The Myth of Daqin: The Soul of Yi Xiaochuan

Feng Jie and Meng Yi, with solemn expressions, galloped to the palace gate. They dismounted and hurried off to the imperial city like the wind.

The imperial city towered, the Zhangtai Palace soaring into the clouds. Sunlight shone on the palace's golden tiles, gleaming with a dazzling light. Against this magnificent backdrop, the figures of Feng Jie and Meng Yi appeared small but resolute.

The two hurried through the numerous palace gates and finally arrived before the emperor. Feng Jie bowed and presented a sealed confession letter with both hands, saying, "Your Majesty, this is the important evidence that General Meng and I have recently obtained during our investigation. Please review it."

The First Emperor sat on the dragon throne, his majestic eyes swept over the bamboo tube, then he stretched out his right hand and waved it gently, and the eunuch beside him stepped forward to take the bamboo tube and present it to the emperor.

The First Emperor opened the bamboo tube, took out the confession and letter, and began to read them carefully. As he read more, his face became increasingly gloomy, and finally he slammed the table in anger and said, "What a sinister plot! I will never let these daring people off easily!"

The First Emperor's voice echoed in the palace like thunder, making everyone present tremble.

He never imagined that someone would dare to plot such a sinister conspiracy right under his nose. These people were simply too audacious to take him, the emperor, seriously.

At this moment, the First Emperor was filled with rage, but even more with shock and disappointment. He had always believed his rule was peaceful, but he hadn't expected such a hidden crisis. He had to thoroughly investigate this matter and bring those with ulterior motives to justice, or the consequences would be disastrous.

Feng Jie and Meng Yi stood quietly in the audience, awaiting the Emperor's order. They knew this incident was of great importance, and if not handled properly, it might cause unrest in the court.

Feng Jie lowered his voice and said, "Your Majesty, please calm down. Taking care of your health is the most important thing. Our top priority now is to apprehend all those involved in the case and bring them to justice to prevent any accidents."

The First Emperor nodded slightly in agreement, his eyes as sharp as lightning. "Meng Yi, I order you to lead the Lieutenant Generals into action immediately and round up all those involved in this case! We would rather kill a thousand innocent people than let a single one escape! In addition, send another group of men to the Bashu region to escort all members of the Lu family back to Xianyang for trial."

Meng Yi respectfully accepted the tiger talisman, bowed, and responded firmly, "I will obey your command! Your Majesty, rest assured. I will definitely fulfill my mission!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Meng Yi disappeared into the depths of the palace like a whirlwind.

The entire imperial city was suddenly shrouded in a tense and oppressive atmosphere, as if foreshadowing that a huge storm was about to come.

For a time, the entire Xianyang city was in turmoil and unpredictable, and a cruel and bloody purge was quietly and silently beginning.

At the same time, Qin Shihuang also realized that the problems hidden behind this incident were serious and that he must conduct an in-depth investigation to find out the mastermind behind it.

So, he sent his trusted henchman Heibingtai to various places to collect clues, vowing to wipe out this force lurking in the dark.

Meng Yi returned to the Lieutenant's Office with a solemn expression and urgently summoned Meng Xin and Xiao He. He spoke in a low but firm voice, "Your Majesty has issued an order for severe punishment for this incident! All those implicated must be apprehended and brought to justice. Even if it means killing a thousand innocent people, not a single one must be spared!"

After a brief pause, Meng Yi continued, "Brother Xin, here is the tiger talisman. You will immediately lead one hundred patrol officers to the Lieutenant's camp. Order Han Xin to mobilize five hundred Lieutenant's troops. The two of you will work together to rush to Bashu as quickly as possible. Make sure to capture the entire Lu family and escort them back to Xianyang. At the same time, carefully calculate their property and land taxes."

Meng Xin took the tiger talisman without hesitation, bowed and accepted the order, saying, "As you wish! Please rest assured, sir, I will definitely live up to my mission and complete it successfully!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Meng Xin left quickly.

Immediately afterwards, Meng Yi quickly mobilized another hundred patrol guards and led Xiao He to rush towards Zi Hai's mansion like a gust of wind.

At the same time, he ordered Ying Bu to arrest all the relevant personnel in Wei Mansion and to inform Xin Qiliu to seal the city gates and search for the alchemists and Confucian scholars who were involved in the case.

Meng Yi pondered this matter. He understood the importance of this mission and knew he had to proceed with caution. He led Xiao He and a hundred patrol officers, advancing towards Zi Hai's residence like a surging tide.

Arriving at the gate of Zihai's mansion, Meng Yi's expression was stern and his eyes were determined. He gave an order: "Surround the mansion! No one is allowed to enter or leave!"

As his order was given, a group of soldiers wearing heavy armor and holding sharp blades quickly took action and surrounded the entire mansion.

Immediately afterwards, Meng Yi personally led Xiao He and a team of patrol guards into the mansion and headed straight for Zi Hai's study.

At this moment, Zi Hai was pacing anxiously in his study. When he heard a commotion outside, his heart suddenly tightened. Before he could react, Xiao He and others had already broken through the door and rushed directly towards him.

Zi Hai was so frightened by the sudden change that his face turned pale, his lips trembling slightly, and he stammered, "Lieutenant... Lieutenant, what are you doing?"

Meng Yi stood in front of everyone, his body as straight as a pine tree, his face expressionless.

He said in a cold tone: "Zi Hai, you are suspected of plotting to murder His Majesty. I have come to arrest you on the orders of His Majesty!" Every word hit Zi Hai's heart like a heavy hammer.

A flash of despair flashed in Zi Hai's eyes. He knew he had no way to escape. He sighed helplessly and slowly raised his hands, indicating that he was willing to surrender.

Seeing Zi Hai's cooperation, Meng Yi waved his hand, signaling the soldiers behind him to step forward and tie up Zi Hai and his family. Everything went smoothly without any resistance.

Soon, Zi Hai and his family were escorted out of the mansion, put on a prison cart, and taken to the prison. Watching the prison cart moving further and further away, Meng Yi felt uneasy.

He knew that although the storm had subsided temporarily, the conspiracy behind it was far more complicated than it appeared on the surface. This was just the tip of the iceberg, and the real challenge was still waiting for him.

Back at the Lieutenant's Office, Meng Yi and Xiao He sat opposite each other.

Xiao He was the first to break the silence: "My Lord, this time the three families of Lü, Wei, and Prince Zihai, plus the colluding Confucian scholars, alchemists, and officials from the remnants of the Six Kingdoms, I'm afraid tens of thousands of people have been implicated in this!"

Meng Yi's heart trembled, his brow furrowed. "According to the First Emperor's temperament, I'm afraid all of these people would be executed. Especially since Confucian scholars and alchemists are involved. Could this be the 'burning of books and burying of scholars' recorded in history books?"

Meng Yi shook his head slightly and said in a heavy tone: "Xiao He, the world is destined not to be peaceful for too long..." After that, he stopped talking.

He stood up and walked to the window, gazing at the sky outside, his heart filled with worry. Meng Yi knew that this political storm was bound to bring unpredictable impact to Daqin.