Li Ni thought of the bamboo slips sent by him, which were related to tofu, and even to Lord Liu An of Huainan. In addition to the legend that Li Ni's mother made tofu, another theory is that Liu An accidentally discovered that some products used in the cultivation of immortality were used to solidify soy milk into tofu when he was experimenting with alchemists.
Indeed, Liu An, this old brother, is not only a feudal king of the Han Dynasty and wanted to confront Emperor Wu's counterattack, but also a guy who loves alchemy and immortality practice extremely.
"The saying 'When one person attains enlightenment, even the chickens and dogs rise with him' originated from him. He also left behind the renowned text 'Huai Nan Zi' with his alchemists."
When Li Ni's mind's engine searched for how to make tofu, he also saw another version of the history of tofu. When he saw the words "alchemist," he suddenly realized that although they couldn't make elixirs for immortality, they still had some usefulness.
Compared to most people of this era, alchemists are closer to chemistry, for alchemists also refine the elixir with some understanding of material properties.
Understanding what changes occur during the refining process, and what effects will result from adding certain substances, a lack of skill in the alchemists who merely blunder through their practices would have long since led them to transcendence and ascension to heaven.
The changes and effects exhibited by materials during the alchemical process, which the alchemists knew, had already touched the edges of chemistry. However, they had not yet delved into its secrets or applied scientific concepts to categorize and summarize it, making it an outcast from the system.
Moreover, the people who could become alchemists in this era were almost not poor and illiterate. Poor people have little time and energy to engage in alchemy. How many of the famous scholars in the Wei and Jin Dynasties who took five-stone powder were illiterate and poor?
If these alchemists could be gathered together and guided by him, it would not only prevent them from flailing around like a group of confused bees, harming others and themselves, but perhaps they could even make some contributions.
Alchemists are certainly more likely to understand the chemical knowledge he is talking about than others in this era, which is beneficial for his spread of chemistry in the Qin Empire because they have undergone similar experiences in their original process of refining elixirs.
However, this matter must be approved by Emperor Qin Shi Huang. Thinking of the harm he has spoken of to the alchemists with Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the latter is likely to be accumulating a grand strategy, waiting for an opportunity to kill all alchemists in Xianyang.
So, Li Nian hurriedly wrote this scroll of bamboo slips and sent it: The alchemists are still very useful to Your Majesty and the Qin Empire. Sir, please spare their lives!
However, Xu Fu, Lu Shen, and Hou Sheng are certainly not safe. These three will definitely be sacrificed along with them, as it is common for the entire family to be punished in the case of an offense. It is likely that they will be exterminated by the state.
After reading the two scrolls of bamboo slips by Li Nian, Ying Zheng looked at the eunuch who came in to report, thought for a moment, and said, "Li Nian has made significant contributions to making tofu. He will be awarded with ten bolts of brocade, twenty bolts of silk, and ten pearls from Nanhai... In addition, tell him that his request is approved!"
The eunuch hurriedly received the order and left, and at this moment, Ying Zheng turned to Meng Yi and asked, "Marquis Meng, after reading what was said on the scroll, what do you think?"
Meng Yi's expression became serious and said, "I believe that the words on the bamboo slips are consistent with what Li Nian has said, which are the most simple and heartfelt wishes of the ancient Qin people. For the Qin Empire, it is both good and bad."
Even though he knew what Meng Yi would say, Ying Zheng still asked, "Marquis Meng, what do you think should be done?"
Meng Yi said, "I believe we should moderately satisfy the wishes on the bamboo slips. After fighting for so many years, if they still have to live the same as before, they will naturally feel dissatisfied. Now, all the ancient Qin people hope to live better, and if..."
Meng Yi didn't continue, but Ying Zheng continued by himself, "If we don't give them the chance to fulfill their wishes, they will naturally feel dissatisfied. If even the ancient Qin people no longer trust the Qin Empire, who else will believe in it? Even if the world doesn't rebel, there will be grudges. They will hate me and hate the Qin Empire!"
When Ying Zheng spoke, his tone was calm, but everyone in the palace lowered their heads, including Meng Yi.
The king's majesty is unpredictable. Who knows if the king is truly calm at this moment, or if he is masking his anger with calmness?
But Ying Zheng was not masking his anger with calmness. He was genuinely calm. After thinking for a moment, he asked, "Has Zhang Han left Xianyang?"
Meng Yi said, "He has not left yet."
Ying Zheng commanded, "Summon him to the palace for an immediate audience!"
After saying that, Ying Zheng immediately withdrew the order, replacing it with, "Don't rush to summon Zhang Han. Instead, summon Wang Wan, Feng Qu, Feng Jie, Li Si, Yao Jia, and Wei Liao... They will be summoned immediately."
Ying Zheng listed a series of names, all of which were high-ranking officials and important figures who had made significant contributions to the Qin Empire.
On the other side, in the Li Yan Palace, Li Nian was also eating tofu. He rolled the tofu in Wu Yujiu sauce and put it into his mouth. Although it wasn't as enjoyable as dipping it in oil and chili sauce, it was quite rare for this era.
The Wu Yu sauce was something he had specially made. As a person from Shu, not having a bit of spiciness was truly uncomfortable for him. In this era, which lacked chili peppers, only Wu Yu, which has a spicy flavor among the chrysanthemum vine, could satisfy him.
As he ate, Li Nian thought, "I remember an iconic saying, 'Eating salted vegetables with rolled tofu, even the emperor and his father can't compare with me.' When I have time, I should also try making some salted vegetables with rolled tofu."
These few days, besides trying to make his life a little better in the Qin Empire, Li Nian has been doing serious work as well, not just as Emperor Ying Zheng said that he only cares about eating.
After finishing a plate of tofu, Li Nian prepared to continue his work. His main task these days was to draw, depicting the future dynasties' emperors' robes, princes, consorts, and ministers' attire.
Because Ying Zheng had asked him to speak about the succession rituals of later emperors and how to reform the Qin government, it was clearly: Li Nian, tell me how the later emperors operated, so that I can also take a reference.
Originally, the emperors who came later should have copied Emperor Qin Shi Huang's model. They would refer to Emperor Qin Shi Huang's process of proclaiming the emperor and then make some changes, adding things that fit their own dynasty, which would become theirs.
Now, it's the other way around; Emperor Qin Shi Huang is copying from them. And when Emperor Qin Shi Huang declares himself an emperor, the changes he makes are not just a change of title; they involve many aspects such as attire, national names, and rituals.
Things like the imperial robes can be best explained by drawing them directly, showing them to the Qin Shi Huang.
Due to his experience in drawing a globe, Li Nian's painting skills were still satisfactory. He had already painted the imperial robe of the Song Dynasty.
At this moment, a palace guard came in to report, "Master, the king has sent someone. They are already outside the hall!"
Li Nian immediately realized that this must be because the king had eaten tofu and in response to his suggestion, had sent someone. He quickly stood up, straightened his clothes, and led Guo Dian and others out of the palace.
As soon as he stepped out of the palace, he saw a familiar eunuch.
Seeing Li Nian come out, the eunuch quickly bowed to him and said in a very polite manner, "Master, the king said that you have made a contribution by making tofu and has specially rewarded you."
Then, the eunuch declared the edict loudly: "Li Nian has made significant contributions by making tofu. He has been specially rewarded with ten bolts of brocade, twenty bolts of silk, and ten pearls from Nanhai..."
"Many thanks to His Majesty for the generous gift!"
After Li Nian expressed his gratitude and received the rewards, the eunuch whispered to him, "Master, your request has been approved by His Majesty!"
