My Imperial Advisor is ChatGPT

Xianyang Palace, Qilin Hall.

At the third quarter of the hour of Mao (5:45 AM), just as the first hint of dawn appeared on the horizon, the chilly fog of late autumn shrouded the vast imperial capital. A colossal bronze divine beast crouched atop the palace ridge, coldly surveying the black-clad nobles who swarmed like ants across the plaza.

According to the etiquette of the Qin Dynasty, the officials were already lined up outside the palace, waiting. Although they were all impeccably dressed, the morning chill still seeped in through their collars. However, what made people shiver even more was the rumor circulating in the court and among the people recently.

"I heard His Majesty has been unwell lately, and even the imperial physicians have been changed several times." "That old swindler Xu Fu has run away again; His Majesty must be furious." "Sigh, the corvée labor in the south has increased by another 30%; these days..."

Several ministers, who were usually on good terms with each other, exchanged secret gestures in their sleeves, their eyes gleaming. In their eyes, the First Emperor, who sat high on the throne, was like a tiger nearing its end. His teeth were still sharp, but his eyes were already clouded; his claws were still sharp, but his energy was waning. An old emperor, plagued by illness and obsessed with immortality, was terrifying, but not impossible to deceive.

As long as you go along with his wishes, say auspicious words like "May the world be at peace and may life last forever," and make the accounts look good, this hurdle won't be difficult to overcome.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

As Zhao Gao's distinctive shrill voice pierced through the morning mist, the heavy palace doors slowly opened. The civil and military officials immediately composed themselves, straightened their robes, and surged into the hall like a black tide, lining up on both sides and kneeling respectfully on the ground.

Ying Zheng emerged from the side hall, not supported by two palace maids as usual, but alone, his steps steady as he ascended the nine-tiered steps. Today, he had specially changed into a deep black imperial robe, his crimson knee coverings as dazzling as fire, and the twelve-tasseled crown on his head swaying slightly, obscuring his unfathomable eyes.

He sat on the dragon throne, not immediately raising his voice, but looking down at the dark mass of heads below.

In his field of vision, there were not only these kneeling ministers, but also a blue box floating in mid-air, flashing with excitement.

Good morning, CEO.

Today's goal: To improve workplace conduct and remove ineffective management personnel.

[The "Augmented Reality (AR) Court Assistance Mode" has been activated for you.]

[Loading modules: Micro-expression analysis v2.0, real-time voice lie detection, historical data comparison... Loading complete.]

"My beloved ministers, rise." Ying Zheng's voice echoed in the empty hall, full of vigor and showing no signs of illness.

"If you have something to report, do so now; if not, the court is dismissed," Zhao Gao replied, though he knew he would never be able to dismiss the court today.

"Yang Que, the Minister of Agriculture." Ying Zheng's voice suddenly rang out, soft yet clear, penetrating everyone's ears with a metallic sound.

Yang Que, the Minister of Agriculture, stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and his movements were fluid and flawless: "Your subject is here." He was not flustered. As a high-ranking official in charge of the Qin Dynasty's finances, his accounting skills were superb. The numbers were nested layer upon layer, each serving to conceal the other. Even a merchant skilled in arithmetic would have to spend a month or two to investigate, let alone the emperor.

"Last night I dreamt of wandering through the void and looked at the grain and provisions accounts of Nanjun," Ying Zheng said casually. "There were some parts that I found quite interesting."

Yang Que smiled and said, "Your Majesty is busy with countless affairs of state, and there are many trivial matters concerning finances and provisions. If there is anything you do not understand, I am willing to enlighten you."

"Very well." Ying Zheng's lips curled into a cold smile. "I ask you, how much grain has been stored in Zigui County of Nan Commandery this year?"

Yang Que pondered for a moment and replied fluently: "Your Majesty, the harvest in Zigui County this year is quite good, with 5,400 shi of millet deposited into the treasury."

Ying Zheng didn't look at the bamboo slips; instead, he stared at the light screen before him. [Data Comparison: In Jiangling County at the same latitude, the yield per mu is 15% higher.] [Warning: The magistrate of Zigui County submitted a memorial three months ago claiming a "bumper harvest."]

"Five thousand four hundred shi," Ying Zheng repeated the number, his tone flat. "Then how come I remember that three months ago, the magistrate of Zigui County submitted a memorial saying that this year's harvest was bountiful?" "If it's a bountiful harvest, why is Zigui's grain production a full fifteen percent less than that of the neighboring county of Jiangling?"

Yang Que's heart skipped a beat, but he remained calm on the surface: "Your Majesty, perhaps... perhaps the mountainous terrain of Zigui is barren. Although there was a bumper harvest, the foundation is weak..."

"Mountainous terrain?" Ying Zheng sneered, the screen before his eyes flickering. [Hint: Zigui County has newly reclaimed 800 mu of paddy fields this year.]

"I've also heard that 800 mu of new paddy fields have been opened in Zigui this year." Ying Zheng leaned forward, his imperial aura overwhelming. "Yang Que, do you think that I, living deep within the palace, am unaware of the affairs of agriculture and weaving throughout the land?"

"Bang!" Ying Zheng slammed his hand on the table. No charts flew out; only the terrifying intimidation of pure, omniscient power. "Did the grain from those eight hundred acres of paddy fields feed the rats, or did it end up in your Yang family's granary?!"

Yang Que was utterly shocked! How could His Majesty possibly remember such a minute number, mixed in with the accounts of a million bushels of grain? And to ask it so casually? His mental defenses crumbled instantly, and he knelt down with a thud: "Your Majesty! This... perhaps I've misremembered, or perhaps it's just a localized shower..."

"Still dare to argue!" Ying Zheng stood up and walked down the steps of the imperial palace. His black imperial robes trailed on the golden bricks, making a rustling sound. "I'll ask you again." Ying Zheng walked up to Yang Que, bent down, and stared intently into his eyes, "Nanjun has eighteen counties and three hundred and forty-two accounts. Why are all the numbers ending in 'zero' and 'five'?" "Have the rats in Nanjun become clever? Do they steal grain so that they can round it up for me?"

[Critical Hit!]

[Little G's comment: The logical loop is complete. This is statistically impossible, unless it was fabricated.]

A deathly silence fell over the court. All the officials bowed their heads, staring intently at their toes, terrified of being called upon by the emperor who could discern patterns in the last digits of hundreds of bamboo scrolls. Yang Que collapsed to the ground, his forehead slamming against the gold brick, blood streaming down his face: "Your Majesty, spare me! Your Majesty, spare me! It was my fault! It was the subordinates who tried to save trouble..."

Yang Que never dreamed that the emperor would actually count the last few digits of the accounts! What kind of divine auditing method is this? This is simply beyond human capability!

"Drag him away." Ying Zheng ignored his nonsense and waved his hand dismissively. "Remove him from his post and hand him over to the Court of Justice for a thorough investigation. I want to see just how many people have gotten a share of this 'last few.'"

Two black-armored warriors stepped forward and dragged Yang Que out of the main hall like a dead dog.

Zhao Gao huddled in a corner, his body ice-cold. He felt that Ying Zheng was a completely different person today. That all-knowing gaze made him feel that all his schemes were exposed.

Li Si's eyes flickered, his heart filled with both fear and a hint of fanaticism. Looking at the remaining "circular map" on the ground, he vaguely realized that the Qin Dynasty's ruling methods might be about to change.

Ying Zheng returned to the high platform and sat on the throne. He felt an unprecedented sense of exhilaration. This feeling of crushing the competition with intelligence and slapping the opponent in the face with data was more satisfying than killing someone.

"Today's events are merely a reminder to you all," Ying Zheng said slowly, employing both kindness and severity. "Though I reside deep within the palace, I know everything that the world is in if I wish." "My beloved ministers, take heed."

In his heart, he said calmly to the shadow in the void: "You have rendered meritorious service in this battle."

"I ask you, besides provisions, what else in this court can be investigated using this 'data' method?"

That's too many.

【for example:

Project progress management: Was there any delay in the construction of the Lishan Mausoleum and the Epang Palace, or any attempt to defraud the government of funds?

Ordnance quality control: What is the defect rate of crossbows produced by the arsenal? Is there any cutting corners?

Population Census and Taxation: Are There Any Hidden Individuals Evading Taxes?

However, I suggest you don't rush into an investigation. Because if you investigate everything, you might not have any ministers attending court tomorrow (they'll all be arrested).

Ying Zheng was slightly taken aback, then smiled wryly. "Yes, water that is too clear has no fish."

"Li Si".

"Your subject is here." Li Si hurriedly stepped forward, his voice trembling slightly.

"I approve of the unification of weights and measures." Ying Zheng sighed, "However, I recently obtained a celestial book and have some new ideas regarding the specific standards. Come to my study after court."

"Yes." Li Si's heart skipped a beat. A celestial book?

"Dismiss the court." With the official's announcement, the courtiers felt as if they had been granted a pardon and hurriedly left the hall, their clothes soaked through.

As Ying Zheng gazed at the empty palace, the question resurfaced in his mind: Where exactly did things go wrong in this "demise after only two generations" ending?