Chapter 140 Zhang Liang in Women's Clothing Zhang Liang's current situation is similar to that of the past...

Although he didn't understand why the emperor had brought him all the way to Xianyang, since even the immortals favored Ying Zheng and bestowed so many things upon him, Liu Bang had a vague guess in his heart—that he must have done something earth-shattering in the future.

Not only did they do it, they made it a success.

If it weren't for this, how could the First Emperor, who swept across the six kingdoms, be so wary of him, even summoning him to be kept under his watchful eye?

Could we let him take charge of the horses?

This is far worse than the treatment of that boy from the Xiang family. You know, that boy can still study and even learn from the Great General.

Look at him.

I'll have to keep the horses company now.

Liu Bang leaned against the stable railing, the straw in his mouth swaying back and forth, his gaze fixed on the distant government offices. He saw Xiao He carrying a stack of bamboo slips, hurrying into the Shaofu Yamen (Minister of the Imperial Household Department) and quickly disappearing behind the vermilion gate.

His old friend, who used to advise him in Pei County, is now a respectable official in Xianyang.

Even Fan Kuai—the roughneck who once made a living slaughtering dogs by the Si River—now dons the armor of an imperial guard, wielding a long halberd, and stands majestically guarding a certain gate of the palace.

Liu Bang had bumped into him the day before yesterday when he was leaving work. Fan Kuai bowed to him from afar, his smile still honest and simple, but it had already taken on a bit of the air of an official.

"Heh..." Liu Bang chuckled, spitting out the grass stalk in his mouth, and patted the restless horse beside him. "Ying Zheng... is quite an interesting man."

He knew exactly what was going on.

The First Emperor's methods were crystal clear—he was promoting his old comrades one by one, giving them opportunities and official positions, allowing them to receive salaries from the court and experience the emperor's benevolence and power. This was clearly an attempt to gradually separate them from his own side, incorporate them into the Qin system, and ultimately turn them into loyal Qin officials.

The sunlight was a bit too bright, so Liu Bang squinted.

On second thought, Liu Bang chuckled again. Did Ying Zheng's reaction mean that he was more capable than that Xiang family brat?

Hahahaha, all that talk about having double pupils is nothing compared to this!

Is that all there is to it?

Xiang Yu stood on the solid, bluish-gray road. Unlike Liu Bang's tentative trampling, he took a deep breath, abruptly lowered his stance, and slammed his right fist into the ground with a whooshing sound!

"Bang!"

A muffled thud.

The expected cracking of the stone slabs did not occur; the cement pavement remained perfectly still, without even a single crack.

Xiang Yu's thick eyebrows furrowed suddenly, and he raised his slightly reddened fist in surprise. The sharp, unfamiliar pain from the recoil between his knuckles stunned him for a moment, and he murmured in disbelief, "...How could this be?"

He was exceptionally gifted from a young age, possessing the strength to lift a cauldron, and his fists and feet were far more powerful than those of ordinary people. Not to mention a single adult male, he was confident that he could take down ten strong men at once, even with his bare hands. This innate superhuman strength made him the king of the village children from childhood, and no one dared to challenge him.

It was precisely because of his extraordinary physique and astonishing strength that his uncle Xiang Liang placed high hopes on him, not only personally supervising his martial arts but also often exclaiming, "With such strength, he will surely be extraordinary in the future!"

But now, his full-force strike, powerful enough to shatter stone, left not even a trace of white on this dusty "cement" road.

Xiang Yu stared at his reddened fist, then looked down at the smooth, mirror-like, and iron-hard road surface. For the first time, his eyes revealed a solemnity that went beyond mere surprise.

This thing is no ordinary piece of civil engineering!

A thought that made him even more uneasy then emerged—could it be that this was truly a divine object bestowed by immortals?

Otherwise, how can we explain the existence of such indestructible soil in this world?

However, he stubbornly suppressed this thought as soon as it surfaced. In his young but already clear understanding, immortals should be beings who could distinguish right from wrong and uphold justice.

They should be protecting those who have the world in their hearts, are courageous and virtuous, so why would they favor the tyrannical and ruthless Qin Dynasty?

He recalled his uncle Xiang Liang's sighs and teachings, and the rumors circulating among the people of Chu about the harshness of Qin's government and the heavy corvée labor.

Why?

Why would an immortal show such favor to such a powerful authority?

——-

Zhang Liang narrowly escaped several searches by the First Emperor, because no one would suspect that a beautiful woman could be someone the First Emperor wanted.

He managed to evade capture several times by dressing as a woman, but this time he wasn't so lucky.

Zhang Liang held his breath, pressing himself against the cold, damp alley wall. The sounds of footsteps and clashing armor drew closer and then faded away. He slowly exhaled, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the rough hem of his linen skirt.

This was the umpteenth time. Dressed in coarse cloth and wearing a deliberately feigned docile demeanor, he mingled among the common women, repeatedly escaping the empire's meticulously planned net. How could the soldiers searching for him have imagined that this demure, slender "woman," with her hair obscured, bore a striking resemblance to the blurry portrait on the wanted poster? They would only rudely shove aside the obstructing women, paying no heed to this seemingly timid and frail figure.

However, this time, it seems that their luck has finally run out.

Just as he was trying to blend into a group of women returning from picking mulberry leaves and was walking past the city gate checkpoint with his head down, a sharp-eyed centurion suddenly raised his hand to stop him.

“You,” the officer’s voice was rough and laced with unquestionable suspicion, “raise your head.”

The surroundings fell silent instantly, all eyes fixed on him. Zhang Liang's heart sank; he knew that his long-held facade would no longer be able to protect him at this moment.

The centurion's hand gripped Zhang Liang's arm like an iron clamp, the force so great that Zhang Liang's slender wrist almost groaned. The surrounding soldiers swarmed forward, ruthlessly tearing off the turban that bound his hair, and his ink-black hair instantly fell down, revealing his once handsome but now pale face.

"It really is a man!" the centurion sneered, his tone smug as if he had discovered his prey. "Well hidden! Take him away!"

They remained silent the entire way.

Zhang Liang was roughly shoved through the imposing palace gates and onto the cold steps of Xianyang Palace. Armored soldiers stood on both sides, their spears and halberds gleaming coldly, and a suffocating pressure filled the air.

The main hall of Xianyang Palace was brightly lit by candlelight, yet it could not warm the bone-chilling solemnity. Ying Zheng sat high on his throne, dressed in black robes and crimson skirts, like a lurking black dragon.

Upon hearing the announcement, he did not immediately look up, but instead slowly and methodically reviewed the last scroll of bamboo slips. The subtle sound of the vermilion brush tracing across the bamboo slips could be clearly heard in the deathly silent hall.

The soldiers escorting Zhang Liang silently retreated to both sides.

Time passed slowly, and silence weighed heavily on Zhang Liang's heart like a boulder. He lowered his eyes, feeling the gaze sweeping down on him, cold and scrutinizing, as if it could peel away all pretense and pierce the very depths of his soul.

Finally, Ying Zheng put down his pen.

He slowly raised his eyes, his gaze falling on the slender, disheveled "woman" below the steps. His voice was calm and even, yet carried immense power:

"Zhang Liang?"

This call was not a question, but a confirmation.

It's truly unexpected that Zhang Liang, the "strategist" in the TV series and the embodiment of wisdom, would choose to disguise himself as a woman to conceal his whereabouts.

No wonder the Qin spies and soldiers searched for a long time but could not find his whereabouts. Who would have thought that this hero who threw an awl at Bolangsha and dared to assassinate the emperor would be dressed in coarse cloth and hide among ordinary women in the city?

At this moment, standing on the majestic main hall of Xianyang Palace, Zhang Liang showed no sign of embarrassment whatsoever.

He stood ramrod straight, even daring to raise his eyes and look directly at Ying Zheng on the throne without any hesitation. His gaze was clear and stern, showing no fear whatsoever.

This composure stems from his lineage and pride. He comes from a family of ministers who served five generations of the Korean state, including his grandfather and father, making him a true descendant of nobility.

However, in 230 BC, the Qin army's iron hooves trampled through Xinzheng, and the state of Han was destroyed.

Once a family of great wealth and honor, they were reduced to wanderers who had lost their homeland. The excruciating pain of national ruin and family destruction was deeply etched into his soul. As recorded in the Records of the Grand Historian, he confessed: "My family served the state of Han. When Han was destroyed, I did not covet my wealth, but sought revenge against the powerful Qin for Han."

Therefore, in Zhang Liang's eyes, the suffocating imperial aura surrounding Ying Zheng was nothing more than a magnificent robe wrapped around a despicable person, seemingly dazzling, but inside it was injustice and tyranny.

He would not back down, nor would he be afraid. His hatred for Ying Zheng was intertwined with the upheaval of his personal destiny, the fall of his family's glory, and the sorrow of the eternal loss of his homeland. This hatred was so profound that it was enough to support him in facing any storm, including the emperor who looked down upon the world before him.

Ying Zheng was naturally not swayed in the slightest by Zhang Liang's gaze. He had swept away the six kingdoms and unified the world, and neither Xiang Yu, the powerful overlord of Western Chu, nor Liu Bang, the founder of the Han Dynasty, was ever truly regarded as a threat by him.

For him, fear was already the first useless thing to be discarded on the path to becoming an emperor.

Inside the main hall, the candlelight flickered, and the two men's gazes clashed silently. It wasn't a clash of killing intent between martial artists, but a contest of will and belief.

In the end, it was Zhang Liang who was the first to look away—not out of fear, but out of extreme regret and resentment.

A sharp pain suddenly surged in his heart. Why hadn't he hidden a short sword or a poisoned dagger under his clothes?

At this moment, he was only ten steps away from the throne. If he could launch a sudden attack, he might be able to plunge his blade into the tyrant's chest in an instant!

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and the distance he had been dreaming of.

However, this thought only flashed through his mind before turning into a deeper sense of powerlessness. He knew all too well that those elite guards would never give him that chance.

Even before he stepped into the gates of Xianyang Palace, he had already been thoroughly searched. Those people ruthlessly examined every possible place on his body where he might be hiding a weapon. Not to mention swords and knives, even the sharp hairpins used by women to tie their hair had been removed, leaving him no possibility whatsoever.

He was unarmed at that moment.

"The Kingdom of Korea is gone, but the world has just been settled and everything needs to be rebuilt. My forces need someone like you who is insightful, resourceful, and decisive." His words were like a golden rope thrown out, both bait and a test. "If you are willing to serve this newly established country, you will have a place in the Imperial Household Department. I will not pursue the past."

This was the First Emperor's policy of appeasement.

Zhang Liang raised his eyes and looked directly at the supreme emperor. His eyes were clear and bright, without fear or the slightest eagerness for the tempting offer. Instead, a very faint, almost imperceptible hint of mockery flashed across them.

Serving the enemy who destroyed the country?

This was more unbearable than killing him. But he did not immediately refute it; he simply responded with silence as a form of silent resistance.

Ying Zheng, of course, didn't miss the fleeting resistance in his eyes. He leaned back slightly, his tone still calm, but the meaning had subtly shifted:

"Of course, the palace in Xianyang is far away. To avoid tiring you out, I will send people to prepare lodgings near the palace. All your daily needs will be taken care of by the officials. You can stay here with peace of mind, think quietly and reflect. When you have figured it out, it is not too late to share my burdens."

The essence of these words is to disguise house arrest as a favor.

Zhang Liang's lips tightened almost imperceptibly for a moment.

He understood the unspoken meaning behind those gentle words—that the "mansion" would be a magnificent prison, the "official" would be the guard, and "quiet contemplation" would be indefinite imprisonment and domestication.

A chill rose from the depths of his heart.

Throughout the entire process, Ying Zheng's gaze remained fixed on Zhang Liang like that of a hawk, assessing every subtle reaction and calculating the value and risk of this dangerous piece.

Both appeasement and control aim to eliminate potential threats while maximizing the use of their talents.

The final solution, however, remains a looming threat, unspoken. If Zhang Liang ultimately proves untamable, or if his talents prove useless to Qin, then the promised luxurious accommodations will instantly transform into a dark and gloomy death row in Yunyang Prison. The past, once "not pursued," will become irrefutable evidence leading to the swiftest possible execution.

The interests of the empire are paramount. For Ying Zheng, talented individuals who cannot be controlled are simply a threat that needs to be completely eliminated.

At this moment, Zhang Liang's situation was similar to that of Han Fei in the past.

——

In another time and space, the atmosphere in the Xianyang Palace of the Qin Dynasty was completely different. There were not so many complicated schemes and surprises, but rather a sense of relief as a chronic illness gradually subsided.

The elderly King Zhaoxiang of Qin, Ying Ji, leaned against his couch, his suppressed coughs echoing loudly in the empty hall. Yet, his complexion held a subtle radiance that was more pronounced than usual. His slightly trembling hands held the two unusually colored porcelain vases that Lord Wu'an, Bai Qi, had just solemnly presented to him.

One bottle contains "Angong Niuhuang Wan" with a warm color and a faint medicinal fragrance, while the other contains "Yunnan Baiyao" with fine powder that can promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis.

"Lord Wu'an... are these two things truly effective?" King Zhaoxiang's voice was hoarse from long illness, yet it contained a hint of hope.

Bai Qi bowed, his tone as steady as ever, yet with a greater certainty than usual: "Your Majesty, it is absolutely true. This Angong Niuhuang Wan is remarkably effective for acute illnesses, clearing heat, calming the nerves, and reviving the mind; while this Yunnan Baiyao can be used both internally and externally, and is incredibly effective for injuries, trauma, and pain relief. I have already ordered the imperial physicians to examine it. Although I do not understand its mechanism, the purity of its medicinal properties is indeed beyond what our Great Qin can currently achieve."

Upon hearing this, King Zhaoxiang coughed a few more times before carefully unscrewing the stopper of the Angong Niuhuang Wan bottle. He took a deep breath of the strange and refreshing medicinal aroma, as if the cool air had soothed the heat in his lungs. He did not take it immediately, but instead placed the small pill in his palm and examined it carefully.

With these things, his anxiety about lifespan was somewhat relieved.

However, what he still desires most is immortality!

——

Meanwhile, the scene inside the Weiyang Palace of the Han Dynasty was completely different.

Huo Qubing returned weary from his journey, and before he could even see the Emperor, he learned that he had been impeached by several censors for riding an electric scooter recklessly through the city. He shrugged indifferently; such impeachments were commonplace for him, truly a case of "the more lice, the less they itch."

At this moment, all his thoughts were focused on the huge, bulging bag behind him.

"Your Majesty! Aunt! Uncle!" he called out, not even bothering with proper etiquette, and excitedly stepped into the hall, his face beaming with barely suppressed excitement. "Come and see the wonderful things I've brought back this time!"

Liu Che was discussing border affairs with Wei Zifu and Wei Qing when he saw this and raised his eyebrows, laughing and scolding, "You brat! So reckless again! Did you buy something strange this time?" However, there was not much reproach in his tone, but rather his usual indulgence and curiosity.

Wei Zifu smiled gently, looking at her ever-energetic nephew with eyes full of affection. General Wei Qing shook his head helplessly, but a smile played on his lips. He was clearly used to his nephew's surprises, yet still looked forward to them.

Huo Qubing didn't keep them in suspense. He carefully placed the heavy package on the carpet in the hall and began to take it out as if it were a treasure trove:

“Your Majesty, look,” he first presented a handful of golden, plump seeds, “this is called corn. It is drought-resistant and high-yielding. If planted in the fertile soil of Guanzhong, its yield may far exceed that of millet. In the future, when the army goes on a long expedition, its food supplies will be guaranteed by an extra layer!”

Then, he took out some small, brownish-black seeds: "These are grape seeds. It is said that the people of the Western Regions are good at brewing a kind of sweet wine called grape wine, which has a mellow taste. If it can be successfully planted in our Han Dynasty, not only can it be used to brew fine wine, but the fruit will also be delicious."

He didn't stop, continuing to present the treasures:

He didn't stop, continuing to enthusiastically rummage through the seemingly inexhaustible package for treasures, his face shining even brighter with each item he pulled out.

"Your Majesty, Aunt, Uncle, look at this again!" He grabbed a handful of dark brown grass seeds. "This is alfalfa seed! Don't underestimate it; it's a top-quality forage. If it's widely planted on our Great Han ranches, our warhorses will grow stronger and more robust faster, with increased endurance! In the future, when our Great Han cavalry gallops across the northern deserts, we'll have no worries about food supplies!"

Before everyone could examine them closely, he deftly took out several small cloth bags, untied the strings, and revealed tiny seeds inside: "These are cucumber seeds. They taste crisp and sweet when eaten raw, and are perfect for quenching thirst and relieving summer heat. They can also be used as dishes to enrich the dining tables of the people of our Great Han."

Next came a few unassuming seeds, but encased in hard shells: "These are the seeds of walnuts and pomegranates. Walnut kernels are fragrant and good for brain health; pomegranate seeds are crystal clear, symbolizing good fortune and many blessings, and the fruit itself is sweet and sour."

Finally, he took a deep breath, his expression becoming extremely solemn, as if he were about to reveal the true grand prize. He carefully took out two perfectly sealed earthenware jars from the bottom of the package. One jar was as white as snow and as fine as dust; the other was crystal clear, with distinct grains.

He first opened the pristine white jar, then picked up a pinch with his fingers: "Your Majesty, this is refined salt. Its purity far surpasses any official salt currently available in our Han Dynasty. It has no bitter or unpleasant taste, and harmful impurities have been removed. Long-term consumption will greatly benefit the health of the people."

Then, he lifted another earthenware jar, inside which were snow-white, crystalline granules: "This substance is called white sugar. Its sweetness is purer than maltose or rock sugar, and its color is pure white, like frost and snow. Whether used for seasoning or for making exquisite desserts, it is of the highest quality! If we can produce it ourselves, it will not only enrich the people, but also become an important source of national revenue!"

Liu Che had already stood up and walked closer. He first pinched a small pinch of refined salt and put it in his mouth to taste it, his eyes instantly flashing with disbelief. Then he dipped it in some white sugar, and the extremely pure sweetness made him very happy.

He knew that these two things, though seemingly ordinary, were actually strategic items concerning the national economy and people's livelihood, and their significance was no less than that of high-yield seeds!

Wei Qing picked up the jar of refined salt, lost in thought, clearly considering the army's logistics and the soldiers' physical condition. Wei Zifu, on the other hand, was captivated by the snow-white sugar.

Huo Qubing looked at the reactions of the emperor, empress, and general, and a bright and proud smile appeared on his face.

Although Wei Zifu did not fully understand the agricultural details of these seeds, seeing the excitement on the Emperor's and her brother's faces, she knew that this matter was of great importance. A gratified smile appeared on her gentle face, and she said softly, "Qubing has truly made an unparalleled contribution this time."

Liu Che suddenly looked up, patted Huo Qubing's shoulder forcefully, and laughed loudly, his laughter echoing throughout the palace: "Good! Good! What a fine Huo Qubing! He is truly my lucky general! A great fortune for the world! Such an auspicious and precious creature is far more important than a thousand-word impeachment memorial!"

At this moment, all the impeachments concerning electric bicycles seem so insignificant in the face of these fruitful results.

As soon as Huo Qubing finished displaying the seeds of those high-yield crops before the emperor, Liu Che could no longer contain himself. He couldn't even wait for the eunuchs to gather up all the golden seeds before leaning forward, his gaze fixed intently on Huo Qubing, and urgently asking in a low voice:

"Qubing, enough of this idle talk. Tell me the truth—when exactly does your Magistrate Jiang plan to rebel against the court?"

The Han emperor's tone carried an undisguised excitement and anticipation, as if he were urging the start of a great show. "The truth is, after helping her capture a city last time, although I spent my million taels of silver and grain lavishly, I didn't get to fully enjoy myself!" He made no attempt to hide his enthusiasm for participating in this cross-border game, his mind preoccupied with how to bring the remaining four cities into his lap as well.

He's determined to spend this money lavishly this time.

Upon hearing this, Huo Qubing clasped his hands and replied, "Your Majesty, in my opinion, it should be soon." His tone was resolute, and his eyes flashed with a sharp light. "Songyang County is now a thorn in the side of the court, and the conflict between the two sides is becoming increasingly acute, with no possibility of reconciliation. Moreover, Mr. Zhuge has also judged that the time is approaching and is actively preparing. When I left, the county was outwardly relaxed but inwardly tense, and its war preparations were in good order. Therefore, I believe that the time for action is just around the corner!"

This conversation was incredibly informative, leaving Wei Qing and Wei Zifu, who were listening nearby, deeply alarmed.

Wei Qing frowned deeply. As a general, his primary concern was the risks and consequences of military affairs. He couldn't help but interject in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, Qubing! This matter concerns the fate of the nation and is of utmost importance. Although Songyang County has its unique characteristics, military operations are a delicate matter; a single move can have far-reaching consequences. The subsequent impact, the supply of provisions, and the deployment of border defenses all require meticulous planning. We must not act rashly!" His sharp gaze swept over Huo Qubing, carrying both inquiry and warning.

Wei Zifu looked worried. She gently tugged at Liu Che's sleeve, her voice soft yet full of concern: "Your Majesty, Qubing, such a dangerous matter must be handled with utmost caution. Once war breaks out, the people will suffer, let alone something as serious as a rebellion? Should we... wait and see for a while longer?"

Liu Che's eyes gleamed even brighter upon hearing this. Far from being dissuaded, he clapped his hands and laughed, "Good! Almost there! That's exactly what I've been waiting for!"

—-

Some are waiting for the war to break out, while others are waiting for someone to return.

Liu Shan had been eagerly anticipating this moment, his eyes, which often held a hint of bewilderment, now fixed intently on the end of the palace path. His chubby body shifted restlessly, occasionally tiptoeing to peer out, much like a fledgling waiting for its parents to return to their nest.

Finally, the slender, vigorous figure with a feather fan and a turban came into view.

Liu Shan's eyes lit up immediately. Forgetting all imperial decorum, he dragged his plump body forward, his steps unsteady due to lack of exercise, and eagerly rushed to meet him, his voice filled with undisguised dependence and joy:

"Prime Minister! Prime Minister! You're finally back!"

When Zhuge Liang saw the emperor rushing over, he quickly stepped forward, extended his steady arm, and gently supported Liu Shan's arm, fearing that he might trip over him.

Looking at his lord's rosy face, radiating pure joy, Zhuge Liang couldn't help but show affection.

"Your Majesty, please wait, I am back." His voice was gentle, like a spring breeze.

Then, as if by magic, he took out a carefully wrapped little object from his wide sleeves. He carefully unwrapped it, revealing a fluffy, golden pastry adorned with a few pieces of candied fruit.

"Your Majesty, this is called a cake. I bought it from Magistrate Jiang. It has a soft and sweet taste. Please try it." He smiled and handed the novel pastry to Liu Shan with natural and practiced movements.

Liu Shan's attention was immediately drawn to the sweet dessert he had never seen before. He happily took it and ate it in small bites.

Seeing Liu Shan accept the cake and eat it with relish, Zhuge Liang couldn't help but smile with relief. He gently waved his feather fan, intending to report on his gains from the trip as usual, his tone gentle and clear:

"Your Majesty, the items I have purchased this time are of vital importance to the nation's economy and the people's livelihood. These are corn seeds; if they are widely distributed among the people, they will surely make the granaries in Sichuan more abundant. Also, these cold-resistant vegetable seeds can be tried planting in Hanzhong..."

He spoke clearly and logically, explaining the purpose and future plans for each item.

However, before he could finish speaking, Liu Shan, who was engrossed in his cake-making adventure, suddenly looked up, his cheeks still puffed out, and waved his chubby hand holding the pastry impatiently, his tone filled with complete trust and reliance:

"It's fine as long as it's the Prime Minister's decision! We'll do whatever the Prime Minister says!"

-----------------------

Author's Note: This is how the Prime Minister is worked to exhaustion [angry]. Is this chapter long or short? [Please] Please add this pre-order novel to your favorites, please add it to your favorites! [Please]