Chapter Nine: His Majesty Can Now Live Forever

Prime Minister Li's Residence.

Li Si was entertaining his favored protégé, Wu Gong, engaging him in a close and lengthy conversation.

Wu Gong was responsible for much of the work in the Court of Justice, including the management of prisons.

Li Si took a small sip of strong tea and smiled, saying, “Young Wu, how are the arrangements coming along?”

Wu Gong respectfully held the tea with both hands but did not take a sip as he replied, “Master, rest assured. I have already instructed our agents planted within the Imperial Guards to place Prince Fusu among those scholars posing as alchemists.”

“Excellent!” Li Si smiled broadly.

The accusation against Fusu, implicating him in defiling the favored concubine Li, was now firmly established.

Next, by leveraging Fusu’s connections with Hou Sheng and Lu Sheng, he would surely plead on behalf of these scholars!

At that point, the Emperor would be further enraged, leading to the revocation of Fusu’s right to succeed the throne!

Wu Gong looked puzzled and asked, “Master, Prince Fusu is already in a precarious position himself; would he still defend these scholars?”

Li Si nodded with a smile. “He will.”

“From what I know of Fusu, he holds Confucianism in the highest regard, and Hou Sheng and Lu Sheng, though calling themselves alchemists, are actually Confucian scholars.”

“Their political philosophies align perfectly with Fusu’s.”

“If Fusu wishes to advance further, he must secure their support.”

“And I intend to capture and eliminate all of them in one fell swoop. Hou Sheng and Lu Sheng have already fled, which is like cutting off Fusu’s left and right arms!”

Li Si, deep in his strategic calculations, continued, “Next, we let him associate with these scholars, and then have them executed.”

“If the Confucians withdraw their support,” he said, “Fusu will utterly lose his foothold.”

Wu Gong suddenly understood and took a sip of tea with genuine admiration. “Master, you see through things far more clearly than your disciple. I am grateful for your guidance.”

Li Si favored this disciple immensely, especially appreciating his humble and courteous demeanor, which was very pleasing to him.

Hence, he advised, “Rest assured, there will be no problems with placing Fusu among the alchemist prisoners.”

“The Emperor has not ordered Fusu to be confined anywhere, so even if His Majesty investigates later, you will not be held accountable.”

“After some time, once the court situation stabilizes, I will promote you to the position of Court Justice, cementing your place.”

“Thank you, Master, for your support.” Wu Gong rose and performed a deep bow of gratitude.

Li Si, sensing the moment was right, did not say more, leaving the matter at that.

In years past, he had restored his official status and gathered his first followers through his essay "Remonstrating Against the Expulsion of Guests," securing the position of Court Justice.

Over the years, he contributed significantly to rituals, laws, road regulations, and script reforms, gradually amassing strength and ascending to the position of Prime Minister.

Now, he intended to suppress private academies, burn books and poetry, enact corresponding laws, and firmly consolidate his authority as Prime Minister.

He would also ruthlessly eliminate all the Confucian scholars opposing him.

From now on, in Qin, he would be second only to the Emperor.

Even Zhao Gao would have no choice but to bow and submit to him.

—

Guard Commander’s Residence.

Since his last counsel in the palace, Meng Yi had not closed his eyes for a full day and night.

In these two days, he had scrutinized all the movements of the palace guards and interrogated all relevant personnel.

Yet, Meng Yi found no evidence to exonerate Prince Fusu.

Nor did Zhao Gao or Hu Hai show any signs of misconduct.

After thorough investigation, all traces pointed to the undeniable conclusion that Prince Fusu had indeed committed a grave, treasonous crime.

But…

—

Meng Yi furrowed his brow.

He understood that the Emperor had sent him to investigate because he had obtained some other means of information.

This was a test.

A trial of both his capability and loyalty.

Therefore, Meng Yi must uncover something, anything, to open the current predicament for himself and for Prince Fusu.

Just as Meng Yi pondered deeply, the leader of the Imperial Guards, Bai Shao, entered to report, “My lord, the matter of the attack on Prince Fusu some days ago has been clarified.”

“Hm?” Meng Yi looked up.

Bai Shao continued, “The eunuch involved was an external attendant from the Crown Prince Gao’s residence…”

“Crown Prince Gao!” Meng Yi frowned.

Surely, there was more to this story…

Suddenly, Meng Yi seemed to grasp something.

He sharply turned to Bai Shao with a stern expression: “Who was responsible for guarding Prince Fusu at the time?”

Bai Shao was momentarily taken aback, then thought a moment and said, “It was the Third Division of the Imperial Guards.”

Meng Yi nodded. “Lock them up in the Imperial Guard prison. I want to interrogate them personally.”

“Yes, my lord!” Bai Shao took his leave to carry out the order.

—

Meanwhile,

In the Penglai Pavilion, beside a massive alchemical furnace,

Young boys and girls dressed in yin-yang robes moved busily and orderly.

Some added water, others tended the fire, while some intermittently placed rare minerals into the furnace.

In front of this grand furnace,

A middle-aged man in a Taoist robe, with a benevolent face, sat quietly with his eyes closed, awaiting patiently.

The contrast between the bustling activity around the furnace and the tranquil meditative figure on the cushion created a mysterious and profound atmosphere.

Suddenly,

A mist of vapor rose from the furnace, and a peculiar, fragrant aroma of elixir filled the air.

The middle-aged Taoist was none other than the famed Xu Fu. At this moment, he suddenly opened his eyes, his face alight with uncontainable joy.

It had worked!

Since his last voyage across the seas in search of immortal elixirs, he had traveled to many places and gradually understood the true meaning of “there is always a heaven above heaven, and a person beyond person.”

Thus, Xu Fu’s alchemical skills had made remarkable progress.

Upon returning, combining his experiences and his own methods,

He had finally concocted the immortal elixir!

Boom!

The massive furnace trembled, and under intense heat and pressure, the various materials coalesced into a single, perfectly round pill that soared skyward.

Immediately,

The entire room was bathed in a resplendent spectrum of colors.

Xu Fu sprang up abruptly, reaching out to catch the soaring pill.

A wave of scorching heat radiated from it, so he promptly opened a prepared ice crystal box and placed the pill inside.

Sizzle—

Despite the burns on his palm, Xu Fu happily called out, “Someone, prepare to enter the palace and pay homage to His Majesty!”

“I have finally succeeded!”

“The Emperor can live forever!”

All the young boys and girls present beamed with joy.

Years of effort had culminated in this moment of triumph!

They no longer had to suffer the fate of Lu Sheng and his group, locked away in prison, awaiting their executions.

Thus,

Beneath the hopeful, joyous gazes of all, Xu Fu changed into a brand-new Taoist robe and swiftly made his way to the Xianyang Palace.

—

Inside the Imperial Study of Xianyang Palace,

The First Emperor of Qin tapped his waist and sifted through a mountain of bamboo slips until he found a report detailing the labor levies across the realm.

Zhao Gao stood nearby, exhausted and gasping for breath.

Lifting and moving bamboo slips daily seemed to be Zhao Gao’s method of maintaining his vigor and strength—a truly excellent physical exercise.

The Emperor sat back down, carefully reviewing a memorial on the construction of the Great Wall.

However, the budget report for the Epang Palace’s construction had yet to be approved.

Obviously,

Fusu’s words had sounded a warning bell in the Emperor’s mind.

While the Five Techniques of Governing the People were the national policy of Qin, the Emperor now realized that moderation must be observed in all things.

This also reminded him of the last will left behind by Shang Yang before his death.

At the time, he had only found it laughable.

Now, in light of Fusu’s counsel, the Emperor sensed a faint trace of danger.

“Have I truly gone too far…” he pondered.

Just then, a eunuch entered and announced, “Your Majesty, Minister Meng requests an audience.”

“Send him in,” the Emperor said, setting aside the memorial.

At that moment,

Meng Yi hurried in, saying, “Your Majesty, I have uncovered some clues.”

“Oh?” The Emperor’s interest was piqued.

Zhao Gao immediately bowed and prepared to leave.

The Emperor glanced at him and said, “Stay and listen.”

Zhao Gao shivered but promptly stood obediently to the side.

Meng Yi then presented a memorial, saying, “Your Majesty, some days ago, Prince Fusu was attacked in an attempt on his life by a eunuch.”

“I have investigated the eunuch’s background and the guards on duty at the time.”

“I discovered that invisible hands have been manipulating everything.”

“Furthermore, upon reevaluating the background of the favored concubine Li, I found she is actually descended from the northern Hu barbarians!”