The Great Qin Dynasty: The egg of the Black Bird was revered as a national guardian beast.

"What rumor?"

Along with the sound came a chill that swept through the entire palace.

Li Si lowered his head and spoke.

"Recently, some people have been secretly spreading rumors, saying that the Celestial Bird of Destiny has not shown itself for a long time, and it is feared that..."

"What are you afraid of?"

Li Si raised his head, his eyes meeting the blurry figure on the high platform, and took a deep breath.

He said, "Perhaps fate is different..."

After he finished speaking, he lowered his head deeply.

The dimly lit palace suddenly fell silent, with only the flickering candlelight on both sides casting a dim glow.

After a long while, the First Emperor finally took action.

He leaned back there and let out a laugh.

It should be a contemptuous laugh, or perhaps a laugh that takes it for granted.

He had already guessed this outcome.

After the fall of the six kingdoms, the army collected all the weapons in the land to cast twelve bronze statues. The remaining rebels still harbored the desire to restore their kingdoms, but their chances of success were slim.

In this world, if you want to reach the pinnacle of all things...

Only when the army is strong can the strong rule, and the weak will only become withered bones in a tomb.

Ultimately, they are just some tricks that can't be brought to the light.

It's just a case of trying to stop boiling water by adding more water, or trying to catch fish by climbing a tree; it won't cause any real trouble.

"I hereby issue this decree."

The First Emperor supported himself with his hands.

His voice was flat, as if he were talking about something trivial: "I will choose a day to offer sacrifices to Heaven!"

"All civil and military officials must attend, and all the people of Xianyang must witness the ceremony."

"The sacrifice was made with the finest offerings, and twelve animals were worshipped."

"At that time, the Celestial Bird will descend upon this place to reveal the Mandate of Heaven to the world!"

At this point, the First Emperor half-closed his eyes.

Although he seemed to have pondered for a long time, the First Emperor quickly drafted a list of people to be chosen for the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven.

"The Grand Astrologer will select an auspicious day, the Minister of Ceremonies will be in charge of all matters related to the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven, and the Commandant of the Guards will be responsible for maintaining order at the scene."

"All officials in the court must cooperate."

"Absolutely no oversight is allowed in this matter!"

The First Emperor made it very clear that the matter of offering sacrifices to Heaven was of paramount importance and could not tolerate the slightest mistake.

Your Highness and the courtiers lowered their heads.

He replied calmly, "Yes, Your Majesty, we obey."

Upon seeing the First Emperor wave his hand, someone immediately shouted for the court to adjourn, and the officials slowly withdrew like a tide.

........

Xianyang Palace.

The main hall was empty, and Zhao Gao stood respectfully outside, with a beaded curtain hanging behind him.

Through the light and shadow, you can see a figure sitting inside.

In front of him was a table, with stacks of memorials piled up on the left and on the table.

On the right are the memorials with their approvals.

All matters of great importance in the world are decided by the emperor.

The emperor even weighed books with a stone, and they had to submit them day and night. If they didn't submit a satisfactory report, they couldn't rest.

Therefore, whatever happens in the world must be submitted to the First Emperor for decision-making.

Therefore, the memorials approved by the First Emperor were never-ending.

Inside, a bronze beast-shaped incense burner was lit, with wisps of smoke rising from it and a fragrant aroma wafting through the air.

This is incense for stimulating the mind, specifically used to refresh the spirit.

"Tap tap tap".

A series of footsteps sounded, and a guard in armor bent down and entered, whispering in Zhao Gao's ear.

Zhao Gao nodded and waved for him to leave.

"What is it?" A deep, authoritative voice rang out from behind the beaded curtain: "Who has come?"

"Your Majesty, it is Zhang Han, the Minister of the Imperial Household."

Zhao Gao bowed as he spoke, then paused and added, "He said he has important business to report."

"I see," the person behind the beaded curtain said calmly, putting down the pen in their hand. "Then let him in."

Shaofu was Zhang Han's official position.

He also had another identity in secret: the commander of the Black Dragon Guard, who was loyal to the First Emperor.

Zhao Gao said nothing more and bowed his head as he withdrew.

Having been by the First Emperor's side for so long, he knew when to speak and when not to speak.

She also knew when she should disappear.

As it is now, the First Emperor's attitude is very clear: he does not want anyone else to be present when he speaks with Zhang Han.

Zhao Gao left, and the palace became quiet again.

After a while, the sound of armor clashing came from the palace gate, and a figure walked in.

He was dressed in black armor and wore a cloak.

Holding his helmet in one hand, his sword already removed outside the hall, he exuded a heavy and solemn aura.

As I entered the palace, I looked up behind the beaded curtain.

Zhang Han knelt on one knee through the beaded curtain: "Your Majesty."

"Hmm, what is it?" The First Emperor's voice behind the beaded curtain was completely flat and emotionless.

He pointed to a soft couch outside the beaded curtain: "Sit."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Zhang Han stood up, bowed his hands in thanks, and then knelt respectfully on the soft couch, but kept his head down.

"Your Majesty, I hereby report."

He said, "It has now been discovered that those who spread rumors about an unusual Mandate of Heaven are former nobles from the six states who were relocated to Xianyang."

"Hmm." The First Emperor nodded.

"Besides them, I don't think there's anyone else."

At this point, the First Emperor laughed, "Do they really think I'm a benevolent ruler? They've dared to act so arrogantly in front of me time and time again?"

The laughter stopped abruptly.

The First Emperor's voice turned cold.

"If they still harbor resentment and discontent, their remains beneath the Great Wall will be their final resting place!"

Zhang Han listened quietly with his head down.

"Alright, you may leave." Behind the beaded curtain, the First Emperor raised his hand and waved it casually.

Zhang Han paused for a moment, then replied, "Your Majesty, there is one more thing, but I am unsure whether I should speak of it."

"Oh?"

The First Emperor's voice held a hint of surprise: "What is it?"

Since Zhang Han became the commander of the Black Dragon Guard, everything has been reported to him for decision-making, but this has never happened before.

Zhang Han lowered his head, his eyes fixed on the ground.

"There is a secret rumor in the palace that there is a dark figure in the palace, which is thought to be a mountain spirit, that wanders around the palace every night at midnight."

"The voice was hoarse and strange, yet it sounded like human speech."

The First Emperor narrowed his eyes and looked at Zhang Han: "Oh, so that's how it is."

Zhang Han lowered his eyes: "That's true."

"I dare not be careless, for I fear that thieves may sneak into the palace and assassinate the king, so I lead men to patrol every night."

"Strangely, no dark figure has been seen so far."

"Thinking it was fabricated by some palace maid, we questioned them one by one, and several people said they saw it with their own eyes and heard it with their own ears."

"Weighing the two options," Zhang Han paused for a moment, "I dare not make a decision on my own, and thus I submit this to Your Majesty's consideration."

The First Emperor remained silent, as if deep in thought.

Finally, the First Emperor smiled and said, "Even if it's a mountain spirit, it's nothing more than a small demon. What's there to be afraid of?"

The First Emperor's expression was pale and indifferent.

"I want to see what kind of mountain demon dares to roam my palace!"

"Is it really a mountain spirit? Or something else...?"