Chapter 5: The Second Generation Perishes, Bestowed the Marquisate of Jingyang
Chapter 5: The Second Generation’s Downfall, Bestowed the Marquisate of Jingyang
“What! My Great Qin has fallen!”
Ying Zheng roared in fury, veins bulging on his hands, eyes bloodshot as he glared at Yang Zimo. His right hand was already pressing against the hilt of the Qin King’s sword at his waist.
The Emperor’s sudden movement alerted the Iron Eagle Sharpshooters guarding outside. In an instant, dozens of Iron Eagle warriors stormed into the hall, several drawing their swords and pointing them at Yang Zimo, while the rest formed a protective circle around the Emperor.
Clang! Blades were unsheathed. Every vital point of Yang Zimo’s body was sealed off. Any wrong move would lead to him being cut down without hesitation by the Iron Eagles.
Yang Zimo could already feel the chilling aura emanating from the blades.
“Your Majesty!” Seeing the Emperor still stunned, Yang Zimo could only speak up to rouse him.
“How dare you!” The Emperor snapped back to his senses and shouted angrily.
“How can you show such disrespect to the Immortal Master? Step back at once!”
The Iron Eagle Sharpshooters simultaneously sheathed their swords and retreated behind the Emperor, eyes sharp and wary on Yang Zimo.
“You all, withdraw! No one is allowed inside without my order!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!” Following the command, the Iron Eagle Sharpshooters all exited the hall.
“Apologies for startling the Immortal Master,” the Emperor composed himself and knelt down. “Immortal Master! Truly, the Great Qin has indeed fallen!”
Looking at Ying Zheng’s still furious face, Yang Zimo braced himself and replied, “Yes, Your Majesty! The Qin Empire lasted only fifteen years after Your Majesty unified the six states.”
“Fifteen years!”
“Yes! But, Your Majesty, I speak of history. It should have little to do with the present Qin!”
“In history, the fall of Qin is truly regrettable. It can only be said that the emperor of that era was too impatient.”
“Trying to accomplish a hundred years’ work in just ten.”
Ying Zheng felt as if he were being insulted.
“Later, Your Majesty sought to subdue the Baiyue tribes with a force of five hundred thousand troops, led by Tu Sui. But due to the unfamiliar terrain and climate, they suffered devastating losses and were utterly defeated—Tu Sui himself perished.”
At this, the Emperor’s mind churned wildly. This plan had never been mentioned to anyone. The Immortal Master’s insight was truly otherworldly.
“After three campaigns against the Baiyue, nearly ten years passed before that stubborn thorn was finally removed. Qin won, but at what cost? To prevent rebellion, Zhao Tuo had to lead armies to garrison and guard the region.”
As Yang Zimo spoke, Ying Zheng was utterly stunned.
He could imagine that the loss of half a million troops might very well shake the foundations of Qin.
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“Next year, during an eastern tour, I was ambushed at Bolangsha!”
“On the fifth inspection tour, the First Emperor passed away on the Shaqiu Terrace.”
“Zhao Gao colluded with Li Si to forge the imperial edict, appointing Hu Hai as crown prince.”
“Falsified edicts led to the execution of Fusu and the entire Meng clan. Finally, the Great Qin was handed over to the rebels!”
“Pity the Meng clan, loyal for three generations to Qin, only to end up like this!”
“Despicable! You treacherous wretches! They deserve to be executed!” The Emperor couldn’t help but shout. The grip on his sword’s hilt creaked under his force.
“After Hu Hai took the throne, to secure his position, he eliminated all royal siblings—none survived!”
“In the end, Li Si was also wiped out by Zhao Gao.”
“Add to that the Great Wall construction, imperial mausoleums, the Epang Palace, massive public works mobilizing a million people—popular resentment grew. Meanwhile, the six states remained disloyal. Eventually, the six states restored their independence, plunging the realm into chaos once more.”
“To rise is to make the people suffer! To fall is to make the people suffer!”
“Civil war drained the lifeblood of the Central Plains and brought dire consequences.”
The Emperor fell silent.
He understood better than anyone the cost of unifying the six states—countless battles, countless deaths. His goal was to establish lasting peace and prosperity, so that people could live and work in safety.
“Later, amid the chaos in the Central Plains, Modu Chanyu united the Xiongnu tribes, sharpened his forces, and annexed the Donghu, Yuezhi, and Loulan. Finally, with five hundred thousand cavalry, he struck the border. Pity us, descendants of Yan and Huang, the Chinese people suffered cruel slaughter. Truly a sorrowful tale!”
Yang Zimo’s heart ached deeply at this.
“Your Majesty, I hope you will not repeat the same mistakes!”
I shall never let my Qin people endure such suffering again!
“Bring me someone!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!” Zhao Gao hurried in, bowing low. Rage surged in the Emperor’s heart. He never imagined that the trusted minister he favored was the chief architect of Qin’s downfall: forging imperial edicts, ordering the death of Fusu, eradicating the Meng clan, and delivering Qin to the enemy. A barely perceptible flash of murderous intent flickered in his eyes.
“I decree: return to Xianyang in three days!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Though Ying Zheng longed to tear apart the grave robbers of Great Qin, now was not the time. He would plan upon returning to Xianyang.
On the journey back, Yang Zimo rode with the Emperor, recounting the events following the Qin dynasty.
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The tale of the First Emperor’s Fengshan ceremony on Mount Tai, where he encountered the immortal disciple and appointed him as Immortal Master, had already spread throughout Xianyang and neighboring prefectures—known to all.
“Greetings, Your Majesty!” Right Prime Minister Feng Quji led the officials to welcome the Emperor at the city gate.
“Please rise, ministers!”
The imperial carriage slowly entered the city of Xianyang, with Feng Quji and the officials following closely. Yang Zimo, for the first time, observed up close the imposing capital of Qin, towering on the Guanzhong Plain. The city walls stood four zhang high and one zhang five chi thick, wide enough for six horses to run abreast. Guarding Xianyang was the elite Weirong Army, whose soldiers enjoyed the best provisions. In addition, fifty thousand elite troops were stationed at the Lishan camp, and two hundred thousand sharp soldiers at the Lantian camp, securing the entire city like an impregnable fortress.
The streets of Xianyang were lined with commoners, cheering endlessly, “Long live the Emperor! Long live Great Qin!”
When the First Emperor returned to the Qilin Hall, it was already late afternoon—4:15 p.m. Yet he still ordered the ministers to assemble for court.
Ying Zheng sat solemnly upon the throne, civil and military officials standing on either side.
In the Qin era, officials did not need to kneel; standing or sitting on their knees was sufficient.
The Emperor was in high spirits today, for Great Qin had welcomed an immortal disciple, heralding a new era of prosperity.
A herald announced loudly, “The immortal disciple, Immortal Master Yang, has arrived!”
At that call, all officials in the Qilin Hall turned their gaze toward the entrance.
Officials stationed in Xianyang had only recently learned of the Emperor’s encounter with an immortal disciple on Mount Tai and the appointment as Immortal Master. It was said the Emperor held him in high favor, often traveling with him—a supreme honor for any minister.
Dressed in black, standing about 1.78 meters tall, Yang Zimo entered the hall.
“Yang Zimo pays respects to Your Majesty!”
“Immortal Master, no need for formalities! Please be seated!”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
At the Emperor’s signal, the herald stood beside him, holding an imperial edict.
“By imperial decree, Yang Zimo is hereby appointed Immortal Master of Great Qin, bestowed the title Marquis of Jingyang, with the fief of Jingyang and a taxable household of five thousand.”
“Ah!”
After the proclamation, a brief silence fell over the court, then erupted into uproar. The ministers leapt to their feet as if struck by lightning.
Li Si was the first to step forward, shouting, “Your Majesty, this is inappropriate! Without any merit, how can one be granted a marquisate?”
Feng Quji also stepped out loudly, “Your Majesty, the Prime Minister’s words are true. Our Qin bestows titles based on military merit. The Immortal Master has no accomplishments and should not be ennobled!”
Others joined in chorus, “We concur!”
(End of chapter)