Chapter 104 Tradition

The room was filled with silence and stillness.

Apart from Feng Siyu, who was still happily devouring the delicacies on the table, everyone else was experiencing varying degrees of mental shock. No one had expected that Mr. Zhao Zheng, who was usually magnanimous, erudite, and calm, would utter such earth-shattering words.

Wei Yuan snapped out of his thoughts.

He saw the elaborately bound world map in the First Emperor's hands.

His eyes twitched.

A world map... its appearance was at least two thousand two hundred years too late.

If they had possessed this thing earlier, there would have been no need to dispatch three thousand elite soldiers to explore overseas territories under the guise of searching for the elixir of immortality, and the First Emperor would not have reached his current state due to the divine nature riot.

From the perspective of a king from the Age of Gods, and from the First Emperor's viewpoint, unifying the Central Plains of China seemed like a matter of course. Facing this query from the king of the Age of Gods, Wei Yuan adjusted his thoughts, put down his chopsticks, pondered for a long time, and then replied:

"Because of the existence of a type of weapon."

"Weapon?"

"Yes, this weapon is very powerful. The destructive power of a single one is at least at the city level. Once it reaches a point of no return, detonating this weapon would be enough to drag this era into the abyss..."

Wei Yuan slowly described the concept of nuclear deterrence.

Of course, the explosion was secondary; the most terrifying aspect was the radiation.

Everyone had the power to flip the table, so no one could actually flip the table.

If anyone dared to flip the table, they would be ganged up on by all the other table-flippers.

Then he added, "Besides that, there are various problems unique to this era."

The First Emperor thoughtfully said, "Because the weapon's power is too great, and the aftermath would destroy the foundations of the era, making defense impossible, it's impossible to reach that final stage, is that right..."

Wei Yuan nodded.

To Wei Yuan's surprise, the First Emperor didn't pursue the weapon question further.

Wei Yuan inwardly breathed a sigh of relief and then explained, "And the times are different... Many things that were acceptable among the Seven Kingdoms back then are no longer so. Different countries have different social problems now, which would lead to a lot of trouble."

The First Emperor nodded, "I understand. The time is not yet right."

"Besides, with such a weapon, it seems somewhat helpless."

"However, the advantages and benefits brought by unification will not change no matter how far into the future one goes. Since the weapon restricts the area of territory, then surely there will be countries hoping to achieve similar dominance through other means."

"If there is unification, then writing, transportation, and ethics must be standardized. Although I don't fully understand, I believe that some countries have already twisted their own values to control other countries, wantonly exploiting the people of those countries. In this way, it can also be considered a form of rule."

The water ghost opened his mouth, ignoring the imperial "I" that the king had unconsciously uttered, and subconsciously said, "This also counts as rule?"

The First Emperor said calmly, "There is no need to be responsible for the lives and livelihoods of the people of other countries, no need to be responsible for the peace and progress of those countries. Instead, one can more wantonly plunder the wealth and interests of that country, and even use unscrupulous means to continuously draw talents and resources into one's own country, letting other countries bear the costs while one's own country can become increasingly prosperous."

"This is the path of a tyrant, but one doesn't have to worry about the resentment of the people."

"Even strategists with no loyalty to their ruler could not do such a thing."

"Because when the people's resentment boils over, all that's needed is to expel the original ruler of that country and re-elect another subordinate. The tyrannical rule and plunder still exist, and one can even gain the reputation of righteousness, appreciated by the ignorant masses."

"With the existence of that kind of weapon, this distorted development is inevitable."

"At most, one can only use morality to ensure that one doesn't step onto the evil path, but there will always be someone who does it."

Wei Yuan, Zhang Hao, and Yuanjue were speechless.

The water ghost was shocked.

The First Emperor said in a calm tone, "Yuan, I truly don't understand this era."

"But I understand the nation and the people far better than you do."

"The people should be constrained by laws and guided by morality, to eliminate evil and advocate good; but the nation always needs more benefits. What is the state of China now? I want to understand this."

The three modern Chinese people exchanged glances.

They said in unison, "We... China is still only pursuing rejuvenation."

"Rejuvenation?"

The First Emperor paused slightly, then the corners of his mouth seemed to twitch slightly upwards. He nodded and said, "Excellent."

He said calmly, "China possesses a sufficiently rich heritage, with its own writing and history, as well as a profound culture of scholarship. As long as we uphold this, and recognize ourselves, we will not be disturbed by other countries. But if we lose the Chinese self, even sharp swords and blades will be useless."

His voice paused, his dark pupils calm, and his voice even, "The spiritual energy between heaven and earth is beginning to rise."

"That kind of weapon probably won't be impossible to defend against in the future."

"As for countries and peoples..."

As he stood up, his eyes seemed to look down upon the land beneath his feet, and he said, "Two thousand three hundred years ago, the other countries in the eyes of the Seven Kingdoms were also 'other countries'."

"Just like that so-called Europe today."

"And since it has already happened once."

"Then why can't my China have a second time, with a reign that lasts for more than a thousand years?"

Zhang Hao's chopsticks fell to the ground.

The monk's prajna mind rippled.

The emperor, who asked in a calm tone and appeared kind and ordinary, finally revealed his hidden fangs, speaking of overlooking a thousand years of history.

Wei Yuan smiled wryly.

The First Emperor had received his answer and turned to leave.

Wei Yuan picked up his chopsticks, placed them on the table, looked at the people beside him, and added in explanation:

"During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the belief was that revenge shouldn't last forever. Chinese tradition doesn't allow for too much ruthlessness. At most, revenge would be difficult to pursue after five generations. But there was one exception, and that was national hatred. That's why the Seven Kingdoms regarded each other as 'other countries' back then."

"As for the boss's personality, it's because he's a very traditional Chinese traditionalist."

"Please don't take it to heart."

"Chinese traditionalist?"

The water ghost looked bewildered and said, "The kind that's kind, refined, and erudite?"

He was referring to the stereotypical impression that some people had of Chinese folk customs.

Wei Yuan smiled and shook his head, saying, "Should revenge be sought even after nine generations?"

"Even after a hundred generations!"

"Of course, this only applies to national hatred; family grudges are not allowed."

The water ghost was stunned and said, "Why..."

Wei Yuan said, "The ruler and the country are one. The shame of the former ruler is also the shame of the current ruler; the shame of the current ruler is also the shame of the former ruler. But now there are no emperors or rulers anymore, so this saying should be changed."

He thought of what the First Emperor had said when he saw history books a few days ago, paused, and subconsciously repeated, "The people and the country are one. The shame of the ancestors is also the shame of the people of today; the shame of the people of today is also the shame of the ancestors."

"The shame and pain suffered by the ancestors in the past are also the shame and pain suffered by the people of this country today. This is national hatred, and it should not be forgotten even after nine or ten generations. Such revenge is also upright and worthy of praise! This is the spirit that has been passed down in China from generation to generation!"

So full of martial virtue?!

The water ghost was stunned for a moment and said, "Then back then, uh, what was the traditionalist method of seeking revenge for the country?"

Wei Yuan replied decisively, "Destroy the country and kill the ruler!"

"Even after a hundred generations!"

"This is the ancient style of my China!"

........................

Wei Yuan went to find the First Emperor.

And this meal was impossible to finish.

The museum's gathering, a great victory for Feng Siyu.

The water ghost was shaken and muttered, "But will rejuvenation satisfy that Mr. Zhao Zheng? I feel like that person lacks a bit of common sense... yet he's excessively intelligent..."

Feng Siyu patted her stomach contentedly and said, "I can answer this question."

The Yu Clan girl held up a finger and waved it, saying, "If you want rejuvenation, your ancestors must have been wealthy."

"Look, if I want to rejuvenate my snack scale, then the premise is that my table used to be full. That's what rejuvenation is, filling it up little by little, so that the table becomes what it used to be. If there wasn't much to begin with, then there's no way to talk about rejuvenation."

The water ghost suddenly understood and said, "When was China's ancestor wealthy? Let me think..."

He slowly stopped talking, with an expression similar to Zhang Hao and Yuanjue.

I seem to... understand why he's satisfied...

This polite and humble statement, linked to history...

The water ghost, Yuanjue, the Weapon Soul, and Zhang Hao held their tea, focusing their eyes on their noses and their noses on their hearts.

Ahem, still very humble and polite.

................

When Wei Yuan found the First Emperor, the First Emperor was overlooking the distance from the small high-rise of the museum. Wei Yuan slowed his steps and said, "Your Majesty..."

The First Emperor said calmly, "You've come."

"What do you want to ask?"

Wei Yuan was silent for a moment and mocked himself, "I thought Your Majesty would choose to raise the Qin terracotta army and unify the world."

Ying Zheng laughed and said, "What are you thinking?"

"Am I the kind of unreasonable ruler?"

To some extent, Your Majesty, you are a bit.

Wei Yuan slandered in his heart.

The First Emperor leaned on Tai'a, looked into the distance, and said plainly, "Besides, this body is only a remnant of the past."

"From the looks of it, this era is very good... Naturally, I won't do something like overstepping my bounds. I'll just wait for the results. Every era also has its own meaning. You should have the qualifications to establish achievements worthy of being recorded in history."

"I also look forward to seeing the achievements that your generation makes."

"Just like this prosperous city, just like those auspicious creatures that have grabbed the glory of the sky into their hands."

"I think that must also be something that pleases me when I occasionally awaken."

Wei Yuan said, "...You wanted the elixir of immortality. I thought you wanted to be emperor forever."

Just like Gonggong.

Ying Zheng was stunned, then laughed loudly and shook his head, "An immortal emperor is not a good thing."

"Power, immortality, control, can indeed bring stability, but it will also bring stagnation to the entire era. If I only had such a guess before, then looking at this era, I am even more certain that if I were still alive and had always been the emperor, perhaps China would be more stable, but it wouldn't be like this now..."

"The longer the time, the more officials will inevitably tend towards what I like, and the country will also develop and change according to my preferences over the long years. All measures and construction will eventually converge on the matter of serving the immortal emperor."

"The country and the era will not belong to the people, but will belong to the emperor's private property, merely some rare treasure, something to be boasted about. If there really is an immortal being who wants to be emperor, then he will at most regard the country of the people as something rare and worthy of collection."

The First Emperor leaned on Tai'a and said in a calm voice, "He should be condemned."

Wei Yuan breathed out a breath.

It was as if he had witnessed a debate between the gods of the Age of Gods and the emperors of the mortal world.

Then the First Emperor said slowly, "And besides that, there is a second reason."

Wei Yuan was stunned.

The First Emperor looked at Wei Yuan, the corners of his mouth slightly raised in a smile, and said in a relaxed tone, "Because it's too tiring."

Wei Yuan was taken aback, "Huh?"

"Too tiring."

The First Emperor said, "Being an emperor is tiring to begin with. Being an emperor for two thousand years is too tiring to even think about." There was even some complaint in his tone. Then he looked at Wei Yuan and said in a plain voice, "Guardsman, could it be that you want to tire me to death? Hmm?"

Wei Yuan lowered his head and said, "Your subject would not dare."

The First Emperor: "............"

He was silent for a moment, then said in a plain tone, "I was just joking."

Wei Yuan: "............"

Your Majesty, you really don't have a sense of humor. Don't scare people.

Ying Zheng casually put down the book in his hand and asked, "I've read quite a few books. My time to stay in the mortal world is limited. It's time for an eastern tour. Are there any choices?"

Wei Yuan thought for a moment and replied, "We are now in Jiangnan. We can follow Jiangnan to the East Sea, then change course to Mount Tai and arrive at Xianyang City. Then we can circle around the current borders. Coincidentally, the descendants of General Wang Jian were originally in Langya, but later moved to Jinling. We can start from that city."

"The Langya Wang Clan."

And at this time.

Xu Shi finally arrived in Jinling.

ps: Today's first update... Regarding the First Emperor, the surname is Ying, the clan name is Zhao, which has nothing to do with his mother Zhao Ji.

It is related to their ancestors, because the city that their ancestors were enfeoffed was Zhao, so the clan name is Zhao. Zaofu: The ancestor of the Ying surname and Zhao clan. Fei Lian had a son named Ji Sheng. Ji Sheng gave birth to Meng Zeng. Meng Zeng was favored by King Cheng of Zhou and was named Zhai Gaolang. Gaolang gave birth to Hengfu, and Hengfu gave birth to Zaofu. King Mu enfeoffed Zaofu with Zhao City, and the Zaofu clan became the Zhao clan—"Historical Records·Basic History of Qin"