The Myth of Daqin: The Soul of Yi Xiaochuan

As for Zhao Gao and Hu Hai, ever since the First Emperor ordered the search for immortality to be entrusted to them and supported Xu Fu's voyage in the court, the two began to actively prepare for Xu Fu's voyage.

Zhao Gao said to Hu Hai in a flattering tone, "Sir, this voyage to sea in search of the elixir of immortality is a rare opportunity. If you can truly find it, it will not only consolidate your position in the court, but will also make it possible for you to become the next emperor."

Hu Hai said excitedly: "Teacher, we must prepare well and not let this opportunity slip away."

Zhao Gao replied, "Yes, sir. We have already mobilized a large amount of manpower and material resources to build ships and prepare supplies. By the middle of next year, we will be able to select a group of elite soldiers to accompany Xu Fu to sea."

Hu Hai nodded with satisfaction: "Teacher, very good, I trust you to do the job."

Zhao Gao added, "However, I am still a little worried. Will Xu Fu go out to sea alone? Will there be any accidents?"

Hu Hai frowned: "What should we do then?"

Zhao Gao thought for a moment and said, "We can send some of our trusted men to follow him. On the one hand, they can protect him, and on the other hand, they can supervise him."

Hu Hai nodded: "Okay, let's do it."

Zhao Gao added, "Sir, I have also secretly contacted some sorcerers and alchemists, hoping to gain more clues and methods about immortality from them."

Hu Hai's eyes lit up: "Oh? Teacher, is there any progress?"

Zhao Gao replied, "Not yet, but I believe that as long as we work hard, we will be able to find the secret of immortality."

Hu Hai said with a smug look on his face, "Okay, Teacher, I trust you to do the job."

At the same time, Zhao Gao was secretly cultivating his own power. He used his power and wealth to win over people and cultivate his confidants. These people either provided Zhao Gao with intelligence or offered him advice, which enabled Zhao Gao's power to grow day by day.

All this was carried out quietly under Zhao Gao's meticulous plan, without anyone noticing.

When Meng Yi heard the news, he couldn't help but feel very surprised.

He knew that Fusu had always opposed the First Emperor's pursuit of immortality, but he did not expect that Li Si would join Fusu in advising him.

After all, in historical records, these two characters were on opposite sides. Now they are standing on the same front and have the same goal, which is really incredible.

Meng Yi pondered secretly: "Could it be that the butterfly effect brought about by my time travel changed the course of history? Or did the two of them only reach a short-term consensus? Or perhaps Li Si's true intention was to maintain the unity of the Qin Empire..."

A series of questions came to his mind, and the more Meng Yi thought about it, the more headache he got. Finally, he decided not to dwell on these questions anymore and put them behind him.

There's no point in overthinking it anyway, so it's better to just let things take their own course and take things one step at a time. As long as you can hold onto what you have now, everything else can come later.

Meng Yi turned and left the Lieutenant's Office, his mind full of thoughts. He decided to go to Li Si and find out his true thoughts.

A moment later, Meng Yi arrived at Li Si's residence. The guards at the gate, recognizing Meng Yi, respectfully ushered him in. Upon learning of Meng Yi's visit, Li Si personally went to the gate to greet him.

Meng Yi was touched to see Li Si coming to greet him personally. "Uncle Master, I'm truly flattered that you've come to greet me personally," Meng Yi said quickly.

Li Si smiled and said, "Nephew, we are uncle and nephew, so why be so polite? Come with me to the study and have a chat."

Meng Yi nodded and followed Li Si into the study. The room was elegantly decorated, its shelves filled with books. Li Si invited Meng Yi to sit on a chair and personally brewed him a cup of tea.

"Junior brother, you came here this time, probably because you have something important to ask me, right?" Li Si looked at Meng Yi and said with a smile.

Meng Yi nodded and said, "Uncle Master, I heard that you and Fusu were admonishing the Emperor together. I wonder what your intention was?"

A smile crossed Li Si's face, and he said softly, "My nephew, the ins and outs of this matter are quite complicated. Although Prince Fusu and I have different political views, we share the same view on the issue of immortality. Your Majesty has long pursued the path to immortality, consuming a great deal of manpower and resources. This approach is truly unwise. My actions are also out of consideration for the great Qin state."

After listening to this, Meng Yi nodded thoughtfully in agreement. "Master, you're right."

Li Si sighed softly and said with emotion, "My nephew, perhaps many people think that I, Li Si, am selfish and only follow orders, but they don't understand my inner thoughts. Your Majesty has unified the six kingdoms and is truly an emperor of the ages, and I, Li Si, also aspire to become a renowned prime minister whose reputation will be passed down through the ages. Now that the Great Qin is facing an unprecedented crisis, we should put aside our past grudges and work together to assist the Emperor. This is the correct path."

Meng Yi was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Master, what you said is absolutely right. In that case, we should work together in the future. However, regarding the matter of immortality, we still need to consider it carefully and plan it carefully."

Li Si nodded in agreement, the two looked at each other and smiled knowingly.

After a few days, Zhao Gao and his brother Zhao Cheng agreed on some details and arranged for him to supervise the construction of ships and secretly recruit people.

One day, Zhao Gao came to Feng Quji's house.

The two men sat facing each other, and Feng Quji was the first to speak with a smile, "I wonder why Zhao Shuling came here today?"

Zhao Gao responded, "I came here today to consolidate Prime Minister Feng's position."

Feng Quji understood what Zhao Gao meant, knowing that he must have something to discuss. "Master Zhao, please speak frankly."

Zhao Gao smiled faintly, leaned over to Feng Quji, and whispered softly, "Prime Minister, are you aware that His Majesty has recently ordered Xu Fu to go out to sea in search of medicine? And has he also entrusted this matter to Prince Hu Hai for supervision?"

Feng Quji nodded and said, "I have heard a little about this matter."

Zhao Gao continued, "This voyage to find the medicine is related to your majesty's great cause for eternity. If successful, it will be a great achievement and your majesty will continue to favor you."

Feng Quji stroked his beard and said, "That being said, I am already the Prime Minister, one of the Three Dukes. Why should I get involved in this matter?"

Zhao Gao chuckled grimly. "Your Excellency, the Prime Minister's words make sense. However, Prime Minister Feng's position as Right Prime Minister naturally predominates. However, Left Prime Minister Li Si currently enjoys Your Majesty's deep trust, and all military and national affairs are discussed with him. Furthermore, Prime Minister Li is currently very close to Prince Fusu and Lieutenant Meng, and the Meng family also enjoys Your Majesty's favor."

Zhao Gao paused and continued, "Although Prime Minister Feng and Imperial Censor Feng are both among the Three Dukes, they are trusted by Your Majesty. If, after a hundred years, Prince Fusu ascends to the throne, what chance will the Feng family have?"

Zhao Gao's words were like a sharp sword, piercing Feng Quji's heart and making his heart beat faster.

Feng Quji immediately understood what Zhao Gao meant and asked in confusion, "What's the reason, Lord Zhao?"

Zhao Gao's lips curled up slightly, revealing a hint of a smile. He said softly, "Prime Minister Feng, if we help Prince Hu Hai ascend to the throne, the Feng family's line of three dukes will surely continue, and Prime Minister Feng will be second only to the emperor."

Feng Quji smiled slightly, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes: "Lord Zhao, His Majesty is now at the peak of his power, and my Feng family only wants to live in peace and serve the Qin Dynasty with loyalty."

Seeing Feng Quji wavering, Zhao Gao struck while the iron was hot, saying, "Your Majesty is advancing in years, and it's time to appoint a crown prince soon. If you don't plan for the future now, when will you?"

Feng Quji remained silent, as if thinking about Zhao Gao's words.

Seeing this, Zhao Gao struck while the iron was hot and said, "If the Prime Minister agrees, we can help Prince Hu Hai achieve merit in his voyage to find the medicine and win His Majesty's favor. We can also assist him in many other matters. Once Prince Hu Hai ascends to the throne, it will be the day for us to rise to prominence."

Feng Quji couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. The officialdom was like a battlefield. If he wanted to survive, he had to constantly consider the interests of his family. He raised his head, looked at Zhao Gao with a firm gaze, and said sincerely, "Master Zhao, this matter is of great importance. May I allow you to think it over carefully?"

Zhao Gao's lips curled up slightly, revealing a sly smile. He knew that Feng Quji had been successfully impressed by him, so he replied with a pretentious tone, "Since that's the case, I will wait here quietly for good news from Prime Minister Feng!"

Feng Quji nodded slightly in agreement, then added, "Then it's settled. I hope Lord Zhao will wait patiently."

After the two of them had finished their discussion, they stood up and prepared to leave.

Zhao Gao slowly stood up, walked over to Feng Quji, bowed respectfully, and said, "Prime Minister, please rest assured. If I achieve great success in the future, I will never forget your kindness today."

After saying this, Zhao Gao turned and left the room.

Feng Quji watched Zhao Gao's departing back quietly, his eyes revealing a pensive look. He knew that cooperating with Zhao Gao was like trying to get the skin of a tiger, but in order to protect his position as prime minister and the interests of his family, he had no choice but to take this risky path.

When Feng Jie returned home, he told his son Feng Jie about Zhao Gao's proposal. Feng Jie fell into deep thought after hearing it.

"Father, this matter is of great importance and we need to act with caution," Feng Jie said.

Feng Quji nodded. "I know, but if we don't take action, the status of our Feng family may be in jeopardy."

Feng Jie thought for a moment and said, "Why don't we observe the situation first and see if Hu Hai has enough strength to compete for the throne."

Feng Quji felt that his son's words made sense and decided to hold back for the time being and wait for a better opportunity.