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

He even has some basic knowledge of health preservation.

While it's impossible to grant immortality, surely it wouldn't be a problem to help this forty-something-year-old First Emperor live another ten or twenty years through proper diet and exercise?

The 28th year of Qin Shi Huang's reign.

Ying Zheng is only forty years old.

They are in their prime, a time when they can truly make a difference.

As long as he lives, the Qin Dynasty will not descend into chaos.

Zhang Ying's breathing became somewhat rapid.

He even thought about things further ahead.

gunpowder.

Although he is not a chemist and cannot remember the precise proportions.

But he knew what that thing needed.

One part saltpeter, two parts sulfur, and three parts charcoal.

Sulfur and charcoal are available on this island, and as for saltpeter... you can always find it in toilets, corners, or certain mineral veins.

As long as one is willing to spend the time experimenting, it's only a matter of time before gunpowder is invented.

When the Qin Dynasty's iron cavalry was equipped with invincible firearms.

That scene... Zhang Ying dared not think about it anymore.

He swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down.

He finally came to terms with reality.

Can not go back.

Since we can't go back, let's stay and make a big splash.

In this feudal dynasty where imperial power was supreme, there was only one way to achieve all of this.

Hold on tight to the thickest thigh in the world right in front of you.

Let him become the lever that allows you to move the entire world.

"gentlemen."

Ying Zheng's voice pulled him back from his myriad thoughts.

"Now, do you believe me?"

Zhang Ying jolted awake; his body's instincts beat his brain. He slid off the bed in a flurry of activity, ready to kneel.

"Sit down."

Ying Zheng pressed down on his shoulder, the force not strong, but irresistible.

"There's no need for such formalities in front of a gentleman."

Zhang Ying's knees were still bent, her posture was extremely awkward, and she was frozen there.

Ying Zheng looked at his restrained appearance and suddenly found it somewhat amusing.

Is the person who dared to point his finger at him and call him "Old Ying, you spendthrift" just a few days ago really the same person who is now terrified and about to lose his soul?

He released his grip, took a step back, and spoke with a hint of mockery in his tone.

"What, sir, do you still think I'm putting on an act for you?"

"No, I wouldn't dare..." Zhang Ying stammered, "I...I..."

In his eagerness to distance himself from the situation, he blurted out something without thinking.

"Old Ying... no, Your Majesty! Zhao Gao deserves his punishment!"

The words had just left his mouth.

The air in the entire bamboo house seemed to freeze.

Zhang Ying wished she could slap herself hard.

Old Winner?

Am I fucking crazy?

Calling Qin Shi Huang "Old Ying" in front of him?

Although his surname is indeed Zhao, what's the difference between that and patting the chairman on the shoulder and calling him "Little Li" at the company's annual meeting?

Dead.

This time I'm really doomed.

Zhang Ying's face turned as white as a sheet of paper in an instant.

His legs went weak, and this time he was truly ready to kneel down.

"Old Ying?"

Ying Zheng's voice sounded somewhat strange.

He repeated the name as if savoring some novel food.

Zhang Ying froze halfway through his kneeling. He cautiously raised his head and met Ying Zheng's inquisitive and interested face.

There was no anger.

There was no murderous intent.

There was only pure curiosity.

"This title..." Ying Zheng stroked his chin, where there were new, prickly stubble.

"That's interesting."

"It has been more than twenty years since I came of age, and no one has dared to address me in that way."

Zhang Ying: "..."

He felt like his brain wasn't working properly.

Is there something wrong with the thought process of this emperor who was once the greatest in history?

Aren't you angry?

Seeing his dazed expression, Ying Zheng waved his hand.

"Sir, there's no need for you to be so formal."

"Let's just continue to treat each other as we always have."

"I prefer Mr. Zhang, who dared to point his finger at me and curse me."

After saying that, he turned around and walked towards the door of the bamboo house.

Zhang Ying stood there, stunned, for a long time before she came to her senses.

So... I passed the test?

Not only did they pass the test, but they also received a pardon?

He watched Ying Zheng's retreating figure, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

Is this the magnanimity of a great emperor throughout history? Or is it because of his status as a "disciple of immortals" that he receives special treatment?

He dared not think any further and quickly followed.

The two walked out of the bamboo house side by side, one after the other.

At the entrance, Li Si, Wang Ben, Meng Yi, Wang Ruoshu, and a group of generals and eunuchs had been waiting for a long time.

Upon seeing Ying Zheng and Zhang Ying emerge, everyone bowed in unison.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

"Greetings, sir!"

The voices were unified and filled with heartfelt reverence.

Zhang Ying was startled by the scene and instinctively shrank back.

He spotted Wang Ben and Meng Yi in the crowd at a glance.

The two "Old Ying's bodyguards" who used to play mahjong and eat steamed buns with him on the island were now dressed in imposing armor and looked solemn.

Information about the two people automatically surfaced in Zhang Ying's mind.

Marquis Tongwu, Wang Ben, was the son of Wang Jian, who destroyed the state of Chu. Their Wang family had two marquises and made great contributions in battle.

The high-ranking official Meng Yi's brother was Meng Tian, ​​who led an army of 300,000 to attack the Xiongnu in the north. His grandfather was Meng Ao, and his father was Meng Wu. Three generations of the Meng family were pillars of the Qin Dynasty.

A layer of cold sweat broke out on Zhang Ying's back.

Before, I seemed to have made a lot of fun at Wang Ben, that blockhead, and always said that he was a terrible card player.

If they settle scores later...

He dared not think any further and turned his head to the other side.

A man in his early forties, thin and with a mustache, was standing at the front of the crowd.

Although it was their first meeting, Zhang Ying was almost certain that this person was Li Si, the Right Chancellor of the Qin Dynasty.

That legendary figure who started as a minor official in Shangcai, Chu State, rose through the ranks to eventually help Ying Zheng unify the six kingdoms.

He was also the one who, after Ying Zheng's death, coveted power and conspired with Zhao Gao, ultimately being framed by Zhao Gao and suffering the tragic fate of being cut in half at the waist and having his entire family exterminated.

Li Si was also sizing up Zhang Ying.

Seeing this "disciple of the immortals" walking side by side with His Majesty, his heart was filled with turmoil.

Seeing Wang Ben and Meng Yi's respectful attitude towards him, their curiosity and awe deepened even further.

Just as he was pondering, Zhang Ying unexpectedly cupped her hands in a gesture of respect towards him.

"This must be Li Si, the Prime Minister, right?"

Li Si was taken aback.

Does he know me?

He had never seen this person before. How did this immortal disciple know his identity?

Could it be that immortals can truly foresee the past and future, and see through people's hearts?

He dared not be negligent and quickly bowed in return.

"Your humble servant Li Si greets you, sir."

"Sir, you actually know me? I am deeply humbled."

Zhang Ying waved his hand. He couldn't very well say, "I only knew you from history books, buddy."

He looked around and his gaze fell on the Xuanwu Guards who had completely surrounded the bamboo house.

These soldiers were all burly and strong, but their faces were pale and thin.

Zhang Ying's heart skipped a beat.

He remembered that Ying Zheng and his group had been adrift at sea for almost two months.

The food on the ship was mostly dry rations and flatbreads; there wasn't even a bite of fresh vegetables.

Not eating vegetables for so long would break anyone; they might even get scurvy.

Thinking of this, he said, "Your Majesty, the soldiers have come from afar and have had a long and arduous journey."

"It's almost noon, how about I cook a few dishes to welcome everyone?"

When these words came out, everyone was stunned.

Would you ask a "disciple of a celestial being" who can produce a thousand catties per mu and turn stones into salt to cook?

Who would dare eat that?

Only Wang Ben's eyes lit up, and he burst into laughter.

"Great! That's excellent!"

He said in a deep, muffled voice, "The food you cook, sir, is absolutely divine! I've been wanting to taste it again for ages!"

He patted his belly and winked at Li Si and Meng Yi.

"You haven't tasted it yet; the chef's cooking is absolutely amazing!"

"This is an immense blessing! Once we return to Xianyang and you become Grand Tutor and Chancellor, who would dare ask you to cook?"

"This might be our last chance in this lifetime!"