Chapter 18: The First Emperor: This death is even more restless than eternal life!

The people were displaced and the nobles of the six countries were ready to make moves. These major issues concerning the fundamentals of the country were actually glossed over by Li Si, which made people shocked.

Just when everyone was confused, the words "Please let Prime Minister Li announce it" made people even more confused.

Didn’t Li Si already express his intention to give up the position of Prime Minister?
Is he still the Prime Minister now?

Just when everyone was full of doubts, Li Si stood up resolutely. His eyes were firm and deep, as if he was carrying the heavy burden of the rise and fall of the Qin Empire.

He said loudly: "Now, I declare several emergency decrees."

"First, construction of the Afang Palace will be suspended from today. Three thousand top-grade craftsmen will be selected and retained in Xianyang City. The remaining 700,000 laborers will be dispersed to an area within 500 miles of Xianyang to recuperate. They will be provided with one meal a day and will be on standby for subsequent deployment."

"Second, immediately set up the Jinyiwei and appoint Qinglong to temporarily serve as the Imperial Censor to take charge of the Jinyiwei."

"This agency will be responsible for patrolling the palace at night, monitoring the movements of officials, arresting traitors, and managing the imperial prison, with the power to try and execute relevant cases."

"Third, Zhao Gao has been executed for treason. If his accomplices can voluntarily surrender themselves, their entire families can be exempted from joint punishment. If they resist and do not report, once the facts are verified, their entire families will be exterminated!"

"Fourth, General Wang, please quickly dispatch a team of 1,000 people to the North Mountain to mine saltpeter."

"Fifth, after being jointly recommended by Li Si and Prime Minister Feng, it has been decided that the Thirteenth Prince Ying Heng will take on the important task of regent. This matter has been finalized and there is no need to discuss it further."

"From today on, all military and political affairs of the Qin Empire will be decided by the Thirteenth Prince Ying Heng until the new emperor is chosen."

Feng Quji beside him nodded in agreement, which undoubtedly gave more firm power to this series of major decisions.

Just like a huge rock falling into a lake, causing ripples, after Prime Minister Li Si and Feng Quji read out the seven decrees, all civil and military officials were instantly in an uproar, talking about it in shock.

"Prime Minister Feng, can you explain to us why you turned a deaf ear to the suffering of the common people and why you turned a blind eye to the unusual movements of the aristocracy?"

Relevant county officials asked anxiously.

"Prime Minister Li, there is no problem with suspending the construction of the Afang Palace, but how should the subsequent resettlement of these 700,000 laborers be carried out? Can you provide a detailed plan and give everyone a clear explanation?"

Officials in charge of engineering affairs also expressed their concerns.

As for Zhao Gao's treason and the formation of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the dozen or so officials involved with Zhao Gao had already been frightened out of their wits.

At this moment, everyone's face was as pale as paper, but no one dared to question this matter face to face, because that would undoubtedly be tantamount to exposing themselves.

General Wang Ben also stood up and said, "Prime Minister Li, saltpeter is heavy and seemingly useless. The strength of our soldiers is as precious as gold. The manpower and material resources consumed in transporting it from the North Mountain to the city are enough to provide a full meal for the soldiers."

“Without sufficient reasons, this may be difficult to implement.”

As for the last point, Li Si and Feng Quji jointly recommended the Thirteenth Prince as regent, and the ministers seemed to have become accustomed to this unexpected decision.

In other words, their emotions have reached saturation point and such changes can no longer arouse any further surprise.

Although no one knew what means the Thirteenth Prince had used to convince the two prime ministers, since the decision came from the mouths of Prime Ministers Li Si and Feng Quji, it became an unchangeable fact.

Even without the intervention of the Thirteenth Prince, the current situation of the court was jointly presided over by the two prime ministers. Since they both agreed to this matter, even though the civil and military officials in the court felt helpless, they had to accept this reality.

After the death of Qin Shi Huang, the entire Qin court was filled with an indescribable atmosphere of dejection. Everyone knew that the Qin Dynasty had quietly changed!

However, what was unexpected was that the one who truly held power was not Zhao Gao, Hu Hai, or Prince Fusu, but the Thirteenth Prince who had always been regarded as a playboy!

There was an uproar among the officials. Faced with this situation, Prime Minister Li Si and Feng Quji could not offer much explanation.

After all, the Thirteenth Prince had explained that there were many spies from the six countries lurking in the city of Xianyang, and even the team of court officials was mixed with impurities. Although some decisions were to be implemented first, they should not be announced too early.

Li Si looked calm and said to General Wang Ben, "The saltpeter is actually needed to make ice. You don't need to worry about the specific method. You just need to remember that this is to ensure the proper preservation of the remains of the late emperor."

He emphasized solemnly: "This matter concerns your majesty's dignity and cannot be lost. General Wang, act immediately."

Hearing this, Wang Ben's face turned grim. This matter concerned the late emperor, so he dared not neglect it. He immediately clasped his fists and accepted the order: "I obey your command!"

Li Si then went on to appease the ministers: "As for the rest, there is no need to panic. Since the Thirteenth Prince has given his orders, then Prime Minister Feng and I have agreed and decided to follow them."

"These major measures will only benefit our Great Qin Empire. All you need to do is follow them."

He looked around, his eyes firm and powerful: "If anyone is still confused about this, you can ask for instructions in person when the Thirteenth Prince comes to the court to supervise the country."

"Today's court meeting ends here. The nine ministers will stay and continue to discuss. The rest of the officials will perform their duties and execute them quickly!"

In a closed and nameless Black Ice Platform headquarters, the mysterious leader had just placed a brand new desk firmly.

Suddenly, a black shadow rushed in as fast as lightning.

The leader just stared at his subordinate quietly, with deep dissatisfaction revealed between his brows.

You know, it’s been less than an hour since the last message was delivered!
The subordinate also responded with a silent look, which was full of helplessness and anxiety: "Boss, this matter is really out of my control!"

Seeing this, the leader silently took out an exquisitely carved wooden mask from behind him and slowly put it on his face.

Obviously, he was worried that the new case might encounter another unexpected event.

Seeing this, the young subordinate became more and more panicked. He tried to ask his leader for help with his eyes, but saw that the other party only had a wooden helmet left in his hand.

After his calls for help failed, he finally had no choice but to bite the bullet, kneel on the ground, and report loudly.

"Report! Commander, I have an urgent matter to report!"

At the same time, in the quiet and deep underground palace of Qin Shihuang, he was once again forced to wake up from the state of practicing true qi.

It had only been an hour and he hadn't even completed a full circle of Qi circulation.

When he was alive and governing the country, there was peace and tranquility for several days. But now after his death, it seemed as if everything changed rapidly and there was constant turmoil, which made him sigh.

"How come the days after death are even more restless than the days before death?"

(End of this chapter)