Chapter 28 The consequences of the First Emperor betraying the Qin Dynasty by watching television!
Although history books in the system store are very expensive, there is not such strong control over TV dramas.
Perhaps it's because TV dramas and real history always differ in some way?
For example, Li Shimin was blinded in one eye by an arrow during his campaign against Goguryeo, and Zhou Yu was angered to death by Zhuge Liang...
In short, TV dramas sometimes neglect some aspects of realism in pursuit of stronger dramatic conflict, and sometimes degrade certain characters due to the selfishness of screenwriters and the market.
The story that Li Shimin was blinded in one eye by an arrow during his attack on Goguryeo is obviously a fabrication. However, ancient Goguryeo and modern-day South Korea are two completely different countries.
Anyone who has read history knows that, let alone blinding Li Shimin in one eye, they weren't even qualified to fight him. A few of Li Shimin's generals alone could easily wipe them out.
If Li Shimin had watched such a fabricated TV series, Goguryeo would probably have been completely wiped out.
There's nothing we can do; these people simply don't have the money to read history books.
Then we'd be left with only TV dramas that are mostly fictional.
Li Shimin, who fought with his own son for a concubine; Li Shimin, who killed his brother to seize the throne just to take his sister-in-law; and Li Shimin, who was blinded by an arrow...
Even Django couldn't bear to look at it and couldn't help but ask a question.
Erfeng, why are you always the one who gets hurt?!
Why are these TV dramas always using the emperors who fought for second place and vied for first place in Chinese history to spread rumors about them?
Look at the TV series "The Ancestor of the Dragon" next door; he basically appears emotionless in the drama as well.
Then look at His Majesty the Pig next door. The TV series "Emperor Wu of Han" was so well made. People with good fortune even have good luck in film and television adaptations after they die. How lucky His Majesty the Pig is! He was lucky in life, and he is lucky in death too.
Even the arguments among his concubines' fans are just about who the pig loves more.
It veered off course.
Django glanced at the television set priced at over a thousand yuan. Buying a television set wasn't cost-effective; it needed to be plugged in to work. Where would the Qin Dynasty get electricity? There might even be no signal.
"004, does the TV have a signal? How can I watch TV if there's no signal?" Jiang Ge asked the system directly, since 004 was just sitting around doing nothing anyway.
"Produced by the system, the host need not worry about the signal."
Django also detected a hint of speechlessness in 004's mechanical voice. Right, if they can even do something as rule-breaking as time travel, what's a signal?
They just dug up the base station from Cybertron.
"but-"
But as soon as he said that, Jiang Ge immediately sensed something was wrong and asked, "But what?"
"There is no electricity."
......
Now it was Django's turn to be speechless.
They can solve signal problems, but not electricity problems? It's like a student who can solve functions can't do division. It's really unexpected.
Django's fingers swiped rapidly across the system screen, the product list scrolling by like flowing water. Her brow furrowed, and she muttered to herself, "Projectors need power... tablets need power... even the oldest film projectors need to be hand-cranked..."
Indeed, electricity is humanity's greatest invention.
004's mechanical voice rang out at the opportune moment: "Has the host forgotten...?"
"Forgot what?" Jiang Ge replied without even looking up.
“We have solar generators,” 004 said helplessly.
“You mean…” Django’s eyes suddenly lit up, his finger stopping on an illustration of a machine, “A solar generator?”
Being able to watch TV in ancient times must have been so wonderful (▽｀).
wrong.
This is absolutely outrageous! (ì_í)
“This…” Django’s fingertips trembled slightly as he gently touched the generator model on the projection. The generator immediately began to spin, its metallic casing gleaming. “004, why didn’t you say so sooner that you had something this good!”
The blame was shifted very quickly.
004's mechanical voice carried a hint of grievance: "This system already said that the mall has everything, but the host didn't take it to heart."
It seems there was a mention of an elixir of immortality.
Django wouldn't allow such things to be printed in the manual. Just imagine, if Qin Shi Huang had the elixir of immortality, why would he need a television?
Django coughed awkwardly twice, then suddenly realized something: "Wait, can such a small solar panel really power a television?"
The screen immediately switched to presentation mode. A generator appeared to float in the projection, and a set of data slowly unfolded:
Simultaneous power supply is possible:
100-inch TV
Surround sound
Popcorn machine
It can power not just one TV, but three TVs together, as it comes with a full charge set at the factory.
"Stop! What the hell is a popcorn machine?" Jiang Ge was both amused and exasperated. Expecting to eat popcorn in this environment? Dream on.
"Considering the integrity of the cross-temporal viewing experience," 004 explained seriously, "according to big data, the average person in the 21st century consumes popcorn while watching a movie..."
"No popcorn machine," Django decided. "We'll buy a TV, right now!"
The generator and TV together cost almost three thousand, and it really hurt to buy them. But you get what you pay for, so I gritted my teeth and bought them.
The advantage of being a leader is that she can receive system rewards for the things her subordinates do. After all, Songyang County is a big family.
As the matriarch of the family, she has already amassed some wealth through their support.
Inside the clerk's office of Songyang County Government, a television set sat quietly. Hei Fu squatted beside it, carefully wiping the screen, afraid of leaving fingerprints that might affect the playback.
"Sir, can this thing really project images of living people?" Hei Fu couldn't help but ask.
This thing is dark and has an ordinary appearance. Does it really have such great supernatural powers?
Jiang Ge adjusted the remote control, a meaningful smile playing on his lips: "Not only can it play images, but it can also let the First Emperor see how later generations have portrayed him."
To prevent the First Emperor from being confused since he had never watched TV dramas before, she even chose the first TV drama for him to watch: "The Legend of Chu and Han," which would not only let the First Emperor know how the Qin Dynasty fell, but also how the Han Dynasty came to be.
There's no need to thank her; good people never seek recognition.
Jiang Ge silently pressed the button to watch the first episode of the Chu-Han Legend, so he could watch it as soon as he opened it later.
We also need to teach Haf how to use the remote control.
However, this big thing... He looked at the size of the TV and then at himself. It seemed a bit too big. How was he going to take it back?
Django seemed to sense Hei Fu's confusion and waved her hand, saying, "Don't be nervous. You can just touch the TV and bring it back." As the leader, Django had absolute authority. Not only could she not ask Hei Fu to bring something, she could also fire him if she wanted to.
This absolute power of speech gave Django a great sense of security.
Hei Fu nodded obediently. It was the end of the workday, and Zhou Yu, Yuchi Jingde, and Qin Shubao were returning one after another. They all looked surprised when they saw the big black box.
"My goodness, this is a television set!" Yuchi Jingde touched it without any hesitation; the material was rather hard.
It's quite uncomfortable to hold when you pat it.
Without a word, Qin Shubao slapped Yuchi Jingde's hand away, saying, "Magistrate Jiang, please forgive me." With such force, who's responsible if this TV is damaged?
Their savings are less than Haf's.
After all, their savings are zero.
"Magistrate Jiang, after Hei Fu has seen it, may I have a look?" Zhou Yu also had his own thoughts. Who wouldn't want to know what kind of reputation they would leave in history? A person's name is like a tree's shadow.
He was prepared to be remembered for generations.
He, Zhou Gongjin, had a clear conscience.
His appearance is probably more famous than his achievements, just like Zhang Liang of the Han Dynasty.
Although the Records of the Grand Historian does not directly describe her appearance, the Book of Han states that she "looked like a beautiful woman."
Sigh, being too beautiful is also a problem.
Jiang Ge chuckled awkwardly. She only wanted the First Emperor to see Hu Hai, not Zhou Yu to see him so angry that he vomited blood.
And it was fictional.
What would Zhou Yu think if he knew that he was being portrayed as a foil to Zhuge Liang?
Jiang Ge didn't even dare to dream of it. Even someone like Cao Cao had to save face, let alone Zhou Yu...
"I'll definitely do it next time." Jiang Ge didn't even dare to look Zhou Yu in the eye. He should have known better than to buy a TV. Zhou Yu worked diligently in Songyang County, clearing up many backlogged government affairs, comforting the people, and finding ways for them to make a living.
She really couldn't bear to let Zhou Yu read Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
"His Majesty also wants to watch TV." Seeing that Jiang Ge agreed so easily, Yuchi Jingde quickly signed up for Li Shimin. His Majesty wanted everything, and he wanted to reserve a spot for him in advance.
He had originally intended to save the braised chicken rice for His Majesty at noon, but before he knew it, he had finished it all.
Who can we blame?
The only thing to blame is that this braised chicken rice was just too delicious.
As Yuchi Jingde ate, he silently apologized to His Majesty. He picked up a piece of chicken, saying, "Your Majesty, I'm sorry." He picked up a mushroom, saying, "Your Majesty, I'm sorry."
If I eat a few more bites, my hands will start rubbing like ants. Sorry, sorry, sorry.
"Alright, alright, it's time. Take Hei Fu back quickly, don't keep the First Emperor waiting." Jiang Ge couldn't help but urge him on.
If we delay any longer, something bad will happen.
As night fell, the First Emperor and his ministers waited for an ordinary soldier, yet no one dared to complain.
A blinding white light flashed by.
No one was willing to close their eyes; they would rather go against their physiological reactions and suffer the pain in their eyes than not see the miracle.
Chunyu Yue scoffed.
Only they would believe in such shady and unorthodox practices.
When the white light dissipated, Hei Fu appeared in the main hall with a television set and a generator.
“Your Majesty, this is a television set.” Hei Fu’s voice trembled slightly in the empty hall. He carefully pressed the remote control, and the solar generator immediately emitted a soft hum.
The moment the screen lit up, a collective gasp filled the entire Xianyang Palace.
Zhao Gao's whisk fell to the ground with a thud, Li Si's pupils contracted sharply, even the usually composed Meng Yi unconsciously took a half step back, and even the most composed Wang Jian gasped – there really was someone moving inside that dark square box!
"Immortal...immortal magic!" An official knelt down on the ground, his forehead pressed against the cold earth.
When the title "The Legend of Chu and Han" appeared accompanied by grand music, Chunyu Yue's white beard suddenly stood on end: "This...this...Chu and Han? What about my Great Qin?"
Yes, what about the Qin Dynasty?
Ying Zheng also wanted to know. His fingers unconsciously twitched; things seemed worse than he had imagined. He had originally thought that the Qin Dynasty would last for over eight hundred years like the Zhou Dynasty, but it seemed it hadn't even been eighty years...
Shusun Tong quickly covered his mouth: "Lord Chunyu, be quiet!"
Is it appropriate to say such a thing in the main hall?
Who with eyes can't see that this is stabbing the king in the heart?
They are Confucianists, not people who seek their own demise.
The entire side hall suddenly fell silent, the hum of the solar generator audible. More than seventy pairs of eyes were fixed on the slowly unfolding map of the Qin Dynasty on the screen, marked in blood-red ink—the thirty-seventh year of Qin Shi Huang's reign.
The young Confucian scholars lowered their heads, trying to calculate which year Ying Zheng had been on the throne—the second...
The Confucian scholar dared not calculate any further; even if he had the greatest courage, he would not dare to continue.
Because there are less than ten years left.
Ten years, ten springs and autumns, only take a few minutes in a TV series, and the Qin Dynasty has such a small role, yet those people who recruit chickens and fight dogs have so much weight.
I disagree!
The time in the TV series is about the same as now. Fusu looked up at his father on the screen. No, the father on the screen was not as unfathomable as his father in real life.
Nor was his father, the King, tall and imposing.
Even his father wouldn't be so slow to react. Fusu's eyes slowly turned to Ying Zheng. The real father wouldn't look like the one in the picture, and the real father was even more handsome.
When the First Emperor traveled, the people made way for him. But in this TV series, Liu Bang says, "A true man should be like this!" and Xiang Yu says, "He can be overthrown and replaced."
The temperature in the main hall of Xianyang Palace plummeted to freezing. The officials standing on either side instinctively gripped their sword hilts, causing Fusu to clench his fists. His father... his father was irreplaceable!
"Ha." Ying Zheng's cold laugh caused the bamboo slips in Zhao Gao's hands to clatter to the ground. "A mere village head..."
Immediately following Xiang Yu's resounding declaration that he could replace him, Wang Jian's grandson, Wang Li, drew his sword and shouted, "Arrogant brat!"
"Silence." The emperor raised his hand, the twelve tassels of his crown casting varying shades of shadow on his face. His fingertips tapped lightly on the table, each tap resonating in the hearts of his ministers like a war drum: "Continue reading."
Liu Bang, a rogue, and the Han Gaozu Emperor whom most people consider not very good, was the most typical political animal.
However, in Ying Zheng's eyes, Liu Bang was a rogue who even seduced a widow. He was a man who couldn't even control his own body and kicked his wife and children off the chariot while fleeing for his life. He was selfish.
Ying Zheng looked at Xiang Yu again, a violent and short-sighted avenger, an avenger specifically created for the Qin Dynasty, destined to be a loser.
None of them are as good as me.
When the actor playing Ying Zheng appeared on screen in the TV series, the real Ying Zheng immediately frowned. Although the actor wore a twelve-tassel crown, the jade beads swayed wildly when he walked and he spat out words when he spoke, making him look like a street urchin cursing.
"Is this how I usually look?" Ying Zheng turned to ask Meng Yi.
Meng Yi broke out in a cold sweat: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty's divine might is unpredictable, how could it be like this..."
"to be honest."
"No way!" Meng Yi said, going all out. "My legs go weak when His Majesty glares at me, why would I need to yell like this?"
On screen, Ying Zheng roars, "Build the Great Wall! Build the highways! Build the Epang Palace!" But the real Ying Zheng merely strokes the hilt of his sword, and the assembled officials in the hall collectively shrink back—this is the true majesty of an emperor.
"Continue." Ying Zheng's voice was like a block of ice.
Hei Fu pressed the button. The screen flashed, and the three large, blood-red characters "Bolangsha" appeared.
Ying Zheng's pupils contracted slightly. The image on the screen, however, made his fingers unconsciously tighten their grip on the armrest.
The imperial entourage in the drama is traveling along a narrow sand dune path. Suddenly, a huge iron spike hurtles down the hillside, crashing straight into the most magnificent carriage!
"Protect the Emperor!" the guards in the drama shouted in a panic.
The real Meng Yi had already drawn his sword and stepped in front of Ying Zheng. The sound of swords being drawn filled the hall, and dozens of guards surrounded the jade steps.
Ying Zheng raised his hand, gesturing for them to step back, his eyes fixed on the screen. There, a figure wearing a crown and covered in blood crawled out of the smashed carriage.
"Tyrant Ying Zheng!" A young swordsman stood on the hillside, sword in hand, his voice clear and resonant. "Though I, Zhang Liang, cannot take your life today, there are countless righteous men throughout the land, and one day—"
"Insolence!" The real Li Si suddenly roared, veins bulging on his forehead. "How dare you, mere remnants of six kingdoms, act like this!"
Ying Zheng's face had turned ashen. He saw himself in the play being helped up by guards, while the assassin named Zhang Liang calmly disappeared into the woods. What enraged him even more was that some of the onlookers in the play were secretly cheering!
"Pause." Ying Zheng suddenly spoke, his voice terrifyingly low.
The image froze on the moment Zhang Liang turned around, the hatred in his eyes clearly visible. Hei Fu's hand trembled, and he almost dropped the remote control.
"Investigate." Ying Zheng tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest. "Investigate thoroughly for me. Where is that Zhang Liang now?"
Li Si suddenly knelt down: "Your Majesty, please calm your anger! I will immediately issue a nationwide warrant for his arrest!"
Ying Zheng ignored them and turned to the screen, his eyes flashing with a dangerous light: "Continue playing."
The scene continues. Zhang Liang is in a thatched hut, plotting with several old men.
"Ying Zheng was tyrannical and cruel," Zhang Liang declared eloquently in the drama, "The construction of the Great Wall killed hundreds of thousands of laborers, and the building of the Epang Palace exhausted the wealth of the entire nation..."
"Absurd!" the real Wang Jian couldn't help but exclaim. "The Great Wall was built to defend against the Xiongnu, and the Epang Palace was not even finished..."
Ying Zheng raised his hand to stop him. Zhang Liang on the screen continued: "...He made five eastern tours, wasting resources and causing hardship to the people. Wherever he went, the people had to kneel to welcome him and offer him delicacies..."
Ying Zheng's brow furrowed deeper and deeper. He remembered the kneeling people, remembered their shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" But now, through this magic mirror from the future, he saw another side for the first time—what kind of resentment might be hidden beneath those bowed heads?
"Your Majesty!" Prince Gao suddenly stepped forward, "Your subject is willing to lead troops to annihilate these rebels!"
Ying Zheng did not answer. His gaze was drawn to the new scene on the screen—in the drama, he was raging in the Epang Palace, ordering the massacre of three hundred craftsmen because a pillar was not straight enough.
"I...have I ever done such a thing?" A rare hint of uncertainty appeared in Ying Zheng's voice.
A deathly silence fell over the hall. Cold sweat beaded on Li Si's forehead, while Meng Yi's eyes darted around nervously. Finally, Zhao Gao cautiously spoke, "Your Majesty...Your Majesty, some craftsmen were indeed punished last month..."
A complex emotion flashed in Ying Zheng's eyes. He suddenly realized that this celestial mirror revealed not only the future, but also the overlooked truths under his rule.
The scene on the screen shifted back to Bolangsha. This time it was from Zhang Liang's perspective—he lay in ambush in the grass, watching the convoy stretching for miles, his eyes burning with hatred.
"Now!" Zhang Liang whispered to his companion in the play, "That golden-topped carriage must be where the tyrant is!"
The real Ying Zheng suddenly sneered: "Foolish."
As expected, the iron spike in the scene only hit a secondary carriage. The real imperial carriage was in the middle of the procession, completely inconspicuous.
"I see..." Meng Yi suddenly realized, "No wonder His Majesty always prepares multiple identical carriages for his inspection tours!"
A hint of satisfaction flashed in Ying Zheng's eyes, but it quickly turned grim again. The scene playing on screen depicted Zhang Liang's escape—he was hailed as a hero by the common people, while Ying Zheng was seen as a tyrant reviled by all.
"stop."
Ying Zheng raised his hand again, his gaze sweeping over the assembled officials in the hall. "What I have seen today, if even a single word of it is rumored..."
"We swear to keep this secret to the death!" Everyone knelt down in unison.
Ying Zheng's gaze returned to the screen. There, the "Ying Zheng" in the drama was furious, ordering a nationwide manhunt for Zhang Liang. But the real Ying Zheng was lost in thought.
He suddenly realized that this celestial mirror from the future offered him not only a warning, but also an opportunity to change his destiny. If the assassination attempt at Bolangsha made him more vigilant, what about other things? The public grievances, the hidden dangers...
"Your Majesty?" Fusu's cautious voice interrupted his thoughts.
Ying Zheng turned around and found his eldest son looking at him with an unprecedentedly complex expression. There was awe, confusion, and even a hint of...expectation?
"Issue the decree," Ying Zheng suddenly spoke, his voice echoing in the hall, "The laborers working on the Great Wall shall be divided into two shifts, with each person working no more than five hours a day." His gaze swept over the images of the ragged laborers on the screen.
Although the current focus is mainly on partial repairs of the old Great Wall.
However, it should be noted that according to the "Qin Law - Sikong Law", "the daily work of convicts is six hours", which is twelve hours, but in reality it may be longer.
The staple food was unhulled millet. Those who were treated better might have a little salt added. The laborers conscripted from the south even had to bring their own food to build the Great Wall.
If you try to slack off, you'll get a beating at any moment.
Shock flashed in Meng Yi's eyes, but it quickly turned into admiration. He knelt on one knee: "Your Majesty is wise!"
Ying Zheng ignored the flattery. His gaze fell on Fusu, and he noticed an unusual glint in his eldest son's eyes. At that moment, he suddenly understood something.
Change should perhaps begin now.
"Furthermore," Ying Zheng's voice softened slightly, "if I make an eastern tour in the future, the counties and prefectures along the way shall be exempt from offering tributes. The people... need not kneel to welcome me."
These words struck like a thunderbolt, leaving all the officials in the court dumbfounded. Even the historian who had been hiding in a corner taking notes was so shocked that he dropped his brush.
Ying Zheng had already turned around, his black dragon robe drawing a sharp arc in the candlelight. His gaze fell once more on the young man named Zhang Liang on the screen, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
"Continue playing," he commanded softly.
On the screen, the candlelight in the dune palace flickered, and Ying Zheng's fingertips tapped out a dull rhythm on the table. When he saw him coughing up blood in the drama, the real emperor suddenly chuckled: "I had no idea that I was so ill?"
The bamboo slip in Li Si's hand fell to the ground with a thud. He saw himself on the screen, trembling as he stamped the forged edict, fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead. The real Li Si subconsciously reached for his own seal, only to find his palm already soaked with sweat.
“Your Majesty…” Li Si’s voice caught in his throat.
He wanted to plead for himself, but Li Si and Zhao Gao on the screen continued.
Zhao Gao nearly fainted. After the death of the First Emperor, Zhao Gao committed all sorts of evil deeds. Even when Ying Zheng was alive, he couldn't even plead for himself. Zhao Gao knew Ying Zheng's character, and he knew he was doomed.
But Zhao Gao wanted a more comfortable death, so he also pleaded for mercy...
He groveled like a dog and said, "Your Majesty."
Ying Zheng raised his hand to stop him, the jade beads of his crown casting varying shades of shadow on his face. His gaze remained fixed on the screen, where a scene of Hu Hai was playing—"I want to be emperor."
"Fusu."
The emperor suddenly spoke.
"Your subject is here."
"Do you think..." Ying Zheng pointed to Prince Fusu on the screen, "Does this actor resemble you?"
Fusu's pupils contracted slightly. He saw himself in the play, straightening his back. At that time, Fusu was in Shangjun, serving as Meng Tian's military supervisor, leading 300,000 Qin troops to defend against the Xiongnu.
The messenger arrived at the military camp with a forged imperial edict and read it aloud:
"I toured the empire, praying to the gods of famous mountains to prolong my life. Now, Fusu and General Meng Tian have led hundreds of thousands of troops to garrison the border for more than ten years, yet they have been unable to advance. Many soldiers have been lost, and they have achieved nothing. Instead, they have repeatedly submitted memorials to the emperor, directly criticizing my actions. They are resentful day and night because they cannot be dismissed and allowed to return to the position of crown prince. Fusu is an unfilial son. Let him be given a sword to commit suicide!"1 From "Records of the Grand Historian: Annals of Qin Shi Huang".
A decree with a different style; if he paid close attention, he could tell that it wasn't in Ying Zheng's style.
But upon hearing the imperial edict, Fusu was filled with grief and indignation, and immediately prepared to draw his sword and commit suicide. Meng Tian stopped him, advising him:
"His Majesty is on a tour and has not yet established a crown prince. It is illogical to suddenly order the death of the supervising general. The authenticity of the edict should be confirmed with the court before deciding whether to commit suicide." The point needs to be made as clear as possible.
But Fusu shook his head and said with tears in his eyes:
"If a father commands his son to die, what more can be asked of him?"
After saying this, he drew his sword and committed suicide, dying on the spot.
Fusu was slow and indecisive in everything he did, even when it came to killing people, he couldn't bring himself to do it. But when it came to killing himself, he was incredibly fast, not even bothering to confirm it before wiping him out with a single stroke.
If he had even slightly doubted the imperial edict, or he had heeded Meng Tian's advice, the history of the Qin Dynasty might have been completely different.
Ying Zheng looked at his son, and he was truly disappointed that he couldn't see through such an obvious deception.
In the TV series, after Fusu's death, Meng Tian still refused to commit suicide and was imprisoned. Later, when Huhai ascended the throne, Zhao Gao, fearing Meng Tian's revenge, sent people to force him to commit suicide by poison.
Meng Yi kicked over the table, and the bronze wine vessel crashed down in front of Zhao Gao. He grabbed Zhao Gao by the collar and dragged him like a dead dog to the television, forcing him to watch the scene of Meng Tian taking poison on the screen.
"Look closely! My elder brother Meng Tian—" Meng Yi's voice was hoarse, like sandpaper scraping against iron, "the commander of an army of 300,000, was ultimately killed by you, this eunuch, with a cup of poison!"
A fist the size of a sandbag was already close to Zhao Gao's face, but he managed to hold back.
A single gust of wind from the fist left Zhao Gao limp as a board, his genitals oozing water. The blue light of the screen reflected his deathly pale face; the scene was showing Hu Hai, at Zhao Gao's instigation, slaughtering his brothers and sisters.
"You still have the nerve to talk about loyalty to the emperor?" Meng Yi suddenly grinned maliciously, grabbing Zhao Gao's hair and forcing him to look up. "Back in Handan, I should have chopped you up and fed you to the dogs!"
According to the "Biography of Meng Tian" in the Records of the Grand Historian, Zhao Gao was "a distant relative of Zhao," meaning a distant descendant of the royal family of the Zhao state during the Warring States period. After Qin conquered Zhao, his family was likely relocated to Qin and reduced to low-ranking officials or commoners.
In other words, Zhao Gao's misdeeds in Qin may have been motivated by a desire to avenge his homeland.
The entire court gasped in shock. These words were incredibly venomous—they both exposed Zhao Gao's humble origins and implied that the king had misjudged him.
But Ying Zheng was not angry. How could such a lowly person shake the foundation of the Qin Dynasty? Hadn't he just misjudged him?
Throughout the entire farce, only Ying Zheng remained completely still. But when the camera focused on Hu Hai playing with the Imperial Seal while holding a dog, he moved.
Ying Zheng sat upright on the dragon throne, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest, and suddenly spoke:
"Zhao Gao, do you know which is more painful, being torn apart by chariots or being subjected to the five punishments?"
In the Qin Dynasty's penal system, "dismemberment by chariot" and "the five punishments" were two extremely representative forms of cruel punishment, whose cruelty and symbolic significance far exceeded that of simple physical punishment.
Dismemberment by five horses was a form of torture in which the victim's head and limbs were tied to five separate chariots, which were then driven in different directions to tear the victim apart (from the "Zhou Li·Qiu Guan").
The Five Punishments were the most cruel form of punishment.
The first step was facial tattooing, where characters were engraved on the face with a bronze knife and then inked to leave permanent marks. The second step was nose amputation, where a special bronze nose amputation knife was used to cut the bridge of the nose horizontally. The third step was to sever the left or right foot with an axe. The fourth step was flogging, where vital areas (waist/temples) were continuously struck with thorny branches or bamboo boards until the internal organs ruptured. The fifth step was decapitation and mutilation; after the decapitation, the body was chopped into mincemeat, and the head was displayed publicly.
Executioners were trained to ensure that the condemned remained conscious during the first four stages of the execution (as recorded in the Qin bamboo slips from Shuihudi, "to prevent a hasty death").
It was mainly used for heinous crimes such as treason and regicide, and the victim had to be conscious and watched by a crowd, and their body could not be collected after death.
Both Li Si and Han Xin died under this punishment: "He was subjected to the five punishments and cut in half at the waist in the marketplace of Xianyang" (Records of the Grand Historian, Biography of Li Si). Li Si still doesn't know how he died. He glanced at Zhao Gao and thought, "Damn eunuch! That's too lenient on him."
Li Si had deep feelings for the Qin Dynasty. If the Qin Dynasty was a building, and the First Emperor was the owner, then Li Si was the most diligent and outstanding craftsman. This building was his life, the culmination of Li Si's thoughts throughout his life.
The two were not only a golden duo in establishing an empire, but also one of the most famous monarch-minister pairs in history.
"All the men married Qin princesses, and all the women married Qin princes" (Records of the Grand Historian, Biography of Li Si). The two were even related by marriage, and Qin Shi Huang left this talented minister a way out. But who could have imagined that Li Si's pursuit was to serve Qin for ten thousand generations, not to serve Ying Zheng for ten thousand generations?
Zhao Gao trembled like a leaf, his forehead pressed to the ground, unable to answer.
Ying Zheng sneered: "No rush, I'll let you try them all."
Zhao Gao collapsed to the ground, unable to believe it was all over.
His punishment was so simple, without any hesitation or thought; a few casual words decided Zhao Gao's fate.
How valuable can someone who relies on others to gain power possibly be?
At least Zhao Gao was not irreplaceable.
Inside the main hall, Ying Zheng finally shifted his gaze from Zhao Gao and slowly placed it on Li Si.
Li Si prostrated himself on the ground, his forehead pressed against the cold earth, cold sweat soaking through his official robes. He dared not raise his head, only hearing the sound of the emperor's boots grinding against the ground, each step feeling as if they were treading on his spine.
"Li Si."
The emperor's voice was soft, yet it was like a blunt knife, slowly cutting into Li Si's nerves.
“I remember that you once wrote a letter entitled ‘Admonition Against Expelling Foreign Guests’.”
Li Si trembled.
That was his masterpiece and the starting point of his official career. With this article, he persuaded Ying Zheng to rescind the decree to expel the foreign ministers of the six states, and from then on, his career soared.
But now, when Ying Zheng mentions it, it's definitely not to praise it.
You said, "Mount Tai does not reject any soil, so it can become so high; rivers and seas do not discriminate against small streams, so they can become so deep."
Ying Zheng's voice remained calm, but every word felt like an ice pick piercing Li Si's eardrums.
"I am very curious—"
The emperor bowed slightly, the jade strings of his crown dangling, casting a shadow over Li Si.
"You advise me to be tolerant of the world, but why can't you tolerate Fusu yourself?"
Why was an edict issued ordering Fusu to commit suicide? Although Fusu was foolish, as his father, Ying Zheng still favored his son, so Fusu shouldn't be blamed too much for such a deception.
At most, Fusu simply lacked the courage to challenge his father, the king, to revolt.
Li Si suddenly looked up, his lips trembling, but he couldn't utter a single word.
What should he say? That he was coerced by Zhao Gao? That he coveted power? That he thought Hu Hai was easier to control?
No, Ying Zheng wouldn't believe it.
The emperor's gaze had already told him: all your excuses are just a joke.
"Li Si, throw him into prison and give him thirty strokes of the cane every day." Li Si cannot die now; how can a useful person die so easily?
As for Hu Hai—
"Bring Hu Hai here." Ying Zheng's anger had not subsided.
The Qin Dynasty's foundation, built over so many years, was destroyed by a fool, which made Ying Zheng extremely distressed.
I desperately need a place to vent.
Before long, Hu Hai was brought up by a servant; Hu Hai was still a baby.
Upon seeing Ying Zheng, he joyfully waved his fist.
Ying Zheng's hand slowly touched his neck, the touch was icy cold. Hu Hai didn't know what was happening and thought his father was playing with him.
With a forceful pull, the child's face turned bluish-purple.
Fusu suddenly stepped forward, "Father, you mustn't! Hai is still a child."
Although Hu Hai will later call a deer a horse, kill his brothers and sisters, slaughter meritorious officials, and destroy the Qin Dynasty, he is still a child now and has not yet had the chance to commit these mistakes.
Gongzi Gao pouted: "Of course you can say that, elder brother. You can die a quick death by slitting your own throat, but it's the younger brother who will suffer."
He had already seen his own ending through the TV series: to be buried alive with the dead.
"Brother, why are you so distressed?" Princess Yangzi felt her arms and legs still aching when she saw her fate.
He even killed a princess who had no competition. This Hu Hai is a little beast. Even if his father hadn't killed him, these meritorious families wouldn't have tolerated Hu Hai.
Didn't you see how pleased these ministers were to see this happen, brother?
Letting Hu Hai live would do nothing but harm.
The ministers needed Ying Zheng to give an answer, and Ying Zheng had to give an answer: the Qin Dynasty did not need a fool, nor did it need the instigator of the Qin Dynasty's downfall to live.
Ying Zheng ignored Fusu's advice and continued to exert himself. He had given Huhai life, and he also had the right to end that life with his own hands.
Fusu's knees slammed heavily onto the blue bricks in front of the hall, making a dull thud. Ignoring the pain, he gripped Ying Zheng's arm tightly with both hands, the muscles on his arm taut like iron, constricting Huhai's delicate neck.
"Father!" Fusu's voice ripped through the deathly silence of the hall, "He is your own flesh and blood!"
Hu Hai's face had turned blue.
"Your Majesty!" Meng Yi suddenly knelt on one knee, his armor clanging. "If Hu Hai dies at Your Majesty's hands, the historians will record..."
Ying Zheng's hand paused slightly.
These words were like a blunt knife, disrupting Ying Zheng's thoughts. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of the historian's trembling hand—the brush used to record the emperor's every word and deed was hanging above the bamboo slips, ink about to drip.
“Father…” Fusu’s forehead rested against Ying Zheng’s boot tip, “Your son is willing to guarantee with his life that Hai’s brother will be imprisoned in the cold palace forever. If he makes the slightest move, your son will personally…” His Adam’s apple bobbed, “...personally end his life.”
He simply couldn't bring himself to kill his younger brother. Hu Hai was too young and knew nothing. He hadn't even had a chance to commit the heinous crimes yet. How could he use future events to deal with people in the present?
Ying Zheng loosened his grip slightly, and Hu Hai suddenly gasped for breath, letting out a choking cough like a drowning person.
That's enough.
Ying Zheng's voice was soft, yet it cut through the clamor like a sharp sword. He released Hu Hai's neck and threw him to the ground. Fu Su rushed to catch him, and the child's limp body slid into Fu Su's arms.
Fusu wanted to pick him up and comfort him, but Ying Zheng's glare froze him in place.
"From this day forward, Hu Hai is demoted to a commoner." Ying Zheng took out a silk handkerchief and slowly wiped the drool from his hands. "His face will be tattooed as a mark." The handkerchief fluttered onto Hu Hai's face. "Fu Su will personally oversee the execution."
Facial tattooing, also known as ink punishment, was a common form of punishment in which characters were tattooed on the face or forehead of a criminal and then inked, creating a permanent mark of shame. If a person had a facial tattoo, it usually meant they had been a criminal, which could severely impact their career and social status.
In the Qin Dynasty, people with tattooed faces were generally ineligible for official positions unless granted a special pardon or achieved military merit, and even then, they faced discrimination. The laws and social customs of the Qin Dynasty were extremely harsh on convicts; those with tattooed faces were mostly relegated to menial jobs or hard labor, making it difficult for them to enter the ruling class.
This completely blocked Hu Hai's future path.
Fusu's pupils contracted sharply, and his younger brother in his arms felt as light as a feather.
Thankfully, at least I survived.
"Your Majesty!" Li Si suddenly looked up from the deathly silence, bloodstains still visible on his forehead from kowtowing. "If the commoner Hu Hai is manipulated by those with ulterior motives..."
No matter what, Hu Hai was a descendant of Ying Zheng, so it was inevitable that some people would try to seize the opportunity to cause trouble.
Ying Zheng's lips curled into a cold smile: "Then let the whole world see." As he turned around, the jade beads on his crown clashed violently, casting swaying shadows on his face.
"Look at the consequences of betraying the Qin Dynasty."
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Author's Note: [Sprinkling flowers] Is this chapter long or short? I'll update quickly after my business trip, hehe. Thank you everyone for your comments and nutrient solutions, I'll try my best to update more often! [Rainbow farts]
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