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

The sea breeze remained, caressing the three petrified figures.

Ying Zheng stood still, his imperial aura completely vanished after Zhang Ying's comment, "He was too immersed in the role."

"His Majesty......"

Wang Ben held back for a long time, but finally couldn't help it. He felt that his brain was not working properly.

"Does the gentleman... perhaps look down on the position of Grand Tutor?"

"It's not that he looks down on him."

Ying Zheng spoke slowly, his voice regaining its usual composure, but with a hint of complexity.

"He simply doesn't believe it."

He stood with his hands behind his back, gazing back at the sea, as if explaining to Wang Ben and Meng Yi, or perhaps convincing himself.

"The Tongwu Marquis and his son pacified the six states for the Qin Dynasty, achieving unparalleled merit. However, their merit lay in their defeat."

"Destroy the territory of the old kingdom and destroy its ancestral temples."

"And your ability, sir, lies in establishing [something]."

Ying Zheng's voice was not loud, but every word carried immense weight.

"With potatoes yielding a thousand catties per mu, the Qin treasury can be filled, and the elite troops will no longer have to worry about food supplies. The northern attack on the Xiongnu and the southern expedition against the Baiyue can be twice as effective with half the effort."

"The method of turning stones into salt can free the people from the suffering of salt shortage, and the hearts of the people will naturally be won over."

"Such achievements are enough to make our Great Qin Dynasty as stable as Mount Tai, unshakable for ten thousand generations."

"Such achievements far surpass those of expanding territory."

Ying Zheng turned around and looked at Wang Ben and Meng Yi, who were completely stunned.

"The system of the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers was established for ordinary people."

"Used to govern the mundane world."

"Mr. Ke is no ordinary person."

"My promise to him of the position of Grand Tutor, to rule the world with me, was not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but a well-considered one."

"If such talents cannot be used by Great Qin, it is my fault and Great Qin's misfortune."

Wang Ben was so excited that he wished he could rush in right now and deliver His Majesty's words verbatim to Zhang Ying's face.

Meng Yi gave a wry smile.

Ying Zheng looked at him: "Minister Meng, in your opinion, what should I do to convince you, sir?"

"His Majesty."

Meng Yi bowed deeply.

"It is not that the reward was insufficient, nor that the sincerity was lacking."

He looked up, a helpless understanding on his face.

"The gentleman... probably never believed in our identities from beginning to end."

"He just thinks we're putting on a show of a monarch and his subjects on this deserted island."

Upon hearing this, both Ying Zheng and Wang Ben were taken aback.

Yes.

He called His Majesty "Old Ying".

Guan Tongwu Hou was called "Old Wang".

They're always saying they're "brain-dead" or "delusional."

Regarding the fiefdom promised by His Majesty, he only cared about whether there was a toilet, and even had someone draw a property certificate.

When all of this is put together, the answer is self-evident.

Ying Zheng remained silent.

Throughout his life, his words were law, and his orders were strictly enforced; no one ever dared to question his identity.

But on this deserted island, his most prized imperial power became a joke.

The problem wasn't with the reward itself, but rather... the person who gave the reward lacked credibility.

……

at the same time.

On the sea dozens of miles away.

A large fleet is struggling against the headwinds, sailing with difficulty toward the island.

The overnight voyage came at a heavy price; several small boats were completely lost in the storm.

"Prime Minister! We can see it! We can see the island!"

Li Si stood at the bow of the warship, his clothes soaked by the sea mist, looking haggard yet excited.

At the edge of his vision, the outline of an island shrouded in morning mist became increasingly clear.

It wasn't a bare rock, but a lush green expanse.

As the fleet drew closer, everyone was speechless at the sight before them.

The hillsides are covered with golden rapeseed flowers, undulating like waves in the morning breeze.

In the distance, there seemed to be vast fields of wheat, lush and vibrant with life.

In the clear inner bay, you can even see schools of sea fish swimming.

This is no deserted island.

This is clearly the legendary fairy mountain at sea, a paradise on earth!

Li Si's heart began to pound.

The myth of the immortal island that he fabricated to appease everyone actually... actually came true!

"Land on the island!"

"Three thousand elite soldiers will follow me to the island!"

"The Xuanwu Guards lead the way! Raise the Heavenly Mandate Black Bird Banner for me!"

Li Si's roar echoed across the sea.

Soon, small boats were lowered, and three thousand elite Qin soldiers, clad in black armor, wielding spears and carrying Qin swords, surged towards the golden beach like a black iron torrent.

"Thump! Thump! Thump!"

The war drums sounded again, but this time, they were not urging the troops to march, but rather carrying a sense of authority to assert sovereignty.

A large banner embroidered with a black bird fluttered in the wind at the edge of the island.

The soldiers advanced cautiously, deeply shocked by the sight before them.

They had never seen such fertile land, nor such a wondrous sight.

"Report!"

A scout came running, looking excited.

"A huge rock has been spotted ahead, with writing on it!"

Li Si's spirits lifted, and surrounded by a large number of guards, he hurried over.

Before a flat meadow stood a giant rock several meters high.

Two lines of characters are clearly carved on the rock, the strokes vigorous and powerful, penetrating deep into the stone.

It is Small Seal Script.

Li Si read it aloud, word by word.

"A mountain is not famous for its height, but for the immortals who dwell there."

"It is not the depth of the water that matters, but the presence of a dragon that makes it sacred."

Beside him, an old courtier who accompanied the emperor and was responsible for recording his words and actions knelt down with a thud the moment he saw the handwriting, tears streaming down his face.

"It's His Majesty's handwriting!"

"This old minister has served Your Majesty for thirty years and would never mistake it! This is indeed Your Majesty's own handwriting!"

boom!

The crowd erupted in uproar.

Li Si felt a surge of heat rush to his head, and he laughed loudly, his laughter tinged with tears.

"His Majesty!"

"Your Majesty is indeed on this immortal island!"

"Heaven has not forsaken our Great Qin! Heaven has not forsaken our Great Qin!"

He shoved aside the guards in front of him and ran towards the depths of the island without regard for anything else.

"Go quickly to greet the emperor!"

Zhao Gao was mingling in the crowd when he heard the old attendant confirm that it was Ying Zheng's handwriting. He was struck dumb.

......

Meng Yi still has quite a few unleavened steamed buns left.

Zhang Ying tried different ways to improve their meals.

Cut into thick slices, fry in lard until golden brown on both sides, sprinkle with a little salt, and you have fragrant baked bread slices.

Or you can split it in half, stuff it with the tender and flavorful wild boar meat stewed yesterday, and let the broth soak into the inside of the bun. One bite and your mouth will be filled with juicy goodness.

Wang Ben especially loves this roujiamo (Chinese hamburger).

He could easily devour five of them by himself, his mouth greasy from eating, muttering indistinctly, "Sir, your cooking is absolutely amazing."

Zhang Ying watched him wolf down his food, but her mind was elsewhere.

He had actually sensed something was wrong a long time ago.