved his hand and temporarily ignored her.

  "I beg to take my leave." Song Chi stood up and backed out of the room with respect.

  She saw a person wearing a black robe on the corridor and slowed down her pace, "Lord Jing Jian."

  Jingjian turned around and saw her, cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Zhu Xia Shi."

  "Governor Jing needn't be so polite." Song Chuyi returned a courtesy and walked out shoulder to shoulder with him.

  Jing Jian Dao said, "Also, please ask Zhuzi Hui to return to the manor and draw a picture as soon as possible. I will send someone to fetch it by tomorrow evening."

  "This is natural." Song Chu said, "Zhangzi had long been willing to enter Qin and surrender, he must have arrived in the State of Qin by now. It's just that no one has seen him until today, I'm afraid he has encountered obstacles. I suggest that Lord Jingjian thoroughly search Xianyang, as far as I understand him, if he can't make it to Qin, he won't stay in other cities of Qin."

  "Thanks for reminding me, Zhuxia Shi." Jingjian bowed his hands and said.

  "It's what should be."

  The two of them exchanged a few words and parted ways near the palace gate. Song Chu was indeed interested in Jing Jian, but Jing Jian's identity was very sensitive. After Qin abolished the practice of burying people alive with their masters, as a close attendant of Duke Xiao, Jing Jian should have gone to guard Duke Xiao's spirit, but he was the one who recommended Shang Yang and had followed him for some time, so the old aristocracy hated him to the bone. King Hui left him in the palace, partly to avoid the old aristocracy taking revenge on him.