The next morning, at Xianyang Palace.
The court was filled with officials, all waiting for the report of the army's triumphant return.
"Report! Generals Wang Ben, Wang Li, and Meng Tian are waiting outside the palace!"
"Announce!"
The three men strode into the hall and bowed before Ying Zheng, who sat at the head of the table: "Your Majesty, we, your humble servants, pay our respects!"
"Rise." A hint of joy flashed in Ying Zheng's eyes. "How is the situation in Zhao?"
"Your Majesty!" Wang Ben reported, looking up, "Handan has fallen, the King of Zhao has been captured, and the State of Zhao is destroyed. Our army has captured over 20,000 prisoners and seized countless amounts of money and grain, all of which have now been transported back to Xianyang!"
"Excellent!" Ying Zheng laughed, his eyes gleaming. "Thanks to the Grand Commandant's gunpowder, otherwise things wouldn't have gone so smoothly."
The wicked man stood in the hall, a smile on his face: "Your Majesty flatters me. This was the soldiers' bravery; what does it have to do with me?"
"Oh?" Ying Zheng gave him a meaningful look. "I heard they seized quite a few treasures this time?"
"Your Majesty." Just as Wang Li was about to step forward, he saw the wicked man suddenly grin and take the initiative to step forward.
"Your Majesty!" the wicked man said, bowing respectfully, his eyes gleaming with barely concealed excitement, "Your Majesty, I have something to offer!"
"Oh?" Ying Zheng's interest was piqued. "What treasure has caused you to lose your composure like this?"
The courtiers all stared wide-eyed. Why was this Grand Commandant, usually as composed as a mountain, acting like a child who had just received candy?
"Zhang Erhe!" the wicked man shouted, his voice trembling slightly.
Zhang Erhe strode into the hall, holding a brocade box in both hands, looking extremely careful.
"Your Majesty, please look!" The wicked husband personally took the brocade box and carefully opened it.
In an instant, a warm, jade-like light filled the hall, and the assembled officials couldn't help but gasp in amazement.
"This is..." Ying Zheng suddenly stood up, his voice trembling, "The He Shi Bi?!"
"Exactly!" the wicked husband exclaimed, beaming. "This is the finest jade in the world, a treasure that Lin Xiangru was willing to die for, and now it's in the hands of our Qin state!"
"Hahaha!" Ying Zheng laughed heartily. "No wonder you're so excited. When I was a hostage in Zhao, I longed to see the true face of the He Shi Bi jade!"
"Your Majesty!" The wicked man, holding the brocade box in both hands, ran forward. "Look, this jade is as warm and smooth as cream, crystal clear throughout, with a smooth, brand-new surface, without any trace of carving."
"You!" Ying Zheng chuckled, tapping his forehead. "Usually so composed, but today you're acting like a chatterbox."
The courtiers all laughed upon seeing this.
Who would have thought that the usually decisive and ruthless Grand Commandant would lose his composure so much after obtaining this jade?
The wicked man, unfazed by embarrassment, grew even more enthusiastic: "This thing is no ordinary object! We are about to utterly destroy the six kingdoms and establish a great empire. This thing has arrived at the perfect time!!"
"Hmm?" Ying Zheng stroked the jade disc with satisfaction. "You little rascal, have you come up with some clever idea?"
"Hehe," the wicked man chuckled, "When the world is unified, the title of 'King' will no longer be appropriate. Your Majesty can be called 'Emperor,' and this object can be carved into an imperial seal to determine the destiny of our Great Qin Dynasty!"
"By the mandate of Heaven, may your life be long and prosperous!!"
Upon hearing this, the hall fell into an instant silence so profound that you could hear a pin drop.
For some reason, the moment they uttered the words "evil husband," they all felt an indescribable surge of adrenaline!
It's as if... the whole world is in his grasp!
"Granted!!" A fiery glint flashed in Ying Zheng's eyes. He said solemnly, "The Grand Commandant is absolutely right. With this jade, the unification of the world is just around the corner! Issue an edict, appoint him Grand Commandant..."
"Your Majesty, please wait!" the wicked man quickly stopped him, "This was found by Your Majesty and the others; I dare not claim credit for it."
"You're quite modest!" Ying Zheng laughed heartily. "Very well..." He raised an eyebrow at Wang Ben and the others, "Having rendered meritorious service in destroying a nation and presented such a precious treasure, you naturally deserve a reward!"
"......"
The morning assembly ended in this harmonious atmosphere.
"Hahaha!" The wicked husband laughed all the way as he walked, frightening the passing eunuchs who all gave way.
"Grand Commandant, what's wrong?" Zhang Erhe couldn't help but ask. "I've never seen you so distraught!"
"Out of line?" The wicked man stopped and said mysteriously, "Without this, even if we conquered six kingdoms, it wouldn't be quite the same!"
"It's not that exaggerated," Zhang Erhe said. "It's just a precious jade from the State of Chu, isn't it?"
"Smack!" The wicked husband gave him a good smack on the head. "This object is known as the finest jade in the world. Only when it is carved into an imperial seal can the unification of the nation be truly complete. In the future, our China will naturally be firmly established and united..."
"Well..." Zhang Erhe scratched his head, "Hasn't the Chu Kingdom been destroyed yet?"
"You!" the wicked husband sighed. "The State of Chu is easily destroyed. With the He Shi Bi jade, we should suppress everything else, first destroy Chu, and then establish our dynasty!"
"What the Grand Commandant said is true..." Zhang Erhe still couldn't understand, and secretly thought to himself: You were the one who said not to destroy them first, but you were the one who was in a hurry to destroy them.
"Alright, alright, stop asking so many questions!" The wicked man waved his hand. "Go, call Wang Li here. I want to ask him where he found this treasure."
Before long, Wang Li and Meng Tian arrived in a hurry.
"This humble general pays his respects to the Grand Commandant!"
"Don't give me that," the wicked husband laughed. "Tell me, where was this He Shi Bi jade found?"
"Reporting to the Grand Commandant, it was deep within the Zhao King's secret chamber," Wang Li said. "At the time, seeing its crystal-clear appearance, I felt it was no ordinary object, so..."
"Good lad!" The wicked husband patted him on the shoulder, "Did you notice anything unusual?"
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