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

The strange phenomenon of Mars guarding the heart of the sky appeared.

At this time, no one in Xianyang, or even the whole country, could sit still; the discussions were filled with a sense of unease.

The first to erupt in anger were the celestial officials who monitored the stars.

In the end, the celestial officials panicked and hurriedly reported the celestial phenomenon of Mars guarding the heart of the sky to the Grand Astrologer.

Then came dozens of Confucian scholars.

They had some knowledge of astrology, and after consulting ancient texts to determine the specific celestial phenomenon, they either gloated or were deeply worried.

For a time, discussions about this strange phenomenon were rampant and unstoppable.

But soon, with the arrival of the Censorate and the Court of Justice,

Together they issued a cold, imposing ban, and the entire city of Xianyang fell silent, trembling with fear.

"No official or commoner may discuss celestial phenomena!"

But it's impossible to pretend this never happened.

Although the ban was in effect, anyone who dared to make irresponsible remarks about astrology would be arrested immediately if reported.

But the ban could control Xianyang, and it could control Guanzhong...

But we can't control all parts of the world!

Not to mention that there are many people with ulterior motives secretly working to make this upheaval that is sweeping the world even bigger!

.........

"Good for them, those damned Confucian scholars!"

Zhangtai Palace

The First Emperor sat down and kicked the table over, causing the memorials on it to roll to the ground.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger."

Zhao Gao stood before the First Emperor. Seeing the emperor's anger, he immediately knelt down and lowered his head.

The First Emperor rose from his seat, his hand resting on his sword.

He paced back and forth on the high platform, but then stopped and looked out of the main hall.

He sneered, "You say I've lost my virtue, and you want me to blame myself?"

"Hmph." The First Emperor snorted heavily. "These are the fine scholars of my Great Qin? This is the solution they offered?"

Zhao Gao lowered his head and dared not speak.

After the celestial phenomenon of Mars guarding the heart of the sky appeared, the First Emperor convened a court meeting to discuss solutions.

But in the end, Dr. Chunyu Yue took the lead in speaking.

"When there are celestial calamities, it is because the ruler has lost his virtue; the same is true of Mars guarding the heart."

"This is because His Majesty has abandoned the ways of the former kings, discarded the teachings of the hundred schools of thought, recklessly provoked border conflicts, insisted on a western expedition, and failed to follow feudal principles."

In the end, they also cited historical records as evidence.

The last time Mars was in conjunction with Antares was during the Spring and Autumn Period, under Duke Jing of Song.

When Duke Jing saw the unusual phenomenon of Mars guarding the heart of the sky, he was filled with worry and immediately summoned the diviner Ziwei to ask him questions.

Ziwei said that the blame for the immoral person could be placed on the Grand Chancellor, who was in power, because it was he who brought about the Mars guarding the heart.

Duke Jing believed that "the Grand Minister is the one who governs the country, and it would be inauspicious to transfer him to another position."

Ziwei then said that the blame could be placed on the common people.

Duke Jing replied, "Without the people, how can I be a ruler? I would rather die alone!"

Ziwei suggested again that it could be postponed to the harvest year.

Duke Jing replied, "The people will starve and die. If I, as their ruler, must kill them to survive, who would still consider me their ruler?"

Historians believe that it was precisely this attitude of Duke Jing of Song—issuing an edict to blame himself without implicating others—that moved Heaven.

Mars not only moved,

It also added twenty-one years to Duke Jing of Song's life.

After citing this example, Chunyu Yue led a group of Confucian scholars to kneel down and remonstrate with the First Emperor, hoping that he would issue an edict to repent.

Of course.

Self-reproach? That was impossible for the First Emperor.

He would never admit his mistakes. The only time he ever admitted his mistake in his life was when he went to the Heavenly Bird.

In any case, it's impossible to blame oneself.

Since Mars is afflicted by the Emperor Star, why not just find it and destroy it?

on the spot,

The First Emperor then ordered the guards to drive the Confucian scholars out.

Even so, the group of Confucian scholars remained outside the hall, kneeling and refusing to leave, threatening suicide.

He closed his eyes and remained silent for a long time.

After a long while, he let out a sigh of relief, "Fine, since you're not leaving, then none of you are leaving!"

Following the steps, the First Emperor slowly descended from the high platform.

Then, from inside the main hall, they came outside, where a group of Confucian scholars were kneeling there, all neatly arranged.

They saw the First Emperor emerge.

Chunyu Yue thought that the First Emperor had compromised and was willing to admit his mistakes to the whole world and issue an edict of self-reproach.

Great.

If only the First Emperor issued an edict acknowledging that he had recklessly provoked border conflicts, rejected the teachings of various schools of thought, and was wrong to abandon feudalism.

Therefore, they still have a chance to restore the Zhou rites and to re-establish feudal states.

Thinking of this, he led his men to bow their heads to the ground.

"I hope Your Majesty will prioritize the overall situation, follow the example of Duke Jing, issue an edict acknowledging your own faults, and the world will be at peace."

But the First Emperor lowered his eyes and looked at the group of people.

He laughed and said, "Okay, okay."

Chunyu Yue and the others looked delighted, but the smiles froze on their faces the next moment.

Then, the First Emperor smiled.

He then ordered the guards beside him, "These men are using the past to criticize the present and are committing insubordination. Arrest them all."

"only."

Although the celestial phenomenon of Mars guarding the heart of the sky quickly disappeared.

However, the turmoil it brought to Xianyang and the world continued for a long time.

Not long after, Chunyu Yue gathered Confucian scholars and openly cursed the emperor to die young in the imperial court, remonstrating with the emperor to issue an edict of self-reproach.

Then he was arrested by Lang Wei.

The news that he was subsequently imprisoned in the Court of Justice prison quickly spread throughout Xianyang, and everyone knew about it.

...........

"Why is Mr. Chunyu like this?"

Upon hearing this news, Fusu sighed deeply in his room at his residence.

"That's because they spoke recklessly; they brought this upon themselves!"

Shen Gong sat opposite Fusu, looking at Fusu's complex expression, and offered a word of comfort.

"I know."

Fusu rose from behind the desk, put his hands behind his back, and went to the window.

He raised his head: "But Mr. Chunyu is still my teacher, and Fusu doesn't want to watch him die."

"Young master."

Shen Gong then stood up and went behind Fusu.

"Those people speak recklessly and harbor treacherous intentions. You must not disobey His Majesty's will for their sake."

Seeing that Fusu hesitated, he spoke again.

"My lord, those people, as subjects, openly speak of His Majesty's lack of virtue, which is disloyal. They disregard the bond between teacher and student and speak ill of your father, which is unjust."

"Should the young master really plead for such disloyal and unjust people?"

"I..." Fusu opened his mouth, but hesitated to speak.

"My lord," Shen Gong said quietly, "these people insulted my father. If you insist on pleading for them, that would be unfilial."

Fusu was taken aback, then slowly raised his hand, preventing Shen Gong from continuing: "Shen Gong, do not speak further."

He paused for a moment, then added, "Fusu knows what to do."

"It's good that you've figured it out, young master."

Shen Gong bowed and withdrew, leaving the room.

Fusu was left alone in the room, his face desolate.