Qin Emperor Ying Zheng

The moment the numbers hit zero, Su Qi's vision blurred, and the scene before him changed instantly.

Simultaneously, in the eyes of billions of netizens, the damned black screen numbers finally began to fade, and a new scene appeared before them.

Birds chirped, flowers bloomed, trees grew in abundance, and a magnificent, towering mountain appeared in their view.

The mist clinging to the mountain was thick and unmoving, leaving everything damp.

In the distance, at the foot of the great mountain, a convoy of vehicles was slowly approaching.

Gazing at the majestic Mount Tai and the approaching convoy, billions of netizens excitedly began to discuss.

"Haha, it's finally starting!"

"Is that Qin Shi Huang's convoy? Are they going to Mount Tai for the Feng Shan ceremony?"

"I'm so curious..."

Countless netizens, their eyes filled with anticipation, watched the convoy. Their curiosity piqued as they focused on the most opulent carriage within the procession.

Without a doubt, they assumed that Qin Shi Huang himself must be seated inside that magnificent carriage.

Not long after, they saw the convoy halt at the foot of Mount Tai, seemingly preparing for a rest.

The camera zoomed in, allowing the viewers to clearly see each of the carriages.

Soon, people began to disembark from the carriages. Some high-ranking officials groaned as they emerged, appearing rather disheveled.

This caused some surprise among the netizens.

One netizen found it perfectly normal and casually explained, "This is quite normal. Think about the fatigue from traveling. We have such smooth cement roads and cars today, and even sitting for a long time can be uncomfortable. It must be even more so for them."

Other netizens nodded in agreement, finding his explanation sound.

However, their attention soon shifted away from this minor detail and focused back on the most luxurious carriage.

As expected, not long after, the carriage curtain was pulled aside, and the face of the person opening it was revealed to everyone.

He had sharp, blade-like eyebrows, a high nose bridge, and long eyes. While not exceptionally handsome, he was certainly not ugly, and his appearance differed greatly from the descriptions in the Records of the Grand Historian.

As he stepped out of the carriage, his imposing figure was fully revealed. He was exceptionally tall and robust, exuding an aura of fierce and unyielding power, much like a wolf or a tiger.

Overall, he was a man clad in black ceremonial robes, looking incredibly imposing and exuding an extraordinary presence.

"Holy crap, is this what Qin Shi Huang looked like?"

The netizens erupted, their discussions filled with astonishment.

Compared to the unattractive depiction in the Records of the Grand Historian, his real-life appearance was far superior, radiating an undeniable dominance.

After the initial shock, a flood of adoring comments followed.

"Ahhh, I'm so turned on, I want to have his babies!"

"Get lost, he's my husband!"

"You sluts upstairs, my birdcage is ready, come in and I'll clip your wings!"

"Brother Zheng, hurry to my bed, don't go easy on me!"

"Scram, you above! Go die! Stay away from my Brother Zheng!"

A stream of fervent and lewd comments emerged, fully demonstrating Emperor Qin Ying Zheng's immense popularity.

Professor Chen from the prehistoric ruins, along with other learned elders, looked at the barrage of comments with a mixture of helplessness and speechlessness.

They even noticed comments from foreigners among them.

"Oh my God, he's mine! This emperor's appearance perfectly matches my fantasy of an Eastern emperor."

"Foreigners, get lost! You want to snatch Brother Zheng? Go away, we need to keep this within the family!"

"Exactly, exactly..."

After their initial frenzy, the netizens calmed down slightly and observed Qin Shi Huang in the footage begin to summon his civil and military officials, seemingly to discuss something.

Upon listening closely, they realized the officials were discussing the specific arrangements for the Fengshan ceremony.

Naturally, they soon saw the outcome: the civil and military officials exchanged glances with each other.

As the grand Feng Chan ceremony had not been held for a long time, they were not very familiar with its specific regulations and procedures.

"Chancellor Li?"

A white-haired elder softly inquired of Chancellor Li, who was positioned in front of him.

Upon hearing this, Li Si slightly shook his head, indicating his lack of knowledge.

Finally, the netizens witnessed Brother Zheng, having received no useful advice, dispatch officials to respectfully invite Confucian scholars from the Qi-Lu region to seek their opinions.

Soon, a group of Confucian scholars, sporting beards and dressed impeccably, appeared in the frame.

Their expressions varied as they followed the leading official, proceeding towards their destination at a steady pace.

"Huh, is it just my imagination, or do these people seem to have expressions of disdain on their faces?"

A netizen, observing the scholars' expressions, looked puzzled.

Someone with extensive knowledge quickly replied, "Everyone probably saw correctly. As for the reason, I think I know."

"Qin's location was in the Guanzhong area of the northwest, quite far from the Central Plains, and even further from the Qi-Lu region where many scholars resided. Therefore, Qin's culture had always been relatively weak, naturally leading to disdain from other states, and these Confucian scholars were no exception."

"Perhaps it's also related to the Qin Dynasty's emphasis on Legalism and suppression of Confucianism?"

"I bet they also look down on the fact that the Qin Dynasty unified the country through military force. In their eyes, anyone who can perform the Fengshan ceremony on Mount Tai must have achieved world-shattering accomplishments. How could a tyrant like Emperor Zheng be qualified?"

Following this netizen's comment, a flood of criticisms instantly erupted.

"Holy crap, they're judging a book by its cover!"

"I second that! A bunch of pedantic Confucian scholars, what's there to be so proud of?"

The netizens said disdainfully.

Soon, the group of over seventy people was brought before Qin Shi Huang.

Facing the majestic Ying Zheng, they couldn't help but curb their arrogant demeanor.

"Regarding the Fengshan ceremony, what are your insights?" Qin Shi Huang asked in a loud and authoritative voice.

In response to Emperor Qin Ying Zheng's question, the Confucian scholars from Qi-Lu exchanged glances, then began to discuss amongst themselves, each offering their own opinions.

Whether intentionally or not, after much deliberation, none of them could come up with a unified answer.

At one point, someone even proposed that to protect the vegetation on Mount Tai, they should use carts made of reeds to ascend. Furthermore, the place where the Fengshan ceremony was to be held should be covered with dry grass, and the sacrifices should be performed by sweeping the ground. This meant that the Son of Heaven would not perform the heavenly rites on an altar, but rather sweep the ground below the altar for the sacrifices, keeping the process as simple as possible.

Not only Li Si but also the other officials frowned.

This did not align with their desire for a grand sacrificial ceremony.

"Are they trying to make things difficult for His Majesty?" Li Si wondered with a frown.

Facing the suggestions put forth by these dozens of Confucian scholars from Qi-Lu, Ying Zheng remained expressionless. His emotions were unreadable on the surface, but his dark eyes grew even deeper.

He knew very well that this group of people believed he was not qualified to perform the Fengshan ceremony, which was why they were proposing these trivial matters.

Qin Shi Huang casually found an excuse: "It is difficult to implement."

With that, he waved his hand, signaling them to withdraw and forbidding them from participating in the matter further.

The dozens of Confucian scholars who were expelled, once no one was around to see them, all revealed expressions of disdain.

After the crowd dispersed, some who were on good terms gathered together and began to voice their opinions.

"Pah, this unvirtuous ruler, this tyrant, actually wants to perform the Fengshan ceremony and gain heaven's approval. What a dream!"

A middle-aged Confucian scholar named Wang Zong said dismissively.

"That's right, how could heaven possibly approve of that tyrant!" someone next to him quietly agreed.

The netizens, overhearing these hushed discussions, were instantly enraged.