Chapter 6: Your Name Is Zhang Liang? And You Have an Accomplice Named Xiao He?

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“Meng Yi, when passing through Bolangsha, take five hundred elite armored soldiers to lie in ambush ahead in hiding. Be on guard against any surprises.”

“Understood!”

Although Meng Yi did not know Ying Zheng’s intention, as a loyal subject, his duty was to obey orders. He immediately went down to instruct the five hundred armored soldiers to take their positions in advance.

“Your Majesty, a report from Heibingtai.”

“Oh? Has Little Seventeen caused trouble? Let me see.”

Ying Zheng’s voice carried a trace of curiosity.

Ziji, has he fulfilled his responsibilities as regent? Has he truly surprised me as in my dream?

Suddenly, Ying Zheng’s gaze sharpened. He read aloud the urgent dispatch covering eight hundred li:

“Ziji has killed Zhao Gao?”

Hearing this, the accompanying ministers and Meng Yi were all stunned.

What?! The young master killed Zhao Gao?

Heibingtai wouldn’t fabricate this, would they?

Everyone’s first reaction was disbelief, but the dispatch was an exclusive imperial order from the First Emperor; they could not have made it up.

Therefore, the news was undeniably true.

All eyes turned sharply to Ying Zheng.

Zhao Gao had long been favored by the Emperor—a fact known to all—and had even been pardoned for capital crimes.

Clearly, Ying Zheng was shocked by the news, unable to respond immediately.

“This Little Seventeen really is...”

“Unexpected!”

Yet instead of wrath, the Emperor’s first reaction was astonishment and even delight.

Through his dream, he had already lost trust in Zhao Gao but needed further confirmation.

Ziji acted swiftly.

Losing one Zhao Gao, Ying Zheng could take in stride.

But as he continued reading the next secret report, his gaze froze and his brows knitted tightly together.

“This is reckless nonsense! Only I may issue such an order! Even Li Si and others dread it. Ziji, why did you go ahead?”

Ying Zheng threw the bamboo slip down on the desk.

He never anticipated that Ziji’s first act as regent would be to execute Zhao Gao, but more so, he was shocked by the grain dispatch order Ziji had issued.

At this moment, the First Emperor’s mood was a mixture of shock and anger.

Ziji’s actions were far too rash!

Suddenly, a fierce shout echoed from the cliff above:

“Kill the tyrant Ying Zheng!”

“Kill the tyrant Ying Zheng!”

“Attack!”

“Boom!”

The sound of boulders tumbling down followed.

“Assassins!”

“Protect the Emperor! Protect the Emperor!”

The eastern tour entourage was briefly thrown into chaos but quickly regained order.

The well-trained Imperial Guards immediately formed ranks to protect the central war chariots.

Meng Yi’s expression turned grave as he fixed his gaze on the figures charging down the cliff.

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“What is happening?”

Ying Zheng heard the commotion and lifted the curtain to look out.

“Your Majesty, as you predicted, there are rebels attempting an assassination!”

“The carriage you used to deceive them has been smashed to pieces.”

Meng Yi said with lingering fear.

“Oh? My carriage has been destroyed?”

Ying Zheng raised an eyebrow. “Go, order the armored soldiers to capture the rebel leader alive at all costs!”

“Yes!”

Meng Yi immediately led men forward.

Ying Zheng stared at the shattered carriage, feeling both fear and anger.

Had he been riding in that carriage moments ago, he might already be dead.

Images from the reign of Qin Er Shi Hu Hai flashed through his mind.

“The assassination at Bolangsha—has the prophecy come true?”

A chill ran through his heart.

“Your Majesty, thanks to your prior orders for ambush, the assassins have been captured!”

Meng Yi brought joyous news.

For the First Emperor, this was earth-shattering.

Moreover, their route was known to only a few. The assassins struck precisely and fled immediately—their planning meticulous and execution swift. Even Meng Yi was astonished.

If they had escaped, he would have been utterly culpable.

“Hmm... bring the rebel leader here to see me.”

Ying Zheng waved his hand.

Clang clang clang—the heavy sound of dragging shackles echoed.

Not far off, several Qin armored soldiers escorted a man forward.

He wore a white Confucian robe. Though captured alive and his plot exposed, he showed no fear, only calm composure.

“Heh heh heh... you have great courage. Do you recognize me?”

“I suppose you must be Ying Zheng, the First Emperor. In today’s world, no one else carries such imperial majesty.”

The scholar bowed respectfully upon seeing the Emperor’s awe-inspiring presence.

“Impudent! Attempting to assassinate the sacred carriage is a capital crime! How dare you raise your eyes to the Emperor’s face!”

Meng Yi’s fear turned into fury.

To be honest, when he first saw this man, he found it hard to believe such a refined scholar would attempt to assassinate the First Emperor.

The man was gentle and elegant, with the bearing of a Confucian sage.

Who could have imagined he would be so brazen?

Assassination was tantamount to treason under Qin law—punishable by extermination of three clans.

If the Emperor were harmed, it would be Meng Yi’s grave dereliction. He would be held accountable, stripped of rank at best, and the Meng family would suffer.

Furious, Meng Yi almost wanted to kick the man to his knees for disrespecting the Emperor.

“Stop.”

Ying Zheng waved his hand, restraining the overzealous Meng Yi.

He then appraised the scholar carefully.

His aura was extraordinary; the man’s fearless composure was impressive.

Ordinary warriors might be bold before capture but would be terrified once caught, especially when facing extermination of their entire family.

Yet this man’s eyes were clear, not only unafraid but tinged with a hint of respect.

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“You startled me greatly with this audacious blow.”

“With such intelligence, why turn to banditry? Heh heh heh... which kingdom’s remnant are you?”

The voice was like a dragon’s roar, laced with immense anger.

“My wisdom pales compared to the First Emperor’s.”

“Otherwise, I would not now be a prisoner awaiting your judgment.”

“I am Zhang Liang, a noble of the old Han state, who died in Qin territory. Han Fei was my close friend. Assassinating the First Emperor is my declaration of resolve.”

Zhang Liang spoke with a death wish, hiding nothing.

Qin law was harsh; treason meant annihilation. He had no illusions of mercy.

“What... is your name?”

Ying Zheng narrowed his eyes.

Old Han?

Friend of Han Fei?

Han Fei was a disciple of the Second Sage, Xunzi, and also a noble of old Han, classmate of the current Right Chancellor Li Si, who likewise died under Qin rule.

Zhang Liang sighed.

For one facing death, many things lose importance.

Even if he did not speak, Heibingtai’s methods would uncover his family background clearly.

“My name is Zhang Liang. My grandfather and father were both prime ministers of Han.”

Zhang Liang?!

Ying Zheng’s pupils contracted slightly.

It was another confirmation.

Bolangsha... assassination... Zhang Liang...

Exactly as in his dream!

Could there truly be immortals and deities in this world?

If so, this man must indeed be a great talent.

In fact, even without the dream, Ying Zheng’s sharp insight saw that Zhang Liang was no ordinary man.

Yet this man was a traitor. If left unchecked, how could imperial dignity be maintained?

“Meng Yi, escort Zhang Liang and his followers back to Xianyang and imprison them in Black Fang Prison, awaiting judgment.”

“Also, send orders to Pei County to investigate whether a chief clerk named Xiao He exists. If so, summon him to Xianyang!”

“Yes!”

Meng Yi led Zhang Liang away.

Ying Zheng’s gaze was deep as he touched the bamboo slips in his bosom.

His attitude had shifted greatly, unlike before.

“During this eastern tour, I will also encounter a sorcerer named Xu Fu?”

“And... he will deceive me with an elixir of immortality, concocting a poisonous pill by which I will perish?”

“This matter, I must verify personally...”

Ying Zheng closed his eyes, unable to calm.

Longevity was his greatest desire.

Now told the elixir was fake, actually poison that killed the Second Emperor, how could he accept this?

Even though he believed the dream ninety-nine percent.

Until the very last step, Ying Zheng was unwilling to relent.