I am already immortal, why should I ascend to become an immortal?

These wealthy families who hide in the dark, never show their faces, spend a little money to incite ordinary people to shed blood and fight for privileges and interests that do not belong to them.

The reason why Prince Su has been unable to quell the riots for a long time these days is because he does not have solid evidence of these aristocratic families' crimes.

Especially in the Qin Dynasty where Legalism was respected, as a prince, he could not break the law.

but.

But in Ying Lou's eyes, this is another matter.

"Whether it's Legalism, Confucianism, or any of the other schools of thought, they all serve the imperial power. You just need to know who is secretly manipulating it, and bloodshed is the fastest way to resolve all conflicts, just like Lü."

Ying Lou originally wanted to tell Prince Su how Lü Buwei massacred the Longguan nobles before his death on the day of his coming-of-age ceremony.

But after thinking about it, I didn't say the words that were already on the tip of my tongue.

After all, no matter how much you say, it would be better to let the crown prince of the Qin Dynasty see it with his own eyes.

Gently lift the belly of the fish in your hand.

In an instant.

I saw countless black fingers, one after another, rushing directly into the crowd along the tip of the sword.

The five major families of the Chu State, namely the Mi family, the Wu family, the Qu family, the Jing family, and the Zhao family, which had dominated the Central Plains and the south of the Yangtze River for hundreds of years, were all entangled by black fingers and suspended high in the air.

And not only those near the City Guard's Mansion, but all the five major families in Yingcheng, a total of 1,742 people were brought here.

"Your Majesty, what do you mean? My Mi family pays taxes and donates grain to the Qin Dynasty. When the Qin Dynasty conquered Chu, we also contributed."

The head of the Mi family, a greasy fat man in his fifties, was so frightened that his face turned pale, and sweat mixed with grease fell to the ground with crackling sounds.

But he hadn't finished speaking yet.

Thousands of black fingers drilled into his mouth and burst his fat body.

Thick plasma, broken internal organs, and broken bones splattered all over the ground.

It gives off a disgusting fishy smell.

Seeing their master turned into a pile of minced meat, everyone in the Mi family was so scared that they begged for mercy.

He claimed that he was willing to exchange all his property for the lives of more than 400 people.

Especially the other four major families, they shouted in unison at the same time, putting the blame on the Mi family for instigating scholars and students and persuading the people to put pressure on the court. They wanted to put aside the relationship and save the lives of the entire family.

It's a pity that Ying Lou came here today to establish his authority and to warn all the nobles in the world, but he didn't even look at them. In just a moment, all 1,741 of them followed in the footsteps of the head of the Mi family.

"come here!"

Ying Lou spoke to the governor of Yingcheng County.

"Your Majesty, I am guilty!"

The bloody scene and the foul smell almost made the county magistrate, who was in his forties, faint.

"Search their property and take out 10% of it. In Yingcheng and its surrounding villages, every family with a member enlisting in the army or doing labor will receive a subsidy of three strings of cash."

"If there are still those who do not obey, they will be beheaded on the spot. As for the rest of the noble families, they will pay the tax within three days. If they do not obey, their entire family will be exterminated."

There are at least one million households living near Yingcheng.

But the five big families have accumulated wealth for a hundred years, and just one tenth of it would be enough for these families to live in wealth for a year.

"Yes, I obey your command!"

As soon as the county magistrate finished speaking, Ying Lou took Prince Su away.

He wasn't even given a chance to please.

As for the other wealthy families, they had already been frightened by Ying Lou's methods. Not to mention paying the additional taxes, they probably wouldn't even say a word even if they donated all of them.

After leaving Yingcheng, Ying Lou went to several wealthy but restless cities.

Following the same method, the largest family that led the group was massacred with thundering means.

More than an hour later.

Handan, Daliang, Xinzheng, Xiangyang... more than ten cities were all washed away.

Along the way, Prince Su's face was pale and he did not speak for a long time.

However, Ying Lou did not continue to educate him verbally.

After all, there are some things that you need to figure out yourself.

At the last stop, more than 900 people from the Cui, Lu, and Wang families in Chang'an were executed.

Ying Lou did not return to Xianyang, but came to the vicinity of White Horse Temple.

However, this time, the chubby future Buddha was already in front of the White Horse Temple, chanting Buddhist scriptures with his hands clasped together, waiting for Ying Lou's arrival.

It is still the same as before, with a rotten plaque and dilapidated gate.

The difference is that inside the courtyard wall, the golden Buddha light is extremely strong.

"Donor Jin, long time no see!"

The big-bellied future Buddha, wearing tattered grey clothes, trembled as he spoke.

"Take me to see Yingtai!"

Ying Lou put his hands behind his back and walked inside with the gait of an emperor.

"Please come in, Mr. Jin."

The Future Buddha bows slightly, with his hands still in the clasped position.

The gate of White Horse Temple creaked and opened automatically.

"Why did this strange monk call my father the donor? And, Yingtai, could he be the last King of Tang?"

"Su", who was following behind Ying Lou, lowered his head and thought over and over again, but still could not find any frown.

The three of them walked along the bluestone bricks inside the White Horse Temple.

Today's White Horse Temple is different from the past when it was once filled with dead trees. It is full of vitality.

The Future Buddha was leading the way in front, but because of his size, he didn't walk very fast.

Ying Lou was not in a hurry. He just kept a distance from him and walked slowly.

Only Su was shocked by the interior of the White Horse Temple.

Although we already know the existence of Jiufang Heavenly Palace and immortals.

But this was his first time coming into contact with anything related to it.

About two quarters of an hour later.

Mist, meadows, streams.

A tall, ancient and weathered Bodhi tree stands on a slightly raised mound.

The branches and vines on the tree were intertwined, protecting Li Yingtai who was sitting cross-legged under the tree.

She was wearing a plain white dress, with her long hair hanging freely, her eyes slightly closed, her face serene, and a little cinnabar mark between her eyebrows.

It lacks the former playfulness and boldness, and only has the solemn colorful Buddha light and the faint supreme halo, rippling on the surface of the body.

"'Now' under the Bodhi tree, after meditating for 1,096 epochs, he finally became enlightened and became a Buddha, the supreme being. Donor Li has achieved this in just a few years, and will surpass it in just a few more years. This level of enlightenment is second to none in our Buddhist sect."

The Future Buddha nodded and bowed towards Li Yingtai.

"Are you going to make Yingtai the new supreme leader of Buddhism and then kill Now?"

Ying Lou narrowed his eyes, and there was murderous intent in his cold voice.

"The Buddha said before that he would transform himself into a Buddha with his fetal body, carrying the three laws of the past, present and future, breaking the shackles of the present and passing away with the old Buddha, but this person is not Mr. Li."

"When the 'past' is annihilated and the 'present' is completed, Buddhism will have a future. This Buddha can be the 'future', Miss Li can be the 'future', Donor Jin can be the 'future', this child can be the future, and every blade of grass, every tree, every pig, dog, cow, and sheep in this universe can be the 'future Buddha'."

The Future Buddha still spoke with a smile, but no one knew whether it was because he was born to love smiling or because he had too much fat on his face.

"Huh, why should I take your words seriously?"

Without any signs, Ying Lou pulled out the fish belly and placed the tip of the sword against the three layers of fat on the chin of the future Buddha. "Donor Jin, since this Buddha is the future, I must do things of the future. But since you want it, I can give it to you. Anyway, for me, it makes no difference whether it is in your hands or in mine."

After the Future Buddha finished speaking, he moved his broad right hand and inserted it directly into his transparent belly.

After a while of stirring, he took out a relic as white as jade, emitting Buddha's light.

"If the relics are destroyed, the Buddha will pass away immediately. Donor Jin, please take them."

The Future Buddha held his own relics and handed them to Ying Lou.

huh~~~
Ying Lou let out a sigh, paused for a few seconds, and then took it.

Feeling this fist-sized Buddha relic, Ying Lou knew that the fat man was not lying.

"By the way, regarding the two children of you and Mr. Li, remember, they must not become immortals. As for the reason, the Buddha said that it cannot be said for the time being."

Hearing this, the first person to be surprised was not Ying Lou, but "Su" behind him.

"Father and the King of Tang have a child? Or two?"

"Su" looked at Ying Lou in disbelief and thought to himself.

The protruding Adam's apple on his neck kept moving up and down.

My hands also clenched subconsciously.

"No need to play tricks, I already know it."

Ying Lou walked around the Future Buddha and headed towards Li Yingtai.

But unfortunately, Li Yingtai, who was obviously very close, seemed to be thousands of miles away and could never get even one step closer.

Moreover, from beginning to end, Li Yingtai was meditating with his eyes closed, and seemed to be unaware of what was happening around him.

"Donor Jin, it's time to go back. No one can disturb Donor Li until she has fully comprehended her enlightenment."

Ying Lou ignored him and stood where he was, reaching out his hand, but he could never touch the other person's cheek.

“I hope we’ll have a chance to see each other again!”

Muttering to himself, Ying Lou took a last look and turned to walk out of the White Horse Temple.

Out of the temple gate.

The White Horse Temple disappeared on the spot just like before.

Only the future Buddha was left, transformed into a broken stone statue, sitting quietly on the yellow earth.

After returning to Afang Palace.

Ying Lou asked all the eunuchs in the bedroom to leave, then picked up a pen dipped in ink and wrote on the silk used to draft the edict.

[The First Emperor issued an edict saying]

[I, sweeping across the six kingdoms, unifying the universe, ascending the throne and claiming the throne, have been able to create the unparalleled foundation of the Qin Dynasty thanks to the blessing of the previous kings, the bravery of the generals and soldiers, and the support of the people.]

[My crown prince "Su" is kind and compassionate, values ​​benevolence and is eager for talents, has compassion for the people and cares about the country. ]

[Every time I see him, I feel happy that the future of the Qin Dynasty is entrusted to someone.]

[Now, I declare to the world that if I die unexpectedly after a hundred years, the throne will be passed to the crown prince "Su".]

[I hope that after Su ascends the throne, he will work diligently, put the people first, and implement benevolent policies in the Central Plains. ]

[But if any foreign barbarian dares to invade even an inch of our Central Plains land, we must plant our Great Qin flag on the barbarian's ancestral grave and exterminate them, uprooting them and destroying their seedlings. We must not be merciful.]

【Afterwards, I ordered Prime Minister Li Si, General Meng Tian, ​​General Li Xin, General Wang Ben, General Zi An, General Mu Xuan Zi, and General Bai Zhong to assist the Crown Prince with all their strength and jointly protect our Great Qin and its people.】

[If there are treacherous people who dare to rebel and obstruct my will, Li Si and Meng Tian have the power to kill them regardless of their relationship.]

【Announcement to let everyone at home and abroad know.】

After stamping the imperial seal, Ying Lou threw the written edict towards Prince Su.

"Father, you... you live as long as the heavens, even if it's a few years later."

"Stop, I will not die, and I will live longer than the heaven. This edict is to allow you to succeed to the throne smoothly when I am gone."

Ying Lou waved his hand and interrupted the stuttering Prince Su.

As for what the other party wanted to say in the second half of the sentence, Ying Lou naturally knew it.

"Slaughter the Nine Palaces, slay the immortals, from ancient times to the present, only the Great Qin can defeat me. I will not lose this battle, you don't have to worry!"

Ying Lou paused, then continued to speak to the questioning "Su": "From today on, you will continue to supervise the country. Within five years, no matter what the cost, you must complete the construction of the Great Wall and dig a river to divert water."

"As you command, my son."

Seeing Ying Lou's unhappy expression, although Crown Prince Su had suppressed all the questions in his heart, he still couldn't help but ask: "Father, what did you mean by not here just now..."

"No need to ask any more questions, you just need to remember that I will not die!"

Ying Lou leaned over and sat down, looking out the door and towards the horizon.

Will you die?
At least Ying Lou didn't know whether this body would die of old age.

But these are no longer important.

Over the years, as he gradually came to understand the destiny of the country and explored the seven places of destiny, Ying Lou came to a guess that even if the Jiufang Palace was destroyed, he would probably never be able to return to the Central Plains.

Although it is just a guess at the moment, it is pretty close.

Today, when he went to the White Horse Temple, Ying Lou wanted to see Li Yingtai again.

But unfortunately, there was an insurmountable gap between the two.

I couldn't see you for the last time.

"Okay, if you have anything to say, just come to Jin's house and find me!"

Ying Lou finished speaking.

He picked up the teacup, took a last sip of the tea from Afang Palace, then stood up, took a step out, and disappeared on the spot.

one year later.

The eighteenth year of Emperor Qin Shihuang's reign.

Although Yinglou disappeared for a year, Daqin was still running in an orderly manner under the management of Crown Prince Su and Li Si.

Ever since the top families of the six kingdoms were slaughtered, the construction of the Great Wall and the digging of rivers to divert water have been put on track.

In order to save their lives, the rest of the wealthy families who were still alive not only paid the full amount of taxes, but also gave a lot of extra gifts.

With sufficient money, the progress of the two unprecedented projects was even accelerated.

In the middle of the nineteenth year of Emperor Qin Shihuang's reign.

The housekeeper Wu of the Jin Mansion passed away due to exhaustion of qi and blood and damage to all his internal organs.

The new steward will be the grandson of Steward Wu.

Thirty-five years old, smart and loyal.

And on the day when Butler Wu was buried.

Jin Chan and Xiao Luoyang, who had disappeared for more than two years, came back from the horizon. After burning three incense sticks, they left Xianyang again.

Don't know where to go.

The twentieth year of Emperor Qin Shihuang's reign.

After Xiang Yu and Li Cunxiao returned to Xianyang, they resigned from the military positions given to them by Ying Lou and no one knew where they went.

Although Li Xin, Li Mu, Wang Jian, and Meng Wu did not resign from their military positions, no one knew where they went.

Of the generals who broke through the morale of millions of soldiers, only Meng Tian stayed behind and took charge of all the military drills of the Qin Dynasty.

The 21st year of Emperor Qin Shihuang’s reign.

According to reports.

Jin Chan and Xiao Luoyang appeared at the border of the Southern Wasteland in plain clothes. (End of this chapter)