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

The next day, the First Emperor announced a decree that shocked the world at a court assembly.

Western Expedition!

The proposal to launch a western expedition sparked a huge uproar among the court officials.

This was the second imperial edict explicitly ordering the use of force against foreign powers since the 33rd year of the First Emperor's reign, when he ordered Meng Tian to attack the Xiongnu in the north.

The matter was of great importance, and the court officials discussed it.

But after much discussion, everyone had their own opinion, and no rules were set until the end of the court session.

After all, once the westward expedition is decided, the impact will be enormous.

After the court session, the First Emperor returned to Xianyang Palace, but he remained unchanged as usual, only reviewing memorials.

Regardless of the widespread discussion outside about the Western Expedition.

Regardless of what the courtiers were saying.

He remained completely oblivious to the world around him, sitting calmly in the Xianyang Palace, reviewing his memorials.

"The court officials outside are debating the strategy for the western expedition. Doesn't Your Majesty care?"

Sitting across from him, Xuan Ye asked.

The First Emperor smiled and placed the memorial on the table.

He countered, "Why should I care?"

After a long silence, he said, "What I have decided, I will do. No one can change my mind!"

"As for the opinions of the courtiers, that is not important."

"Besides," he narrowed his eyes, "there are quite a few ministers who support my plan for a western expedition."

"Indeed." Xuan Ye nodded, acknowledging it.

Those who most supported the western expedition were the military personnel, such as the Wang and Meng families.

Since Shang Yang's reforms, Qin has used a merit-based system of nobility, where only through war could one obtain a title.

However, since unifying the six kingdoms, there has been no war.

The First Emperor was determined to launch a western expedition, and for them, this strategy was entirely beneficial.

Naturally, people would support this policy.

"Then, Your Majesty, who do you think would obstruct this plan?"

"Who else could it be?" The First Emperor laughed, but his expression turned cold as he laughed.

"Of course, those PhDs who have nothing better to do."

"And," the First Emperor paused, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "my good son."

He squinted and smiled.

"Confucian scholars and doctors dare not submit a memorial to me, but will surely instigate Fusu to come and remonstrate, pointing out the harm of this policy."

"But in the end, it all boils down to the same few sentences: we should not use force, and we should promote benevolence and righteousness to the barbarians."

"Heh." The First Emperor chuckled lightly, somewhat dismissively.

He unified the country and became the First Emperor, not because of any benevolence or righteousness, but because of the army under his command.

Only power can instill fear and dread.

If he were merely benevolent and righteous, he would have been dragged off the throne long ago and would be dead beyond any doubt.

Even though he mostly showed disdain,

But Xuan Ye knew that the proud First Emperor treated his eldest son, Fusu, differently from his other sons.

If it were any other prince, who would dare to speak frankly and remonstrate repeatedly? They would probably have been kicked to the borderlands by the First Emperor long ago.

The First Emperor was able to tolerate Fusu's repeated remonstrances.

Because he was the eldest son, and because of his birth, it had great significance for King Zheng of Qin at that time.

The birth of the eldest son

It's like telling the whole world something.

The King of Qin had grown up, which left Zhao Ji and Lü Buwei with no reason to obstruct his coming-of-age ceremony and assumption of power.

In March, the eldest son was born; in April, he stayed at Yong. On the day of Ji-You, the king wore a crown and carried the Tai'a sword!

Afterwards, they defeated Lao Ai, imprisoned Zhao Ji, and banished Lü.

The First Emperor was in high spirits. Looking back, he realized that the beginning of all this was the birth of his eldest son.

Because of Fusu's birth,

He was determined to retaliate against Zhao Ji and Lü Buwei.

He firmly put on his crown, stained the Tai'a sword with blood, and wantonly slaughtered his enemies, all to spare his son from loneliness and suffering.

He is often criticized for being cruel and heartless, killing Zhao Ji's two illegitimate children and his own half-brother.

Little did he know that when he stood atop the city wall, looking at the two corpses on the ground, the First Emperor was thinking of something else entirely.

"If I fail, it will be Fusu who dies."

From then on, he gradually understood that it was better to be cold and ruthless than to be weak and easily bullied.

However, afterwards, the First Emperor was busy with the unification of China.

Fusu, like a hibiscus tree on a mountaintop, gradually grew up in the deep palace, constantly influenced by those around him.

The First Emperor was frustrated and annoyed that his eldest son was unlike him, and didn't even seem like a Qin person.

However, the First Emperor was also a complex figure.

They both disdain his benevolence and righteousness and tacitly approve of it.

He hoped that Fusu could become like him, but if Fusu really became like that, he would become suspicious.

If a son does not resemble his father, the father will be annoyed; if a son resembles his father, the father will be suspicious.

As if seeing through Xuan Ye's thoughts,

The First Emperor shook his head and sighed, "You, I can tolerate Wang Jian and his son, who have accomplished the conquest of six states."

"How could they not tolerate a son born of a concubine?"

This is a bit awkward.

Xuan Ye smiled and lowered his head: "Your Majesty is right."

Lowering his eyes, the First Emperor gazed at Xuan Ye for a long time, then seemed to remember something and asked.

"Since the Heavenly Bird has taken human form, how can it be without a surname or clan name?"

Xuan Ye raised his eyes and looked at the First Emperor.

The First Emperor smiled and said, "Those who are born without a clan name are either the supreme emperor or the lowest commoner."

"The Heavenly Mandate Black Bird's status is no less noble than mine."

"Then," the First Emperor lowered his eyes, "I shall bestow upon you a surname, how about it?"

"It's fine." Xuan Ye nodded and said. The First Emperor himself gave him a surname, so how could it not be acceptable?

The First Emperor narrowed his eyes and thought for a moment.

"My ancestor was born from swallowing the egg of a black bird. In a sense, you and I are of the same origin, so I will take Ying as my surname."

Then he asked, "What does the Heavenly Mandate Mystic Bird think?"

"Good." He smiled. "From now on, Your Majesty may address me as... Ying Xuanye."

"Can."

But then, the First Emperor asked another question.

"Since you have a surname, your comings and goings in and out of the Xianyang Palace will cause people to gossip. I wonder what official position you want? Tell me."

"No," Xuan Ye said, shaking his head in refusal.

"Why?" the First Emperor asked. Since he had uttered these words, they were now considered golden words.

Regardless of the official rank, it is only right to agree.

To everyone's surprise, the Heavenly Fate Mystic Bird refused, and refused without even thinking about it.

He looked up and glanced at the First Emperor.

He then shifted his gaze to the mountain of memorials piled up beside his desk.

"tired."

"Heh." The First Emperor couldn't help but chuckle, but quickly, as if he had thought of something,

He looked at Xuan Ye: "I know what role you are capable of."

Seeing Xuan Ye frown slightly, he smiled and said softly, "Don't worry, this official has no official duties."

"You can do nothing; your subordinates will take care of the work."

"Alright then." Hearing the First Emperor say this, and unable to refuse such earnestness, Xuan Ye reluctantly agreed.

The First Emperor then summoned Zhao Gao to write for him.

"By imperial decree: I hereby announce to the world that Ying Xuanye is appointed as the Palace Attendant, in charge of the palace gates and all the attendants."

The First Emperor finished speaking with his hands behind his back.

Zhao Gao, who was ordered to draft the edict, suddenly knelt down and burst into tears, bowing his head and weeping.

The First Emperor lowered his head and gave him a disdainful look.

"Why are you crying? Why haven't you drafted the edict yet?"

"My lord...my lord."

Zhao Gao could not hide his grief.

But he persevered and finished drafting the edict.

The First Emperor laughed, but the smile slowly faded as he looked at the heartbroken Zhao Gao and asked.

"Do you understand?"

Zhao Gao dared not answer, but simply knelt on the ground.