In the beginning, he was ranked alongside An Shigeng as a spoiled brat.

At least outwardly maintaining the appearance of brotherly harmony, Fusu couldn't lose face, so he arranged for a large tuna to be sent to the imperial kitchen.

Moreover, the princes followed directly, wanting to see what was different about the fish.

The chef is undoubtedly a top-notch chef; although he had never handled tuna before, he was still familiar with it.

"A giant tuna, good stuff!"

The royal chef glanced at the enormous fish in front of him. He had just wanted to check the icehouse, but the princes had brought over a giant tuna instead.

Moreover, he didn't seem to mind the fishy smell on him; clearly, curiosity outweighed everything else.

"Young Master Fusu, and all the princes."

Although I have never handled this giant tuna before, I have heard that different parts of the fish have different textures.

"Let me separate it and then observe the differences between the various parts!"

The old chef knew that a tuna weighing several thousand kilograms was not something that a few princes could eat in one sitting, so it was normal for him to try it.

Taking the divine weapon handed to him by Hu Hai, the old imperial chef, without the slightest hesitation, dismembered the entire giant tuna with a swift stroke of his sword.

They were stacked in different places according to their different parts, and arranged in order.

At the same time, take a section from each and make it into a sashimi dish the size of a domino.

Whether it was Fusu or Huhai, they watched as the old imperial chef tasted each dish, awaiting the chef's decision.

"Young master, princes, the part with the most beautiful patterns on the belly is the sweetest and most fragrant, and the meat is also the most tender."

The middle part of the back is sweet and slightly sour, a little less desirable, but still incredibly delicious; the rest is pretty much the same.

After the old chef tasted and commented, the princes no longer doubted him. They all picked up a piece and put it in their mouths, all showing expressions of satisfaction.

Chapter 593 Reunion with Qin Shi Huang and the Compromise of the Ba Family

"I am very grateful for your help, young master. I never expected you to bring so much seafood this time!"

There were nearly six hundred carriages full of seafood, and all of it was extremely rare seafood, not even counting the gifts Zhang Xiaoshan had prepared for himself.

Therefore, Emperor Qin Shi Huang specially prepared a banquet that night and invited Zhang Xiaoshan.

Accompanying him, besides the imperial prince, was his favorite eighteenth son, Hu Hai.

Similarly, Zhang Xiaoshan was accompanied by Zhang Yuan and 'Zhang Sheng'.

Beyond the grand feast, on either side stood two of the empire's greatest masters—Sword Saint Gai Nie and High Minister Meng Yi, along with Liu Sheng Piaoxu, the female warrior beside Zhang Xiaoshan, and Master Juexin, Zhang Yuan's personal bodyguard!

At this moment, the young masters of the two great empires were also looking at Zhang Xiaoshan with curiosity.

If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, they wouldn't have believed that the legendary being in the empire, who was practically a god, was so young, looking like a twenty-something-year-old boy.

However, they knew that the other party had been famous for twenty years.

Twenty years ago, at the age of eighteen, he was given the courtesy name 'Ziyu', a name of benevolence and righteousness that spread throughout the land!

This was all because the Zhang family was truly benevolent and righteous back then, directly donating more than 100,000 taels of gold worth of grain from the black market to aid disaster areas. That was a chance for the Zhang family to make a fortune!

But the Zhang family didn't get rich from this; instead, they donated everything free of charge, saving countless lives.

It was then that they learned that the Zhang family had a young master who was exceptionally kind and righteous.

Several major events that followed demonstrated the great courage and benevolence of this young master Zhang.

Similarly, in the darkness of benevolence and righteousness, there is also an incomparably sharp blade.

"Your Majesty is too kind. In fact, I should thank Your Majesty for the Millennium Divine Medicine, the Suihou Pearl, and the Extraordinary Iron from Outer Space."

It's just a little seafood, nothing special.

Although Qin Huangzheng did indeed regain his youth, for Zhang Xiaoshan, the reward was already enough for him, as he had swallowed most of the divine medicine that day.

What's more, afterwards, Qin Shi Huang also gifted him 480 divine herbs, the legendary Suihou Pearl, and extraterrestrial meteorite iron!

"That is my reward to you, my lord."

"My health these past years has been greatly improved thanks to your miraculous healing skills, sir. Otherwise, burdened by state affairs, I would have been too exhausted to even have a meal with you today, let alone handle state matters!"

Many doctors had doubts about Qin Huangzheng's health.

But after the examination, all the renowned doctors in the world confirmed that Qin Huangzheng was in perfect health, as if he were twenty years old.

Coupled with the incredibly mysterious methods of the Pure Yang Finger technique, and the transformation through the use of a ten-thousand-year-old divine medicine, they no longer had any doubts.

Moreover, the five years have thoroughly proven Zhang Xiaoshan's methods of rejuvenation.

Although it doesn't grant immortality, it truly prolongs life and keeps one young forever.

"It was just a casual remark. Besides, Zhang also gained quite a bit of benefit that day, swallowing most of the divine medicine!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Shi Huang was speechless.

One small bowl was enough for him, while Meng Yi broke through to the level of a peerless grandmaster with just one small bowl.

Rumor has it that on the day Zhang Xiaoshan consumed most of the divine medicine, he experienced no reaction whatsoever, at most only recovering some of his vital energy.

"If the young master doesn't eat it, it will be a waste that day."

Enough of this, sir. Please, I toast you with this cup!

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

In contrast to Fusu and Zhang Yuan, who remained silent on one side, Zhang Xiaoshan and Qin Huang (bjca) Zheng could talk about anything.

From famous figures to political affairs, from firsthand accounts to legends, if one didn't know what kind of people these two were, one would really think they were kindred spirits who had met too late in life.

Only after the Zhang family left the imperial palace did Qin Shi Huang open his hazy, drunken dragon eyes:

"It's a pity it can't be used by the empire!"

"Young Master Zhang is a man of profound learning, and his abilities are unfathomable."

Your Majesty, the Zhang family can only be befriended, not treated as enemies!

At this moment, Qin Huangzheng nodded in agreement with what Sword Saint Gai Nie said, without refuting it.

Judging from Zhang Xiaoshan's lofty pronouncements and actions today, and his methods, if the snake is not killed, the empire will never have a day of peace.

As for the net?

The Zhang family, with their control of martial arts forces, could easily dismantle the Luo Wang network; they simply didn't want to become enemies with the empire.

"Speaking of which, that Mr. Zhang is truly tall, even half a foot taller than Young Master Zhang."

"Does Minister Meng suspect that Master Zhang has cultivated the Wedding Dress Divine Skill?"

Gai Nie also looked solemn. Recalling his impression of Zhang Yuan, he couldn't see any flaws in Zhang Yuan's obsequious behavior towards Qin Huangzheng.

As for the height issue, it's rumored that Zhang Xiaoshan also underwent a complete makeover for him.

With that extra weight, he must weigh at least 700 pounds; he doesn't look like someone who has cultivated martial arts skills at all.

“Zhang Yuan is indeed suspicious, but that’s where his value lies; he’s just an ordinary businessman.”

Upon hearing this, Meng Yi couldn't help but feel that he had been overly suspicious.

Does it matter whether Zhang Yuan practices martial arts or not?

The empire has no need to fear Zhang Yuan. Even if Zhang Yuan is a peerless master, so what? Given Zhang Yuan's status, does he need to personally intervene?

"How is that boy?"

Zhang Yuan is from the older generation, but Zhang Sheng is the leader of the new generation.

Therefore, Qin Huangzheng also closely observed Zhang Sheng. Zhang Yuan and Zhang Xiaoshan had no 'ambition', but that did not mean Zhang Sheng had no ambition.

"It's all very standard, but it feels somewhat unreal to me!"

"Unreal?"

"It's too formal, it makes you lose the liveliness and agility that someone your age should have!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Shi Huang Zheng suddenly realized what was going on.

Although Gan Luo became prime minister at the age of twelve, those with exceptional talent are ultimately few and far between.

Especially considering the Zhang family, Zhang Yuan doesn't even have a single gray hair, and Zhang Sheng should be at an age where he's supposed to be having fun, not so polite and seemingly like a young gentleman.

Moreover, rumors suggest that Zhang Yuan dotes on Zhang Sheng.

This is also related to the training of stand-ins.

After all, only by being 'formal' can one avoid revealing any flaws.

As for Zhang Sheng? Not many people have seen him, let alone noticed any flaws in his demeanor.

However, the gentlemanly demeanor seemed to be more in line with Qin Shi Huang's interests.

This 'formal' attitude is not a sign of true gentlemanliness, but rather a trend of 'rigid' thinking.

···

The news of Zhang Xiaoshan's arrival in Xianyang spread throughout the city by the afternoon.

However, the welcoming banquet that Qin Huangzheng prepared for Zhang Xiaoshan that evening did not allow the group to meet this legendary figure until the next day.

First was Widow Qing, a renowned merchant in the empire.

'Widow Qing' is not a derogatory term, but rather a very high compliment.

Just like the chastity archway for women, "Widow Qing" is a famous chastity archway, one of the benchmarks for women all over the world.

Moreover, at this time, Widow Qing was nearly sixty years old, or even older, but on the surface she looked like she was in her thirties or forties, still charming and graceful.

"Zhang greets Madam!"

"Young Master Zhang is indeed a celestial being."

Undoubtedly, Madam Baqing was jealous.

A woman's appearance is what she cares about most, and Zhang Xiaoshan has achieved what every woman dreams of—

Changchun (the beauty) never ages!

Ying Zheng's immortality was achieved through a transformative method of health preservation, but it was only temporary.

Because it itself is gradually aging; ten years is like the change between twenty and thirty years old.

However, after the age of thirty, he would age faster until Ying Zheng regained his original appearance.

Zhang Xiaoshan is truly ageless, not only in appearance, but also in his physical health and spirit.

"You flatter me, Madam."

Madam Ba Qing's goal was precisely to reach a joint venture.

The Zhang family contributed three million gold coins, while the Ba family contributed two million gold coins, which only accounted for one-tenth of the total. This was simply unreasonable.

But compared to Zhang Yuan, Zhang Xiaoshan was more decisive and domineering, offering either 10% of the shares or ownership of the two-tiered mall afterward, making it simple and clear.

Moreover, the 10% share is not all of it, but rather one layer of the seven-tier mall!

Even Ba Qing couldn't help but feel angry at such an overbearing treaty.

However, Zhang Xiaoshan's domineering attitude left Ba Qing with no third option.

Two million gold coins may sound like a lot, but in reality, the Zhang family's investment consisted of unique resources: real glass walls (at least an inch thick), celadon floors, and crystal chandeliers...

On the contrary, although Baqing seems to have invested a lot, in reality, once completed, the value of a single-story shopping mall would be:

With each shop measuring three zhang (approximately 13 meters) wide, there were three pedestrian streets, rest areas, entertainment areas, and about 150 shops on each floor. The shops also featured celadon floors and glazed tile walls. In the capital city of the empire, where land was incredibly valuable, the Ba family made a fortune from this two-story shopping mall.

Therefore, even though Ba Qing knew about the Zhang family's domineering nature, he also knew that he had profited in the martial arts world no matter what.

However, with the investment split, the Zhang family would receive three million gold coins while they invested two million gold coins, and they were not content with just that little bit of profit.

Unfortunately, Zhang Xiaoshan's insistence forced Madam Baqing to agree to his conditions, demanding ownership of both floors of the mall.

Madam Baqing preferred to have a tenth of the management rights.

Despite the seemingly disadvantageous terms, she believed that Zhang Xiaoshan would not make such a claim without a clear purpose.

The only possibility is that there's something fishy going on.

Unfortunately, the other members of the Ba family, who were still the heads of the household, all demanded ownership of both floors of the mall. Even though Ba Qing was the matriarch of the Ba family, she had to respect their opinions.

Besides, this is a share of the seven-story shopping mall, not a share of Zhang's restaurant or hotel, so Ba Qing doesn't dare to really gamble!