Prologue

Shaqiu lakeside was shrouded in silence.

The great lakeside shore, a summer destination famed for its cool breeze, suddenly paused its syncing with the sky and earth and fell silent, the sweltering heat and stillness arousing anxiety. The incomplete moon formed a hook, the azure sky appeared clean as if washed, and the colossal river of stars stretched infinitely far out of sight. In the riders’ camp beside the fortress palace, the army lights on the chariots and watchtowers blinked like constellations. Within the vast Shaqiu encampment, only the bedchamber of the palace remained as bright as usual. Outside the bedchamber gate, two units of spear and axe guards stood straight and tall, passing a corridor as a black mass directly towards the colossal city gates. The large dao^[1] flag, three zhang and six chi^[2] tall, hung heavily on the gate’s archery tower. The sizable white “Qin” character on the flag silently crouched in the valley of black silk, looming. The bonfire pits within and outside of the fortress had already been snuffed out with thick piles of half-dry and half-green mugwort grass, from under which thin clouds of insect-repelling green smoke wafted out, eventually covering the entire fortress palace.

Outside, Chancellor Li Si walked back and forth in the wafting mist, occasionally peering anxiously into the fortress. Inexplicably, Li Si felt his heart repeatedly convulse, evoking a strange sense of panic like nothing he’d ever felt before, as if all the hair on his body was about to stand up. All of a sudden, Li Si had a realization as blinding as the electric collision between two flints — he must see the emperor immediately, the emperor has to be in trouble! But as soon as he strode forward, Li Si suddenly stood still again. Would hastily trespassing into the palace just because of an indescribable intuitive sense not be viewed as a travesty by the historically pragmatic Qin court? Not to mention that the palace was in a state of quiet, the emperor had not summoned him; what sudden matter could there be? Even in panic or fear, Li Si still sternly believed that if a sick emperor ever faced an emergency, the first one to be summoned must be himself, and, seeing from the emperor’s strength and perseverance, if he was not summoned then nothing would come of it. As the foremost and leading official of the court as well as the main overseer of the hunt, he could not embarrass himself for seemingly no reason. Despite Li Si warning himself to stop his footsteps, the mystifying convulsions of his heart were scarcely reduced. Almost subconsciously, Li Si raised his head to observe the starry sky, scanning the enclosure of the ziwei^[3], searching for the emperor star that corresponded to kings and rulers. Suddenly, Li Si discovered that the great star that typically emitted strong radiance which hung high in the center of the nine skies had become dim and weak, almost drowned out by the clusters of stars in the sky. With a violent jolt, cold sweat broke out across Li Si’s body, and he couldn’t help but rub his eyes vigorously…

Out of nothing, a hurricane rose, and the world changed color.

In the howling of the mountains and rivers, great white dragons were whipped out from the snow-white beaches of the lakeside shore; the fog of white sand and dust flying towards the sky covered the moon and stars that were glimmering just a moment ago in the blink of an eye, and the great lake, forest and palace were wholly plunged into a void of darkness. The lakeside forest that so adoringly brought heavy shade during the day now echoed endless long howls in the strong wind. Around the fortress castle, chaos immediately broke out. The leather tents in the riders’ camp were pulled up one by one along with their spiles, sheets of leather, armor and clothing circled in the sky, it was eerie as if trapped in a cave filled with colonies of large black bats. The rows of lights on the archery towers at the gate crackled and spit as they broke, and flew into the endless dark night sky. The fiery pits of mugwort grass used to repel insects were hurled into the sky in one fell swoop, the sparks continuous like fireflies dancing in the sky, just to vanish entirely in a split moment. The large dao flag at the gate’s archery tower violently tore at and battered the tall and thick flagpole, until finally the thick flagpole shook violently and toppled with the large dao flag wrapped around it. The flag with the character “Qin” woven on it with the various accomplishments of the empire billowed open with a rumble and feverishly danced in the sky for a moment, before suddenly falling right on the roof of the emperor’s bedchamber, covering it. All the lights were extinguished in the hurricane, save for the red light glimmering in the emperor’s bedroom, like a paltry lantern on a lone boat… In an unexpected storm, sounds of sudden thunder rolled over in the sky, the heavenly dam was opened as storming rain spilled down in a great expanse of white, and the Shaqiu Palace was instantly flooded as if it were a vast ocean. The electric beams that spanned across the sky sliced through the air, a blast of thunder shook the sky and earth, and a mass of trees in a century old forest were split at the waist. In the raging fire burning off the tree trunks, an indescribably thick and long black cobra glided through the air and split into innumerable pieces, scattering into the rain, with the hideous snake head falling heavily dead onto Li Si’s spinning top-like body…

When the hurricane began to rise, the soldiers who had been sleeping soundly leapt up naked with the shrill call of the cow’s horn trumpet, roaring and howling as they made their way to the palace in droves. The general of the hunt Yang Duanhe was topless, holding onto a large tree tightly as he roared commands. The half-naked soldiers immediately connected their arms and shoulders to shape a large square formation, roaring the ancient oath “Gallant old Qin, approach the nation’s adversities as one” in the ghastly white lightning and rain as they splashed through muddy water and lurched towards the palace behind the gates.

“Where’s the Chancellor? There’s a huge change of sky!” The scruffy white-haired Hu Wujin screamed as he stumbled close.

“Old Ceremonial Director! Where did the great wind begin?” Li Si yelled, grabbing onto the heavily stenching snake head as he kept low on the ground.

“The qian coordinate!^[4] The wind began in the qian gang coordinate!” Hu Wujin shouted strenuously while holding onto a metal carriage.

“Your majesty !” Li Si yelled as his face changed color, running towards the fortress with all his might.

“Protect the Chancellor! Protect the important officials!” Yang Duanhe whirled over with a topless square formation.

Barging into the emperor’s bedroom with all their might, the soldiers and officials were so shocked by the scene before their eyes that they held their breath. Zhao Gao laid on top of the emperor. The emperor had collapsed to the floor, and a pool of crimson blood splattered from the document table all the way to his chest. The emperor’s fearful, intimidating eyes were wide open, and his eyeballs looked as if they were about to burst out of their sockets. Zhao Gao held onto the emperor tightly, screaming and crying, “Your majesty, wake up! No matter how great the storm is, Xiao Gao Zi will bear it all for your majesty! Don’t you worry, your majesty, what your majesty entrusted, Xiao Gao Zi will finish it… Your Majesty, close your eyes! Xiao Gao Zi is scared that your eyes will… Your majesty, close your eyes!” Young prince Huhai was also holding onto the emperor’s body, crying… Li Si, covered in mud, suddenly jolted, and felt as if his body was about to go completely numb. After he gruelingly forced himself to come to his senses, Li Si pounced over in a big leap, abruptly tore Zhao Gao away, and kneeled by the emperor’s side. Li Si tried to help the emperor up, yet, when his hands touched the emperor’s body, a strange icy coldness to the touch evoked an indescribable sense of fear in him — the emperor’s eyes still emitted a stern gleam, but his body had already become stiff and cold. In a flash of realization, Li Si stood up immediately and roared, “Where are the old imperial physicians? Save the emperor!”

After a number of continuous summons, two old physicians were found under a stone pillar outside of the palace and escorted back by Yang Duanhe and a unit of topless soldiers. The physicians who were covered in dirt and grime and had been stunned by the storm only came to their senses when they stumbled out of the stormy weather. After seeing the solemn and stern face of Li Si and the emperor who had collapsed on the thick carpet, the two physicians immediately understood the situation at hand, and knelt together at the emperor’s side. In spite of the raging storm outside of the palace, the two old doctors followed the proper laws, commanding servants to usher away howling young prince Huhai and vigorously examining the emperor’s entire body. When the two doctors exchanged glances and were about to give their report, Li Si gave a firm hand wave and said, “Attempt to rescue as outlined by the law first!” Thus the two old physicians fell silent, one opened his medical box and took out silver needles, and the other began to massage the important acupuncture points on the chest. Within the next half shichen^[5], the two physicians consecutively made three attempts at saving the emperor’s life.

“Reporting to the Chancellor: his majesty the emperor, cannot be saved…” the old doctor sat back, dejected.

“His majesty, his majesty is really gone, gone.” Zhao Gao’s face went dumb as he murmured like he was sleeptalking.

“Wasn’t there elixir from the alchemists?!” Li Si roared. “Reporting to the Chancellor: the alchemists left, the elixir was destroyed…” the old physician panted.

“Zhao Gao! Is there any of the alchemists’ elixir left?” Li Si roughly grabbed Zhao Gao, his face contorting into a ferocious expression.

“If the Chancellor does not believe it, Zhao Gao would be willing to follow his majesty…” Zhao Gao reached out his hand numbly, and promptly pulled out the shortsword Li Si had been carrying on his waist, pointing it at his own abdomen. With a swift step forward, Yang Duanhe seized the sword from Zhao Gao’s hand and yelled angrily, “Don’t you dare, Zhao Gao! Answer to the Chancellor!” Zhao Gao burst into tears and prostrated on the floor, bawling, “Chancellor and respected men, if there really was any elixir from the alchemists, why would Zhao Gao have to wait until this point to save the emperor? Zhao Gao followed the emperor for more than thirty years, he was meant to go with the emperor! For Zhao Gao, living was following the emperor’s strict order! Chancellor and respected men, even if Zhao Gao’s nine clans were exterminated, he wouldn’t dare delay saving his majesty’s life!...”

Li Si had the urge to cry but no tears came out, his face turned pale and with a violent shake he collapsed dejectedly by the emperor’s side. The two physicians, shocked, rushed to Li Si’s aid almost at the same time. One pinched his renzhong point while the other twisted a silver needle into the yongquan point on the sole of the foot. In a moment, Li Si opened his eyes. He shoved the physicians away from himself and grabbed onto the emperor’s corpse, letting out a heart-wrenching grief-filled cry, “Your majesty! How could you leave!...” As he was still crying, Dun Ruo who had been close by rushed over and held Li Si steady, and whispered urgently, “Chancellor, you must not make this known! Right now you are the backbone, the backbone!” Li Si felt his chest tighten as the realization came to him and stood up straight, giving a firm command, “Yang Duanhe, seal the bedroom off! Everyone entering the palace must gather in the main hall, and listen to my command!”

Yang Duanhe responded enthusiastically and strode to the bedroom’s corridor to give a booming command, “Iron Eagle swordsmen, keep watch at the palace gate! Do not permit any entrance! All who are within the palace must enter the main hall immediately! The Army Prefect orders: the people outside the palace should cooperate and rescue each other, no need to enter the palace to protect the emperor! After the storm, all should await commands in formation—!” Following Yang Duanhe’s orders, the shrill calls of rows of cow’s horn trumpets echoed through the palace, pierced through the rain and flew out the gate; units and teams of the most elite Iron Eagle swordsmen strode into the rain while locking their shoulders and arms, and marched through the waist-height water of the gate tunnel, attaching to the entrance of the fortress castle like metal beams. After three sounds of the cow’s horn trumpet, from outside of the palace there came distant sounds of continuous and endless cheers, “The emperor is of great relief! Ten thousand years—!” At the same time, the officials and generals that had rushed into the palace were uniformly congregated in the main hall of the palace, with their naked top halves holding masses of torches and muddy clothing, lining up densely all the way to the stormy end of the corridor, messy yet somehow organized. Yang Duanhe stepped forward and made a fist-and-palm gesture, “Reporting to the Chancellor: the commands have passed through, those who are within or outside of the palace are all awaiting your orders, here I dare to ask the Chancellor for your order!”

“May the Chancellor give your order!” The generals and officials within and around the palace said in unison.

“Alright! I will give my command, once the given task is completed all must return to their designated place in the palace!”

“Understood!” The response thundered throughout the hall.

“The Prefect of the Office for Imperial Carriages Zhao Gao will accompany the two physicians to immediately escort the emperor to rest in a secured room. Zhao Gao should dispatch elite servants to guard the room closely, no one shall be able to enter at will!” Li Si’s face was pale without any trace of blood, yet his first command was calm and stern, it was clear that he had contemplated it thoroughly in just a short amount of time. After seeing Zhao Gao lead the two physicians and two servants in carrying the emperor’s corpse away, he continued his commands, “The old Ceremonial Director and old Prefect Zheng Guo, you two overlook the palace’s officials to clean the emperor’s study immediately, go through all of the edicts and scrolls and preserve them properly!” All the generals and officials knew that this was the most urgent task, the emperor’s plans for the future of the empire must all be incorporated in the written edicts, thus this task must be taken on by the trustworthy and respected officials together, in order to keep watch on each other and prevent mistakes. To see that Chancellor Li Si could follow the law and manage the situation appropriately in such a hurry was enough to show his selflessness and sense of justice. Thus, as Li Si’s voice came to a halt, the generals and officials all nodded solemnly, and relatively recovered from the previous world-ending strong sense of grief and sorrow. Hu Wujin and Zheng Guo made a fist-and-palm gesture to show that they understood the command, and immediately led the officials in the study away in big steps to begin their task. Li Si ignored them and continued, “Envoy Dun Ruo, lead the civil servants of every department to comprehensively record every soldier who entered the palace, make sure no one walks out of the palace before the storm dies down! Leader of the Guards Yang Duanhe shall lead all the army officials in the camps to organize the self-rescuing in and around the Shaqiu Palace, casualties must be minimized!” After two responsive calls, Dun Ruo and Yang Duanhe respectively strode away.

“The remaining soldiers, all exit the palace and gather in the yard of carriages and horses!”

As the soldiers were still reeling from the shock, Li Si was already making big steps towards the door of the palace, walking through the passage made by topless soldiers as they dodged out of his way. In such a crisis, the Qin soldiers’ true colors immediately became clear, regardless of whether they understood, they came together in arms to protect the Chancellor as they walked into the imposing storm. Li Si’s long hair fluttered, and suddenly he strained his hoarse throat and began waving his arms, crying out excitedly, “Huge victory in the Jiuyuan! The Hus were chased away! The heavens have blessed us with long winds and great rains, to congratulate our great Qin and wish us a thousand autumns, ten thousand years!” The imperial soldiers were enraptured and became thrilled, their naked arms raised together uniformly, they did not budge in the thrashing wind and rain as their voices echoed like mountain winds and ocean waves, drowning out the thunder, “Huge victory in the Jiuyuan—! The Hus were chased away—! Ten thousand years to the emperor—!” In just a moment, there was joining in from outside of the palace, and the thundering stir from within and outside combined with the storm and lightning wove a strange sight of the sky and earth.

The first signs of dawn appeared. The wind stopped, the rain halted. The sky was once again beautifully blue and endless, sparsely spread little stars sparkled in the sky. The thunderstorm that lasted more than a shichen completely turned the majestic lakeside palace upside down and made a mess out of it. The water puddles in the forest passed the knees and reached the waist, and floating entangled on the water were flags, armor, branches, helmets, weapons, cattle and servant girls’ clothes of various colors. Save for Yang Duanhe who was leading the rescue mission and a group of army officials who were commanded to stay behind outside of the fortress, the remaining officials and generals who entered the palace at night were congregated in the yard of carriages and horses. A number of officials were encircled by generals to stand beside three or five shabby chariots, and in spite of the splashing water flowing past their knees, no one moved to make a step. All understood that the truly most important decision would be made at this moment.

In front of the broken down chariot, Li Si was standing solemnly in the flowing, turbid water, gazing over a mass of officials and generals staring intently, and his legs couldn’t help but tremble. At this moment, Li Si first felt the heaviness of the burden he was carrying, and it was also the first time he felt the mountainous heaviness of the words “rule-leading Chancellor”. It was also at this moment that Li Si suddenly understood the timeless greatness of emperor Ying Zheng. Because, Li Si knew deeply, that in the thirty odd years of the political life of the emperor, every adversity he faced was life or death, and the emperor would always face calmly it without any sign of fear, using his unparalleled intelligence and bravery to encourage the countless vassals and generals that followed him… and now that the emperor is gone, the important task of propping up this great building of an empire first and foremost fell on his shoulders as a Chancellor, Li Si, oh Li Si, are you afraid? Are you unable to bear it?

“Respected men!” Li Si’s courage soared, and he yelled as he stood onto the chariot, “Today’s calamity was sudden, with only us officials and soldiers present, thus we need to discuss the situation together in order to devise a countermeasure. The country is at the brink of disaster, us officials and soldiers all must work together!” The entire crowd immediately responded with the old Qin oath, “Gallant old Qin, approach the nation’s adversities as one!” As the sound was still echoing magnificently, Li Si followed loudly, “In extraordinary times like this, we must undertake extraordinary strategies. As the Chancellor, I, Li Si, have to take on responsibility for the rise and fall of the Qin. You all who were present, too, have to bear responsibility for the great Qin! After evaluating the current situation pragmatically, Li Si thinks that: at the moment we should keep the death secret and not announce the funeral, stop the North expedition to the Jiuyuan, and return to the capital as fast as possible. All important decisions will be discussed after returning to Xianyang. If you have any thoughts on my plan, you may speak out at will!”

“This old man concurs with the Chancellor’s plan!” Hu Wujin and Zheng Guo responded eagerly together.

“No one here shall leak the news that the emperor has passed!” Dun Ruo added loudly.

“What does the Prefect of the Office for Imperial Carriages think?” Li Si glanced at Zhao Gao solemnly.

“This lower one agrees with keeping the death a secret. It’s just…”

“Just what? Say it!” Li Si displayed a cold sternness never seen before.

“The accompanying soldiers and officials are plenty. If someone asks to see his majesty, how will the Chancellor respond?”

“This case will be handled separately, let’s decide whether the death should be kept secret first.” Li Si had zero hesitation.

“This old man thinks that the dark tides of restoration are still rumbling all under heaven. If we rashly announce the death, it could not be ensured that there would not be instability in various regions. Realistically, keeping the death a secret and returning to the capital at full speed is indeed the topmost strategy!” Dun Ruo, whose role was in diplomatic relationships, repeated the rationale.

“We all agree to keep the death a secret!” All the soldiers present responded in a shout.

“Good!” Li Si waved his hand, “The second thing: take the straight road and return to Xianyang at full speed, is there any objection?”

“The Leader of the Guards ought to be inquired about this, just to be proper,” Zhao Gao said carefully.

“Call for Yang Duanhe at once!” Li Si immediately made the decision.

Dun Ruo waved his hand, and a diplomatic official who was most skilled in working in secret sprinted through water and out of the yard straight away. Everyone was as silent as metal, waiting, not one person spoke, not a single official proposed a new topic. After the time it took for a meal, a topless Yang Duanhe with his hair down approached in big steps, and once he heard Li Si’s reasoning he raised his hands into the fist-and-palm gesture and bellowed, “At the moment, the return to the capital should have its path chosen by the knowledge of the army. Taking the path of Zhongyuan, while it is close there are two obstacles: first is that if we must return along the same path and cross the river, I’m afraid that it would be risky for his majesty’s carriage; second is that Shandong often has strange occurences, with many hidden dangers, it is hard to ensure that traveling through this path would not encite harassment and delay the return! If we start from the Shaqiu Palace, and pass the Jingxing path directly to the Jiuyuan straight path, then go straight down South to Ganquan, to Xianyang, then despite the longer route there is more secured safety!”

“The Leader of the Guards agrees to the Jiuyuan straight path, what do you respected men think?” Li Si asked loudly.

“We all agree!” Everyone shouted in response.

“Good!” Li Si decisively made the command, “All soldiers who are present today, shall be led by the Leader of the Guards to all protect the emperor’s carriage, none shall return to their original units! All shall tidy yourselves, and be led by the officials from the Envoy Department, this shall all be done within the palace, not one person shall be allowed out of the palace! Officials here as well as the Prefect of the Office for Imperial Carriages, follow this old man to the secret rooms of the bedchamber right now, prepare to discuss the details of returning to the capital!” As Li Si’s voice came to a halt, the entire venue broke out in a roar as they responded in understanding, and the generals and officials separated as they tread through the water.

Once in the secret room, the five officials sat exhausted on the rough grass mats of the stone floor. Even Zhao Gao, who was incredibly sensitive and clever when it came to taking care of details, was also numb, and could only stand upright outside of the circle, stunned. It was only when Li Si was panting and asked for water that Zhao Gao came to his senses. He rushed over and bent his body to pull on a hidden string by the big table in the secret room, then quickly opened the stone door within the room. In just a moment, two servant girls brought two large clay jugs of herbal tea. Zhao Gao poured a full bowl for each official, and added that this was the palace of King Wuling of Zhao, thus everything was quite rough and simple, please make do with it, then returned to standing aside in a daze. Li Si gulped down a bowl of herbal tea, wiped the muddy water off his face, and leaned against the large table, exhausted, “Zhao Gao, you are only a Prefect of the Office for Imperial Carriage, by law unfit for discussing plans with the officials. Yet, before this his majesty had already appointed you to take on the affairs of the imperial seal and the emperor’s study, so before the hunting camp returns to the capital, you shall attend to the discussions of major matters as well. Come, sit now.” Seeing that the other four officials nodded together, a numb Zhao Gao finally bowed deeply towards Li Si and took a seat on the furthermost grass mat.

“Two old officials, how is the situation of the emperor’s study?” Li Si began his questioning.

“Reporting to the Chancellor,” Ceremonial Director Hu Wujin made the palm-and-fist gesture, “The scrolls have all been placed accordingly, no new or recent edict has been found.”

“Zhao Gao, did the emperor leave a final will before his death?” Li Si’s expression was solemn.

“Yes. Yet, the emperor had not finished writing his edict, hence it was not handed to the special messenger…”

“Where is it kept now?”

“At the Office of the Imperial Seal Affairs.”

“Since it’s an incomplete edict, this old man thinks that this matter can be reserved for later,” Old Zheng Guo said strenuously.

“He’s right! The current priority is returning to the capital safely!” Yang Duanhe followed, exhilarated.

“That’s alright.” Li Si’s heart was shaken, and he nodded. From the moment the storm began and he rushed into the fortress palace, the deepest depths of Li Si’s heart had been knotted with a huge question: why hadn’t the emperor summoned him in his final moments? Did he not have the time, or was there someone unknown who had stopped him? If Zhao Gao’s words were true, then the emperor had begun writing his final edict without summoning him, and before the edict was completed the emperor suddenly passed. If it were so, there are two possibilities: one would be that the emperor purposefully avoided him, the chancellor, and planned his posthumous matters himself, two would be that the emperor was originally going to summon him after finishing his posthumous plans, yet died to an unexpected onset of illness. If it were the former, then the edict would likely be unrelated to him and even opposite to his expectations; if it were the latter, then the edict must be linked to Li Si himself, and he would almost definitely be the key minister to carry out the emperor’s posthumous affairs. Li Si, of course, wished for the latter possibility. Yet, the edict was incomplete, and perhaps the emperor passed before mentioning him in his edict. If it were so, would his future fate not be a mystery? In these moments, the most stable way of managing was to stop dwelling on these matters, to not be hasty with revealing the secrets of the edict, and instead return to Xianyang and stabilize the courts first, then calmly handle the matter.

“When returning to the Xianyang capital, the hardest part would be keeping the death concealed,” Li Si took the chance to change the topic.

“For this matter, we may need the Prefect of the Office for Imperial Carriages to come up with a plan,” Dun Ruo said while furrowing his eyebrows.

“This old man believes so as well. The others are not as familiar with the emperor’s lifestyle details,” Hu Wujin went along.

“Just speak, Prefect! The rest of us shall see to it!” Yang Duanhe was visibly impatient. “This lower one feels that for such a monumental matter, it should be the Chancellor who makes the decision.” Zhao Gao dodged carefully.

“In times of crisis, the efforts must be made together! Zhao Gao, what is your intention?” Li Si suddenly appeared unyielding.

“Since the Chancellor is so accusatory, then this lower one shall muster up the courage and speak truthfully,” Zhao Gao made the fist-and-palm gesture, “This lower one has pondered, the critical points of this matter is only in three regards: first, the county magistrates that want to meet the emperor on the way back must first be maneuvered with by the Chancellor, the less there are the better. Second, the main and auxiliary carriages of the emperor must not be empty, and this lower one’s plan is to let the young prince Huhai ride in the six-horsed main carriage, and carry the emperor’s dragon body in the middle temperature-controlled carriage; I shall explain in detail to young prince Huhai the habits and routines of the emperor, such that if any magistrate must see the emperor, it could be passed without worry. Third, as it is currently the scorching summer, the Chancellor should deploy people to secretly purchase bulk amounts of salted fish in advance, for preparation.”

“Salted fish? Why do we need salted fish?” Hu Wujin was very confused.

“Let’s not ask,” Zheng Guo murmured as he shook his head.

“In this old man’s opinion, we ought to command the Taiyuan magistrate to search for large ice cubes as well.” Dun Ruo’s face was somber.

“Good. Dun Ruo’s department will handle the salted fish and big ice cubes in secret,” Li Si ignored the questions from the old Ceremonial Director, slapped the table and nodded, “The matters regarding the emperor’s carriages will follow the Prefect’s plan. Us officials shall divide work into different departments: Leader of the Guards Yang Duanhe, you mainly take charge of the guards and army matters; Ceremonial Director Hu Wujin and Financial Minister Zheng Guo shall go ahead and maneuver with the counties on our path, make sure they must not come to meet the emperor, Envoy Dun Ruo shall lead all the officials and swordsmen, and manage various secret matters as well as serve as the law-enforcing official of the camp, if there is anyone who dares to make extra trouble, execute them without mercy! Prefect of the Office for Imperial Carriages Zhao Gao, manage matters of the emperor’s carriages and camp, make sure the young prince, eunuch servants and servant girls do not cause problems. This old man shall personally lead thirty army officials from camp and five hundred elite soldiers to overlook and respond to each department. Is there any disagreement about this division of work?”

“All wholeheartedly follow the chancellor’s commands!”

“Good. Let’s all end it here and leave, in the day we will work and prepare for return, and when it’s cool at night we’ll move camp.”

The exhausted ministers struggled to stand up, and even Yang Duanhe who was used to the army life and had an iron body lost his tiger-like demeanor, with his pale face losing any hint of blood. Even worse was Li Si, who was slumped in front of the table, unable to stand up. Zhao Gao quickly opened the stone door of the secret room and summoned a number of strong servants, who carried the officials out of the palace one by one.

In the third geng^[6] on that night, a colossal dark stream silently passed through the wide valleys of vast Shaqiu.

This is 210 B.C., on the twenty-third of the seventh month.