The Myth of Daqin: The Soul of Yi Xiaochuan

Unexpectedly, just two days after Zhao Gao led his men in arresting others, Meng Yi received an urgent report from Li Ziwei with shocking news: the Imperial Guard Tu Sui had tragically passed away in the distant southern Xinjiang! Fusu had only been away from Xianyang for over a month and had only just taken over the affairs of southern Xinjiang.

This sudden bad news made Meng Yi feel deeply helpless and emotional.

At this moment, Meng Yi was well aware of his predicament, unable to openly interfere in the complex affairs. After all, he was new to the officialdom, with a shallow foundation and limited sphere of influence. Currently, the only people who truly obeyed his orders were the Jinyiwei intelligence organization he had founded, along with a few others like Ying Bu, Han Xin, and Xiao He.

As for the others, most of them only showed him some respect due to his family's prestige and status. Therefore, before the world fell into chaos, Meng Yi knew all he could do was to remain patient and quietly accumulate strength, waiting for the right time to unleash his ambitions.

Now, it has been only more than ten years since the unification of the six kingdoms, and the first emperor Ying Zheng still dominates the world and is feared by all.

Under his command, the Beidi Camp, Lantian Camp, and the Nanyue Army each possessed millions of elite soldiers. These powerful military forces were as impenetrable as the Great Wall of Steel, forcing all factions to surrender without hesitation.

Although the situation became increasingly complicated with the passage of time, as long as the First Emperor was still alive, this huge military deterrent force would still be able to intimidate those who were ready to make moves and ensure the stability and peace of the country.

In the blink of an eye, another day passed. The steeds from southern Xinjiang galloped like the wind and finally arrived at the magnificent city of Xianyang.

When the First Emperor heard the tragic news of Tu Sui's death, he was heartbroken but not too surprised. This was because the news of Tu Sui's serious illness had already reached the palace long before, and he had already made some plans and arrangements for this matter in the court.

However, what no one expected was that Wei Liao was also reported to be seriously ill! This sudden change was like a bolt from the blue, severely hitting the Emperor's already uneasy heart.

At this moment, the First Emperor was growing increasingly restless. The veteran ministers who had once fought alongside him and discussed state affairs with him were now falling ill or even passing away one after another. This situation made him deeply aware of the approaching crisis of an unprecedented magnitude.

These veteran officials were not only the pillars of the nation, but also his most trusted right-hand men. Their departure undoubtedly brought a huge shock to the entire court, causing subtle changes in the previously stable situation. Faced with this situation, the First Emperor could not help but fall into deep worry...

The First Emperor's obsession with immortality grew stronger, the longing burning deep within him like a raging fire. He anxiously issued decrees one after another, pressing Zhao Gao with urgency, eager to learn whether Xu Fu's search for immortality had yielded any results.

At the same time, the First Emperor kept sending envoys to Hu Hai, ordering him to present precious elixirs. Only after swallowing these mysterious elixirs could the First Emperor feel a surge of energy in his body.

However, it is regrettable that despite this, due to the long-term and frequent swallowing of pills, his body gradually became weak.

Zhao Gao saw all these changes. He observed silently, thought about them, and planned them carefully.

Every time the First Emperor asked worriedly, "Zhao Gao, why do I feel so tired and weak every day lately?"

Zhao Gao would feign calmness and reply, "Your Majesty, perhaps you have overworked yourself. You must take the elixir regularly and rest more to recover your strength."

Time passed quickly, and it was already the beginning of May. On this day, the grand court meeting took on an unusual atmosphere.

At this moment, the First Emperor sat upright on the dragon throne in the center of the hall, which symbolized supreme power. However, compared with the past, he had lost his high-spirited spirit and looked a little haggard and tired.

Meng Yi observed all of this and understood clearly that the First Emperor's current state was due to his over-reliance on elixirs. He knew the situation was dire and secretly thought that he must find the right time to leave Xianyang, this troubled place.

Just as Meng Yi was silently pondering his response, a solemn-looking censor in official uniform suddenly stepped out. He bowed respectfully to the emperor and spoke righteously, "Your Majesty! I wish to impeach the Minister of Works, Meng Yi. He dared to attempt to shield the vicious criminal from the Juxian Hall, openly defying the court and obstructing the government's pursuit of the fugitive! His crime is truly heinous!"

However, before Meng Yi could even begin to argue, another imperial censor stepped forward, also bowed deeply to the emperor, and then reported loudly, "Your Majesty, I beg you to investigate. I would also like to report General Meng Yi, the Minister of the Imperial Household. As far as I know, he maintains a large number of retainers and secretly hides a large amount of weapons. His intentions are extremely sinister and he clearly has ulterior motives!"

At this moment, the scene became extremely tense. Everyone held their breath and focused their eyes on Meng Yi.

At this moment, Wang Ben, who had been silent until then, finally couldn't contain himself anymore and stepped forward. He first solemnly bowed to the emperor, then said in a firm tone: "Your Majesty, I believe that the accusations that Lord Meng Yi has kept retainers, secretly stored weapons, and has ulterior motives are completely false and nothing more than slanderous words fabricated out of thin air!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Ben suddenly turned around, his eyes wide open, and shouted at the censor who had just made the attack: "Do you know what happened in the twenty-sixth year of His Majesty's reign?"

Facing Wang Ben's questioning, the censor couldn't help but feel a little apprehensive, but he still answered with a brave face: "Your Majesty, the 26th year is naturally the time when our Great Qin unified the world. Marquis Tongwu, you ask this question, are you trying to test me?"

Wang Ben's lips curled up slightly, and he let out a mocking sneer. Then, in a dignified and cold tone, he spoke: "Humph! Don't you know? Back then, His Majesty personally issued an edict granting our Wang and Meng families the right to each appoint a hundred household guards and allow them to bear arms. What's the matter? Are you now planning to accuse me of treason? Or are you openly questioning His Majesty's wise decision?"

Hearing these words, the censor was so frightened that his face turned pale as paper. His legs went weak and he fell to his knees on the ground with cold sweat dripping down his forehead.

He was trembling all over, his voice filled with extreme panic and fear, and he shouted loudly: "Your Majesty, please forgive me! I really have no idea. Your Majesty, please have mercy!"

At this moment, the censor was filled with regret. He had so rashly angered the prince. Even more frightening, he might even anger the current emperor. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel a chill running down his spine, and his whole body fell into deep fear.