Chapter 3 The Death of Zulong

In the Qin capital Xianyang, in a corner of the Qin Palace, a tall and hunched figure gasped and walked forward heavily, following an old eunuch, carefully accompanying him.

Finally, the tall figure walked a hundred steps again, and finally couldn't resist the extreme fatigue. He sat down on the stone bench next to him panting. The eunuch hurried forward and carefully supported him.

The tall figure gasped for two breaths and said in confusion: "Xi, you said that I have been taking the elixir for so many years, why is my health getting worse and worse? It is worse than before!? Look, now I will be exhausted and panting even after walking two or three hundred steps!"

It turned out that this tall and hunched man was Qin Shihuang, the emperor of the ages. However, at this time, the Emperor had a swollen face, pale face, dull eyes, and a big body no longer stood up. Instead, he felt a little pitiful and hunched over, looking more like an old man who was about to die than a powerful iron-blooded emperor!

Xi looked at the First Emperor in front of him with a sad feeling. He understood in his heart, but did not dare to say anything. He had to deal with it carefully and said: "This servant doesn't understand very well. According to those masters, the immortal pills that Your Majesty used to take were still lacking some necessary medicinal materials, so they cannot be regarded as real immortal pills, and their effects are limited. The lack of medicinal materials can be said to be immortal medicines, but they can't be found. It should be that Your Majesty's immortal fate has not yet arrived!"

When the First Emperor sighed, he said, "Yes, Lu Sheng said that some fairy grass is missing. What is the essential fairy medicine for Ganoderma lucidum? You have to go to the East China Sea to find it. However, Lu Sheng has been away for several years, but there is no news. If he can't find those fairy medicines again, I'm afraid I can't wait!"

Xi was shocked when he heard the incorrect words of the First Emperor. He didn't dare to answer, so he had to remain silent. Suddenly, the First Emperor took a breath and asked, "Where is Zhao Gao? Why didn't he see him?"

Xi hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, you asked Lord Zhao to go to check the progress of Afang Palace on behalf of Your Majesty today. Lord Zhao has not returned yet!" The First Emperor frowned and thought hard for a while before he suddenly realized, "Oh, by the way, I remembered it! Alas, I'm old, look at my memory!"

Xi heard the eyes of his eyes ache, and the anger in his heart rammed left and right in his chest. He couldn't bear it anymore. Seeing that there was no one on the left, he suddenly "punched" to the ground and sobbed, "Your Majesty, I'll die!" The First Emperor was stunned and confused, "Xi, why are you guilty of me? You have been following me for more than 20 years. Apart from Zhao Gao, you are the one who is the most intimate with me!"

Xi tears in his eyes and sobbed, "Your Majesty, I have a few truthful words to tell you. As long as your Majesty expresses me, he will break up my body after he finishes his words, and he is willing to do so!" The First Emperor said in a little puzzled manner: "Get up, get up, get up, say something if you have something to say, don't hesitate!"

Xi shook his head, knelt on the ground, gritted his teeth, and said excitedly: "Your Majesty, in fact, all the magic pills were deceived by the sorcerers in the palace and cheated on money; that Lu Sheng did not go out to the East China Sea to find treasures for His Majesty. He was just doing business in various coastal ports to make money for himself! Your Majesty, you must not be blinded by those villains anymore. Your dragon body can no longer be tossed!"

When the First Emperor was stunned for a while, he suddenly raised his face on the floor and said angrily: "Nonsense, are you saying that I have been deceived by those sorcerers for so many years? It's outrageous! These sorcerers are recommended by Zhao Gao, and he will harm me! Besides, I have been using the Immortal Pill for a long time. If you think it's fake, why didn't you report to me earlier!" The tiger's thin power was still there, and the angry First Emperor was still frightened and trembled with joy!

Xi suddenly fell into a heart, raised his head, and said excitedly: "Your Majesty, in fact, what those sorcerers did was instructed by Zhao Gao! The reason is very simple. Zhao Gao is greedy for power and money. If Your Majesty is diligent in government affairs, he will not have the opportunity to do so. But if Your Majesty is addicted to the trivial matters of cultivating immortals and refining alchemy, then he will definitely be unwilling to government affairs, and Zhao Gao has the opportunity to manipulate the government affairs. Now, in the court, except for a few important officials, he is almost the world of Zhao Gao's followers.

The military power in the capital has been controlled by Zhao Gao and others. Although I am a lowly person, I am worried about national affairs and want to advise Your Majesty, but Zhao Gao is sinister and vicious. His tyrannical power makes everyone in the palace dare to be angry and not speak out. If I am rashly advised and found out by him, I will definitely die. Today, Zhao Gao and his followers are not present, which is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so I risk my life to advise You, hoping that Your Majesty can wake up as soon as possible, so I will die without regrets even if I die thousands of times!"

When the First Emperor heard this, his angry face gradually calmed down. After a while, he said lightly: "I pretend that I didn't hear what you said just now! I don't believe that Zhao Gao is such a person. Do you understand? Get up!"

Xi heard this and was stunned for a moment, and suddenly realized something: I knew that if the First Emperor still had full trust in Zhao Gao, he would have killed himself a hundred times based on what he said just now; but now the First Emperor has not punished him, then he must have doubts about Zhao Gao.

"There was finally a good start. I will find an opportunity to beat Zhao Gao up completely in the future!" Xixi, who was happy, kowtowed quickly and stood up quietly!

The First Emperor stood up with a look of distortion, looked at the night scene, and said in a deep voice: "I can't walk anymore, please help me back to the palace!" "Yes, Your Majesty!" Xi carefully helped the First Emperor back to the southern study room!

After Xi served the First Emperor to fall asleep, he quietly retreated. In the empty dormitory, only the First Emperor was left lying alone on the dragon couch, gasping heavily.

If it were in the past, I would have probably been ordered by the Emperor of the First Emperor to dismember the five horses. However, as Emperor of the Dragon Body became worse and worse, and often vomited blood, he could not help but gradually doubt it. However, his deep-rooted belief in the art of immortality and his firm belief in believing that he is the pride of heaven made Emperor of Heaven always have a little hope that he can live forever! But today, he was excited by Xi's tearful advice, and this little hope was shaken.

"Zhao Gao, you grew up with me since childhood. I trust you very much! I hope you will not be as treacherous as Xi said, otherwise I can get up and press you down!" The First Emperor looked at the tent and said to himself, a sharp look flashed in his eyes!

Late at night, Zhao Gao had just rushed back to the palace from the Afang Palace construction site on the Weishui River. When he heard that the First Emperor was asleep, he did not dare to disturb the First Emperor and was ready to rest!

Unexpectedly, as soon as he was about to go to bed, someone called softly when he heard the sound of the door: "My father-in-law, father-in-law, I am Yan Le, I have something urgent to tell you!" Zhao Gao was shocked and quickly stood up and said: "Come in quickly, what's going on?"

Yan Le gently pushed open the door and hurriedly stepped into the room. He first closed the door carefully, and then whispered: "My father-in-law, I have a secret report from him. This evening, when Lord Xi and His Majesty were with him, something seemed wrong!"

Zhao Gao was stunned when he heard this, "Have you ever found out what's going on?" Yan Le shook his head and said, "It's far away and dare not get close. He just saw Lord Xi kneeling in front of His Majesty and crying, as if he was talking to His Majesty about something important! The son-in-law didn't dare to be negligent when he heard that his father-in-law came back, so he came to report it!"

Zhao Gao thought about it after hearing this and said, "You are doing well, go back and rest first. I will go to the vent of the mouth tomorrow, hoping that there will be no leaks, otherwise I will have to start first!"

Yan Le was shocked when he heard this, "It's better to start first!? What does father-in-law mean..."

Zhao Gao looked at Yan Le with cold eyes and said coldly: "Now, all the military and political power in the court is in my hands, and Your Majesty is under our control. If something goes wrong, the victory will be removed and Hu Hai will ascend to the throne. At that time, we can still enjoy wealth and honor!"

Yan Le suddenly felt scared and sweated. Although he was brave, when it comes to killing the regicide, especially Qin Shihuang, the emperor of the ages, he still couldn't help but feel a sense of fear from the bottom of his heart, and his calves couldn't help but cramp.

Zhao Gao glanced at Yan Le contemptuously and said coldly: "Waste, what are you afraid of! Now everything inside and outside the palace is under my control. Ying Zheng is also ill and tragically stumbled, and he is already a toothless tiger. As long as we do some tricks in the elixir, we will definitely do it neatly and without knowing it!"

Yan Le swallowed a sudden saliva, gritted his teeth, and said to Zhao Gao with a flattering smile: "As long as the father-in-law is ordered, the son-in-law will obey! Humph, the doctor in the palace, the Hu Ben Army, and the palace servant are all under our control. So what about Ying Zheng? As long as the father-in-law is willing, it is not like pinching him to death!" "Hahahaha..." A sinister smile sounded in the empty palace!

The next morning, Xi had just gotten up, and suddenly no one reported it and pushed the door in.

Xi served the First Emperor in the palace for many years. Although he was not as favored as Zhao Gao, he was also a great eunuch with a certain power in the palace. When he saw someone rude, his face changed and he was about to be furious, he suddenly saw that the visitor was Zhao Gao. He couldn't help but feel a sank in his heart and said with a smile: "It turns out it's Lord Zhao. I wonder what instructions did you give me to come early?"

Zhao Gao Yinzhi looked at Xi for a moment and said lightly: "I heard that Mr. Xi was crying and talking generously in front of His Majesty yesterday. I don't know what he said?"

Xi was shocked when she heard this, and her heart turned rapidly: "Has the incident yesterday been leaked? No, I looked around carefully at that time. Except for some doctors and guards in the distance, no one was found nearby! Then Zhao Gao suddenly came this time, probably only heard some wind and came to throw a stone to ask for directions!"

I have been serving the First Emperor for a long time and can stay safely under Zhao Gao's wings for more than 20 years. It is really outstanding. When my brain turned rapidly, my face did not change at all. I replied respectfully: "Good! Yesterday, Your Majesty felt grateful because of the difficult journey, and I was worried that my life would not last much, and I missed the deceased queen very much! Seeing that Your Majesty was sad, the queen's kindness to her was heard again, so I couldn't help but burst into tears and tried to enlighten Your Majesty! It made Lord Zhao laugh!"

Zhao Gao stared at Xi's face and pet and eyes with vicious eyes, trying to find a strange thing from it, but unfortunately he had nothing to find, so he could only say lightly: "Oh, how did you persuade Your Majesty?" Xi replied without saying: "I said, Your Majesty does not have to worry about blessings and longevity. If Lord Zhao urges those real people and sorcerers to quickly gather all the magic medicines and refine the magic pills. Your Majesty just wait with peace of mind!" As he said that Xi lowered his voice and pretended to be flattering: "Mr. Zhao, I listen to the meaning of Your Majesty's words, it seems that he is very dissatisfied with Lu Sheng's loss of nothing after he has been in the East China Sea for several years. And there are rumors that he has reached His Majesty's ears, saying that Lu Sheng did not look for the magic medicines in the East China Sea, but instead is devoted to making money for himself. Lord Zhao must pay attention to this!"

Zhao Gao was surprised and said, "This is true!" Xi said seriously, "There is no false! But I said these words to Your Majesty are completely rumored and must not be trusted. Lord Zhao is loyal to Your Majesty. How could the person you use be lazy and careless about Your Majesty's immortality? It must be a bit of a slander for Lord Zhao!"

Zhao Gao was suspicious of joy at this time and asked with satisfaction: "How will Your Majesty react?"

He smiled happily: "After I burst into tears and made generous statements, Your Majesty is of course in response! In fact, even if I don't say it, with Your Majesty's favor to Lord Zhao, I will not believe those rumors to be true!"

A ugly smile appeared on Zhao Gao's sinister face, and he nodded and said, "Very good. Lord Xi has been with Zhao for many years. As long as he does things faithfully in the future, Zhao will not treat you badly!" Xi quickly knelt down and expressed his loyalty: "Lord Zhao is the imperial teacher of Mr. Hu Hai. In the future, Mr. Hu Hai will definitely become more powerful in the ascension of the throne. Please take care of me more at that time!"

Zhao Gao stood up and smiled and said, "It's easy to say, it's easy to say! Zhao still has to serve His Majesty, so let's say goodbye! Lord Xi will not send him off!"

"Sir Zhao, go slowly!" After seeing off the plague god Zhao Gao, Xi immediately breathed a sigh of relief, and then he found in horror that his underwear was completely wet!

In the Nan Study room, on a luxurious soft couch, the weak Shihuang was lying on the couch, trying hard to review the memorials, and there were some bamboo slips piled up by his hand.

After all, the First Emperor was the First Emperor. Although he had not had an early court for many years, he had always insisted on reviewing the memorials himself. Even when he was sick, he was persistent. Sometimes, sometimes he could not hold on and then he would leave it to Zhao Gao for his agency. This also made the country currently full of chaos, but it was as tall as a mountain in front of the First Emperor. In the court, loyal and righteous people such as Feng Jie, Feng Quji, Wei Liao, and Xiao He could stand firm in the vast wind and rain!

However, because Zhao Gao's party members were spread all over the court and the public, and they controlled the presentation of memorials, some memorials that were unfavorable to Zhao Gao and others were intercepted by Zhao Gao and others. All those who could get to the Qin Emperor were complicated and trivial matters and military affairs. For the court officials who dared to impeach his faults, Zhao Gao looked for an opportunity to remove them, while those who were more officials looked for an opportunity to suppress them! The ministers were suffering from the fact that they could not meet the Qin Emperor at all, and they could not argue if they had any grievances. Therefore, in a few years, no one in the court would dare to look for Zhao Gao and others.

It’s so pitiful that Qin Shihuang, who is known as the emperor of the ages, was actually manipulated by a traitor like Zhao Gao in his later years!

"Your Majesty, I have reviewed the memorial so early!? You need to take care of the dragon body!" Zhao Gao quietly came to the concentrated First Emperor and said earnestly.

When the First Emperor heard this voice, he knew it was Zhao Gao. There was only Zhao Gao coming in and out in the Nan study room without any notice. Suddenly, he remembered the words he had said yesterday, so he pretended to think of it casually and said, "Well, Zhao Gao, I feel that my body is getting worse day by day, and when can the ultimate perfect elixir be refined?"

Zhao Gao's heart skipped a beat and he quickly replied carefully: "Your Majesty, it should be soon. Mr. Lu has been looking for the elixir for many years and has been diligent in his work. Good news should come soon!"

When the First Emperor heard this, he frowned and said, "I happened to see a memorial yesterday saying that Lu Sheng was not looking for medicine in the East China Sea at all. He took the ship and supplies I gave him to do business and profit at the ports along the East China Sea coast. Zhao Gao, this is not true!" After he said this, he left Xi clean. The First Emperor was not a stupid person!

Zhao Gao was shocked and said to himself: "I was not in the palace yesterday. Did those confidants missed this unfavorable memorial when they intercepted the memorial?? I was so damn waste, I was not here for a day, and I was so fucked out of such a big mess!" However, he said with great grievance: "Your Majesty, this is purely a rumor. A few days ago, I just received news from Mr. Lu. He said that he had already made some mistakes in searching for the elixir, and there would be definite news coming in a short time!"

"Oh—!" The First Emperor was overjoyed and immediately threw away his suspicion of Zhao Gao without a trace, and said anxiously: "Is that true, why didn't you report to me earlier? Also, when will there be a definite news? I really can't wait! I just thought, if Lu Sheng, this dog, can't find the elixir, I will destroy his nine clans!"

Zhao Gao suddenly became uneasy when he heard this: "It seems that although Ying Zheng did not doubt me, he was no longer patient. He had to make a decision early!" Although his heart was turning rapidly, his face was very respectful: "Reply to Your Majesty, although there was news from Lu Sheng, there was no definite news. I dare not tell Your Majesty. If there was any mistake, wouldn't it be a deceiver to listen to the saint? However, I think Lu Sheng has always been steady in doing things. He said that with his eyes, it should be very fast. Your Majesty just wait with peace of mind. Maybe good news will come in the next two months!"

The First Emperor was immediately happy and said: "That's great, Zhao Gao, it's better for you to do things to me! You immediately send someone to urge Lu Sheng to tell him to be quicker, otherwise my health may not be able to wait!" Zhao Gao hurriedly said respectfully: "Yes, Your Majesty, I urge him to do it right away!" "Well, go!" The First Emperor nodded!

In the secret room of Zhao Gao's mansion, there were three people sitting, Zhao Gao, Li Si, and Yan Le. These core figures of the traitor in the court were flashing with lights, making them look even more gloomy and hateful!

Zhao Gao explained the situation in the day with a gloomy face, and then said in a deep voice: "It seems that Your Majesty has doubts about us. If I hadn't taken the opportunity to hide it, I'm afraid the disaster would be a big deal!"

Li Si was a little panicked when he heard this: "It seems that Your Majesty is almost out of patience for the matter of the elixirs, what should I do? I have said a long time ago, don't use these immortal elixirs to deceive Your Majesty. Sooner or later, there will be a day of intrusion!"

Zhao Gao sneered when he heard this: "No way to use this move. In addition to being obsessed with this immortal technique, your Majesty is very easy to coax, and you want to take the opportunity to monopolize the power in other aspects. It is a dream! Lord Li has gained all the benefits over the years, so how can you say these sarcastic words now!"

Li Si looked a little embarrassed when he heard this. Yan Le hurriedly said, "Forget it, forget it! Father-in-law, Lord Li, now is not the time to complain to each other. How to solve this elixir? Depending on your Majesty's intention, I can't wait, but where can we get the real elixir?"

Li Si also sighed and said, "Yes, depending on your Majesty's meaning, if we don't have any results, we will deal with us!" Zhao Gao's eyes flashed with a cold light and said coldly: "This elixir is a matter of the brink of Wuhuai, and it can't be done. Moreover, Your Majesty's body is now collapsed. Even if there are thousands of years of ginseng and ten thousand years of Ganoderma lucidum, it may not be effective. With Your Majesty's temper, once the dream of immortality is shattered, we will probably be buried with you when we die. Therefore, for the sake of this, I have to..." Zhao Gao made a beheading gesture!

Li Si's face changed drastically when he heard this: "How can this be? The regicide is a serious crime, and it will destroy the nine clans!" Zhao Gao sneered: "At this point, I'm afraid I have to do it if I don't do it! Otherwise, at most two or three months, your Majesty will be exhausted, and it's probably the time when you and I will give you the title! Is Lord Li willing to surrender??"

Li Si was not as crazy as Zhao Gao. He couldn't help but tremble with fear for a moment, and the cold sweat on his face couldn't help but burst into tears!

Yan Le quickly smiled and said, "Mr. Li, don't be afraid. Now the doctor's order is in my hands, and the Hu Ben Army and the Wei Wei are also controlled by us. The palace servants are only obedient to the order of their father-in-law. As long as we do it cleanly, there will never be any rumors!"

Li Si calmed down after hearing this, and hesitated: "But when Your Majesty's body is buried, the ministers and ministers in the court will definitely come to visit. How can they escape the eyes of these people? Especially Feng Jie, Xiao He and others are very smart. If they see the flaws, it may be a big disaster!"

Zhao Gao sneered and said, "Why are you afraid of it? As soon as Your Majesty dies, we will support Hu Hai as the new king. At that time, we will have great power and will dominate the world. Who dares to say "No"? What's more, I have my own way to let Your Majesty go without any abnormality, just think that he died of serious illness!"

Li Si swallowed a few mouthfuls of saliva when he heard this, and his breathing became rapid. He gritted his teeth and said, "Okay, then let's take a try, and wealth will be here!" Zhao Gao laughed and said, "Okay, please feel free! I'll trouble Lord Li to use the 'Qin Feng' to monitor the movements of the ministers in the court. At this critical moment, don't make a mistake!" Li Si nodded and said, "Don't worry!"

Suddenly, Zhao Gao thought about it and said, "By the way, how is the little thief Fusu now?" Li Si hurriedly said, "By the way, I'm just about to report to the Lord. A quick report from the horse, Fusuti's 150,000 troops heading northwest and conquering Yelang Kingdom, and has returned to Lingnan as early as the year!"

Zhao Gao was surprised when he heard this and said, "Fusu can bring 150,000 troops away from Lingnan to fight. This means that the Baiyue area has basically been pacified. So he may soon return to Xianyang!?" Yan Le said panic when he heard this: "What should we do? This little thief of Fusu is difficult to deal with, especially with heavy troops. Once he returns, it is probably difficult for us to control the situation in the court!"

Zhao Gao glared at Yan Le and sneered, "What's the matter? Can he be too late? We will take action in the next few days to get rid of Yingzheng. Then we fake an edict and send it to Lingnan to order Fusu to commit suicide. Once Fusu dies, we will have no worries anymore!"

Li Si was overjoyed when he heard this, "What a wonderful thing! Li has long wanted to try to get the little thief of Fusu to be quick, and I really wish I could see this day as soon as possible!"

Zhao Gao smiled sinisterly and said, "Since the idea is decided, let's add it back and make careful preparations!" At that moment, the three of them secretly discussed the details and then left!

So, just a few days later, Zhao Gao suddenly came to see the First Emperor happily and said, "Your Majesty, great news!"

The First Emperor had just finished reviewing the memorial and was extremely tired. He was lying on the soft couch and pretending to sleep. Suddenly, he heard Zhao Gao's voice and woke up, "Well, Zhao Gao, why are you happy?"

Zhao Gao said with excitement: "Your Majesty, there is news from Mr. Lu: Mr. Lu has found three necessary medicines on an island in the East China Sea. He is quickly sending a fast horse of 600 miles to the capital to rush to the capital. He will arrive in Xianyang in just one or two days!"

When the First Emperor heard this, he was overjoyed and wanted to get up. Unexpectedly, he didn't sit up after working two or three times. It was obvious that his body was so weak. Zhao Gao saw that he quickly helped the First Emperor up before the two palace maids, and put a cushion on his back to make the First Emperor sit comfortably.

The First Emperor said happily: "It's great, I finally have hope forever. Tell Hou Sheng, Shi Sheng, Han Zhong and others quickly that as soon as Lu Sheng's immortal medicine arrives, I will quickly refine a real elixir for me. I will take it as soon as possible!"

"Here!" Zhao Gao hurriedly took the order!

A few days later, in the afternoon, in the Nanshu Room, the First Emperor had no energy or much energy at this time, and he was only waiting for the elixir to be refined as soon as possible.

At this moment, Zhao Gao suddenly rushed into the room happily and said with a smile: "Congratulations to Your Majesty, congratulations to Your Majesty, the immortal pill has been completed!" The First Emperor was overjoyed and hurriedly said: "Hurry up, help me up, I want to take the immortal pill!"

The two palace maids quickly helped the First Emperor up carefully, while Zhao Gao carefully opened the brocade box in his hand and presented it to the First Emperor to watch: In the brocade box decorated with jasper, a red pill was lying quietly in it, emitting an attractive fragrance.

The First Emperor was so happy that his whole body was trembling slightly. Zhao Gao hurriedly said, "This immortal pill is hard to come by. After taking it, this immortal pill will cut bones and wash the marrow for Your Majesty. You may feel uncomfortable at first, but in three days, Your Majesty's immortal body will be formed and you will be immortal!"

The First Emperor hurriedly said, "Okay, okay, come and get the tea, I will take it immediately!" "Hurry, come and get the tea!" Zhao Gao also jumped up and down and gave instructions quickly.

Soon, the tea was taken, and the First Emperor quickly picked up the so-called "immortal pill", carefully put it in his mouth, and swallowed it with the tea.

When the First Emperor took the pill, a cold light flashed in Zhao Gaoyinzhe's eyes.

After the First Emperor finished eating, Zhao Gao quickly said diligently: "Your Majesty, after taking the Immortal Pill, you should avoid any idleness when cutting bones and washing marrow. In these three days, I will personally serve Your Majesty's daily life. How about not being allowed to get close to you?"

The First Emperor nodded with satisfaction and said, "Okay, you hold on to my 'Ding Qin Sword' and guard the palace gate. No idle people are allowed to disturb me. When I am a complete immortal body, I will definitely reward you with great rewards!"
To be continued...