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

Upon hearing this, Zheng Guo looked distressed and quickly stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, I...I would gladly die for this cause. However...the potatoes have only just been planted, and there is still the matter of refining the salt, which I must oversee constantly. I fear I will be overwhelmed and delay Your Majesty's important matters."

It wasn't that Zheng Guo was making excuses; he was genuinely too busy.

Now there's also the "Hundred Crafts Institute" and the "Inviting Farmers," and he wishes he could split himself into eight pieces to use them all.

No sooner had he finished speaking than Feng Quji stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, what Minister Zheng said is true. How about this: I will take charge of both the subsequent potato planting and the supervision of the construction of the curved plow. I guarantee that before the autumn harvest, all the counties in Guanzhong will be using this divine plow!"

Feng Quji was also full of energy at this moment.

The "castration method to remove the fishy smell from pigs" that he had previously been in charge of had already shown initial results, which made him, the Right Chancellor, look good in front of the people.

Now that he has the two powerful weapons of the curved plow and potatoes, he is confident that he can achieve even greater success.

Before Ying Zheng could speak, Li Si also stepped forward, glanced at Zheng Guo, and said with a forced smile:

"Prefect Zheng, you should just focus on your agricultural affairs. This method of refining salt was entrusted by His Majesty and is being overseen by my Prime Minister's office. Do you think I, Li Si, can't handle this small matter well by myself? Do you think that I, the Left Prime Minister, am inferior to you, the Prefect of Grain Management?"

This sounds like a dig at Zheng, but it's actually an attempt to share the burden.

Zheng Guo understood perfectly, and his heart warmed. He quickly cupped his hands in greeting to the two men.

"Thank you both for your understanding!"

Ying Zheng was very pleased to see his three important ministers vying for his duties to share his burdens.

This is the Qin Dynasty court he wanted to see.

The ruler and his ministers were of one mind and worked together towards a common goal.

"Alright, that's settled then." Ying Zheng made the decision. "Feng Quji will be in charge of promoting the curved plow and potatoes. Li Si will be in charge of refined salt. Zheng Guo will be in charge of 'inviting' farmers. All three tasks, handle them flawlessly!"

"Your Majesty, we will never fail to live up to your expectations!" the three replied in unison.

Just then, a palace attendant hurried in from outside the palace to report.

"Your Majesty, Li Si's son, Li You, is waiting outside the palace."

Li You?

Everyone in the hall, except for Ying Zheng, Meng Tian, ​​and Li Si, looked puzzled.

Why would Your Majesty summon a young junior to discuss matters with several important ministers?

Li Si's heart jumped into his throat instantly.

Suppressing his excitement, he secretly glanced at Ying Zheng out of the corner of his eye.

He knew that His Majesty wanted to give his son a future in front of all the ministers.

A faint smile appeared on Ying Zheng's face.

"Oh? You came pretty quickly."

He explained slowly and deliberately to the people in the hall.

"It was I who summoned him."

"I have heard that Prime Minister Li's son is quite like his father, excelling in both literature and martial arts. Since all of you ministers are here today, let him in so we can all test him and see if he is a promising talent."

Everyone then realized what was going on.

It turns out that His Majesty has taken a liking to talent and wants to personally examine the younger generation.

This is an immense favor!

In an instant, everyone's eyes turned to Li Si.

In his eyes, there was envy, curiosity, and scrutiny.

Li Si felt the complex gazes from his colleagues, and the back of his official robes was soaked with cold sweat.

You'er, you must make us proud!

"Announce."

Ying Zheng spoke calmly.

"Summon Li You to an audience—"

The eunuch's high-pitched voice rang out from outside the hall.

A moment later, a tall and upright young man walked into the Qilin Hall with steady steps.

He was around twenty years old, with a resolute face, sharp eyebrows and bright eyes. Although he was dressed in plain clothes, he exuded the competence and composure of a soldier as he walked.

As soon as Li You entered the hall, all eyes fell on him.

Veteran generals like Wang Jian and Meng Tian could tell at a glance that Li You had an extremely stable lower body and calluses on his hands, clearly indicating that he was a person who had practiced martial arts for many years.

Civil officials like Feng Quji and Zheng Guo were observing his demeanor.

Facing a hall full of imperial ministers and the First Emperor sitting high on the dragon throne, the young man showed no panic or fear whatsoever.

He is neither arrogant nor humble; he is a promising talent.

Li Si's palms were sweating nervously as he looked at his son, feeling both proud and worried.

"This humble subject, Li You, pays his respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live ten thousand years, and may the Great Qin Dynasty live ten thousand years!"

Li You walked to the center of the main hall and performed a standard, grand salute, his voice clear and powerful.

"Rise." Ying Zheng's tone revealed neither joy nor anger.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Ying Zheng looked at Li You and nodded to himself.

Indeed, he is worthy of Huan'er's prediction that he would be loyal to the Qin Dynasty and defend the Sanchuan Commandery to the death.

"Li You," Ying Zheng said slowly, "I have heard that you are skilled in both literature and military strategy. Today, I and my beloved ministers would like to see what you are truly capable of."

Li You bowed and said, "Your subject dares not accept such praise; I will obey Your Majesty's orders in all matters."

Ying Zheng smiled and turned his gaze to Meng Yi beside him.

"Meng Yi".

"Your subject is here." Meng Yi immediately stepped forward.

"As the Chief Physician, you are responsible for the palace guards, and you are also Meng Tian's younger brother. You are one of the best among the younger generation of generals in Qin, with superb martial arts skills."

Ying Zheng pointed to Li You in the hall and said:

"Then you can test his skills. Remember, it's a test, not a fight; stop when you've made a move."

Meng Yi stepped forward and bowed to Ying Zheng and Li You respectively.

"My lord, I obey your order."

"Young Master Li, please."

Li You was not intimidated and returned the greeting in kind.

"Please enlighten me, General."

The two walked to the open space in the center of the hall and stood facing each other.

Meng Yi did not underestimate him in the slightest. He knew that anyone who could be personally selected by His Majesty for examination was no ordinary person.

He assumed a starting stance from a military boxing style, his aura as steady as a mountain.

Li Youze took a deep breath, slightly parted his feet, and lowered his center of gravity, also ready for battle.

"drink!"

Meng Yi took the initiative, letting out a low shout as he suddenly lunged forward, throwing a straight punch straight at Li You's face.

This punch, accompanied by a sharp whistling sound, was full of battlefield lethality.

Li You's eyes narrowed, and instead of retreating, he advanced, slightly shifting his body to the side to narrowly avoid the punch. At the same time, he thrust his elbow upward, aiming for Meng Yi's armpit.

From the very first encounter, it was an attack against an attack!

Approval flashed in Meng Yi's eyes. He reacted quickly, his forward momentum undiminished. With his other hand, he transformed his palm into a blade and slashed at Li You's elbow.

"Bang!"

The fist and palm collided, producing a muffled thud.

Li You felt a strong force coming from him, and his body involuntarily took two steps back.

Meng Yi's arm also went slightly numb from the shock.

Good lad, you've got some strength!

Meng Yi secretly praised him, but his offensive became even more fierce.

No longer testing the waters, he used both fists and feet, each move aimed at vital points. Although he held back, the ruthlessness honed on the battlefield made Feng Quji and Zheng Guo, who were watching from the sidelines, tremble with fear.

Under Meng Yi's relentless and stormy attacks, Li You initially appeared somewhat flustered and could only passively defend.

However, he had a solid foundation, and although he was at a disadvantage, he managed to defend himself flawlessly and always managed to resolve crises at critical moments.

Li Si's palms were sweating profusely, and his heart was pounding in his throat.

Wang Jian and Meng Tian nodded repeatedly in agreement.

"This kid has good lower body skills; he's a talent," Wang Jian whispered to Meng Tian beside him.

Meng Tian wholeheartedly agreed: "To be able to withstand thirty moves from Meng Yi without being defeated already surpasses many captains in the army."