If you don't give up, I'd like to be your adoptive father.

Chapter 1225 A Hundred Generals

“Since His Majesty doesn’t like farming, you don’t need to force yourself. Encouraging him to work in agriculture once is enough. Running around every day is against etiquette and makes you an easy target for those with ill intentions, which is very dangerous,” Li Si advised.

"Although I do not like farming, I do like being a sage ruler. Cough cough, what I mean is that I have finally become the sage ruler that makes the people feel that Great Qin has hope and destiny, just as my father wished."

Even though the body may suffer from the hardship, the mind is filled with joy for this purpose.

As for the system of rites, Prime Minister, there is no need to worry. I have heard from Shusun Tong and others that none of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors lived secluded in the inner palace. Every great and sage ruler went deep into the countryside and made outstanding contributions to the people.

I am not as capable as those ancient sage rulers; I cannot accomplish great political feats, but I can do what I can.

Hu Hai truly enjoyed it.

The emperor transformed into a yellow ox, plowing the fields, a spectacle witnessed and passed on by word of mouth among the masses, a surge of overwhelming faith washing over him. The sheer bliss of that experience made his mind want to stop, and his hands and feet refused to cease their activity.

In fact, he was not tired at all; his body and mind were in a state of bliss.

Like a lustful ghost, working hard in matters of love and sex, expending a great deal of physical energy, does it feel tired?

"What about safety? Your Majesty tills the land every day, and your reputation has spread to Chen County. I heard from my spies that Chen Sheng is very worried because he sees you working diligently and not at all like a tyrant, and he plans to send someone to assassinate you," Li Si said.

"Hehe, Chen Sheng is right to worry, I am indeed on the path of a sage ruler!" Hu Hai laughed triumphantly. "You don't need to worry about my safety."

I have mastered the Earth Escape Technique. It is more powerful than the ordinary Five Elements Earth Escape Technique; it is the 'Dragon Vein Escape Technique' taught to me by my father.

As long as I'm surrounded by two hundred top-tier immortals, I won't be left without a chance to escape.

Well, that's the main reason why Hu Hai dared to work in the fields "alone".

Each time they go out, the total number of guards, both overt and covert, is only two hundred. But each of them is a human immortal skilled in infiltration and reconnaissance, and has comprehended the immortal martial arts form, belonging to the top human immortals.

"To tell you the truth, my only concern now is that the busy farming season is too short. After the wheat and rapeseed are planted, the farmers are idle, and I have nowhere to cultivate the land." Hu Hai said with a worried look, "I am here today to discuss with you the idea of ​​sending iron plows to the people, which is also to find a second 'path to a sage ruler'."

He felt it was a great pity that farming could not become a regular activity.

How wonderful it would be if we could till the fields every day, from morning till sunset!

If Li Si and Shusun Tong knew about his idea, they would definitely think he had gone mad. That's true; Hu Hai had indeed become obsessed.

The "False Holy Emperor's Divine Skill" is essentially a demonic skill.

In order to enhance the positive feedback of his training, Grand Tutor Yu did two "unorthodox" things: First, he left a demonic seed in Hu Hai's sea of ​​consciousness, which was extremely efficient at absorbing the power of belief.

Evil cultivators are obsessed with demonic arts because practicing them allows them to break through to higher realms much faster.

Furthermore, the cultivation efficiency of Grand Tutor Yu's demonic seed far surpasses that of ordinary demonic arts.

The Xuanmen Qi cultivator meditated for a day and a night, but felt no change in his internal energy. Hu Hai, on the other hand, could clearly feel his True Dragon Qi growing rapidly every day.

Who could resist this kind of joy?
Secondly, the true energy transformed from demonic thoughts into belief will circulate once inside Hu Hai's head.

It has no other effects; it's specifically designed to stimulate dopamine secretion.

True Qi can be stored in the lower dantian without circulating inside the skull, making it more efficient.

Using a secret medical technique, Master Yu deliberately stimulated the brain to secrete dopamine.

The joy of spiritual practice does not originate from the secretion of dopamine.

For example, Grand Tutor Yu would diligently practice meditation and breathing exercises every day. At that time, her body would not secrete a single drop of dopamine, but she would feel a profound sense of joy from the depths of her soul.

Hu Hai cultivated normally, and the demonic seed efficiently absorbed and transformed the power of belief, which was also a source of this pleasure.

Stimulating dopamine is an added form of pleasure.

Besides making Hu Hai happier, there was another evil purpose: to make him inseparable from this pleasure, both physically and spiritually.

Simply put, the pleasures of normal cultivation can be relatively easy to give up. For example, some cultivators descend from the mountain, enter the secular world, become infatuated with wine, women, wealth, and power, indulge in pleasure, and abandon their cultivation.

And the pleasure of dopamine... think of Xiaoyu's past life as an addict.

I can't quit.

If Hu Hai didn't practice the "False Holy Emperor's Divine Skill" for a day, he felt extremely uncomfortable. If he didn't practice for two days, it was worse than death. To practice the "False Holy Emperor's Divine Skill," one had to impersonate a holy emperor.

To impersonate a true emperor, one must naturally do what a real emperor does.

This was Grand Tutor Yu's ultimate goal.

Of course, Grand Tutor Yu was only disciplining Hu Hai; he had no intention of harming him. The dopamine stimulation from the "False Holy Emperor's Divine Skill" would not weaken his body or dissipate his soul, making him like a zombie.

On the contrary, as the Emperor's dragon aura grows, his strength increases every day, and his physical body and soul only become stronger.

Although he didn't know Hu Hai's true feelings, he only heard Hu Hai complain that "the off-season is coming and he will soon have no land to cultivate." Li Si thought he was too abnormal and too crazy.

“Your Majesty, the way of a sage ruler is not to be a beast of burden for the people. If Your Majesty wishes to be a sage ruler, there are many things you can do. Didn’t those Confucian scholars, including Shusun Tong, teach Your Majesty?” Li Si’s face showed a hint of dissatisfaction.

—Shusun Tong is not a man of mere reputation, yet he can only teach Your Majesty how to farm. Could it be that he has a wicked heart?
Hu Hai said, “How could I not have taught them? They keep whispering in my ear every day, saying that farming for the elderly, widows, and children can only help one family at a time.”

By wielding the power of the emperor, speaking with the authority of the emperor, and practicing the benevolent rule of a sage emperor, one can save the common people.

Which is more important, helping one person or saving all living beings? They advised me to think it over carefully.

"I'm not a fool; of course I understand they're right."

Li Si's expression changed slightly.

—Shusun Tong is indeed wicked; he's actually encouraging the emperor to seize his "chief ministerial power"!

Well, although Li Si knew the fate of the Qin Dynasty and himself and changed his attitude towards Grand Tutor Yu, his love for power remained unchanged.

Protecting the Qin Dynasty and the Li family, and holding power in the court, are not only not in conflict, but are actually quite aligned.

Rather than letting Hu Hai seize power and cause chaos, leading to the death and extermination of the Li family and the downfall of the Qin Dynasty, it would be better for him, the "renowned prime minister of all time," to wield power.

He not only won't mess things up, but he can also ensure that every decree he issues is perfect.

Even Grand Tutor Yu trusted him and appointed him as a Grand Councilor. Did he lack confidence?
Hu Hai continued to sigh, "But I don't like sitting on the dragon throne to handle state affairs."

With Prime Minister Li and the Grand Councilors in the court, the government affairs have been handled very well.

My meddling has only made things worse with good intentions. It would be better to let the Grand Councilors handle political affairs, so I can focus on other things.”

Li Si breathed a sigh of relief and sincerely praised, "Your Majesty is wise! Last time, the Grand Tutor said that all the achievements we have made should belong to Your Majesty."

All benevolent policies shall be promulgated in His Majesty's name.

—Go out of the palace and go farm! The court doesn't need you, but the common people, the widowed, the elderly, and the young can't live without "Black Ox".

Li Si completely lost the will to dissuade Huhai from leaving the palace and causing trouble.

If we don't let him leave the palace, he'll cause trouble in the court. It's better for them to work in the inner palace and out in the outer palace. He can lead the Grand Councilors to handle government affairs in the palace, while the Black Ox Emperor can gain prestige among the people. This way, they can kill two birds with one stone, and all the prestige will go to the emperor.

"Your Majesty, the imperial court cannot provide a large quantity of the iron plows you requested; there are not that many readily available iron plows."

Regarding refined iron, Li Si thought for a moment and said, "Since the Grand Tutor has said there's no need to worry about deficits, refined iron can be supplied in unlimited quantities."

I can guarantee that merchants from all corners of the world will transport their finest iron to the Central Plains and deliver it to Xingyang.

However, forging refined iron into iron plows is quite time-consuming.

Hu Hai had a sudden inspiration and said, "If I lead a group of blacksmiths to forge iron plows at the city gate..."

"Stamp my imperial seal on iron plows and distribute them to the people, house by house. Does the Prime Minister think this is a viable strategy?"

The busy farming season is over, but the blacksmithing career can go on indefinitely!

"Giving the people iron plows was also a way to encourage farming and help them cultivate the land. The invention of the iron plow was one of the great achievements of the Earthly Sovereign Shennong."

Now that Your Majesty is willing to retrace Shennong's path, of course there is no problem.

"The key question is whether His Majesty is willing? If His Majesty is happy, then there's potential," Li Si said sincerely.

"I'll give it a try."

Hu Hai didn't rule out any possibility, saying, "Shusun Tong also offered me several suggestions. For example, building an academy, receiving and examining virtuous scholars from the countryside, learning from the Four Sages of Shang Mountain, and reducing palace expenses. I must try them one by one."

"Determine which method is easier to obtain the cough, and which is more in line with the way of the sage ruler."

The power of faith is the sole standard by which the way of a sage ruler is measured.

The more faith power one can earn, the closer one gets to the path of a sage ruler, and vice versa.

Now, let's talk about Grand Tutor Yu.

She did indeed return to Xianyang City with the Imperial Guard that very evening.

Before she left, Emperor Huhai exposed many problems.

For example, if someone who treats human life as worthless, has no empathy for those of lower status, and is extremely greedy and stupid becomes an emperor with real power, it will surely be a disaster for the people.

However, Emperor Huhai had no real power at all.

The imperial court was controlled by Li Si and Feng Quji, while military power was held by the Prince of Lieyang.

He went to great lengths, indulging in debauchery and tormenting his close attendants in the harem during the day.

Secondly, Grand Tutor Yu deliberately created the "False Holy Emperor's Divine Skill" because he knew how terrifying it was.

Just like she knew what the fate would be for people who became addicted to drugs.

Therefore, Hu Hai exposed many problems at that time, truly becoming a "King Zhou of Qin," while Grand Tutor Yu returned to Xianyang in a relaxed mood.

There were still many things waiting for her to handle in Xianyang City.

"Grand Tutor Yu, wait a moment." Before Grand Tutor Yu left, the Imperial Guard called out to her.

"Grand Tutor, you probably already know about my condition."

Looking at the familiar night view of Xianyang, he said with a melancholy expression, "My days are numbered, probably next month."

I have already arranged the work at hand.

There is only one task, one responsibility, that I cannot entrust to anyone else; it must be accepted personally by the Grand Tutor.

Grand Tutor Yu held back for a while, but couldn't help but say, "Isn't your plan to try to achieve immortality through corpse liberation?"

It's not like it's a real life-or-death separation, but creating this atmosphere, making it seem like an entrustment of an orphanage... Sorry, I really don't feel anything."

The Imperial Commandant's expression changed drastically, and he asked nervously, "You, how did you know?"

If everyone knew in advance that he was going to achieve immortality through corpse liberation, how could he fake his death so quietly?
If one cannot feign death, the corpse-dissolving process will fail. If the corpse-dissolving process fails, then a true separation of life and death will ensue.

Grand Tutor Yu said, "I am skilled in divination, and you have exposed yourself quite obviously. What's so strange about knowing in advance?"
I reckon that not only me, but also the 'Immortal of the Dragon-Supporting Court' who came to Xianyang some time ago to observe the changes in the court, knows about your situation.”

"By the way, has the Heavenly Court sent any deities down to the mortal realm to bribe you?" she asked with a curious expression.

The Imperial Guardian's expression changed again, and he exclaimed in surprise, "How do you even know about this? You can even predict such things?"
But I didn't leave any trace!

Even my closest confidants are unaware that a star lord descended to the mortal realm and secretly communicated with me in spirit.

Grand Tutor Yu sneered, "You didn't expose yourself. But when Li Changgeng recruited me last time, he revealed his plans."

He must be thinking that to recruit Yu Fengxian, he needs a celestial position as the "Director of the Western Palace".

Divide the Western Palace Administration into ten parts, take out two or three parts, and you can bribe the court officials, including you, Li Si, and Feng Quji.

With you all hindering me in court, I'll be preoccupied with internal strife and accomplish nothing. Won't the Qin Dynasty perish as fate would have it?

Guowei Liao exclaimed, "Grand Tutor, you are truly amazing! The Heavenly Court once sent a Star Lord to meet me in the Netherworld while I was cultivating my Yin Spirit."

He told me some old clichés about following one's destiny and that fate cannot be changed.

He also promised to help me achieve immortality through corpse liberation and to give me the title of "military advisor" in the Heavenly River Navy.

According to him, when I join the Tianhe Navy, I will be able to see my old friend Wu Qi.

But he and you both underestimated me, and underestimated us.

I can't guarantee anything about others, but I, Prime Minister Feng, and Prime Minister Li—the three of us—would never betray the Qin Empire, which we built together with our late emperor, for the sake of a mere divine position in the Heavenly Court.

If we actually did that, it would be tantamount to completely negating all our efforts, all our glories, and all the meaning of our existence in the final moments of our lives.

At this point, he looked wistful, glanced in the direction of Xianyang Palace, and lowered his voice.

"We will not betray ourselves, nor will we betray the late emperor."

Not only is it emotionally unacceptable, but it's also rationally unacceptable.

The late emperor's trust in us, his great favor and magnanimity towards us—we ourselves know it, and the gods in heaven know it too.

If we even betray the former emperor, would the Jade Emperor think our virtue is sufficient to qualify us as immortals?
If we truly abandon our principles and accept the Heavenly Court's offer of allegiance, we will be doomed.

“You are smarter than Qiu Mingzi. In the human world, one can rise to power through despicable means; in the Heavenly Court, all despicable acts will leave behind great karmic consequences, and the Jade Emperor will never help others bear the karmic consequences and sins.”

Grand Tutor Yu then asked, "What 'responsibility' do you intend to entrust to me?"

"The Register of One Hundred Generals of China!" the Grand Commandant said, enunciating each word with a solemn expression.

(End of this chapter)