Chapter 1: Both Are Sons, Yet the Difference Is So Great
In 218 BCE, Qin swept through the Six Kingdoms, unifying the Central Plains, and the nine provinces pledged their loyalty. Now, throughout the vast land, the script was unified, and the wheels of the chariots ran on the same tracks. The mighty name of the First Emperor resounded across the world.
It was late at night, and a slightly chilly breeze whispered through Xianyang.
At Zhangtai Palace, Ying Zheng had just finished reviewing the last batch of memorials and, unintentionally, had fallen asleep at his desk.
Yet, as he slipped into slumber, he found himself entering a mysterious realm shrouded in darkness, with two illuminated canvases standing before him.
Suddenly, the light flickered, and the two canvases began to change.
On the left appeared the words: "Second Emperor of Qin · Hu Hai."
On the right, the inscription read: "Qin Taizong, Heavenly Khagan, High Emperor · Ying Ziji."
The left canvas lit up first.
"Zhao Gao, Director of the Charioteers, together with Prime Minister Li Si, proclaimed to the world at Shaqiu: 'The First Emperor has passed; the throne is passed to Prince Hu Hai; Fusu is to be executed!'"
"Hu Hai ascended the throne, ruthlessly slaughtering his brothers, manipulated by Zhao Gao, calling a stag a horse, causing widespread resentment across the land, with remnants of the Six Kingdoms stirring unrest."
...
"In the autumn of the first year of the Second Emperor’s reign, uprisings erupted in Qixian, with cries: 'Great Chu rises, Chen Sheng is king'; 'Are kings, nobles, and generals born or made?'"
"Rebellions spread across the land, the remnants of the Six Kingdoms rallied their forces, and chaos began to engulf the realm."
...
"Liu Bang stormed into Xianyang, captured Ziying; the Ying clan was extinguished, and the Qin dynasty perished in its second emperor’s reign!"
...
“Is it true that my great Qin fell in just two emperors?” Ying Zheng was first shocked, then furious. Each scene was a brutal blow to his heart.
"Absurd!"
"Who are you? What is this? Confess to me at once!" he roared in anger.
Yet, only silence answered him.
At that moment, the right canvas bearing "Qin Taizong, Heavenly Khagan, High Emperor · Ying Ziji" began to move.
"In the twentieth year of King Zheng’s reign, a comet appeared in the east. A beautiful consort gave birth to a son, to the great joy of the king, who named him Ziji."
"At five years old, he could not yet speak. The king ordered the imperial physician to examine him, who declared the child naturally slow-witted. The king was deeply saddened."
...
"In the fifth year of the First Emperor’s reign, when Ziji was ten, Heaven, moved by the emperor’s magnificent achievements, bestowed blessings. Nine stars aligned, destiny shifted; Ziji’s intelligence awakened, a sage spirit possessed him."
"In the same year, Ziji recognized characters within three days, mastered the Hundred Schools of Thought within five, and became proficient in both literature and martial arts within a hundred days. The First Emperor summoned him into the inner court to participate in governance."
"In the sixth year of the First Emperor’s reign, Ziji invented the curved plow, cultivated potatoes, revitalized agriculture, and every household prospered with abundant grain..."
The images continued to unfold.
Yet suddenly, Ying Zheng noticed the vision before his eyes blur, and the electronic voice faded away.
He woke up!
A tremendous rumble shook Heaven and Earth; the entire Xianyang Palace trembled.
"What… is happening?" Ying Zheng’s normally composed face showed a flicker of panic.
"Summon the guards!"
The general at the palace entrance immediately pushed open the door, bowing respectfully. "Your Majesty, at your command!"
"What caused that tremor just now?"
The general replied, "Your Majesty, it was a celestial anomaly. The Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau just reported outside the hall: nine stars aligned, a heavenly portent appeared; the fate of the great Qin may be changing!"
"Such heresy to mislead the people—I have already detained him. Please advise on his fate!"
"Nine stars aligned? You say the Director observed the nine-star alignment?!"
Ying Zheng was instantly shocked.
Nine stars aligned, Ziji’s awakening wisdom, sage possession...
Could this be mere coincidence?
"Summon the Director of the Astronomical Bureau. Let him see me at once!"
"Yes!"
...
Meanwhile, in Xianyang, inside the residence of the Seventeenth Prince.
"Where is this?"
"How did I end up here?"
Zhao Heng looked around at the unfamiliar furnishings, utterly confused.
He had been about to spend the night with his 62-year-old girlfriend when, overcome with excitement, everything went black, and he fainted. Now he had awakened to this.
A buzzing filled his mind, bringing fragmented memories.
He had transmigrated!
This was the Qin Dynasty, and he had become the seventeenth son of the eternal emperor, Qin Shi Huang.
Ying Ziji!
From a young age, Ying Ziji had been somewhat slow-witted, but Qin Shi Huang greatly favored his mother, extending his affection to the boy as well.
This earned the resentment of his elder brothers.
During a hunting expedition in spring, Ying Heng was pushed into the water by Hu Hai and the others, nearly drowning.
Though rescued, he caught a chill and his health deteriorated day by day, eventually paving the way for the current Ying Heng.
[Beep! Host detected to be closely tied to the fate of Great Qin. National Destiny System successfully bound!]
[As the fate of Great Qin strengthens, the host’s rewards grow more abundant.]
[Beep! New player gift package has been issued; please check promptly!]
“National Destiny System?”
The sudden voice stunned Ying Ziji.
As a bookworm from the 21st century, he understood exactly what this meant.
“System, open the new player gift package!”
Ying Ziji exclaimed excitedly.
[Received: Director of the Western Depot, Yu Huatian]
[Received: 300 Imperial Guards of the Embroidered Uniform Guard]
“Wow… Yu Huatian?”
Ying Ziji’s eyes brightened. This reward came at the perfect moment.
Though a prince, he had no trusted confidants. The arrival of Yu Huatian and 300 elite guards was a timely boon!
“Seventeenth Prince!”
At that moment, several eunuchs entered the prince’s chamber, announcing the imperial order: “The First Emperor commands the Seventeenth Prince to attend court today for political consultation!”
“Father commands me to court?”
Ying Ziji was stunned.
He was a simple-minded prince—why would the emperor summon him to court? Not in his memories had such a thing ever occurred.
“Seventeenth Prince, please come with this old servant.”
The lead eunuch spoke politely.
...
Back at Zhangtai Palace.
Before dawn, officials had gathered early outside the hall, preparing for court.
The atmosphere was tense and somber; palace guards were doubled, far exceeding usual numbers.
“Have you heard what happened inside the palace?”
“No. His Majesty suddenly increased the defenses. Perhaps he received some warning.”
“Hmph! Probably the remnants of the Six Kingdoms stirring trouble again. Those rebels should all be executed!”
...
The ministers noticed the unusual security and exchanged surprised glances.
“Is this truly the Great Qin? Is that Prime Minister Li Si? That is Wang Ben? And that is Meng Tian?”
Ying Ziji looked at the renowned historical figures around him, feeling as if in a dream.
“Since I have been given a second chance at life, not to ensure Qin’s eternal reign, at least I won’t let it follow Hu Hai’s path!”
He clenched his chubby little fists.
Bound to the National Destiny System, Qin’s strength meant his own strength.
Unfortunately, he was only eight years old, still a mere child without background or military power to rely on—he had no say in court.
“Sigh, I must endure for now,” Ying Ziji sighed silently.
At that moment, a purple aura pierced the clouds, spreading across the vermilion walls and jade tiles of Zhangtai Palace.
“Court is in session!”
Zhao Gao, holding a feather whisk, flung open the hall’s doors and called out.
The ministers filed in like fish swimming into a net.
“Tomorrow I will begin my eastern tour. The Seventeenth Prince Ying Ziji shall act as regent, governing in my stead!”
Ying Zheng, clad in a black and gold robe, crowned with the twelve-dangling-ornament crown, sat solemnly on the throne.
His voice, like heavenly music, echoed through the court.
The ministers were stunned.
Fusu was stunned.
For a moment, all eyes were fixed blankly on the half-grown, eight-year-old prince.
“???”
Ying Ziji himself was utterly bewildered.