Chapter 184 Unveiling the Truth of History
He clearly didn't do anything right, yet this person dared to say such things in front of His Majesty. Isn't this blatantly trying to sow discord between the emperor and his ministers?
How could he possibly tolerate this? This man clearly wanted him dead! If His Majesty truly believed him, then his death was not far off.
Ying Zheng's face was so dark it could drip water. The empire he had worked so hard to build was going to perish in the end? And it was related to Zhao Gao?
Whether it's true or not, the way he looked at Zhao Gao at that moment made him want to tear him to pieces.
He took several deep breaths before calmly asking, "..."
"Gentlemen, why did my Qin Dynasty perish? Could you please explain in detail? Also, I would like to know what role Zhao Gao played in this? Even though I am no longer here, my children are still alive. Why did my Qin Dynasty perish?"
Seeing the incredulous look on the First Emperor's face, Gu Xinyan and the others didn't hide anything from him. They recounted this part of history, which would be known to later generations, one by one.
"Your Majesty, the Qin Dynasty fell during the reign of the Second Emperor, who was then in power as Prince Huhai!"
"His Majesty has taken an elixir of immortality concocted by a sorcerer. The main ingredient in this elixir is actually a highly poisonous substance. Long-term use will severely damage His Majesty's body."
When His Majesty was 49 years old, in July of 210, he suddenly fell ill on his return journey from his fifth eastern tour and ultimately passed away at the Sand Dune Platform.
"At that time, Prince Fusu was sent by His Majesty to Shangjun to build the Great Wall to defend against the Xiongnu. At that time, only Li Si and Zhao Gao accompanied His Majesty."
His Majesty had originally written a letter to Fusu, in which he explained his plans for the future and intended for Fusu to hand over the army to General Meng and immediately return to Xianyang to arrange his funeral.
"Unexpectedly, Zhao Gao, in collusion with Li Si, kept the death a secret, even using salted fish to mask the stench of the corpse. Furthermore, they altered His Majesty's edict, enthrone Huhai as the new emperor."
At the same time, they forged His Majesty's decree and issued an edict to Fusu, ordering him to hang himself in Shangjun.
At that time, General Meng Yi had been sent back to Mount Kuaiji by His Majesty to pray to the mountain spirits and had not yet returned to his post, which gave the two men the opportunity to tamper with the imperial edict.
"Later, after Huhai ascended the throne, under Zhao Gao's manipulation, he successively murdered a series of important officials, including Meng Tian and Meng Yi."
Furthermore, in order to consolidate his power, he slaughtered all of His Majesty's children—not a single one was spared; they were all killed with extreme cruelty!
"The Second Emperor continued the harsh laws and punishments, and further increased taxes and corvée labor, causing immense suffering to the people and ultimately leading to a popular uprising."
In fact, some of the Qin Dynasty's subsequent decisions had already aroused dissatisfaction among the people and Confucian scholars. Therefore, the later uprising was because the people could no longer endure it; if they did not resist, they could only wait to die.
"The Qin Dynasty only lasted three years. Qin Er Shi (Hu Hai) reigned for three years before the Qin Dynasty collapsed!"
"Your Majesty, these are not secrets in later generations. They are established history, so there is no need for us to deceive you with this. The truth is indeed so!"
We also have historical materials here; if His Majesty wishes to see them, we can show them to him.
As the sounds faded, Qin Shi Huang felt his head buzzing.
He only has nine years left to live? The empire he worked so hard to build was ultimately destroyed by his most beloved child.
It's surprising how cruel that kid is. He slaughtered important officials and even his own brothers and sisters without leaving a single one alive.
How dare he do that? And what about Zhao Gao and Li Si? How dare they tamper with their own imperial edict?
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty is innocent! This is absolutely a slander! Your Majesty is loyal to you and has never harbored any disloyalty. Your Majesty, please be discerning! You must not believe these villains!"
"Your Majesty, I would never do such a thing! I beg Your Majesty to see the truth!"
Inside the silent shop, Zhao Gao and Li Si's voices rang out simultaneously. Both men were kneeling on the ground, looking at their emperor with terrified expressions, fearing that if they were a second too late, their heads would roll.
They are truly innocent now; how could they possibly do such a thing?
At this moment, Ying Zheng was completely absorbed in what they had just said and paid no attention to what the two people were saying. The last thing he wanted to see right now was these two.
"Meng Yi, drag the two away and lock them up. We'll talk about it later."
Upon hearing this, Meng Yi quickly nodded and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty!"
After saying this, he ignored the two men's shouts and dragged them away with several others. Seeing the scene unfolding before them, the civil and military officials and Confucian scholars behind them dared not even breathe.
The news I just heard was so shocking. Seventy or eighty percent of the people present wouldn't live more than a few years. It's terrifying to even think about.
As she watched the two being dragged away, Gu Xinyan took out a stack of documents from her spatial backpack. These documents were the ones she had used when studying the Records of the Qin Dynasty, and they would come in handy now.
"Your Majesty, you can take a look. What is written here is all that happened in history, and what we are talking about is also recorded here."
As Gu Xinyan spoke, she handed the stack of documents in her hand to Ying Zheng, giving him not only a stack of paper documents but also a tablet.
Although there was no internet connection, the tablet contained comprehensive data and videos, which were perfect for showing to the First Emperor.
Upon hearing this, Qin Shi Huang took the document without hesitation, flipped through the pages, watched the video again, and then fell into a long silence, his expression not very pleasant.
"Your Majesty, these are all true historical events that cannot be changed, but Your Majesty can change the present."
Your Majesty may not be aware, but now that we have come into this world at this point in time, it means that from this moment on, everything that follows is still unknown.
A new little world will be formed here, and anything that happens thereafter will have no impact on future generations. So, Your Majesty, there is still time, and many things have not yet happened!
Seeing the First Emperor's pale face, Gu Xinyan gently comforted him, saying that this was history in the making and could not be changed.
However, this also served as a warning to the First Emperor, reminding him that tyrannical rulers are unacceptable.
Only a wise ruler who loves his people like his own children can earn their love and respect. If given another chance, he can always remind himself of this.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com