Chapter 134: The Destiny and Fortune of the Great Qin Empire

"Sir, does the Great Qin truly possess only fourteen years of national destiny? It is truly hard to imagine."

A monarch hailed as the "Emperor Through the Ages" would, by all accounts, be expected to have a flourishing and enduring destiny. How could it possibly be reduced to a mere decade or so? Even King Zhou of Shang found it difficult to believe Chu Xiaoyu was being serious.

"It is naturally true. Although Great Qin conquered the six kingdoms and enjoyed a period of supreme power, if you, Ying Zheng, had not acted on your own suspicions and exiled your son Fusu, your second son, Huhai, would never have found an opening. And after your passing, your eldest son Fusu—who was truly outstanding—would not have been driven to take his own life by a forged imperial decree."

"W-what? My son Fusu was exiled because of my suspicions, and in the end, he actually...? This... how could such a thing happen?" Ying Zheng turned deathly pale, shaken to his core. King Zhou, Su Hu, and Bigan listened with rapt attention.

Ying Zheng gasped for air and pleaded, "Please, sir, tell me, how could this come to pass? I must know."

"Very well. Everything I just mentioned is what will unfold in the future of your Great Qin. Your empire lasts only fourteen years because Huhai usurps the throne, followed by a series of disastrous reforms, the influence of the eunuch Zhao Gao, and your Chancellor Li Si... they all conspire to bury the flourishing Great Qin you built."

Suddenly, there was a thud!

Ying Zheng fell straight to his knees before Chu Xiaoyu, crying out, "I beg you, sir, save my Great Qin! I cannot let the empire be destroyed like this."

"Ah... Your Majesty, you shouldn't..."

Another thud followed as Meng Tian knelt down as well. King Zhou watched them, stunned and speechless. The so-called Emperor Through the Ages was no different from anyone else; in the presence of this man, he could only beg for help like a grandson. Reflecting on his own past, where he had been just as desperate as Ying Zheng is today, King Zhou felt a deep sense of resonance.

"Get up, all of you. Let's speak calmly." Chu Xiaoyu appeared as indifferent as a salted fish, his expression showing no ripples of emotion.

Meng Tian helped Ying Zheng up, and they both took their seats. Ying Zheng could not help but ask, "Sir, you must have a way to change the fate of my Great Qin, don't you? Just as you changed the fate of the Great Shang... I beseech you, sir, please save my country and my people."

Ying Zheng’s plea was earnest and pitiful. Seeing his desperation, King Zhou added his voice, "Sir, you should help him. Alas, thinking back to those days, I was just as helpless as he is now. If not for your guidance and support, I fear... my Great Shang would surely have fallen into ruin. Sir, please, help him."

Su Hu and Bigan also joined in the entreaties. Chu Xiaoyu continued to sip his tea, maintaining an air of detached nonchalance. Every time Su Daji saw Chu Xiaoyu putting on this affected display, she knew he was merely feigning indifference. Since he had allowed them into this bizarre estate, his nature was such that he would never truly stand by and watch them perish. As the saying goes, one becomes like those with whom one associates; Su Daji seemed to have completely grasped the true temperament of Chu Xiaoyu.

"Sir..."

"Enough! Everyone, did I ever say I wouldn't help? Very well, since you were able to enter my farmstead, it signifies a special fated connection between us. How could I refuse to assist?"

"Ah... Thank you, sir!" Ying Zheng was overcome with excitement. In the *Records of the Grand Historian*, the Yin-Shang dynasty was destined to be destroyed by King Wen of Zhou from Xiqi, yet the current Yin-Shang was thriving. Every miracle had been brought about by the teachings and enlightenment of this formidable man. Naturally, Ying Zheng was overjoyed. The prospect of his glorious Great Qin falling in fourteen years was unthinkable. Since Heaven had provided this opportunity, allowing him to pass through the Gate of Immortals and meet such a powerful figure, he had to seize the moment.

Deeply moved, Ying Zheng stood up and bowed deeply to Chu Xiaoyu. "Please, sir, save my country and my people. What must I do to alter the fate of the Great Qin? I implore you to instruct me."

"Ugh... the root of your problem is quite easy to solve," Chu Xiaoyu said languidly. "Since your empire is doomed by the mismanagement of that Huhai, once you return, simply execute that rebellious son. Then, have Zhao Gao, Li Si, and the others beheaded. By cutting off the source of these future troubles, wouldn't the danger be eliminated in one stroke?"

"Ah... this... sir, is it truly necessary to behead them? But..." Huhai was, after all, the son he had pampered and loved the most. As for the eldest son, Fusu, while he was capable, his nature was rigid and conventional. As a father, Ying Zheng had never favored him as much as he had Huhai.

"A father is to blame for a son's lack of discipline." Could Huhai’s eventual rebellion be the result of his own excessive indulgence? Did that lead to the fratricide and usurpation? Killing his brother, usurping the throne, and eventually handing over the ancestral legacy to others! What a rebellious son! The more he thought about it, the angrier Ying Zheng became, until he was consumed with rage. That rebellious son deserved to die!

"Very well! Sir, I will follow your advice. Once I return, I shall immediately have Huhai, Zhao Gao, and Li Si executed." Ying Zheng made his decision. The state came first; the pests must be rooted out. Even if he had once cherished that child, he had many sons. Once one turned against the state, what room was there for fatherly affection? The imperial family had always been cold by nature.

As Ying Zheng spoke with such conviction, Chu Xiaoyu waved his hand. "I was only joking earlier. Huhai does not necessarily have to die, and neither does Li Si. As for the eunuch Zhao Gao... eunuchs interfering with state affairs is intolerable; he must be dealt with."

These were events that had not yet occurred. Regarding a brat like Huhai and a talent like Li Si, Chu Xiaoyu felt they could still be salvaged. The eunuch, however, had to go.

"But sir, as the saying goes, 'Rivers and mountains are easy to change, but a man's nature is hard to alter.' Huhai... perhaps I was too indulgent, which led to his arrogance. Otherwise, how could he have killed his own brother?" And in the end, he destroyed the Great Qin! Truly an abominable son!

"Nothing is absolute. As long as you can properly restrain them upon your return, the future will be promising, and those chaotic events will not occur." Chu Xiaoyu offered his guarantee. By severing the root of the evil—much like castrating a eunuch—the source of the corruption would be unable to cause further harm.

Ying Zheng bowed once more. "Thank you for your guidance and instruction, sir."