Chapter 156 My Charming Ancestor 30
That piercing question struck Zhang Liang's heart like an invisible hammer.
The downfall of a nation?
He recalled his dream, on the map of the new dynasty, that homeland he longed for was coldly marked as "Yingchuan County".
"Your Majesty...no."
He lowered his head even further.
Ying Zheng looked at Zhang Liang, who was lying on the ground, his body trembling slightly. The playfulness and scrutiny on his face disappeared. He did not ask any more questions, nor did he show any mockery of a victor.
Because he knew that his Qin Dynasty was gone, and who was any better off?
Ying Zheng slowly rose from his throne and walked down the high platform step by step. His footsteps were not heavy, but each one struck Zhang Liang's heart. Finally, the pair of imperial boots embroidered with cloud patterns stopped in front of Zhang Liang.
"The immortal once spoke to me."
Ying Zheng's voice was no longer as domineering and majestic as before, but instead carried a deep calmness.
She said that no matter how many pieces this land is divided into, or what it is called, the people on this land all belong to the same ancestor and are all of the Yan and Huang bloodline.
Zhang Liang's body jolted violently! He slowly raised his head, staring at the emperor before him in disbelief.
Ying Zheng did not look at him, but instead gazed at the vast sky outside the palace, as if he were seeing through time and space and seeing the Warring States period, which had been filled with war for hundreds of years.
"Why distinguish between Qin and Zhao? Why distinguish between Han and Wei?"
"It's nothing more than brothers fighting amongst themselves, fratricide."
His voice carried a sigh, but even more so, a resolute determination to sever ties with the past!
"I do not want one country to oppress another. What I want is not the annihilation of the six kingdoms, but the unification of the six kingdoms!"
He suddenly lowered his head, staring intently at Zhang Yan!
"I want this world to be free from endless war! I want all people to have a place to live! I want all people to have enough food for the next day!"
"Zhang Zifang!" Ying Zheng's voice suddenly rose in pitch!
"With your extraordinary talent and having seen through the illusion of personal and national grudges, why can't you use your talents for this purpose?!"
"Join me in creating a true, everlasting peace that neither of us has ever dreamed of!"
Zhang Liang was completely stunned. He stared blankly at the emperor before him, at the undisguised, burning ideals and aspirations in his eyes.
To create an unprecedented era of peace... for all ages? Is this Ying Zheng's true ambition? Not for the glory of the Ying family or a single dynasty, but for all those of "Yanhuang bloodline" on this land?
At this moment, the last trace of pride and resentment that belonged to the "Prince of Han" in Zhang Liang's heart collapsed. It turned out that his obsession with family feuds and national hatred had made his vision so petty.
The next second.
Zhang Liang straightened his clothes again and, facing Ying Zheng, performed a more standard and more devout salute between ruler and subject than ever before.
He slammed his forehead heavily onto the cold ground.
"Your Majesty's magnanimity is truly admirable, even by your humble servant Zhang Liang!"
He raised his head, and his eyes, once soaked with blood, tears, and regret, now shone with light once more! It was the light of having found the true path of his life!
"Zhang Liang is willing to serve His Majesty, to serve all the people of this world, and to serve the peace that lasts for generations!"
"I'd give my life, even unto death!"
"Hahahaha!" Ying Zheng laughed loudly, his laughter filled with unprecedented joy!
"Good! What a fine example of sacrificing one's life for the cause, even unto death!"
He personally helped Zhang Liang up and patted him hard on the shoulder.
"With Zifang's assistance, what is there to worry about in achieving my great cause!"
One good talent is worth more than ten thousand soldiers!
Ying Zheng was filled with heroic ambition and was about to make some more promises when a lazy voice rang out from outside the palace.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Have you struck gold? You're all smiles."
Before she finished speaking, Zhou Jue slowly walked in, followed by a group of trembling eunuchs who wanted to stop her but dared not.
"An immortal!"
When Ying Zheng saw Zhou Jue, his joy deepened. Instead of blaming her for coming uninvited, he quickly went to greet her.
"The immortal has arrived at just the right time! I was just about to share this momentous occasion with you!"
The moment Zhang Liang saw Zhou Jue, his body stiffened instinctively, and then he bowed deeply to her.
"Zhang Liang pays his respects to the immortal."
This bow was devoid of the previous antagonism and resentment, leaving only heartfelt reverence and gratitude.
"Alright, alright, stop with the formalities." Zhou Jue waved his hand, walked straight up to Ying Zheng, and looked him up and down.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty," she said, taking a roll of paper from her bosom.
“Your Majesty has acquired a great talent today, so I will present Your Majesty with a congratulatory gift.” Zhou Jue handed over the scroll.
"Is Your Majesty satisfied with this map of the land and its people?"
"The Map of the Land and its People?"
Ying Zheng was taken aback, and unfolded the scroll in confusion. The next second, his breath suddenly stopped!
On the enormous scroll was a complete map of the Qin Dynasty's territory!
But this map was completely different from any map he had ever seen before!
The mountains, rivers, plains, and hills on this map are marked with unparalleled detail, unlike anything I've ever seen before!
What shocked him even more was that the picture was marked with tiny characters in various colors of cinnabar!
"Guanzhong is a vast, fertile plain with rich soil, suitable for growing all kinds of grains..."
"Sichuan is a land of plenty, rich in copper and iron mines, and also has salt wells..."
"East of Donghai County, there is an island rich in gold mines..."
"Liaodong is bitterly cold, but the mountains and forests have black soil that can produce rare ginseng..."
"Lingnan is a place with a lot of miasma, but there is a type of rice here that can be harvested three times a year..."
this……
This is not a map at all!
This is clearly a priceless book that records the distribution of all the products, mineral deposits and resources of the Qin Dynasty!
With this map, it is immediately clear where in the Qin Dynasty there is land to cultivate, pasture to graze, mine to mine, and build cities!
Its value surpasses that of a million-strong army!
"Immortal... this gift is far too precious!"
Even Ying Zheng felt his hands were incredibly heavy as he held the scroll, and his voice trembled slightly.
"No problem at all." Zhou Jue waved his hand dismissively, "I just wandered around these past few days and did it on the spur of the moment."
When doing tasks for my hometown, I also made one for my ancestors. It's a win-win situation. Look how excited my ancestors are, hehe.
Ying Zheng took a deep breath and solemnly handed the scroll to the eunuch behind him, instructing him to keep it safe as if it were his own life.
He looked at Zhou Jue, his eyes filled with gratitude and excitement.
"Immortal, I also have good news to tell you."
"Oh?" Zhou Jue raised an eyebrow.
"The ingenious techniques you left behind have been entrusted to the descendants of the Gongshu family and the Mohist school for study. Among them, the papermaking technique has already achieved great success!"
Excitement gleamed on Ying Zheng's face.
"Nowadays, paper can be mass-produced! Its price is less than eleventh of that of bamboo slips!"
"I plan to first establish schools in counties and prefectures throughout the land! Once sweet potatoes and taro are widely available and the people can have enough to eat, then all the poor children in the land will be able to attend school!"
Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Zhou Jue's eyes.
So fast?
She originally thought that while the research would be simple, mass production would take at least a few years. After all, nobles were the monopolists of knowledge, so would they agree to mass production?
Ying Zheng seemed to see through her thoughts and smiled, "My subordinates are full of capable people. By the way, Liu Bang, whom you mentioned, is doing quite well in Pei County now. He is a capable man."
Zhou Jue nodded, then suddenly remembered something and asked, "His Majesty is planning to build a school. Will only boys be allowed to attend, or...?"
"Of course, all are welcome to enroll!" Ying Zheng said decisively without hesitation.
"The Great Qin is now in dire need of reconstruction and is lacking in talent everywhere! Regardless of gender, they are all my subjects. As long as they have ability, why not use them?"
"Oh?" Zhou Jue couldn't help but smile. "If Your Majesty can truly recruit talents without being bound by convention, I do know a few extraordinary women whose abilities are no less than those of men."
"Speak!" Ying Zheng immediately became interested.
"For example, Liu Bang, the minor official from Pei County whom Your Majesty has recently taken in, has a woman named Lü Zhi in his hometown who is extremely capable."
Empress Lü!
Upon hearing this name, Zhang Liang's pupils constricted sharply! The ruthless woman from his dream, who slaughtered all the meritorious officials and held absolute power in the court!
Zhou Jue continued, "For example, in the Sichuan region, there is a widow named Qing. She is incredibly wealthy, her cinnabar business is widespread, and she commands thousands of private soldiers. Even local officials have to be mindful of her. She is a rare business genius."
Ying Zheng's eyes grew brighter and brighter.
Zhang Liang couldn't help but speak up, reminding him, "Your Majesty, I also heard about Lü Zhi in my dream, as the immortal spoke of her. This woman... possesses extraordinary methods, but her desire for power far exceeds that of ordinary people; she is likely not a docile person!"
He was sincerely reminding him, but Ying Zheng, instead of being afraid, burst into laughter!
"Desire?" He waved his hand domineeringly, his voice booming like thunder.
"Excellent! I was just afraid they would lack desire!"
"As long as her talent matches her desires!"
Ying Zheng's gaze swept over Zhou Jue and Zhang Liang, his words deliberate and forceful.
"I can afford it!"
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