Chapter 14 The Death of Xu Fu "Lord Tongwu, on this journey to Pengcheng, one..."
"Lord Tongwu, your journey to Pengcheng has been arduous. I hereby grant you and your soldiers three days of rest."
On the steps of the imperial palace, Ying Zheng, dressed in a dark red robe, rested his chin on his hand, his gaze sweeping over Wang Ben, who was hurrying about below.
When the emperor arrived at Langya during his eastern tour, Wang Ben led his troops ahead to clear away any obstacles that might be encountered on the way, especially the remaining bandits in Qi, so that they would not disturb the emperor's tour.
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. On behalf of the soldiers, I thank Your Majesty for your great favor." Wang Ben kowtowed to express his gratitude to the emperor, and then said, "On my way back to Langya, I saw the stone inscriptions that Your Majesty had been circulating in various counties. My father was listed first on the list of meritorious officials in the stone inscriptions. This is truly a testament to Your Majesty's favor."
When Ying Zheng inscribed a stone in Langya, the content of the inscription was not entirely praise for the Qin Dynasty. It also included the names of many ministers who had made great contributions to the Qin Dynasty.
Wang Ben's father, Wang Jian, was prominently listed first on the list of meritorious officials.
Wang Jian did not accompany the emperor on this eastern tour. This was partly due to his advanced age, and partly because he wished to retire gracefully.
After the victory in the war against Chu, the general trend of the world was clear. Wang Jian took the initiative to retire, and on the grounds of old age, he repeatedly asked Ying Zheng to let him retire and return to his hometown. He only left his son Wang Ben and grandson Wang Li in the court to continue to serve the Qin Dynasty.
Ying Zheng tried several times to persuade him to stay, but General Wang's mind was made up, and he was now living out his retirement in his hometown of Pinyang. Wang Li was also left in Pinyang by Wang Ben to serve Wang Jian, and Wang Jian often complained about his grandson in his letters.
"The old general has dedicated his life to the Qin Dynasty and made immortal contributions. It is only a little empty fame, and the old general deserves the best." Although Wang Jian has retired, Ying Zheng does not mind giving Wang Jian more honors.
He used Wang Jian as a benchmark to tell his ministers that he was not afraid of those whose achievements threatened the emperor, and that he would give full play to the talents of anyone who had contributed to the Qin Dynasty. He would not forget anyone who had contributed to the Qin Dynasty and would give everyone the reward and honor they deserved.
Of the six states, all except Han were destroyed by the Wang family father and son. Now, Wang Jian is enjoying a peaceful retirement, Wang Ben has been enfeoffed as a marquis and appointed as a general to command troops, and Wang Li is about to become a new generation of military star to rival Meng Tian.
If Ying Zheng could treat such a family with such illustrious military achievements so well, who else would be afraid of their merits overshadowing the ruler? They would only be afraid that their merits were not high enough to be granted a title.
"The other day, a fine ginseng was presented to us. Marquis Tongwu took it back to General Wang to help him recover."
Wang Ben kowtowed in gratitude, his expression showing a touch of emotion. He then chatted with Ying Zheng about family matters: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. My father is currently in Pinyang with my son by his side, and he is quite happy. In the letter my son sent, he mentioned that my father can eat two bowls of meat in one meal."
"Very good." Ying Zheng smiled upon hearing this. He thought of something, and his gaze swept across the hall. He said, "I found you a student a few days ago. He is a rare talent for generalship. Marquis Tongwu, you must train him well for me."
Although Wang Li has shown promise among the younger generation of the Wang family, in terms of military administration and command, he pales in comparison not only to his grandfather Wang Jian and father Wang Ben, but also to Meng Tian, who is also from a military family.
Meng Tian participated in the war to unify the six states under the Qin Dynasty. He was able to consider issues from a strategic perspective, and his army was disciplined and highly effective.
Therefore, Ying Zheng allowed him to lead an army independently to attack the Xiongnu in the north.
As for Wang Li, according to the First Emperor's thinking, Wang Jian was able to destroy four kingdoms and Wang Ben was able to destroy one kingdom, so even if Wang Li could not destroy one kingdom, his military leadership skills should at least be quite good, right? But the First Emperor had tested him, and the result was not satisfactory.
His expectations were too high. Ying Zheng believed that although Wang Li had been influenced by his family since childhood and had a certain level of expertise, he lacked the ability to command independently and would find it difficult to accurately seize opportunities when facing complex battle situations.
Ying Zheng's guess was correct and accurate.
In the subsequent Battle of Julu, Wang Li, as a commander of one of the Qin armies, joined forces with Zhang Han to besiege the rebel army. Faced with Xiang Yu's fierce counterattack, Wang Li's army was defeated, and he himself was captured.
As one of the geniuses, Ying Zheng found it hard to understand why Wang Li, who was already considered talented among ordinary people, did not inherit all of the Wang family's military talents.
Just as he couldn't understand why none of his children could compare to him.
He showed none of his political acumen, his ability to balance the political situation, or his capacity to construct a national framework in his children.
Fusu may have some merits, but his shortcomings are equally obvious. He does not meet the standards set by Ying Zheng for his successor.
Ying Zheng glanced at Zhang Han, who was on duty in the hall. He was tall, handsome, and had a straight posture. The inexplicable sigh in his heart lessened, and he felt more satisfied with his self-confidence and the favor of fate.
He discovered a general whose talent was no less than that of Meng Tian.
Yes, I am the chosen one. The black bird appeared in my dream and brought me talents for future generations. I will surely live forever. Since I can live forever, why should I care if my descendants cannot inherit my position?
Ying Zheng thought to himself.
Wang Ben wasn't particularly bothered by the First Emperor assigning him a disciple; could he possibly refuse? He glanced at the young man beside him who was expressing his gratitude, and his upright posture and demeanor alone earned him some points.
Be neither arrogant nor humble, and remain unperturbed by favor or disgrace.
Wang Ben nodded secretly. Not bad, he looks like a good prospect.
A palace attendant entered with light and quick steps and whispered something in Ying Zheng's ear.
Wang Ben, observing the expressions on the other end of the line, was about to take his leave.
Ying Zheng waved his hand to stop him, and said calmly, "It's nothing important. Marquis Tongwu, you can listen too."
Meng Yi came from outside the hall and bowed, not expecting that Wang Ben was also present.
Ying Zheng showed no reaction. Meng Yi reported the facts: "Your Majesty, three county magistrates in Jiaodong Prefecture have failed to erect stone tablets to commemorate the Langya Stone Inscriptions as ordered by the imperial decree."
"They know my orders but don't carry them out?"
“Yes.” Meng Yi frowned, feeling indignant. “When they were captured, my men found the memorials from various counties that His Majesty had been circulating in the study. It was obvious that he had already read them, but he was just hoping that he would not be punished.”
“This is Qin, not Qi, and they are stubborn and unyielding.” Ying Zheng said coldly, “In that case, according to the law, behead them and display their heads to the public.”
Meng Yi agreed, then looked at everyone present without saying anything.
Wang Ben and Zhang Han, understanding the implied meaning behind the music, knew that what followed was inappropriate to hear, and silently withdrew before the First Emperor could speak.
"What is it that even Wang Ben cannot listen to?" Ying Zheng slowly walked down from the steps of the palace and stopped in front of Meng Yi, his tall figure almost engulfing Meng Yi.
Meng Yi was already considered very tall among the Qin people, but the First Emperor was even taller than him when he stood up.
"This concerns His Majesty's reputation and cannot be taken lightly." Meng Yi frowned, recalling the report from his subordinates, and reported to the First Emperor one by one: "I am in charge of Xu Fu's voyage. Recently, I have been busy with the follow-up matters of the Langya Prefect. The day before yesterday, he came to urge me, saying that the auspicious day is today and that I should quickly hand over the people, money, and ships to him. Xu Fu has neither His Majesty's written order nor decree, and I am very puzzled as to why he is in such a hurry?"
Meng Yi was a close courtier of Ying Zheng, who had practically watched him grow up. It was rare to see Meng Yi display such a rich array of expressions. Ying Zheng's interest was piqued; what had Xu Fu done?
Only Meng Yi's voice could be heard in the main hall.
"Your Majesty, I am guilty. When Xu Fu first came into contact with Your Majesty, I failed to investigate his background because he was recommended by the Director of the Imperial Carriage Office. The men I sent secretly followed Xu Fu and discovered that his residence contained a hidden secret, with underground passages leading to other places. After following him for several days, I finally found his weakness. It turns out that Xu Fu was secretly colluding with the remnants of the six states, attempting to recreate the Zheng Guo Canal incident."
Zhao Gao, being an imperial eunuch, did not leave and listened intently, breaking out in a cold sweat. He quickly slid to his knees, inwardly cursing the person who recommended Xu Fu to him, and not forgetting to also curse Meng Yi. Exposing Xu Fu was one thing, but why did he have to poison his reputation as well?
What does it mean that "Xu Fu's origins were not investigated because he was recommended by the magistrate of the Imperial Carriage Office"?
Meng Yi is upset that he didn't die back then, is that it?
"Zheng Guo Canal?" Ying Zheng didn't care who recommended Xu Fu; he was simply amused by these people's ideas.
In the past, the state of Han sent the water conservancy expert Zheng Guo to Qin to build a canal in the intention of weakening Qin and slowing down Qin's eastward expansion. However, after Qin completed the Zheng Guo Canal, its strength actually increased.
Of the six kingdoms, the first to be destroyed was actually the Kingdom of Han...
While the biggest reason was that Han was located on a crucial route for Qin's eastward expansion, and was also the weakest of the six states, it's hard to imagine that Han didn't harbor thoughts of revenge.
Comparing Xu Fu to Zheng Guoqu, one is a water conservancy project that benefits the 800-li Qin River Valley in Guanzhong, while the other is a sorcerer seeking immortality and whose truth is unknown. Even though Ying Zheng had a lot of goodwill towards Xu Fu and the sorcerer's way at this time, he also felt that these people were really ignorant.
Seeing that Meng Yi seemed hesitant and unsure of what to say, Ying Zheng said directly, "What else? Just say it all at once."
Meng Yi said with difficulty, "These are all offensive and defamatory words that insult and slander Your Majesty and the Great Qin. I find it difficult to speak."
"What haven't I heard? It's probably just some things that displease me." Ying Zheng chuckled. What had he been called all these years? A tyrant? A despot?
It's nothing but the impotent rage of a loser.
"We must seize the remnants of the six states when the opportunity arises; none can escape." Ying Zheng stepped forward, leaving Meng Yi with his broad back. "As for Xu Fu..."
Ying Zheng still held some expectations for the three sacred mountains described by Xu Fu, and Meng Yi, upon hearing this, understood the First Emperor's attitude perfectly.
He replied, "Then I will arrange for men to infiltrate the fleet heading out to sea. If Xu Fu makes any unusual moves, we will capture him immediately."
The three thousand boys and girls, along with the families of the artisans, were all on the shore, so there was no fear that they might desert.
The reason why Ying Zheng did not decide on the punishment for Xu Fu was ultimately because he still had hope for the elixir of immortality that Xu Fu had mentioned.
That night, the stars shone brightly, and the Black Bird entered my dream once more.
The First Emperor was able to glimpse events that would occur several years later through the fiery red tail feathers of the Black Bird.
The First Emperor saw himself.
Amidst the vast, misty waves, he stood on Langya Terrace, gazing into the distance. He had aged a few more years; streaks of gray had crept into his temples, and wrinkles had appeared on his skin. Only his eyes remained unchanged, still focused and fierce like a hawk eyeing its prey.
A small dot appeared on the distant horizon, and a large ship silently emerged on the sea, coming into view of the First Emperor.
Perhaps it was a dream, but his eyesight was exceptional; even from such a great distance, he could see the people on the ship.
It was Xu Fu.
Compared to the Xu Fu of today, perhaps due to the wind and sun at sea, the Xu Fu on the ship has become tanned.
Time in dreams is illogical; one moment Xu Fu is far away on the horizon, and the next he is kneeling before "himself".
He heard Xu Fu tearfully recounting to "himself" the perilous sea voyages, saying that two of the three ships had collided with giant dragons lurking in the sea, and that both the ships and crew had sunk to the bottom.
Xu Fu shifted all the blame to the sea dragon.
He implied that the aging First Emperor could travel to the Three Divine Mountains and obtain the elixir of immortality for him if he equipped the area with powerful crossbowmen to kill the dragon-like creatures blocking the ships' path.
Xu Fu's tone was extremely inflammatory.
Ying Zheng understood himself. He saw the suspicion in the First Emperor's eyes regarding Xu Fu, and he also saw the red sores on the First Emperor's face. "He" seemed to be tired, rubbing his temples, and his raised arm trembled involuntarily.
"I" am getting old.
In any case, Xu Fu would not die. Although "himself" had doubts about Xu Fu's failure over the years, the desire for immortality overwhelmed everything else.
As expected, "he" pardoned Xu Fu and once again provided him with all the grains and crafts.
As the saying goes, those involved are often confused, while bystanders see things clearly.
For the first time, Ying Zheng stepped outside the confines of the alchemist's self-imposed limitations to examine his opponent. He could see Xu Fu's fear, desire, and greed for power. He could also see his own thirst for immortality, to the point that he overlooked the contradictions and inconsistencies in Xu Fu's words.
Xu Fu was such a useless man! Giving him three large ships, three thousand boys and girls, seeds of five grains, a hundred craftsmen, and countless gold and silver treasures was such a waste!
They haven't even gotten close to the elixir of immortality.
Ying Zheng saw "himself" in his dream and ordered the sea dragon to be shot. Xu Fu, carrying a new gift package, sailed to unknown seas.
Ying Zheng began to ponder the reasons for Xu Fu's failure on his first voyage to seek the elixir of immortality. Was this dream also a warning from the Black Bird? Should he set sail early to kill the dragon-like creature blocking his path? Or should he detain Xu Fu's family, send a military supervisor to accompany him, and exterminate their entire clan if Xu Fu failed to return within a specified time?
Would Ying Zheng give up on searching for the elixir of immortality hidden in the Three Divine Mountains by sea?
Of course not.
He would only think that Xu Fu was unlucky enough to find the elixir of immortality and that a Taoist priest who had attained enlightenment should be sent to sea instead.
He was the master of a vast empire, and in his view, it was worthwhile to exchange a tiny fraction of the empire's wealth for a possible hope of immortality.
Even though that tiny wisp may seem like a waste of money and resources to many people.
Ying Zheng simply couldn't understand why "he" looked pale and weak, needing to rest after only a few words. It was as if he was having difficulty breathing.
The black bird's wings were tinged with a mottled black, and its tail feathers were ablaze with fire.
This inexplicably reminded Ying Zheng of the phoenix rising from the ashes.
The black bird flew into the far, deep sky, towards the southwest.
Ying Zheng knew that the dream was about to end.
-
Xia Wuqie's rabbit died of illness.
His expression was solemn as he picked up a pen and began to write something on the cloth.
There were more than 30 rabbits in the yard, which Xia Wuqie divided into four cages. The rabbits in cage A were fed pills that he had swindled from Xu Fu, the rabbits in cage B were fed pills from other alchemists, the rabbits in cage C were fed both of them, and the rabbits in cage D were fed normally.
Currently, the rabbit in cage A is drooling, vomiting, convulsing, and lying weakly in its cage. The rabbit in cage B has an abnormal body temperature and severe diarrhea.
As for the rabbits in cage C, because they were fed both types of pills, they obviously suffered greater damage. Some rabbits had already died and were taken out and placed aside by Xia Wuqie. Those that were still alive were visibly listless, with festering sores on their bodies, and they no longer ate the hay and vegetables in their cages.
The rabbit in Dinglong was lively and energetic. Xia Wuqie saw this and thought of the First Emperor who would take any kind of elixir. His expression became complicated. Suddenly, he couldn't continue writing and his head started to hurt.
The rabbit was on the verge of death after only a few days of being fed elixirs, yet the First Emperor not only consumed elixirs given to him by Xu Fu, but also presented whatever golden pills his hired alchemists concocted. Although there were eunuchs to test the poison, the First Emperor consumed elixirs daily as he aged.
How could a once young, promising, and arrogant emperor be so easily deceived and tricked by a sorcerer?
Xia Wuqie sighed helplessly, saying that people hadn't been deceived yet simply because they hadn't encountered a suitable scam. As bystanders, they could remain unaffected, but those directly involved rarely managed to detach themselves from the deception. The sorcerers precisely targeted the First Emperor's vulnerabilities; as long as the First Emperor believed them, they could use the same rhetoric a thousand times to extract endless benefits from him.
The First Emperor had always been reluctant to discuss matters of life and death. He was a powerful ruler, so even when he was over forty, his ministers dared not bring up the matter of establishing an heir.
The First Emperor once asked Xia Wuqie how to prolong life. Xia Wuqie only replied that he should first reduce the burden of paperwork to relax both body and mind, and then supplement it with techniques to promote blood circulation and improve health.
Both men knew perfectly well that the First Emperor couldn't even do the first thing.
He had a strong desire for power and did everything personally, which is why he was known for his diligence, reading a stone's worth of memorials a day. He seemed to never tire of power.
Xia Wuqie sighed and resignedly continued to record his observations.
The First Emperor was too kind to those he approved of. After Jing Ke's assassination attempt on the King of Qin, he frequently rewarded Xia Wuqie, not only with gold, silver, and mansions. When Xia Wuqie felt his medical skills were not refined enough, the First Emperor would order the collection of rare medical books for him. Whenever he heard of a famous doctor appearing in a certain place, he would grant Xia Wuqie leave and send someone to escort him to communicate with the doctor.
The First Emperor did not spare him any effort, but Xia Wuqie himself asked himself and found it difficult to repay even a little.
Therefore, when Xia Wuqie discovered that the First Emperor had started taking elixirs, he was extremely anxious.
Persuading a powerful, opinionated, and stubborn monarch is extremely difficult. After much deliberation, Xia Wuqie decided to use data and case studies to support his argument.
He did not expect the First Emperor to believe him, but only hoped that the emperor would be alert and wary of the alchemists' elixirs.
Xia Wuqie tucked the cloth into his sleeve, looked in the direction of the First Emperor's residence, and his expression was resolute.
-
Ying Zheng accepted the cloth offered by Xia Wuqie, and his expression grew increasingly grim as he looked at it.
He couldn't help but put himself in the rabbit's shoes in Xia Wuqie's silk records.
At first, the rabbits that had taken the pills would jump around excitedly in their cages, disturbing the rabbits in the next cages so they couldn't sleep.
He focused his attention on the rabbits in cage C, looking at the records again and again.
He remembered "himself" in the Black Bird's dream.
That pale-faced, red-skinned, weak and powerless "self".
At first, I thought it was because of old age and physical weakness, but now I realize that it was all the result of taking too many pills!
The words Meng Yi had spoken during the day about "Zheng Guo Canal" and "the plan to exhaust Qin" still echoed in Ying Zheng's ears. He felt a surge of anger rising in his heart. He gripped the cloth tightly, stood up abruptly, and sneered, "Guards!"
The so-called Zheng Guo Canal was merely a means to weaken Qin, but the alchemists like Xu Fu were meant to kill him!
The palace guards stepped forward, fully armed and in perfect unison.
"Immediately arrest Xu Fu and his relatives and accomplices. For colluding with the remnants of the six states and poisoning me, he should be severely punished on charges of treason." Ying Zheng's brows were shrouded in a murderous aura as he coldly declared, "Zhao Gao recommended Xu Fu, but he is dismissed. The palace sorcerers should also be imprisoned and punished."
Xia Wuqie was shocked, clearly not expecting his actions to trigger such a series of events. He could almost imagine that Langya would be drowned in the blood of Xu Fu and his relatives.
On the land of Qin, Ying Zheng's orders were the highest command. Xia Wuqie was still stunned, finding the First Emperor's reaction unbelievable, and was still wondering why he had been trusted so much this time.
Xia Wuqie stared blankly, constantly wondering what was wrong. Shouldn't the normal procedure be that he presented the cloth, the First Emperor was unimpressed, he pleaded earnestly, the First Emperor grew tired of listening, he became disheartened, and the First Emperor remained self-centered?
What went wrong in the process that suddenly veered in a different direction?
Huh?
Looking at the bewildered Xia Wuqie, Ying Zheng was filled with emotion. He had a villain like Xu Fu by his side, but also people like Meng Yi and Xia Wuqie who treated him with utmost sincerity.
"Wuqie loves me!" Ying Zheng grasped Xia Wuqie's hand and showered him with gifts, then asked bluntly, "Wuqie, I have been taking elixirs for a long time, quickly show them to me."
While Xia Wuqie was treating the First Emperor, the iron hooves of the Imperial Guards had already trampled through Xu Fu's house and arrested his relatives and officials who were on good terms with him.
When he was captured, Xu Fu even invoked the name of the First Emperor in an attempt to intimidate the leader of the Imperial Guard.
The leading guards remained unmoved, bound the man, placed him on the back of a horse, and galloped away.
It wasn't Meng Yi's turn to be on duty today, but he lived nearby. The Imperial Guards in the palace were making such a big fuss about arresting people that Meng Yi thought something serious had happened, so he quickly changed into his official robes and went to see the First Emperor.
Upon entering the hall, I was met with a pair of calm and deep eyes.
Meng Yi was taken aback and was about to bow when he heard footsteps approaching, accompanied by several sharp shouts.
Before I knew it, the Commandant of the Guards had already dragged Xu Fu to kneel before the First Emperor.
"Your Majesty! Don't you want the elixir of immortality anymore? If so, it will be impossible to find it on my sacred mountain again, Your Majesty!" Xu Fu had lost his usual ethereal demeanor. Seeing that the First Emperor was unmoved, he appealed to his emotions and reasoned with him: "Your Majesty, the elixir of immortality is within the sacred mountain. The warships are already at the seashore, and all the craftsmen, young boys, and girls are ready. I can set off immediately to obtain the elixir of immortality for Your Majesty. I only beg Your Majesty not to harm my family. Your Majesty!"
Ying Zheng raised his hand and rubbed his temples, his expression indifferent.
Xu Fu couldn't understand what had happened, why the First Emperor, who had promised so readily, had gone back on his word. He spoke many more cryptic words about the Penglai Mountain, no longer caring about anything else.
Ying Zheng's expression shifted.
Xu Fu thought he had a chance. Considering the First Emperor's obsession with elixirs, he raised his stakes: "Your Majesty, these past few days I have been refining new elixirs for you using mica powder, Polygonum multiflorum vine, and cinnabar, at the time when the moonlight is at its brightest. Would Your Majesty like to try them?"
Xia Wuqie remained silent, shaking his head inwardly.
Xu Fu, you have a way of courting death.
Ying Zheng's face was filled with murderous intent as he said in a cold voice, "Since Immortal Master Xu likes elixirs, then Immortal Master Xu shall take three elixirs a day. Let's see when Immortal Master ascends to paradise."
Xu Fu froze.
Suddenly realizing something, he discovered that there was another person standing in the palace—Xia Wuqie.
Earlier, Xia Wuqie had stopped him on the palace road and asked for his pills.
Today, the First Emperor clearly showed his disgust for his elixirs.
In his panic, he didn't even realize at what step he had slipped up. He knew medicine and alchemy, and had only added a tiny amount of poison to the elixir. An ordinary person who tasted it would have no problem.
It was a twist of fate, a matter of timing and destiny.
He didn't know that what Xia Wuqie discovered wasn't the poison he had administered, but rather the poison inherent in the pill itself.
Xu Fu's body went limp, and he weakly asked, "I hid so well, how did you find out?"
Ying Zheng had no interest in listening to his rebuttals and self-defense: "Take him away, and the rest of you, execute them."
Meng Yi stepped forward at the opportune moment: "Your Majesty, the mansions connected by the tunnels in Xu Fu's residence have been investigated and dealt with, and the people from the six kingdoms have been captured in one fell swoop."
Despair overwhelmed Xu Fu. Before he was taken away, he heard the indifferent voice of the emperor high above him.
“Kill him.”
Oh, so Meng Yi was there too.
He overheard Meng Yi asking what to do with the ship and the young boys and girls, and Ying Zheng replied that the gold and silver from the ship should be distributed to them...
He couldn't hear anything more.
All the intense killing intent was no longer relevant to him.
He's dead.
A note from the author:
----------------------
My laptop charger just snapped and broke. I was thinking of getting a new computer, but not right now, oh God! [crying emoji] I'm typing away on the last bit of battery power while worrying that it'll shut down before I finish. [facepalm emoji]
Nutrient solution, please! Nutrient solution, please! [Pity]
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