I started on a deserted island and encountered Ying Zheng, who insisted I was an immortal.

The next day, early morning.

Zhang Ying yawned, brushed her teeth with a willow twig dipped in salt, and stepped out of the cave to see a strange sight.

Ying Zheng, Wang Ben, Meng Yi, Wang Ruoshu.

The four members of the Qin group sat neatly on the stone bench at the cave entrance, looking at him expectantly.

Their posture was just like that of fledglings waiting to be fed.

"Sir, where were we yesterday?"

Wang Ben was the first to speak, his voice muffled and impatient.

"That mischievous monkey was imprisoned under the mountain, and then what?"

Zhang Ying rubbed her sleepy eyes, feeling a little helpless at their enthusiasm.

"And then?"

He sat down and poured himself a glass of cool water.

Five hundred years later, he met a monk who was on his way to the Western Paradise to obtain Buddhist scriptures. He escorted the monk along the way, subduing demons and monsters, and after going through eighty-one tribulations, he finally arrived in the Western Paradise and attained enlightenment.

He was bestowed the title of "Victorious Fighting Buddha".

"Buddha?"

Ying Zheng became interested in this unfamiliar term.

"Then wouldn't he become the Monkey King again?" Wang Ruoshu asked.

"No."

Zhang Ying shook her head and took a sip of water to moisten her throat.

"Although the headband on his head has been removed."

"But another invisible constraint remained forever in his heart."

Zhang Ying's voice carried a hint of inexplicable melancholy.

"From then on, there was never another Monkey King, Sun Wukong, who dared to cause trouble in the Heavenly Palace."

"Only one remains, the Victorious Fighting Buddha who has converted to Buddhism and abides by the rules."

He looked at their bewildered expressions and sighed.

"This is growth, and also a survival instinct."

"After being beaten down by society and having your rough edges smoothed out, you'll know how to survive."

A long silence fell at the entrance to the cave.

The expressions on Wang Ben and Meng Yi's faces revealed undisguised disappointment; the hero in their hearts should not have met such an end.

Wang Ruoshu looked at Zhang Ying's profile, lost in thought.

Only Qin Shi Huang.

He looked at Zhang Ying without saying a word for a long time.

The ending of the story always carries a lingering sense of melancholy.

Zhang Ying stood up, stretched, and her joints cracked.

He walked to the open space outside the cave entrance, facing the rising sun, and struck a pose.

Cloud hands, wild horse parting its mane, white crane spreading its wings.

He performed a simplified version of Tai Chi slowly and gracefully.

This is a habit he has maintained for three years, used to exercise his muscles and bones and keep his body in good condition.

A figure silently stood behind him.

Ying Zheng.

He imitated Zhang Ying's movements meticulously, his posture stiff yet exceptionally focused.

During this time, he followed Zhang Ying, working from sunrise to sunset, eating simple meals, and doing work he had never done before, and his body felt more comfortable than ever before.

Even the excess fat around the waist and abdomen has been reduced considerably.

After finishing a set of punches.

Zhang Ying stopped her attack and exhaled a long breath.

"gentlemen."

Ying Zheng's voice rang out from behind.

Zhang Ying turned to look at him.

"If one day you are able to leave this island, what are your plans, sir?"

Ying Zheng's expression was more solemn than ever before.

"Do you wish to continue studying the science of investigating things to acquire knowledge, or do you wish to enter the world and make a name for yourself?"

Zhang Ying found the question somewhat amusing: "Go back to my agricultural research institute and continue working on my hybrid rice."

Ying Zheng shook his head and continued speaking to himself.

"I have been thinking about your abilities day and night for the past two weeks."

"Sir, you have a method to turn stone into salt, which can relieve the suffering of the people of the world from the hardship of eating bland food."

"There is a technique that turns four pounds of flour into six pounds, which can make the granary overflow with grain."

He paused, a hint of excitement in his voice.

"Furthermore, there are the magical machines that automatically pound rice and the potatoes that yield a thousand catties per mu, all of which are ancient wonders capable of bringing peace and stability to the country."

Wang Ben and Meng Yi also came over and listened quietly.

They knew that His Majesty was about to lay his cards on the table.

Ying Zheng took a step forward and stood side by side with Zhang Ying, both gazing at the boundless sea.

As the saying goes, "Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it."

These words, like the resounding toll of a great bell, were a wake-up call, keeping the government awake all night.

"Throughout his life, Zheng swept across the land, bringing peace to the world. He considered his achievements to surpass those of the Three Sovereigns and his virtue to be superior to that of the Five Emperors. Yet he never considered the principle of the boat and the water."

His voice became deep and powerful.

"Zheng wants the Black Dragon Banner of the Great Qin to be planted on every inch of land where the sun rises and the moon sets."

"I wish that the people of my Great Qin will enjoy lasting peace and prosperity, and that their granaries will be full."

"The government desires a world free from war and famine!"

He suddenly turned around and faced Zhang Ying.

"Mr. Zhengzhi is not the kind of person who pursues fame and fortune. Gold, silver and jewels, high-ranking positions and generous salaries are nothing but dirt to him."

He took a deep breath, and every word seemed to be squeezed out from his chest.

"If you are willing to assist me, I will make an exception for you after I leave the island!"

"I hereby bestow upon you the title of 'Grand Tutor'!"

"Ranked above the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers, wearing a golden seal and a purple sash, they do not have to hasten their steps when entering the court, nor are they called upon to pay homage; they can carry swords and wear shoes in the palace!"

"This is not a nominal position, but the most prestigious one—the position of Prime Minister! We will govern the world together, sir!"

boom!

It was as if a thunderbolt had exploded in Wang Ben and Meng Yi's minds.

Grand Tutor!

Prime Minister!

Governing the world together!

Wang Ben's hands were clenched so tightly that he felt no pain even as his nails dug into his flesh.

Meng Yi plucked out several hairs from his beard.

Since the founding of the Qin Dynasty, there has never been such a prominent position!

This is no longer a reward; it's a delegation of power! It represents the highest level of trust and honor that an emperor can bestow!

The sea breeze blows, and the only sound is the waves crashing against the rocks.

Zhang Ying slowly withdrew her gaze from the distance and yawned.

He looked at Ying Zheng, whose face was grim and whose expression was extremely solemn.

Then I looked at the two petrified clay and wood sculptures next to me.

He walked over and patted Ying Zheng on the shoulder.

"Old Ying."

"Hmm?" Ying Zheng snapped out of his daze, recovering from the imperial aura.

"You're really getting into character."

Zhang Ying spoke with a serious expression.

"The acting was good, and the emotions were on point, but the script was a bit weak."

"In the Qin Dynasty's official system, the highest military rank was the Grand Commandant, the highest administrative rank was the Chancellor, and the highest supervisory rank was the Grand Censor. The Three Dukes and Nine Ministers had clear divisions of labor and checked and balanced each other. This was the method of the First Emperor."

"You, as the 'Grand Tutor,' are ranked above the Three Dukes, ruling over the entire court—isn't that absurd? Would Qin Shi Huang, with his controlling nature, have allowed such a powerful figure to exist?"

"This is neither historically accurate nor consistent with the character's logic."

Zhang Ying shook her head, looking disappointed and disappointed.

"Read more books when you have time. I have a copy of 'An Actor Prepares,' take it and study it."

"Stop thinking about these trivial things all day long. Come on, let's make breakfast."

After saying that, he turned around and walked back to the cave with a leisurely air.

Only Ying Zheng, Wang Ben, and Meng Yi remained, utterly bewildered in the morning sea breeze.