Chapter 1: The Journey to Shachiu, the Passing of the First Emperor

210 BC.

The thirty-seventh year of Qin Shi Huang.

The second day of the seventh month.

Shachiu Imperial Palace.

On a bed lay a figure with a pale face and a withered, gaunt body.

That paper-white complexion was clearly that of someone who had stopped breathing long ago.

Beside the bed.

Stood two men, their expressions dark and uncertain.

Occasionally, a few low words escaped their lips.

As if they were conspiring to commit some earth-shattering deed.

These two were, first, the Director of the Palace Carriage Office, Zhao Gao.

The other was the current Left Prime Minister, Li Si.

And lying on the bed was the current Emperor—the First Emperor!

Yet, the First Emperor had already ceased breathing for some time.

The corpse on the bed was also gradually stiffening.

The two looked at the corpse on the bed, their eyes devoid of even a shred of respect.

Zhao Gao and Li Si had been conspiring here for a long time.

This was their first collaboration.

The news of the First Emperor's sudden death had been temporarily suppressed.

Outsiders did not know that the First Emperor had already died suddenly at Shachiu.

"Prime Minister Li, what do you think of my plan? Is it feasible?"

"Time is running out; we must decide quickly!"

Zhao Gao's face was filled with ruthlessness as he stared at Li Si with a sinister gaze.

If Li Si dared to say no, he would find a way to eliminate him.

Li Si's expression was extremely grim.

The First Emperor had died suddenly while touring Shachiu.

Zhao Gao's proposal was actually to forge the imperial edict!

He wanted to collude with him to fake a will and install Hu Hai as the next Emperor.

How could this not shock Li Si?

How dared Zhao Gao act in such a way?

This was treason!

If discovered, it would mean the execution of their entire clans.

At the mere thought of the contents of the edict, Li Si could not remain calm.

The First Emperor's will clearly stated that Prince Fu Su was to be the next Emperor.

It was a will set down on the eve of his sudden death, but it had now been intercepted by Zhao Gao.

The news had not been leaked.

Li Si's face was ghastly.

Fu Su leaned toward the Rujia Sect; if Fu Su ascended the throne, he would lose all his power.

He had climbed step by step from a mere scholar to his current position as Prime Minister; only he knew the bitterness of that journey.

He truly did not want to lose everything he now possessed.

If Fu Su ascended the throne, he would sooner or later lose everything he had.

But if Hu Hai ascended, he could hold power alongside Zhao Gao and control the court!

Thinking of this, Li Si was deeply tempted.

His heart pounded loudly.

This was a mad decision.

It left his heart unable to calm down for a long time.

Ultimately, so that his power would not be stripped away.

Driven by an insatiable greed for supreme power.

Li Si agreed to Zhao Gao's proposal.

He did not want to lose everything he had worked so hard to gain.

He had endured many hardships to reach this point.

Now that the First Emperor was dead, he no longer needed to be loyal.

He had been loyal to the First Emperor Ying Zheng, but the First Emperor was no longer here.

As long as he and Zhao Gao cooperated seamlessly, everything could be managed.

Li Si glanced at Zhao Gao.

He saw Zhao Gao looking at him with sincere eyes, waiting for his decision.

"Only if Fu Su cannot become Emperor can we survive."

"Your proposal... this Prime Minister agrees."

As soon as these words were spoken, Zhao Gao immediately revealed a smile.

"Good!"

Zhao Gao laughed out loud.

But he quickly covered his mouth.

Fearing he would be heard by those outside.

"Then from now on, let us work together to assist Prince Hu Hai!"

"Let us join forces to recreate the imperial edict."

"Prince Hu Hai is currently at Shachiu; we can go and coordinate with him in a moment."

As Zhao Gao spoke, he glanced at the person on the bed, a ruthless expression appearing on his face.

Hu Hai was his student and listened to him on many matters.

As long as Hu Hai ascended the throne, he could control the court from behind the scenes.

He was confident he could control Hu Hai.

Thinking of this, Zhao Gao left without looking back.

Li Si also looked at the person on the bed.

A trace of shame appeared on his face.

But quickly, he suppressed this trace of shame.

He turned and followed him out.