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

As soon as Wang Jian spoke, everyone's eyes turned to Ying Zheng.

Feng Quji and Zheng Guo listened intently, afraid of missing any further instructions regarding the curved plow and refined salt.

This is a matter of paramount importance concerning the fate of the Qin Dynasty, and cannot be taken lightly.

However, Ying Zheng's next words stunned everyone.

"Are you all hungry?"

Hungry?

Feng Quji and Zheng Guo exchanged a glance, both seeing confusion in each other's eyes.

His Majesty kept these key ministers behind and asked them if they were hungry.

What kind of approach is this?

Wang Jian's eyes lit up. The taste of that hot pot from last time still made his mouth water.

He licked his lips and tentatively asked, "Your Majesty, could it be... there's something delicious to eat again?"

Upon hearing this, his son Wang Ben and grandson Wang Li couldn't help but show a hint of embarrassment.

Father (Grandpa), this is the Qilin Palace. Can't you be a little more composed in front of His Majesty?

Meng Yi's lips twitched, thinking to himself that he was indeed the Marquis of Tongwu, and only he dared to ask His Majesty so directly.

Ying Zheng looked at Wang Jian's greedy expression and chuckled, a rare occurrence for him.

"Only an old man like you dares to speak to me like that."

With a wave of his hand, several eunuchs immediately filed in from the side hall, placing pottery jars and plates of skewered meat in front of everyone.

The overpowering fragrance instantly filled the air.

Feng Quji and Zheng Guo sniffed hard, their eyes wide open.

What is this? How can it smell so good?

Soon, a simple grill was set up, and the eunuchs placed plates of meat skewers on the grill, then took out some seasonings from the earthenware pot and sprinkled them evenly on the skewers.

"Sizzle—"

The fat on the meat skewers was rendered out by the charcoal fire, dripping onto the embers and making an enticing sound, while the aroma became even more intense.

Wang Jian's eyes widened, and his mouth was practically watering.

Ying Zheng was very satisfied with everyone's reaction.

These are all the "barbecue ingredients" that Huan'er gave him.

Pick up a skewer of grilled lamb and sprinkle some chili powder and cumin powder on it.

"Try it." Ying Zheng handed the meat skewers to Wang Jian, who was closest to him.

Wang Jian didn't care that it was hot; he took it and stuffed a big mouthful into his mouth.

"Mmm... Ah... Delicious!"

The smoky aroma of the meat, mixed with the blended fragrance of the barbecue seasoning, created layers of flavor that swept over his taste buds.

"Delicious! Delicious!" Wang Jian ate with a rosy complexion, praising repeatedly.

Seeing this, everyone stopped being polite and stepped forward to take some.

"Wow... this flavor is amazing!" Meng Yi took a bite, gasping for breath from the spiciness, but couldn't stop. "The flavor of this dish is intense and bold, comparable to the rich spiciness of hot pot, each with its own unique charm—both are exquisite delicacies!"

Feng Quji and Zheng Guo ate without any regard for decorum. These two civil officials, who were usually very particular about their appearance, looked like starving people who hadn't eaten for three days, their mouths greasy with food.

"I've lived my whole life and eaten all sorts of delicacies, but... but I've never tasted anything so... so domineering!" Zheng Guo mumbled between mouthfuls.

Wang Ben and Wang Li were initially a little reserved, but under the temptation of the delicious food, they quickly let go of their inhibitions and joined the frenzy for food.

They were all intelligent people, and they could tell at a glance that the key to the flavor of the barbecue was not the meat, but the mysterious seasonings that His Majesty had brought out.

Seeing these usually dignified and powerful ministers completely abandoning their dignity for a few skewers of barbecue.

A strange sense of pleasure welled up in Ying Zheng's heart; he liked this feeling.

Between ruler and subject, there are not only strict etiquette rules, but also such relaxed moments.

Seeing that everyone had almost finished eating, Ying Zheng wiped his mouth and put down the bamboo skewer in his hand.

As soon as he stopped, the others immediately stopped what they were doing, sat up straight, and resumed their dignity as high-ranking officials. However, the grease on their lips betrayed their earlier lapse in composure.

The hall fell silent once more.

All eyes were once again focused on Ying Zheng.

I know the real business is about to begin.

"The reason I've kept you all here today is to ask you," Ying Zheng began slowly, his voice steady and powerful, "what are your views on the various schools of thought of the Hundred Schools of Thought?"

After he finished speaking, everyone fell silent.

Feng Quji and Zheng Guo were stunned again.

The Hundred Schools of Thought?

This question is far more serious than simply asking them if they were hungry.

Since the Qin Dynasty unified the world and governed the country with Legalism, all schools of thought in the world, except those used by the empire, were suppressed.

Those schools of thought that advocated different governing philosophies and even openly contradicted the court were suppressed to the point of being unable to raise their heads.

In the eyes of most Qin officials, the various schools of thought, especially the Mohists, were a group of parasites who only knew how to talk nonsense and were a potential threat to the stability of the empire.

Why did Your Majesty suddenly bring this up today?

Wang Jian frowned slightly and fell into deep thought.

Wang Ben and Wang Li kept their eyes straight ahead, waiting for their elders to speak.

As the Imperial Physician, Meng Yi was in charge of the palace guards and was most vigilant against those from various families who were hiding in Xianyang. When he heard the Emperor's question, his expression became serious.

Only Li Si and Meng Tian had an idea.

They still vividly remembered Huan Gongzi's words about "using me" back in Zhao Family Village.

It now seems that His Majesty truly intends to put Prince Huan's idea into practice.

Everyone's mind was racing, trying to figure out Ying Zheng's true intentions.

Is the intention to carry out another thorough purge and eliminate all these destabilizing factors?

Or... is there a deeper meaning?

Ying Zheng did not urge them, but patiently waited for their answer.

He needed to hear their true thoughts; only by understanding their true intentions could he better implement the next plan.

After a long silence, it was Feng Quji, the Right Chancellor, who spoke first.

As a role model for all officials and a prudent veteran minister, he had to express his opinion at this time.

"Your Majesty," Feng Quji bowed respectfully, his tone extremely cautious, "I believe that the doctrines of the various schools of thought largely contradict the policies of our Great Qin. In particular, the Confucian school, with its empty talk of benevolence and righteousness and its attempt to restore the old feudal system, is truly a source of political chaos. As for the Mohist school, its gathering of followers to oppose aggression and its refusal to submit to the king's rule are even more of a thorn in the side of the empire."

"Since the reforms of Shang Yang, our Great Qin has governed the country by law, with strict laws and regulations, which has led to its current strength. If we allow the spread of various schools of thought to continue, it may confuse the people and shake the foundation of the nation. Therefore, I believe that we should continue to strictly control these schools of thought and not relax our efforts in the slightest."

Feng Quji's words can be described as the most standard and prudent answer, which is in line with the consistent national policy of the Qin Dynasty.

Zheng Guo, standing beside him, nodded in agreement, saying, "The Right Chancellor is absolutely right. When governing a country, we should seek practicality. Most of the theories of the various schools of thought are empty and offer no real benefit to the country or its people. Rather than letting them engage in empty talk, it is better to have them cultivate the land and pay taxes to the country; that is the right path."

Zheng Guo was a pragmatist. In his view, anything that could not fill people's stomachs or enrich the national treasury was just fancy and useless.

Ying Zheng listened, expressionless, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Their gaze shifted to the military officers.