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

Upon returning to Xianyang Palace, Ying Zheng first summoned Zhang Han.

"Have you found any trace of the 'system'?"

"Your Majesty, there are none at the moment."

Zhang Han knelt on one knee.

Ying Zheng sat on the dragon throne, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest. This was not unexpected; after all, the system Zhao Huan spoke of was capable of discerning heavenly secrets and leaving behind celestial elixirs and divine artifacts—something that mere mortals like those from the Black Ice Platform could not easily find. He gestured for Zhang Han to rise.

He continued, "Go, send someone to 'invite' the leaders of the Mohist and Gongshu families to Xianyang. Remember, it's 'invite'."

Zhang Han understood the word "please" in His Majesty's voice, his tone laced with chilling killing intent: "Yes!"

He accepted the order and left, his figure quickly disappearing into the shadows.

Meanwhile, news of Ying Zheng's return to Lantian spread like wildfire among the powerful and influential circles of Xianyang.

The residence of the Marquis of Tongwu.

Wang Jian sat in the main seat, looking remarkably energetic. Since taking the elixir of immortality, he felt at least twenty years younger, and the strength and energy he had when he destroyed Chu had returned to his body.

This feeling of withered trees coming back to life fascinated him.

Standing beside him was Wang Ben, who also had a distinguished military record.

"Father, His Majesty has gone to Lantian County again. Is there something fishy about this?"

Wang Ben finally couldn't help but ask the question that had been bothering him.

Lantian County, an ordinary place, why would His Majesty, who is busy with affairs of state, visit it again and again?

"Bang!"

Wang Jian slammed the teacup down on the table, his gaze suddenly sharpening.

"Don't ask what you shouldn't ask, and don't investigate what you shouldn't investigate!"

"How dare we, your subjects, pry into His Majesty's whereabouts? Remember, our royal family knows only loyalty to the emperor, nothing else! We may only know what His Majesty commands. What His Majesty does not wish us to know, we should not even think about!"

"If this happens again, we'll punish them according to family rules!"

"Yes, Father!" Wang Ben's heart skipped a beat, and cold sweat instantly broke out. He quickly lowered his head.

He understood; his father was giving him a warning.

On the other side, at the residence of Hu Hai's son.

The atmosphere, however, was completely different.

Zhao Gao lay on the bed, the wound on his back still burning with pain.

Those twenty lashes left him with raw, bleeding skin, nearly killing him. Even with the best medicine, he couldn't recover quickly, and he had to force himself to attend the morning court session.

But the physical pain was nothing compared to the panic in his heart.

His Majesty has changed, he has become someone who terrifies him, someone who no longer trusts him.

Ever since His Majesty returned from that damned Lantian, he first targeted the alchemists, then severely punished the eldest son, Fusu. Now, he's gone to that mysterious Lantian again!

No, we can't just sit here and wait to die!

We must do something to regain His Majesty's trust.

Zhao Gao summoned a trusted aide, whispered a few instructions, and then turned his gaze to Hu Hai, who was chasing butterflies in the courtyard.

Looking at that obese figure who only knew how to have fun, a flash of disdain crossed Zhao Gao's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a fawning smile.

"Prince Huhai," Zhao Gao forced a smile, "go to your father and curry favor with him. See what he's been busy with lately, and what he likes."

Hu Hai had no idea about these intricacies. When his teacher told him to go see his father, he assumed it meant he could ask for something good again, and immediately nodded.

"Yes, teacher! I'll go right away!"

With that, he took two short steps and ran excitedly toward the Qilin Hall.

Inside the Qilin Hall.

Ying Zheng was reviewing a mountain of memorials.

After processing one batch, we would stop and reminisce about our experience in Zhao Family Village.

Huan'er talked about gunpowder that could split mountains and shatter rocks, technology, and that irresistible hot pot...

Thinking of hot pot, Ying Zheng's stomach growled at an inopportune moment. He put down the bamboo slips and said to the eunuch beside him, "Serve the meal. Tonight, we'll have hot pot."

The eunuch was stunned.

Hot pot? What kind of dish is that? I've never heard of it before.

"Your Majesty, this..."

Ying Zheng then realized that apart from himself and Li Si, no one in the palace knew about hot pot.

Pointing to the earthenware jar containing hot pot broth on the table, he recalled the method taught by Zhao Huan.

"Use this, add water and bring to a boil, then slice the meat thinly, along with vegetables, and serve them all together."

"only!"

Although the eunuch was completely bewildered, he still respectfully accepted the pottery jar and withdrew.

Before long, the familiar spicy aroma wafted from the kitchen in the side hall, filling the entire Qilin Hall.

Ying Zheng took a deep breath; this was the taste!

Just then, a palace attendant announced, "Your Majesty, Prince Huhai requests an audience."

Ying Zheng frowned slightly, but still said, "Let him in."

As soon as Hu Hai entered the palace, he smelled that strange fragrance and almost drooled.

"Father! What's this delicious food? It smells so good!"

He ran to Ying Zheng's side with small steps, but his eyes were fixed on the earthenware pot that had just been served.

The red broth in the pot was bubbling and the aroma was irresistible.

Ying Zheng had originally intended to test his studies, but seeing his greedy expression, he lost interest.

"Sit down and eat with us."

"Thank you, Father Emperor!"

Hu Hai cheered and picked up his chopsticks to scoop the food into the pot.

The moment he put a slice of meat in his mouth, the numbing, spicy, and scalding sensation made him jump up on the spot.

"Ha! It's tough! So tough!"

He stuck out his tongue while frantically chugging water.

Ying Zheng's lips twitched, recalling Bai Qi's embarrassed state back then. He pointed to the oil dish beside him: "Eat it with this."

Hu Hai imitated Ying Zheng, rolling the cooked meat slices in the oil sauce before putting them in his mouth.

This time, the spiciness was softened by the sesame oil, allowing the deliciousness of the meat slices to be fully brought out.

"Delicious! So delicious!"

Hu Hai ate until he was sweating profusely, thoroughly enjoying himself.

Ying Zheng watched him wolf down his food, and at first he didn't think much of it, after all, he was his own son.

But as he ate, Hu Hai's eyes fell on the earthenware pot containing the base ingredients on the table.

"Father, what is this made of? It's so delicious! Please give it to me!"

Hu Hai started to act coquettishly, hugging Ying Zheng's arm and shaking it.

That one sentence caused the last trace of warmth on Ying Zheng's face to vanish without a trace.

Knowing that Zhao Huan was not his biological son, he gave him this precious material out of filial piety.

Although there were elements that Zhao Huan was unaware of, it still made Ying Zheng feel gratified.

Hu Hai, his own son, only wanted to possess him.

I remembered what Zhao Huan had said about the future.

After his death, Zhao Gao altered the imperial edict, Fusu committed suicide, and Huhai ascended the throne.

Then, he called a deer a horse, harmed his own brothers, slaughtered meritorious officials, carried out massive construction projects, and imposed exorbitant taxes... ultimately leading to the downfall of the Qin Dynasty after only two generations!

If you truly possess extraordinary talent, then you can fight for the throne if you wish.

But you're just a good-for-nothing who only knows how to eat, drink, and have fun, and is insatiably greedy!

The thought of the Qin Dynasty's vast empire being destroyed by this fool filled Ying Zheng with an uncontrollable rage.

"You want this?" Ying Zheng pointed at the pottery jar, looking coldly at Hu Hai.