Chapter 21: The First Emperor Sets Sail, Shaoyu of the Xiang Clan

On the shores of the East Sea, the azure ocean shimmered under the refraction of the sunlight. Three massive ships were anchored at the port, sails hoisted, ready to set out. On board, long spears stood like a forest, held by the elite soldiers of Great Qin.

"The Immortal Island... the Elixir of Life..."
"I shall see for myself if all of this is true!"

Ying Zheng stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his black robes snapping in the sea breeze. Two days ago, he had come to the East Sea in person and witnessed the immortal mountains suspended in the sky; he had been struck with great shock. People of this era, of course, knew nothing of light refraction or mirages, so they could only interpret such sights as divine manifestations.

Just then, a group of alchemists in white robes approached. The leader knelt before Ying Zheng. "Greetings, Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty," the man in the alchemist’s robe and white cloud cap said—this was Xu Fu, as mentioned in the reports. "The immortal mountains have revealed themselves. I can search the seas on your behalf. You are the Son of Heaven; for the sake of the Empire, your Dragon Body must take precedence."

"It is of no consequence. Since the divine signs have appeared, I shall pay my respects in person," Ying Zheng replied, his tone resolute.

Xu Fu froze, a flash of surprise and even a hint of panic crossing his eyes; clearly, he had not anticipated this turn of events. However, he hid it well and, with a perfectly natural gesture, extended a hand. "In that case, please board the ship, First Emperor."

Xu Fu possessed enough composure for this; otherwise, he could never have deceived the First Emperor into building the Mirage ship and providing three thousand boys and girls, along with countless treasures.

"I shall see for myself what this elixir and the immortal island you speak of are truly like," Ying Zheng declared. "But let us be clear: if we do indeed find the elixir, I shall appoint you as Imperial Preceptor, rank you among the Three Excellencies, and grant you a fief of ten thousand households. But if it proves to be a fabrication, it will be a crime of deceiving the sovereign. Do you know the consequences?"

His voice resonated like a dragon’s roar, the majesty of the Emperor fully displayed. Any ordinary man would have trembled, but Xu Fu had already prepared his defense and quickly regained his composure. "How would I dare to speak falsely? The elixir is indeed on the Penglai Immortal Island, a treasure of the Water God."

"Then let us set sail immediately." Ying Zheng gazed toward the boundless ocean, his eyes gleaming with ambition and longing.

***

In Jiangdong, a troop of men raced along the road. Among them were the Embroidered Uniform Guards (Jinyiwei) and elite Qin cavalry. Although the mission was originally meant for the Jinyiwei alone, Ying Ziji’s orders had sent Yu Huatian to accompany Meng Yi. Meng Yi remained fiercely loyal to Great Qin.

"Brother Yu, who exactly is this Xiang Yu? The young master has mobilized so many of us just to bring him back to Xianyang," Meng Yi asked as he pulled on his reins.

Jiangdong, the Xiang clan... Meng Yi could guess that this man was a noble of the former state of Chu. The nobles of Chu were notoriously hostile toward Great Qin. Why would the young master insist on recruiting someone from an anti-Qin faction? It seemed like a difficult task that might do more harm than good.

"The young master only said that this man is a military genius of unparalleled courage, the young leader of the Xiang clan. I know nothing more," Yu Huatian replied, his feminine face impassive. There was one thing he left unsaid: before they departed, Ying Ziji had whispered to him that if Xiang Yu could not be used by Great Qin, he would surely become its bane. If recruitment failed, he was to be eliminated by any means necessary.

"Unparalleled courage? A military genius?" Meng Yi looked eager. "I wonder how the young master discovered him—perhaps through rumors? I shall test him myself to see if he is just a hollow name."

In the territory of the Xiang clan, scouts had spotted the approaching Qin cavalry. "Are these the iron cavalry of Qin?" one asked. "Why have they suddenly appeared in our lands? Are they here to root us out?"

"I heard the First Emperor pardoned Zhang Liang, the former Han noble who attempted to assassinate him. Perhaps they are here to offer us terms?"

"We must report this to the young leader at once!"

The Xiang clan had lived outside the reach of Qin rule since the fall of Chu, maintaining their own private soldiers to ensure their survival. Upon detecting the Qin army, the clansmen quickly took up arms, standing in formation.

"Young leader, a troop of about a hundred Qin cavalry is heading toward our territory," a scout reported. With Xiang Liang away, the young leader decided all matters. Everyone’s eyes were filled with worry. They looked toward a burly youth with double pupils, holding a heavy halberd as he stood on a watchtower.

"What is there to panic about? Let us see what they want," Xiang Yu said. While others trembled at the sight of Qin’s iron cavalry, he showed no fear. A mere hundred riders were nothing to him.

"Who comes?" Xiang Yu squinted as the troop approached. The Qin soldiers were impressive—half were heavily armored and fierce, while the others wore brocade robes with Embroidered Spring Blades at their waists, looking even more formidable than the armored men.

"I am Meng Yi. And you are?"

Meng Yi pulled his horse to a halt. He looked up at the watchtower. *Double pupils?* Yu Huatian recalled Ying Ziji’s description: *Xiang Yu, born with double pupils, courageous enough to defeat thousands in his youth, possessing the aura of a hegemon.*

"I am Yu Huatian, Chief of the Inner Guards for the Seventeenth Prince. I am here by the young master’s order to see your young leader," Yu Huatian announced, his voice resonant despite his delicate appearance. He maintained the dignity of Great Qin while signaling that they had no hostile intent.

The Seventeenth Prince? The young Prince Ji, who was currently overseeing the state? Why would he send men thousands of miles to Jiangdong to summon their young leader? The Xiang clansmen turned their gazes toward Xiang Yu.

Xiang Yu’s eyes flickered as he heard their names. He had heard of Yu Huatian’s fearsome reputation. High-spirited and proud, and wishing to test Meng Yi, Xiang Yu said, "I am Xiang Yu. If you wish to speak with me, have the courage to enter my territory." He gestured, and the gates were opened.

Meng Yi and Yu Huatian exchanged a look. "Wait here," Yu Huatian said. "General Meng and I will go in."

"Very well," Meng Yi replied, having absolute faith in the Chief’s caution.

They rode inside and were led to an open area where wine and food had been set out. Xiang Yu sat on a chair, took a drink, and said, "Are you two not afraid that I might turn on you and keep you here? My state of Chu was destroyed by the Qin general Wang Jian, after all."

The atmosphere tensed. Though Xiang Yu was not yet twenty, his presence was already imposing.

"The young master once said that Xiang Yu is a hero, honorable and forthright. Why should General Meng and I be afraid?" Yu Huatian sat directly opposite Xiang Yu and calmly drained a cup of wine. In terms of presence, Yu Huatian feared no one—not even the First Emperor.

Ying Ziji had indeed said this, and he was quite certain of it. After all, at the Feast at Hong Gate, if Xiang Yu had truly wanted to kill Liu Bang, how could a mere Fan Kuai have stopped him?