My hotel is full of emperors throughout history.

Ying Zheng's gaze suddenly sharpened as he swept over the ranks of military generals.

"Wang Li".

Young and eager for military merit, Wang Li's spirits lifted, and he strode forward.

"Your subordinate is here!"

"I hereby appoint you as the commander-in-chief of the Eastern Expedition, to oversee the naval forces, supervise the construction of ships, and practice new tactics for landing and assault. The newly formed Shenji Battalion will be given priority in being issued some Qin muskets and Po Jun muskets to accompany you on the expedition and be tested in actual combat!"

Ying Zheng's instructions were clear and unambiguous.

"This battle is not about speed, but about complete annihilation! We must plow their court, sweep their strongholds, seize their land, enslave their people, and extract... anything of value! Is this even possible?"

Wang Li was filled with excitement and readily agreed.

"Your Majesty, rest assured! This humble general will surely make the sails of our Great Qin shield the Japanese in the seas! Will make the might of our Great Qin army shatter the Japanese islands! I will not fail Your Majesty's trust in this divine weapon!"

"Um."

Ying Zheng nodded, then changed the subject, his tone becoming somewhat subtle.

"The journey is long and the soldiers are on a long expedition. They need some companions to relieve the boredom and prevent them from becoming complacent."

He clapped his hands lightly.

The heavy sound of iron chains dragging on the ground came from outside the hall.

Several fierce-looking officials escorted a group of prisoners, wearing heavy shackles, bound by iron chains, dressed in rags, with expressions that were either numb or terrified, as they laboriously moved to the edge of the square in front of the palace.

Even from a distance, some of the court officials with sharp eyes instantly recognized a few of them and couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice.

"Isn't that Xu Fu?"

"It's Zhao Gao, the Chief Administrator of the Imperial Carriage Office!"

"And those few... were the sorcerers His Majesty previously favored!"

"Left Chancellor Li Si? He...how could he also..."

Ying Zheng chuckled.

"These criminals, whether they have deceived the emperor, spread rumors, or harbored treacherous intentions, should be punished according to the law."

He paused, then his smile grew even brighter.

"However, I am mindful of Heaven's benevolence towards life and wish to grant him a chance to atone for his sins."

"General Wang, for this eastern expedition, these men will be organized into the 'Atonement and Hard Labor Camp' and will accompany the army."

Ying Zheng's gaze swept over Li Si, Xu Fu, and the others.

"They're all quite capable; they should be able to help you. Besides that..."

Ying Zheng chuckled.

"They are responsible for all kinds of arduous and dangerous tasks, such as building camps, repairing ships, transporting supplies, and clearing battlefields. The elite soldiers of the 'Divine Machine Battalion' in the army can be assigned to guard them."

Ying Zheng's gaze suddenly turned icy.

"Tell them, and all the soldiers—these men are guilty of crimes. If they make any unusual moves, no matter how small, there is no need to report them. Whoever is holding a Qin musket nearby may shoot them on the spot! Their heads will be recorded as merit!"

Wang Li grinned and clasped his hands in a sarcastic gesture.

"Your subordinate obeys! These men will be put to full use! If they dare to cause any trouble, they will be fed Qin-style muskets without mercy!"

Having arranged the campaign against the Japanese pirates and the affairs of the convicted prisoners, Ying Zheng seemed to have accomplished a major task, and his breathing eased slightly.

"The matter of conquest is left to the generals. However, now that I have acquired new weapons, I must also personally inspect the realm, demonstrate my virtue and power, so as to reassure the people and deter rebellion."

Ying Zheng's voice carried a hint of pioneering spirit.

"I wish to make an eastern tour."

The ministers weren't too surprised, as Ying Zheng had made many eastern tours before.

But the next second, the ministers were stunned.

"On this eastern tour, I will not ride in the golden carriage, nor will I drive the six steeds."

A slight smile seemed to appear on Ying Zheng's lips.

He raised his hand and pointed to a tightly concealed corner outside the hall.

"I, the Emperor, will ride in my new chariot—the Qin."

At his signal, the covering was lifted, revealing a sleek black Qin sedan.

All eyes were once again drawn to it.

The representatives of the Mohist and Gongshu families stared so wide their eyes almost popped out.

There's more good stuff?

Can they demolish it?

One of the ministers couldn't help but ask.

"This thing... could it also move on its own without the need for oxen or horses?"

"Of course!"

Ying Zheng chuckled and gave a brief introduction.

"This Qin chariot is swift and stable, traveling a thousand miles a day and eight hundred miles at night, fearless of wind and rain, and never tired."

After saying that, he pointed to the Qin.

"I will ride in it, travel eastward along the imperial road, tour the border prefectures, and inspect the coastal areas."

Is he going on an eastern tour in this iron box?

Traveling a thousand miles a day?

The courtiers were completely dumbfounded.

An old minister couldn't help but speak up.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty, this carriage is indeed wondrous, but... its design is unprecedented. Its safety during travel... perhaps... perhaps we should reconsider? Even a son of a noble family wouldn't sit under a dangerous roof, let alone Your Majesty, who reigns supreme?"

Ying Zheng had already descended the imperial steps. Upon hearing this, he did not stop walking, but merely turned his head and chuckled.

"Don't worry, I will bring Qin Tong with me, and Po Jun Tong is also in the carriage."

He paused for a moment, then pointed to the BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles.

"Besides, would I travel alone? With several infantry chariots added, how could ordinary bandits, petty thieves, or even wild beasts of the mountains possibly get close to me?"

Ying Zheng looked at his ministers and gave them another instruction.

"The campaign against the Japanese pirates and the eastern tour are proceeding simultaneously. State affairs will be handled by the officials left behind in accordance with the law; the major projects of the Qin Dynasty will be fully promoted by the Shaofu (Imperial Household Department) and the Mo and Gongshu families; if there are any urgent matters, they can be reported to the imperial carriage by express courier."

He paused noticeably at this point, then added.

"If I were to meet with an accident on the journey, then Fusu shall immediately succeed me to the throne!!! All ministers must wholeheartedly assist me, diligently perform their duties, continue my laws, and protect the Qin dynasty!"

"only!"

The ministers looked at each other in bewilderment, but still responded.

Ying Zheng nodded in satisfaction.

Rui Shi, who was next to him, came over, opened the car door, and leaned down to sit in the back seat.

The dark robe looked particularly out of place against the modern interior.

Ying Zheng closed the carriage door and spoke to Rui Shi, who was sitting upright in the front.

"Let's go."

Although the driver was extremely nervous, he still started the vehicle as Ying Zheng had instructed.

Immediately afterwards, the vehicle slowly started moving, with almost no bumps, and turned nimbly, driving forward along the palace road.

Its smooth acceleration and quiet movement left all the onlookers speechless once again.

This is so much smoother than pulling a carriage on horseback!

More than just stable!

It's high-class too!!!

The ministers craned their necks, watching the strange convoy drive out of the palace.

His expression was extremely complex: shock, bewilderment, worry, and... an undisguised enviousness.

If only I could have one myself...

No, even just one ride to experience the feeling of "traveling a thousand miles a day" would be such a wonderful thing.

This is a thousand times more tempting than the finest horses or the most magnificent carriages!

As he passed by the assembled officials, he saw them craning their necks, trying to peek, yet restrained by etiquette and not daring to be disrespectful.

Ying Zheng raised an eyebrow, suddenly rolled down the carriage window, and addressed the ministers.

"Meng Yi, Zhang Han... and Wang Jian... you guys come up here."

"My carriage is spacious; let's experience it together."

The three ministers who were named were immediately flattered and even more apprehensive.

Riding with the emperor?

This is against etiquette!

"Your Majesty... How dare we ride in the same carriage as Your Majesty... This carriage is of extraordinary design; we... we will suffice to accompany and protect you from the outside..."

Meng Yi forced a reply, but his eyes involuntarily drifted towards the car.

Ying Zheng snorted, seeing through their thoughts.

He simply pushed open the car door and got out.

This startled the ministers, who took a step back and repeatedly said, "Your Majesty, I am guilty."

"What kind of behavior is this, dawdling like this!"

Ying Zheng's face showed obvious impatience as he pointed to the carriage door.

"Get up! All of you, get up! Do I have to personally 'invite' you?"

Meng Yi and the other two exchanged glances, knowing that any further refusal would be disobeying the imperial decree.

He had no choice but to tremble with fear, bend over, and cautiously approach the car door.

"Get in!"

Ying Zheng urged him on.

The three of them looked at the obviously more spacious seats in the back row, which must be the "throne," and dared not sit down.

Amidst the pushing and shoving, they all instinctively squeezed towards the front passenger seat.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty, I'll sit here! This is fine!"

Meng Yi moved a little faster, and half of his body was already squeezed into the passenger seat, pressed tightly against the door, not knowing where to put his hands.

Zhang Han and Wang Jian stood frozen at the carriage door, unsure whether to go in or back, their expressions extremely awkward.

Ying Zheng looked at these important ministers who were usually so assertive in the court, now appearing so clumsy and ridiculous in front of this tin box, and his impatience suddenly turned into a kind of wicked amusement.

He sighed heavily and waved his hand.

"Enough! What kind of nonsense is this, everyone crowding in the front! Meng Yi, you sit in the front. Zhang Han, you all go sit in the back!"

After saying this, he scanned the assembled officials with his gaze, finally settling on Wang Li.

"Wang Li, come here!"

Wang Li was excited when her name was called.

"only!"

After saying that, he quickly ran over.

"You three, sit in the back!"

Upon hearing that they wouldn't be sitting with Ying Zheng, the three of them felt as if they had been granted a pardon and carefully crawled into the back seat through the other side of the car door.

Even after sitting down, my body was ramrod straight, and I only dared to touch half of my buttocks against that soft, unsettling chair.

With his hands neatly placed on his knees and his eyes fixed straight ahead, he secretly marveled at how extraordinary this object was, how incredibly comfortable it was!

"close the door!"

"Tie that strap."

Ying Zheng pointed to the seat belt, something Chen Mo had repeatedly emphasized before.

The group scrambled around for a moment, and with the help of the driver's whispered instructions, they finally managed to fasten the strange strap, feeling more like they were being bound.

Looking at their uneasy expressions, filled with both awe and bewilderment at everything inside the car.

Ying Zheng suddenly found it somewhat amusing, yet also felt a surge of pride.

He walked over to the driver's seat and patted the driver's seat Rui on the shoulder.

"You, get down."

Ruishi: ? ? ?

The ministers: ? ? ?