Ying Zheng suddenly spoke.
As these words fell, the ministers of the court looked at each other in confusion. Someone whom Ying Zheng valued so highly, and who was once a key minister of Great Qin who could it be?
After all, those who had stepped down from the court were either retired due to old age or had met the same fate as Wang Wan and other officials.
"Zhongfu."
Ying Zheng called out loudly.
At the sound of these two words, the entire court was struck with shock. All eyes turned toward the entrance of the grand hall.
Only Zhao Feng remained calm as if he had already known about this beforehand.
For someone to be addressed as Zhongfu (respected uncle) by Ying Zheng…
For someone to command such reverence from Ying Zheng…
There were only two people in the world who fit this description.
One was his father-in-law, Xia Wuque.
The other was his Zhongfu, Lü Buwei.
Back when Ying Zheng first ascended the throne, the court was filled with powerful ministers, the royal family held great authority, and Zhao Ji managed political affairs. Lü Buwei was, without question, the most powerful official in Great Qin. However, despite his great power, he never disrespected Ying Zheng. On the contrary, he did everything he could to strengthen Qin and safeguard the king's authority.
When Ying Zheng took full control of the government, Lü Buwei stepped back, having fulfilled his role.
Yet, the outside world never knew the truth.
To the public, it seemed that when Lü Buwei was exiled from Xianyang, he was later forced to take his own life.
In reality, his departure was a form of protection arranged by Ying Zheng. The rumors of his death were also a calculated deception.
Once Lü Buwei left his position as Chancellor, the other states sought to use him against Great Qin. But having dedicated his entire life to Qin, how could Lü Buwei ever betray it?
Rather than becoming a tool for foreign powers, he harbored thoughts of ending his own life. However, Ying Zheng discovered his intentions and issued a royal edict of death as a cover, leading the world to believe that Lü Buwei had perished. This, in turn, made the other states abandon their plans to manipulate him against Qin.
And now, after all these years…
Under the watchful eyes of the court officials, a white-haired figure slowly walked into the grand hall.
Though aged, he exuded an undeniable presence one that commanded respect at a single glance.
Despite being away from the political stage for so long, his aura remained formidable, leaving no room for underestimation.
"It's him."
"The former Chancellor of Great Qin Lü Buwei!"
"The most powerful minister of Qin's past."
"Wasn't he supposed to have been given the royal decree of death?"
"No one expected such a figure to still be alive..."
As Lü Buwei appeared, the court was filled with shock and awe.
After all, during his time, Lü Buwei was undeniably the most powerful official in the state.
Even Wang Wan and Kuai Zhuang, who once held significant influence, had not wielded even a tenth of Lü Buwei's power.
"The legendary Chancellor Lü Buwei..."
"He's still alive."
"My old man hid him well. But then again, my father must truly be exhausted. He desperately needs someone to share his burdens otherwise, he would never have invited Lü Buwei back into court."
Seeing Lü Buwei, Zhao Feng couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.
He fully understood why Ying Zheng had decided to summon Lü Buwei out of retirement.
The workload of governing the empire was overwhelming.
While Zhao Feng was responsible for proposing policies, their implementation was left to the officials and local administrators, while the final review and approval of government affairs rested with Ying Zheng.
Recently, Zhao Feng had perfected the art of living leisurely.
But with Lü Buwei's return, Ying Zheng was about to get a much-needed break.
"Old Minister Lü Buwei greets Your Majesty."
Lü Buwei entered the hall with a solemn expression and bowed deeply to Ying Zheng.
This bow carried an indescribable sense of nostalgia.
Perhaps even he never expected that after all these years, he would one day return to Xianyang.
Nor did he expect that, in the twilight of his life, he would once again stand openly in this grand hall.
And above all, he never imagined that upon his return, Great Qin would have already unified the land.
It felt like a lifetime ago.
His gaze swept over the court officials.
Most of them looked at him with deep reverence.
The old ministers of his time were long gone.
Now, the court was filled with new faces of officials who had risen through Great Qin's expansion.
Had Zhao Feng not been present, Lü Buwei might have recognized Wang Wan and others, men who had once served under him.
Back in the day, as Chancellor, he stood at the pinnacle of power, even above the national commander.
Now…
Everything had changed.
And yet…
If not for Zhao Feng, Lü Buwei would have never stepped out of history's shadows.
The world would have forever remembered him as a minister who was forced to take his own life.
"Zhongfu."
Ying Zheng gazed at the old figure before him, his eyes filled with reminiscence.
Back when he was a hostage in Zhao, and even after returning to Qin, Lü Buwei had guided and mentored him.
In many ways, Lü Buwei had been a crucial figure in his life.
If not for Lü Buwei's intervention, Ying Zheng might never have been reunited with his beloved Ah Fang.
"Your Majesty has truly lived up to the expectations of the late king."
"The world is now unified, and all under heaven is one."
"I never imagined that I would live to see this day," Lü Buwei said with a smile, his words carrying genuine admiration for Ying Zheng.
Hearing this, Ying Zheng was deeply moved.
"For Zhongfu to return…"
"Nothing pleases me more."
Ying Zheng smiled.
Then, turning to the court, he announced loudly:
"Ministers of Qin!"
"My Zhongfu has returned today!"
At this declaration, the official's faces full of respect bowed together.
"Greetings to Lord Wenxin!" (Lü Buwei's noble title)
"Greetings, esteemed ministers," Lü Buwei replied, clasping his hands as he bowed in return.
"With the implementation of new state policies,"
"And with the increasing complexity of governance,"
"I have summoned Lord Wenxin back to assist in handling these affairs," Ying Zheng declared with unquestionable authority.
In the presence of the First Emperor…
And in the presence of Zhao Feng…
There was no such thing as "balancing court factions" only the absolute rule of the sovereign.
The emperor gave orders.
The ministers carried them out.
Never the other way around.
His words were law.
And no one dared to object.
"From this day forth,"
"I shall reinstate the position of Chancellor."
"This position shall rank above the Left and Right Chancellors."
"He shall oversee state affairs and report directly to me."
"Unless it concerns matters of national emergency, all regional governance and civil administration shall be handled by the Chancellor."
"The division of responsibilities between the Left and Right Chancellors shall be determined by the Chancellor himself," Ying Zheng proclaimed.
As Ying Zheng's voice fell,
A palace attendant immediately stepped forward, holding a box containing the seal of the Prime Minister, and walked slowly toward Lü Buwei.
Looking at the seal before him,
It was still the very same one he had held in the past.
A deep wave of emotion surged in Lü Buwei's eyes.
"Your servant thanks Your Majesty for your trust."
Lü Buwei accepted the seal with both hands and bowed deeply.
Reinstating the position of Prime Minister was not a particularly major matter for Ying Zheng.
Among the military officials, the highest rank was that of the State Guardian.
However, civil officials were divided into Left Chancellor and Right Chancellor, ranking slightly lower. Now, with the re-establishment of the Prime Minister's position, it was elevated to be on par with the State Guardian.
Moreover, this move was of great practical significance in handling national affairs, greatly alleviating the burden on Ying Zheng.
"Ministers of the court."
At this moment,
Zhao Feng stepped forward.
The gazes of the assembled officials immediately turned toward him, including Lü Buwei.
For Lü Buwei, today marked his first return to Xianyang in many years, yet even from thousands of miles away, he had heard of Zhao Feng's accomplishments.
Both in the imperial court and among the common people,
Zhao Feng held immense prestige.
"The implementation of national policies is the foundation of the state."
"The establishment of academies will enlighten the people and benefit all under heaven."
"The future of Qin is beyond what you envision."
"The Qin that my father and I seek to build is not an ordinary one."
"Today,"
"I hope that you, my ministers, can broaden your horizons."
"The Qin Empire, the world itself, is far from as simple as you may believe."
Zhao Feng spoke slowly.
Then,
He raised his right hand.
A brilliant radiance flashed, and the Celestial Profound Mirror appeared in his palm, hovering in the air.
The officials all looked on with astonishment.
Of course,
Having previously witnessed Zhao Feng reveal the predetermined course of history, many ministers had already speculated that he possessed divine power and was sent by the heavens to aid Qin.
Thus, though they were startled by this miraculous sight, they were not entirely unprepared.
"What do you believe to be the difference between mortals and immortals?"
Zhao Feng asked the ministers.
In response to this question,
Han Fei, with a touch of reverence, replied, "Mortals are bound by a limited lifespan, while immortals endure forever! Mortals possess only mundane strength, while immortals wield divine power!"
It was not that Han Fei had seen an immortal before, but rather that he expressed what he understood of them.
Hearing this,
Zhao Feng smiled.
With a single thought,
He mobilized his true energy.
In an instant,
An overwhelming aura burst forth from him, filling the great hall with an indescribable majesty.
Golden dragon shadows coiled around Zhao Feng, completely enshrouding him in their divine radiance.
"This... This..."
"Is the Crown Prince truly an immortal?"
"A dragon an actual dragon from legend!"
…
Faced with this incredible sight, the entire court was shaken to its core.
"As long as my ministers dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to the Qin Empire,"
"My father and I will not only bestow upon you power but also grant you the opportunity to transcend mortality!"
"Immortality is not beyond reach!"
Zhao Feng declared.
With a single thought,
The Celestial Profound Mirror instantly split into over a hundred sub-mirrors, dispersing among the officials.
"This is the Celestial Profound Mirror. Touching it allows it to fuse with one's being. With a mere thought, one can summon it. Messages can be transmitted instantly across thousands of miles, and visual communication can be established through it."
"In the future, once the national policies are fully implemented, I shall grant you all cultivation techniques."
…
At that moment,
The entire court stood frozen in shock.
The myths and legends they once knew now seemed to have become reality.
Inside Zhangtai Palace,
"Feng'er,"
"This Celestial Profound Mirror is truly a divine artifact."
"With it, no matter how vast the empire, Qin can now maintain absolute control."
"From this moment forward, the empire will no longer be hindered by distance."
"Even if an army is stationed tens of thousands of miles away, military orders will reach them instantly. Governance will no longer suffer delays due to regional separation."
Ying Zheng held the Celestial Profound Mirror fragment in his hands, his face filled with excitement.
"Father,"
"The transmission ability of the Celestial Profound Mirror is only one of its minor functions. In the future, this treasure will become the very foundation of our empire."
"Beyond communication, it can also create cultivation spaces, allowing all Qin warriors to train within it. Additionally, it enables item exchange, allowing goods to be transferred across great distances instantaneously." Zhao Feng explained with a smile.
Hearing this,
Ying Zheng's face was filled with awe.
"To have a son like you it must be the will of heaven blessing me."
"I am increasingly eager to see just how powerful Qin will become in the future." Ying Zheng laughed heartily.
"Qin's future will be formidable." Zhao Feng affirmed confidently.
"Implementing national policies is your first step toward strengthening the empire."
"Introducing martial cultivation into the military is the second step."
"What, then, is the third step?" Ying Zheng asked.
"The full implementation of national policies will take at least a year or more."
"Once that is complete, we shall discuss the next phase. The empire has endured war and devastation; it will take time to rebuild." Zhao Feng said with a smile.
"Indeed." Ying Zheng nodded deeply, without a single doubt toward Zhao Feng's judgment.
"Later, when your granduncle enters the palace,"
"We shall spend some time together as a family."
"If not for him, your mother would never have escaped to Shachiu alive."
"Otherwise, I would never have had the chance to reunite with you all."
"Moreover, his kindness toward me is immeasurable. Your grandfather entrusted me to his care, and he devoted himself entirely to my support. This is a debt that cannot be forgotten."
"You must show him the proper respect of an elder."
Ying Zheng instructed Zhao Feng.
"A life-saving grace"
"Father, you need not worry." Zhao Feng immediately nodded in acknowledgment.
...
The entire Qin imperial court was left in shock and awe by Zhao Feng's words and the bestowed Tianxuan Mirrors.
Every minister returned to their residence with an indescribable feeling in their hearts.
At this moment, they were filled with boundless motivation.
After today's court session, they had come to understand one thing the future of Qin was long and vast, and so was their path ahead.
The power of the Tianxuan Mirror made them feel the might of an immortal artifact.
And Zhao Feng's promises only fueled their ambition further.
Power.
Transcendence beyond the mortal realm.
Even immortality!
Who wouldn't desire such things?
This perhaps was the true purpose behind Zhao Feng's speech today: to inspire the court officials.
Xianyang!
The Imperial Edict Is Proclaimed!
"The imperial edict arrives!"
"The decree of the First Emperor! The will of the Crown Prince!"
"Now that the Divine Continent is unified and the empire is in recovery after the wars, the Hua Xia people must not waste efforts on internal strife. Instead, we shall unite as one, strengthen our nation's foundation, and uplift the roots of our people!"
"For a powerful nation and a prosperous people!"
"The governance must be clear and just!"
"Thus, the empire shall be divided into Nine Provinces and Thirty-Six Commanderies."
"A Provincial Governor shall oversee each of the Nine Provinces, while a Commandery Governor shall manage each of the Thirty-Six Commanderies."
"The Crown Prince has observed that the vast majority of the people cannot read or write, their wisdom is yet to be enlightened!"
"Therefore"
"The Crown Prince decrees that the wisdom of all people in the empire shall be awakened through education!"
"Within the borders of Great Qin, scholarly academies shall be established throughout the empire."
"In every county, a County Academy shall be founded. Those aged between eight and twenty-five may enroll to learn literacy and basic knowledge. Education shall be free of tuition students only need to provide their food. The duration of study is two years."
"In every commandery capital, a Commandery Academy shall be established. Those who pass the examinations of the County Academy may enroll for a year of advanced learning, including martial training and studies in various disciplines."
"In every provincial capital, a Provincial Academy shall be founded. Those who pass the Commandery Academy exams may further their studies for another year at the Provincial Academy."
"In the imperial capital of Xianyang, the Imperial Academy shall be established. Those who pass the Provincial Academy exams may undergo a final examination at the Imperial Academy. Those who pass will be eligible to enter government service and serve the empire."
"Furthermore"
"The Crown Prince issues an imperial decree!"
"To awaken the wisdom of the Hua Xia people, we must gather the brightest minds from across the land and unite the Hundred Schools of Thought!"
"All talented scholars of the Hundred Schools Confucians, Daoists, Legalists, Militarists, Engineers, Mohists… regardless of school or discipline are invited to Xianyang, where they shall be personally received by the Imperial Chancellor. Those who pass the examination of the Chancellor shall be appointed as teachers in the County, Commandery, or Provincial Academies to educate the people."
"The scholars of the Hundred Schools who become teachers shall be honored with the highest respect of the state!"
The proclamation site was bursting with cheers.
Listening to the officials read the decree, countless citizens stood in stunned silence.
Even if they were illiterate, they fully understood the message.
The Crown Prince was establishing academies throughout the empire to educate the common people.
Moreover
The teaching of literacy would be free of charge!
Students only needed to bring their food to enroll.
What kind of blessing was this?
What kind of grace was this?
"The Crown Prince is truly a saint sent from the heavens!"
"Indeed!"
"He genuinely cares for us common folk, opening academies so that even those of us who can't read a single character can learn!"
"Until now, literacy has always been controlled by the noble families only the wealthy could afford education. But now, His Highness is granting this opportunity to everyone!"
"The First Emperor's grace is boundless! The Crown Prince's grace is boundless!"
"Long live the First Emperor! Long live the Crown Prince!"
"This is wonderful!"
"With the First Emperor and the Crown Prince, our Great Qin shall prosper forever!"
"Great Qin shall last for ten thousand generations!"
Countless commoners shouted in excitement.
They rejoiced at the Crown Prince's decision to establish academies because this was a true blessing to all people.
Even those older than twenty-five who could not enroll in the academies themselves had children.
With the establishment of academies, their children could receive an education and grow into talented individuals serving Great Qin.
This was a gift to every family in the empire.
How could they not be grateful?
And this was just in Xianyang throughout the empire, over a hundred imperial couriers had already set off to deliver the decree.
Within a month
The news of the academies and the enlightenment of the people would spread across the land.
It was easy to imagine that the prestige of the First Emperor and the Crown Prince would reach unprecedented heights across the Divine Continent because this was an act that truly benefited the people.
"All scholars of the Hundred Schools are welcomed and may serve as teachers?"
"To embrace all knowledge, to truly accept all schools of thought this is a bold and noble vision! Our Agricultural School now has hope of flourishing!"
"No time to waste! We must quickly gather our Agricultural School disciples and head to Xianyang to meet the Imperial Chancellor. If we can gain teaching positions in the academies, our Agricultural School will rise!"
"Haha! Daoists, Legalists, Confucians everyone in the Hundred Schools can now become teachers! This is a revival of intellectual prosperity! We must rally our fellow scholars this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"
"With such a Crown Prince, Great Qin's future is bound to be glorious!"
It wasn't just the common people.
Countless scholars from the Hundred Schools of Thought within Xianyang were equally overjoyed.
The proclamation had made them realize something critical.
This was their opportunity.
Their chance to revive their schools of thought.
During the era of warring states, most kingdoms favored only Legalists and Militarists, disregarding many other schools of thought.
The once-glorious Hundred Schools of Thought had become a relic of the past.
But now with the establishment of the academies
It felt as though the era of intellectual prosperity had returned.
And this time, it was under the rule of a unified Great Qin no longer tainted by war!
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