Diqin Designer

Chapter 106 Li Nian and the Alchemist

Glancing at the other surviving alchemists, murderous intent appeared in Ying Zheng's eyes. If he had not promised Li Nian to spare these alchemists' lives, he would have wanted to execute them all now.

His gaze shifted back to the bodies of Lu Sheng and Hou Sheng. Since the living alchemist would not be killed for the time being, he would vent his anger on these two.

Ying Zheng said: "It's a relief for these two shameless people to die so soon. I still hope they can hold on for a little longer. Do you think you can escape punishment by dying?"

"Hang their bodies on the city walls and spread their deeds to the world. From now on, whoever dares to make elixirs and seek immortality in the territory of Great Qin will be killed without mercy once he is found out!"

If this matter were to get out, some people might interpret it as him persecuting alchemists and preventing others from seeking immortality, and only wanting to enjoy the way to immortality alone, which would have the same impact as the "burning of books and burying of scholars" in history as Li Nian mentioned.

But so what?

He is the king of Qin and the ruler of the world. If he is timid and hesitant in everything, what kind of emperor is he?
The world belongs to him, not him to the world.

Today, he is going to vent his anger!

Looking at the other living alchemists, Ying Zheng said, "Originally, you should have been punished the same as Lu Sheng and Hou Sheng, but someone pleaded for you, saying that you still have use for the Qin Dynasty, so I spared your lives."

Someone plead for them?
who is it?

Is he the Prince Fusu who was known for his benevolence and virtue?
The alchemists kneeling on the ground did not dare to look up, but they were guessing in their hearts that no matter who he was, he was their savior, so it seemed that they did not have to die like Lu Sheng and Hou Sheng.

"As for the person who is begging for you, you will meet him soon. Remember, you must respect him and do whatever he asks you to do, even if it means he wants you to die!"

"If anyone dares to despise and humiliate him, and I know about it, this will be the fate of Marquis Lu and the other two! Do you understand?"

The Taoist priests dared not say no, and they all kowtowed to Ying Zheng: "I understand, your humble servants. I understand, your humble servants. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your mercy!"

Ying Zheng nodded and ordered: "Clean them up, let them rest for two days, and then send them to Liuying Palace."

Two days later, Li Nian suddenly received a message from Ying Zheng saying that a group of alchemists were sent to him. After walking out of the hall, he saw a group of people wearing coarse linen clothes and handcuffs and shackles.

He understood what was going on as soon as he saw it. It must be that the First Emperor listened to his reminder, went back to do experiments, and proved that there was something wrong with the elixir refined by the alchemists. The alchemists' affair was exposed.

Seeing Li Nian coming out, all the Taoists knelt down and kowtowed to him: "Thank you for saving our lives, sir. We will repay you for your kindness by tying a grass and a ring, or even sacrificing our lives!"

Li Nian was stunned for a moment, then he realized that these alchemists probably thought that he had saved them from the butcher knife of the First Emperor.

Unfortunately, what they didn’t know was that they could have lived a life of luxury in the palace for several years. It was because of his reminder that they were reduced from noble alchemists seeking immortality to prisoners today.

But if you think about it carefully, although he tricked these alchemists, he did save their lives. Otherwise, when Lu Sheng and Hou Sheng were caught, they would have been killed by the First Emperor.

At this time, a eunuch handed Li Nian a scroll of bamboo slips. After reading it, Li Nian knew what had happened to these alchemists.

"The Emperor dealt with the alchemists this way because he was indeed angry and resentful of them, but he also wanted to get rid of the troublemakers among them and establish an image of a benefactor in the hearts of the alchemists so that I could manage them more easily." Li Nian returned the bamboo slips to the eunuch and looked at the alchemists kneeling at the bottom of the steps. Only sixty-three alchemists survived, and most of them died. He said, "Everyone, stand up!"

"Thank you, sir!"

After the sixty-three alchemists expressed their thanks, they stood up one by one. No one dared to look up. They all stood quietly in place, waiting for Li Nian's next order.

The experiences of the past few days have caused a great psychological change in these alchemists. They were originally noble alchemists seeking immortality in the palace, enjoying the best food and the best drinks and being respected by others. However, they fell in one day and were imprisoned in wooden cages, forced to eat soup made from dead rats and chickens, just like livestock waiting to be slaughtered.

If it weren't for this mysterious young man who rescued them from the sea of ​​suffering, who knows what would have happened to them. What's the point of seeking immortality and refining elixirs, or enjoying wealth and glory? It's better to stay alive.

Li Nian said: "You don't have to be so reserved. I won't hide it from you. Actually, I asked the king to bring you here because I saw your talent in alchemy."

The alchemists standing at the bottom of the stairs did not move, but were muttering in their hearts: Did this person take a fancy to their talent in alchemy?
But the king no longer believed in their alchemy skills, and, judging from the deaths of Lu Sheng and Hou Sheng, there were indeed problems with the elixirs they were making.

Li Nian continued, "Of course, I am not interested in your ability to refine elixirs that can make people immortal. You cannot do that, and I do not believe that there are immortals or elixirs in the world. What I am interested in is the discoveries you made during the process of refining the elixir."

"For example, when refining pills, have you ever found that after adding certain materials, the color of the flame will change, there will be a bang, or even an explosion?"

None of the alchemists spoke, wondering if this young man was also an alchemist? Or at least someone who knew something about the way of alchemists.

"If anyone has encountered this kind of situation when refining the elixir, please come out and tell us a little bit, and I will discuss the alchemy with you."

They thought that this person was their savior. Since he had rescued them from the Qin King's butcher knife, he should not harm them. Otherwise, why would he plead for them? Wouldn't it be better to just let him die?

Thinking of this, a young alchemist stepped forward and said, "Sir, I have experienced the flame color change you mentioned before. At that time, I threw in a piece of calamine, and the flame suddenly turned blue-green."

With this young alchemist taking the lead, other alchemists became bolder and gradually stood up to talk about the various strange phenomena they encountered when refining the elixir. Some encountered strange fog, some saw strange lights, and some smelled strange fragrances...

After listening to the Taoist priests, Li Nian smiled and asked, "It seems that you have all encountered strange phenomena, but have you ever thought about the reasons why these strange phenomena occur?"

Without waiting for the alchemists to answer, Li Nian continued, "I know you must be thinking that these strange phenomena are caused by the elixir taking away the fortune of heaven and earth, so that heaven and earth are moved and then bring down disasters or fortune."

"But is there another possibility? There is no immortal power in secret, and there is no feeling from heaven and earth. These strange phenomena are just phenomena that already exist between heaven and earth? As long as we know the reason for their formation, we can reproduce them."

This made many alchemists stand there in a daze, thinking. Some of them opened their mouths to refute what Li Nian said, but they did not dare to do so when they thought that Li Nian was their savior and the King of Qin had sternly warned them.

Even though they had different ideas in their hearts and disagreed with what Li Nian said, the alchemists did not dare to speak out.

Li Nian naturally knew what the alchemists were thinking. He could not convince these people with just words. He planned to do some experiments to open the eyes of these alchemists and speak with real evidence.

　Before it was released, it was updated at 12:18. Recently, I got kidney stones, so I adjusted it to :. I am fine now, but my waist is sore. I will stop feeling pain this week, so it should be fine. I have one more thing to say here, everyone, try not to get kidney stones, it really hurts!

　
(End of this chapter)