[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-great-qin-gathering-national-fortune-to-aid-the-":3,"chapter-great-qin-gathering-national-fortune-to-aid-the--great-qin-gathering-national-fortune-to-aid-the--chapter-1":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Great Qin: Gathering National Fortune to Aid the Ancestral Dragon's Immortality",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":12,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2093259,3370,"Chapter 1: Journey to Sandhill, The Death of Qin Shi Huang","great-qin-gathering-national-fortune-to-aid-the--chapter-1",1,"\u003Cp>The thirty-seventh year of Qin Shi Huang's reign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second day of the seventh month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sandhill Temporary Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On a bed lay a figure with a pale face and a withered, emaciated body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That paper-white complexion marked someone who had breathed their last long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside this bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stood two men, their expressions gloomy and unsettled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Occasionally, a few low words escaped their lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if they were plotting some earth-shattering affair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two were Zhao Gao, the Director of the Imperial Carriage Office, and Li Si, the Left Chancellor of the court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other was Li Si, the current Left Chancellor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And lying on the bed was the reigning Emperor—Qin Shi Huang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet now, Qin Shi Huang had been dead for quite some time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The corpse on the bed was gradually stiffening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two men looked at the corpse on the bed without a shred of reverence in their eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Gao and Li Si had been conspiring here for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was their first collaboration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>News of Qin Shi Huang's sudden death was temporarily suppressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outsiders did not know that Qin Shi Huang had died suddenly at Sandhill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Chancellor Li, what do you think of my strategy? Is it acceptable?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Time is short; we must decide quickly!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Gao wore a look of ruthless ferocity, staring sinisterly at Li Si.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Li Si dared utter a single word of refusal, he would find a way to eliminate him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Si's expression was extremely grim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Shi Huang had toured to Sandhill and suddenly died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Gao's proposal was actually to forge the last edict!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to collaborate with him to fabricate a false testament establishing Hu Hai as the next Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could this not shock Li Si?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How did Zhao Gao dare to act so?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was treason!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If discovered, it would lead to the extermination of three generations of their clans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merely thinking of the contents of the edict made Li Si lose his composure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Shi Huang's last edict explicitly stated that Crown Prince Fu Su was to be established as the next Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was issued on the eve of his sudden death, but the edict had now been intercepted by Zhao Gao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The news had not leaked out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Si's face looked terrible indeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Su favored the Confucian school; if Fu Su ascended the throne, Li Si would lose all his power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had climbed step by step from a scholar to his current position as Chancellor; only he knew the bitterness involved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He truly did not wish to lose everything he now possessed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Fu Su ascended the throne, sooner or later he would lose all he currently held.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if Hu Hai ascended the throne, he could share power with Zhao Gao and control the court!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, Li Si's heart stirred violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart pounded loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a mad decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It left his inner self unable to calm down for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ultimately, to prevent his power from being stripped away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the greed for supreme power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Si agreed to Zhao Gao's proposal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not want to lose all that had been so hard-won.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had endured countless hardships to reach this point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that Qin Shi Huang was dead, he no longer needed to remain loyal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been loyal to Qin Shi Huang, Ying Zheng, but now Qin Shi Huang was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as he coordinated with Zhao Gao flawlessly, everything could proceed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Si glanced at Zhao Gao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw Zhao Gao looking at him with sincere eyes, awaiting his decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Only if Fu Su cannot become Emperor can we survive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your proposal... this Chancellor agrees.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing these words, Zhao Gao immediately broke into a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Gao burst into loud laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But quickly, he clapped a hand over his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Terrified that someone outside might hear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then from now on, let us work together to assist Young Master Hu Hai!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let us join forces to forge the last edict anew.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young Master Hu Hai is at Shaqiu right now; we need only go and hint at it shortly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Zhao Gao spoke, he glanced at the figure on the couch, revealing a ruthless expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Hai was his student and listened to almost everything he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once Hu Hai ascended the throne, he could manipulate the court from behind the scenes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was confident he could control Hu Hai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that thought, Zhao Gao left without looking back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Si also looked toward the figure on the couch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A trace of shame appeared on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But very quickly, he suppressed that slight shame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he turned and followed, departing from the place.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Now that Qin Shi Huang is dead, he must also consider his own future and that of his family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Hai's residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Hu Hai learned that his father had suddenly died, he was so frightened that his soul nearly left his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, Zhao Gao and Li Si had brought the last edict with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Hu Hai saw that the name written on the edict as the next emperor was unmistakably his elder brother Fu Su,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Hai's face immediately turned extremely ugly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his father was dead, compared to the throne, he cared far more about the throne itself!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among all his brothers, only he and Fu Su had the greatest hope of becoming Crown Prince.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had also studied many expedient strategies and imperial arts of rulership from Zhao Gao,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>all with the aim of one day becoming Crown Prince.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had long harbored designs on this imperial throne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coming along to Shaqiu this time was meant to be his chance to demonstrate himself before his father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now his father had suddenly died, and the last edict bore Fu Su's name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, Hu Hai's expression suddenly turned ferocious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet very quickly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Hai sank deep into despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the last edict now established, the matter was settled; what else could he do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Gao seemed to perceive Hu Hai's thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young Master Hu Hai, this last edict is fake; we can simply forge another one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing these words, Hu Hai's mind could not quite turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fake?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Forge another one?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could an imperial last edict issued by his father possibly be false?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment later,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Hai understood why Zhao Gao had spoken thus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw Li Si, standing nearby, writing a new last edict on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, his teacher Zhao Gao drew the imperial seal from his robe and stamped it onto the silk document.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the new last edict was completed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Hai stared blankly at all of this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In just this short while, he had become the next emperor?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Hai's heart was filled with utter shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two were tampering with the last edict!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If his father ever learned of this, it would mean the extermination of three generations of his clan!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then he realized in an instant: his father was already dead!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he saw that the name written on the edict was his own, Hu Hai,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>cast aside all thoughts of exterminating three generations and tampering with the last edict.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as he possessed this edict, he would be the next emperor!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Fu Su,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmph.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let him go do whatever he must.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wild joy spread across Hu Hai's face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Gao observed the changes in Hu Hai's expression\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and smiled with understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After exchanging a few words of deliberation,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he and Li Si departed swiftly from the place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their time now was extremely tight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At noon,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Gao and Li Si summoned all the hundred officials who had accompanied them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the assembly of officials gathered before the gates of Qin Shi Huang's traveling palace,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>they saw only Zhao Gao and Li Si.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All were momentarily stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Summoning so many people, they had thought His Majesty had some matter requiring their audience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Gao and Li Si exchanged a glance, each seeing in the other's eyes a flicker of fervor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Hu Hai stood to one side, feigning an expression of profound grief,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>though inside he was trembling with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emperor!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This had been his lifelong wish for many years!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Gao swept his gaze over the crowd,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>drew a roll of silk document from his sleeve,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and declared, \"An edict from His Majesty! Receive the decree!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing it was an imperial edict, the hundred officials accompanying the procession all bowed in respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"His Majesty Qin Shi Huang passed away suddenly today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is a tragedy for our Great Qin Empire; the entire nation mourns!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yet the empire cannot be without a sovereign for even a single day.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Before His Majesty passed away, he established a last will and testament, designating Hu Hai as the next Emperor!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You must all unite in supporting the new Emperor; anyone who disobeys this order shall be executed immediately!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hundred officials stared at Zhao Gao, dumbfounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only one sentence remained in their minds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Has Qin Shi Huang passed away?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is Hu Hai the next Emperor?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hundred officials were completely shocked by this sudden news.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their mouths hung wide open, large enough to stuff an egg inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene fell utterly silent!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So quiet one could hear a needle drop!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until a long time had passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene finally erupted into chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearly every voice raised was one of doubt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"His Majesty has passed away? How is this possible?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Impossible! I saw His Majesty just yesterday; he was merely somewhat weak, so how could he have passed away?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Could there be some misunderstanding or hidden circumstance behind this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Zhao has already announced it; what misunderstanding could there possibly be?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As for hidden circumstances, who knows.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the hundred officials who had accompanied the procession panicked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The news was too sudden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His Majesty's passing was so abrupt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this news were to leak out,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>then the remnants of the six states would emerge again to stir up trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By then, the entire Great Qin would once again plunge into chaotic warfare!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Terror filled their hearts; they could not believe this fact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wave of panic rose within them.\u003C\u002Fp>",1705,"2026-06-16T05:51:12.423Z","2026-06-16T05:56:18.114Z","Qwen3.5 397B","97cf13f3f06851ca6ddcaab93d8b98c0227a248bf276c7b6b36b5f2aace652d0","great-qin-gathering-national-fortune-to-aid-the--chapter-2",null,4,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fgreat-qin-gathering-national-fortune-to-aid-the--cover.jpg"]