Starting with ten elixirs of immortality, I led the First Emperor to rebel against the Qin Dynasty.

The meeting dispersed.

On the white jade square outside the Qilin Hall, officials left in twos and threes, their faces still bearing the shock and fervor that had not yet faded.

General Wang Jian miraculously rejuvenated himself, creating the potato, a miraculous crop that yields 3,000 catties per mu.

Either of these events would have shaken the world, yet they happened on the same day.

"Your Majesty is truly a ruler ordained by Heaven!"

"May our Great Qin Dynasty prosper for ten thousand generations!"

Amidst the discussions, Ying Zheng's majestic voice echoed from within the Qilin Hall.

"Left Chancellor Li Si, stay. The rest of you, leave."

The noisy crowd quieted down, and the people exchanged knowing glances before quickly dispersing.

Under the pillars outside the hall, the brothers Meng Tian and Meng Yi stood side by side, like two iron towers guarding the hall gate.

Unable to contain his curiosity, Meng Yi lowered his voice and asked, "Brother, His Majesty kept Li Si behind alone, what is this...?"

He was greatly shocked today.

First, General Wang Jian miraculously regained his youth; then came the magical object called potato; and finally, His Majesty's seemingly casual remark regarding the magistrate of Lantian County.

Everything seemed eerie.

Meng Tian kept his eyes straight ahead, his voice low and deep: "Don't ask what you shouldn't ask."

"But brother, what about the elixir of immortality..." Meng Yi wanted to say more.

"His Majesty has his own arrangements," Meng Tian interrupted him. "We are brothers, we only need to follow orders. If you see or hear anything later, keep it to yourself. Remember, act according to the situation, and don't say anything more."

Meng Tian's words carried a warning. He knew that His Majesty was about to take Li Si to see that "Young Master Huan".

The existence of that person is related to the fate of the Qin Dynasty and is a top secret.

Meng Yi felt a chill run down his spine. He had never seen his elder brother so serious before, realizing the gravity of the situation.

"I understand, brother."

The Qilin Hall was spacious and solemn.

The eunuchs had already left, leaving only Ying Zheng, who sat high on his throne, and Li Si, who stood respectfully below him, in the enormous hall.

Li Si's mind raced. Why had His Majesty kept him here? Was it to promote potatoes? Or to discuss the method of castrating pigs? Or perhaps... the aftermath of dealing with the sorcerer? As the Left Chancellor, the head of all officials, he had to devise a foolproof plan before the emperor even spoke.

"Li Si," Ying Zheng finally spoke, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger.

"Your subject is here."

"As the Prime Minister of Qin, in charge of all officials, I would like to hear your thoughts." Ying Zheng's tone was casual, as if he were chatting. "What do you think is the most lacking thing for my Great Qin right now?"

Li Si's mind raced. The more the monarch acted this way, the more astonishing his next words would be. He cautiously replied, "Your Majesty, I believe that the foundation of Great Qin lies in its laws and regulations. However, with the six states recently pacified and the people's hearts not yet settled, education and moral guidance must go hand in hand with the laws to bring peace and stability to the people."

This was the safest answer, as it was in line with his identity as a Legalist disciple and also took into account the reality of appeasing the people of the six former states.

Ying Zheng remained noncommittal, then abruptly changed the subject.

What is your opinion of Fusu?

Alarm bells rang in Li Si's mind, and fine beads of sweat began to seep from his forehead.

Why would Your Majesty suddenly ask this question? Composing himself, he carefully bowed and said, "Prince Fusu is kind-hearted, close to Confucianism, and has the demeanor of an elder; he is a blessing to the nation."

"Benevolent?" Ying Zheng laughed, the laughter echoing in the empty hall, but it sent a chill down Li Si's spine.

"Yes, benevolent. That's what those Confucian scholars also said."

Ying Zheng stopped and turned to look at Li Si.

"Li Si, I recently had the chance encounter with a reclusive master."

Li Si listened respectfully, but his mind was racing with calculations.

A reclusive sage? Does that refer to the one who offered the potatoes and the elixir of immortality?

Ying Zheng slowly said, "That wise man told me a story about the future."

He said, "I have swept across the six kingdoms and unified the world. I think my achievements surpass those of the Three Sovereigns and my virtue is superior to that of the Five Emperors. But the Qin Dynasty's reign was pitifully short."

Li Si trembled slightly, not daring to interrupt.

Ying Zheng continued, "The wise man said that after my death, you, the powerful Left Chancellor, because you disliked the new emperor's governing philosophy, conspired with Zhao Gao, the Chief of the Imperial Carriage Office."

Li Si's pupils contracted.

"You forged my imperial edict, ordered the death of my eldest son Fusu, who was far away on the frontier, and installed my son Huhai as emperor instead."

boom!

Li Si felt as if a bolt from the blue had struck his mind, leaving him completely stunned. Looking at the expressionless emperor on the throne, his face instantly turned deathly pale.

He forged an imperial edict, ordered Fusu's death, and installed Huhai as emperor. Recalling the miracles that had occurred in the court that day, and considering Fusu's affinity for Confucianism while he himself was a representative of Legalism, he realized...

If something were to happen to His Majesty and Fusu were to ascend the throne, given his benevolent nature, he would surely appoint Confucian scholars to important positions. At that time, would my position as Prime Minister remain secure?

For power, for the future of the Li family...

Conspiring with Zhao Gao...

Li Si was horrified to discover that he... could actually do it!

Ying Zheng looked at Li Si's pale face and continued to tell the "story".

"You think that by supporting the new emperor, you can keep your power and enjoy wealth forever."

"But in the end, Zhao Gao sentenced you to be cut in half at the waist for treason."

"The execution took place in the bustling downtown area of ​​Xianyang."

"Your entire clan, your parents, your brothers, your wife and children, were all slaughtered, your entire family was exterminated."

thump.

Li Si's knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground, his heavy court robes soaked with cold sweat. He repeatedly kowtowed and begged for mercy.

"Your Majesty, you are wise! My loyalty to Your Majesty is unwavering, as Heaven and Earth can attest! I have absolutely no ulterior motives! Absolutely no ulterior motives!"

He didn't know how His Majesty knew these things, but he knew that when the emperor told this "story," he was already on the verge of death.

Ying Zheng slowly walked up to him, bent down, and personally helped him up.

"What are you doing, my dear minister?"

Ying Zheng's voice was gentle as he patted Li Si's shoulder, but the warmth of his hand did not bring Li Si any comfort.

"Of course I believe you. It's just a story; I told it to you because I found it amusing."

"Why are you so alarmed, my dear minister?"

Li Si stood up, his body still trembling slightly. This was no ordinary story; it was His Majesty's way of reprimanding him.

The back of my clothes was completely soaked, clinging tightly to my skin, and was icy cold.

"Alright." Ying Zheng withdrew his hand, turned around and said, "I called you here today because I want you to come out of the palace with me."

"Go and meet that 'master' who gave me potatoes and elixirs."

Li Si was horrified.

The magical potato, the elixir of immortality, and that terrifying story about predicting the future—they all come from the same person!

Who exactly is this person?

He dared not ask any more questions, and could only suppress this shock in his heart, accepting the order with even greater respect.

"My lord, I obey your order."

"Go and prepare, change into ordinary clothes, we'll leave the palace immediately," Ying Zheng instructed.