Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 110, Section 109: Ziwei and Gouchen
The one speaking was naturally Qin Shi.

As soon as she followed Ji Heng into the desolate side hall, she saw a middle-aged man with a long beard and dirty white clothes standing there, his face pale and staring blankly.

Even though the sun was shining brightly at this moment, it still sent a chill down one's spine.

She said that the term "vengeful ghost" was truly unbiased, and even Ji Heng inwardly agreed, which made him even more displeased.

—Even someone as talented as Qin Qing, who had such extraordinary experiences, still frankly said that there was no hope of immortality.

He observed that the other party was not lying, and thus realized that obtaining immortality would be extremely difficult, to the point that it was practically impossible for ordinary people to achieve.

If that's the case, what use is this sorcerer who once made outrageous remarks in the palace?

If he didn't need to test the effects of cinnabar for a long time, he would have already ordered his men to drag him away and behead him.

After all, in this vast Qin Dynasty, no one had ever dared to deceive him.

But Qin Shi was quite reluctant to part with it.

At this time, the sorcerers, because they had to arrange people's fates and say some mysterious things, were basically all proficient in the way of mathematics and physics, except for basic chemistry and physics.

In the Qin state today, apart from the officials in charge of taxation and grain supplies, such people are extremely rare to find elsewhere.

Moreover, Qin Shi didn't value his mathematical abilities, but rather the furnace-exploding method derived from mathematics.

After all, all she knew was the folk black gunpowder formula recorded by Sun Simiao of the Tang Dynasty in his book "The Method of Subduing Sulfur in the Alchemical Classic"—

One saltpeter, two sulfur, three charcoal.

Qin Shi, a law-abiding citizen who valued his life, had no idea about the power and stability of this early form of gunpowder, or whether the proportions provided online were accurate enough.

After the gunpowder is prepared, how to use it, how to transport and store it still requires precise calculations, and subsequent improvements are indispensable.

In that case, we should try to build up as many furnace-breaking talents as possible with basic mathematical skills.

If all else fails, blowing it up is more economical than beheading it.

Ji Heng was unaware of her deepest thoughts.

In his heart, Qin Shi was kind and benevolent, and although he was unlikely to achieve great things, he was also exceptionally reassuring.

Therefore, at this moment, he focused his gaze solely on Mao Sheng, clearly displeased:
"The Immortal Master has been in Xianyang Palace for nearly ten days. I have heard that he has obtained a golden elixir. I wonder if taking it will give you the feeling of floating on air?"

Even a fool could tell that the King of Qin was displeased, let alone after the cold treatment he had received recently...

Mao Sheng hesitated for a moment between "maintaining his aloofness" and "discretion is the better part of valor," then instantly dropped the firewood he was carrying and knelt on the ground:

"This humble man, Mao Sheng, greets Your Majesty."

He knelt down nimbly and smoothly, clearly showing how much he cherished his life, while Ji Heng watched his back and fell into a long silence.

This was not the first alchemist he introduced to the Xianyang Palace.

Even after he assumed personal rule, alchemists were recommended to him, claiming they could find the way to immortality.

He had the vast land and its people in his heart, but human life is only a few decades long.

After conquering the Yan Kingdom, he sought out three alchemists and sent them to the three immortal mountains of Penglai, Fangzhang, and Yingzhou to find the sages of the Yan Kingdom's "Fangxian Dao" (the Way of Immortals).

These are the two sorcerers, Xianmen and Gaoshi, who are said to have attained immortality.

For over a decade, people have searched for them at sea, but none have returned.

now……

This so-called enlightened person, who once seemed so otherworldly and dignified, was now kneeling before him, his life and fortune entirely in his hands.

Ji Heng finally closed his eyes slowly. He seemed to understand now what he had been searching for all this time, and that he probably would not be able to find it even if he spent his whole life searching for it.

He didn't call out, but instead walked straight up the steps ahead as if no one else was there.

Attendants had already quickly and silently set up tables and chairs for the king, and Qin Shi sat down below the steps. He watched as Mao Sheng, after slightly noticing, quickly changed direction and knelt down.

He couldn't help but be surprised: What a knowledgeable and sensible Mao Sheng is!

…Having already knelt down, Mao Sheng naturally wouldn't spout any more nonsense explanations. He could only give a bitter smile, and sadly kowtowed again, saying:

"I am not skilled enough, and I took the elixir before the poison was gone. Now my mortal body is too weak to process it... I have failed Your Majesty's grace!"

He was earnest and sorrowful, guilty and self-reproachful, as if he truly couldn't sleep because he had failed the emperor's will.

Qin Shi was greatly impressed by the actor's superb acting skills, which encompassed voice, stage presence, and physical expression. He could only lament that the actor was born in the wrong era.

Ji Heng snorted coldly:
"Could it be that I am too benevolent, so much so that you, whose alchemy skills are not yet proficient, dare to recommend yourselves before me?"

Upon hearing this, even Mao Sheng, who possessed a strong mental fortitude, couldn't help but pause for a moment in surprise.

Your Majesty, do you have any conscience saying such things?

Anyone who stood outside Xianyang and shouted a word would not have thought the King of Qin was too benevolent, not even the old Qin people.

On the contrary, the reputation of the tyrannical Qin Dynasty spread throughout the world, and the people of the six former states still refuse to submit to it wholeheartedly.

But he didn't dare.

King Ji Heng of Qin was able to contend with the entire world on his own.

All those who disobey his orders and stand in his way will be crushed.

As long as he lives, the remnants of the six kingdoms dare not, the powerful clans dare not, the countless common people dare not... and he dares even less.

He kowtowed deeply again, then wept bitterly.

"Yes, I am foolish and reckless, and have failed Your Majesty's grace..."

Ji Heng had never been patient with such complaints, and at this moment he was only focused on Qin Shi:

"I find Minister Qin quite intrigued; do you have any good ideas?"

Mao Sheng secretly turned to look at Qin Qing and saw that this noble lady had a unique temperament, a full moon face, and a calm and unhurried demeanor.

A thought suddenly crossed my mind.

In a daze, I seemed to remember that when I was in a frenzy last night, I had observed the stars. The star Gouchen in the Purple Palace was shining brightly, almost like the North Star!

This is a star chart depicting the descent of a king and queen, two saints!
If it weren't for the fact that the North Star was bright but unstable, the ruler would not have been able to remain uneasy.

Furthermore, with Mars guarding the heart of the constellation, and the Purple Palace Enclosure dimmed, he wouldn't have traveled all the way from Shangjun—

The more chaotic the political situation, the more demanding the customers are, and the greater their opportunities!

But who knew that every step he took upon entering Xianyang City would be completely unexpected?

Ugh!
Mao Sheng secretly regretted that his star-gazing skills were only so-so, and he was simply out of luck!

At that moment, a sudden inspiration struck him. He had just dared to raise his head, wanting to praise this nobleman who could remain calm and composed in front of the King of Qin, when he saw the nobleman smiling and saying, "Your Majesty, I do not have a good prescription."

"There is a divine object that can shatter mountains, destroy bridges, smash weapons and armor, and conquer the world."

"I wonder if Your Majesty would like it?"

Mao Sheng opened his mouth, thinking to himself: How come this important person can flatter me with such empty promises even more fluently than I can?

I wonder what lineage they belong to. Could it be... that they are also in the same lineage?
　Here it comes.

　　[According to the Records of the Grand Historian: During the reigns of King Wei and King Xuan of Qi, the followers of Zou Zi wrote about the cyclical movement of the Five Elements. When the Qin Emperor came to power, the people of Qi presented their theories, and the First Emperor adopted them. However, Song Wuji, Zheng Boqiao, Chong Shang, and Xianmen Gao were all from Yan and practiced the Daoist arts of immortality.]

　　Historically, the alchemist Lu Sheng traveled to a mythical island at sea in search of immortals, specifically to find Xianmen and others. Later, upon his return from the sea, he received a prophecy: "The one who will destroy Qin is Hu."

　　[The First Emperor received this prophecy, and thus ordered Meng Tian to lead an army of 30 to attack the Hu people and seize the land south of the Yellow River in Inner Mongolia.]

　　However, since this is a fictional world, this prophecy will not be used for the time being.

　　[I wrote something I shouldn't have in the middle, so I revised it...]

　　(End of this chapter)