In order to become a Heroic Spirit, I had no choice but to cause trouble in history.

Xiang An was alone in the stable, brushing the mane of the surging waves as the evening glow accompanied him.

“Sigh, that guy Xiao Ye…” He was utterly dejected, his face ashen.

"Neigh..." Tuan Chi realized that Xiang An might not be in a good mood, so he stuck out his tongue and licked Xiang An's head.

"Ouch! It's so itchy!" Xiang An laughed as he touched Tuan Chi's neck.

Tuanchi has been with him for a year now, and their relationship is quite harmonious.

At the beginning of this year, Xiang An asked Xiang Bo to find a horse expert to determine the age of Tuanchi. It was finally determined that he was about three years old and was still a young horse.

The pony is already this strong; it will definitely become even more robust in the future.

Kicking Cloud Black Steed is one year older than Big Waves Rushing, four years older, and is still in its growth period.

“You’re still feeling unwell.” Xiang Liang appeared outside the stable with a smile.

"Uncle..." Xiang An was still shrouded in the shadow of Feng Ping's murder, his eyes filled with tears as he looked at Xiang Liang. "Do you know, Uncle, now my brother and Bai Xing and Xiao Juan are all looking at me strangely..."

"Relax, isn't it a good thing that someone is changing and working hard to take you as their role model?" Xiang Liang chuckled twice and patted Xiang An on the shoulder.

"That's true, but..." Xiang An scratched his head, feeling that something was not quite right.

“Xiao Ye is indeed quite special.” Leaning against the wall of the stable, Xiang Liang said casually, “Did you know? Liao Ye is not a native of Kuaiji.”

"Huh?" Xiang An was taken aback.

"He joined the army a few years ago and became a common soldier in the State of Chu, but just a few days after becoming a common soldier... I brought the army of Chu to Kuaiji." With a sigh, Xiang Liang patted the wall of the stable, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

"How was he supposed to live in Kuaiji, where he had no relatives or friends? So he chose his own way of life, a very poor way of life."

“You changed him.” Turning to look at the stunned Xiang An, Xiang Liang shrugged. “It would be better if you asked him about the details yourself, since you are his idol now.”

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Chapter 829 Inevitable

Xiang An lay on the steps outside his room, leaning against a pillar on the bluestone steps, watching the moon partially obscured by clouds, his hands behind his head, lost in thought.

“Young man.” Xiang Yu walked over and sat down beside him. “What are you thinking about? You look so deep.”

"Brother," Xiang An replied casually, pursed his lips, and didn't say anything.

"Thinking about Xiaoye's matter during the day?" Xiang Yu took out a steamed bun from his pocket and threw it to Xiang An. Then, he pulled out a pot of wine and two bowls from somewhere, placed them on the steps with two clattering sounds, and began to pour wine by himself.

"Hmm...where did you get this wine?" Xiang An replied, pointing to the wine bowl instead of answering the question.

"I smuggled a bottle from my uncle's wine cellar," Xiang Yu chuckled. "Aren't you going to drink it?"

"How could we not drink!" Xiang An sat up, picked up a bowl of wine, kowtowed to Xiang Yu, and then the two brothers tossed their heads together, and the bowl of wine disappeared.

"Ha... So what are you thinking about here instead of going to sleep?" Xiang Yu asked again, wiping his mouth.

"Hmm...it's about...sigh." Scratching his head, Xiang An looked at Xiang Yu, "Brother, you should know that Uncle came to see me this evening, right?"

"Hmm, it seems we talked a little about Xiaoye." Xiang Yu nodded and continued pouring wine.

"After I finished brushing Tuanchi's fur, I went to find Xiaoye and we chatted... about some things that happened before he came to Kuaiji." Xiang An took the wine that Xiang Yu poured for him, his expression complicated.

"He... was a soldier of the Chu Kingdom before, but he did not truly obtain the status of a Chu soldier. It was as if he was abandoned and left outside Kuaiji City by his uncle."

"Before this... his family members had all died in the war with Qin."

“I remember… Uncle was practically fleeing for his life at the time, so he disbanded a large portion of his forces, right?” Xiang Yu hesitated slightly before replying.

"Regardless of what those in power say, for someone like Liao Ye, being abandoned without regard for life or death is a fact. My uncle took the initiative to ask me to go find Liao Ye, so he probably didn't intend to avoid this point."

“However… Liao Ye probably understands his uncle’s difficulties, but he has been avoiding searching for the Xiang family, the old soldiers of Chu, simply because of the facts.” Xiang An lowered his head, backlit by the moonlight, his elbows resting on his knees, so Xiang Yu couldn’t see his expression.

"And so, having lost his family and his hometown, Liao Ye began to wander in Kuaiji City, living aimlessly and as he pleased."

"Until you met me."

“I caught him committing a crime in the street, and I beat him up badly. Only then did he begin to confront his past and resolve to live a good life.”

"...So, what are your thoughts?"

"What I'm thinking... well, I guess I'm somewhat concerned about the war." Xiang An scratched his head and took a bite of his steamed bun. "Brother, you should know what Uncle thinks about Qin's rule, right?"

“I understand. How could a member of the Xiang family not understand?” Xiang Yu sighed. “Of the six states that Qin destroyed, Chu was the most resentful. My uncle harbored deep resentment, but he kept it hidden in his heart. Others couldn’t sense it, but my brother and I are like my uncle’s sons. If you can sense it, how could I not?”

“So… brother, war is inevitable for us,” Xiang An suddenly said.

Xiang Yu was stunned and looked at Xiang An.

Xiang An looked up at the moon.

“I can sense that it’s a fate we can’t escape.” Xiang An stood up, patted Xiang Yu on the shoulder, and walked into his room. “Let’s think about our attitude in the war in advance, brother.”

"I'm going to sleep now."

Xiang Yu stared blankly as Xiang An walked into his room, closed the door, and sighed softly.

I understand everything you're saying, but...

Are we truly prepared for future wars?

......

The next day, at the Xiang residence's martial arts training ground.

"Liao Ye, although you are older than me, since you are willing to swallow your pride and ask me for advice, I will not be stingy either." After yesterday's discussion, Xiang An also became serious.

Since you are hesitant because of your identity as a member of the Chu Kingdom, then let me give you the dignity that a soldier of the Chu Kingdom deserves!

"Yes!" Liao Ye stood opposite Xiang An, somewhat excited.

“You have strength, but no skills. Because you joined the army hastily and have never been trained, you have to start from scratch.” Xiang An held up one finger.

“I am proficient in many weapons, including spears, halberds, axes, swords, guns, and bows. However, if I were to join the army, a spear would be more suitable. But I would like to know what you want?” Xiang An crossed his arms, his face unusually serious.

"Huh? Ah... well, let me think." Liao Ye also became serious, looking at the weapon rack and picking out his weapon.

“You can choose a few more. I don’t have much free time, so I can teach them all,” Xiang An added.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the training ground, Xiang Yu, Xiang Jingzi, and Juan were also doing their daily training.

"Looks like Second Brother is serious. It's rare to see him with that kind of expression." Zijuan twirled the gun idly, but her face showed amusement.

"Let's practice a little longer while we have this opportunity," Xiang Jingdu muttered. "Once Second Brother starts wielding the spear, no living thing can stand in the entire training ground."

"Second Brother's beryllium..." Zijuan shuddered.

Xiang An's spear was three zhang long, and everyone was afraid of it when he wielded it.

The saying "an inch longer, an inch stronger" is not just a joke. If Xiang An used this large halberd on the battlefield, probably no one would dare to get close to him. Wouldn't you be afraid if he stabbed you from several feet away?

Beryllium is now a mainstream weapon, often used in battle formations. However, even Xiang Liang had never seen such a long beryllium before, but Xiang An was extremely fond of it and would spin it around in the training ground whenever he had free time.

Liao Ye had almost made up his mind: "Sword and spear, I guess."

"Okay, don't feel bad about it." Xiang An smiled, reached out and took two spears from the weapon rack, tossing one to Liao Ye.

Under the eaves of the back hall, someone was watching silently.

Xiang Liang smiled involuntarily as he looked at the four siblings and Liao Ye who were actively engaged in the martial arts training ground.

"Second Brother, is this really a good idea? Liao Ye is, after all, a guest. Letting him mingle with Xiang An and the others..." A hint of worry appeared in Uncle Xiang's eyes. "Besides, until Liao Ye changes his mind..."

“It’s alright.” Xiang Liang interrupted Xiang Bo as always. The two brothers had long ago reached a tacit understanding on such matters. “This is something that the State of Chu owes these people. He was avoiding me before, so I couldn’t find him. Now, it can be considered that a matter has been settled…”

God's Arrival

"As for before..."

"He is still a Chu person, with the backbone of a Chu person."

Xiang Liang turned his back, his tone tinged with melancholy: "Although I didn't bring this spine back with my own hands."

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Chapter 830 The Fierce Tiger of Wu

"Uh—haa..." The First Emperor, who was reviewing memorials in his palace, suddenly felt a tightness in his chest, frowned, and looked unpleasant.

With a sigh, the First Emperor picked up the cup beside him, took a sip of tea, and calmed himself down a little.

It is now 213 BC.

He just personally issued a decree.

Order to Burn Books.

He ordered the burning of all the historical records he could collect from the other six states, except for the "Qin Annals." Almost all other books, except those from the Imperial Academy, were also included in the burning.

Implementing the prefecture-county system is imperative. If we continue to implement the ancient system of enfeoffment, it will only create another chaotic Warring States period. Even the old ways have their essence and dross. Useless things will only block our way, so we should just kick them aside.

However, there are always people who want to oppose his implementation of the new system. Even now, after the county system has been in place for several years, there are still ignorant scholars who jump out to advocate for the restoration of the ancient feudal system.

Using the past to criticize the present and slandering the court, if it weren't for Prime Minister Li Si scolding that scholar in court, the First Emperor would have wanted to kill him with a sword.

However, if this is left unresolved, someone will inevitably bring it up again in the future. While I may clearly recognize that this is not feasible, my descendants may not.

Fusu, Gao, Jianglu, and Huhai—these sons were fine to dote on, but if they were to sit in his position, the First Emperor felt that no one could do it better than him.

We must come up with a solution that will solve the problem once and for all.

Therefore, he chose to burn the books.

Using the past to criticize the present? Death would be the end of it.

If you want to learn knowledge, you must honestly become a disciple of the current officials; anyone who studies in private will be held accountable.

Regardless of the future consequences of this decree, at least for now, it is necessary to stabilize the current situation. The First Emperor knew he would face a torrent of criticism, but he would still carry it out.

Just like the southern expedition against the Baiyue and the northern campaign against the Xiongnu, just like spending a lot of manpower, material resources and financial resources to build the Great Wall.

You can scold me if you want, and I'll do what I need to do, but don't let me find out you're scolding me, or I'll punish you.

I am the greatest emperor of all time; why should I act according to the standards of petty villains like you?

The First Emperor tossed the memorial aside and pounded his chest, finally calming the pent-up anger somewhat.

With a sigh, the First Emperor continued reviewing the memorials.