usatvline Chapter 10: Did the Qin Dynasty Perish After Only Two Generations?
Chapter 10: Did the Qin Dynasty Perish After Only Two Generations?
After the red dates were soaked, Ying Wuyou began making date cake. She pitted the soaked dates, chopped them into small pieces, added water and salt, and brought them to a boil. Normally, milk was needed, but nobody drank milk in this era, and Ying Wuyou couldn't find any in the imperial kitchen, so she skipped this step and boiled them directly in water. After boiling, she mashed the dates into a paste, then added eggs and flour, stirred well, and steamed it. Don't ask how Ying Wuyou, who can't cook, knew how to make date cake; the reason, of course, was the recipe provided by the system. With this system as a cheat code, Ying Wuyou felt she could even make cannons. Haha, of course, this was just Ying Wuyou boasting; even with a tutorial, she wouldn't understand the chemistry and math involved in making cannons.
After making a batch, Ying Wuyou tasted it and found the flavor acceptable, but the appearance was really ugly. So Ying Wuyou asked a pastry chef for guidance. After an afternoon of research and learning, Ying Wuyou was finally able to make jujube cakes that were delicious in color, aroma and taste.
The next day, after waiting another hour after the morning court session, Ying Wuyou carried the newly made jujube cakes toward Zhangtai Hall.
Compared to the anxiety Ying Wuyou felt on the way last time, she was much more relaxed this time and even enjoyed the flowers and plants along the way.
Soon they arrived outside Zhangtai Palace. This time, the guards had learned their lesson and rushed in to report to Ying Wuyou. Ying Wuyou quickly entered Zhangtai Palace and, just like last time, bowed and handed the food box to Zhao Gao.
The King of Qin lowered his head to continue reviewing memorials, asking Ying Wuyou, "How old are you this year?" Ying Wuyou replied, "Father, I'm eight years old this year!" The King of Qin put down the memorial he had just read and picked up the next one, saying, "Eight years old now, it's time to learn etiquette." Hearing this, Ying Wuyou thought to herself, [Ancient times were indeed very strict. As a princess, etiquette was definitely a must-learn. In later eras, one would also have to learn poetry, calligraphy, chess, and painting. The Qin Dynasty was a relatively lenient dynasty for women. Besides learning etiquette and poetry, they would also have to learn skills such as embroidery and weaving.] "Thank you, Father, I understand!" Ying Wuyou replied.
"Hmm, have you learned to read yet?" the King of Qin asked again. "Reporting to Father, Thirteen has not yet learned to read!" Ying Wuyou replied. "Then you will go to school with your older brothers and sisters tomorrow," the King of Qin continued. "Thank you, Father, Thirteen will definitely study hard!" Ying Wuyou quickly replied.
After saying this, the King of Qin remained silent. Ying Wuyou, however, thought to himself, "The First Emperor was truly remarkable. Not only were all Qin people capable of achieving high rank and honor through military exploits, but the Qin Dynasty's literacy rate was an astonishing 4%-8%. This was incredibly high in ancient times. The Qing Dynasty, the closest dynasty to modern times, had a literacy rate of only 0.1%. Look at that difference—how outrageous! It's clear the First Emperor truly deserved his title of 'First Emperor.' If the Qin Dynasty hadn't collapsed after only two generations, I can't even imagine how brilliant and dazzling Chinese civilization would have been!"
Upon hearing this, the King of Qin dropped the memorial in his hand. "What? You say—" The King of Qin's voice suddenly rang out, then abruptly stopped. The King of Qin suddenly remembered that this was the voice of Thirteen, which he had heard; he couldn't let her know that he could hear her thoughts.
Startled, Ying Wuyou looked up and saw the King of Qin staring intently at her. She hurriedly asked, "Father, are you speaking to me?" Seeing Ying Wuyou's confused expression, the King of Qin said, "It's nothing." He then suppressed his rage and continued reading the memorial, pretending to read it. In reality, his mind was in turmoil. [Thirteenth Prince said Qin unified the six kingdoms, but now he says Qin only lasted two generations? Why only two generations? Who was the Second Prince? Was it Fusu? Or one of his other sons? Were his sons all useless? Why did Qin only last two generations? And I've already begun seeking immortality—have I not achieved immortality? Were those Taoist priests deceiving me?] These thoughts made it even harder for the King of Qin to suppress his anger, but he couldn't believe what Thirteenth Prince said was true. It was all too bizarre and needed to be verified step by step. To verify the elixir, the King of Qin said to Zhao Gao, "Go and fetch two Nourishing Spirit Pills. Thirteenth Prince looks too thin; give her two."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Gao quickly replied, "Yes." He then instructed a eunuch to carry it out. Zhao Gao was once again astonished by the favor shown to him by the Thirteenth Princess. The King usually valued elixirs highly and had never heard of bestowing them upon others. Yet, the Thirteenth Princess had been rewarded with two Nourishing Spirit Elixirs after only two visits, demonstrating the extent of the King's favor.
Upon hearing that the King of Qin wanted to reward her with elixirs, Ying Wuyou was terrified. She frantically called out to the system in her mind: [System, system, system, what should I do? The First Emperor wants to reward me with elixirs, my life is over!]
Hearing Ying Wuyou's call, the system groggily woke up from its dream, rolled its eyes at Ying Wuyou, and said: "Although the current pills contain mercury, two small ones won't kill you. Besides, Xu Fu hasn't reached the First Emperor's side yet and hasn't refined those kinds of pills for him. These current pills won't harm your body as much. Even the pills Xu Fu refined later would take many years to slowly take effect. Don't worry, they won't kill you!"
Hearing the system's words, Ying Wuyou angrily cursed: "System, I am your host. Do you think I'm okay just because I don't die? If I get sick in this era where the mortality rate of colds and fevers is very high, if I die, your mission will fail, and you'll be in for a beating! Humph!" After saying that, Ying Wuyou ignored the system.
Upon hearing that the mission had failed, the system quickly apologized: "[It's my fault, host, please don't be angry. What I meant was that these pills are fine; taking one or two won't hurt."] Hearing this, Ying Wuyou became even angrier: "[What do you mean, taking one or two won't hurt? So you're saying it's not you who's taking them? This lousy system of yours really doesn't know what's going on.]"
The system apologized again: "Yes, yes, host, don't be angry. At worst, just put the pill away after you get it. If anyone asks, just say it was a gift from the king and you need to keep it for now. Later, you can give it to whoever you dislike."
Upon hearing the system's suggestion, Ying Wuyou's eyes lit up: [System, it has to be you! Thumbs up!]
Hearing Ying Wuyou's conversation with the system, the King of Qin's face darkened further. [So, all these years I've been the only victim? And then there's Xu Fu, as Thirteen mentioned. It seems the Qin Dynasty's demise after only two generations is largely due to him. Did I die young because I took his elixirs for several years? And then my son was incompetent? So the Qin Dynasty perished after only two generations?] Thinking this, the King of Qin wanted to immediately deal with this group of Taoists. Then he remembered, [The system says to give elixirs to whoever you dislike. This method is quite good; I can use it too. Kill a few of these Taoists first, and then see who among the rest knows Xu Fu. Xu Fu must die.]
A moment later, Zhao Gao came out carrying a box containing two pills. Judging from their color and aroma, they were indeed good things, but Ying Wuyou knew they were poison.
After thanking the King of Qin for the reward, he let Ying Wuyou return. Ying Wuyou carried the box, with Cui'er carrying a food box behind him, and walked back.