Chapter 143 My Charming Ancestor 17
Zhou Jue was astonished. How could they connect these things? Was their ancestor being a little too perceptive?!
She didn't keep him in suspense and calmly nodded.
"able."
In short, it was decisive and efficient.
"Your Majesty is wise."
"The explosion in the alchemy furnace and the method of gunpowder production are essentially from the same source. One is an uncontrollable accident, and the other is a divine power that can be grasped."
Ying Zheng understood.
He was not a fool; on the contrary, he possessed the most advanced wisdom and insight of his time. He was simply blinded by the word "immortality" and led himself into a dead end.
Now that he himself can achieve immortality, the fog before his eyes will naturally dissipate.
Xu Fu...
What a Xu Fu!
What a deceitful and treacherous scoundrel!
Not only did he use poison to erode my body day and night, but he also defected overseas with the rudimentary technology that could evolve into a world-destroying artifact!
That damned thing, he stole the future of Qin!
If he were to actually develop this thing in that tiny island nation called Japan...
In an instant, a cold sweat broke out on Ying Zheng's back!
A crazy idea flashed through his mind, but he immediately extinguished it.
To make a traitor work for you?
No!
How could I entrust my empire and my weapons to a venomous snake that could turn on its master at any moment?!
He suddenly looked up, his gaze fixed intently on Zhou Jue, his voice trembling slightly, a tremor he himself didn't even notice:
"Even immortals... know this technique?"
Zhou Jue smiled.
She knew the First Emperor would ask that question.
How could an emperor with an extremely strong desire for control entrust the lifeline of his empire to a traitor?
"Not only do I know how to make it, but I can also teach all the manufacturing methods to the artisans of Qin."
"High-precision artillery is beyond our current production capacity, but simple explosive charges are no problem."
The last trace of hesitation in Ying Zheng's eyes vanished completely.
"Good! Good! Good!"
He said "good" three times in a row, then turned around and roared like thunder towards the outside of the hall!
"Someone come here!"
Upon hearing the commotion, a commander of the Imperial Guards quickly entered the hall and knelt on one knee.
"Issue my decree!"
"The alchemist Xu Fu deceived the emperor and plotted to harm the emperor and his father with highly poisonous elixirs. His crimes are unforgivable! His heart deserves to be condemned!"
"Arrest him and all his associates!"
"We need to see him alive or dead!"
The wrath of an emperor can leave millions dead!
The imperial guard commander trembled violently from the terrifying killing intent emanating from him. He didn't even dare to raise his head and answered the order in a trembling voice: "Yes, Your Majesty!"
Seeing the commander of the Imperial Guards scramble away, Ying Zheng's violent anger subsided slightly.
He slowly turned around, looked at Zhou Jue, and suddenly revealed a meaningful smile.
"I originally intended to spare his life so that he could serve me."
"But I've figured it out. My Great Qin has plenty of fine sons and daughters, plenty of skilled craftsmen! I don't need a traitor who breaks his promise!"
"My weapons must be forged by the most loyal Qin people!"
Zhou Jue looked at him and nodded inwardly.
This is the kind of spirit an emperor should have.
To place your hopes on the enemy is a path to certain death. Only by firmly grasping power in your own hands can you achieve true victory!
Everything that needed to be said has been said.
Everything that needed to be done has been done.
Zhou Jue felt that it was time for him to retire gracefully and get on with his own business.
She took out a book written in Qin small seal script from her sleeve and handed it over.
"Your Majesty, I would like to ask you to pass this book on to Fusu."
Ying Zheng took the scroll; it felt warm to the touch, neither silk nor bamboo, and he wondered what material it was. He unfolded it and saw three large characters written on it.
"Random Thoughts"
"This is... the Analects?" Ying Zheng asked, somewhat puzzled.
"The classic texts passed down by ancient sages teach the principle of 'winning people over with virtue'," Zhou Jue said, spouting nonsense with a straight face.
Ying Zheng raised an eyebrow.
He thought of his stubborn eldest son, Fusu.
Could it be that the immortals also believe that Fusu's "benevolent" way is the right one?
Ying Zheng frowned.
He was about to speak when Zhou Jue quietly added:
"However, Your Majesty may have some misunderstanding about 'winning people over with virtue'."
"How does Your Majesty interpret the saying: 'If I hear the Way in the morning, I can die content in the evening'?"
Ying Zheng snorted coldly. The Confucian scholars always said, "If you understand the great way of the sage in the morning, you will have no regrets even if you die in the evening."
How pedantic!
“Your Majesty’s understanding is flawed,” Zhou Jue said, his words sure to be startling.
"What this really means is: As long as I find out the way to your house in the morning, I can kill your whole family tonight."
Ying Zheng: "..."
His hand holding the book trembled almost imperceptibly.
He suddenly looked up at Zhou Jue, trying to see if she was joking.
However, Zhou Jue's expression was as serious as it could possibly be.
"Warfare is based on deception. The words of the sages are also like this." Zhou Jue continued to explain: "The so-called 'virtue' is not simply about blind forbearance. True virtue is having both the scriptures of the Bodhisattva and the methods of thunderbolts."
"Prince Fusu is kind-hearted, which is a good thing. But what he lacks is precisely this decisive and ruthless approach."
"This book, 'The Art of Persuasion,' is about how to use physical methods to persuade those who don't listen to reason. It's perfect for him."
Ying Zheng remained silent.
He looked at the book "Lunyu" in his hand, and then at Zhou Jue.
After a long silence, he solemnly said, "Very well, I will personally hand it over to him."
He suddenly felt that perhaps... there was still hope for his eldest son.
"Thank you, immortal."
"Your Majesty is too kind." Zhou Jue waved his hand. "Your Majesty must have other personal matters to attend to, so I won't keep you any longer."
After speaking, his figure vanished from the main hall.
They come without a trace and go without a trace.
They were truly like immortals.
Ying Zheng stood there, holding the scroll of "Lunyu," and remained silent for a long time.
In the shadows of the main hall, Li Si's figure slowly approached.
"Your Majesty..." Li Si's voice was still somewhat hoarse and filled with lingering fear.
"Come with me." Ying Zheng's voice had already shattered the calm that had been like a still pond.
He put the book "Lunyu" aside and walked back to the huge world map.
"Li Si, you have served me for twenty years."
"Yes, Your Majesty..."
"I ask you," Ying Zheng interrupted him, "an immortal once said that harsh laws lead to widespread resentment and ultimately chaos in the world. What is your opinion?"
This is a life-or-death question!
Li Si's heart leaped into his throat once again.
He knew that every answer he gave today would determine his future fate, and even the fate of the entire Legalist school!
He remained silent for a long time, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.
Finally, as if he had made up his mind, he said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, what the immortal said is the result, not the cause."
"Oh?" Ying Zheng turned around, intrigued.
"The root cause of the chaos in the Qin Dynasty lies not in the law, but in poverty!" Li Si's voice resonated powerfully.
"Your Majesty, since Shang Yang's reforms, our Great Qin has been founded on agriculture and warfare, with strict laws and clear rewards and punishments, which has led to our current conquest of the six kingdoms! The law is the foundation of our Great Qin and must never be shaken!"
“But…” he changed the subject.
"Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. The law is the rein that restrains the people, but if the people can't even get enough to eat and survival becomes a luxury, then even the strictest law cannot stop them from rising up in rebellion!"
"Therefore, I believe that the most urgent task is not to abolish the law, but to enrich the people!"
Li Si raised his head, his eyes revealing the calmness and sharpness characteristic of a Legalist disciple.
"Let the law be the foundation, and let profit be the driving force! Let the people of the world know that if they abide by the Qin law, they will not only avoid death, but also live a good life! As long as they are willing to work, they can eat their fill, dress warmly, and even be promoted and ennobled!"
"When all the people of the world benefit from the Qin laws, who will still yearn for the corrupt six states? Who will still listen to the instigation of those remnants?"
"Your Majesty, benevolent governance is not just empty talk about benevolence and righteousness. Ensuring that the granaries are full and that all people have enough to eat and wear is the greatest form of benevolent governance in the world!"
Ying Zheng listened quietly.
He looked at the imperial prime minister, whom he had personally promoted, and his eyes revealed approval.
Li Si did not disappoint him.
He did not completely deny himself or the Legalist school because of the immortal's words.
He saw the essence of the problem.
"Well said," Ying Zheng said slowly. "Then, in your opinion, what should be done?"
...
At the same time, after leaving a note at Zhangtai Palace, Zhou Jue appeared on the distant East China Sea.
Beneath her feet lay the surging blue sea.
"Brother Tong, let's get to work! Scan this area and find the Spirit Eye for me!"
[Scanning... Target locked. Located 300 li southeast of current location, in an abyss 1,000 meters below the surface.]
"Get out of here!"
Zhou Jue's figure transformed into a streak of light and instantly plunged into the deep sea.
After an unknown amount of time, when she rose from the sea again, a satisfied smile was on her face.
[Ding! Absorbed the Earth Vein Spirit Eye, gained 50,000 points.]
"Next!"
...
Night slowly fell.
Zhou Jue's figure silently returned to the side hall of Zhangtai Palace.
She stretched, having spent the whole day fleecing her neighbor, and finally managed to fleece them bald. Although she had a good haul, she was also quite tired.
Just as she was about to lie down and rest for a while, a high-pitched voice of a young eunuch came from outside the palace gate.
"My lord, His Majesty has ordered a meal and invites you to a banquet."
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