The First Emperor's life was full of ups and downs, and three things about him are most talked about.

Firstly, he swept across the land, establishing the imperial system, shining like a blazing sun, illuminating the ages.

Secondly, although the story of burning books and burying scholars alive has been distorted by later generations, in reality, no more than 460 people were buried alive. Even today, some people who are unaware of the facts mistakenly believe that the First Emperor was tyrannical and killed countless people.

Thirdly, he was obsessed with cultivating immortality and believed the slander of alchemists, taking so-called health-strengthening pills all day long. He also believed Xu Fu's nonsense and sent him to Yingzhou Island overseas to find the elixir of immortality.

This shows that his obsession with metaphysics and superstition had reached the point where he was willing to pay any price.

Of course, this cannot be entirely blamed on Qin Shi Huang. In that era, science had not yet emerged, and people's explanations of natural phenomena often relied on myths and superstitions.

Not only the common people, but even the civil and military officials of the court deeply believed in the supernatural and divination.

Ran Zang continued, "I have calculated that seven days from now is an auspicious day for the grand sacrifice. However, this year's calamity is unusual..."

Ying Zheng quickly pressed, "What's unusual about it? And what should we do?"

"This year, my Qin state destroyed two other states and committed too much killing, which is why Heaven has sent down this calamity. Ordinary sacrifices are probably not enough to make amends to Heaven and the vengeful spirits who died in the war."

"Therefore, I believe that in addition to the three kinds of sacrificial animals and six kinds of livestock, we should also select one hundred young boys and girls... to use the bodies of children to appease the vengeful spirits." A fiery light flashed in Ran Zang's eyes.

He felt no burden in his heart; the position of Grand Historian was neither too high nor too low. His old friends and classmates had all become honored guests from various countries.

On the other hand, he was the worst off, merely a minor Grand Historian, with little chance of climbing the ranks. He only had the opportunity to shine during natural disasters, man-made calamities, and the annual grand sacrifices.

He didn't want to continue like this, spending his whole life as a mere astrologer and fortune teller!

For him, this was a risk-free and highly profitable business. All he needed to do was let some poor and lowly people die. They weren't his relatives or friends anyway, and their deaths would save him a lot of food.

The ritual of sacrifice is a tradition passed down from ancient times. If it is ineffective, it can be said that Heaven is dissatisfied with the offerings, and no fault can be found in it.

If it succeeds, given Ying Zheng's fanatical belief in ghosts, gods, and the Way of Heaven, his status in the Qin state's officialdom will surely rise rapidly!

He had been in the Qin state's officialdom for five years, and the annual grand sacrifice was his time to gamble, yet he had never achieved anything.

The reason for stepping forward at this time is that they have recognized the wicked man's abilities. The wicked man had previously suggested preparing for a major disaster, and the court had also made preparations.

He was certain that the wicked man possessed some unknown abilities that could easily subdue the people of Han and Wei.

He wants to gamble!

The wicked man knew when the heavy rain would stop, and he was certain that his prior preparations would allow him to weather the natural disaster safely. When that time came, he would claim the sacrifice had been effective; after all, no one could verify the truth of such an ethereal event.

It must be said that he was extremely good at scheming, even using his wicked husband as a pawn in his calculations.

"Is this how Zou Zi taught you?"

The wicked man finally spoke, his voice as sharp as the cold wind of winter, "When did the doctrines of the Yin-Yang School become the worship of ghosts and gods?"

At this moment, the wicked man wished he could quickly dig a pit and burn down all the schools of thought, annihilating these people who distorted doctrines and harbored evil intentions.

The original intention of the sages' teachings, summarized in modern terms, was to cultivate morality, intelligence, physical fitness, aesthetics, and labor, not to allow later generations to use them as tools to gain fame and fortune.

Ran Zang's smile froze on her face instantly. She looked at her wicked husband with a face full of doubt, unable to understand why he would refute her to her face.

"Grand Commandant, sacrifices are an ancient tradition, and the ways of ghosts, gods, and heaven are unpredictable. My actions are also to pray for your well-being and to appease the souls of those who died by the sword..."

Oh ho?

The wicked man smirked and said in a sarcastic tone, "According to you, this Grand Commandant should thank the Grand Astrologer!"

He did not know Ran Zang, but he had just learned about this person's background from Feng Jie.

Ran Zang feigned modesty and quickly said, "Your Excellency, you flatter me. As the Grand Historian, it is only my duty to seek good fortune and avoid misfortune for the country, the officials, and the people."

His shamelessness filled the wicked husband with disgust, his face turned completely cold, and he was too lazy to continue his pretense.

"I, the Grand Commandant, would like to ask you a question!"

The wicked man's eyes were sharp as knives as he stared directly at Ran Zang. "What if your so-called sacrifices have no effect whatsoever? Wouldn't those boys and girls you sacrificed have died in vain?"

Upon hearing this, Ran Zang actually smiled slightly: "Praying to Heaven is extremely complex. How can human effort measure Heaven's preferences? Even if it fails, it will at least slightly alleviate Heaven's wrath..."

"Of course, if Your Excellency is willing to offer a small portion of your own blood as a sacrifice, I will be even more confident!"

Ran Zang's words carried a hint of cunning. In order to achieve the ultimate realism, he had a flash of inspiration and wanted to drag his wicked husband into the water with him.

Upon hearing this, the wicked man frowned, his heart burning with rage. Before he could even make a move, the man had already started plotting against him!

He knew perfectly well that this so-called sacrifice was nothing but a guise for superstition, and Ran Zang's proposal was utterly absurd. He coldly replied, "So, you mean that if it succeeds, it succeeds; if it fails, it's because my Qin state is not sincere and Heaven is not on my side, and I, the wicked man, am not a wise man, and those boys and girls died in vain?"

Seeing that her wicked husband had directly exposed his thoughts, Ran Zang felt somewhat embarrassed and fearful. "This humble official didn't mean to..."

"Enough!"

The wicked man, like an enraged lion, raised his hand to interrupt him, roaring in a booming voice: "You keep talking about ghosts, gods, and the Way of Heaven. Let me ask you, if ghosts, gods, and the Way of Heaven truly exist, then why do the people of China still have to toil like oxen, facing the yellow earth with their backs to the sky?"

"If ghosts and gods exist, why do we suffer from birth, old age, sickness, and death, tormenting all living beings like a malignant tumor clinging to the bone?"

"If there are ghosts and gods, why is the world today so fragmented and divided, with endless wars and people suffering, and many fine young men dying in obscurity?"

"If sacrifices are effective, wouldn't the people be able to rest easy and lie down all day long, with no more suffering in the world, and no more swords drawn against each other? Wouldn't the world be at peace?"

Ran Zang was speechless after being rebuked. She looked at her wicked husband with a complicated expression and thought to herself that this man was really sick. Why did he bite everyone he saw?

He first praised Li Si, then came out to refute himself.

What is it that he can do but others can't?

Being a Grand Commandant isn't like being the King. You can't control everything, so why not just ascend the throne and become the King?

In his indignation, Ran Zang squeezed out a sentence through gritted teeth: "Grand Commandant, be careful with your words! Ghosts and gods cannot be insulted!"