Nightfall!
Zhao Feng's guards were stationed outside the military camp, while inside, the atmosphere was lively and festive.
All the old brothers-in-arms drank and celebrated freely.
Aside from purchasing a batch of wine from the Immortal Wine House, most of the alcohol was still the common type of this era.
After all, supplying over sixty thousand elite soldiers at once meant that the Immortal Wine House's fine wine would never be enough, and there wasn't yet a branch of it in Yunzhong City.
Although Zhao Feng now wielded power, he remained cautious he had no intention of exposing the Immortal Wine House just yet.
Seated at the center of the military camp, Zhao Feng did not distance himself from his old comrades. He accepted every toast with ease, no matter who approached him.
"General, congratulations on your recent marriage!"
"Congratulations, General!"
"Hahaha, my congratulations as well!"
One elite soldier after another approached Zhao Feng, lifting their wine jars to offer their blessings.
Inside the camp, drinking was either done with large bowls or directly from the wine jars there were no delicate wine cups here.
"Drink well, my brothers!"
Zhao Feng laughed as he raised his jar in response.
"General!"
"Do you still remember me? Back when I was in the logistics unit, it was you who stepped in otherwise, I would've been crushed by the Han soldiers."
A middle-aged soldier stepped forward excitedly, offering his toast.
"Wu Kui?"
Zhao Feng recognized him at a glance and immediately called out with a smile.
Hearing his name, the man trembled slightly before responding with excitement, "I can't believe General remembers my name!"
"I remember not just you, but many other brothers in the army as well."
"Four years of brutal battles we fought our way through together."
"Some comrades remain, some have fallen."
"How could I forget?"
Under the influence of alcohol, Zhao Feng felt a wave of sentimentality.
"Wu Kui, don't talk nonsense now."
"I was there when we were chasing you guys back then."
Just then, another elite soldier spoke up with a wry smile.
At these words, many soldiers turned to look.
When they saw who had spoken, they all burst into laughter.
"Chen Quan, could you not ruin the moment?"
"I was just reminiscing with the General!" Wu Kui glared in protest.
"Hahaha."
"Wu Kui"
"Not just Chen Quan, but I was also there chasing you."
"And me!"
"And me!"
More soldiers stood up one after another, laughing.
It was obvious these men who once gave chase were former Han defectors. But now, they had fully integrated into Qin's elite forces, and their families had become Qin citizens.
"You chased, we fled."
"Back then, it wasn't just Wu Kui running; we were all on the run!"
"You guys came at us hard if not for General, we would've been finished…"
More elite soldiers joined in, laughing heartily.
"Hahahaha…"
Laughter erupted throughout the camp not a single trace of hostility or resentment, only the nostalgia of comrades who had shared the battlefield.
Seeing this, Zhao Feng couldn't help but smile.
Once upon a time, Qin and Han were mortal enemies.
Countless Han soldiers had perished at the hands of Qin's elite troops, and vice versa.
But now, with the captured Han soldiers reorganized into the Penal Corps, everything had changed.
Former enemies had become brothers-in-arms, fighting side by side for years. The enmity of the past had long since faded away.
These former Han soldiers had now fully become Qin's elite warriors.
In Zhao Feng's army, every elite soldier trusted their comrades with their lives.
This was brotherhood brothers in life and death.
The revelry in the military camp continued.
Since it was a rare occasion where the prohibition on alcohol had been lifted for the entire army, no one wanted to miss out.
Moreover, Zhao Feng had already given the order except for those on guard duty, the entire army would have a day off tomorrow.
Xianyang!
Zhangtai Palace.
"Your Majesty."
"Another one has died."
"We've tested it many times now, and it is conclusive General Zhao Feng was right. The elixir is indeed poisonous."
Zhao Gao respectfully reported.
Behind him, a palace servant held a box, inside which lay the carcasses of dead rabbits.
Staring at the lifeless rabbits, Ying Zheng's expression darkened.
"I have consumed these elixirs for years, and they turned out to be poisonous. If not for Zhao Feng's warning, I would have continued taking them until the accumulated poison killed me."
At once, Zhao Gao and the servants behind him knelt.
"Your Majesty is blessed by the heavens, and having General Zhao Feng's warning is yet another sign of fortune."
"If Your Majesty ceases taking the elixirs and allows the royal physicians to administer detoxification treatments, the poison in your body can be expelled." Zhao Gao spoke deferentially.
"To dare poison me…"
"I will not let this go unpunished!"
Ying Zheng's face grew even colder, his eyes brimming with murderous intent.
"Ren Xiao!"
Ying Zheng's voice rang with authority.
"Your servant is here!"
Ren Xiao immediately stepped forward.
"Arrest every alchemist in the Elixir Hall!" Ying Zheng commanded icily.
"Your servant obeys!"
Ren Xiao strode out at once, leading the imperial guards toward the Elixir Hall.
The Elixir Hall was located within the royal palace not in the harem, but in the outer palace, where government affairs were handled.
Inside the Elixir Hall, multiple halls housed various alchemy furnaces, where alchemists worked tirelessly, assisted by laborers who stoked the fires.
In the current era, alchemists hold considerable prestige.
Not just kings, but nobles and powerful figures all sought ways to maintain health, and even to attain immortality.
Thus, keeping alchemists in one's retinue was common among the elite.
"How many pills were refined today?"
Xu Lin, the Deputy Head Alchemist, asked.
He was the senior disciple of Xu Fu, the Head Alchemist, who had gone abroad in search of rare herbs. Thus, Xu Lin was left in charge of the Elixir Hall.
"Deputy Head Alchemist."
"Today, we have produced fifty Spirit-Enhancing Pills and fifty Dragon-Tiger Pills."
A subordinate alchemist reported respectfully.
"Good."
"Our Elixir Hall is trusted by His Majesty we must not allow any mistakes." Xu Lin nodded solemnly.
Just then
A clamor of armor clanking and marching footsteps echoed from outside.
"Deputy Head Alchemist, we have trouble!"
"The Elixir Hall has been surrounded by a large number of imperial guards!"
A panicked servant rushed in.
"Imperial guards?" Xu Lin's face filled with confusion.
At that moment
Heavy footsteps swiftly approached the hall's entrance…
Just as Ren Xiao took the lead, a large number of imperial guards followed behind him.
"Commander Ren Xiao, what is the meaning of this?"
Xu Lin stepped forward, asking in confusion.
"By the decree of His Majesty, the Dan Hall is to be sealed off, and all alchemists and servants are to be taken into custody and brought to Zhangtai Palace," Ren Xiao said coldly.
Immediately, with a wave of his hand, the imperial guards surged forward, seizing everyone at once.
"Why is this happening?"
"What crime has the Dan Hall committed?" Xu Lin asked in a panic.
"You will understand once you arrive at Zhangtai Palace," Ren Xiao said indifferently before gesturing once more. "Take them all away."
"Injustice! This is unjust!"
"We have committed no crime! How can you arrest us like this?"
"We are innocent!"
All the alchemists and servants from the Dan Hall cried out in protest.
However, the imperial guards showed no sympathy. They were carrying out the direct orders of the Qin King himself there was no room for argument.
Soon, outside Zhangtai Palace, hundreds of people had been brought in alchemists and their servants alike.
"Your Majesty, we are innocent!"
"Your Majesty, we have done nothing wrong!"
"Your Majesty…"
Cries of injustice and desperate pleas echoed outside Zhangtai Palace.
Inside the palace, listening to the wailing outside, Ying Zheng's expression darkened even further.
Then, he slowly rose from his seat.
"Your Majesty,"
"These alchemists crafted poison pills in an attempt to harm you. There is no need for further questioning. They should be executed immediately,"
Zhao Gao, who rarely took the initiative to speak, now offered his opinion.
Ying Zheng looked at Zhao Gao with some surprise. Being stared at by the king, Zhao Gao felt a chill run down his spine.
"I want them to understand why they are dying, and I also want to know whether they were aware that the elixirs were poisonous," Ying Zheng said coldly before striding outside.
When he appeared, Xu Lin, as if seeing a savior, immediately prostrated himself and pleaded,
"Your Majesty, why have we been taken into custody? We have committed no crimes, nor have we made any mistakes!"
"Did you know that the elixirs were poisonous?" Ying Zheng asked icily.
As soon as these words fell, most of the alchemists looked confused, but a small number of them had a sudden change in expression.
Ying Zheng caught this reaction immediately.
"So, some of you did know that the elixirs were poisonous,"
"For so many years, I placed my trust in you, yet you crafted poison pills to conspire against me."
"I will not tolerate this treachery!"
"Men!"
"Take all of them to the Office of the Court Chancellor and have Li Si interrogate them thoroughly!"
"Charge them with treason against the king!"
With a wave of his hand, Ying Zheng gave the order in a cold, unwavering voice.
Hearing this, everyone was terrified and fell to their knees.
"Mercy, Your Majesty!"
"Mercy, Your Majesty!"
"We did not know! We would never dare to harm Your Majesty!"
"How could the elixirs be poisonous? We would never dare commit treason!"
Their desperate cries for mercy filled the air.
But Ying Zheng remained unmoved.
With the charge of treason, their entire clans would be wiped out.
"Your Majesty,"
"Could there be some misunderstanding?"
"I have always followed my master's teachings. How could the elixirs be poisonous?"
Xu Lin struggled before finally crying out to Ying Zheng.
With a wave of his hand, the palace attendants brought out several dead rabbits.
Ying Zheng then turned and left.
"You should stop arguing,"
"For some time now, His Majesty has been testing the elixirs on these rabbits,"
"All of these rabbits were poisoned to death by the elixirs,"
"A total of twenty rabbits have died after consuming them, each within four days."
"Do you understand now?" Ren Xiao said coldly as he stared at Xu Lin.
Looking at the dead rabbits and the resolute back of Ying Zheng, Xu Lin was completely stricken with panic, collapsing to the ground.
Soon, the imperial guards took action, escorting all the alchemists to the Court Chancellor's office.
This event quickly shocked the entire capital, causing an uproar in the court.
At the Prince's Mansion
"My lord,"
"Have you heard the news?"
"All of the alchemists from the Dan Hall have been imprisoned by His Majesty!"
Wang Wan rushed into the mansion, visibly anxious.
"Yes, I have heard,"
"I heard that the elixirs they made were poisonous,"
"The Court Chancellor's office reported that they plotted to harm His Majesty," Fusu said solemnly.
"I never expected this,"
"His Majesty has always held the alchemists in high regard, especially Xu Fu, whom he trusted and honored deeply. Yet now, he has thrown the entire Dan Hall into prison," Wang Wan sighed.
"With the charge of treason against the king, these alchemists are doomed,"
"But I wonder what caused all of this," Fusu said curiously.
"I have received a secret report,"
"Supposedly,"
"This happened because of Zhao Feng," Wang Wan suddenly lowered his voice, speaking with an air of caution.
Fusu was stunned.
"Zhao Feng?"
"But he has already left Xianyang,"
"What does this have to do with him?"
Wang Wan shook his head.
"I only heard this from someone in the palace. It is said that before Zhao Feng departed the capital, he had a private conversation with His Majesty. After that, His Majesty ordered the elixirs to be tested on rabbits."
"How could Zhao Feng know that the elixir was poisonous?" Fusu was filled with curiosity.
"Prince, what we should focus on is not how Zhao Feng knew about it, but rather how much trust His Majesty places in him now.
"Back in court that day, could you not see Zhao Feng's attitude toward us?
"He was so aggressive, showing no mercy at all.
"Now, it seems he cannot be won over. Instead, he is our enemy.
"With such deep royal favor, he is a great threat," Wang Wan sighed.
It seemed that after that day when Zhao Feng openly rebuked Chunyu Yue in front of the entire court, showing no restraint whatsoever, everyone could see it as a direct challenge.
Everyone knew that Chunyu Yue was Fusu's teacher. Targeting him in such a manner was akin to disregarding Fusu entirely.
This incident alone was a declaration of war against Fusu's faction.
"Prime Minister Wang, perhaps you are overthinking this.
"After all, Zhao Feng only retaliated because my teacher went too far," Fusu said calmly.
But Wang Wan shook his head. "Chunyu Yue may have been impolite, but he is your teacher, and he represents your influence. Zhao Feng, as a mere minister, should have acted with the humility of a subject. But instead, he showed you no respect at all.
"Because of this incident, many court officials who originally supported you have begun to waver, some even shifting their allegiance to the Eighteenth Prince.
"From this, Zhao Feng likely has ties with the Eighteenth Prince as well," Wang Wan said with great seriousness.
Fusu frowned slightly but remained silent.
However, Wang Wan was not wrong to think this way, as he was speaking from his perspective.
To him, even if Zhao Feng wanted to retaliate, he should not have done so in front of the entire court. As a minister, he should have observed the decorum of his position. Disrespecting Fusu in such a manner was a sign of disloyalty to the future king.
Moreover, Wang Wan had placed all his bets on Fusu. If Fusu lost, his entire clan would be doomed.
The power struggle within the royal court was ruthless.
One wrong choice and an entire family could be wiped out.
"We shall proceed cautiously. Do not act rashly. If we truly push Zhao Feng into becoming our enemy, it will be troublesome," Fusu advised.
As for Zhao Feng, he bore no ill will toward him. He held a great deal of admiration for him.
However, he could not change the minds of his supporters. All he could do was mediate.
Meanwhile, inside Zhangtai Palace.
Ying Zheng had gradually calmed down from his earlier fury.
Seeing that the alchemists had been taken away, his anger had somewhat subsided.
"The elixir was truly poisonous.
"If not for Zhao Feng, I might not have lived past fifty.
"I never expected to owe him my life," Ying Zheng said, a wry smile appearing on his face.
Though this revelation had enraged him, at least he had discovered the poison in time. By ceasing consumption of the elixir and taking medicine to expel the toxins, he could still recover.
Thinking of this, Ying Zheng felt a lingering fear.
Perhaps because of this incident, the fate that had been recorded in history Qin Shi Huang dying at Shaqiu was about to change.
"Your Majesty, should I summon the Imperial Physicians to examine you?" Zhao Gao asked respectfully.
"Go ahead," Ying Zheng waved his hand.
"As you command." Zhao Gao turned to leave.
Just then, Ying Zheng suddenly remembered something. "Is Zhao Feng's younger sister in the Imperial Medical Academy?"
"Yes.
"Before leaving the capital, the General arranged for his sister to study medicine there," Zhao Gao quickly replied.
"Have Physician Chen bring her along when he comes," Ying Zheng ordered.
"As you command," Zhao Gao bowed and withdrew.
After Zhao Gao left, Ying Zheng slowly retracted his gaze.
Looking at the mountain of memorials piled on his desk, he felt a headache coming on, and a hint of exhaustion appeared on his face.
"Without the elixir to keep me awake, reviewing these documents has become even more exhausting."
"Sigh."
Ying Zheng let out a deep sigh.
With the fall of Han and Zhao, the governance of these newly conquered territories led to an overwhelming number of reports being submitted daily.
Every matter that reached his desk required his direct approval, as they affected thousands of people.
If he neglected his duties, countless commoners would suffer.
Ying Zheng could not allow that to happen.
After all, Qin was ruled by law. Everything was handled according to legal statutes.
If one were to use modern terms, Qin's laws were still excessively harsh. But in the early days of a newly unified empire, only strict governance could maintain order.
"Your Majesty."
At that moment, Dun Ruo stepped out from the inner hall.
"How is it?"
Seeing Dun Ruo, Ying Zheng immediately straightened up, his fatigue vanishing in an instant.
The task he had entrusted to Dun Ruo had been completed.
Dun Ruo walked forward respectfully and took out a piece of white silk from his sleeve.
Then, he carefully handed it to Ying Zheng.
Ying Zheng eagerly opened it.
What greeted his eyes was a portrait.
The moment he saw the image, Ying Zheng's entire body trembled, his gaze freezing in place.
For a long while, he remained motionless.
Then, deep waves of emotion surged through his eyes.
"It's really... it's her."
"It's A'fang."
Though it was just a portrait.
However, the image did not fully capture Zhao's features.
Just from the outline alone, Ying Zheng instantly recognized her.
The person he had longed for all these years how could he possibly not recognize her?
No matter how much time had passed, her silhouette alone was enough to make him certain.
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