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

Zhao Huan laughed, a laugh like that of a little fox.

"Father, isn't that simple?"

"Use both coercion and bribery."

"Let's find their followers first and invite them over politely. Tell them that we offer them food and drink, money, and that we can let them do their research freely and realize their ambitions."

"If they don't appreciate our kindness, then things will be even easier."

Zhao Huan lowered his voice, a ruthlessness that was beyond his years flashing in his eyes.

"Invite their families over and treat them to good food and drinks. I don't believe they can disobey."

"Their three clans will agree on their behalf."

Upon hearing this, Li Si looked at Zhao Huan and secretly clicked his tongue in amazement.

Good heavens! This method is even more ruthless than that of a prime minister from a Legalist background!

No wonder His Majesty attaches such importance to it.

After hearing this, Ying Zheng clapped his hands and laughed.

"Good! What a convenient excuse: 'The three races will agree on their behalf'!"

"Huan'er, your method suits my taste perfectly!"

He greatly admired Zhao Huan's ruthless and results-oriented approach.

This is the kind of person who is capable of great things. Compared to him, Fusu is simply a joke.

Thinking of Fusu, the smile on Ying Zheng's face gradually faded, replaced by deep disappointment and irritation.

He exposed the sorcerer's deception yesterday, but before he could even say what to do with the sorcerer, that fool Fusu ran to the Qilin Palace to plead for the sorcerer.

They said, "Although the alchemists may have been deceitful, their hearts are worthy of pity. Your Majesty should educate them with benevolence and virtue, and should not commit further killings."

Benevolence! Benevolence again!

I was almost killed, and he still dared to talk to me about benevolence and virtue!

Ying Zheng grew angrier the more he thought about it, and a tightness settled in his chest.

Zhao Huan keenly sensed the change in Ying Zheng's emotions.

"Dad, what's wrong? You don't look well."

Ying Zheng sighed and decided to confide in his "good eldest son" and hear his opinion.

"Sigh, it's all because of that alchemist incident."

Ying-Zhao-Zheng-Zheng had a worried look on his face.

"As you know, like the First Emperor, I also believed the nonsense of those alchemists and consumed quite a few of the elixirs they concocted. After hearing what you said, I went back and caught a few chickens and rabbits to test the medicine. As a result, those animals died on the spot after consuming the elixirs, their deaths were gruesome."

"Only then did I realize that what I had been consuming for so many years was actually poison! In a fit of rage, I arrested all those sorcerers and prepared to execute them."

Ying Zheng looked at Zhao Huan and asked, "Huan'er, tell me, did I do the right thing?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Huan immediately nodded.

"That's right! Of course! These swindlers almost killed you. Why keep them alive for the New Year? If they fall into my hands, I'll make them understand why the flowers are so red."

Hearing Zhao Huan's genuine concern, Ying Zheng's pent-up anger dissipated somewhat.

He continued to sigh, "But that's the problem. I...I have another son."

"He's two years older than you. He's been studying with a great Confucian scholar for years, and he's gotten a bit... a bit slow-witted."

"As soon as they heard I had arrested a sorcerer and was going to execute him, they came running to make a scene, saying I should repay evil with kindness and follow the path of benevolence and righteousness, saying I was too bloodthirsty and violated the laws of nature. Tell me, how could I not be angry?"

As Ying Zheng spoke, he observed Zhao Huan's reaction.

Zhao Huan was stunned after hearing this.

He blinked, looked at his frowning "father," and thought about the history he knew.

A father who believed in alchemists and consumed elixirs. A son who was brainwashed by Confucianism and constantly spouted benevolence and morality.

Why does this plot seem so familiar?

Is my cheap old man really living according to the script of the First Emperor?

Could it be...?

Zhao Huan muttered to himself, but quickly came up with a plan.

coincidence.

All signs indicate that my father has the bearing of an emperor.

Thinking of this, Zhao Huan felt a surge of pride and patted his chest, confidently declaring, "Father! Don't worry! Leave this to me!"

"He's just a bookworm who's gone mad. Bring him over here, and I guarantee I'll straighten him out in three months! I'll show him what true power is!"

Ying Zheng was waiting for these words, so he feigned hesitation: "This... will it work? Your brother is very stubborn."

"Don't worry, Father!" Zhao Huan said confidently, "I'm the most experienced at dealing with this kind of person! I guarantee I'll train you to be completely obedient!"

"Alright!" Ying Zheng smiled slyly, a "gratified" smile on his face. "Then next time, I'll bring him here so you can teach him a lesson. By the way, your brother's name is Zhao Fan."

Zhao Fan? Rebellion?

Zhao Huan was secretly pleased. "My father, even his naming is so promising. It seems my father has been planning a rebellion for a long time."

With the matter settled, Ying Zheng and his entourage should now set off for their return.

"Father, are you leaving already?" Zhao Huan asked, somewhat reluctantly.

"Yes, we should go back now." Ying Zheng stood up, a "benevolent father" smile on his face.

"After listening to your words today, I have suddenly understood. We must immediately begin recruiting craftsmen and preparing gunpowder. Our great undertaking cannot be delayed."

Li Si and the Meng brothers also stood up. Their gazes toward Zhao Huan had changed from initial scrutiny to deep awe.

"Huan'er, don't worry, when I go back this time, I'll bring your troublesome older brother to you." Ying Zheng patted Zhao Huan's shoulder. "Also, I'll send people to look for the Mohists and Gongshu people you mentioned."

"Alright, Father!" Zhao Huan replied with a grin.

Ying Zheng glanced at the remaining hot pot broth on the table and said casually, "This... tastes good. Eating dry rations on the road makes my mouth taste bland."

Zhao Huan immediately understood and waved his hand, saying, "Father, you just wait!"

He turned and ran into the kitchen, and came out a short while later carrying a large earthenware jar.

"Dad, this is all the seasoning I prepared. It'll be enough for you to eat for a while. When you get back and want to eat it, just add water and boil it."

Ying Zheng nodded in satisfaction and reached out to take it.

Li Si, being particularly perceptive, quickly took the heavy pottery jar first and held it in his arms.

Meng Tian and Meng Yi exchanged a glance, both thinking that when they returned, they must find a way to get some from the Prime Minister to try.

Ying Zheng then looked at Bai Qi, who was left standing to the side.

Bai Qi remained silent with a dark expression throughout.

"Old Bai," Ying Zheng said, "you stay here and help Huan'er look after the village. I'm worried about leaving him alone."

Bai Qi was extremely unwilling, but it was His Majesty's order, so he accepted it and said, "Yes."

Zhao Huan walked up to Bai Qi and patted him on the shoulder like brothers: "Old Bai, from now on we're family. Don't worry, if you follow me, you'll have plenty to eat! But you need to change your temper; don't be so quick to shout about fighting and killing. We're civilized people."

Bai Qi was so startled by Zhao Huan's slap that he almost fell. Looking at Zhao Huan's grinning face, he really wanted to slap him.

Civilized people?

When you knocked me unconscious and tied me up, why didn't you call yourself a civilized person?

But he couldn't win, so he could only endure it, his old face turning red with frustration.

Ying Zheng watched this scene and chuckled inwardly.

Making the God of Slaughter Bai Qi suffer a setback—in the whole world, perhaps only my eldest son could have accomplished that.

After everything was explained, Ying Zheng, along with Li Si and the Meng brothers, left Zhao Family Village amidst Zhao Huan's "reluctant" gaze.

As soon as they stepped out of the village and confirmed that Zhao Huan was out of sight, Li Si immediately approached Ying Zheng and whispered, "Your Majesty, this hot pot broth..."

Ying Zheng glanced at him and said indifferently, "One portion for you, one portion for Meng Tian and Meng Yi, and the rest, I will take back to the palace."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Li Si was overjoyed.

Meng Tian and Meng Yi were also overjoyed and quickly expressed their gratitude.

The group rode at full speed and soon returned to the outskirts of Xianyang City.

Once he changed back into his court robes, Ying Zheng's expression instantly shifted from the benevolent "Zhao Zheng" to the majesty of the First Emperor.

He gazed in the direction of Xianyang City, his heart filled with boundless pride.

Gunpowder, technology, the Mohist school, the Gongshu school...

Meanwhile, in the courtyard of Zhao Family Village.

Zhao Huan was watching Bai Qi, whose face was dark, with great interest.

"Old Bai, stop looking so serious, come on, smile."

Bai Qi ignored him completely and turned to go back to his woodshed.

"Hey, don't go." Zhao Huan grabbed him. "Come on, let me show you around our village's industries. You'll be our village's security captain from now on, so you need to get familiar with the environment."

Without waiting for Bai Qi's consent, she pulled him towards the edge of the village.

Bai Qi was being dragged along, feeling that his lifelong reputation had been completely ruined today.

He, the dignified Lord Wu'an of Qin, actually wants to be the... security captain of a village?