Chapter 16: Hotpot Base and Stirrup Design Blueprint

“The decision still lies with you.”

“Even if you truly overthrow the great Qin, your state of Han is ultimately doomed. Stay by my side. When Qin stands proud in the world, a bright future will surely have a place reserved for you.”

Zhang Liang took a deep breath.

He closed his eyes, still vividly recalling the day the Qin army breached the Han capital, the fire of war spreading, and dear friends and family perishing on the day the city fell.

Indeed, Han was already lost.

Yet the phrase "bright future" seemed to pierce his heart, lingering relentlessly.

"Young master, why do you believe I have that ability?"

“Do you believe in a sixth sense? I have a keen eye for people.”

Ying Ziji gently rubbed his soft belly.

Tsk, eating too many persimmons left him feeling a bit uncomfortable.

Zhang Liang nodded solemnly, bowing deeply.

“Since the young master dares to employ me and trusts my talents, then this guilty man Zhang Liang shall be at your command.”

“I hope you can give me some time to persuade those comrades still imprisoned, to give them a chance as well.”

...

“No problem.”

Ying Ziji seemed to be freed from his thoughts, jumping off the rocking chair.

He reached out and took the paper from Fusu’s hand.

“Seventeenth brother, what are you doing?”

“A man’s gotta answer nature’s call. Since the paper’s made, I can’t let my butt suffer.”

Fusu: “...”

Xiao He: “???”

Zhang Liang: “???”

Everyone was momentarily speechless, and Xiao He dared not voice his frustration.

Just moments ago, the young master had proclaimed paper a divine artifact of culture, meant so that all the poor scholars of the world could read.

And now he was using it as toilet paper?

Truly...

Zhang Liang’s mouth twitched twice.

What’s going on? Is it still possible to take back those words?

But Ying Ziji paid no mind.

A pleasant chime sounded from the system.

[Ding! You have imprisoned Hu Hai. The fortune of Qin increases. Reward: three cases of iced cola, ten pounds of hot pot base.]

[Ding! You have recruited Zhang Liang. The fortune of Qin increases. Reward: stirrup design plans.]

“All good stuff.”

A gleam flickered in Ying Ziji’s dark eyes.

Tonight, could he finally enjoy a hot pot feast?!

...

“What is that little brat causing trouble about now?”

In Langya Commandery, Ying Zheng sat inside the temporary palace.

Meng Yi held a letter, his expression extremely cautious.

His lord frowned.

“Your Majesty, the order to arrest Xiao He at Xianyang was intercepted by the young master. Now Xiao He is under the young master’s command—this person acts with remarkable efficiency.”

“There is also…”

Meng Yi hesitated, reluctant to speak.

Ying Zheng’s brow furrowed deeper.

“Speak. What has that brat done this time?”

“The young master has imprisoned Prince Hu Hai, who was sent to kill Zhang Liang, and plans to release Zhang Liang to serve Qin.”

“What?”

Ying Zheng slammed the table and rose to his feet.

The First Emperor was furious.

It wasn’t so much about Zhang Liang, but more like a father’s wrath at being betrayed by a beloved child.

He doted on Ying Ziji because the boy was sensible and obedient.

So what was intolerable was this betrayal at his own elbow!

He spared Zhang Liang because he foresaw a glimpse of the future.

But Ying Ziji?

Why would he treat the man who attempted to assassinate his father with kindness? Was the young master’s heart no longer loyal to his father, the emperor?

Feeling the emperor’s fury, Meng Yi silently stood aside, unwilling to provoke him further.

After a moment, Ying Zheng’s voice returned.

“What does that brat intend by sparing Zhang Liang?”

“The young master sent a letter to explain.”

Meng Yi promptly presented another letter.

Hmm?

Ying Zheng took the letter, but before reading, his expression shifted.

What sort of material was this?

It was neither silk nor brocade, but something lighter—very convenient for writing and sending messages.

“Did that brat tinker with this again?”

“Yes. It seems to be made from bamboo. The young master even dismantled the bamboo grove at Prince Fusu’s residence. The Confucian scholars were not angry; instead, they stayed at the young master’s residence, helping him transcribe books.”

Made of bamboo?

Ying Zheng looked at the letter in his hands, raising an eyebrow.

It reminded him of a scene from a dream.

Ziji invents paper, initiates the imperial examination...

Could it be...

He immediately read the letter.

The first sentence said:

“Oh dear Father Emperor, please don’t be angry. Ziji is here to apologize. You are magnanimous and won’t hold this against me, right?”

The handwriting was crooked and uneven.

Moreover, the entire letter read more like a family note than an official report.

Ying Zheng snorted softly and continued.

“Father Emperor, consider this: Zhang Liang is a remnant of the fallen Han, long harboring resentment against Qin. Killing him would remove a threat, but I believe sparing him better demonstrates Your Majesty’s kingly grace.”

“Although the Six States are destroyed, many of their people still harbor hostility toward our Qin and secretly call you a tyrant. This is all the more reason to keep Zhang Liang.”

These words made Ying Zheng pause.

Though Qin had unified the Six States territorially, from the hearts of the people, many still identified as Zhao, Yan, Han, or Chu.

They mourned their fallen nations and thus harbored deep divides with the Qin.

Among them was a fearful respect bordering on paranoia toward Ying Zheng, breeding resistance.

But how did this relate to sparing Zhang Liang?

His interest piqued, Ying Zheng read on.

“Father Emperor, if you pardon Zhang Liang, how will the nobles and commoners of the Six States react? They will see that if you can tolerate an assassin, how could you reject the people of the Six States?”

“Then no one could accuse you of tyranny. Instead, they would see you as a broad-minded sage ruler, embracing the world with open arms!”

“Benevolence is invincible, not because Qin’s iron cavalry is undefeated, but because the world’s hearts are united. Thus, a living Zhang Liang is more useful than a dead one. I spare him for Your Majesty’s sake.”

The argument was well-reasoned.

And sprinkled with flattery.

In all fairness, the praise hit the mark.

The phrase “benevolence is invincible” resonated deeply with Ying Zheng.

“That brat, so young, where did he learn such words? He’s even convinced me.”

Ying Zheng chuckled, his anger dissipated.

The majesty of Qin no longer needed to be forcefully asserted; killing Zhang Liang was not so significant.

Besides, his dream had shown him clearly.

Because of tyranny, the people of the Six States suffered under Qin, leading to the downfall of the Second Emperor.

He had been pondering this issue for days.

“Very well, we will follow young Seventeen’s plan. Release Zhang Liang and observe him for a time. If he shows disloyalty, then he shall be killed.”

“And have that brat release Hu Hai. The noble sons... will remain imprisoned a while longer.”

“Understood.”

Meng Yi accepted the orders.

He then began reporting crucial news:

“Your Majesty, rumors have recently spread that abroad, a fairy mountain floats suspended in the air—shimmering, elusive, beyond grasp.”

Hmm?

Ying Zheng rose immediately, joy shining in his eyes.

If there was anything in the world that could stir his deepest nerve, it was the pursuit of immortality.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have endured the hardships of three eastern tours.

Now, to actually encounter a fairy mountain overseas?

Could it be that atop that mountain truly lies the elixir of immortality?