Chapter 3: The Meeting of Monarch and Minister—Paper and Refined Salt

Chapter 3: The Emperor and His Subject Meet; Paper and Refined Salt

"Your Majesty, ask whatever you wish to know. I shall answer without reservation."

"If you are seeking an elixir of immortality, I do not possess one at this moment, but I will find a way in the future." After all, he had seen the cultivation techniques inscribed upon the Eternal Flame; surely, they must be capable of extending one's lifespan.

"Tell me about the Immortal Realm!" Ying Zheng shifted his posture, asking with curiosity.

"In the Immortal Realm, our Huaxia people have built a nation—a super-state with a population of 1.4 billion." As he spoke, Yang Zimo stole a glance at Ying Zheng. Seeing the Emperor staring intently at him, he offered an embarrassed smile and continued.

"Hiss!"

"Not only do we mine on other planets, but we have also established bases on the moon—that is, the moon in the sky. And we have brought things back from there."

"Oh, and there are mobile phones, which allow people to converse and video call across tens of thousands of miles. Traveling through the heavens and across the earth has long been realized. If one were to take an airplane, it would take only a little over an hour to travel from Xianyang to Jibei Commandery. There is also..."

"Hiss!"

"It is rumored that a great power from the Immortal Realm returned to the Great Qin two thousand years later and inadvertently discovered that in the history of later generations, you were the first to establish a unified dynasty in Huaxia’s history. You pushed Huaxia into an era of grand unification, laid the foundation for the political structure that would persist for over two millennia, and are hailed as the 'Emperor Through the Ages'!"

"Splendid!"

This most mysterious conversation in history lasted for three days. During this time, apart from Zhao Gao, the Prefect of the Carriage Office, delivering food and drink, no one else had entered.

With a dry throat, Yang Zimo picked up the water on the table and drained it in one gulp. He had finally finished speaking about everything he wanted to convey.

After several days, even with the entire empire at Ying Zheng’s disposal, the toll of staying up late was visible on the Emperor.

Ying Zheng took a deep look at him before speaking: "Having listened to you for so long, I am deeply astonished. Truly, the world is vast, and there is nothing that does not exist."

Ying Zheng stood up, placed his hands slowly behind his back, and looked toward the gate. Suddenly, he turned around and declared loudly: "Immortal Master, I need you!"

"Very well!" Yang Zimo replied decisively.

"However, I ask that you demonstrate an immortal technique so that my ministers may open their eyes."

Ying Zheng sat back down and summoned Dun Ruo: "The Immortal Master has suffered many grievances in the past few years. You are to handle this properly, and ensure the Immortal Master is satisfied!"

"As you command!"

"Immortal Master, I have offended you greatly in the past. I hope you can forgive me!" He prepared to bow to Yang Zimo.

"This, this, this—Your Majesty, there is no need for this! We have become friends through conflict, after all!"

"Hahaha! The Immortal Master is truly extraordinary!"

At that moment, Yang Zimo in the hall was pondering how to show off his skills. He knew the formula for gunpowder, but he couldn't remember the exact proportions. Steelmaking technology seemed promising, but he had no idea how to construct a blast furnace. Movable type printing was a great idea, but how was paper made again? It seemed he would have to rely on the knowledge from his nine years of compulsory education.

***

After coming up with a plan, Yang Zimo respectfully said to Ying Zheng: "Your Majesty, I am untalented, but I did participate in the nine-year compulsory education and the college entrance examinations of the Immortal Realm."

"Oh! Tell me in detail."

"First, the immortal pills you are currently taking are, in fact, toxic. If consumed for a long time, they will endanger your life. If Your Majesty does not believe me, you may find an animal, increase the dosage, and observe it for a few days; the truth will be revealed."

"Is that true?" Ying Zheng was suddenly shocked. He had been taking the pills for quite some time, and hearing this, he was terrified. This concerned his own life; there could be no negligence. He immediately summoned Zhao Gao and gave the order.

"If this is true, is there a remedy?"

"Your Majesty, there is a way. Have the Imperial Physicians under the Privy Treasurer conduct a thorough examination of your body, prepare antidotes, and have the Palace Culinary Office prepare fresh cow’s milk and goat’s milk; all of these can gradually alleviate the poison."

"If this method works, I shall reward you handsomely! Continue!"

"Very well. Your Majesty, please prepare some writing materials, a large basin of water, and some saltpeter."

Before long, several attendants brought the items into the hall. Yang Zimo walked over, and Ying Zheng moved to the side of the large basin. He saw Yang Zimo take several pieces of saltpeter, wrap them in cloth, and stir them slowly in the water.

In a short while, white mist rose from the surface. After waiting a moment, a thin layer of ice covered the water. Seeing this miraculous scene, even the unflappable Ying Zheng was stunned. He stepped forward, and for safety, he did not reach into the water, but touched the side of the basin; it was shockingly cold. Looking at the scene before him, Ying Zheng gazed at Yang Zimo with a gleam in his eyes.

"Excellent, continue!" Ying Zheng adjusted his composure and said happily.

As time passed, the tools in the hall multiplied, and the pile of written silk and bamboo slips grew thicker. Yang Zimo, by now, seemed to be addicted, writing with increasing excitement and speaking with growing joy.

Ying Zheng, sitting to the side, had gone from initial surprise and shock to delight, confusion, numbness, and finally, longing. Looking at the map of the world drawn on the silk, and hearing Yang Zimo’s introduction, flames seemed to ignite in Ying Zheng’s eyes. He gripped the map tightly, his body trembling involuntarily. So the world had so many magnificent places! I must conquer them all—they are mine, all of them are mine!

Looking at Yang Zimo, who continued to write on the floor, Ying Zheng already regarded him as a great talent sent by Heaven to assist him. For five years, this man had been invisible, yet just as he was performing the Feng Shan sacrifices, a headache struck, and he discovered him. This must be Heaven acknowledging his achievements and sending him a gift. How else could one explain Yang Zimo coming to the Qin Dynasty from two thousand years in the future?

At the hour of You (dusk), Yang Zimo finally finished his drawings. Although the floor was covered in what were merely common sense items from later generations, they were of immense significance for the current Qin Dynasty. Technologies like refined salt production and composting were excellent tools for boosting national power in this era.

"Ding! Detected techniques related to ice-making and salt-refining. Theory appeared ahead of schedule. Rewarded with 62 Civilization Points. May the inheritor continue the good work!"

"Ah, this! Hahaha! Finally, I’m taking off!" Yang Zimo laughed upon hearing the voice in his mind. But he immediately realized the occasion and saw Ying Zheng staring at him in bewilderment, full of confusion.

"That... Your Majesty, I suddenly remembered something good and couldn't help but get excited. Please forgive me!"

"It is of no matter! Immortal Master, do tell me more." Ying Zheng now truly valued Yang Zimo, and even his manner of address had become much more intimate.

Having received his answer, Yang Zimo immediately picked up the silk and redeemed "Papermaking," "Movable Type Printing," and "Refining and Preparation of Table Salt" from his ancestral artifact.

***

These three technical documents cost 60 Civilization Points, but at least he now knew how to earn them. After spending quite some time, Yang Zimo finally transcribed the information.

He handed them to Ying Zheng, who had been waiting for a long time. Taking the silk, Ying Zheng began to read. The deeper he understood, the more real it felt. Immediately, he called for Zhao Gao.

"Your Majesty! I am here!" Zhao Gao stepped in quickly.

"Arrange this immediately. I give you one month to produce these as quickly as possible. Furthermore, tell Dun Ruo to send troops to guard the site strictly."

"No unauthorized personnel may leave. Those who violate the order shall be executed!" Ying Zheng ordered Zhao Gao to get it done, wishing to verify as soon as possible whether Yang Zimo’s words were credible.

"As you command!"

He then looked at Yang Zimo, who was idling in the hall, and said: "Immortal Master, you will need to stay with me for a while longer. Furthermore, I will need you to put more effort into those three things."

"Certainly."

One month later, in the palace hall, the Marquis of Wucheng Wang Jian, the Marquis of Tongwu Wang Ben, Chancellor Li Si, Senior Minister Meng Yi, Inner Historian Teng, and Censor-in-Chief Feng Jie, along with the Three Councillors and Nine Ministers, had all arrived early.

"His Majesty arrives!" an usher announced.

"Long live His Majesty! Long live the Great Qin!" everyone bowed and saluted.

"Ministers, you may rise." After everyone took their seats, Ying Zheng spoke: "My ministers, I have three items here. You may first take a look to see what they are."

Then, he had the attendants uncover the three items covered by red cloth in the hall. The ministers immediately stepped forward to examine them.

The Marquis of Wucheng, Wang Jian, picked up a stack of thin, silk-like material. He rubbed it back and forth but could not fathom what it was. He looked at Ying Zheng and asked with a half-bow: "Your Majesty, what is this?"

The others looked on as well.

"Marquis of Wucheng, this is a wonderful thing. It is called paper. It can replace silk and bamboo slips. It is very convenient to write on and is itself very lightweight."

"Come! Bring brush and ink!"

Soon, Zhao Gao personally brought the brush and ink over. Qin Shi Huang picked up the brush and began to write on the paper. True to his character, his calligraphy was vigorous and powerful, exuding the aura of a monarch.

"Ministers, you may try it as well!"

After writing a few characters, everyone discovered that this material called paper was not as rough as silk; it was extremely smooth, and the writing speed was quite fast.

Meng Yi praised it endlessly and immediately asked: "Your Majesty! May I ask what the cost of producing this paper is, and what is its yield?"

"Let me hold off on that for now. Ministers, take a look at the other two items."

Suddenly, Inner Historian Teng called out tremblingly: "Your Majesty!"