Daqin arrests alchemists, what does it matter to me as a qi refiner?

Xu Fu quickly presented the pill with both hands and said cautiously, "Your Majesty, this pill must be taken with water from a rootless place to maximize its effect."

Ying Zheng nodded slightly and waved for the eunuch to bring him the water without roots—that is, rainwater. He took the jade cup handed to him by the eunuch, put a pill in his mouth, and then tilted his head back to drink the water without roots.

The elixir melted instantly upon entering his mouth, and a warm current flowed throughout his body. Ying Zheng felt a surge of energy, as if he had returned to his youthful state, and couldn't help but burst into laughter: "Excellent! Excellent! This elixir is truly extraordinary!"

Upon seeing this, Xu Fu secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but dared not show any joy on his face. He could only kneel respectfully to the side, waiting for Ying Zheng's further instructions.

However, at that moment, a sudden change occurred! Ying Zheng's expression suddenly changed drastically, and he clutched his chest and groaned, "Ouch... my head hurts so much..." Before he could finish speaking, he collapsed onto the bed and fainted!
"Your Majesty!" Xu Fu exclaimed in alarm, rushing forward to check on Ying Zheng. Ying Zheng's face was ashen, his breathing weak and feeble; he had clearly fallen unconscious. "Quickly! Summon the imperial physician!" Xu Fu cried out in panic…

At that moment, Fusu was reviewing memorials in his study when a eunuch rushed in, panting, and reported, "Your Highness, something terrible has happened! His Majesty... His Majesty has suddenly fainted!"

Upon hearing this, Fusu abruptly stood up, staring at the eunuch in shock: "What did you say? What happened to Father?"

The eunuch was sweating profusely with anxiety: "This servant doesn't know either. Lord Xu Fu just sent word that His Majesty suddenly fainted after taking a magic pill. The imperial physicians are doing their best to treat him, but the situation seems very serious..."

Fusu's heart sank. He knew his father had become obsessed with the pursuit of immortality in recent years, frequently consuming various elixirs. He had repeatedly advised his father against believing the words of sorcerers, but his father had always ignored him. He never expected something like this to happen today!

He hurriedly left his study, walking quickly towards his bedchamber while saying to the eunuch beside him, "Quickly! Summon all the ministers and advisors to the bedchamber for a meeting immediately!"

When Fusu arrived at the palace, he found it in complete chaos. The palace maids and eunuchs were all running around in fear; the imperial physicians were gathered around the bed, anxiously examining the patient. Xu Fu, on the other hand, knelt to the side, not daring to raise his head.

"Xu Fu!" Fusu roared, "What kind of elixir did you give my father? Why has he become like this?"

Xu Fu trembled, glanced up at Fusu, and quickly lowered his head again: "Your Highness, please calm down! I don't know why this happened. I obtained that elixir from a wise man, who said it had the effects of prolonging life and strengthening the body. I thought it would be an honor to present it to Your Majesty, but I never expected... I never expected such an accident."

"An accident?" Fusu sneered. "You think you can shirk responsibility with just 'accident'? If anything happens to Father, you won't escape blame!"

Xu Fu was so frightened that he kowtowed repeatedly: "Your Highness, spare my life! I truly did not know this would happen. I am willing to die to atone for my sins!"

Fusu glared at him: "Is your life even worth one ten-thousandth of Father Emperor's? The most important thing now is to wake Father Emperor! What did the imperial physicians say?"

A royal physician stepped forward and replied, "Your Highness, the poison His Majesty has contracted is extremely rare. We are working diligently to develop an antidote, but it will take time..."

"It takes time?" Fusu frowned. "I don't care what methods you use, you must wake Father Emperor as soon as possible! Otherwise..." He paused, his cold gaze sweeping over the crowd, "you will all be buried with Father Emperor!"

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent, responding in unison. Xu Fu, however, was terrified, his body trembling like a leaf. He knew that if anything were to happen to Ying Zheng, he would surely face certain death. Moreover, judging from Fusu's appearance, he would likely suffer a fate worse than death.

At this moment, Fusu suddenly remembered something: "By the way, Xu Fu, didn't you say that the elixir was given to you by a master? Where is that master? Quickly take me to see him!"

Xu Fu said with a bitter face, "Your Highness, that master's whereabouts are uncertain, and I do not know where he is now."

"What?!" Fusu roared in fury. "You didn't know? Then you're guilty of deceiving the emperor! Guards, drag Xu Fu out and execute him!"

"Your Highness, spare my life!" Xu Fu cried as he was dragged out. The atmosphere inside the palace became even more oppressive and tense.

Just then, a guard rushed in and reported: "Your Highness, there is a Taoist priest outside who claims to be able to revive His Majesty and requests an audience."

Upon hearing this, Fusu's spirits lifted: "Oh? Quickly, invite him in!" He thought to himself: Could it be that heaven has finally found a way out? Is my father saved?

The newcomer was Yang Ling, dressed in a Taoist robe, exuding an air of otherworldly grace, and he walked steadily into the palace. The atmosphere inside was tense and oppressive, with everyone's eyes focused on him, filled with a mixture of anticipation and doubt.

Fusu stepped forward and said anxiously, "Daoist Master, you've finally arrived! Please take a look at Father Emperor's condition!"

Yang Ling nodded slightly, and without wasting any words, went straight to the bedside. His eyes were sharp as he carefully examined Ying Zheng's complexion and pulse, then sighed softly, "Your Majesty has been poisoned."

Everyone was shocked upon hearing this. Fusu asked anxiously, "Poisoned? Can the Daoist Master identify what kind of poison it is? Is there any antidote?"

Yang Ling said calmly, "This poison is called 'Hundred Days of Sleep.' Those poisoned will fall into a coma and die silently after a hundred days. Fortunately, I arrived in time, and there is still hope."

As he spoke, he took out a porcelain bottle from his sleeve and poured out a pill: "This is an antidote pill that I refined, which can cure all poisons. Quickly give it to His Majesty."

A palace attendant carefully took the pill and fed it to Ying Zheng. The pill melted instantly upon entering his mouth, and soon Ying Zheng's complexion regained some color, and his breathing became steady.

Everyone was overjoyed at the sight. Fusu was so excited that he stepped forward and grasped Yang Ling's hand: "Daoist Master is truly a divine being! On behalf of my father, I thank you for your great kindness!"

Yang Ling smiled slightly: "Your Highness is too kind. I am but a person outside the secular world, and it is only by chance that I was able to save His Majesty."

At this moment, Ying Zheng slowly opened his eyes and showed a mixture of surprise and joy when he saw Yang Ling in front of him: "Yang Ling? Did you save me?"

Yang Ling bowed respectfully: "Your Majesty is blessed with boundless fortune and divine protection. This humble Taoist priest merely offered a small helping hand."

Ying Zheng struggled to sit up and said with emotion, "I thought myself wise all my life, but I never expected to be deceived by those sorcerers and take fake pills, which led to this situation. Today, thanks to Yang Ling's rescue, I am truly fortunate!"

He paused, then said, "I have decided to appoint Yang Ling as the Imperial Preceptor, to lead all the alchemists in the land to concoct the elixir of immortality for me. Yang Ling, are you willing?"

Yang Ling frowned slightly upon hearing this. He was originally a recluse who did not wish to get involved in worldly affairs, but he thought that it might be a good thing to take this opportunity to rectify the behavior of sorcerers. So after pondering for a moment, he said, "Your Majesty's hospitality is too much to refuse, and I will certainly accept it. However, I have a condition."

"Oh? What are the conditions? Please speak freely," Ying Zheng asked curiously.

Yang Ling said solemnly, "This humble Taoist hopes that Your Majesty can broaden the channels for advice, listen to suggestions, distinguish right from wrong, and stay away from wicked people. Only in this way can the world be at peace and the people live and work in peace."

Ying Zheng remained silent for a moment after hearing this, then slowly nodded: "Very well! I agree." He knew that Yang Ling's words came from the bottom of his heart and were for the sake of the Qin Dynasty. "Issue an edict to appoint Yang Ling as the Grand Preceptor, in charge of all the sorcerers in the land!" Everyone congratulated him in unison: "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Grand Preceptor!" Yang Ling stood there calmly, as if all of this was within his expectations...

Ying Zheng sat on the dragon throne, looking down at Yang Ling standing below, his heart filled with mixed emotions. Since being awakened by Yang Ling, his attitude towards this national advisor had undergone a tremendous change. He knew that Yang Ling not only possessed profound Taoist magic, but also a pure and devoted heart for the country and its people.

"Grand Preceptor," Ying Zheng broke the silence, "I wish to discuss something with you."

Yang Ling bowed slightly: "Your Majesty, please speak."

Ying Zheng sighed: "I know my dream of immortality has been shattered, but I still yearn to prolong my life and do more practical things for the people. I wonder what the Grand Preceptor's opinion is?"

Yang Ling smiled faintly: "It is a blessing for the people of the world that Your Majesty has such a wish. However, longevity cannot be achieved through elixirs, but requires following the natural order and cultivating one's character."

Ying Zheng frowned slightly: "Following nature? Cultivating one's character? These words sound easy, but they are difficult to put into practice."

Yang Ling nodded: "That's true. But the difficulty in everything in the world lies in perseverance. As long as Your Majesty can persevere in cultivating your character, you will surely live a long and prosperous life."

Ying Zheng pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "The Grand Preceptor is absolutely right. I have decided to abandon my dream of immortality from now on and follow the Grand Preceptor to learn the way of health preservation."

Yang Ling smiled slightly upon hearing this: "It is truly fortunate that Your Majesty has such an awareness. The way of health preservation is profound and cannot be understood overnight. However, as long as Your Majesty can humbly learn and persevere, you will surely reap the rewards."

Ying Zheng nodded: "I will certainly learn humbly and persevere." He paused and then said, "However, there is one thing I do not understand, and I hope the Imperial Advisor will enlighten me."

"Your Majesty, please speak."

"I would like to know, what exactly does the Imperial Preceptor's talk about the way to maintain health include?" Ying Zheng asked curiously.

Yang Ling replied, "The way to maintain health encompasses everything, but in essence it boils down to three points: 'moderation in diet, regularity in daily life, and avoiding overwork.'" He paused and then explained in detail, "Moderation in diet means eating at regular times and in appropriate quantities, with a reasonable balance of meat and vegetables; regularity in daily life means having a regular schedule and following the natural rhythms; and avoiding overwork means balancing work and rest and avoiding excessive fatigue."

Ying Zheng nodded thoughtfully after hearing this: "I see. These three points seem simple, but they contain the essence of health preservation."

Yang Ling nodded: "That's right. The way to maintain health is not some profound and mysterious knowledge, but rather something that is integrated into the little things in daily life. As long as Your Majesty can keep these three points in mind at all times and put them into practice, you will surely be able to maintain good health and live a long life."

Ying Zheng nodded solemnly after hearing this: "I will definitely keep the Grand Preceptor's teachings in mind and put them into practice." He paused and then said, "In addition, I would like to ask the Grand Preceptor to set up a health and wellness lecture hall in the palace so that the princes, princesses and ministers in the palace can all come and learn the way of health and wellness."

Yang Ling smiled slightly upon hearing this: "Your Majesty's move is excellent. The way of health preservation can not only benefit the individual but also bring blessings to future generations. This humble Taoist will gladly accept it."

Thus, under Yang Ling's persuasion and guidance, Ying Zheng began to abandon his obsessive pursuit of immortality and instead studied the ways of nourishing life. And the Qin Dynasty, in this transformation, gradually moved towards prosperity…

Outside Xianyang, the aftershocks of the earthquake had not yet dissipated, and the continuous tremors had left the people in a state of fear and unease. On this day, the earthquake had lasted for a full ten days, and the farmland outside the city had long been cracked with crisscrossing fissures, while some houses had collapsed into ruins.

Beside a field damaged by the earthquake, several farmers huddled together, discussing the matter.

"This earthquake has lasted for ten days now. If this continues, this year's harvest will probably be ruined," a farmer said worriedly.

"Yes, all my land is cracked, and the rice seedlings have withered and died," another farmer sighed. "How are we going to make a living like this?"

Just then, a farmer suddenly exclaimed, "Oh dear! Come quick, look what I've dug up!"

Upon hearing this, everyone gathered around and saw that the farmer was holding a piece of flawless white jade, which shone brightly in the sunlight.

"This is... jade?" someone exclaimed in surprise.

“That’s right, this is indeed jade.” A knowledgeable old man nodded. “Judging from the texture and color, it should be top-quality Hetian jade.”

"My God, this earthquake actually shook out jade!" someone exclaimed. "Could this be the will of Heaven?"

"Maybe it's a divine intervention!" another person chimed in. "Look how pure this jade is, it must be a treasure bestowed upon us by the gods."

The crowd discussed the jade with great interest and awe. Then, a young man suggested, "Why don't we present this jade to the Emperor? Perhaps we can receive his favor in return."

"That's a great idea!" everyone chimed in. "His Majesty has always loved rare and precious treasures; this jade will surely catch his eye."

So, after some discussion, the group decided to send a representative to deliver the jade to Xianyang Palace.

Inside the Xianyang Palace, Ying Zheng was discussing health preservation with Yang Ling. Suddenly, a eunuch rushed in and reported, "Your Majesty, a commoner outside the city has presented us with a piece of flawless white jade."

Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng raised an eyebrow: "Oh? A flawless piece of jade? Quickly bring it here so I can take a look."

The eunuch accepted the order and withdrew. Not long after, he returned carrying a piece of jade wrapped in yellow silk. Ying Zheng took it and examined it closely. He saw that the jade was crystal clear, warm and delicate, and was indeed a rare and exquisite piece.

"What a beautiful piece of jade!" Ying Zheng exclaimed. "Where did this jade come from?"

The eunuch replied, "It was dug up by some farmers outside the city. They believed it to be a treasure bestowed by the gods, so they specially presented it to Your Majesty."

Ying Zheng nodded: "These farmers are indeed diligent. Issue an imperial decree to reward each of them with one hundred gold pieces."

The eunuch acknowledged the order and withdrew. Ying Zheng handed the jade to Yang Ling: "Grand Preceptor, what do you think of this jade?" (End of Chapter)