Qin Renhuang just became an immortal, and you told me this is the prehistoric time

"May Heaven bless the Great Qin!"

"A divine artifact! This is a true divine artifact!"

In the valley, all the officials and craftsmen of the Shaofu (Imperial Household Department) came to their senses and, looking at the "cloud" of farm tools that blotted out the sky, erupted in cheers as loud as a mountain! Many people were so excited that tears welled up in their eyes, and some even knelt down and kowtowed repeatedly in the direction of Ying Xuan and the Void Heaven Cauldron.

For these craftsmen, forging agricultural tools was not just the responsibility of Liu Bang, the Minister of the Imperial Household Department, but also the duty and face of the entire department! As His Majesty's "steward," the Minister of the Imperial Household Department was obligated to share His Majesty's burdens and serve the court, and should rightfully be the first to receive benefits and convenience!

Now that His Majesty has produced such an incredible top-tier weapon-forging treasure, instantly solving their biggest problem, how could they not be extremely excited?
Many quick-thinking craftsmen, gazing at the Void Cauldron that seemed to swallow the heavens and earth and transform decay into wonder, already had a burning gleam in their eyes. His Majesty has left this cauldron behind; he must be entrusting it to the Imperial Household Department!
Such a powerful magic weapon, if I could wield and operate it myself, even if it was just to participate in its maintenance and assist in its creation, it would be an unparalleled honor and opportunity!
Some have even begun to secretly plan whether, after completing the imperial court's task, they can apply to use this cauldron to try to refine some special treasures or tools that they have long conceived but have been struggling to find suitable furnaces and materials for, which could leave their mark on history...

What are you still standing there for?

Ying Xuan's voice pulled everyone back from their ecstasy and reverie.

Tens of thousands of Jinyiwei experts, who had already received orders and were waiting nearby, suddenly took to the air! They each used their own methods, either summoning special storage magic treasures or magical artifacts with huge internal spaces, or directly using a large number of ordinary storage bags, like well-trained worker bees, and quickly flew towards the "cloud" of farm tools.

The Imperial Guards moved with practiced ease, effortlessly collecting farm tools from various areas as if by invisible hands, quickly disappearing into their storage spaces. Their efficiency was astonishing.

Soon, the sky cleared, and the first batch of farm tools, mainly plows, were collected.

Ying Xuan's mind stirred again, and the stone gate space reopened.

This time, what emerged was a mountain of various weapons and armor seized from goblin corpses on the wasteland battlefield, as well as some of the old equipment replaced by Qin soldiers.

These torrents of metal flowed back into the Void Cauldron.

The cauldron shimmered with light, like a tireless master craftsman beginning the second round of "production".

This time, what spewed out of the cauldron were countless shovels gleaming with a cold light!
Then came the third round, the fourth round... hoes, sickles, picks, guillotines...

The Void Cauldron is like a fully automated, ultra-efficient "all-purpose machine," continuously producing various standardized farm tools, batch after batch, based on the input "blueprints" and materials. The output of each batch is enough to meet the needs of hundreds of thousands of soldiers!
When more than a dozen furnaces were completed and the metal materials carried in the stone gate space for this reward were almost exhausted, the total amount of farm tools in the sky and those collected by the Embroidered Uniform Guard had reached an astronomical figure, enough to meet the needs of nearly ten million soldiers, and even with a considerable surplus!
Only then did Ying Xuan have a thought, and the Void Heaven Cauldron, which was as large as a mountain, slowly shrank in size, but still maintained its enormous size of tens of feet. It slowly fell into a clearing in the valley, and finally landed steadily with a dull thud, which made the ground tremble a few times.

The cauldron's radiance was restrained, but its vast aura, capable of swallowing heaven and earth and melting all things, still inspired awe in all who approached it.

"This cauldron will be temporarily placed under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Household Department. I will provide further instructions on how to use it and maintain the regulations."

Ying Xuan gave instructions to Liu Bang, who was still in a state of excitement and euphoria.

"The most important task at present is to cooperate with the Embroidered Uniform Guard to safely and quickly distribute the rewarded farm tools to the farms of the various prefectures and counties, so that the soldiers can receive them as soon as they return home."

"Your Majesty, I obey! I thank you for your great favor! Rest assured, Your Majesty, I will handle this matter well. If there is even the slightest mistake, I will offer my head in retribution!"

Liu Bang was brimming with confidence, patting his chest as he assured everyone that his previous gloom and anxiety had vanished completely. With this divine cauldron, his duties as the Minister of the Imperial Household would be incredibly easy! He could almost see his bright future, marked by outstanding political achievements and the Emperor's increased favor.

……

In Shu, outside a remote but quite prosperous county town, lies a large farm belonging to the Shaofu (a government-run government office).

The farm manager had already received orders and had been leading the farmhands for the past few days to unload the reward supplies, which were transported from the county town and were tightly wrapped in oilcloth, and to sort and neatly stack them in the open space of the farm.

At noon that day, dozens of burly men, covered in dust, with a lingering murderous aura on their faces and eyes as sharp as hawks, appeared at the entrance of the farm.

Although they were dressed in civilian clothes, the grim aura honed by years of bloody battles, as well as the tacit understanding and discipline that subtly emanated from their movements, made it clear at a glance that they were from the military.

The manager dared not be negligent and quickly led his men to greet them respectfully.

"Gentlemen, you've worked hard! Are you here to receive His Majesty's reward?"

The manager asked with a forced smile.

The man at the head of the group, who had a scar on his face, responded in a low voice and handed over his military ID and return permit.

After inspecting the items, the steward became even more respectful and stepped aside to lead the way.

"Gentlemen, please follow me. The rewards have been prepared and are over there."

The group arrived at the open space where the rewards were piled up.

There, piles of brand-new farm tools gleamed with a cold, metallic light in the sunlight! Hoes, shovels, sickles, plowshares... all kinds were piled up like mountains.

The scarred man had the sharpest eyes. He reached out, picked up a hoe, weighed it in his hand, and then flicked the blade with his finger, producing a crisp ringing sound.

A glint flashed in his eyes, and he whispered to his companion beside him.

"It's that kind of metal! It smells the same as the armor of those green-skinned monsters in the wasteland, but it's purer and has fewer impurities! Goodness, farm tools made from this stuff could probably last for hundreds of years without breaking!"

Upon hearing this, the other soldiers also stepped forward to check, their faces showing satisfaction and delight.

They had all fought goblins in real battles and were very familiar with the properties of this metal from another world: tough, wear-resistant, and not easy to rust. It was perfect for making farm tools!

"His Majesty has decreed!"

After everyone had finished examining the edict, the steward cleared his throat, took out the prepared yellow silk edict, and began to read it aloud. The content was roughly as follows:

All soldiers who participate in the bloody battle in the wasteland will be rewarded with one pound of silver and a set of standard iron farm tools. In addition, merits will be recorded according to the number of enemies killed. For each otherworldly monster killed, the family will be exempt from taxation on one acre of land for one year. Military merits can be accumulated and there is no upper limit.

Farm tools can be collected here as needed. The specific amount of military merit will be issued to the county governments for record-keeping and implementation after the military cabinet approves it.

After the announcement was read, the steward added, “Soldiers can choose any type of farm tools they need to create a set. As for the tax exemption for military merit, the county government will send someone to deliver the ‘merit plaque’ to your residence after you return home and affix it to a prominent place at your door.”

This plaque was not only a symbol of honor but also had legal force. If any local ruffians or clerks dared to disrespect a family of military merit, they could be directly escorted to the county yamen for punishment, with the penalty doubled!

Upon hearing the promise that "for every enemy killed, one acre of land will be exempt from tax for one year, and this can be accumulated," the expressions on the faces of these soldiers, who were originally filled with the grim atmosphere of the battlefield, instantly changed!

Regret! Utter regret!

Back in the wasteland, those green-skinned monsters surged in like a tidal wave, impossible to kill completely. Often, to survive and maintain their lines, they formed battle formations, using large-scale magical attacks or coordinated attacks to annihilate their enemies. Who can remember exactly how many they killed?
Sometimes, even when there was a clear opportunity to kill more monsters, we gave up due to tactical needs or lack of stamina... At the time, we just felt that there were too many monsters, and the imperial court couldn't possibly count them by head count; it was probably just a symbolic reward.

But now, His Majesty has actually linked this "number of enemies killed" with real "tax exemptions"! And these exemptions can be accumulated! This has a completely different meaning!

"Damn it! I should have killed more of them back then!"

"Yeah! I can at least get a tax exemption on more than ten acres of land at home!"

"I regret it! Once I pierced through three in one go. If we count them separately..."

The soldiers beat their chests and stamped their feet, discussing amongst themselves. The grim look on their faces was replaced by a complex mix of excitement, frustration, and intense fighting spirit. If the order hadn't been for rest, they would have loved to turn back immediately and return to the wasteland to kill hundreds or thousands more monsters! This wasn't just about glory; it was about tangible, long-term benefits for their families!
The steward looked at the group of evil spirits who had suddenly "come to life" and was secretly amazed. He admired His Majesty's method of rewarding people with both fame and fortune.

He then distributed the wooden medals he had prepared beforehand, engraved with the words "Returning Home in Glory, Meritorious Service to the Nation," to everyone, and once again instructed them to hang them on their doors.

Soon, the soldiers each selected the farm tools they needed, tied them together with the prepared hemp ropes, carried them on their shoulders, and with silver and medals in their hearts, they headed towards their homes scattered throughout the county, filled with complex yet energetic feelings.

Soon after, the county government organized a drum and gong team, led by yamen runners and village heads, to deliver the rewards to each soldier's home with drums and gongs.

When the medal symbolizing the soldier's meritorious service and the imperial court's favor was solemnly affixed above the door of his home, not only was the soldier himself honored, but his family was also moved to tears, and the neighbors all looked on with envy and awe.

These men, who returned from the carnage, instantly became the pillars of their families and heroes of their villages.

The young men of the family, gazing at the brand-new ironware carried on their shoulders, listening to their battlefield stories, and looking at the conspicuous plaques of merit above the door, all felt an intense longing for military achievements and for His Majesty. The seeds of serving the country, making meritorious contributions, and bringing glory to the family were quietly sown.

……

Xianyang, the capital of Qin.

The majestic and magnificent Qin Imperial Palace, like a sleeping dragon, sits in the center of the city, exuding awe-inspiring majesty and an ever-growing spiritual charm.

Outside the palace, Emperor Qin Shi Huang straightened his solemn court robes and gazed intently at the palace complex that had been transformed and integrated with the origin of the Void Heaven Palace.

His eyes were calm and serene, yet they seemed to penetrate the palace walls and see into something deeper.

Beside him stood Li Si and Zhang Juzheng, two senior cabinet ministers, in solemn silence.

Both men were dressed neatly and looked solemn.

"Let's go."

The First Emperor spoke slowly, his voice steady.

"His Majesty has returned with unparalleled power and immense gains, and has also established national policies to reward soldiers and stabilize the hearts of the people. We, as his ministers, should enter the palace to pay our respects, report on state affairs, and discuss important matters together."

Li Si and Zhang Juzheng bowed together.

"The ministers obey the order."

The three of them said no more, and walked side by side with firm and steady steps toward the main gate of the Qin Imperial Palace, which symbolized the core of the highest power and majesty of the Qin Dynasty.

Since Ying Xuan ascended the throne and took control of the Great Qin, even though he often left this realm and did not show his face for a long time, no one has ever dared to openly question him, nor has anyone felt that this was "inappropriate" or "lacking". Because everyone knows that where His Majesty is, there is the will of the Great Qin; when His Majesty returns, there will surely be earth-shattering changes.

This absolute trust and reverence had long been ingrained in the very marrow of the Qin Dynasty, becoming one of the most solid and distinctive cornerstones of this new empire.

The shadows of the palace gradually enveloped the three figures. A new court assembly, a new chapter, was about to unfold in this palace, which had merged the essence of two worlds and was already beginning to display the aura of a celestial artifact.

"Your Majesty, the court is about to begin!"

The long and majestic chanting echoed through the palace gates and halls, reverberating in the newly renovated and even more magnificent main hall of the Qin Imperial Palace.

The civil and military officials, who had been standing solemnly outside the hall, immediately straightened their clothes upon hearing the sound and filed in according to their rank. Inside the spacious hall, which could easily accommodate thousands of people, there was complete silence, except for the soft sound of boots stepping on the gleaming jade floor.

The officials entered the hall and stood in two rows, one for civil officials and one for military officials. The civil officials were led by the Grand Secretary, Emperor Qin Shi Huang, followed closely by important ministers such as Li Si and Zhang Juzheng.

The military commanders were led by Wang Jian, the chief minister of the military cabinet, followed by Qi Jiguang, Han Xin, Zhang Han, Meng Tian, ​​Li Jing, Xu Shiji, Lü Ze and other senior generals who had returned from the bloody battles in the wilderness, as well as other generals who stayed behind to guard the rear. They were all tall and imposing, with a calm and composed aura. However, many of them still had a trace of murderous intent between their brows, which added to their iron-blooded majesty.

After everyone stood still, their gazes were drawn in unison to the throne high above, carved from a single piece of star-spirit jade, which was now radiating a faint imperial dragon aura and vast starlight.

"Welcome, Your Majesty!"

Amidst the orderly bows of the officials, Ying Xuan's figure slowly emerged from the deep starry curtain behind the throne.

He wasn't wearing a formal imperial robe today, only a black casual dress embroidered with gold dragons, but his supreme aura of ruling the world and dominating the universe was more dazzling than any magnificent attire.

Behind him were not the usual few palace attendants, but more than a dozen women of stunning beauty, each with a different temperament, yet all exuding extraordinary cultivation.

These were none other than the imperial concubines of the Great Qin Dynasty, including Yaoyue, Lianxing, Shangguan Haitang, and Li Xiuning. At this moment, unlike the usual imperial concubines who remained behind curtains, they appeared gracefully alongside Ying Xuan. After Ying Xuan was seated on the throne, they stood slightly behind him on either side, their expressions calm and composed. (End of Chapter)