Qin Shi Huang frequently pondered the issue of immortality.
He had already swept away the six states.
In the quiet chamber, Ying Zheng leaned back, his hands resting by his side. The hall was silent.
He half-opened his solemn eyes, and his mind seemed to relive the scenes of leading soldiers into battle once again, seeing countless spears and swords piercing the sky, and countless warhorses charging through the vast plains.
He saw scene after scene of dangerous situations and attempted assassinations.
This chaos has been going on for nearly a century, and it's time for it to end.
"Shall I, Ying Zheng, not be able to govern the world well now that I have pacified its war and chaos?"
"I shall ensure that the great Qin's land abides in lasting peace and prosperity, becoming a paradise!"
The knock on the door resounded.
It was Li Si.
The Qin Shi Huang was at the height of his passion, and he loudly declared:
"Enter, Prime Minister."
Li Si stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the person seated:
"Your Majesty."
Qin Shi Huang knew that Li Si's visit must have been for a purpose——
But first, he needs to accommodate me.
At this moment, Qin Shi Huang, as Ying Zheng, was filled with passion.
"Sir, do you remember the time when you once asked the humble servant what constitutes a nation?"
Li Si was taken aback.
How did Ying Zheng remember this question today?
Qin Shi Huang, as Ying Zheng, burst into a hearty laugh and loudly declared:
"I shall tell you, in this present time, the world is a nation!"
"And the world as a nation, from the heavens to the earth, is all Mine. All along the borders of My land, there are none who are not My subjects."
Qin Shi Huang, as Ying Zheng, spoke his heart's desire. This was the ultimate realization for him:
After the unification of the six states, Qin Shi Huang found it hard to fully adapt:
After all, it is still one world.
After chatting with Zhaizi, he only then realized:
F*ck it, the entire world is mine, and I am the common ruler of all!
Even Zhaizi, who represents destiny, stands on my side. How can I not be able to govern this world?
Li Si waited until Qin Shi Huang had calmed down before asking him:
"Sir, what business do you have in seeking out the emperor?"
"Sir, if you have any words to say, please say them directly."
"Among the hall of the court, gentlemen treat each other courteously. Below the hall, teachers and students pass on knowledge to each other."
Li Si is one of the few people whom Qin Shi Huang trusts deeply.
After all, he is the teacher and mentor from a young age, playing the role of an "elder brother like a father" by his side.
And over the past ten years, Ying Zheng has received great help from Li Si.
Wang Gong, the Grand Justice, became the Grand Justice because he played a significant role in implementing the post-unification measures such as standardizing scripts and roadways.
Over the past ten years, Li Si had meticulously planned for the conquest of the various states and solidified his control over them. By employing strategies of remote attacks on neighboring states and close defense at home, he had fortified his forces and reaped vast tracts of land.
Today, within the vast territories of Qin, the nation is strong, and the past two centuries of emphasis on agriculture over commerce have brought about agricultural prosperity. Facilities such as Dujiangyan Irrigation System and Ling Canal are well-maintained.
Li Si pondered for a moment before saying:
"Your Majesty, I come to seek your advice on a matter regarding family status."
"Family status?"
Qin Shi Huang seemed puzzled. "What family status?"
"It is the family status within Zhaozi's lineage."
"Zhaozi's lineage? Is Zhaozi's bloodline really that resilient?"
Qin Shi Huang was somewhat taken aback. During the time when he conquered the six states, the Zhaozi lineage within his domain had almost entirely dispersed——
That's normal, since such hybrid clans composed of individuals from different families tend to dissolve easily.
But the Zhaozi lineage still exists?
"The Zhaozi lineage has now been reignited and has become a martial arts sect."
"Their martial arts sect needs to revise its genealogy, and both of our names should be recorded on it."
"With the emperor, I humbly suggest being treated as a brother and student."
Qin Shi Huang asked in astonishment, "A martial arts sect?"
"How could such a martial arts sect arise?"
Li Si sighed and said, "For some reason, the martial arts within Zhaozi Master's doorstep seem to possess a very strong trend of self-evolution."
"This martial art mysteriously evolved into an extremely terrifying speed."
"And the learning difficulty is low, and the cultivation effects are good, making it easily accepted by everyone."
Qin Shi Huang was taken aback:
Can it be played like this?
"Very well, very well... However, this is also good. Zhaozi was originally my Qin's national teacher. For a national teacher to become renowned throughout history is itself a good thing."
"Oh, by the way, where are those two wandering scholars who followed Zhaozi Master back then?"
He was referring to Xiang Liang and Liu Bang.
The two of them used to call Zhao Anping a "big brother" every time, making a deep impression on Qin Shi Huang.
Li Si paused for a moment and said, "Xiang Liang's whereabouts are unknown."
"As for Liu Bang, Your Majesty, I have been keeping an eye on him."
"Liu Bang participated in the regional examination a few years ago and became a town watchman. He had relatively good relations with both the black and white factions in the area."
"His marriage is about to take place, but the foreign in-law seems to be somewhat aggrieved, feeling that she has been downgraded."
"In comparison, his other daughter is marrying a butcher, and the in-law seems quite satisfied."
"However, Liu Bang seems to be indifferent about it."
Qin Shi Huang laughed heartily, saying, "Good, it seems that Liu Bang is a remarkable individual."
"Alright, since they are Zhaozi Master's acquaintances, let us send them some gifts to boost their reputation."
"And when the future comes, I will also speak to Zhaozi Master."
Li Si nodded and said, "Yes."
This was not particularly uncommon for Qin Shi Huang, who often rewarded his loyal subjects with wealth and treasures.
……
Zhao Anping was in his dormitory, looking at the lecture message sent by the counselor on his phone and feeling somewhat speechless:
【Master Lecture: Professor Li Si of the Archaeology of Qin and Han Discusses the Family Pedigree of Zhaozi】
[Time: XXX]
[Location: 6107, Building 606, Dongshu Lake Campus]
[Participants will receive 3 points of credit]
There was also an introduction video, which featured an elderly man who was very excited:
"Recently, there has been an incredible discovery in the field of Qin and Han history."
"We have discovered the genealogy recorded in the 'Family of Zhaozi' in the Records of the Grand Historian that is a true account."
"Who exactly is Zhaozi? What abilities did he have to live for nearly a hundred years in that era?"
Zhao Anping was speechless.
In the field, this is not just about living to be nearly a hundred years old.
"According to this trend, I feel that I might not slowly evolve into someone who has lived for two thousand years at the end."
Zhao Anping chuckled bitterly.
However, he still decided to attend the lecture and activity, after all, there's no harm in attending such events.
That's 3 ethical credit points!
The ethical credit points in Suzhou's 211 university are vital for graduation.
"It's a good opportunity for me to see how these scholars evaluate me."
Zhaozi Master has already taken on the appearance of a modern-day ancestor who has traversed time and evaluated his descendants.
……
Liu Bang had been feeling rather unhappy lately.
Because he is getting married.
Parental command and matchmaking.
The person he is to marry is the daughter of the foreign Tai Gong family, named Lü Zhi.
Lü Zhi is a beautiful woman, and Lü Tai Gong is not a ordinary family.
Liu Bang was thirty-eight years old, and his family arranged a wife for him who matched his social status quite well, which was not a bad thing.
