Daqin arrests alchemists, what does it matter to me as a qi refiner?

"Hanging on the hairpin is a small... three-legged red incense burner!"

Hearing this, Ying Zheng was stunned.

A small red furnace with three legs!
Isn't that the furnace that the master used to make the elixir? !
The man from Tongyu County...

He is actually a master?!
I thought the master was just being perfunctory and wouldn't really show up...

But now it seems...

He seems to be really here?!

Fusu's breathing also became rapid!

Such a master who has mastered the art of alchemy and can bring the dead back to life and bring dead trees back to life...

He actually showed up?!

Ying Zheng and Fusu were excited, while the ministers were confused.

What…what happened? Why are His Majesty and Fusu so excited? Just as the ministers were puzzled, Ying Zheng suddenly spoke.

"General Zhang, you have done a great job. Go to the Reward and Punishment Palace tomorrow to receive your reward."

"It's getting late, everyone please leave, I'm a little tired."

"Fusu, go to Tianlao and bring Xu Fu here." ?????
When they heard Ying Zheng's order, the ministers were shocked and their eyes widened.

This change is too fast! Didn't Your Majesty want to kill Zhang Han before?

And it was still early, why did they disperse?
And your Majesty's eyes are shining, how can you look tired?

The ministers were full of doubts, especially Li Si, who stared at him, not understanding why Ying Zheng suddenly wanted to meet Xu Fu, the liar?
Aren’t we discussing the rumors about the alchemist in Tongqi County?
How does this get to Xu Fu?
Zhao Gao hesitated for a moment, but still asked: "Your Majesty, if this is the case, how should we deal with the rumors in Tongyu County..."

As the Minister of the Imperial Chariots, this hot potato finally fell on Zhao Gao's head.

However, to Zhao Gao's surprise, Ying Zheng waved his hand nonchalantly. "Don't worry about it."

"It was just a misunderstanding."

? ?
Upon hearing this, not only Zhao Gao, but all the ministers in the court were stunned and almost fell to the ground.

"Misunderstanding?"

His Majesty's attitude has changed so much that it is astonishing.

The moment before, Ying Zheng was still furious about the rumors and wanted to severely punish Zhang Han for his incompetence.

Unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye, everything became a "misunderstanding".

The ministers looked at each other in confusion.

However, faced with the order to expel guests issued by Ying Zheng, even though they were full of doubts, they could only swallow their doubts and retreat respectfully.

All the ministers left, and Fusu hurried to the prison to prepare to interrogate Xu Fu.

In the study, Ying Zheng could hardly contain his excitement.

At this moment, he no longer cared about the rumors.

Since the master appeared in Tongyu County, the so-called rumors might just be strange phenomena caused by the master's alchemy, which were mistakenly spread as rumors.

What Ying Zheng is more concerned about now is when the master will arrive in Xianyang.

He paced anxiously in the study, his eyes shining, and hurriedly ordered: "Pass the order down, tell the spies of the Black Ice Platform in Tonglu to keep their distance and not disturb them. If anyone is found walking out of the mountain, report immediately!"

The guards of the Black Ice Platform took the order and left.

In the following days, Ying Zheng remained highly excited.

After all, the importance of a hermit who can refine elixirs is self-evident.

Even if he cannot refine the elixir of immortality for the time being, the remaining elixirs in the hands of the masters are enough to benefit Ying Zheng greatly.

Compared with the illusory legends of gods and immortals, this master is obviously more real and reliable.

Therefore, Ying Zheng was in a very good mood, and he became much more tolerant in handling state affairs.

Policies that I disagreed with in the past are now easily agreed upon.

He also began to humbly accept advice on some of his stubborn decisions, and even always had a smile on his face.

The ministers in the court were shocked and completely confused.

How come Your Majesty, who was furious about the rumors a few days ago, is in such a good mood all of a sudden?

They racked their brains but could not figure out how Ying Zheng's mood change was closely related to the rumors spread by the alchemist.

Several days passed like this, until a week later, the Black Ice Terrace guards responsible for monitoring Tongyu County finally sent back a message: "Your Majesty, the master in the mountain has come out!"

Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng raised his head abruptly and asked anxiously, "What does that person look like? Which direction is he heading?"

"This man has a handsome face and a thin body. He carries a bag on his back and wears a loose white robe similar to that of an alchemist. He also wears a hairpin with a small incense pendant on his head." The guard of the Black Ice Terrace answered respectfully, "He is heading towards Xianyang."

Ying Zheng's eyes sparkled, and he suddenly stood up and laughed: "Hahaha, great! I finally waited for him!"

Then he gave the order: "Everyone stop monitoring and withdraw. Anyone who disobeys the order will be executed!"

Ying Zheng was well aware that the master's methods were mysterious and unpredictable, and he did not want to lose the big picture for the sake of a small one and offend him.

Although he was anxious, he remained patient and waited for the arrival of the master.

As soon as the affairs of the court were dealt with, Ying Zheng could not wait to return to his study and summon Fusu to discuss the welcoming arrangements.

Xu Fu was also very excited when he learned that the master was coming.

As time went by, news kept coming back from the Black Ice Platform that masters were approaching Xianyang.

Ying Zheng and Fusu became more and more excited and looked forward to meeting the master.

Finally, in the evening, news came from Heibingtai: the master is about to arrive in Xianyang!
Ying Zheng and Fusu could no longer hold back, and hurriedly changed into casual clothes and led a large number of guards towards the east gate.

This move naturally attracted the attention of countless ministers in Xianyang City.

They all speculated what had happened, but were told that His Majesty had ordered that the East Gate be blocked and no one was allowed to approach.

The ministers were full of doubts but could only retreat. They could only send their retainers to find out the news.

However, the Black Ice Terrace and the Iron Eagle Swordsman had already guarded the East Gate tightly, and ordinary guests could not get close at all.

After learning the news, the curiosity of many ministers became stronger.

What is the reason for this?
What is your majesty doing?

Why did they suddenly go to the East Gate in the middle of the night and why was the defense so tight!

The ministers were full of speculation.

Only Zhang Han in Xianyang City chose to avoid it after hearing about this. He had no intention of joining in the fun and rested peacefully at home.

Not only the ministers in the court, but also many people in the imperial city are seeking the truth.

In a magnificent mansion, Hu Hai sat with a gloomy face.

Soon, footsteps were heard outside and Zhao Gao walked in with a serious expression.

Seeing Zhao Gao, Hu Hai hurried forward.

"Zhao Gao, what's the situation? What is the purpose of my father going to the East Gate?"

Zhao Gao shook his head with a complicated expression.

"The defense is too tight. It's impossible to get close. There are all Black Ice Terrace and Iron Eagle Swordsmen there now."

"But I got some information."

"It is said that only Fusu will accompany His Majesty this time."

Fusu went too?
Hearing this, Hu Hai's face suddenly changed!
This is obviously not good news for him!

"How could this happen?" Hu Hai paced the room anxiously.

The same thing happened last time!
Fusu had clearly been thrown into prison, but he was rescued!
Moreover, his father took him out without telling anyone else!
Does that mean he really has no chance?
What are these two waiting for?
Facing the anxious Hu Hai, Zhao Gao continued to speak calmly.

"Your Highness, there is no need to panic."

"Of course, I have also gained something." "Although the East City District of Xianyang is heavily guarded by the Black Ice Guards, the defense is not so tight in places farther away."

"I sent a few followers to search along various roads and found a strange person."

Hearing this, Hu Hai was overjoyed!
"Search along various roads? Zhao Gao, you are really smart!"

"What news did you get?"

Zhao Gao's expression suddenly became a little strange.

"According to the report from the retainers, there are few people on the road at this time."

"They searched for a long time along many roads and finally met a strange man on a small road."

"A strange person?" Hu Hai asked puzzledly.

"That's right." Zhao Gao nodded.

"The servant said that he seemed to have seen... the late king on the road."

"????"

Hu Hai was stunned, his mouth gradually opened wider, and he looked at Zhao Gao in a daze.

"Zhao Gao... who did you say you saw?"

Zhao Gaoduan picked up the teacup, took a sip of tea, and looked a little strange.

"The servant came back and reported."

"He is on a small road near the east gate of Xianyang."

"I vaguely saw the figure of the late king."

After saying this, Zhao Gao also felt that something was wrong and added:

"But it's also possible that the servant was mistaken, because the man seemed to have noticed him from a long distance, forcing him to retreat..."

"And all I saw was a back..."

Zhao Gao explained slowly, but Hu Hai could no longer listen!
He froze in place as if struck by lightning, with only two words echoing in his mind!
The former king?!
Late at night, the emperor and Fusu went out...

It turned out to be...

To welcome the late king?!

What's happening here? !

Didn't the previous king pass away a long time ago? !
…………

Let’s not talk about the astonishment of ministers such as Hu Hai and Zhao Gao.

At the east gate of Xianyang, Ying Zheng and Fusu, who had changed into the clothes of ordinary wealthy people, were also talking in low voices.

"Can't I tell you my identity now?" Ying Zheng asked with some confusion.

"What can I say, father? You killed the alchemist some time ago, and recently you sent Zhang Han to look for him." Fusu answered helplessly.

"..."

"Too……"

Since the incident in Taihang Mountains, the relationship between Ying Zheng and Fusu has improved significantly.

Although he still maintained the majesty of the First Emperor in normal times.

But in private, Ying Zheng no longer treated his son in the same condescending manner as before, but gradually showed the attitude of an old father.

After all, he was a man who had been to the gates of hell.

Although he was able to survive in Taihang Mountain thanks to the elixir given by the master, if it weren't for Fusu's decisive decision, he would probably have turned into a handful of earth now.

This forced Ying Zheng to reflect on whether he had been too harsh on Fusu in the past.

After all, in that case, if he died, Fusu would become the next emperor of the Qin Dynasty...

It would be abnormal for Ying Zheng to say that he was not moved after being saved by his own son.

Even a king who conquered six kingdoms always has a touch of tenderness in his heart, especially towards his blood-related sons.

"But where is Xu Fu, the person I asked you to find? Why didn't he come?" Ying Zheng asked again after looking around, and changed his words in advance to adapt.

"Father Emperor Xu Fu is in a bit of a plight now,"

Fusu responded in a deep voice: "Xu Fu has been in poor condition in prison recently. He was tortured because he claimed that the rain came because of his prayers. He is currently recovering from his injuries."

"He is quite sensible." Ying Zheng nodded slightly to show his approval.

Fusu said nothing, but lowered his head silently.

He knew very well that Ying Zheng was aware of Xu Fu's farce of praying for rain. If Xu Fu revealed in prison that this was Ying Zheng's plan, his life would be in danger.

Ying Zheng gazed into the distance, looking at the vast roads and city lights, his eyes flashing with a deep light.

"Fusu, regarding the matter of Xu Fu, do you think I went too far?"

Fusu hesitated for a moment and shook his head gently: "I understand that for the peace of Longxi, it is necessary to sacrifice Xu Fu. However, it is inevitable that I feel a little bit reluctant."

"I'm glad that you understand." Ying Zheng said calmly. As an emperor, he had to be ruthless and iron-blooded.

In Ying Zheng's eyes, everything in the world is like chess pieces on a chessboard.

"Although Xu Fu seems unruly, his wisdom far exceeds that of many court officials."

"Do you think he failed to come this time just because he was injured?"

Fusu was stunned when he heard this.

"His mind is much deeper than you think." Ying Zheng narrowed his eyes and put his hands in his sleeves to resist the chill of the night wind.

"When we return, let Xu Fu assist you. There are only a few people in the court who can suppress him."

"Don't think that with my order, anyone dares to challenge Li Si's authority."

"Treasure this opportunity. When I was a hostage in Zhao State, I was not as lucky as you."

Fusu listened to the teachings respectfully and nodded in agreement.

As the night deepened, the two stood side by side, waiting silently at the gate of Xianyang. Finally, a figure appeared on the distant horizon.

The man was tall, his robes were wide but not bulky, and he walked like a cloud of mist, elegant and otherworldly. Under the starlight, he seemed to carry an ethereal aura.

Seeing this, Ying Zheng and Fusu immediately stood up straight and their breathing quickened. The surrounding Black Ice Terrace and Iron Eagle Swordsmen also showed unprecedented respect.

Yang Ling walked slowly to the city gate, and Ying Zheng and Fusu bowed slightly in greeting.

"Meet sir."

"It's been a while since we last met. How are you, sir?"

Yang Ling looked around, looked at the two of them thoughtfully, and then said to Ying Zheng: "Life is peaceful in the mountains."

"Your change is beyond my expectation."

Ying Zheng's heart tightened. Could it be that the master had already seen through his identity? However, Yang Ling did not delve into it and just said calmly, "Let's go."

Fusu heaved a sigh of relief and hurriedly led the way. The soldiers and swordsmen along the way were shocked when they saw this.

Walking in Xianyang, Yang Ling observed the surrounding city landscape and secretly praised the strength of the Qin Dynasty. Soon, Fusu brought him to a quiet courtyard.

The courtyard is elegantly decorated, with a sense of paradise. Fusu had put a lot of thought into finding such a place.

However, Yang Ling just thanked him calmly without showing much surprise. Fusu quickly waved his hand to show that it was nothing to worry about.

At the dinner, Ying Zheng prepared a sumptuous banquet to entertain Yang Ling, and even went so far as to transport fresh seafood.

In that era, Xianyang was located deep inland, far away from the ocean, and its transportation was not well developed.

In order to taste this seafood, he ordered people to cut ice in the cold mountains of Wei State, put the ice in wooden barrels, and transport it upstream along the river along with fish and shrimp...

The loss is so great that it is hard to imagine. Often, among more than a hundred fish, only one or two can meet the standards... (End of this chapter)