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

"Elder Gongshu is absolutely right! What we craftsmen seek in our lives is nothing more than to create a masterpiece that will be remembered in history. Now that we have such a golden opportunity, how can we miss it!"

This group of people were the descendants of Gongshu Ban, the skilled craftsmen of the Gongshu family.

The elder leading the group was named Gongshu Che, the most renowned master of the Gongshu family in contemporary times.

Unlike the Mohists, they were filled with anticipation for being able to participate in this "earth-shattering undertaking".

Gongshu Che glanced at the Mo family members who were full of resentment not far away, and curled his lips in disdain.

"A bunch of inflexible idiots, spouting nonsense about universal love and non-aggression, yet they can't even protect their own families. Now they're prisoners, still acting all high and mighty—utterly ridiculous!"

Upon hearing this, the members of the Gongshu family around Gongshu Che all echoed his sentiments.

"Exactly! We, the Gongshu family, value practicality. We work for whoever feeds us. Besides, our lord is generous, promising us titles and honors upon our success, bringing glory to our ancestors—far better than adhering to those worthless rules!"

The Mohists also heard the discussion, and some of them glared angrily.

"A lackey of the Gongshu family! Utterly spineless, only knowing how to curry favor, a disgrace to the artisan profession!"

"What did you say?! Say it again if you dare!"

Just as the two groups were about to start arguing, the black-armored soldiers around them slammed their long spears to the ground.

"Clang!"

The loud clang of metal colliding silenced the scene instantly.

Everyone shut their mouths, but the hostility in their eyes did not diminish in the slightest.

These two families have been mortal enemies since ancient times, and they look down on each other. Now that they are imprisoned together, their conflicts are even more intense.

The third group of people were the sorcerers sent by Meng Tian.

There were only a dozen or so of them, all dressed in Taoist robes, their faces ashen, huddled in a corner, trembling.

Having witnessed the horrific scene of Xu Fu being torn apart by five horses and then imprisoned in the darkest dungeon, they had long since lost all will to live.

Now that I've been brought to this unfamiliar place, I'm filled with anxiety, fearing that I'll be next.

Their leader, a sorcerer named Lu Sheng, looked at the Mohists and Gongshu Masters arguing not far away, his eyes filled with despair. He knew that he and his ilk were nothing more than laborers forced to atone for their sins.

Whether they survived or not depended entirely on the whims of the capricious First Emperor.

Just as the atmosphere in the courtyard became strange, the heavy ironwood gate was slowly pushed open.

A black-armored officer strode to the front of the open space and shouted in a booming voice:

"Our lord has arrived! Why haven't you all paid your respects yet!"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone's eyes turned to the doorway.

Ying Zheng strode in, followed by Zhao Huan, Li Si, Meng Tian, ​​Bai Qi, Fusu, and others.

A powerful imperial aura instantly enveloped the entire courtyard.

The Gongshu family reacted the fastest, with Gongshu Che leading the way, and they all knelt down on the ground.

"This humble subject, Gongshu Che, along with his family members, pays homage to Your Majesty!"

The sorcerers were startled and immediately kowtowed, their heads hitting the ground with loud thuds.

"This sinful subject...this sinful subject kowtows to Your Majesty...Your Majesty!"

In his excitement, Lu Sheng almost blurted out "Your Majesty," but he quickly corrected himself. He was terrified and lay on the ground, too scared to lift his head.

Only the Mohists, though also intimidated by Ying Zheng's powerful aura, still stood tall and bowed respectfully without kneeling.

Mo Yuan, the patriarch of the Mohist school, stepped forward and said neither humbly nor arrogantly:

"Mo Yuan of the Mo family greets Your Excellency. May I ask why Your Excellency has so swiftly and decisively 'invited' us here?"

He deliberately emphasized the word "please," making no attempt to conceal his dissatisfaction.

Ying Zheng ignored him, his gaze sweeping across the entire room with an imposing air before finally settling on Zhao Huan.

He turned to the side, facing the curious Zhao Huan, and introduced:

"Huan'er, these people are all in your care from now on."

"From today onwards, you are the highest-ranking person in charge of this Institute of Physics."

These words shocked everyone present.

Gongshu Che, Lu Sheng, and the others looked up, their faces filled with astonishment.

They had assumed that the person in charge of this place, even if not the dignified "master" in front of them, would be either the steward Li, who looked like a high-ranking official, or one of the two imposing generals.

But who would have thought it would be this boy who looked no more than eighteen or nineteen years old?

What gives him the right?

The Mohists were in an uproar.

"What? Let him tell us what to do?"

"What does a mere kid like him know?"

"This is utter nonsense!"

They could submit to Qin Shi Huang's power, but they would never accept being led by a mere child. It would be an insult to their centuries-old Mohist tradition!

Fusu, Li Si, and the others were not surprised.

His Majesty built the Academy of Natural Sciences next to Zhao Family Village, wasn't it for the convenience of Young Master Huan?

Moreover, if we're talking about who understands gunpowder and those novel gadgets best, who else could it be but Young Master Huan?

Zhao Huan was taken aback for a moment, then secretly overjoyed.

My dad's got some skills; he got me a leadership position so quickly.

He cleared his throat, took a step forward, and, imitating Ying Zheng, swept his gaze over the crowd below.

Seeing the undisguised contempt and dissatisfaction on the faces of the Mo family members, and the suspicion in the eyes of the Gongshu family members, Zhao Huan's lips curled up slightly.

It seems that these tech geeks won't be convinced unless we give them a tough tactic.

Turning to Ying Zheng, he said with a grin, "Father, they don't seem too convinced."

Ying Zheng said expressionlessly, "If they're not convinced, then beat them until they are."

Upon hearing this, Li Si, Meng Tian, ​​and the others remained calm, as they were already accustomed to the emperor's domineering manner.

Bai Qi even curled his lips slightly; in his view, this was simply a matter of course.

Only Fusu frowned slightly upon hearing this.

"Okay!"

Upon receiving the "imperial decree," Zhao Huan became excited. He rubbed his hands together, took two steps forward, and his posture made Fusu's heart pound with fear.

"Brother, no!" Fusu instinctively tried to stop him.

However, Zhao Huan completely ignored him.

Looking at the group of unruly craftsmen below, especially the Mo family members led by Mo Yuan, he spoke with a grin.

"Judging from your expressions, none of you are convinced, are you?"

"I bet you're thinking, has my dad lost his mind, sending some greenhorn to manage you skilled craftsmen?"

Zhao Huan's words were blunt and vulgar, causing the Gongshu family members to frown, while someone from the Mo family even let out a cold snort.

Zhao Huan acted as if he hadn't seen it and continued, "I know you guys are all arrogant because you have a little skill, and you don't respect others. But it's okay, I'm best at dealing with troublemakers like you."

He abruptly changed the subject, turning to look at Ying Zheng, his smile becoming somewhat dangerous.

"Father, I suspect their entire families are in your hands now, aren't they?"

Ying Zheng did not speak, but simply looked at him calmly, which was taken as tacit agreement.

"That makes things easier." Zhao Huan clapped his hands. "How about we kill them all? That way we'll be done with them and they won't get in our way or dare to give you attitude."

"Anyway, there are so many artisans in the world, we can just arrest another batch."

The courtyard fell silent upon hearing this.

Everyone was stunned by Zhao Huan's words.

The sorcerer, in particular, turned pale with fright and his body trembled uncontrollably.

Fusu rushed to Zhao Huan's side, grabbed his arm, and said urgently, "Brother Huan! Don't speak recklessly! They are all highly talented people, how can you so easily speak of killing them?"

He felt that his younger brother was far too bloodthirsty.

However, Ying Zheng, Bai Qi, and Li Si saw through the trick.

They knew that Zhao Huan didn't really intend to kill anyone, but rather to establish his authority.