Starting with his deathbed remonstrance to Zhu Yuanzhang, the emperors were brought to their knees.

【Ding! 】

[The deathbed remonstrance has been completed, earning 9000 RMB!]

In a rented room in an urban village, Li Qing suddenly jumped out of bed, clutching his chest and gasping for breath, covered in cold sweat and still shaken.

A hundred blades pierced my heart!

These guys are ruthless!

Old Zhu only coughed up a few mouthfuls of blood, it can't be that serious.

Li Qing touched his chest, somewhat speechless.

However, at least I unlocked a new way to die, and I made a lot of money!

For the next five days, Li Qing continued to train his body and supplement his historical knowledge.

The rest period passed quickly, and after a flash of white light from the system, Li Qing returned to ancient times.

What appeared before me was not the residence of the Ming Dynasty censor I remembered, but a house with rammed earth walls, a wooden frame, and a simple and rugged style.

"Isn't this my residence in the Qin Dynasty? It seems I've come to the Qin Dynasty again."

Li Qing looked around and realized where he had come to.

This time, his identity remained that of an imperial censor, but his name was changed to Wu Yu.

He pushed open the courtyard gate, and just then the gate next to it opened, and a figure walked out of the house.

"Brother Li, good morning. Today is also a good day for remonstrating to the death."

Li Qing raised his hand in greeting.

"Good morning, Brother Wu."

An imperial censor named Li Ye also greeted them, then said in a low voice:

"To the death for remonstrance? Brother Wu, are you also going to die for this matter of burning books?"

Seeing Li Qing nod, Li Ye was startled and quickly said:

"You know perfectly well that His Majesty has already executed many censors who submitted remonstrances in the past few days. Do you still dare to provoke him?"

Li Qing laughed heartily:

"What does it matter? We imperial censors are not afraid of death! I'll go see what's going on!"

After saying that, he walked toward the palace.

Outside the palace, imperial guards stood in rows, their spears and halberds gleaming, exuding a murderous aura. After being announced, Li Qing entered the main hall and finally met the person in question—Qin Shi Huang, Ying Zheng.

On the high platform, Ying Zheng wore a black dragon robe, his face hidden behind a curtain, making it impossible to see his expression. However, the domineering aura emanating from him made the entire hall quiet. Even without saying a word, it could make people's legs go weak.

Having offered his remonstrance so many times, Li Qing was no longer afraid. After bowing, he immediately launched into a tirade, first agreeing with everything, then launching into a vicious attack, displaying his utter arrogance:

"Your Majesty, I congratulate you! With the order to burn books issued, everyone in the land obediently handed over their books, and no one dared to cause trouble. It is clear that the whole world submits to your authority!"

Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng, behind the curtain, visibly breathed a sigh of relief, a slight smile appearing on his lips.

In order to push through the order to burn books, he had already boiled or beheaded twenty-three censors who dared to advise him. The court was completely silent, and it was rare for anyone to stand up and praise him. How could he not be in a good mood?

"The burning of books must be carried out." Ying Zheng's voice was deep and resolute, carrying the unyielding air of an emperor. "The Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods were chaotic for five hundred years because the various schools of thought were too confused, each saying their own thing, which led to instability in the land. What I want is not just territorial unification, but also unification of thought, writing, and rules!"

"Your Majesty is absolutely right!" Li Qing's voice rose even louder, arrogantly echoing, "Those chaotic doctrines may seem exciting, but they're all sources of trouble! If they're not burned, the world will never be stable!"

"Those censors who dare to oppose you are all short-sighted fools who don't understand your vision at all!"

Li Qing abruptly changed the subject, his tone turning ruthless: "I believe that killing just one person who dares to block your path is not enough; you must wipe out their entire family to teach the world a lesson!"

Ying Zheng paused for a moment, then looked Li Qing up and down: "Everyone in the world says that the laws of my Qin Dynasty are too harsh, but you think I'm too soft-hearted?"

"Of course!" Li Qing raised his head, looking directly at the emperor's face, showing no fear. "The law isn't for killing, it's for preventing people from making mistakes! No matter how harsh the rules are, if you don't break them, you'll be fine; those who complain about the severity of the law are just secretly planning to break it, afraid of being punished!"

These words struck a chord with Ying Zheng. He had always wanted to consolidate power and hated nothing more than others' nagging; Li Qing's words resonated with him perfectly.

"Well said! Then tell me, how should we deal with those who dare to obstruct the order to burn books?"

"Exterminate their entire clan! Kill them all, leave no one alive!"

Li Qing didn't even blink, speaking crisply and decisively. Exterminating three generations of a family was the maximum penalty of death in the Qin Dynasty—a complete eradication of any threat.

Ying Zheng nodded and immediately ordered, "Do as you say! Zhao Gao, write an imperial edict, give it to Li Si, and distribute it throughout the land!"

"Yes!" Zhao Gao, standing beside him, bowed his head in response. This man looked meek and obedient; who could have imagined that he would later destroy the Qin Dynasty?

Li Qing could tell that Ying Zheng was in a very good mood, so he pressed his advantage and pretended to frown:

"Your Majesty, there is something else that concerns the fate of our Great Qin, and I dare not remain silent about it."

Ying Zheng became interested: "Speak freely, I won't blame you."

Li Qing said loudly:

"Your Majesty has not considered that if you burn those books, that knowledge will also disappear. How will the Qin state become strong and prosperous, and how will the people of the world view you?"

What will our Great Qin Dynasty become then?

Upon hearing this, Li Si's face instantly darkened, and he knelt down with a thud, exuding murderous intent.

"Your Majesty! That brat Wu Yu has rebelled! He's insulting you, mocking you, and slandering national policies!"

Ying Zheng leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers on the table, lost in thought. After a long while, he spoke:

"Li Si, tell me the truth, is what he said reasonable?"

"Your Majesty! This is utter nonsense! It's spreading heresy and misleading the public!" Li Si shouted anxiously. "The order to burn books must be carried out! This brat must die!"

Ying Zheng waved his hand, his tone calm, yet carrying the deep contemplation of an emperor:

"Our Great Qin was once a small country in the west. It gradually grew stronger by absorbing the strengths of others."

"When we conquered Bashu, we didn't destroy their craftsmanship, which is why we have granaries; when we conquered the Western Rong, we didn't kill their cavalry, which is why we have a strong army."

"Now that we have conquered six kingdoms, should I absorb all their talent and knowledge for my own use, or should I burn them all down and wipe them out completely?"

"Li Si, tell me, was I really wrong?"

When Ying Zheng said these words, Li Si was completely dumbfounded—the greatest emperor of all time was actually doubting himself!

"No! Your Majesty is never wrong! It was Wu Yu who bewitched you!"

Ying Zheng looked at Li Qing, his tone calm and steady:

"I understand what you mean. If we don't burn the books, then tell me, how can we make the scholars of the six states not hate Qin and willingly risk their lives for us?"

Li Si, standing beside Li Qing, stared intently at him with a fierce look in his eyes, and uttered a harsh threat:

"Who knows, I might break your legs or tear you apart by chariots!"

I think it would be better to exterminate the entire clan.

Li Qing mentally complained.

"Don't worry, I won't blame you," Ying Zheng said, his emotions remaining calm, and the system didn't react at all.

Li Qing pondered for a moment, then blurted out his conditions, arrogant and straightforward:

"Your Majesty, all the censors who advised you before are dead. I can give you advice, and I'll speak from the bottom of my heart, but I have one condition—after I finish speaking, you must kill me!"

"Do you think His Majesty wouldn't dare kill you?"

Li Si said, puzzled.

Negotiating with the emperor? Is this guy insane?