Poverty Alleviation in Qin: A Sky-High Review of "I Am the Female Prime Minister of All Time&qu

Soon after, Chancellor Song proposed making the eldest son, Fusu, the crown prince.

After the case of Xu Fu, the alchemist, the First Emperor realized that there was no hope of immortality, so he gave up his obsession with seeking immortality and stopped indulging in illusory magic. Instead, he focused on governing the country and consolidating the foundation of the Qin Dynasty.

[It was precisely because he had a clear understanding of the ways of the world that he heeded Song Ye's advice and resolved to appoint a crown prince as soon as possible to stabilize the foundation of the state.]

Previously, the heir apparent, Fusu, had undergone a tremendous transformation under Song Ye's meticulous guidance and cultivation.

The former Fusu, though kind and benevolent, and concerned for the people, was also somewhat soft-hearted, inexperienced, and overly devoted to Confucianism and Taoism. He lacked understanding of the art of imperial power, acted somewhat idealistically, and was ill-suited to shoulder the burden of a unified dynasty.

However, under Song Ye's guidance for several years, Fusu shed his one-sided ideals as a scholar and came to understand that benevolent governance must be accompanied by laws, and that appeasement must be combined with authority. He knew that governing the world requires a balance of firmness and leniency, and clear distinction between rewards and punishments.

He is no longer just a kind-hearted young master, but a potential heir apparent with both compassion and vision.

In July of the same year, the eldest son, Fusu, was appointed Crown Prince by the First Emperor and became the heir apparent to the Second Emperor of Qin.

Less than three days after the investiture ceremony, Song proposed sending Crown Prince Fusu to Shangjun in the northern frontier for training, which the First Emperor granted.

As soon as he finished speaking, Fusu was stunned. He hadn't expected that the future Song Ye would be on his side.

However, his teacher had a past conflict with the other party...

Song Ye: Don't misunderstand.

The main reason is... compared to that idiot Hu Huohai, the eldest son Fusu is an overly kind angel.

There is no harm without comparison.

Thinking of this, Song also turned his head and looked around, discovering a very serious problem.

"Your Majesty, the celestial canopy foretells the past and present, distinguishes good from evil, reveals fortune and misfortune, and illuminates rise and fall. It is a once-in-a-millennium opportunity for moral enlightenment. I humbly request Your Majesty to summon all the princes and princesses to come and witness the celestial canopy."

Ying Zheng raised an eyebrow slightly upon hearing this and nodded in agreement: "Very well. Issue my decree, ordering all the princes and princesses to come to Xianyang Palace to observe the celestial canopy."

The eunuch received the order and hurriedly withdrew to deliver the decree.

Before long, all the royal family members, dressed in fine clothes and with handsome faces, arrived.

Fusu, dressed in a plain brocade robe, stood dignified and led his younger siblings in bowing, his movements measured and graceful.

Only Hu Hai, the eighteenth prince at the very end of the procession, looked listless.

He was having a great time at the palace!

Out of respect for his father's authority, Hu Hai could only hide at the back of the crowd, muttering complaints under his breath: "What's so interesting about this sky? It's incredibly boring and tedious, it's really exhausting."

The young Hu Hai was playful and mischievous, only knowing how to frolic and enjoy himself.

Song Ye glanced around and his gaze instantly locked onto Hu Hai at the end of the crowd.

On this side, Song also locked onto Hu Hai at a glance and confirmed it.

He looks shifty-eyed and utterly stupid.

Without a doubt, this was the scourge that brought about the downfall of the Qin Dynasty after only two generations.

Song Ye turned his head and glanced at Zhao Gao, who was serving him, and nodded in satisfaction after confirming that the three important protagonists were all present.

And here we are, everyone has arrived.

We're in for a good show!

In August, the First Emperor began a large-scale conscription of laborers to expand the Epang Palace and construct the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum at Mount Li, increasing the burden of corvée labor and taxes.

Finally, at the urging of the Song Dynasty chancellor, the construction of the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum at Mount Li was temporarily halted.

After all, the person is about to die, so a place for a coffin is still necessary.

Song Ye is quite understanding.

Yes, that's right.

In the 35th year of King Zheng of Qin's reign, a meteorite fell to the ground in Dongjun, with the inscription "The First Emperor will die and the land will be divided."

Thus, the mysterious prophecy of "the First Emperor's impending death" appeared, causing the First Emperor to feel apprehensive, and he decided to make one last inspection tour.

That year, Qin Shi Huang, Ying Zheng, was 49 years old, and the Song chancellor was 29 years old.

In the thirty-sixth year of King Zheng of Qin's reign, the First Emperor embarked on his final tour of his later years, traveling south to Yunmeng and Qiantang, and ascending Mount Kuaiji to inscribe a stone tablet.

[He traveled north to Langya, summoned Xu Fu again, and then shot and killed a giant fish in the sea at Zhifu.]

[The key figures accompanying this eastern tour were: Right Chancellor Song Ye, Left Chancellor Feng Quji, and most of the court officials who remained in Xianyang.]

[In addition, the youngest son, Huhai, accompanied the First Emperor, along with Cao Can, Zhou Bo, Zhao Gao (the Chief of the Imperial Carriage Office), and Meng Yi (the Senior Minister), along with 150 to 200 official officials including censors, subordinate officials of the Nine Ministers, and military officers.]

[Afterwards, a large number of alchemists, eunuchs, thousands of guards, and tens of thousands of support soldiers formed a complete hunting party.]

[From "The Biography of Meng Tian" in the Records of the Grand Historian: In the winter of that year, he traveled to Kuaiji, along the coast, and then north to Langya.]

[Due to Dao's illness, Meng Yi was sent back to pray to the mountains and rivers, but he has not yet returned.]

[The First Emperor died at Shaqiu.]

Meng Yi: "?"

What does that mean?

In other words, halfway through his eastern tour, near Pingyuanjin, Qin Shi Huang suddenly fell seriously ill. He believed it was a calamity brought by the mountain and river spirits, and ordered his most trusted minister, Meng Yi, to turn back and offer sacrifices to the famous mountains and rivers, praying to the gods to avert disaster and prolong his life.

[Just as Meng Yi led his troops away and before they had returned, the First Emperor died on the Sand Dune Platform.]

Upon hearing this, everyone instinctively held their breath.

However, Qin Shi Huang's reaction was unexpectedly calm; he listened calmly as the heavens recounted death.

The sky shifts and the scene unfolds.

Brushing aside the dust of time, a heavy and desolate scene of the past is revealed.

The road was filled with the rumble of carriages and horses, and dust filled the air.

This was the last eastern tour undertaken by the First Emperor in his later years.

Inside the magnificent and spacious imperial carriage, the curtains were drawn low, isolating the outside world from the hustle and bustle.

The once mighty First Emperor, who once dominated the world, is no longer the domineering figure he once was.

His body, weakened and exhausted from a long illness, lay quietly on the soft cushions of the carriage.

The man's face was pale, and his brows showed an unconcealable weariness and haggardness. Years of hard work in governing the country, coupled with the depletion caused by the residual effects of seeking immortality elixirs, had led to the gradual decline of this emperor of all ages.

"Minister Song," he called softly, his gaze fixed on the minister who had remained silently by his side.

Song bowed slightly and replied softly, "Your subject is here."

Looking at the mountains and plains passing by outside the carriage curtain, Ying Zheng said slowly and solemnly, "In my life, I have swept across the six kingdoms, settled the world, and unified the land. I thought my country would be forever secure and I would have no worries for a thousand autumns."

"If it weren't for you, the Qin Dynasty would have been riddled with hidden dangers long ago. From now on, the Qin Dynasty will be prosperous and peaceful. Fusu is kind and naive, but still inexperienced in the ways of the world."

"Today I entrust you with assisting the Crown Prince. You need not worry about those who harm the country, corrupt officials, or disobey the imperial family. You can make your own decisions."

These words were tantamount to personally bestowing upon Song a power of regent that no one else could match.

Song lowered his eyes and composed himself: "Your Majesty, I will certainly not fail your trust."

The silence between the emperor and his minister spoke volumes.

A breeze swept through the carriage curtains, bringing a chill to the bone.

The First Emperor's breathing grew lighter and lighter, and his consciousness, which had been able to sustain him, was gradually extinguished like a dying candle until it disappeared.

You see, even the most domineering emperor cannot escape birth, aging, sickness, death, and the cycle of life and death.

The First Emperor, who unified the world and commanded respect across the four seas, died during his eastern tour.

That year, Qin Shi Huang was 49 years old.