Chapter 13: Ying Zheng: Fusu, the Grand Progenitor of Qin, I wonder how he compares to Zi Ji?

Late at night, at the foot of Mount Zhifu.

Within the imperial procession of the First Emperor, Ying Zheng lay quietly on his bed in the main encampment tent. His eyes were bleary with sleep, and his consciousness once again entered that mysterious space.

The surroundings remained pitch-black, and two canvases emitting a faint glow hung in front of him. The one on the right still bore the title: [Great Ancestor of Qin, Heavenly Khan, High Emperor — Ying Ziji].

However, the one on the left had changed from [Second Emperor of Qin — Huhai] to [Great Ancestor of Qin — Fusu].

"Fusu?"

"Interesting. I shall see how Fusu's governing policies compare to Ziji's!"

Unlike his initial panic, the First Emperor was quite calm this time. He even felt a sense of detached amusement, as if watching a grand play.

However, the canvas that lit up first was the one on the right: [Great Ancestor of Qin, Heavenly Khan, High Emperor — Ying Ziji].

[In the third year of the First Emperor, while Prince Ji served as regent, his decrees were consistent, his legal reforms were implemented, and the people held him in high esteem.]

[In the same year, Prince Ji invented the art of papermaking. Paper replaced bamboo slips, spreading and popularizing knowledge. The philosophy of the Hundred Schools of Thought climbed to a new peak, and every commoner had access to books.]

...

[Prince Ji announced the recruitment of scholars and the selection of the capable, inaugurating the first imperial examination of the Great Qin. This laid a foundation for ten thousand generations, providing a steady stream of talent for the empire and winning the hearts of the people for the Qin.]

...

Xianyang.

Cartloads of bamboo were being transported out of Fusu’s residence and taken to the Zhangtai Palace. Since the art of papermaking was not yet ready to be made public, Ying Ziji intended to build the first paper mill within the palace grounds.

In the living quarters, many craftsmen had gathered in the rear courtyard. Xiao He stood before them, tapping on the written procedures for papermaking.

"The first step is to steam the bamboo and reeds to degum them and extract the fibers."

"Then comes the complex process of cutting and pounding to form pulp. Next, we use bamboo screens to lift it out, allowing it to interweave and solidify into sheets of wet paper..."

"I leave the bamboo mats, wooden barrels, and drying screens to you all."

...

The craftsmen listened intently, feeling that this was truly miraculous. Could such a method really produce the legendary paper? Following the instructions provided by Ying Ziji, they began preparing the necessary tools in the rear courtyard.

"Young Prince, the craftsmen have been properly arranged," Xiao He said, approaching and bowing.

Over the past few days, his talent had already begun to show. Although he had previously been a minor official who had never handled major affairs, he had managed the papermaking project with meticulous care. Furthermore, he had organized the various affairs of the estate with perfect order.

"Can the paper you spoke of truly be used for writing?"

Previously, Xiao He’s feelings toward the young prince were mostly gratitude, but now, he looked at him with newfound respect. How could Xiao He fail to see the importance of paper? This object... had actually come from the hands of a mere child! The young prince was a true enlightened ruler.

At this moment, he heard Ying Ziji ask, "If I recall correctly, Master Xiao, you have a friend named Liu Bang who serves in Pei County. Why didn't you bring him along?"

"How could you know of Liu Bang..."

Xiao He was slightly stunned. He soon realized that he could not have been summoned to Xianyang without reason; the Embroidered Uniform Guard must have investigated him beforehand.

Liu Bang, while possessing some of the rough habits of a street hoodlum, was a man of great loyalty and possessed exceptional qualities in many areas.

"When I left, Liu Bang happened to be away from Pei County. If it pleases the Young Prince, I shall draft a letter immediately, asking him to come and join you."

*Liu Bang coming to join me?* A strange look flashed across Ying Ziji’s small face.

He had recruited Xiang Yu and Han Xin because they were outstanding generals. He had recruited Xiao He because of his exceptional administrative talent. Liu Bang was neither an outstanding civil official nor a great general—though he was barely passable as an emperor...

*Good heavens, should I bring Liu Bang here just so he can usurp Brother Zheng’s throne?*

"As for this man... we shall see. You may draft the letter and have him come to Xianyang."

If he couldn't be controlled, he would be a major liability. But if he were in Xianyang, he wouldn't be able to stir up any trouble, and it would save the trouble of hunting him down later. As for whether he would be allowed to live, that would depend on Ying Ziji’s mood at the time.

"Hmm... I believe Elder Lü and his family are also in Pei County, are they not? Do you know them, Master Xiao?"

Ying Ziji tapped his forehead. He had almost forgotten about that "Lü" person. Elder Lü himself was not important, but his daughter was the woman destined to become the Empress, the one who would ultimately hold the likes of Zhang Liang and Han Xin in the palm of her hand. Of course, he had to bring her into his household!

"The Young Prince even knows of Elder Lü’s family?" Xiao He was taken aback.

Elder Lü was a prominent, wealthy family in Pei County. Naturally, he knew them—not only did he know them, but he was quite familiar with them. Elder Lü had once read his fortune, saying that his character was not that of a common man and that he would eventually rise to great heights. It had come true! He had originally intended to recommend them to the Young Prince, but he hadn't expected the prince’s eye for talent to be so extraordinary that he would bring it up himself.

"I shall go at once and draft letters to Elder Lü and Liu Bang."

Xiao He’s estimation of his young master rose yet another level. He hurried off to write the letters.

"Seventeenth Brother, can paper truly be made this way?" Fusu couldn't help but ask from the side.

"Of course. And paper isn't just for writing." Ying Ziji looked forward to the production of paper more than anyone else. It wasn't just because it would bolster the national destiny...

"Then what else is it for?" Fusu asked, confused.

"For wiping one's bottom! The bamboo strips are just too uncomfortable. Paper is soft and thin, making it the most comfortable thing to use." Ying Ziji explained to Fusu. The traditional bamboo wipes were made of bamboo, and they often had splinters that hadn't been properly smoothed out. He was only eight years old now; heaven knows how he had endured these past few years!

"Paper is meant to carry the wisdom of the sages and the path of literature. How... how could you use it for such filthy purposes?" Fusu had never seen paper, but he was nonetheless deeply shocked.

"Hmph, hmph, if you’re so capable, elder brother, then don't use it when it's ready."

"I shall not use it, then!"

...

Xianyang, Black Tooth Prison.

The area was swarming with fully armed Qin elites. There was a guard every five steps and a sentry every ten; even a fly would find it difficult to escape. Before one particular cell stood ten members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, dressed in flying-fish robes.

Following Ying Ziji’s instructions, Yu Huatian had selected two teams of elites from the Guard specifically to watch over Zhang Liang. Yu Huatian handled matters with flawless precision; as the head of the Western Depot, he was well aware of the endless schemes that unfolded within the imperial court. There were many who wanted Zhang Liang’s head, and there was no guarantee that remnants of the old Han state wouldn't attempt a rescue. The Embroidered Uniform Guard was the final line of defense.

Passing guards of the Black Tooth Prison began to whisper among themselves.

"Those uniforms look even more refined than the generals'. Who are they?"

"I heard they are the Young Prince’s Embroidered Uniform Guard. Zhao Gao was killed by their leader with a single stroke."

"And who are they guarding?"

"The assassin who tried to kill His Majesty. The leader is called... Zhang Liang. Tsk tsk, the Young Prince is ruthless; I wonder what kind of torture he has in store for him."

"Shh... keep your voice down, do you want to die?"

...

In the dim, damp cell, Zhang Liang and his followers were all shackled with heavy chains. Most of his followers were nobles from the Six States or righteous men from the common folk; they had never encountered such a scene before. Feeling the suffocating atmosphere of the prison and hearing the occasional cries of grievance and screams of pain, their faces turned pale.

"It is my fault that we have reached this point, and that I have implicated you all." Zhang Liang struggled to raise his hands to apologize to the group.

Even now, he still didn't understand how he had been captured. He could only sigh at the First Emperor’s wisdom, which far surpassed his own. This assassination, which had seemed flawless, had been far too rash.

"Alas, when we all rose up, we knew this day might come. This is not for Young Master Zhang to blame himself for."

"Woe is me! I have a wife and children at home; what will become of them?"

"What are you crying for? At worst, it’s death. In twenty years, I’ll be a hero again."

...

Among the followers, some were prepared to die with dignity, while others were filled with regret.

At that moment, the Embroidered Uniform Guard standing at the entrance twitched his ears. A flurry of heavy footsteps echoed through the corridor. He spotted the approaching group immediately.

"I am Huhai. I have come to execute Zhang Liang to uphold the dignity of the state. Move aside at once!"

Huhai was accompanied by several young nobles and over a hundred private soldiers, who blocked the entrance to the prison completely. He looked at the Embroidered Uniform Guards blocking his path, a trace of impatience in his eyes. Trespassing in Black Tooth Prison was a serious crime, and he did not want to invite unnecessary trouble. He had a legitimate reason for his actions this time; otherwise, he might not have had the nerve to do this.