Chinese animation: Starting with Bad Guys

Creon was untied. He glanced at the generals in the tent and spoke in broken but clear Qin language, his voice filled with resentment and complexity:

"My hometown is in the land of the setting sun, where there is a land far more expansive than the Great Qin... To the east lies the Mauryan Empire, possessing tens of thousands of war elephants, its wealth far exceeding imagination; to the west lies the Parthian Empire, controlling the golden trade routes; further still, there are countless city-states, each with its own unique writing system, laws, and arts..."

His words were like a key, suddenly unlocking a new world for the generals.

It turns out that there are so many countries at the ends of the earth!

Only then did they understand the deeper meaning behind Qin Chuan's claim that "there weren't enough prisoners"!

These laborers were not only there to build the Great Qin, but also to support future, more distant conquests!

A surge of heroic spirit burned like a raging fire in the hearts of the generals. Meng Tian rose, his hand on his sword, and his voice boomed like a bell:

"Please give the order, Your Majesty! This humble general is willing to lead his iron cavalry across the grasslands to capture a million 'foundation stones' for Great Qin!"

"This humble general is willing to go!"

Li Xin, Wang Ben, and the other generals responded in unison, the clanging of their armor causing dust to fall from the top of the tent.

The following years marked the end of the Xiongnu people on the steppes.

The Qin army was like a sophisticated war machine; the golden fire cavalry swept across the grasslands like a whirlwind, while the infantry were like a giant net spread out, bringing every tribe into the annihilation range.

The resisters were reduced to scorched earth, the surrendered were chained together in long lines, the elderly, women and children were sent to the northern border counties in batches, and the men were continuously sent to construction sites all over the empire.

Over the years, countless magnificent achievements miraculously sprang up across the empire's territory:

The imperial road, like a silver ribbon, runs through all directions, and at its widest point, it can accommodate ten horses running side by side.

Fortresses such as Yanmen Pass and Xiaoguan Pass rose from the ground, with city towers over ten zhang high and arrow towers like fierce beasts overlooking the wilderness.

On the day the canal connecting the Wei River and the Yellow River was completed, people on both banks cheered with joy!

The most arduous parts of these projects were all marked with the blood and sweat of the Xiongnu prisoners.

The people of Qin truly tasted the benefits of recuperation and rest.

Farmers no longer have to abandon their fields to perform corvée labor, and the ears of wheat on the field ridges are fuller year by year.

With more time to hone their skills, the craftsmen in Xianyang's workshops saw a steady improvement in the quality of ironware and silk.

Merchants drove their horse-drawn carriages along the roads, and the flow of goods was several times faster than before.

The Xiongnu, who once caused sleepless nights in the Central Plains, completely disappeared as an ethnic group.

Their young and strong men hunched over on the construction site, while their children learned to speak Qin language and recognize Qin characters in the county. Blood and culture were unknowingly integrated into the fabric of the Qin Dynasty.

As the sun set, Qin Chuan stood on a beacon tower of the Great Wall, stroking a newly drawn map in his hand.

Besides the territory of the Qin Dynasty, the text also faintly outlines the western kingdoms described by Creon.

He gazed at the western horizon, where the sunset glow resembled a burning battle flag, as if summoning the iron cavalry of the east.

The wheels of empire have already carved tracks leading to the ends of the earth on the bones and blood of the Xiongnu captives.

Chapter 66 The Will of the People, Rong'er in His Arms

Outside the west gate of Xianyang, the official road was already packed with people who had spontaneously gathered.

Without any ceremonial procession or bugle calls, only a light black carriage, escorted by several riders, slowly drove into this boiling sea.

The news spread like wildfire: the Chuan Jun, who had swept away the Xiongnu with his illustrious military prowess and brought benevolent rule to the people, had returned!

May Your Majesty be well!

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for saving my life!"

"Kawa-kun! Kawa-kun!"

Cheers rose and fell, their sound shaking the heavens.

Farmers held newly harvested wheat ears in their rough hands, craftsmen carried newly forged iron tools, women held children, and the elderly had tears in their eyes.

They didn't understand the lofty ideals of the imperial court; they only knew that the able-bodied men in their families would no longer be conscripted for corvée labor to travel thousands of miles to repair the Great Wall and the imperial roads, and could peacefully tend their fields and support their wives and children.

All that is known is that the most arduous and dangerous projects, which often cost lives, are now being undertaken by surrendered Xiongnu prisoners of war.

This genuine kindness weighs more than a thousand pounds.

Qin Chuan lifted the carriage curtain and looked at the excited yet simple faces, his heart also surging with emotion.

He waved gently in response, his gaze sweeping across the crowd with a tender expression.

The light carriage drove into the bustling East Market of Xianyang, where the noise of the crowd subsided slightly.

Just around the corner, Qin Chuan's gaze was drawn to a simple clinic on the side of the street.

People lined up in front of the door seeking medical treatment, and a familiar figure was seeing off the last patient.

She wore a simple blue cloth dress, her hair was simply tied up, and a few strands of hair were stuck to her smooth forehead with sweat. Her brows showed the fatigue after a busy day, but it could not hide her beauty and tranquility.

As if sensing something, she looked up and her gaze met Qin Chuan's from behind the carriage curtain.

In that instant, time seemed to freeze.

Years have passed, and all that has happened – wind, frost, rain, snow, swords, and shadows – is now in this single glance.

Qin Chuan signaled for the car to stop and got out.

The two stood a few steps apart.

The hustle and bustle of the city seemed to fade into the distant background.

"came back?"

Duanmu Rong's voice was slightly hoarse, with a barely perceptible tremor.

She looked at him; he was still dressed in black, his posture upright, but his brows held a deeper sense of vicissitude and majesty, and his cheeks seemed to bear the marks of the northern winds and sands.

"Yes, I'm back."

Qin Chuan's voice was deep and gentle, his gaze lingering on her slightly thinner face, "You... have worked hard."

He saw the weariness in her eyes, the piles of herbs in the clinic and the busy apprentices, and knew that she had never stopped working over the years.

"You too."

Duanmu Rong spoke softly, her eyes glistening with tears, her affection overflowing like spring water, yet tightly locked away by the unspoken restraint between the two.

A thousand words can only be expressed in this silent gaze and simple greeting.

She had so many questions for him: Had the wind and snow on the grasslands caused him frostbite? Had he been injured in the battles? Had he... ever missed her?

But in the end, she just pursed her lips.

"There are still patients waiting for their medication in the clinic, I..."

Duanmu Rong pointed inside the clinic, her voice tinged with reluctance and apology.

“Go ahead, the patient is the priority.” Qin Chuan nodded understandingly, his eyes filled with undisguised appreciation and tenderness. “I also need to go to the palace to see Brother Zheng.”

Duanmu Rong gave him a deep look, as if she wanted to etch his image into her heart, before turning around and returning to the clinic with hurried yet light steps, immersing herself in her compassionate heart.

Qin Chuan watched her figure disappear through the door before turning around and getting into the car. The wheels started rolling again, heading towards the majestic palace.

Deep within Zhangtai Palace, instead of a grand banquet hall, lies a quiet and elegant warm pavilion.

There were no officials in attendance, no bells and drums ringing out; only Ying Zheng and Qin Chuan sat facing each other.

The dishes on the table were exquisite but few in number, and a pot of warm wine exuded a mellow aroma.

"We said there was no need to welcome them, but the people blocked the road, which caused some delay."

Qin Chuan picked up his wine cup, speaking casually as if he were talking to an ordinary brother.

Ying Zheng, dressed in casual clothes, smiled slightly upon hearing this, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes: "The will of the people cannot be stopped. You have done well; replacing prisoners with forced labor is a merit that will last for generations."

He personally poured Qin Chuan a full glass of wine, and as he did so, Qin Chuan keenly sensed something amiss.

Ying Zheng's hands seemed less steady than usual, and his face, under the candlelight, showed a faint pallor. His brows were heavy with fatigue, and even his once sharp, hawk-like eyes were now shrouded in a lingering weariness.

He was like a bowstring stretched too tight; though not broken, he was already showing signs of exhaustion from the excessive strain.

After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became harmonious.

Ying Zheng put down his wine cup, looked calmly at Qin Chuan, and suddenly spoke. His voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable solemnity:

"Brother Chuan, what do you think... who is suitable to be the Crown Prince?"

Qin Chuan paused slightly in the hand holding the cup.

The topic came out of nowhere, yet it was also expected.

He raised his eyes and carefully examined Ying Zheng.

The once spirited and powerful emperor now has deep furrows etched between his brows and graying temples.

The spirit that enabled him to sweep across the land and look down upon the world was being quietly eroded away by endless national affairs and the passage of time.

He understood why Ying Zheng had suddenly mentioned the crown prince.

“Brother Zheng…” Qin Chuan’s voice lowered, “This matter concerns the foundation of the nation, and it is up to the imperial family, ministers, and Brother Zheng to make the decision. Your subject should not interfere.”

He paused, looked directly into Ying Zheng's eyes, and said with unwavering resolve, "Besides, as long as I am alive, Brother Zheng... will not die."

Ying Zheng was slightly taken aback, then revealed a complex yet frank wry smile. He did not deny Qin Chuan's observation:

"Birth, aging, sickness, and death are the natural course of life. I... truly feel powerless to do anything about it."

He gently stroked the cold rim of the wine vessel, his gaze fixed on the deep night outside the window, a hint of resentment in his eyes. "I once harbored the delusion of seeking immortality, yet I knew it was nothing but a mirage. But..."

He turned back, his eyes burning with unfulfilled ambition, "But when I think of the grand plans we brothers once had—to encompass the four seas, to conquer the eight wastelands, and to make all that the sun and moon shine upon Qin territory! I'm afraid... afraid I won't live to see that day."

“If Brother Zheng wants to see it, he will definitely see it.” Qin Chuan put down his wine cup, stood up, and walked behind Ying Zheng. “Relax.”

Before he finished speaking, Qin Chuan's palm had already gently pressed on Ying Zheng's acupoint on his back.

An indescribable power, brimming with vitality and the ultimate truths of heaven and earth, the true essence of the Nine Heavens Longevity Technique, like the most gentle yet vast spring water, instantly surged into Ying Zheng's nearly depleted meridians.

Ying Zheng's body jolted violently!

It was as if parched, cracked earth had suddenly received sweet rain, or as if a bonfire about to go out had been fueled with new firewood.

A surge of warmth instantly swept through my body, dispelling the deep-seated cold and fatigue.

He clearly felt that the vitality that had been permanently lost due to excessive mental exertion and exhaustion was being forcibly repaired and replenished by this magical force!