Though each had their own thoughts, the most important thing now was to hurry back to Xianyang and have the new emperor ascend the throne.
But before that, the news of Qin Shi Huang's death could not be allowed to spread across the realm. Stabilizing the overall situation was the top priority.
But Meng Yi was currently distraught.
Because Zhao Gao was unwilling to let him see Qin Shi Huang's final edict.
Zhao Gao declared that Qin Shi Huang had ordered that no one was to open the final edict before reaching Xianyang.
Though suspicious, Meng Yi still believed Zhao Gao's words. After all, Zhao Gao had diligently served at Qin Shi Huang's side for so many years and could be considered a trustworthy old minister.
However, on the second day after Qin Shi Huang's death, Zhao Gao arranged for several of his trusted confidants within the procession to head to Xianyang.
Hu Hai had already agreed to Zhao Gao's usurpation plan in ecstatic delight, while there was temporarily no news from Li Si.
Inside the carriage, Qin Shi Huang's corpse had already begun to rot and stink. To avoid anyone discovering it, Zhao Gao and several others discussed it and procured a large quantity of salted dried fish, placing it in the carriage to mask the odor. They also sent another person to sit inside the carriage, pretending that Qin Shi Huang was still alive.
Thus, the convoy continued along the route Qin Shi Huang had set while alive. Along the way, guards on fast horses constantly rode back and forth between various locations, passing messages.
The realm still appeared peaceful, as though Qin Shi Huang had not died.
Until an "edict" was delivered beneath the Great Wall, to the army fighting the Xiongnu in the north.
Fusu held