Chapter 44: Qin Shi Huang: Should I make Wang Jian work for a few more years? (Third Update)

"Very well, the old General has rendered great service; stay in Xianyang City for a few more days!"

Qin Shi Huang, upon his throne, could not help but sigh as he looked at the aged Wang Jian below.

The latter had spent his entire life running about for the Great Qin, and in the end, he had grown old.

The wariness he had once felt toward Wang Jian had long since vanished over these years.

Simply put, Qin Shi Huang directly granted him permission to remain in Xianyang City.

"Many thanks, Your Majesty!"

Seeing that Qin Shi Huang had been fooled, Wang Jian let out a long sigh of relief.

It was close—just a moment ago, he had nearly run out of things to say.

After chatting a bit more with Qin Shi Huang, he watched as the Emperor sat quietly on the throne reading, and Wang Jian waited silently below the great hall.

At this very moment, Qin Shi Huang was flipping through the Immortal Book.

Within the Immortal Book, he had found the cause of his own death and had already executed Xu Fu.

Now, Qin Shi Huang wanted to see how many generations his Great Qin Dynasty would last.

Since the old General Wang Jian was here, he could also help him provide some perspective.

However, when Qin Shi Huang continued reading from where he had left off,

his previously relaxed expression suddenly darkened.

His eyes were once again filled with fury.

"Zhao Gao, Li Si, you two have such immense audacity!"

The roar of anger echoed throughout the great hall.

At this moment, whether it was Wang Jian waiting below or Zhao Gao crawling on the ground in service,

including all the guards and attendants in the hall, everyone was startled by Qin Shi Huang's sudden shout.

Zhao Gao was even more bewildered, looking at Qin Shi Huang on the throne with a blank expression.

What is going on today!

Why is His Majesty flying into a rage for no reason?

And he hadn't done anything at all recently!

Thinking of Xu Fu earlier, Zhao Gao could not help but panic.

"Your Majesty, this old servant is loyal and devoted to Your Majesty!"

Zhao Gao was a sharp-witted man; although he did not know what had happened, he immediately knelt before Qin Shi Huang.

Xu Fu was a prime example, and Zhao Gao dared not overthink it.

Moreover, Zhao Gao had his own schemes in this moment.

He did not utter a word about his innocence, but merely stated that he was loyal and devoted.

He was Qin Shi Huang's personal attendant; for minor mistakes, he would never be severely punished.

Rather than crying injustice, it was better to express his loyalty first!

Zhao Gao secretly congratulated himself on his own intelligence.

After all, compared to a charlatan like Xu Fu, Zhao Gao had climbed to this position precisely because he was quick-witted.

Yet, to Zhao Gao's surprise, the moment he uttered his declaration of loyalty,

Qin Shi Huang, sitting on the throne, flew into a rage, stood up, and kicked Zhao Gao.

Zhao Gao, kneeling on the ground, dared not dodge, and in the next second, he was kicked down from the dais.

"A fine display of loyalty!"

Qin Shi Huang sneered; he had seen Zhao Gao's "loyalty" clearly written in the Immortal Book.

After his death, Zhao Gao would tamper with his imperial edict.

He would even hold Hu Hai hostage and seize power for himself.

He would cause the Great Qin foundation he had built to vanish into thin air within a few short years.

Is this your loyalty, Zhao Gao?

Qin Shi Huang looked at Zhao Gao's body below and grew increasingly irritated.

They were all parasites, just like that Xu Fu—all parasites.

"Guards, drag Zhao Gao out and execute him!"

He gave the order to the attendants of the Black Ice Terrace, and in the next moment, Zhao Gao was dumbfounded.

He hadn't done anything at all!

If he knew the reason for his execution, Zhao Gao would surely cry out in grievance.

What did the things he would do in the future have to do with the him of today?

Your Majesty, he, Zhao Gao, is wronged!

Yet, despite his many pleas, Zhao Gao was still dragged away.

Inside the great hall, seeing another execution take place,

Wang Jian's previously relaxed state suddenly became tense.

Good heavens, he had only just arrived, and His Majesty had already executed two people.

Furthermore, if he hadn't misheard just now,

His Majesty seemed to have called out Li Si's name as well!

Thinking of Li Si's status, Wang Jian felt a chill in his heart.

What has happened to His Majesty?

He was fine just a moment ago; why did he fly into a rage after reading for a while?

Wang Jian could not help but become increasingly curious about Qin Shi Huang's book.

What exactly was recorded in the book that would make His Majesty execute even his close attendant, Zhao Gao?

Surely I am not in it, am I?

Wang Jian grew more solemn, reflecting on his own actions.

It seemed there was nothing that would warrant His Majesty's anger, so he breathed a sigh of relief.

"Tap, tap, tap..."

Having executed Zhao Gao, Qin Shi Huang paced the great hall with the book in hand.

He glanced at the contents of the book several times, eventually falling into hesitation.

Zhao Gao was merely a eunuch; killing him was no great loss.

But Li Si was a high-ranking official of the empire.

He was also an invaluable right-hand man.

It would be a pity to kill him just like that.

If not for his belief that the Immortal Book given by the Immortal could not be false,

Qin Shi Huang would never have believed that a man like Li Si would dare to involve himself in something as grave as tampering with an imperial edict.

After hesitating for a long while, Qin Shi Huang ultimately set aside his intent to kill.

It would be a pity to kill Li Si, and now that he had entered the immortal realm and obtained the opportunity for longevity,

as long as he, Qin Shi Huang, did not die, who would dare to rebel!

On this point, Qin Shi Huang had absolute confidence.

Li Si was nothing; as long as he was there, he could keep him under control.

"Um, Your Majesty, this old subject is advanced in years; I beg Your Majesty to allow me to retire to my hometown!"

Seeing that Qin Shi Huang had finally made a decision, Wang Jian was the first to prepare for his escape.

Although he had done nothing to betray His Majesty,

after seeing what happened today, an old man like Wang Jian felt that something was not right.

Since His Majesty had already executed the alchemist, his goal had been achieved.

He should not stay in Xianyang City for a few more days; he had better return to the countryside to farm early!

The waters in Xianyang City were too deep, and His Majesty's killing was too terrifying.

Wang Jian was also afraid that if he were not careful, his head would be gone.

However, while Wang Jian wanted to run, Qin Shi Huang would not let him leave.

"Since the old General has come, stay for a few more days!"

Looking at Wang Jian, Qin Shi Huang's thoughts drifted to the world map he had just seen in the Immortal Book.

Having already swept across the six kingdoms, Qin Shi Huang seemed to have found his fighting spirit once again.

And within the current Great Qin Empire, there were not many capable and battle-hardened men left to use.

Qin Shi Huang was even pondering whether, in a while, he should extend Wang Jian's life, delay his retirement, and have him work for a few more years!

"Take the old General down and see that he is well-served!"

He gave the order to those below, and naturally, someone led Wang Jian away.

Walking with aged steps, Wang Jian had no idea what Qin Shi Huang was thinking.

If he had known, he would likely have exploded on the spot.

Your Majesty, he is already at such an age, and you still want him to work—do you have any humanity left?